A/N at the end.

Chapter 16

When he spotted Temari in the company of a stiff-standing male Leaf-nin—the latter presumably his escort for his visit this time—by the gates of Konohagakure, Gaara had the intuition that it wasn't pure coincidence. Arms folded before her, feet tight in a firm stance, his sister anchored herself with a perceptible sense of entitlement beside the other shinobi. Carrying an air of her characteristic aplomb, she dwarfed the man somehow even with her shorter stature.

Gaara's speculation over his sister's purposeful welcome was partly confirmed, when she offered to escort him to his accommodation. Given her tone, it was apparent that there was no room for disagreement from the other Konoha-nin, or himself for that matter. He was sure that his sister was only one stern look away from convincing the younger man, whose posture now seemed to have gone more rigid. But the Hokage's subordinate, commendably a strict adherer to his superior's order, was as adamant in fulfilling his given task. One irate twitch of the blonde woman's eye was all Gaara needed before stepping in and using his status to temporarily dismiss his assigned attendant.

Then he had to speculate no further about sister's motive when, after a swap of general pleasantries, she monopolized their conversation with a topic of her choosing:

"Is it necessary that you be here in person for the preliminary discussions about co-sponsoring the Chuunin Exams? All the other Kage have sent an envoy instead for talks this early-stage."

Their footfalls progressed in matching pace, yet his considerate glance strayed sideways to the blonde. She'd phrased her suspicion discreetly, but the signal she was sending was strong on his radar.

"I see no benefit for a surrogate to the roundtable, when my personal attendance would streamline the flow of crucial information." His footsteps firm and onward, Gaara was fluent in his reasoning. "And should decisions be made concerning Suna's requirements for the sponsorship, I stand ready in my position to finalize commitments at the outset, further eliminating the redundancy of an approval process otherwise."

His argument notwithstanding, the unassailable confidence in his voice alone routinely compelled his listeners to conviction—a skill unsurprising given his repertoire of acquired talents. He was, after all, the Kazekage.

To his explanation, Temari had no counter. Her pretext crumbled, as she resorted to having a modicum of transparency in vocalizing her true sentiment.

"Gaara, you've been coming to Konoha a lot lately…" she started but was quick to blunt her statement with what sounded like reasonable concern, "It's not that I don't appreciate the opportunities to see you more, but you being frequently away from Suna and leaving Kankuro in charge is not ideal."

Beneath all the pretense, Gaara understood the message very well. And it was his intention to prevent the suspicion from growing to certainty.

"So I should minimize my presence here..." With the right touch of feigned accusation in his tone, he could easily distract her from her efforts. "—is what I'm hearing from my sister."

His tactic worked, as his older sibling frowned immediately. "No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm happy that you are here, really I am. I just…"

"Don't underestimate Kankuro's propensity for leadership." Gaara steered their conversation off-course. "The advisors have sung praises about how he's been shepherding the process to restructure several of our internal administrative divisions."

"Really? Our Kankuro?"

His comment was met with a kind of incredulity that gave him the urge to chuckle. Perhaps a homecoming for Temari was overdue. As Gaara's stand-in during his absence, Kankuro has merited recognition for his adept handling of Suna's affairs. Despite all his outward grumbles, the middle child of the family readily assumed the mantle as the Kazekage's deputy. It was evident in his endeavors that his instinct for innovation and the empowerment of others was steadily manifesting.

"Indeed."

His sister was left broodingly quiet then, and he decided to join the silence as he briefly retired himself to the compass of his mind. Temari nonetheless had raised a valid point about his recurrent withdrawals from his role. Yes, it was unbecoming of him to shirk his official responsibilities for... personal pleasures. However, along with the post-war peace that the great shinobi nations have achieved, his work has truly turned mundane. He'd contend that his arguably occasional absences have not imparted any negative effects on the day-to-day operations of his government.

On the other hand, what he'd gained in exchange from his time in Konoha was significant, for he'd found sanctuary from the sense of loneliness that was now more and more profoundly felt on those nights when he sat in his solitude surrounded by the walls of his soulless office back at home...

"Come over for dinner?" The sudden invitation pulled Gaara out of his thoughts in time to see the smile that curled Temari's lips.

"I have other commitments this evening, I'm afraid."

"Oh? What is it?" The smile she wore was on the verge of expiring, as a hint of skepticism threatened to veil her expression.

"A simple personal obligation is all," he replied cursorily. Then along with a lift of the corners of his mouth, he offered, "But I hope you don't mind having me for tea in lieu."

Her teal eyes fluttered a few blinks before they finally arched. "Not at all."

So Gaara watched as Temari marched on with renewed vigor in her gait. Lagging by a step behind her, he fell reticent. It might have been a little manipulative on his part, with the manner in which he'd mitigated and deflected Temari's suspicion over his increasing visits to Konoha; but it wasn't exactly a deliberate attempt to conceal. He simply preferred to restrict his communication of information, professional or personal, to a need-to-know basis.

And in the case of his undisclosed liaison with Sakura, there was certainly no need for his sister to know.

