A.N.- Hi everyone! Here is chapter 13! I hope you guys all like it!
To superme383- Aw I'm sorry. What else was there? You liked that? Yes! Me too! I giggled as I typed it I thought it was so funny. My brother said I was weird cuz I laughed at my own stuff. I say if I can't laugh at it why should anyone else?
And don't worry he wont come kill you, he's too busy playing keep away with Sakura and the guys. Hee hee. You liked the mom part! that's great! I laughed then too especially hen Sakura was like 'were you even crying?' and her mom's like 'no not really'. I don't know why but I giggled at that for a while. So I'm glad you liked those parts! Thank you for reviewing and I hope you like chapter 13!
To itachi2011- Yes! I got to do it! My friends and I went to the mall and then an arcade and while at the mall one of best friends is super shy -imagine Hinata (yeah she's really almost that bad) anyway she was forced - I mean encouraged to try on a cute pair of jeans with this pink top. My sister insisted that it was 'so her'. well when she came out in the outfit we ere all standing waiting to see her and hen I saw her she was just so darn cute! I shouted ' gasp-a-lasp! Chesa! You're friggin hot!' and that made her go cherry red. It made her day. So thank you bunches! Not only did I get to say it in a crowded mall where everyone around smiled and or laughed I got to give my best friend a confidence boost. You rock!And yes Gaara is so jealous, isn't he adorable? I hope you like chapter 13! Thanks for reviewing!
To Gothic Saku-chan- lol. Your hilarious! Thank you for reviewing! Enjoy chapter 13!
To HalfBloodPhoenix- I know isn't he just the greatest? Lol, you liked that huh? That is awesome! I hoped that would make people laugh. And I thought 'courting rules be damned' would be something he'd say at that. Gaara doesn't like to share.Oh a new word! Cool, what does desune mean?Thank you for reviewing and I hope you like chapter 13!
To xoLovelyEyesox- Possessive Gaara is great isn't he? I love possessive guys and I just had to make Gaara one. hee hee. I will ask her but I think she is all for Edward. She says its sweet how he doesn't kill her. I haven't read the book myself so hen she told me that once I just stared at her like yeah, how sweet of him to… not… kill her…? She then explained the story to me and I was like oh god you're so right that its sweet! Hankie Pankie?! Even better. Does he know? Oh yeah I love my family they're great. And Z my oldest and very perverted brother swore he'd give me ten bucks if told you this…so sorry but ten bucks is ten bucks (please don't get mad at me) he says for me to tell you from him 'how you doin' baby? You sound super sweet, you fine little lady.' he said to put that in place of his hi. But Lan and Link just say hey. Lol sorry I cant control my brother, but I love him. He's actually the only one reading all my stuff. He's helping me a lot with supporting it. isn't he great? Plus he's gonna give me ten bucks! (I'm like a child how any amount of money gain excites me) And I so feel your pain. I get teased all the time. My twin is the only one who doesn't tower over me. And he's still taller…lucky. And I'm sorry but whose fangirl are you? They started argung over it when I told them you said you were 'his fangirl' and Link swears its him cuz hes awesome, Z swears its him cuz he does the specil talks with me and Lan says its him cuz hes my cool twin. So…I'm putting it in you hands settle the debate. Sorry…Anyway, Your name is spelled weird but at least in the end it is a fairly normal name, my mom was strange I guess because not only is my name spelled strange its just a strange name all around. But it is me and who I am and I like it. My name is Attilyn, but I go by Atty. Never ever Attilyn. Unless my brothers have a death wish or my mom is pissed. Hee hee. Teachers slaughter my name the first few days of class. Every year it is always the same. You'd not believe some of the things they turn my name into. Lol. And yeah my English teacher was hilarious. I think will really like him. But I found out the next day when he didn't show up for class that my 'wonderful' mischievous brother Link who had that class with me had told him after class that he would see him on Tuesday after our long four day weekend. The teacher had been like 'four day? I thought we only had Monday off.' I'm not sure how he did it but my awful brother convinced the poor guy that he was wrong and that we had Friday off too. So the next day we had no English class cuz the teacher didn't show up. I smacked the back of his head but Link insists it was still worth it. He's gonna be in trouble if the teacher tells on him…if he ever figures out he was tricked. a plonker? Nifty. I guess I'm a plonker too. Lol. Well thank you for reviewing/talking! And I hope you like chapter 13!
To Sadistic Kunoichi-13- O-o…how did you know? Its not this chapter or the next b/c that one s fully dedicated to naruhina but then in chap 15 I had an 'inner' moment planned before Sakura and Gaara left the maze. Wow. Go you. That's cool. Thank you for reviewing and I hope you enjoy chapter 13!
