The group walked home after the meal and longed for the warmth of their beds. The moon shined down on them as they reached the Sabaku residence. Temari was the first to go in followed by Kankuro. As Sakura was about to step inside, she was restrained by her arm and turned to see Sasuke staring at her. She stepped back and gently took her arm back, looking at him questioningly.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go for a walk?" Sasuke said. The wind blew his spiky hair and Sakura got a whiff of his cologne, she wrinkled her nose at the strength of it.

"It's late, Sasuke. I have work tomorrow." Sakura said and, ready to turn to go inside, was once again stopped. She knitted her eyebrows together and felt the tension rising in her shoulders. She was not ready to deal with problems right now, she wanted to relax and fall asleep. Sasuke was preventing that right now and she didn't care for it.

"Please? I want to talk to you." Sakura could see his eyes in the moonlight and thought she saw a hint of kindness for a second. It was gone as quick as it had come, though, and was replaced by the usual nonchalance that resided there. With an impatient sigh Sakura marched past him and didn't wait for him to follow. Hands buried in his pockets, Sasuke smirked and followed the girl.

Gaara, who was waiting at the door, watched the two of them leave and closed the door after he couldn't see them anymore. His neck tingled and he tried to scratch the foreboding feeling away that something was going to happen between them. Going into his room, he shut his door closed along with his heart.

=)

Sakura hugged Gaara's jacket tighter around her torso as a stronger wind blew against her. Her eyebrows knit together in silent frustration at her former crush. Sakura didn't think of him as likeable, right now she just thought he was annoying. It was late, she was tired and all she wanted to do was lie down.

What does he want to talk to me about anyway? What's so important?

"Alright, Sasuke. What's this all about?" Sakura halted and turned around to stare at the Uchiha in question. His expression remained passive as he took a few steps ahead of her and tilted his head up. Sasuke stared at the moon for a few seconds in silence, seemingly debating on how to voice his thoughts. Every passing second made Sakura more irritated and she almost turned to go home. Sasuke's next words made her wish she listened to herself because her irritation sparked like a raging fire.

"I want you to stay away from Gaara." Sasuke said it so calmly, as if he were just saying hello. His gaze was unwavering and locked onto Sakura's, a steal defense that said possessive and controlling. He looked at her like she was his to control, holding all authority over her like she were a child. Sakura wanted to vomit at the moment and had to hold it back.

"Excuse me?"

"He's bad news." Sasuke looked off to the side nonchalantly. Sakura scoffed at his words and turned on her heel. She didn't take one step before Sasuke was in front of her and preventing her from leaving. Her nostrils flared and her back straightened, flames burned in her pupils as she glared down the Uchiha. His countenance was calm but nonetheless threatening and demanding.

"Don't tell me what to do, Uchiha. Get out of my way!" She tried stepping around him, making him sidestep and block her path. "Sasuke, if you don't get out of my way right now-"

"What are you gonna do? Tell Naruto on me?" Sasuke chuckled and leaned closer to her,"Look, just stay away from him, alright? I'm trying to protect you."

Sakura scoffed again, "Protect me from what? I can protect myself thank you very much. If I needed to be protected from anybody it should be you! Move!" Sakura shoved Sasuke backwards and walked past him. He grabbed her arm and yanked her towards him. He was tired of her not listening to him. "Let me go!"

"Listen to me, Sakura! Stay away from him!" Sakura struggled in his grasp but he wasn't letting up. She clenched her free fist just as Sasuke raised his hand to hit her. Before Sakura could figure out what was happening, Sasuke howled in pain and felt her arm get free. She saw Sasuke holding his arm that was entombed in sand. Sakura then realized somebody was behind her and turned around.

Gaara stood there, right arm extended and a deadly look in his eyes. Sakura exhaled in relief, not that she was scared of Sasuke. She was just glad nothing happened between them, she didn't want to fight her friend. Turning back towards Sasuke, she saw that he was nowhere in sight.

Strange...

Gaara dropped his arm and walked quickly over to Sakura. "Are you alright?" Concern was etched in his orbs and Sakura felt his warmth radiating off his body. All of a sudden she felt exhausted and just wanted to be in bed. Sakura felt light headed and her eye's get heavy. Her body was lifted off the ground and her feet were relieved of the pressure. A familiar scent caught her nose and she opened her eyes wide enough to see Gaara's pale face in the moonlight.

"Gaara..."

