A.N.- So here is my next chapter. i said i was going to do more between Sakura and Gaara and i definitely did.
i hope i didnt go overboard...but i was having so much fun with this chapter. i coudlnt stop myself. anyway i'm not sure what to lable the events in this chapter...angsty friendship fluff maybe? oh well you guys can figure out what you think it is.
i would like to say...
To xoLovelyEyesox- Thank you for including my story in your pre-school-start fanfic crunch. :) i know what you mean i started classes this monday and it made me so sad to realize my computer time was going to be cut down alot. (i think i'm addicted...is that bad?) I'm very glad you think my story is amusing. and i truly hope you get to keep reading it even after school starts. good luck with that by the way...i think school is just a legal form of torture. (but thats just me)
and to chikkachoo- Thank you so much for supporting me this far! it makes me simply ectsatic that you are. and yeah. the spandex thing...actually was a nightmare of mine. thats what my inspiration for that was. hee-hee. my reaction was much like your inner's. and dont worry about saiyomi, she's just being a protective mother...sort of. he'll grow on her. (its gaara, how could he not, right?) and yeah kiba is definitely in this, i need him to bring a part of my story together. and Naruto is just around the corner. not much longer now.
thank you to everyone else who is reading! i'd love to hear from you guys too! well anyway enjoy this chapter and all of its gaasaku-ness.
Fanggirlx ;)
oh yeah! side note- shukaku just had to show up and attempt to ruin things so when he outright speaks it will be in bold letters. k? got that?
Disclaimer- nope. not gonna say their mine...even though i want them to be. but they aren't. que sera sera... (sp?)
All the girls went their separate ways to their dorm rooms. Sakura watched Hinata settle on her bed with a book to read. And Temari was heading for the bathroom saying she needed a long hot shower.
Sakura decided she wanted a soda to have by her bed incase she woke up thirsty, so she told Hinata she'd be back and left the room.
Strolling down the hall way she wondered what all the other girls on her floor were like. She knew Ino and TenTen were on this hall because of tonight's discussion, but the rest she'd probably have to wait and meet in three days at orientation. That is unless she met them out here before then.
She exited her building and headed around the side to the vending machine she'd seen when moving her car earlier that day.
As she walked she got the strange feeling she was being watched. Freezing in her steps Sakura studied the area around her. She couldn't see anyone. But she also couldn't detect anyone's chakra. Which meant there really was no one there and she was just being paranoid… or someone was there but they were a ninja as well and could mask their chakra. She hoped at the moment that it was simply her imagination running away with her and that she was just paranoid. She'd rather be crazy than be watched.
Sakura reached the machine and dropped in her change. She selected an orange soda and took it when it fell. Turning away from the vending machine she studied the darkness around her for a moment. She'd felt that tingle again. The one that warned someone when they were being watched. Was she just crazy? Or was someone actually there?
So she'd have something to occupy herself with as she walked back to her room Sakura opened her soda early and took a few sips.
The feeling of being watched was getting worse. No way was she this paranoid! There had to be someone there.
She stopped and turned to once again face the darkness past the dimly lit parking lot.
She didn't want to call out and there be no one there because then she'd look like a big dummy.
But if there was no one there who would she look like a dummy to?
Resigning herself she took a shaky breath and called out, "Hello?" She paused and then added, "Is someone there?"
Movement was heard and a shadowy figure stepped out from the dark.
Sakura gasped quietly as her eyes met his.
"Gaara? What on earth are you doing here? Don't you know you can get in trouble? Not to mention you nearly gave me a heart attack." she asked as she held a hand to her heart in hopes of slowing it down. Dear gods it felt like it was going to just pop out and start tap dancing it was beating so fast. Gaara hadn't needed to scare the life out of her by appearing out of the darkness like that, especially when she hadn't truly believed someone was there.
Sakura slowed her mind down. Then calmed her temper.
Okay, to be fair, Gaara hadn't truly intended to scare her. He was just being…well, Gaara. Gaara was the kind of person that suited morphing out of dark corners better than just walking up to people.
And her being all jumpy and paranoid wasn't his fault…completely. So she shouldn't really be getting mad at him. Besides it was not always best to get angry with Gaara. When dealing with the often ornery sand master it was best to choose your battles. And this tiny scare was not one big enough to worry over.
Sakura let out a deep breath to settle herself one last time before bringing her eyes up to meet Gaara's.
He simply stared at her, an unreadable expression-even more so than his usual standards- on his stoic face.
