Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters associated with it

A One Month Bet

Sakura walked with a skip in her step through the markets. She was tired from exerting so much chakra and energy that day, but a bottle of melon juice and some grilled pork skewers from one of the tournament foods stands had made a world of difference in her stamina and mood. When the bustle of cleaning and transporting supplies back to the hospital had concluded, several of the medic nin had approached her with a request.

"Please, Sakura Sensei, we would like to take you out tonight!"

"Go out? Tonight? Aren't you all exhausted from the day?"

"We are too excited to wait. We want to go out and celebrate!" said one medic nin, the one with a mocha complexion and sleek, dark features.

"The Kazekage was impressed with us! And it's all thanks to you! Please accept our offer!" said another, a young bespectacled man who wore his hair closely cropped.

Sakura gazed across the excited faces… nearly all of her students were looking at her with eager anticipation. She couldn't help but smile. "Oh, alright. If you insist!"

Sakura chuckled at the memory. Why shouldn't she go out and enjoy herself? She had considered inviting Temari and Kankuro again, but it seemed more appropriate to stay just within her little medical team. They had grown closer in the days leading up to the tournament, and she felt rather attached to them now. She would miss them when she left for Konoha later that week.

Sakura agreed to meet them, but only after she could have time to eat a quick meal, freshen up with a shower, and change her bloodied clothes. Unfortunately, she hadn't packed much variety in her travel gear to Suna. As she passed through the markets, she chose to treat herself with a small but selfish purchase: a new uniform vest that she could passingly wear with an extra pair of shorts she'd packed. It was a simple shade of earthy red (her favorite color, but a much darker shade than her usual garb) with clasps trailing down the front and a dark leather band that hugged her waist. It even had an aesthetic trimming of fish-netted underlets at the shoulder-cuffs that were cleverly sewn into the garment itself. It looked like something Temari might wear, and she could easily tell the difference in fashionable taste between here in Suna and what she would've found in her more modest markets back home. Women in Konoha often opted for longer skirts, or longer sleeves, or both… but then again, the harsh desert climate probably warranted for lighter layers.

With her new purchase in tow and her stomach pleasantly full, she quickly bounced up the steps to the Kage tower. There was no sign of the Kazekage, nor any of his usual entourage. They're probably still cleaning up and managing the breakdown of the arena, she thought. She showered quickly and washed as much blood out of her uniform as possible, then donned her new top and examined the goods. It wasn't her typical style, but it was modest enough and she could clip out the fishnets later if she felt like it. She hung her uniform to dry (again), tied her Konoha headband to her hip to accentuate her plain black work shorts, and tightened up her shuriken. A good nin never goes out unprepared! Feeling like a teenager that had been invited to their first party, Sakura practically skipped down the stairs. She passed sweet old Mitaya on her way down, quietly sewing something small and purple with a needle and thread.

"Good afternoon, Mitaya!"

"Good afternoon, miss—oh!" her kind, wrinkled eyes squinted as though adjusting to bright sunlight. "Miss Sakura-san, you look like a desert flower!" She chuckled sweetly as Sakura blushed.

"Oh, stop it… I just needed to buy a new outfit when my other one was ruined today," she said, shyly tugging at her shorts as though she suddenly felt exposed.

"Well, it suits you," Mitaya said. "You look like a nin of Suna, now!"

Sakura accepted the compliment but felt somewhat uneasy about it. She was still a nin of the Hidden Leaf… she hoped this was not some show of disloyalty or something. To free herself of this worry, she redirected the conversation. "What are you making?"

"Ah, just something for my little granddaughter," the old lady smiled, "She is quite taken with Miss Temari-san. She says she wants to grow up to be talented warrior, just like her, so I am making her this." She stretched the fabric, and Sakura realized it was a little fan, almost an exact miniature of Temari's own Wielder, complete with three tiny purple moons.

Sakura could have crumpled right there. "Oh my god, that is precious!" She would absolutely have to tell Temari about this later.

Mitaya just chuckled. "You are too kind. Have a good evening, miss." With a sweet wave, Sakura dismissed herself towards the door. What a sweet lady Mitaya was. Just talking to her lifted her spirits even more, though the feeling was short-lived. As she reached for the door to leave, she found that it moved suddenly on its own and light from the sunset outside momentarily blinded her as someone stepped through the threshold.

"Sakura?"

Her eyes adjusted slowly to the light, and her stomach sank. It was Gaara, still in his Kazekage robes, having just returned from the sparring grounds. Kankuro was behind him, and from behind Gaara's shoulder she felt like he was eyeing her with that same curious look as when he had caught her watching Gaara in the elder's council meeting. "Ah—" she said hesitantly, "Kankuro! And… Kazeka—"

"Just Gaara."

