Chapter Five

Throughout the day, while Sakura slept, she could hear light steps within her room. Despite the danger she had been placed in the past two nights, her mind refused to let her stir completely awake to the intruder. Her head would pound if she tried to open her heavy eyelids, and her body simply gave up when her brain commanded her to wake. However, when the steps had first entered her room, they lingered for only a minute; no threat. The second time, she felt the presence dawdle for a few extra minutes before the click of her door sent her mind back to sleep. When the third time came, Sakura felt a body sit next to her laying form before a gentle hand stroked her head softly.

"Sakura."

Sakura pouted at the soft whisper of her name. She did not yet want to be kidnapped from her dream land, and in response nuzzled her face deeper into her pillow.

"Please Sakura, come have dinner with us. You haven't eaten all day."

When Sakura recognized the voice as Temari's, Sakura slowly turned her body and bloodshot eyes to her. A pleading look in the rosette's gaze as she silently tried to tell Temari to let her be, she wanted sleep. Temari could only smile sympathetically at the young woman.

"I would let you sleep," Temari's tone was apologetic, her hand still stroking the pink hair, "but Gaara insisted I come and get you."

"Gaara did?" Sakura finally spoke, her voice hoarse and tired.

Temari smiled softly at the young woman before pointing a finger to the two plates of food that were set on top of Sakura's drawer top. Now it made sense to her why she could hear and feel a presence in her room throughout the day.

"Gaara brought up your breakfast when you didn't come down this morning." Temari spoke.
"I told him you were feeling a little under the weather when he asked why you weren't eating with us."

Temari let a smile creep onto her lips again as she stared to the full plates of food, as did Sakura.

"He must have wanted to see if you were doing any better, because he came back home from the office during his lunch break and brought you some lunch. He never takes his lunch breaks." Temari said and turned her gaze back to Sakura.
"He must be concerned, he wouldn't take no for an answer when I told him to just let you sleep. He wants you to join us."

Sakura scrunched her eyes as she forced her aching body to sit up.

"Then, I take it he didn't mention anything about last night." Sakura said, stretching her back before turning to Temari.

Temari's eyes saddened, but she slowly shook her head no.

"No, everything was...normal this morning. He even went back to the office today. Kankuro and I have been doing our best to speak to him like we usually do. I also had the pills sent out to be looked at." Temari said before turning her solemn eyes to the floor.
"But tonight..."

Sakura loudly cleared her throat, trying to cease Temari's thoughts.

"Everything will be alright tonight." Sakura reassured before swinging her legs over the bed.
"He won't be taking those pills anymore, so everything is going to be alright."

'You should convince yourself that before trying to convince others.' Inner Sakura poked in her mind.

Temari grinned as Sakura stood, graciousness in her face.

"You're right. Everything is going to be better from now on."

Sakura slowly made her way to her bathroom, yawning and trying to wipe the fatigue away from her face before speaking to Temari.

"I'll be down soon. I'm just going to clean up first, I haven't showered since yesterday."

"We'll see you soon." Temari spoke as she stood, but fidgeted slightly before she called to Sakura once more.
"Sakura..."

Sakura turned to face the girl, her eyes lifting as she saw dread within the sand-blonde's gaze.

"I...We..." Temari sighed.
"Kankuro and I were talking, and well..."

Temari crossed her arms and her face was once again to the ground.

"W-We wouldn't blame you, Sakura, if you wanted to just go back home now."

Sakura's eyes widened to the offer, however, she also noted the grievance in Temari's body language.

"I know when I came to you, I begged you to stay and help because I was so worried he was going to hurt someone again." Temari spoke and winced in thought.
"I suppose it never occurred to me how much I was asking of you. I never meant to put your life in danger like this and..."

Temari could not bring herself to finish as she now began to shake, tears threatening to escape her.

'We can go back?!' Inner Sakura grinned.

However much her mind celebrated, Sakura's heart dropped to the sight in front of her. If she were to give up now, how many other people would end up hurt like Temari was now? Kankuro too. She wondered how Naruto would respond to her if he ever learned she had a chance to help Gaara, but chose to look the other way. Besides, she'd be letting down one more person.

