Ever since Gaara showed her the gardens, Sakura spend all her free time there. She looked up at the workers and yelled at them 'You're not doing it right,' 'Move faster!' and 'Can't you see this brick is not aligned with others?' She ordered them around with her arms crossed over her chest like she was in charge.

On the first day Gaara didn't find her home, he panicked. He took his son's hand and started searching for her in the village. It was already dusk when they found her. Gaara was a few feet behind her. Sakura ordered the workers and Gaara couldn't believe his eyes. He calmed down and started laughing, startling her.

"What are you doing here, my flower?"

"Gaara." She purred his name. "I am sorry. I didn't realize it got this late. You must have been worried. I wanted to make sure they do a good job. You know they don't work unless somebody watches them closely."

"My poor people."

"Huh?"

"Let's go! It's late." And he turned around to leave.

"But they still have to..."

"Sakura, they have families to go back to. They will come back to work tomorrow."

Sakura thought about it for a few moments before she realized he was right. She took the kid by the other hand and the three of them returned home.

Ever since that day, Gaara came to the gardens to end the torture his wife to be perpetrated upon his people. One time, Sakura complained that she lost her voice because of how much she had to scream, so Gaara wrapped an arm around her shoulders and took her to a tea house on the way home.

As days went by, the day Gaara was going to meet his parents in law arrived. He was mostly happy because she was happy to see her parents again. Otherwise, he only saw it as a duty. He knew he was going to be judged and sometimes parents intervene in their child's romantic life to break them up. He also couldn't predict how they will react when they meet Shinki. Even if Shinki wasn't blood of his blood, Sakura's parents might see the fact that he already has a child as a handicap. What if they treat Shinki bad? What if they kick me out? The child was also stressed because he didn't know what to expect. His small hand squeezed his father's hand in worry. He was sweating, but remained silent. Gaara gave him a piggyback ride to relieve his child of stress while trying to distract his attention with every small thing he could see. Sakura encouraged the little boy, too:

"Don't worry, baby. I am sure they are going to love you."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know so. You'll see. You don't have to do anything. They'll give you lots of sweets and kisses."

"Eww. Gross."

Gaara laughed, Sakura ruffled Shinki's hair and the boy smiled because he imagined how nice it would be to have grandparents who treat him nice. But then, 2 huge mountains dressed in human clothes appeared before his eyes and he saw himself as small as an ant without anywhere to hide. He got scared again and hid his face in his father's clothes.

Kankurou and Matsuri welcomed them at the gates of Suna to say their goodbyes and wish the family to have a safe trip. Kankurou was going to be in charge while Gaara was away. This was a good occasion to visit his sister, Temari. He missed her a lot. Shinki and Gaara were going to spend the night at her place while Sakura was going to sleep in her parents' house due to the fact that they weren't married yet.

Sakura was so happy that she walked ahead of her boys without even realizing it. She took a step on the ground and two steps in the air. She felt like floating as she giggled and hummed her favorite song. Shinki looked at her with strange eyes:

"Father, what's wrong with Sakura?"

Gaara simply shook his head and laughed.

"Sakura, take it slow. Where are you going in such a hurry?"

Sakura ran back to him and clung to his right arm with both her hands, squeezing his arm to her chest. Gaara rolled back his eyes and thought Sakura was just like a child.

Shinki has never been to Konoha before. His father's figure made him feel safe; otherwise anything he saw would give him anxiety. Shinki put all his faith in his father. He felt protected and loved. That was why he could afford the luxury to not care and simply observe everything around him: the scenery, the oddly dressed people, the kids playing games. Some kids played with a ball and one of them sent it too far, so another player had to run after it. The ball ended up by Shinki's feet and he kicked the ball to the other kid, who thanked him before returning to the others. At that moment Shinki knew he likes Konoha. Kids didn't avoid him. So cool! Shinki thought.

Gaara bought his future wife and his son ice-cream from a local seller and they all headed to the Hokage Tower. It was a must to announce their presence in the village.

Gaara was the first to walk through the door, followed by Sakura who held Shinki's hand. Kakashi stood up, Shikamaru moved to the side and they all greeted each other. Konohamaru saw them even before they reached the gates, so he searched for Naruto throughout the village to let him know that his friend had arrived. Right when Gaara and Kakashi were shaking hands, the door hit the wall and Naruto burst into the room with his usual bright grin.

"Naruto!" Sakura greeted him happily.

"Sakura-chan! I am so happy to see you! Gaara!"

"Naruto!"

The boys shook hands and then Naruto scratched the back of his head before he said:

"We have to go out on a beer."

