The Leaf Maiden

Note to Reviewers: Sorry for the long wait! Here's the next chapter.. with a note in the middle. I tried getting them in character an' all, so tell me what you think Reaaaad and review, everybody!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto..sob..if I did, I'd have couples in it, for sure!


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'Thoughts'
While cleaning the kitchen, Yamanaka Ino muttered under her breath about one of the residents of the Hidden Mansion.

"Stupid boy.. Thinks he's so great. He's not.. He's a cold bastard.. There is nothing good about killing.. Bah.. The only thing he needs is a good hug.. Yeah.."

Of course, the boy that she was talking about was no other then Sabakuno Gaara, the vessel of the sand demon Shukaku. The blonde gave an annoyed grunt in approvement of herself and continued her work. Ino wasn't aware of her audience though. The blood haired chuunin had been hiding in the shadows, watching her and listening to her words. His eyes narrowed a bit.

Although he normally instantly killed the people that disrespected him or that annoyed him greatly, this time was different. Temari had already stopped the boy once, so he would deal with this girl when nobody else was around. Or at least he thought so.

Gaara knew that the girl was harmless. He had watched her fight that weak pink haired kunoichi in the preliminaries of his first chuunin exam. He already thought of girls as weaklings, but those two, the blonde and the pink haired one, were pathetic.

Well, at least those were his thoughts back then when he had seen them fight. It didn't appear as if the girl had been doing thorough training though, so he still labelled her as a pathetic kunoichi.

Ever since Yashamaru had tried to kill him, and never succeeded in that, of course, the blood haired one had sworn never to love again. Hence the mark on his forehead. 'The demon that only loves himself', that is how he is called.

His vision had altered after his fight with Uzumaki Naruto though. Now, he didn't see his siblings as just lumps of flesh and blood that were somehow associated with him. He sees them as siblings and respects them.


Staying hushed, Haruno Sakura walked back home. Soon, she was changing into something comfortable to wear. A soft smile played upon her lips,

'It's lovely weather today. I just know that the stars will be visible today too.. Maybe I can go look at them.'

Nodding at her thoughts, Sakura climbed upon her roof with a grin. As she settled down, laying on her back, night fully settles. The stars shine bright as she gazes up at them, a soft smirk playing on her lips. They were beautiful. After a while, a drowsy feeling took over, making the pink haired one drift off into the deep slumbers of sleep.

Softly snuggling into her blanket, Sakura emitted a yawn. An attempt to turn around was made.

'Since when did my bed become so hard..?'

She was questioning herself as she opened her eyes groggily. Blinking at the harsh light that shone upon her, she sat up.

'What! What on earth am I doing on my roof!'

Inner Sakura was ranting while Sakura took in her surroundings. Inner Sakura was shut up when the happenings of last night came flooding back into the mind of the pink haired shinobi.

Soon, the girl was questioning herself about the blanket. How did it come there? Where did it come from? Who was the owner of the blanket? She didn't know a thing: the blanket wasn't one she recognized.


The blonde girl already sat in a secret forest clearing, waiting for her friends to arrive. Already had she cleaned the Hidden Mansion and already had she been scared to death once more. Both Temari and Kankuro had been sleeping at the moment of cleaning, so she had been very quiet. She did run into Gaara on her way out anyway.

("Watch where you are going, women. Or else I might just kill you.")

She had made her excuses quickly back then.

("Gomen-nasai, Gaara-sama..! I did not know that you were up..!")

She had not enjoyed her previous near-death encounter with the blood haired one. It was only logical that she didn't want one again, right? After that, he had made a comment about her keeping in mind that he never slept.

So she was never safe in that house, even if he was out training. She never knew when he would show up. Ino knew of his demon, so she should have known about him not sleeping. The insomnia lines around his eyes made it all clear though, dumb Ino-chan. Now she knew, so she wouldn't forget, no sir.

-((I've been out for a long time.. and started again today. As I already have the fic written out, well, this chapter.. I'm changing the written words a bit as I type them. So don't be confused if it's a whole different style-change.. ))-

"Ohayo, Ino-chan!"

Ino looked up to see a cheerful Tenten smiling at her.

"Ohayo, Tenten-chan. How are you?"

Ino send a joyful greeting back to her friend. Tenten wasn't assigned to be a maid at a mansion and was glad for that. Guess she doesn't like cleaning too much. Ino, on the other hand, was glad that she was assigned to the Hidden Mansion. It gave her something to do.. and she had made a new friend, too!