"Why?" Gaara asked, his deep tone reverberating around the dark parking lot.
"Why what?"
"Why are you scared?" his dark velvet voice asked. She saw in the shadows as a frustrated frown came on his face.
"I scare you." he said answering his own question with bitterness in his hushed tone.
"Well, yeah." Sakura agreed.
Gaara felt a tight ache in his chest just as light exploded behind his eyes. What pain! Why? Because Sakura feared him? Was he truly that weak now?
"But, Gaara," she added softly as she studied the ground, "It was only because I didn't know it was you. I thought you were some kidnapper or rapist or something."
"You thought…" his words trailed off as what she'd said echoed in his brain. Kidnap her? Rape her? Was that what she truly thought of him? That he was some animal that did that to women?
Gaara tightened his fists in quiet anger. Sakura saw and understood this, but his quiet anger wasn't hiding the hurt from her.
Sakura could tell from how he'd spoken that he was obviously upset about how this was going. Kind of understandable seeing as how she just said he'd scared her. She knew that secretly Gaara hated people fearing him. And he was getting angry because he was hurt and he was hurt because he thought that she was scared of him. But she wasn't and she needed to show him that she wasn't.
Thank the gods she'd had all that time in Suna to learn how to read this guy or this situation might not have been as easy to understand and then defuse. What she didn't get was why he was still angry, still hurt…she'd already said that she'd thought it was a kidnapper or a rapist and not him.
Maybe he wasn't understanding what she was saying? That was it. It had to be. Gaara must think that she was saying she thought he would take her or hurt her. This was all probably just a big misunderstanding.
Sakura shook her head, hoping her deductions were correct, "No. Silly. I know you wouldn't do that. You're not like that. But, Gaara, I didn't know it was you when I was scared. I thought it was just some badguy here to cause trouble. I'm glad it was you instead, really. I definitely prefer a friend to a badguy, so don't be upset. There's nothing wrong, because now that I know its you and not a badguy I'm not scared anymore."
She hoped that calmed him down. She didn't want him getting angry and then getting caught making a scene at a girl's dormitory after hours. Though she wasn't entirely sure why Gaara was here Sakura wasn't too worried about it, he usually had his reasons for doing things. And to him they all made perfect sense and were all reasonable and good.
Gaara studied her silently, she looked to be in thought. Was she trying to make herself appear unafraid? He took a step forward towards her to test and see if she were truly scared.
She didn't flinch. The searing tightness inside him began to dissipate.
She wasn't running. She wasn't afraid.
In fact, Sakura was taking steps towards him.
Actually, she'd moved to meet him half way and before he could comprehend what was happening, she was standing directly in front of him.
"Gaara? Why are you here, though?" her genuine concern tugged at his heart but as ache from her fearing him began to reside, it was replaced with a new and different tightness in his chest he did not understand.
"I…I don't know." he whispered as he looked away from her.
He felt embarrassed. How could he have been so dumb? He couldn't just show up here and ask her to make him feel better like she had at the restaurant. She'd probably be disturbed by such a sudden display of emotion from him. Or by such a strange request from him. Especially considering that besides tonight's events, they'd had almost no contact for years. He couldn't just walk back into her life unexpectedly and demand she still treat him as she had on those many private nights on his roof back in Suna. After all, it was such a long while ago when they had sat on the roof of the Kazekage mansion in companionable silence or having quiet conversations about their day.
Yes, looking back on it now, his decision to come to her tonight was a truly foolish one to say the least. So what if he'd had a horrible day; what with convincing the committee to allow him in their precious school and then their 'secretly' watching him throughout the day. It did not matter that today his moments with Sakura were his only reprieve. He simply could not just expect her to treat him as she once had. Asking her to once again heal his horrible day would be unrealistic.
"Nevermind." Gaara muttered as he turned to leave.
"Wait." Sakura grabbed his hand with both of hers. He twisted back to face her with a glare in his eyes but noticed that even under threat of his anger she still held onto his hand. Turning more to face her directly Gaara silently waited for her to speak. After a moment she met his eyes with determination in her voice as she said, "Please. Gaara. Talk to me. I know you want to. We're friends. You can talk to friends about anything."
He took in her words thinking them over and tilted his head to the side as he studied her.
"Anything?" was his doubtful response.
Her gentle smile glowed in the darkness. "Of course."
Nodding once, he moved to sit on a short brick ledge that surrounded the parking lot.
Taking the hint she sat beside him. Closely.
It still never ceased to amaze him that she simply was not afraid of him. Wasn't afraid to be near him.
