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Chapter Sixteen
The rest of the day had been spent in the kitchen. Gaara was still eager to help Annaisha finish the cookies once she returned, and the brunette and redhead had even worked on dinner together. Meanwhile, Sakura busied herself silently with a needle, grateful the young woman watched Gaara and secretly gave Sakura a small break to herself.
"You're not tired?" Annaisha would ask the small boy time to time, and Gaara would answer with a shake of his head. "I wish I had your energy! I could get so much work done if I didn't need to sleep."
Gaara helped Annaisha to clean up after dinner too, drying dishes as Annaisha past them off wet and washed. As twilight began outside, Annaisha announced that they were finished for the day and Sakura looked back up towards the two hearing that announcement.
"I was thinking of taking a small walk, to get some fresh air now that it's cool. Would you like to join us?" Sakura suddenly asked.
Yet Annaisha was already shaking her head, and raising her hands up in protest, by the time Sakura finished her question.
"Maybe another day," she offered with a bright smile. "I need to get some training in."
Sakura began to nod in understanding before seeing Annaisha's sudden, pondering look. The brunette looked deep in thought, even placing a finger on her chin and humming, and Sakura had to wonder if she was reconsidering. Yet, before she could ask again, Annaisha spoke up.
"Kazekage-sama also asked to see me when I had the time. I suppose I should stop by tonight."
First instinct for Sakura was to glance at Gaara. At the mention of his father, Sakura was unsure how the boy perceived knowing Annaisha favored the man he feared. Yet, Gaara kept his back turned to them, focusing on the cookies Annaisha had laid out for him to keep. Perhaps he chose to ignore them then, or cared not at the mention of his father right now. Second came when Sakura's eyes narrowed with question towards Annaisha. There was the obvious chance that Rasa and Annaisha's business didn't have anything to do with Gaara and her, yet Sakura still couldn't shake off an uneasy feeling that it just might be. He was still not the good guy to her, and she had grown just as wary about him as Gaara was.
"Have a good night, Sakura-sama. Thank you for letting me borrow your friend to help," Annaisha announced, breaking Sakura's thoughts.
"Ah," Sakura quickly replied, nodding towards the brunette. "It's you I need to thank, for giving Gaara a chance. I know he really appreciates it. We both do."
Annaisha's eyes flashed then, Sakura could see some sort of sadness, or guilt, in her distant gaze before the brunette forced a smile back on her again. The quick, empty glance panicked Sakura for a moment until Annaisha spoke again, her smile growing along with her words.
"You're doing good, Sakura-sama. Don't ever doubt the decisions you make for him, or let anyone think you're doing something wrong."
Annaisha paused for a moment before her head turned and eyes fell to the little boy.
"If you hadn't come into his life, he would probably have no one. That's kind of a sad thought, isn't it?" the brunette whispered.
At that point Sakura's eyes turned to Gaara as well. Was that why that flash of emotions happened in Annaisha's eyes? Did she feel guilty at the way she perceived and treated Gaara before today?
"I can only see him becoming a better person with someone like you by his side. I hope you won't let anyone try to tear you two apart."
Sakura's eyes widened then, surprised by Annaisha's final words. Her gaze was quick back towards the brunette's and where the younger woman held a smile before, her face was now blank and distant, and her stare was hard on Sakura. Sakura opened her mouth to question, but stopped short the moment Annaisha's face quickly morphed back into a giant grin.
"Sorry!" she apologized. "I'm just rambling nonsense again, aren't I? Baki is always telling me I do that!"
Annaisha chuckled then before turning and calling out to Gaara.
"Bye bye, Gaara-sama! You can come help me make cookies any time!"
She nabbed the little boy's attention then and Gaara slowly turned his head back to her. He stared blankly and silently at her waving form. At first glance, it looked as if the boy cared none for her departure. Yet, in time, he turned fully to face the brunette and slowly brought his hand up for one, small, sheepish wave on his own.
"Bye," he whispered.
Sakura watched Annaisha give both her and Gaara one more reassuring smile before she left them alone together. At that time Sakura was silent and still trying to analyze Annaisha's words. As uplifting as they had been, she still felt uneasy at the thought of her going off to Rasa.
"Sakura?"
