Disclaimer and all that jazz:
I do not own Naruto or any of the characters.
Looking out across the large conference room, Sakura's gaze fell upon the familiar faces of the thirty Suna ninjas that she had handpicked after only a week of examinations and background checks. She was quite proud of the fact she had already memorized their names and faces before actually meeting them which she found to be only slightly disturbing and blamed it on lack of entertainment.
"All of you here today have met the qualifications for the advanced med nin training. Congratulations and I look forward to working with all of you."
"Make sure to pick up your copy of the class outline, text book and instructions that you will need to review before classes begin next week. And if you have any questions please use my contact information provided in the outline. You're dismissed."
The excited murmur of the students spread throughout the room as the crowd began to move out into the hallway, Sakura busied herself with collecting her notes and carefully putting them away in her bag.
Sakura smiled at Sadah who made her way over the desk after all the packets were handed out.
"I think that went well. I just hope those kids know how much we are depending on their success."
"Yeah. But I think they'll understand after reading the hundred page outline of course material and proper protocol in the classroom. I won't be surprised if a few of them never show up, but we did the best we could with the information we had."
Nodding her agreement, the nurse gathered her own belongings. "Enjoy your day off tomorrow Sakura, and we will double check the class preparations when you return."
"Thank you."
Sakura bowed her head slightly as Sadah hurried out the door.
It's still early maybe I should stop by the Kazekage's office and give Gaara back his books before I get too caught up in my work.
Work work work. God you've become such a workaholic. Don't you miss the ignorance of youth and those carefree days? Then again seventeen really isn't that old, what the hell is wrong with you?!
Whatever, I like what I do. And if that means that I'm destined to live the life of a lonely old spinster whose only friends are her twenty cats and the mailman, then so be it.
Shut up. Just shut up. You will not be a spinster and you most definitely will not have cats. Allergic remember?
Oh yeah. Damn I was really looking forward to that too, I even picked out names.
Idiot.
Putting away his papers, Gaara frowned as his stomach made another gurgling sound.
I guess it cannot be helped. Surya is nowhere to be found and I'm starving.
Considering the nutritional choices before him Gaara's frown darkened along with his current mood.
Fucking great, now I have to go and get my own food and we all know the cafeteria food is terrible and I'm not quite that desperate yet.
Closing his office doors behind him, Gaara once again came nose to nose with a certain pink haired Kunoichi.
"Hello Kazekage-sama."
She really needs to stop doing that.
Stopping himself from taking an instinctive step backwards and away from the girl two inches away from his face, Gaara stared coldly at the image of sunshine and rainbows before him.
"Haruno. What do you want?"
"I just wanted to return the books I borrowed, but it seems that now isn't a good time. Should I come back later?"
"No. I'll take them now."
Grabbing the books and scroll from the Konoha Nin, Gaara turned to leave down the stairway.
"Where're you going?"
"Nowhere that concerns you. Goodbye." He stated blankly before he descended down the first flight of stairs.
Hearing her light footsteps following him Gaara's eye began to twitch.
What the hell.
Trying his best to ignore his stalker, the annoyed Kazekage almost made it to the lobby exit when his patience finally broke. Turning on his heels he caught Sakura off guard.
"Why are you following me?"
Sakura narrowed her eyes at his loud accusation.
"I'm not following you, why would I want to after such a cheerful goodbye," she half shouted as she clinched her fist.
Must control rage. Must not maim. Breathe. He kept repeating as he tried not to notice the curious stares they were getting from people nearby.
Sakura calm down a few degrees before she continued, "There's no need to be cranky Kazekage-sama I was just on my way out too."
Eyeing the Nin closely, he considered her words. Maybe I was overreacting. But that doesn't change the fact she's still creepy.
"…"
"Okay, think whatever you want but I wasn't following you. See ya."
"Hn."
Bringing up his hand to shield his eyes from glare of the setting sun, Gaara turned and walked off toward his desired target. But to his dismay he was still being shadowed.
