A.N. - Hey guys! I'm back with yet another chapter! Woo! heehee ok. This chapter is mostly a cute mother daughter moment about how Sakura can go about talking about this whole mating issue with Gaara. But Gaara gets more than spoken of he gets his time in the spotlight I guess you could say lol. Anyway I hope you guys all enjoy it! And I also want to say ... I hope you all have a happy thanksgiving! I doubt I will post again before then so I just wanted to wish everyone well. And if any of you don't celebrate thanksgiving I still hope this week goes wonderfully for you! Bye bye for now guys!
Fanggirlx

Disclaimer: Still not mine. Truly doubt it ever will be lol.

To Courtz. babee- lol that was funny! Lol good job with making sure it was your own account! Lol I laughed at that so much. Really?! O awesome! You were gonna ask that? I really want those two to finally become an official couple and not just 'playmates' so I am probably going to have a bit more of them in the near future. Yay! I love it when people aw my writing it means I'm doing good! Heehee you're right! Lol it must run in the family! Though I don't think Kankuro had too much of a problem with it…lol really? That is so neat! So you guys plan to write funny things you guys have done on your 21st bday card? Lots of stuff? Lol oh no poor Laura heehee you two are so funny. And I always feel special when I get a review but now that I get to be on your card! Well I just feel super special awesome! ( I love that saying lol) heehee it is nice to be loved. Thank you! Your review was fun! I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

To Gothic Saku-chan- I know isn't he just cute when he's not being a jerk or emo-ish? (emo guys can be fun but for me it has to be in small doses lol) it did turn in to a very emotional chapter but I am glad you still liked it! That is what is important. Lol I liked that part too! Konkers is so fun to write and Yura teases him well I think heehee. I hope you like this next chapter too! Thanks for the review!

To JackedUp- aw im sorry it was too short I thought it might be. But thank you for saying it was good enough. Lol I hope you like this next chapter better! I think it's longer. Thanks for reviewing!

To missladylaura- lol its fine that you aren't not many people are really I just…I dunno the idea came to me and I liked it lol. I am so glad you liked the chapter! Thank you! Lol wow you're all those things for her? What would she do with out you? Heehee its fun to have a personal heater though. Especially now that its getting chillier. I hope you enjoy my next chapter!

To hayhayhiltz- Hi there! Thank you for reviewing! I am so happy you are enjoying my story and thank you so much for the compliment! Its wonderful to hear that its great! Also I am ecstatic that you cant wait for my next chapter (heehee which is this one) I hope you enjoy it as well!

To BluePanda22311- lol Naruto is always helpful what are you taking about? Jk we all know he makes more messes than cleans them but as long as he is adorable doing it its all good right? Lol Kankuro was cute! Of course he's one of those again that I think is always cute heehee. You liked my Sasutem moment? Thank you! I may be having a fairly big one for them soon, I really want them together officially. Yeah everyone took their worry for sakura out on poor sad Gaara he couldn't help it…loved your gangster moment! It made me giggle lol Gaara kind of already did…that was what got him in this mess. Lol guess he'll just have to get better at it and try again huh? Lol YAY GAASAKU!! Oh I loved it and I love this one! I adore getting reviews period but when they are filled with nice and funny things I just cant stop my smile. I am very fortunate that most all of my reviews are from great people who are really nice. And that you think I deserve it makes me super happy! Thank you! I hope you like this chapter too so I can get another fun review! Heehee.

To Guggas- lol you are funny! Yeah I figured that was the one you meant but I wasn't sure. I definitely will! I have finally finished all my hard projects and stuff so now I have time to read fan fictions! Heehee I do try to be hard to predict it makes the story more fun for both me and my readers! Yeah my family loved teasing me about my smut practicing lol they're lucky I love them. what does intimidating mean? oh ok. Well the main dictionary definition means to create fear, or awe or inadequacy. And really it just means your name looked big and scary ad I thought it would beat me up if I tried to say it. Jk I just didn't think I could do it. But your name does mean something cool! And gugga is a cute nickname to get out of it! Though I honestly did laugh a little when you said your name means God lied. Lol but being as bright as God is pretty awesome too. Either way thank you for teaching me that! I just love learning about people and names are really cool so it was really fun! Any other cool words you can teach? Lol there may be slight fluff in this chapter…I am not sure if it would count as it or not but never fear the fluff will return soon enough if what is in this chapter doesn't equal fluffy goodness. Heehee thanks for the review and I look forward to hearing from you again! Also please enjoy this next chapter!

