Hello! Thank you for your reviews, they really do mean a lot! I really am glad that you're enjoying the story so far!

TheBloodyLoveOfSakuraHaruno, we'll have to wait and see what happens...

Nanami, thank you for all your kind words, I really do appreciate them a lot ❤️.

Hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Love to you all XxxXxxXxxXxxXxxX


Sakura walked around the hospital, tending to her patients, ensuring that they had all the correct medications. From the moment she had arrived at work, she had been busy with patients, either seeing them for routine appointments, or checking on those who had stayed overnight.

With all the lunchtime rounds done, Sakura made her way back to her office, when she was stopped by Chiyo.

"Sakura, how are you doing?"

Sakura smiled at the elderly lady, "granny Chiyo, it's nice to see you. I'm well thanks, yourself?"

"You know me," Chiyo smiled wide, "I'm always well, except when I have to chase my grandson to do the jobs, I had asked him to complete," her smile dropping slightly, "have you seen Sasori anywhere?"

Sakura shook her head, "I'm afraid I haven't."

Chiyo nodded, "if you see him, you tell him I am looking for him."

"Will do," Sakura smiled and carried on her way. She opened her office door and shut it.

"Thank god it's you."

Sakura jumped, she turned to face her desk, finding Sasori hiding behind it. "What are you doing?"

"Hiding."

"I can see that," Sakura walked towards her desk, placing the files down, "your granny is looking for you."

"That is why I'm hiding." Sasori crawled away from the desk and stood up, dusting himself.

"What have you done, or haven't done?" Sakura eyed him.

"Granny dumped several files on my desk last week, and I haven't managed to go through them yet, so she's after me," he sighed and sat down on her chair, "it's been so busy with all the new patients and operations that I barely got a chance to sit down in my own office."

Sakura nodded, understanding what Sasori meant. "Do you want a hand with them?"

Sasori smiled wide, "you are a life saver," he stood up and walked to the door, "I'll grab the files and some lunch."

Sakura watched as Sasori left, closing the door behind him. She walked around her desk and sat down. From her bag, she fished out her phone, unlocking it and checked her messages. Still nothing from Gaara. She sighed deeply, thinking what she could say to him, to help him in anyway. She sent him a quick message, asking how he was doing.

She locked her phone and placed it on her desk, turned her attention to her computer and clicked it awake. She went through a few emails when the door opened and Sasori walked in, holding a bag and files. He shut the door and walked to her desk, placing both the files and bag down.

"Let's eat first, I'm starving," he grabbed the bag and pulled out the sandwiches, crisps and drinks, handing one of each to Sakura before sitting down. He opened his sandwich and took a big bite, chewing slowly.

Sakura grabbed a sandwich out of the box and nibbled on it, her mind still on Gaara, her eyes falling on her phone, willing it to go off.

Sasori studies Sakura. He noticed how she took small bites, her attention far away from her office or the food in her hand. He finished off his sandwich and wiped his hands and face, "are you not hungry?"

Sakura shook her thoughts away and took a big bite of her sandwich, chewing and swallowing without really tasting it.

Sasori smiled at her, "you're thinking about a certain red head, aren't you?" He chuckled before asking, "how was Saturday?"

Sakura finished her sandwich, covered her mouth while she finished the bite in her mouth, and wiped her hands and face. She took a sip of her drink, washing down the remnants of the food. "It was great," she smiled, recalling the day.

"Where did he take you?"

"To a forgotten castle in the desert, it was beautiful."

"I didn't know there was a castle in Suna," Sasori raised an eyebrow, "how did he find it?"

"He found it when he was young and exploring the place," she grabbed her phone and unlocked it, clicking on the picture logo and showed Sasori the castle.

Sasori took her phone and scrolled through the pictures, until he found a picture of Sakura and Gaara standing together. His arm around her waist, holding her close to him, both of them smiling at the phone. "You two look good together," he handed over the phone back.

Sakura looked at the picture and smiled at it. Her thoughts turning to how the evening had ended, desire pooling low in her belly. She shook her mind, clearing away the thoughts.

"What else did you two do?" Sasori took a sip of his drink, watching Sakura carefully.

Sakura blushed slightly, "we went out for dinner and he showed me his house."

Sasori smirked at her, "you finally got it, didn't you?"

"What?" Sakura questioned.

"You slept with him," Sasori said more as a statement than a question.

