Sakura's mom felt bad for mistreating her daughter. She knew she over reacted and that she shouldn't have hit Sakura, but she simply couldn't stop herself. After the discussion she had had with her husband that night, Mebuki decided to keep any displeasure to herself and act as if nothing happened. She didn't wish to ruin her marriage or start over because she had nowhere to go. Sakura tried to get her mom out of her mood, so she listened to her every word. She made up her mind to never lie to her mother and hoped to get back her mom's trust and attention. However, things didn't exactly go as planned. When Mebuki asked Sakura if she filled the pot with water before placing it on the stove, Sakura said:

"Yes, I mean no."

Mebuki was confused.

"I didn't exactly fill it to the top, just 2 fingers below. It would have been full if I had poured another cup of water inside it."

Mebuki scrunched her nose and shut her eyes in annoyance.

Gaara-kun, I don't understand why you are laughing.

Sakura, you give too many details. I would be bored, too if I was your mother.

Why? I only meant to tell the truth.

I know, but you could have said "yes" and avoid this whole situation.

Uf!

Some other time, Mebuki left food on the table for Sakura to eat while she went to the garden to talk to the neighbor that was also her friend. When Sakura cut the bell pepper open, she saw it was black inside. She took it and ran outside mystified.

"Mom, mom, I wonder if this pepper is still good."

"Yes, it is. Go back inside and eat." Mebuki gestured towards her to leave.

"But it's black on the inside. I think it's mold. Look, is this a worm?"

"Let me see." Mebuki took the pepper from her hand and went back inside the house with Sakura following.

When Mebuki closed the door, she turned around to face Sakura and grabbed her by the upper arm while she spoke angrily. Sakura was scared because she couldn't imagine what she did wrong this time.

"Why do you always embarrass me in front of others? You and your big mouth yelling about rotten food! What will the others believe? That I don't feed you properly."

Mebuki let go of Sakura's arm before she went into the kitchen to find another pepper and sliced it before giving it to Sakura.

"Here, take this one. See if it is also rotten." Mebuki was ironic.

Sakura took it and sat back down at the table cheerlessly.

Gaara-kun, nothing I do is right.

Why don't you eat out? Now you go on missions and it's not that expensive.

I am saving money.

You don't need to. I will give you everything you need.

Sakura smiled.

Gaara-kun, you can't be serious.

Of course I am. Gaara said proudly. I will save money for you and me. You don't have to worry about anything. Eat out. This way, you give your mother a break and you won't fight with her either.

We don't fight because I never talk back to her.

Fine, whatever you say. Buy yourself a slice of cake and I will give you the money when we meet again. It will be my treat.

Thank you, you're very sweet. Sakura ate happily.

After a few moments of melancholy, Sakura called him again.

Gaara-kun, I miss you.

He got nervous and his face reddened. He couldn't find anything to say, so he asked about her work.

When is the next mission?

I am leaving in 3 days on a C rank mission to the Land of Waves.

Have you packed your things?

Yes, I have.

It's such a pity it's not a mission in Suna!

Gaara-kun, I would like to go on a mission with you.

Gaara smiled, closed his eyes and imagined what it would be like to reunite with his Sakura and see the marks of power on her wrist and dangling from her neck. Sakura rested her chin on her palm.

Do you see what I see?

Mhm.

Gaara imagined an enemy threatening to slice Sakura's throat. His poor innocent Sakura screamed in fear and Gaara used his impenetrable shield of sand to snatch her from the man who dared to lay a hand on his girl. Sakura laughed until Gaara went even further and cut off the enemy's head and drops of blood stained everything around, including Gaara's clothes. Sakura suddenly felt uneasy, but Gaara was proud. He liked revenge and the monster inside him made Gaara feel happiness every time he saw blood; of course, not Sakura's. Gaara was sure he was never going to hurt her.

Sakura opened her eyes and decided to change the topic.

I will take you up on that offer and buy a piece of cake now.

Ok. He woke up from the trance. Talk to you later. Kankurou has just burst into my room.

Sakura's parents began fighting more and more often, so Sakura was happy to stay home as little as possible. On the morning of the departure, she woke up one hour earlier than she should have and left the house without notifying anyone. She was very happy to go on her first mission outside the village. Naruto and Sakura were both very sleepy, but not tired enough to stop bickering. Kakashi-sensei was as calm and disinterested as usual. The mission consisted in escorting Tazuna-san, a master bridge builder to the Land of Waves. The mission was more demanding than Sakura or even Kakashi could handle because it turned out Tazuna-san had lied to them about the rank of the mission. It wasn't a C-rank, but an S-rank mission. For this reason, Gaara was very tense. His impenetrable armor couldn't shield his flower from the enemy's attacks given the fact that they were that far apart. The teacher spoke in class, but Gaara couldn't hear a word he said. He only heard Sakura's voice yelling for help. It was just in his head because in reality, Sakura participated in the fight just like the boys.

