Chapter Twenty-two

It came to no surprise for Sakura when she awoke alone in Gaara's bed. Despite the dark clouds outside, the young woman knew it was much later in the day than morning.

'I have to stop sleeping in like this.' Sakura thought bitterly.

Despite how late into the night she had finally succumbed to sleep, it irked her that she would let herself sleep so late into the afternoon while Gaara, who barely slept, could be in his office before the crack of dawn. She was also slightly disappointed the redhead had slipped away without her noticing. Their interactions and new relationship had been exciting thus far that she had wanted to savor as much of it as she could. As long as she could manage last night, she did her best to stay awake along with Gaara. Listening to him as much as he listened to her, kisses here and there, and a cuddle that only ended when he set out to his work.

The rosette let a happy sigh escape her at the remembrance of it all. She was also happy to feel that she no longer had those dwelling questions plaguing her like she did yesterday. In the end, Gaara had eased her mind and admitted that he was willing to see where this lead to just as much as he was. However, there was still one little problem she needed to get off her chest.

'Thinking Sasuke-kun is a little problem, I don't know if that's a good sign or if you're just delusional.' Inner remarked.

Scooting herself to the edge of the bed, Sakura stared hard at the floor under her. There was no debate in her mind that she needed to tell Gaara about Sasuke today, but it frightened her to think what reaction the young lord may have. She had already lost Sasuke, she wasn't sure how much pain her heart could handle if she lost Gaara as well. She was worried that only hurt and rejection would come from Gaara if she even breathed Sasuke's name in his presence.

"It's sad that love has to come with hurt." Sakura mumbled to herself.
"Does everyone go through this hardship, or just me? Maybe I'm not meant to have anyone."

Sakura sighed sourly towards the ground again, losing herself in her deep thoughts while listening to the heavy rainfall outside. Where had this sadness come from, she thought suddenly to herself. Something in her mind was berating her about Sasuke, but another part of her was telling her she should be happy, that she never sulked like this in front of the redhead, and never needed to again. Gaara had made her a promise to see how far they could take this relationship, that he was willing to give her a chance. Something Sasuke never did. The young Kazekage had committed himself to making this long-distance relationship work, saying he would put his work behind him if just to visit her for a night. Sasuke, meanwhile, had run away with no promise, or intention, of returning.

'I don't want to paint Sasuke-kun as the bad guy. He is still, and always will be, a valuable friend.' Sakura thought.
'But now I think how odd of me it was to say him and Gaara were alike. They're completely different.'

'Gaara's a good guy.' Inner piqued lightly.
'...Don't hurt him.'

Sakura bit her lip hard to that thought and brought her head up to meet the door with a narrow gaze.

"I'll never hurt him like Sasuke-kun hurt me. He deserves better than that."

Standing herself, Sakura stretched her back and arms before marching out of the room and down to the kitchen. She wasn't sure what she was suppose to do this day now that Gaara's sessions were on a permanent hold. She still had to wait on his decision, but something inside of her knew that the young man would not ask for her help with his insomnia anytime soon.

'Is this it then?' She wondered.
'Do I just pack up and leave?'

Even if her mission was a success, stopping Gaara's dangerous episodes, a part of her dreaded leaving behind the redhead. She guessed that it would be Gaara's call when she would return back to Konoha, but unless he needed some sort of help from her that no one else could give, then she had no reason to stay. Remembering her family and friends, Sakura's smiled lightly.

'It'll be nice to see them all again.' She thought.
'At first I was homesick, but it's been awhile since I've thought of them. I wonder if they miss me.'

While reminiscing on her friends, Sakura didn't even hear the voices coming from the kitchen until she stepped into room.

"Ah!" She chimed when she spotted the oldest two sand siblings.
"You guys are back?"

Sakura eyed Kankuro and Temari as they both turned to her call. From what the rosette could gather, they both had returned from whatever training, or mission, they were on. Both were in their ninja attire, and look to be covered with mud. Their eyes were tired and even some of Kankuro's purple paint had washed off from the rain outside. Despite their fatigue, it seemed they opted to have a cup of warm tea first before rest. Spotting the young, Konoha woman, Kankuro wasted no time patting the chair next to him.

"Come sit, Sakura." Kankuro smiled before pouring her own cup.
"Temari and I just got back."

