It has been a week since Sakura said a temporary goodbye to her red-haired kazekage. The week has been a busy one for Sakura as Tsunade has given her many tasks in preparation for the Chunin Exams in three weeks.
Today, Sakura has earned a day off and decided to get together with some of the ladies for lunch. Sakura is running late but gets to the restaurant where Hinata, Ino, and Tenten are sitting at a table. They all wave as they see Sakura enter.
"Well it is about time you got here. We all are starving," comments Ino. "Now, Now Ino," replies Tenten, "don't be so hard on her. This is the first we have seen of her in over a week. Be glad you don't have Tsundae as a teacher."
Sakura takes a seat and catches her breath. "Thanks Tenten, but I do apologize about running late. With today being my first day off, I accidentally overslept." The Strawberry Blonde gives a sigh and slouches in her chair.
Sakura now sits up in her chair and claps her hands. "Well I am here now. We are all here to enjoy each other's company. I do thank you all for waiting for me, and it really is good to see all of you." With that, they all place their orders.
The salads are brought to them and they all begin to dig in. "So Sakura, I heard a little rumor from a blonde birdie a few days ago," says Hinata. Sakura looks up at Hinata and gives a little smirk, "Oh did you now? So what is Naruto saying?"
"Well he told me a few days ago from Shikamaru that you are seeing someone now. Is that true?" Hinata asks. Sakura puts down her chopsticks as she has finished her salad. "Well looks like the word has gotten out," Sakura replies.
The other three ladies let out a little squeal of happiness. "That is great news, Sakura!!" exclaims Tenten. "I am so happy for you. I was feeling kind of bad as we all are seeing someone. This now means we all can go out on double dates."
"The odd thing though is that Naruto-kun didn't tell me who you were seeing," comments Hinata. "I guess he figured we would run into you sometime and he didn't want to ruin the surprise. But he did have a big smile on his face."
Ino takes a sip from her tea and sets it on the table, "Interesting, Kiba-kun was the same way when he told me the news. When I tried to find out who it was, he wouldn't say but did mention he was happy for both of you."
"Who would have thought that our guys would be good at keeping a secret," replies Tenten. "Neji-kun acted the exact same when I tried to pry it out of him. So Sakura, don't keep us waiting too long. Who is this lucky guy?"
"Ok, I will tell you all who this wonderful person is in my life, but first let's enjoy the rest of our lunch. I will tell you everything during dessert. That will make it even sweeter," answers Sakura, now blushing and smiling ear to ear.
The other females agree with this and enjoy the spread now in front of them. The ladies share a few good laughs as they finish up their meals. The waiter brings out their ice cream desserts and the four ladies begin to dig in.
"Ok Sakura, time is up so spill it," says Ino. "Yeah who is the lucky devil? The suspense is killing me," exclaims Tenten. "I must agree, I cannot wait to hear who is the one who took your heart," comments Hinata.
Sakura takes one more bite from her ice cream and then sets her spoon down. "Ok ladies, here goes. I must admit that even I was surprised that this person had an interest in me and I the same. The man who has taken my heart is my Gaara-kun."
Suddenly, Sakura hears the sound of three spoons hit the table. She looks up at the three friends and all of them have their jaws open in absolute shock. "Ga-Gaara, the Kazekage?" asks Hinata. "Wow, I never would have guessed."
Ino slaps her hands on the table, "Sakura, are you sure you want to be dating Gaara? I mean what about Sasuke? What about your feelings for him?" Sakura looks at Ino and responds, "I know. But after what happened two weeks ago, I am fine with it."
It is Tenten's turn to ask questions. "Well no matter what happened two weeks ago, are you sure really want to date Gaara? I mean have you forgotten what happened a little over three years ago?" Ino crosses her arms and nods in agreement.
Sakura looks over at the two with a little anger in her eyes. "What do you mean by that? Of course I remember what happened back then. Gaara was overcome by the Shukaku and tried to destroy the village, and if not for Naruto, me as well."
Sakura now slams her hands on the table. "Do you think people cannot change?! That once they do something evil, even if they were tricked by Orochimaru, they will always do something evil?? You don't know this Gaara at all!!"
"You are right, Sakura. We do not know this Gaara," replies Ino, "but how can you be so sure that he will be able to protect you or not turn on you? We are looking out for your best interest here." Tenten nervously nods in agreement this time.
"Oh so what, you are nervous that Gaara will be come that monster from before," snaps Sakura. "Well you won't have to worry about thanks to Master Tsunade's seal that made the Shukaku completely dormant in his body. Hasn't he been tortured enough?"
"Ok, but how sure can you be that there still isn't part of the Shukaku left inside him?" asks Ino. "I mean once in your blood, always in your-" Ino is interrupted by Hinata, "Now wait, you guys don't seem to have an issue with Naruto-kun."
"Thank you Hinata," Sakura says with her fist now clenched. "You make a good point. Naruto has a demon sealed in him and you two don't seem so bothered by that. Why the double standard? Gaara and Naruto are one in the same."
"Well now that is a little bit different," Tenten replies. "Naruto has always used his power for good. He uses that chakra to help out the village and those he really cares about. He didn't try to destroy anybody's home."
"Th-that shouldn't make a difference here," comments Hinata. "Just because…" Hinata stops as Sakura stands up and pushes her chair back, tears forming in her eyes. "It is ok Hinata, I thank you any way," the strawberry blonde says between sobs.
"I am just glad to see where my true friends stand when it comes to my feelings!" Sakura screams as she throws her money on the table for the meal and runs out of the restaurant. "Sakura! Wait!" Hinata yells, but it is too late.
Sakura continues to run down the street, her vision blurred by tears filling up in her eyes. "Why? Why do they have to be like that?" Sakura thinks to herself. "They don't know this soft and sensitive person that is my Gaara-kun."
"I guess some people never change," Sakura sobs. She grabs the jewel on her chest while still running. "Oh Gaara-kun, I wish you were here right now. I could really use your company." All of a sudden Sakura's movement is stopped.
As she was running with her head down, she failed to see the person in front of her and accidentally bumps into their chest. It stuns her for a second as she stops, her head lowered staring at the ground. "I-I am sorry about that," she replies.
The person standing in front of her lets out a small laugh. "Well, well Sakura. I never expected to run into you this soon after entering back into the village." Sakura eyes grow slightly larger as she thinks, "Wait a minute, I know that voice."
Sakura slowly lifts her head up, wiping away tears from her face. Her vision becomes clear and stares at the face of the person in her way and lets out a gasp. "Y-You! What…What are you doing here?"
Next Chapter - "Feelings and Choices"
The video version of this fanfic chapter can be seen via youtube under the same title or under the channel of bkeller1976.