His call to her had been a soft one, but Sakura was quick turning to the boy who made his way next to her.
"Yes?" she answered him, their eyes locking.
He was silent, but offered her a cookie with a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"Yours," he said before she slowly took the treat from him.
She smiled when she recognized its heart shape from the cutter she chose earlier.
"Oh!" she beamed enthusiastically. "Is this the cookie you made for me?"
He nodded fast, his small smile growing while his eyes glanced between her and the treat.
"Eat it."
For Sakura, the small sweet was symbolic in a way. It showed her that Gaara thought of her enough to care to make something for her. So, it made her a little sad that this cookie wasn't a momentum she could keep forever. Yet, she shrugged that thought away. Even if the cookie would be gone, the memories would definitely remain fresh. So, she popped the small baked good into her mouth, eyes widening towards the boy to overemphasize its taste. A long, exaggerated hum of pleasure vibrated within her mouth.
"Mmm, it's so tasty!"
The boy's smile grew bigger then, and he watched her until she was finished eating what he had prepared for her.
"You'd make a good baker. Maybe Annaisha can teach you to become one," Sakura finished, smiling down at the boy.
The child lost himself to that thought, perhaps considering the possibilities, and the two of them were silent once more.
"You had fun today?" Sakura eventually asked Gaara.
His attention fell back on her, and he only gave the question a short thought before nodding to answer Sakura yes. The young woman's smile turned toothy then.
"I'm so glad. Annaisha is super nice! I bet she already thinks of you as friend," Sakura added.
The boy's eyes had been wandering slightly around the room as Sakura spoke, but his movements froze as soon as the rosette's words hit him like an electric jolt. Again, he was quiet in thought before turning slowly to Sakura with a somewhat, surprised expression. The young woman understood him as being doubtful to what she was saying. Friends for him never came, six years had been more than long enough for him to realize that no one would treat him with a welcoming hand. Yet, somehow, here was this pink-haired woman explaining to him, even before she knew him, how they were already friends; and here she was again, claiming Annaisha could be the same for him.
These six years had been long, and trivial. He had no one up to his point besides his uncle; a man whose only teaching Gaara held onto was that betrayal came from those who claimed to care for you, and to only live for yourself. It made him doubt Sakura in many ways, and at many times.
And yet…
The child in him held on to that sliver of hope. The one that reminded him that Sakura had shown him kindness thus far, and that her words had been sincere. She claimed friendship, and so far, as much as Gaara knew of that word, she kept that claim true. So, at the idea of someone else, Annaisha, being someone just like Sakura, the boy couldn't contain his growing smile.
'Friend,' he repeated in his mind before looking back up to Sakura.
"She's my friend?" he asked in a quiet voice, worried slightly Sakura might retract what she had said.
Yet, Sakura wasted no time nodding to the boy.
"I'm sure of it!" she explained.
To this, the boy looked out in front of him, his smile still strong.
"Do you think I can have more?" he asked.
Sakura chuckled. She knew very well what the future held for Gaara. She reached for the young boy again, brushing his hair as he locked his gaze with her.
"I am certain, one day, this entire village will think of you as a friend," Sakura explained.
Gaara's eyes scoured the floor then, once again lost in thought and trying to process when, and how, this would happen. He was doubtful, but more so hopeful to Sakura's words. A small part of him was trying to remember why her words were false, yet a bigger part of him was ecstatic at the thought.
"When?!" he eventually asked her excitedly, making the young woman chuckle again.
"One day when you're older," Sakura said through her laughs.
The boy again narrowed his face with the thought, but before he drowned himself in questions once more, Sakura poked his shoulder playfully to nab back his attention.
"If you're nice to others, like you were with Annaisha today, it will happen sooner than later," Sakura explained.
With eyes locked again, Gaara took her words in for a few moments before smiling softly. It was then Sakura knew he would hold those words dear for many years, anticipating for that day to come. Their eyes and smiles were on one another for some time before Sakura turned to the window to stare at the night sky. She glanced at the big, bright moon, it's presence once again ringing Baki's words into her mind.
"Have you noticed Gaara acting out of the ordinary today?"
"His mannerisms, his speech, his requests...anything."
"These next few days may be your most ambiguoustimes yet with Gaara."
