A/N: Hi, everyone! I'm sorry for the late update, I haven't been well. I made this chapter longer though to make up for the tardiness and I'm really happy with it so, I hope you guys like it. Shout-out to choco24, I dedicate this one to you! ^^

The Sun hung low in the horizon, its diminishing rays painting the sky in hues of gold and pink.

'Kazekage-sama.'

Gaara lifted his head to find one of his attendants standing in the doorway of his office.

'Yes?' he responded.

'There is a message from the gates,' began the attendant. 'Uchiha Sasuke has arrived. Again.'

A faint smirk found its way to Gaara's lips. 'Grant him entry. Again.'

.-.-.

Flop. Sasuke let himself drop on the first clay bench that came his way. He exhaled.

It had been a tough trip. The blazing Sun had been difficult to endure and the scorching sand had rendered the protection of his shoes useless.

'Sunagakure,' he said, to no one in particular. 'It's been a while.'

Sunagakure had become one of Sasuke's favorite stops to make. Partly because here, the people were fairly less aggressive towards him and partly because here, he would get news about Konoha. For both those things, he had one person to thank.

'Gaara,' he mumbled as he turned to look at the spherical structure in the heart of the village.

After the 'Fourth Shinobi World War', out of all the 'Kages', Gaara had been the most cordial with him and easily permitted him entrance to his village whenever he arrived, this being his third time. He understood that it was probably all because of both their bonds with Naruto. The first time he had requested entrance in Sunagakure, Gaara had publically announced that if Naruto trusted him, so did he and further, he had instructed that all residents treat him as they would any other guest. That had made Sasuke's goals easier to accomplish and he had managed to help a lot of people within his first stay. Then, on the night that he was leaving, Gaara had approached and told him that Naruto and Sakura were doing well but that he should fulfill his journey and return to them as soon as he could.

Over a year had gone by since that night but here Sasuke was, not in Konoha, but in Suna again. This time, however, he had a special motive. During his second visit, Sasuke had discovered that to compensate for the lack of naturally found vegetation, Sunagakure had a huge flower shop. The unusual greenery outside the shop had caught his attention and so, he had walked in. There, he had met an old man who explained how he had decided to import flowers from all over the world and open this shop so that the people of Sunagakure could also enjoy simple, kind gestures such as giving flowers to a loved one with ease. On learning that Sasuke was originally from Konoha, the man had insisted on giving Sasuke a gift, simply because most of his imports came from Konoha's local flower shop, Yamanaka Hana. Sasuke had tried to refuse but the man had convinced him that there were plenty more at the shop and that someday, the item could come in handy for a traveler like him so, he had ended up accepting it. Surprisingly, the man had been right.

Sasuke set his bag down on the bench, next to him, and opened it. He dug in and withdrew a small, purple glass bottle.

The bottle, the man had explained, contained a special potion, which could be used to revitalize flowers and to keep them from wilting for extended periods. Sasuke had never thought he could have any use for a thing like that but as luck would have it, it was one of the things he needed the most right now.

He held the bottle in place between his thighs and spun open the lid, which was actually a dropper of sorts, and filled it with a little of the liquid from the bottle. He then pulled out the dropper. After making sure he had drawn the right amount of potion, he loosely put the dropper back in the bottle. He carefully placed the bottle on the bench and started looking through his bag again. This time, he drew out a large, light pink flower; an 'Ambrosia'. He smiled proudly at it as the memory of how arduous the search for it had been resurfaced. He set it in his lap and pulled the small dropper out of the bottle again. Sasuke sighed a little at how simple tasks had become so much more complicated after losing most of his left arm. Perhaps he would accept that prosthetic arm after returning after all. But for now, he had to focus on the task at hand. He squeezed the dropper and let one drop of the potion fall on the flower's stem and one on one of its petals.

After that, he refastened the lid over the bottle and held it up against the light to examine it. More than half of it had already been used up. So, one of the reasons he had come to Suna again was to get more of the potion. He needed a lot more considering he didn't plan on returning to Konoha for at least another few months and he just had to keep all the flowers he would get for Sakura from wilting till then. He would probably buy all of it, he thought, just to be safe. He then snorted inwardly at how protective he had become about flowers of all things. Sakura really was driving him insane, wasn't she? He really was in love, wasn't he? He didn't doubt it because he not only had come for more potion but also to get another one of the flowers he had chosen. In fact, that had been the main reason for this visit. The book had mentioned something about it being occasionally available in flower shops so, Sasuke was sure he'd be able to find it in a shop with a collection as large and diverse as Sunagakure's. So, all in all, he had come here again… because of Sakura.

'Are you aware of the flower on your lap?'

Sasuke didn't have to turn to recognize the man who had just landed on his right.

