Sakura walked out of the hospital and stretched, she yawned simultaneously. She enjoyed the feel of the warm air embracing her and breathed it in. Suna wasn't bad at all, she loved it here. She deeply missed Konoha though. She wondered how Naruto was, despite his letter that she received. It didn't express his deep feelings that she missed talking about with him. Though her heart ached to be back home, Sakura was glad to be here. Suna was a new environment to be in that contained different people with many new conflicts. Especially new conflicts.

The woman thought over the situation with Sasuke. It still troubled her as to why he would tell her to stay away from Gaara. He was one of the nicest people Sakura knew, and liked. Though she didn't want to admit it, Sakura felt a deeper connection with the Kazekage than simply friendship. There was something hidden deep at the bottom of the well that she was afraid to bring to the surface. Even though she assumed there was a hint at romance between them, she doubted it even more. Gaara wasn't looking for romance, it was Gaara for God's sakes.

Even if Gaara did feel something stronger, who's to say she'd be able to admit her feelings? She was shy when it came to this sort of thing, it made her nervous. Though she did feel warm and at peace with him right next to her, the entire concept made her hold her breath. Besides, Sakura thought, there was nothing to be nervous about. If Gaara didn't like her, then she didn't like him either. She'd drown those feelings in the well. Simple.

"Oh!" Sakura rounded a corner and came face to face with Sasuke. He had his hands in his pockets, the same cool demeanor dominating his face. "Hi, Sasuke."

"I was just coming to pick you up."

"What for?"

"I wanted to see if you'd like to grab something to eat."

Sakura squinted at him, "Why?"

"I wanted to apologize for last night." Sakura took note that he said this with no hint of regret, pain, or even a remote thoughtful tone in his voice.

"I'm too tired to go out to eat." She walked past him stiffly.

He followed,"Then let me at least cook you dinner," Sasuke reached for her arm and she automatically jerked it out of his grip. His eyes pleaded with hers,"please."

Sakura sighed, "Fine."

A dignified smirk lit his face as Sasuke followed Sakura back to Gaaras home. It felt eery and creepy the way he watched her from behind like that. Her skin tingled and itched all the way home, and by the time they got there, her irritation was already lit and heated.

Opening the front door, the woman, exhausted and annoyed, was greeted with delicious scents coming from the kitchen. Sasuke ground his teeth together, hoping against hope that what he was thinking was not in that kitchen. The two walked into the kitchen and were greeted with a table full of hot, delectable food that made their mouth water. Gaara stood by the stove, cooking away. He noticed the two come in and smiled at Sakura, making Sasuke growl under his breath.

"Did you make all this, Gaara?" Sakura exclaimed, leaning over to smell the food. "It smells great!"

"Thank you. I thought you'd be tired and like a hot meal before bed. I hope you like it. You too, Sasuke." Gaara smirked at the Uchiha, firing up his temper even more. Sasuke held in his anger for the sake of Sakura. She couldn't see them fighting, it'd ruin everything he was trying to do.

"That's really sweet, Gaara."

"Let's eat." Gaara called his brother and sister and everyone sat down to eat. Everyone loved it, the food was perfect and as tasty as it looked. Sakura sat next to Gaara and the whole time she felt warm and nervous. Now that she was aware of her feelings towards him she became shy. He still acted as the same old Gaara, though, smiling at her occasionally, making her heart race.

At the end of the meal, Gaara brought out a surprise. "And for desert, Shiratama anmitsu."

Sakura's mouth gaped open, it was her favorite! "Wow, Gaara! You're amazing! That's my favorite!" Sakura licked her lips and couldn't wait to eat some.

"I know." He winked at her, making a blush creep up her neck. Yet another thing Gaara knew about her. How much did he know?

=)

After dinner, Sakura and Gaara sat in the living room and chatted. He lit a small fire in the hearth, and letting it warm their bodies, they chatted about different things.

"Hey Gaara, how did you know my favorite food? And how did you get that picture of me on the wall?"

Gaara leaned back against the couch beside her, "I have my ways."

"The great Kazekage Gaara, very clever."

"There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about. For the next few days, I'm going to be working late. I'm swamped with work and I just wanted to let you know, you might have to fend for yourself for a few days." The last part was intended as a joke and Sakura giggled.

"I think I can manage. If I need someone to make a feast I'll give you a call."

"I'd be here in a heart beat." Sakura looked at him then, his face was gentle, heartfelt. She felt her own heart race, he took her breath away. The light radiating from the fire made his face glow with shadow, yet his eyes stood out like a setting sun. The rest of the world faded into black until it was only Gaara she could see. For the moment, that's all she wanted, to be there with him, alone, with this connection sparking between them.