Sakura took up the offer and nodded towards Kankuro's smile when she took a seat, returning a smile of her own.

"Thanks guys. I just woke up myself." Sakura said.

After her words, Sakura turned to send the blonde woman a smile like she had Kankuro, but she was met with a cold glare from the eldest sibling.

"Is everything alright?'" Sakura asked cautiously turning once more to Kankuro.

Kankuro could only grimace at his sister before sighing and looking at Sakura.

"Sorry, Sakura." Kankuro began.
"Temari forced it out of me to tell her what happened between you and Gaara the other night. Cat is out of the bag."

Sakura cringed before feeling heat rising to her cheeks, slowly she turned back to the blonde, waiting for the older sister's reprimand. She remembered how protective Temari was of Gaara hours before the party. The sand woman had put her trust in the rosette to keep Gaara safe from the claws of indecency, yet at the end of the night, it had been Sakura who shared a bath and bed with the young lord. When green orbs met jade, Sakura sagged her head at Temari's hard, scolding look. The blonde sneered for a moment before turning her eyes away and returning to her tea.

"I-It's not like you think." Sakura began in hopes of defending herself.
"We did not sleep together!"

Despite Sakura's cry, Temari kept her eyes closed and sipped at her tea, as if seeming to ignore the young Konoha woman.

"We believe you, Sakura." Kankuro intervened, hoping to lighten Sakura's anxiety.
"It's just, we caught up with Gaara on our way back here. Temari couldn't keep her big mouth shut and demanded Gaara explain what was going on between you and him."

Kankuro scratched the back of his head nervously when he could see Sakura's gaze littered with embarrassment.

"He didn't say too much, but-"

"He said he's taking you out to dinner tonight!" Temari cut her brother off.

Sakura and Kankuro turned just in time to watch the blonde slam her cup hard against the table. There was a silence in the room as the tension in the air built up, and Sakura only jumped lightly when Temari's angry eyes finally turned to her.

"Look, I like you Sakura." Temari spoke.
"I know it's because I asked you that you stuck around here to help Gaara. It's my fault too that Gaara got drunk, and I'm sorry if he hurt you any way that night."

To her apology Sakura nodded, accepting it. She could the sense the blonde was starting to relax a little, perhaps guilt perplexed her to give Sakura an easy time?

"Hell, if you two started dating or something official, I'd be really happy for you. I'm happy for him already that he's discovering a feeling we thought he never could." Temari continued.

"I agree." Kankuro added, winking at Sakura.
"I'm glad Gaara's falling for someone."

Sakura blushed after what Kankuro said. It came to some sort of comfort for Sakura knowing that the two closest people to Gaara approved of her, and their relationship. It wasn't until Temari placed a gentle hand on top of Sakura's did the sand woman speak up again.

"I like you Sakura. I've told you before, that you remind me of the sister I never had. I want the best for you and Gaara."

Sakura felt Temari give her hand a hard squeeze.

"But Gaara is my brother. We share blood, and I care deeply about him. As much as I want him to welcome happiness, I want to shield him from the hurt."

Looking back up at Temari, Sakura could see the woman's gaze go soft. She was battling some sort of emotion deep in her.

"I know how hard a long-distance relationship can be. It takes a lot of patience, trust, and support. Just please, please, promise me, that once you leave here, you won't just toss Gaara aside. I can't imagine what sort of hurt would come to him if he was rejected."

Sakura could feel her mouth drop, she was mortified that the blonde what even think that of her.

"Of course I won't!" Sakura shouted, standing herself tall from the table.
"I really like Gaara! I'll admit I have my doubts from time to time whether something like this will work, but as for Gaara himself, I do genuinely care about him and his feelings. I know you may not believe me when I say it, but I worry about him getting hurt as well. It's exactly how you told me, Temari, that you feel Gaara deserves the world after the hell he's been put through. I don't know his past like you two do, but I have learned of some of the pain he's been through these years, and I only want what will make him happy from this point on."

Sakura drew in a heavy breath after her little speech. She didn't realize how heavy she was breathing until the room fell silent once more and the two siblings just stared at Sakura wide-eyed. The young woman could feel heat return to her cheeks the more their stare lingered, but in time, Kankuro stood from his seat.