A small sigh left Sakura then, and her smile fell as well when she remembered the tube in her pocket. Today, had been different, she could admit, but it also had probably been the best day for Gaara. The boy had been more open than usual, especially to Annaisha, yet Sakura could see no harm in it. If anything it signaled to her that her teaching's were finally getting though to him. She hated to think today was a link to something much darker to come, and even at that thought she tried to shake away her doubt.
'No,' she told herself. 'I won't believe it. Everything that happened today has nothing to do with what Baki said. Whatever he, or Rasa, are expecting to come will not happen.'
That is what she believed. Wanted to believe. Tried to believe…
Her eyes had fallen back to the boy, and like her, his smile had fallen and he too stared at the window that invited the both of them to the outside world. If it was extra energy the boy was having today, she knew very well some fresh air and a walk would help to calm him. It always worked with her.
"Want to go outside for a bit?" Sakura eventually asked. "I'm kind of getting burnt out being in the room all the time."
The boy wasn't as quick to answer her this time around. Instead, his gaze was locked towards the window for some time, and it was only after long seconds that he tore his blank expression to her and nodded in agreement. Sakura gave him a reassuring smile then, one that he did not return, before she pushed her materials and work to the side and ushered the boy along to the lead the way.
They stepped out into the warm night, a cool breeze offering some relief now to the hot air from before. The brightest stars were now twinkling through the darkening sky as dusk began its transition into night. At the sight, and feel, of it all Sakura embraced the fresh air with a breathy sigh. Her look fell to the boy next to her, glancing to see if he would relish that fresh air in a similar way; after all, he was just as chained to his room as much as her, but instead saw his gaze looking up towards the dark sky. Sakura followed his eyes, wondering if he was staring up at the beauty that was the changing night sky. However, when her emerald orbs rose to the giant, glowing, pale moon, the rosette hesitated for a moment. Baki's warning once again swimming through her.
'No,' she told herself. 'I'll believe he won't act any differently tonight.'
She looked back down at Gaara, who had gone unmoved.
'I want to believe.'
She offered her hand to the little boy then, hoping to draw his attention away from the radiant orb and back to her. For the moment, it worked, and he stared at her open palm before his stoic gaze went to her eyes for an explanation.
"I'll let you hold my hand," Sakura said gently.
The offer stood in Gaara's mind then, and he eyed her soft fingers once more. Meanwhile, Sakura stood motionless, hoping the young boy would finally take her up on her offer. Even when his teal stare slowly rose back to the moon, Sakura didn't deter away.
"Gaara," she called again, his eyes again falling back to her. "If you make me wait, I may just leave you behind."
It wasn't until only after she said those words did she realize how much of an impact of what she said may strike the lonely boy. She expected a glare from him then, eyes of warning. Instead, he blinked slowly at her, his gaze and face giving away no emotion. When his eyes finally fell again to her palm, that was when he slowly made a reach for her hand. Outwardly, Sakura remained still, but inwardly her heart turned more rapid, and she could even hear her heartbeat within her mind as she watched boy brush the skin of her palm.
Like so many times before, he was cautious and wary, even if his face gave no indication of that. He was Gaara, meant to be alone. He told himself he would never let himself get close to another, like he had with Yashamaru, ever again. In his mind was the embedded will that he would only live for himself. The word love was just that to him, a word.
And yet…
He touched her hand gently with his fingers, examining it closely, and deciphering what action next to take. This type of physical embrace was always deeply desired by Gaara, yet he was mindful that Sakura had a mind he couldn't read. She was caring of him, attentive to his requests, treated him with respect. She took care of him when no one else dared to draw near, just like his uncle had. Gaara had learned Sakura was a lot like his uncle.
And that thought frightened him.
"Yashamaru..."
Sakura's eyes widened for a moment to Gaara's quiet mumble. As the boy continued to graze her palm with his fingers, she was certain his voice had betrayed his thoughts then. That whisper wasn't meant for her ears, and the very breath that was his uncle's name was probably not even meant to leave him. He must have not known it slipped, for he paid her no mind except to her open palm, so Sakura didn't acknowledge it, and she just simply again nudged her hand towards him. To her movement Gaara suddenly pulled his own hand back then, cradling his hand like she had burned him. His eyes were on her now, and the rosette sighed in defeat. She too was about to draw her hand back, and encourage him with words that there would be a next time when he was ready.
