Standard disclaimers apply. I'm just borrowing these characters for a little while.
Author's note: Kishimoto-sensei's plan is to fit the entire 4th Shinobi War Arc into a matter of days in the Naruto timeline, but I'm taking the liberty of extending it since war is never so quick and clean-cut. Events from the manga will be added, removed or shifted around. Please pardon my impudence.
So... long reviews, please?
Also, I am extremely disappointed that people think it is easy to keep to a weekly schedule, and even demand for longer chapters. I do this out of love for the characters, and practically beat my brains out each week trying to come up with each new chapter, and it doesn't seem appreciated at all.
From this chapter onwards, I will update at my own pleasure.
It was sometime around three in the morning, according to Sakura's internal body clock.
And Gaara was missing from his bed.
It was not a good sign, given the fact that they were less than nine hours away from engaging four of the most powerful shinobis ever to walk the Earth; Gaara should be getting all the rest he could to ensure that he would be in his best fighting condition.
Or perhaps the problem was that he could not get any rest – Gaara had been unusually quiet tonight, even when she tried to engage him in casual conversation. The only time he spoke up was to apologise to the Tsuchikage when Shikamaru piggy-backed the elder into Gaara's tent like a very reluctant pack mule. Fortunately, Oonoki's temper had cooled somewhat after the long trek back to camp, and Gaara did apologise sincerely, so that was the end of that.
Sakura pulled off Gaara's blanketing robes and tugged on her flak jacket, and was about to leave the tent in search of their Regimental Leader when Katsuyu poked her head out of one of the pockets.
"Sakura?" asked the slug.
"Sorry, Katsuyu-sama. I need to go somewhere else right now."
Sakura plucked the slug out of her pocket and placed it next to the sand-cat, and both animals watched her disappear past the tent flap.
Katsuyu turned to the sand-cat and twitched a tentacle; Mr. Fluffy-kins yawned at it and went back to the dozing on the still-warm spot that Sakura just vacated.
As it turned out, Sakura did not even need to expend much of her chakra to locate Gaara – he was within the camp, his chakra signature emitting from a nearby watchtower. Sakura moved to see around the wooden frame of the tower to better glimpse its occupants; Gaara standing on the temporary wooden watchtower in full battle regalia and apparently talking to the two shinobis on guard duty. She could not make out his facial expression from the distance, but his posture was formal and almost rigid.
Deciding not to interrupt them, Sakura was about to make her retreat when one of the shinobis on the watchtower waved an arm in her direction. She could see Gaara's head turning to follow the action, and even in the dark of the night, his gaze was still clear and bright.
There was a tickling sensation against the back of her hand, and Sakura was startled by it; Gaara had not used his sand to summon her in a while, and the feeling was still foreign to her.
Well, the Regimental Leader was calling her – she had to answer.
Sakura knew that she had to conserve as much of her chakra as possible, so she opted to walk over to the watchtower instead of transporting herself up next to Gaara. While she closed the distance between them, Gaara dismissed his guards and turned to watch Sakura instead.
As the shinobis left the tower, they bowed slightly to Sakura. Sakura returned the bow, and noted that they were actually two kunoichis. She did not know which village they were affiliated to, but one of them muttered something that included the term "Gaara-sama". It was not difficult to place them right away; as if the slight reluctance in their bow had not been a dead-giveaway already.
She climbed the stairs to the top of the watchtower, a reprimand readied on her tongue for Gaara's disregard of his need for rest.
Gaara beat her to the punch, however.
"You should be in bed, Sakura."
"I could say the same for you, Gaara," Sakura wondered if it was alright for them to address each other so casually in public.
He noted the slight trepidation when she uttered his name, and quickly guessed what was on her mind.
"The wall behind us is an excellent barrier – no one can see or hear us so easily."
Sakura glanced backwards and saw the wooden wall and overhanging shelter. It did not look very sturdy to her, but then again, neither did the watchtower. However, other councerns had brought her up here in the first place, and she could not summon up the real urge to analyse her surroundings that closely, so she decided to take Gaara's words at face value.
"Gaara, I'm serious. You need your rest if you want to be in top fighting condition tomorrow," she tried to reason with him once more.
"I did not sleep the entire month during the Chunin Examinations, and I managed just fine."
