The pain woke her up again. She tried to cry out, but nothing happened. She forced her eyes open.

She was in the hospital. The lights were dimmed, but she could make out three figures. Two on her right and one sitting by a desk on her left. The desk lamp lit up Hatzukos face. She felt the tube down her throat that was helping her breathe. Sakura concentrated and purposely made her heart skip a beat, sending the heartrate monitors alarms blaring. Hatzuko knocked over the chair and rushed over, as did the two figures, who turned out to be Kankuro and Kiba. She smiled and winked weakly at Hatzuko, who then gave a chuckle, "Sakura-san that was the worst way of getting someone's attention, ever". Her eyes smiled weakly. "Kankuro-san, please inform the rest that she's awake. Kankuro laid a hand on her head and gave a choked-up laugh, before hurrying out the door. Kiba looked at her with tears in his eyes, "I'm sorry Sakura, I'm so sorry! I was so stupid, I should've stayed with you. It's all my fault!" tears were streaming down his cheeks. Not being able to speak, she placed her needle-free hand on the side of his head and blinked slowly. Kiba grabbed in tightly.

"Kiba-san, please wait outside while I make some preliminary tests" Hatzuko told the crying man. He nodded quietly and put her hand down, leaving the room. Hatzuko made the room a little brighter, and started checking her vital signs. As he did, he told her how the Kazekage had arrived and killed or captured all but one of the assailants, after securing her. She had been in a coma because of her injuries, since the Suna medics only had had one day of lessons, which hadn't been enough for them to do more for her. She had been unconscious for 17 days. He slowly removed the incubation tube, and had her hoarsely answering questions to check her brain. By the time he was done she could hear quite a lot of people. "Was anyone else injured?" she managed to ask. Hatzuko smiled at her, "Kazekage-sama had some minor injuries, but thanks to you, no one else was hurt". He walked towards the door. "Are you well enough for visitors?" he asked with his hand on the doorknob. Sakura smiled and nodded slowly. Hatzuko placed himself in the doorway, "please simmer down. She's awake but still a bit weak" he told the crowd.

Then people started entering. First Temari, then Lee, Inumi, Kiba, Kankuro and Kakashi. Even Akamaru had been turned into a smaller version and barked happily from on top of Kiba's head. Temari started lecturing her for being so reckless, all while hugging her. "How come you're here?" she asked, looking at Kakashi. "Well, Kiba and I didn't really do a good job protecting you" Lee answered with a sad smile. "We're going back to Konoha when you're out of the hospital" he added. Sakura looked at Kakashi, "that's not necessary, is it?" she asked. "It's Tsunade-sama's orders, I'm in no position to argue" he answered calmly. "It's true Sakura-chan, we didn't do our job, you were severely injured" Kiba added. ~I guess there is some sense in it~ she thought to herself, as Temari finally let go and people squeezed her hands and patted her on the head.

After a while Hatzuko sent people home, allowing Sakura to get some rest. He checked that everything was in order and excused himself. Exhausted from the painkillers and the visit, she sighed and closed her eyes. "How long are you going to stay out there?" she asked, eyes still closed in the empty room. The window creaked open as he sat down in the frame. She turned her head and looked at him.

Gaara sat silently in the window, looking at her with his usual straight face. But he looked tired, like he hadn't slept at all.

Sakura held out her hand. He came down from the window and took it. Then she pulled his hand closer, until she could give it a light kiss. "Thank you for saving me too, Gaara. Please stop calling me Haruno, my name is Sakura" she said and looked at him with a weak smile. Then she fell asleep, still holding his hand. He didn't move it, but instead pulled over a chair and sat down. He would watch over her tonight.

After a week Sakura was giving lectures again, though in the hospital, and five days later she was discharged. As she walked down the main street towards the Kage mansion with Ino and Temari, she finally heard what had become of the attackers. A few members of the Suna council wanted Gaara replaced as Kazekage, with someone easier to control. In order to make him seem unfit for protecting his people, they'd launched attacks on the village with outside help. The councilmembers had all been imprisoned for treason. In the time she'd been unconscious and the time she'd stayed at the hospital, the city was back to normal. The only thing bothering her was that she hadn't seen a certain redhead since she woke up, but that would only be a matter of time, now that they would be living under the same roof again. Except he was never there. Half of the council were empty seats, and filling them required careful consideration, as well as excessive amounts of boring politics. Gaara was swamped.

During the next month, Sakura would only catch a glimpse of the Kazekage, when he made official appearances. Teaching at the academy kept her busy though, and she enjoyed watching her students' progress, both the older and the younger ones'. That was until one night during dinner. Kankuro had told a really dirty joke, for which he received a smack across the back of his neck by Temari, sending him face-first into his plate. Sakura laughed heartily, and almost didn't hear the knock on the door. Kakashi entered with Gaara right behind him. Kakashi was obviously thrilled, but even Gaara was smirking. ~It really suits him~ Sakura thought to herself as they approached the table, until she realised he was aiming for her, still smiling. He offered her his hand to come to a stand, and she did. "I brought you a surprise" He said softly and looked at the open door.

~Is he toying with me? ~ She thought to herself, as she took his hand. Her stomach fluttered at the way he was looking at her, but the smile was layered. She could see the devilish look of someone up to no good, as well as real happiness shining through. Something made him happy that he was now going to use on her. As she looked at the door, time slowed down. He came into sight, hands behind his big head full of bright yellow hair, a wide grin plastered across his face. He wore the signature orange and black jumpsuit, she would know anywhere.

"Hi Sakura-chan." He said, smiling and looking at her with those big bright blue eyes.

It was really him.

At first she could hardly breathe, her knees started shaking. She held on to Gaara as her eyes started tearing up. Then she lunged forward, and punched him through the wall.