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Chapter Twenty-six


"Father!"

Both adults shifted their attention to the small, blonde girl who raced to Rasa's side. She didn't embrace the man, but instead fidgeted anxiously on her feet as she glanced between the bruising on Rasa's jaw and Sakura. Temari was torn who to side with, but eventually chose her father. Though a small child, she still offered to help Rasa stand and asked what had happened.

"Quiet, Temari," Rasa eventually told her, and took none of her help standing himself back tall.

Sakura watched in disappointment as Rasa's hands found the cold floor to help bolster himself back up than accepting her offer. She wasn't sure how to interpret Rasa's feelings now. For the rosette, time would be needed to forgive what the man has done to Gaara. Rasa may also be one of the very few people Sakura will tell Gaara that it is alright to hold animosity towards unless he asks for forgiveness. She can't imagine the child excusing him so easily unless this father makes an effort to his son that expresses how sorry he is. Gaara's sad life had been molded all these years by the man who should haved watched out the most for him. This fathers's love, though seemingly non-existent, may just be the cruelest and coldest thing Sakura had ever seen.

Sakura flinched lightly when she noticed another presence around them, and she tilted her head back and towards the side to stare at Kankuro. Like his sister, he glanced between Sakura and Rasa, trying to absorb what had happened. No doubt they had heard her cries, and their fight, before racing down the stairs; and Sakura pursed her lips hoping they did not see her hit Rasa. Her goal here wasn't to humiliate Rasa in front of his children. Whatever respect and love they have for this man, Sakura does not want to tarnish it. A child needs their parent, and Temari and Kankuro hang on to whatever affection and attention he gives them by a thread. Unlike his sister though, Kankuro did not go to his father's side; he instead stood back.

As Sakura continued to stare at Kankuro, she realized with time that the last child had built up the courage to come to her side. She hadn't even noticed Gaara next to her until he clung onto her leg.

"Sakura," he murmured, trying to whisper. "Let's go back to my room."

She was surprised Gaara had drawn so near with the presence of his father so close. As she looked down at him, though, she could see his apprehension as his eyes stayed entirely on his father and his movements, and Gaara still pleaded with her to retreat along with him. Sakura realized then Gaara was trying his hardest to hold back so many emotions within him at the moment, for his sand was out and light grains were shifting around their feet.

As Rasa stood himself, it was not Sakura's eyes that he met with, but instead with the little boy's by her side. Gaara stilled himself against Sakura's leg as his eyes locked with Rasa's, and both were silent looking at one another. Even if she imagined Gaara was nothing but passive looking up at his father, the smalls grains at her feet picked at her skin a little harder then, and the grip he had on her tightened some. Sakura brought a hand down to gently caress Gaara's hair and head, but the action did not ease his tense body or break his stare. Instead, her gesture provoked Rasa.

This Kazekage appeared so lost and bewildered each time he watched Sakura's affections towards Gaara, and this time was no different as he brought his eyes back up to her. As their gazes locked, she was met with a thin line of his lips and a narrowing, angry gaze before he turned from her.

"Temari, Kankuro. Come," he ordered with no change in his voice.

He did not wait on his children, instead filing out the door with the knowledge that they would follow without question. However, both children did stand back and watch as their father strolled away outside before looking back up at Sakura. In Temari's eyes was the guilt she held even when first coming in to Gaara's room. There was dread in her wondering if their father had lied about their loving mother, and now that dread only grew after Sakura had read their mother's song. Her mind tells her that her father is a liar, yet she still wanted confirmation from Sakura, but her voice was silent and lost. She realized then how much it pained her to see Sakura and her father butt heads.

Kankuro as well stood back with this line of thought, though not as heavy as his sister's dread. He looked at Sakura a lot more differently. For him, she is like the mother he barely knew and is now the entity of their mother's love. She is guidance, reassurance, a teacher, a friend, but above that, watches them all like a mother would. It is hard to think that the love father has given them dimmed everyday by her bright guidance. He wanted to believe, had always believed until recently, that father's love was the brightest out there. It's troubling, to him, to watch the very two people who are defining the word love to his young mind clash so much so. Did Father and his real mother ever fight like this, he wonders. Would they have fought like this for Gaara's sake?

