I forgot to mention last time that I'll be updating every Wednesday until the end, which will sadly be in 5 chapters.

*Disclaimer: It's my mind, Masashi Kishimoto's characters.*

Kankurou woke up from one of the most peaceful sleeps he had ever had. His arms closed around the beauty that slept next to him. Or that's what his arms would have done if said beauty was still there. Panic settled into the pit of his stomach. He pulled on a t-shirt as he rushed down the hall peeking into rooms quickly trying to catch a glimpse of pink hair. He was having a flashback of himself curled in a ball in Kazekage tower after pushing himself too hard when he was recovering from Sasori's poison. He remembered the spasms that racked his body were so painful that he couldn't even call out for help.

He rushed down the stairs and let out a sigh of relief when he found her sitting in the kitchen eating her breakfast and drinking her tea. He leaned against the door frame hoping that she didn't see his rushed, almost frantic, entrance.

"You could have woken me up."

She turned, smiling at his frowning face. "You looked tired."

He laughed, "I looked tired?"

She turned away still smiling. "I slept for almost 48 hours. I'm tired of sleeping."

He walked over to the counter and hoped onto it, watching Sakura finish off her tea. He smiled a little as she placed her dishes in the sink, the action putting her next to him. His grin grew as she slipped in between his knees and leaned into him.

"Kankurou."

Her warm, breathy whisper tickled the sensitive skin on his neck. He pulled her closer as her lips landed softly on his skin.

"You should be more careful, you almost tripped on the stairs."

His eyes widened in shock as she leaned back, a smug smile on her face. He gave her a crooked grin rubbing the back of his neck. She smacked him upside his head.

"Stop worrying about me!"

He watched, rubbing where her fist met his head, as she walked away into the living room. He turned to see Gaara in the archway in the hall.

"Sakura seems to be in good spirits."

"Yeah," he smiled as he slid off the counter still rubbing his head, "she is."

Gaara nodded entering the kitchen. Kankurou looked at his brother and could tell he wanted to say something more.

"Gaara what is it?"

The Kazekage sat down with a cup of tea. Kankurou watched him closely. "I know how you feel about Sakura. It's the same way I feel about Matsuri."

He sat down waiting for him to get to the point.

"I saw what you went through while she was in the hospital."

The red haired ninja paused looking into his cup of brown liquid like it held the answer to a question unasked.

"As Kazekage, I cannot have any weakness."

Kankurou heard the second meaning in his words. Yun had snapped. Years of watching ninja die in his hands had led him off the deep end. He had taken a scientific theory and turned it into a holy rule; only the strong survive. Yun had to get rid of the weak. And as sick as it was Kankurou understood what he was thinking. If no one was weak, no one would die. Yun just wanted to stop the pain. And when Sakura tried to save "the weak" he had wanted to kill her. Now Gaara was thinking that another crazed person would see Matsuri as his personal weakness. If Matsuri was at risk, he'd take her out of that risk. The puppeteer ran his hands through his hair.

"Gaara do you love her?"

Teal eyes rose from the tabletop to stare at his brother like he asked a stupid question. "Of course."

"You'd do anything for her?"

He didn't hesitate. "Yes."

"You'd do anything to protect her?"

"Yes."

He sat back in his chair collecting his thoughts. His younger brother sat there patiently.

"I've never fought harder than when I did when I was trying to protect Sakura from Yun."

Gaara's eyes urged him to explain.

"In all my years as a ninja I've always fought to protect this city, my friends, my family. I thought that was all the motivation I needed. But when I was fighting, when I was fighting for her, it felt… right. I felt stronger, I felt faster, I fought harder than I ever have in my life. For years I fought for the things I loved, but now I will fight for the person I love. Does that make sense Gaara?"

Gaara sat there taking in his brother's words. He had never now Kankurou to be one for deep conversations.

"You're saying that Matsuri is my strength, not my weakness."

Kankurou nodded eagerly. "And if you pushed her away, you would only hurt her."

Gaara looked solemn for a few seconds. "I never want to hurt her."

"Trust me little brother, I know the feeling."