He'd tried to kill her once. Had almost succeeded…
But a few years later she appears in Suna to help his medicnins. And she wants to be his friend.
When he'd asked her how she could set the past aside so easily and offer a fresh start to him she'd smiled that same smile she always has for him and answered that people make mistakes. She had her share and she'd hate it if people judged her by her mistakes before giving her a chance to show how she'd changed. And people do change she'd added, even him. She could see how he'd changed, she'd said.
And now, Gaara himself, could see how he'd changed. It had taken the girl beside him for him to even see he'd changed at all, but she'd helped and he now knew that he indeed had. What he didn't know was if he'd changed enough. Other people still cowered, which to be horribly honest, with most people he still enjoyed the fact that they did that. But with some he did not. Like her mother. That woman fearing him had troubled him.
"Gaara? Are you going to talk to me?" her quiet voice broke through his thoughts.
"I'm not sure where to start." he admitted.
When alone with Sakura he seemed to hold nothing back. It had been that way in Suna and apparently here, now, it was still the same. For him it was like no time had passed at all. He'd thought about her everyday. He was unsure why he felt the need to o so but he knew and accepted that he did nonetheless. And after long or hard days he'd imagined what she would have said to him. Unfortunately most of the time it just didn't feel the same or have the same affect as words coming straight from her mouth.
"What is bothering you the most? Start there." she suggested kindly.
Sensible answer. Okay. What bothered him the most? Her.
How was she able to soothe his bloodlust? How could she affect him the way she did?
But even he knew that outright telling her that she was his problem was rude and would cause problems.
Taking a soft breath and letting it out slowly he answered, "That is a difficult topic."
Sakura placed her hand on his.
"Just try. I don't mind. Just say it the best you can. Okay?"
Nodding, he jumped in headfirst.
"Why do you do that? How can you?" he asked pointing to her hand on his.
Sakura looked puzzled.
"What? What do you mean? Why do I hold your hand?"
He didn't answer. He wasn't sure if that was what he meant or not.
"I hold your hand I guess, because it is kind of a way to show I'm there with you. Sometimes…sometimes, Gaara you just look so lonely I want so badly to help you. But…but I just don't know how, so I just hold your hand to show that you aren't alone and that whatever you're facing I want to be with you while you do."
Shocked he stared at her.
"That's why you do it?" his breathless voice was barely audible.
She wanted to help him? She didn't want him to be lonely?
He felt a small smile touch his lips.
Perhaps to someone who didn't know him, they'd simply see a smirk on the lips of a killer. But to Sakura she could see he was truly touched and that he was not smirking but was in fact smiling.
"Yes, Gaara. That's why I do it." her hand on his tightened.
It was a reassuring warmth on his hand.
He felt his insides tremble. What was this? What was she doing to him?
"What is this?" he breathed. He found himself clutching his chest like he'd done several times as a child.
Sakura smiled and placed her hand that was not holding his, directly on top of his other hand that was tightening in the folds of his shirt.
"What is what?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle.
"This feeling? Its warm."
"Oh, Gaara, that's friendship." Sakura beamed happily. "We're friends. And when I do something that makes you happy you'll feel that." she explained. "But on the flip side if I do something that makes you unhappy you won't feel warmth but probably cold. But that's the risk of friends. People aren't perfect, we all mess up and eventually do something others don't like. We just have to count on our friendship being strong enough that when that happens we can forgive each other."
Gaara stared into her shimmering green eyes.
"Friendship is warmth." he whispered.
"Yes."
"And friendship, this warmth, that is why you soothe me? This is how that works?" he asked with an almost childlike innocence on his face. From anyone else it could have been thought to be a cheesy pick up line but coming from Gaara it was the closest thing to honest emotion that one would probably ever get.
She soothed him. That information caused a soft smile spread on her face as she nodded happily.
"I guess so. I haven't ever been soothing to someone before. I'm very glad I could help you though. That's what I want to do."
"It's a good thing? You don't mind?" he asked curious.
"No, I don't mind at all. In fact, if you want the honest truth, Gaara, you are one of only two people who soothe me as well. And you soothe me the best, Gaara. Its your quiet strength, I think, or your eyes maybe. I really don't know. I just know its true and so I am happy to hear I am able to return the favor to you."
She saw the doubt in his eyes, "Don't believe me? Just think about all those times back in Suna, though. From sitting with me during the scary moment when I thought Naruto was gone for good to calming me down so I wouldn't pulverize someone and start political turmoil between Sand and Leaf. It was you that helped. You that soothed me. So we help each other which is really great, don't you think?"