Come to think about it, maybe it'd be a good idea for her to bring Temari along to the next girls meeting. She'd still have to ask the two other girls, though. Without realizing it, the two had chatted on for quite a while..

"Tenten-chan! Ino-chan!"

An excited call could be heard exclaiming their names.. Sakura came running up to her female friends.

"Hey Sakura-chan!"

Of course, the two greeted their friend in return, happy to see her join them. As Sakura sat down with them, she apologized for being late..

"I'm sorry for being late, you two.. but there happened something strange today."

A soft sigh passed the pink haired kunoichi's lips. Of course, the two others were looking at her questioningly and waiting for her to begin.. and she did..

"Well.. when I woke up this morning, I was on my roof.. I probably fell asleep when I was watching the stars last night. Putting that aside, the strange thing was that I seriously don't remember taking a blanket up on the roof. I did not recognize the blanket covering me, either.. It was fit for a single bed and had an mahogany color. Oh yes, there were ebony swirls on it, too!"

Unfortunately, both other girls shook their heads, stating that they knew of nobody who had such blankets. Ino shrugged and smiled.

"I'm sure you'll find out eventually, Sakura-chan."

Soft smile played upon said kunoichi's lips as she replied.

"Well, that was my story, what about you two?"

Ino raised her hand slightly, in order to signal that she was going to talk.

"As I told Tenten before, the Hidden Mansion has new temporary owners. And guess what? We know them!"

The last two sentences were said in an excited, yet sarcastic tone. This caused Sakura to frown and question who they were, then.

"Shinobi, most obviously.. They came from the Hidden Sand to strengthen the bonds with Leaf. That ring any bells..?"

A gasp could be heard from both others as Sakura hesitantly questioned if it was true. Ino grinned as she replied.

"Yes. I am the maid of Kankuro, Temari and.. of course, Gaara.. Well, Temari is very nice and I've already found a friend in her. Maybe she could join me to our next meeting.. tell us about herself and her brothers and such? Gaara, on the other hand, is one stuck up boy who tried to kill me for not being respectful."

A quick look around was given. Oh.. she was so dead if he had heard what she said.. A shiver ran over her spine as she continued,

"Eh.. he scares the hell out of me.. last, Kankuro. I don't know what to think about him.. He tends to be the silent, indifferent one, I guess. Doesn't even notice me walking around in his house.. the baka."

A loud snicker came from the rosette on her left,

"Oh.. how I'd like to see your face when I tell Gaara about this, Ino-pig-chan."

The last word was said with a friendly affection towards the other girl, though. Truth be told, Sakura wouldn't even dare to come close to Gaara, seeing as he tried to kill her after her first Chuunin exam..

"Oh no you won't, Wide-Forehead-Girl!"

With a shocked look featured on her face, Ino fell back temporarily into her old bossy self. A laugh escaped from a certain brunette's lips, seeing the made-evil smirk on Sakura's lips and the shocked look on Ino's. Finally, Sakura's mask broke and she fell back onto the grass, howling with laughter. When she came to a bit, she looked at the blonde.

"Really, Ino-chan.. you should have seen your face.. it was priceless!"

Ino let out a short sarcastic laugh,

"Haha, very funny.."

The tone in which it was said, though, send Sakura into yet another fit of laughter. The Yamanaka just rolled her eyes at a smiling Tenten as she waited patiently for her friend to stop laughing.

"So.. Ino-chan.. Why don't you bring Temari along with you to the next meeting? It seems like a good idea, after all."

It had been Tenten who had asked her blonde friend this, while Sakura nodded in agreement.

"I will ask her if she wants to come along. Can't promise you that she will want to, though.. Seeing as we're such a crazy bunch together."

A snicker and a wink there. The rosette haired girl looked upon her watch,

"Whoa. Look at the time. I have to leave again. Promised myself that I would go check up on Naruto. He has already woken up once.."

As the others nodded, Sakura smiled and made a motion in order to get up. She was held back by Tenten, though.

"Would yo do me a favor, Sakura-chan…?"

"Sure! What is it?"

The brunette blushed and looked at the grounded, muttering softly.

"Would you check up on Lee-kun for me?"

Sakura smiled warmly at the shyness of her good friend.

"Of course, Tenten-chan!"

"Arigatou, Sakura-chan.."


