Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Naruto… even though I would like to!
A/N: This is my first Naruto fanfic and it is dedicated to my bestfriend nightgirl965… I'm sorry if I just posted it now. This is mainly a Gaara/Sakura fic but I pitched Lee in… just for the kicks! And Sasuke is good here… let's just say that this is set in an Alternate Universe… where everything is how I want it to be… oh! And they're all 17 here with the exception of Temari (18) and Kankuro (19).
Guide:
"Thinking"
"Inner Sakura or Shukaku"
Seven Minutes in Heaven
By: Dionara
Chapter 1: Finding a Date
It was a pleasant afternoon down at the Hidden Leaf Village. Naruto was being his loud self down at Kiba's since he was the one giving a bath to the clan's dogs as Kiba ordered him around. Sasuke was cleaning their dog houses and Sakura was healing Akamaru's broken leg. It was their mission to help since only Kiba was left around to take care of their home for his parents were away. Everything was going well except for Naruto's constant ranting of the dog's ticks getting in the way. That was the situation until Ino came by…
"Hey, guys! What's up?!" Ino stopped by to lean in by the fence.
"Hi, Ino!" everyone greeted as they all stopped what they were doing.
"So… are you all coming to my party later?" Ino said as everyone nodded and she continued, "Good! Now my party starts at 6 and no one is allowed in if they don't have a date. Well, with the exception of Sasuke that is since a lot of fan girls will murder me if I don't let him in." Sasuke nodded as if understanding her situation, "so Kiba, I'll see you later and wear something blue for later ok? Ja Nae! (Bye!)"
Ino walked past Kiba's house as she informed others about her party. Kiba blushed as Naruto densely asked, "Why should Ino tell Kiba what to wear?"
Kiba groaned, "Because I am her date, dobe! She wants our clothes to match!" he replied as he hit Naruto on the head, "why don't you just get back to giving my dogs a bath?!"
Everyone laughed as they returned to whatever they were doing and Sakura asked, "Kiba, is it really necessary to bring a date to Ino's?"
"Yes, Sakura. I am afraid that's her rule, why don't you have a date?" Kiba asked as Sakura shook her head, "why don't you ask Sasuke?"
"Nah. I don't want to be murdered by his fan girls. Besides I got over my childhood crush on him already," Sakura replied.
"Well then, I think I have to leave you on your own now, Sakura. But I still think that Ino won't let you in if you don't have a date…" Kiba said as he scratched the back of his head.
"It's fine, besides I have better things to do later…" Sakura said softly but Inner Sakura replied to her sarcastically.
"Liar… you badly want to go to Ino's party!"
"I don't!"
"Yes you do!! I am in your head and I know what you're thinking…"
"Fine… you win! FOR NOW…"
When everybody finished their mission they all got up and went home to prepare for Ino's party. As Sakura was walking on her way home, she collided with somebody and a voice spoke.
"Well, if it isn't Sakura… long time no see."
Sakura raised her head to see who just spoke and she saw Temari staring at her from her right and Kankuro to her left. And when she finally looked up, she saw the most handsome face in her entire life.
"Second to Sasuke, of course!"
"No way! Sasuke is handsome but this guy in front of me looks like a god!"
"Way to go! She actually acknowledged someone other than that emo guy!"
"Sasuke's not emo!"
"Is to!"
"Is not!"
"Is to!"
"Oh would you shut up!"
Sakura's 'inner' battle stopped when Gaara (A/N: he is not YET a Kazekage here!) spoke coldly, "It's rude to stare, Haruno." The pink-haired kunoichi blushed as the two other sand-nin snickered. Then Sakura suddenly changed the topic.
"So… what are you guys doing here?"
"We're here because Hokage-sama wanted a word with the Kazekage whose going to appointed next month," Temari replied.
"Oh! Is it Kankuro?" Sakura inquired innocently then, Temari burst out laughing.
"Kankuro being Kazekage?! Sakura, that chance is from zero to nothing!"
Then Kankuro replied quite angrily, "I am not that bad… but Sakura it isn't me. It's Gaara over here." He pointed to the figure next to him.
