In the morning, Sakura felt better indeed. She got up, looked over her shoulder to Gaara's sleeping form and sighed. When Gaara woke up 30 minutes later, the fact that he didn't find her there, next to him, gave him a feeling of uneasiness. He stood up on his feet and started looking for her. The smell of freshly cooked food tickles his nostrils and the corners of his mouth turned upwards. He entered the kitchen and found her in front of the stove. She seemed more slim than usual. He liked slim women because they looked fragile, like they needed his protection. In this case though, being slim wasn't good. When he got closer to her, Sakura went to grab something from the cupboard.

She doesn't let me touch her. She is still upset.

"Good morning."

"Good morning. You can have a seat at the table. I will bring the food in a minute."

"Ok."

He waited a little before he said something else:

"Sakura, I will be home for lunch and I will come back early tonight. Kankurou will finish the work in my place."

"There is no need." She answered coldly. "Stay at work, I have something I need to do anyway."

"Like what?" He asked with concern.

Right then Shinki entered the kitchen.

"Mom!" He jumped to hug her. "Are you feeling better? Thank God!"

Sakura smiled and caressed his head. Gaara couldn't help but wish that Sakura caressed his head like that, too.

"Take your father and sit at the table." She said it without looking at Gaara.

"Dad, come on! I am so hungry! I can't wait to fill my backpack." Shinki said as his hand rubbed his stomach in circles.

While they were eating, even though Sakura sat next to Gaara, she didn't look at him once. The kid did most of the talking. He told them about his dream and about the kids from school. Gaara felt like he had a knot in his throat every time he swallowed. He looked at her hand and smiled.

At least she is still wearing the ring, so it can't be that bad.

His hand rested on top of hers, on the table and Sakura had to refrain herself from pulling her hand away.

"It was very tasty, my dear."

"Yes, mom. I liked it very much. Thank you!"

Sakura only smiled shyly and lowered her head a little. Gaara took back his hand. Sakura immediately felt the absence of his warmth. The past days, she would have given anything to feel his touch again. Now, she was resigned.

Gaara kept his word and came back home at lunch, but Sakura also kept hers and she wasn't there. Gaara paced the house and looked through the window, searching for any sign that she will be back before his 1 hour lunch break ended. He sighed and teleported himself back at the office.

He came home early that night, just like he said. Shinki played on the floor with the puppets uncle Kankurou gave him.

"Shinki."

"Father, look!"

Gaara sat down to play with his son a little.

"Where is Sakura?"

"She is having a shower."

"I see."

Gaara created sand soldiers to fight Shinki's puppets. They fought for the sand castle. Shinki screamed and laughed. He tried to catch Gaara's soldiers and break their legs. His dad played kind of rough because he was determined to win. He hated losing. Shinki didn't like losing either, which happened every time they played together, but the boy was very happy to play with his dad. These occasions were so rare for them because Gaara worked overtime a lot.

It takes her too long. I am going to check on her. He got up from the floor and went into his bedroom. At least she is having a bath in my bathroom. He waited outside the bathroom door. He didn't hear any sound from the other side.

"Sakura, are you there? Can I come in?"

No answer.

"Sakura?"

More silence.

"I am coming in."

He opened the door very slowly for her to know that he enters in case she didn't hear him before. As soon as the door was open, a sea of pink took his eyes and he screamed:

"Sakura!"

She lied on the floor, with her back to him, hair sprawled, her blouse raised so that her stomach touched the cold tiles of the floor. He ran to her, kneeled and stretched his arms to lift her up, but she stopped him.

"Don't move me."

"What?"

"It's the only position in which it doesn't hurt."

Gaara sighed. His fingers caressed her face as he lied down on his side, facing her.

"There is no need for you to stay here. You'll catch a cold."

"It doesn't matter. All that matters is for you to be well. What can I do to make my love feel better?"

Gaara took her hand and brought it to his lips. Sakura smiled to him for the first time in many days. His heart was on fire.

"Put your hand on my lower back."

"Here?"

"A little lower. There. The pain in my stomach creates pain in my lower back, too. The warmth of your hand will help."

"Warm or cold? Make up your mind." Gaara laughed.

"The cold floor numbs my pain and your warm hand will dilate my veins and relax my muscles. Both help."

They laid there for a while until Gaara fell asleep. After many stressful days, this was the first moment he genuinely felt set free and relieved. The fact that he could touch her without her pushing him away made him feel at peace. It gave him confidence that things can go back to the way they were. Sakura looked at him and smiled. What a baby.

His even breath soothed her. She brought her hand in front of his face. She had an inexplicable urge to touch him, but she stopped herself centimeters away. His breathing tickled her palm. She bit her lip and sighed. The stomach pain was almost gone, so she stood up and shook his shoulder gently.

"Don't sleep here. You'll catch a cold. Come on. I will give you something to eat. You must be starving."

Gaara stood up and yawned.

"Mhm."

