I'm typing this...at school! Shock, amaze! I'm just shocked at the positive feedback on the last chapter...you all spoil me...once upon a time, a fic this long would've been impossible...
Song to Listen to On Repeat:
Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard
Disclaimer: Nope, not the creator of Naruto...but a girl can dream, can't she?
Sakura was sitting in the dark, staring at the moon. This was the longest month she'd ever had the displeasure of living through in her life.
I wonder what Gaara's doing now? I haven't seen him in a while...
She felt a twinge of annoyance. She could blame her mother for that aspect. Sakura had one little hickey, adn her mother found that reason enough to ground her for the entire Chuunin exam?
That's not fair...it's not Gaara's fault he's a little rough...
She sighed and shook her head to clear her mind.
Tomorrow...
Gaara was across the street, staring into her window.
Tomorrow...
Kid, are you sure?
Tomorrow we'll see...I might just lose her forever...
She jerked her head and stared hard at the ceiling. She could feel his presence, sense him nearby. Senses on alert, she nimbly jumped out onto the fire escape, and climbed to the roof. Alighting on the shingled surface, she scanned the area. Seeing nothing, she slackened in disappointment.
Was it just a false alarm?
"Now why would you ask that?"
She allowed herself to fall into his embrace, and closed her eyes.
"I missed you," he whispered, breath tickling her cheek. She breathed in his scent, and smiled.
"I missed you, too."
He gently grabbed her chin, and he turned her head to face him.She noticed he'd grown a couple inches over the month-long break: he was now roughly an inch taller than her. She noticed he looked worried, and furrowed her brows in concern.
"What's wrong?"
He avoided her eyes. "I don't want you to go to the exams tomorrow."
"Why?"
He was quiet for a moment, then he hugged her again. "You might get hurt."
"Get hurt? What do you mean?"
He turned away, and Sakura understood. Walking toward him, she wrapped her arms around his body and nestled her head into the crook of his neck. "I understand."
He turned sharply, swinging her into his arms. Intense look never wavering in his eyes, he kissed her for what he felt would be the last time.
Sakura awoke the next morning to an empty house.
Yawnin, she stretched and looked around. A peice of paper attached to the window caught her attention, and she reached over to read it.
What would the neighbors think?
She grinned. Honestly, the boy had a really odd sense of humor. She showered in record time, and ran downstairs, stopping only for a bite to eat. Wandering the street an hour later, she happened to run into Ino.
"Hey, forehead, what's the rush?"
"I want to wish the others luck."
ino smirked. "Are you sure you just didn't want to..."
"No! God, Ino, I'm not shameless! Naruto-kun, Shikamaru-san, and the others are competing too, you know!"
"Why don't you come with? I got killer seats in the fourth row of the stands!"
Sakura froze, remembering Gaara's words. I don't want you to go tomorrow...you might get hurt...
"Forehead?"
No response.
"Sakura!"
"Huh?" Ino sighed.
"Don't zone out on me like that! Come on!" With that, Ino dragged the pink kunoichi down the street.
"no, you go! I'll just-"
"No, you're going, and that's final!"
Sakura sighed in defeat, and ran beside her friend.
I hope I don't come to regret this...
You guys are my life-force, I swear...
Review! Sayonara for now!!!