That's when he reached for her again.
His arm moved slower than before, but Sakura dared not move as she stared in wonderment while the boy began entwining his fingers with hers. His small digits moved between hers in different directions, as if he was trying to figure out the proper way to hold her hand. She did not say anything lest her voice scare him away, and she allowed the child to figure out, on his own, just how he wanted to embrace them. In the end, whether he was still cautious, or unsure how he felt with this skin contact, he eventually settled with wrapping his small fingers around Sakura's index and middle finger. As soon as he was certain with how he was holding onto Sakura, he looked back up at her curiously, waiting to see if she would correct him with how he grasped at her.
Sakura only smiled at him, delighted he had finally taken her up on her offer. Again, it proved all the more to her the progress she made with the little boy. He was trusting of her, and that trust only grew by the days. It made her wonder when she could have him trust others. Only if they were willing to understand the little boy though, and while it seemed like none of them existed in this village, Sakura remembered all that had happened between Gaara and Annaisha today. Certainly Sakura could find others like her.
"Finally," Sakura teased. "I thought you were never going to hold my hand. I'm really happy now!"
She smiled at the boy, but his blank stare and quiet voice did not return her enthusiasm. However, he did hold onto her. Sakura watched him glance back up towards the moon, enveloping himself at the sight for quite some time. When seconds turned to minutes, Sakura grew apprehensive again over what seemed like an innocent act.
"Let's go," she told him, tugging him lightly along.
He gave one more hard stare towards the pale sphere before his eyes fell back out in front of him and he followed Sakura step by step.
Hand in hand.
They each were quiet, taking in their surroundings instead. The roads were empty, they seemed to always be once the sun settled. There was a reason for this, they both knew. Yet, for one of them, just having the other next to him was more than enough to make him feel content. He held onto her tighter, basking at the feel of involuntary human contact. Relishing in the thought, that maybe, just maybe, her friendship was genuine. Tonight, he would follow her.
"Kakigori?" Gaara eventually asked, turning up to look at Sakura as they continued their walk.
He watched as the rosette hummed in thought before eying him with a raised eyebrow.
"Cookies weren't enough?" she asked.
He made no reply, and Sakura couldn't help but chuckle at the innocence he showed off now. Of course to a child nothing was ever enough.
"Not tonight," she answered through her small laughs.
Gaara didn't argue and turned back to glance at the moon as he followed in step with Sakura still. It was a quick glance, but a bundle of questions came to him then.
"The sky," he began to mumble.
"Hm?" Sakura said, tilting her head back towards him, straining her ears to hear him better.
What she saw when she looked down was the boy staring behind him towards the sky, his steps were beginning to slow down. Eventually his feet came to an abrupt stop, and he was engrossed solely on the moon above them. For Sakura, there was a small unease beginning to grow inside of her.
"The sky..." he repeated.
"Gaara," Sakura called to him softly.
She stared at him for moments longer, trying to decide where the boy's mind currently was. He looked so transfixed at the glowing orb, that it made her once again question what this night had in store for them. Surely he wouldn't act out and would behave. Surely the moon contributed nothing to his nature, and judgment. She pulled his hand with hers.
"Let's go," she said, glancing down at the boy as he turned towards her direction.
His eyes didn't meet with hers, and it was if he took a moment to recollect himself before matching along with Sakura's march.
"The sky," he stated again, more clearly this time and with a voice that would make any know he had mastery of his mind, "it isn't smiling tonight."
Sakura had a moment of inner relief to Gaara's words. For two reasons of course, though the one that stuck out most was that he had always kept her playful words in mind. If she remembered correctly, he had called her, and the idea of the smiling sky, stupid the first time he had heard it. The little boy was letting his tough shell finally crack in front of her. She took a swift look at the moon to humor Gaara, before turning back down at him.
"You're right," she agreed.
Gaara's frown grew heavy then. The rosette hadn't realized this revelation troubled him.
"Why?" he asked. "Is it upset? Did I do something wrong?"
Sakura looked back down at him in surprise.
