Chapter Eight

Sakura hummed to herself while unfolding the cloth, not bothered at all when she felt the Kazekage's lingering stare on her.

"Alright." She said to herself, pulling out one of the lunches.
"This one is mine."

Setting the box to the side of the table in front of them, Sakura shifted herself lightly on the couch she was now sitting on before reaching for the other lunch.

"And this," she smiled before handing the lunch off to Gaara, "is yours."

Sakura studied Gaara as he set the lunch on his lap, he stared at it while shifting himself on his end of the couch. He still looked confused to her, deep in thought, and she began to wonder what it was that had made him so muddled. Before she could question him, his eyes returned to hers with his normal stoic look.

"Thank you." He said then began opening the box.

Sakura smiled at his words.

'So that was it then?' She said in her mind.
'He just wasn't sure how to thank me.'

Sakura shrugged before speaking.

"No thanks needed. It's what friends do."

The young lord flinched slightly to her words.

"If this is the proper gesture of friendship," Gaara began to speak, popping his chopsticks in half, "then I will return the favor to you soon."

Sakura's smile grew soft and she chuckled inwardly at his words. She shook her head as she stared at the young man in front of her, and her movement caused him to look up at her once more.

"You still have a lot to learn, Kazekage-sama." Sakura softly said.

Her words had caught Gaara off guard. Never before had anyone told him such a bold statement that when she had said it, his eyes opened wide and his mouth fell. He watched as she snapped her chopsticks in half and began to eat at the rice, he waited for her to hopefully elaborate on her words. When she didn't, he couldn't help but ask.

"What do you mean?"

Sakura brought her eyes up and back to him, a smile on her when she read the confusion riddled in his face.

"Friendship isn't about returning favors, or owing the person back. It's doing something for someone because you genuinely care for the person. Their happiness becomes yours, their sadness becomes your pain." Sakura said, before returning to the food under her.

"If that's the case. I don't think I can be a good friend to you."

Sakura watched as Gaara's gaze narrowed and he stared hard towards the floor under him, again he was in deep thought. As she chewed her food, she thought of his words, of his actions, of all he had shown her. She swallowed her food before speaking.

"You ask of my well-being from time to time. You protected, and continue to watch over, the people of your village with your own life." Sakura's face was solemn as she spoke.
"Don't sell yourself so short when you doubt whether you can care for someone or not."

Sakura's gaze settled on Gaara's when his eyes returned to hers. She could still see doubt in his look, his frown was heavy despite her lifting words.

"You keep bringing food to my room when I don't come down to eat." Sakura smiled, trying to lighten his mood.
"Unless you think of me as a pet you need to take care off, I'd say you're a great friend already."

At her smile, Gaara decided to begin eating the meal she had prepared for the both of them. He would not let her smile fall from him right now. He plucked some meat from the rice and brought it towards his face, eyeing the food.

"I'm not sure what you enjoy eating. All I know is you don't like sweet stuff." Sakura confessed, seeing him stare at the meat.
"I just made something basic, I hope you like it."

At her words, Gaara plopped the food into his mouth, only taking a bite of it before swallowing. After that, he sat staring into the nothingness for some time, not touching his food, which made Sakura cringe.

"That bad huh?" She asked, watching his eyes glaze over slightly.

He shook his head to her question, digging around the rice for another scrap of meat before eating that too.

"I enjoy beef." Gaara said, taking another bite and swallowing hard.
"I prefer eating my meat raw. So for me, the taste of cooked meat is still something I've yet grown to enjoy."

Sakura's eyes bulged to his statement.

"Raw?!" Sakura exclaimed, making sure she had heard right.

As his gaze met hers, he nodded passively, reassuring her of what he had said. At this, Sakura scoffed. Her medical knowledge screaming in her brain now.

"You know there are much higher risks of catching a disease eating meat that way, right?" She asked.

Gaara simply shrugged at her words, eating some of the vegetables off his meal this time.

"I try to limit my consumption of it." Gaara sighed as he stared out towards one of the windows in his room.
"Some days I can't help it though. It's like a craving."