Sakura blushed more, biting her bottom lip.

"You go girl!" Sasori smiled wide, "how was it?"

"I am not discussing that with you," Sakura told him, shaking her head.

Sasori laughed, "fine, fine, I'm only joking. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you," Sakura smiled.

"So…"

Sakura waited for him to carry on.

"Are you two a thing now or what?"

Sakura bit her bottom lip again, she shrugged her shoulders, "we didn't talk about whether we would be in a relationship or not."

"Let me guess, too busy getting the D?" Sasori smirked.

Sakura blushed again before shaking her head, "no, not really. Before we could speak about anything, his siblings got involved. Temari wanted to know what was going on and why I was with him…"

"Yikes," Sasori grimaced slightly, "what happened?"

"Nothing," Sakura said, "before anything could happen, Gaara dropped me home and went back. I haven't really spoken to him since, seeing as his dad is in town."

Sasori chocked on his drink, "Rasa is in town?"

Sakura nodded, she looked at Sasori, "do you know him?"

Sasori wiped his mouth, "sort of. Do you remember I said Granny and Uncle had dealings with Rasa when he started the business?"

Sakura nodded, waiting for him to carry on.

"I met him a few times, and they were more than enough. The man is stern, to a point that anyone in his presence would quake with fear that he would shout about something or the other." Sasori shuddered, "once, I saw him and Gaara argue, it was bad, they nearly came to blows but Granny got involved and got Gaara to leave."

Sakura frowned at his words, her thoughts turning to Gaara once more, wondering how he was doing, what was happening. She picked up her phone and checked again whether she had any new messages, but there was nothing. She sighed and placed it down.

"Have you spoken to Gaara since?"

"A little bit," Sakura sighed, "I called him last night and we spoke a little bit. I haven't heard from him since."

Sasori noticed the worry in Sakura's face and voice. He gave her a small smile, "he's probably busy with work."

Sakura nodded, "maybe." She took a deep breath and turned her attention to the files Sasori had brought over. "Let's go through these."

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Gaara was sat in his office, going through emails, contracts and whatever else he could get his hands on. It was his way of staying out of his father's way, not wanting to be an inconvenience to him.

He put down the file he was working on and sighed, looking out the large window. The sun had begun its decent, filling the sky with an array of colours, from pinks, purples, oranges and yellows, all being chanced down by the darkness as night took over. He closed his eyes for a while before turning his attention back to his work.

By the time he had replied back to the last email, he glanced at the clock, surprised to find that it was almost ten. He grabbed his phone, unlocking it and finding several missed calls, all from Temari. There were a few voicemails left. He ignored them and checked his messages, his eyes falling on Sakura's name. He smiled small and clicked on it.

Hey Gaara, how are you doing? How are things at home? I'm here if you need to talk or anything. Miss you xx

He thought about replying back, but decided to go and see her instead. He missed her too and wanted to be with her, to forget about everything else for a while and lose himself in her. He turned off his computer, tidied up the files and stood up, grabbing his jacket and keys and made his way out of his office.

He got into his car, throwing his jacket in the back and drove towards her house. He parked and looked at the house, if the lights were off, then he would go back to the office and work until he fell asleep there. Luckily for him, the lights were still on. He got out and pocketed his phone and keys and made his way to the door, knocking on it.

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Sakura looked towards the door, before turning her attention to the clock. Ten twenty-five. She frowned slightly and got off the sofa, placing her book down and walked to the door. "Who is it?" She asked through the door.

"It's me."

Sakura's heart did a weird double beat thing, she unlocked the door and opened it, finding Gaara standing there. He looked tired and worn out. "Hi," she smiled small at him.

"Hi, sorry for coming over so late, I'm not disturbing you, am I?" He asked.

Sakura shook her head, she moved out the way of the door and let Gaara walk in, shutting the door behind him and locking it.

Gaara grabbed her arm and pinned her to the wall, he placed one hand against her hip, the other in her hair. He bent his head down and captured her lips in a deep kiss. Licking against her bottom lip. When she opened her mouth, he thrust his tongue in her mouth, stroking her tongue with his.

Sakura moaned into the kiss, her hands circling around his neck.

He bit down on her bottom lip, before moving his mouth down her neck, biting on the spot that he knew she enjoyed, his hands tightening on her.