Their glance towards Sakura was both apologetic and torn. Perhaps a part of them had wished Sakura would call for them to stay with her instead of following their father, but the rosette simply remained silent while staring at Rasa's disappearing figure. Eventually, the two older children turned with nothing said and followed in their father's direction.

"You'll come back and play with me soon, won't you?"

The two children froze to that question, and even Sakura was wide-eyed hearing Gaara's words. The ever silent, and solitude, boy had broken his routine and reached out to his siblings. Sakura wondered if he did this because of her teachings, because of their interactions today impacting the small boy so, or if hearing Karura's song had crumbled some of the wall around his heart. Whatever reason, even if he was latching onto Sakura still, he had made his voice loud enough to be heard, and he is finally choosing company over solitude.

It was Kankuro who turned back first, throwing Gaara a thumbs up and a giant grin before speaking,

"Of course! I'll show you some of my toys next time!"

Temari, as well, had turned, and soft eyes and a gentle smile grace her face.

"Un!" is all she said with a small nod of her head.

They waved Gaara off together, saying no more as they turned to follow Rasa outside. The remaining two were quiet, Sakura was trapped in her thoughts as she watched the two disappear. She thought of their fight, of Rasa's quiet and passive face.

"For my village."

She kept on hearing his answer in her mind. She knew there was more to the answer than Rasa had let on, and the young woman's curiosity grew. Meeting Rasa with hostility, she realized now, would get her nowhere. Perhaps he would be much more honest and open-up if she could show him that he could trust her. That thought cemented more within her how much father and son were the same. Yet, the man drew anger up in Sakura. She knew, too, that she couldn't look past the lie he has put into Gaara. Hopefully, she thought then, her words have struck something within Rasa. At least a change of heart for his son.

So much had happened these past few days. Loss, secrets, hope, so much had happened that Sakura knew she would not take another step without questioning and wondering more about the world around her. Gaara, too, she knew deep within her heart, was now walking a totally different path. There is just no denying that these past events will shake and affect him differently than from the one in her time.

'Mother's Song,' Sakura thought in her mind.

Would Temari have broken into Rasa's room without her help, Sakura wondered then. In her own time, had the two older siblings managed to take hold of that paper and learned the truth, or had the idea vanished after so many failed attempts. Did Gaara learn young of his Mother's love, or had it been years later, or at all? Would Temari have built up the courage to reveal to Gaara the truth without the rosette ushering her to do so? What was going to happen now after this revelation? Would his path of leadership and kindness towards his friends and village sprout more quickly for Gaara?

"Were you two fighting?"

It's Gaara's small whisper that makes Sakura blink rapidly, and she focused her attention back onto the little boy that clung to her. He let go of her then, and stepped back as she lowered herself down to his level and smiled.

"I was just asking him some questions," she told Gaara.

He stared at Sakura, and where a passive gaze is what he usually showed her, he grimaced at her instead to her answer.

"W-What?" Sakura asked while taking in his appearance.

He knew she was shielding him with her loose explanation, and only stared at her silently in thought. He may have been young, but he was smart enough to place the pieces of the puzzle together. From Temari, and Kankuro, coming to him and sharing with him their mother's words to watching Sakura tower over his own father. As soon as he came to a concluded answer, he slid his eyes away from her.

"Nothing," he murmured.

He walked past Sakura then, but cried out somewhat as she nabbed him and pulled him in for a tight embrace.

"Nobody likes a know-it-all," Sakura laughed as he struggled against her sudden hold.

Though she had his arms pinned, Gaara was eventually able to break his head free from her grip, and drew in a breath before stilling himself in her hold. He looked back up at her, and he was met with a warm smile.

"You're far too young to act like you understand adults," Sakura jokingly added in.

She was surprised by his answer.

"I'll grow," he told her.

Simple as that. A child's answer, but so honest was it that Sakura blinked fast and was quiet. His words held much more meaning behind them; He would grow, he would learn, he would understand, one day. Sakura had always seen Gaara as an intelligent being, and small moments such as this signaled to her that that growth was already starting.

"Aa," she agreed before releasing him.

She watched him back away some, but he still stopped himself short in front of Sakura to stare up at her. Though he was quiet, Sakura could sense the boy wanted to speak and ask more. Sakura smiled more before placing a gentle finger against Gaara's cheek. No sand, no hesitance, no shifting eyes, Gaara instead stilled and was curious as Sakura's finger traced over his skin. He did wince an eye closed as the young woman pressed her finger deeper into his cheek, but he did not protest and instead listened to Sakura's laughter. Sakura eventually drew back and stifled her laughs, and Gaara took the opportunity to speak.

