Sleep

Attention: I do not own Naruto.

Both girls sat in their substitute home rather silently. Ino was busy replaying the current events over in her mind like a broken record player. Sakura on the other hand found herself lingering at the edge of total exhaustion. She was tired, hungry and somewhat confused. Ever since she had given up on Sasuke, she had tried her very best to stay away from the male gender just so she could clear her head and take on the world with a new approach. For years she had been secretly harbouring deep feelings for the Uchiha and where did they lead her? Mainly a broken heart. She hadn't intended to find herself developing a crush on a certain auburn haired boy. She honestly didn't know how it came to be- They had spoken a few times and walked together a couple more; but no sooner had he left for Sunagakure, a feeling of emptiness washed over her and before she could stop the feelings from crushing her, Sakura realized she indeed had a crush on Gaara.

Just my luck. She thought as she stood from her bed, tugging at her gloves to pull them from her hands. She wouldn't accompany Ino out tonight, she would just sleep until the morning. The duo were in no rush to get home and so staying in Sunagakure for a few days couldn't hurt right? There were even festivals scheduled for the upcoming days, that was something to look forward too...

"Can't believe I wanted to fuck Kankurō" Ino whispered, finally breaking out of her repetitive thoughts. She was over thinking things. "Then again," She started, "That's probably better than some guy without stamina, right? I mean- I would hate it if he couldn't keep up." She was babbling, trying to make everything sound better. Truthfully there was nothing wrong with Kankurō; at all. In fact, he was a rather good looking shinobi and this she was sure of. "I'm so confused, Sakura." She finished off her babbles with a mere whisper, falling back against her bed and hovering her forearm above her eyes to cover them.

Sakura, showing sympathy, decided to stand from her bed and dust off her knees. "Get up." She spoke matter-of-factly, turning to face her friend and pressing both hands to her hips. " Yamanaka Ino! Get ahold of yourself!" Her words physically startled Ino but she continued anyway. "Where's the confidence? Where's the pursuing side? Who cares that it's Kankurō?! Make him prove that he can indeed use his fingers!" She launched into a full blown speech; practically lecturing her friend on her sudden depressed state. "You have never backed down from anything before so what's the difference now? That you know the boy? Well that didn't stop you with Kiba, did it?" Exhaling and inhaling quickly, Sakura pressed her palm to her chest. "Now what are you waiting for?! Get out there, find Kankurō and seduce him!"

"Yeah..." Ino, who had stood up when Sakura told her too, stepped forward to stand before her friend; clasping at her hands and squeezing them tightly. "You're right! I'm going to go out there, show him who's boss and give him a night he'll never forget!"

"Yeah!"

"YEAH!" Ino turned from Sakura and headed to the door, opening it and stepping out into the cool wind.

What am I doing? Ino thought to herself as she walked through the rather crowded streets. Was she really going to look for Kankurō? And what when she found him? I can't exactly jump him. No...C'mon Ino...Think...THINK! She gingerly tapped her perfectly manicured fingernail to her cheek as her feet brought her to a stop in front of a up and running stall. Looked like the festival was already being set up with many stalls getting ready.

"Hello miss. Can I interest you in a pudding? You look awfully hungry." The vendor spoke cheerfully, offering the slender blonde a freshly baked chocolate pudding.

"Oh no...I possibly couldn't..." Ino glanced down at her figure, wondering if it was okay if she should break her diet. Then again it was pudding...And she loved pudding. "Oh all right! You have enticed me." Both her hands shot out to accept the little paper plate with the pudding on top. "How much for this?" She asked the vendor as he handed her a fork.

"For you, it's free." The man smiled, his fingers brushing over Ino's which caused her to pull back quickly. "What's your name?" He continued to keep the conversation flow whilst he pushed different things in place.

"Yamanaka Ino" Fork pushed into the pudding, she raised the chocolate and pushed it passed her open lips; savouring the gorgeous taste as it slithered over her taste-buds and down her throat. "This is soooo good!" She moaned out and took another bite, enjoying every bit more than the last.

"What a pretty name for a pretty girl."

"I know, suits me right?" Ino replied, flicking her ponytail behind her shoulder which resulted in a chuckle from the vendor. "Thanks for the pudding!" Ino turned on her heel, lifting her hand and giving a slight wave at the man as she walked in the opposite direction. So maybe she got a little sidetracked in her mission to find Kankurō but pudding was a brilliant excuse right? Right

Wrapped up nice and warm, Sakura was oblivious to the outside world. Letting down her guard to finally succumb to the beautiful thing called sleep. Pleasant dreams passed her way and she was grateful for them. Often dealing with nothing but death and decay within her dreamland, Sakura was only too happy for her subconscious to focus on the medical lab back home. She wondered how everyone was doing, if there had been any accidents- If Naruto had overworked himself with training, again. A sigh released contentedly from her lips and she rolled over in bed, gathering more blankets to shield herself from the stabbing cold air within the room.

