Title: From Winter To Spring
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from the anime, Naruto, but they are superb story fodder, aren't they now?
Summary: After the first time Sakura took part in the chuunin selection exams and failed, she tried once more before undergoing intensive training to better herself, while Naruto and Sasuke both passed and moved on. Their team split, but now that Sakura's all alone an unlikely antihero steps up to make her exam taking team complete: Gaara of the Desert. (GaaraSakura as best as I am able, which may not be very promising, because it is my first fanfiction piece ever.)
Author's Note: Here you go. If it's in italics it's a thought. If it's in italics and quotes,it'll be the voice in Gaara's head, aka the sand demon Shukaku. He makes a cameo. Just a voice though, not appearance yet, and nothing too big.
Chapter 7: In Wait
Gaara was well aware of the reason for his mental instability. Besides the fact that he was normally on edge, tonight was a full moon. As soon as the incident at the training ground started, he felt that leaving was the best course of action and would result in the least amount of bloodshed. He needed silence, seclusion... Usually on full moon days, he would find a quiet area as far removed from people as he could find, and there he would sit as still as possible.
Because every time he moved the world would tilt and fuzz would collect at the edges of his vision. The control he exerted over his consciousness was strong every day, but staying awake on days such as these... was taxing to say the least.
So if he wanted peace and quiet without anyone around... why was he lying on his back on top of Sakura's apartment roof?
He had left her at the training ground to run through the mindless routines she always practiced. Konoha was not his village, but he was still acquantied with the layout well enough to be capable of finding a more suitable spot to sulk. She's a dumb-shit. What good will a few more days of practice do? She isn't even focusing on her areas of strength.
His eye twitched in irritation, a warning sign to let the topic slide for the time being. No use mulling over things he had no control over. Especially when he was so close to snapping as it was. Rolling over onto his side, he kept his arm bent and hand underneath his head as a pillow. The sun eventually neared the horizon, elongating the shadows and casting an orangish glow over the entire city. He watched unblinking as the rodent-like citizens scurried towards their homes. "These people are supposed to possess spirits of fire? I feel bad for this village."
The warmth of the setting sun was replaced by the chilling breeze of nighttime. Gaara inhaled sharply, his headache strengthening from a mild pulsing to a powerful pounding at the base of his skull. The sudden intake of air caused movement of his body that sent waves of nausea sweeping though him.
He hated full moons.
Hands pressed flat against his ears as if to keep his brain from leaking out, he curled into a ball and bit his lower lip to keep from whimpering, drawing blood. A mocking voice from the back of his mind laughed at the pathetic picture he must have been. "Look at yourself! Why be so stubborn, kid! If you'd just go to sleep, you wouldn't have to experience this pain and I'd get a chance to have some fun!"
The pain subsided partially, enough to allow Gaara to uncurl his body and slowly sit up. He refused to look pathetic, even if the pain was unbearable. Not when Sakura could come home at anytime.
"Wait... what?" the monstrous voice inside his head demanded so loud it almost sent Gaara reeling. "You like this girl or something? HA! That's rich!"
"Shit," he muttered to himself, standing up. He had to get away from her apartment. Weird ideas were starting to take root in his brain.
Memories of the look on her face when she jumped in to save Sasuke from his wrath. The association he'd made instantly between her expression and the emotion he'd felt from his uncle so long ago. Different feelings with similiar foundations. Both were stupid and obviously just the result of his deranged hallucinations.
What was it about her that made him so frustrated? The way her bright green eyes burned with fear when they met his, but also with something else. He had seen the way she looked at her old friends. Open admiration for Sasuke, irritated affection for Naruto, friendly gratefulness for Lee. But for himself? Not just fear.
Fear was a good start, though. It meant she acknowledged his presence for what it was. At least if she showed some fear he knew she wasn't insane. Because for her to be completely at ease around a person such as himself was absurd and dangerous.
Before his mind could further muddle the state of confusion he was in, Gaara took a deep breath and began to step toward the edge of the roof.
He stopped when he saw Sakura approaching from the direction of the training grounds. With Sasuke.
They were not touching or even walking close enough to look suspicious together.
If Sasuke was with Sakura, it would be because Naruto was around too.
The hair on the back of his neck bristled uncomfortably when he realized Naruto was nowhere to be seen. He made no motion to hide as they neared. Any idiot would have seen him standing on top of the roof, had they looked up.
Obviously Sakura was devoting her attention completely to whatever Sasuke was talking about, because her eyes seemed to be trained on his lips. There was a healthy blush on her cheeks, whether from exercise or emotions was uncertain.
The urge to kill was remarkably appealing tonight. Even more so since the Uchiha would probably succumb just as easily to defeat at Gaara's hands as he had years before.
An expression of concern flitted in front of Sasuke's face for half a second as he spoke to Sakura. Finally the conversation was nearing an end, Sasuke reached out a hand to pat her shoulder in a simple parting gesture. His hand never reached her shoulder.
Because Gaara was behind Sakura before it could happen, his own arms wrapped around her shoulders both possessively and protectively, jerking her backwards until she was pressed against him and safely out of Sasuke's grasping range. He glared at Sasuke with jade eyes ringed with black bags of sleeplessness. Sasuke, surprised for a moment, quickly returned the angry glare, and stated in a level voice, "Let her go."
"No," Gaara had a way with words.
Sakura was surprisingly calm considering the situation. She had seen Gaara brooding up on the roof, even if it appeared that her full attention was on Sasuke. Knowing full well that pulling away from Gaara presently would be a very, very bad idea, she instead reached both her hands up and rested them on his arms around her shoulders. "It's okay, no big deal. He missed me."
It was the right thing to say, obviously, when Gaara hastily dropped his arms and stepped back from her as if to prove her a liar. His mood was volatile, Sakura could tell right away. Worse than earlier, because she was actually able to manipulate him with words. Then her words could easily set him off.
Turning back to Sasuke, she reassured him in a friendly voice, "Well, I'm going inside now to make some dinner. Thanks for walking me home. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Hn," he replied with a curt nod of his head. While she began to enter the apartment building with her back turned to them, he locked gazes with Gaara again.
And Gaara smiled, shocking Sasuke into taking a step back before he stopped himself.
It was a baring of the teeth, wide and slightly off-balance. The expression he used to wear when he spoke of killing to verify his existence.
Then Gaara followed Sakura inside the apartment building, not once looking back to see Sasuke's reaction.