Sakura bit her lip. Before their brief conversation at the sparring fields early that day, she hadn't really exchanged many words with Gaara except in formal settings. The last time he had asked her to address him by his first name was when they had been together on the roof. She looked at him, in all his magnificence, and her insides twisted. It was like looking upon something taboo. She still felt so confused about her feelings towards him—and according to Temari—his supposed feelings for her? But Sakura was still in denial… he couldn't possibly be really interested in her. It had to be a misunderstanding. Avoiding his eyes, she corrected herself. "Yes… Gaara. Um, welcome back." She eyed the half-blocked doorway, seeking to escape the awkward interaction. "If you'll excuse me…"

Gaara made no movement to get out of her way. He was drinking in the image before him, still the same beautiful woman that had tormented his thoughts for weeks, but she looked somehow different. She was not in her customary uniform… while her usual red frock hugged her figure rather loosely, this looked to be something more… evocative. He could more fully see the outline of her waist dipping inward and then rounding outward to her lovely hips, which were clad only in tight shorts and shuriken wraps. He didn't know how or why she was dressed this way, but the overall image of her made his throat dry out and his heart rate quicken. Sakura, unable to read Gaara's expression, looked quickly from him, to the door, to Kankuro, and back to him before she cautiously made to take a step towards the exit.

"Where are you going?"

Sakura eyed the man before her carefully. She didn't know what to feel. Her conversation with Temari the night before had left her emotions all muddled… Did Gaara actually care where she was going, or did he just want to keep her under his thumb, as he had been when he so impertinently demanded to know her intentions for visiting the bathhouse? He'd barely acknowledged her for an entire week, and suddenly today he wanted to share a casual chat and follow her every move? Irked by his insolence, Sakura crossed her arms. Somehow, this made her feel empowered. If he's going to toy with my emotions, Inner Sakura scoffed, then it's only fair and square!

"I'm going out," she said firmly.

Gaara's eyes narrowed, and she blushed as though she felt his eyes were scanning her even deeper. Her heart pounded in her ears. Why did she suddenly feel so riled?

"Out where?"

Before Sakura could come up with another irritatingly vague response, Kankuro sidled through the half-open doorway and made motion to move his brother along. "Ah come on, Gaara! She's our guest, not our prisoner!" He managed to somewhat shuffle himself to the side, but Gaara didn't budge. If Sakura wanted to leave, then she was going to have to pass by him. He looked her square in the eye, slightly daring her to try it. And Sakura, not to be intimidated, took the bait.

"Thank you, Kankuro." She said slyly, "Always the gentleman." She gave a curt nod to Gaara, acknowledging the fact that he was still adorned in his formal uniform, and without hesitation took a confident step toward the sliver of an opening. She held her breath as though jumping into water, but she thought she heard Gaara take a sharp inhalation as she passed. Their arms brushed, and as though shot by some tranquilizing dart she felt her body erupt into a tingling sensation. It was over in a moment, and she was already ambling down the steps, amazed she managed to keep her footing. What was it about this man that had her nerves on absolute fire? Just that innocent little touch brought back graphic memories of rough hands fondling her neck and hot lips pressing into her mouth. Argh! Stop it brain! Pull yourself together! Sakura quickened her pace to make a hasty escape from her tormenter, disappearing around the next corner as quickly as she could.

Gaara stood in stunned silence, watching her until she eventually vanished from view. The place where their arms had touched felt like a searing burn on his skin. She had… left. She had bypassed him completely! She wasn't going to work this late… and surely she wasn't going to train after such an exhausting day… She looked different because… because she was going out with someone. Gaara could think of only one person that could fill that category, and his insides began to wrench in anger and… something else…

Jealousy.

Temari's words haunted him from the arena all the way back to the Kage tower. Now you either do want to be with Haruno Sakura or you don't, but whichever option you decide you better get your head out of your ass and start acting on it. Or else… he would lose her.

That was it. He did want to be with Haruno Sakura. There was no more need for hesitation. He needed to make her his own before she disappeared from his life, or worse: if someone else stole her from him. Suddenly energized by his resolve, Gaara turned on his heel and started to make his way to follow her. He had to tell her how he felt. He had to tell her now.

"Whoa, whoa there man! Where are you going?"

Gaara was suddenly blocked from exiting by the purple painted face of Kankuro. The younger brother blinked – he'd completely forgotten Kankuro was even there.

"I'm… going to get Sakura." Gaara answered plainly, not at all understanding why his brother had interrupted him in doing so.

Kankuro looked uneasy. "You—you're still all dressed up in your Kazekage uniform. Plus, you don't know where she's going."

"I'll find her."

"You can't just go bursting through every business or home in Suna just to catch Sakura. Are you even hearing yourself?" Kankuro looked genuinely worried. Gaara felt his resolve diminishing. "Look… let's come inside for just a moment and think about this…" Kankuro carefully motioned to have Gaara follow him, and he very diligently made sure that he was never more than a step away in case his little brother decided to bolt. The heat and excitement Gaara had felt moment ago was ebbing away bit by bit… he knew Kankuro was right. He couldn't disgrace his title of Kage by acting rashly. They made their way steadily, bowing politely to the elderly assistant on their way in, and found quick refuge in the Kazekage office. Gaara quickly unbuckled his gourd and then relieved himself of the heavy white robe and hat, feeling both betrayed by them and reverent of them. If he wasn't the Kage… if for once he could just be a normal man… things wouldn't be as they were.

