Chapter Nine

Sakura couldn't help but stare at Gaara when he stepped back into his office, he carried a bottle of water in each of his hands. Before he let the door close behind him, he nudged the wooden frame with his hip and a figure behind him used this opportunity to hold the entryway open.

"I got it, Gaara." Kankuro's voice entered the room now.

As both figures moved into the room, Sakura let out her breath and smiled towards Kankuro. When their eyes locked, the puppeteer grinned back.

"Yo!" Kankuro said, gesturing to both his sister and Sakura.

Before Sakura could greet back, Temari intervened.

"Where have you been?!"

"What?" Kankuro drawled, knowing he was about to be lectured.
"I've been busy."

Kankuro took a moment to stuff his hands into his pocket, drawing closer to the couch the girls sat on and sending Temari a bored expression to her angry one.

"Liar!" Temari said, wrinkling her nose.
"You're suppose to be helping me plan this event!"

"I am!" Kankuro retorted.

"Liar!"

Sakura sighed as she listened and watched the two siblings argue, though she didn't have a clue as to what they were referring to, the scene in front of her was all too familiar. She was reminded greatly of herself with Naruto when he didn't follow some of her more simple orders. With thoughts of Naruto coming to mind, Sakura groaned and let her eyes travel to the floor beneath her. She could still hear the two sand siblings arguing, but her thoughts were solely of her friends back home and how she missed each of one them dearly.

'I wonder what everyone is doing right now.' She thought to herself.

Sakura felt homesick, but the feeling quickly vanished when a bottle of water entered her vision. Gaara shook the bottle lightly to get her attention and the rosette's surprised gaze swept from the floor and back up to him. She stared at his passive eyes while he remained silent, though, the room was still loud thanks to Kankuro and Temari. Sakura took a moment to study Gaara's apathetic gaze, wondering if she could see his hidden feelings. When her look lingered, Gaara again shook the bottle towards her and Sakura realized then she was letting her stare on for too long. Slowly she reached and pulled the bottle out of his hand. Her eyes went back up to Gaara and she genuinely smiled towards him, wanting to show him she held no ill-will despite what he had done.

"Thank you." She mouthed.

At her quiet gratitude, Gaara simply nodded, and Sakura again wondered what feelings he now had. Especially since she couldn't read him at the moment. There was still much she had to learn and understand of this young lord. He was still very much concealed to her.

Good thing she liked a good mystery.

When he turned from her, Sakura opened her bottle of water and took a drink. While she drank, her eyes watched Gaara trudge towards Temari, and he repeated the same motion that he had done with Sakura. He nudged the bottle lightly towards his sister, it was a silent offering. Though she was still fuming at Kankuro, Temari must have caught the notion out of the corner of her eye, for she fiercely snatched the bottle out of Gaara's hand and downed the drink fast. Temari did not turn to her younger brother or thank him, her eyes were set at Kankuro while they argued still, and Sakura continued to watch as Gaara now marched over to his desk. The minute he sat down, he reached for a piece of paper and pencil and began to read over it, no doubt returning to his duties for the day. Sakura noticed then he had not gotten himself something to drink.

'So selfless.' Sakura thought.

As Sakura eyed each sibling, she then noticed how out of place she was while she awkwardly sat there.

'Perhaps it's time for me to go.'

Sakura reached for the empty boxes she had put the lunches in, settling them back into the cloth and wrapping them up. Her motion must have been loud, for Temari turned from Kankuro to watch Sakura.

"Oh, Sakura!" Temari exclaimed, noticing the girl was preparing to leave.
"Before you go, I wanted to ask you something."

Sakura turned towards the sand-blonde, a small smile on her face telling Temari silently to go ahead and ask.

"What size dress do you wear?" Temari grinned.
"I was thinking of having us wear matching dresses! Sound good to you?"

Sakura tilted her head at the young woman's puzzling words.

"Huh?" Sakura narrowed her eyes in confusion.
"Dresses? For what?"

At Sakura's words, Kankuro spat before letting out an obnoxious laugh.

"You haven't even told her yet?!" He said through his laughs and eyed Temari.
"And you brag you're on top of everything!"

Temari blushed at Kankuro's harsh words, she sneered as she sent him an unpleasant look.

