Author's Note: It's come to my attension that the links I put up didn't work so if you want to hear the song and watch the video, go to (ignore the link, it won't work) and type in the artist and the song. exp: Ayumi Hamasaki-Evolution. Hope you enjoy the songs and now, ON WITH THE SHOW!

regular disclaimers apply.

Gaara just stared in awe as Sakura sang and danced. He truly hadn't expected this; he thought at first that at best they'd be okay. But boy was he wrong. He didn't even really pay attention when others went up and sang a few songs, too lost in his own thoughts to care. Was this amazing talent that of the two tail, or was it truly Sakura's talent. From Ino's behavior, he had an educated guess that it was her talent. But it must have had a little help... but for some reason Gaara highly doubted it. Giving Sakura a once over, he decided by her figure that she was a dancer. But he could also tell that she was trying to hide it. Gaara truly wondered why though, she had a great body, but she insisted on hiding it. Maybe that Hinata girl has something to do with it. Gaara thought, remembering his brother's crude reference on how the best women come in curves, before earning a rather hard smack upside the head, but he wasn't going to lie, the girl had a body that would even turn a priest to sin.

From what Gaara had learned, Sakura had always been a shy girl, and often felt inferior. He could tell by the way she carried herself, having only seen her carry herself with confidence once and even then it was shadowed by doubt. Could it be that Sakura not only accepted her change, but is it also that she doesn't believe in herself enough to save herself from it and change herself back? Could Sakura be wearing a mask right now, and if so, has she ever showed them her true self? Has she ever shown anyone her true self?

Who cares about the bitch?

Shut up. I don't wish to hear you.

Since when did you grow a back bone? Talking to me as if I could be easily dismissed. I'll have you pay for your insolence.

Suddenly a ringing began echoing in his ears, first mild and throbbing before growing in pitch, causing his ears to bleed and for his teeth to grind against each other in his pain. But Gaara refused to cry out, refused to let it show, his pride getting in the way. He refused to be shown up by Sakura. He refused to be viewed as weak. As Kazekage he could not! But as luck would have it, it was Sakura that noticed him. Hopping over the coffee table, before discreetly sending some of her healing chakra into him while raking her claws oh so gently down his back, causing him to relax and unconsciously arch into her touch.

"Was it Shukaku?" Sakura whispered, avoiding catching attention. "I though he was gone."

"So did I, but apparently I'm his human counterpart, so only part of him was removed. The part that remained was already fused with me. He'd been staying quiet while summoning the part that was taken away." Gaara informed, feigning that he was watching his sister and Tenten sing, keeping his voice low.

"What are you going to do?" Sakura questioned, kneading the tense muscles on his back without thinking.

"It'll be the same as how it was. I never started to sleep anyway, and keeping him at bay shouldn't be any different than before." Gaara rolled his shoulder in slight relief as the tension is his muscles began to dissipate. "You don't know how easy you have it. You are the two tails. You don't have to worry about your demon being released and destroying everything or voices in your head."

"You're wrong." Sakura smiled sadly, ears slightly drooped. "I do have another voice in my head, but I made her. The best way to describe her is like a combination of Naruto, Sasuke and the old you. She contradicts everything I say, but at the same time, she's everything I wish I could be..." Sakura took a deep breath before stretching her arms, ending Gaara's message. "Good night." Sakura announced, smiling to everyone, "Girls sleep in my room and the guys out here, Akamaru can sleep with either of us."

"Good idea, tomorrow's going to be a long day, so we all best be off to bed." Kakashi smiled under his mask, turning off the karaoke machine while Sakura got several futons and comforters and leaving most in the living room and carrying the rest to her room.

"Hey! Let's play a game of truth or dare before going to sleep." Ino requested as the door closed, leaving the guys to just stare at the door, then each other, then the futons, then back at the door...to hell with it, they hastily, but undetected, snuck up to the door and listened in. "Hey, instead of truth or dare, why not just plain old truth." they heard Ino offer instead, all the guys nodded in agreement (minus Gaara, he was 'sleeping' but in reality he was using his third eye to spy on them, remember, he's also a guy.)

