Three days to three weeks, dragging close to a new month.
Out of sheer laziness, she wore her shinobi clothing instead of being casual when she awoke two hours before opening. The sun hasn't risen yet, and no one seemed awake in the village due to the quiet. As the caffeine from her tea began stimulating her senses, she remembers who is awake. Her muscles ached, they used to scream at her, numbing her body with pain. The yelling has stopped, only leaving soreness. She wavered, ducking under her window, and gazing into the Kazekage's. Crimson hair.
She went ahead with another unplanned meet.
However, instead of hopping to the balcony, she hoped to try her teleportation jutsu. She stared at her destination, avoiding her concentration to be faltered by Gaara, who caught her standing on her roof. Her hands moved lightly, quickly, as if they were dancing. Then, she was floating, flying, dispensing into thousands of pink petals. Opening her eyes, while reforming, through the blur of pink, she could see her shop's rooftop, the village. And when she spun around, Gaara. It was no surprise, but she still shied away, to be presenting herself looking as she is, for the first time. His back is free from the gourd, and his uniform made his presence more intimidating. He leaned against the rail right next to her, hardly putting any distance between them, his arms crossed. They were so close, she stiffened shoulders to avoid contact, forcing herself to slowly relax, resting against his arm.
"You've been training."
"...yes."
"You've been busy" is what she meant to say back.
"Due to our positions, I can't tell you what is discussed during our meetings."
"Understood."
"But I want to ask you, as a friend, are you prepared to fight?" her lips trembled, wanting to move, but her indecision shut it. She couldn't surpass a lie without shaking confidence. "Then, I would suggest for you to go home."
"What?" it's the first time she spoke to Gaara in such volume.
He spoke with power, "I'd rather have you with your family and friends, continuing to reside here just puts you at a burden."
He didn't mean to use that word, he didn't mean for her smile to vanish. He didn't mean for her to make that sort of face, mixed with hurt and annoyance. He can easily protect her, along with the village, as he vowed becoming Kazekage. However, he wanted to protect her as an individual. The Akatsuki, an organization recently heard of, their plans unknown, but preparations being made including having the ANBU littered in the outskirts. The village's sudden tight-knit security is no secret to her. Two days before, she was stopped, interviewed on her reasons for leaving in and out of the village. Her store visited by the masked ninjas, who at times, loitered outside her door after their purchases.
"N-" a shroud of sand rose from behind, casting a shadow over the two.
"[Name], not far from where we stand, when I was six, I killed my uncle," the sand shifted to and fro as he spoke. "My caretaker, someone I loved dearly, and who I believed loved me back," she covers her gasp with a hand, this story, she has never heard. "As long as Yashamaru loved me, my isolation and rejection as a jinchuuriki by the village did not matter. Besides, my main purpose for being born was to become the village's 'ultimate weapon.'" His voice somewhat shuddered, "He attempted to assassinate me," the sand began to close around them, the light slowly draining out. "Claiming...he never loved me," a tiny speck of the morning sky peeked in the dark space. "...that my mother never loved me, and I knew my father never would as well. And so, I carved this mark into me, promising to love only myself. To make my existence known, even if it meant murder." He peered through the tiny entrance, displaying the a light blue. If he couldn't talk her into leaving Suna, he could at least scare her away. "Gaara of the Sand Waterfall."
Darkness and silence. A horrid and terrifying mix.
Neither of them moved, and he wondered how much longer should he frighten her. His selfishness did not want to release her, but he decided he would not stop her if she ran. She can run. She can even hate him. He's accepted the fact already. And another fact that he has grown too fond of her.
This should be enough.
He lowered his arms to dispense the barrier. And then flinched, caught off guard, the sand immediately vanishing, returning to the ground. Her arms around his waist, hands resting on his back, cheek on his chest, head beneath his chin, her body closing the gap. It was his turn to be frozen. He wasn't sure what to do, he never thought of this outcome. His heartbeat, couldn't calm down. A sudden rush of emotion overwhelmed him, losing control, he felt himself falling to his knees, and she followed along. His hands clung to on her shoulders while she had one supporting his back, and the other running through his hair. His forehead rested near her neck, his breathing slow. She, however, shook. Comfort is all she can offer. It's all she can give. Her words can't change his story, nor can take as much effect as Naruto's own had. She's at a loss of words, she always has been. She didn't understand his pain, and she never will, and she still couldn't contain her share of tears.
"Aren't you...afraid?" he repeated himself.
"...no."
...
"I extracted most of the poison, but I have to make an antidote for the rest..."
"What do you need?"
"Wait, would you like me to treat her too?"
"...that girl? It's not necessary, she wasn't poisoned."
"She did take harsh damage from the bombs. Knocked out for three days."
"That's because..." the voices are clearing. "...she had the idiotic sense to tackle the enemy head-on!" a white ceiling, a white bed, an old lady. Her lids fluttered, someone hovered over her, calling her name. It's not the same crabby voice that was criticizing her.
"Who is she anyway?"
There's a soothing touch spreading throughout her body, her strength returning. Her sight and hearing no longer muffled. "Basically, Gaara's girlfriend," someone responded with a teasing tone.
"What?!"
She shot up by the mention of his name, frightening those around her bedside. She had him in his hands just this morning, although she is unaware of the passage of time. Now he is in someone else's, and she couldn't save him. Her attempts meant nothing and have done absolutely nothing but harm to herself. Even if she laid a scratch on the man, he still got away. Temari spoke words of relief, but the replay of her memories blocked them out.
"There was a white bird," she recalled sitting on her usual spot of the roof. Gazing at the night sky with a cup of hot green tea. She remembers hearing a faint flutter of wings, and the liquid shaking. It seemed as if the room contorted. Her eyes trailed up her arm scarred with burns, a fair hand held her burnt one.
