I winced as Temari pulled a brush through my hair harshly. It was the day of the wedding and none of us had realized just how early in the morning it would occur. It was supposed to start at 8:00 in the morning and we hadn't found out until 10:00 the night before.

Temari was complaining about Sakura's lack of information and I think that she was taking her frustration out on my hair.

She finally got through brushing the mass and began to curl it, styling it by pinning half of it up, a few tendrils falling into my face.

When she finished with my hair, she began on Misa's, curling it quickly and pinning the sides back, but leaving the rest to trail down her back.''

I sat on Temari's bed, Butterball next to me, looking at the two girls outfits.

Temari had bought Misa a sky blue cocktail dress with capped sleeves and a squared neckline. It had a sparkling silver sash under the bust, that tied in a bow at the back. The hem came to her lower thighs.

Her silver high heels sparkled in the light as she moved and caught my attention regularly.

I turned my attention to Temari and shook my head at how different her dress was compared to what I normally saw her in.

Her dress was a dark purple, held up by spaghetti straps. It was cut in a low V neck and hugged her body until mid thigh where it flared out to her knees.

She had decided to leave her hair the way it usually was, saying that we didn't have time to deal with that mess.

She finished Misa and my looks by adding makeup to our faces.

She then put us in front of the mirror and I blinked at the face that stared back at me. I didn't look like my normal self. And though it wasn't something that I wanted to do on a regular basis, I did enjoy this chance to dress up.

I was startled from my thoughts by a banging on the door and rolled my eyes as Kankuro's voice followed another harsh knock.

''C'mon Temari! You're spending more time with my girlfriend then I am. Hurry up!'' Temari rolled her eyes and Misa giggled before running to open the door. Kankuro's eyes skimmed over her slowly and he smirked.

''You look good, Misa.''

Misa nodded and grabbed his hand, smiling at us over her shoulder.

''I'm gonna go spend time with Kankuro now.''

Temari nodded and picked up Butterball.

''Fine. But don't let him ruin your dress or hair.''

Misa nodded and I followed Temari to the door, preparing to return to my own room.

She touched my shoulder, smiling at me when I turned back to her.

''I'm going over to Shikamaru's. Do you care if I take Butterball?''

I smiled and shook my head.

''No. Go ahead. Thank you for helping me today.''

She grinned and nodded. ''Of course. What else are future-sister-in laws good for.''

I groaned and she held up a hand before I could speak.

''Don't contradict me. I know things.''

My mouth dropped open as she suddenly sounded like Salem and she turned to walk away, waving at me over her shoulder. I shook my head and walked towards my room. Maybe it was just an older sibling thing.

I opened the door of the room, finding Gaara lying on the bed, his eyes closed and his breathing steady.

He had left before dawn, the Hokage wanting to speak with him privately and had still been gone when Misa and Temari woke me up, by jumping on top of me.

I closed the door quietly and Gaara spoke without opening his eyes.

''You were gone when I got back.''

I slipped out of my green, strappy shoes and crawled into the bed beside him, careful not to wrinkle my dress.

''Yeah. Your sister wanted me to be her barbie for the day.''

He opened his eyes and I saw them spark as they trailed over me before he sat up and pulled me onto his lap, his fingers twirling in my loose hair.

''You look lovely, Ria.''

I smiled and kissed him quickly, smiling as the lip gloss remained on his mouth.

''So how did your meeting go?''

He shrugged and nuzzled his nose into my neck.

''Fine, I guess. She gave me more paperwork.''

I rolled my eyes. ''Stupid paperwork.''

He made an agreeing noise and kissed across my shoulder, one of his hands running over my back.

''I'll have to thank Temari for taking such good care of you and buying you such a great dress.''

I hummed lightly and yelped suddenly as he bit the curve of my shoulder, hard.

''Gaara!''

He smirked against my skin and licked at the bite, his mouth not leaving my skin as he spoke.

''You shouldn't have worn this dress if you didn't want me touching and kissing at the exposed skin.''

I rolled my eyes and he began to pepper kisses across my back.

