Chapter Two
Sakura stared momentarily at her arm, twisting it from side to side so as to make sure no blood, or scar, remained.
"I suppose this means Temari was right," Sakura spoke to herself, wincing her eyes as the morning sun began to glow her room with a blinding light. "Gaara really is his own culprit in this, but why? The sleeping pills perhaps?"
Sakura hummed lightly in thought, again taking a moment to stare at her pale arm. Her thought was quickly dismissed though when a darker image came to mind, and she reached for the door in a hurried fashion.
"I better make sure everyone else is okay," Sakura again spoke to herself. "Especially Temari, she was staying with Gaara last night."
Dreading more on what she had just said, Sakura now quickly paced herself down the long hallway. Fearing for the Suna woman, though she knew Gaara wasn't mad enough to attack his own siblings, was he? Sakura shook her head as she ran down the next hallway, trying to recall the relationship the three Suna siblings had.
'The first time I met them Temari and Kankuro did seem real edgy around their own brother, but Temari begged me to help Gaara just yesterday.'
Sakura narrowed her eyes as her inner voice made an entrance.
'Why do you help?' Inner asked. 'He once tried to hurt you. If he chooses to hurt people again, his siblings will probably fear him once more. It's hopeless for this guy now.'
"Hush…" Sakura whispered to herself, she had been trying her darnedest to rid of that voice in her brain.
Her mind already had a possessive hold on her and her thoughts, especially those of her beloved Sasuke. Which was partially the reason she could not let go of her childhood crush, and sought him out still after all these years. She wasn't about to let her inner mind again manipulate her to be angry and distrustful to the Kazekage now. She didn't want to develop a deep hate for the one Naruto called friend. She had made a promise to Temari also.
She was a ninja.
"I can be ordered to save my worst enemy, and kill my best friend," Sakura mouthed out to herself and she continued her jog through the giant building. "And I would have to do both without question."
Turning a corner too quickly, Sakura found herself running into another person. The pace and surprise from the rosette, and the other person, caused them both to be knocked roughly back to the ground.
"Ow," Sakura whined lightly, rubbing her nose before peeking an eye open to stare at who she had crashed into.
Her green eyes widened to the woman in front of her, and she was quick to her feet to reach down and help her back up.
"Temari-san!" Sakura exclaimed as she reached for the older woman. "I'm so sorry, I-"
"Gaara!" Temari spoke, cutting off Sakura as she too stood. "I can't find Gaara and-!"
It was Sakura's turn to calm the sibling down, raising her hands to silence the blonde before asking her own questions. She decided that Temari not yet need to hear about her youngest brother's intrusion on her that night.
"Did you stay with him last night like I asked?" Sakura questioned.
"I did," Temari replied, her eyes darting once more to the side from guilt. "B-But I did fall asleep a few hours later. All I remember before I passed out was Gaara still being wide awake, and looking for those sleeping pills..."
Sakura's eyes widen to Temari's words, a new theory popping into her head when she again heard that Gaara had probably popped some sleeping pills last night. It was just like the night of his first assumed rampage.
"Temari-san," Sakura cut the girl off with a reassuring tone, "will you please show me those pills again?"
"Why?" Temari asked.
"Just want to read what they contain again," Sakura lied.
Temari held confusion in her eyes to Sakura's request, but nonetheless led the rosette down the hall and up a few set of stairs, keeping her questions to herself so as to let Sakura do her job. They both trot on in silence, but as Sakura realized it be a while before they reached the room, she spoke for light conversation and to lighten Temari's grim mood.
"Your home is so big," Sakura said with a bright tone. "More like a mansion than anything."
Temari gave a light chuckle to that comment.
"That's what I always hear. Truth is I couldn't really tell you the difference," Temari spoke, a light smile coming to her face now. "My father was Kazekage, so my siblings, and I, have lived here our whole lives. We've never lived under a common roof. I suppose if marriage drags me out of this place, I'll finally grasp how fortunate I really was here."
Sakura let a hidden smile spread across her cheeks when she heard Temari utter the word marriage. For some reason, she was quick to picture Shikamaru when Temari spoke those words.
'How troublesome…'
Sakura had to suppress a giggle as she mentally remembered her comrade's usual words, picturing him saying that to Temari's luxurious demands.
"Gaara's room is the whole top floor, that's why it's so high up," Temari spoke again, trying to apologize for the long walk.
Sakura merely nodded in understanding, she didn't mind the few flight of stairs, it was almost like a quick tour of the home.
"I'm sure as Kazekage he can choose any room he likes, he must have his reasons for picking the top floor."
Sakura laughed lightly to what she had said, but as she saw the solemn look return to Temari's face she slowly silenced herself.
"No," Temari said in almost a whisper. "Gaara was raised in that room his whole life. He rarely was let out."
Sakura had to raise an eyebrow to Temari's sad words, not grasping what meaning she had to saying them.
'Ah, so we learn something new about this guy,' Inner Sakura spoke again. 'Kept in one room his whole life, almost like prison. The reason why is more than obvious though.'
