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Well, this is finally the last chapter. Thanks to everyone who stuck with this story to the end, and thank you for all the wonderful comments.
Kayfh - Yes, I tend to agree with you there, I don't like modern day Naruto stories either. Though that must be an interesting dream... my Gaara dreams are usually just stupid.
empty-spaces - I think you might need to have more sex. ;)
sexyinumama - Cause he was too far away to see it, otherwise he probably would've. And I'm doing a one-shot Gaara/Sakura right now, but I don't know about another long story. I don't really have any particular ideas at the moment. Perhaps sometime in the future. I'm definitely doing more Gaara stuff though, just not with Sakura.
slack-jawed - I don't really think I could do crackfics. My sense of humor is rather screwed up. This story is probably the lightest thing I've written in my entire life, I'm usually much more angsty.
Alright, on to the story.
Warning: This chapter has Shippuden spoilers, and a tiny bit of a spoiler for the end of the mission Team Kakashi is on right now in the anime (to manga chapter 310 or so I guess).
“Gaara,” she said softly as her chakra flowed into his body. “I was so worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” he answered quietly. “But… I can’t let someone get hurt because of me.”
Sakura looked at him, surprised. Slowly her lips formed into a smile.
“I guess you understand what that’s like now.”
Gaara nodded, watching Naruto and Lee fight his opponent while Sakura finished healing his wounds. Too soon she was interrupted by a message from Shino that Ino needed help. Sakura tried to convince Gaara that he shouldn’t fight yet, but he assured her he was fine. Regretfully, Sakura ran off, her heart filled with anxiety despite his attempt to reassure her. She healed Ino and then helped Lee before they joined with the other teams and raced towards where Gaara and Naruto were fighting the last opponent. When they finally caught up, the first thing Sakura saw was Gaara half transformed into Shukaku. She couldn’t help but be reminded of the fight after the chuunin finals, wondering how much control Gaara had this time.
As Sakura watched the progression of the fight, Temari put a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. Before she had time to worry, Gaara suppressed Shukaku and quickly defeated his opponent. As soon as the fight was over, Sakura ran over to Gaara, who had collapsed on the ground. She placed her hands gently on his neck, checking his condition, relieved immensely to find that he was unconscious but fine. She took his hand, holding it while the others tried to sort out what to do next and earning a glare from Matsuri. When the Konoha jounins arrived, everyone walked away to discuss the situation. Temari walked over to Sakura, who remained next to Gaara.
“Who is she?” Sakura asked immediately, her voice hushed. Temari smiled with understanding.
“Don’t worry,” she said, sitting down next to Sakura. “She’s just his student. He would never see her as anything else. Whatever she might act like now, she was one of the ones that ran from him before.”
Sakura nodded. “Gomen, Temari-san,” she said quietly. “I shouldn’t be so paranoid.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Temari answered with a smile. “He’s possessive about you, you have every right to be the same.”
As Sakura giggled the girls were interrupted by Kakashi who walked over to inform them that the Suna nins would be taken to Konoha so Gaara’s wounds can be treated. Sakura smiled instantly. As the team started to make their way back, Sakura stayed by Gaara’s side the entire time, while Kankuro held him for support. She insisted on supervising his treatment when they finally got there, staying with him all day and holding his hand as he lay in bed, now conscious but seemingly lost in thought. Naruto, who was sharing Gaara’s hospital room, kept talking, occasionally getting short responses from Gaara or Sakura. When night finally came and they heard Naruto’s snores coming from his side of the room, Sakura moved from her chair and sat on the bed next to Gaara. She leaned down and kissed him softly.
“You know it will always be like this,” he said quietly after she pulled away. “Even if I’m not the way I used to be, someone will always try to kill me. You are worried now… Will you be able to handle it?”
He looked at her, his face passive as always. Sakura sighed softly, settling down on the edge of his bed. She shrugged.
“We’re shinobi,” she answered, looking at Gaara as she placed a hand on his chest. “It’s part of normal life for us, even if it is more than usual with you. Besides,” she smiled confidently, “that’s why I’m a medic now. I will always be there to heal you.”
Her hand rested over his heart and he knew she meant more than just physical wounds. He reached over and took her hand, pulling her towards him and wrapping an arm around her. She nestled against him, listening carefully to make sure they wouldn’t be caught. Sakura placed her hand lightly on his cheek, turning his face towards her.
“Gaara,” she whispered softly. “I love you.”