Kankuro seemed to be more at ease in the office, feeling more confident now that his lovesick little brother wouldn't go dashing off to his doom. He knew this talk was going to be uncomfortable, but that it needed to happen. He had to do this for the sake of his brother. "Alright… so! Now that we're inside we can talk this out right?" Gaara appeared antsy, pacing slowly back and forth through the office. He didn't say anything in return, so Kankuro continued, "Listen, you made the right choice. Running after Sakura right now is probably not the best option."

To this, Gaara did respond: "But I need to tell her."

There was a pregnant pause before Kankuro said, "And you still can. You just don't have to tell her… whatever it is you want to tell her… right now."

"You don't understand—" Gaara suddenly sounded frustrated. "I need to tell her that… that I…Argh!" he growled in frustration, irritated that he didn't even know how to verbalize what he was trying to say. If he couldn't even say it to Kankuro, how would he possibly make this confession to Sakura herself?

"I do understand, Gaara," Kankuro said quietly. "Temari and I can both see it… That's why Temari got so mad today because we've been trying to help you all this time, but it keeps not working like we expect it to…" Gaara eyed him incredulously at the word "help", but Kankuro was unphased. "I just want you to know that I've been watching Sakura closely and I think… I mean, I don't want to make any crazy assumptions here, but I think Sakura probably feels the same way you do. Whenever we're all around each other, she's always looking at you. I don't think it's just because you're the Kazekage. It's a different kind of look, do you get what I mean? Listen I'm no expert in love, believe me… but I really think you should take this slowly. She's a grown adult and she has a right to privacy. If you busted into her plans unannounced, it could backfire." He gave a half-hearted grin, "Like that time I accidentally walked in on Temari in the bathroom – I had welts in the shaped of folding fan on my backside for a week!"

Gaara stopped pacing and leaned over his desk, hands pressed flat on its surface. "But… what if she's with him?"

Kankuro scoffed, "What? The bag of sand with blonde hair? Temari already said he wasn't a concern."

"He wants her. I could tell."

Kankuro pulled off his cap, exasperated by his brother's stubbornness. He ruffled his hair as if shaking it out would somehow help release any additional ideas to convince his brother not to do anything stupid. This lovey-dovey jealous streak was not something he'd signed up to deal with. "Look, Gaara, Sakura is a smart gal. I'm sure she can handle herself just fine, and if that guy tries anything, she'll handle that, too. She's one of Konoha's best jonin. Besides, you don't even know for sure that she's going to meet that guy. You're jumping to conclusions without knowing the whole story."

Gaara's muscles tensed. He did not approve of Kankuro's accusatory tone, painting him to sound as if he was a spoiled child. "I… am not… jumping to conclusions." he growled.

Knowing his brother's back was turned, Kankuro stretched the longest eye roll in Suna history. Okay… let's try a different approach then. Feeling bold enough to invade his brother's personal space, he sauntered over to sit on the edge of the desk while Gaara was still leaned over it. "Alright… let me ask you something… you think you have real, true feelings for Sakura, right?"

It was Gaara's turn to roll his eyes this time. "I believe I've already made that clear, Kankuro."

"Then the overall goal—let's say—is that you want to eventually develop… a relationship with her, right?"

Gaara stilled… He hadn't really thought that far ahead. His mind had been consumed with more shallow considerations, like feeling her skin against his and tasting the flavor of her lips again. But… as he thought about it, he recalled the moments of innocent conversation and the simple enjoyment of her company. He thought about sharing his favorite refuge with her, sitting under the moonlight and sharing their thoughts together. Old memories began to morph into new images in his mind: watching Sakura sleep soundly under the sheets of his bed, Sakura smoothing out his Kage robes as he puts them on, Sakura adorned in a lovely red kimono, sitting to his right at formal dinners… Sakura filling the empty space that had been in his heart since childhood. Yes… he knew there was more to his desire than just lust. I didn't have a name for it yet, but he knew it was there.

"Yes."

Kankuro sighed. "Well then you've got to learn to trust her. If you're going to have a relationship with a nin of the Hidden Leaf, there's going to be times when you can't be together. There's going to be times when one or both of you will be out on important missions. You won't be able to watch her every step, so you're going to have to trust that she's taking care of herself. Do you understand?"

Gaara hung his head, feeling ashamed of himself. "Yes."

Kankuro knew he'd finally struck a chord with his brother, and he relaxed. "Well then, you can trust that she's going to come back here tonight, and when she does, you can confess your feelings in a grandiose display! Would you like me to fetch some sparklers? Maybe we can organize a parade!"

Kankuro's face became swiftly acquainted with a mouthful of sand, but he knew the joke had been worth it.

Thank you for reading. Please leave a review if you feel so inclined.

Sincerely,

Olly