"I didn't need any convincing from you, Sakura." The puppeteer said while patting Sakura's back.
"After that little speech though, I think I've become more of a fan of you two."

Kankuro chortled at Sakura's shocked expression, no doubt she was mortified at Kankuro's off putting words. Patting Sakura one last time on the back, the young man bid his adieu before pacing his way out of the kitchen.

"Well," Temari began, scooting herself out of the chair as well, "I think I worried over nothing. It's nice to know I have a bond already with the person Gaara is interested in. I hate meeting new people."

Sakura blushed sheepishly, grateful too that she already had a friendship with people close to Gaara. The rosette looked up at the blonde when she placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder.

"I know I thank you constantly, but I just wanted to let you know again how grateful I am for everything you've done with Gaara, and I mean, everything."

Sakura returned Temari's warm smile.

"I'm just glad he's back to normal."

"Me too." Temari said before digging through her pocket.

Sakura watched curiously while Temari pulled out a small parchment and offered the paper towards her.

"What's this?" Sakura asked, taking and opening the parcel.

Temari shuffled in her spot before resting her hands on her hips.

"Remember how you wanted those sleeping pills looked at?"

Sakura's eyes went round as she scanned the paper, it did not take long to read through the long list of ingredients, and after turned her eyes back to Temari. She could see the smile in the blonde and knew Temari must have asked for the diagnosis beforehand.

"Nothing foul detected." Sakura barely whispered.

Despite the great news, Sakura's mind was now racing with new questions. Temari noticed the young woman's troubled look.

"Why so blue?" Temari asked.
"This is great news! Gaara's cured, and now we can sleep peacefully knowing that the culprit wasn't someone inside our walls."

Not wanting to worry the older woman, Sakura quickly shook off her frown and replaced it with a smile.

"Yes, you're right. This is good news. However, I still think the pills had a negative effect on him."

Temari tilted her head at Sakura's idea.

"How so?"

The only evidence Sakura could point at was the fact that on the night of the episodes, Gaara had ingested those sleeping pills. While explaining this to Temari, Sakura merely shrugged afterward.

"What's most important is that they've stopped, and for good few days now. I think it's safe to say we're in the clear. Still, keep an open eye on him."

"Of course, of course. I always do anyway." Temari said before shuffling a little on her feet.
"Gaara mentioned too how his sessions are on a permanent hold."

Sakura studied the way Temari's eyes fell, her smile too seemed to be that of an imitation. Sakura knew the blonde was realizing Gaara's hidden motive, and before she could even ask, Temari confessed to this knowledge.

"I don't think Gaara's ready yet..."

There was no need for the Temari to elaborate, Sakura knew the sand woman spoke of slumber. In her mind, of what she knew and learned of Gaara, Sakura wondered if the young lord would ever be ready.

'Somehow I doubt that.'

Taking in her solemn gaze, Sakura knew Temari was feeling the guilt of pushing Gaara into something he did not want, and possibly, unaware, beginning his wild episodes. Sakura found herself once more comforting the older woman.

"Everything is better now. Your intentions were not ill." Sakura smiled, gently patting Temari's shoulder.
"I see you as someone who wanted nothing but the best for her little brother. You had no idea this would all happen just by giving him some pills."

To her words, Temari's fake smile turned genuine, and finally the woman turned her eyes back to the rosette.

"Thank you, Sakura."

Sakura's eyes went round the moment she watched Temari reach for her. The leaf woman was stiff as board while Temari drew her into a tight embrace, surprised that this strong woman would show such ardor, and to her especially. The hug lasted a full minute, and in time Sakura was able to relax and return the embrace.

"I'm sorry this happened to your family." Sakura whispered into Temari's shoulder.
"Just know, it's all in the past now."

As Temari pulled back, she nodded in agreement. There was a smile on her face as she wiped a stray tear away.

"I suppose this means you'll be heading home soon." Temari let her smile fall some.

Sakura shrugged her shoulders at the thought. She was excited at the idea of returning home soon, but dreaded that an isolate feeling may return the minute she stepped foot back in Konoha. She hoped the void that would surely come wouldn't be near as strong as it was when she learned she'd be staying in Suna for some time. She missed her friends and family from home, yet she knew she would miss Gaara and the others too now.