"Later. I have just got here. Shinki, come here." Gaara gestured for Shinki to come closer with his hand.

The little boy let go of Sakura's hand and stood by his father's side, his big brown eyes staring at the tall blonde man. Gaara placed a hand on the crown of his head.

"He is my boy, Shinki."

"Oh, I think he is the same age as Boruto. I am sure you will be very good friends, like me and Gaara."

"We are going to rest now. Shikamaru, I'll come visit you tonight."

"Sure. Temari can't wait to see you. You're all she talked about yesterday."

Gaara smiled, said his goodbyes to everyone and headed to the door while holding his son's hand. Sakura suddenly woke up from where she stood silently while the men talked and greeted everyone with a smile before following Gaara out of the room. She closed the door behind them.

Next stop: Her parents' house.

Mebuki spotted them from the window. She stirred like a typhoon. She opened the door before Sakura even had the chance to knock, leaving her with her fingers hanging in the air. The boys stood behind Sakura, waiting to be introduced. Sakura's father showed up right away and hugged his daughter to his chest without caring that people saw him.

"My princess! Don't let an old father die of worry. Send a letter every now and then, pay us a visit."

"Yes, father. I will."

"Who is this handsome young man?" Mebuki asked because she couldn't wait any longer.

"Mom, dad, this is Gaara, Kazekage of the Village hidden in the Sand, the great commander of the allied shinobi forces and my fiancé."

Gaara felt so good to hear such praise, that when he deeply bowed to her parents, he said the words with enthusiasm and not forced politeness.

"I can hardly describe in words the pleasure of meeting you."

Shinki followed his father's lead and bowed just as deep as he also waited to be introduced so he could speak. Gaara rose and looked at Shinki. He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and said:

"This is my son, Shinki."

"I am pleased to meet you, Mebuki-san, Kizashi-san."

"Oh, don't be so formal."

Kizashi wrapped an arm around Gaara's shoulders and brought him inside. His big mouth spoke loudly and insisted that Gaara calls him 'father in law'. Gaara didn't say anything and just followed her father inside. Mebuki pinched Shinki's cheeks and spoke in a high-pitched voice that she especially made for him:

"Aren't you the sweetest little boy in the whole world?"

Shinki blushed because he didn't know what to say. He looked scared at Sakura, but she simply laughed. Her eyes seemed to say 'I told you so!' Mebuki took the boy in her arms and they all entered the house.

Everyone sat around the table while Mebuki poured some wine into the men's glasses. Gaara wasn't a fan of drinking, but he drank to Sakura's health and for a big family. Her parents were desperate to know when the wedding will take place, where it will be held... Kizashi talked to Gaara about business. The redhead felt good to be the center of attention, so he spoke without restraints. Sakura's mother spoiled Shink, although Sakura thought the boy was rather uneasy. Shinki was afraid of embarrassing his father, so he accepted everything and didn't dare protest. Mebuki sat him on her knees, kissed his cheeks, but he couldn't resist to wipe his face with his sleeve before placing his hands back on his knees like a good little boy.

"Mom, you're suffocating him."

"Leave me alone. I haven't had children in the house for decades. I want to enjoy it. Hurry up and give me some nephews so the house will be full again."

Sakura felt bad because pregnancy was a sensitive topic for her, but she tried her best to hide her uneasiness. Mebuki kissed Shinki on the forehead one more time before placing him back into his chair. She went into the kitchen to bring the food. Sakura offered to help, but her mom insisted she can handle it on her own. Sakura fixed Shinki's hair and whispered in his ear:

"Don't worry; it won't be long from now."

He was a little happier to find out he could leave soon. And then his happiness increased when he saw the food.

"Finally! I was so hungry!" The boy screamed before realizing he brought all eyes upon himself.

"Mom could eat this cute little boy whole." Mebuki spoiled the kid again, but all his eyes saw was the food. "Go on and eat!" He didn't wait to be told twice. Mebuki stroke his hair to encourage him to follow her advice.

"Are you eating well at home, too?"

"Yes." He answered with his mouth full. "Sakura makes the best food."

Both Sakura and Gaara froze because her parents didn't have to know that they already lived together. The tips of her ears turned red and it didn't escape Mebuki.

"In that case, Sakura should take better care of you. This isn't what a healthy, sturdy man looks like. Look how skinny he is!" Mebuki said s she looked at Gaara.

Even if her tone was funny, Sakura didn't find it amusing at all.

"Mom..."

"In fact, Sakura always makes me food. I am stubborn and I don't listen to her when she tells me to eat." Gaara defended her which made Kizashi smile.

