Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters.
Another disclaimer: I couldn't pick a title so I'm stuck with this one. I thought it was funny at the time.
Why now, of all times, did she have to visit Suna?
The pink haired kunoichi reflected for the hundredth time as she stood in line at the gate of Sunagakure, desperately trying to maintain her personal space between the produce wagon in front of her and the small pack of veiled children playing in the sand behind her.
Training. Think of it as extremely lame training in patience and self control.
Sakura smirked as she racked her fingers through her sand and sweat matted hair, only to be interupted from her small attempt at vanity by a small chorus of laughter from behind.
Patience. They're just children. Children who have an enormous amount of pint up energy. It's not their fault you failed to dress appropriately for desert travel and now your skin matches your hair in texture and color.
Sighing, she once again went over the mission she had been given five days ago by Tsunade. Replaying the scene in her mind, she could almost smell the sake scented breath of her sensei.
"Sakura, I know this is last minute but your skills are needed in Suna. The Kazekage has requested our assistence in the improvement of their Medic nin capabilties…Sakura please. That look really isn't necessary, this is a mission like any other and should be approached with complete seriousness…I mean it Sakura, the Kazekage is not as leniant as I am nor does he have the whole sanity factor on his side. So behave yourself and I'll see you in a few months."
Snorting at the memory, Sakura readjusted the pack she was carrying and pulled out her water bottle and took a short gulp of the hot liquid.
Too bad Tsunade failed to warn her about the traffic of wagon trains full of traders and farmers carrying supplies into the village weekly.
Looking at the slowly disappearing line in front of her she estimated that she had a least another half-hour before she would reach the gates, since each visitor had to be searched and every item checked before anyone would be allowed access into the village.
Damn sand village and their dependence on outside resources.
When the giggles behind her erupted again, she turned her head slightly to the side and glanced down at the group of huddled little bodies whose hands were preocupied with drawing images of people-like beings in the sand. It wasn't until her second examination of their little game that she realized the people-like beings were just different artistic interpretations of her haggard appearance.
Lovely. At least they got the hair right. And the porportions of her forehead weren't too exagerated.
Holding back the urge to glare down at each one of little sand brats until they cried, she permited herself to only slightly glare before she once again focused on the wagon in front of her and released a heavy sigh.
Almost there.
If the antics of the children weren't bad enough the looks she got from the Sand Genin at the gate truly tested her thining patience.
Yes, I know I fucking stink! She mentally screamed when the one of the Sand nin discretely gaged when the wind shifted in his direction. Her eyes narrowed on his form until he regained his composure and asked to see her identification and mission scroll.
"Hai," she complied handing him the scroll and her idenification card.
"You will need to report to the Kazekage's office as soon as possible. Just follow the main road and the bulding will be on the right, you can't miss it. Welcome to Suna Haruno-san."
"Thank you." She said slighly bowing her head to the Genin as she tucked away her belongings and took the first step through the gate.
Once she passed the gate her senses were overcome by an explosion of smells and noise. Taking in the streets filled with venders and people in front of her, she couldn't help but feel like she had stepped into a busy district in Konoha.
A very monochromatic Konoha. She thought as she took in the earthtone buildings surrounding her along with the white and tan tunics and robes worn by the villagers and sellers.
Ignoring the loud gurgles coming from her empty stomach as she passed the numerous food stands along her route to see the Kazekage, she couldn't help but fantasize about all the wonderful delicacies the sand village could offer.
Ohh. Those glazed sticky buns look so good.
Shaking her head, she reminded herself of the mission ahead. Find the Kazekage and then you can eat. But more importantly you can take a bath. Clenching her fist in determination she marched on.
Finding the administration building was as easy as the Sand nin had said. Down the main road and on the right. It was easy until she noticed a fruit vender selling fresh plums and apricots and then her resolve finally cracked.
Okay. Just some plums, no big deal.
"One basket please." She said smiling sweetly to the vender who noded his head to her request, but when she offered him the payment he shook his head in refusal.
"No need, accept this as a gift since our harvest has been plentiful this year." The old man said politely. Confused she bowed her head and offered a shy thanks as she headed back towards the administration building. Bearly catching his hushed words as she walked away, all she could make out was something about a poor child and the desert being unkind to the innocent something or others.
Oh well, a free meal is a free meal.
Licking her fingers as she opened the large wooden doors to the building she let out a sigh of relief as the cool air flooded over her sweat soaked body. Thank God for air conditioning was the only thought floating around her mind as she walked up to the large desk in the center of the entry way.
The woman at the desk glanced up as Sakura approached. Her eyes wondered down and up again, taking in the appearance of the new guest, her eyes pausing at the forehead protector tied around her head.
"Mission scroll and identification please."
Handing the items over once again, the woman looked over the information and then consulted the thick scheldule laying in front of her.
"The Kazekage will meet with you shortly, his current meeting should be wrapping up within the next ten minutes. His office is on the third floor, the second door on the left. And if you need to use the washroom, it is the last door on the right." The woman offered kindly with a smile.
Sakura bowed her head gratefully and retrieved her scroll and card, "Thank you."
After her four day adventure in the desert, the ascent up three flights of stairs seemed like a small eternity as her strained muscles demanded rest and to make things worse her stomach began to cramp from all the sweet fruit she had hurriedly consumed.
Almost made it, finally the third floor.
Letting out a happy noise of joy she turned to looked down the long beige hallway noticing a few Sand nin chating and exchanging files, but besides them the hallway was vacant. Walking down to the second door on the left, she could hear a muffled conversation on the other side of the heavy oak doors. Figuring she still had a few more minutes until her meeting with the Kazekage, she ventured down to the washroom.
The room smelled faintly like cinnamon and sanitizer as she turned on the faucet and looked into the mirror in front of her, almost not recognizing the person gazing back at her.
Damn. I look terrible. Now where did that come from!
Noticing some dark blotches of dirt on her arms and down the front of her red shirt. Jeeze, no wonder the looks of pity. I look like a Konoha reject.
Grabing some damp paper towels she scrubed frantically at her face, arms, and any other surface that was easy to clean.
Somewhat presentible now, not that it matters, I doubt the Kazekage is one to be concerned about a girl's appearance.
She finished her fussing and tucked down a few stray pink hairs as she looked herself over one more time in the mirror.
Okay, showtime.