Secret

Part 17

Summer vacation was going great as Sakura spend it with her new family, during this time Sakura had gotten close Temari. They would spend the free time Temari had whenever she wasn't working or helping at her father's company together. They would go to the Suna Mall or go the spa and relax and try the different delicacies Suna had to offer.

Kankuro had also become attached to Sakura and would always find ways to have fun with her. The best time they both spend together was when Kankuro decided to show his puppet collection. The gallery showcased all his creations that he had worked on with his Mentor Akasuna no Sasori, who was considered one of the best Puppet's Master in all of Suna.

Sakura's relation with Gaara was hard at times, he would ignore her most of the time but sometimes he would grace Sakura with a snarky comment.

Ever since Gaara helped Sakura when she almost got attacked, Sakura had felt a sort of bond with him, it didn't help that when they returned, everyone had been worried as well as surprised to see the two together.

Flashback

"Hmm, thanks for helping me when you did." Sakura said as she hugged Gaara from behind.
"Just be careful next time." Gaara said back with a smirk.
"I will be, but still I am really glad that you showed up. I thought you might just stand there in the shadows and laugh or smirk whatever you do on my misery." Sakura said with an air of knowledge.
"Hn, maybe next time I would." Gaara replied back.

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"We're back at the house" Gaara stated as he carried Sakura through the entry way on his back.'
"hmmphh...." Sakura mumbled as she rubbed her eyes to wake herself up.
"Is your leg hurting you?" Gaara questioned eyeing Sakura from the corner of his eyes.
"No it doesn't hurt as much as before.........thank you for carrying me all the way here, and thank you for saving me back then. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't shown up when you did." Sakura answered back feeling a little scared thinking about what happened.

Gaara just listened quietly to Sakura's response and entered the mansion, "Hn, you can walk from here" Gaara stated in a monotone as he let Sakura off his back and walked away.
"Thanks Gaara" Sakura shouted back as Gaara left the room.

"Sakura, why was Gaara carrying you like that?" Kankuro questioned as he looked puzzlingly at Gaara as he left the room then at Sakura who was standing there looking embarrassed.
"Well you see funny story there..........ah I wandered off in the town and got chased by some questionable men into an ally......I thought I was going to die and no one would find me but before anything could happen Gaara showed up and beat them up........that's why." Sakura answered back looking embarrassed.
"I never thought I see the day when Gaara would help someone, but I am glad that you're alright." Kankuro said as he looked at Sakura.

"Now come on sit down, I'll get the first aid kit, looks like you need it." Kankuro stated as he left to get the kit.
"Yeah, right" Sakura replied absently thinking about Gaara.

End of flashback

Ever since then everyone had been worried and hadn't allowed Sakura to leave the house alone. Temari had been worried when she heard and said that she told her to be careful and Sakura went and did the opposite. Mebuki had been upset that Sakura had almost been attacked and cried when she held her.
Rasa had looked stoically at her but there had been an underlying hint of relief in his eyes and once he had made sure that everything was fine had simply stated that, "You got lucky today since Gaara heard you and came, Sakura as your stepfather I am worried about your safety, you might not like me yet but it won't stop me, you are living on your own at Konoha. I will not force you to stay here against your wishes, but I do urge that if you wish to stay there, you must be able to protect yourself. It would be imperative that you learn self-defense during your stay here. So, in case in the future something like this would occur you are able to defend yourself properly."