The next morning was dreary and drizzly and though not a single person wanted to go to class every seat held it's rightful student.

Sakura sighed and glanced out her window as she leaned her chin down on her hand.

Watching the slow rain fall on the glistening sidewalks she felt herself being lulled into a cozy sleep.

Bang!!

She jerked awake with a start.

Her suddenly alert green eyes landed on a book on her desk. Following the book to two hands that held it, up the arms and continued on up into the face of her own mother.

"Sleeping in class?" Saiyomi asked with dissatisfaction in her voice.

"Sorry ma'm."

"Stay after class. I want a word with you." her strict teacher voice promising Sakura's future doom.

She watched as her mother turned and walked back to the front of the classroom. "Now, class let us return to the feudal era and continue discussing this epic novel that is based in that time. Could someone please tell me why the male protagonist of this tale is so troubled? Ah, you, Akiro, yes please." Saiyomi smiled encouragingly at the boy who'd raised his hand to answer.

Once again Sakura felt her mind drifting away.

This time, however, she didn't doze off, instead she revisited this morning. A sweet time when she woke in Gaara's protective embrace.

Thinking back on the events that had lead her to be injured and in bed for so long she then thought of the argument they'd had on the rooftop.

Eternal wife he'd said.

Gaara wanted her…to marry him? He wanted her forever?

How did that just suddenly happen?

They were friends. They start dating and then boom! He wants to marry her? Was he just excited about being in love? Or was he serious? And if he was serious…did she want to marry Gaara now… or ever? If she did she'd surely have to move to the village in the Sand. It would be unreasonable for her to do anything else. He is Kazekage after all it wasn't like he could move somewhere else.

Wait, if he were Kazekage then what would that make her if she married him?

Why was she even contemplating any of this? It's not like she wanted to get married now.

Or did she…?

She loved Gaara. That much she was certain of, even after such a short dating period she knew she already loved him…but, but there were so many things still left to learn of him…about him and his family and Shukaku…she wanted to know all she could before diving into marriage.

It wasn't out of the question, exactly…she most likely wanted to get married and if she did she could certainly see herself with him, in fact it was almost impossible for Sakura to imagine herself with another guy. So she could see herself marrying Gaara…but not right now.

Which is what it seemed he wanted. She didn't want to fight with him. She also didn't want to hurt him or make him feel as if he were unloved or unwanted. It most definitely was not that. He was very loved so that wasn't the reason why she didn't want to get married or mated or whatever he'd called it. She just wanted more time to enjoy dating him. But would he understand that if she told him or would he just get angry again? She now knew she desperately wanted to become his mate and to belong to him in every sense of the word. She wanted to marry him and live together till death did their bodies part and their spirits lived together in the heavenly peace of the afterlife. But she wanted to wait. Just for a little while. She wanted to understand more about him and who he was, and understand more of what his expressions meant and what his soft spoken words meant and what the words he didn't say meant and…just everything. She wanted to learn everything about him before she married him. Mated him. That way she would be the perfect wife, mate. The one he deserved to have.

But how could she put that into words?

Duh. You just did smart one.

Oh, its you.

Nice to talk to you too. Sheesh. And here I thought you'd be happy to have a sounding board. How wrong was I?

It's not that. Its just…I'm cranky I guess. I hate not knowing what to say or what to do.

I know. Me too, I'm the same way. Probably because I am you in a way but whatever. Let's not get into those technicalalities.

I want to mate Gaara. Belong to him forever. Be his eternal wife, like he said.

So what's the problem then?

I want to wait. Sakura sighed.

So…like I just said. Say what you were just thinking. I'm pretty sure he'd get it.

You think so? He won't get angry?

Want me to ask Shuka? Her inner chirped.

No!

Oh…ok then…in that case if you don't want advise from the one guy who would know better than anyone else you just have to go by your instincts.

Instincts? Really? That's all you got?

That's all you need princess! Now stop sassing me and open your damn eyes and realize the rest of the class has been gone for ten whole minutes now! Heh, airhead.

What!! Why didn't you say anything?!

We were having an important discussion that I didn't think should have been interrupted.

So!

Sakura snapped out of her daze and met eyes with her mother.

But instead of anger like she'd expected to see, she saw amusement shimmering in her mother's soft ivy green stare.

"Have a nice chat with yourself?" her mother asked.

Sakura looked sheepish as she shrugged.

"Have a lot on your mind?" Saiyomi asked as she walked over and sat at the desk beside Sakura's.

"Sort of. But…nah. Nevermind."

"Do you have another class next?"