He gave his brother a small smile as he stood, confident that Gaara would never think of Matsuri as his weakness again. Gaara watched as Kankurou left to find his strength in the form of a pink haired medic-nin. Kankurou had just sank into the couch and wrapped an arm around the movie watching Sakura when a loud knock nearly shook the door. Sakura made a move to get it but Kankurou held her down.

"I'll get it. You stay here."

He kissed her quickly to silence any of her protests and jumped over the couch. He opened the door and moved out of the way as a yellow flash pushed passed him.

"SAAAKURRRAA-CHAAAN!"

He looked bewildered at Kakashi who was standing at the door apologizing profusely.

"The nurses said that Sakura was staying with you while on her mission. Naruto wanted to come keep her company while she recovered."

He nodded stepping to the side to allow Kakashi to enter. He was surprised to find another ninja, clad in black behind him.

"Hello Kankurou-kun."

He stared at the smiling face and felt the impulse to slam the door into it. Kakashi's voice stopped him from acting on his instincts.

"Kankurou this is Sai, the newest member of team seven."

The boy entered, closing the door behind him as he did so. "I was on an ANBU mission when I got the news. I arrived late last night. I wish I could have been here to help."

Kakashi and Kankurou sent him a cold look that stopped him from saying more. Kankurou lead them into the living room were Naruto sat in front of Sakura on the coffee table talking to her animatedly.

"Seriously the ramen bowl was this big."

The blonde held his arms open wide, too wide to be a bowl of ramen. Kakashi walked over to ruffle her hair.

"Nice to see you up and about Sakura."

She fixed her hair sending him a warning glance as Kankurou sat on the armrest on the sofa.

"Ah Naruto, I thought I heard your voice."

The Kyuubi container jumped up to hug his red haired friend. "I'm surprised you aren't at Kazekage tower already."

Gaara smiled, "I was actually heading there right now but I can spare a minute or two."

Kankurou didn't pay attention much as he watched Sakura talk to her team. He was thrown into a sudden wave of sadness as he realized that in three days she would be heading back home. He was pulled from his thoughts as Naruto stood in front of him.

"Can we talk?"

He nodded leading the energetic ninja up the stairs to the study, but not before Sakura sent him a confused look. He gave her a wink as he walked out of the room. He had barely shut the door when Naruto turned on his heel and his smile fell.

"I'm not as stupid as I look Kankurou. Did you think I wouldn't notice what's going on?"

Kankurou leaned against the closed door. He decided to play dumb. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Naruto rolled his eyes, "I didn't get into ANBU for nothing you baka. I see the glances you two keep stealing. Don't deny it."

Kankurou sighed pushing himself off the door, "And what, you're going to tell me to leave her alone? I don't care if you don't like it."

Naruto's jaw clenched, "DAMN RIGHT I DON'T LIKE IT!"

Kankurou bit back the anger and sighed. He didn't want to fight and least of all with him.

"I love her Naruto."

The blonde took a step forward, a finger pointed in Kankurou's face.

"I can't stop Sakura from doing what she wants, but I SWEAR if you do anything to hurt her..."

Kankurou cut him off. The taller ninja invaded Naruto's personal space never breaking eye contact. Naruto met his challenge and didn't pull back.

"I could never even think about hurting her. And I'd kill anyone that ever tries to. I love her."

Naruto leaned back and smiled, "That's all I wanted to hear."

Kankurou blinked taking a step back to regain some space. Did everyone on team seven have these severe mood swings?

"We all know that she can take care of herself but we still feel the need to protect her. It's taken so long for her to get over…"

Kankurou saw the muscles in Naruto's jaw clench at even the vague mention of him. He felt the same way about the Uchiha. And now that he thought about it, Chouji even though Sakura was the one who hurt herself.

"But I can see the way she looks at you," The knuckled headed ninja's eyes softened just a little before turning hard blue once again, "And I know that if you do something or push her to do something she doesn't want or isn't ready for she'll give you a piece of her mind. And then her boys will give you a piece of theirs."

He had to hand it to Naruto, he was much smarter than he looked and his threat wasn't hollow.

"I hear you loud and clear. But it will never come to that."

He narrowed his eyes as he opened the door. "It had better not."

