I Will Always Love You

The morning had felt oddly tense to Sakura. Some how the tension she felt seemed to be emanating from none other than Gaara, who was sitting directly across from her. His answers to questions and interaction during the groups discussions, were short and to the point. He had no snide comments to add today, and when he smiled, it didn’t reach his eyes. He was also avoiding looking in Naruto’s direction, but when Naruto excused himself, his gaze continuously flickered from the time on the home screen of his phone to the empty seat beside him. 

It was Sasuke who entered the kitchen first. He greeted them with a nod and headed straight for the fridge. Naruto entered second and returned to the seat beside Gaara who shifted uncomfortably. His limp wasn’t as pronounced as the day before, she noted as she watched Sasuke spend a few moments browsing the cupboards before sighing, and settling for a bowl of cereal, that he took with him into the living room along with the phone Naruto had plugged in earlier. That hoodie did a terrible job hiding the fresh bruise darkening on his neck. It did however solidify her suspicions of the nature of his and Naruto’s living arrangements. It seemed unlikely to her  that both of them would have had the time to seek pleasurable company the previous day, and more likely that they found that company in each other. 

She had been angry when Naruto had first informed them of the situation at the library. That anger had ebbed when she’d watched the two of them interact the previous evening and she began to suspect the reason Naruto had kept such a secret. The knowledge of their courtship didn’t bother her in the slightest, but that Naruto has thought it would, did bother her. Did he think Sakura would judge him for it? Did he think so little of her? 

Clearly Gaara had known. Which brought another question to her mind. If Gaara had known, why was he so bothered by that knowledge today? Perhaps he hadn’t know the full extent of their relationship. Or perhaps he had, but seeing it shoved in his face was just too much for him. She regarded him for a moment. He was staring at his books, but his eyes weren’t moving along the page. She had know for awhile that Gaara had feelings for Naruto. It was clear to her in the way he looked at the boy. Naruto, of course, had no idea. She had considered pointing it out to him, thinking they might do well as couple. They were both very attractive, had similar interests and hobbies, and both appeared to spend a lot of time alone. Now that she knew Naruto did not in fact spend his time away from classes alone, she was glad she hadn’t mentioned it. 

The door bell rang, bringing Sakura back from her thoughts. Naruto didn’t move, but she heard Sasuke get up and open the door. It closed a moment later and Sasuke did not return. 

They studied together for another hour before mutually agreeing that their brains were too full to take in anything else, and a day of rest before the actual test would be beneficial to them all. They wished Naruto farewell and walked in silence to the stairs. Reaching the bottom they bid each other farewell also and separated. After only a few steps, Sakura stopped. A plan had begun in her mind during the time Sasuke had entered the kitchen and had finally finished forming, but she would have to act now, or risk losing her opportunity. 

“Gaara! Hold up a minute!”