A faint smile touched his lips as he leaned closer and kissed her gently. He held her in his arms, letting her drift off to sleep. Gaara woke her up at dawn, running his fingers lightly over her cheek. Sakura smiled as she woke up, whispering his name sleepily. She knew that he was almost completely healed and would have to leave soon. She leaned down, whispering in his ear.
“Next time you want to see me, don’t make such a fuss,” she said jokingly.
As the sun rose in the sky, Sakura left Gaara, only long enough to shower and grab a hasty breakfast, before coming back and sitting next to his bed, once again holding his hand. His siblings came to visit, staying only long enough to be assured that Gaara was fine before leaving. Matsuri was with them, glaring at Sakura the entire time but saying nothing. About half-way through the day, Naruto was visited by Jiraya and left to get ready to leave for a two year training trip.
When Sakura was finally left alone with Gaara, he sat up in bed, leaning against the wall, and she sat down next to him, kissing him gently before turning around and leaning with her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her protectively. His hand idly traced along her arms, her stomach, her chest. His fingers slipped into her dress, following the outline of her scar. Sakura closed her eyes, shivering slightly at his touch. Gaara could feel her breathing getting heavier, his own body responding slowly to her closeness.
“Want to go somewhere else?” he whispered in her ear.
She nodded, smiling as sand began to envelop them before they reappeared in the familiar forest of death. Gaara laid her down on the ground, stretching out alongside her, his hand running along the length of her body.
“You know, I never thought this place would hold such memories for me,” Sakura said, smiling up at Gaara.
“And what do you remember about me?” he asked, his hand running along her leg and slipping under the fabric of her dress.
“I remember being happy,” Sakura said softly, earning a small smile from Gaara before he leaned down and caught her lips in his.
They stayed in the forest for several hours before Gaara took them back, hoping that no one would discover they were gone. Sakura stayed with him all night, once again falling asleep in his embrace. The next morning, Temari and Kankuro showed up at dawn, standing back and waiting quietly while Gaara woke Sakura up, telling her that it was time for him to leave.
“We could pretend you’re still injured so you can stay longer?” she said with a sheepish grin on her face. Gaara smirked slightly.
“Finish your training, then you can come with me,” he answered simply as he stood up, already fully dressed.
Sakura followed the sand siblings to the gate, walking beside Gaara while Matsuri was on his other side. She noticed the other girl stealing glances at Gaara and she sighed with resignation, realizing she would just have to get used to it and trust Gaara. When they stopped in front of the gate, Sakura wrapped her arms around Gaara, leaning in to kiss him as she desperately tried to hold back tears. She could not stop a sparkling drop from running down her cheek and he noticed it when he pulled back, reaching up and gently wiping the tear away.
“Don’t,” he said quietly, as Sakura let out a sob at his words. “When you cry you make me weak. Please stop.”
“I love you, Gaara,” Sakura whispered, managing a weak smile.
Slowly Gaara released her from his embrace, stepping back regretfully as his siblings came over to hug Sakura. Matsuri stood back and only nodded to Sakura as the Suna nins began to walk away. Sakura watched them leave, allowing her tears to fall only after they were out of view.
The day they were scheduled to arrive, Sakura waited at the gate with Tsunade and Shizune. She smiled when she saw the Suna nins approaching from a distance, immediately running up to Gaara and throwing her arms around him as soon as he came through the gate. Gaara returned her hug briefly, before pulling back quickly to greet the Hokage. Sakura waited while Tsunade took the siblings to her office. When they were exited the office sometime later, Gaara approached Sakura, stopping in front of her as his siblings exchanged an uncomfortable look behind him.
“I have to talk to you,” Gaara said quietly.
“Gaara…” Temari spoke up from behind him.
“Shut up,” he said harshly, without turning around. “Come,” he added to Sakura, nodding his head towards the exit.
Sakura followed, with a glance at Temari who only gave her a weak shrug.
“What’s going on, Gaara?” she asked when they left the tower.
He didn’t answer her, walking towards the forest clearing where she had taken him a long time ago. Sakura shivered slightly as she walked beside him, wondering what was going on. When they finally got there, Gaara stopped, looking away into the distance, as if avoiding her gaze. Sakura stood at his side silently, trying to read his expression from his passive face.
“I can’t do this anymore,” he said finally.
“Naze?” Sakura asked immediately, her heart sinking at what he was suggesting.
