"Hm?" Shikamaru shifted his phone to rest against his cheek as he struggled to light his cigarette. Sakura sounded panicked, something only happened when the school bathrooms got flooded or the students staged a protest, "What did you say?"

"I quit being Student Body President, ripped up my sash and swore at the teachers!" Sakura shouted down the phone.

It was at that moment that Shikamaru managed to light his cigarette, and promptly dropped it into his lap when he registered what Sakura had said. His phone slipped through his fingers as he shouted in pain.

"Ow! Shit! Sakura – ow – Are you joking?" Shikamaru said, wide-eyed, trying to tip the burning ash off of his trousers.

"No, I'm not! The teachers are trying to expel Gaara! I want to stage a rebellion, Shikamaru. Do you know where Gaara is?" Sakura said frantically.

"A rebellion? What the – Temari, where's Gaara?"

Temari gestured for him to give her the phone.

"Sakura?" She said curiously, "Did I hear something about a rebellion?"

"Yes! I have had it, Temari! I am done with this school! Where is Gaara?"

"I have no idea." Temari turned to raise an eyebrow at Shikamaru, who shrugged bewilderedly, "Sakura, are you alright?"

"I'm fine Temari, though it is very nice of you to ask, I just need to find Gaara because I need to tell him what I've done and how awful it is that they're trying to expel him and that –" Sakura gabbled down the phone, sounding increasingly more and more hyper.

"Sakura," Temari cut her off, "Are you on drugs?"

Shikamaru could hear Sakura's outraged squawk, sounding tinny through the phone's speakers.

"I would never take drugs! I'm just sick of it all, Temari. Sick of studying so hard to keep up with rich brats who buy their grades, sick of putting up with all the crap the teachers give me, sick of being used by people like Sasuke, sick of it all! I hate Gaara for all he's done (no offense Temari) but I can't stand back and watch him get expelled for sticking up for me. I won't." Sakura said firmly, still clinging to her outrage, worried that once the adrenaline rush from standing up for herself would wear off and she would regret her rash actions.

Temari listened to it all, her smile growing wider. Her fingers drummed a beat on the side of the fridge as Sakura ranted on.

Shikamaru was trying his best to find new trousers.

"I know a few places he might be." Temari said.

xxxxxxxx

Sakura looked up at the large grey building with a keen sense of trepidation. This building belonged to Gaara's father, the 'Kazekage of business.' According to Temari, Gaara often came here to negotiate business with his father, despite the man's hatred for his son. Gaara's plan was apparently to siphon off his father's profits slowly until eventually the man was left with nothing, as Gaara had been when his father had abandoned him.

Sakura neatened up her appearance, tying her hair back with the school's yellow ribbon, straightening out her uniform. She wished she still had the Student Body President sash; it made her look trustworthy and efficient.

She entered the building, trying not to look over-awed by the lavish decorations and the expensively impressive architecture. She stared at a statue of a woman who was cupping carved sand in her stone hands. It was beautifully carved.

"Can I help you?" A voice said from behind her, his voice clipped and upper class.

Sakura turned, embarrassed.

"Um, I was looking for Gaara?" Sakura said hesitantly.

The man raised one perfectly trimmed eyebrow slowly. He rubbed his chin and examined her subtly, "Gaara-sama is not in today. Can I take a… message?"

"She can come to my office and explain what she is doing here." A tall, impressive-looking man said from behind her.

It was the Kazekage, looking faintly bored and very elegant in his expensive business suit.

"Of course, Kazekage-sama." The other man bowed and quickly left.

"Uh, I'm Haruno Sakura, a school friend of Gaara's, I was wondering –"

"Gaara has been expelled once again, or so I heard," The Kazekage interrupted her, his voice sounding disinterested. Sakura's eyes widened. How on earth had he found out so quickly?

"Follow me." He said, turning on his heel and heading for a lift.

He had the air of a man used to having his orders followed, so Sakura timidly walked into the lift with him.

The lift hummed as it soared upwards at an alarming speed. Its floor was carpeted, the walls were soft to the touch and there was a settee for guests to sit on. Sakura sat down obediently when the Kazekage pointed at it.

She studied his profile as they travelled to what was obviously going to be the top floor, judging by the amount of time it had already taken.

She could see glimpses of Gaara in his face, but he looked more like Kankuro, however, his jaw was more chiselled, his mouth was a touch more cruel-looking and his eyes were hard.

