A/N: Things have been rather crazy, sorry for such a delay! College just started and I have been busy adjusting to my new schedule. Thanks for the patience!
"You have some explaining to do."
Sakura looked up from her book and sighed when she noticed Ino standing in front of her with her arms crossed over her chest. It seems her best friend did not understand her reason for leaving the club that past weekend. Placing a bookmark in the chapter she paused on, she leaned back. "What do you want me to say? I told you I had to patch up this guy's hand when he saved me from that freak at the club."
She sat down in front of her and whined, "But we didn't even finish our night! Who was this guy?"
The pinkette seemed hesitant in telling her who it was. It wasn't like her and Gaara did anything. She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "… Um… Kankuro's little brother?"
Sakura wanted to smack herself in the face for telling her because as soon as the smile appeared on Ino's lips, she wished she hadn't told her who it was. "So… you ditched us to go rendezvous with Gaara then?"
She didn't want to explain why she left the club for the third time, but Ino insisted on bugging her about her business. It was kind of annoying if Sakura was being honest. She recalled their conversation; a light smile appearing on her lips as she did so. There was something about the red head that intrigued her. Maybe she was being ridiculous, she wasn't sure.
"… What do you do for a living?" Sakura looked at Gaara with another smile as she leaned backwards, crossing her arms over her chest. Now that they were in her home, she felt a little warmer than she had been beforehand. She honestly hated cold weather.
Gaara seemed hesitant for a moment, "… I am an aspiring writer but I only post on certain forums." It wasn't a lie, but he couldn't quite tell her that he was an author. He kept his name hidden from those books for a reason. Shaking himself from those thoughts, he leaned against the wall; "Though I am not as famous as others."
Sakura looked distracted, but she quickly turned to look at him before she stood up; a book held in her hands. "Maybe you could look through these books?"
His gaze went down to look at the cover, taking note that she was holding his second novel. He pursed his lips into a fine line and took it from her, staring at the man who stared into broken glass. His reflection showed that he was broken, which symbolizes how Gaara felt most of the time. "Why?"
"They're my favorite. I can't wait for the continuation, so I reread them. I feel like they could help you."
Looking away from her again, he brushed his fingers against his initials. "Why do you like them?"
She smiled, "Because he reminds me of myself. I don't think I am an angel by any means, but with all the pain he embraced in both books, why does he continue to fight?"
Gaara figured he couldn't quite argue with that logic. Kiyoshi Sasaki was born in Heaven, an abomination created between an angel and a demon, but mercy was placed on his soul. He was condemned to Earth, placed in an institution until he was adopted. As he grew older, everything that had been kept hidden was coming to the surface. There was to be a war between Heaven and Hell, and he was the key to Heaven's survival.
In the first book, it was mostly the introduction and all the hardships he faced after being sent to Earth. How he lost his mother from the demon who wished his demise, and what revealed him as a half-breed. The second novel opened the war and the friends he gathered during that time. Gaara was writing the third novel about the war itself, but he felt stuck. Kiyoshi deserved a peaceful end.
"I wonder that myself." Gaara said softly, glancing into her eyes for a moment. It seemed like they were captivated with each other, but Sakura broke eye contact when she looked away.
Sakura stepped away from him and went back to her couch, sitting next to her kitten which snuggled into her side. "Maybe some questions don't need to be answered." Their eyes met again, and he felt his heart drop in the pit of his stomach. She was right, some questions didn't need to be answered. Yet… he wondered something…
"What do you think should happen in the book?"
"…. You are zoning out again and it is really starting to get annoying!" Ino growled out, huffing a bit to show her frustration.
Snapping out of her thoughts, she blushed and shook her head. "Sorry, I guess I'm just thinking about something…"
"Why are you being so secretive with me forehead girl? I don't appreciate it."
The pinkette frowned and leaned back in her chair, wishing she was by herself once again instead. Why did Ino approach her in the first place? "Look Ino, I'm sorry I abandoned you on your bachelorette party, but he protected me from some weirdo and was cut up for it. I only wanted to help him out. The good thing was he didn't need stitches."
Ino sighed, "Fine. I guess I can't be mad at you for it…" She shook her head and grabbed her coffee cup from the table. "I have to get back to work, enjoy the rest of your day. I'll see you Saturday."
When she left, Sakura sighed with relief. 'Thank Kami that's over.' She muttered to herself, before opening her book again and going back to where she left off. Her thoughts went back to her and Gaara's conversation from that past weekend.
Sakura's head snapped in his direction, "What?"
"What do you want to happen?"
She seemed startled by his question for the moment, and she started to wonder why he would even ask her such a thing. She felt exposed. "… Well Kiyoshi has been alone his whole life. Even though he's had family and friends, it seems he needs something more. A lover perhaps. I think it's just the romantic in me that wants him to have a happy ending."
