Ok I decided that I am going to try a lemon, BUT if it sucks I wont take responsibility It wont be in this chapter so stop scrambling through the page perverts. lol Just kidding about the pervert part. Still stop looking. Ok so I am bad at writing romance by the way so I'm sorry about the cliches. Special shout outs go to my new reviewer Artic Fox15. More shout outs go to my awesome regular reviewers, favorites, and followers. As always reviews are not necessary but are inspiring.
Gaara prefered to work mazes from the destination to the start. It was easier so when he just stood there with a hand over his eyes people wondered if he was going to try at all. What they didn't see was the eye that floated high above the maze mapping his destination for him. Once his hand came down if the other contestants were present the look on his face would have made them quit. It was the look of both confidence and victory. He had a plan and a map. Now he would only need to claim his prize. A prize he was more than happy to claim. His eyes Stayed closed as his sand lifted him and carried the Kazekage to on his path. One left and an immediate duck sent an overzealous competitor through the wall. A shout of disqualification was the result for said man. Another left, and then a right. Sand blocked the kunai thrown. They were apparently setting traps for him as well.
"Such time should have been spent on finding Bubble Gum." Gaara scoffed continuing on.
Sakura sat on a bench in the middle of the maze listening to the foot falls surrounding her as men either met a dead-end or fought each other. Three more disqualifications were called out. She could have sworn she heard Naruto laughing at one point. He would find ignorance funny she couldn't help but think. She knew that Gaara was somewhere in the maze coming for her. The thought made her smile warmly. Did he intend to win? She caught sight of his third eye hovering over the maze, and he question was answered. He did which meant that he was coming for her. Her heart leapt at the thought. The sound of snow crunching behind her startled her from her thoughts. When she turned however it was not Gaara she saw. It was Neji with a look of both victory and confidence.
"I found you Haruno-san." Neji smirked walking towards her.
"Lucky me." Sakura said with no enthusiasm.
"Would you rather I was someone else?" Neji asked as he moved to touch her.
"Actually I would." Sakura glared at him as the sand from her bracelet slapped his hand away.
"That's a dirty trick the Kazekage is using." Neji glared at the sand returning to the bracelet.
"I didn't hear any rules about it." Gaara smirked entering the center of the maze and picking Sakura from her seat. Her arms wrapped around his neck with a smile. Neji almost lost his composure when Gaara placed a kiss to Sakura's lips.
"You're a leaf village ninja Sakura. Would you really turn your back on that?" Neji snapped in a clipped tone. Nothing was said as Gaara disappear around a corner with Sakura in his arms. "I guess this village means nothing to her."
"So did you miss me?" Sakura teased relaxing against Gaara's chest.
"The pain was excruciating." Gaara teased back with a smirk as he turned the next corner. "Don't listen to the words a fool mutters."
"What?" Sakura asked looking up into his eyes.
"Later you will begin to contemplate what Hyuga-san said. Don't worry about it. He is a fool and spoke out of anger Bubble Gum. No one thinks that you would turn your back on your village. That is why you placed the clause in the agreement." Gaara clarified.
"You know the mind reading is a form of stalking which really is an unhealthy habit." Sakura laughed as Gaara placed her on her feet at the finish line.
"We have a winner!" Jiraya called out happily as he watched Sakura lace her fingers with Gaara's. "congratulations Kazekage-sama."
After the commotion had died down Gaara pulled Sakura away from the crowd. She complied easily and smiled as he released her hand only to place an arm around her tiny waist. Sakura wondered if that was a protective thing, or a possessive trait. Either one she liked and responded by leaning against him. She sighed content as he began rubbing small circles into the soft skin of her back. Gaara took pride in knowing that his beloved cherry blossom was glad to be in his arms. He wondered if she would always be like this. He would make sure that he did everything in his power to make sure that she would be happy. He knew that she would always look like this that wasn't the issue. The pact she made with Jashin would make sure her aging to be slow thus giving her a longer lifespan that others. That worried him a little, but not enough to deter him from loving her. He didn't think that was possible in the least.
"Sakura?" Gaara's voice cut through the comfortable silence.
"Yes Gaara?" Sakura asked a little apprehensive of his tone.
"Will the mark of Jashin affect our children?" He asked causing Sakura to blush at his implications.
