Gaara woke up the next morning. He sneezed into his fist. He sat up groggily and yawned. He hadn’t slept much the night before. He had woken up around one and took at least a few hours falling back asleep. He looked to his left and saw Sakura, still in her pink dress, at his side. She was peacefully asleep. Her lips puckered and closed with her breathing. He bent down to get a better look at her face. He tilted his head and grinned. He kissed her and sat back up with his tell-tale blush forming.

Gaara stretched out his arms. He heard his shoulders pop and he sighed with relief. Gaara swung his legs over and gracefully stepped onto the hard floor. He looked back at Sakura, and resisting the urge to stay, he walked out and opened the door. He felt a wave of panic. He hadn’t closed the door last night. He exhaled and decided Sakura must have closed it.

Gaara began his short trek to his room. It was only steps away. He looked at her door and he felt a wave of queasy happiness. He opened the door to his room. He closed his eyes and opened them to look at his bed. Against the backdrop of the rosy sunset was a flash of gold.

Gaara stepped back in surprise as Naruto gave him an all-knowing grin. “You should close the door before you do the nasty, Gaara.”

Gaara blushed. He shook his head and covered his bare chest by folding his arms. “It wasn’t like that, Naruto.” Gaara felt the last bits of drowsiness fall from his frame. He looked at Naruto in alarm, “How the hell did you get in my room!”

Naruto grinned more, “Gaara and Sakura sittin’ in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Gaara with a baby carriage!” Naruto swayed his arms back and forth in tune with his chant. Gaara began to turn beet red and he clenched his fist, “SHE’S ASLEEP!”

Naruto puckered his lips, “You’re no fun.” Naruto jumped off the bed and rubbed the bottom of his thumb and walked over to Gaara. He smiled and slowly diffused Gaara’s wrath with his big, silly grin. “So, Gaara, how come you didn’t do the horizontal boogie with her? She was like so hot and ready to go.” Gaara quirked his brow, “Why should I tell you?” Naruto’s cobalt blue eyes delved into Gaara’s pale blue.

Gaara felt his nerve beginning to break. Naruto pouted his bottom lip in the clincher, “Because I’m your friend.” Gaara felt his resolve snap as he watched Naruto’s eye’s grow misty. Gaara looked at the floor and walked to his bed and flopped onto it. He turned over on his side, “I don’t want to cheapen her.” Gaara felt Naruto’s weight join his on Gaara’s bed. “You’re bed’s a lot bigger than the last time I was here, Fat-ass.” Gaara glared at Naruto, “I’m not fat, I’m still growing.”

Naruto whistled, “I was just kidding.” Gaara grinned back at Naruto, “You’re just jealous because I’m taller than you.” Naruto swatted Gaara’s words away with a flick of his wrist, “Temari told me you ate like a starving horse but was still skinny as a rail.” Gaara sighed and rubbed his temple. “What are you doing here, Naruto?”

Naruto stretched out and looked at Gaara nonchalantly, “I just felt like visiting.” Gaara chuckled to himself. “Well, Sakura and I were going to pack today for our trip to Konoha.” Naruto pursed his lips angrily. “Jeez, it’s like every time I visit, you’re about to go to Konoha!”

Gaara whistled softly, “We keep telling you to write and tell us when you’re coming to visit.” Naruto ruffled Gaara’s hair and poked him in the forehead. Gaara glared at Naruto and poked him in between the eyes. Both of the young men laughed and hugged.

“So, Gaara, do you wanna kiss her? Do you love her? You gonna marry her?” taunted Naruto. Gaara glared at Naruto, but failed to put the fear of death into the blonde. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed. “Why do you think I’m going to Konoha with her in the first place on such short notice?”

Naruto’s eyes bugged out of their sockets. “Are you serious? Oh man, you are serious!” Naruto’s shock was anything but comforting to Gaara. “Naruto,” he said hurt, “you don’t want me to marry Sakura?” Gaara’s brow sunk as he contemplated his best friend’s objection.

“No, Gaara, actually, I’m relieved, I came her to see why you kept her around when you could have anyone else here. I really love Sakura, she’s one of my first and best friends, and I don’t want her getting lead around by the nose again.” Naruto’s last sentence wrenched Gaara’s chest. “Sasuke was always so cruel to her. He never said anything nice to her. He always treated her like some disposable toy. He disappeared and kept her waiting for years. She was always there for him. She always forgave him. I hated watching it.”