"Thank you," Sakura began with a smile and a made up mind, "but I already told Gaara yesterday that I would help him."

Temari brought her shocked eyes back up to Sakura, there was curiosity in her look, but, above all else, she could see the hope and happiness in them.

"I'd like to keep my word to him."

Before Temari could ask, Sakura whisked herself to the bathroom, listening for the exit of the older girl before she stared at the mirror in front of her. She cringed at her pounding headache and the berating of her inner self. As she stared into her tired face, red eyes, and black bags under them, Sakura noticed a small, red trail on her neck. Leaning in closer to inspect it, she saw that the trail lead from her shoulder and up her neck, stopping at the bridge of her ear. She rubbed a finger against the crimson path, watching it crumble slightly to her touch. She recognized it now.

"Blood." She spoke to herself, scratching still at the red.

As she drew her finger closer to her neck, Sakura let a cold shiver run up her spine.

"This is when he dragged his tongue up my neck. My blood must have stained his tongue when he did this."

Sakura again shuddered when she remembered what lead him to drag his tongue this suggestively up her body. Where his hand was reaching on her frame, and how he played with her ear before attentively whispering in it.

"Moan for me again."

Sakura held onto the edge of her sink as another shiver washed over her body. If she was going to keep her promise to Gaara, she was going to have to overcome that whole situation and push it deep into the back of her mind. She couldn't let anyone here see her like this.

'Are you sure you're not shaking because you actually enjoyed what he did? You did kiss his head after all.'

Sakura gasped as she heard her inner remark, and without thinking, threw her fist hard towards the mirror. As the glass shattered and pieces began to shower over the sink, she asked herself.

"Why did I just think that?!"

She cringed at the small destruction she had just caused. She had no reason to respond the way she had, though, she was grateful her inner self was quiet and forgotten at the moment. Still, she pondered in shock at herself while she stepped into the shower, and tracing her finger one last time on the red line on her neck.

'Why did I just think that?'

Once Sakura was refreshed, she felt slightly more energetic, her headache was gone too. Digging through her drawers, she pulled out a black outfit, tilting her head slightly as she gazed at the apparel. Sunagakure's wear was definitely not her style, but she was in no position to complain, and instead squirmed her way into the tight outfit. After brushing her short, wet hair, Sakura made her way to the kitchen. Her mind was clouded with thoughts, especially on the idea of what she had planned for tonight.

"I hope Gaara will let me...the others too." Sakura whispered to herself.

When laughter filled her ears, Sakura couldn't help but smile before she opened the door to the dining room. Despite all that was happening, the sand siblings would not act any differently. When Sakura entered the room, she forced a smile as all eyes turned to her, she nodded to each Temari and Kankuro as their eyes met, but when her gaze fell on Gaara, she felt her heart beat quicken.

"Moan for me again."

His words echoed in her mind as her eyes and his apathetic gaze lingered on one another.

'No!' She screamed in her head.
'Don't think of him saying that. Treat it like it was someone else who was telling you that. He doesn't even know he told you that! Remember, you promised to help him.'

Sakura gulped slightly before forcing herself to bow. She had to tear her eyes away from his somehow.

"Thank you for having me." Sakura said, composing herself.

"Sakura!" Temari scorned.
"I told you to stop doing that!"

"Just come sit and eat, yeah?" Kankuro intervened as well.
"You must be starving."

As Sakura brought herself back up, she decided she would not argue. Though she had some energy back, fatigue still had its hold on her, and quietly she sat herself in the fourth chair next to Kankuro and Gaara. As Sakura sat, she kept her tired gaze staring at the food in front of her, her mind again swirling with different thoughts. Most of them falling onto the topic of what she had planned for tonight.

'How am I going to get him to agree?' Sakura mused, tuning out the clatter of silverware around her.

"Do you not like the food?"

Sakura jumped lightly in her seat as Gaara spoke to her. Her view quickly met with his, and Sakura watched as his eyes winced lightly to her gaze. Did she really look that bad?

"Nn!" Sakura quickly answered before reaching for her fork.
"Forgive me, my mind is elsewhere."

As Sakura began to eat, she thought Gaara would revert back to his quiet self, satisfied that she was now partaking in her meal. However he spoke again.

"How are you feeling?"