Sakura tilted her head, askance on her features as she said, "That was because of Shukaku, wasn't it? He gave you the stamina to go for extended periods without rest."
"That," agreed Gaara, "And the fact that I did not want Shukaku to have the chance to take over my body and wreck havoc on another village. Even if the orders to destroy Konohagakure were from whom we assumed to be my father at that point in time, we had a plan that had to be followed. If I lost control before that…"
The rest need not be said.
"But you no longer have Shukaku inside of you."
"True, and tomorrow I will fight the man who ordered him to be sealed within me." There was finality in Gaara's voice, implying to Sakura that he did not want to speak of his father anymore tonight.
Sakura, stubborn as she was, pressed on, "I don't like your plan of you facing your father alone, Gaara."
Soon after Oonoki's return, the Intelligence Division came with information from Mei on the techniques of her predecessor and how they should counter the Second Mizukage's attacks. Together with Shikamaru and Gaara's siblings, they worked out the battle plans for tomorrow.
Oonoki immediately volunteered to fight the Second Tsuchikage, Mu. Shikamaru volunteered to lead a part of the Division against the Second Mizukage, a motion that was seconded by Temari who felt that his analytical mind would be useful in seeing through the Second's infamous genjutsus.
When they arrived at the Fourth Kazekage, an immediately hush had settled in the tent. With only the Sand siblings left, there was no question as to who should have to fight their father; Temari and Kankurou were more often than not on their father's good side. In addition, Temari was of the wind element – the natural counter for the Third Raikage's lightning element. It only made sense for her and Kankurou to take on the Raikage.
"I won't be alone, Sakura. A part of the 4th Division will be behind me, ready to take on the White Zetsu army that accompanies my father."
"That's not the same, and you know it," Sakura raised her voice slightly.
She waited until the silence between them had clung to the air for too long, prompting Gaara to turn to her. He was a little taken aback by the sadness in Sakura's eyes.
"Sakura?" He asked gently, reaching for her hand.
"Let me fight by your side," she whispered. So quietly, that Gaara thought it was the wind blowing by. His hand stilled before it could reach Sakura's, and after a moment's hesitation, he drew his hand back to his side.
"Sakura, you already know that you will be placed among my part of the Division as one of the field medics. Isn't that what you wanted – to be healing the injured on the battlefield?" Gaara avoided looking at her as he spoke.
"You don't have to do this alone, Gaara. You have us, all of us." This time, it was Sakura who reached out to him and placed her hand on his forearm lightly.
Gaara turned to face her, and Sakura was surprised to see how tired he looked in that moment.
"Sakura, I am the best candidate to fight the Fourth Kazekage. I have been trained by him in my later childhood years, and I know his special techniques," said Gaara, then he bluntly stated, "I cannot fight him if I have a distraction by my side."
"Are you implying that I cannot defend myself? Because I can, and I will defend you as well," Sakura's tone grew testy.
"My father and I are both long-range fighters. If I let you fight by my side, your skills as a close-range fighter will mean that you will be placed at a disadvantageous position. I will not risk having you caught in a crossfire, Sakura."
Gaara was right; Sakura knew that already. But it did not settle the unease inside her. She did not know if the animosity between father and son ran deep enough that Gaara might lose himself in the battle and return injured, or worse.
"At the very least, let me assist you as your medic-nin," Sakura held up one hand to stop Gaara from interrupting her, "Take Mr. Fluffy-kins with you when you are fighting the Fourth Kazekage. I won't have to be physically by your side, but at least Mr. Fluffy-kins can bring you to safety if anything goes wrong."
"Nothing will go wr…"
"Please," she pleaded.
He knew that Sakura was trying to come to a compromise, and in all honesty, the sand-cat would not give him worries – not when it was made out of sand and chakra. And sand cannot be wounded or killed unlike a certain pink-haired kunoichi.
"Very well. I will take Mun with me if that will put your mind at ease," he finally conceded defeat with a soft exhale.
Sakura smiled softly at him, and replied, "Yes, it does. Thank you."
Comfortable silence settled between them, and Gaara took the opportunity to look down at her hand that was resting on his arm. His own hand looked disproportionately large next to hers: a reminder that no matter how strong Sakura was physically, she was still a woman. It made him instantly protective of her.
