A/N: Beta'd by Errihu.


Chapter Twelve


There it was again.

Every night, when Sakura chose to take a moment's rest, it rang in her ears, invaded her dreams, and drove her eyes to open and look for the source. This time was no different, and Sakura stirred herself awake before flipping the light switch on. She groaned unpleasantly when the bright light invaded her senses, making her roll onto her back and shield her eyes, and all while listening for the noise that drove her awake.

Familiar tears.

Every night, if she slept, she would always wake up to the sounds of someone crying. Yet, like every time, as soon as she woke up to search for the person and cause, the room would be dead silent. She let another groan escape her when she realized tonight was no different.

Days and nights had passed for her since the first time she realized she was stuck in past time, and asked to watch a familiar redheaded boy. Lost, confused, scared; even if these words defined her the first few days, she commended herself for holding it together most of the time, if not for her sake, for the little boy who was, somewhat, dependent on her. Gaara, troubled as he was in his youth, more plain for her now to see, was not the bad child everyone in this time claimed him to be. She had this understanding of him even before she was introduced to his younger self, because his older self was a proud display of what a selfless, caring man could be.

There was suddenly a loud thud in the room, and footsteps approached her slowly before stopping at the side of the bed. The child knew her to be awake now, and had left his sanctuary perch to come be by her side. Behind her covered eyes, she no longer worried how the boy looked down at her laying form. Though still defiant on his worst days, Gaara overall was obedient and heeded her calls. Not that she demanded much from him; it was still his lead she mostly followed. Still shy, still reserved, still angry at times, and still a puzzle to her, he nonetheless opened up a little more to her every day, and for that the rosette was grateful. He trusted her, to an extent, and listened to what she had to say. Though, that didn't mean his doubts and dark whispers left him completely, just that Sakura was allowed into his life for the moment, but he still kept a cautious eye on her.

Because the last person who cared for his sake, had also been the one who hurt him the most.

For Sakura, who had been warned by Rasa to watch Gaara always, had become lenient once again with her sleeping. The pills were of little help, and while she sensed a change in Gaara's demeanor having someone by his side who matched his twenty-four-hour schedule, Sakura found herself completely exhausted by the third day to the point where she couldn't even pull herself out of the bed. So, she saved her last pill and thought up another plan.

Mental alarms.

She woke up every hour to make sure Gaara was still in the room, but that took a toll on her state as well. Yet, when nights came and went with theboy behaving and taking to heart her request to stay put, she gradually let two hours pass before waking to check on him, then three, then four, then to the point where she trusted him enough to go back to a routine sleep.

Gaara listened to her, it was Rasa who was trying to poison her mind, she decided.

"Are you awake?" Gaara asked, probably hopeful for some sort of communication.

Sakura smirked, still hiding her eyes behind her arm. She felt sorry for the boy who probably longed for interaction more so at night since that was when it was quietest for him. She rolled her head to the side, forcing her eyes open to adjust to the bright light and stare into Gaara's curious teal orbs.

"I cannot sleep," Sakura mumbled. "My mind's awake."

Gaara tilted his head, confused by her words, but watched as Sakura turned her head towards the ceiling and let out a breathy sigh. It was quiet again, and Sakura was tempted to close her eyes and return to the clouds of dreams and given second sights. Yet, she stopped herself from succumbing, instead shifting an eye towards the boy.

"Could you hear someone crying just a minute ago?"

She watched Gaara's eyes steady on hers. A stoic look from him again, and he didn't break their gaze.

"No," he answered her.

Sakura believed him, she had no reason not to, and so she turned once more to face him, sharing with him her smile while he stared down at her passively. They were silent, taking one another in for some time before…

"I want kakigori."

Sakura chuckled, labeling him once more as a brat before burying her head into her pillow.

"It's closed now, Gaara," Sakura sighed with a smile. "If you behave, we can get some tomorrow."

