Chapter Three

In a booth filled with laughter and alcohol four girls currently sat, Sakura took another swig of her whisky, it stung in her throat, she was starting to feel a slight buzz, Ino beside her was noticeably already drunk with the way she was already slurring her words , Hinata never drank much , someone had to be sane and make sure everyone got home safely, Tenten was almost as drunk as Ino. They had been conversing for a while, mostly about current gossip which Ino never seemed to lack, no really Ino knew about everything that went on in Konoha and luckily as the girl's best friend she had the privilege of hearing the latest gossip.

"This one is going to shock y'all" she drawled….they waited now curious… "Kakashi and Shizune." She whispered like she was telling a top secret info, well technically it was.

'No way' tenten said in disbelief

She had to admit she was shocked too, she never saw that combination coming, Shizune didn't seem like his type at all but all the same the man was long due for a significant other. She was so going to tease Kakashi when next she saw him, won't be anytime soon as he was currently on a mission. She chugged another shot of whisky.

She turned to hinata who had been silent for a while, the girl was always so shy.

"So, Hinata how's it been going with naruto? y'all have any plans yet" she wriggled her eyebrows suggestively at Hinata.

Hinata went as red as a tomato as usual "actually na-naruto kun and I are planning on getting married" she said quietly as she fidgeted with her glass cup.

Of course Sakura knew this already so this came as no surprise to her, she just wanted to hear her purple haired friend say it hehe.

"Whaaat!" ino and tenten slurred at the same time both already drunk

Suddenly she was being dragged by a stumbling Ino to the dance floor with Tenten and Hinata trailing not far behind… she wasn't even the one getting married why was she being pulled to the dance floor.

"let's dance to celebrate!" Ino shouted over the loud dance music as she pulled on Hinata and Tenten who began to dance with her, maybe it was the combination of the alchohol, loud edm music thumping hard in her ears, and the sound of her friends laughing for no absolute reason but as she joined her friends to dance she felt so happy .


She woke with a start, her head hurt, sitting up she glanced around, the room was slightly out of focus but she was sure she was in her house, how did I even get home…Hinata …she immediately massaged chakra into head to ease the pain, "that's better" she said to no one in particular, she checked the clock and saw that it was 7am already, Sakura groaned as she got down from the bed. She needed to prepare in case the escort came early.

Stepping out of the steamy shower she applied some lotion and sunscreen ,she packed her hair into a low tight bun and then looked into the mirror at the finished product, pink fitted tank top which was slit at both sides, black spandex shorts that stopped mid-thigh and made her hips pronounced, she was satisfied with what she saw , just then the expected knock came , she grabbed her emergency medical kit from the bed and hooked it on her belt, then she grabbed the scroll where she sealed everything she packed in as well and then went to open the door nodding knowingly to the Anbu member informing her that the escort arrived and was waiting for at the gate.

Sakura gave one last look at her pretty home, there was a heaviness in her chest she couldn't was going to miss her safe haven that's for sure. She shook off the feeling of trepidation that was gradually mounting. She had made the right decision there was nothing to fear.

She arrived that gate to see Tsunade, Naruto and Ino who by the way looked hung over as hell, she felt her eyes watering, they all came to see her off even though it was still so early

Ino hugged her first, "you better write regularly" she started, still in the embrace, "and also, don't be a hermit, go out, have fun okay?" She added softly

Sakura nodded with a wry smile as Ino released her from the embrace, "I'll try… also you look like shit" they both laughed

She hugged Naruto too who told her to take care of herself and that he'd miss her

"You and Hinata better not get married without me being present" she warned playfully

"Hinata would kill me first if I tried that Sakura chan…"

" Naruto, tell Hinata I said thanks for getting me home safely…you got a good one Baka" she added with a pat on the shoulder and a small smile.

"Alright, enough now, Sakura is not living in Suna forever you are keeping the escort waiting" Tsunade cut in sternly

Sakura took the chance to look at the escort now, she hadn't even noticed him cause she had been preoccupied with her friends, brown hair, anbu mask was all she got, great…

Tsuande engulfed her in her a shoulder crushing hug while whispering in her ear "Make konoha proud" to which she nodded in response

She turned to leave, well this it…

As her feet crossed the gate with the escort in front , she didn't know how she felt exactly , she spared one last glance to wave at her friends at the back before jumping on the trees with the sand nin and matching his speed , seems like they'd be going at full speed , at this rate they'd reach Suna by evening.