Her feet were almost floating, as she practically skipped along the hallways of the Hokage Tower and greeted everyone she passed by. She was childishly happy, overflown with the joy that she'd been recently rescued from her days of restlessness. A loving tender kiss and a warm embrace was all it took to help her put the couple months of anxious wait behind her and revive her spirits. Along with his return was the heavenly relief to her torments of lonesomeness. The nights were no longer long and cold while she sought refuge in his company. The morning air was sweeter to her senses now that it was his scent, reminiscent of the crisp desert breeze, that she woke up to these few days.

When the Hokage's office appeared in her field of vision, Sakura consciously schooled into her demeanor the kind of composure that was according to her age. Straightening herself, she slowed herself to a proper pace. It wouldn't do to act like some giddy juvenile in front of the head of the village, even if he was her best friend. Despite the artificial control she commanded over her mood and movements, she couldn't help but let her smile flourish across her countenance at the thought of her planned dinner that evening—if only it was something she could look forward to more than just the scarce few times every now and then…

Her lips slightly jutted, Sakura admitted guilt over the fact that Gaara was always the one shouldering the troubles to journey to Konoha, to come to her. Yet, not a word of complaint ever dampened their interactions. She ought to owe him reciprocity from her end. Her hand rising to rap against the door to the Hokage's office, she ran through some possibilities in her head: Maybe if she could time things right with one of Sarada's long-term missions, she could ask Naruto for a short detail to Suna…

"Enter."

Her smile widened then at the prospect, and she twisted the doorknob and pushed her way in.

"You wanted to see me, Naruto?"

Sakura wasn't given a response right away. Hands locked behind him, the blond man welcomed her with his straight and sturdy back. He squarely stood by the windows, looking into the distance. It was rare to see him a separate entity from his desk. The silence she was treated to was starting to stretch, and for a minute or two she waited respectfully. Before she could resolve herself to flag for his attention, a small shuffle of movements from the seemingly pensive male suggested he was to acknowledge her.

But with Naruto's expression hidden from her, Sakura would've never guessed what the solemn sigh that he eventually heaved was to precede:

"Whatever is going on between you and Gaara, it needs to stop."

The shocking demand, a sudden blast of sleets to the sunshine in her heart, instantly shattered the daydream that was made of all the scenarios she'd entertained in her head earlier. The curve of her lips flattened at once.

Her complexion went pallid, but it hasn't been perceived by the blond man who remained in position. In her surging panic, she almost incriminated herself right then and there, but she managed to collect herself and nip the precarious "how" question that almost rolled off her tongue.

"What do you mean?"

"Sakura, I can only manage the rumors in the office corridors for so long." Naruto whipped around then, his glowering eyes set hard on her, piercing her with disapproval. The drop of suffix of affection to her name was even more telling about his state of seriousness.

Her breathing grew constricted. She'd been cornered, and she could no longer pretend. It was fight or flight, and in a fit of defiance she defaulted to the former. "This is none of your business, Naruto."

"Damn right it's my business when it's about my best friends!"

There was something in his shout that shook her to her core. In all her life, her best friend had never raised his voice like this at her. In return, stunned silence was all Sakura could give him as she teetered in her own helplessness.

"Tell me then. Tell me none of it is true. Tell me there's nothing between you and Gaara…"

"Why aren't you saying anything? Why aren't you denying it?"

He was urging, then he was pleading; still, she couldn't give him what he wanted.

"Naruto, I really don't have time for this."

"It's not fair for Sasuke."

Nothing like a shot of reality to jolt Sakura out of her moral paralysis. That name, one that almost felt like a distant memory, was a painful reminder of her current circumstances. The name of her husband...

Before Sakura could even become aware of her own body language, she was already coiling her fists, her nails digging into the centers of her palms. Something boiled up her throat, and she was verging on hysteria when it erupted out of her chest.

"Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke… Have you ever thought about how I feel?"

"Sakura-chan…" The ice in his blue orbs thawed.

"Don't look at me like that."

"I know it's hard with Sasuke always away, but deep down he really loves and cares about you. I'm sure of it. He's on this mission for you and Sarada."

"How would you know!"

"I just… I—" She almost wanted to sneer at his stammering for a timely answer. In a way, it was indicative, validating.

"He never writes, never checks back in. Not even a damn card on our birthdays! And pray do tell, how the hell am I supposed to feel like he still cares when he fucking never comes home?"

The words Sakura never thought she'd say out loud were hurled out into the open world. The person she never thought she'd turn into came roaring out; this was her, unfiltered. By the time she finished, she was positively heaving. And she felt just a little disheveled, a little drained; a little liberated...

"I never asked much from him, but even with Sarada..." Swallowing hard, she dialed back on her abrupt temper. It wasn't right to lay all her anger on someone innocent. The view of the man before her became shrouded by her bangs, as her head lowered despondently.

The voice from across that came after was quiet but clear, empathizing yet firm. "Then this is something you need to communicate with Sasuke about. Getting involved with Gaara…"

Sakura lifted her face to see Naruto's expression knotted into an appalling scowl. It stung.

"...is not the solution. Dammit, I can't believe Gaara too. You two, out of all people, should know better."

