A/N: I know you've heard it all before but sorry for extreme lateness. I don't really have an excuse but I did make this one longer than some of the others and it has what you've all been waiting for. –drum roll- Sakura Gaara interaction of the extreme kind. This chapter is rather adult so I'd prefer that my less mature readers just skip it. –sweat drop- I don't know when the next chapter will be up because I have a surgery on Dec. 20. (Merry Christmas to me. -.-) So depending on how good my drugs are and how much make up work I have will determine when I'll have time to write another chapter. This is also unbetaed so sorry if it's not on par with the other recent chapters. I haven't been giving xxtokidokixx credit for betaing lately. –blush- I'm not ungrateful I swear. Love you, xxtokidokixx. Thanks for all you do.

Sakura snuggled deeper into the fluffy covers, more than content to just lay in bed for the day. Yes, three weeks vacation never felt so good. Home in her own bed, with her own shower, decent food, and a heater that actually worked? This was definitely the way to go. She smiled and reached under her pillow to grab the remote to the stereo. The machine whirred before clicking as a CD was chosen. Nat King Cole's velvety voce poured out of the speakers throughout the apartment, filling the room with Christmas cheer. She lay there, drifting between the realm of sleep and waking while Bing Crosby, Frank Senatra, Connie Francis, The Beach Boys, and Chubby Checker provided a montage of holiday music for her dreams.

Finally she was forced from her cocoon when her stomach growled. She stuffed her feet into blue slippers and shuffled into the kitchen, stereo remote tucked safely in the pocket of her thick flannel pajamas. Soon the smell of blue berry muffins and omelets floated through the apartment. She yawned widely while flipping an omelet and reached into the oven to pull out the muffins. "Where were you?" The growled question came out of nowhere and she jerked, the side of her hand connecting with the oven rack.

Sakura jerked back in pain, stifling curses. Sand wrapped around her body, pulling her closer to his livid features before dropping to surround only her injured hand. She gasped as the pain faded and disappeared. She looked down to see that the welt that had started to form was gone. She glanced up at him, brows furrowed in question. "The same as sunburn." She fought the urge to giggle. Of course he would know about sunburn. His scowl darkened. Oh yeah, she was in trouble. "Where were you?" he asked again.

"I've been here. Three weeks vacation." His anger flared and she heard sand slither around them, going so far as to lift off the ground.

"And you didn't feel the need to inform me where you'd be or even how long you'd be gone?" Sakura frowned. He was acting as if- she stopped as the realization took hold. As if he had some kind of claim on her. Her heart flipped over and she fought a smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his. He hesitated, not sure of the reason behind her actions and more than a little reluctant to let go of his anger. She nibbled his ear.

"I'm sorry," she breathed. "I guess I'd just figured you'd know where to find me. And you did." She kissed the tip of his nose. He gave her a bland look. "Are you going to insist we argue or are you gonna let us make use of the incredibly soft, real bed not ten feet away?" She gave him a look from under her lashes, her gaze loaded with sensual intent. His lips lifted in a predatory smile.

Gaara heaved a sigh. "Why is it we never get to finish what we start?" Sakura giggled and glanced at him the mirror. He straightened his black button up shirt and opened the cuffs.

"It's not my fault you move slow," she said, going back to applying mascara. She heard a slither of sand then felt his tongue trace her ear.

"I'm not slow. I just like to savor the experience," he whispered before biting lightly. She shivered, her breath leaving her on a sigh. Just as quickly as he appeared he was gone, back to his original post.

"I wish you'd savor a little quicker then." He chuckled and Sakura couldn't help but smile. His laugh always made her stomach flutter.

"Are you ready yet?" She applied her lipstick and turned to him.

"Let's go."

"I don't like crowds." She snorted.

"You're the Kazekage. You address a population of 100,000 plus people on any given occasion."

"Let me rephrase that. I don't like being in crowds."

"Come on. You'll have fun, I promise." Sakura reached out and grabbed his hand before turning and entering the crush of bodies on the dance floor. Gaara didn't resist but his fingers were limp in hers as she dragged him across the room to the bar.

She caught sight of a group of her friends in a booth and paused when Naruto started to wave wildly, knocking over drinks in his excitement and yelling greetings. Ino turned with a smile that died when she spotted the sand master tagging along behind her best friend. Sakura shot them all a warning glance as she smiled brightly at them. Shino, the first out of the group to recover from the shock, lifted his glass and inclined his head in welcome. Kiba smiled his usual toothy grin and shoved over roughly, causing complaints and curses as he pushed to make space at the already crowded table.

Naruto, oblivious to the tension and all that had just transpired, kept up a steady triad that no one was really listening to. Sakura took the inside seat, opting to let Gaara be in as little contact with others as she could. Gaara perched on the edge of the seat, looking like he'd bolt at the slightest provocation. Kiba added to Naruto's chatter, trying to recapture the light mood that dispersed upon Sakura and Gaara's arrival.