More often than not, Sakura would take the little boy back to the ice stand whether he asked, or not. It had become one of her favorite past times at night, and she hoped Gaara felt the same. They eyed each other once again in silence before it was broken by Gaara.

"I'm hungry."

Again, Sakura chuckled amused. Not that she could blame the kid. It seemed children were always hungry. Famished for sweets, and Gaara probably even more since his body remained awake entirely. Yet, even when she stretched her arms and muscles to try to help shake off her rest, she remained still in her bed.

"I'm too tired," Sakura mumbled, "maybe another day."

Her playful words came out once again, and Gaara was becoming a lot quicker recognizing them.

"Lazy," he labeled her, earning another one of small laughs.

"If you can find a way to carry me down there, we can grab something to eat in the kitchen," Sakura said, closing her eyes and relaxing back in her soft bed.

It was quiet again after that. Sakura was beginning to drift back into the world of dreams while Gaara was thinking a way to answer her proposal. Just when Sakura was sure he was about to give up, a slithering sound of grains hit her ears, and her eyes shot wide open when the sand began to wrap around her legs.

"Alright, alright!" Sakura shouted, shooting herself out of the bed and away from his sand. "You win. I'm up now."

Though he still looked at her with a poker face, Sakura could see amusement in his eyes. Perhaps, one day, he would allow himself to smile and laugh as freely as any child. Another stretch of her back, and a loud yawn, before Sakura nudged her head towards the door.

"Lead the way, little lord."

The boy did just that, his hungry stomach carrying his legs faster than Sakura's tired limbs could keep up. Still, she followed through the quiet home, and with an empty mind and constant yawns. Had she been more awake, she may have found it diverting that their roles had been turned somewhat. It was him who led her down the stairs and towards the kitchen, yet stopping at random moments to make sure she still followed, or waiting on her before he continued on as if she would somehow get lost along the way if he traveled too far ahead.

As late into the night as it was, Sakura did not expect to run into anyone. This was partially why she allowed the boy to venture out without her lead, yet, as they drew closer towards the kitchen, Sakura stopped in her tracks as soon as heard a giggle. Someone was awake this late into the night just like them. From the sound of it, very awake. Only did Sakura move from her spot when she saw Gaara venturing into the kitchen without a care, and she made a grab for him before hiding the both of them against the wall next to the entryway.

"What are yo-!"

Before Gaara could finish his whining sentence, Sakura clasped a hand against his mouth and forced his eyes on hers.

"Hush," she whispered to him while bringing a finger to her lips to emphasize how important it was to remain quiet.

Again, he stared at her with a stoic look before she let go of him, her focus returning back to the kitchen. The lights were on, there were quiet murmurs within, and Sakura knew for certain then they weren't the only ones up this late hour. The giggle she had heard earlier made her believe that this presence was no threat. Who was she to know anyway if help didn't start this late into night? Maybe these were helpers just doing their job. In which case, it was her duty to go in to grab something for the boy if she didn't want a panic to start from his presence.

Yet, another light giggle emitted from the lit room, and Sakura was certain she couldn't barge in there nonchalantly as she would have liked from the sounds of it. She let her hold on Gaara go, and slowly shuffled her feet towards the open-way, tilting her head back and looking in to the kitchen to see the source.

'Scandalous,' she thought when she saw a man pinning a girl against the counter.

Though both were still clothed, she knew exactly which direction the scenario was heading. Yet, as shocking as the this should have been to Sakura, the giggle she had heard earlier gave her a sneaking suspicion of what was going on before she even looked in. With that conclusion, the rosette was about to turn her head and give the two their privacy, but stopped short when she heard the woman's words.

"Baki, we shouldn't be doing this sort of thing in here."

Sakura's back straightened then, and she mentally wanted to cry while placing her hands on her ears.

'No, no, no, no,' she kept repeating her mind, hoping to drown out the voices.

It was awkward enough catching two people acting intimate. It was a hundred more times embarrassing for her knowing the man in there was Baki, and it made her cringe ever so hard when she recognized the young woman who had just spoken.