Again, Sakura hushed her inner thoughts. She admitted learning more of what made Gaara so Gaara was intriguing to say the least. She was curious learn how his childhood formed a dark monster within, the one from his past, but she also knew now was not the right time.
"…I think he just finds some sort of comfort in that room," Temari finished.
Sakura again remained silent to the older girl's words, she knew now it was no longer time for light talk lest the mood grow dimmer. Instead, they trudged on in silence. The morning sun warmed their backs as they marched higher and higher until they were planted in front of two very tall doors.
"Here we are," Temari took a moment to say before shoving her hands against the two large doors, slowly opening them as Sakura followed closely behind into Gaara's room. As Sakura stepped in, she took a minute to take in the extremely large room.
'Fit for a lord,' Sakura thought on sight.
Despite the large room though, it was quite vacant. It literally only took the rosette a moment to take in all around her. There was one over-sized bed with sheets neat and crisp; it was as if no one had ever laid on that fabric. A few windows that let light into the room, a drawer for keeping personal belongings, that too being oversized for just one simple person. There was also a study desk with a few piles of paper stacked neatly on top of it, surely where Gaara did some of his work, Sakura assumed. Lastly, another giant door resided inside his room that Sakura couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay behind it.
"I wonder where he keeps those pills…" Temari sighed, now reaching for his desk drawers and digging through them.
Sakura decided to hold back this time and let Temari do the dirty work, she didn't feel quite comfortable scouring through Gaara's room and belongings. So, instead, she strolled over to his drawer table to glance at the objects. She eyed the picture frames and many cacti that resided the top of it.
Sakura reached for one of the picture frames, curiosity getting the better of her when she eyed an unfamiliar woman in the picture. Who was this woman? Why was her picture so important that it be kept inside Gaara's room? What relationship did this stranger and the Kazekage have? All these questions urged Sakura on, her fingers almost wrapped around the small frame.
"Found something interesting?"
Sakura jumped to the new voice that entered the room, forgetting the picture her eyes now turned towards the side of her. The giant door that was inside the room was now open, hot steam pouring out of it as Sakura's green eyes fell onto turquoise ones. As their gaze set onto one another, Sakura gulped.
'Caught,' her inner gulped along with her. 'But is he still dangerous?'
"Gaara!" Temari cried out with relief, strolling over to stand with an awkward Sakura and smiling to her youngest brother. "Where have you been? You weren't here when I woke up."
As if to answer her question, Gaara lightly tugged on the damp towel that was wrapped around his hips. It was also this gesture that caused Sakura to tense. Her eyes slowly traveled from the Kazekage's soaked hair and down to the damp towel that was wrapped around him. Of course she couldn't help her eyes as they went straight back up to his naked chest. Though her mind screamed at her, her eyes could not tear away from the somewhat toned body. Never before would she have guessed that Gaara actually did have some small muscle in that body he mostly kept wrapped up, and again she gulped as water trickled down his muscular arms, and stomach, and downwards toward the towel. She could almost feel the drool escaping from her mouth for the lean muscle this guy had.
'Keep it together Sakura…' Inner warned herself, but with difficulty as she too was entranced. 'Remember who this guy is. What he did last night. Why we're here… I bet he isn't even a quarter of the size Sasuke-kun is now.'
Shaking her head, Sakura escaped the hypnotizing body and instead turned her eyes back to Gaara's own set. She couldn't help but hunch lower as his stare was intent on hers. It was as if his eyes were all-knowing, and silently telling her that she had just been caught to whatever devious thought she was having while taking in his body. For a second she swore she saw a small smirk on him before he turned to Temari with his usual poker face.
"I was just taking a bath," he solemnly answered. "Did you need something?"
Sakura glanced behind Gaara when he spoke those words. She peered past the giant doors and took in the sight of the giant bath that lingered within.
"Oh, wow!" Sakura beamed when her eyes took notice.
Quickly she now marched past the two siblings, a huge grin plastered on her face as she stopped and spun slowly in her spot to take in the whole bath. All the while receiving an invisible eyebrow lift from the Kazekage as he watched her.
"This is your bathroom?" Sakura again asked in awe, turning to ask Gaara and not shying away this time to his stare.
He watched intriguingly as Sakura's grin grew even wider towards him when he nodded to answer her yes.
"It's like a pool in here! And are those water fountains in your bath?" she laughed in amusement. "That's so cool, you're so lucky!"
Sakura's laugh slowly died down when she turned back to the two siblings. Her face turning pink when she realized how quizzical both their looks were on her.
"Ah!" she cried, now lightly bowing her head in embarrassment. "Forgive me. That was very unprofessional of me."
Gaara simply stared curiously at the girl in front of him while Temari laughed and strolled her way towards Sakura. He was lightly surprised to see the rosette look less serious than before for a second and actually happy.
"Unprofessional?" Temari laughed, snaking an arm around Sakura's shoulders. "Sakura-san, you don't have to act professional around us. We want you to be at your most comfortable while you stay with us, right Gaara?"
