Hey guys! As always I hope you enjoy the chapter, some nice lighthearted team seven and Sand siblings interactions.
Am I overcompensating for future suffering? What, me? Nooooo, not at all.
Also to the person who asked if we'll see more of the cannon missions, I hate to say it but I probably won't include a lot of them because of the changes that have been made it wouldn't make sense for things to happen how they did originally, after all the only Genin on the team now is Sasuke and let's face it he shouldn't be a Genin at this point, technically they're only put together as a team because of how well they work together, and there will be some bigger changes soon.

The meal with the Sand siblings had gone perfectly, at least in Naruto's opinion-as had the impromptu tour that they'd been taken on after by Kankuro, which essentially amounted to him leading them through Suna and remarking on spots where Gaara had killed people-he hadn't planned on that being what the tour revolved around, it had just sort of turned out that way in the end, a fact that Temari had slapped him over the head for repeatedly while the Konoha nin had snickered and Gaara had watched bemusedly.

Naruto had enjoyed it, had enjoyed seeing how much more relaxed the siblings were around one another. It had been reassuring for her.
She'd worried about her fellow Jinchuriki who had had no one to support him, no one to care and show him he didn't have to be a killing machine.
Oh there had been progress even before the final exam, but they'd still been weary of Gaara and Gaara had been very uncertain around them, now though they seemed like... well, like a family.

It was refreshing to see and it put the two older sand siblings firmly in Naruto's friend books.

Even Sasuke had enjoyed it.

He hadn't spent much time with the Sand siblings, not as much as his teammates, mostly because he'd been avoiding Naruto during most of the time the two girls had spent with the sand siblings, but he got along surprisingly well with Gaara-they were both the quietest members of their rather eccentric groups and they both preferred to sit back and watch the chaos than actively participate in it-and it had devolved into chaos when an eighteen year old Jounin had mocked Kankuro for being the only one among his siblings to still be a Genin, and of course Naruto and Sakura had leapt to his defense.

Luckily the Jounin wasn't too badly injured and Gaara had paid for the dango stall to be repaired so there was no permanent damage other than the damage done to the Jounin's pride.

In any case by the time the next morning came they were all sad to part, and the Sand siblings saw the three Konoha nin to the gates.

"It's been great seeing you guys again." Naruto gave a wide grin, "We'll make sure to write."

"Of course." Sakura grinned, leaping at Gaara and hugging him-and Gaara, much to everyone's amusement, slowly hugged her back.

"You're always welcome in Suna."

"If not at that specific dango place." Sasuke shook his head, "I don't know what anyone expected sending us on a diplomatic mission-"

"Well to be fair you are friends with the future Kazekage." Temari laughed, "I'm sure the incident will be forgotten in short order."

"Wonderful." Naruto clapped her hands together.

"Besides." Kankuro grinned, "That Jounin had it coming."

"Damn right he did puppet master." Naruto patted his shoulder, "You'll make Chunin in no time. Like Sasuke-"

"The only reason we're not Chunin is the fact that we didn't get the change to fight." Sasuke didn't even try to conceal his annoyance.

"Damn straight." Kankuro nodded, "It's annoying as hell, we're totally Chunin material."

"Sure you are." Temari's voice was teasing as she draped an arm over her brothers shoulder, "Sure you are. Now Sasuke-san, I'm sure he's Chunin material but you little brother, you I'm not so sure about-"

"Watch your mouth Temari." Kankuro's eyes narrowed, "Or I'll kick your ass-"

"Oh Kankuro-kun." Sakura looked sympathetic, "You don't really think you could kick Temari-chan's ass do you-"

"Why you-" Kankuro threw his hands up, "That's it I give up on you guys!"

"Calm down Kankuro." Gaara's face was as calm as ever, but there was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes, "You wouldn't want to provoke Temari-nee."