"Alright." Sakura answered, already changed into her pajamas of a baby blue midriff spaghetti strap and matching plaid pants and braiding Hinata's hair, her wearing similar pajamas but with shorts instead and they were a solid white and her tank grey with the Joe Boxer smiley face on the front.

"I'll ask first. Hinata. Who do you like more, Shino, Kiba, or Akamaru?" Ino asked, hair done in braided pigtails and in a white nightie.

"...um..." Hinata shifted nervously, looking at each expectant face as she did so. "...do I have to answer?"

"Yes, you have to answer." Tenten smiled, hair in the usual buns but with netting around them, dwarfed in her giant t-shirt with snoopy on the front.

"...I don't really know. Shino's the best for when I want advice. But Kiba makes me laugh and theylook out for me, and who can not like Akamaru, he's so kawaii."

"That'll work." Ino decided. "Your turn Temari."

"Yosh! Sakura, if you were to chose between your first love and Gaara, who'd you...pick...?" A sudden wave of tension filled the room at the question.

"In the past I would've said Sasuke without a moment's hesitation. But now, all I want to do is punch a hole in his gut. Gaara on the other hand, I don't know him enough to make any final decisions, but from what I've seen while with him, he's always honest and keeps it real, nor does he come across as someone who'd turn his back on those close to him for the sake of passed vendettas. I still want to say Sasuke, he was my first love but was more like a brother to me than anything, but I'd only be lying to myself. So when I truly think about it, Gaara would be my choice. I trust him more than I think I ever trusted Sasuke..." Sakura ended it with a sigh, letting her inner turmoil show for the briefest moment before hiding it behind her mask of false happiness. "Tenten, your turn!" Sakura smiled.

"...Ino," Tenten began.

"Yeah, what?" Ino asked.

"Do you have a crush on Shikamaru?" Tenten really had to know.

"Even I can answer that one." Sakura giggled. "Yeah she does, but she's in denial and can't get passed the whole 'women are troublesome' without wanting to wring his neck." Sakura laughed again, giving a little Shikamaru impersonation for kicks.

"I do not!" Ino howled.

"Sure you don't. Any who, your turn Hinata." Temari laughed, somewhat strained, but a laugh just the same.

"Um...Tenten, tell us a funny incident for both Lee and Neji." Hinata requested.

"That's easy, first was when Lee had a sip of Gai-sensei's sake. He was so drunk, not only did he destroy the restaurant, it took both Gai-sensei and Neji to restrain him and Lee was going on and on about 'SAKURA!" Tenten laughed, mimicking Lee all the way down to his voice. "Then there was a time when Neji first tried the curry of life, it was so spicy I swear fire was going to spew from his nostrils. He couldn't even move it was so hot. I've learned two things about them. 1. Lee has no alcohol tolerance, and 2. Neji can't handle spicy." The girls laughed at this, loving her amazingly accurate imitations. "Your turn Sakura."

"Hinata, if Neji were to ask you out, what would you say? And don't give me the "we're cousins" crap because I'll have you know my grandparents are cousins (really, they are) and so are my aunt and uncle." Sakura deadpanned, finally realizing the guys were at the door, also heard someone hold there breath. These strong senses sure have their perks.

"...I don't know, I've never been asked out..." Hinata paused to think, actually giving it a lot of thought. "...I don't see why not, yes." Hinata finally answered, nodding to herself.

Sakura noticed a sudden spike in one of the scents, assuming this was Neji; she filed this away to further her knowledge about her new body. Neji smelled very much like ozone, as if he spends most of his time in the air. But also like the forest, he smelled very similar to Kakashi, but at the same time, very different. If she were to give it a title, he smelt of the sky.

"Temari. Has there ever been a time when Gaara was a complete pushover?" Ino asked.

"Yeah, sure...I think...I don't know..." Temari began to think about it. "He secretly has a soft spot for kids but that's about it."

"Hot!" Ino and Tenten stated in unison. Gaara blushed at this, his third eye hidden on the shelf under the TV.

"Isn't it? What girl in her right mind wouldn't think so?" Temari agreed. "Anyway, Sakura what is one of the perks of your current change?" Temari had been curious for a while now.