"Wha? No… No, it's nothing like that, Gaara. You haven't done anything wrong today. Quite the opposite actually."
Her answer did not suffice, and he glowered with the grip he had on Sakura's fingers tightening.
"The sky is just tired tonight. Can't you tell? It's yawning," Sakura murmured.
In truth, the full moon representing a yawn was thought up just then. She didn't want to upset the boy, but she realized his scowling features didn't find a yawning sky to be anywhere near as clever as a smiling one. So, she tried a different approach.
"Look," she called to him, and she showed off a toothy grin as he turned to her call. "If all you wanted was a smile, just look at me."
Success, she assumed, for his scowl softened and his eyes stared up at her in wonderment. She held her grin painfully long as Gaara studied it. She wondered why this was, for it certainly wasn't the first time he had seen her facial expression. It wasn't until Gaara barred his own pearly set, trying to mimic her smile, did she realize the reason behind Gaara's long stare. He was trying to copy her. For her, the technique was certainly lost to him, he looked more to be seething than grinning, and Sakura couldn't help but chortle again.
"You can't force a grin," Sakura coached him. "it's something that just happens when you're happy."
A curious gaze from the boy rose back to her.
"You're always smiling," he stated through his teeth.
Sakura shrugged.
"I've been happy lately."
Those words didn't sweep past Gaara like the rosette thought they would. There was a brief moment as his false smile fell, and he stared distantly out in front of him. She knew what was coming next from the boy, who treasured at the thought that maybe someone would cherish him in way others were. He was always seeking graspable clarification, he desperately had a need to feel that his existence meant something to someone else. Despite what he had promised himself, that he would solely rely on himself, that dark desire that his uncle had created had yet to be embedded into him; and Sakura coming so soon into his life shortly after his declaration certainly gave him hope that there was possibly another chance.
So, as she guessed, he eventually asked, but not without worry that she may still break his heart.
"Why..." he paused, swallowing hard. "Why are you happy?"
His gaze was in front of him, he dared not look at Sakura lest her eyes hold the detest he was accustom to seeing in others. For her, she smiled softly down at him.
"I get to spend time with you. You're my friend, so of course I'd be happy being with a friend."
He grinned then, without any thought of doing it. Unbeknownst to him, the facial expression lingered inside of him still. He just needed the right moment for his body, and mind, to remember. Sakura smiled softly to this before calling for his attention.
"Are you happy too?"
His face fell then. Her statement didn't anger him like it would have before. Never did he appreciate when the young woman could understand his silent questions, emotions, plights and concerns. He hated that the young woman claimed to understand him when there was no possible way she could. Above the rest, what made him angriest about her was that she labeled to be his friend the second she met him in the desert. For the child, it was mocking in his eyes that she call him friend when he had literally just ripped his sand claw into her face.
Yet now, now he was growing accustom to her. He was growing thankful that she understood his quiet dilemmas without him having to confess them. That she was willing to stand by his side despite the anger he showed her, and the warnings people gave her. He was slowly learning to appreciate her. She taught him new things, reassured him when he messed up that it would be alright next time, and answered his questions with careful thought. She gave him physical affection, a type of attention he never even fathomed he would ever receive. Most importantly, she showed him friendship.
He stared at their hands before turning to look up at her. He showed off his white teeth once again that even Sakura was surprised at seeing the bright smile for a second time tonight.
"I am happy right now," he claimed with a nod of his head.
Sakura matched his smile then, she hadn't expected the boy to reply to enthusiastically. Today was definitely a good day for him. Her only hope was that his feelings at the moment weren't just some fleeting behavior. She reassured herself that if that was the case then patience was key. If he could have a good day like today, nothing was stopping him from having another tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day until eventually these happy days would be a daily routine.
She eventually realized her train of thought had her standing there silently with her smile slowly falling. When she realized this, her eyes returned to Gaara, who currently was wrestling his tongue against his tooth. A curious sight.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
The boy didn't turn to her, simply stopping his ministrations for a minute before explaining to the girl.
"My teeth feel funny."
