Sakura's eyes could barely stay open when they had arrived at Suna. Being surrounded by desert the village had a natural deterrent against invasion, as few foreign powers would be willing to endure the sandstorms.
Sunagakure had only one passage in and out of the village restricted to a single cleft between two cliff faces, making the area very hard to attack from the ground. Traveling on Temari's fan had proven very quick though the desert. Midnight had just fallen as they entered the city.
The buildings inside the city seemed to be made of clay and the city was still bustling with energy. Citizens bustled here and there as they flew straight above the crowds straight to the front of the Kazekage tower. All Sakura could think about was a warm shower to wash away the travels and a hot meal.
"Where is the rest of the team?" Gaara glanced over piles of paperwork as he worked at his desk. Green eyes framed by dark circles flashed at Sakura who had found herself in front of the young Kazekage. Tussled crimson hair framed his chiseled jaw line. He was dressed in a long-sleeved crimson coat from what Sakura could see and he looked delicious. Now she felt awake.
Wait what? Am I just this exhausted? Sakura shook her head. "No, Kazekage of Sunagakure. I am your team."
Gaara held her gaze. She could feel a build of warmth in her stomach and quickly suppressed it. "Temari, you are excused. I will escort this "team" to her room." Sakura held Gaara's gaze as she felt the chakura of Temari disappear from next of her.
With lightening movements Gaara stood before her. "I was supposed to be given a team. Instead I get one lone kunoichi. What an interesting gift." Her breath caught. He was so close to her she could smell the something spicy and leather. Her nose flared as if she couldn't resist the urge to breath deeply. He lifted up a lock of pink hair and twisted it slightly in his hands. Sakura watched as his lips twitched down slightly into a frown only to fall back into his regular blank look.
Did she stink? Sakura took a step back. Gaara let the lone strand of hair slip through his fingers.
"Let's get something straight, I am no gift Kaze. I am a Jonin from the Village Hidden in the Leaf. I have a duty from my Hokage and I will uphold it." Sakura's back straightened fueled by her words. "I am Sakura Haruno, one of the most powerful medical ninja. I was trained and surpassed Tsuande herself."
Gaara's nonexistent eyebrow lifted. "Hn." Was the only response she got. Why was he so smug? He stepped around her to the door. "Come."
Sakura liked to think that if she wasn't so exhausted she would have put up more of a fight. As she instantly followed the command. Following the bold shoulders that weaved through the halls. When did Gaara become so tall? So masculine? So...attractive? Obeying not one but two orders today was out of her character. Once from the owl and one from Gaara.
"Here are your quarters for the remainder of your stay. I am close by if you need anything." Gaara turned and leaned against the door frame.
"Where is your room?"
"Why? Would you like to visit it too?" Gaara loomed over her. She could feel his steady jade eyes on her. Her cheeks flushed and doorway all of a sudden looked very small to to the pink haired woman.
"That's not what I meant. I was just curious about where my host would be staying an-"
"Rest." Just like that he was gone from her door way and she watched him head back the way he came. Most likely to finish work that had piled up in his desk.