Everything seemed normal to him. Sakura was back to her usual self. She was no longer cold with him. They all laughed and felt good. Gaara was happy in his heart that he managed to avoid a crisis. He still took care of her any way he could. The family balance definitely helped her feel better.

Sakura slept in his arms again that night. He held her possessively to his chest. He had no clue that Sakura felt more and more like a stranger. For days she thought if it was better to stay or go. I think I could use a break. So, one day, she decided to talk to him.

She visited his work office. She knocked on his door and waited for his approval to enter. Gaara grinned when he saw her. Everybody knew she is his fiancé, so he was proud.

"My darling."

"We need to talk."

"Ok. What's with the formal talk?"

Sakura's tone smelled like trouble. She bit her lip and confirmed his fears.

"I am going back to Konoha."

Panic. For a few seconds, Gaara couldn't find his voice.

"Why?" He asked calmly.

"The contract you signed with Tsunade-sama covered one year. It expired."

"We can always renew it."

"Tsunade-sama is no longer Hokage. Kakashi-sensei is."

"Then I will send him the papers. I am sure there won't be a problem."

"Gaara..."

He stood up.

"I thought everything was going fine. Why do you want to leave?"

"It has nothing to do with you."

"Of course it has. You suddenly want to leave after we fought."

"You think too high of yourself."

"Excuse me?" He felt his blood pressure going up. His hands fisted at his sides trying to calm down.

"Whatever it is, we can figure it out. Tell me what you want and I will give it to you."

"I miss my friends. I miss going out on missions. I miss Konoha. I want to see the green trees again and sleep in the forest..."

"Wait one more month and we can go together. I will take some days off."

"No. I am leaving tomorrow. I only came to let you know."

"Sakura, think about me, too. Think about Shinki. How will I tell him you are leaving him?"

"Don't act like I am gone for good. I will come back."

"When?"

"I don't know."

Gaara grit his teeth. What will the others say when they find out Sakura left him? They will mock him; they will laugh at him behind his back. He will be everyone's mockery.

"Please reconsider for a few more days. You've been sick all this time. It's dangerous to go on a long trip right now. You can wait a few more days. Nothing burns in Konoha. By the way, what did your parents reply to your letter?"

"They didn't send back an answer yet. I will talk to them face to face."

Gaara was upset because he knew she is lying. Sakura went to the post office a few days ago. Why was she trying to lie to him? Was she going to break their engagement as soon as she reached Konoha? Was she ashamed to tell it to his face? Or was she scared?

"Look, I have already said I am sorry for straying from you in the past. While you were upset, food was tasteless, the sun burned all the water inside me. If you leave me, it will be worse than death." With every word, he took a step towards her. When he finished speaking, he was in front of her. He held her hand a squeezed it a little. He exhaled in disappointment.

"You used to squeeze my hand back."

Sakura felt bad and squeezed his hand back. She put on a fake smile and said:

"Don't be so upset. I will be back."

"Mhm."

Gaara knew she was lying, of course. But he couldn't fight the wind mills anymore. It was obvious she made up her mind a while ago. There was nothing he could do except hope that she will realize she misses him while she'll be in Konoha. He signed the papers she brought him and sat back down on his chair, looking out the window with his back to her. That day was very tiring and stressful for him. All he could think about was that tonight was going to be the last night he will ever spend with her.

When he entered the house and saw her luggage, he felt like puking. His face was pale and he forced himself to look away. When he entered the bedroom, he couldn't even look at Sakura, who sat there on the bed, reading. He replied monotonously to her greetings and went straight into the shower. Water mixed with his tears, but the sadness didn't go down the pipes.

When he laid on the bed, he hugged her to his chest tightly and buried his nose in her hair. A few minutes later, Sakura knew he was crying, so she sent her hand to caress the big hand on her stomach. His fingers made room for hers to slip between his and Gaara kissed the back of her neck. Sakura felt tears in her eyes. She turned around to hug him. Gaara wiped his tears with his thumb and index finger. Sakura sneaked her right arm underneath his head and brought him closer to her chest. Gaara held her closer to him than ever. His hand snuck underneath her clothes to touch her skin desperately, as if it was the last chance to feel her.

In the morning of her departure, Gaara looked devastated. Sakura looked tired, but not as bad as him. She honestly didn't know if she was going to come back or not. Shinki was the only one who didn't understand what was happening.

"Where are you going?"

"To Konoha."

"Why? Did dad upset you? Dad, don't let her leave. Say something!"

Gaara just put his head on the boy's head and said:

"If Sakura wishes to leave, we can't force her to stay, son."

The boy's eyes filled with tears.

"Don't cry, little one. I will be back." Sakura said as she tried to wipe his tears away.

Shinki hugged her tight.

"Yes. Sakura always keeps her word." Gaara said in a final attempt to convince her to return to them.

Note: I know this chapter was sad and I am not sure of how much I should disclose from the upcoming chapters. I want to let you know that they will get back together. I have prepared a very romantic make up scene. Thank you very much for your reviews :D