“I’m the Kazekage,” he continued quietly. “I won’t have time. You deserve someone better.”
“I want you,” Sakura answered simply.
“You shouldn’t,” Gaara replied, keeping his voice indifferent. “You never should have. I have given you nothing but pain.”
“You made me happy,” Sakura said with a small smile.
“Is that why you always cry?” he asked with a slight smirk, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.
“Girls cry,” she said with a shrug. “That doesn’t mean I’m not happy.”
“No?” he said with a hint of sarcasm. “Temari never cries.”
“Yeah well… your sister is not exactly normal,” Sakura answered with a snort.
“I guess not,” Gaara answered absently. “She told me not to do this.”
“Well, she was right about that,” Sakura said, taken aback slightly by the fact that he discussed this with his siblings.
“Naze?” he asked, still avoiding looking at her directly.
“Because I love you, Gaara,” Sakura answered with exasperation. “And no matter what you act like, I know you don’t want to end this.”
Even as he turned away from her, Sakura could see Gaara roll his eyes.
“Why are you so stubborn?” he sighed.
“Why do you insist on acting like a child?” she countered.
“I’m not,” Gaara said quietly.
“Anyway, you’ve already made your promise,” Sakura said with a smile. “You can’t go back on your word.”
“You know I’ll be busy,” he answered weakly. “How do you think this is going to work?”
“We managed to make it when our villages were at war,” Sakura said with a smirk, shaking her head slightly. “I think we can survive this.”
“I haven’t told anyone in Suna about this,” Gaara admitted, finally turning to look at her.
“I didn’t think you would,” Sakura answered calmly. “But you know, people might wonder when I move there.”
“Is there nothing I can say that will change your mind?” he asked with a sigh.
“No,” she said firmly.
“Fine,” he answered shortly. “But when I leave this time, you are not crying.”
“Fine,” Sakura replied, rolling her eyes.
When they walked into the hotel room sometime later, Temari looked up at Gaara with a smirk while Kankuro only shook his head slightly.
“I told you,” Temari said smugly.
“Shut up, Temari,” Gaara answered, walking past his siblings towards the bedroom.
“You’ve got papers to sign,” Kankuro called after him.
“There’s always papers,” Gaara said under his breath.
Sakura laughed as she followed him, reminded irresistibly of Tsunade. Temari winked at Sakura as she walked by, and Sakura waved back happily. The siblings stayed in Konoha for a week, and Sakura stayed in the hotel with Gaara. It seemed so much more natural to her to live that way, and when the siblings left again, she felt awkward returning to her life alone. No matter what she had told Gaara, it was hard to be away from him for so long. She managed to suppress her tears when he was leaving, but as soon as he was gone, she locked herself in her room, spending the rest of the day sobbing under the covers.
She fought Sasori alongside Chiyo, all the while repeating the same thought in her head, he couldn’t really be dead. She didn’t want to admit that her heart was breaking. None of this mattered anymore – not if Gaara was dead. She almost wished that she would die in the fight. If Gaara was dead, Sakura didn’t want to live either. When the fight was finally over, the only thing she could concentrate on was finding Gaara. She had to see it for herself. She didn’t care about the pain that was still surging through her body, or the fact that she was almost completely out of chakra. She would catch up to him, and she would destroy anything that stood in the way.
It seemed like an eternity passed before Sakura was kneeling in front of Gaara’s body, laid out on the ground, her hands placed over his chest, trying to find some sign that he was still alive. But there was nothing. Tears trickled down her cheeks and she felt like her world was crashing around her. She remained motionless next to him, as if by staying like that she could somehow change what had happened. Finally Naruto spoke to her and she was forced to move back, shaking her head with a sadness that threatened to swallow her whole existence. Sakura watched as Naruto started to scream at everyone, tears obscuring her vision. She thought that she might faint, and she hoped that if she did she would never wake up. But when Chiyo stood up and walked over to Gaara, Sakura immediately understood what she was trying to do and her heart stirred with hope. She watched as Naruto offered help, unable to move from her spot for fear that the world would fade away around her. It seemed like time was going so slow that any second it might stop completely. Idly Sakura noted the arrival of a multitude of Suna shinobi.