Gaara rocked his leg under the chair, lightly hitting the leg of the desk while waiting for news that everything was over and she was safe. Zabuza was fighting Kakashi, Haku caught both Naruto and Sasuke in his ice dome and Sakura was guarding the client who kept complaining that it is all taking too long and he should have hired another team. There was fog all around. Gaara didn't say anything because if he had talked, Sakura would have gotten distracted. In a life-or-death situation, it could have been fatal for her.

'Let me go get her.' Shukaku said.

No. Shut up!

'You don't give orders to me, human child. All of you are so weak! It doesn't matter how many hosts I have had; they are all useless. What kind of man are you if you're not willing to risk for your girlfriend?'

These manipulation tactics don't work on me. I am not 8.

Shukaku started laughing.

'Whatever. She'll die any moment now. I wonder how will that be: a knife in the stomach, her throat cut open, a needle of ice piercing her heart?'

Gaara felt control slipping through his fingers. He scratched the desk with his nails. Sakura's scream interrupted their conversation. It wasn't a scream for help, nor the scream of a person who is about to die, but she was screaming a name, the name of that Uchiha brat.

"Sasuke! Sasuke!"

Sakura, what happened?

Sasuke stopped moving. His body is pierced with dozens of needles. There's blood everywhere!

"Sasuke! Wake up!"

When Sasuke finally opened his eyes, Sakura started crying and wrapped her arms around his neck to hug him in relief.

Sakura, what are you doing?

But Sakura didn't reply. This whole situation left an empty space in Gaara's stomach. He would have rather that Uchiha died. This way, he could have gotten rid of him without getting his hands dirty. What bothered him the most was that he read in Sakura's heart that she still cared for Sasuke.

Gaara-kun, this mission was bitter-sweet. I don't want another one like this anytime soon.

Gaara was angry, so he didn't reply.

Sasuke almost died. I need to become stronger.

Why? To save him? Gaara asked with bitterness.

Well... I want to participate in the fight. If I were stronger, I could time my attacks with Naruto and Sasuke's and hit Haku from both sides: inside and outside. None of us would have been in danger then.

There's no point in training. You are too weak. It's better to give up and leave it to the men.

Sakura got upset.

I don't understand what it is that you hold against me. Ever since I completed that mission, you've been acting cold.

I am not.

You are.

I have other things to worry about. I don't have time to deal with your useless dilemmas.

Sakura felt bad because Gaara was harsher than he intended to be. Even if he was upset with her, he couldn't help but regret the distance he put between them and he was suddenly afraid that his attitude was only going to push Sakura into the Uchiha's arms. Gaara took a deep breath and found the courage to apologize.

I am sorry. Please forgive me.

Sakura didn't say anything.

Sakura? Talk to me, please.

Her eyes filled with tears and she bit her lip to stop them from falling.

Gaara-kun is the only one I can count on right now. Mom and dad always fight, dad doesn't have time for me ever since he started working more to avoid mom at home, my team always keeps me in the shadows because I am useless to them and Ino is too busy for me. If I lose Gaara-kun too...

Gaara swallowed air.

You are too pessimistic. I am right here and I am not going anywhere. I didn't really mean what I said earlier. I just wanted to see your reaction. You can contact me any time, I will be here for you.

Sakura took in short breaths before she exhaled long, like an interrupted sigh. It broke his heart to hear.

Gaara-kun, I can hear your thoughts. I know it's not like you said. You promised to never lie to me.

Gaara froze.

Oh, no. He thought without realizing it.

Gaara-kun, you should know you are the most important person to me. I am sorry if I upset you. I was only afraid my teammate was dead, that's all.

Let's not talk about it.

Why?

Please.

Ok, ok. What did you do today?

Worry about you.

They both laughed.

I should make it up to you when we meet. I'll buy you ice-cream.

I can't be so easily bought.

Sakura laughed.

Then...

I want you to promise me you will save all your future hugs for me.

If it makes Gaara-kun happy, then ok.

Sakura could finally read genuine happiness in his heart.

Thank God. I was afraid I would lose you.

You'll never lose me.

Hihi!

ℬ

Notes: Thank you very much for always leaving feedback. I am always happy to read what you say to me. Thank you also for your appreciation. Yes, Mebuki has to change her attitude, otherwise Kizashi might issue a divorce. I am very sorry for the delay on this chapter. My last few days haven't been so great. I will update my other story in about 2-3 days. Please bear with me.