It's been a long time since I've written Naruto fanfiction, but Naruto was one of the first manga I ever read and I truly loved the story and the characters, so I wanted to get back into it with something new. Unfortunately, I fell off reading the manga when I felt as though things were getting drawn out. Recently, however, I spoiled myself on the ending and while I wasn't incredibly angry with the pairings the way some were, I did feel a bit disappointed. I'm not someone who is a diehard Sakura/Naruto fan, but I never did have strong positive feelings toward Sasuke, and I feel that despite all he's been through, Sakura were never a right match. I wanted her to transcend that childhood crush and fight for herself, rather than for the sake of someone who didn't seem capable of giving a damn. Regardless of his past and struggles, I thought she deserved more, and to find her own way.

I know a lot of people don't care for Sakura, and I certainly wavered between loving and wanting to strangle her at times, but one of the reasons I do treasure her character is probably the reason a lot of people hate her. She's just so… normal. She doesn't have a tragic backstory, she doesn't have some great powerful destiny, but still, she's grown so much and through it all manages to show up, stand tall, and fight for who she loves. Sure, she had a ridiculous childhood crush, but it's also incredibly real. When you're that young, you tend you think in absolutes and that you can save someone with the power of your will and love. As a friend, Naruto was able to bring Sasuke back, so we're supposed to believe that with love, Sakura could do the same, but that's the area where I could no longer suspend disbelief. I don't think Sasuke could ever love Sakura the way she needed to be loved, and I don't necessarily think Sakura could ever truly deal with the wandering, distant man that Sasuke will always be (imo). But hey, that's me. Thoughts and opinions! Anyway, I love non-canon pairings and I love Sakura, so I hope you enjoy this fic!

Also don't murder me. I never finished "On Her Sleeve" because it was written so, so long ago. But, I really want to pick it up like "Bearing Blue" for a total retcon. I'll keep you posted!

Lady in Waiting

Chapter One: Punchdrunk

Ichiraku was live with bodies and cheer. Sakura could feel it before she even entered the room. It was a fitting place for the party. So many memories. Ever since Naruto had first set foot there, it seemed it'd been blessed with good cheer. Through wars and rivalry, food shortages and Naruto's morning after binges, the smiling faces and fresh noodles remained a friendly constant. Years went by and the once small ramen bar expanded into a full-fledged restaurant. Teuchi and Ayame were never short on food or customers.

Ichiraku had always been a place of celebration. And yet, there, that night, Sakura stood in the doorway, clutching a pink giftbox to her chest, scared to enter. She'd spent most of the night at her apartment, fussing over what to wear and taking shots of liquid courage between outfit changes. She settled on an open-backed white minidress, but her stomach couldn't take the hint.

It shouldn't have been this way. She shouldn't have felt like this.

Her best guy friend, and her sweetest girlfriend getting engaged. It should have sent her heart soaring, but whenever Sakura looked at the empty space in her bed, and stewed alone on nights just like this, it left her breathless and desperate.

"Yo forehead!"

The familiar taunt sent Sakura rigid, and she spun around to see Ino rushing toward her, carrying a bouquet of pink and yellow flowers.

"Ino…" Sakura squeezed her own gift a little harder, unsure of what to say.

The blonde sprang forward, laughing, and Sakura took note of her perfectly curled hair and painted lips.

"What are you doing hanging around outside? Did we miss the party already or what? It's only an hour in, and there's no way that blonde troublemaker would—

"—I haven't gone in yet," Sakura admitted, and Ino screwed up her face in confusion.

"Really?" She leaned in and took a deep inhale. "Because you smell like a brewery."

"Yeah," Sakura chuckled. "I got a little excited back at home."

For a second, Ino looked unsure, but before she could start up with a game of 20 questions, their favorite blonde troublemaker burst through the cloth doorway with a shout.

"Ahhh, I knew it! I knew I heard you guys out here!" Laughing far too loud, Naruto sprang forward and hugged both girls around the shoulders. He'd clearly had his own share of drink already, and luckily for Sakura, Ino immediately turned her attention to that.

"Jesus, Naruto! Quit trying to kill us you dumbass!" Ino managed to pry her way out, but the blonde tugged Sakura forward toward the bar.

As soon as she stepped in, Sakura was overwhelmed by light and noise. It seemed like everyone Naruto had ever met had shown up for the engagement party. Lee and Tenten, obviously fueled by alcohol were doing a raging round of karaoke in the corner, while Hinata, face on fire with blush, sat between Kiba and Shino who were happily trying to engage her in drinking games. Sakura couldn't help but stare. The Hyuuga's long, raven hair was pinned back with a toy tiara and veil. Her eyes, so pale and clear, seemed to shine with joy. She would be a beautiful bride, Sakura thought.

"I'm so glad you came, Sakura-chan." Naruto completed the circle with his arms around Sakura's shoulders, and leaned in for a tight hug. "It's never the same without you."

No matter how strong he got, or whatever ridiculous thing he did with his hair (this month it was a close buzz cut), the blonde's warmth never changed. Smiling to herself, Sakura nodded, and reached past Kakashi at the bar with Guy for his half full glass of sake. Behind his mask, the copynin frowned, but she paid it no mind.