"Mother loved me."

It was not a question, but there was just the smallest of hint of uncertainty in his eyes. Sakura however nodded her head in agreement.

"She did. She wanted to meet you, show you the world, and protect you," Sakura added, trying to clear up his hesitance.

Yet, she is surprised when a small pout formed on Gaara and his eyes fell instead.

"She can't," he whispered. "I killed her."

It wqs not anger, or a dark hunger, Sakura saw in Gaara then but instead guilt. He now blamed himself for not having what he sought at a young age. Sakura shared his frown for some time, both silent, until she reached to cup his cheek. Gaara moved his head closer towards her hand as she touched his skin, and he met her with sad eyes as she lifted his head back up to look at her.

"Maybe you can't see her, but your mother lives in you. She is watching you," Sakura said.

Gaara's sad expression did not let up. He stared into Sakura's eyes, silently telling her that he found her words hard to believe.

"It's what mothers do," Sakura said, tilting her head some.

She was happy to see his expression lift some.

"Right here," Sakura said while releasing Gaara and prodding his chest gently. "She should be right here."

Her fingers fell back, and his own small hand clasped at the spot Sakura had mention. He gripped and released what fabric he could take while staring down at his chest. He was quiet, lost deep in thought, while also trying to feel the faintest hint of something new, something different within him. He gripped his shirt harder over time, skeptical eyes going back up towards Sakura then.

"Yashamaru said that too," Gaara murmured.

Sakura watched quietly, unsure if the boy now found her motives sadistic. Yet, before she said anything, his grip loosened and arms fell down. His teal gaze looked up, and he even managed a small smile towards the rosette.

"It doesn't hurt anymore," he said with small awe, addressing his heart.

Sakura grinned then, her eyes sly as she stole back his look.

"See?" Sakura said. "I told you mother's are amazing. Yours is no different."

"Nobody likes a know-it-all," Gaara repeated her words.

Sakura erupted in laughter.

Gaara went quiet, eyes falling while he wore a warm smile. He went back to that place in his heart that was once hurting and empty. He relished in the feel of his heart now, and listened to Sakura's chuckles. His smile grew.

Eventually, Sakura looked back down at him, happy to see his distant eyes were content. She grinned at him before puckering lips and whistling softly. Without the paper, Sakura didn't recall Karura's song word by word, but the small tune is embedded in her mind. She whistled those three notes, and it seemed Gaara, as well, had learned the melody, for wide eyes suddenly picked up towards the rosette in wonder. As soon as she nabbed his attention, she chuckled before asking him.

"What do you want to do today?"

He surprised her, for he had never asked this from her before.

"Park?"


A quick change of clothes, and a few bags later, Sakura followed Gaara out the doors of the home. She laughed as she caught sight of his toothy grin, there is new found excitement in the boy.

"What are you bringing?" Gaara asked when he spotted Sakura's bags. "Toys?"

She tensed to his question. One bag to him should be kept secret, but the other…

"Here," she said, handing one bag off to Gaara. "Carry this one for me."

He silently agreed, and cast aside etiquette to peek into the bag. His face morphed as he spotted a few scrolls and a book.

"You're not suppose to read at the park," he said. "You're suppose to play."

In Sakura's other bag, the one she held, was needles, fabric, stuffing, buttons, and more; and she shielded it from the boy. She was indecisive which of the two bags to bring along. She just couldn't find it in her heart which of her current works was top priority. Though, deep down, she knew those books Gaara now carried should always be first on her list.

"I need to work on some things," she told Gaara while beginning her steps. "Maybe I'll play after getting them done."

Her steps grew bigger, and she eventually took the lead with Gaara following behind. However, not even a minute had passed before she felt grains nab at her hand. She halted her movements then, and by the time she peered down next to her, Gaara was sliding his own hand into hers. He gazed up at her sheepishly as if trying to decipher through her look if this act was still acceptable between them.

"I caught it," Gaara whispered with a grin.

Sakura's heart nearly melted to Gaara's toothy grin, save for the missing tooth, and rosy cheeks. He looked so thrilled to have finally caught on to Sakura's hand game that the young woman did not hesitate wrapping her hand around his. She nodded to him in agreement.