The lift stopped and the doors opened smoothly.

"Come." He swiftly left the lift and headed for the only door at the end of the corridor. Sakura followed and stared back at the lift, feeling slightly anxious.

The Kazekage's office was lavishly decorated, the rug probably cost more than Sakura's house, every wall was covered in mirrors and there was a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

"So," The man said, sitting down at his large oak desk, spreading his fingers and observing her coolly, "Explain."

"Explain what, sir?" Sakura said politely.

"Kazekage-sama," He corrected her with a sudden look of anger. He composed himself and coughed lightly, straightening out his cuffs, "Explain how you know my son, and what you are doing here."

Sakura stood up a little straighter, "Kazekage-sama, I was the Student Body President at Gaara's school. I was here to see your son, and to speak with him, if possible."

The Kazekage's gaze never dropped from her face for a second, he picked up a glass of already-poured gin and took a sip, "Why are you no longer the President?" He questioned, setting his glass down on the desk with a clatter.

"I quit when I found out that the school was expelling Gaara." Sakura said, refusing to look away from the man, not wanting to be the one that caved and broke their gaze first.

The man suddenly smirked, "What is your relationship with my son?"

Complicated. Her relationship with Gaara was something even she didn't understand.

He still hadn't said Gaara's name.

"We're friends." Sakura said defensively. Well… Gaara had never said they weren't friends…

The Kazekage laughed.

"My son doesn't have friends." He said, tilting his head to look at her, "So what are you?"

"I'm his friend, Kazekage-sama." Sakura insisted.

"He is going to marry an upper class, wealthy girl, hopefully the heir of a fine company. You do know that, don't you?" The Kazekage eyed her curiously, waiting to see her reaction.

Sakura gritted her teeth, "What… what has that got to do with anything?"

"What I mean is," The Kazekage said, standing up, "my son does not associate with anyone who is below him. I sent him to that school because I knew it accepted only the best kind of people. I do not understand how you managed to attend such a school."

"What? I didn't buy my way in, if that's what you're asking." Sakura said, outraged. What, did he think she wasn't good enough to be friends with Gaara?

"Your accent is lower class. Your fingernails are overgrown, indicating you can't afford to get them manicured. Your school uniform is second hand. Even your hairstyle is out-dated. Your shoes are scuffed and worn, showing you have been wearing them for a while. Can't you even afford to buy new shoes? This is why I do not want someone like you associating with my son. People like you are not good for him."

Sakura looked down at her scruffy, worn shoes.

"People like me?"

"Poor people. Unsophisticated. Essentially useless."

"You think I'm not good for Gaara?" Sakura finally looked up at the man, her eyes burning with anger, "It's you who isn't good enough for him!"

"I beg your pardon?" The Kazekage said, raising his voice in anger.

"You ignored him! You abandoned him! You left him with nothing! You are a terrible person! So what if my clothes are cheap and I haven't had my nails done? So what? At least I care about Gaara, unlike you! I don't care what you say, Gaara is my friend and I don't think you are good enough to associate with him!" Sakura shouted, clenching her fists.

"Now you listen here, you little!" The Kazekage began to shout, moving towards her.

"Enough."

The word was softly spoken, but it was enough to freeze the Kazekage in place.

Gaara stood in the doorway, dumping his school bag on the floor. His eyes were roughly smeared with black eyeliner, his hair was a mess and he was wearing his school uniform. He looked as out of place as Sakura did.

"Sakura, come here." Gaara ordered, turning slightly to meet her eyes. His were narrowed, furious.

Sakura stood by his side, ridiculously pleased to see him.

"Father, what is Sakura doing here?" Gaara asked coolly.

"She wanted to see you." Gaara's father said, looking scornful.

"No, what is she doing here, in your office?" Gaara demanded.

"You know I like to make sure you are associating with the best kind of people…" The Kazekage said smoothly.

"Sakura is the best kind of person there is." Gaara said firmly.

Sakura stared at him, touched. He refused to look back at her.

The Kazekage looked from Sakura to Gaara, a cruel smile playing about his lips.

"Well, well, well," He said softly, "I would never have believed it. My son, in love with a scruffy, poor, insignificant girl."

Sakura felt herself wilt at the cruel words. Insignificant…? And what was that about Gaara loving her…?

Gaara's eyes darkened with rage, "Sakura is better than you will ever be. She is not scruffy, and I don't care about how much money she has."

"You've made your choice then?" The Kazekage said quietly.