"Shh, it's okay. You're safe." Sakura felt safe right there in his arms as he carried her home. Sakura fell into a gentle sleep and wished she could stay there forever.

=)

"Ms. Haruno, a letter just came for you." A nurse that Sakura grew fond of during her stay handed Sakura an envelope. She thanked the nurse and looked to see who it was from. It was a letter from Naruto. Deciding to take her lunch break, Sakura tore open the envelope as she made her way to the cafeteria. Picking the first empty table she could find, Sakura's orbs scanned the letter. She laughed out loud right when someone sat in the seat across from her.

Muffling her laughter with her hand, Sakura looked up and saw Gaara smirking at her. Her laugh rang through his ears and stayed in his memory. His scrutinizing gaze fell on the letter in her hands and asked,"What's so funny?"

Sakura closed the letter and waved it off,"Oh, just something Naruto said. What brings you here?"

"I decided to get some fresh air, I was tired of sitting in my office."

"Well, you're not going to get much fresh air in here."

"Indeed, I'm not. Would you like to go get some tea with me?" Gaara asked.

Sakura smiled and nodded,"Sure!" Grabbing the letter, she stuffed it in her pocket and followed Gaara out the door. It was warm outside, just like every day in Suna. The sun wrapped her in a hug and she sighed inwardly, content. She walked along with Gaara as he led her to a calm, reposeful restaurant. They picked a table near the back and ordered two cups of tea.

Gaara looked at her somberly,"Are you alright?"

Already knowing what he meant, Sakura offered a small smile,"Yeah, I'm okay. Thank you...Gaara...For, uhm, saving me." The memory of feeling something warm wrapping around her vaguely touched her mind and she held onto the little remembrance she had. She began to blush, the fact that the Kazekage was carrying her in his arms, after practically saving her, rendered her somewhat speechless.

It was his turn to smile,"Anytime, Sakura. If you ever need me, I'll be there. You can count on it." His words touched a soft spot in her heart and tears sprang in her eyes. She didn't know Gaara all that well, but she knew him enough to know he never said anything that kind to someone before. Being the nonchalant, cold-faced, ex-crazed boy he was when he was younger, Gaara never really became close to anyone but his family. And even to them he wasn't that close. His eyes pierced through hers and into her soul, Sakura felt her breath hitch and felt herself become lost in his gaze. He leaned forward and rested a hand on her arm, never leaving her gaze.

Sakura produced feelings in him that he never knew existed before. He knew that other people shared them, based their lives off them, but he never felt anything like what he was feeling right now. He didn't know what to call it, admiration? Affection? Love? He didn't know but he liked feeling this, it was warm and it made him feel happy. He loved everything about her: the way she walked, how her hair blew so gracefully in the wind, her laugh, her voice, her intelligence and good-heart, and so much more.

Could she see that? Could she see through his turquoise eyes and into his heart? Did she feel the same way about him?

Their tea was brought to them then, interrupting their moment. Gaara retracted his hand and Sakura shook her head as if she were hypnotized. They each took a sip of their tea, letting their thoughts drift and mingle in their minds. Gaara waited patiently to ask Sakura about last night, not wanting to seem too eager and nosy.

"What did Sasuke want last night anyway?"

Sakura's forehead creased together in a frown, Sasuke's words echoing in her mind. "H...He told me to stay away from you."

Immediate understanding for Sasuke's actions came clear to Gaara. He would tell Sakura anything to get her, and keep anyone else away. He believed she was his and his alone. Sad, Gaara thought, Sasuke will be badly disappointed once I capture Sakura's heart.

"He's just being his cruel self, ignore him." Sakura said, thinking Sasuke's actions hurt him. Quite the contrary, however, this entire situation amused him. To think Sasuke felt this threatened by him that he believed he had to go to the length of producing a lie to keep him away from Sakura. The mere thought of it produced a hearty laugh that Gaara couldn't keep in. Sakura stared at him, confused, "Why are you laughing?"

"It's funny that Sasuke finds me threatening."

"I don't understand."

"I'll explain later. Shouldn't you be getting back to the hospital by now?"

Sakura's eyes became wide and she abruptly sat up, "You're right, Gaara. I'm sorry I must be going! See you at home! Thank you!" Sakura yelled.

Gaara smiled, he sat there for a little longer. At home. He liked the way that sounded.

A/N-Sorry i havent updated! I got stuck and then I didn't want to write anymore. I'm sorry this chapter's short but I already started working on five. I will continue to work on this more, I promise. Thank you to whoever is still reading ^^-Nikki-