"Gaara," spoke up Sakura, "the two kunoichis who were on guard duty just now – are they both from Suna?"
Gaara shook his head, "No – one is from Suna, but the other is from Iwa."
Sakura chuckled as if she just heard a joke, and said lightly, "at the very least, Gaara, this war has accomplished one good – it has brought together all Five Shinobi Nations."
"It has accomplished one other thing."
"And what might that be?"
"It brought you to me," replied Gaara.
Slowly, so as not to startle her, Gaara reached out and placed his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. Sakura could feel herself being moved along by Gaara, but the action was so unfamiliar to her that she felt lost in her own body for a while. Gaara had brought her close enough for her shoulder to bump lightly against his chest, and simply stopped there with a contented-sounding sigh.
Sakura, on the other hand, had gone so rigid that if she so much as moved a muscle, she was certain that she would shatter into a million tiny pieces. She needed to divert herself from the overwhelming weight of his arm around her shoulders.
"Gaara, the two kunoichis… I know I should not pry, but what were you talking to them about?" Talking was a good distraction – it gave her mind something else to focus on aside from how very close Gaara was.
"I didn't feel like sleeping, so I decided to talk to a few of our shinobis to find out how the war had been for them thus far," began Gaara, "Mostly, they are understandably nervous about the coming battle with the resurrected Kages and their White Zetsu armies. However, shinobis are not meant to be at a heightened state for extended periods – they are starting to feel weary about the war."
Sakura nodded in understanding, "Most missions take at most a few days, and missions that last over a month or longer are rare for people like us. Even when our missions last that long, there is usually some downtime for us because such missions are typically tailing or intelligence-gathering missions – our targets don't move 24-7 unlike the White Zetsu army. And with the recent assassinations, everyone is on the alert even when they should be resting and recharging."
"The two kunoichis I just spoke to mentioned celebrating my birthday as a way of breaking from the war, even if it's just for a day."
It just struck Sakura that while she knew Gaara was older than her by a few months, she did not know when his exact birth date was. The communications between the villages rarely covered such topics.
Did that make her a bad friend? Or was that a bad girlfriend? Or a bad good friend?
Arrghhh!
"When do you turn eighteen?" she asked, deciding to ignore the little voice inside her head that was just crying out for a label for what they were.
"Twenty-three days from now," Gaara's smile turned rueful, "I'm not sure it's an event worth celebrating, but if we can build the morale of our troops by giving them something to look forward to, I will allow it."
Sakura looked puzzled as she asked, "How can a birthday not be worth celebrating?"
"Because it's the day I killed my mother."
"It is also the day you were born," she retorted, determined to shove aside any ill thoughts that he might be harbouring, "You did not kill your mother on your own violations. Besides, without you, Gaara, I don't think anyone else could have allied the Five Shinobi Nations against Akatsuki. We should celebrate for all that you've achieved for us."
"Naruto might be able to rally the Five Shinobi Nations."
"And probably start the Fifth Shinobi World War by accident at the same time – he suffers from a permanent Foot-In-Mouth condition," Sakura giggled.
Gaara would always be fascinated by how a smile can light up her entire face – ten years from now, fifty years, a hundred, an eternity even.
What could she possibly find attractive in his constantly schooled features, his politician's mask? Wouldn't she find Naruto's open cheerfulness more appealing?
"Gaara, you're doing it again," Sakura's voice shook him out of his reverie.
He was perplexed by her words. "And what might that be?"
"You are getting that knot in your… well, in the mid-point of where your eyebrows should be," Sakura frowned, "You are over-thinking something again, aren't you?"
"I'm thinking about what will happen later today." It was not a complete lie – Naruto would be arriving within the next few hours to assist their battle efforts, and Gaara knew that it would only be a matter of time before he would have to broach the topic of his relationship with Sakura to his best friend.
And probably lose his best friend in the process.
"I am willing to listen, if you are willing to talk about it."
"I…" Gaara paused, looking to Sakura and asking with his eyes if he should continue; she nodded for him to speak further, "I was wondering how Naruto will take the news of our relationship."
Sakura blushed, unconsciously reaching for Gaara's hand that was resting on her shoulder.
"Well, we like each other – that much is certain. But we haven't started dating yet, have we?"