To chikkachoo- Possessive guys are cute to me too. Oh and never fear my next chapter is already planned to be dedicated completely to naruhina actually. Had to get used to writing a shy person before I attempted a fluffy scene between the two of them. I think I have it now and so chapter 14 will be nothing but Naruto and Hinata! Thank you I love this story and so that makes updating easier but I really just hate to leave people waiting hen something is happening in the story. Like stories where you get a chapter like every 2 weeks, I hate that cuz I am left wonering forever. You liked Kiki?! that's great! I'm amazed actually…you guessed Yura's planned couple pairing. I am shocked. I didn't think anyone would see that coming. Wow. But, (grins) which one Sasu or Kanku? Hee hee.
You're a runner? that's neat! I cant do it. I usually get bored or distracted. Plus its so much more fun to ride my board places. J I'm glad you liked my chapter and I hope you like 13 goes too! Thank you for reviewing- ps, hope your busy day went well.
To JPLteen- Yeah aren't jealous men entertaining? You thought it as interesting? Cool! I kind of wanted it to be a moment where everyone is going 'oh gosh what is he going to do!? Take her somewhere and claim her as his own in every sense of the word or just get her out and away from all those other boys and to himself?' Thank you for reviewing and I hope you like how chapter 13 goes!
Disclaimer: Naruto not mine.
Gaara ported them into the hedge maze again.
It would be the hardest place for the others to find them.
"Gaara?" Sakura's face was one of confusion as she looked to him, awaiting an explanation as to why he'd just done that.
And suddenly, gazing into her bright green trust filled eyes the wind left his sails. He could not force her to accept him as her love.
He doubted he could force her to do anything.
She'd made him weak he realized.
Told ya. Shukaku cackled.
But Gaara did not care, because when he looked at her he felt stronger. So it was an effect that canceled itself out. She made him weaker but when near her or thinking of her he was stronger. Therefore he was still strong just powered by different things now.
Instead of bloodlust he was powered by-
Simple lust. Shukaku cut in, with a barking laugh.
No, it is not simple lust. Yes, Sakura is attractive but it is more than that. This is love.
How do you know what love is? You don't know anymore about love than how to write its kanji. Ha you fool!
Gaara growled quietly. Damn that demon, but he was right. What did he know of love?
Sakura's voice broke though his thoughts.
"Gaara, why did you do that? Why bring us here?" she asked, her tone nothing but gentle. She wasn't angry, just curious. He needed to focus on her and not the idiot demon in his mind.
Gaara huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, "Why?"
"Why do I want to know?"
"No." Gaara shook his head, now that he was alone with her he felt his throat tightening and he was unable to say what he thought. Why was that?
"Then what are you asking? I don't understand."
He began walking. Perhaps if he moved he'd think more clearly.
She followed, he'd known she would.
After a few moments, he felt her eyes on him, quietly waiting for him to speak.
Gaara huffed and said, "I…you…"
Dammit, he couldn't piece his words together right.
Sakura took gentle hold of his hand.
"Gaara, slow your thoughts down. Okay? Just tell me piece by piece what it is. If its this hard to say it must be difficult. I understand. I just want to help you."
He felt a strange flutter in his chest. Her words seemed to empower him.
Nodding once he then asked, "Why do you let them touch you?"
That stopped her in her tracks.
He halted and waited for her to make sense of what he said so they could continue walking.
"You mean the guys?" she asked as she jogged forward the few steps to join his side again.
Gaara answered her with a nod.
"Oh. Did that bother you? I'm sorry I didn't know. But Gaara, they're my friends I want to hug them. It's a way of expressing my fondness for them. Do you understand?"
Her fondness.
"Fondness is love?" he asked trying to connect what she is saying to what she has said in the past.
She hugs those she loves. Hugs are a way of showing fondness. So fondness must be a form of love.
"Sort of. Gaara, there are tons of different types of love. There is the love of your family. The love of your friends. The love of your home. The love of a…special person. " she paused to think, "I can't think of any more right now. But trust me. There are a bunch. Love is a confusing thing to understand. People who haven't even had the past you have also have trouble understanding it all. To be honest it doesn't make sense to many people."
"It makes sense to you." he replied.
Sakura laughed lightly, "No. Sorry, Gaara, but you're wrong. I get mixed up in the confusion of love as much as everyone else."
"But you show love to a lot of people." he argued.
"Yes, I love a lot of people a lot of different ways." Sakura nodded her agreement.
"You must understand love to express it." Gaara said.