The sand nin never spoke except when he needed to indicate they stop for a short break which usually lasted for 10 minutes tops, they made a total of three breaks throughout the journey in which she replenished her strength with energy bars and water.

She was parched and felt sandy and sticky, not the best combination, she needed a shower pronto, steamy shower, she could already imagine it, the gates of Suna were visible already, they were almost there, as they got closer she could see the outline of two people at the gate, it was too dark to make out who they were from the distance, how did they guess the exact time she'd arrive, the anbu must have sent a message, damn sneaky anbus…

As they approached the gate they slowed down to a walk, she could see who they were now, the two sand siblings , Kankuro and Temari … when they finally approached the entrance of gate, the escort left immediately while Temari and Kankuro welcomed her.

"Welcome to Suna" Kankuro started with a polite smile and handshake

"Thank you! I'm happy to be here" Sakura reciprocated the handshake with a smile

"How was your Journey… not too stressful I hope?" Kankuro asked

"Honestly not as stressful as I thought" She replied but it had been a while she travelled long distance so it was a bit uncomfortable for her, nothing she couldn't handle though.

"We appreciate you for volunteering to help our health center" Temari continued as they both led Sakura on a slow walk through the city gates.

"It's nothing, our villages are allied we should help each other in any way we can"

They both nodded in agreement. "Unfortunately Gaara couldn't be here to welcome you, late meeting with the council" Kankuro said

Sakura waved her hands as she shook her head "No no, its fine, you two are here that's enough"

"Ha you sound a bit too relieved" Kankuro jabbed as temari gasped

Sakura flushed in embarrassment and giggled

"We get it our brother can be a bit scary" Temari continued as they both laughed

She joined them in laughter and as they walked her to her would be residence, she thought maybe her time in Suna will actually be fun, Temari and Kankuro were so nice and easy to talk to.

They finally stopped in front a huge two storey building all Sakura could think of at this point was that bath and food, she was famished

"This is our family house so we live here too" Temari began but Sakura wasn't really listening she was so tired.

"A room has been prepared for you upstairs, let's go in, you must be tired"


She was currently dressed in an oversized T-shirt feeling content, the bath and food had been everything and she didn't feel like unpacking yet, she stood and gazed around the room, she had been in a haste to shower that she didn't really look around, the room was big for sure , queen sized bed with a study table and chair by the right , she walked over to the window by her left , opening it , the chilly breeze hit her face with force, wisps of her still damp hair flew about 'this is nice' she smiled quietly

It got too chilly so Sakura decided to go to bed, tomorrow was going to be filled with a lot of introductions, she'd meet Gaara and new people at the hospital, she closed the windows and walked to the bed, plopping down face down and wondering how it was so soft as she closed her eyes in the hopes of a peaceful sleep.

Groaning in frustration, Sakura sat up , she couldn't sleep, instead she'd been tossing and turning for the past 20 minutes maybe it was excitement from being in a new place or not adapting to her new environment but for some reason she was instantly thirsty, she got down from her bed and trudged to the door.

Opening the door of her room she peered at the dark hallway and then she stepped out and closed it behind her. It was so dark but she could make out some light downstairs where the moonlight seeped In from one uncloaked window the light however failed to light up the hallway in her wing and she couldn't find the light switch. She cautiously trudged down the hallway while simultaneously searching for the light switch in vain. She made it downstairs without tripping and rolling down the stairs thankfully.

She was able to locate the fridge so she opened it and grabbed a bottle of water. After satisfying her thirst she turned to leave. Staying in this place alone was beginning to creep her out it was deadly silent , she truly hoped she wasn't alone in this huge house.

As she walked slowly to the stairs , she wondered what Ino and the rest were doing , 'probably out somewhere getting wasted' she thought with wry smile, just then her thoughts were interrupted when she came in contact with a hard chest.

"owww"… she groaned "Kankuro?" she mumbled as she rubbed on her forehead, when she didn't get a reply she looked up and her breath caught in her throat

'well shit' inner sakura chuckled

Different thoughts ran through her brain as she stared in stupefaction while sea foam green eyes stared back at her-

"Gaara?"


A/N : i know the chapter was really short but had to speed up the moving process...