"I…soothe you?" the wonder in his black rimmed aquamarine eyes was enough to make her cry. He was so sweet at rare moments like these when it was possible to see just how much he was still learning about himself.
"Yep."
"I soothe…not scare." he whispered to himself. His eyes went hazy as he stared down at nothing in particular.
Suddenly, he cried out making Sakura jump in surprise. Gaara grabbed his head, doubling over in pain.
"Gaara!" she reached for him but he growled at her a crazed look coming to his eyes.
"Gaara?" she asked hesitantly.
What was wrong with him?
Gaara fought to regain control. But his mind was running rampant with what he could only associate as fear.
Don't get close! Love was not for him. Love is dangerous! Friendship was a love. Yashamaru….
No! Love isn't real! His love wasn't real! It was a lie! Friendship was a lie too then!
Sakura was lying to him!
How dare she! She'd pay!!
He'd kill her! Yes!
No!! Half of his mind screamed. It was right, his fuddled mind realized.
He couldn't hurt her.
He could never hurt her. Anyone but her.
An image of her smiling face appeared in his hazy mind.
Sakura…
He thrashed about. His mind was a jumbled mess of words and images. Gaara couldn't make anything out.
Suddenly an image, no a memory, became strikingly clear. It was of the meeting back in Suna that had forced him here, to this school.
… A group of mostly elder men stood in a semi circle around his office desk. Though they reeked of fear and hatred he allowed them to speak. Unknowingly walking right into their trap. "Kazekage-sama, we the council are here to inform you that you have not received the proper training and education to become Suna's Kazekage. That is to be understood since you are Suna's youngest leader to ever hold this position." Gaara glared at them all, slowly going down the row staring them each in the face. Some shuffled uneasily under his intense gaze, most looked away terrified. Their leader however pressed on striving to ignore Gaara's obviously growing anger, "Therefore, we must strip you of your rights and powers as Kazekage and take control of Suna until you, our rightful heir, have completed the required amount of education necessary to lead this village. Which is four years."
Snarling menacingly, he demanded, "And this so called education?"
"University."
University? We're they kidding? No other Kazekage went through college! They were just scheming to regain control! Those back stabbers. He pulled Suna up out of poverty and an impending end and transformed it into a thriving village once again. And now, now that it was a fairly self-sufficient village they no longer needed him. So they come up with this pathetic excuse to remove him.
They presented him with the degree, and added that Temari and Kankuro would also be required to attend incase for any reason Gaara would become unable to fulfill his duties as Kazekage. In other words they wanted all three of them out of their way.
He'd had no choice, and no way to fight back. So he had to relinquish control of his village over to dimwitted fools who knew nothing of keeping Suna alive and well…
Fury like he rarely knew bubbled inside him. Gaara fought desperately to keep Shukaku at bay. But the memories the creature was replaying for him was making it very difficult.
Before he could successfully block the demon another scene popped up in his mind.
…He stood before the university board. In the center of a huge ring of tables which they were all sitting behind staring down at him, sneering with disdain.
"We see no reason why we should allow something like you into our school of excellence and prestige." one scoffed.
"Yes and even with your role as Kazekage heir we simply can not over look your past transgressions." another added with the flip of his wrist.
"Quite. Should we go over the body count? Or do you catch our meaning?" said another as he leaned over the table to glare at Gaara.
"To put it simply, we see you as a safety hazard to all of our more worthy students." stated one man who was frowning deeply.
"A major liability we can not afford, so to speak." one said, chuckling behind his hand.
"Your time and effort in trying to be accepted has been duly noted. Surely your…village… will understand the circumstances." one man said, wrinkling his nose in distaste as he said the word 'village'. Gaara was growing furious, not only did they talk down on him they were now belittling his village!
"Those circumstances being that you are in no way capable of getting into this school. Or any school most likely." one continued where the other man had dropped off.
"No one with half a brain would let something like you into their school." one snorted derisively.
"Naturally." one man nodded.
"Yes, naturally." another voiced as he too bobbed his ugly old head.
"But please understand, we see your situation." one said in mock sympathy, his eyes speaking volumes as to how he truly felt, what he truly thought.
"We understand it." another added in the same damned tone.
"Of course, of course. And we offer you some advice." one man said as his voice filled with dark humor.
Another man stood and pointed a long boney finger towards the door, "Go back to your little sandbox and stay away from our proper students, demon."