Sakura's eyes again set on Gaara's own, to which he simply stared apathetically. He took no effort to answer his sister.
"You see?" Temari beamed, lightly shaking Sakura under her arm. "Even Gaara agrees!"
'He didn't even say anything…' Inner spoke.
"Temari-san, I-" Sakura began before being cut off.
"No more of that!" Temari said, turning Sakura's eyes towards her. "From now on it's just Temari, got it?"
Sakura gaped lightly at the blonde girl, unsure of how to approach the situation. Sakura's eyes slowly traveled back to Gaara's, almost as if asking him with her look if this lack of formality was alright in his home. Though, his stare was simply distant and helped her none. Sakura eventually turned back to the older girl.
"Then please, just call me Sakura," Sakura finally said, earning a big smile from the blonde that was holding her shoulders.
Throwing her head back, Sakura's eyes found Gaara.
"You too!" Sakura beamed, a sweet smile now on her face. "Just call me Sakura."
Gaara's face fell to one of light surprise from the girl's sudden boldness, and from the small smile she held for him. Quick enough, he was forced to tear his eyes away from her this time. Her look now intimidating him to back down.
"Gaara," Temari finally called, placing her hands on her hips. "What are you doing standing here with just a towel on? Hurry up and go change!"
It would be this moment that Sakura would learn a new personality trait that Gaara possessed, one she would think would be the last thing the Kazekage ever had; slyness.
"Showing off our skin, I thought it was the look we were all going for today," he spoke apathetically, gesturing a finger towards Sakura.
Sakura took a minute to follow his finger, taking in what she was now wearing her face once again turned red. While her pajama top was long enough to cover the fact that she only had her panties on underneath, her long legs were shamefully displayed. No matter how informal Temari had asked her to be with them, this was on a whole other level.
"Ah!" She lightly cried, trying to pull her pajama top down further to at least cover her thighs.
It wasn't Sakura's intention to ever walk out wearing just the shirt, heck she would not even let her teammates take a peek before she changed into her day clothes. She was embarrassed beyond all belief that she had been caught standing like that for quite some time now, and being caught by Gaara nonetheless.
"I-I was in a hurry this morning!" Sakura screeched, now racing towards the door and for her own temporary room. Praying she would run into no one along the way.
"We'll meet you downstairs for breakfast!" Temari called after her, sighing with a smile when Sakura was gone within seconds.
As soon as the footsteps disappeared, Temari turned her smile towards her younger brother, to which Gaara simply turned his eyes away from hers. He recognized her curious look, and refused to waltz into her exaggerated suspicions, but as her stare lingered, so too did his resistance die down.
"What?" he mumbled, finally breaking down to Temari.
"You certainly are in a playful mood," Temari beamed. "I've never seen you tease someone like that before."
Gaara simply humphed before turning and once again heading towards his giant bathroom. He would never see Temari's smile fall when the girl remembered why Sakura truly was there in their home; what they were suspecting of her youngest brother, and the painful truth that it all led down to.
"Gaara?" she questioned again, making the young lord halt his steps, though he kept his back turned towards her. "Did you by chance leave in the middle of the night?"
Temari could not see, but Gaara grew tense to her question. Taking his time, pondering in thought for what seemed like minutes until he answered.
"No."
And with that, he slowly shut the threshold behind him. Temari stared towards the now closed door, a huge smile spreading across her face. Maybe the pills were harmless, and the fact that it seemed nothing had happened last night led her to believe that all was better.
'Thank goodness,' Temari thought, turning to make her leave but not before calling once more to her youngest brother.
"Meet us downstairs when you're done changing! Kankuro and I have something to discuss with you."
'Just call me Sakura,' Inner mocked inside Sakura's head with a tone. 'What the heck is wrong with you? Don't gomaking friends with the guy who sucked blood from your arm last night! You didn't even confront them about that.'
"I know, I know," Sakura whispered to herself, whisking her way down the stairs of the giant home. "I just…got caught up in the moment. Besides, it looks as though he doesn't even realize what's happening. I can't hold it against him, he'll think of me as a total bitch!"
'Oh right,' Inner again sarcastically spoke. 'Then I guess you shouldn't hold a grudge for when he tried to kill you years ago. I'm sure he remembers that all too clearly, I sure as hell do. Also, caught up in the moment? More like your eyes were caught in between those muscles.'
Sakura narrowed her eyes in anger, her mind was just not letting her catch a break today. Why was it that her biggest battles were always that with her own self? She was a very indecisive girl.
"He's clearly let go of what happened back then when we were younger," Sakura spoke to herself again reassuringly, and also ignoring her inner self's last statement. "I should be doing the same. It's best to just forget and-"
'But we haven't forgotten,' Inner reminded her.
Sakura only twisted her mouth at that thought. She knew her own mind was wrong, but speaking all truthfully. She still hadn't forgiven Gaara for what he had done to her in the past despite that went against her teaching.