Knock knock

The sound stirred her a little from her deep slumber and after another series of knocks, she got up frustrated. "Ino! You can open the damn door!" She shouted, venom lacing her words from being woken from her dreams. Stumbling forward, and towards the door, Sakura yanked it open; Almost taking it off the hinges. However, Ino was not there. "M-Matsu?" She choked, rubbing at her eyes to regain control of her sight rather than have it blurred. "What are you doing here?"

"Wow, this is where you're staying, Sakura-Chan?" The child gasped in awe as he strode passed the confused pinkette and twirled around; taking in the entire room. "Pretty sweet! Oh, Sakura-Chan! How long are you here for?"

"A few days- What? Matsu, what are you doing here? It's late...I'm trying to sleep." Anger welling up deep inside her, she suddenly wished she hadn't even gotten up.

"Will you let me show you and Ino-Chan around the festival tomorrow, Sakura-Chan?" The child pleaded, turning to face medic and clasping his hands together. "Pretty please with a cherry on top?"

"Will it get you out of the house?" She responded coldly.

"Yep!"

Inhaling, Sakura rolled her eyes and kept the door ajar. "Then yes."

"Yippie!" Matsu chimed and rushed from the house before coming to a halt and shouting. "INO-CHAN!"

Oh great. Sakura mentally kicked herself before turning to face outside- Only to be faced with Kankurō, Gaara and a rather smug looking Ino. She wouldn't...Would she? Sakura panicked, her lips parting and her mouth turning dry at the possibility that Ino had engaged in a threesome. Then again...This was Ino.

"I-In-"

"Sakura, look who I bumped into!" Ino, in high spirits, waved frantically before untangling herself from Kankurō's arm. She had linked arms with him on the walk home and despite his tough demeanour, Ino was sure she would get him soon enough. "Aren't they gentlemen? They both accompanied me home."

"We didn't have a choice." Kankurō muttered under his breath.

"Matsu..." The voice that spoke had Sakura shivering; goosebumps formed over the flesh of her arms. "You ran ahead. Did you apologise for waking Sakura up?" What was that suppose to mean? Sakura glanced down at herself. Did she have drool on her or any type of show signs that she had been asleep? Was Gaara disgusted? Oh gosh, oh bloody gosh!

"But, Onii-Chan. I wanted to invite Sakura out tomorrow." Matsu's eyes fell to the ground as he stepped down.

"I thought you was coming with me tomorrow, Matsu?" Gaara questioned, tilting his head and walking towards the boy.

"B-But now Sakura-Chan and Ino-Chan can join us, yes?"

"I suppose so...If it's not too much trouble for them." Contemplating for just a second, Garra then glanced up and locked eyes with the sleepy pink-haired. "Sakura?"

Oh just keep saying my name like that...Please... Sakura, embarrassingly enough, almost moaned out in response to the sound of Gaara's voice. She could have fainted right there and then and went to sleep clinging onto the sound of his voice. "It's no problem..." Barely audible, even she knew it, the words escaped her mouth. She knew Gaara hadn't heard her correctly and so the moment he had stepped closer to her, she stepped back.

"What was that?" He asked again, eyes trained on her face; searching. She noticed how they focused on her lips as her tongue swept passed to moisture them.

"Please allow me- I mean us, to accompany you." Much louder this time and without any flaw.

"Do you have a fever, Sakura?" His hand reached out to press to Sakura's forehead and the moment his skin touched hers, he felt her flinch.

"N-No! I'm just tired that's all! Hahaha! Anyway, goodnight- Will see you in the morning!" Quickly pushing Gaara from the room; Sakura slammed the door and leaned back against it- Exhaling. It didn't last long though as she remembered something. Quickly opening the door, Sakura strode passed Gaara and towards Ino. "Forgot someone." She mumbled, keeping her head down to hide the illuminating blush that practically screamed "Look at me!" Once they both, this time, were at the door, Sakura turned to face Gaara once more. "Goodnight!"

"I think she likes you, Gaara." Kankurō commented on their journey home.

"Do you think so?" The Kazekage replied, glancing at his elder brother.

"I know Ino-Chan likes you, onii-sama! She wants you to use your fingers on her! I heard her, really I did!" Matsu joined in with the talk only to be smacked upside the head by Kankurō.

"Y-You're lying, M-Matsu!" Kankurō stammered, rubbing the back of his head uncomfortably. The blonde was hot, a killer body too, but Matsu had the tendency to joke about quite a bit.

"She was all over you, Kankurō" Gaara admitted, drawing his lip between his teeth.

"Really?"

"Really."