"Nope. You're my last for today."

"Wonderful. This is my last as well. We can go eat and have a nice long chat about what's troubling you so much that you would loose focus in class." Saiyomi said with a smile, but accompanying that sweet smile was a tone that said 'you can't say no, missy'.

Sakura sighed, "Sure. Can I find Gaara and tell him I'm leaving campus with you awhile first?"

Saiyomi grinned, "Would he get worried if you didn't?"

"Maybe. I don't want to cause him any reason to feel troubled after what happened yesterday. And I just figure not being able to find me might do that."

"You're a good girl." Saiyomi said patting her daughter's head.

Sakura watched her mother stand up.

"Alright, sweetie, go find your boy. Tell him our plan, put your bag away, and meet me at my car in thirty minutes. Think you can handle that? If you can I will let you pick where we have our chat. If you're even one minute late I choose."

Sakura grinned, "Sounds like a plan. Meet you then!" she grabbed her things and quickly left the classroom.

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Twenty minutes later Sakura was in a rush. She couldn't find Gaara. She'd put her things up and searched his dorm but he wasn't there or the cafeteria. So where was he?

It was around that time that it dawned on her. She didn't know his schedule. He usually found her or they bumped into each other. How could she find him?

Feeling more than slightly worried she hurried around campus looking in every class window she passed.

Engrossed in her search for a particular red head Sakura failed to notice the boy in her path until it was too late.

She plowed straight into the poor guy and they both hit the floor with a thud.

"I'm so so sorry! Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine. You?"

"Yep." her eyes locked with his and she realized who it was she'd bumped into.

"Neji!" she exclaimed, "Sorry! I didn't see you. You're sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine." he answered.

"Look, I'd love to stay and chat but I'm looking for someone. Hey! Maybe you've seen him! Neji, do you know where Gaara is? It's important."

Neji nodded, "So you really are dating him. I see. I do know where he is."

Sakura beamed at him, "Really!? That's great! Where?"

"Behind you." a familiar voice answered for the long haired genius.

Neji chuckled darkly, "Take care, Sakura." he waved over his shoulder and strolled away.

She spun around and into Gaara.

He caught her easily, "What is important?"

"Nice to see you too." she teased. Then she remembered her deal and that she had little time left. She checked her watch, four minutes to be exact!

She grabbed his hand and started to run, "Come with me I have to talk and run at the same time!"

"Why?" he asked though complying with her wishes.

"I have to go eat lunch with my mom. I wanted to find you and tell you where I would be so you wouldn't worry about me. Especially after what happened before, you know?"

"Yes."

"I'm not sure when I'll be back but when I do come back do you think I could meet you in your dorm?"

"Yes."

"I wish you could come with me but I am fairly certain we are going to talk about you. Not to make you worry or anything. It isn't a bad discussion. So don't. Worry that is, there's no need for you to. Do you want me to get you anything?"

"No."

"Oh, okay. Want me to tell you what is said about you?"

He debated that a moment. "No."

"No? Really?"

"Sometimes ignorance truly is bliss."

She laughed, "Good point."

The parking lot came into view.

"Almost there." she declared.

Gaara wondered why he was still running with her. Had she not said all she needed to say?

What more was there to say?

She stopped in front of her mom's car and checked her watch.

"Woo! With a half minute to spare! We did it! And she's not even here yet." Sakura cheered.

She turned back to face Gaara. Before the poor boy could comprehend what was gong on she was suddenly in his arms pressed against him, fingers delving into his hair as she gently held his head to hers, her soft lips on his.

Oh.

This was why he stayed running with her.

She pulled away and smiled into his eyes.

"I'll see you when I get back. And really, don't worry about this lunch chat. It'll be fine."

"I wasn't."

"Oh. Okay then, Nevermind." she giggled.

"Alright you two lovebirds break it up. You, mister, can have her back after I've had my time with her." Saiyomi's voice called to them as she crossed the parking lot.

Sakura kissed him quickly one more time.

"Love you, Gaara, see you later okay?"

He nodded and watched her get into the car with her mother. She waved at him through the window and then he vanished in a whirl of sand.

Saiyomi smiled at her, "He likes doing that doesn't he?"

Sakura nodded laughing a little, "He does."

"Well alright where to?"

"Waffles!" Sakura exclaimed happily.

Shaking her head Saiyomi began to pull out, "Should've known."

"You really should have." Sakura agreed with a smile.

