Last Chapter:I was always such a perv. And she couldn't like, shouldn't like, and wouldn't like me. Not when she deserves so much more.

Disclaimer: Naruto, my quest to own you is almost finished! (wakes up) NOT AGAIN!

Apologies: Sorry it's been three months, guys. School went by in a blur- literally. It was very bland, not much color. So I'm writing the story before you kill me. Begin.

How it All Started...For Us

Gaara's POV

It was a silent trip, at least to the park, anyway. When we got there, I heard her mumbling and I watched her eyes study a puddle of water before her, and then her eyes trailed around the park until they reached mine. I coughed, and looked away. "It rained last night after you went to sleep."

"Oh." She whispered. Her head fell a bit and she seemed to be very interested in her shoes. She began walking again before I stopped her. Her emerald eyes bore through me, right into my soul.

"Sakura, do you want to know my secret place I found here?" I saw her smile, and my face went red again. I began walking, hoping she hadn't seen that.

We walked in silence until we reached the end of the park, which led to a small forest, full of adventures. Her eyes looked glad for something new and exciting, but then something faltered in her eyes. And why was I paying so much attention, anyway?

"Something wrong, Sakura?" I said, giving my best gentle smile. She looked up at me and her cheeks became slightly pink. She gave me a huge smile, one that she usually used when Naruto got out of the hospital.

"It's fine now, Gaara." She said. I walked into the forest and she followed behind.

It must have been a good twenty minutes of hiking before she said anything. "Usually I would complain that the trees aren't good for jumping, but it's nice to actually stay on the ground for a while. I turned around, and she was a good five paces behind me. It had gotten muddy, and she was no doubt trying not to get anything dirty.

"Sakura-chan." I said, and stepped towards her. I guess it startled her, because I stepped a bit too quickly and when she looked up, she fell forwards. I jumped to her, but she didn't fall completely. She merely leaned forward a bit before regaining her balance. I grabbed her shoulders anyway, to make sure she was okay. "Are you okay?" I asked. Stupid question. She's a medic-nin for god's sake. And she didn't even fall! She just stumbled a bit.

"Gaara?" she asked, staring up at me.

"Yes?"

"Um...I'm okay. You can let go." she said. But I didn't let go. She was too fragile, as odd as it sounded.

"We shouldn't have come." I said. A puzzled look crossed her face before it went into shock. I picked her up easily and she instantly grabbed my neck, a natural reaction.

"Gaar-" And we were off. We were getting out of here, now. I jumped over a log and she whispered my name. I was careful not to trip when I stopped. "Gaara." she said again. "Put me down." Her eyes gleamed with authority, but I had more. I couldn't let her get hurt. But I couldn't tell her why. She would think I was a freak. She would hate me. And all with good reason.

I set her down, and quickly walked off. "Wait, Gaar-" Jeez, how clumsy was this girl? I turned around instantly, but it wasn't fast enough to catch her. I saw her arms hit the ground. She had tripped over a stick that had been hidden by leaves. I ran to her, and picked her up. "Gaara, what's the matter?" she said, but I didn't answer. Her elbow was bleeding. Her green, shimmery eyes followed mine and she put chakra on it. I only took a breathe again when I was positive she was okay. "Gaara!" she said, breaking my concentration from her arm. I still didn't answer, unsure what to say. I helped her up again, and turned around.

"FINE!" She screamed at me. I teared up a bit, knowing this was coming. I guess my back had shivered a bit, because she came cautiously to me. I, of course, had no signs of the tears. I managed to blink them away. "Gaara, if you're my friend, tell me what's wrong."

"I'll tell you later, I promise." She looked skeptical. But then she offered her pinky.

"Promise?" she asked.

"Promise." I said, and locked fingers with her.

As we walked back towards the hotel, I muttered "This." Not loud enough for her to hear.