I've changed the rating for this story to M, mainly because when i first began I didn't know where I was going...so...it may have become a tad more mature. Ps. I have trouble writing the physical scenes, so let me know what you think.

"Ut-oh" Were Sakura's first words one morning as she opened her curtains to find a perfect lavender coloured rose on her windowsill

Lemme seee....'Love at first sight?'

Yep Sakura placed it in the vase with the others I really hope Gaara isn't the jealous type

I can see him being a little...territorial Inner said thoughtfully He will have inherited some of Shukaku's behaviours and as you know demons are quite protective of their mates

Sakura twitched I'm not exactly his -mate- I haven't seen him for a few days with all these meetings and my work

Inner flicked her hands closest thing though and I think you both understand

Shaking her head Sakura carried on getting ready for work at the hospital.

To Sakura's surprise Rowana was waiting for her when she arrived at the hospital waiting area

"Hello Rowana-san" she said with a smile "I think your garden got raided again last night"

Rowana smiled "Hello Sakura-sama! I did wonder if it had been plundered for you not"

"What brings you down here?" Sakrua said as the woman followed her to her office "Is it your arm?"

Now the white eyed woman looked a little sheepish "I was wondering if you could take another look at it....it's been hurting quite badly."

"Possibly because you've been using it?" Sakura looked sternly down at Rowana "I treat ninja Rowana. When I say to rest something I don't say it to be flippant. I mean -REST"

"I...I just want to be useful"

Sakura sighed and placed her hand on the womans shoulder reducing some of the pain and swelling "You're lucky, all the work i laid down is still fine, the extra chakra paths to direct yours to the areas needed so it can speed up healing. You know, you don't have to stay in bed like an invalid"

"I don't know what I could be doing, everyone else is either working or training" Rowana looked frustraited

"All I can suggest is possibly studying some scrolls on gardening, I know the main library has one on chakra infused flowers - useful for speed growing herbs we need, if you go study at least you won't feel like you're not doing anything." Sakura signed some papers in front of her handing them to a stunned looking Rowana

When she saw what Sakura had written the young woman gasped "A pass to the library?"

"yes"

Rowana literally bounced out of her seat "Thank you!"

Sakura flicked her hand towards the doo "Go away now" she said with a smile "And rest that arm!" she called after Rowana's retreating figure.

--------

"Gaaara!" Turning at the sound of a familiar voice Gaara made out the Hokage racing through the street toward him

"Don't you think it's a little undignified to be running around Naruto?" Gaara asked when the blond finally got to him

Naruto rubbed the back of his head "I guess it could be, but I was excited!"

Gaara actually allowed himself to chuckle a bit at his friends enthusiasm "What can I do for you today?"

"Well" Naruto actually bounced on his toes "Seeing as you're the only one I can practise with without them getting completely mangled...I was wondering if you'd be up for a spar?"

"You know..."Gaara said thoughtfully "Thats is something I'd enjoy"

Naruto let out a whoop of excitement causing people aroudn him to turn and stare "Race you to the training grounds Gaara!" He yelled over his shoulder as he ran into the distance

Rolling his eyes Gaara let his sand crawl over him, transporting his body to the training grounds.

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Catching up with work took Sakura most of the day, even skipping work she was just finishing as the clock hit 4:30pm. Stretching so that her joints popped she jumped as she realised there was someone at her open door. "Temari! I didn't notice you there"

Temari gave a strange grin and beckoned "Join me for late lunch/early dinner?"

Sakura frowned and nodded "Canteen ok? It should be fairly empty this time of day"

"Sure"

The trip to the canteen was quiet and when they finally sat down with food Sakura turned to her friend with a worried frown "Are you alright Tem? You're acting strange"

Grinning suddenly Temari laughed properly "I just don't know what to do, I'm torn between congratulating you and threatening you"

Suddenly realising what Temari was talking about Sakura flushed bright red "Shhhh" she said looking about to see if anyone was nearby

"What's wrong? Are you ashamed of my brother?" Temari's eye had a steely glint to it and she fondled her fork with a certain air of menace

"No!" Sakura waved her hands in front of her "I, He...we...decided it'd be safer if less people knew, how could I be ashamed of him...he's...he's..welll!"

Now it was Temari's turn to wave her hands in front of her "Nononono! I do -not- want details, just as long as you're both happy"

Letting a huge smile stretch across her face Sakura nodded "I'm actually really happy, it's strange - How is the revision going?"

Temari rolled her eyes and they started discussing her upcoming examinations.

By the time the sun began it's decent towards the horizon, both kage's were sweaty and bruised. Thanks to his sand shield Gaara hadn't gotten as many physical wounds as Naruto, in turn Naruto has gotten more damage, but thanks to his demon had healed them all away.

Naruto eyes the calm exterior of his opponent through sweat drenched bangs

I've got to round this up soon, Hinate and the girls will be waiting for me to join them for dinner.