At that all the men in the room broke into laughter. Mocking him and commenting on how blind he must have been to believe for even a second that they truly would allow him admittance into their school….
All of their scornful words swirled in his head, driving him almost past the brink of control. Black bled into his eyes, a golden hue began to fill his pupils.
His demon screamed to be released. To be free to show this impudent girl what happened to those who double-crossed him. Then to move on and take out every last one of those arrogant, self important asses, showing them exactly where they stood in importance in his eyes. Then to go home and destroy the village that continuously ostracized him. Gaara began to feel swayed by the demon's pleas and promises of revenge. His veins thrummed with power as the demon slowly started to get a hold.
No! He could not allow this.
Sakura could be hurt! She was his friend. Not a double-crosser. Friend. Warmth. Love.
But she left you! Screamed the demon, She's gone. Double-crosser! No love!!
The demon cackled wildly as his poisoned words seeped into Gaara's brain.
Love only brings pain. Only pain.
Yashamaru. Love. Pain.
Alone. Always.
No.
He felt himself roar with his pain and confusion. Shukaku wanted free! Clutching his head desperately fighting to remain dominant Gaara began to bang his head against the asphalt in the parking lot, struggling to rid his head of Shukaku's voice and what he was saying.
He would not, could not give in.
Sakura! No dammit! He couldn't hurt her.
But the demon persisted.
Alone.
No one.
No Sakura.
No warmth.
Gaara felt black rimming around his mind. He was loosing it. His control. Shukaku was coming out!
No.
Sakura.
Sakura run!
She already has. The demon taunted. Let me out!! It shrieked when it felt his resolve weakening.
Sakura left him…? He felt himself begin to give into Shukaku's demand.
Suddenly he felt warmth. Warmth all around him. It was calming. Soothing.
'…you soothe me the best, Gaara. Its your quiet strength I think or your eyes maybe…'
Sakura. She was still with him!
Fighting the frenzied demon his fuzzy mind slowly made the connection back to reality.
And he felt the warmth still.
Then he felt the weight. The weight of a body on his. But not a dead body like he'd discovered so many times before when coming out of a haze like that. No it was a warm, soft living body.
Sakura.
She was hugging him.
He liked waking to a hug instead of death a lot more, Gaara decided as he sat still, loosing himself; not in Shukaku's crazed abyss but in this experience he so rarely had.
Scared that if he let her know he was alright that she would quit, he remained utterly motionless.
And so there he sat quietly panting, trying to ignore the throbbing in his skull, as he secretly relished the feel of Sakura's warmth.
Love. Friendship. She was his friend. Shukaku was wrong.
Sakura must have noticed he wasn't out of it anymore because she pulled back out of the hug to look him over.
No…the warmth. It was gone.
He whimpered. Now thoroughly embarrassed by his slip in control and his showing weakness he sat rigid and still. Gaara was disgusted. He'd acted like an animal. A wild uncontrollable beast and then a pathetic sniveling vermin...that whimpered. He nearly snarled at the fact, but he kept himself in check this time.
What was she to think of him now?
He felt a familiar ache in his chest.
This was why love was bad. Why friends were bad. They hurt you. With something not even his sand could defend against. There was no protection from things like love. Shukaku was right about that…
"Gaara?" she asked quietly, gently placing a hand on his tense shoulder.
Her voice was tender and full of concern, so much so it almost made him break down and sob.
What a notion.
He, Sabaku no Gaara, sobbing because this pink haired girl was still with him. Still sitting right beside him, still his friend, even after such a display as the one he'd just put on. She'd stayed and wasn't scared or disgusted by his weakness. Was this why people had friends? Because they cared?
Carefully Sakura moved her hand to the wound on Gaara's head. The one he'd placed upon himself by smashing his head on the ground. He'd been unstoppable. As much as she struggled or urged him to stop he wouldn't. And now…he had a huge bloody mess on his forehead.
"This may hurt." she whispered.
Gentle fingers came in contact with the torn and battered flesh. He didn't flinch. He didn't so much as bat an eyelash. He just sat staring absently.
Concerned for her friend Sakura quickly poured her healing chakra into his wound and repaired the skin and tissue in a practiced ease that came second hand to her after doing it for so many years.
"There, all patched up." she informed him.
No response.
Sakura reached out and touched his shoulder again. He didn't even tense this time.
She began to feel frantic. What was wrong with him?
"Gaara? Gaara. Snap out of it, please. You're worrying me. You're okay, right? Tell me you're going to be okay." she pleaded, her voice wobbling with emotion. Her voce somehow managing to weave into his head.