"Let's see, I can smell you guys. In fact if you wanted I could tell you everyone's individual and personal scent." Sakura informed.

"Tell us!" Ino pleaded.

"Sure. I'll even title them." Sakura smiled.

"Then wait, I wonna write them down then." Ino quickly stood and went to Sakura's desk to get a notepad and pen.

"Ready?" she nodded. "Alright, I'll start with Kakashi-sensei. He smells like the forest before it rains, I've decided to call his scent a Rainforest. Naruto smells like a wonderful blend of spices. I think I'll call his just that, True Spice. Gai-sensei smells very much like a combination of earth and sweat, but it's a pleasant combination, thankfully nobody here stinks. I'll just call it Male. Lee smells very similar but there's also a bit of wildflower somewhere in his scent I'll call his Rockland. Neji smells like ozone and forest, very much like Kakashi-sensei but at the same time very different, if I were to give it a label I'd say he smelt of the sky. So that's what I'll call his scent: Sky. You, Tenten, have a mixture of Lee's scent and a more dominant smell of lavender and sweet pea. Very suiting for you. I think I'll call it Sharp Petals because of your apparent love for sharp objects and how sharp your scent is. Chouji smells both sweet and spicy and warm. He smells like a home I think. I rather like it; I'll just call his Home. Shikamaru smells like night flowers, earth and something else, I can't tell what though; it's what makes his scent masculine. His smell's title is Shadowbecausehis smell lingers but moves like a shadow. Yours, Ino is very similar to his but yours has a hint of jasmine in it instead of the smell that I can't place. Easily forgotten for a moment but when it is, it's remembered instantly, almost like how when you dream, you tend to forget when you wake but as time progresses you always seem to remember. That's why I'm calling your scent Dream. Kiba smells like a combination of Naruto and Lee, but he has something that makes the scent entirely his. Almost like an animal or a...demon... Kiba get in here now!" Sakura commanded, yanking the door open, side stepping everyone that fell and pulling Kiba up. "Have you come into contact with a strange looking dog at any point in time?"

"Not that I re...member." Akamaru made a few barks and strangely, Sakura understood it.

"Just two days ago we saw him, he followed us home. That's where he is now, he had a broken leg." Akamaru barked.

"Have any changes been happening. To either of you?"

"No, not really. I've just been getting slight pains and more energy." Kiba informed, removing Sakura's hands from his collar gently.

"Your demon counterpart must be dying, you're just lucky that it's transferring its power to you slowly." Gaara informed, walking toward them, readjusting the gourd on his back.

"Are there anymore dying demons out there?" Sakura threw her arms in the air, half asking.

"I want to know the same thing." Gaara agreed, starting to revert back to the distant Gaara.

Kiba had remained silent; to shocked to even move until Shino and Hinata led him toward the desk's chair to sit, Akamaru close at his heals. "What'll 'kaasan and neechan say..." Sakura heard him murmur, causing her to freeze where she stood.

"What will they say?" Finally the reality of it sunk in. It doesn't matter if she accepted it, what mattered was if her parents did. The very thought brought her to her knees. She already knew what'd happen, they'd disown her before she could put two words together in her defense. She highly doubted Kiba would have any trouble; they never even had a problem with Naruto even before they met him. But her parents wouldn't, they hate everything that's different or not average. Tears stung the back of her eyes. "Oh shit..."

"What is it?" Ino asked, wrapping her arm around Sakura's shoulders, lifting her to her feet and leading her to her bed.

"I'm as good as disowned." Sakura choked out.

"What do you mean?" Naruto questioned.

"Kiba, you don't really have to worry, just explain everything to your family, they'd understand. But my parents loathe demons, hell my entire family line was comprised of demon slayers for god sakes." Her voice was getting higher in volume as she spoke, shocking everyone into silence. Not knowing what to tell her. "They'd sooner kill me before accepting me."

"But there your parents." Naruto interjected.

"...That doesn't mean anything." Both Gaara and Sakura stated at about the same time. But Sakura had more to say.