Gaara didn't respond to her right away because he wasn't sure what he should say. He hadn't written Kiyoshi with anyone since he started the book as he wanted it to focus on him and those who cared for him… in a non-romantic way. He had been stuck on the third novel for days… but when she mentioned a lover, something snapped in him.
That's what had been missing right? Technically all characters didn't need someone to love them, but Gaara figured it made sense. "That… seems like a good point."
Moving towards her again, he gave her the book back and nearly snatched his hand away when their fingers brushed together. Shaking himself from his thoughts, he met her gaze again and he eventually had to leave. There wasn't much else said while they were together, but she had revealed herself to him more than she initially thought.
Sakura sighed softly. When he left, he rushed out of her home and made her wonder if he didn't want to be there any longer than he had to be. She wasn't sure why she asked him to stay, but there was something about him that had her curious. He genuinely seemed interested in what she had to say about that book.
Shaking her head, she placed her book into her bag and left the coffee shop. She had to work that night so she needed to hurry home to prepare herself. Once she was inside, she changed her clothes into her usual scrubs and kissed her kitten's head. "I'll be back in the morning Akemi," She said, meeting her yellow eyes, "Don't give me that look."
Akemi meowed sadly and Sakura simply rubbed her black fur gently, "Don't worry, I will be."
With that being her last words said, she locked her door and got into her car. She wasn't looking forward to working that night, but it was the last time she would have to work before the wedding. Thanking whoever looked after her (Tsunade), she started her car and headed to the hospital.
Kankuro stared at his reflection and nervously swallowed. He was getting married that night and a part of him was absolutely freaking out about it. What if Ino regretted her decision? He wondered if he could escape through the window without tipping anyone off.
Gaara smacked the back of his head, "You need to relax."
His older brother rubbed the spot he smacked and growled in annoyance, "What if she ends up regretting her decision to marry me?"
When Gaara didn't respond right away, he nearly ran towards the window which was open; allowing the cold air to filter through. The red head stopped him though, simply pushing him away from it. "She dated you for a year and a half. If she could deal with you for that long, I'm sure she won't leave you."
They didn't rush their relationship and they were friends before he even asked her out. Since their year anniversary, she moved in with him and after a few months, Kankuro proposed to her in Paris. She said yes, and they've been planning ever since. Gaara didn't see the appeal of the blond, but luckily, he wasn't the one marrying her.
Kankuro sighed in relief, "I think you're right."
Gaara stared at him but didn't respond. Rolling his eyes, he situated himself on the couch and watched as Shikamaru strolled into the room. "Are you ready?" He asked, looking towards Gaara who was simply scowling. He didn't know why, but he decided he wouldn't ask.
"… No time better than the present I guess…"
Eventually they left there and headed towards the room where they'd get married. Gaara stood next to his brother and Shikamaru, as they waited for Ino to walk down the aisle. The maid of honor and bridesmaids came down first, and eventually the blond was revealed.
Gaara met Sakura's eyes for a moment as the couple stated their vows, and it startled him briefly. He had been writing his novel since their last engagement, and surprisingly found a way to introduce a woman into Kiyoshi's life. Now he was halfway through the book, and he was stuck again. Love wasn't something he was especially good at.
When the pinkette gave him a smile, he looked away quickly and waited for the ceremony to be over so the reception could begin. Once the bride and groom walked back down the aisle, Gaara followed them with Shikamaru not too far behind him. They gathered in the room which had been created for everyone to gather in so they could congratulate Ino and Kankuro on their marriage.
The red head situated himself in the corner of the room, grabbing a wine glass so he could get some alcohol pumping through his system. The bride and groom began their dance together as the crowd gathered around to watch. Gaara sighed softly and nearly chugged the wine, but stopped when he felt a hand touch his to stop him from doing so.
"You drink that too fast and you could get alcohol poisoning."
He looked towards the pinkette who stood in front of him with a smirk on her lips. "Just saying. I could help you here, but I doubt I could do anything for you."
Gaara noticed she hadn't released his hand, though he realized she was checking the scar. "It seems to be healing nicely. How are you doing? Are you in any pain?" Sakura questioned softly, her emerald hues glancing back into his own.
He felt his heart begin to thump wildly in his chest, but he tried his best to ignore it. "It is hard to ignore sometimes. The pain fades every now and then."
Sakura finally let go of his hand and turned to look at her best friend when she was dipped by Kankuro. A small smile spread on her face, "Ironic don't you think?" She asked, looking at him with a curious expression. He wasn't sure what she meant by 'ironic', but he figured there was no point in him asking.
