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'Oh come on hon, it's only a bit of fun'

"No, now stop it"

"Nope, your Hokage is gonna kill your hubby"

"Urghhh"

WHACK

Looking down at the crumpled heap of a man that used to be a Thief Lord, but who was now whimpering in pain from the slap she delivered him Morino Sakura blew the strands of pink hair that had fallen from her hair tie out of her eyes. Rolling her eyes in exasperation she walked away muttering

"Wimp, I hardly even hit you"

"Christ" Tazeko exclaimed as he tried to get up wincing in pain, sure the slap had been to his shoulder, but the force behind it had sent him crashing to the ground, bruising his limbs. Muttering to himself as he gingerly followed after the pink hair medic, he wondered for the millionth time after meeting Ibiki if all Konoha ninja's were crazy, or was it just his luck to be friends with the bipolar psychotics.

Catching up with his friend's wife he shook his head in defeat as she turned and smiled at him, bipolar, definitely gotta be something he concluded as she started speaking happily.

"What do think of these, nice workman ship" Sakura said, indicating the intricately designed ornamental hair chopsticks in her hand, as she stood at the market stall.

"Yeah, nice" Tazeko agreed, at the same time thinking, what the hell look at the price, their only for your hair.

Seeing the disbelieving look on his face Sakura raised an eyebrow and smirked, even with her little displays and outbursts they still underestimated her. Quickly turning around she paid the stall owner the price, instinctively knowing the price was actually lower than it could be. Hee hee their loss, her gain.

"Okay if your finished buying hair accessories lets go, I said we'd meet Rizzo by now at the square" Tazeko said, watching Sakura's face fall it was his turn to make a face at her.

"I , uurgh . . . I just don't like her"

Waiting a few minutes to see if she'd elaborate he opened his mouth to question her when she suddenly flew into a tirade, waving her hands around.

"I know they were friends for ages, and she knew him long before me, but im his wife. Me, Morino Sakura, not her and she has no right to be hanging off him any chance she gets. Pushing out her boobs and wriggling her ass as she passes him, Harlot!"

Wow, she's really pissed, thought Tazeko as he narrowly dodged one of her flying arms as she punctuated her anger with a finger shaking, hmmmm, Ibiki always did like a temper, more fun in the bedroom. Lucky bastard he concluded as he stepped back a bit to get out of Sakura's line of fire and unwittingly gave himself a fine view of her backside.

Dragging his gaze up to her face – lingering on her breasts of course, as she turned around to address him, he quickly intervened.

"Look Hon, I get it, not fun, but hey don't cut off your nose to spite your face, give it some time, you have 3 days left, enjoy it"

He's right, Sakura realised, we only have 3 days left together, and then it's back to hiding and pretending to fight, letting out a heartfelt sigh, she slowly nodded her head in agreement.

"Your right Tazeko" peering up ahead she saw the woman of conversation standing a few feet ahead, she could do this, Ibiki was what was important. "I'll deal"

Nodding his head he strode over to Rizzo giving her a one armed hug,

"Hiya Riz"

"Hey Ko, Sakura" she responded eyeing Sakura coldly as she returned Tazeko's hug.

Rubbing the back of her neck, Sakura straightened her spine and with as much warmth as she could muster – from a freezer, when this woman was concerned, she replied.

"Hello Rizzo, did you buy anything nice"

"Oh no!" Tazeko quickly interrupted "if you start taking about shopping we will never get back to the pub, soooo" with a smile to both young women he continued "Sakura, got some hair ornaments, and . . . um . . . Rizzo . . . . most likely . .. hmmm aha! Earrings, bracelets, that sort"

Both women laughed at Tazeko's thinking poses, a cross between Naruto's and Shikamaru's, mischievous behaviour and serious contemplation. For a moment both women locked eyes and shared the look – men are so silly; typically it would always be the antics of men that resolved the issues between warring women.

"Now, sorted?, lets go back to the pub!" he exclaimed, grabbing both women by the wrists he proceeded to drag them down the market towards the pub, cheerfully whistling and not paying attention to anyone else regardless of the crowds. Oblivious to the havoc he was causing he paid no attention, until he was dragged backwards and . . . . .

OOOmmmph

"Oh im so sorry, here let me help" Sakura quickly bent down to help the young man pick up his gear after their collision.

"Its okay, no worries" the young man responded. Both turned to each other as they went down on their knees picking up various items. A look of amazement came over the young mans face as he bound to his feet dragging Sakura up with him in a hug.

"Jesus . ., Sakura! are you . . . . "

Tazeko and Rizzo watched on in confusion as over the young man's shoulder, still encased tightly in his grip, Sakura pinned them a look of disbelief and horror with her wide emerald eyes.

Sorry for such a delay and such a short chapter, extremely busy. Thanks to all who reviewed and gave advice – chapt 15 code Sakura gives as Shadow, v v v wrong I admit to knowing nothing about military codes and just made it up, sorry. Ahm next update - not sure, thanks for bearing with me.

Lots of love

The Rose and the Dagger x x x x