"Looks like you finally did," she whispered.

She was most surprised that he was no longer hesitant, that he trustfully placed his hand into hers instead of fingers wrapping around hers. She wasn't sure where this revelation had come from for it seemed as though so much had happened since the night before, but she couldn't deny how proud she was of Gaara. How grateful she was to see his growth.

So, she led him, by hand, through the village. Her head high and smile strong as people frowned disapprovingly towards them. Even if change had happened through a small group today, the village still had fear and hostility in their hearts and minds. However, she was happy to feel the boy next to her ignore their eyes and hisses, his own mind and heart full of bliss as he relished at the feel of Sakura and the thought of his sister, brother, and mother.

He was so much at ease, that Sakura was surprised to feel him let go of her hand, hand the bag he was carrying back off to her, and race for the playground as soon as it came into sight. His laugh grew distant as he vanished farther away from Sakura.

Yet, as she drew more near, she could see that he had stopped in front of the playground, glancing back and forth between an empty swing and a group of children playing together. She had hoped, through his siblings today, that Gaara could see and understand that bringing people close to him wasn't something incapable like he once believed. She wanted him to carry his smile and laugh towards the group of kids. However, she watched instead as he made his way over to the empty swing-set. As Sakura sat herself down on a bench, she could see Gaara staring longingly at the kids as he rocked himself back and forth.

'Perhaps he just needs to build his courage,' Sakura thought.

Even if she couldn't see, she knew Gaara wanted to be a more sociable person. With the experience from his brother and sister, she knee that drive had rekindled in his heart. Yet, he still fell back choosing solitude over the pain of rejection. Still, the way he was longingly staring towards his peers, Sakura believed Gaara was battling within himself whether to remain behind or reach out to the children.

She thought this way while pulling out materials from her bag, buttons, blue fabric and stuffing. She chose this job first over the other, and she was still lost in her thoughts watching Gaara when another joined the empty seat next to her. The new person paid Sakura no mind, said nothing, but with time eyed the materials the rosette held.

"How cute!"

Sakura's eyes widened to the new voice, and she stared at the lady sitting next to her who ogled the small thing in her hand.

"It's so tiny," the lady continued to speak.

Sakura eyed it, she could admit it was no bigger than the palm of her hand.

"Aa," Sakura murmured. "I've never made one before so I wasn't sure of myself making a big one yet. This is more like practice for me."

The woman nodded enthusiastically to Sakura's every word. It wasn't even a second later that the woman began pointing towards Sakura's work and giving her own set of advice.

"Well I think you should place the stuffing here first before placing it in the ears. Also I think-"

The woman continued on, and Sakura did her best to listen. Yet, the woman's cheery tone and given advice drowned out in Sakura's mind as she recollected the last person who helped her so willingly.

'Annaisha.'

She had been the first to offer Sakura a helping hand with this small project. The first to tell Sakura that she thought she was watching Gaara the right way. The first to sympathize with his loneliness, and the first to offer her hand in friendship to the boy as well.

Sakura narrowed her eyes.

She had also been the first, in her eyes, to betray Gaara in a way the boy always expected of others. Gaara was wary of new people, and Sakura now understood a little more why this was. He chose solitude over rejection. Chose hate over love. Everyone was his enemy first; friend was nothing more than a cruel word in his mind. It made Sakura's blood boil to the thought of Annaisha's act. She had been so willing to open up on Gaara's behalf before trying to kill him. It made Sakura still ask many questions. The girl was so kind, did she really have nothing but hate for Gaara all along? Could she not find forgiveness for him and start anew?

Annaisha had told Sakura she did it for her mother's sake. Yet, something in the rosette still made her question if Annaisha had acted alone. Something just didn't add up in Sakura's mind. She didn't believe Annaisha would put up such a facade just to try to hurt Gaara in the end. That didn't seem like her character. She could have continued to despise Gaara from afar if her plan all along was to attack the boy. She didn't need his trust or friendship as an advantage for her ultimate goal. Even if Annaisha's death at this point could be brushed off by Sakura as something that Sakura had no control over, that this part of the past was inevitable, it made the woman think about what lay underneath Annaisha's motives, and her very own words.

"He said you wouldn't be an issue. That your knowledge was simply medical. He said the boy would be worn out tonight..."