'Annaisha...' Sakura remembered her name.

Sakura's mind rattled, and she still shook her head while covering her ears, forgetting the little boy in front of her completely. He narrowed his eyes lightly at Sakura's confusing display, trying to understand what had made her act so funny. He glanced back and forth between her and the kitchen, not understanding at all what was going on the other side, or the privacy the couple deserved.

"I'm hungry," he mumbled once more to Sakura, trying to remind her of the task at hand.

Sakura did not hear the little boy, as she was still too caught up in her thoughts and had her ears shielded. So, when she paid Gaara no mind, he grew impatient to her neglect and marched his way into the kitchen. Only when Sakura saw red hair fly past her did she panic and make a reach again for the boy. She fell to her knees trying to stop him before he was too far in.

"Gaara, no!" she hissed.

Her panic grew ten-fold when he slipped away from her fingers, and Sakura mentally struggled whether to follow him or remain hidden.

'Maybe they won't notice,' she tried to reassure herself. 'He's quiet, he's small, they won't-'

Her thoughts and body froze when she heard Annaisha give a quiet gasp, and an eerie silence followed afterward. They had spotted him, and Sakura was once again torn wondering if she should go in and apologize for the both of them, or if she should remain hidden and let their secret be shared only with Gaara.

'First Icha Icha, and now this!' Sakura screamed in her mind, covering her embarrassed, hot face into the palms of her hands. 'Look how much I've exposed him to! I have no idea how to take care of a kid!'

"Vhy iz your vace red?"

Sakura gasped, whipping her head up fast to meet Gaara's impassive face. He stood in front of her, jar in his hand while he munched on the cookies. There was no reprimand then, she didn't even dare utter a whisper, and still hoped she had concealed herself. Yet, she was fast reaching for the boy, pulling him up in her arms, and making their getaway back to Gaara's room at top speed.

Only did she allow herself a relaxed breath when she shut the door behind her, resting her back against the wooden frame. She closed her eyes then, trying to rid her thoughts of Baki and Annaisha. A sigh left her, and it wasn't until she heard the noises of crunches hit her ears did she look at the boy that will still in her arms. Surprisingly, he hadn't shuffled out her hold, and instead stared at her curiously while stuffing his mouth with cookies. His concentration must have been solely focused on appeasing his greedy stomach, Sakura decided then, for she didn't think the boy would allow himself being held so close to her.

She studied him closely for some time, and him her, but not without his distant gaze, the one that told her his focus was on food and not her. After some time, she tilted her heard towards him.

"Child, you could have gotten us into a lot of trouble back there."

She studied his face, wondering if remorse would come to him. Instead, he ate another cookie.

"Does that not bother you?"

Gaara, at first, was quiet to Sakura's words, instead biting in half another cookie and swallowing that piece down before asking.

"What were they doing?"

Just like the perverse book before, Gaara's curiosity came when he noticed an act unforgiving and forbidden came into the play. Sakura could only shake her head, trying to cool down her now hot blush, and wondered if Gaara only asked these questions because he had mischievous side to him. Yet, with his stare still settled on her, waiting for her answer, Sakura sighed and tried to think of the right words.

"Well..." she mumbled at first, readjusting Gaara in her arms.

Even young, the boy was still heavy, but Sakura held on. Not because she had the strength to, but this was so rare that Gaara even allowed this. She hoped this connection formed would help in some positive way for the boy.

"Uh..." she struggled with her words again. "Baki and Annaisha were kissing."

"Kissing?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Gaara's eyes narrowed then, not out of spite, but out of confusion.

Sakura's eyes met the ceiling then, unsure as she was to whatever relationship Baki, and Annaisha, had. The young woman hummed in thought, for she didn't want to tell Gaara that she didn't have the answer to that yet. Perhaps it was love, or perhaps it was lust. She was quick to realize that the latter was not right in her mind to explain yet to the young boy. So, she settled on the first.

"Because they love each other."