With Naruto still glued to her side, Sakura searched the crowd for Ino again, only to find her cozied up against a strangely peaceful looking Sai.

When did this happen? She thought. When had everyone gone and paired up?

"I know. It's weird, huh? Even boring-ass Shikamaru started going on 'vacation' trips to Suna recently, and we all know what that's about."

It wasn't until Naruto responded that Sakura realized she'd spoken those thoughts aloud.

"And once Sasuke gets back, you guys totally next." He laughed, but just the mention of the dark-haired shinobi made Sakura feel ill. Swallowing down her drink, she passed her gift along into Naruto's open arms. It was a figurine. Or something. She couldn't remember now in her tipsy state.

"If he comes back," she chuckled, but Naruto immediately picked up on the bitter tone in her voice. Though the blonde was famous for being a bit dim at times, when it came to his friends, the man was Einstein.

While Choji whizzed past them to jump up next on the karaoke stage, Naruto pulled the pinkette to the side, back behind the bar with the stereo equipment.

"What do you mean, if?" Naruto's bright blue eyes took on a dark tinge, and Sakura shook her head to clear the bitter haze. "Just a few months ago I thought you said he—

"—I'm only kidding!" She blurted, rubbing the back of her neck in a rather Naruto-like fashion. "He promised, after all. I'm just…just a little stressed. If Hinata was out traveling who-knows-where doing god-knows-what for ages, wouldn't you be a bit freaked?"

Naruto eyed her carefully before bursting into a grin.

"Ah, I dunno. My Hinata's pretty strong! She could take care of herself," he joked, and then when Sakura rolled her eyes, placed his hands on her shoulders again.

"Don't worry, I get it," he leaned in close – too close, and Sakura closed her eyes, drinking in the feeling of the sake in her tummy, and his warmth.

She'd begun take to take notice of that warmth, and that determination during the war, but it wasn't until things had settled and Naruto began spending more time with Hinata that the feelings of love and admiration had slowly morphed into a stinging jealousy. Sasuke had left her with a promise, but with every passing day, she wondered if that was enough.

"I really missed out, huh?" Sakura blinked open her eyes to stare up at Naruto. In the dim lighting of the restaurant, his calm eyes seemed so strong and sure.

But he frowned, confused, and goosebumps prickled on Sakura's pale skin.

"Sometimes I think I followed the wrong man." She touched the collar of his shirt, but almost immediately, the sober part of her screamed no.

'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!'

"Sakura enough…" Naruto turned his head away, as if looking for someone to save him.

"Yeah, I know," She scoffed to herself, picking up another discarded glass from the counter and sipping. "Too little, too late."

"That's not what I mean," Naruto pulled it form her hands. "We both know where this is coming from, Sakura-chan. You'll always be my friend, but Sasuke—

"—why does every conversation with you have to revolve around him?" She snapped, but before Sakura could take another step, the curtain parted and a pair of familiar grey eyes were trained on them both.

"Sakura-chan…" Hinata stepped forward from the front of the bar, her hands clasped in front of her. Instead of wearing her usual radiant smile, she curvy girl looked tightlipped and embarrassed.

"I'm-I'm happy you came to celebrate but-but I think that maybe…maybe now you should leave?" Her pale cheeks were warm with blush, but Sakura could hear the warning tone in her voice. She'd grown as well. And not just to be beautiful, but a force to be reckoned with.

Sakura looked to Naruto for help, but his gaze was on the ground behind them, where she caught sight of the spare karaoke microphone, still very obviously connected to the machine.

It was then she noticed the silence of the once rowdy restaurant, and that Choji's voice was nowhere to be heard. Just the soft echo of the Hyuuga's pleading.

"I-I…" Sakura covered her mouth with her hands, and pushed past in a hurry. As soon as she popped back into the front of the restaurant, she could see everyone staring sadly, or looking away in embarrassment. Even Kakashi wouldn't meet her gaze.

Sakura immediately wanted to apologize – to prostrate herself and make it all go away, but it wasn't the time. She was trashed, and it was their night. They deserved to have all the cheer and celebration possible. After everything Naruto and Hinata had gone through – together, apart, they deserved it all.

Without another word, Sakura rushed out the door and in her drunken stupor, as far from Ichiraku as she could manage.

'You never should have come.'

"I know that," Sakura muttered to herself, and looked up to the sky, sighing aloud. A full moon. So beautiful.

Hiking up the edge of her dress, Sakura managed to launch up from the ground and into the nearest treetop. From there, she scaled from branch to branch until she landed on the rooftop of the old schoolhouse. Sakura loved heights, and at that moment, it seemed the best way to distance herself from everyone and everything.

Or, so she thought.

"Haruno?"

A smooth, deep voice shocked Sakura out of her trance, and made her heart catch in her throat. That beautiful, low timbre…

It couldn't be…could it?

As she cocked her head to the side, a shock of red hair come into view, and then the tan curve of a gourd.

No.