"Doesn't mean we have to act like a snob," Sakura said, sliding a black glove onto her hand while she continued to race down the stairs. "Despite everything, he is letting us stay here and treating us with kindness. Very hospitable, and again, he's Naruto's friend so we-"
'Don't forget why you're here!' her mind retorted angrily. 'You'redealing with a possible killer again, this isn't a time to go making friends with everyone. Let's just get the job done and get back home!'
Sakura was about to snap back, but stopped herself when she finally reached the bottom of the stairs. A body was in front of her, causing her to stop in her steps and forget the argument with her own mind. Slowly, her eyes followed its way up to the tall man blocking her path.
She blinked at the giant grin he held for her. He was a stranger to Sakura's eyes, yet he looked down at her with recognition in his gaze, his smile never falling. Sakura grew uncomfortable under his long stare, and diverted her eyes past him. He was probably just some house server to the Kazekage she assumed.
"Erm, e-excuse me," she began to speak, leaning to the side so as to pass him.
"Hey, wait," he spoke, stepping in front of her again so as to grab her attention back. "Don't you remember me? Sorry I didn't take the time to welcome you here yesterday."
Again, confusion traced all over Sakura's face to the young man in front of her. His brown eyes were somewhat familiar now that she took the time to think about it, so were his facial and body features…the brown hair too. Yet Sakura still could not put her finger on it, and in this case, the man in front of her was quick to realize this.
"Er, I guess we've never really properly been introduced," he confessed, an embarrassed laugh escaping his mouth. "I wanted to thank you though…for saving my life."
It was then Sakura's eyes went round as the young man smiled down at her, realizing that she had finally figured it out.
"Kankuro-san!" Sakura grinned.
She did have to admit, Kankuro was a little bit harder for her to recognize. Like he had mentioned, they knew of each other but never truly had they been properly introduced to one another. The fact that he always wore purple paint that covered most of his face also had Sakura confused before as to who this man was. For now, his face was stripped of any paint, and he was also out of his usual black attire that covered his brown hair to which Sakura was not use to seeing. The rosette had only seen Kankuro look like he did now once before, when he had fallen victim to deadly poison. To which he had this sickly green tone to his skin, and pale face, as she extracted toxicant from his body. For that reason too, it had taken her awhile to recognize the healthy colored skin in front of her, the young man was no longer pale and near death.
"Hey now," he joked, with a smile. "It's just Kankuro here, no need for the formality. Especially since I owe you quite a bit."
They both turned, knowing without asking that they were headed for the same direction. Speaking whilst they made their way to the dining hall for breakfast.
"You owe me nothing," Sakura smiled. "I wasn't about to let you die there in front of your sister and village."
As Sakura turned her eyes back up to Kankuro she was surprised to see he held a sincere smile for her.
"I owe you so much more then just saving my life," Kankuro confessed, his eyes turning away from her while his smile began to fall. "But also for what you are doing now. For Gaara."
Sakura again was taken by surprise. She had forgotten that there was one more sibling in all this chaos who surely knew of Gaara's own destruction. Turning their heads back in front of them, they now walked in silence as Sakura spoke in her mind.
'Of course he would know about all this too,' Sakura thought. 'He probably recognized his own brother's destruction the first day it happened, just like Temari had.'
Slowly, Sakura shifted her eyes to the side of her. Taking in Kankuro's slightly meek look, she could tell his mind now was racing with worry and thought about his younger brother, and it made her feel all the more guilty knowing that she may not be able to cure or figure out the cause of all this.
'The look he has for his brother, Temari had the same look,' Inner spoke, Sakura's heart now reaching out to them. 'They truly do have love for Gaara now.'
Sakura wanted to smile as her mind gave in to those thoughts. This was the reason she could not say no to Temari's tears in the beginning. Monster or no monster, she needed to at least try to save the person these people held so dear to their hearts.
"That…" Sakura spoke again, answering to Kankuro about Gaara. "I'll try my best."
"That's all we ask," Kankuro said before stopping abruptly in front of a door.
Sakura stopped along with him, watching as he narrowed his eyes in front of him.
"What's wrong?" Sakura asked before Kankuro silently nodded his head at the entrance in front of him.
It was then that Sakura could take in the yelling happening on the other side. She was quick to identify the single male and female inside going back and forth with words, though she could not understand the conversation.
"Damn," Kankuro sighed, shaking his head in the process. "I knew he wouldn't go with it."
"What do you-" Sakura began, but stopped when she watched Kankuro waltz through the entryway.
Taking no time to think it over, Sakura followed, listening as Kankuro announced their presence by joining in on the argument.
"Temari's right," Kankuro spoke sternly, all eyes now set on him and Sakura who stood silently beside him in confusion. "You need to listen to us on this one, Gaara."
There was a pause in the room, almost as if Gaara considered backing down due to the fact Sakura was now in the room. The last thing he needed was for someone to be dragged along into the conversation who had no business being in it. Though the pause lingered, he could not back down to what Temari had just told him. His tone now all the more demeaning when he realized Kankuro would be joining in.
Two against one? He had taken on more before.