'I am aware, Gaara,' he replied.

Gaara. More than once in his life, there had been a time when Sasuke wanted nothing more than to kill this very man. But time really had the most wondrous ability to change things. To change people.

'Sakura-san will be pleased,' stated Gaara with a smirk, taking a seat at the other edge of the bench.

Sasuke felt his ears change color. Since when had he, Uchiha Sasuke, become so readable? He stuffed both the potion and the flower back inside his bag and placed it by his feet, away from Gaara.

'Don't be nervous,' started Gaara again. 'I understand.'

'Shut up,' snapped Sasuke.

Gaara chuckled.

'Just don't… tell her.'

'Oh, I won't,' assured Gaara. 'I won't make your confession any easier.'

'Confession'. The word made Sasuke feel uncomfortable on so many levels. He was sure his embarrassment was getting across and he had to resist the urge to just bury his face in his hand. So, when Gaara began to change the topic, Sasuke almost sighed of relief. Almost.

'Anyway, what brings you here this time?' he said.

Great. What was he supposed to say now?

'I… have my reasons.'

'I know that, I merely asked you to state them.'

'I'd rather not.'

Eye contact followed.

Gaara smirked again before closing his eyes, folding his arms and leaning back against the bench. 'Well, then I hope you've thought about getting something for Naruto as well.'

Sasuke nearly gaped. Could this guy really read him as easily as he made it seem? How the heck had he figured out that he was here to get a present for Sakura?

Uchiha Sasuke was stumped, but he kept his composure nevertheless.

'I have,' he replied. And he really had. He had even thought about getting Kakashi something before his return.

'There's a place here that sells instant ramen in the strangest of flavors. You could get some of those,' said Gaara.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. 'I would've figured that out even if you hadn't mentioned it.'

Gaara opened an eye and looked at him derisively. 'Are you suggesting that you know Naruto better than I do?'

'Yes,' replied Sasuke.

Pfft. Naruto was his best friend. Gaara could only hope to be on the same level as him. Knowing that he liked ramen was no big deal. Nearly everybody knew that.

'That's funny considering you've been absent from his life for the majority of time in these recent years,' countered Gaara.

'Hn,' snorted Sasuke. 'Even if I hadn't seen him a single time in ten years, I would still know him more than you ever could.'

'Hah,' crowed Gaara. 'Look at you now; all optimistic. What a change.'

'I'm optimistic?' responded Sasuke, disbelief dripping from his voice. 'And to think I actually thought you could read me earlier. I gave you far too much credit.'

'If you mean the guesses about Sakura-san, then I'm afraid you give yourself too much credit when it comes to concealing your feelings,' started Gaara mockingly. 'An eight year old could've figured those things out.'

No. No. Was it really that obvious?

'You're… you're lying,' muttered Sasuke, turning away to hide the hint of pink on his cheeks.

Gaara let out a chuckle. 'It is both pitiful and amusing to see how awkward you become when the topic is brought up.'

Sasuke stood up. Gaara did too.

'Where are you going?' questioned Gaara.

'I have something to do,' replied Sasuke.

'Do it later. You've had a difficult journey. You should rest for now,' advised Gaara. 'Here,' he continued, taking out a small piece of paper and handing it to Sasuke. 'I arranged a room for you. This has the address.'

Sasuke nodded in gratitude.

'Alright then,' sighed Gaara, turning around. 'I should be getting back to work now.'

'Gaara,' started Sasuke.

'Hm?'

'How are they?'

Gaara smiled and then started walking. 'They're waiting for you.'

Now, it was Sasuke's turn to smile. They were waiting. They were still waiting and that was all Sasuke needed to keep him going. Until the day… until the day he could finally return home.

Sasuke opened the chit Gaara had given him and started following the address written on it. It led him to a rest house. His room had already been booked and he didn't have much to worry about. That night, he slept peacefully. That night, he dreamed a new dream. He saw black hair and green eyes. He saw a family.

The next morning, he woke up smiling. After a few minutes of getting himself cleaned up, he set out into the streets of Sunagakure again. He was well rested now and there was no reason to delay getting what he had come here for in the first place. He started making his way to the flower shop.

The next flower on his list was an 'Agrimony'; the flower that symbolized gratitude. Gratitude, he felt, was something that had always been significant for them. 'Thank you' were words that could always bridge the distance between them, the words that could convey, albeit not fully, how important she was to him. Giving her a flower that represented thankfulness only seemed fitting.

He entered the shop, the sound of wind chimes indicating his arrival.

'Ah, welcome!' greeted a girl, seemingly in her teens, standing behind the counter. 'How can I help you?'

Sasuke looked around. Where was the old man he had met last time? And why was this girl here instead?