Sakura tilted her head in wonder, scanning through her mind for a medical explanation. Like a true medic, her thoughts landed on the possibility of infection, or some sort of gum disease. However, staring still at the little boy, those exaggerated diagnosis were pushed into the back of her mind. She had to remind herself this was a child she was handling now. Only when she pulled her hand away from Gaara's hold did the boy turn to her questioningly. Yet, before he could say anything, the young woman was on one knee in front of him.
"Can I see?"
The boy nodded, and while he and Sakura gave it no thought, the idea that Gaara trusted the younger woman spoke more as he opened his mouth and let Sakura draw near to his vulnerable state. The rosette was no dentist, but she had sneaking suspicion already what was happening.
"Which one?" Sakura asked, watching the boy point to his bottom center teeth.
As his hand dropped, Sakura raised a finger to the teeth he pointed out. She touched one lightly, jiggling it a little, and as soon as she felt the movement she only had a little less than a second to react and pull her hand back before Gaara's jaw came clamping down. He covered his mouth with his hands, eyes wide at Sakura as he tried to understand the sensation he just felt.
"Did that hurt? I'm sorry," Sakura apologized with a smile.
The boy stared at her briefly, still holding onto his mouth and staring at Sakura like she was an alien. His eyes shook slightly as he tried to decipher whether her apology was genuine, but with her warm smile and concerned eyes, it didn't take him much longer before he lowered his hands to speak.
"What was that?" he asked slowly, almost in awe.
"You have a loose tooth. It'll come out soon," Sakura explained, and smiled to reassure him lest he become scared at the thought. "You're getting your big boy teeth, how exciting."
To her statement Gaara pressed his tongue against his tooth once more. Eventually his eyes turned back up to Sakura, a wonder in his gaze.
"When you touched it..." he began, but stopped as his eyes swam below him, trying to find the right words. "It… It..."
"Hurt?" Sakura asked, trying to help the boy. "I'm sorry. It's probably not quite ready to come out yet. I must have wiggled it too hard."
His eyes were wide with her explanation, and he even seemed to pale. Sakura grew concerned.
"What's wrong?" she quickly asked. "Don't worry. It won't hurt coming out, I promise. Just keep pressing your tongue against it and it will get looser."
Despite her reassuring words, shock only grew on his face, and before Sakura could ask if he would be alright, or reassure him, he spoke.
"This is pain?" he whispered.
Sakura was at a lost to his question. The boy was more than aware of emotional pain, how did not comprehend physical suffering as well? As quick as that question came, an answer appeared in her mind.
'His sand,' it explained.
His absolute defense, his shield for the bad around him; It had been able to protect him thus far from physical harm. The thought was fascinating for Sakura, and she couldn't help but smile softly at the thought that even his sand couldn't save Gaara from the aches of his growing body. He couldn't protect himself from himself. His eyes were steady on hers, waiting for the answers she promised to have for him.
"Yes," she said with a small nod. "That is physical pain."
"It tingles."
"It is small."
"Small?"
"I'm sure you've seen worse pain before. The kind where people cry out."
Something flashed across his eyes then, and Sakura could only wonder in a second what it was, or meant. It looked dark, perhaps he was recollecting something traumatizing he had seen before. It only took another second, but she understood immediately thereafter why his gaze had fallen cold.
Of course the child had seen worse. He had done that worse she spoke of onto others.
She viewed Gaara as a child, for he was one. She viewed children as innocent, because that was what she was like as a child, her peers too. In the back of her mind, Sakura had to remind herself that innocence was lost to the boy in front of her. Despite his age, despite his frank questions, despite his pure smiles, he was already a killer. He was just beginning to learn how the cries of others were sweet, sweet music to his ears before she came along to remind him that thought process was wrong.
Her gaze must have changed then, for his cold hard stare began to let up. Where once his look would have held her eyes with his for dominance, he now submitted to the rosette by looking down towards the ground. He frowned, troubled, no doubt he knew where Sakura's thoughts had gone. A part of her felt bad, yet another part of her was glad to see the boy could wear a solemn face in this situation. Maybe he had guilt, maybe he was afraid of her reprimand, but whatever it was, Sakura was glad to see that the boy could feel.
He hadn't numbed himself entirely yet.
"Ah," Sakura said while bringing her hands under the boy's chin, and lifting his face into her palms. "Where did your smile go?"
