A.N. - Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing wonderful, and if you are not right now I hope that very soon something happens that helps you to be!
I love writing sweet scenes between these two! I don't think I will ever grow tired of it! Anyways this is a little cute fluff between Gaara and Sakura! So please read and enjoy guys! Thanks!
Fanggirlx

Disclaimer: Naruto isn't mine.

To Gothic Saku-chan- Heehee, yep you were right! Stalkers! Dumb ones too. Naruto did have the feeling and was on his way but Gaara beat him to the punch of being the knight to save her. Lol it is actually hard for me to imagine either Naruto or Gaara posing as the classic knight. Anyway…I hope you enjoy this chapter! And thank you for reviewing!

To BluePanda22311- excellent? ^////^ thank you! I love hearing that! And yes they so are whipped which is just hilarious to me. Lol, you thought that was funny? that's wonderful. I was hoping to make people smile with that! Especially with Sakura's part in that little conversation. Saiyomi is accepting him much easier now. She is willing to see him how Sakura sees him. It was cute wasn't it? don't we all just want a little pocket sized him when he's like that!? Heehee I know I would. Aw I am so so glad you loved it! And it don't hurt to love me either! Yay you too! Thank you for reviewing! And I hope you love the super fluff in this chapter too!

To Bleach-it-all- Cute name! You think its great!? Thank you! I am very glad to hear that! It is a bit sad but the sad is almost over for the moment. Awesome!? As always?! Oh my! Thanks! Thanks so much! I really really appreciate that! And I am glad to have you review! Thank you for it! I hope you like my next chapter!

To xoLovelyEyesox- You loved it!? Thanks Lee-chan! Heehee you have a plushie Gaara? Cute! I want one. Then I really would have a pocket sized him lol. Dummy Trevor. You should slap him hard! Lol I never know what I'm gonna write till its written so you might! Heehee, if I really do that then I don't doubt it! And yeah he was and I think he meant it dirty too. Lol Love you too Ashleigh! Thanks for the review! And I really hope you like the fluff that is to come!

To OoOlady heatherOoO- he is. And his contrition is so cute! He is super adorable! Aw, I hope he does. I'm sorry he did something that needs apologizing for. Or do you just want the super romance of such an apology scene? Because either one I understand and am rooting for the best for you! Thanks for reviewing and I hope you like the next chapter! (it's a little longer but I just couldn't divide this and make it a shorter chapter to update sooner. Sorry. I hope you enjoy it anyway!) and I am so so sorry! I totally used the wrong name with you! I apologize to you for that. You are so kind as to read and review and I wrote the wrong name to you! Please forgive me! I hope you were not offended and if you were I am sorry you were. I don't know what I was thinking…I can only apologize and say I won't do it again.

To - heehee, thanks that means a lot! I am so happy that it is awesome. Yeah, he is a bit sad. And wallowing slightly in angsty-ness but in this chapter Sakura (of course) fixes it so he'll feel better soon. Lol that does brig to mind some interesting images! Lol thank you! Those mental pictures are great! I will carry those the rest of the day and probably on into tomorrow! I'm glad you think it good work and I certainly will! Thank you so much for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this next chapter that is fluff filled!

To Guggas- Hi! It was a really sweet wasn't it? I like writing the sweeter side of relationships. (who wouldn't?) I am so happy that you love my story! And its in your top favorites!? Wow! I am honored! Really? What are they. I don't mind hearing criticism. Even if it is too late to use in this fic I can use it for my next. So please if you don't mind let me know what you would change. Especially the one that you cant bear. I cant help but be curious. Please? I promise it isn't a bother. Lol yeah I tend to write a lot…I love it though so I don't mind. Lol you thought that. that's funny. Thank you for that. It felt short to me though…heehee. Oh well thank you very much! The longest?! Really? Wow. Cool. I am speechless. Thank you for sticking through it! I am glad you did. I thought your grammar was fine by the way. And the spelling. Though I have dyslexia so I am not the best judge I am afraid. Just curious what language is your original of the ones you listed? I have never heard Icelandic before! That was cool to see listed. Heehee the sweetness? Thank you! I will! Thank you so much for the review and I hope you like how this next fluffy chapter goes!

