Okay dudes! I had this one scene (kissy gushy scene) in my head for a long time, and finally decided to put it into words. But that scene isn't until the second chapter so you better read on! Thus begins my lovely love story! Whoo!

Disclaimer: Me no own.

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Chapter 1: A Mission In Suna

Sakura brushed a clump of petal-pink hair that was sticking to her face. The desert sun was beating down hard on her shoulders, and she could almost feel her skin burning. Beads of sweat ran down the side of her head. Why did Tsunade-sama have to send us to the desert? It's so hot, She thought.

"It's just up ahead," said one of Sakura's comrades, pointing to some buildings in the distance. Sighs of frustrated relief passed most of the medic-nins' lips. They had been traveling for a whole day on foot, and were ready for a break.

The group of kunoichi had been assigned a mission in Sunagakure, the shinobi village hidden in the sand. They were to tend to any warriors' injuries as they came in from the battlefield. Suna was currently in a war with a neighboring nation, though it wasn't the Land of Fire. Only the most elite medics were chosen for the task, and Sakura was glad she was picked.

Sakura took a swig of water from her canteen just as buildings started to appear around them. They had successfully reached Suna. The small group of women wound their way through the streets until they got to the Kazekage's home. From there, they knocked on the large wooden door and waited for a reply. A woman with aqua eyes and four ponytails holding back her sandy blonde hair answered the door.

"Temari?" Sakura asked, surprised.

"Hm?" Temari turned to the green-eyed Leaf kunoichi. "Hey, don't I know you from somewhere? …Sakura, is it?" Sakura nodded and smiled. Temari beckoned the group in. "Come in, the Kazekage is expecting you in his office."

Sakura caught up to Temari and fell into step with her. "So, how did you snag a job at a place like this?"

Temari chuckled, "I don't work here, I live here."

"What?"

Temari stopped at a regal-looking door and opened it. "The Kazekage is my brother." The door swung open to a red-haired man sitting at an oak desk piled with papers.

"G-Gaara is the Kazekage?!"

Gaara motioned for the ladies to enter, and they all took a seat or leaned against a wall. Temari stood near the door, listening quietly. "You will all be staying here for the remainder of the war between the Land of Wind and the Land of Grass. Various wounded shinobi will be returning every week, expecting medical attention. You will report to the village hospital daily, where the men will await healing. Here, we have three spare rooms, so two of you will share each residence," Gaara paused and glanced around the room. "Go upstairs, choose a room, pick a roommate, and report to the main dining room at 6:30 for dinner. More assignment announcements will be made then. You're excused."

The six medic-nin filed out of the room and followed Temari out of the room and followed Temari up an immaculate staircase. She then pointed down a hallway lined with closed doors, gesturing to each one as she described them. "The farthest one down on the left is mine, the other two on that side are my brothers'. Those three on the right are for you. There are bathrooms in each one, but there's no hot water, so if you want a warm shower, there's another on the other wing that gets hot water. The kitchen and dining room are connected on the lower level, as well as a living room and some offices. Knock yourselves out," she finished. The six young Leaf ninjas claimed their rooms and started to get settled in. Sakura was rooming with a shy little kunoichi named Takara. She was nice, but not Sakura's first choice.

The two unpacked their few belongings and staked their claims on beds. Sakura decided that she was going to explore the house for a while. She hopped down the stairs and headed for the kitchen. Maybe I can help cook dinner or something, she thought.

As she entered the large kitchen, Sakura found that she was right. Temari was struggling to prepare a large meal on her own while a guy in black clothing looked on, an expression of amusement clearly written underneath the kabuki makeup hiding his face.

"Kankuro, could you please give me a hand here?" Temari asked frantically.

"Nope, I'm busy."

Temari let out a frustrated huff and turned back to the stove, muttering to herself.

"Um…Temari? I'll help you…if you need it," Sakura offered quietly. Temari whirled around and beamed at the girl before her.

"You're a lifesaver! Do you think you could help me chop up vegetables for the main course?" Sakura nodded and took the knife from Temari. "Great! Just slice all of those and then dump them in this pot on the stove," instructed Temari.

The women resumed preparing the food while Kankuro continued to watch from a barstool at the counter. Since Sakura was chopping vegetables on the opposite side of the counter as he was, she occasionally looked up to see him observing her intently, a mischievous look on his face.

After a while, the puppeteer reached over and popped a carrot slice in his mouth. "Hey!" Sakura scolded. "We need that for the meal!F"

"No you don't, I need it for…medical reasons," Kankuro countered.

Sakura gave him a look. "No you don't."

"Yes I do."

"I wouldn't argue with me if I were you, I've got a knife."

Kankuro quit talking and stood up. "I gotta go. Good luck getting that all done in a half-hour Temari. See ya."

"It's six o'clock already?" Temari shouted in a frenzy. "We've got to hurry, Sakura! This has to be all served and everything! Pick up the pace!"

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The whole group sat down to a magnificent feast. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was comfortable.

Near the end of the meal, Gaara stood up and made an announcement, "Three of you will be working at the hospital during one week, and then it will rotate and the other three will work. This first week you are with us, you will not work. Kankuro and Temari will show you around tomorrow to help you get familiar with you new setting. Be in the living room at nine o'clock tomorrow morning after breakfast to go 'explore.' Good night."

The weary party trudged up the stairs and into their rooms. Most of them went straight to bed, but Sakura felt the need to rinse the dust and sweat from the journey off in a quick shower.

She gathered all the necessary supplies and ventured towards the downstairs bathroom.

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On the way back to her room, Sakura noticed Kankuro struggling to get up the stairs with both hands full.

He spotted her and asked, "Hey, could you help me out here?"

"Alright," Sakura agreed as she took one of the crated from him. They lifted them up the stairs, and Kankuro kicked open his bedroom door. She followed him in and set her crate next to his.

"While you're here, do you think you could help me equip Karasu?"

Sakura shrugged one shoulder. "Why not?"

So he explained how to dip the ends of the daggers into the poison and then secure them in place in Karasu's concealed compartments. "Remember not to accidentally cut yourself after they've been poisoned."

Sakura nodded and tried one out. She quickly learned how to clip the weapons into the slots and Kankuro described how each part worked.

After a long while of poison-tipping daggers, Kankuro yawned and tossed his cat hood off to the side. Sakura stared as he ran a hand through his spiky brown hair.

"Well, it's pretty late. I'll see you in the morning, Sakura. Thanks for lending me a hand."

"Sure, anytime. Good night," she said as she left the room and shut the door behind her.

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Okie dokie, that's the end of the first chapter. Stick around!

Sorry if there are typos, but I didn't proofread the whole thing.