"You too!" Kankuro's voice was hilariously betrayed and he pointed at Naruto accusingly, "I blame you for this Nohara!" despite his words there was a hint of amusement in his voice, "He'd have never mocked me before you came along."

"No, he'd have just used his sand to crush you." Naruto chirped the words and Gaara nodded agreeably.

"I would have."

"I hate all of you." Kankuro grumbled the words, a small smile on his lips despite his efforts to suppress it.

"No you don't you love us." Naruto beamed, "Very very much. Doesn't he?"

"Of course he does." Sakura nodded in agreement, "We're lovable people. Slightly insane lovable people perhaps but lovable nevertheless."

"The best Shinobi are insane. It's to be expected-"

"I don't know if I should be offended." Temari said slowly, "See I don't think I'm insane-"

"Maybe you're the exception that proves the rule." Naruto suggested after a moment of thought, "I mean, there has to be one right-"

"I'm not insane either." Sasuke added, and Naruto burst out laughing, shaking her head.

"Oh come on, you totally are-there was your whole obsession with revenge-"

"Which I'm over-"

"You're still as messed up as the rest of us. Learn to live with it."

"I accept that I am somewhat crazy." Sakura agreed, "And so is Gaara-kun-"

"I hear the voice of a demon in my head every day." Gaara nodded, "And until recently that voice urged me to kill constantly and didn't allow me to sleep-"

"Shukaku's been being nice lately?" Naruto grinned, "Cause if he hasn't I can get Kurama to sit on him again-"

"Wait." Temari blinked, "Your demon sat on Gaara's demon?"

"They're brothers." Naruto shrugged, "What else could you expect?"

"Do brothers usually sit on each other?" Temari raised an eyebrow, "Because I've never seen anyone else doing that, brothers or not-"

"Well, brothers tend to mess with each other right? Or at least that's what I've seen when I was growing up in Wave."

"Itachi used to poke my forehead and call me foolish." Sasuke added, "But, uh, our relationship was.. I dunno how ordinary it was given the fact that he went on to kill our family."

"It was kind of messed up." Sakura shook her head, "But I mean, Itachi-san is a good brother, kind of."

"I guess none of us have perfect sibling relationships to judge it on."

"I mean, I can't deny that we have issues." Temari admitted, "We were terrified of Gaara for years"

"Which is ridiculous Gaara is totally awesome." Naruto threw herself at the red haired boy, who's sand caught her before she could drape herself over his shoulders leaving her hanging midair, which made Sakura burst out laughing.

"I don't know why I'm even surprised."

"You know I never thought I'd see anyone throwing themselves at Gaara like that with zero fear." Kankuro snorted, "Most people here are still terrified."

"I'm working on that." Gaara admitted, "It's... difficult."

"You'll win 'em over." Naruto paused, "Can you put me down now please?"

"Of course Naruto-chan." Gaara nodded and the sand lowered the blonde, who gave him a big thumbs up.

"You're gonna be great Gaara-kun. I can't believe you'll be beating me to the position of Kage-"

"I admit I can hardly believe it either. It will be difficult being their leader when my people fear me-"

"Like I said you'll win them over."

"I'm sure I will." Gaara smiled, a small but warm genuine smile-

"Of course you will." Sakura nodded, "Anyone who can't see that you're more than the demon sealed inside of you doesn't deserve to have you as their Kage." she darted towards him and hugged him tightly before pulling back-"

"Hey how come she gets a hug?!"

"Maybe because she didn't launch herself at him?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow as Sakura smirked and poked her tongue out at the blonde.

"Nah, he just likes me better-"

"Gaara-"

"Oh Kami." Kankuro groaned, "Are you two about to start bickering over which one of you is his favorite?"

"I'll stop them." Sasuke darted forward, grabbing both Naruto and Sakura by the backs of their clothes and yanking them backwards, "We'll leave you guys in peace then, I'll get these two pains out of here-"

"Thank you." Temari was laughing, "I'm sure we'll see you guys again soon-"

"This is so rude!"