"…Gaara…"

Said boy jerked his eyes up to lock with weak green.

The relief at seeing her well was enough to nearly break him. Gaara smiled slightly and his grip on her hand tightened.

He opened his mouth to say something but words wouldn't come out.

She smiled kindly at him.

"Its okay."

Gaara shook his head. No, it wasn't okay.

Sakura softly squeezed his hand. "Gaara. I'm sorry. You're right. You shouldn't have to change."

His eyes widened and he stopped struggling to speak and simply listened as Sakura fought to say what she wanted.

How weak her voice was pained him because he knew how vibrant she usually sounded but at the moment Gaara was simply thankful she was alive and capable to talk at all after that slash to her throat.

Saiyomi had made him take pictures of it while she'd prepped Sakura for the healing jutsu. Those picture would be used against the bastards when dealing with the police. So they had a purpose…but…it had seemed as if every flash from the camera had imprinted that image into his mind instead of the film. He saw it every time he closed his eyes now. It wasn't safe to blink…

"I fell in love with….a quiet reserved man. Not an expressive talker." Sakura told him smiling slightly, "I still love that quiet reserved man. I love him for what he is. How he is. And who he is."

She was whispering now.

He wanted to tell her to stop, to be quiet and rest, to save her energy, but between almost desperately wanting to hear what she was saying and the fact that his throat was still too tight to let him speak he couldn't.

"Gaara, I love you and… I know you love me. I shouldn't… demand you….to tell me that. I can see it….I feel it. That's enough….forgive me, please."

She took a slow deep breath and it pained her. He saw her wince but didn't know what to do. What could he do? She was in pain and it was all because he'd left her. If he'd stayed and talked it out like she'd initially wanted, those bastards would have never had the chance to do this to her.

"I…was scared…" she whispered.

Gaara bowed his head and rested it on the edge of her bed. He'd feared that she'd been afraid. Afraid he wouldn't come because he was angry with her. He'd feared she'd thought he'd abandoned her. He'd believed she'd never forgive him for deserting her like that. He couldn't have known that what had happened would, but…he'd still left her…abandoned his responsibilities to her…he…

He felt her touch his hair, softly stroking it in a slow weak manner.

"I…I thought that…I was going to die…"

The sand master jerked his head up and shook it. He would never let her die! Not then and not ever.

He would never ever leave her alone again! He swore on it. She was his responsibility he would protect her with everything, no matter if he's angry with her or not. He would never desert her again.

She shushed him, trying to get him to calm down. Her voice was going weaker.

"Gaara, I know…sshhh…I already know. You saved me. Protected me… I knew you would. I wasn't scared of dieing… once you were there…"

He gasped quietly.

"But…but before then…I was scared…that I'd die… without… making sure…you knew how much…I really… loved you. I do…and Gaara… I didn't say I wouldn't…be your mate…just that… I wanted you… to say… you…love me…but I take it back…I love you…and it sounds great…being mates with you…forever…if… the offer still stands…"

Gaara watched as she smiled softly at him and fell back into unconsciousness.

"I-it does." he was finally able to whisper. But it didn't matter now, she was asleep again.

He caressed the back of her hand with his thumb.

She asked for his forgiveness. And yet he should have been the one asking for it. No. He should have been begging for it. Begging for her to stay with him. But she didn't make him. And she probably never would.

Gaara scoffed at his foolishness before.

How could he have expected a person to accept the literal definition of the word forever when she knew nothing of mates?

He shouldn't have. Her surprise was probably a normal response.

He leaned down and kissed her hand.

"I…"

He tried. Gaara valiantly tried to say it. He knew that he felt it. Knew that he wanted to tell her now, even if she wouldn't hear it. He would still have told her. And would perhaps be able to tell her again if he could only…say this once.

Gaara tried.

But it just wouldn't come out.

He sighed, I love you. He told her in his mind. At least there he could say it. Too bad she couldn't hear his thoughts…those always worked better than his voice.

She'll hear'em soon enough. Better appreciate the privacy while you can, boy.

What? Gaara gasped inwardly.

Seems you don't know all there is to bein' mates either, huh?

No. Just what instinct says. He replied shaking his head once.

Fuck instinct. I know what you're really gonna get in that package deal.

What?