They walked downstairs, friendly faces on. But Sakura wasn't buying any of it. She zeroed in on Naruto as he sat in front of her again. Kakashi had his blue book in hand but he was watching everyone in the room like a hawk. Sakura broke the tension as she turned to face Naruto.

"So Naruto, what did you boys talk about?"

Naruto just grinned at her, "Nothing at all Sakura-chan."

Sakura looked to Kankurou and let a perfectly arched pink eyebrow rise. Kakashi knew, Gaara knew, now Naruto knew and he didn't give a crap about Sai, that kid just weirded him out. So he did what he wanted to do before they were interrupted. He scooped Sakura up in his arms and sat down with her on the couch and kissed her. Not the make out session he had in mind but a short kiss, enough to get his point across. At first she sat there in shock looking around the room and finally looking up into Kankurou's smiling face. She elbowed him roughly in the ribs causing him to wrinkle his nose as he grunted.

"I wanted to tell them."

She turned to Naruto, who was very approving of her abuse of Kankurou's person. "I figured it out all by myself Sakura-chan. No help from Kakashi-sensei although I think he wasn't going to tell me at all…"

She then turned to Kakashi who lowered his book, a full on eye crinkle gracing his face. After she gave him a beaming smile she turned to Sai.

"I hope that he has a big enough dick to keep you happy Sakura-chan!"

Kankurou sat frozen for a second before he had to wrap his arms around a fuming Kunoichi to stop her from beating her teammate into a bloody stain on the rug. Naruto was already in front of him.

"He didn't mean it Kankurou. He isn't good with people."

Kakashi walked over to smack Sai in the head with his book. "He isn't house trained yet."

They were both looking at Kankurou, trying to gauge his reaction. But Kankurou just kept hold of the writhing Kunoichi in his arms. She was the one they should be worried about.

"Sai you're dead. You hear me? DEAD!"

He smiled at Sakura's words, "If Sakura wants to kill him, by all means."

He pulled her against his chest as she made a lunge for the confused Sai.

"NOT UNTIL YOU'RE BETTER!"

Sakura humphed at the three resounding baritones and leaned back into the warmth of Kankurou's chest as she muttered, "I'm fine."

Thankful that the crisis was adverted, the whole room let out a sigh, "We know."

Sai just looked utterly confused, and maybe it was better that way.

Sakura was finally resting. Team Kakashi stayed with them the whole day, much to Kankurou's dismay. But he knew Sakura would never ask them to leave so he held her and let her lean into him while they talked and got her caught up on what she had missed in Konoha. He brought her up to bed after her boys left when their dinner of takeout was demolished. She beat him away from her and walked, quite stiffly he noted, to the bathroom to shower as he did the same in his own bathroom on the first floor. He was done in 3 minutes tops and sat on her bed listening for any sign of stress from his kunoichi. He chuckled to himself remembering his own words. He said to her ex-stalker that she belonged to no one, not even him. But now… He didn't know.

He'd already accepted the fact that he was wrapped around those delicately deadly little fingers of hers. He'd been for some time now. But it was completely her decision if she wanted him. But he had a good idea of what her answer might be as she crept into the room, hair still damp, with nothing but a towel on.

"Tease."

She stuck her tongue at him as she picked out an outfit to wear. He smiled when he saw it was a tight blank tank top and skimpy shorts. When she made no move to cover herself he turned his head away from her. She really was a tease. He didn't move until her fingers wove into the side of his head and gently caressed his hair. He buried his face in her stomach and pulled her closer. He couldn't hide the smile form his voice.

"I knew you wore them for me."

He chuckled as he received a swift smack on his shoulder. But he made up for it. He lifted her off her feet and laid her onto bed, never moving his head from his pillow. He traced small circles on the creamy thigh that became his new, tantalizing view. She ran her hands through his hair, weaving them in and out, tugging just hard enough.

"How are you feeling?"

Her hands never stopped moving.

"Sore."

He laughed and buried his face into her strong yet soft stomach. He took advantage of a stretch of skin that was exposed leaving gentle kisses along her hipbone.

"Just rest my desert blossom."