She…was worried about him? His eyes refocused and locked with hers.
She smiled brightly at him, clearly relieved.
"Thank goodness you're okay." Sakura breathed.
Gaara watched her a moment and then remembered the feel of her holding him.
"Do…do that again." he said, voice ragged from previous screaming.
"Do what?" she asked.
"What…that…what you just did." he closed his eyes tightly. His head was still screaming in pain from Shukaku's attack. It was mind numbing.
"Hug you?"
His soft nod was her only answer as the boy sat there, eyes clenched while sweat slid down his face.
She gently brushed some away and watched as he unconsciously leaned into her touch.
The sight nearly broke Sakura's heart. He needed so much love. He hurt so badly, and not because of any physical injury, no it was in a much more vulnerable place. His heart. It was easy to hurt, hard to heal, and impossible to ignore. That much she knew from her own experiences.
She wandered if people saw this side of him would they still treat him as they did.
Then she remembered Naruto and how most had treated him, even after he'd proven himself worthy of respect. Proven himself capable of feeling.
People were so stupid, so cruel. They pushed away wonderful people like Gaara and Naruto and just left them on their own hoping they'd fail and suffer so they could watch for their own entertainment. It sickened her. It angered her.
She felt Gaara tremble against her hand where it still rested on his cheek.
Slowly he opened his eyes to meet hers and she saw the fear. Fear he probably didn't even know he felt.
Panic. This was panic, he was feeling. He'd heard of it. Never once experienced it. Until now.
She hadn't hugged him yet. She was just sitting there. Gaara watched her, sadness filling him, steadily replacing his panic. She didn't want to do it again. Sakura didn't want to hold him again. She'd only done it the first time to stop him from killing her. For which he was thankful. He was truly glad that she could do such a thing as stop him. Waking up and smelling her blood all over him would have been hell. He had just hoped for more, he supposed.
Sighing, he began to move away and stand when he was once again caught in her arms.
She was holding him. And she was whispering to him, whispering sweet wonderful words. "Don't worry, Gaara. I'm still here. I won't leave. You're safe with me."
Relief flooded his system. She still touched him. She still didn't mind. His weakness hadn't disgusted or angered her. He was…safe with her.
As he felt relief flow through his system it was swiftly followed by the crash that always came after an attempt by Shukaku. The adrenaline was fading.
He leaned his tired body against hers. Shukaku was a fearsome demon. It took everything Gaara had to simply keep him locked inside most of the time. But when the thing tried to break free, if Gaara managed to hold him off he was always so exhausted afterwards. Usually he just collapsed on the floor or a chair as soon as he was alone and somewhere hidden. This time he had a Sakura to collapse on. And…he didn't have to hide.
Friendship was good.
He breathed in her sweet scent.
It was very good.
Sakura shifted in her seat. She held Gaara with one arm wrapped around him, cradling him against her side while she used her other hand to brush his damp unruly red hair out of his now sticky face.
"Sakura…" came his quiet voice. She could feel it rumble in his chest against her.
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, Gaara. Anytime."
He sighed and leaned further into her.
His eyes were shut and Sakura suddenly worried he'd fall asleep. Then he'd have to go through that all over again.
"Gaara?"
He grunted acknowledgment.
"Are you going to sleep?"
He scoffed, "I can't sleep."
"I know I just…"
"I'm only resting. I…just…want to stay and rest…just a little longer." his deep voice quiet, barely above a whisper as he answered. Gaara tucked his face into the crook of her neck, blocking out the lingering scent of his blood by taking in the wonderful scent that was Sakura's. She smelled exactly as she should. Sweet. The scent of cherry blossoms mixed with warm vanilla. He found it amusingly appropriate that she smelled like the flower after which she was named. And the vanilla was just a wonderful little bonus her shampoo and soap added.
"Alright, Gaara. You rest. I'll watch out for you." Sakura promised as she ran her fingers through his hair.
Gaara wondered if this was what being at peace felt like.
He had a friend. A friend that sat with him and calmed his demon and soothed him and held him and granted him protection and warmth while he recovered.
This was his heaven. He prayed it was. Hoped that whatever it was, it wouldn't end.
Sakura wasn't sure exactly how long she sat there holding Gaara. She didn't mind. She was absolutely sure this vulnerable side of him was not something many were privileged to see. But she was. He must trust her. She didn't know what to say to that, didn't know what to think. Gaara, who trusted nothing and no one…trusted her.