Damn it, what's with her?! I let her borrow some books and now she's attached. Go AWAY.
Giving the pink haired a sideways glance as he quickened his pace in an attempt to rid himself of his unwanted company.
"Stop it."
Looking over, Sakura gave him a confused look. "What?"
"What you're doing. It's irritating. And I thought you said you weren't following me."
"Sorry if my presence offends you but I'm hungry and you're the only obstacle standing between me and my food."
"Oh." Thinking for a moment he felt the bottom of his stomach drop. "Where were you planning on eating?"
"Oashisu, it's really nice. Have you tried it before?"
Coming to a stop a few feet from his destination Sakura followed suit.
"Yes I have."
Reaching for the doorknob, his hand grasped onto something soft and warm. Looking down he found another hand under his own. Pulling away he watched as a smile spread across Sakura's face.
"Seriously Kazekage-sama. I think you're the one following me."
Gaara frowned as she opened the door.
"Just go inside already."
Shit.
"Don't give me that look. I wasn't planning on this. In fact this is one of the most uncomfortable situations I've ever been in so stop glaring. You act like eating with me once is going to kill you."
Well, that's not entirely true. I may kill him if he doesn't stop sulking. It's irritating.
You should have punched him where he stood. Kazekage or no Kazekage.
Yeah, but he would have used his sand and dying horribly in a cocoon of compressed earth isn't something I feel like experiencing. Ever.
Sakura watched as Gaara coolly looked away without comment.
It's not my fault the waitress thought we were eating together stupid jerk.
Avoiding the awkward silence between them, Sakura browsed through the menu again as she tried to keep up her casual facade.
What to eat. What to eat. Guess I should stick with what I know- the special. But isn't that his favorite dish? Wouldn't that be weird to order the same thing since he's already paranoid that I'm stalking him? God he's glaring at me again. What did I do this time?!
"Yes?" She asked as she raised her eyes to meet his.
"Your turn to order." He stated turning back to the waitress at his side.
Oh crap. Where did she come from?
Some ninja you are Sakura.
That's enough! I have to concentrate stupid inner self.
Frantically browsing the page before her, she blurted out her decision. "Oh. Yes…um let's see…I'd like the special."
Way to go genius.
"Your meal will be ready shortly." With a bow the waitress walked way leaving Sakura to soak in her self-hatred and banged her head against the table.
God hates me. Gaara hates me. The whole world fucking hates me.
Um. Gaara's still here and he's giving you that crazy look again so you might want to start acting more like a grown woman and not a two year old.
Oh my god! What is wrong with me today?!
Opening her eyes in panic she sat up and straightened her clothes acting like nothing had happened. But it had and Gaara witnessed every second of it.
"If you're going to behave like that, then I really don't want to eat with you."
"Sorry Kazekage-sama. I'm just a little out of it today."
Ignoring the glimmer of amusement in the green eyes staring at her Sakura decided to focus her attention on the tablecloth draping across her lap.
"I know what you're thinking. And no, this isn't normal behavior."
"Hn."
"I'm serious. I'm usually the one stuck with Naruto's childish antics and not the other way around. I think it's the dry heat that has me off balance."
Or it could be Sabaku no Gaara that has you all flustered and acting like a school girl all over again.
I am not! And that's totally not the reason. I'm just overworked and stressed- that's why I can't concentrate.
Sure. Keep telling yourself that. And by the way, I couldn't help but notice how your fast your heart started beating during that little incident at the front door. Very interesting.
I hate you.
"Hn."
"Right. So what did you order?"
"The same as you."
"Oh really? Wow. Small world huh."
"Very."
He's on to you Sakura. It's written all over his face.
What's written on his face?! I can't tell a difference between his happy face and his sad face, they're all the same! How do you know what he's thinking?
Anyone could see through that lame response you idiot. And last time I checked Gaara ranked up there with Shikamaru, Neji and "he who must not be named" in the genius category.