'Where is Kazuya-san?' he questioned.

'Oh, Otou-san wasn't feeling well today,' explained the girl. 'So, I'm here in his place. Was there something particular that you needed from him?'

'Agrimony,' said Sasuke, getting right to business. 'Do you have it here?'

'Agrimony?' repeated the girl. 'Hmm,' she mused, tapping her chin lightly. 'I think I know where Otou-san keeps those.'

She slid out from behind the counter and paced towards a particular corner.

'I'm Kumiko, by the way,' she started again, looking back at him as she moved around some mud pots. 'What's your name? I don't think I've seen you here before.'

Sasuke remained silent. He was aware of the way this girl was looking at him. He had received similar looks from countless girls during his early years in Konoha and then, from a few during his journey as well.

'What? Don't you have a name?' she chuckled.

Sasuke sighed. 'Have you found the flower yet?'

'I'm looking for it. Are you in a hurry?'

'I am.'

'Oh, do you have to go somewhere?'

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. This girl was poking her nose in his business way too much for his liking.

'Ah, here it is!' exclaimed Kumiko, lifting up a pot with small, yellow flowers. 'How many do you need?'

'Just one stem,' replied Sasuke.

'Got it,' she nodded, carefully picking out a stem before setting the pot back down in its place. 'Hey, I was wondering,' she continued, walking up to him. 'Since you seem to be new here, would you like me to show you around later?'

He chose not to respond.

'Maybe we could go get some lunch together during my break?' she smiled shyly.

Sasuke blinked. Memories came rushing back.

'Sakura.'

He had been about to knock on the door to her office when she had suddenly rushed out.

'Oh, Sasuke-kun,' she beamed, breathless. 'What brings you here? Are you feeling okay?'

It had only been a few days since his discharge from the hospital so Sasuke thought it was natural for Sakura to assume that he was here about his health. But in truth, that wasn't the reason at all. Now that he had healed, he knew he had to leave again soon. And so, he wanted to spend as much time as he could with her before that.

'I have to go the market,' was his excuse this time. 'I haven't been there in quite some time so, I need you to come with me.'

Sasuke saw her eyes light up for a second before she lowered them to look at the ground.

'I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun,' she frowned. 'I have an important appointment I need to get to right now. But maybe we could get some lunch together during my break? And then after that, I'll take you to the market, okay?'

Sasuke had accepted her proposal gladly.

How dare she? How dare this girl ask him to have lunch with her when he already had someone to do just that? Sakura was the only one allowed to ask him to have lunch with her. How dare this girl think she could take her place? Didn't she know he already had someone? Well, she should have known.

'I already have someone…,' the words came out of Sasuke's mouth before his conscious brain had even begun to form the sentence.

The emotion in his own voice stunned him and he didn't see Kumiko also blink in surprise before smiling sadly in acceptance and returning behind the counter.

He was angry. Didn't this girl understand how Sakura would feel if she was here right now? Didn't she realize how infuriating it was to see someone else try to get close to the person you love? Well, Sasuke did. And he would not let anyone make Sakura feel that way.

'Here you go,' Kumiko's voice snapped him out of his trance as she placed the flower stem on the counter before him.

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

'Sorry, I'll take a lemon blossom instead.'

Kumiko's brows furrowed in confusion before she nodded and retreated towards the further end of the shop again.

Lemon blossom. A flower that symbolized fidelity. Sasuke would assure Sakura that he would never betray her. He would promise her that he would always belong to her and to her alone. And as for his gratitude, Sasuke would convey that verbally. Just as he always had.

'Is this alright?' Kumiko called out to him, holding up a small, white flower.

Sasuke nodded and Kumiko walked back to the counter, gently carrying the flower in her hand.

'I'll also take that revitalization potion you have,' began Sasuke. 'As much as you're willing to sell.'

Kumiko's eyes widened in shock before an understanding smile found its way to her lips.

'That someone…,' she started. 'That someone is waiting for you back home, isn't she?'

'Yes,' replied Sasuke.

'You really love her, don't you?' giggled Kumiko, taking out a cardboard box filled with bottles of the wanted potion.

'I do,' declared Sasuke. Loud and clear.

A/N: Did you guys like the Gaara bit? :P I hope you did because I personally love Gaara and that whole line he said in part 1 about Sasuke and him being similar and then everything he said to both Naruto and Sasuke in part 2 just made the head-canon that is this chapter work so, so much in my mind. I also always had this funny idea that Sasuke and him would compete over Naruto's friendship lol.
Anyway, the next chapter will probably be set around 'The Last' so, I hope you guys will look forward to it! :D

Edit: Based on Katelyn's comment, I've changed the word pipette to dropper haha, hope that makes it better and thanks for your help.