As she sat there holding him, feeling his hot damp breath tickle her neck Sakura vowed that she would always be there for this boy who it seemed had no one else he could turn to.
He'd have her now. She'd see to that, the best that she could.
If nothing else, she'd be the greatest friend Gaara could ever hope to have. This she swore.
"Are you tired?"
She nearly jumped when he spoke.
She'd forgotten he wasn't asleep and that he instead was simply leaning against her. Resting.
"I am a little tired." she admitted.
She felt him shift and begin to sit up.
As he drew away he sat up straight and appeared emotionless as ever. Gaara sat as if nothing had just happened. He always kept things so bottled up. Except for earlier.
She'd seen a different side of Gaara then.
"You should go to sleep." he said, standing.
"But…"
"Go."
Sakura stood and placed her hand on his shoulder, saddened, when he went rigid under her touch. He still tensed when people touched him.
But she watched him relax quickly, which brought a soft smile back to her lips. But it left when she remembered how he was suddenly being.
Was he embarrassed? Was that it? Was that why he all of a sudden wanted to leave and why he wouldn't face her? Was it because he was ashamed of how he'd acted?
"Gaara? Are you okay now?"
He nodded.
Neither moved. Silence stretched out around them.
Gaara wondered what she thought of him now. He must seem so weak. So pathetic. that's howhe saw himself right now. How could she see him any differently? He'd just sat there leaning on her for hours. Doing absolutely nothing, saying nothing, just enjoying the feel of her simple comfort she offered. But true to her word she'd let him. She hadn't said a word, just let him rest as he'd asked.
Unexpectedly, Gaara found arms wrapping around his waist from behind.
He stiffened.
He knew it was her and still his reflex was to go rigid.
"Gaara, there's no need to be ashamed. We all have our moments of weakness. I know I do. You are only human after all, and as humans we all have to crash sometimes. I'm glad I could be there while you did. I want to help. I don't want you facing things alone. So please don't be upset with yourself because of what happened. Please. I feel honored to have seen that secret side of you. And no worries, I'll keep it secret. I won't tell a single soul what happened tonight. It'll be our special secret. I promise. No on else will know what you allowed me to see tonight, okay?"
He listened to her speak and vaguely wondered if she was a mind reader. She seemed to always know exactly what he was feeling and always knew what to say to relieve him of his worries.
He remembered talking with Naruto once. The blonde had said just that. That Sakura was special. That she always knew exactly what he needed her to say or do.
That had been the day before he'd left. After Sakura had moved Naruto hadn't been the same. He hadn't been able to stay in the village they'd shared as children. Not with how most of his people looked at him now. They all blamed him for the loss of their best medic. Their sweet Sakura. So he'd left. Out on a personal mission to search for a place that hadn't heard of the demon fox incident or of him. A place where he could start anew. But he'd made sure before he left, stopping in Suna on an extra out of the way trip, to ensure that Gaara promised that he would protect Sakura and make sure nothing happened to her if she ever came back. Gaara had though he had only Naruto as a friend then no one else and thus, would have done anything to give the boy a peace of mind.
So he'd agreed with little hesitation. Besides, he'd by then already acknowledged that he himself had an unexplainable soft spot for the pink haired girl.
And now he knew why Naruto said she was so special then. Why she was one of his precious people for so long.
Why she had to be protected and cherished like no one else.
Leaving his thoughts, Gaara slowly turned in her arms and almost timidly pulled her tighter against his chest.
Bending his head down to whisper in her ear he said, "Thank you, Sakura. You… helped…very much."
"I'm glad I can." was her immediate answer.
He tightened his hold on her. Afraid to hurt her with holding on too tightly but also afraid that if he didn't hold on tight enough he'd realize this was just some kind of dream and that he'd somehow fallen asleep and Shukaku was out on a killing spree at the very moment, and Sakura was among his victims.
Gaara felt her tighten her hold to match his intensity.
Smirking to himself he whispered, "I think I like hugs."
Sakura leaned back and met his eyes.
"Me too. They're one of my favorite things, actually. You know what, lets make a deal. Okay? Anytime from now on, no matter what, no matter where, if we need a hug we can just have it. If you need a hug just come up and hug me, and like wise if I need a hug I can just come up and hug you. Does that sound good? I'm sure with this whole college thing to face we'll definitely need it. So what do you say?"
"No matter where? Even in public?" he asked astounded.
"Of course. It would defeat the point of a hug pact if we waited until we were alone." she giggled.