Sakura gulped as she kept her eyes at her food still.

"I'm fine." Sakura answered, then remembered what Temari had told her earlier.
"Thank you for looking out for me. I really appreciate it."

Sakura turned to send the young lord a soft smile, his apathetic eyes unmoved by her.

"Hn." Gaara answered, before looking down at a paper he had in his hand.

"Gaara, put that away." Temari lectured.
"You can save your work for later. By the way, Sakura..."

Sakura looked to Temari at the call of her name.

"You poor thing. You look so exhausted. I'm sorry the cold nights have been keeping you awake. We'll be sure to give you some extra blankets tonight."

'So, that's the lie we're going with?' Sakura thought, nodding at Temari in understanding.

"I'd appreciate that." Sakura spoke, taking another bite of her meal.

"Your eyes are starting to look a lot like Gaara's." Kankuro added his two-sense, small humor in his voice.

At the statement, Sakura couldn't help but turn towards Gaara again. As her gaze set to his, his eyes picked up from his work to stare into hers, his brother's words also making him curious to take in her appearance once more. As quick as their looks had met, Sakura brought a hand to one of her eyes.

"Are they really that dark?" She asked, turning now to Kankuro.

However, as her eyes met with Kankuro's, she had to hold back from spitting her food out as she took in his new black, swollen eye.

"What about you?!" She snapped, inspecting his bruised eye.
"Can you even see through that shiner?

At her words, Kankuro too brought a hand to his bruised eye.

"Oh this?" Kankuro half smiled as he stroked it.
"I bumped into the door last night. Clumsy, right?"

The room was quiet as everyone stared at Kankuro's smile, and Sakura grimaced in thought at the new lie that was thrown her way. She knew the damage had come from Gaara's attack last night, and scolded herself in her mind as she watched the young man turn back to his food.

'I should have healed him before I went to sleep this morning.' Sakura thought, raising her hand to Kankuro's face.

"What's up?" Kankuro asked as he saw Sakura's hand come closer to his face.

As her hand set itself on his swollen eye, he tensed, unsure of her actions. Soon he began to feel a warm sensation massaging and tingling his skin, and he relaxed into her palm.

"You should have come to me." Sakura spoke as her healing did its magic.
"That's what I'm here for after all."

As Sakura finished and brought her hand back, Kankuro blinked rapidly when his sight returned. A grin spreading on his face before he turned to Sakura.

"Hey, thanks!" He chimed, remembering too the healing she had done for him a while back that saved his life.
"You keep helping me like this, and you're going to make Suna's medical team look bad!"

Sakura couldn't help but chuckle to his words, but quickly settled herself down when she heard Gaara clear his throat.

"I'm joking." Kankuro answered as Gaara sent his brother a displeased look.
"No need to get all defensive. I love this village too."

"Sunagakure is home to many high trained Iryo-nin." Gaara spoke, his eyes once again on the paper in front of him.

"None that could save my life apparently." Kankuro whispered for Sakura's ears only.

Sakura again gave out a light giggle to Kankuro's words before returning to her meal.

"Tsunade-sama is your teacher, right?" Temari cut in and Sakura nodded to her.
"It shows! You're so advanced for your age, Sakura."

Sakura couldn't help but blush lightly to the praise.

"That's why I knew I needed to ask you to help Gaara with his insomnia. Only the best can tackle something like this." Temari added.

Sakura nodded in understanding at Temari's words. However, she was surprised when Gaara cut in.

"I don't need help." He spoke solemnly, eyes glued to his work.
"I don't need sleep to function properly like you think."

Temari sighed at Gaara's defensive tone.

"We know you're more than capable handling yourself and the village, but you have an opportunity now that you didn't have before. You can finally sleep like the rest of us. You'll feel a lot better. More energy, less stress." Temari encouraged her younger brother.

"Hn." Was Gaara's reply, he was neither pleased or displeased at the idea.

"Actually," Sakura decided her time to cut in, "I'd like to start the process tonight. If that's alright."

All eyes turned to her, though, Sakura chose to keep her gaze on Gaara's eyes. It was him she needed to convince.

"I know these past few nights you've been getting a few hours of sleep in, but I'd like to get you to the point of a full nights rest."