Oh, but it would ruin the fun of the surprise if I told you…

Now. He demanded, narrowing his eyes threateningly.

Jeesh, you could at least ask nicely.

No. Now.

Fucking brat. Fine. You two will share a mate link. Meaning thoughts will be shared, feelings, emotions, fears, and you two will have a constant sense of the other's state. If she gets scared. You'll feel it. If she gets hurt, depending on how severe, you'll feel it. But you know for safety purposes…since you're the male and thus naturally the provider and protector you will only feel a fraction of it. If she gets impaled it will feel like a punch to you probably. But if its a minor injury like a cut on her finger…it will hurt the same. Don't ask me why 'cause I don't know. That's just how it is. Oh, and one more thing you two will share…

Yes?

Me. Meaning once you mate her I can go in her head too! And I doubt she'll be able to resist...my methods of persuasion. I will have my freedom some way!

Shukaku cackled maniacally.

His laughter echoed in Gaara's brain as ice claimed his heart.

He couldn't have her! Gaara could never mate Sakura.

How could he possibly subjugate her to that? He couldn't. Pain sliced through him while the demon's mocking laughter continued. He had been so close…so close to having her. And now it was all ruined thanks to that damn demon.

Gaara growled angrily wishing that he'd quit laughing. Really it wasn't that funny. In fact, to Gaara it wasn't funny at all.

Fucking sadist. Shut up. Gaara growled at the despicable creature.

Suddenly the demon stopped.

Had he listened for once? No…then what had shut him up?

Curious, Gaara looked in to see why.

Inner Sakura was there. And she was angry. The fiery eyed girl was screaming at the sand demon.

Shuka, I swear to god I'll kill you! Fucking try to take me over will you? We'll just see about that! Lets see you try it! Just let you try it! I'll snap off your dick and shove it up your ass! You hear me, Shuka!? You ain't taking over nothing no matter how much persuasion you try!! You can just get rid of those damn thoughts right now! You fucking got me?

Shukaku smirked, I do now. Knew that'd draw you out, you wicked hellion. I just wanted you.

Her eyes flew open, You bastard, I was asleep! And you woke me up for that! Now I really am gonna kill you!

Sure, sure but after I bang you.

She gasped and then giggled, You sure know how to sweet talk a girl, don't ya? She asked sarcastically.

The demon chuckled, Only the best for my firecracker.

Shove it. Let's go.

Shukaku glanced back at Gaara with a wicked grin, You may want to leave now or you'll get an earful of something you might not have wanted.

Gaara quickly obeyed and left those two messed up souls alone.

Sakura was staring at him

"They have issues…huh?" she whispered.

"You heard that?"

"I heard her half. Filled in the rest."

He nodded, "You don't want the whole thing... Trust me."

Her smile grew, "I do, with my whole heart."

Sakura held her other hand out for him to take and Gaara did.

"Will you hold me?" she whispered.

Gaara felt his heart soar. She not only forgave him but was allowing him back with their relationship exactly as it was. He didn't even have to earn her trust back!

"Hold you?" he whispered, half unable to believe it.

Sakura nodded, "I keep having nightmares. But I like…waking up in your arms…it makes it better. Please?"

She didn't have to ask him twice, he'd been dying for a chance to hold her again.

He walked around the bed and crawled in on the empty side, scooting closely to her and pulling her to his chest gently.

Gaara felt her sigh softly against him, "Thank you."

She carefully rolled over so she was facing him and reached up to touch his face.

"I love you." she whispered and then tucked her head in against his chest.

He lay there rubbing her back softly, listening to her breathe. Waiting silently for sleep to reclaim her.

Sakura asked in a soft breathy voice, "Will you kiss me once?"

He stared down at her.

"No."

He watched with morbid satisfaction when she looked crestfallen. She wanted him that much.

It pleased him to know. It however did not truly please him to see her like that.

He took her chin gently in his hand and tipped it up so he could stare directly into her trembling eyes.

"Once isn't enough." he finished quietly.

Sakura's face lit up and she smiled sweetly.

Unable to withhold himself any further Gaara kissed her. Gently. Softly. Lovingly.

Like that first true kiss they'd shared at the fair. It was the simplest sweetest caress of his lips on hers.