"I am Kazekage," Gaara reminded them, his eyes narrowing towards his sister. "It is my duty to manage and protect this village. Don't think of me incapable now to do so just because I was taken by Akatsuki."
Though his tone was harsh, Sakura had to commemorate Gaara for holding his ground strongly without raising his voice too high. She could see in his eyes that he was downright pissed, but kept his cool under the pressure. A trait Sakura envied. Though, as Temari retorted back, Sakura realized then that the trait Gaara had was not passed down by the eldest sibling.
"I'm not saying you're incapable, Gaara!" Temari boomed, a light pink on her face due to frustration. "You were just rescued. You only escaped death because of Chiyo-sama! You need to take a break from your duties, let me and Kankuro help run the village for a bit. The council has already granted me this request."
Sakura widened her eyes a bit when she realized what the conversation was about.
'Ah, so they want him to take some time off,' Sakura thought to herself.
Sakura could see everyone's right to frustration in this argument. If they were in the same situation with her own mentor, Tsunade, then she could see her teacher doing the same as Gaara. Perhaps not as toned down, but the busty woman would surely put her thoughts across on the whole idea. Probably with both harsh words and fists.
In the end, Sakura would have to agree to both Temari and Kankuro though. Gaara had just been saved, resurrected from death and probably endured quite a bit of physical drain, as well as mental, from both his fight with Akatsuki and the extraction of the Ichibi. Just thinking about it made Sakura feel weak in thought. It was probably true that the young man, who never slept, now, needed some well-deserved rest.
'Plus,' Sakura said in her mind, 'they're probably taking into factor what happened the other night.'
Sakura's thoughts were interrupted as Kankuro stepped into the argument again.
"Hey wait!" he barked, earning all eyes on him. "Who said I was going to help run the village? You said you were going to take care of all that Temari. You are the oldest, it's your responsibility!"
"What...?" Temari murmured.
If looks could kill, Kankuro would be buried so deep he'd be hitting lava by now under Temari's stare. Sakura slowly backed away from the brunette as the sand-blonde marched her way towards him, her face meeting up to his as an argument between those two siblings now began.
"How dare you!" Temari screamed. "You selfish brat, we're doing this for Gaara! You can take some time in the day to help out with the village! Your home!"
It seemed Kankuro was not about to back down.
"Yeah right!" he shot back, glaring daggers at his sister. "We all know you'll leave all of it to me. You'll just run off the second you get the chance to and leave me to do all the dirty work!"
"I will not!"
"Will to!"
"It is nobodies task, but mine, to handle our village affairs," Gaara said, drawing himself back into the argument.
Sakura sighed at the heated argument, she was indeed in an awkward home and being thrown into inconvenient situations between these three siblings. It wasn't until a low growl emitted from her stomach did Sakura take a moment to glance back again to the fighting siblings. She was grateful that Temari and Kankuro had not heard her embarrassing cry for food over their loud yelling.
Sakura's face did flush white however when she heard the youngest male next to her clear his throat to get her attention. Slowly, her gaze turned to Gaara's. It had to be even more uncomfortable having him catch her stomach crying for hunger. As their eyes met, his gaze was still apathetic and long, and Sakura wondered for a second for what reason could he have want getting her attention when he cleared his throat. However, she was quickly answered when he slowly nudged his head behind him, her eyes following and staring hungrily to the long dining table behind him. Plates of food covered every inch from corner to corner.
Awkward or not, Sakura turned her eyes again back to Gaara. Thanks in her look while he nodded in understanding, and silently she made her way to one of the many chairs, readying herself for a grand feast.
'What brats,' Sakura thought, listening now as Gaara had joined back in the argument. 'They really did grow up in a life of self-indulgence.'
Sakura's words were not to be taken offensively, she merely smiled at the thought of all of them always fighting to get their own way. And apparently, they also grew up with bountiful breakfast options, she thought as she eyed all the food around her. It all smelt so good, even the entrees she didn't recognize made her stomach growl with want.
Ignoring the argument behind her, Sakura was beyond shock when she saw a tea kettle begin to levitate in front of her. Slowly it swam its way through the air before pouring hot tea in a cup next to Sakura.
'What the?' Sakura wondered, puzzled in her mind.
Was she in some sort of enchanted home? Before the young woman could come to conclusions, she watched as the kettle retreated back to its original spot. Her eyes were quick enough to catch the grains of sand the item floated on top of.
"So, that's how it works," Sakura whispered, turning her eyes and head back towards Gaara.
She was surprised to see his back to her, it looked as though his attention was far from her as the trio of siblings were still in a verbal battle. She awed his skills at that moment and silently thanked him for the tea.
'Very hospitable,' Inner spoke.
'Changing your opinion about him?' Sakura questioned with a smile.
'Our opinions are one,' Inner retorted. '…So, I guess just a little bit. Just a little though! Remember last night.'
'It's interestinghow he changes between night and day.'
Sakura lightly chuckled to herself, bringing her tea up to her lips before she drank down the warm liquid. A calming feeling washed over her while she relaxed in the comfortable chair.
"Besides Gaara-"
Sakura could hear Temari speak.