"Look, Naruto, my parents don't care about anything once they learn about someone coming into contact with demons. Even to this day, they wish you dead Naruto; they were one of the few avid supporters against the soon official alliance with Gaara and Suna. They don't even trust me anymore because the two of you are very dear to me. If they find out that I'm a demon, and they will, then I'm the next wall trophy!"

"No need to get all worked up. Just go to sleep and we'll worry about this in the morning." Kakashi decided, tucking the reluctant Sakura into bed and tweaking one of her ears. The other girls got comfortable before Kakashi turned off the light and led everyone else out of the room.

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Kakashi then sighed, not in the least doubting what Sakura said, having been one of the few that confronted her parents on their views. Sakura didn't deserve this and he was almost ashamed of himself for not realizing how well she hid herself behind a mask. He had to wonder, what else is hurting her right now that she's not letting anyone in on. Little did he know that several of the other nin were thinking along the same lines.

"What else do you think she's not telling us." Naruto pondered aloud.

"How should I know, it's not like she has a diary that I could just open up-" Shikamaru was cut off by a suddenly excited blonde.

"Shikamaru you're a genius!" Naruto exclaimed, hopping in front of Gaara. "Gaara, do you think you could use your sand and look for Sakura's diary?"

"...No." Gaara said simply before seating himself on the armchair with every intension of meditating.

"Why not?" Naruto whined, getting a little loud.

"Yeah! It's not like we're going to do anything wrong, we just want to read it so we can find out what we can help with." Kankuro stated in Naruto's defense.

Gaara couldn't help but agree with them, but that didn't mean that he was going to let them know that. But he eventually complied, summoning some sand and sending it into Sakura's room. Silently, so as not to wake any of the girls, his sand searched all the shelves and drawers, but he found nothing. His sand was slipping under the bed and was about to turn back until it found a loose floorboard at the foot of the bed, hurriedly the sand slipped inside, finding a row of several books of different sizes, six in all. Not bothering to check through them to find out which was which he slipped each one out and under the crack under the door, carrying them to the living room and to his lap, doing a once over of the room, he barely found one hidden inside a stuffed animal. Slipping that one out, the sand returned.

"Did she document her whole life or something?" Kiba gasped looking at each book, noticing the dates on the cover. (going to use our date system, k?) "1996-97, 1997-99, 1999-2000, 2000-02, 2002-03, 2003-05, 2005-06, and 2006-" Kiba read, just noticing Naruto open the 1996 one. "Hey, that's not current."

"So, what better way than to start from the beginning?" Naruto grinned, winning everyone over with that explanation. "It looks like she rewrote the entries in the back, it's like she's begging for us to read them." Naruto finished.

"Gaara, would you do the honors of reading them aloud?" Shikamaru asked.