When Chiyo collapsed, Sakura caught her in her arms and dragged her back a few steps, her heart jumping as she saw Gaara stir. As Naruto put a hand on Gaara’s shoulder, Gaara suddenly sat up, his eyes wide looking at the many shinobi gathered around. Uncontrollable tears poured down Sakura’s face, her arms tightening around Chiyo’s motionless body. After a moment Gaara noticed Sakura, his face softening briefly. Sakura stared at him, unable to move from her spot, afraid that she would find that she was dreaming. When Gaara was finally able to stand up with Naruto’s help, he immediately walked over to Sakura who still held Chiyo in her arms. Quietly Gaara told the villagers to pray for Chiyo.
When the prayers were done, Temari came over and carefully took Chiyo from Sakura’s arms. Gaara stood in front of Sakura and extended his hand to her. She looked up at him with a teary smile and placed her hand in his, letting him pull her up to her feet. They looked at each other silently, their hands still locked together. Out of the corner of her eye Sakura could see the girls that were drooling over Gaara glaring at her. Those that knew about their relationship looked at the two of them with understanding. After a moment Gaara reluctantly released Sakura’s hand, deciding that now was not the best time for the village to find out about something like that – not when they just finally started to acknowledge and respect him. As the party started to move towards Suna, Naruto and Kankuro supported Gaara, while Sakura walked beside Chiyo’s body, eternally gratefully for what the old woman had done. Temari came to walk beside Sakura.
“Don’t worry,” she said quietly, making sure no one would overhear. “He’ll tell everyone soon. Now is just not the time for it.”
“I know,” Sakura answered, nodding. “I’m just glad he’s alright. I don’t know what I would’ve done if…” she broke off, not wanting to even imagine it.
Temari only smiled as she walked next to Sakura.
“I know your village has done a great deal for us,” Gaara said addressing Kakashi. “But if I may ask for another favor?”
Kakashi nodded, listening.
“Since Chiyo-baasama is dead now, we have no medical ninja of a high standard in Suna,” Gaara continued. “I would like to request that when the business of your village is settled you send Haruno Sakura to us for a period of time enough for her to train some of our shinobi to be medics.”
Sakura saw Temari smile at her brightly and give her a quick wink. She gave a small smile back in return, trying to restrain herself from falling into Gaara’s arms right there. Kakashi’s eyes softened, knowing that Gaara truly just wanted Sakura to stay with him.
“I’ll have to put it to the Hokage,” he said. “But I think that can be arranged. We’ll let you know.”
“Arigatou,” Gaara said, standing up.
“We should pay our respects to Chiyo-baasama before we go,” Naruto said, noticing that everyone was ready to leave.
“You’re right,” Kankuro agreed.
The Konoha group left the office with Gaara and his siblings following them. Baki separated to attend to other business, while Ebizou, who was waiting outside, joined them. Sakura walked beside Gaara silently. When they got there, everyone gathered at Chiyo’s grave, each lost in their own thoughts. When it came time to leave, everyone walked away while Sakura remained standing at the grave. Gaara looked back at her and sighed. Temari gave him a nudge and he nodded slightly.
“Ebizou-jiisama,” Gaara said quietly. “Please don’t tell anyone.”
Ebizou looked at him with surprise as Gaara walked back towards the grave.
Gaara stopped in front of Sakura and she looked up, her eyes meeting his. She smiled slightly. Slowly, as if unsure of what he was doing, Gaara moved closer and wrapped his arms around Sakura. She fell into his embrace, burying her face against his shoulder as tears started to well up in her eyes again. After several long moments, she moved back slightly, leaning towards Gaara and kissing his lips gently, his arms wrapping tighter around her. Then she pulled back and slapped his shoulder.
“That’s for making me worry,” she said, smiling. “I’m not going to let you go that easy.”
He caught her lips again, kissing her with a fiery passion and making Sakura’s face flush. His hand travelled to her chest and rested gently on her scar. When he finally broke away, Sakura had to gasp for breath.
“That’s to make sure you don’t forget,” Gaara said, smirking slightly.
Sakura smiled and leaned towards him.
“I love you, Gaara,” she whispered in his ear.
He squeezed her a little tighter before releasing her gently.
“Go,” he said quietly. “It won’t be long.”
She nodded, stepping away regretfully as they both headed back towards the group. The others were tactfully trying to look away, although it was obvious from their faces that they had seen everything. Naruto was openly staring at them, his mouth gaping. But when Gaara and Sakura approached, Naruto sighed and a bright smile spread on his face.
“You better treat her well,” he said to Gaara with a smirk. “Or I’ll have to kick your ass.”
