*The morning of Gaara's departure*

Gaara took a step towards her and called her name. When she didn't reply, he took another step and another one, calling her name continuously. Maybe she didn't hear him or maybe she gave him the silent treatment. He was always in the dark as to why she was angry with him. Gaara only called her name in whispers, afraid of disturbing Sakura. He was right behind his lover when he raised his hand to touch her shoulder. No, she'll be angry. I'll try to get her out of her mind first. How should I start?

Gaara's sand swirled around the room and around Sakura in a slow, soothing manner, just enough to make her feel a warm aura. It was a dance of dust. Golden sand wandered in front of Sakura's face when his left hand gently touched her upper arm. He held his breath hoping she won't push him away. When she didn't do anything, his fingers travelled lower, caressing her elbow, then her forearm and finally stopped at her wrist, encasing it.

Sakura swallowed air and took him by surprise when she opened her mouth to speak:

"You are right." She swallowed her pride because there was no reason to deny this simple truth. "There is no need for you to apologize." It wasn't his fault. He only told the truth.

Gaara expected screams, upbraiding, anything except this. He was used to fight with his sister. Temari was never silent. How should he get Sakura out of this condition? The sand in front of her took the shape of a cherry blossom. It made her relax slightly. Gaara saw her face from the sand's point of view, even if his body was behind her. Tenderness replaced the toughness of her face and it gave Gaara courage. I have a chance.

"Let my precious tell me how much I upset her. I want to know how many sleepless nights I will spend making a daira to earn her forgiveness."

The back of his fingers gently travelled up and down her arms. His lips whispered behind her left ear, sending shivers down her spine. Her eyes looked into distance, but she didn't say anything.

"Should it be 3 nights?"

She didn't move a single muscle.

"7 then?"

Sakura's brows furrowed at that, pondering the question.

"100 nights?"

Sakura's eyes were as big as onions.

"No." She tried to turn around and protest, but he gripped her shoulders to keep her in place, facing the window just like before.

"Nonsense. If you refuse to tell me, I will give the punishment myself. 100 nights for my bad mouth to make up to you."

"No, there's no need..."

"Then tell me what you want and I will give it to you. My little cherry blossom deserves to always wear a smiling face." He traced her cheek with his finger and it made Sakura smile right before his finger touched her lips. She parted her lips and caught his thumb between her teeth before she bit lightly.

"My girlfriend is a holy temple where an unrefined man like me can only enter with his bare feet and head bowed. Every word that leaves my mouth must be punished because it destroys the peace and defiles her. She is merciful because she doesn't look at me. She knows I would turn into ashes under the light of her eyes. My only wish is to sit in a corner and sob. She is the temple of life that consumes me like the fire consumes the candle. I pray my girlfriend will never send me away, because if she does, I will have to leave my heart there and go out into the world as a corpse. I worship all of her sides and I pray she deems me worthy of kissing each centimeter of her body with these impure lips. And if I can't be a man, then let me be a spider, an insect no matter how small. Let me stay and admire you, forgetting to eat or drink. This would be the most wonderful death. Don't deprive this nameless man of your tenderness and beauty."

As Gaara spoke, his fingers moved from her shoulder to her back, on the way to her waist before finally resting on her left hip bone. It was a possessive grip, which he knew she liked. His right hand caressed her right cheek with the back of his fingers, then went lower to her neck. He ended up tracing the outline of her breast before this hand also rested on her hip bone. Gaara pulled her into him with both hands. Their bodies were now glued to each other. His lips have never moved from her ear, where the earrings he gave her shone. His planted openmouthed kissed on her ear, in her hair, on her neck and shoulder. His lips left behind a burning desire to be consumed whole. She fidgeted in his arms and she started moaning. Sakura got drunk on so much praise no one else has provided for her before. His voice only, buried the painful memories in her mind. It continued digging regardless of the earth beaten by the steps of so many demons. Gaara was the hope she clung to with her teeth. His presence healed any pain. His lips stitched any wound, smearing balm over it.

She turned her face to the side. A whole nation's desire was contained in a single kiss. Pleasure woke the animal in Gaara and it made his touch firm, possessive and wild. Sakura was only his and Gaara was only hers.

...

"Mhm, Gaara?"

"Hm?"

"Do you think you can give me a love bite here?" Sakura showed him a spot close to her left shoulder.

"Sure, just tell me if I bite too hard."

Sakura grabbed a fistful of his fire red hair waiting for his fangs to pierce her skin. Gaara moved her hair to the side to give him access to her neck. He kissed the spot she showed earlier, then grabbed her fragile skin between his teeth and bit at the same time as he sucked to give her a beautiful red mark. Sakura refrained from straining her muscles and a jolt of pleasure pierced the area between her thighs, where his hand still lived.

Gaara made sure he did his job before he set the abused flesh free. He ended by kissing the spot with care and pride.

"All done."

Sakura touched the spot with the tips of her fingers and smiled happily.

...

Gaara wrapped his arms around her, too. He kissed below her shoulder, on her arm, before asking her:

"Why did you want marks?"

Sakura swallowed air before replying:

"I know you're about to leave and I wanted something to remind me of you until you return."

In fact, Sakura wanted something that reminded her she was his, but she was ashamed to admit it. This was the naked truth.

Note: Some parts of this chapter are missing. Check the description in my profile to find out where you can read the whole chapter.

There will be lots of Sakura and Shinki mother and son moments. I hope you enjoy.

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