"Shut up!" She demanded.
"I only forgot because I've been busy dealing with the work you promised to help with!"

Before an argument could start up again, Temari turned back to Sakura, her look softening.

"I'm so sorry I didn't mention anything." Temari began.
"There will be a formal event tomorrow night in honor of our new council member."

"Everyone likes a reason to party!" Kankuro added in.
"Shows the village we're in a good place."

Temari rolled her eyes to her brother's words.

"Yes, well..." Temari cleared her throat before returning to Sakura.
"You're welcome to join us if you like. I guess somewhere in my mind I thought I had asked you already, I was thinking we could wear similar dresses!"

Temari again grinned towards the rosette, however, her face began to fall when she noticed Sakura was biting her inner cheek and deep in thought.

"I don't know..." Sakura said, thoughts plaguing her mind.
"It's very nice of you all to invite me, but I don't know if I have a right to be there."

"Huh?" Kankuro muttered.
"What would make you think that? Everyone from the village is welcome. Most just come by and drop off gifts and welcome the new member. Others will stay for the food and dance."

Kankuro scratched his nose, hoping Sakura would see the fun in the event and change her mind. When he noticed her eyes fall to the ground he decided to speak up again.

"I've been helping a lot with the planning. I promise you'll have fun."

Sakura shook her head and smiled once again at the two siblings.

"I have no doubt it will be fun, but..." Sakura said while scratching the back of her head, her eyes again falling from the two.
"It sounds more like a Sunagakure event for it's people. I'm from Konoha, so I don't think I really belong there."

"Is that your reason?!" Temari barked.
"Sakura you are so formal and appropriate as a shinobi. You need to let loose once in a while, no better place to do that than here!"

Sakura this time scratched her cheek, embarrassed at what Temari had said of her and of her suggestion.

"I know you guys won't judge me, I'm just worried that others will. I don't want anyone thinking ill of you guys because you let the outsider join in on the fun." Sakura spoke.

Kankuro this time was the one to gawk at Sakura's words.

"Outsider?!" He boomed, upset that Sakura would label herself as such.
"Suna and Konoha have been allies for years now, have you forgotten that? The people of this village know this as well, especially after you all helped to save Gaara. Nobody will think bad of us or you. We'll make sure of that."

Sakura hummed to herself upon hearing Kankuro's convincing words. She wondered if in her conscience would mentally allow her to attend. She had been placed in this village for work, but perhaps a night of play would be okay in her book.

"I suppose I can welcome and congratulate the new member on behalf of Konoha." Sakura said with thought.

At her words, both Temari and Kankuro leaned in towards the rosette.

"Is that a yes?" Temari asked, hope in her eyes.

Sakura had to avert her gaze to the ground and away from Temari's silent pleading. She bit her lip in thought still before turning her eyes towards Gaara's desk. She was mildly shocked when her look was snatched up by Gaara's intent stare on her. It seemed he had stopped his work midway through to listen to her answer. Perhaps he too hoped she would join them she thought. The evidence being more clear to her when he flinched to her gaze, noticing she had caught him, and he quickly returned to his work. At his action, Sakura smiled softly at him before turning back to the other two.

"Yes!" She grinned.

Both siblings sighed and grinned in return.

"You'll have a good time, I promise. I've put a lot of work into it." Kankuro added.

Temari clapped her hands and let out a small laugh.

"We can help each other get ready for the party, this is going to be so much fun!"

Sakura again blushed at everyone's merry mood, it hadn't dawned on her that she had impacted their lives so much as this. At her refusal, she figured the siblings would simply shrug it off and nothing more, but instead they had surprised her by doing their best to convince her to go. Sakura smiled again and turned to face Gaara, who was nose deep in his paperwork.

"I guess this means no session tomorrow night." Sakura spoke.

Sakura quickly snapped her head away from Gaara and back to Temari when she heard the sand-blonde shout.

"Ah!" Temari exclaimed, taking a good look at the dark bags under Sakura's eyes.
"No session tonight either! There is no way your body will let you have any fun if you go tomorrow without a proper nights rest."

Sakura sighed at Temari's words, fatigue once more reminding her that it still lingered and plagued her. However, she knew she could push herself, especially for her new friend's sake.

"We appreciate all that you're doing, and we're all anxious to have Gaara's insomnia cured. You're really pushing yourself though when it comes to sleep. Have you even had a good night's rest since Gaara was kidnapped?"