''One: I didn't have a choice about what to wear and two: I don't care if you kiss me, but could you not leave mark until AFTER the wedding?''

He paused a second, his lips on my shoulder blade. He sighed and pulled away, caressing the mark on my shoulder.

''I suppose that it wouldn't be the best thing for the Kazekage's girlfriend to show up with marks on her skin. People might think that I'm hurting you.''

I laughed and shook my head.

''Unfortunately, Gaara, most of the people we see today would know what the marks are from. They aren't as innocent as you.''

He frowned. ''Ria, Love. I am NOT innocent.''

I raised an eyebrow at his statement. ''You are VERY innocent, Honey.''

He sighed and shook his head. ''I have killed people, just to see their blood fall and entertain me. I wouldn't call that anything close to innocent.''

I shook my head quickly. ''That's not what I meant. I know that you have killed people. But you have no experience on how to react to love and the things that go with it.''

I saw comprehension light his eyes and he nodded.

''Oh. You're right. I'm understanding more every day though and I think that in a few years I might have it all figured out.''

I laughed and laid a kiss to his neck. Leaving a shiny mark.

''People spend their entire life trying to understand love and you think that you can understand it in a few years.'' I shook my head. ''You're so arrogant.''

He laughed silently at my teasing and shook his head. ''So how do you rationalize the things lovers do?''

I shrugged. ''I don't. I just go with whatever happens.''

He smirked suddenly. ''Whatever happens, huh?''

I stared at him a moment, not comprehending what he was saying until I caught the look in his eyes. I groaned and brought my palm to my forehead.

''What has Kankuro DONE to you? You're normally not perverted.''

He smiled evilly and shook his head. ''It's not my brother, Love. Shukaku talks all of the time now, and he...He tells and shows me some interesting things.''

I groaned and leaned against him. ''Fantastic! I LIKE how innocent you are. It's sweet. But friggan Shukaku has to go and corrupt you.''

Gaara's body shook lightly and he shook his head.

''I'll promise that I'll try to stay as innocent as possible for you, Love.''

I pouted. ''Yeah. But 'innocent as possible' still may be REALLY perverted. I guess I'll just have to get used to it.''

He nodded and leaned forward to bite at my protruding lip. I gasped and he began to lower me to the bed.

I pulled back quickly. ''Gaara, my hair will be messed up!''

He growled and twisted so I was lying on top of him, so quickly that my head began spinning. It didn't help that his mouth latched back onto mine and he was kissing me deeply.

His hand began to wander, letting it run down my side to my thigh, clenching in the fabric and pulling the already hiked up dress, higher.

I untangled a hand from his hair and grabbed his hand, bringing it over his head.

He pulled back and blinked at me with hazy eyes.

''Did I do something wrong?''

I shook my head. ''No. You're just not used to me being in a dress and when you clutched at me, the fabric slid up.''

He nodded and after a deep breath, relaxed against the bed. A moment later, there was a banging at the door and I giggled as Gaara shot a glare towards the noise. His glare only worsened as Kankuro's voice flitted through the door.

''Gaara, Ria, we need to leave.''

Gaara sighed and I moved off of him, causing him to pout as I checked my reflection in the mirror.

My lips were swollen and the bite mark on my shoulder was darkening slowly. I groaned and applied a dab of makeup to the mark, making it look like a bruise. I turned back to see Gaara, standing by the door and pouting at me.

I smiled and moved towards him, straightening his rumpled robes and he rolled his eyes before moving to open the door.

Kankuro stood, his arm around Misa's waist and pulling on the collar of his dress shirt. He shot a jealous look at Gaara, who was wearing his Kazekage robes and tugged at his collar again. Temari had made him dress up instead of wearing his normal ninja outfit.

I shook my head and smiled.

''Where is Misa, and Sai?''

Misa shrugged. ''They wanted time to themselves. I'm not even sure if she's going to the wedding.''

I frowned. ''But wasn't Sai a member of Sakura's team?''

Misa paused and it was Kankuro who answered.

