He started when she put her arms around his waist. He tried to roll over to face her, but she had him effectively pinned, facing away from her.
"I don't want you to go." She mumbled into his back. "I've gotten used to you being around, as terrible and grumpy as you are; I like it when you're here. I like living with you. I want you to stay. I'm sorry. I want you to stay."
"I can't stay." Gaara answered quietly. He could feel the muscles in her face contract against his back. He understood; he felt the same way. He liked living with Sakura as well; he would stay if he could. But he couldn't; he had a country to return to, a people to look after. When he thought of it, there was a strange pain in his chest.
"I know." Sakura answered. "I know you have to go. I wouldn't try to stop you. I just wanted to tell you that I... Well, I'm sorry for bothering you." She let go and turned her back.
Gaara turned to face her back. "Look at me." He said, but he felt like he was pleading, asking desperately. She didn't realize. She shook her head. "Please." He whispered.
She rolled over to look at him and the moon glistened on her wet cheeks. Amazed, he reached out and touched her cheek. She was crying for him?
"I know you'll leave me." She said. "I always knew you would leave; that was the deal. It's just that I was starting to feel like you would be here forever. And I was really liking the idea."
"I would have liked that too." Gaara answered.
"Can I kiss you?" She asked suddenly.
Gaara was startled, but he answered without hesitating.
"Yes."