"I'll be alright." Sakura commented.
"If I can just get a few hours in before tonight and tomorrow, I think I'll-"

"I will not be coming home tonight."

Sakura, Temari, and Kankuro all turned towards the red-head when he chose to finally speak out.

"You won't?" Kankuro asked, tilting his head with concern.
"That's a first. You always-"

"I, too, have a lot of work to do for tomorrow's preparations." Gaara finished, eyeing each one of them before turning his eyes back to his paper.
"The sessions will have to continue at a later date."

The room was quiet as all three stared at the working village leader.

"Well then..." Temari was the first to speak up, surprised too at her younger brother's actions.
"I guess that means you'll be able to catch up on your sleep tonight, Sakura."

Sakura decided then that she had no strength to argue, and instead simply nodded at Temari. The sand-blonde quickly shook off her surprised look and smiled again at Sakura.

"Don't worry about what to wear. Just tell me what colors you like, and I'll handle the rest."

"It's fine." Sakura laughed.
"I can buy my own dress. You all spoil me too much!"

Kankuro this time grinned at Sakura before turning to his sister.

"I'd say pink and red are her colors. Green too, yeah?" He said with his grin widening at Sakura's shocked face.

"I think you're right. You have a good eye there little bro." Temari's grin grew along with Kankuro's.

Sakura sighed at the two once again. Knowing she had no fight in her at the moment and instead rubbed her forehead.

"I promise," Sakura began, "to pay you all back one day. Somehow."

"You already are." Kankuro added, a calm smile on him as he nodded his head towards the side.

Sakura followed his nod and ended back towards Gaara. The young lord continued his work while Sakura eyed him momentarily before falling her gaze back on Kankuro. She nodded to him in understanding. However, she still made a mental note to herself to treat the siblings someday for their overabundance hospitality.

"I think that takes care of everything..." Temari said while tapping her chin in thought and eyes towards the ceiling above.
"Oh! One more thing!"

Sakura's eyes widened slightly as Temari threw the young woman a sly grin. She knew whatever question the sand woman was about to ask her would be unsettling.

"Sakura," Temari began in almost a purr, "I know you've only been here a short while, but is there anyone you've met that you'd be interested in bringing along?"

Sakura could feel herself blush while Temari wiggled her eyebrows up and down. Definitely an unsettling question.

"Eh?" Sakura tried to play dumb.
"You mean like a...date?"

"I'm simply asking so I can set the proper sitting arrangements." Temari said, her mischievous grin continuing to grow, but she was curious if Sakura had a secret lover in the village.

Sakura took a moment to sigh and hunch her shoulders. She was sadly reminded of the love life she did not have. Again, a picture of the raven-haired young man she hadn't seen in years painted itself in her mind.

'Yeah, I lost my date about three years ago. Be a dear and fetch him for me so I don't have to attend alone.' Sakura moaned in her mind.

"I-I don't..." Sakura tried her best to announce with confidence.

She didn't want anyone there to think little of her because the absence of a certain man in her life affected her happiness.

"Do I need to find one?" Sakura asked, forcing a smile.
"I don't want to be the only one there alone without a date if you all have one."

Sakura watched as Temari opened her mouth to speak, but Kankuro cut her off as he took a step in front of Temari and shielded his older sister.

"You can be mine, Sakura." Kankuro smirked.

Sakura sneered at the man in front of her and was about to decline when a loud snap filled the room. Again, all eyes turned to Gaara, and at a now broken pencil falling from his grip.

"Oi, you alright, Gaara?" Kankuro asked.
"Why you gripping the pencil that hard?"

Gaara simply ignored his brother's question, and turned to one of his drawers in search for a new writing utensil.

"Apologies." Gaara simply stated before returning to his work.

"Don't go hurting yourself." Kankuro whispered before turning his grin back to Sakura.

Sakura quickly recognized his look, and again wrinkled her nose. She was reminded of Naruto's persistence.

"Absolutely not." Sakura answered.

"Aw, don't be like that. I'll be sure to show you a good-"

Temari was the one to cut her brother off as she roughly shoved him away from her line of sight.