"There was something else I wanted to tell you, too." Gaara whispered, just as mesmerized by Sakura as she was by him. His heart was hammering against his ribcage, he wanted to tell her everything. He felt so close to her, so comfortable it just felt right to tell Sakura the truth. Caught in the moment, Gaara very slowly leaned forward, eager to press his lips to Sakura's. His heart beat so hard in his chest he thought it might burst through. He didn't care, though, all he wanted was to kiss her once.

"Yes...Gaara..?" Her palms were sweaty as she gripped her skirt, her heart was lodged in her throat, she could barely choke out the words.

"I-"

"Ehem." A deep voice boomed over the vast silence in the room. Their heads whipped around in the direction of the voice, both becoming annoyed from the interruption. Of course it was Sasuke standing there, arms crossed looking like a dissapointed husband who just saw his wife disobeying him again.

"What do you want, Sasuke?" Sakura said, letting her irritation show. Why did he always insist on interrupting her?

"What are you doing, Sakura?"

"Why do you care, Sasuke?"

"I think you should go to bed."

"Excuse me?" Sakura stood up, leaned forward with an incredulous expression. No one told Sakura to go to bed, not since she was younger.

"It's late, go to bed." Sasuke demanded.

Gaara spoke, "I don't appreciate your tone, Sasuke. Please, don't demand things of my guests." Tension fell in the air as the Uchiha and the Kazekage locked eyes in a deadly embrace. Rage resided in Sasuke's charcoal eyes while Gaara had more of a sinister look swimming in his. Sasuke's muscles tensed and flexed, yearning to beat the Kazekage to death. Sakura was the only thing standing in his way. He'd have to remove her, in order to remove Gaara. He needed Gaara out of the picture as soon as possible.

"Exactly, Sasuke. Why don't you go to bed? Leave us alone."

Sasuke was about to tell Sakura to do what she's told but quickly shut it. That wouldn't be smart this far in the game. No, he needed to be polite, respectful, not himself. His face retorted into an odd shape as he tried to retain the spiteful words trying to force their way through.

"Sorry, Sakura. Goodnight." Turning to leave, he gave Gaara one last warning look. The Kazekage disregarded the look and simply smirked, prepared and welcoming anything the Uchiha could think of to throw at him. Nothing he could do could hurt him, all that mattered was Sakura.

Said girl let herself drop on the sofa, sighing as she did so. "Can you believe him?"

Gaara turned but did not sit down."He's very peculiar, but he does make a point. It's getting late and we both have work to do tomorrow."

Sakura frowned, she didn't want to leave. Her world was bliss right where she was. Gaara noticed her frown and sat beside her on the couch. "Don't frown, Sakura. I have something for you." Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out an object that Sakura couldn't see. She sat up and gasped when she saw it. It was a little gourd on a gold chain that looked like a diminutive replica of his own. The top had her name embossed in pink that glittered in the light. Gaara handed it to her, she took it from him cautiously, treating it delicately. It was a bit heavy but nonetheless beautiful. She didn't know what to say.

"Gaara...this is...beautiful...did you make this?"

He nodded,"It was fairly simple. There's a decent amount of sand inside that'll never run out. Whenever you need me, and you're wearing this, I'll feel it and I'll find you."

Sakura stared at him in amazement. Every feature of his face called out to her, attracted her to him. Her eyes filled with tears that fell graciously down her cheeks. Gaara wiped them away, agony wretching his heart at seeing her cry. Her eyes sparkled even more and he was breathless from the very sight of her. She was a pure angel through his eyes, his beautiful CherryBlossom Angel.

"Thank you...Gaara..." With that Sakura threw herself at him in a strong embrace. Gaara wrapped his arms around her, glad to hold her, stroked her hair as she cried happy tears into his shoulder.

"Promise me, you'll always wear it?" Gaara made her that gourd for a reason: to be able to protect her when he wasn't there. Sasuke was never known for hurting Sakura, but the way he was acting did not reassure Gaara. He needed to know she was always safe.

Sakura nodded and fastened the chain around her neck, locking it there permanently. "Thank you so much, Gaara."

"Your welcome, Sakura. Lets get to bed, we have long days ahead of us." Gaara stood up and Sakura grasped his hand.

"What were you going to tell me? You know, before Sasuke came in."

"Oh, nothing. I'll tell you another time." Gaara smiled despite his annoyance. He was mere inches away from kissing the only girl he's ever liked and Sasuke had to blow it. Curse that Uchiha.

"Okay." Yawning, Sakura walked to her room. "Goodnight, Gaara."

Stopping before his door, Gaara gave her a sincere smile,"Goodnight, Sakura. Sweet dreams." The two retired to their respective rooms and all was silent in the house except for the crackling of the fire. Behind Sasuke's door stood the seething Uchiha. He overheard everything that transpired between the two. If he wanted to make Sakura his, he needed to act fast before Gaara got to her before he did. If that happened, then everything was hopeless.

A/n- Here's chapter five! 6 and 7 will hopefully be written over the weekend, being that tomorrow and friday's no skewl -.- fail!