3

Disclaimer: Sigh what would I do if the characters of Naruto belonged to me but sadly they don't

Chapter 5

Sakura's POV

She walked into the office and glanced around. Sighing in relief she relaxed into her chair.

Thank the heavens. Maybe he didn't even notice I was gone.

She walked out onto the balcony and almost fainted when she saw Gaara standing on the balcony his back to her.

"How long have you been standing there?"

There was a moment of silence before he replied.

"I was here when you left."

"Oh … I'm sorry I didn't mean to run off it was just …"

She stopped her rambling when he raised his palm.

"Temari is right you do work too hard"

With nothing to say she decided to step up next to him. Glancing down at his hands she noticed he was holding something. It was a small bird; one of its wings lay awkwardly as if broken.

"I always liked birds. I used to watch them flying around when I was little but of course they wouldn't come near me. I guess they could sense Shukaku. After he was … removed they wouldn't leave me alone. I remember the first time this particular one came to me. It had been the first, kind of like a scout for the rest. It had sat on my desk and observed me head tilted to the side as if thinking. Ever since then it would come visit me every day."

He sighed. She was surprised that he had said so much. Usually the Kazekage was a man of few words. She listened to him as he continued.

"What happens to birds when their wings break?"

"They die. If nothing is around to care for them then they either wither away or get eaten. May I?" She said indicating to the bird in his hands.

"Oh sure"

He slid the small creature very gently into his hands. The poor thing looked at him with alarm and tried to fly back into his hands. He gave a slight nod, shushing under his breath and the bird calmed down. It looked at her with interest as she started to flood her chakra into its body. Slowly and carefully she fused the bones back together, glad that she had taken that course with Kiba on how to handle animals. When she was done she placed the bird back in its original position. Glancing up she caught Gaara staring at her.

Gaara's POV

"Amazing"

"Thank you Kazekage-sama"

He frowned slightly, unaware that he had said the words out loud.

"You know you don't have to call me that."

"Oh … I'm sorry"

"It's all right, but the title makes me feel old."

He looked down at the tiny creature in his hand. He was grateful to her for healing it. The small bird had been the closest thing he had ever had too a friend that wasn't related to him by blood. At that moment the bird hopped around in his hands declaring its intent to leave. He placed on the railing of the balcony and it flew of after glancing at the woman standing next to him and nodding in approval.

"Um Gaara …"

"Yes."

"Did that bird just give me a seal of approval?"

"I think so."

She laughed and he decided that he liked the sound. She didn't do it nearly enough.

"Now I can sleep in peace knowing that I have approval from the almighty bird."

She laughed again and turned back into the office.

"I think I will go back to work now"

And with that she stepped through the screen leaving him to his own devices.

Over the next few days there was a marked change in both their personalities. For one thing Gaara stopped avoiding his office and Sakura could now also be found standing on the balcony with him. Sometimes they were deep in conversation; other times they could be found just sitting idly enjoying each others presence.

AN: Sorry for the short chapter I just really wanted this scene to happen. If it's any consolation, I am working on the next chapter right now. So it should be up soon.

Thanks for all the reviews they really inspire me to write more.

3