"She said no, Kankuro!" Temari too sneered at him.
"Besides, I heard you promising to take a few of those girls downstairs. Go be sleazy with them, and leave Sakura alone. I won't let you taint her."

Sakura couldn't help but laugh heartily at Temari's words. She was grateful that the sand-blonde stuck up for her against her brother, and Sakura wondered if this is what it felt like to have an older sister. It felt nice to be watched over. As her laughing died down, Temari again turned to Sakura.

"I don't have a date either." Temari confessed, easing Sakura's worry from before.
"I doubt Gaara has one either. Right, Gaara?"

At her question, Temari turned to her youngest brother and waited for his answer. Gaara chose not to verbally reply, and instead slowly shook his head to answer his sister no while he continued to write.

"You see?" Temari said and turned back to the rosette.
"So don't worry about it Sakura. It will be a fun night no matter what."

Sakura sent Temari a smile.

"Thank you." Sakura said, before turning towards a pouting Kankuro.
"Sorry if I hurt your feelings."

Sakura kept her smile as Kankuro simply shrugged to her apology.

"No need to apologize." Kankuro spoke as he turned towards the door.
"Temari's right. It be a shame to sully something as pure as you."

At his words, Sakura blushed before sticking her tongue out towards Kankuro as he sent her a wink. She knew she was being teased once again.

"I wouldn't be so impressed with myself if I were you." Sakura exchanged his same teasing.

Kankuro let out a boisterous laugh when he heard Sakura's words. He could always appreciate a fiery woman who didn't back down. His laughter continued as he exited out of the room.

"I guess that's all I needed to ask you." Temari said as she lifted herself from the couch.

Temari stretched her back and sighed before turning to eye Gaara, again she let out a sigh before facing back to Sakura. As Sakura met her gaze, she could easily spot her wariness to leave the pink-haired girl alone.

"Do you want to come with me?" Temari offered.
"I was going to get some training in before I head home."

Sakura's heart sang when she heard the word training. It had been a few days since she practiced, and she knew both her body, and mind, were overdue for some exercise. However, the more she thought on it, the more heavy her body felt, she felt her legs were now made of lead. She really didn't have the energy to put in her one hundred percent. Besides exhaustion being her excuse, she eyed Gaara. It was probably best she stay and the two have a talk about what happened earlier. Sakura smiled and shook her head when her eyes met Temari's.

"Nn. I don't think my body is quite up for it yet."

Temari again eyed Sakura with worry, but the rosette sent her a reassuring look.

"Then," Temari sighed, "I'll see you at the house later."

Temari again stretched her back before walking towards the door.

"If I don't see you later, I'll see you tomorrow, Gaara." Temari said with a soft smile.
"Please don't overdue it tonight. You need to be energetic for tomorrow."

"Hn." Gaara simply answered, which Temari chuckled lightly at.

Like Kankuro, Temari's chuckle disappeared as she closed the door behind her, and the room was once again filled with silence. Save for Gaara's scribbling. Sakura let out an exaggerated breath while she watched Gaara eying his door with deep interest, she knew he was listening for Temari's footsteps to be completely gone before speaking to her. Slowly, the rosette stood herself and stretched her back as well, trying to push aside her exhaustion for a little while longer. She stepped towards Gaara with a smile when his eyes left the door and hurriedly to Sakura. His narrow gaze softened when he took sight of her and her smile.

"Forgive me." He quickly began.
"What happened earlier was-"

Sakura waved her hand to notion him to stop which, surprisingly, he did. His eyes still settled on her calm mood.

"You didn't have to demonstrate what you told me about yourself earlier. I believed you." Sakura tried to joke to lighten Gaara's apprehensive look.

Despite her antic, Gaara still swallowed hard and Sakura could see his uneasiness still.

"I'm sorry." He began again.

To his apology, Sakura's eyes widened for a moment. She knew he had a way of playing around that sentence, asking for forgiveness in more proper and different ways. She was taken lightly aback to hear him flat out say it, and to her nonetheless. She knew if she continued to gawk at him in silence, then it would disconcert him. She had learned that a closed mouth was a negative answer to him in his mind.

"It's alright." Sakura spoke while nodding towards him.
"It's lucky you explained these traits to me before, otherwise I would have thought you were trying to eat me or something!"

Sakura chuckled to herself softly at her words, simply shrugging when she could see Gaara found no humor in them

"I have no excuse." Gaara said again when Sakura's chuckle ceased.