Sakura's eyes flinched and her frown hardened.

'He,' she repeated in her mind.

Who exactly was the he Annaisha spoke of? Had it been the ramblings of a dying girl, or was there more to Annaisha's acts than the pain from a lost mother? Her old teacher's words rang in her head.

"A ninja must see underneath the underneath."

Sakura pursed her lips. Should a complicated thought even be examined, she wondered. In her time, the definite answer would be yes. In this backwards world, where events such as these had happened once already, she questioned what her time should be spent on. Even if she thought this, it was the fabric she gripped in her hand now, not a book or scroll.

"His leg is a little bit longer than the other. It's an easy fix though."

Sakura jumped lightly as a hand flew past her head, pointing down to the blue thing she held. She blinked, staring up at the new lady behind her who gave her own advice. So lost in her thought, that she hadn't realized a small group had formed around her. Parents, caretakers, each had stopped to look at her small work.

"That blue is such a nice choice. It's a very calming color. We paint all are children's rooms that color," one man spoke up.

Sakura was silent as she listened to the murmurs of agreements around her. She forced an awkward smile at her surroundings, thanking everyone even if she had tuned out most of their conversation. It was the woman who had taken a seat next to her that spoke up next.

"I've never seen you around here before. Is it your first time bringing your young one here?" the woman asked.

A nervous smile escaped Sakura.

"I'm sure he's been here plenty of times. This if the first time for me though," Sakura answered before turning back to watch Gaara still sitting on the swing.

The woman nodded.

"Ah," she said. "You must be a nanny. Do tell, which one is yours then?"

Sakura turned back to see the woman's warm smile. For the rosette, she did not falter to proudly show off which child it was she was caring for. The small group of adults watched as she pointed straight ahead towards the lonesome child sitting on a swing. Silent tension hit her head on first as their eyes locked with Gaara, and not too long after did the crowd around her begin to back away and disperse. Even the lady next to her, who had complimented the size of the blue item in her hand got up and walked away without another word. They aimed to leave, but not before they called their child away to return home with them.

As the group of small children began disappearing one by one, Sakura could see Gaara's chance to interact with others his age now slipping away. Even if time would resolve this issue without her help, the young woman called out to the last of adults as they led their child away by hand.

"He-He won't hurt anybody!" Sakura shouted at them. "He's changed. He's trying to be better..."

Her voice had slowed as the adults continued to ignore her cries, and Sakura could only stand there and watch them disappear into the distance. Sakura had a heavy heart chasing everyone away that moment for Gaara's lonely sake, and could only draw herself back to her seat with the knowledge that everything would change for Gaara eventually. Despite the sadness all around them, his adulthood would morph into something great.

Sakura looked back up towards the child on the swing. He sat there still, staring towards the small group of children that was once there. In their place now was only swimming grains picked up by a small, afternoon breeze. Sakura narrowed her eyes, staring back down to work at the item in her hands.

'He'll be Kazekage one day,' she told her aching heart. 'People may not accept him now, but they will someday.'

She looked back up at Gaara, who sat still on his swing by himself. She looked back down to her work.

'I should be happy for him,' Sakura thought. 'Temari and Kankuro are accepting him. He learned so much today of his mother. He says he's willing to change.'

She looked back up at Gaara, who sat still on his swing by himself. She looked back down to her work.

"But..." she murmured to herself.

She couldn't deny the ache in her heart. Something inside of her felt completely off, out of the norm. She blamed it on herself, chasing away the parents here and inadvertently their children as well. The best for Gaara was yet to come, but like any adult to their child, they simply wanted the best for them now.

She looked back up at Gaara, who sat still on his swing by himself. She looked back down to her work.

She wanted Gaara to be happy. She remembered feeling this same way to another; this strong emotion once before when she was a little girl. She had just wanted Sasuke to walk around the village with a smile, and was willing to offer him everything she could in her power just to know that he was living life happily. The feeling was almost mutual now for the little redhead she watched over. Even if he smiled in her direction, and she grinned back, she wanted him to grow up with many different smiles thrown in his direction. She didn't want to leave him knowing it be many more years before another would give him a caring look.

She looked back up at Gaara, who now knelt and played in the sand, next to him was another small child. She looked back down to her work.

Wait.