Gaara's eyes seemed to swim side to side then, and he had even lowered the hand that fed him to his side. He suddenly looked lost, but also trying desperately hard to understand Sakura's explanation.

"That's why people kiss?" he whispered, eyes settling back on her.

Sakura was flabbergasted, and gazed at the boy just to be certain his question was genuine. He couldn't be that blind to what love was? Could he? Did he just find the act of kissing simply a dull move that held no attachments or feelings? She tried to think what his past years held. Surely, someone told him what love was, or he must he seen what love between two partners meant when he saw his parents-

'Ah!' Sakura thought, eyes widening then.

Now it made sense why he didn't understand. Children, often, learned this sort of thing through their parents and their feelings towards their partner. Gaara, however, did not know his mother, someone who apparently held no attachment for the boy. His father was no better, almost completely out of the young child's life, and others had avoided him like the plague. Gaara, it seemed, did not understand the love between two people.

"You've never heard of marriage before?" Sakura asked, watching the boy slowly shake his head. "When two people love each other, they kiss to express their feelings. That they love each other."

Sakura tried to keep her words short and to the point, but the boy just seemed to glare past her with her explanation. This conversation was already hard because he was a child, it was looking damn near impossible for him to understand the concept when he hadn't even been shown this sort of affection. So, with time, she sighed.

"Don't worry about it now, alright?" she said with a smile, tilting her head. "When you're older, you'll understand what I'm telling you."

She knelt down then, about to place Gaara gently back down to the floor, but stopped, surprised, when the boy asked her another question.

"Do you love?"

Her eyes widened then, looking past and focusing on nothing, and her grip tightened a little on Gaara, not letting him go just yet. His question, with his wording, was a little confusing, and while any normal person would probably answer him with a yes, Sakura had an inkling he was asking her if she loved someone in the same light she was just trying to explain to him. In her mind, flashes of her past played before her, all of them focusing on a certain onyx-eyed man. Her eyes suddenly felt hot, and she fought hard to hold back tears that suddenly threatened her. Not only had the child reminded her of the one that was dear to heart, but she also remembered just how much farther she was from him now.

'He is not gone for good,' her mind reminded her.

She shook her head, fast, and lifted the young boy back again up. Her face this time was the passive one, memorizing his teal eyes for some time before she was able to bring forth a small smile.

Just this once, she refused to answer him.

"Share?" she asked, before opening her mouth wide.

It took the boy a moment to understand her, but knew just what she was asking when she nudged her open mouth towards the jar in his hand. He was quick to bring out a cookie out in front of her, but was slow and uncertain when aiming the pastry towards her mouth. Sakura was quick to take a bite, and while he jumped lightly when her teeth came close to his finger, an amused smile found his face to her act.

"I knew you could smile," Sakura said through her bites.

Her voice was soft, and she held a smile of her own. Yet, for the boy, who realized then what all had just happened, a fear suddenly returned to him. This scenario, to him, was a familiar one, and the ending to it had been devastating. For him, the woman in front of him was slowly becoming a welcoming figure, but she was also a threat to whatever peace he had left in him. He stared into her green eyes, and in his mind, her hair suddenly lightened to blonde and her eyes darkened to violet. In his head, something shook, and a dark whisper came forth.

"Put me down," Gaara said with a frown.

Sakura could sense his sudden detachment, and was quick settling him back down to the ground. He took a few steps behind him before turning his back to her. In his arm he still hugged the jar, in his other hand he held onto the cookie that Sakura had bitten into. He stood frozen, head down, and without a doubt to the rosette, lost in his thoughts.

She sighed to this, not because her patience was wearing thin, but because she felt for the little boy. Good experiences happened between them, ones she felt helped the small boy form a connection with her, yet he still backed away from her with uncertainty from time to time. He would still not allow an attachment to form, and for Sakura, it was frustrating that he pushed her away because of how others had treated him thus far. This child believed he could not put his trust into the hands of another.