As they headed for a place to get her waffles Sakura silently hoped this chat went well. She'd told Gaara it would, he'd seemed fine though sometimes it was very difficult to tell with the guy. But she herself wasn't completely sure of it going well so how could he take it so well when she was nervous? Nervous with a somewhat good reason, she had a feeling her mother would not take this new 'mate' information well.

---------------

She was right.

"Mates?!" her mother exclaimed.

Sakura winced and nodded glancing around the restaurant. Her mother's loud exclamation attracting a few stares.

"So soon?"

Again she nodded trying to avoid looking at the curious crowd around them.

Saiyomi took her hands and she hesitantly raised her head to meet her mother's gaze.

"Will there be a wedding too?" Saiyomi asked with bright eyes.

Sakura's jaw dropped.

Her mother was not simply taking this well. She was taking it extremely well.

"You're not upset?"

"Oh, heavens no. You love him don't you? If you feel ready for this who am I to argue? Just give me a sweet wedding to remember and a promise of grandbabies!"

Sakura smiled slowly, "So…you're really okay with me mating him?"

Saiyomi gripped her daughter's hands gently and caressed the backs of them with the pads of her thumbs.

"Sakura, dear, I am fine with your relationship. I approve of Gaara. He seems to be a decent fellow and he obviously loves you. The boy nearly destroyed my yard with his anguish over you getting hurt. That is true love. Why, once your father destroyed an entire room when he heard I was missing on the field. Of course it was my own living room he nearly demolished and when I returned he was in very much trouble. But all the same he was overwhelmed with sadness at the thought of loosing me. So was your Gaara. That to me expresses how greatly he loves you. I don't need anymore proof than that and the look in his eyes when he watches you. There is love in that usually cold gaze of his, Sakura, love for you. Well that and the obvious heat that I as your mother must choose to ignore. Or the motherly meddling may commence and I doubt that would go over well."

They laughed and Sakura felt herself relaxing.

"So if I mated him tonight you would be fine with it?"

Saiyomi smiled, "Only if you were one hundred percent sure of it yourself. Which, judging from your look is the whole problem, am I correct? You aren't sure you want to be mated with him yet."

"I do love him, mama." Sakura argued.

Chuckling, Saiyomi shook her head, "Dear, I said nothing about you loving him. I know you love the boy. Heavens, you were ready to leave me to be with him. You love Gaara. That I believe now. But just because you love someone does not mean you have to instantly race to the end and cross the finish line. Run the whole race first, sweetie."

Sakura nodded, leaning back in her seat and sipping her drink. "But people date for different amounts of time."

"Some people have shorter races to run. It is up to you two to determine how long your race is to be. If you were ready to mate him tonight and knew full heartedly that it was the perfect decision to make I would support you. But, you seem worried. Hesitant. So what is troubling you, my baby?"

"Mom, I love him. I want to spend forever with him. It is honestly hard to imagine me not spending it with him. I doubt that after being with him no one else would be able to be what I want he's that great. I just…I just want to wait a little while before taking that last big step. I want to take my time, and enjoy simply being with him. Dating him. And mate him only when it feels right to both of us."

Saiyomi nodded understandingly, "What is wrong with that?"

Sakura shrugged, "Nothing really. It's just the other day on the roof when I got hurt really badly the reason he wasn't there was because we'd fought. He said I was his mate intended and that mate meant being his eternal wife. And that freaked me out a bit that he was already thinking about forever. So I said I didn't want to yet. That I wanted him to say he loved me first. Which was wrong. I already know that. I shouldn't have demanded that of him. I'm aware that I should wait until he feels comfortable saying it."

"Why do you know you should wait for him to feel ready to say it?" Saiyomi asked knowingly.

"Because when he does say it finally I'll know without a doubt that he feels it. And that he's not just saying it to please me or anything."

"Exactly. Why should him wanting you to be his mate be any different? He should be willing to wait until you are ready so that when you are he knows without a doubt that you want to mate him simply because you want to and not because you want to please him. Understand?"

Sakura sat back in awe. Her eyes wide with realization dawning in them.

"You're absolutely right! Wow. You make it sound so much simpler."

Saiyomi chuckled, "Dear, I have gone through all this before. Well, not the whole mating a demon part but the marriage part is all the same no matter how you spin it."

"Thank you, mom. You said exactly the right thing. Now I can tell Gaara that I do love him and that I do know that I want to marry him and be his mate for all our lives but that I want to take things slowly. I know I want to spend forever with him, in fact, forever with Gaara sounds great, mama. It actually sounds better than great. It sounds wonderful! I can't wait to get to that part! I just want to learn more about him first, so that when we are married and mated we will fit perfectly. And I don't have to worry about how he'll take that because he loves me and he'll be okay with waiting until I feel ready. So thank you. Thank you for helping me see that. Somewhere in me I probably already knew it but I would never have found it inside me without you."