Sakura's eyes rushed back up an in instant. There was a surge of adrenaline coursing in her suddenly as she watched a little, brown haired kid peering over Gaara's shoulder. She blinked as the other child clapped and laughed as Gaara used his powers to morph the sand under him into shapes. The sight made Sakura's eyes widen and jaw drop before she managed to ask in a whisper.

"Gaara made a friend?"

On his own, none the less, her mind reminded her. Her dropped jaw morphed into a small smile then, and her eyes were stolen sorely by the two. Best of all, the unknown child lingered for minutes that turned long with no one to pry the two away, and no signs of strain from either child. Eventually, Sakura couldn't stop herself from walking over to the two to meet this new child and analyze the situation.

The kids paid no heed to Sakura's approach, Gaara continued with his sand as the other child peered over his shoulder to watch his work. As soon as Sakura was close enough, she could see and hear the child laugh and clap again. Sakura smiled with appreciation at this new little girl.

"Wow," the girl beamed. "You're really good!"

Gaara said nothing, did not even turn to look back at the girl before beginning the process again with his grains.

"What are you two doing?" Sakura asked with a smile.

Sakura watched Gaara's back, but was met with the little girl's bright eyes as she turned to look up at Sakura.

"He's making sand castles!" the girl exclaimed. "He's really cool!"

Sakura hummed while nodding in agreement before her eyes went back to Gaara. She was surprised to see the boy quiet, and he worked silently to please the little girl as she requested different shapes and sizes. Sakura eventually took a seat on the swing, watching the two with time passing quickly. The girl continued to laugh, smile, and clap to Gaara's work. Yet, the boy remained utterly silent.

'He's shy,' Sakura thought with a warm smile.

Still, Sakura liked to imagine Gaara held his emotions in check. No doubt he was ecstatic meeting a new person who was accepting of his powers instead of fearing them. Someone that was much closer to his age as well. With time, the girl took a spot next to Gaara, trying to mimic his work.

"Watch me," she told Gaara. "I'll make you some sand melonpan."

Gaara stilled his work to silently watch her do so. Meanwhile, the ache in Sakura's heart subsided for the time. Her worries for the boy seemed to vanish with this new girl. Even if it was just one, she was still a new face who laughed and smiled in Gaara's direction. The boy kept his stoic look and attitude, but Sakura believed he would return her smile eventually.

"Ma-tsu-ri!"

All three of them looked in the direction of a new voice. A distance away was a woman figure waving her hand in their direction.

"Matsuri?" Sakura repeated in wonder.

Yet, it soon became apparent to the small group what the woman called for as the small girl began jumping up and down and waving back to the figure.

"Mama!" Matsuri cried happily.

Both Sakura and Gaara were quiet watching the small girl jump up and down before she turned back towards Gaara. She grinned widely at him before speaking,

"Sorry, but I have to go now. Mama is calling me. I hope we can play again soon!"

The boy said nothing, showed no expression and simply turned back to the sand under him after she spoke. His lack of attentive did not falter the girl's smile, and she instead turned that grin towards Sakura next. Matsuri said nothing towards Sakura, just another wave of her hand goodbye before the small brunette raced back towards her mother in the distance.

Despite his silence, Gaara did look up to watch the small girl run towards her mother before they disappeared together, hand in hand. In time, he once again went to playing with the sand under him, and Sakura watched him for a bit with a smile.

"She liked you," Sakura told Gaara.

Gaara said nothing, and the rosette smirked devilishly to his quiet, shy nature.

"You got yourself a little girlfriend," Sakura murmured, placing her cheek gently in her hand. "Isn't that sweet? Maybe she will be your future wife one day. Treat her well."

Despite her jokes and teasing, the boy did nothing except pause for a moment to Sakura's words before digging in the sand once more under him. With time, Sakura began to cradle her face with both of her hands.

"I'll be so proud on your wedding day," Sakura teased again, "but also so sad. You'll hold another woman's hand then instead of mine."

Still, nothing was said from the boy, but Gaara did finally move after Sakura's words. The rosette watched curiously, hands still holding her own face, as Gaara scooped something into his own hands before turning and making his way slowly towards Sakura. He kept whatever he held encased in his hands, and brought it up towards Sakura's face as he drew near.

"What is it?" Sakura asked curiously, drawing her face more closely in.

Gaara kept his passive frown before slowly opening his hands.

