Sakura spun around her room; she made plans on paper, sighed and struggled to do something her parents didn't understand.

"What are you doing there?"

"I'm trying to make a plan with all the interesting things to do with my friend who is going to arrive in Konoha soon and I want to show my friend everything!" Sakura said with her arms opened wide to include as much air between them as possible.

Her father smiled, but there was something underneath that smile. Judging by the messenger bird his daughter received, this friend must be someone in a high position. Who is this person and why is this person wandering around my daughter?

"You know what, dear? You should bring your friend here first, so we can all get to meet him or her."

"You really think so?"

"Yes. Your mother will cook something good and it will give him or her a chance to tell us what he or she wants to do first. Where is your friend from?"

"Suna."

"I see. Then he or she will be tired upon arrival. It's a long road from Suna. I don't think he or she will have enough energy to do many things."

"I think you are right." She said while thinking about her father's words.

"Is your friend a boy or a girl?"

"Boy."

"Is he travelling alone?"

"No. His family is with him: his dad, brother and sister."

Oh, that's good. We will be able to get to know them. If he is coming with his family, he shouldn't be dangerous, but it's better to be cautious. Her dad thought.

"How old is he?"

"10, like me."

"Great! You will get along just fine!"

"Yes!" Sakura grinned with all her teeth.


Rasa couldn't leave his other two kids behind and leave with just his youngest son. He liked keeping up appearances when he went out into the world. Everybody had to see what a perfect, coagulated, perfect family he has even if everything was rotten on the inside. Kankurou and Temari were very excited to leave the village for the first time and they were also very happy that both Rasa and Gaara were in a good mood. Each one followed his own interest, of course, but they did it without violence, hateful looks of threats. When they stopped running on the first night, everyone was shocked to see the little red haired boy sleep with a smile on his lips. Temari wanted to touch him to make sure it was for real, but Rasa stopped her.

"Leave him be. If you make him angry, he'll give us trouble."

Temari retracted her hand without any word said.

The closer Gaara got to the borders of Konoha, the stronger his connection with Sakura got. Now they could discern each other's emotions more clearly.

Sakura, I'm almost there.

Yey! I can't wait!

Where should we meet?

I'll greet you at the gates.

I don't think that's a good idea. My dad doesn't know about you.

Oh, that's so annoying. Why don't you tell him?

Sakura, we discussed this before. He might think you are trying to manipulate me into controlling Shukaku for Konoha's interest. Or he might try to manipulate you in order to control me.

Why would he do that?

Because he only cares about himself and about power.

Gaara-kun, I don't like that we hide like this. We didn't do anything wrong.

I know. I am sorry. It's not permanent, only until I become stronger than him to be able to face him in battle. I've been training a lot more lately for this purpose.

He managed to cheer her up a little.

Fine. Your dad must meet the Hokage, right?

Yes. I will slip away while he talks to him. Where do we meet?

How about the park? It's 1 km north from the Hokage Tower.

Sure. Sounds good.

Even if they agreed to meet in the park, Sakura couldn't refrain from trying to follow them from around the Hokage Tower. She strolled around it apparently innocent, thinking nobody figured out she was spying on someone. Sasuke followed her with a bit more tact because she wasn't aware of his presence. Sasuke knew something important was about to happen, otherwise why would she wander around the tower for this many hours? It was obvious she was waiting for someone. Sakura finally saw the desert ninja and her eyes shimmered when she saw the red haired boy. She giggled, which caught Sasuke's attention. That was when Sasuke noticed the sand urn Gaara carried on his back. It held the same sand Sakura wore around her wrist. So this is the guy Sakura has been talking to. Interesting. I have to find out more about this boy. Sasuke thought. Sakura was so clumsy, that anyone could tell she was spying on someone. Rasa saw her from afar. His eye was used to recognize people who waited for somebody. Is this the girl my son has been talking to? She doesn't seem very smart. Perfect! Rasa thought as a wicked smile made its way on his lips. Gaara cringed because he knew Sakura was there even if he couldn't yet see her. If he who was inexperienced, felt her presence, then his dad surely must have already know about her. Gaara felt like he was walking on eggshells.

Sakura, what are you doing here? We agreed to meet in the park. He was a little angry, she could tell.

Sorry, Gaara-kun. I couldn't wait to see you. Don't worry, nobody noticed me. I am leaving now. We'll see each other later.

Gaara's ears went deaf after he heard Sakura say 'I couldn't wait to see you.' With this simple sentence, Sakura succeeding in wiping all of his thoughts and he even forgot the reason he was upset. Nobody has ever expressed the wish to see him by all means until then. What a nice feeling.

I know.

Ups, did you hear me?

Yes, but don't worry. You're cute.


In the Hokage Tower, Rasa held Gaara by the shoulders, which was very weird because he has never touched his son before. Gaara knew right away that something wasn't right. His brother and sister exchanged weird looks. Rasa was sly. He slipped small particles of his sand mixed with gold into Gaara's clothes so he knows where his son is at all times because Rasa was sure Gaara was going to run away and meet that girl with pink hair. Gaara didn't notice his father's tactic, unfortunately.


The first time he saw Sakura, he was out of breath. She was waiting for him in the park, just like she said she would. She was so gorgeous in her red dress and white shoes. Her pink hair glowed slightly yellow in the sunlight. When her eyes met his, all thoughts ran away from the boy's mind.

"Gaara-kun!" Sakura screamed happily as she jumped to hug him.

Nobody has ever tried to hug him before and her action was so sudden, that he got scared and his sand armor activated a shield that she hit her head on.

"Ouch. What was that for?" She said while rubbing her head.