Sakura stared at Gaara, taking in his words. For some reason, the rosette could see the animal in this young lord. Especially when she remembered the way he had attacked her, and others, and the way he lapped at her blood. He had been wild the way he was driven to it. She could remember his predator-like eyes from years ago.

"How carnal." She whispered.

Despite how quiet her voice was, Sakura blushed as Gaara flinched and turned from the window to face her. Her face turned red when he locked questioning eyes to her wide ones.

"Ah!" She chimed, blush deepening.
"I'm so sorry. I-I did not mean to use that word!"

Sakura quickly set her lunch on the table in front of her. Standing up and bowing towards Gaara.

"Forgive my rudeness, Kazekage-sama." Sakura said.

Gaara was silent as he watched her action, and Sakura did not wait on him to return to her seat and pick at her lunch again.

"There is no need to apologize." He said, earning her questioning look again.
"Because of Shukaku, I did pick up on animalistic traits and needs. Eating raw meat is one of them."

Gaara tilted his head after that sentence, another thought possessing him.

"I wonder if it will die away soon since the Ichibi is now gone." He said.

Sakura's blush returned as he spoke. Was he agreeing to what she had labeled him? At her red face, the red-head smirked lightly.

"Eating this dried meat is making me crave those carnal needs even more though." Gaara spoke watching intently at Sakura's reaction.

If wasn't for his quick smirk and emphasis on carnal, Sakura would have dived out of the window and hauled butt back to Konoha at this point. She knew though that he was teasing her again, something she was still surprised to see in the young lord.

"You were right." Sakura lightly huffed, picking up a piece of rice and flinging it playfully towards him.
"You're not very funny."

"What do you mean? I wasn't trying to be funny." Gaara spoke, tilting his head as the rice flew past him.

Sakura threw Gaara a 'yeah right' look before digging once more in her lunch.

"If it's primitive urges you're having because of my food, may I remind you that there's a hoard of willing young woman downstairs." Sakura said, keeping her eyes at her food still.
"I'll be sure to send them up once I leave."

At her words, Gaara went back to picking at his food. The mischief in his eyes leaving completely. There was silence now between the two as they ate, and Sakura half wondered if she had said the wrong thing. She could feel her inner voice kicking her brain.

'You always take it too far!'

"Don't let their presence mold me into someone I am not in your eyes." Gaara finally murmured.

Sakura was slightly taken aback to Gaara's pensive words, her eyes lashed back up to meet with his. However, his gaze stayed glued to the food under him as he took in small bites.

"I'm..." Gaara paused as he tried to figure out the right words.
"I'm not that sort of person. I don't lavish in everything that is now thrown my way. I do not take advantage of others."

Sakura studied Gaara as his eyes remained steady under him, he was waiting for her to speak. She could see that as the silence continued, his body language silently revealed what he was feeling. His back began lowering, she could tell the quiet between them was a negative answer to him, and that she did indeed see him as that sort of person. She thought best to speak up right then and there.

"Never." Sakura finally answered, his gaze returning to hers as she continued.
"I may not know you as well as some, but I do respect you. The title Kazekage fits no other person, than you, in my eyes."

Before her gaze could tear away from his and back to her meal, he spoke out to keep her eyes set on his.

"You still think of me as a friend?"

Sakura was slightly surprised to hear the urgency in his voice. This young man was once someone she detested because he did not even acknowledge her presence, but now seemed distressed that she may not call him friend anymore. Knowing the silence would shake him, she answered quickly this time.

"Of course!" She smiled.

Sakura could see Gaara's body relax to her words before he again ate the food she had prepared for him, she in turn did the same.

"You know..." Sakura spoke again after a few bites, trying to keep up conversation.
"Kankuro met me downstairs."

Gaara's eyes went back up to Sakura as he continued to chew his food, showing her that he was listening.

"When he saw I made you lunch, he mistook me as having the same feelings as they have for you. He thought me now infatuated with you."

At her words, Sakura let out a noisy laugh, she had hoped the story would make Gaara chuckle too. However, he only swallowed hard at the rice he was chewing before keeping his stare intently at the rosette's shaking form. He was now deep in thought as he watched her, again fascinated by her smile and laughter.

"But you know," Sakura continued as her giggles calmed, "I was once like them when I was younger."