Sakura groaned out, her eyes fluttering shut. She dug her fingers into his shirt, before pulling away from him and looking at him.

"I missed you," Gaara said, giving her a small smile.

"I missed you too," Sakura smiled. She cupped his cheek, gently stroking at it, "how are you?"

"Better now that I'm with you," he moved his face closer to hers, trying to kiss her, but she moved out of the way.

"Gaara, what's going on?" She looked at him worriedly. She'd barely heard from his since last night.

"Nothing, I just wanted to come see you and be with you," he placed his lips against her lips, kissing gently.

Sakura moaned lightly, biting her bottom lip as pleasure pooled low in her belly. Lost in the sensations of his mouth on her, his hands on her, she groaned before shaking her head, and once again, pushing Gaara away. "Gaara…"

"I want you Sakura," he spoke low, his hands stroking at the soft skin on her waist, he pulled her closer, pressing himself against her, letting her feel how much he wanted her.

"Gaara, I want you too, I do, but right now, you're not in the right headspace," she caressed his cheek gently, "please, talk to me."

Gaara sighed and pressed his forehead against hers.

Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers in his hair, gently massaging his scalp "I'm here."

Gaara closed his eyes and sighed, "it's my father."

Sakura nodded, she didn't say anything, didn't prompt him, but let him tell her when he was ready.

"It's… I don't know," he finally sighed out, moving slightly away from Sakura.

Sakura looked at him, his eyes were full of so many emotions, none staying for too long before the other took over. She took his hand and led him to her living room, getting him to sit down on the sofa. "Would you like a drink?"

Gaara nodded, "do you have any whiskey?"

Sakura shook her head, "alcohol isn't the best thing right now," she gave him a small smile, "trust me." She walked into the kitchen and filled two glasses with water, and walked back, handing one to Gaara and sitting down next to him. "Has anything happened?"

Gaara took several sips of his water, before placing the almost empty glass on the table, "nothing's happened," he looked at her, "it's more that I don't know what to do."

Sakura nodded; she understood what he meant. From what she knew, the relationship he had with his father was rocky, even though they were on talking terms, it was still hard for Gaara to find a way to connect with his father. "Have you two spoken?"

"No, I have been avoiding going home," he sat back, resting his head against the cushion of the sofa, "I don't know what to say to him." He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, "I feel like a little child who is going to get into trouble for something."

Sakura placed her glass down and moved closer to him, placing her hand on his and giving it a squeeze. "You're allowed to feel that way, it's only natural. It's like you said, you two maybe on talking terms, but it's normally only for business than anything else."

Gaara nodded.

"That being said, maybe your father being here is a good thing, it could give you both the opportunity to clear the air once and for all. By that, I don't mean that everything will be rosy, it just means that this could be the opening both of you need."

Gaara turned his head and looked at her and gave her a small smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," she returned the smile.

Suddenly, Gaara felt tired, his eyes too heavy to keep open. He yawned and covered his mouth, "I should go."

"You're in no fit state to drive home, stay the night then drive home in the morning, once you're rested." She stood up and held out her hand, waiting for Gaara to take it.

Gaara smiled and placed his hand in hers, standing up, "yes doctor."

Sakura raised an eyebrow before rolling her eyes and smiling. She turned off the lights and made her way upstairs, Gaara following behind her. They walked into her room and Sakura grabbed her pyjamas, a tank top and shorts. "I'm going to change," she told him and walked out of the room and into the bathroom.

She changed quickly, washed her face and brushed her teeth before walking back in. She looked at Gaara, finding him in his boxer shorts only. She bit back a moan that threatened to leave her mouth while her eyes raked over him hungrily. Her body craving his touch, but she forced the thoughts away.

She pulled back the duvet and got into bed, watching as Gaara did the same. She turned off the lights and laid down, facing Gaara in the dark. "Good night Gaara."

"Good night Sakura," he placed his hand on her waist and moved closer to her, kissing her gently.

Both of them falling asleep within seconds.

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Gaara stirred awake from a very restful sleep and blinked in the bright room. He looked over to his right and found the bed empty, he frowned and sat up in the bed and grabbed his phone. Six forty-five. He was about to get out of the bed, when Sakura walked into the room, dressed in smart trousers and a blouse.

"Good morning," Sakura smiled at him. "How are you feeling?"

"Good morning," he returned the smile. "I'm good, thank you. You?"