"Tch. I guess we know how Suna treats their guests!"

"Shut up." Sasuke groaned the words, "Why did I have to be placed on a team with two ridiculous dumbasses-"

"Hey don't lump me in with Naruto-chan I'm actually smart!"

"Oh now that's just mean Sakura-chan!" the two girls were laughing despite their words as Sasuke started to tow them away from the Sand siblings, and they both stopped struggling in order to wave at their friends, which made Temari and Kankuro laugh hard enough that they were clutching their bellies, while Gaara stood as tall as he could, waving in return, much less frantically.

Once they were out of sight of the Sand siblings Sasuke released the two girls and they both straightened up, Sakura brushing sand from her dress and Naruto shoving Sasuke playfully.

"Asshole-"

"Child." Sasuke shot back with a slight grin, "I don't know why I put up with you Nohara-"

"Because I'm awesome."

"That she is." Sakura nodded in agreement, much more cool than you are."

"I know it's not the first time I've said it but sometimes I almost miss the old fangirl Sakura. At least she didn't insult me."

"Old fangirl me couldn't even throw a punch. I bet even Konohamaru-kun could take me-"

"Well.." Sasuke thought for a moment before shrugging, "You're not wrong." that made Sakura laugh.

"I gotta say I love the fact that you have a hint of a sense of humor now."

"I always had a sense of humor. I just found you too annoying to bother talking to you-"

"Fair." Sakura nodded, "Slightly harsh but definitely fair."

"Thank Kami I missed most of the worst fangirling days." Naruto grinned.

"It was your influence that made me less of a fangirl-"

"For that I will be eternally grateful to you Naruto-chan." Sasuke said seriously. "You helped defeat a true enemy of all Shinobi. The dreaded fangirl."

That made both girls burst out laughing and Sakura slapped Sasuke's arm "You're such an asshole Sasuke-kun!"

"Hey that's my word for him!"

"That's half of our classes word for Sasuke-kun."

"Now that hurts." Sasuke's voice was rather sarcastic and he had a faint smirk on his lips as he rolled his eyes.

"Hm, I'll have to fight them all, only I'm allowed to call Sasuke-kun an asshole-"

"Why don't you stick to duckbutt head?"

"That... is a good question." they started to walk as they talked, and Sasuke shot both girls a rather dirty look, "I swear if you start calling me that again I will murder both of you am I clear."

"Hm, I dunno, is he clear?"

"I don't think he's that clear Naruto-ch-"

Two kunai sliced through the air between the two girls and Sasuke speeded up, shoving his hands in his pockets. "C'mon losers. Or I'll leave you in my dust."

"Oh you wanna make it a race?" Naruto raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing across her lips, "We could make it a race back to Konoha y'know Sasuke-
kun."

"Yeah right, like I'm that stupid." Sasuke snorted, shaking his head, "You'll just Hirashin yourself there."

"Why don't we just Hirashin back there?" Sakura piped up, "I mean, it'll be a lot more efficient and we can just Hirashin straight home so there's no worry about freaking anyone out or causing international incidents by showing up at the wrong time."

"That is an excellent point Sakura-chan." Naruto held out her arm, "You gonna Hirashin back with us."

"Hn." Sasuke thought for a moment before shrugging, "You know what yeah it'll take less time and I'd love to get out of this heat."

"I bet." Naruto's eyes narrowed before she suddenly smirked, "Oh! Look at that your nose and cheeks are red, I thought it was just heat-"

"He's got sunburn!"

"How do you not have sunburn." Sasuke glared at Sakura, "You're just as pale as me."

"I have sun lotion to protect my skin-"

"And you didn't tell me?" Sasuke glared, "Now that's just low."

"Hah." Sakura grinned, "Poor Sasuke-kun-"

"C'mon." Naruto was laughing, "Grab onto my arms you guys, let's go home."