Gaara’s eyes widened slightly, reminded irresistibly of their fight after the chuunin exam. After a moment he nodded silently and they started to walk towards the village gate to say their final goodbyes.
“You wanted to see me, Tsunade-shishou?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
“Hai,” Tsunade answered. “I want to talk about your progress.” She paused, then her lips spread in a smile. “Sakura, I have taught you everything I know. One day, probably soon, you will surpass my knowledge. But you no longer need my training.”
“You mean…?” Sakura’s eyes widened as she moved to the edge of her chair excitedly.
“Hai,” Tsunade said again. “If you still wish to, you may move to Suna. I can have the transfer papers arranged immediately, pending the Kazekage’s approval of course. You will have to wait until this mission involving the Akatsuki is completed before you can leave – which I assume you would want anyway.”
Sakura jumped up and ran around the table, pulling Tsunade into a hug.
“Arigatou, Tsunade-shishou!” she exclaimed excitedly.
“You don’t need to call me that anymore,” Tsunade laughed, untangling herself from Sakura’s embrace. “I will send the letter for the Kazekage to sign, and I will let you know as soon as we have it arranged. We will consider your transportation when you come back from this mission.”
Sakura ran out of the office, practically giggling with excitement. Without waiting for the official confirmation, which she knew would come, she found all her friends one by one and told them the news. The signed papers from the Kazekage arrived in two days. When team Kakashi returned from the mission, the village threw Sakura a going away party, while Tsunade sent a letter to Suna requesting an escort for Sakura. Three days later, three Suna chuunins arrived to take Sakura to her new home. The day of her departure, the rest of the Konoha 11 were there to see her off, along with Tsunade, Kakashi and Sai. As Sakura hugged Naruto goodbye, she said quietly:
“When the next mission to find Sasuke comes up, I will come with you. So make sure to send for me.”
Naruto nodded. “I will keep my promise, Sakura-chan,” he said confidently. “We will bring him back together.”
Sakura removed her Konoha headband, giving it to Tsunade before her former sensei pulled her into a tight embrace. After a long and tearful farewell, Sakura finally set off, wiping her tears and ready to face her new life.
When they arrived in Suna three days later, Sakura saw that Gaara was waiting for her at the gate. His siblings stood some distance behind, smiling. She stood in front of Gaara, not sure if he wanted their relationship to be known. He looked at her for a moment before reaching out and wrapping his arms around her, pressing her against him. She returned the hug immediately, trembling slightly in his arms.
“Do you have it?” Gaara whispered in her ear.
She slipped the headband he had given her out of a pocket of her bag, unseen by anyone, and handed it to him. Gaara pulled back from her, holding the headband in his hand. He ran his fingers through her hair, smoothing it down, before putting the Suna headband on her head and tying it carefully. When he was done, Sakura leaned forward and kissed him softly. They walked into the village together, Gaara folding his arms over his chest as usual while she walked beside him.
Eventually the day came when Sakura came to Gaara, telling him she was pregnant. As he placed a hand on her stomach gently, he hoped the child would be a girl. The spirit of Shukaku had been returned to the village, as it always would be, and once again it was sealed in a kettle. Soon it would have to be sealed again within a child – a new jinchuuriki would be made. Gaara knew that this child had to be his – it could be no other. No one else would have the power to control the demon that his child would have, and he would not place this burden on anyone else. But when this child was born, he wanted him to have siblings, just like he did.
For this child, he would make it different. He would be there for him, unlike his own father. He would make sure that no matter what else happened, this child would always have one person to rely on, one person who always cared about him, one person who loved him for him and accepted the demon inside him. And he would change one more thing – he would ensure that Sakura would not die as a sacrifice, as his own mother had.
They had never said it, but they both knew that when the time came, they would die together. Neither could live without the other. They had become two parts of a whole.
In the end, it was not a story about love. Just two broken hearts who found their salvation in each other.
So... now that the story is done... I'll tell you a little secret. A few of you commented on how I kept Gaara in character through this. I sort of cheated a little. My boyfriend is very very close to Gaara in character, and even in his life history and everything (minus the ninja part obviously). So, I had him read everything to see if that's how he would act. I actually even used some of the things he's said to me at some point when we first started dating. That's why I'm writing so much Gaara stuff really, cause it's easy for me to imagine it really happening. This is probably one of those trade secrets you're not supposed to reveal, but whatever. ;) Makes you see the story in a different light, doesn't it?
Anyways... now that it's finished... tell me what you thought!