After speaking, Sakura turned her head towards one of the round windows, watching the gray sky outside with a small, soft smile on her face. The thought of Sasuke now returning in her mind and sending her into a sort of sad, yet tranquil state. Gaara was quick to notice her now calm look, and something inside him told him to speak out, to return her attention back to him, to remind her that he was in her presence still and not to be ignored.

"Naruto?" He asked.

Sakura's eyes widened as her look returned to Gaara's now narrow stare. It took her a minute to remember what she had told him, and just what it was he was asking her exactly. When she did, she brought a finger up to hide a small snicker.

"No." She shook her head with a smile.
"Naruto was a bother to me when we were younger, but now he is like a brother."

At her words, Sakura was surprised to hear Gaara release a small sigh, and his body seemed to relax a little more. She wondered why before he spoke up again.

"Who then?" Gaara asked, narrow eyes once again piercing into hers.

Sakura inwardly cringed as she thought about who she was speaking of. Why was Gaara so intent on knowing who this person was? She knew she shouldn't be ashamed of herself for who she liked, but felt she might upset the village leader in front of her if she mentioned the raven-haired, young man. Sasuke had sent Gaara into a world of hurt when they were younger. She shifted in her seat uncomfortably, wondering if Gaara even remembered who Sasuke was. Perhaps she could just say his name and the young lord would just shrug it off as another person living in Konoha that he knew nothing about.

'Of course not.' Inner Sakura spoke up.
'You remembered Gaara by the pain he did to you during the Chunin exams. Of course he will remember Sasuke-kun for doing the same. He was there for the rescue mission too! He knows all about Sasuke-kun.'

Sakura could feel the tension in the room grow heavier as time passed. She knew she needed to answer quick, but still uneasy at how Gaara would take it. Would he even go so far to end their new friendship because she was in love with the enemy so to speak?

'Just play dumb!' Inner Sakura spoke, reminding Sakura of the picture of her and her team that she always carried with her.

"Ah well..." Sakura spoke, scratching her cheek and tearing her eyes away from Gaara.
"I'm not sure if you remember him...It's been a few years since I've last seen him...I'll show you a picture of him."

Sakura took a moment to glance back at Gaara, his eyes still narrowed at her in silence. She knew he would not let up until she answered him, so she instead turned and reached for her kunai pack that she had strapped to her thigh. Her fingers rummaging through the small kit as she searched for said photo.

Gaara watched as Sakura bashfully turned from him and reached for her thigh, he wondered for a brief second what her action intended. She opened the side slit of her black Suna attire, and her smooth, pale leg fell out into the open. As his eyes traveled up her leg, and high towards her now visible thigh, Gaara forced himself to avert his eyes. As innocent as the act was, he suddenly felt shameful watching her body spill out of her outfit before him, so instead, he shut his eyes as he listened to the clatter of her weapons bounce around in her pack while she scoured. He reprimanded his brain when the vision he had just seen continued to dance around in his mind, and he suddenly felt a great heat settle in the pit of his stomach. He wondered why this was, as heat was something that should not bother him considering where he lived.

"Damn it!"

At her curse, Gaara opened his eyes and rushed them back to Sakura's form. He watched as she stared at her finger, a small blush on her face.

"What happened?" He asked, noticing her unsettling demeanor.

Sakura did not answer him, instead staring as a small trail of blood began to swim down her finger's length. As she stared, she remembered it was the Kazekage's couch she was sitting on, and that she probably didn't want to stain the white fabric with her crimson blood. She thought fast, sticking her bloody finger into her mouth just as a drop was about to escape her skin. She knew she must look confusing to the young man sitting at the other end of the couch, and her humiliating eyes turned back to his. She was a proud ninja of Konoha, how could she let something so frivolous harm her, and in front of a lord to make things all the more embarrassing.

"Sowwy." She did her best to speak with the finger still in her mouth.
"I cup myshelf wif a kurai."

Gaara raised a brow bone towards her, trying to understand her sentence.

"You cut yourself?" He asked.

As soon as she nodded, Gaara stood himself and strode over to his desk. He opened, and went through, almost all his drawers before pulling out some wrapping cloth and marched his way back towards her. Sakura inwardly cringed as he knelt down in front of her and opened his hand towards her.