Stop making me self-conscious! Whose side are you on anyways?!
Your side of course, but everyone needs a brutal reality check every once in a while.
Yeah right. More like every five seconds.
Well, yours is a severe case of denial and needs constant attention. So just admit you like him and I leave you alone. Besides, he's much better looking than your last crush.
Shut up. You were all over him too. And I don't like Gaara that way. I mean, I respect him, and yes I'll admit that I think he's cute but I don't see him as the kind of guy who would willingly go on a date with me, let alone another human being.
Neither was Sasuke, but you still went after him.
But that ended badly. Perhaps I should find a different type.
So Gaara is your type?
I'm not answering that.
"Are you okay?"
"Huh?" Sakura looked up across the table.
"You're ruining the table cloth." Gaara said pointing to the twisted cloth clenched in her hands.
"Opps." Sakura dropped the wrinkled fabric back into her lap. God I'm turning red.
"If I'm making you that uncomfortable I'll leave."
I think you hurt his feelings, apologize before he walks away you idiot.
Why would I care if he walks away?!
JUST APPOLOGIZE SAKURA! OR ELSE!
"Uh…That's not what I meant. Being accused of stalking someone and then eating with the same individual only a few minutes after the fact is kind of awkward. So I'm a little nervous and when I start thinking about things I just get even more nervous and then bad things happen…"
Taking a deep breath Sakura continued, "But that's just how I am and it has nothing to do with you. You've been the perfect dinner companion."
"Ah."
Oh yeah, that convinced him. Stop digging yourself into a deeper hole and say something positive.
"I forgot to thank you earlier for letting me borrow those books, it was a kind gesture. And it was interesting reading about your father."
Sakura tapped the said book with her finger as she watched a frown flash across his face.
"But I'm more interested in what they will write about you. From what I've heard you've already surpassed him in the eyes of the villagers."
"You've talked with Hasna. That explains why you ordered Suiyuu."
So she was a fan girl. Jealous much?
Maybe.
"Well, it would have been rude not to eat the dish 'recommended by the Kazekage himself.' It was pretty good too."
"Hn."
Sitting back in his chair, Gaara began to shuffle through the mountain of paperwork Surya had just left him.
Knock. Knock.
I just got rid of one idiot and another one shows up.
"Come in."
Gaara didn't look up as his brother walked into the room. Taking his time as usual Gaara narrowed his eyes as he unrolled a scroll.
"What is it?"
It's not like I'm busy or anything. I'm just the goddamn Kazekage.
"How are you and Sakura getting along these days?"
I haven't killed her yet.
"Hn."
"I take that as a 'fine.' Temari said she saw you two eating dinner. And if I'm not mistaken, she also comes here after work."
Temari. I'm sure she had a good laugh.
"…"
"So…are you two dating?"
Gaara dropped the scroll he was reading and promptly glared at his brother.
Hell no. She's too spacey…and pink.
"No."
"But you two eat together and she comes to see you even though she's dead tired. Sounds like something is going on to me."
Gaara returned to his work ending the conversation while Kankuro glanced back over the full shelves near his desk.
Not ready to admit defeat, the puppet Nin started his interrogation again.
"Have you two kissed yet?"
"Leave."
"Okay, okay." Kankuro chuckled as he waved off the angry glare radiating from his little brother.
"But hypothetically, if she did kiss you, how would you respond? Desert coffin or tongue?"
"Out. Now."
"Don't worry, I'm leaving."
Making his way over to the door he remembered something else.
"By the way, you should come by the training grounds tomorrow. Temari and Sakura will be sparing and things might get interesting. I was thinking about asking them to wear bikinis and cover themselves in vegetable oil…but Temari is our sister so that might be weird. I could still ask Sakura if you'd like."
The scroll connecting with his head was the only response.
Please review :)
Thanks to my wonderful sister who gave me the confidence to write this story and not give up! Lots of love.