"Naruto," she started, her tone imploring. What could she possibly offer at this point in time, she grimaced. "I… I'll take care of it myself. Just let me handle it, alright?"

Nothing could shield her from those dimming blue eyes of her dearest friend, the disappointment behind them was her rude awakening...

"Sorry, Sakura-chan… you know I can't."

"Har… harder…" She ground out with short breaths in between the robust thrusts. Her arms clung around his sweat-slicked back but wouldn't hold from the rocking that moved her along with him. To the extent her anatomy allowed, she pushed her knees back to her chest to take in the raw intensity of the sensation and more. Her eyes squeezed shut, the water that'd welled up at the corners close to spilling.

Still, it wasn't enough for her yet.

Today she needed some extra attention, some extra efforts, extra pain and pleasure, just to drown out that distinct damning voice in her head that was shouting at her, questioning her sanity…

"Please…" She could always trust him to accommodate her, indulge her. The next plunge, deep and powerful, reaching newer depth she didn't think possible, made her cry into his bare shoulders. A drop of tear escaped down her cheek. For a second, he slowed to soothe her with his mouth swallowing her shaky gasps. She kissed back, reassuringly. At her permission, he resumed his pace and quickly surrendered his control in his own frenzy.

The bed creaked noisily under his unrelenting movements. The burning friction in her pelvis was stretching her to her limits. The combined moans of ecstasy that were intensified with each dive, as he entered her again and again and again, were all she needed to hear to dull her mind.

He was swiftly taking her there, to the precipice, and she savored each second of this intimate journey. Then at the very top, he delivered her release. A final shove and a hit to the right spot, she crashed violently and deliciously.

Her walls clenched tight, pulsing around the part of him that was buried deep inside her. She threw her head back, as her loud unshackled cries rippled through the atmosphere. Soon joining her vocals was a string of heavy masculine grunts that reverberated at her ear side, echoing into her soul. And she felt his essence infuse within her, altering her brain chemistry about their bond.

For a moment Sakura held on, as they both gradually came down from their high, pressing the red-haired man to her and making him sink into her warmth. Their panting breaths intermixed with one another, and it was all Gaara that she breathed in. With an almost ritualistic last peck on her lips, the redhead started to lift his weight from her as her arms reluctantly freed him. Soon, he settled into his reserved space to the right of her. He sailed his eyes to the ceilings above, likely falling into his own untold thoughts.

The air in the room that cooled the perspiration on her skin also began to cool her overheated mind. Unknown to her companion in bed, the sense of gloom almost immediately replaced her postcoital bliss. In her head, that all-too-familiar voice that used to call her "Sakura-chan" so endearingly made its comeback, lashing at her:

"Damn right it's my business when it's about my best friends!"

Naruto knows… To her partner who hasn't taken notice of her melancholy gaze, Sakura told him with her sad eyes in silence as she turned to study his profile.

It was unhealthy that she should bear all these worries and anxieties alone, but since early on she'd often become tongue-tied at the needling apprehension that, in a moment of clarity and sensibility, Gaara's offered solution would be for them to see reason and to end this unwholesome arrangement.

Her primal brain couldn't have her detox just yet, wanting her to milk the most out of it even at this point. He was her sweetest cure and her most fatal addiction.

But…

Something in her guts told her that the days of her basking in this physical and emotional corruption was numbered. It was good now as ever to address just… what it was between them.

Her eyes adjusted to the sight of him against the darkness that enveloped them both. The kanji he adorned above his left brow bone, peeking through strands of his crimson mane, stood out the most to her. Ever so gently, Sakura brushed aside the hairs on his damp forehead, making his tattoo come into plain view.

"Why are you not married yet?" At her first tentative attempt to work her way to the topic, Sakura cringed.

When it came to certain things, things like her own feelings, she couldn't be frank enough through her words to save her life. If she had been, she wouldn't have ended up where she was with her life, her marriage, and this madness.

In the beginning, her eagerness to please meant she'd readily tucked away any grievances upon the slightest questioning gaze from her spouse. It'd become a reflex over the years, a sickness even. And Sakura hated so much this aspect of herself, because it was an absolute antithesis to her proud fierceness as a ninja on the battlefield.

It might have been her imagination, but the pause that came before Gaara's reply seemed just a tad longer than what was natural for the normal flow of conversation.

"I'm not in a rush." His focus was still fixed upward; hers, intent on him. With her slim fingers, Sakura traced the red strokes that made up the character on his forehead. The meaning of the word taunted her…

But perhaps, with the man next to her, the one who'd stayed by her side all this time, things could be different and, she could… try. Yet, she worried that her subtlety might be in fact too convoluted to be picked up.

"Love… Have you found it yet?"

And that was the best she could do to probe his feelings about… her.

Her heartbeats unreasonably sped up, as Sakura searched for something in his ocean green eyes, hoping, wanting him to give her a sign and a direction; and dared she think, a possibility…—

"No."

A/N: Omg… Gaara… smh. Poor Sakura. :(

Phuu, there you go, we've come to a full circle with what the prologue had hinted for the events that'd take place. What happens next, y'all can guess?