Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters, plot lines, or places therein. I just play with them for the sake of entertainment. This is a fanfiction.
Author's Note: This is off of my Sakura roleplay tumblr blog, cherryflowerblossoms. I wanted to share this oneshot that took place after an Anon sent me a line from Gaara. This is GaaSaku.
"Stay."
Eyeing the hand clasped around her own, she sighed, "I can't. I am a ninja of Konoha, and I have to return. You know this." She shut her eyes against the hurt as the young Kazekage pulled her to his chest wordlessly. No words were needed. They both knew that it was doomed from the start. If it wasn't for Kankuro's being poisoned by his own puppet during training, she wouldn't have been here in Suna for as long as she had. Still, over the months, they had grown closer as he stayed up late with her pouring over books and scrolls.
First, she was to come home after an antidote was found, but she had decided to extend it to make sure there weren't any side effects, even though the trials had not produced one. Then, it was to oversee his rehab as he rebuilt his muscle mass that had been injured so badly by the poison. Then, she found another reason. And another.
Until, she couldn't find any other reason beside the one in her heart.
When Tsunade sent a message to inform her that her skills were needed back in Konoha to help with a Flu virus hitting the elderly and young, she knew she had to return.
Still, she clutched her arms around Gaara's form - it didn't make it any easier to leave. After all, such a huge piece of her heart would stay behind.
There you have it. Short & sweet. :3