Sakura giggled at her new pet name as she wove a mismatched pattern through Kankurou's thick brown hair. She felt him snuggle into her, his breath sending little waves of warmth over her skin. She had heard what he told Gaara that morning. She had been thinking about it all day. Her smile wasn't just from Naruto stories or Sai's run in's with Kaminari. She was all his. But somehow, she knew that she was all his long before now. And she was very sure that he was all hers. He had bled out nearly half of his blood, not resting until he made sure her life wasn't in jeopardy anymore. He had even somehow managed to get on Kakashi's good side. She had never seen the Copy-nin smile so much away from Hanna's presence. And Naruto hadn't tried to kill him. Whatever her puppeteer had said had satisfied Naruto. And nothing short of Hinata and Ichiraku's ramen satisfied Naruto. Kankurou wanted her. She sighed happily relaxing into the soft bed as she played with his hair.

Kankurou stayed that way enjoying her touch and the way she breathed, until her hands stilled and she fell asleep. He pulled her close against him, making sure that she wouldn't escape before he was ready to let her go.

Kankurou felt someone tugging on his toes. He located Sakura's hands. She had moved in her sleep and now her body was tucked into his side; one hand on his chest and the other tucked under him as she snuggled for warmth. He opened his eyes slowly and gave the sleeping girl a kiss before lifting his heard to glare at the unwelcome visitor.

"Kankurou that was really sweet."

He rolled his eyes before whispering to her, "What do you want Temari?"

She was gushing and Kankurou fought the urge to throw something at his sister.

"Gaara told me about the assignation attempt and I came home as soon as I could. And then I find you like this…"

Temari clasped her hands together and held them against her heart. He rubbed his face with the hand that wasn't wrapped around Sakura.

"What, you and Shikamaru don't sleep together?"

She smacked his foot and he felt it jostle his leg.

"Don't wake her up!"

She frowned at his harsh whisper, "I wasn't trying to but you were being a jackass!"

"Yeah, sorry."

"So she's alright?"

He held her hand on his chest and sighed, "The poison should be out of her system by now. She'll be ready to leave by tomorrow."

Temari frowned at him. "You just figured out you love her and now you're letting her go."

He sighed again laying his head on his pillow. "I can't ask her to stay with me. She'd never leave Konoha."

"Then you leave Suna."

He looked up to her, "And why haven't you left yet?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "My job you dumbass. I have to come back."

He rolled his eyes, "You and I can't leave Gaara and you know it."

The sand siblings shared a heavy sigh. Ever since they were little they had protected Gaara, loved him, raised him, watched him grow into a remarkable ninja, an amazing man, and a benevolent Kazekage. It was hard to break away from something you've done for so long.

"And we wouldn't be sand ninja anymore."

He opened his eyes to look at his unusually sad sister. That thought had never crossed his mind.

"Did you come all this way to depress me even more?"

She gave him a weak smile. "No I came back to see if she was alright."

He gave her an offended look.

"And I came to check on you too little brother."

He grimaced, she was about to ask him to do something that he couldn't say no to. She always threw in little brother card to remind him that she was older and her word was law.

"So why did you really come up here?"

She smiled devilishly at him.

"Since I haven't been home and I haven't been able to see team 7 because Tsunade is always sending them on missions, I figured we'd all go out and eat a nice dinner tonight."

He growled.

"I take that as a yes."

He growled again.

"Okay then. We'll all meet here at 7 and then go to dinner. Dress nice."

She went to leave but stopped and looked back at him, that god awful grin still in place.

"Oh, only Sakura, Matsuri, and I get to wear makeup."

He fought the urge to throw his pillow at her. Instead he fumed at the ceiling for a few minutes before turning back to a waking Sakura. She stretched her arms out before settling back into his chest mumbling.

"Morning."

He kissed her hair. "Guess who's back?"

She groaned burying her face into his skin, "Don't say Naruto, it's too early."

He laughed, "No, not Naruto, Temari."

"Really? I haven't seen her in a while."

She sat up and looked around the room. Kankurou pulled her back down so she was resting against him again.

"Yeah and she planned a big dinner out with Gaara and your team tonight."

She squirmed next to him, laying on her back using his bicep as a cushion while she stretched out her arms and legs.

"That's nice, but I'd rather just stay here all day."

He smiled rolling onto his side to capture her in his arms, "Can do."