She hated getting caught off-guard, even when it was something as mundane as doing her job. Maybe she had been a little too harsh, but it was her temper's deffault reaction to embarrassment. Sakura kept her glare for a moment before finally relaxing her posture with a sigh.
The previous times the Kazekage showed up like that, the excuse had always been 'business'. Business like what? 'Politics.' Dead end.
Sakura began walking to her next appointment, knowing Gaara would follow.
"Hard day?" he asked nonchalantly.
"The usual." she replied in the same manner. Her anger was gone, replaced by responsibilities.
"Too much paperwork?"
"You wouldn't believe." she half-smiled.
He nodded, strangely amused. Sakura didn't know how bureaucracy was handled in Suna, but after assisting both Tsunade and now Naruto in their office, she knew Kage paperwork was nothing to laugh at. It would be like comparing a book to a library.
Now that she thought of it, the doctor realized she had never asked Gaara if he did everything on his own or had any assistants.
Well, if he has time for Konoha, she mused, there must be a very efficient bureaucrat in charge.
"Staying after hours?" He brought her back to reality. Soon they would reach the main hall.
"No." she checked her notes just in case. "My shift ends in an hour, actually."
Why was he there, again? Not that she complained; as much as she tried to keep it a secret, Sakura enjoyed the Kazekage's surprise visits. She talked about it with Naruto, discreetly of course, but he never seemed to know when his desert friend would come again.
"Good. See you in front of Ramen Ichiraku at eight, then."
She whipped her head in his direction, eyes wide open.
"It's the only place I'm familiar with." Gaara shrugged. "Just a landmark. We can walk to your favourite place from there."
Before she could process anything, a nurse opened the double doors and called her attention.
"Haruno-san!" she seemed worried "Please head to the second floor! The new trainee has fainted!"
"Y-yeah, coming..." she babbled before returning to Gaara. He stood in front of her, amusement still present in his eyes.
"Eight?" he repeated.
"Uh..."
"I'll be waiting." He bowed and left before she could stop him.
For the rest of the shift inner Sakura beamed and screamed, making it impossible to concentrate. A date! A date! What should I wear? Do I have enough time to try a new hairstyle? Was Gaara flirting? Is this real? Aaahhh!
She almost banged her head against the desk to quiet her thoughts. But her heart was already picking up pace.
Sakura smiled. This time getting caught off-guard hadn't been half bad.
...
Somewhere in Suna, Kankuro weeped in front of a mountain of papers.
-♦-
GaaSaku Fan Fest 2023
Day 6: "It's not illegal where I come from."
Sassy!Gaara? Sassy!Gaara. Love does strange things.