"-you have to at least take today off."
"Why is that?" Gaara questioned, arms crossed.
"You need to take Sakura clothes shopping, she didn't bring enough for her stay here," Temari said mischievously. "She needs a guide around the village, and since it's you she's helping out, it's the least you can do."
Tea showered the plate in front of Sakura when she took in those words, the shock causing her to spit back out the liquid she had just drank. She wiped her wet chin hastily before turning back to face the three.
"T-That's not necessary!" Sakura practically screamed. "I-I-I'm capable of going on my own thank you very much!"
Sakura's eyes were nearly bulging out as Temari took a moment to send the young ninja a priggish smile. Sakura could see the blonde had something planned in her mind.
"It's no trouble at all," Temari spoke for Gaara's behalf. "Trust me Sakura, Gaara is the very first person you want to bring along for shopping."
Sakura turned her worrisome eyes to Kankuro, pleading with him through her looks that this idea was not a good one and for him to speak on her behalf. Instead, she watched as Kankuro earnestly nodded his head up and down, silently agreeing with Temari, and sending Sakura a look encouraging not to pass up the opportunity. With that, the rosette half wondered what the two siblings were thinking in unison.
Sakura slowly sunk her head halfway behind the chair in defeat. She knew the whole situation was going to be graceless, but didn't have the heart to say no to either of them. She was also mildly surprised to not hear Gaara back down on the offer as well, she was hoping he too would see the inelegant in the idea and speak out.
As Sakura peeked her eyes over the chair, her gaze fell onto the redheaded, young man. With his back still turned to Sakura, she half wondered if his look and thoughts were now the same as hers. Frazzled, and uncomfortable.
"Trust me Sakura, Gaara is the very first person you want to bring shopping with."
It wasn't until Sakura was with the cashier did she realize what Temari had meant. She blinked in light surprise as the man in front of her eyed the young redhead who stood silently, and patiently, behind her.
Sakura had held nothing back as she scoured the store, seemingly grabbing every other thing her eyes fell upon. She couldn't say she admired the style of Suna's attire, but was just worrisome on how to adjust to the new weather conditions she was thrown into, and decided it best to just grab pretty much everything.
Before leaving, Temari had warned Sakura to grab clothes that were light and comfortable for the days almost unbearable heat, while Kankuro mentioned to grab heavy, bulky sets for the nights plummeting temperature. It had her completely lost for what to really shop for.
Surprisingly, on their way to the store, Gaara had also made his own suggestion when he noticed Sakura's discomfort with her open-toed boots. Though she had tried to hide it, he was always somehow able to notice the small things she tried her best to keep to herself.
"Does the sand bother you?" he had questioned earlier and randomly.
Catching Sakura off guard, she had to stop as she looked down to her feet in thought.
"Only when it's between my toes," she confessed.
"You should consider boots then that don't leave your feet vulnerable."
Sakura couldn't help but let out a boisterous laugh to Gaara's words, causing the poor Kazekage to stop in his tracks and watch the young woman turn towards him in surprise. Another sweet smile was set on her face while she stared into his widening eyes.
"My feet are vulnerable you say?" she again let a light chuckle escape. "That's a funny way of saying it."
As Sakura again smiled his way, she was lightly baffled to see his eyes fall from her gaze, but simply shrugged it off. Walking in silence, they had reached their destination shortly after, and Gaara simply stood back and waited for Sakura to finish her clothes shopping.
"Will this be all?" The cashier asked, peeking a head above the massive pile of clothes she had just grabbed.
"Hm," Sakura hummed in thought, remembering Gaara's words. "A set of black boots too, please. Ones that won't leave my toes vulnerable."
Sakura didn't mind the quizzical look the cashier held for her when she said those words. For some reason, she just wanted Gaara to hear that she had taken up on his recommendation, and with light humor to add in for mental laughs. As the cashier returned, everything ready to go, she noticed his bright smile while he looked past her and towards the Kazekage.
"How much?" Sakura questioned, trying to get his attention back on her.
"Oh, don't be foolish!" The cashier spoke, his smile now returning to Sakura. "A friend of Kazekage-sama is treated as a friend of mine. You take what you need and pay nothing."
Sakura dropped her jaw, once again eying the giant pile in front of her. She had almost completely wiped out the entire store.
"Trust me Sakura, Gaara is the very first person you want to bring shopping with."
Now Sakura knew what Temari had meant and why Kankuro eagerly encouraged her to take their little brother along.
'What lucky brats,' Inner whistled. 'Damn though, we hit jackpot with this one. Maybe we should come back for more tomorrow, or find another store today! You know, I've always wanted-'
Tuning out her inner thoughts, Sakura reached for the bag of clothes that was being handed off to her. She couldn't help but smile at the luxurious treatment she was receiving.
"T-Thank you!" she stuttered, bowing her head low in appreciation.
"Quite welcome dear," the cashier said with humbleness.
