Sakura was startled and turned her head around. She gasped and felt her eyes wet again. "I-It's you!" She was so relieved and so happy. "I was really looking for you…and I'm so happy you're here now…" She spoke softly as she was wiping her tears away with her hand, while holding the cherry blossom with the other tightly. "I thought you'd be here so I came."
"So did I…" The boy was hoping he'd find her here. "I entered through the exit and heard someone sniffing. I followed the sound and was so happy to find out that it was you. But then I was sad because you were crying." He looked at his creation in the girl's little hands. "I really liked your hair that I couldn't forget about it, since you left I started thinking about other pink things. Then I saw a painting of my sister beside a big tree with pink leaves." He's really trying to cheer the girl up. He sat on a swing beside her and looked at the ground. "So I asked her what kind of tree it was, and she said it was a Sakura Tree."
"My name is Sakura."
The girl said it so instantly, eyes beaming from tears and offering him a handshake that the boy couldn't say anything. He didn't expect this, despite her pink hair; her name was also from a Sakura Tree. He shrugged the thought off him and gladly took her hand and shook it. "Wow." Sakura's hands were so soft and warm, that he didn't want to let go of it. "I-I'm Gaara."
"Gaara?" Sakura had a feeling that she heard that name before. "I'ts really super duper nice to be your friend Gaara-kun! Wait, can I be your friend?" Looking directly to Gaara's shiny eyes, hoping he would accept.
Gaara felt like the happiest and luckiest little boy in the world. "You already are!"
They played together and wished that time would stop. Sakura learned that he can control sand, and as long as it's there, he can do anything. Gaara learned that she has never had a friend because of her wide forehead, and that she lives in Konoha, she's only in a vacation in the Sand Village. They decided to make an oath so that they won't forget about each other no matter what happens.
"Gaara-kun, I solemnly swear that I will remember this day forever until I die, and that I will keep this cherry blossom sand and protect it with my life, treating it like it's you, my best friend."
"I solemnly swear that I will never forget our friendship and this wonderful day we made together, and that I will keep this….oh….ugh, I don't have anything to keep…" Gaara scratched his head.
"Oh! Right! Sorry, wait a second." She searched for a pebble in her pocket. "Here it is!" She exclaimed holding out a pebble with a chinese word "ai" engraved on it. "I was very excited to see you again that I made this for you last night." She explained hurriedly, her cheeks were on fire, it was almost as red as her dress.
"Thanks! I really like it, and I swear that I will keep this pebble and protect it with my life, and protect it like it is my first and last best friend Sakura-chan." He looked down to the ground, also blushing.
They both chuckled and while there was still time, they played and talked about their selves at the same time.
Sakura became curious of why this gentle soul doesn't have friends. "Uhm, Gaara-kun, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Well, I was wondering. You're so nice and all, but why don't you have any friends?" After her statement, she felt as if she was being watched again.
Gaara sat down on the ground and exhaled a big amount of air, then he lied down with his hands as the pillow. Sakura did the same. They both looked at the sky. The sun was already setting.
"Ever since I could remember, everyone avoided me. Even my family doesn't acknowledge me. Then they told me that I have a monster inside me."
The bushes at Sakura's right stirred, though there was no wind. She didn't mind this thinking it's just a cat or something.
"What's wrong with that? As long as you don't hurt them, right? They don't have to be so mean. You know, there's also a kid like you at our village. His is a nine tailed fox. What's yours?"
"They told me not to sleep because if I will, it might overpower me and come out, and that's why I have these big eye bags." Sakura giggled.
"The monster is Shukaku."
"Sakura!"
To be continued…