He still had a frown, and even if he allowed her touch, his face was still brooding. She stared at him long, thinking what she could do to get him back to his chipper mood. She mimicked his look, but slowly began to drag her nails back and forth under his chin. She smiled when his eyes widened in surprise, and he unconditionally began wrestling himself away from her grip and the sensation of her nails. She smiled when his smile returned, and even a soft giggle emitted from him before he turned back to look at her.
"You're ticklish," Sakura chuckled.
To her smile his remained, reassured that the girl in front him perceived him no differently tonight then how she had been for days. Always with a smile.
Always happy with him.
"Come here," Sakura said, raising her arms teasingly towards him. "I want to see if you're still ticklish."
More playful words, but it was appreciated by the boy as he instead took a step back away from her. Hands shielding his neck, he still couldn't help but smile and chuckle lightly to her playful antics.
"No," he replied sheepishly. "You might do that again."
"I might not," Sakura winked as she said. "Only way we will know for sure is if you come here to find out."
The young woman must have been much more entertaining today, for his smile only grew from her teasing and another chuckle emitted from him. With time, it made the rosette chortle as well. Eventually, she dropped her hands as soon as their small laughs subsided, and gestured for him as she stood.
"Let's go," she said, offering the boy her hand once more.
He nodded in agreement with a grunt of approval, reaching for her hand earnestly. Yet, just as he brushed her fingertips with his, he stopped short. Sakura watched curiously as his eyes suddenly widened, and he hitched his breath.
"Gaara?" Sakura asked, growing concern.
The boy made no reply to her call, and began to shake lightly, making Sakura turn to face him fully.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
He answered her, but it only raised more questions in her mind as he whispered.
"Mother's calling."
No sooner did he finish those words did he turn and sprint back towards his home, leaving behind a stunned Sakura, and ignoring her calls and pleas to stop. He ran with all his might, desperate to get to his destination, and Sakura gave chase, catching up to him in no time.
"Gaara!" she continued to cry through her breaths.
She begged him to stop, asked him to explain, cried for him to listen to her. But he did none of that, and only stopped when he had finally made his way to the back of giant home. He stared high up towards the top of the home, where his room was. Sakura stopped alongside with him, but when he refused to answer her still, that's when she made a reach for him, and what he did next shook her to the core. It had been such a good day, why did it suddenly have to change here, now, Sakura had to wonder.
"Do not touch me!" he hissed, swiping her arm away before it reached him.
'Because he is Gaara,' was the quickest answer her mind came up with.
He held her stare with his own for a moment, probably taking in what he had just done. Whether he felt remorse for it though, he did not show, and eventually his cold, hard gaze turned back up to the highest windows. She called for him one last time as he called the grains under him for aid. The sands swept him up high, up towards an open window that led him into his room, and Sakura gave chase once more up the wall.
She landed inside the bright room at the same moment she saw Gaara running towards the dark corner of his room, once there he immediately dropped to his knees. The rosette watched, taking small steps towards him, about to call once more, but stopped short when she saw him wrap his arms lovingly at the gourd in front of him. The boy began to whimper and mumble incoherently, and Sakura again reached for him, about to call for his attention, but froze herself when Baki's words came back to mind.
"...a full moon."
She turned to stare at the white orb then, frowning and losing herself in thoughts of wonder while staring at it.
'Are you to blame for this?' she mentally asked it.
A small cackle from the boy was what made Sakura turn back to look at him, and while she before smiled at the boy's laughter, his soft echoes now sounded dark, and disturbing. She had heard this laughter from him before, many, many years ago when she was just a young girl. A made a shiver run up her spine at the remembrance of it all, even the way it felt to be pinned by his sand against the tree came to mind, that she made a small retreat then to her bed within the room. There would be no sleep for her tonight, though that decision was made long ago. No, instead she sat on the edge of the mattress, quiet, and concentrating solely on the boy, and his gourd, in the corner of the room. She thought hard what to do next, what course of action would be gentle enough for the boy and not to trigger something more sinister.
Gaara continued to latch onto his gourd, continued to mumble, but in the stillness of his room, Sakura was at least able to catch some words.
"Please, don't be upset with me," he murmured with a desirous hiss, "I promise I won't leave you behind again, Mother."