Sakura kept her head down, still unsure how to react to such treatment. A part of her was telling her that she had not thanked him enough, while another part told her she insist on paying. It was indeed a nice gesture, but one she did not understand how to respond to. It wasn't until Gaara stepped in front of Sakura did she decide to just shut up and take what she got without question.
"You have my gratitude," Gaara spoke to the cashier, no emotion in his voice but nodding his head nonetheless.
It was the cashier's turn to stammer and lower his head like Sakura had done.
"N-No trouble at all, Kazekage-sama."
Gaara turned to look back at Sakura before speaking.
"Shall we go?" he asked, leading her out of the store after she nodded.
Sakura hissed when she stepped once more to the blistering heat, this was definitely going to take some getting use to. Her eyes traveled back up to the burning sun, glancing at it and the clear skies above. Again, she wiggled her toes as a light breeze carried the grains across her feet.
"How do you guys survive in this weather?" Sakura asked, watching as the young man stepped beside her to gaze upwards as well.
"You grow up in it, you grow accustom to it," he solemnly answered. "That's how."
Sakura hummed to that thought. His answer was blunt, but true.
"I hope it takes me less time than that to get use to it," she joked lightly, turning her head back down when she heard murmurs around them suddenly appear.
"Kazekage-sama."
"Kazekage-sama."
"Kazekage-sama."
Sakura watched as a small crowd began to form around Gaara. A few civilians stopping and greeting their village leader with smiles on their faces. Sakura couldn't help but slightly step back when a few people stepped in front of her so as to speak to Gaara.
"So happy you're back," Most would say.
"Thank goodness you returned safe and sound."
"Next time we won't let them get away."
Sakura watched with wide eyes and light surprise. It wasn't that she doubted the towns favor for Gaara, but she was just amazed to see the one emotion they all held dear in their eyes while they stared down at their young lord.
"Love," Sakura whispered.
Gaara was silent at first to the comments, simply nodding to the village folk and adjudging that he had heard them. Surprisingly, to Sakura again, the people all seemed to accept his passionless acknowledgment. Big smiles plastered on their faces as they walked away, but as soon as more comments for his safe return were murmured, Gaara took a moment to speak.
"Do not forget who we owe our thanks to," Gaara spoke, and all eyes watched as he nodded towards Sakura. "It was the skilled shinobi of Konohagakure who saved me, and Chiyo who sacrificed herself for me. They are the ones you owe your gratitude to."
Sakura cringed lightly when Gaara nodded towards her, for now she could feel all eyes set on her and people now inching their way closer to meet her.
"Thank you for bringing our Gaara-sama back," was the first thing Sakura heard, before a circle of people formed around her.
Comments of thanks were being thrown at her left and right that Sakura couldn't keep up with who was saying what, and sure enough, she could feel herself circling inside the crowd and trying her best to respond properly back.
"N-No thanks needed," she finally stammered. "Konoha is always ready to help our alliances."
Despite her words, people were still crowding around her. Only this time, patting her back and shaking her shoulder as the thanks repeated out of random mouths. Sakura could feel a light anxiety growing in her heart, she just had a sudden urge a break free from the crowd around her. Unlike the young redhead, who now watched her curiously, she was not accustom to this publicity.
"Who is that girl anyway?"
Sakura caught wind now of something she always dreaded to hear.
"She's from Konoha? What is she still doing here then?"
"And with our beloved Gaara-sama nonetheless…"
Sakura's anxiety now grew even more when she heard those words. Now the gossiping was beginning, something she had hoped to escape from with being here. Yet, she should have known better than to go around walking with Gaara, alone, and not expect this to happen.
"What's up with her pink hair?" the harsh whispers grew louder, and Sakura was slightly surprised that she was able to catch those words more easily than the thanks she was still receiving from other civilians.
"Our Gaara-sama is way too good for someone like her."
Sakura could feel her breaking point that moment, the anxiety and heat too much for her right now. Her head and eyes whipped their way to Gaara's fast. Her eyes were wide and pleading to him that she could handle no more.
Gaara's eyes widened slightly to the anguish look Sakura sent his way. Where he thought he was doing the right thing, he could see the fretfulness in Sakura's gaze as the crowd around her grew bigger. Narrowing his eyes in anger to himself, he slowly lifted an arm up towards Sakura, and his fingers flicked lightly her way.
Sakura watched as Gaara raised in arm towards her, and soon enough she could feel the bag of clothes in her hand rising out of her fingers, and towards the air above her. The action caught her off guard, as well as the attention of the people around her.
The crowd watched with smiles as Gaara's sand carried Sakura's bag through the air. The crowd stepped back so as to make a path for the bag while it inched its way closer and closer to their redheaded lord. It wasn't until a path was clear towards him did Sakura take the opportunity to pace herself over towards him.
"Thank you," she whispered for his ears only when she drew next to him.
Sakura quickly reached a hand out to grab back the bag of clothes, but as quick as lightning, they were ripped away from her hands and high into the air.
"I can carry them," Gaara spoke, letting his sand levitate the bag still behind them.
Before Sakura could even protest, the young lord turned back to the crowd.
"Excuse us," he said apathetically. "We have somewhere we need to be."