"N-no it only affects me." She answered shyly. "Does it disgust you?"
"You are not stupid Sakura. So don't ask stupid questions. Nothing about you could ever disgust me." Gaara said turning to her and pulling her into his chest at the same time. "When I said I loved you I meant all of you."
They stood there like that for what seemed hours but really was minutes. Gaara burying his face into her soft pink locks and Sakura with her head resting upon his chest. Sakura couldn't help but feel as if she belonged here in the arms of the man who accepted her for everything she was. No matter what she said, did, or her horrible temper. Even if she had pink hair, and a bad temper he loved her. He wouldn't try to control her, or even put a restriction on the things she did. He had faith in her abilities as a kunoichi and a doctor. He was everything she needed and wanted. Why hadn't she seen how much she loved him before? How could she have been so blind all this time?
"Gaara I lo-..."
"We need to head to dinner." Itachi interrupted glaring over Sakura's head at Gaara who glared back with distaste.
"I see..." Sakura nodded and sighed. "We will continue our discussion soon. Until then let's go get something to eat."
Gaara gritted his teeth but hid it well. He would not allow Itachi to see his anger. Itachi was delaying the inevitable and he knew it. This was not what pissed off Gaara the most. It was the fact that Itachi had disrespected Sakura by interrupting her. No one had the right to disrespect her and in his way of thinking Sakura was a part of him, and no one disrespected Sabaku no Gaara.
"That was rather rude Uchiha-san." Gaara pointed out.
"No it's ok Gaara." Sakura defended.
"No he is right Sakura. I apologize for the interruption." Itachi offered as they sat to eat. The spread before them made Sakura's mouth water. She looked at Gaara with a smile. Gaara smiled back unable to contain it at the joy she displayed. Many of her favorite dishes were sat out in front of them along with his, Itachi,and ramen of course for Naruto.
"They really went all out." Sakura whispered to Gaara.
"So would I if my reward was seeing that beautiful smile." Gaara smirked watching her blush.
"So without further delay please enjoy the feast." The busty Hokage said sitting back in her chair next to Dan whom took her hand immediately. Followed by a roar from the crowd saying their thanks for the meal. Sakura took the dish in front of her and added a bit to her plate then passed it to the left to Itachi as several people brought out bowls filled with rice. Gaara was about to begin eating when he saw Sakura stiffen a bit right before the man across from her went pale after a thump was heard beneath the table.
"Will he be able to produce children ever again?" Gaara whispered.
"Maybe, I'd give it a thirty percent chance." Sakura giggled as she took a bite of her food. Gaara only smirked and returned to eating. The rest of dinner was relatively quiet until Ino shrieked and stood abruptly. Gaara caught little ink mice run from beneath the table and dissolve. Sai blanched as Sakura shot him a look that said if she comes to me your dead. "He will never learn."
The music began soon after and Gaara took the opportunity to steal Sakura away to the dance floor. His arm wrapping around her middle as he took her hand within his. She moved closer with a soft smile as a pair of voices floated over the dance floor accompanied by the soft waves of music. The paper Lanterns began to light above them. Golds, silvers, and blues danced across her skin as they danced slowly his eyes locked with hers. Sakura blushed with a shy smile admiring the way the lights sparkled over head like stars. The snow flakes that wer gently drifting around them made the intimate feeling even stronger.
Gaara and Sakura stopped moving long ago as they looked into each others eyes. His forehead lightly touching hers as his aquamarine eyes held her emerald eyes. Said eyes began to close as their lips grew closer meeting in the middle with a tender kiss. This kiss was soft and innocent and said everything that they were feeling without a word passing between either of them. It flooded her body with warmth and safety. Promising a future that she had never dared dream of. Gaara was slightly surprised as an unfamiliar feeling of pure happiness and bliss flooded his body. As they separated the feeling didn't disappear at all in fact the look each saw in the others eyes made it grow stronger.
"Sabaku no Gaara I love you." Sakura said firmly and kissed him again. And with that the sand wrapped them and when it cleared both shinobi were gone.
"Well at least we don't have to tell them to get a room." Shikamaru smirked as he looked over at Naruto and Hinata who was currently scarlet.
"Shut it lazy ass." Naruto said with a smirk never looking away from where the two vanished from.