Gaara just looked at them, then the outstretched hand with the silly pink book, then the more current black book. Gaara wasn't so sure he should, having a feeling that it was going to come back and bite him in the ass, with or without the sand to save him. But, against better judgment, he took the book and opened it to the first pages rewrite, not wanting to bother with the childish scribble. "March 28th, my birthday. Dear diary," that got a few suppressed giggles. "Mom finally took me on an outing for the first time, she said we were going to a party, but as it turned out it was a get together with the rest of her side of the family. They were very mean. They said that I was strange and that my pink hair was unnatural. Also said that I was to well behaved, that my forehead was too large, and that I would grow to be ugly if something wasn't done. I didn't really understand everything else that they said. Something about me not being human. But I didn't care, there were so many sweets there and mom said that I could have some. That was the first time I ever had chocolate. But I met one of the coolest people there. She was my second cousin Lulu. She was so pretty. She wore a black dress with fur lining and a lot of belts (I decided to borrow her from final fantasy 10). Her black hair was so long and shiny. I can't wait till my hair gets that long. Her eyes were a pretty red. But mom didn't like her, calling her the Uchiha rape child." This earned a collection of gasps. "But I still liked her. She was so nice and cool. She gave me my first doll. I was sad when she left though, nobody would play with me, saying I was too ugly and to weird to play with. So I just played by the fountain until we went home. Today wasn't a bad day, but it wasn't good either. I hope I get to see Lulu again." With a flip of a page Gaara continued, having everyone's rapt fascination along with that of Hinata, who had snuck out to join them and was now between Neji and Kiba. "March 29. Today is my first day at the academy. I was so happy! I've always wanted to be a ninja. But lately I've been hearing a voice in my head. And I've been forgetting a lot of things that I get in trouble for. But this is the first thing that I get to do of my own choice. This is also the first time I met Naruto that my parents keep talking about. They always said he'd be trouble. I don't know why though, he's funny. I also met Sasuke too. He's okay, but looks aren't everything. I wonder what he's hiding. Akamaru was so cute! His owner Kiba was cool too. I wonder why all the girls are afraid of Shino, they're just bugs. They're pretty cool, but the dragonfly is still my favorite bug. I guess butterflies are cool to, but whenever I see one, I guess I fall asleep and get into trouble. Today's lessons were easy! But when I told mom about my day, she wasn't all that happy though. I wonder why?" Gaara noticed two more arrivals in the form of Ino and Temari. He figured Tenten wouldn't be all that far behind. "April 1st, Sorry I hadn't wrote for a few days. But today I wanted to write. I got the highest grade in my class. Even dad was proud of me. He smiled at me! This is the first time I've seen him for a whole year. He came back last night, but mom told me to go upstairs and she'll bring my dinner. I guess I fell asleep before I could eat since there was nothing there. But I was able to work with Sasuke and Naruto. It was so much fun and Sasuke was so smart. I kinda felt bad for him though, everything that came out of his mouth was about how great his brother was. It was almost as if Sasuke wasn't even worth noticing, so I gave him some of my lunch. But poor Naruto, he didn't have anything, so I shared with him too. Naruto was all blushy after that. I wonder why?"

"I remember that! That was the first time someone was so nice to me. I've had a crush on her ever since then." Naruto smiled fondly at the memory. Tenten decided to make herself known then.

"Oh yeah, that's when a lot of the girls became very vocal about their dislike of Sakura." Ino elaborated.

"Oh yeah..." this time Naruto wasn't smiling, suddenly feeling guilty.

The rest of the night went on like that, Gaara read threw every volume of Sakura's life and everyone learned about how Sakura's family somewhat neglected her until she became the Godaime's student. On how she could never bring herself to hate anyone unless they truly deserved it, even Gaara. They even learned on how at the beginning, she tricked herself into believing that she was madly in love with Sasuke to please her parents and how it later developed into a more maternal thing on how she only realized this till after he left. I showed how little she thought of herself, on how she let those close to her rule her life, even without her knowing. It informed them on how she envied Gaara, whom was able to lose the demon and no longer hear the voice within himself. And they also learned about her other personality and of the possibility that there may be more. But Gaara did omit a few parts, but only the more blunt ones pertaining to Naruto's and Sasuke's possible homosexuality (Bisexuality for Naruto). This left them all drained emotionally. They really had thought that she was the normal one of the group. They couldn't see the pain that she suffered because they were so focused on Naruto and Sasuke, and that's how Sakura wanted it. But that still didn't help them feel any better about themselves.

Gaara couldn't help but be drawn to her. But he figured that it would be a passing faze. Looking in the general direction of the room as everyone drifted off to sleep, girls to tired to go back. But Gaara was curious, surely Sakura would've woken up by now. Hell, she would've woken up before he even got a hold of her diaries. Maybe Sakura was awake but didn't care. Gaara had to know, silently he stood, surveying the slumbering bunch, before stalking off in the direction of Sakura's room and slipping inside. Sure enough, she was awake, and sitting upon the window sill. the strap of her tank top sliding down her shoulder and giving him a teasingly small glimpse of cleavage. She was staring out at the moon, being highlighted beautifully by its silvery glow. Her ears were drooped and her tail lay on her lap.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked, eyes never leaving the light of the night.

"I don't sleep." Gaara answered flatly, watching her as he approached slowly.

"Did you have fun reading my diaries?" Sakura continued, though still unmoving.