Sakura looked at Gaara, confused.

He nodded, still looking furious, "I'm not going to marry some rich airhead."

The Kazekage laughed again, "The girl I was going to pick isn't an airhead, actually. Matsuri's family own a weapons company and –"

"She isn't Sakura. I won't marry her." Gaara gritted his teeth. He still wouldn't look at Sakura.

"But would you marry this Sakura girl?" The Kazekage said, eyes fixed upon his son intently.

Gaara looked away from his father, a dark blush sweeping across his face, "Rather her then some girl you picked out." He said sullenly.

Sakura's eyes rounded in complete shock.

"Excellent… so, my son and heir is going to marry… a nobody. No one knows who she is. She doesn't have any money. This match won't help you or the company in any way…"

"I'm not your son and I'm not your heir. That's Kankuro. I don't have to do anything you say. I don't give a damn about helping you or your company in any way."

Sakura stared at the two of them. They seemed to be under the impression that Sakura was marrying Gaara, no question about it; it was already a done deal.

"Excuse me." Sakura banged the table with her fist. They both looked at her, startled, "That's right. I'm still here. Did either of you consider that I'm not getting married at the age of sixteen?"

Gaara looked at her steadily, but she thought she saw a flash of hurt in his eyes.

"I wasn't suggesting we get married, obviously," He said, rolling his eyes, "I was just saying I would… prefer you over someone else."

"Well… thanks." Sakura smiled. She was still a little confused and slightly worried that she was now engaged somehow.

Gaara shrugged, obviously still not comfortable with dealing with the emotional side of things.

"We're going now, Father." Gaara announced.

The Kazekage simply nodded, sipping his gin.

When Sakura didn't leave quick enough for his liking, Gaara grabbed her hand and pulled her out.

She looked back for a second.

The Kazekage raised his glass to her in silent salute. She glared back at him.

xxxxxxxx

Gaara sat down on the bench and gestured for Sakura to sit next to him. The sun was just setting in front of them, soaking the town in red and orange light..

Sakura sat down, spreading her skirt out demurely.

Gaara reached into his bag and pulled two beers. He handed her one and cracked open his own with his teeth.

Sakura stared at him, appalled.

"Um, I can't drink this, Gaara…" Sakura tried to protest.

"Oh, you can't open it? Give it here." Gaara took it from her and opened it for her.

Sakura was struck by the sweetness of the gesture, but couldn't bring herself to drink from the illegally obtained alcohol, and so just held onto the icy cold bottle tightly.

Gaara took a swig of his beer, eyes fixed on the sunset.

"Thanks for sticking up for me, Sakura." He said quietly, wiping his mouth.

"Oh? It's fine. That guy just pissed me off." Sakura puffed out her cheeks in irritation.

Gaara's eyes softened when he glanced at her, outraged on his behalf.

"They want to expel you, Gaara." Sakura turned to look at him, concerned.

"Let them. I don't care."

"I care." Sakura admitted, surprised at her honesty.

Gaara just stared at her silently, sipping from his beer.

"I'm still angry about everything you did. But I can't let you get expelled for sticking up for me. And," She took a deep breath, closing her eyes, "I can't stop thinking about that kiss."

Her face flushed with embarrassment, she squeezed her eyes tight, not wanting to look at Gaara's face, knowing it would be mocking.

Hands covered her eyes. She opened them in shock, but could still see nothing. A mouth covered hers gently, slowly. It tasted like alcohol, sharp and bitter, an unfamiliar, forbidden taste. Sakura closed her eyes again.

Gaara removed his hands from her eyes slowly, withdrawing from the kiss reluctantly.

"Do you still love Sasuke?" He asked, his eyes darkly intense.

"No." Sakura shook her head fervently, her face still red from the kiss and the cold.

Gaara smiled, gulping down the rest of his beer, "Good." He said, licking his lips.

"You stole my first kiss, by the way." Sakura said, still slightly annoyed by this.

Gaara looked surprised.

Then he laughed, putting his beer down. "Good." He repeated.

Short chapter is SHORT, I know, sorry :(

Another kiss for you guys! Admittedly a beer-soaked kiss, but a kiss nonetheless!

The Shikamaru scene was purely written based on StarKiss666's ideas :) Hope you liked it!

The Kazekage is mean XD

Quick poll take: Out of interest, who is the prettiest kunoichi?

A) Kurenai

B) Tsunade

C) Anko

D) Other! Let me know!