Unbalanced, an emotional wreck, sociopath. Cruel words, but these were just some of the few that defined Gaara. For Sakura, it was heartbreaking to see, and only did she feel reassured by thinking back to the future he would one day have. Yet, the more she saw of his despair, how others treated him, how lost and confused he was, it made her question if the Gaara, the one who was Kazekage, was truly as happy as Naruto claimed him to be. Because the sight in front of her, the scenario all around her, felt like a never healing wound.

Sakura cleared her throat, and walked towards Gaara while ruffling his hair a little before passing him. He didn't move from his spot or protest to her touch, but he did flinch lightly.

"I'm going back to sleep now," she announced to him, settling herself back onto the bed.

The boy was still frozen, didn't acknowledge her words, and his eyes were just as distant staring down at the floor. Sakura watched him carefully for a moment, deciding right away that she would need to wake up frequently tonight to make sure he hadn't run off. Everything had been going good tonight, it saddened her that his antisocial behavior didn't allow him to keep that tranquility tonight. It was not his fault, it was his thinking, what others intruded into his mind.

"Good night, Gaara."

With that, she shut off the light, and dreamt of those tears again.


A loud noise was what made Sakura jump out of bed early the next morning. The sound was obnoxious, irritating, yet nostalgic in a way. Something that she hadn't heard in years, and she groaned when she saw the little boy experimenting with the small television he had in his room.

At the sight, Sakura plopped her bottom back onto the bed.

"Brat," she whispered while rubbing her tired eyes.

She didn't label him this only because he was careless enough towards her to turn that loud thing on so early, but because he was spoiled enough to actually have the small technology in his room. When the static of the device continued to crack, and rattle Sakura's mind, the young woman groaned again.

"Gaara," she whined, "put something in or turn it off before I break it."

The boy didn't reply, but did in fact place a video in, and Sakura's ears were suddenly invaded by a loud fanfare.

'That's no better!' she thought before marching towards the television.

Gaara paid her no mind when she began adjusting the volume button, just instead tilting his head to the side to look past her. Sakura realized once she was done how enthralled the child was suddenly of the show, and smiled at the sight before nestling down next to him.

"What is this about?" she asked.

No surprise, she should have been the wiser, Gaara was quiet to her question, his gaze settled at the bright colors in front of him instead of on her. Another smile came to her seeing his silent awe of the characters in front of him before she turned to watch along with him.

Yet, in short time, she realized how ridiculous the show in front of them was. They were characters in costume, poorly-made ones, and the show aimed at a younger audience but with a message that sounded much like propaganda. A hero who fought for his home, along with his friends, against the rest of the world who was their enemy. Everyone, besides them, were the bad guys, and they needed to destroy everyone lest their friendship, and home, perish. Five minutes in, and Sakura decided she could no longer stomach this garbage. She even turned to Gaara with a means to pull him away, but stopped when she saw his face light up with interest as the hero in the television was surrounded by his friends, cheering him on. She understood then why Gaara watched with an unbreakable attention.

Despite his cold nature towards others, he was still drawn to the idea of having friends around, cheering him on. She smiled at him again.

'Just wait,' she thought. 'Your time will come.'

In her mind, she was picturing him as Kazekage, and remembering the times she had seen his presence swarmed with villagers once he stepped foot outside. There wasn't that much difference between Gaara, and the character in the show… Aside from the fact that the costumed hero was a rabbit with oversized ears.

Sakura decided then she could spare the boy some alone time for the moment, and got up to make her way to the kitchen. She almost completely turned around when she spotted Annaisha's back, but was stopped short by the young woman's cheerful greeting.

"Good morning, Sakura-sama!"

Despite the previous night, how Gaara had interrupted her and Baki, she played along as if nothing had happened. So, it was a little easier for Sakura to cool down her growing blush and do the same.

"G-Good morning," Sakura replied. "I wasn't sure if breakfast-"

Before Sakura could finish, Annaisha practically skipped towards the rosette and handed off two bowls.

"Had an early start this morning!" Annaisha grinned before turning back to the stove.