"I wouldn't call it fun. But it was enlightening." one would barely hear the sarcasm, but to her ears, she heard it clearly, one perked in his direction.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Sakura turned her deep jade eyes to meet his dull ones.

Gaara just approached her and leaned against the window sill across from her. "You usually let others read your diaries?" It wasn't really a question, he just wanted to learn more about her but didn't know a way as to how to do it. She was a puzzle that he wanted to solve.

"No, but you all wanted to know and what better way then by reading them. Besides, it's almost as if each volume was done by different people that all carried the same name and memories of Hurano Sakura. How about you, you usually go around reading diaries?" Sakura smiled kindly.

"No, but this was a one time occasion. I've no intention of making this a hobby...Earlier; you were telling the others about what they smelt like...what do I smell like?" It was an honest question, but he didn't know if he overstepped his boundaries.

"Roses, chocolate, blood, your sand. These smells combine into something that is entirely your own. If a name were to be given to it, I'd say you smelled of sex. Passionate and Dark Sex. Almost taunting to the senses, both soothing, but when taken in too much, it becomes addicting. Almost like you. Your addicting, when someone sees the side of you that is kind, that is fun, they want to see more of it. At least I do." Sakura blushed as she turned away toward the moon.

"You realized all this in just a day and a night?" Gaara questioned softly, stepping forward, getting closer to her, grasping her chin softly and turning her face toward him.

"Yes." Sakura whispered, allowing herself to be pulled closer to him.

"Interesting." Gaara breathed into her ear, breathing in her scent, She too is addicting. Rubbing his face slightly against her, feeling a sudden heat rising from her body and mingling with his. "And my scent, reminds you of this?" His hand stroked up her arm and found its way to her shoulder, easing the strap down as he enjoyed the sultry warmth she radiated.

"Gaara." Sakura half moaned, half whimpered, but was far from displeased. She was right, when taken in, you can't help but want more. But with the combination of warmth, and the heady aroma, she was allured and aroused, but she didn't know what to do, she didn't want to take the initiative but she wanted this to continue. But their lips were just getting closer and closer till they were only a hairs breath away. Their lips were about to bridge the short gap.

But someone coughed and the moment was shattered. Hinata stood blushing, trying to hide behind the door and was clearly upset that she had interrupted them. All she wanted was to take a shower. And judging by how steamy things were getting and the look of irritation Gaara had. She interrupted big time.

"Gomen nasai!" Hinata apologized before hastily closing the door, face red as a cherry and walking jerkily back to her spot. Neji woke up the moment he heard her voice.

"What's up?" Neji asked, sitting up as Hinata sat down next to him.

"N-nothing." Hinata lied, Neji would've pressed for an answer, but when she yawned, he pulled the blushing girl down and wrapped his arm and coverlet around her and himself, feeling her eventually fall asleep. Neji soon followed to the world of dreams with a smile gracing his face.

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Moment shattered, Sakura cleared her throat and decided to start a conversation in order to lessen the awkward moment. "What exactly do you do since you don't sleep?"

"Normally read and meditate." Gaara answered, barely suppressing a sigh as he sat himself on her bed. Sakura soon followed, turning off her light and her TV on, flipping threw the channels.

"What do you normally read?"

"Medical books, philosophy, mystery on occasion." Gaara admitted, watching the television screen, TV never staying on one channel for very long.

"Have you read Alexial?" Sakura asked. (I made it up by the way)

"I have the original copy. It was a gift for when I took the title as Kazekage. It's one of my favoritelegendsactually."

"You're lucky. My dad threw out my copy. I never got to finish, but what I did read did have a hand in the truth, I'm still curious as to how much was true. I heard that very family existed, it's last location was here." Sakura informed, laying her head on her pillow and crossing her legs at her ankles behind Gaara.

"And it started in Suna. I remember, that's where my father first got the idea about..."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up." Sakura sat up to put her hand on his back.

"It's nothing, it's in the passed. But, it's said somewhere that a descendant of that maiden would complete the combination and find the true love that had been denied her family line."