"Good. Glad I could help, dear."

"But mom? What if he thinks something wrong. Like what if he thinks I don't want to mate yet because I'm unsure of my feelings or nervous of mating a demon or something like that?"

"Then just tell him the truth. Sakura, your Gaara is no fool. He is a wise boy. If you tell him how you feel and he misunderstands just explain your thoughts to him. He will understand. Or at least try to. But bless their hearts sometimes men just can't grasp what we try to tell them. And when that happens you just have to show them that even if you two can't see eye to eye you still love each other and that that isn't going to change no matter what. Alright?"

"Right." Sakura smiled softly, "Mom, how do you make this all seem easy?"

"Like I said. I have walked this road before. I know the twists and turns it can have. If you have any other questions about it I am happy to listen and help anytime. That goes for Gaara too. In fact, I would love a chance to sit down and get to know your boyfriend better. He is very important to you and I already can see how much his reputation has been stretched. I can see he is hardly the monster others say him to be. Knowing the real Gaara as you do just could be fun! And besides, the whole learning process I imagine would be quite an adventure in and of itself." Saiyomi laughed. "So you tell him that if he needs any advice or a friendly motherly ear to listen I am now here for him as well. Poor boy going so long without a mother….he may have so many unanswered questions only a mother can answer."

"Thanks. He may not exactly jump at the offer but it may please him to know you actually offered it."

Their waitress came up to their table carrying their food.

"Perfect timing!" Sakura said giggling happily as she began to pour syrup all over her waffles.

Saiyomi smiled at Sakura and then said, "Since we have this all cleared up you won't be spacing out in my class anymore right?"

"Right! Now I'm all set to talk about…er, whatever it is you were talking about today."

"Oh Sakura you're hopeless! You don't remember a thing?"

"Eh heh heh, sorry?" she asked meekly.

"Well lucky for you I am in the mood to talk about it again. So pay attention this time."

Sakura groaned, "I knew there was a catch in here somewhere. You wanted to lecture me on what class was about this whole time, didn't you."

"Well of course. But I also wanted to help you sort your thoughts. Now, listen up. The story is set in feudal Japan."

Sakura rolled her eyes and listened as her mother re-went over her lesson as they ate.

Well at least some good had come from this outing. She now knew what to say to Gaara when she met him later.

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Gaara shoved his hands in his pockets and walked slowly back to campus.

So.

That was what they had to talk about. She had doubts about mating.

He was relieved that it was not because she doubted their love or their relationship. She just doubted the timing. If time was the only problem…if all she simply wanted was more time to grow accustomed to being with him he believed he was fully capable of providing her with all the time she needed. That was no problem.

Saiyomi was a wise woman. He'd thought she was. It was now confirmed. He was thankful she was there to clearly explain everything for Sakura. He didn't think he would have been able to tell Sakura he was fine with waiting as she had.

It also touched him to know that even though he was not her son she wanted to help him and listen to him as well. He was not entirely sure how to feel about that exactly but nonetheless he was touched. And though Gaara was not certain he would actually ever be brave enough to go to the woman for advice or a talk, Sakura was right in saying it'd please him to know she'd offered. It did. Her offer meant that when she said she accepted his being with her daughter they were not mere words but an actual truth.

His problem and discomfort with not knowing why Sakura and her mother would suddenly need to talk about him was resolved.

Now the problem he came up against was how was he to discuss this with her later without letting her on to the fact that he'd followed them to her favorite breakfast restaurant and eavesdropped on their entire conversation?

Perhaps, he should just let her do most of the talking. He usually did anyway. It would be nothing new.

Gaara let out a soft inaudible sigh.

He could not help the contentment that settled within him. There was no stopping it.

Forever still sounded good to her.

She just wanted to learn more first. Her actually wanting to learn more about him and who he was caused a good feeling to stir in him.

Now at ease thanks to the knowledge he'd learned Gaara sand ported the rest of the way back to campus and on into his room to work on his studies and await Sakura's return so they may begin their discussion. First, before they could hold such a discussion he would have to clear out his dorm though. This would be a discussion needing of privacy. Naruto could go to Hinata's room. But what of the Uchiha? Ah, he could figure it out himself. As long as the brooding boy was not a nuisance and in his room Gaara didn't reallycare where he went.