When he eventually pulled back he felt the need to continue leisurely kissing her. He'd brush his lips against hers in a short soft kiss every few moments.

Sakura sighed contently. "Thank you. I love you, Gaara."

He kissed her once more and struggled to say his feelings as well. When he opened his mouth to speak and nothing came forth Gaara brushed a hand gently down her face to rest on her cheek and tried again. "I…er…." he growled his frustration and Sakura kissed him again.

"You don't have to force it, Gaara. I told you. I understand. I already know you love me."

He placed a finger on her lips.

"Hush." he growled.

She obeyed.

"I…" it wouldn't come out. Why? Why couldn't he say it? He felt it dammit! He knew this was love. It had to be. What the hell else could this be? Fucking lust didn't bring men like him to their knees the way this did…he had to say it. She deserved to hear it. To feel what he felt every time she told him.

Gaara closed his eyes and focused then opened his mouth to attempt once again.

"I you too."

His eyes flew open. Wait. What? He skipped the whole most important word!

Sakura giggled lightly, "You are so sweet. But its fine. Really. I can wait. Maybe eventually, one day you will feel safe saying it."

Her lips met his in another sweet caress before she whispered against them, "Perhaps maybe after we are mates?"

Gaara froze.

"What?" he breathed in shock even as a chill rushed up his spine.

"I want to be your mate." she whispered again.

He shook his head frowning at her, "Don't agree to this just to please me."

She grinned, "Self centered much, Gaara? This is not about you. Its about how much I love you, how much I want you. Forever. We've known each other so long. And it's like all this time that we were friends our hearts actually already knew what we would be even if we didn't. Don't you feel as if we've been together like this all these years and not just a few days?"

He nodded agreeing solemnly, "Pity we weren't truly. That is a lot of wasted time that could have been well spent."

"Well spent on what?" Sakura tilted her head slightly.

"This."

He kissed her again, deeper this time. Reveling in the chance to fill his senses with her once again. He'd nearly lost her. But she was safe, and still his.

She still loved him.

"I will never let you get hurt again." he promised kissing her gently once more.

Never had he made such a promise to anyone but her. He'd promised to hurt someone, but that was different for obvious reasons. The only other time he'd made the promise to protect someone was when he became Kazekage. And then he'd sworn to protect all the villagers. No person in particular. This was different. This was personal. This was a promise, a giving of his word to just Sakura and Sakura alone.

"I will try to make sure you never get hurt again either." she replied.

He snorted, "I need no protection."

"Here." she whispered placing her hand over his heart.

"It's mine now. And I will protect it with my life. I swear it." she promised him.

Gaara stared into her eyes, searching for anything that should keep his hope from rising. Anything to warn him that this dream that he must be stuck in was going to end. That her words were a lie.

He found nothing. Nothing but honest genuine promise.

His eyes burned. And his head spun.

No one. No one had ever been like this. Done this. He never wanted it to end, but at the same time he didn't like not understanding it. It frustrated him to be assaulted by so many new emotions. And it pissed him off more than anything to not understand so many of them. But…even still…

This…was love. Sakura's sweet love.

She loved him.

With everything she had.

And he…he was overwhelmed with this new rush it caused. And as she'd perfectly told him he didn't have to understand that. Just feel it too. And he did. Gaara believed, genuinely believed, that he did.

He loved her.

But dammit he couldn't tell her…even after all this…he couldn't…

"Gaara?" he heard Sakura softly gasp.

She rubbed her fingers down his cheek and showed him her finger tips, showing him the wetness there.

"You're crying."

He touched his own face and sure enough, it was no trick. Tears were streaming down his face.

Damn emotions. Sneaking out like that…

"What's wrong?" she asked sweetly kissing his wet cheeks.

He smiled at her, "Nothing."

And the beautiful thing was…it was true. There was nothing wrong. For the first time he could remember, he was at total peace because Sakura truly loved him. Despite the fact that he couldn't verbally return her sentiments, she loved him. And he loved her regardless of understanding how or why he simply knew he did. And she… wanted to be his… forever. He could keep her. And feel this forever. Feel loved, forever.

Absolutely nothing was wrong. He was…just…he was simply…

Gaara quickly buried his face in Sakura's shoulder and held her close to him, "I'm happy."