"Well, I'm sure it would help but no, you don't really have to understand it to feel it or show it."
His eyes widened. He didn't have to understand it all? He could already feel love?
Sakura saw the confusion in his expression.
"Think about a small child for a moment. They aren't taught to love their mother. They just feel it. They don't know it is love but.." she trailed off when she locked eyes with him again, realization dawning on her.
"Oh, god. I'm so sorry, Gaara. I didn't even think. Hold on, let me come up with a different example."
Gaara shook his head, "No." when she brought her worried eyes back up to his he added, "Its fine. Continue."
Smiling she nodded, "Sure. Okay then… Well, in that case, children don't know right away that what they are feeling is love. They eventually learn that it is. But they felt it way before they ever understood it. And take school girls, young girls who develop crushes. They feel a form of love for that person, they don't fully understand the concept of love but they know enough to know that that is what they are feeling. Even if it is not a long lasting love they are still loving that person. And then we come to people more our age. We can fall in love. But we also have friends we love, as well as family we love. But when we do find that special someone we feel drawn to we know it is love but we don't know if it is true love. Or if they love us. Or if it will be strong enough to last a long time. Love just brings tons of questions. So see everyone can feel it but nobody truly understands love completely. Its too hard to."
Gaara reflected on her explanation a moment and then quietly asked, "I can feel love?"
Sakura nodded a smile growing on her face.
"Even if I do not understand it?" he continued.
"Gaara, it really isn't about understanding love. Because like I said all people have a hard time understanding love."
"But, Naruto, he understands love." Gaara argued.
Sakura giggled, "Gaara there isn't much Naruto actually understands, and let me tell you love is not one of them. He can't even tell the girl he loves that he loves her."
"That is important? Telling them?" he asked looking to her inquisitively.
While walking they had come up to the 'damned gazebo' and Sakura motioned for them to sit there.
Gaara complied and they sat together on a bench.
Once comfortable Sakura sighed softly and answered, "Telling isn't always necessary. I mean if the bond is strong enough the two in love can just know. But remember how I said love brings questions?"
He nodded.
"Well, when someone is told that they are loved by the one they love it answers one of those questions- the 'do they love me' question is a very important one. Sometimes not knowing if the person you love feels the same is enough to stop the other from ever expressing their feelings. They're afraid of rejection."
Gaara understood that well enough. Even as he sat here listening to her speak he wondered if she would accept his love should he confess it to her.
Sakura smiled softly as she stared at the small flowers growing up around and onto the 'damned gazebo'.
"Besides, when the one you love tells you that they love you…you get the greatest feeling in your heart. At that one moment nothing could go wrong. Because that person loves you, you feel as if you could face anything and win."
Gaara studied her as she said this, the soft smile on her face…she was thinking of someone.
But who?
Naruto? The Uchiha?
"Someone has told you." he frowned.
Sakura laughed, "Well, I guess so. When I was younger Lee and Naruto told me all the time. And on the flip of that I told Sasuke all the time. But none of those were right. We were all too young to understand what we were saying. We were still figuring out our feelings. You know? What we thought was true love really wasn't. It was still a form of love but not the one we thought."
"So you do not love the Uchiha?"
"His name is Sasuke, you know."
"I do not care what his name is. He is fortunate I do not refer to him as the name I truly think he is."
Laughing, Sakura shook her head, "I don't even want to know what that is. But to answer your question. Yes, I love Sasuke."
Gaara was now confused, and in great pain. His chest was hurting. Damn emotions. Damn confusing woman.
Sakura continued speaking as she shyly studied her shoes, "I said I did back then and I was right about that. I was just wrong about the type of love I thought it was. I said I wanted to marry him. Now…I can't really ever see myself married to him. He is like a brother to me. I love him but only with the family kind of love. See the difference?"
Gaara nodded. A flood of relief washed over him. But looking on from outside no one would have known.
"Its amazing how our conversations always get so serious and deep." Sakura mumbled softly.
Yes it was true, most times he spoke with Sakura he ended up asking a question that sparked a deep conversation. But it was only because he wanted to learn these things and Sakura did not mind answering his questions, not to mention the fact that usually he only felt comfortable discussing such things with her.
"I…only do it with you." he admitted.
"No deep conversations with Kankuro?" Sakura teased leaning playfully.
"Asking what is for dinner is as deep as conversation for my brother goes."