"That's right. My cheeks burst will all the food Sakura shoves in my mouth." Shinki supported his father.

"If women didn't take care of us, we'd starve." Kizashi said before he laughed again.

Gaara smiled to be polite and then told his son:

"Stop talking with your mouth full."

"Yes, father."

Sakura was very happy that Gaara didn't side with her mother. She secretly blushed while eating with delicacy and discretion.

"My daughter is so slim...Eat more. How will your body be ready for childbirth if you are this skinny? Mebuki started again.

"Honey, leave the girl alone. Why are you nagging her?"

"I was just saying."

Gaara noticed Sakura felt uncomfortable, but there really wasn't much he could do for her in this situation. The atmosphere was tense. Sakura wished it will all finish faster. Kizashi tried to make jokes, but his daughter didn't react in any way. Then, Gaara thought of something. He started praising her, hoping to get her out of her mood.

"Your daughter is very elegant and refined. She is always good-mannered and I am proud to have her by my side everywhere we go."

"Did you hear that, honey?" Kizashi asked his wife while patting Gaara's shoulder.

Sakura's mom didn't say anything, but her ears listened to every word carefully.

"She is a sensitive girl, but she also has a more serious side. She scares me when she's angry."

The corners of Sakura's mouth lifted upwards and she glanced at him from across the table, making him blush.

"You are adorable. Hurry up and get married!"

"That's my plan." Gaara replied to her mom before taking another sip of wine.

The rest of the lunch was pleasant enough. Sakura felt good now that her mom stopped with her annoying complaints. She let the kid play with toys, while Sakura was washing the dishes in the kitchen. Her mom was also there, putting the leftovers back into the fridge. The boys sat on the sofa and talked about the wedding gift and all the other details that needed to be sorted out before the wedding. Gaara represented his own family because he didn't have any parents. All this responsibility fell on his shoulders, but he didn't complain. He was a strong, intelligent man, as well as mannered. Even her parents confirmed that.

*In the kitchen*

"You know, you have to be very careful to keep a man like this one next to you."

"Don't worry, mom. I am careful."

"If you were, Gaara would have slept enough. Did you see the dark circles around his eyes?"

"He's had them his whole life, mother."

"Nonsense. Anything can be fixed. You just didn't try enough."

Sakura sighed. She didn't want to fuel a potential scandal with Gaara and Shinki in the house. Her mother kept talking about how her daughter wasn't good enough for a man like Gaara. Sakura kept silent. She washed the dishes faster to be able to leave sooner. She already felt a stomach ache.

When Gaara stood up from the couch and called his son, Sakura went to lead them to the door and say her goodbyes. Shinki hugged her legs:

"Good bye, mother. See you tomorrow."

"OK, baby. Let's do that." She caressed his head lovingly.

"Shinki, go ahead of me." Gaara said and Shinki walked to the main street.

"Are you ok?" Gaara asked, holding her hand.

"Yes, don't worry."

"I don't like to leave you here alone." He admitted.

Sakura squeezed his hand and smiled her sweetest smile at him.

"Nothing will happen to me. We will meet again in the morning. You'll survive one night without me." She winked.

"Scarcely." He answered slyly.

Sakura bit her lip challenging him to kiss her.

"It's too bad I can't kiss you." He said.

"Dad, let's go!"

Sakura laughed:

"Go. We'll see each other tomorrow." She winked again and closed the door.

Gaara caught up with his son and they both went to meet Temari.

That night, after Shinki got to bed in Shikadai's room, Gaara went out with Naruto. They sat at the table and Gaara offered to pay for the drinks in the honor of a special occasion.

"You're like my own brother." Gaara started the conversation.

"What are you saying there?"

"You convinced Sakura to give up on that mission."

"It wasn't me alone. I saw her crying when she read the letters from you and I wanted to help you."

"You gave her back to me. I don't know how to thank you."

"Buy me some ramen." Naruto laughed and then he became more serious: "I would do anything for Sakura-chan. She is like a sister to me. I couldn't bear to see her die. It's a good thing that you wrote to me back then about the machine affecting her."

"Thank you, Naruto! You saved me once again. I would have been dead without her."

Note: Thank you very much for writing feedback.? ﾟﾧﾡ? I always check my email to see what you wrote to me:D

I can't wait to write about their happy family, too.? But right now I want to show Gaara why Sakura got sick in the first place.

What do you think about this chapter?

Is anyone interested in more details about how I came to write what I wrote? I intend to write a chapter solely about this at the end of this story, but only if you care about it. ? ﾟﾧﾡ?