Naruto continued hastily, “Not that I’m comparing you to him! I mean-- Sakura has been so happy here with you! I’ve never seen her this happy before! I just don’t want her to have to wait forever to have the true happiness she deserves. She’s been through enough. ” Naruto looked both excited and fearful. Gaara looked at his friend thoughtfully, “I have no intentions of ever treating her like that.”

Naruto nodded, “You’re the best man for the job. Both of you are just perfect for each other.” Gaara wasn’t sure how to take Naruto’s tone, but he decided the best possible light was the best way to go. Gaara smiled at his friend. Naruto smiled back, “Are you going to put off your trip?” Gaara shook his head, “I’ll leave Kankuro to entertain you if you want.”

Naruto threw his full weight onto the bed. Gaara saw that Naruto’s eyes looked darker then when they had first met. He looked worn. Gaara silently thanked Naruto for showing him there were other ways to cope with being the vessel of a monster. Naruto’s hair flopped over to the side as he turned his head, “Hey, Gaara, I need you to promise me something.”

Gaara inhaled sharply as he was jarred out of his quiet meditation. “What is it Naruto?” he asked. Naruto flopped over onto his stomach to look at Gaara on level. Gaara scratched his neck and looked at Naruto’s uncharacteristically serious face. Naruto spoke clearly, “I need you to promise you’ll never hurt Sakura or treat her badly. She’s been through more than most of us could imagine and she deserves her bit of happiness. I need you to promise me you’ll protect her, cherish her, and love her. You have to tell her and show her everyday, promise?”

Gaara nodded his head, “I swear, Naruto, I will protect her, cherish her, and love her and tell her everyday I love her.” Naruto sighed with relief. “I’m glad Sakura’s met someone who actually makes her happy and actually cares for her. I’m so glad.”

“Naruto, you really love Sakura, don’t you?” Naruto smiled weakly at the question. “She was the first girl I ever loved. She treated me like everyone else. She was the only person besides Iruka to do that. She treated me like a human being--she acknowledged me. She was always tougher on me though. She needed me. I was so happy. I mean, she openly liked Sasuke, but she treated me… so normally. I loved her for that. I really wanted to be with her. I wanted to take care of her like a man takes care of his wife. But, it just wasn’t meant to be that way.” Naruto’s smile had become despondent. Gaara heard him add, “I love her more dearly because of those feelings though. She’s the one I care about most. I can’t stand to see her in pain.”

Gaara looked at Naruto carefully. He knew something else. There was something deeper than Sasuke that was the problem. “Naruto, what aren’t you telling me about Sakura?” Naruto closed his eyes, “Did Sakura tell you her mother died when she was little?” Gaara nodded. “I never knew my mom. Or my dad. Sakura’s dad didn’t hate her. He was indifferent towards her. He couldn’t have cared less whether she was hurt or not… let alone whether she lived or died. I know it hurts not to have any parents at all. She once said, “Naruto, you’re so lucky, you don’t have parents that can hurt you.’ I was angry she said that at first.”

“Then I remembered what it was like when we were little. She was always alone and crying. I knew about her dad then too. Well, it broke my heart--I mean, I wanted parents so much. I thought of how much they’d love me and how great it would be. But then what if those parents didn’t love me at all? What if they didn’t care whether or not I existed. What if they didn’t need me at all? When I thought about it like that, I felt really bad for Sakura. She had to feel all that pain. Her grandmother died when she was very little, I don’t think Sakura remembers her very well. Her mom really loved her, though. But when her mom died her whole world was left empty. I guess her mom was her only shining beacon. Her dad didn’t hate her. He felt nothing for her, which is probably worse. I think I should stop now, I’m just babbling and its none of my business.”

Gaara stared at Naruto in disbelief. So this is why Naruto always cared for Sakura so much. Gaara and Naruto had so much in common and so many of the same feelings it actually hurt. But they had something in common with Sakura that bound both of them to her: the three of them knew true loneliness. Gaara looked back at the day before. He remembered Sakura holding her father’s kunai with such love and reverence. But her father felt nothing for her. He remembered how much she cried.