"K-kazekage-sama…" Sakura tried to hide the disappointment in her tone, but when she turned to face Gaara completely, she saw a flicker of something in his eyes.

Annoyance?

"What are you doing up here?" Sakura rose to her feet on the roof, leaning up to close the distance between them.

Still more than quite buzzed, she only realized their closeness when Gaara took an awkward step backward.

"I could ask you the same, Haruno." There was a hint of dark smile on his lips, and it ticked Sakura off. The silly smirks boys made. As if they knew it all.

'Fuck you.'

"But you didn't," Sakura huffed. "And I asked first, so the least you could do is answer the question." She stumbled a little on the roof, and at this, Gaara seemed distressed. With a heavy sigh, he stepped into the tipsy kunoichi.

"I came up to see the moon," He offered. "Full moons are soothing. It's a beautiful night to meditate."

Sakura chuckled to herself. Gaara's explanation was quick and succinct. Even after so much time had passed, and so many things had changed, the Kazekage always managed to be serious and brooding about something.

"Tonight's a night for indulging. It's supposed to be a joyous occasion, you know," Sakura frowned, thinking of the way she'd embarrassed herself at the party. Gaara eyed the pink haired girl somberly. He wasn't the type who could read women easily, but could easily sense the bitterness in Sakura's tone.

"I don't drink," he admitted, still watching Sakura's steps carefully, ready to send his sand out to catch her if necessary.

"It's an engagement party," Sakura spat. "Why don't you just indulge for once?" Inside, she was fuming. The way Gaara stood there, so cool and collected… it reminded her of him, and drove her up the wall.

"Haruno, it seems you've done quite enough of that for us both tonight." Gaara said it, and immediately regretted it, because despite the fact that he meant to be lighthearted, it was clearly too soon for the drunken pinkette.

"And what do you know about it?" Sakura finally snapped, launching towards him.

'Calm down. He has nothing to do with this,' she told herself, but by then, it was too late.

It only took a moment. A split second and she lost her footing, tumbling down off the roof. Sober, she would have been able to right herself, but bogged down with alcohol, Sakura couldn't make heads or tails of anything. Immediately, a pillow of sand shot out and caught her as she tumbled down. Gently, Gaara righted her on the ground, and jumped down to meet her.

"Are you all right?" His cool monotone reached Sakura's ears and she shivered, feeling truly pathetic.

"Thank you," she mumbled. "I…I don't know what I was—

"—There's no need for all of that," Gaara insisted. "Come. I'll walk you home."

Sakura stared at the redhead, dumbfounded, Gaara was obviously in town to support Naruto. They were the ones with the true bond of friendship, and there she was, becoming a nuisance.

"You don't have to do this," Sakura spoke as Gaara turned his back on her to start walking.

"I know I don't have to. But I want to." Gaara shifted his hands into his pockets. "All the noise back there was overwhelming. I could use a walk now."

'Apologize.' Her heart told her. 'Apologize again.' But Sakura stayed planted.

"And…of course, any treasured friend of Naruto is a treasured friend of mine," Gaara continued, and Sakura felt a shameful warmth creep into her cheeks. After her drunken show at the party, she wasn't sure how much of that was true anymore.

"I made a mistake tonight," Sakura blurted. She didn't know why she was telling the stoic-looking man before her. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the way the moon shone against his pale skin, making him look so soft and young. "I don't know if I can fix it."

"Times of great joy often bring great sorrow," Gaara offered. "It's not my business to know why, but do know that I understand. It's easy to feel alone in a group of people."

Sakura's breath caught in her throat. Of all the people…she'd never expected this form him.

Wordlessly, Sakura stepped forward to meet Gaara, and tried her best to keep her footsteps steady as she lead the way home. And so they walked. Sakura in front, Gaara following slowly behind, silently on the lookout. When the pink haired girl slumped against her door, looking up, Gaara had already started to turn around. Panicked, she reached out for his arm, but missed and caught his hand instead.

He was so warm, it shocked her.

"Haruno?" The Kazekage turned, and Sakura imagined him raising a brow.

"You…you should come in," she said it softly, but judging from the ever so slight tinge of pink that dusted Gaara's cheeks, he'd heard her clearly.

"That's not necessary," he said, but made no quick move to pull his hand away. Instead, without thinking, he ran his thumb across her knuckles. Small, fragile bones beneath the pad of his fingertip. Strange. The intimate contact was something he wasn't used to, and it intrigued him.

Sakura, pleased by his warm reaction, pulled him forward, to her chest, silently wishing there was something larger there to cushion him.

"They all have their place," she tried hard to keep from breathing sake against his face. "Let's find ours. Here. Tonight."

At that, Gaara's gaze became strangely soft, but he pulled his hand away to rest flat on the top of her head. Almost immediately, Sakura felt tears welling in her eyes.

He, too, was set to leave her.

"Your time will come too, Haruno. And mine. Don't be afraid to wait." Gaara, said, and moving slow, as if he'd never done so in his life, gave Sakura's hair a stroke.

Sakura reached for him again, but before she could open her mouth, the redhead was gone in a flurry of sand.