"I'm good too, thank you." She grabbed her brush and ran it through her hair a few times before putting it up in a bun. She turned to face him again, "would you like a coffee?"

"Yes, please," Gaara got out of bed and grabbed his clothes, quickly dressing. He noticed how Sakura's eyes followed his fingers as he buttoned up his shirt. He walked up to her and pulled her into his arms, "thank you for last night."

Sakura shook her head, clearing her mind of her dirty thoughts, "you're welcome," she placed her hands on his face, gently caressing. She felt the prickle of his stumble under her palms. "You know you can always talk to me about anything."

"I know, and I appreciate it," he kissed her forehead, "can I use your bathroom?"

"The last door down the corridor," she told him, letting go off him.

Gaara walked into the bathroom. He used the toilet, washed his face and used some of the mouthwash, rinsing his mouth. He walked back into her room, finding it empty and made his way downstairs.

Sakura grabbed two mugs and prepared Gaara's black coffee first, followed by her cappuccino, added three heaped spoons of sugar into it and stirring it. She turned to face Gaara and handed him his coffee, before taking a sip of her own drink. "What would you like to eat?"

Gaara shook his head, "I'm good, thanks."

Sakura narrowed her eyes at him, "I bet you didn't eat dinner last night," she turned and grabbed two bowls, filling them with cereal before adding in the milk. She handed Gaara a bowl and grabbed two spoons from the drawer, "please, eat."

Gaara took the bowl to the table and sat down, Sakura following after him. "How did you know I didn't eat dinner?" He asked between mouthfuls.

"I had a feeling," Sakura replied.

With their breakfast over, Gaara took the bowls and washed them, placing them on the drying rack. He finished off his coffee and washed the mug too. He checked the time. Half seven. He needed to get to work before Temari or Kankuro got there, not wanting to explain to either of them where he had spent the night. "I have to go," he told Sakura.

She smiled and nodded, "I know," she walked up to him and hugged him, "you're always welcome here."

"Thank you," he kissed her forehead.

Together, they made their way to the front door, Sakura grabbing her bag and throwing in her phone, slipping into her shoes and picking up her keys, while Gaara pocketed his phone and slipped into his shoes.

Sakura opened the door and waited until Gaara was out to lock the door behind them and made her way to her car. She turned to face Gaara and stood on her tiptoes, kissing his lips gently, "have a good day at work."

Gaara smiled and kissed her back, his arms circling around her waist, "you too." He let go off her and made his way to his car, driving towards his work.

Sakura smiled after him, biting down on her bottom lip and got into her car, driving to the hospital.

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Gaara got to work by eight, he made his way to his office and grabbed the change of clothes he kept in a cupboard. He was showered and dressed within ten minutes and sat back down at his desk as Temari opened the door to his office.

She looked him over, finding his hair wet, "you spent the night here?"

Gaara looked at her, waiting for her to carry on.

She sighed and walked towards his desk, sitting down on the chair opposite him, "are you still mad at me for what I said about Sakura?"

"It doesn't help," Gaara told her, his attention falling on his computer.

"I was only looking out for you, plus you can't exactly blame me."

He spared her a glance, waiting for her to explain herself.

"I can't remember the last time I saw you with anyone other than us and it was just a shock seeing you with Sakura, seeing as last time I saw her with you was when you were at the hospital and she was tending to you." She rushed out her words.

Gaara nodded, "I understand that, but you shouldn't have just run off your mouth like that."

"I know, and I'm sorry," she gave him a small, hopeful smile, "so, how long have you two, you know…"

"Are you asking me how many times I've slept with her?" Gaara asked.

"What, no!" Temari said quickly, "god no."

"Then what?"

"How long have you two been together?" she quickly asked, shaking the image of him and Sakura together intimately.

"Not long," Gaara smiled, thinking about Sakura, the way she had cared for him last night, listened to him and given advice. Being with her last night made him realise just how much he loved her already, and in a way, that scared him, but at the same time, it felt right, like they were meant to be together.

Temari looked at him and smiled, "it's serious, huh?"

Gaara looked at his sister and sighed, "for me, yes."

Temari furrowed her brow, "what do you mean? Aren't you two in a relationship?"

Gaara shook his head, "we've never spoken about it."

"What?" Temari raised her eyebrows, "what do you mean?"