''He'll be there. The Hokage ordered all of the Leaf villagers to attend.''

I nodded and stayed close to Gaara's side as he led us out of the Uchiha compound and into the still deserted street.

As we walked Gaara spoke to Kankuro quietly.

''I'll need you to keep an eye on Ria. The Hokage has demanded that all of the Kage's and council members sit together.''

I giggled. ''Suck's for you. You'll have to tell me about some of the gossip that you hear.'' He growled softly and I saw Kankuro shoot him a worried look. His voice as he spoke was slightly unsteady.

''Of course I'll watch her, Gaara. Though, I'm not sure that she and Misa can get into a lot of troube during a wedding.''

Misa laughed and I smiled impishly as she spoke.

''We can get into trouble ANYWHERE, sweetheart. We're just that talented.''

He looked at her startled and I laughed before looking to see where Gaara was leading us.

It was a large circular building and Kankuro groaned.

''They're having the wedding in the fighting arena?''

Gaara nodded and stopped us outside of the door.

''They were originally going to have it in the Uchiha gardens, but the Hokage invited too many people for all of them to fit.''

Kankuro nodded and I sighed. Great. Tons of strange people. At least they wouldn't be looking at ME.

Gaara sighed and led us through the open door.

''I'll have to leave you now.''

I smiled and nodded. ''Okay. Have fun with the windbags.''

He grimaced and nodded. ''I'll try, Love. YOU try not to get into too much trouble.''

I gave him an innocent look, which was ruined when I giggled and he rolled his eyes, before moving towards another staircase.

I watched him go, before turning back to find Kankuro giving me a strange look. I frowned at him.

''What?''

He shook his head. ''I could have sworn that Gaara just called you 'love'. I guess my hearing has finally went out because of Temari's constant yelling.''

I rolled my eyes and Misa laughed suddenly.

''Gaara calls Ria, 'love' all of the time, Sweety. I can't believe that you've never heard it before.''

Kankuro's eyes widened and he shook his head. ''He's never given anyone an endearing name before. You've changed my brother a lot since he's gotten to know you. I've heard him tell you that he loves you and when he growled earlier, I thought that he was going to hurt somebody but you seemed so used to it that it didn't even faze you.''

I laughed and shook my head. ''Gaara growls like that all of the time. Whether it's because he's actually irritated or because he's teasing, so I hear that noise a lot.

But as for giving me a term of endearment; that did come as a surprise. I never expected it from him. But he says it so often that when he uses my actual name I know that he's extremely serious with what he's saying.''

Kankuro nodded and shrugged, pushing open a door that led to rows of quickly filling seats.

''Like I said: You've changed my brother.''

I shrugged and went to a less crowded area, taking a seat far away from any other person. Kankuro followed and sat in between Misa and I. Probably trying to prevent any mischief that we would get into by sitting next to each other.

We watched as people began to file in, most in three's and I let out a startled yell as a pair of arms wrapped around my shoulders, almost knocking me forward.

I turned to see untidy blond hair and laughed.

''Ru Ru!''

He pulled away and grinned at me, stepping over the back of the seat next to me and plopping down.

''Hi, Ri! Where's Gaara, did you leave him at home?''

I shook my head and pointed to a balcony which held the Kage's and leaf council members.

''He's up there. The Hokage made him sit up there with all of the important people.'' Naruto frowned. ''Well, that's not fair.''

I nodded. ''Yeah, poor Gaara is up there all by himself.''

Naruto shook his head. ''Not that. I mean that I'm one of the most important people here, and I wasn't invited to sit up there.''

I frowned. ''That's horrible, Ru Ru. Gaara is probably bored and having to deal with crazy people.''

Naruto smiled. ''But if I was up there, I could cheer Gaara up.''

I rolled my eyes and laughed. If Naruto was in the balcony he would probably exasperate Gaara more then cheer him up.

''So where have you put Hinata?''

Naruto frowned and looked around, before standing on the chair and waving. ''HINATA! I'm over here. Don't worry about stepping on the people. They'll move!''