Sakura, however, smirked in thought to his words.

"I thought you said eating my dried cooking gave you those cravings."

At her words, Gaara's eyes softened.

"I was trying to make a joke." He commented.

Sakura stuck her tongue out at the young lord. He still had yet to learn of her teasing.

"I know it was." She smiled.
"You have to know when I am too."

Sakura sighed as she stepped closer towards the red-head's desk. She settled her hand on the corner of his desk to support her lightly while she looked out one of the windows and at the dark clouds outside.

"Like I said," Sakura said with a smile, "you have a lot to learn, Kazekage-sama."

Gaara winced for a second time to Sakura's words. He wasn't sure why, but she made it sounds like he was already failing at their new friendship. Then again, after what had happened earlier, he was certain the young woman wanted none and if anything, very little, of him now.

"I'm forgiven then?" He stated while trying to wipe any type of emotion from his voice.

He stared at Sakura as she stared longingly out the window, wondering what it was that was now swimming in her mind.

"Of course." She whispered, her eyes still fixed to the outside world.

"And, we are still friends?" Gaara asked the minute she answered.

At his quick words, Gaara mentally cursed himself. Again he had spoken without thinking, and hated how desperate he felt when he asked her this for the second time today. A part of him didn't want this pink-haired kunoichi thinking he was dependent on her friendship and recognition. These types of things never worked out in his favor most of his life, and he knew he should be pushing the young woman away before she hurt him like others in his past. The other part of him, however, reminded him of what Naruto had taught him. That pushing people away in the beginning had been his biggest downfall. She had asked him for his trust earlier, and he had agreed. Despite how short-lived this situation was, he couldn't deny there was an unfamiliar, small, bond between them, and that he would fight to keep it. To keep the smile she had for him.

Sakura's head had snapped quickly from the window and back to Gaara at his questioning of their friendship. When she met his intent stare, her bewildered look quickly softened to that of tranquil and she smiled.

'He is so cautious.' Sakura said in her mind.

Sakura was reminded of Temari's words when she had asked Sakura to be patient with her little brother, and Sakura could now see why. He was easy to think his actions had dire consequences, for it was the second time he needed her reassurance today. Sakura decided then that maybe she needed to put in a little more effort to ease his troubled mind. She began to hum in thought as her eyes traveled towards the ceiling.

"Friendship is...me being there to help pick you up when you trip and fall."

Sakura had to suppress a giggle when she noticed Gaara's eyes angrily narrowing towards her. She knew her words had confused him, and her answer did not suffice to his question.

"Just because you fell earlier, doesn't mean I'm just going to walk past you and forget you."

Sakura watched as Gaara's eyes twitched to her words. His tightened look began to loosen when he finally understood what Sakura was saying.

"I just hope you'll be there to catch me when I slip up." Sakura bashfully grinned, slightly embarrassed by her choice words.

His answer was quick and without hesitation.

"I'm sure you've had friends and bonds since your childhood. I doubt you will slip up like I have." Gaara commented.

Sakura was about to differ, to remind him that nobody was perfect, but was stopped when Gaara continued.

"But if it somehow does happen. I will help you back up."

To his words, Sakura sent Gaara a thanks through her brightening smile. She could see his eyes soften to her look before he buried them back to the work under him. Sakura knew she should take her leave now and leave the young lord to his work, but something inside her didn't want to part just yet. So instead, she spoke to keep conversation, hoping he would not send her away just yet despite how busy he surely was.

"Is the event tomorrow as fun as your brother and sister make it out to be?" Sakura asked, smile still on her face.

To her question, Gaara shrugged and continued on his work.

"I suppose. There is people, food and dancing. Most people find all those things fun."

Sakura hummed to Gaara's answer. To her, it seemed the young village leader found the entire situation tedious given his tone of voice. However, she knew he had an obligation to be there.

"Food huh?" Sakura whispered as she stared up above her in thought of Suna's different foods.
"I wonder if there will be cake."

"I have no doubt." Gaara answered.

At this, Sakura's smile grew into a grin and she turned once more to Gaara.

"Really?!"

At her booming question, Gaara lifted his eyes from his work to Sakura's delighted green eyes. He nodded slowly to answer yes, and Sakura sighed in happiness.