Sakura studied Gaara's features, she worried she may be crossing the line with him. She had to remember she was here for this reason though. Had he really not want her help, he would have sent her away the same day Temari had suggested she stay. His look however was unreadable as they stared at one another, and since he did not speak, she continued.

"I'd like to stay in your room tonight. I want to see a routine night of yours. Figure out what it is I can do to help you relax without the help of narcotics, and eventually get you accustom to getting a goods night sleep every night." Sakura finished, her eyes still set on Gaara's.

"How long tonight?" Gaara asked the second Sakura finished.

"All night." Sakura answered, and watched as his gaze turned back to his paperwork.

"No." He answered, scooting his chair back and standing himself tall.
"You need more rest, and I have too much work tonight."

Sakura too stood herself, she had learned Gaara was stubborn, but defeat wasn't an option for her. Stubborn was her middle name anyway.

"I just want to watch tonight. It's fine if you do or don't sleep I just-"

"No." Gaara cut her off, his eyes narrowing at her, silently telling her to back down.

"Gaara..." Temari whispered.

Temari felt uneasy at the thought of Sakura staying the night with her brother after what had just happened, but trusted the young woman's decision. She was there to help him, and had eased Temari's mind earlier with the mention of no more sleeping pills.

As Gaara turned from them, papers in hand, he made his way to the stairs. Temari was about to speak, asking him to reconsider, but Sakura beat her to the punch.

"That's too bad." Sakura sighed, and turned her head to hide her smirk from the group.
"I wonder what Naruto will say when I tell him you told me no."

Sakura's smirk grew wider when she heard his steps suddenly stop.

'Got you now.'

Sakura knew she couldn't lose against him with the promise he had made to Naruto.

"Fine." Gaara finally spoke, his tone a little more aggressive than usual, no doubt irritated that he was caught in another one of her traps.
"Eat first. I'll be in my room."

"I'll be there soon!" Sakura spoke sweetly before sitting back down.

Kankuro and Temari could only gape at one another in shock. Had their little brother just give in to this Konoha ninja with barely a fight?

Sakura had to let out an exasperated breath before she knocked on Gaara's giant doors. In truth, she wished to linger outside of his room for a bit longer. She wanted to make sure she was completely composed before entering into his chambers. She knew, however, that he could feel her presence outside of his doors with ease, and would probably question her if she decided to remain on the other side of it any longer. As her knock echoed, she gulped.

'It's going to be alright tonight.' She repeated to herself.
'The pills are gone. He will be in the right state of mind.'

"Enter."

Sakura, again, let a breath escape her. There was no turning back now.

'I'm not afraid.' She reminded herself.

As Sakura entered, she found Gaara sitting at his desk. His eyes buried in a paper in front of him, no doubt his work from the day. She eyed the large stack of papers sitting on his desk.

'Does he plan on finishing all those tonight?!' She wondered, the very thought exhausting even her.

As his eyes lingered on the paper, Sakura cleared her throat to get his attention. Wondering if he had already forgotten her existence. She smiled when his gaze raised to hers.

"Thank you for allowing me to do this, Kazekage-sama." She said, the smile never falling from her face.

Gaara simply nodded at her before turning back to his work, pencil scribbling away in his hand.

"Make yourself comfortable." Gaara flatly said.

As silence lingered, and Sakura figured she would not be having his attentive attention, she took her time to take in his room once more. It was such a large room for one person. From the bed, to the desk, to the drawers, she wondered why Gaara had such oversized furniture, but decided she would not question it. It was probably someone else decision to splendor the village's leader. His room was dark, the only source of light being a candle on his desk. However, the flame was strong enough to dimly light most of the room. Sakura watched as Gaara tapped his pencil silently in thought before she asked.

"Why do you use a candle and not a lamp?"

As if remembering her presence, Gaara flinched lightly before bringing his pencil back to his work.

"To help conserve energy." He answered plainly, his gaze never tearing away from his paper.

Sakura hummed in thought before looking around the room some more, her eyes falling onto another door within the room. As soon as she remembered what was behind that door, she could almost feel the small humidity in the dry air. Turning back to Gaara, she noticed his damp hair, and once again he gripped on his pencil in thought.

