More Than a New Friendship

Summary: After meeting Gaara after the Chuunin exams, Sasuke leaves to pursue his brother and Orochimaru. During his absence, Sakura lets go of her feelings for Sasuke and trains harder than ever to become a medic ninja. When Sasuke returns, Sakura can't bear the thought of dealing with Sasuke again. She leaves to find an old friend. Will she find him? And what about Sasuke?

Please read and review – first time fanfic

Warning

Me: I do not own Sakura, Gaara, Sasuke, Naruto or any other Naruto characters. (if I did, I'd be rich) But I do own this story line, yay!

Gaara: I'm glad you don't own me

Me: I just said I didn't!

Sasuke: Yeah but you started the "If" scenario.

Me: It was just a thought

Gaara: Well don't, your job is not to think

Me: You know you two are getting on my nerves

Sasuke: Hn

Gaara: Oh well, at least you don't own us

Me: Gerrrrr!

Hi- normal speaking

Hi- thoughts

Hi- demon or inner self speaking

Chapter I Sand on Cherry Blossom Bridge

After the Chuunin exams, Gaara and his group walked through the hidden leaf village. "Hey Gaara, wanna go get some ramen before we leave?" Kankuro asked.

"Na, I'll just go for a walk. I'll be back in a while, I'm not that hungry anyway." he said in a bored tone. He walked through the village of Konoha, the sun slowly reaching to the center of the sky. He found himself at a small bridge under some sakura cherry trees. He stopped to survey his surroundings, without interruption, or so he thought. The red head just happened to be on the bridge outside the fourteen-year-old Sakura's apartment. She was on her balcony when she saw the sixteen-year-old Gaara with his sand gourd sitting next to him out on the bridge. Seeing him alone, she decided to join him.

He was deep in his own thoughts when she arrived at the bridge. She was on the bridge a whole minute before he realized it, when she broke the silence. "I saw you at the exams." she said in her soft sweet voice behind him as to not surprise him. "Hi, I'm Sakura. Your name is Gaara right?" "Hn" was his usual response. "What are you doing out here all by yourself?" What does she want? When she knows what I am, she'll run like all the others.

"I was just looking around. My squad is having lunch before we leave for Suna. Why are you here?" he said which was unusual; he usually talks to no one.

"I saw you out here. I thought you'd like some company." she said with a sigh. "Do you like to be alone; I can leave if you prefer to be…." she was cut off by Gaara, "Thanks for your company." Normally people avoid me at all costs." He smirked, now starting to take interesting this pink haired girl. "Why would they do that? You're nice and I bet fun if given the chance."

"Thanks but people avoid me because of what I am." he paused. Why am I even explaining this, she'll just run. "I am a monster that is uncontrollable. I have a demon trapped inside me….and if I'm riled up, if Shukaku takes over, he can be invincible. Everyone that knows avoids me like a plague. They all think I attack at random. I can't control it, but it scares them as if I do it on purpose." As he finished there was a pause. "Sakura, I can't blame you if you want to leave."

"Why would I leave? You're a human not a monster. You are an excellent person, ninja, and friend. You can't help it, you are just playing the cards you're dealt. I see a person that is kind but is treated like dirt because of something you can't control. Why would I leave?" Sakura said without the slightest doubt, giving her sweet smile again.

I like this one, she's honest and accepting. Not to mention attractive. I like her too but she has her heart set on that Uchiha. Oh well, we can't change her mind. Why are you kind to me? He thought almost confused by her answer. Oh well. "I guess you are my only friend outside my family."

"How long are you staying? Would you like to get something to eat?" Sakura suggested. "Yeah, now that you mention it, I am a little hungry. Not really. Oh, and I'm leaving at noon with my squad." he said. They walked to the restaurant where the rest of Gaara's squad was eating. They both ordered a bowl of ramen. They ate in silence.

"Once my training is done, I'll come visit you in Suna, if I jet the chance. I have to go, Naruto's waiting for me. I'll see you around. I'll visit, I promise, okay Gaara!"

Without warning, Gaara pulled her toward him and planted a kiss on her lips. Blushing and taken aback from shock, she just waved and smiled as she began to walk away. Gaara watched as his new pink haired friend disappeared along the path to the bridge.

"Hey Gaara, who was that?" Temari asked. "Just a friend." He said with a sigh. You'll see her again, you'll see. I sure hope so. Let's go it's almost noon." She said. "Gaara?" He snapped out of his daydream. "Hn." He said acknowledging her. With that, they got up and left the hidden leaf village, not looking back, and with Gaara thinking of the occurrence on the bridge.

End Chapter I

Sorry It's so short. First one, but I'll make the next one longer. The meeting was intentionally short to show Gaara's love at first sight. If you keep reading, I'll keep writing. R&R please.

Preview

Chapter II Sasuke's Return

Four Years Later

"Sasuke's back, he's back Sakura!" Naruto yelled to a sleeping Sakura. "leave me alone Naruto, I'm trying to sleep." "But he's back!" he said again. Haven fallen almost back to sleep, Sakura bolts up. "He's back?" she said repeating his words, now wide-awake. "Yeah Sakura, and he's injured badly. The Hokage, she said she needs your help, Now! Without hesitation, she got out of bed and got her medic uniform. She ran to the bathroom, changes, and grabbing Naruto, flew out the door.