Chapter 5: Set-ups

A/N: Minna-san Merry Christmas desu!!! Read and review onegai!!!

"Sakura, are you free this Sunday night?" an enthusiastic voice on the other line asked the pink haired photographer. "Well… yeah I have nothing planned for Christmas Eve. Why do you ask?" "There will be an exhibit featuring my brother's paintings. If you want I'll give you a pass," then Sakura heard the blond suppress a giggle. Upon reflex her thin eyebrow rose questionably. "Temari-san, you're not setting me up with your brother, Kankuro or anything right?" she tried to catch the blond. "Kankuro?! Don't be silly," I'm setting you up with my brother alright but not with that moron. Temari held her from a distance as she chuckled heartily.

Being convinced that nothing was preplanned, "Alright," the lady photographer replied innocently. "Really?! That's great I'll just send you the pass," the blond quickly ended the conversation before Sakura decides to change her mind.

Sakura looked incredulously at her cell phone indicating the ended call. Why do I get the feeling that this does not bode well for me? Her phone again vibrated indicating another call. "Sakura! Are you free this Sunday night?" her energetic friend asked. "Gomen, Tenten I already have plans for that night," she replied honestly. "Oh, I was planning on taking you with us on a certain…" "By 'us' you mean you and your man right? I think it's better for me to stay away… I'm not that desperate to ruin your Christmas," she said with a mischievous tone. "Sakura!" obviously her friend was blushing like mad on the other line. "Just kidding, but I really have plans for that night. So you guys enjoy okay?" she tried to hold back her chuckles before the conversation ended.

On another setting, a blond was dialing a certain number while her tongue stuck out of her lips. "Temari," she almost dropped her phone when she heard his strong male voice. "Gaara, don't scare me like that!" she held her chest trying to calm her panicking heart. "Hn…" the red head just looked at his sister calmly. "W-what is it?" she tried to hide her phone behind her but too late it was already spotted by her baby brother. "Who are you calling?" "N-no one, what do you want?" her voice was that of a nervous and impatient sister.

He knew something was up but he paid no attention to it. "Where's Kankuro?" he leaned on the nearest wall as he stared at the blond. "He went out something about buying gifts or something," she forced herself to remain calm despite her brother's piercing gaze. "Is that so? Then I'm going out as well," he dismissed his sister's actions and decided to take a walk outside. "Oh by the way… do you have plans for Sunday evening?" Temari asked before he stepped out. Even before the red head could reply her sister immediately "I would presume you have none." the blond turned her back to her brother to prevent him from seeing her anxious expression.

As soon as she heard the door shut, she let out a sigh of relief. He didn't say anything so that means he has no plans. "Boy, that was close," she took out her cell phone again and begun dialing.

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Something doesn't seem right. It was hours before Christmas Eve and not one of his siblings was in sight. Usually during this time, they would be frantically preparing a feast for the evening but today not even a single dish was in sight. Something isn't right.

His jade eyes widen as he saw his bedroom door open. Taking several large steps, he stepped into his room and found an empty chair. Temari… you did not… his temper was growing thin as he tried to search for his painting.

As if on cue, the phone rang but he decided to pay no attention to it knowing it must be one of his sibling's friends greeting them or something. "Gaara," his search was put to a stop when he heard his sister's voice on the other line. "I presume you probably found out I took your dream girl out for a walk," his jaw line harden as he heard her mocking tone. "Well if you want to see her. I left an invitation on your bedside table and I bought a suit for you. I think I left it in your closet. So see you then…"

He tore his closet open then put on the new suit. Not bothering to fix his hair, he grabbed the envelope on his table and ran out of the condo unit and into his car. Temari was going to see hell. Not only did she enter his room, she STOLE his painting and from his presumption had put it in a certain exhibit.

Everyone was eyeing the pink haired photographer upon her arrival. She didn't think it would be the dress since it was fit for the occasion. Her long black gown clung to her body like a second skin as a slit on both sides revealed her long creamy legs. It was in contrast with her long wavy pink tresses that fell flawlessly at her back.

Where the hell is Temari any way? She asked herself as she felt everyone's eyes on her. Spotting a blond, Sakura made her way to her but as the lady spoke she realized it was not Temari. Ino?! What the hell is she doing here?! She retreated to a certain distance, out of the blonde's sight.

The red head almost storm the place as he tried to locate his sister. Seeing his painting on display made his blood boil. That painting was mean t to be seen only by him and not some people who would find mistakes in what he finds to be the most perfect creation he has ever imagined.