"Since the idiot knocked over all the drinks, Sakura and I'll go get more," Ino said, giving Sakura a "You have no choice so don't bother arguing" look as she stood. She shot a glance at Gaara and nodded.

Sakura pressed against Gaara's side and whispered so only he could hear, "Best behavior, I don't want to find anyone dead or injured when I get back." He gave her a bland look, refusing to be swayed by her smile while standing to let her out.

"What the hell Sakura," Ino asked as they neared the bar. "You go on one mission with the guy and all of a sudden your bringing him to parties? Have you forgotten this is the same psycho who tried to kill you and Sasuke a few years ago?"

Sakura opened her mouth to answer when she felt a large hand cup and squeeze her bottom. She froze and saw the blonde beside her do the same. They both whirled to find Genma and Kakashi standing behind them, the former with a giant smile on his face. Kakashi raised his hand in his usual greeting.

"Yo." Sakura felt her eyes turn to fire.

"Genma," she said, her voice taking on a demonic quality.

"Just the pretty medic I wanted to see," Genma said. Sakura unclenched her fists when her lifted his arm to show three long gashes that ran from his forearm to his wrist.

"What happened to you," Ino demanded, grabbing the arm to examine the welts crisscrossing the abused flesh.

"All I tried to do was pet a damn cat," he said with a sour look on his face. "You woulda thought I was made of catnip the way it attached itself to my arm."

"Who's cat?" He shrugged at Sakura's question as she prepared to heal him.

"One outside my apartment. It was black and pretty and I just wanted to pet it." Ino pulled her friend away and smirked. Sakura shot her a questioning glance.

"Maybe this is just Kami's way of telling you not to go around grabbing yourself an uninvited hand full of pussy whenever you feel the urge." Ino pulled her friend away through the crowd to the bar laughing. Sakura giggled.

"I can't believe you said that." Ino shrugged.

"He had it coming."

"You hate that word," she said raising her eyebrows.

"Yeah but it fit." They dissolved into giggles again and took their drinks back to their table.

Six rounds of drinks later found everyone at the table more than a little ripped. Naruto and Kiba were engaged in a drinking contest and the whole table went up in gales of laughter as Naruto missed his mouth completely while trying to throw back his shot. Sakura turned her face into Gaara's shoulder, stifling snorts. "Loo's like you be carryin' 'Iba home huh Sino," Ino slurred.

"Not a chance. Kiba happens to be the most sober drunk person I have ever met." Sakura and Ino shared a look before laughing again. Shino appeared to be the most sober out of the group because of course Aburame always had complete control over themselves but Sakura could swear that she'd never heard Shino say so much in her life before his fourth glass of scotch. They'd never be able to get anything important out of him, she knew, but it was fun to ask questions and get verbal answers out of him.

Kiba grinned sloppily and threw his arm around Shino's shoulders. "This 's my best friend," the dog lover said to the group, squeezing Shino. Laughter broke out at the table again. Gaara shook his head with a small smile. These people were insane. That thought forced a dry laugh from him. Like he was one to talk. He felt his good mood start to dim and quickly stole a shot from Naruto. The table cheered and his smile returned, widening when Sakura threaded her fingers through his under the table.

Sakura stopped on their way out, nodding to the neon restroom sign. He waited and she came out in less than a minute, a light flush to her skin and a mischievous glint in her eyes. She was up to something. He shook the thought off when she smiled up at him, looping her arm through his.

Sakura giggled as they nearly fell into her apartment. Gaara supported her slight weight, barley able to keep them upright and lock the door back. She finally found her footing but wrapped her arms around his neck, placing a sloppy kiss on his mouth and tumbling them onto her small love seat. He grunted upon impact but regained enough of his wits to slide the hem of her skirt up, his hand traveling over…skin. The hell? He choked, freezing.

That's why she was in and out of the restroom so quickly, he thought. By the gods, if he'd known she'd walked within two feet of him without a stitch on underneath he would have found the nearest ally and taken her there. A hot tremor racked through him as he heard Shukaku swear blissfully. He felt raw and hungry.

"Gods," he whispered. Sakura squeaked as his fingers tangled in her hair, gripping her skull as he crushed her lips to his. He lifted her leg behind the knee and arched into the cradle of her hips. She moaned and pushed back. He worked at his fly almost frantically, pushing her to sit up as he wrestled with the contraption. Sakura wrapped her hand around him as soon as he was free and he groaned, pushing her away. "Not this time." His voice was little more than a growl and she bit her lip as he lifted and positioned her before slamming into her. Sakura shouted as he stretched her, eyes squeezed shut against the burn of muscles. He withdrew and she inhaled sharply.