"Please lie down, I still have to heal you," pink hair, like sakura petals.
Petals.
A shower of them.
Instead of following the civilians into a safe barrier, [Name] bolted out of her store. She took off on the rooftops watching the strange bird zip around, avoiding the clutches of Gaara. However, in less than a minute she spots him retreating into a shell of sand. She spots the bird's rider. A black coat, red clouds, blonde hair and an injured arm. She then spots Kankuro and a group of men watching on top of a building.
"Kankuro!"
"[Name]?"
"What the hell?" Along the roof stood guards prepping for back-up. Most recognize her, their captain is the only one who looked displeased to see her. "Hey, you shouldn't be outside. Go on with the other villagers."
"I-"
"He's right," Kankuro approached her, asserting himself. "The last thing Gaara would want is for you to get hurt. Come on," he reached for her arm, but she backed away. He isn't in the mood to argue and snatches her wrist, "Listen-!"
An explosion's roar is deafened by a large shield made of sand.
She could hear cheering from afar, but she is stricken for the worst. The distance covered along with his own defense, must take a bulk of chakra. From their distance, they can still see Gaara's fortification still in piece, and then suddenly, a blast. The sand dismissing itself, gliding over Gaara's unconscious body, the bird went for it's prize. That's when [Name] broke off from Kankuro, taking one giant leap, inviting the wind to guide her safely. Her sight locked on the rider. His bird's tail wrapped around Gaara. Everyone watched as her body dispersed, and reformed at a great length in just a second, her opponent in her range. She had one shot before falling. His hand already had something prepared from the moment she jumped. The two ran on time.
"Lotus style: Flower Needles."
"Hmph."
A shower of petals gathered around her, suddenly bending it's broad shape to thin, and then propelling to her target. His paper bombs had the form of tiny spiders, a few cut down by her needles, but most sticking themselves onto her arm. The two exchange a glare, knowing their aim was perfect, as if submitting to their future wounds. However, he held a smirk, for they both knew she would take the most damage, and her petty needles is not going to do anything for Gaara's release. Smoke, the smell of burning skin, the pain so great, she could feel herself fading as she fell straight down. When she was caught, she was nearly gone.
Kankuro is calling her name, she struggled to open her lids, but they merely flickered. There's a clamor of other unknown voices, "Don't worry, I promise you. I'll bring Gaara back. As my duty as his older brother, as my duty as your friend." She stayed until the end of his sentence, and finally gave up on holding her consciousness.
She silently looked down at his body wincing with torment. After introductions, she secluded herself from the others, seating herself by Kankuro. She listened carefully to their discussion, acting oblivious. Sakura listing the ingredients to the elders, Chiyo and Ebizou for the antidote. There's a denial for a key component, leaving Sakura in a stump. Naruto growing impatient, and Kakashi calming him as they gather the details from the captain she ignored. She knew she should be providing her side of information, but she simply, did not want to.
"Sorry..." a voice croaked, everyone's head turned to see Kankuro rising stiffly. He first turned to [Name], a slight smile to hide his agony, "I couldn't keep my promise."
His awakening was a glimmer of hope.
Everyone gathered around him, Sakura already spouting instructions for his recovery. Temari grinning from ear to ear along with Naruto. Her chair squeaked on the ground from her sudden movement that attention was brought onto her once more.
"The flower, tomoshiri-sou," she spoke to Sakura. "I have many..."
...
The tension of the atmosphere was no match for Sakura's curiosity. She gladly accompanied [Name] to her store, holding herself back from asking personal questions.
"Sakura."
"Yes?" she happily responded while [Name] unlocked the door.
"It's a suitable name. Your hair, is exactly the color of the sakura flowers," they stepped inside, an earthy smell rushing outside. "Like when they bloom in spring, it's lovely," talking about flora put her at ease. Sakura realized it when a smile flickered on [Name]'s face, so she continued to listen. [Name] entered a separate room near the register. The daylight poured inside, different sorts of medical herbs and flowers, showing off their healthiness. Surrounded by her greenery, calmed her, "Tomoshiri-sou," it's as if she called out to the flower when choosing it. Feeling sorry for it's fate, and then motioning to Sakura, "Please, take as many as you like. I was aware of Suna's greenhouse, and made sure to stock on our rare flowers."
"You're amazing, [Name]-chan, thank you," she began to pluck away, and [Name] picked up a pail of water.
"Naruto Uzumaki," the name Gaara valued, the person who saved him. "He's a jinchuuriki too, right?"
"...yes."
"Sorry," a fake smile is painted on.
Sakura took the opportunity to ask a question as well, "Um, so how long have you and Gaara been seeing each other?"
[Name] raises a brow for her choice of wording. She had completely forgotten that she had neither approved or denied the claim that she is Gaara's "girlfriend." Sakura now showed the same curiosity Matsuri displays. Her shyness got the best of her as they wandered out, the shinobi danced around her, waiting for an answer. "About...a month, I suppose?" she locks the door as Sakura giggled. "W-What?"
"Naruto and I were just surprised that he was able to land a cute girl."
Her mind couldn't catch up, but the wording slowly turned the cogs "land" and "seeing each other." She comes to terms and exclaimed, "Oh!" And then bluntly, "We're not dating."
"What?!" Sakura nearly dropped the bag of flowers.
"I mean...I guess it looks like it to others, doesn't it?" she seemed to be asking herself if it is true.
"Well, what do you two do, as the 'friends' you are?"
"We first met on the roof of his building, and then, just continued to see each other at night," she could see a naughty grin forming on Sakura's lips. "Talking," she firmly stated. "Eat dinner sometimes..."