"Let me see it." He spoke as his teal eyes locked with hers.
"I'll wrap it for you."

His action caused Sakura to stutter, she was a top medical ninja! She should be able to fix a cut in seconds, she didn't need Gaara thinking her weak and unfit. Quickly she popped her finger out of her mouth to speak.

"I-It's alright!" She stammered.
"I can fix it myself, I just didn't-"

Before she could finish, Gaara took the opportunity to cease her hand gently. Sakura could only watch in silence, and slight amusement, as the red-head molded her hand to have only her index finger stick out towards him.

'This is so embarrassing.' Sakura said in her mind, her blush and eyes still set on Gaara.
'To have anyone do this for me, is humiliating. Probably more so that it's him!'

Despite her thoughts, Sakura was mildly amused to see Gaara do anything nurturing, no matter how small the act was. He was once the definition of destruction and chaos, but now knelt before her with means of helping her. It fascinated her to no end, she could easily admit she knew of no one who had changed themselves in such a small amount time than Gaara. It was all thanks to her friend, Naruto, which made her a little more proud of the blonde.

As that realization hit her, she decided not to speak out and stop him, instead she allowed her finger to be maneuvered by him and set on the small wrap he had found for her. She watched and waited for him to begin bandaging her finger, however, she tilted her head over time as he instead stared attentively at her red finger. She continued to wait, and only speaking out when she noticed the bead of blood beginning to grow.

"Kazekage-sama?" She asked.
"Do you not know how to wrap it?"

Despite her words, Gaara did not turn to look or answer her, he only continued to stare at her finger. Sakura watched curiously when he drew in a breath and exhaled exasperatedly, his breathing after that began to quicken, and the rosette began to feel uneasy to his antic.

"It's alright." She spoke calmly, hoping to reach to him in whatever thought he was now buried in.
"I can heal it myself."

Sakura cautiously, and slowly, began to pull her hand and finger away from him. As soon as she did this movement, she felt Gaara grasp at her wrist, holding her hand in place. The young woman steadied herself when his grip on her tightened. It was a silent warning from him, to her, not to move. When she stilled, he continued and slowly tilted her wrist, eyeing her oozing finger as Sakura's heart began to race.

'What is he doing?' She wondered, watching him exhale loudly again and leaning his face closer to her finger.

Sakura was about to question him and opened her mouth, but quickly shut it when she felt and saw Gaara's movement. Before she could ask, his warm tongue had lapped at the bead of blood. The movement had been quick, like a kitten drinking its milk, but Sakura was certain on what she had seen. Suna's leader had just drank her blood. Sakura began to question the whys and whats in her mind before a dark reality hit her.

This wasn't the first time he had tasted her crimson fluid.

'Is he changing like those other nights?' She thought, her heart pounding even more at the thought of being in danger once again.
'Is he going to attack?!'

Sakura was about to pull back from him and take a fighting stance, but stopped when she caught a glimpse of his teal orbs. His eyes were still fixed intently on the cut on her finger, but unlike the nights he had attacked, Gaara looked serene compared to the wild look he had when he lashed out. She didn't want to pull back and take away his tranquility only for it to be possibly replaced with animosity. So instead, she watched what he watched, her eyes darting back and forth between him and her finger that he looked longingly at.

She was surprised to see him snarl, and a hiss escaped from his throat when the blood began to seep back out from her finger and form another bead.

'Definitely animal...' She thought to herself.

She again grew concern when his snarl never fell, his sharp canines appearing before her once more. As she eyed his sharp fangs, she wondered for a second if Naruto had teeth like his, she had never noticed anything before. Sakura held herself steady, refusing to shiver when he again licked at the small ball of blood. When he finished, his eyes returned to study her finger and Sakura did the same. As seconds passed, no blood came out, and she inwardly sighed and hoped that this awkward feast would now end.

Gaara, too, seemed to notice that she had no more red juice to let up, and his eyes left her finger to lock with her curious look. As they stared into one another, it never crossed him at what he had just done to her, he instead remembered where her finger had been before he had taken a hold of it. How it had settled in her mouth and tongue first.