"I still think it kind of sad you know. How she believed she was loved before she was forced upon by him. Then having her daughters suffering the same fate until all the women were mixed with every creature but that of a demon's. No woman deserves that." Sakura yawned, pulling the covers around her body and giving Gaara the remote. "You can watch any of the movies you want, I'm going to sleep. See you in the morning." Sakura yawned again before absent mindedly kissing his cheek before falling asleep.

Gaara just stared ahead in shock and would have asked her about it too, if it wasn't for the soft purring that came from the sleeping form of Sakura. Taking Sakura's offer to heart he got up and searched threw her movie collection. A few movies caught his fancy and he randomly pick one to start himself off. It was Blade (love that movie!).

It was just a few rays before dawn when Sakura woke. Gaara was in the corner in meditation before opening an eye to watch her get up and do a few morning stretches, one more complicated then the last making him wonder if she had any bones at all and if she was just made of cartilage. 15 minutes had passed before she approached him.

"Mornin'" Sakura greeted. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"I don't care." came Gaara's hesitant reply.

"Pancakes it is then. Could you please help me?" Sakura requested opening her bedroom door before stretching again.

"Very well." Gaara had nothing better to do anyway, might as well humor her.

"Great!" Sakura smiled before leading him out of the room and to the kitchen, avoiding the still sleeping bunch. She then grabbed a very large mixing bowl and three boxes of pancake mix and getting to work while Gaara did what he did best at these times, sat out of the way and watched. Seating himself rather comfortably on the kitchen table. Watching as Sakura prepared a large batch for everyone and getting the grittle ready.

Sakura was already on her last batch when Hinata and thus Neji woke up, followed by Akamaru and Kiba. Gaara was already finishing his short stack when they entered the kitchen, noticing Hinata's face instantly flush from his spot on the table.

Gaara was already finishing his short stack when they entered the kitchen, noticing Hinata's face instantly flushed from his spot on the table.

"Ano...Sakura-chan...ano...sa" Hinata stammered, causing Sakura to look at her curiously before it clicked.

"Oh, that. Don't worry about it. No harm done." Sakura smiled reassuringly.

"Are you sure?" Hinata continued, twiddling her fingers as she did so.

"Of course I'm sure. Here." Sakura handed her a plate of pancakes before she continued serving the boys, giving Akamaru another steak.

"What's goin' on?" Kiba asked, curiosity getting the best of him. A collection of 'nothing's came from three different sources but didn't get the chance to ask more due to a few more people's waking up and demands of food.

"Where'd you go last night Gaara?" Naruto asked before shoving a large pancake into his mouth and chewing, not noticing Hinata blush.

"Should we be concerned?" Kakashi teased, adding one and a half to the blush count (Gaara just a slight coloration). "I'll take that as a yes." again no comment. "Lovely. Sakura, what are you going to do today?"

"Most likely more training, and possibly some grocery shopping. Then spend the day by myself, I suppose." Sakura answered.

"In other words, more work. You're gonna work yourself to death babe." Ino almost reprimanded, pointing her fork at Sakura.

"No I'm not!" Sakura huffed indignantly, tail swishing side to side in agitation.

"Who're you gonna train with today?" Naruto asked, apparently not giving Sakura the option of training alone.

"Myself, like I always do." Sakura grinned, almost challenging him to say something.

"But what if something like last time happens." Naruto demanded.

"Look Naruto, I only have one demon counterpart, and we're already fused. I'm not gonna live my life in fear of something that would most likely never happen." Sakura sighed, bracing herself for another retort.

"Why don't I train with you?" Gaara stated simply without really looking at anybody, trying to ignore everyone's shocked expressions.

"That'd be great!" Sakura agreed. Knowing fully well that Naruto wouldn't say against it.

"That doesn't sound to bad an idea. Maybe everyone's reactions wouldn't be so bad with a Kage with you." Kakashi stated, smiling under his mask. "Well I gotta go. Seeya!" then he poofed away.

"Does he always do that?" Temari asked them.

"Yup. All the time. He's also always late too." Sakura giggled, walking out of the kitchen. "I'm in the shower if you need me."

Author's note: Sorry if I left ya' hangin', the romance and the smells will be continued. I promise...as long as you don't kill me.