Gaara smiled, "I'm afraid that usual dating procedures of movies and long walks in the park are out of question for now, Sakura."
"That's not really what I meant, Gaara," Sakura turned even redder, if it was possible, and suddenly she found her toes very fascinating, "I mean, are we emotionally there yet? Beyond the point of just being friends?"
Gaara's only response was to give her shoulder a squeeze and draw her a little closer.
"What we have right now, it is perfect. I don't think we need to put a name to it," replied Gaara.
Sakura was silent, and with her head bowed, Gaara had to bend over to look at her face.
"You're doing it, too."
"Mmm?"
Gaara reached out with his free hand and gently tapped at the point slightly above the bridge of her nose, "You are over-thinking our relationship. 'Let nature take its course', remember?"
His fingers were still lightly pressed against her forehead, and Gaara slowly slid them down the side of her face, tilting her face upwards to meet his gaze.
It took all of his courage to say his next words when he saw the trust in her eyes.
"Can I kiss you?"
Sakura's eyes seemed to widen in slow motion when the meaning of Gaara's words sank in. He always took her hand without requesting her permission to kiss it. So if he was asking for permission now, it meant…
Oh, stars.
For some reason, Sakura could not speak. Her tongue felt numb and yes, she was definitely having what was commonly called an 'out-of-body experience'.
Little by little, she closed her eyes, hoping he would take the hint.
Initially, Gaara was puzzled by her actions, but he soon realised that Sakura had gone very still, and seemed to be waiting for something. And that something was probably his next move. He leaned forward, senses alert for any changes in her body language.
Just as his lips ghosted against hers, Sakura's breath hitched slightly.
So Gaara veered off-course, and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth instead.
As he drew back, he exhaled quietly and studied her face. Sakura's lips were parted, and when she finally opened her eyes, she looked dazed.
I should have stayed on course, thought Gaara a little ruefully.
But the moment was gone. He pulled back enough to let them settle back into their previous posture, his arm still around her shoulders.
"That was a little anti-climatic," Sakura gave him a sheepish grin, and tugged at a lock of her hair nervously. She was grateful that they were concealed from prying eyes.
"Perhaps another time," Gaara replied coolly.
The loud thumping of his heart against her shoulder spoke volumes that he was just as affected as she was.
Clearing her throat lightly and taking the chance to compose herself, Sakura then looked up at Gaara and put on her medic-nin front, "Gaara, you really should be resting."
"Sakura," his voice held command in it, "I would like you to stay for the sunrise with me."
Sakura felt an internal jolt – had they really been outside for that long? She quickly looked towards the horizon and saw that the very edges of it were starting to turn a pinkish hue; they had been out talking for over two hours.
"Congratulations, Kazekage-sama," Sakura's voice held a note of irritation, "You've managed to convert me into a night owl like yourself."
Gaara merely shrugged, and the action only served to tick her off.
"Well," began Sakura airily, "I suppose we're just going to have to make you more chakra tea before the battle. And maybe some stimulants as a precaution."
"Haruno-san, I would like to watch the sunrise in peace," there was the tiniest hint of amusement in Gaara's voice.
The camp below was starting to stir as shinobis woke from their sleep and started going about in preparations for the battle that was less than six hours away. Gaara wisely drew his arms away from her shoulders and took a sideway step from Sakura to create a respectful distance between them. His gaze was transfixed on the sun that was just starting to peek over the horizon.
A few of the shinobis had glanced up at the watchtower when they detected two powerful chakra signatures. Once it was clear that it was just their Regimental Leader and his personal medic, most of them went back to their tasks, with the exception of a few kunoichis that had started to gather and whisper amongst themselves.
Despite the space between them, and the fact that Gaara was now in his role as Regimental Leader, Sakura felt only one emotion: tranquility.
She wished that time would stop right there and then; not because of the battles to come, but because of the serenity that Gaara was projecting.
Maybe they did not need a label for what they had, after all.
She felt perfectly at ease around him. Words alone would never be sufficient to describe how she felt; standing next to the man that had shown her the parts of him that he had kept hidden away from everyone else.
That morning's sunrise was the most beautiful sight that Sakura had ever seen – her smile said so as much.
Gaara looked in her direction and silently agreed.