"Do you still have the taste of blood in your mouth?" He asked, necessity dripping from his words.

Sakura could only gawk at him lightly, trying to take in his question while she found herself drowning in his gaze. What was it he was asking exactly? Had it yet to faze him what personal antic he had just committed against her?

As she remained silent, it was Gaara who slowly began to rise himself. His eyes continued to remain glued to hers, even when he towered over her sitting form. Sakura watched curiously still when he began to lean towards her, his face coming closer to hers, and her eyes widened as he set his arms to each side of her, trapping her in her spot on the couch.

"Kazekage-sama?" Sakura breathed as his eyes kept her look trapped with his.

Sakura was still clueless as to what the young man had asked her, and also what his intention was now, but as his face came closer and he was beginning to narrow the gap between them, Sakura studied his eyes once more. She could see they weren't crazed or wild like the nights he attacked, but there was definitely something clouding his vision, thus probably clouding his mind she assumed. He looked tranquil, yet there was a desperate need of something in his orbs, and Sakura again wondered on what it was he was planning.

This was an act she had never found herself in, and it surprised her greatly that the main role was being played by Gaara. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she remembered a raven-haired young man, and that she always held hope his eyes would look at her the same way, Gaara was, one day. The remembrance of Sasuke was quickly lost however when Gaara again spoke, his breath heavy and his face still inching towards her.

"Open your mouth."

His demand had almost swept past Sakura's head when she watched him slowly lick his bottom lip. That small action itself sent a pleasurable shiver up her body. Never before had someone looked and acted this way towards her, and it excited her. That was until his words finally hit her.

'Wait a minute...Open my mouth?' She thought, her eyes narrowing in confusion.

It was that moment Sakura mentally kicked herself. What in the world was she doing? This was disrespectful to both her and Gaara, who obviously was not in the right state of mind. Surely he wouldn't ask this of her. She should have stopped him the minute he tasted her blood, how could she become so hypnotized by him? It baffled her.

'He's exotic, but I barely just became friends with him. Don't act this way!' Sakura voiced in her mind.
'What would Sasuke-kun think of me right now?'

It was those thoughts that Sakura growled in annoyance at both herself, and Gaara. He still had her trapped in her spot, but Sakura shot her angry eyes towards him.

"Kazekage-sama." Sakura sternly spoke, hoping her voice would reach him.
"This is very inappropriate."

She knew it was not Gaara's fault, just the side of him he had just explained to her earlier as they ate. She knew she would forgive him for all this whether he apologized to her now or later, but still she balled her fist. She was ready to strike if he did not decease. Kazekage or not, she would send him into a world of pain if his mouth made contact with hers. Sakura's fist tightened when Gaara continued his advance, not taking in her words.

'Hopefully this doesn't start a war between the two villages.' Sakura thought, readying her punch before hearing a knock on the door.

As the small knock echoed, Sakura watched as Gaara's dim eyes began to glow more brightly. It seemed the knock had reached his ears, and mind, for a quick gasp escaped him and he hurriedly pushed himself away from Sakura. His look was disheveled and puzzled as he stared wide eyed at the rosette, who in turn had her eyes set on the ground below them. Their breaths were both short and heavy while their hearts and thoughts raced.

"Haruno, I-" Gaara began, but was cut off as the pounding of the door started up again.

Before anymore could be said, the door slowly opened, and a familiar blonde intruded into the room.

"Gaara-aa." She said with a song in her voice.
"Kankuro told me Sakura was here and..."

Temari stopped herself when she caught a glimpse of her brother and friend. She could tell by their eyes, breathing, and silence that something amiss had just happened and quickly she narrowed her eyes at Gaara.

"What happened?" Temari spat.

At her harsh words, Gaara slightly flinched, he was reminded his sister was now in their presence and whipped his eyes away from Sakura to Temari. As his gaze met hers, his eyes narrowed to match his sister's intimidating look, and quickly he straightened his back and composed himself.

"Leave." He ordered Temari.

Despite her brother's order, Temari refused, her tone matching his.

"Not until you tell me what happened."

At Temari's words, Sakura swallowed hard and did her best to end her shivering body. Her eyes went up to see brother and sister staring one another down. She had to commend Temari for her bravery, or perhaps it was because she no longer had any fear from her brother that she stood up to him. Whichever the case, Sakura decided to speak up.