'My luck.' The rosette thought bitterly.

"I still have to wait for Gaara to give me the all clear, but I suppose that would be the next step."

Temari said nothing as she reached into her pocket a second time, pulling out another envelope and handing it off to Sakura. The young woman simply stared dumbfounded at this new parcel before opening it up and pulling its content out slowly. Her eyes went round while staring and taking it in.

"This is..." Sakura began to speak, but stopped mid-sentence while she drowned herself more into the picture she was staring at.

Sakura was in light awe and Temari took the moment to stroll past her with a slouched and tired body. Fatigue and mud painted her frame yet she spoke for the sake of her new friend. The one who had said yes to her dark plight. The one who showed her brother a kindness that she could not. One she thought of as sister.

"Let me shower up, and I'll help you shop for something nice to wear tonight."

Without looking at her, Temari could sense the shock on Sakura's face, and she spoke before the rosette could deny.

"You need to look your best if you have a date with one of the sand trio."

Sakura twirled in front of a long mirror. She smiled knowing the tight, red dress flaunted curves no one thought the rosette had.

"I still think you should have gone with the black one."

Despite her opposing words, Temari's grin was wide as she took in Sakura's appearance. She was happy to see the Konoha woman so enthusiastic about dinner with her brother. It just put more hope in her heart that Gaara would finally be blessed with new, and wonderful, feelings.

"I like red." Sakura smiled to her reflection.
"I think that color works best on me."

Taking one last glance at herself, Sakura placed some silver jewelry on her, once again thanking Temari for all of her help.

"It's no trouble." Temari smirked.
"You look stunning."

Sakura's cheeks went pink to Temari's compliment. Before getting to know her, Sakura often thought of the blonde girl as cold, reserved, and tough. While Sakura was still knowledgeable about her strength, she was happy to be witness of Temari's kind, and caring nature. Next to Gaara, Temari had gone out of her way many times for the rosette.

"A little too stunning." Temari grimaced.
"Don't let Gaara gawk at you too long, you don't want a recurrence of what happened the night after that party."

Sakura could feel the heat rise to her cheeks. This woman was cheeky too, she decided.

'Uh, yeah we do.' Inner Sakura spoke.
'Why do you think I'm dressing like this?'

To her thoughts, Sakura knew her face was now matching her dress color, and her eyes went round when Temari's eyes narrowed accusingly at her.

"Sakura!" Temari cried, her tone reprimanding.

"I'm sorry!" Sakura cried back, shoving her face into the palms of her hands.

She hoped her cool skin would wash away the heat off her face.

"I'm sure you've gone through this once too. I can't help myself."

Temari snickered at Sakura's embarrassment, and slowly the blonde brought a hand up to comfort the rosette.

"We've all been there. It's just weird that someone thinks of my brother that way. I always thought him naive, you know?"

Sakura raised her face slightly from her hands, an all-knowing look in her eyes.

'You have no idea how far your brother has gone. I think you're the naive one here, Temari.'

Despite her thinking, Sakura wouldn't dare reveal this to the blonde. Instead, she turned back to smile at her, hoping to reassure the sand woman that despite her lustful thoughts, Sakura intentions tonight were innocent.

"It's just dinner." Sakura said.
"He said it's for thanks for staying here and trying to help him with his insomnia. Who knows, he may even change his look at the whole idea and ask me to help him sleep tonight."

Temari scoffed at the idea.

"I don't think it be a good idea for us to get our hopes up with that one." The blonde said before making her way out of the room.
"I'm going to go see Gaara now, want me to tell him your ready?"

Temari had to hold down a chuckle when she saw Sakura's giddy smile.

"Yes!" The rosette exclaimed before clearing her throat and calming her voice.
"Yes please, just let him know I'll be waiting for him downstairs."

Temari nodded in understanding before grinning once back at Sakura.

"Have fun tonight."

"Thank you!"

With that, Temari shut the door behind her and let Sakura finish whatever she needed left to do. Temari took a few steps, making sure she was out of hearing range before pacing herself a little faster to Gaara's room. While she felt excited for Sakura, the thought of what Gaara was experiencing made her nervous. She wondered how her younger brother was fairing up, and also was curious to know where he planned to take Sakura, or what he was going to wear, or what he was to say if wandering eyes spotted the Konoha rosette with him.

