Arranged

Chapter 12: Meeting

She swam in the darkness for what seemed like forever. The only noise she could hear was her own soft heart beat. And even for that she had to strain. Strain to know that she was still there. Still attached to that world past the grasp of her slumber. She slept. But she felt something. It was warm. Not that liquid warmth like blood. It was a heat that flooded over your skin yet it was weightless.

Sunlight.

She slowly closed her eyes and breathed deep as she returned to conciousness. At first, her features scruntched with that all too familiar reluctance to awaken. The second time she managed to squint her eyes gentley as a warm afternoon glow flooded the room. And as soon as she shut her eyes a third time, she felt a new warmth. Body warmth? A soft hand was placed carefully over her forehead. She turned her head to the right slowly and opened her eyes lazily. She was too weak to even be stunned. There sat the infamous Sabaku no Gaara, killer of men and lover of only himself, placing a tender and what felt like loving touch to the injured nin. His palm curved perfectly over the center of her brow. Her exasperated jade orbs met his calm and collective sea-foam eyes. She tried to manage a word out but only failed to feel the burning soreness of her throat. The rust-haired Kazekage leaned forward and heard the feable cough she tried to conceal.

"Water?" He managed to say it just above a whisper and as more of a statement than a question. She nodded slowly and looked away out of embarrasment as he walked towards the sink with a disposable plastic cup. It had been a while since she had gotten this hurt or had been this weak. And on top of all that, she despised being taken care of like a child. Once upon a time, she might have welcomed it with open arms. But she was different and she'd try to keep it that way.

The long awaited Kazekage returned a short while later with a plastic straw. He gentely bent the tip as he let the opposite end sink slowly to the bottom. Sakura tried to lift her hand to take hold of cup when she felt something hold it down. She looked towards the hand upon hers only to follow it upwards to once again meet those cool sea green eyes. With the little extra blood left in her body, the pink-haired nin blushed ever so softly. The sand nin's hand slowly left hers to so that he could move himself. A minute later, Sakura found herself leaned up against his chest with his other arm wrapped around her waist for more support. He slowly led the cup closer to her and carefully lowered it to keep the straw's tip level with her mouth. Her parched lips soon found the tip and sucked softly. The second the cool liquid hit her throat, she cringed. It felt like she had just swallowed a thousand needles.

Well, I think it's safe to say that I'm dehydrated.

She waited a few seconds before attempting another sip. The same sensation occured but was definitely not as intense as the first. As she continued, the pain got less and less until she finished completely. She sipped the last gulp with a satisfying sigh and leaned back. It was only at this point that she remembered what, or who, she was leaning on. Needless to say, she stiffened almost immediately. The man behind her felt this and reassured with a hand to her cheek. She was once again embarrased out of her mind.

I never expected...this to happen. He's so gentle.

She shook her head softly "Baka..."

It was her turn to feel another's tensing. Gaara removed his hand from her face and looked downward while trying to fight off his hurt expression.

"If it makes you feel uncomfortable Haruno-san, I can..."

"Sakura."

He stayed silent.

She turned her head up towards him with a weak smile "My name is Sakura, Gaara-san."

His features loosened a bit in a sense of relief "And my name is just Gaara, Sakura."

She nodded softly.

He quirked his head to the side slightly "Why did you call me baka?"

Sakura scrunched her nose in annoyance. I'm dehydrated, not brain dead. Why the hell didn't I elaborate on that before?!

She cleared her parched throat gentley "Gomen, Gaara. I wasn't talking about you. I was speaking of myself."

He stayed silent.

"I just" she looked away again "don't like to come off this way."

"What way?"

She closed her eyes softly "Weak..."

Gaara nodded in understanding and surprised the kunoichi with yet another sweet gesture. His palm cupped the side of her neck pefectly and caused another rosie complexion to arise from the cherry blossom's cheeks.

"Someone weak could not have gotten through what you have Sakura."

She was speechless until doubt filled her thoughts. "I'll still need to prove that I'm strong in other ways."

He shook his head softly. "You need to prove nothing around me Sakura. Whether you want to or not is a choice of your own valition."

She nodded and couldn't help but smile softly. Finally, she felt herself ease against his chest. Although she still wasn't totally comfortable as of yet, it was nice to have alittle relief. And just as sleep was about to take her, Sakura's eyes shot open once more. She tensed and tried her hardest to turn her body towards Gaara.

"N-Naruto" she began worriedly "How is he? W-where is he?! I-I need to..." But before she could finish Gaara quietly shushed her. The fragile blossom reluctantly complied.

"You rest now. We'll talk about that tomorrow."

"But..." she stopped and thought for a minute. Considering the fact that she was in no condition to help anyone, she sighed in defeat and nodded.

"Hai. Ano, Gaara?"

"Hai?"

"Would you...stay until I fall asleep?"

He was taken back a bit by the request but nodded. She quietly thanked him and rested against his chest once more. She didn't know why she had asked this man to stay. She never ever felt comfortable being weak around anyone. Perhaps it was simply her inferiority complex. But something about Gaara made her feel secure, more so than she had felt in a while. They had just met for the first time in a few years and he was already her security blanket. She relaxed even further as she heard the repeatitive beats of his heart.

Mine. For me. My own. My...

She hesistated on saying the last part but as she sank into her slumber she let all reserves free.

Love.