"Nothing happened. We were just having some lunch."

At her words, Temari looked at Sakura. The rosette could tell by her friend's look that she wasn't buying it, so instead, Sakura quickly turned to Gaara.

"Kazekage-sama, would you mind bringing us some water? I forgot to pack us some drinks with our lunch."

Gaara's narrow eyes turned to Sakura as she spoke, and as their gazes locked, she could see the guilt and worry riddled in his angry, masked eyes. Perhaps he thought their friendship over for his actions? Sakura could see in his look that he wanted to properly apologize, the reason he wanted to send Temari away.

"Please." She began again, noticing Gaara did not move or acknowledge her request.
"My friend."

Though his eyes remained thin, Sakura saw them twitch to her use of the word friend, and slowly he made his way towards the door. She was beginning to realize Gaara took their new friendship very seriously. It was cute in a way, that he did much to please his new friend.

"I'll be back." He said, before opening and closing the door behind him.

Sakura couldn't even take a moment to sigh before Temari hounded in on her.

"What happened?!" She practically barked, though her eyes were full of worry for Sakura.

Sakura couldn't help but let a smile escape as she remembered what indeed had just happened. The rosette eyed the small cut on her finger before showing it to Temari.

"I cut myself, and he began to lick the blood off. I wasn't in any danger, he just caught me by surprise. Himself too, I guess. Don't worry, everything is alright."

Sakura watched as Temari grimaced before sighing, her palm coming up to rest against her heart.

"You guys had me so worried." Temari explained.
"I thought he had attacked you or something..."

Sakura remained silent as she saw Temari calm her nerves, as soon as she did, she took a seat next to Sakura.

"Something about blood excites him." Temari confessed for her brother.
"This isn't the first time he's done something like this, but it definitely has been awhile since."

"He was just telling me how the Ichibi drove certain needs into him." Sakura murmured, listening to Temari hum at her words.

There was silence between the two now, and as time passed, Temari decided to change the subject.

"Why did you call my brother friend?" Temari asked, raising an eyebrow towards Sakura.

Sakura again let a small smile escape as she stared at the cut on her finger, rubbing it lightly with her thumb.

"Last night during our session, I asked him If we could be friends." Sakura spoke and took a moment to lock with Temari's eyes.
"It took some convincing, but I finally got him to agree."

As Temari took in Sakura's words, she couldn't help but smirk.

"Friend." Temari whispered, eyeing the ceiling above her.
"You have no idea how deep of word that is for Gaara. More so the actual thing."

Sakura remained silent, studying her finger again before listening some more to Temari.

"Please be patient with my younger brother. I think he is still learning what that word means and entitles. He will be careful, but that doesn't mean he won't slip up at times." Temari inhaled, her calm smile growing.
"He's called Naruto friend for years, but to actually be in the presence of a friend for a long period of time has yet to happen to him. I wonder if this is all exciting to him."

Sakura's eyes widen to Temari's words.

"Surely not." Sakura spoke.
"I'm nothing special. He even tried to send me away when I brought him lunch today."

Temari chuckled.

"He doesn't want you to see him slip up and fall like he did just now. Like I said, he will be careful, probably even more so now, but be patient. Perhaps he can learn to open up more from this experience."

Sakura sighed and stared out the window. It suddenly felt like a lot more pressure to have this new friend in her life.

"Thank you again, Sakura." Temari said.
"You're doing so much for Gaara. It means a lot to Kankuro and I. I know we're not out of the clear yet, but having a peaceful night yesterday was reassuring. Seeing him let you call him friend also makes me feel better. My little brother, to me, deserves the world now after the hell everyone put him through."

Sakura watched Temari's happy look before hearing the door knob rattle and turn, and both their heads turned to the source. As the door opened, Sakura's heart stopped. Though the absence had been short, seeing Gaara again suddenly made her grow nervous. She blamed what happened earlier for that anxiety, wondering how he would now act towards her. In her mind, she wondered if Gaara felt this same way. If his heart was racing, or if he felt just as nervous as her to see one another again. She held her breath in as a figure stepped in.