Our favorite blonde haired Uzumaki woke up to the sound of breathing and to the feeling of two hands wrapped around his left. As he opened his eyes warily, light flooded into them, causing him to shut them again quickly. Getting used to the lighting, he opened them again, only to find his vision blurred. Vaguely, he could see something pink..

"Sakura-chan.."

It had been a soft whisper coming from his lips in a broken voice. But it didn't go unheard. Soft gasp heard, the kunoichi replied.

"Naruto.. is that really you..?"

As his vision cleared up, Naruto grinned sheepishly and looked around.

"Well.. I don't see anyone else who can speak, so I guess it's me."

Although it was in the same broken voice, it still earned him a light wack on the head and a hissed reply.

"Naruto! You baka! Don't you know how worried I, no we all were about you guys!"

Naruto gave another sheepish grin before sitting up slightly.

"Gomen-nasai, Sakura-chan."

Sakura shook her head and replied that it was alright. She did question if he'd like to tell her what happened, but that he didn't have to if he didn't feel comfortable with it.. Said boy thought deeply for a moment,

"I do not know fully, Sakura-chan.. but I can tell you what Shikamaru told me."


Flashback

"Kagemane no Jutsu!"

The enemy ninja found that he couldn't move freely anymore. Glancing around, he found his attacker quickly. He did not speak, though, but waited for the other to make a move. Seeing that, Shikamaru allowed himself to look at the other Leaf shinobi.

'how troublesome..'

Akamaru and Kiba were currently fighting an other enemy, Akamaru having transformed.. Sasuke and Naruto fought the leader, both their eyes being a crimson red. Lee had already dropped his weights and was now circling a stunned ninja on top-speed.

Both Hinata and Neji had their Byakugan activated and were fighting quite near to each other. Guess that Neji had to protect Hinata in case it went wrong.. Shino could not be seen, but a swarm of bugs signaled that he was still around.

Chouji was currently charging at his enemy in his meattank form..

End Flashback


"We never thought that the enemy would be that strong.. But, Sakura-chan.. how are the others doing?"

Naruto had finished his story and opened his eyes again, focusing them upon the female by his side. Obviously, he was waiting for an answer to his question.

"Well.. You are the only one to have woken up so soon from the ones that were in a coma.. And that were Sasuke, Shino, Chouji, Lee.. and you. You all had heavy injuries. Shikamaru, Kiba and Akamaru had light to medium wounds and suffered from severe chakra depletion.. They aren't in the hospital anymore and do very easy chores to get them started. As for the Hyuuga's.. They.."

Sakura was about to tell her friend about them, but was interupted by a girl stumbling into the room. Sakura shot up, standing besides the dark haired girl with a look of concern upon her facial features.

Only a moment later, a coffee color haired boy came in, his piercing white eyes settling upon the girl besides Sakura. Both looked weak, injured and sick. Neji looked even worse then Hinata.

"Hey, hey. What do you two think you're doing here!"

Not waiting for an answer, Sakura continued.

"You two are sick and injured. You ought to be in bed and rest."

"I-I know.. S-Sakura-chan.. But I c-came to s-see N-Naruto-kun.."

Hinata had spoken in a shy and soft voice, white eyes focused upon the boy she spoke about. He was currently sleeping soundly. The Hyuuga girl stumbled over to the bed and sat down upon the chair besides it, resting as she watched the boy in affection.

After following the other girls movements for a while, Sakura turned to the one leaning onto the doorpost. Putting on her sweetest and concerned-like tone, she tried to persuade him.

"Neji-sama.. won't you take Hinata-sama back to the mansion..? She needs to rest.. and so do you.."

It was true that she didn't like to be so.. lowly.. but if it got him, and her, back to their beds, she'd do so gladly. A low grunt came from Neji before he took a few steps into the room, trying to reach the bed. His eyes dropped close, though, as his body went limp.

Sakura rushed foreward and caught the falling boy, calling out for a nurse before getting a better grip on his unconsious body. A nurse soon came rushing in and took the fainted boy to a other room, laying him down upon a bed there.

Sakura turned her gaze to the only Hyuuga in the room and spoke up, yet again.

"Hinata-chan, you have to go back.. Tell your father about what happened and tell him that Neji is spending the night here. I will take care of him. Go back to bed and catch some rest, alright..?"

"A-Alright.. Sakura-san.. Please t-take care of N-Neji-niisan and N-Naruto-kun.."

As the rosette haired Haruno confirmed that and smiled softly at the shy Hyuuga, she helped her out of the room. She walked out of the room after a final look upon the sleeping boy.