"Gaara!" Temari called a little loudly, knocking on his chamber doors.

The blonde didn't even wait for a reply before showing herself in.

"Huh?" She murmured lightly, tilting her head inside the empty room.
"Where is Gaara?"

Temari listened to see if she could hear his running bath water, but could hear nothing on the other side of that door.

"Surely, he's come home by now."

Temari also noticed the lit candle on his desk, many papers resided on the top of the wooden frame as well. She knew he at least came back from work.

'This is unsettling...' Temari thought, her eyes narrowing around the dimly lit room.

Her hearing could not pick up anything else but the pouring rain outside, and she felt a shiver race up her spine at the familiar sense of danger. Temari took a few steps closer to the flickering candle, examining the papers around Gaara's desk to make sure she they were from today. Maybe Gaara hadn't returned home yet, perhaps his papers were of days prior and the candle lit by someone else. She shuffled through the documents lightly, scanning for a date, and only stopped when a familiar symbol appeared in her eyes.

Her eyes widened briefly at a letter addressed to Gaara, sealed with the familiar symbol of their closest allied village. Immediately, Temari knew the meaning of this letter, and could feel her happy mood for the rosette suddenly head south.

"Already?" She asked no one.

She slowly reached for the letter. Despite it being addressed to her brother, Temari couldn't help her curiosity, she wanted to be sure of what she was thinking. Then again, for what reason would Konoha reach to Suna? Before the tips of fingers could even trace the envelope, a hand protruded next to her. It grabbed at her wrist roughly, it's hold tightening before Temari turned up to see who it was.

"Gaara!" The blonde exclaimed.

She was surprised to find her brother suddenly standing there. Then again, Gaara had always been the master of stealth. She was met with provoked eyes burning into her jade orbs. He was silent, but Temari knew when she was being put in her place by her brother.

"What are you doing?" His voice dripped with irate.
"These are private documents. For my eyes only."

Temari rolled her eyes before pulling her wrist back from his hard grip. Despite being caught, she feigned innocence.

"Sakura wanted me to tell you that she's ready when you are." Temari mumbled bitterly, still upset at her brother's tone with her.

To the mention of Sakura, Gaara's eyes softened, and he made his way to his own mirror. Temari watched him, intrigued at his clean, casual appearance. It was rare for her to see her brother out of his usual ninja or Kage clothes.

"Are you excited?" Temari grinned, feeling her sour mood turn upright.

Despite being scorned by her youngest brother, Temari couldn't hide the thrill in her for this new relationship.

"It's just a dinner." Gaara stated plainly, adjusting his shirt collar.
"Nothing to be excited for."

Temari took one last look at the letter behind her, noting how the seal on it had yet to be broken. She imagined Gaara had yet to see the envelope, and slowly nudged the parcel back under the pile of papers, keeping it hidden. Though she was curious of its contents, there was no need to bring notice of it to Gaara yet. He would see it in time, and deserved one last care-free, happy night with Sakura. The rosette deserved it too.

"You have to be a little excited." Temari smiled, marching up closer to her brother.
"Sakura is a very sweet, young woman. Beautiful too. This isn't like dinner with Kankuro or I, or a meeting about village matters."

Gaara stared at his sister curiously from the mirrors' reflection. He was taking in her words thoughtfully.

"Sakura has been nothing but smiles all day long thinking about this dinner."

Gaara's eyes had widened slightly to the blonde's words. He hadn't realize how much this had meant for the rosette, and could feel an invisible string trying to pull his lips back.

"I guess, I'm a little excited." Gaara mumbled his confession, making his sister's smile grow wider.

When she noticed her brother was reaching for his jacket, she hurriedly grabbed him by his shoulders and began to push him towards his doors.

"Temari!" He warned, but the blonde simply stuck out her tongue.
"The night isn't getting any younger, go out there and show Sakura a good time!"

Before the redhead could even turn around and scorn his sister, Temari gave Gaara a rush shove into the hallway.

"Don't forget an umbrella!"

With that, she shut the door behind her. She wore her smile big and proud until her eyes drifted to the stack of papers on Gaara's desk. Her grin fell when she remembered the letter within that mound, and a heavy sigh escaped her before she looked out towards the window.