"Congratulations, Gaara!" Sakura smiled as she reached her hand out for him to shake. The boy just stared at it as Shukaku yelled at his head.
"C'mon boy, take it and shake it!"
"Why should I?"
"Look, if you want someone to like you… start by being friendly!"
"Friendly? Shukaku… I am a Jinchurikii (A/N: I hope that's right..) not a friendly human… and she is the girl you nearly killed if you remember…"
"Boy! I am kinder now… not the killing obsessed demon I once was! Besides, sooner or later you'll need to mate and I like this girl in front of you…"
"Shut up. Fine! I'll take it!"
Gaara took Sakura's hand and slightly shook it. The pink-haired kunoichi smiled then Lee and Ino passed by…
"Hey! The sand siblings! What brings you guys here?" Ino asked. Temari told her what they were here for then Ino replied, "Great! Congratulations Gaara! By the way, why don't you pass by my party later so you could all chill out?"
Kankuro had a wide smile plastered on his face, "Sure! We would love to! Any rules before entering?"
"Well, actually there is the rule that you have to bring a date along… but I guess you three can be exempted since you just came…" but Sakura cut Ino's words.
"Why do Sasuke and they get to be exempted? Why can't I be exempted too?!"
"Because, forehead girl… you have to find a boyfriend! Besides Lee here can be your date, right Lee?"
Lee nodded as he declared, "Sakura-san, I shall be your date tonight and I shall protect you always!" then he turned around with anime tears streaming down his eyes shouting, "Gai-sensei! I have found a date!! I have done a very youthful act!"
Ino snickered and Temari and Kankuro smirked as Sakura sweat-dropped. But Gaara was currently battling with Shukaku.
"You should've asked her first!"
"Why? Haruno and that green guy look good together!"
"That's not what's in your head! Your actually burning with jealousy now…"
"Who are you? My conscience?!"
"No. But I can see your thoughts since I am a part of you!"
"Ok, you got me. I am beginning to like Haruno because she doesn't fear me."
"Well, yes aside from the fact that she has gorgeous hair, killer legs and a body to die for!"
"Would you just please not say my thoughts aloud?!"
"Nope. I shall continue this until you tell her that you like her!!"
"How?!"
"You can start by calling her Sakura… and the rest will be at the party later…"
Gaara stared at Sakura as she said goodbye to everyone. He nodded curtly at the girl when her eyes bore into his as he said softly, "Bye, Sakura… see you later!"
Sakura raised an eyebrow as she continued her walk back home. She looked back only to see the sand siblings walk towards the Hokage building, Ino walking back to her home and Lee jumping for joy. She smiled to herself thinking about the party later and a red-headed sand-nin.
"I didn't know that he has green eyes…"
"Yeah, I know. I would love him to be our boyfriend…"
"Our?"
"Technically, since we are a part of each other."
"Stop it. You know as well as I that Gaara-kun is going to be a Kazekage and he almost killed me. We could never be a couple…"
"Never say never. Besides it's the one-tailed raccoon whose responsible for almost killing you not Gaara. By the way, where did Gaara-kun com from?"
"Nowhere… anyway leave me be so I could walk peacefully!"
"Defensive… but that still doesn't change the fact that you would like to be his date for later or rather his girlfriend…"
"Shut up, already! Please don't say my thoughts aloud!"
"I can't help it…"
"Well then, just control yourself…"
"Ok, but I still know that you are starting to like him…"
"Am I?"
Inner Sakura didn't answer anymore as Sakura entered her home. But she was never aware of an eye following her. Specifically… a sand one.
A/N: And that's the end of chapter one… please R&R!! I hope that you enjoy it! And please give me some suggestions of 3 more Naruto couples you would like me to add… and flaming is allowed since I am a newbie who's trying to meet your expectations. Please R&R! I am begging you! I need at least 7 reviews before I update… and to nightgirl965… I am making this a multi-chapter fic 'cause it's no fun if it's just a one-shot! Thank you in advance!!