A.N. welcome to "The Sakura Blooms."! This is the companion piece to "Raven Song" and follows sakura's story/journey from the time she leaves Konoha to begin her 18 month stint in Sunagakure. Disclaimer: All characters belong to the creator of Naruto! Only the story plots are mine!

Prologue

Italics – flashbacks

'Thoughts'

"Gaara's Pov"

Other POVs

2weeksearlier, Sunagakure...

"Are you certain this is what you really want?"

The blond woman stood before her leader, expression nearly void of emotion, yet green eyes pensive and wrought with a look of uncertainty.

"you know that I am." He answered in a deep, gaveled timbre, not deigning her with a glance, "Yet you have asked me that question once each day, for the span of a week."

The young man with hair the color of flames, stood before the broad expanse of window in his office, hands clasped behind his back and piercing jade eyes gazing down upon his village that was an oasis in the midst of an endless sea of desert. His posture was regal and self-assured in a manner that belied his mere seventeen years, yet most who spent any amount of time in his presence, often forgot the Kazekage's youth, altogether!

The two exceptions to that rule, were his trusted advisor, Baki, and his two older siblings – one of whom stood before him at that very moment, having presented her query.

"I know that our medical department is limited; it is understandable that you would want to take measures to bolster it. Times are changing quickly, and since the war, it is even more imperative that we stay current.

But…Sakura is…"

"She is the best and brightest in her field of expertise. She is unrivaled in all forms of medical jutsu and procedures. Not to mention her unparalleled strength," the redhead cut in, listing each fact succinctly, while never taking his eyes from the view laid out before him. "Kankuro knows this as well as you; so does the village council. My efforts to garner her skills for the benefit of our village's needs, is simply bringing that knowing to fruition."

At this, a slight tick appeared in the desert beauty's brow, and a portion of her formality fell away as she addressed her younger brother candidly. "You and I both know, those are not your only reasons… your personalmotives, Gaara,"

Jade orbs cut to her sharply, and the blonde kunoichi fought down the urge to fidget beneath Gaara's keen, studying gaze; it was that look that always had him looking years wiser than he actually was. It always struck her a bit unnerving.

"And what of my – motives, Temari?" he asked in a measuredly raised tone. He was not angry by any means, but the trace of irritation lurked just beneath the surface, as his eyes once again dropped to Sunagakure sprawled out below. "It's not as if I'm ignorant of what you are referring to. I'm young in years, yes. And even my experience in relation to human interaction, lacks a great deal still. But I am not naïve, Sister. I sense hidden motive in anyone I come in contact with; I am most certainly aware of my own. To the point, she's of greater interest to me, than simply her talent. I am intrigued. I have been since the very day I met her…the day I almost killed her. I had thought perhaps it was Shukaku's influence upon me at the time – you and Kankuro know this. You also know, that once the demon was removed, that 'interest' remained. It grew when she saved my life. And it grows deeper still with each day that passes."

There was a pregnant pause as the young Kazekage shrouded in scarlet linen, turned from the window and strode the length of the expansive office to his desk and sifted through the papers with expert hands, till he came upon a certain personnel file. Opening it, he revealed a detailed document of one Sakura Haruno, along with a photo, and the redhead's eyes fixed upon her captured visage. Whomever the photographer was, had caught the blossom-headed woman unawares, as her photo depicted a close up of her in her natural element, amidst a crowd of fellow medics, hair windswept about her features and emerald eyes glancing over her shoulder – expression keenly sharp – as she ministered to those in need.

Gaara set the photo dead-center upon the open file, his palms pressed flat to his desktop as he leaned forward, gazing upon her face so set in gritted determination, yet softened somehow by her exotic beauty.

"…Truthfully – she enthralls me." The redhead uttered unabashedly, ignoring his sister's gasp of surprise.

Gaara was always franc and to the point.

"As to your first question, however; my 'motives'?" And his eyes at last raised, meeting Temari's expression dead on. He didn't blink. "I couldn't tell you, as I haven't the faintest idea."

He watched closely as his sister's green eyes deepened in concern. Her apparent ambivalence did not dissuade his own resolve, and his look hardened.

"Rest assured, I have every intent to find out."

Temari pursed her lips, but said nothing as she excused herself, exiting the room quietly with more questions than when she'd entered it.

Gaara followed after a moment, his jade eyes catching upon emerald green, one last time from the photo staring back at him, before he replaced the file I'm his desk, and strode purposefully from his office, his own expression set in determination.

'Haruno Sakura; I will not rest till you are before me, at last.'

A/N: This is just the book-version of a trailer! A sneak peak for y'all. Stay tuned! I cannot promise a consistent posting schedule, as I am now HOMESCHOOLING my kiddos because of dumb Covid! But I can promise more of this will be coming your way! Xx!