"Do you often bathe at night? Does it help you relax?"

Again he flinched when she spoke, this time he brought his eyes to hers, a questioning look in his gaze.

"I suppose." He answered before reaching for another paper and beginning to scrawl on it.

"I'm the same way. A nice, warm bath always helps me to fall asleep at night." Sakura smiled in thought of a nice bubble bath right about now.

Despite her warm clothes, the night air in the home was a little more chilly than to her liking. Slowly, she rubbed her arms as she made her way to an empty chair in the room. Sitting herself down and staring intently now at Gaara, she watched him earnestly as he continued his work.

'This is going to be a long night.' Sakura thought to herself, her bored gaze watching Gaara still.
'It has to be done though.'

As minutes passed, Sakura watched as the young lord calmly worked. Once in a while he would narrow his eyes in thought, tapping his pencil so lightly that no sound escaped. That was probably going to be the most excitement for tonight Sakura would muse. As the world outside began to howl louder, her attention turned to the doors that lead to an outside balcony, she could see the sand dancing in the night sky. Turning her head back to him, she watched as he again tapped his pencil in thought.

"Is it like this every night?" Sakura asked in almost a whisper.

"Like what?" Gaara said, his writing beginning again the second she spoke.

"Outside." Sakura said before stifling a yawn.
"Is there a storm like this every night?"

Sakura was slightly surprised to see Gaara lift his head to watch the disruption outside, forgetting his work for a brief second and letting a sigh escape.

"Not every night." He spoke before returning to his work.
"Our monsoon season is approaching. These sandstorms usually occur before it begins."

Sakura perked up lightly at the mention of rain. She had missed it dearly from back home, which was a common occurrence in Konoha. The healthy vegetation being proof of that.

"I love the rain." Sakura smiled.
"I hope it starts soon."

"Me too."

Sakura smiled at the thought of learning something new of Gaara, something they shared in common, but kept quiet as he continued on his work. However, as long minutes passed again, she noticed how he once more would tap his pencil feverishly while narrowing his eyes at the paper below him.

'Is his work really that aggravating?' She wondered.

While she watched him continue to play with his pencil, a theory occurred in her mind.

"So, this is what you do every night? Work until the morning and then work some more?" She asked.

Sakura's eyes widened slightly when she noticed Gaara flinch and return his pencil in front of him, writing productively while he spoke to her.

"There is no reason for me not to. I do not sleep." Gaara spoke, and took a moment to think to himself, as if debating whether he should continue or not.

He chose to go on.

"While it was my duty, this work also became my distraction. It forced me to stay awake when I couldn't allow myself to sleep."

Though Sakura wanted to reply, she chose to remain silent. Staring at him keenly as her theory played out. Minutes passed, and she watched Gaara once again halt his work and tap his pencil in thought.

"What would you do before you became Kazekage then? What did you do to keep yourself from sleeping?" Sakura asked, her chest puffing with pride when she saw him begin to write again the second she spoke.

She was a clever girl, her hypothesis now concluded. Despite her question, Gaara remained silent. However, Sakura wasn't the least offended. She merely asked to keep the conversation going, and remembered that Temari had already explained to her before what he would do at night before he met Naruto.

"Is this the most work you've been able to finish these past few nights?"

As soon as those words escaped Sakura's lips, she watched the scribbling pencil cease. His hand wrapped tightly around the small object before his angry eyes raised to her.

'You're playing with a dangerous thing here.' Inner warned, however, Sakura ignored her thoughts.

"What do you mean?" Gaara asked, his tone defensive

Sakura did not speak, and instead lowered her eyes to Gaara's, almost as if in challenge. She knew that he knew what she meant.

Every time silence lingered between the two, she could see Gaara lose himself in his thoughts, seeking out a voice to drown out the silence. That's why he would tap his pencil and cease his work. However, there was no longer a voice inside his head he could escape to, only emptiness with the Ichibi gone. It was the sound of her voice, of this conversation, that helped him fall back to his old routine and continue his work progressively.

'I'm going to have to help him learn to accept and cope with silence.'

With that finished thought, Sakura morphed her narrow gaze into a sweet smile.

"Just that I hope I'm not distracting you." Sakura smiled, pulling up a facade as his gaze lingered on hers.