Gaara also eyes Naruto, seeing him enter a thinking pose this could be interesting They were both stood a top a rock platform in one of the quieter training grounds, I wonder if I can find Sakura this evening and take her out for dinner he mused. Suddenly his attention was brought back to Naruto as he used his shadow clone technique to surround Gaara. The red head raised one eyebrow "Didn't you try this before?" He asked

Naruto simply chucked "Harem no jitsu!" He shouted and then all his clones began to run towards the Kazekage.

Unfortunatly for Gaara Naruto had, being unable to use Hinata as the template for his jitsu (as he had promised never to use her) had used the next person he could think of. Sakura Haruno.

To say Naruto was surprised when all his hits landed on the stunned Kazekage would have been an understatement. However, when Gaara was knocked off the platform his shock quickly turned to horror as he could only watch his friend bang against the outcrop and he fell to impact to the floor.

"GAARA!"

Sakura was walking Temari to the hospital doors when they noticed a commotion outside.

Recognising one of the voices as Naruto both women walked towards it and stopped in surprise.

Twelve ninja were currently attempting to take the kazekage to the hospital, and he was fighting it. Kicking and punching, his sand whipping around him Gaara was almost frantic in his efforts to keep everyone away, only Naruto had been successful in getting close and even he was being tossed away every few mintues.

"NOW!" someone yelled and seven more ninja joined the frey, together they all managed to lift the kazekage bodily into the air and carry him towards the hosipital doors.

Seeing him still Sakura was shocked, blood ran freely down his face and stained his clothes, one of his legs seemed twisted and his eyes were alternating between red and his natural cerulean.

"Let me GO!" he roared succeeding in getting the Suna ninja to release him and back away, leaving only eight ninja holding him including Naruto.

"gaara!" Naruto yelled, avoiding a sand tail whipping around "You have to go to the hospital!"

"No!" Seeing the doors coming closer Gaara struggled even more, opening more wounds and causing his blood to drip onto the dusty street "Naruto no! They'll want to run tests on me and experiment as soon as they disable me!"

Oh no Sakura thought running ovver to them Shukaku is coming through

-

"Let him go" Sakura stood in front of the strange group, hands on her hips

Most of the nin who had been holding Gaara looked at her then to Naruto "Sakura-chan!" he exclaimed

"BAKA" Sakura growled "Can't you see by dragging him here you're damaging him more?"

Naruto's eyes widened and he turned to see that indeed, Gaara was bleeding and even more exhausted than before "Let him go, quick" The surrounding ninja released Gaara and backed off, dissapearing into the shadows leaving Naruto supporting his friend.

Temari, only a step behind Sakura spoke "What happened?"

"I fell" Gaara quickly cut off any explination Naruto was going to give

Moving to his unsupported side Sakura wrapped his arm around her shoulders and one of her arms around his waist "Gaara, You need to be treated in the hospital" she said gently.

He shook his head looking away

"Gaara" Sakura turned his head gently so that he was facing her again, "Me and Temari will look after you, no one else will come near you that you don't wish."

"You'll stay?" he asked visibly shaking as his adrenalin began to run low

"I promise" Sakura replied with a smile, kissing one bloodied finger and pressing it to his lips "Can we go in now? You're heavier than I realised"

Naruto and Temari watched all this in amazement, even more so when Gaara nodded, not taking his eyes off the Kunoichi as she helped support him into the hospital.

"That was amazing Sakura" Naruto smiled at her as she approached the room where Gaara was staying.

"hm?" She asked looking through the window and seeing Temari healing him, she had gone to change, having been drenched in the Sand-nin's blood

"Nice dress" Naruto added seeing the button up yellow dress that had been all that was available in Sakura's locker "Though maybe you should have kept the bra on"

"Naruto!" Sakura punched his arm lightly, quickly shoving her lab coat over the dress "It was covered in blood baka, shouldn't you be with Hinata and my nieces?" Sakura looked at him accusingly

"Kusso" Naruto now looked torn

"Go" Sakura said pushing him towards the exit "Gaara will be fine, he was mainly just physical damage"

Naruto chuckled at Sakura before racing out leaving the pink haired woman staring after him in confusion.

Gaara visably twitched when the door opened, relaxing again when he realised it was Sakura.

"You okay Tem?" she asked the taller woman

"Yeah" Temari replied wiping sweat from her brow "He'll be fine, needs a couple of days rest, maybe some more healing"

Sakura nodded "Go home and rest, you've got your exam tomorrow...I'll stay" to emphasise this she deposited her overnight bag on the bed across the room

"Alright" Temari yawned "I'll check in on you before my exam ok?"

"Sure"

When Temari left the room Gaara opened his eyes "she is a good sister"

Sakura jumped slightly as red eyes were directed her way "Hello Shukaku-sama" she said with a slight bow

"You do not have to call me" he winced "that...Temari calls me Kuku...that is acceptable"

"I see" Sakura replied

Silence stretched on until Shukaku finally broke it "I did not wish you harm, I do not want to harm you"

Sakura blinked at this admission from the demon "That's comforting to know...I already forgave you though"

"You forgave Gaara" Was his reply "I...found that a relief. It would be hard to have a mate that did not understand that it is not his fault or choice to be merged with me"

"I am not exactly your mate Kuku."