“He’s dead,” Gaara whispered. Naruto nodded, “And thank God for that.” Gaara looked up to see Naruto’s face masked in complete hatred and malice. Naruto spat out, “She’s better off now than hoping  for the rest of her life that he’ll change and love her. He wasn’t a real father.” Gaara had seen Naruto angry, but not quite like this. Naruto’s face softened and he turned his full attention to Gaara, “I don’t want her to be hurt anymore, she’s precious, no matter what she always gleams.” Gaara added, “Like an angel.” Naruto nodded, “Like a diamond.”

Naruto leaned up then flopped onto the bad, “Your covers are so soft, they make me wanna go to sleep.” Naruto turned over onto his back, “Don’t tell her I told you; it’s a sore spot for her. She doesn’t think anyone knows.” Gaara confirmed his understanding with a slight nod. Naruto looked at him, “She’s the most precious to me, and as future Hokage, you better not mess with me let alone her.”

Gaara sat up and popped his back. “I need help picking out a ring. Or do you think she wants a bracelet?” Naruto perked up, “Weren’t you going to Konoha today?” Gaara pursed his lips like a spoiled child, “I said we were packing today. I have to talk to Tsunade to ask for Sakura’s hand in marriage.”

“Dude, traditionalist much?” Naruto said with half-hearted disrespect. Gaara frowned slightly attempting to put up a rouse of malcontent. The two laughed and heard a soft yawn from Sakura’s room. Gaara blushed. He realized just how close she was to him now. Anything could happen between them now. It only took a slight twist of chance and then they-- he banished the thought from his mind.

He thought of her again on the roof top. She was perfect. He blushed and instinctively crossed his legs tightly to hide his embarrassment. He looked at Naruto, “Have you ever seen Sakura naked?” he asked innocently. Naruto put his hand to his chin, “Almost, when we were younger--I’d give my left leg to get a glimpse of her now.” Gaara frowned slightly, provoking a prompt response from Naruto, “But not now! She has a boyfriend and that would be something only Pervy Sage would do!”

Gaara laughed heartily. He looked at Naruto and flushed, “I’ve seen her naked, and I feel bad. She doesn’t even know.” Naruto grinned wickedly, “Sneaking into the baths? Bad Gaara.” Gaara flushed brighter, “No! She was taking a bath on the roof top! I just happened to see her!” Naruto nodded, his wicked smirk still plastered on his face, “Sure, Gaara. Keep telling yourself that.”

Gaara smacked the back of Naruto’s head with a pillow. Naruto, peeved, slammed a pillow onto Gaara’s stomach. Gaara began a barrage of blows that Naruto tried to block and counterattack. The two stopped only when they heard a familiar, “Ahem,” behind them. The two, panting for breath, looked up to see Sakura, wearing Gaara’s favorite white dress hovering at the side of the bed.

Her face lightened to one of bemusement as she blew a feather from her long bangs. Gaara blushed when he saw it float into the fissure between her breasts. She smiled, “Naruto! I’m so glad to see you! I missed you so much!” She pounce onto the bed and laughed.

“Good to see you too, Sakura,” laughed Naruto heartily. “I got here yesterday,” he chuckled, “but I was so tired I just laid down in here.” Sakura blushed and looked away, “You did? Sorry we missed you.” Gaara leapt in, “We just moved her room.” Sakura sighed and pointed to Gaara, “He broke the door.” Naruto laughed, “What was he doing in there in the first place?” He added in a more serious tone, “I will not approve of such associations with my darling Sakura.”

Sakura laughed, “What are you? My dad?” Naruto sighed, “Nope, I’m your concerned friend and brother.” Sakura wrapped her arms around Naruto’s neck, “I love you too, Naruto!” Naruto looked at Gaara and then back at Sakura, “You guys want to get some breakfast?”

Gaara opened his eyes widely, “Oh! We got something for you!” Naruto perked up, “Really?” Sakura smiled, “You’ll never guess what it is.” She smiled at Gaara and gave him a wink as she leaned forward. He blushed as he glanced at her chest beneath the thin white fabric that covered them. He felt Naruto looking at him so he turned to see Naruto’s all-to-knowing grin.

“Hey,” said Gaara, “why don’t we get some breakfast first?” Naruto threw his hands up, “I sure hope there’s ramen!” Gaara sighed. He was relieved to hear Sakura’s join in chorus when she said, “Naruto, you’ll turn into ramen one day.” Gaara stood still and waited for Naruto to pass him. He bared his big white teeth in Sakura’s direction and he clasped their hands together. She smiled at him and leaned her head to his chest. He saw Naruto glance back and smirk with a mischievous light in his eyes.