"It's been so long since I've had cake. Now I have a sudden craving for it."

Gaara continued to watch Sakura in silence as her eyes twinkled in front of her. It was a look he had yet to see on her and her smile and eyes seemed to light up more, and again he felt his chest give a small ache before he forced himself to speak to distract his mind from the burning feeling.

"You like cake?" He asked, his gaze softening at Sakura's glinting pupils.

At his question, Sakura calmed herself and smiled softly before turning her eyes away from Gaara and back outside to the rolling clouds.

"I'm the opposite of you." Sakura began, earning a raised brow bone from Gaara.
"Sweets are my favorite. It's been a while since I've had any."

Sakura sighed as she rested her bottom on the corner of Gaara's desk, something the young Kazekage did not seem to mind, and smiled one last time towards the window. Gaara simply watched her movement, the thought of her being his complete opposite danced in his mind before he returned to his work.

He would never openly admit it, but her presence made his mood all the more calm and his work seem the more simple. He half wondered that if Shukaku was still in his mind, if the beast would berate him for letting this young woman have an effect like this on him.

"Do you think it will rain tonight?" Sakura asked as some time in silence went on between the two.

At her question, Gaara too looked out the window she was looking at, studying the clouds and the knowledge he had grown up learning.

"It's unlikely tonight." He admitted.
"Perhaps within the next day or two."

Sakura straightened her back as she let herself slide down from Gaara's desk, and he watched her as she sprawled her arms out wide and stretched her back. A small yawn escaping her before her frame settled back down.

"I can't wait. Back home it rains a lot, so I've sort have missed it."

To her confession, Gaara remained silent, instead his eyes followed her as she marched towards the table and picked up the sack she had brought the lunches in.

"I suppose I should leave you to your work."

Gaara mentally scolded himself the second after his mind begged him to ask her to stay. He refused to believe he had grown so dependent of Sakura in such a short time. He was a respected, feared, and proud leader. Her departure should mean nothing to him he repeated in his mind. However, as he watched her rub the sleep away from her eyes, his stomach again sank. Something inside him growled that she was vulnerable to anyone in her now tired state and that he protect her.

"Would you like me to escort you back home?" The words slipped out of Gaara's mouth.

Sakura spun on her heels at the offer, sending the young lord another one of her soft smiles.

"Nn." She shook her head.
"I need to pick up some things at the market before I head home anyway. I know you're busy and don't have time for that."

"I can make time." Gaara exclaimed, cursing himself mentally again at his sudden outbursts.

Sakura's eyes widened surprisingly at his words. He had just told his siblings earlier that he had no time to return home tonight, yet he had hours to spare to shop with her. Sakura then realized that he was once again being over generous towards her.

"I'll be fine." She smiled at him.
"We can visit the market together when you're less busy."

At her words, Gaara nodded towards the pink-haired girl, calming his mind while scolding it that indeed he had work to finish. Besides, the promise she had just made mellowed him, and he admitted to himself he would be happy when that day came. He eyed the lunches in her hand before his eyes traveled back up to her.

"Thank you for all you have done for me today." Gaara said in almost a whisper, though Sakura caught it with ease.

"My pleasure. Next time I'll make sure to cook the meat a little less." Sakura chuckled, watching as Gaara tilted his head slightly.

"There will be a next time?" He asked, and Sakura could see curiosity light up in his eyes.

"Of course!" She beamed with a smile and no hesitation.
"After all, that's what friends do."

As Sakura took in Gaara's staring and gawking look, curiosity and confusion written all over his face, she ceased the moment to head towards the door. She reached for knob before turning one last time towards Gaara.

"Bye-bye, Kazekage-sama." She smiled.
"I'll see you tomorrow."

With that, Sakura exited and began her slow march towards Suna's market. Her mind now set on the item she knew she now had to search for and locate. Hopefully with ease so she could return back to Gaara's home soon and rest up for tomorrow. She hoped the night would be calm and let her catch up on her missed days of rest.

Gaara stared at the door for some time after Sakura's departure. Thoughts and wonder plaguing his mind now of what Sakura was so set to go and do, and what she would do when she returned home; Though, he knew he would not see her until tomorrow. Before returning to the no ending work under him, he spoke softly.

"See you tomorrow, my friend."