"Sorry, I didn't know what you were going to do." His face was all red and sand moved out of the way. The few words he got out were so hard to get through his lips. He had to chew on his cheek to gain the courage to talk. I am such an idiot!

Sakura was too preoccupied with her headache to hear his thought.

"I am sorry; I didn't mean to hurt you." Gaara said as he stretched his arms towards her, but without touching her. He was on the verge on crying and it softened Sakura's heart.

"I am so happy to finally see Gaara-kun!"

Gaara smiled from the bottom of his heart. Sakura gesticulated a lot with her hands; Gaara didn't know what she intended to do, so he kept somewhat of a distance from her. Sakura noticed and looked at his quizzically.

"Gaara-kun, is there anything wrong?"

"N-no. Of course not. Please continue." He stuttered an answer.

His big eyes looked straight into hers. She seemed a little disappointed or perplex. He was too nervous to also discern her emotions.

"I wanted to hug you, but maybe it wasn't the right time."

He didn't get the chance to reply something to that because she started speaking again. She talked so much... like never before. She was also very nervous, that was why she couldn't shut up even for one second.

"Gaara-kun."

Whenever he heard his name escape her lips, he felt dizzy. His name has never sounded more beautiful before.

"Look, you're in Konoha! You like it, don't you?"

He smiled.

"I knew it! Here is the tree where I always sit and talk to you and there is the school." She pointed with her finger somewhere not very far from where they were. "The playground is very close from here. I was thinking we could go there and play together because Gaara-kun likes sand so much. It will be so much fun!" She giggled with her fists close together under her chin.

In that moment, Gaara forgot his own name. Due to the emotions, he wasn't capable of saying anything. His hands were sweaty as he just followed her with his eyes. His ears were blocked through most of her talking. She told him about absolutely all buildings in Konoha, all her neighbors, all her classmates, the shops, the food stops...as they were headed towards the playground. Sakura's lips became dry from all the talking, so she licked them all the time. She pinched the pads of her fingers and hit one foot with the other from time to time. When they finally reached the playground, Sakura suddenly remembered something that made her slap her forehead. Gaara was scared maybe she was hurt.

"Are you ok?"

"How could I forget? Mom and dad told me to invite you home for lunch. Let's go! Oh no. I forgot to ask if you want to come. Do you?"

"Yes." He replied happily.

"Great! Mom cooked many dishes because she didn't know what you like and she knows you've travelled a long way to get here. I hope you are hungry. If there will be donuts, please take one and give it to me later. Mom doesn't let me eat more than two, but I love them!" She giggled.

Gaara laughed a laugh that scared him as well as her. He was afraid he embarrassed himself until she opened her mouth to speak:

"Thank God! I didn't know if you are feeling good or not because you didn't say a word. Now I know. Come on, faster! Mom is going to think you did something to me if we don't hurry. I should have been home 30 minutes ago."

Gaara ran after her and she led the way.


Sakura's mom opened the door to see both kids all sweaty and breathing heavily.

"Finally! Where were you?"

"Sorry, mom. I forgot to come straight home and I showed him the playground first."

Gaara bent his back and bowed deeply to her mom as he spoke in a very polite and formal manner using his serious steady voice:

"Mebuki-san, it is an honor to meet you. My name is Gaara and I come from the desert. Please excuse me. It is my fault Sakura made you worry." He waited for a sign he can raise his head.

Mebuki looked at him and smiled:

"Well, what a mannered child. Come on, get in." She said forgetting about why she was upset.

Gaara sat next to each other at the table and opposite from her parents who questioned him while Mebuki pushed him to eat more. He was already full, but he didn't want to be impolite and refuse her. He answered all of her parents' questions about his family, his school, his wishes and ambitions. He was very calm, serious and honest. Ever since they laid eyes on him, her parents knew he is a good boy.

"Mom, can I show him my room?"

"Sure, dear. Just leave the door open."

"Ok."

Sakura stood from the table and Gaara followed her after he thanked her parents for inviting him over. He didn't forget to snatch a donut, like Sakura asked him while her parents were distracted. He entered her room and gave her the donut, which she happily took and hid without realizing her mother saw everything.

"How sweet. You rarely see such a nice boy." Mebuki said to herself.

Sakura showed him everything she had in the room: her clothes, her drawings, books, agendas... Gaara listened carefully. That room was very brightly colored. It matched Sakura's inner self perfectly. Maybe she wouldn't like my room. All of my things are the same color: brown. He had few things in his room because he didn't like to get distracted from training and studying. He liked calm and quiet time although he secretly wished to be more forward as easily as Sakura was. His eyes saw the bracelet she wore and he traced it with his finger. The bracelet glowed with a warm light when he touched it.

"I am glad you wear it."

He wanted to say more, but Mebuki's voice called him.

"Gaara, somebody is here to get you."

"I wonder who it is" Sakura said while running to the door.

When Gaara reached the hall at the entrance, his father smiled to him:

"Let's go, son."

Gaara's eyes were darkened by a shadow. It was obviously a demonstration of power on his father's side. How did he find me so easily?

Note:Dark mafia is right, Gaara won't let his father manipulate Sakura because he can talk to Sakura in his mind, which his dad doesn't know.

I am sorry I made you wait. I was a little short on inspiration, but I am back now.

I am sure cupcake and guest are going to like Gaara and Sasuke's little conversation in the following chapter.

It seemed closer to reality that Rasa should know about Sakura because he is an adult while both Sakura and Gaara are just little kids who are inexperienced yet. I think it will be interesting how Sakura and Gaara will fight together the psychological battle with Rasa in the future.

Thank you very much for leaving reviews. Please continue to do so. It is so much more interesting when you and I communicate like this. Thank you:D