She would hug him like this in public? She was that comfortable with him. That unashamed.
"No matter what?" he questioned.
"Yeah. Because at this moment I am decreeing you my best friend, Gaara. A title that up until now only Naruto held. Now I am sharing that with you too…because…well people can have two. And you're mine. And this is the sort of thing best friends do for each other."
Gaara smirked at her. He was feeling less and less uncertain around her. It seemed Sakura truly was a friend of his. And no matter what it was he did she just accepted it and continued on. Perhaps he could put a little more effort into this friend thing? Maybe show her a little more of who he really was and maybe be a little more friend-like himself? Of course, first he'd have to learn exactly what it was a friend was supposed to do…
Shrugging the thought away for the moment Gaara realized he'd always secretly wanted someone to do this with. Someone to simply be around and just be himself, nothing else, and not have to worry of the danger in doing such a thing. Maybe he truly could do that with Sakura. No time like the present to find out, Gaara decided.
Leaning near her ear again he asked "I have no choice?" , referring to becoming her newest best friend.
He practically purred it. He knew he appeared cool and collect outwardly, while inside he was tearing himself up waiting these long seconds anxious to see if she could handle him all of a sudden being something other then distant. He stood there holding his breath with his arms still securely around the girl who decided his fate in the friendship department.
Sakura laughed, "Nope. No choice whatsoever. You, Sabaku no Gaara, are now stuck with me. You can't get rid of me for anything. Because best friends stick together."
Reveling in her words and her easy acceptance of the switch in his behavior, he held her to him, "Careful, Blossom, I just may hold you to that."
"I truly hope you do, Gaara." she replied sincerely.
Then she giggled , "Blossom?"
"Yes."
Thinking it over she smiled, "I like it. But of course you do know, now this means I will have to come up with a nickname of my own for you too, right? Panda just can't cut it now because that's the name you got back in Suna when I became Pinky and Temari became Puffles and Kankuro became Pinocchio. But now you've switched up the game. You made up something special for just between us."
Giving her a small smirk, he nodded.
She grinned back, but yawned as she did so.
"Good I'll come up with something good then. Well, Gaara. I think I am definitely due for sleep. But remember no matter what no matter where, we can hug. We're best friends now. If you ever need me for anything. And I do mean anything, Gaara. You just have to ask. Okay?"
Studying her close he slowly reached out and touched her face. He brushed his fingertips down the side of her cheek and along her jaw. Even now still amazed that she didn't try to escape his touch. That she stood still, unafraid, smiling at him as he touched her sweet face.
Once again meeting her green eyes he whispered, "I expect the same from you, Sakura. I…I want to return the favor. You come to me as well."
Tears filled her eyes. And his gut wrenched.
What had he done? Something bad? Oh gods.
Her hug tightened as she buried her face into his chest.
"Oh thank you, Gaara! Thank you so much. That means a lot!"
Relieved he'd only made her happy and had not upset her, he simply patted her back and stepped away.
"Good night, Sakura."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Gaara."
He gave a nod as answer and then decided to exit dramatically to end such a night, so he with the flick of his wrist, turned to sand and blew away.
The last thing he'd seen before disappearing was a pleased and slightly surprised Sakura watching him with yet another beautiful smile on her face.
He watched as she turned and walked back towards her dorm.
Sakura.
She was so amazing.
She could even befriend Gaara.
He hoped she still cared for him as well. He desperately needed a hug much like the one the lucky red head had just received.
A hug only the pink haired girl walking into the building could give him. He was happy for her. And Gaara. They had made friends. Something he had hoped would happen for a long time now.
But he could not help the bit of jealousy that bubbled up within him. She was his. She shouldn't smile like that for Gaara. He was supposed to be the only one to help her. No one else.
Logically, he should have known that having another to help make her happy would be good, but at the current moment and with how things had been going for him so recently… he just had to have her to himself and know he still had her, that he could still count on her. That he still held a place in her heart , a place that no one else could reach. He needed to know that their relationship still existed and was still just as strong as the day they'd parted. He needed her, more than anything, to just be his for a while and hold him and love him and laugh with him.
The rest of the world had turned him away but he needed to know that Sakura, his Sakura, would never do that.
His stomach churned with his nervousness, and bile rose in his throat as he gazed uncertainly at the dorm she went in. He tamped his uneasiness down stubbornly ignoring it. Silently, he moved towards the building, determined to at least give it a try.
Can anybody guess who this mystery guy is? See if you can, okay!
Well bye for now!!
Fanggirlx