To her cheerful mood, Sakura was in light awe. For someone who had lost her mother recently, it was surprising to watch her hum happily while working.

'That just must be her nature,' Sakura thought, before her thoughts shifted to her and Baki. 'Or...maybe that's just love.'

Sakura couldn't help but smile to this thought. She wondered if her own self would be this chipper once love came to her.

"By the way, Sakura-sama,' Annaisha spoke, turning to catch Sakura before she left, "how is everything going?"

The question was vague, but Sakura knew what the woman was really asking.

"Alright...I suppose," was all Sakura could say, still unsure of herself and how she approached Gaara.

She liked to believe she was making good progress with him, but she was always unsure. Though, she would let no one know about her uncertainty.

"My sleeping pattern is a little off, but other than that, Gaara does well to listen and not ask for much."

Annaisha's eyes widened for a second, surprised by Sakura's words. Yet, a stern look followed shortly after.

"You must know a lot about handling kids then. I imagine he is the most challenging of all, yet you say everything is alright," Annaisha said, crossing her arms and leaning her back against the stove.

Sakura forced a smile then, hesitation showing through her twitching lip.

"I'm not so sure about that," Sakura mumbled. "I really don't know how to take care of a child. This is my first time."

A nervous laugh followed, but Annaisha was quick to reassure her.

"I see you at ease, Sakura-sama. You're not rattled by him like the rest of us," Annaisha chuckled at the thought, shrugging before speaking again. "It's like you look at him like any other child."

Sakura narrowed her eyes.

"That's because he is a child. He shouldn't be punished for being confused. He didn't make himself that way."

Annaisha was quiet then, and Sakura wasn't sure how to take her long, hard, blank gaze. In her mind, was she calling Sakura the fool, or taking her words into consideration? Before long, Annaisha smirked before turning back to the stove.

"Sakura-sama, you're wrong," Annaisha whispered.

Sakura was quick to open her mouth, anger getting the better of her, but Annaisha beat her to the punch.

"You do know how to take care of children," Annaisha whispered again.

Silence followed. For Sakura, she was completely shocked. She was actually given praise for how she looked over a child? Of Gaara no less?

"Keep doing what it is you're doing," Annaisha finished.

Sakura took a moment to relish in the warm feeling Annaisha suddenly gave her; reassurance. Along the way, she hoped Annaisha was one of the many from the future that would be surrounding Gaara in the streets with the smile he would one day deserve.

Not long after, Sakura thanked the girl for the food before returning back to Gaara's room. She was relieved to watch the boy in the process of taking the video out and placing it back away before turning off the television, unsure if she could stomach anymore of it.

"Hungry?" she asked him when he turned and eyed the bowls in her hand.

He was quiet for the most part while eating, and Sakura wondered if his mood was still sour from the night before while she ate across from him.

"You know, there is a girl here who makes your meals," Sakura said suddenly, eying the boy. "Everyday."

Gaara didn't acknowledge Sakura, he was simply silent while he ate his meal.

"Her name is Annaisha. She's a very nice lady," Sakura continued to speak.

For him, Gaara's eyes was still on his food, again engorging himself in that instead of anything else.

"Her mother died recently. She doesn't have anyone else. She is all alone," Sakura whispered.

She wasn't sure how the boy was going to react to these facts. She wondered if he would ignore her. Yet, she was glad to see Gaara's eyes slowly pick up to hers then, maybe he could sympathize. Though he bore a dull expression, Sakura understood his eyes falling to her meant she nabbed his interest, even if only slightly. He chewed on his food, but watched Sakura while waiting for her to say more, which she did.

"We should thank her sometime, for making us these delicious meals every morning," Sakura said with a warm smile.

Meanwhile, the boy had turned back to his bowl. He took a few bites of his food, trailing back to his own thoughts. Yet, he spoke, and his words warmed Sakura's heart and made her think back to what Annaisha had just told her about how she did know what she was doing with this child.

"Ok," was what he had whispered back to Sakura.