Despite her act, Gaara's narrow eyes were set firm on her still. As time passed in silence, Sakura could feel her smile falling. Soon, her back was also hunching under his intensive stare. She should have known better.

'Moron.' Inner sneered.

"You just reminded me of something."

Sakura's gaze fell back to Gaara when he spoke those words, curiosity in her eyes as she watched him scoot his chair back to stand. Slowly, he walked towards his balcony doors before staring outside. Before Sakura could ask, he spoke again.

"You know those nursery rhymes from our childhood?"

Turning his stare back, Gaara watched as Sakura slowly nodded her head to answer yes.

"Well," he began again, turning to stare once more out the window, "did you know that the people of Sunagakure made up one of their own once they learned the Ichibi was sealed inside of me? They would sing it to misbehaving children."

Sakura gulped as she stared at Gaara's back, he already knew she had no idea what he was talking about and didn't even turn to acknowledge whether she knew about it or not. Sakura then wondered what message he was trying to convey.

"I remember when the children would sing it behind my back. Even my own sister and brother."

Silence continued after Gaara had spoken, it seemed his mind was elsewhere, lost in his thoughts. Probably trying to pinpoint the first time he had heard the rhyme and recalling its versus. As time passed, Gaara turned from the window and began advancing towards Sakura, he chose this moment to recite the words to her.

"Brave, little ninja went through the sandstorm. Hoping to peek at the Ichibi's form."

Sakura kept her eyes in front of her when Gaara drew past her chair and stood behind her, she listened intently as he continued the rhyme.

"Brave, little ninja left no trace beneath the full moon's beam."

Sakura gulped lightly as she felt Gaara place his hands on each side of her chair, his lips lowering themselves next to her ear as he finished.

"Not a whisper...Not a scream..."

Sakura had to stifle herself from shivering, even when Gaara kept his body looming behind her, waiting for her reaction. When he received none, he whispered again for her ears.

"You know, I heard it's based off a true story."

At this remark, Sakura turned her head behind her and narrowed her eyes at Gaara's curious ones. She did not like this toying he was doing with her.

"And what?" She snarled, showing him her disapproval.
"If you're trying to scare me, it won't work. I'm not afraid of you."

Sakura gasped as Gaara whipped himself quickly in front of her, both his hands gripping the handles of her chair as he brought his angry eyes inches away from her shocked face, and trapping her in her seat.

"I am not trying to scare you!" Gaara lowered his voice when he realized his anger was raising his tone.
"However, do not study me like I am your guinea pig. You may think you know and understand me, but you don't and never will."

Gaara stared at her unmoving figure.

"Do not play games with me."

The message was now hitting Sakura hard like a brick to the face. As much as she didn't like his dark words, he did not appreciate her assumptions from earlier. At the thought, Sakura lowered her gaze, ashamed of herself for acting this way, and towards the Kazekage of all people.

"Forgive me, Kazekage-sama." Sakura whispered, her gaze falling to the floor under him.

As her expression saddened and did not return to his, Gaara let out a sound of triumph before drawing back from her chair.

"Hn."

When Gaara slowly made his way back to his chair, pencil in one hand and paper in another, silence settled back into the room once more.

'You idiot.' Inner sneered.
'Why did you test his patience like that?! After the past two nights, you could have triggered something and made him snap. Then you'd really be sorry! Are you even listening to me? Hello?!"

Sakura let out a heavy sigh, closing her eyes in thought. Her memory flashed to the night before, remembering the words she had spoken to Gaara.

"Let me help you. I want to be your friend and understand you. I can be there for you always."

"I'm sorry Kazekage-sama. You are right, I don't know you."

Gaara raised his eyes to Sakura as she spoke, and as well, her eyes lifted to his. A fiery determination in her gaze, one like Naruto's as their eyes locked, and Gaara recognized it.

"But, I'd really like to change that!"

This time Sakura's grin was sincere, and as Gaara realized this, he stared at her with curiosity in his look.

"I'd really like to be your friend." She said with a smile.

"Hn." Gaara did not answer, and instead turned back to his papers, his eyes narrowing.

'Oh yeah...This is going to be a long night.' Inner Sakura sighed.