"The topic never really came up. When I took her out of Saturday, we spent the day exploring the ruined castle in the desert, then in the evening…" he trailed off.

Temari pulled a face at the last bit, "I don't want to know what you two did." She took a deep breath, "are you going to ask her out?"

Just then, Gaara's desk phone rang, he picked it up on the second ring. "Hello." He listened for a while, "okay, can you send them to meeting room two, I'll see them there." He hung up and stood up, "the clients are here."

Temari nodded, "okay. But we're not done talking," she stood up and left his office.

Gaara grabbed the files he needed and made his way to the meeting room, where some of the board members were already waiting. The clients walked in, Gaara shook their hands and waited for them to sit before taking his own seat.

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"Let's go out for lunch today," Sasori said as he walked into Sakura's office.

Sakura looked up from the charts she was reading, at the mention of lunch, her stomach grumbled. "Sounds good," she placed the charts down and stood up, grabbing her bag and phone. She followed Sasori out of her office and the hospital and made their way to the café in his car.

"Good afternoon, what can I get you two?" the man behind the counter smiled at them.

"I'll have the cheese panini and a cappuccino, please," Sakura ordered.

"I'll have the ham sandwich, with lemonade, please," Sasori ordered and paid for both of them.

The man prepared the drinks and placed them on a tray and handed over a number, "when the food is ready, we'll bring it out."

"Thank you," they both said in unison as they made their way through the packed café, finding a table near the back.

"How are you?" Sasori asked as he took a sip of his cold lemonade.

Sakura poured in sugar into her drink and stirred it, "I'm good, thanks. You? How is Deidara?"

Sasori sighed at the mention of his boyfriend's name, "he's fine."

Sakura raised an eyebrow, "what's the matter?"

"He's had to leave Suna for a week, he's giving a lecture at some art collage somewhere." Sasori sulked.

Sakura smiled at him, "he'll be back before you know it." She picked up her cup and took a sip of it, enjoying the sweetness of the drink.

"How are things with you and Gaara?" Sasori asked.

Sakura smiled, "things are good. He came over last night."

Sasori raised an eyebrow and smirked at Sakura, "well look at you, yesterday you said you'd not spoken to him, now he's in your bed."

Sakura blushed lightly before shaking her head, "we didn't sleep together."

Sasori deadpanned, "what did you two do then?"

"We spoke. You know that thing people do," Sakura smirked at him.

"Ha ha," Sasori rolled his eyes, "seriously though, what happened?"

"I told you; we spoke. He came over just after ten and he looked so tired and not himself."

"Oh, is he okay?"

Sakura nodded, "he is. I think his father being in town is messing with him a little. I got him to stay the night, and before you ask, no, we didn't have sex. Sex would have complicated things."

"Says you, sex solves everything," Sasori smirked.

Sakura rolled her eyes, "not everything can be solved with sex."

"Again, says you."

Their number was called and Sasori held up his hand. Their food was placed in front of them. "Enjoy."

They tucked into their lunch. Sasori wiped his mouth, "so, have you two spoken about whether you're in a relationship or not?"

Sakura shook her head, covering her mouth as she chewed. She licked her lips, "the topic never came up."

"Then you bring it up," Sasori pointed out.

"I can't just turn to him and say 'hey we should be in a relationship', while he's got things going on. Also, he might not want to be in a relationship."

"Do you like him?" Sasori asked.

"Yes, I do."

"I mean, do you like him or do you like like him?" Sasori emphasised on like the second time, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Sakura blushed; she thought about the question. Yes, she did like him, maybe she more than liked him. The thought making butterflies flutter around her stomach. "It's too early for me to say that I like like him."

"Is it though?" Sasori asked, "sometimes you just know if you just like someone or if you love them."

Sakura thought about it, finishing off her sandwich and drink.

"We better get back, before Granny comes hunting us down," Sasori stood up, tucking his chair in.

Sakura followed suit. She followed Sasori out of the café and into his car and drove back to the hospital.

"Think about it Sakura," Sasori said as they got to her office.

Sakura nodded, "I'll try."

He smiled at her and walked off, leaving her to her thoughts.

She tried to concentrate on her work, but her mind was on Gaara, wondering how he was doing. She grabbed her phone out of her bag and sent him a message.

Hey Gaara. How are you doing? How's work? Xx

She placed her phone back in her bag and forced her attention back to her work. Grabbing the charts from earlier and going through them.