I turned to look where he was yelling and found a blushing Hinata, stumbling towards us and muttering apologies to the irritated looking people.

Once she was close enough, Naruto grabbed her and pulled her into the seat beside him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and I saw her flush and give him a shy smile.

I rolled my eyes and made a gagging noise.

''Ew! Stop making goo goo eyes at each other!''

Naruto stuck his tongue out at me and Kankuro laughed. Hinata's face flushed hotly and I thought that she was going to pass out.

''Hinata, are you okay?''

She nodded and fanned her face with a hand.

''I'm fine. But I think that the wedding is about to start.''

I turned my head back to the arena and found a woman who looked like to be in her late twenties walk into the center. I saw that she was wearing the Hokage robes and blinked hard.

''I thought that the Hokage was supposed to be an older woman?''

Naruto snorted. ''She IS old. She just had a jutsu that makes her look younger.''

I frowned and turned my attention back to her as she spoke.

''I want to thank you all for coming today. I know that we gave you short notice to be here. But now that I've thanked you, I believe that we have a wedding to conduct.''

She stepped onto a platform that rose from the middle of the arena and I saw Sasuke, and Sakura walking towards her from opposite doors.

Sakura was wearing a pink and purple Kimono while Sasuke's was black. A red and white fan on the back.

The ceremony was long and I was beginning to get bored when I heard a strange cry, followed by a black and white fluffball stumbling it's way around the arena. I gasped as Butterball let out another pitiful cry and looked at Gaara, who was performing some hand signs.

Another second later the panda was wrapped in sand and he disappeared. Kankuro chuckled and I glanced at him.

''That is the first time I've ever heard that thing cry, and the most I've ever seen it move without being carried.''

I glared at him and punched his arm, hard. He winced and rubbed the spot I had hit.

I ignored him and returned my attention back to Gaara, who was petting the shuddering panda. His eyes locked with mine and I could see the same question in his gaze as I had going through my mind: Where in the world was Temari and why did she allow Butterball to run through the arena.

I smiled comfortingly and he inclined his head before turning his attention back to the wedding. I followed his example and found the Hokage sending a glare towards him, but kept her voice steady as she continued the wedding.

She pulled a pink robe from behind her and placed it over Sakura's shoulders. It held the same symbol on the back that Sasuke wore.

The Hokage pushed Sasuke and Sakura together and smiled.

''I am now proud to introduce you to the newest member of the Uchiha family: Sakura Uchiha!''

There was a loud round of applause and happy yells as Sasuke walked his new wife off of the platform and out of the arena.

I saw Kankuro stand and he touched Misa's shoulder.

''Let's get outta here before this mob decides to all leave at once.''

I nodded, in full agreement and followed after them quickly. Naruto following close behind, dragging Hinata.

We stopped outside of the arena and Naruto smiled at us.

''Y'all are coming to the celebration later this afternoon, right?''

I frowned. ''What celebration?''

He shrugged. ''The one for Sakura and Sasuke. The council and Grandma are giving them some gifts and they thought that it would be best at a party.''

I looked at Kankuro and he nodded. ''Yeah. We won't be heading back to Suna until tomorrow.''

I nodded and smiled at Naruto. ''I guess that we'll be there then.''

He grinned and I narrowed my eyes. ''You're planning something, RuRu. What is it?''

He shrugged. ''It's a surprise.''

I groaned. ''The last time you told me that you almost burnt down my kitchen because you wanted to make a HUGE batch of ramen.''

He laughed. ''You'll just have to wait, and see.''

I glared at him, but he only laughed and dragged Hinata off in another direction.

I shook my head and Kankuro sighed. ''I think that we should head back to the compound. Gaara can just meet us there. I'm sick of being surrounded by these people.''

I nodded, agreeing and followed him and Misa closely, trying to avoid bumping into anyone.

I do not own Naruto or it's characters. Thanks so much for reading and for the reviews that I have been receiving. I love reading them. I will post another chapter soon and please ignore the mess ups.

:)