"Enjoy it while you still can, little brother."

Gaara turned to look back at his shut doors. He had half a mind to go back in there and remind Temari who it was exactly she ushered so casually out, and to demand her to leave his room be. He knew his sister had wandering eyes and excited hands. Yet, as he saw the darkness outside, he mentally noted that his sister was right. It was already late as it is, Sakura no doubt was hungry, and as sweet as he knew her to be, he didn't want to keep her waiting. So he turned towards the stairwell, hoping this night would meet Sakura's expectations.

Gaara could feel the strings tugging once more to make him smile when he saw Sakura staring back up at him with a warm grin. Neither of them spoke until Gaara had come face to face with her at the end of the stairs.

"Gaara." Sakura spoke first, a smile still on her.
"I've never see you in such casual clothes. You look great, you'll have to do it more often."

Though he didn't outwardly show it, the redhead beamed brightly to the compliment. He was given mild worship everyday, yet something about her praise just seemed to warm his chest. It was then he studied her wear and did not scan over how much the dress revealed, how curvy she suddenly looked, and with her smile, he knew she could melt even the coldest of hearts. Something inside him suddenly became a little possessive. He didn't want to take her into the outside world, and didn't want her looked at by any other except himself. The thought of keeping her all to himself presented itself, yet, he knew that thinking was a dangerous thought.

She was human, not a pretty bird to cage up and hide from the world.

He nodded at her, and she could see his eyes light up the more he looked at her.

"Your beauty is you, it's something you would never be able to escape." Gaara spoke, his heart racing to words he never said before.
"It follows you tonight too."

He grazed his look over her again, to let her know he was truly taking her in.

"Especially tonight." He added.

Sakura turned her now burning cheeks away, his words made her sheepish. Though she was experienced with compliments, nothing compared to the praise given by one you thought so highly of.

"Thank you." Sakura whispered.

To her sudden shy nature, Gaara let a small smirk escape him. It was thrilling for him knowing he could woo this sharp minded woman. In his honest mind, he knew he could just stand there all night basking in Sakura's beauty, and contemplated just doing that.

"So." Sakura spoke, twirling lightly in her spot.
"Where are we going tonight?"

Shaking his thoughts away, Gaara knew the option of basking in her small light was better spent during dinner than in the entryway of his home. Turning from her, Gaara paced his way through the swinging doorway to the kitchen. Sakura wondered what this meant, and if she should follow suit, but as quick as he went in, she watched him come back out. He carried an umbrella in one hand while behind him his sand carried a rolled up blanket, and a few boxes.

Sakura's eyes grew wide when she recognized the notion.

"Picnic?" She asked.

Gaara simply shrugged the minute he caught up to her.

"I suppose you can call it that." He stated, looking back at his sand.
"It can be hard for me to be left alone once I step out into the public, and I just wanted it to be you and me tonight. No one to bother."

Sakura's heart instantly melted to Gaara's idea. She was surprised to see him put this sort of effort into the night just for her sake.

"I have a special spot. Somewhere I like to go and meditate. To get away from the world at times."

Sakura grinned, she knew she meant something special to him if he wanted to share his private location to her. However, when she heard the patter of the rain, she felt her grin fall slightly.

"Won't the rain…?" Sakura trailed off.

She was unable to finish her words, afraid of dampening Gaara's plan and happy mood. However, like the Gaara she knew, he was many steps ahead of her.

"Do not worry." He said, opening the umbrella up before turning towards her with an extending arm.
"A little rain won't ruin this night. I'll make sure of it."

Sakura's cheeks lit up to his reassuring tone. How lucky had she finally become finding a man who put her worries at ease? She reached for his hand, accepting his small squeeze before he gently pulled her under the umbrella with him.

"Gaara." Sakura whispered softly.

To the call of his name, he turned to watch her lace her arm around his. Instead of tensing like he normally did, his body relaxed to the feel of her so close to him. He swore the heat radiating off of her made him want to toss his jacket behind him.

"Thank you."

He heard her say before giving his arm a squeeze. She wouldn't see, but to this a genuine smile spread across the redhead's cheeks.

"Anything for you." He whispered before stepping them outside into the rain.