"Wait-"

"No waiting," he said, cutting her off as he thrust back into her. He kissed her, swallowing her gasp.

Sakura stretched with a small moan of pleasure and turned over. She squinted against the afternoon sunlight that floated through the gap in her curtains and sat up. The slow throb behind her eyes told her she'd had more than enough to drink last night and she flipped back her covers. Gaara walked through the door and paused when he saw her, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as his eye traveled over her body. She smiled and lay back against the pillows, stretching again to give him a show. His smile widened.

"Hungry?" Her stomach gurgled loudly and he raised an invisible eyebrow at her.

"The beast has spoken," she said, laughing softly. "Not very sexy though," she wrinkled her nose.

"Says who?" He devoured her with his eyes, no movement going unnoticed. She rolled her eyes.

"What's for lunch?" He smirked.

"I was thinking we'd stay in," Sakura said dryly after the waitress walked away from their booth. Gaara smirked.

"Why would you think that?"

"Considering last night…" She trailed of suggestively. Gaara's smirk turned devilish.

"What about it?" He slid out of his seat and into hers. He angled his body toward her, hemming her in, his shoulders shielding even a glimpse of the crowded restaurant.

"All that we did last night." She paused, giving him a haughty look, eyebrows arched. "Your seat not good enough?" she said, her head inclined to the other side of the booth.

"The view's better here." His right hand covered her thigh just below the hem of her skirt.

"What are you doing?" A mischievous smile curved his lips as his hand slid slightly beneath her hem. She caught it, covering it with her own. He propped his left forearm on the back the leather seat, his fingers toying with her hair. To anyone who looked, they appeared to be having an intimate conversation. He leaned in closer, his right hand moving higher. Her nails dug into his forearm. "What are you doing?"

"Reliving last night," he whispered. Her eyes widened.

"No."

"Look around. No one's watching." She glanced around. He was right. "Private." His fingertip rode up the thin fabric of her panties. "Yet so public."

"Gaara." He made a hissing sound.

"I like when you say my name like that, all breathy and deep." He could feel the moist heat of her. "Open for me." His hand nudged her and without thought she complied, his touch branding her. He hooked the side of her panties and deftly slipped a finger between the soft, dewy folds. Sakura gasped and tensed. "Don't move. Look at me," he told her and she did. He stroked her, gently introducing another finger and pushing deeper, his thumb circling the bead of her sex. Feminine flesh gripped and flexed.

Sakura briefly closed her eyes, her hand slipping to his leg. A muscle tightened in his jaw. The waitress brought their drinks, set them on the table, and left. "See," he whispered. He deepened his touch, quickened it. She bit back a moan. "Hush. Laugh."

"I can't," she panted. Her blood rushed in her ears, thoughts too crowded to even consider thinking. Dishes clattered, people called out, laughed, a child cried somewhere, but her world narrowed to the man beside her.

"Look at me." She held his gaze as he stroked her, his breathing harsh, features tight. "I want you." Kami, the way he looked at her when he said that. Her lips parted, the dampness of her breath whispering over his lips in a near kiss as she came. She gave short, quick breaths and his touch lessened. She sank into the seat. "Sweet," he said softly.

"Dangerous," she said, her voice thick. "What would people say if they knew the Kazekage was…" She trailed off as his lips pressed against her temple and beneath the tablecloth his hand slid over stomach and caressed her hip.

"Want to do it again?" She tipped her head back to look at him, studying him briefly.

"You're serious," she said, her mouth dropping open. He leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"I've touched you. Now I want to taste you." His tongue traced the shell of her ear. She choked and her sat back with a smile.

"Face feeling funny?" He gave her a questioning look and she smiled widely. "You've smiled more today than I've ever seen. Real smiles. I'm worried your face will break or something." He scowled and she laughed. "Amazing what a good lay will do for a man's disposition." He narrowed his eyes at her and she entwined their fingers as they walked. "I like to see you smile." He remained stoic but she saw the corner of his mouth twitch. "I don't see how that place stays in business," Sakura said, referring to the restaurant they just left. "The food was mediocre and the service horrible." She shook her head and bit into her dango ball. "I just don't see the appeal." Gaara shrugged.

"Great place to have under-the-table-sex?" She choked.

A/N: Sorry if I cast Genma in a bad light. I like him actually, it's just that that one line of Ino's has been in my head for about a month and it was either use it or stab myself in the eye. I do in fact hate the p word but like Ino said, "It fit." So I used it. x.x Could anyone tell that mischievous is my word of the day? I used it like 12 times. XD Sorry if this seemed crude. Like I said, not betaed and I didn't even get the chance to read over it to check for errors. (It's 1:15 and I've gotta be in the car to go to the hospital at 5 and I haven't even packed my bag yet. x.x) Sorry guys. Love you all. Wish me luck. –crosses fingers-