Having a sense of dignity, he did turn ballistic to the point that he would remove the painting from the wall in front of the crowd. Having his last resort, he stepped back and let the people see his work. No one would even know he painted it anyway.

"Gomenasai," he heard a gentle female voice shortly after he felt someone bumped his back. Slowly turning around, he smelled something close to vanilla but the source was already out of sight.

Her jade eyes never left Ino. She panicked as she saw her drawing near her. Steeping back, she bumped against someone. Being a nervous tick, she apologized without even looking at the person. She didn't want another unwanted attention so she decided to make her exit.

As if she was being mocked by fate, her blond ex-best-friend was on the doorway having a decent conversation with a few men. Heaven help me. She pleaded as she tried to look for any other way out. Seeing a flight of stairs, she decided it would be better upstairs than down here.

Sociable wasn't exactly the word that would come to mind when you see Gaara. Being in crowded places was the least event he thought of in spending his Christmas Eve. Spotting the unnoticed garden, he decided to retreat temporarily until he finds his conniving blond sister.

Thankfully, there was no one on the rooftop that night. I need to get out of here and fast. She bit her lower lip in frustration. Hearing Ino's insults wasn't really an event she was looking forward to especially tonight on Christmas Eve. Her forest green eyes scanned the barren rooftop for something. Her gaze rested on a certain fire escape. Am I really this desperate? Yes, yes you are. Her inner persona answered for her.

Letting out a sigh of surrender, she removed her sandals and dropped it on the dark garden then she proceeded to climbing down the fire escape ladder.

Hearing a soft thud, the red head approached the source to see a pair of sandals on he ground. As the wind blew strongly, he heard a scream. Upon reflex, he held out his arms to catch the person.

She was near the ground only a few steps until the wind blew hard making her lose her grip. As let out a scream as she fell, she closed her eyes waiting for the collision but it never came.

Gradually opening her eyes, her blurry vision became crystal clear as she gazed into his jade orbs.

The red head looked at the woman he caught and to his surprise. Her hair… is the same as the one he had painted… and looking further… it is her!

Her eyes scanned each and every detail of his face. From the disheveled red hair, the kanji tattoo on his forehead to his kissable lips. There was no doubt. It is him! Her gaze traveled back to his jade eyes. So his eyes are green… and he smells like cool water.

He didn't imagine he would meet her here or even in this world. She was a figment of his dreams… an angel he had only seen once but the image burned its way to his memory. Yet there she is, in his arms openly staring at him in probably the same interest as his. His hands unconsciously tightened its grip on her arms trying to make sure she was real.

Upon feeling his touch, her face felt like burning as she was well aware of the face that she was blushing like an idiot. "Are you alright?" his deep voice echoed in her head as she tried to force herself to remain calm. "Y-Yeah, thanks," she muttered as he out her down.

For the second time their eyes met, as if trying to prove that each other's existence was no illusion. They got lost in each other's eyes as a breeze passed by.

"I see you're with your dream girl," a male voice broke their contact. Looking at the man with short brown hair, "Kankuro…" Sakura looked from the man on the doorway to the man beside her. So they know each other… dreamgirl?!

Kankuro can't help but chuckle as he saw his baby brother's reaction. His glare could kill him a hundred times if it could. His eyes were yelling- you knew her and yet you didn't bother to tell me?!

And to make matters worse, "Sakura, why don't you introduce me to your boyfriend," a female voice enthusiastically requested. She froze as she saw her friend together with her long haired boyfriend. Boyfriend? His arrogant gaze traveled from the three intruders to the lady beside him.

"Tenten, Neji I thought…" she muttered but was cut short when… "Gaara," she turned to look at him making a slight bow. "Gaara, I'm Tenten and he's my boyfriend Neji," they returned his gesture.

Oh my god this cannot be happening!!! Never in her life did she want to disappear more than today. She wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole. It was evident that her face was flaming red and her heart was slamming against her ribcage like there was no tomorrow.

Seeing Sakura flushed, "I think we better leave the lovebirds alone for a while," Neji suggested and the others agreed with naughty smirks on their faces.

She wanted so much to just apologize then dash out of the garden. She was busted… there was no other way to put it.

"Gaara," his voice retrieved her from her self-contemplation. Facing the red head, she saw him offering his hand. "… your boyfriend," the was a smirk on his handsome face as he said those lines. She can't help but smile at their predicament.

"Sakura… your dream girl," she shook his hand she gave him her brightest smile. It a second or two their heart skipped as their hands touched. Jade met emerald eyes as the people inside the exhibit greeted each other "Merry Christmas!!!"

A/N: Minna-san Merry Christmas desu!!! Read and review onegai…