Shukaku chuckled "Gaara is waking up"

Gaara's eyes suddenly flicked back to his normal colour and looked around the room frantically "Sakura?" He asked not quite spotting her as she was stood slightly to one side

"I'm here" She sat on the bed and took his hand that reached out for her "hey"

He smiled weakly at her "Hello"

"Sorry we had to knock you out for a bit" Sakura smiled appologetically stroking his palm with her fingers, liking the way it made him shudder.

Gaara just nodded, suddenly finding it hard to speak "It was stupid of me to fall for Naruto's attack like that"

"Oh? What happened to 'i fell?'" Sakura raised one eyebrow and stopped stroking his hand seeing a blush cover the mans cheeks "Are you blushing Kazekage-sama?"

"I..."

Sakura grinned "I can probably guess what happened" Gaara looked at her in horror "Let me see...desperate to finish the fight Naruto probably made a bunch of clones...and used Harem on them...now as he promised not to use Hinata as a template he probably used the only other woman he's seen naked...which would be me" Sakura laughed at Gaara's expression "I didn't realise I had that much of an effect!" She stopped laughing as she noticed Gaara's eyes flicker slightly to red.

"Why...has Naruto seen you naked?" Gaara asked carefully trying not to sound overly concerned

I WILL RIP THAT FOX TO SHREDS! Shukaku screamed

"Ah" Sakura blushed "It was accidental, you know, in a team where we have to live and eat and wash together it was inevitable that we'd see each other nude every so often....don't tell me you're jealous Mr kazekage" Looking down Gara decided not to answer that question "You are" Sakura tilted his head up "There is nothing to be jealous of Gaara...that would be like me being jealous of Temari"

Of course...he's her teammate-brother "Oh"

Sakura's mouth quirked "you don't sound convinced"

I have an idea Inner grinned and shared her plan, Sakura agreed.

Gaara was surprised when sakura stood up releasing his hand "It's a bit warm in here" she said walking over to the window and opening it, she also removed her labcoat.

As she twisted to place it on the bed opposite Gaara felt his mouth go dry at the way her dress pulled across her breasts, the thin fabric revealing that she wore nothing underneath.

Shukaku too was rather stunned She must have had nothing else to wear after we got blood all over her

gah...

With an evil smile Sakura began to unbutton her dress, pretty soon a narrow expanse of flesh was exposed from her collarbones down to just below her naval, it also revealed the soft edges of her breasts. "Are you alright over there?" she asked innocently

Gaara took a deep shaky breath before answering "I am fine" Every inch of him was concentraiting on her and for some reason that gave Sakura even more of a thrill. The dress made a quiet hiss as it fell to the floor and she stood there for a few minutes letting him drink in the sight of her stood there smiling at him.

With a groan shook his head at her "I can't actually stand up can I?"

Sakura grinned "Nope"

"The chances of you coming over here are..." he asked

"Pushing you luck" Sakura finished his sentence turning her back to him to rummage in her overnight bag

Shukaku gave a yelp of dissapointment that was almost echoed by Gaara, especially as Sakura began to pull on some pyjama's, covering up her exposed flesh.

She turned to himas she was buttoning up the top and smiled again "feeling better?"

Gaara shook his head with a laugh "You are a tease"

Placing a hand over her heart Sakura looked towards the ceiling "Guilty as charged...though only for you, something about you makes me want to tease you"

So not complaining...could be interesting... Shukaku flashed other ways in which Sakura could 'tease' him, for once Gaara didn't shove him into the cage for being lewd.

-

Noticing Gaara's groan Sakura came over to the bed, resting her hand on his forehead to check his pain levels. However, she soon found harself trapped between two remarkably strong arms. "Gaara..." she said "this isn't really appropriate..."

Gaara snorted "and what you just did was?"

"well..." Sakura's argument was countered by the sound of the door locking and the curtains being drawn across the windows, shielding them from any prying eyes, just about the time Gaara began nipping and kissing her neck "Gaara..."

Hearing a note of fear in his mates voice Gaara stopped his assault on her delicious skin "yes?"

Sakura turned in his arms so that they were face to face, she blushed as her position against the man revealed to her quite how turned on Gaara was, he looked down at her with half-lidded eyes "I...We...we can't mate Gaara" His eyes cleared slightly and he blinked

"Why?"

"You...you're not -allowed- to have one night stands Gaara. You said it yourself, you have to be an example of what your villagers should be...I think already the display we gave outside the hospital would have given people an idea there is something between us."

Gaara let out a low groan that reverberated through his chest as he realised Sakura was right "We'll have to be more careful" he said, pulling her closer to him "You are however worth more to me than a one night stand..." he breathed in her ear, nipping it gently before loosening his hold. Sakura too let out a sigh of frustraition she had been holding back and Gaara felt his lips quirk upwards "I can however, still kiss you" he said leaning down and attacking her lips with his own.