Sakura giggled but shook her head, "I don't think so. I mean, yes, Kankuro is a bit of a goofball, but just like Naruto he sees things that most people miss. Kankuro can be very deep, maybe he just is afraid to let his powerful and mighty little brother know that. I mean the big brother is usually supposed to be the stronger one. The leader one. That way his younger siblings can come to him for help. But you, Gaara, choose to not ask for help from him or mostly anyone. You face most things alone. Kankuro respects that. He understands what life you've endured. He won't push you into something you don't want to do. But I bet secretly he is just waiting for the chance to get to play big brother for you."
Gaara sat in shock as he contemplated what Sakura said.
"You think that?" Gaara asked.
"I do. Have you ever noticed how he doubles his goofy antics when around you? I think he just wants to make you happy. To see you smile. You are his little brother. And even though for a long number of years you two weren't close, he wishes you had been. I'd say he deeply regrets obeying the order to stay away from you. And I truly think he wants nothing more than to be the big brother you always should have had."
"You have seen evidence of such…beliefs?"
Sakura shrugged, "I can't say for certain. This is just from what I have seen and what impression I got from him. Remember, Gaara, Kankuro kept me company many of those days when you were busy leading your village and Temari was busy out on missions. Because training the new ninja squads didn't take all day he was usually there by the time I got home from the hospital. We had tons of conversations, several of them rather deep."
After a stretch of silence Gaara finally whispered, "Did…you talk about me?"
Sakura rested her head gently on his shoulder and hugged his arm.
"We did. In fact, I talked about you to both of your siblings. I bet you didn't know that they are both very, very proud of you. And not only because of how far you have made it to from where you started. But because you had the strength to overcome everything tossed at you, and you did it alone. They both respect you more than anyone else they know. And if you tell them I told you they will hunt me down and gut me and then string me up by my intestines. Or so warns Temari."
Yes, that sounded like something his dear sister would threaten.
This was indeed news to him. Good news. He'd always wondered how his family relations were. He'd wanted to be a family but he'd never asked and they'd hardly offered. Granted Temari cooked for him and Kankuro visited him in his office at times. But apart from protecting each other on missions they didn't really help each other much. That was as far as their family contact went.
They were wrong though. He hadn't overcome anything alone.
First, Naruto had inspired him. Then when he was first trying to change his family not ridiculing him for it had encouraged him to continue. Then came Sakura. She had helped him as well. She had taught him what friendship was and how to be more 'human'.
He placed a hand on Sakura's where it still rested on his arm as she hugged it to her.
He locked eyes with hers and whispered, "I didn't do it alone."
She knew what he was saying. Her smile told him so.
With a happy sigh Sakura simply nodded and leaned her head back against his shoulder.
--
Kankuro looked back at the gazebo one last time before heading back to the others. After Gaara had disappeared he and the others had split up attempting to try and find them. Gaara could have been angry when'd he'd taken her and he might have accidentally hurt her. So that had made everyone worried. Not to mention that plain and simple, sometimes it was just hard to understand the meaning behind Gaara's actions.
But not this one.
Just as Kankuro had suspected in Suna, Gaara was falling for Sakura. Hard. If what he'd just witnessed gave him any indication at all. Gaara had just wanted the girl to himself for a while.
Sakura's words echoed in his mind as he wove his way through the maze.
"…But I bet secretly he is just waiting for the chance to get to play big brother for you."
"…I'd say he deeply regrets obeying the order to stay away from you. And I truly think he wants nothing more than to be the big brother you always should have had."
Sometimes that girl is smarter than anyone gives her credit for, he chuckled softly as he headed back to the others.
Naruto would be upset that he couldn't find them, but Kankuro was going to keep their location a secret.
It was the least he could do for his little brother. At the moment.
Perhaps later tonight he could work up the courage to sit down and talk with Gaara. Maybe he could offer assistance in wooing the pink haired girl. Not that it would be hard. It was fairly obvious she liked his little brother just as much as Gaara liked her. He'd never thought Gaara would fall in love. But he was glad he had, and with the best girl for the job of loving him too. Sakura was kind enough to understand Gaara didn't get everything right away, and that he would mess up because all things not related to killing were still pretty much new to him. And she was patient enough to work with Gaara to learn the things he didn't know. But she was also strong enough and brave enough and just stubborn enough to not back down from him. To stand up to Gaara when he got angry or when he chose not to act the way he knew he should. Sakura was perfect for his little brother and maybe after that little talk they just had Kankuro had his opening. He could finally get to be Gaara's big brother, he could finally help him with something.
Thanks Sakura. Kankuro thought with a grin as he found the maze exit and headed out to inform the others that he'd had no luck in finding the lost pair. And that apparently Gaara and Sakura had not run away to get lost in the hedge maze together.
He finally had his chance and he would start now by protecting this new secret soft side of his brother that Gaara only seemed to have when around the pink haired girl.