With just that, Gaara turned from them. Walking away in silence, Sakura alongside with him, and soon enough the crowd dispersed, but not before Sakura caught wind of one last comment.
"Who does that girl think she is?"
Sakura wasn't sure whether to sneer at the comment or hang her head low. It wasn't that those words got to her, but the fact that she was a stranger to this new village. She was so used to open arms, not snotty girl accusations, that it made her feel all the more homesick.
Contemplating which to choose to do, her body and face began contorting slightly while she hiked on, and Gaara was quick to pick up on her peril. It was now Sakura again would learn a trait she had assumed Gaara had thrown away long ago: Regret.
"Apologies," he mumbled, catching Sakura by surprise for she was deep in thought and did not expect an apology.
"Nn, not at all!" Sakura said. "Forgive me, your intentions were sincere. I just panicked for a moment, I'm not use to large crowds like that. I should probably get some tips from Naruto next time, he's usually the one bringing in and handling large crowds."
Sakura could feel the light smile creep on Gaara's face without even looking at him, and she could feel her ego swell lightly to this small accomplishment. She never would have thought she could make him smile. She should have known she could not go wrong with Gaara if Naruto was brought into the subject.
"I don't know what it is with Jinchuuriki always being so popular," Sakura again joked. "Always forming crowds of people wherever you go."
"Not all the time," Gaara suddenly cut in.
Sakura slowly silenced herself as she felt the aura of the mood from before drastically change. Her inner mind cursing herself.
'You took it too far!' Inner seethed. 'You wiped that smile off his face shamefully fast.'
'I got too confident.' Sakura confessed. 'I don't know what happened. I didn't mean to offend him!'
Her thoughts were immediately halted when Gaara again spoke.
"There is somewhere I need to be right now," he said, stopping his steps and rounding on Sakura in all seriousness.
'Gah, I really did it now…' Sakura hissed inside her head. 'He's sending me away. He can't stand to be near me now.'
Sakura's assumptions were all shoved roughly to the side when Gaara finished his words.
"Do you mind accompanying me there before we head back home?" he asked, his tone and eyes never changing.
"N-Not at all!" Sakura bumbled, being caught off guard once again.
Turning, they padded on. The two in silence now as Sakura somewhat wondered where they were off to. Her eyes settled on the bag of clothes he continued to carry with his sand for her.
'I can't believe how hospitable and genuinely nice he actually is. When I met him years ago, he seemed like the last person to be what he is today,' Sakura confessed in her mind, a smile again on her face. 'My opinion of him has changed so much today.'
It was then that her inner mind decided to make another appearance. Not so much as wanting to argue, for their opinions were one, but just to be a little reminder.
'Don't forget. What happened last night.' Inner said. 'Don't you think it's about time you two sit and take a moment to question whether he knows what he's doing, or not? For all you know he could turn around this very second and pounce on you again.'
Sakura hummed in thought, again peeking to take a look at the solemn man next to her.
'You're right. First chance I get, I'll ask him.'
It had been such a treat for Sakura today, that a large part of her did not want to ruin that with awkward questions, and hurtful accusations.
'I still can't believe what he's doing.'
It was Inner this time who defended the young lord, much to Sakura's own surprise.
'He's a good guy. I just don't understand what made him what he was, and what's making him convert back to that way. I suppose spending time with him today and getting to know him a little better was kind of nice. I wouldn't mind it again.'
Sakura smiled at her own thoughts, glad to see her indecisive self now being a little more compromising than before.
'It's my job now to help him. It's easy to see how his siblings and whole village love him dearly, I can't let them down.'
It was with that thought Sakura grew a sheepish grin, and halting in her steps, threw that grin towards a bewildered Gaara as he turned to her to question her letup.
"Thank you," she chirped to his lightly surprised eyes.
"For?" Gaara asked, crossing his arms and turning an angry gaze away from her.
"For everything," Sakura finally confessed, realizing she had yet to thank him all day. "Letting me stay in your home, recommending me those boots, getting me free stuff, giving me gratitude from the village, saving me from that gratitude, carrying my bag… need I go on?" Sakura lightly joked.
Sakura watched curiously as Gaara turned from her, and once again the two walked side by side while speaking.
"It's as Temari says," Gaara spoke. "You are going to be helping me. It's the least I can do for your services."
Sakura pouted lightly to his answer, she was hoping it be more along the lines of him just purely enjoying her company as well.
"Plus," he confessed, "you are Naruto's friend. There will never be enough I do that will take me out of his debt. I hope by keeping you satisfied will suffice a bit."
Sakura's pout slowly turned into a smile at the mention of her friend.
"Thank you," Sakura spoke. "Above all the rest, I enjoyed your company the most today."
Sakura again could not help but smile big to Gaara's answer.
"Hn."
She knew he wanted to repeat her same words. That he too did not all entirely dislike the day and that her presence made it all the more bearable. It was funny, but she could understand him a little without him saying a single thing, or showing any type of emotion.
'He's kind of like Sasuke-kun…' Inner confessed.