Shades of Grey

Chapter 13

The next evening in the village hidden in the Sand a traveler with mousy brown hair and eyes was led to the Kazekage's office. When the doors were closed behind her Gaara ran through a series of hand signs ensuring that none would hear anything that was said within.

"Why are you hiding yourself?" He asked the woman before him.

"I didn't want anyone to recognize me before I had permission to be in Sand." Sakura replied as she allowed her disguise to drop.

"When have you ever needed permission to be here?" Gaara asked as he stepped closer and looked into eyes that were similar to his own.

"Things are different now." She could not help but to look down away from his intense gaze.

"No, they are not." He assured her as he reached out and gently turned her face back up to meet his eyes. "Naruto wrote me and explained what happened. We were prepared to offer him refuge and we are ready to do so for you."

"I cannot risk the safety of your village that way." Sakura argued, but did not move away from his touch. "I have already run into two Akatsuki members. There is no way that I can risk them tracking me here. I cannot put your civilians in that kind of danger. I cannot put you in that kind of danger again."

"I figured as much." Gaara sighed. "How long are you willing to stay?"

"I had hoped for around a month." She gave him a gentle smile. "I would like to ask you to help me train with the Kyuubi if you have the time."

"Of course." He relented without any argument. "You must be weary from your travels, allow me to escort you to your rooms."

With that he placed his hand on her lower back and began to lead her away. When Naruto had told him, what Sakura had done he figured that she would refuse refuge. Gaara knew her better than most, and this is exactly the kind of self-sacrificing move that he would expect from her.

Sakura had come to Sand when she was 19 and staid for close to two years to help them with a long neglected medical program. Gaara found himself in an intimate relationship with the beautiful kunoichi for just over a year. She had taught him much about himself. When her country again required her services, they had ended the relationship, but remained close friends. She was his first love, if he was honest with himself, he still loved her, and he cherished every moment that they had spent together.

Unbeknownst to the Kazekage, she had used her time in Suna to further her studies in seals. She had gathered every bit of knowledge that his hidden village had to offer. If only he would have known, he sadly sighed, he would have never allowed her to come.

Sakura's reunion with the Sand siblings had been a warm one, and it did her pained heart well. Kanakuro had lifted her into the air and spun her around declaring his favorite kunoichi had returned. That of course had earned a growl from Gaara which finally caused him to place her feet back on the ground. Temari had pulled her into a bone crushing embrace which she had very happily returned. When it was over Gaara had led her to a familiar room that he assured her had remained unused in the time that she had been gone. When she had sank into the soft bed it was almost easy to forget that while the room had not changed, she had.

"Wake up sleepy head." Temari tore the girl from her slumber.

"What time is it?" Sakura asked as she stretched.

"A little past eight, Gaara insisted that you needed sleep." The blonde told her.

"Where is he?" Sakura asked as she rose from the bed and went to her pack.

"The tower." The girl informed her as she watched her friend rummage around. "There are still a few things in the closet that might be more comfortable in the sun."

"Thanks." The pink haired woman smiled. "I will be down in just a minute then we can head over."

"Sure." Temari smiled in return. "but there is something that you might want to know before we do."

Sakura was wringing her hands as they walked through the crowded streets. Was she ready for this? It did not seem to matter, ready or not she had no choice. She happily stood in the waiting room giving herself a few moments more to steady her shaking nerves. Finally, the door to the office opened and she steeled her nerves as she stepped across its threshold.

"Sakura," a lazy voice drawled from a chair. "You sure found yourself a heck of a mess to land in."

"I didn't have a choice." The woman defended as she took a seat in the chair next to the visitor while the Kazekage observed their interaction.

"You don't have to explain to me." Shikamaru Nara assured her. "At all cost protect the king."

"How are they?" Sakura could not help but to ask.

"Determined." The Nara replied. "They are going to find a way to bring you home, even if they have to find a way to oust the elders."

"Just make sure they don't do anything stupid." The woman had a pleading look in her eyes.

"I'll give it my best." He assured her. "But apparently I don't have a good track record for picking up on stupid plans."

"Your business is done here; take the revisions to the trade plan back to your Hokage." Gaara cut in before an argument could ensue. "I will escort you out."

Sakura rose to her feet to bid her friend farewell. He hesitated for just a minute before wrapping her in an embrace.

"For what it is worth it was a brilliant and flawlessly executed plan; I couldn't have done better myself." He whispered into her ear. "I just worry that you didn't put enough thought into the back end."

"Whatever the cost." Sakura tightened her arms before letting him go.

Gaara opened the door and led the Nara through. As they walked through the outer office. The other man paused.

"Protect her." Shikamaru besought.

"With my life." The Kazekage ensured. The look in his eye leaving no doubt that he meant the words as a promise that would not be broken.