"Kankuro nearly ran out on the wedding because he was afraid Ino would regret her decision."
She giggled, "Ino said the same thing to me but I was able to change her mind. You can tell how much she loves him when she looks at him." Sakura felt her jealousy spring into action, but she kept it back. She should be happy for her best friend, not wishing that she had the same thing.
Her mind went back to Morio for a moment. Ever since the roses came to her work, Sakura hadn't seen anything else, and it started to confuse her. She threw away the card but ended up taking it out of the garbage can. She felt the need to open herself up to another person. After dating Sasori and then dating Hidan a few months later, she didn't want a boyfriend.
Sasori had to move away and they parted on good terms. She read up on him once and it showed that he approached his dream of becoming an artist. Sakura was happy for him. Hidan however… she didn't care for him anymore. She found him to be in jail a few months ago, which revealed that she did a good thing by deserting him when she did.
He was emotionally abusive and didn't care for her as much as he should have. When she saw his face in the newspaper she was shocked. Especially when it said that he killed his girlfriend as some sacrifice for 'Jashin' or something. Sakura felt her heart sink into the lowest part of her stomach. If she stayed with him, could that have happened to her?
Her thoughts disbanded when Gaara spoke again, "I don't understand their relationship."
Sakura blinked in confusion. What did he mean he didn't understand their relationship? "Well they say opposites attract." She told him in response, giving him a shy smile. Ino had managed to tell her everything about their relationship, even things she honestly didn't want to hear about. Her and Kankuro had their fights, but nothing kept them apart.
Gaara shrugged, "I suppose I just find love confusing."
Sakura rubbed the back of her head, 'Says the man who has the word on his forehead…' She sighed and finished the rest of her wine, deciding she should probably head home. Even though she was off that night, it didn't mean she was off the next day.
Before she could move, Gaara held his hand out for her to take. She looked at him curiously and was about to ask what he wanted until he spoke before she could, "A dance?"
Feeling her nervousness approach her stomach, she simply tried to shake them away as she took his hand. The first dance was over which meant anyone else could get on the dancefloor. Sakura wasn't accustomed to this sort of thing, but she figured there was nothing wrong with allowing the red head to show her what he was made of, now was there?
She wrapped her hands around his shoulders as he placed his onto her hips. It made her heart skip a beat, but she figured it was because she hadn't been touched by a male in a long time. It was a slow dance surprisingly, so she could practically feel his heat.
A blush appeared on her cheeks and she simply situated herself so he couldn't see it. He towered over her regardless, but she still felt embarrassed. She could even feel Ino's eyes on her and just knew her best friend was smirking. Sakura would have to deal with the questions later. 'Great, that's just what I needed…' she rolls her eyes and pushed her cheek onto his chest.
She could hear his heartbeat and she closed her eyes, enjoying the soft rhythm it made. It seemed like everyone else around them had disappeared and she barely paid attention to any of it. When the song was over, they didn't remove themselves from one another's presence. They danced throughout the rest of the wedding, and stopped once it was time for Ino and Kankuro to leave for the honeymoon.
Sakura waved goodbye to her and watched as the limo rode out of the church parking lot. She and Gaara didn't have much else to say, so when he left, she gave him a small hug. She appreciated that he stayed with her that night. She wondered if he could see the loneliness behind her eyes and assumed he stayed with her because of that.
The pinkette could tell he was sad, but she wouldn't tell him that. Sakura was about to walk to her own car when she stepped on something which caught her attention. She looked down and grabbed the pendant from the concrete. This was… Sakura started frantically searching for Gaara though she knew he had left a few minutes prior.
A soft sigh escaped from her lips. It seems she would have to keep it until she saw him again. She didn't have any way of contacting him and Ino was going on her honeymoon. A dark part of her wanted to hold onto it just so she had another excuse to see him again, but she tried to ignore those feelings. She was simply doing him a favor…
Sakura got into her car and hurried home where she could place the pendant in a safe place. After she showered and changed, she moved into her bed and stared blankly at the ceiling. Did Gaara even notice that his pendant was gone? What if he was searching for it and she was being selfish by holding onto it for him?
She shook those thoughts away. She wasn't being selfish… she simply wanted to see him again. What was so wrong with that? Snuggling against her kitten, she fell asleep and dreamed of scenes that seemed to happen only in movies.
When she woke up, she went to work with a motivation she hadn't seen before. There was no reason to dwell on those thoughts though. Soon enough she would approach Gaara and return his pendant… then… well, she had no idea what would happen next. Perhaps she was only playing herself. She shook her head and decided she needed to focus on work. That needed to come first…
Right? For some reason, Sakura found her heart denying that answer.