"Scarpien," he finally answered.

He opened his hands fully then, revealing a self-made, sand scorpion. Sakura's face morphed then, smile falling fast. Even if the creature was Gaara's own work, not a real living thing but instead sand, her eyes widened to the sight of pincers and a tail. She shivered instantly as she watched the sand creature scuttle lightly around Gaara's palm.

"It can move?!" Sakura cried.

Before Gaara could answer, the sand creature turned towards Sakura's face. They stared eye to eye for a second before the grainy thing launched itself at her. Sakura screamed, falling off of the swing and landed onto the sand below. She realized, though, that as the sand cast itself towards her, it had puffed into a cloud of dust before disintegrating and falling back to the ground. What ended her screams was Gaara coming to her side and gently placing his hands over her mouth. At his touch, the woman looked back at the boy. His face was still passive.

"You should stop talking for awhile now," Gaara told her.

Sakura blinked rapidly, and stared long after the boy even when he pulled his hands back. It was then, Sakura realized, he had the faintest tint of pink lighting up his cheeks. Perhaps her words of marriage to the little girl had embarrassed the shy boy, and he repaid Sakura in full with scorpion fear for her teasing. As she realized this, Sakura began chuckling slightly before laughing. Next to her, the boy couldn't help himself from forming a wide grin and chuckled along with her.

"Brat," she called him before sticking her tongue at him.

And she was glad to see his smile not falter to the name. He grasped the concept of their friendship.

"Scaredy-cat," he labeled her, wrinkling his nose to mock her.

To that, they again shared a smile; Sakura's gentle while Gaara's was wide and showed off his missing tooth.

"Sakura," Gaara called to her eventually, "can we go and get some kakigori?"

Sakura realized then the promise she had made to Tsutomu, the man who ran the shaved ice stand, to bring Gaara back soon.

"Right, right," Sakura exclaimed.

She picked herself up then, dusting off the grains that lingered.

"It's been an eventful day, no better way to end it then with kakigori. Right?" Sakura asked as she turned back to Gaara.

The boy again grinned and nodded.

"Right," he exclaimed.

He was quick reaching for Sakura's hand, but the woman pulled back just as his fingers graced her skin. His eyes fell to her retreat, and the small boy even looked up questioningly at Sakura. He met with her smirk, and that smile erased any panic that may have began brewing in his heart.

"Ah?" Sakura began. "What happened? You didn't catch it."

"You pulled it away," Gaara answered back with a small pout.

Sakura simply shrugged, teasing him once again.

"I said you could hold it only if you could catch it."

To her words, Gaara again reached for her hand only to watch Sakura step back away from him. Again, he looked up at the young woman.

"What?" Sakura drawled. "Don't tell me you've gotten slow."

At this moment, seeing her tricky smirk, Gaara smiled along with her. He made another attempt at her hand, only to be met with air as Sakura twirled her arms away.

"At this rate you'll never catch it again. You're just going to have go on living life without ever holding my hand again."

At this point, his race for her hand became more of a competition than his need for physical interaction. He laughed, and did his best to outsmart the girl as he continued reaching for her again, and again, and again. Eventually their little dance had drawn them away from the playground and into the village.

"Give me it," Gaara began to tell her through his smile.

To which Sakura would stick out her tongue and shake her head. Eventually the boy began using his sand, forming claws out of grains that reached for her palm as well. Those, too, were easily dodged by the rosette.

"That's cheating," she told him.

"It's not," he countered, still trying to grab her.

Sakura shrugged again.

"Who made up the rules first for this game?"

He simply laughed.

"I'll catch it!"

"I don't think you will."

Even if she laughed to that statement, Sakura suddenly froze in her spot at that instant. Even her smile had fell, and she whipped her eyes all around her. There was suddenly a threat of danger looming over her, and she quickly searched for the source.

"Got it!" Gaara cried, wrapping his hand into Sakura's, unknowingly taking advantage at her preoccupied state.

Yet, his victory was short-lived as Sakura placed him behind her and stared the danger head on as it sped towards her. It was surprisingly the assailant's own voice that shook Sakura first. It was something she hadn't heard in years, never expected to hear again, yet drove a deep, sentimental feeling to Sakura's very core.

Drawing closer to Sakura, the assailant had called out a nickname she had only heard once before.

"Namekuji-musume!"