She checked on Lee first, as she had promised Tenten that she would, then slipped into Neji's room and pulled a chair up besides his bed. There she sat down, guarding the unconcious Hyuuga branch member..


The long, coffee haired boy woke up with a fright and sat up quickly, gaze traveling around the room. Spotting an sleeping Sakura besides his bed, he shook her awoke roughly.

"Oww… nani..?"

The Haruno muttered as she blinked, looking up at the infuriated Hyuuga.

"Tell me where Hinata-sama is, woman, or I'll beat it out of you."

"Neji, calm down. I send her back to the mansion to tell her father what happened. She had to rest, too, you know?"

"What! How could you do that! She could be kidnapped by now! Take me back to the Bunke, woman. And I mean NOW!"

Sakura whimpered, nodding uneasily, but he wasn't done yet.. Someone needs to learn how to control their anger..

"And what did I tell you about calling me that! You need to show respect, woman, or you'll end up far more lower."

Sakura sighed softly,

"Hai, Neji-sama.."

While Inner Sakura was ranting, she helped him out of bed and out of the hospital. She needed to clean the Hyuuga mansion, anyway..


"Report."

"Hai, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade looked at the ANBU-clad jounin infront of her expectantly. She had given him a special mission.. He was to keep out an eye on all of the Chuunin.

"Out of all in the hospital, Uzumaki Naruto is the only one who wakes up frequently. Haruno Sakura has been seen visiting all who are there, bringing flowers with her every time. Rock Lee is also visited by Tenten quite often. Inuzuka Kiba and Nara Shikamaru are seen spending lots of time together."

Deep breath..

"Frequent meetings in the woods occur, too. The ones there are said Haruno, Yamanaka Ino and said Tenten. Hyuuga Hinata, along with guardian Hyuuga Neji, has visited said Uzumaki in the hospital. Last named Hyuuga fainted, but said Haruno watched over him the whole night and brought him back to his family's mansion in the morning."

And another deep breath..

'Stupid long reports..'

"He has scolded her for sending the other Hyuuga home alone, though. Sabaku no Gaara and his brother Kankuro have been spotted training together. Their sister Temari found a friend in their maid, beforementioned Yamanaka. First mentioned Sand ninja tried to kill said maid due to disrespect. His sister stopped it on time, though."

The ANBU nodded as an end of his report.

"Thank you. You may leave now."

And with that, Tsunade was alone again. She smiled and continued to think about said things for a while..


Cleaning the Hyuuga Mansion, thoughts clouded a certain pink haired girls mind. She didn't even know that she was speaking her thoughts out loud.

"I wonder where that blanket came from.. Someone must have put it there.."

She pondered over her musings for a moment, cleaning a hallway that was part of the Branch members section. Suddenly, a hand came up from behind her and pulled her into a room. Said hand was clasped over her mouth as she stood with her back against a wall. Eyes widened as she saw who was holding her..

"Listen, woman. I had someone following you. It was I who ordered that a blanket was put over you. The Mansion needs cleaning every day and you're responsible for that. Besides, Hinata-sama sees you as her friend. I couldn't have you sick because of those two reasons. Don't seek anything behind it. I detest you."

Hyuuga Neji stopped his short, hushed speech and glared at her before shoving her out of his room.

'whoa.. that was odd..'

Sakura blinked, then heaved a confused sigh as she continued the cleaning..


With a soft growl-like noise, Ino sped through the hall of the Hidden Mansion. She hadn't had a good night of sleep and her mom had been very bitchy this morning. And now she had to clean this house, too.

Taking the cleaning materials out, she started cleaning the kitchen in a hurry. Running upstairs, she started to clean there. She hoped to be done soon, so that she could go home again. No wait, scratch that, so that she could find a friend and cheer up a bit again. She wasn't aware, though, of the watching boy.

'Annoying woman..'

Gaara mused as he was following the many movements Ino made. He watched as she cleaned the bedrooms and he watched as she tripped on the beginning of her way down on the stairs.. As they had no bar on each side of the stairs yet, she came tumbling down the side.

'Temari was very protective of this girl.. And she does clean the house. Temari will blaim me if she gets hurt, too..'

With those thoughts, Gaara walked out of his hiding place and caught the falling Ino just in time. He had to catch her with his hands, as Temari wouldn't allow sand in the house. Well, nowhere else then his bedroom, that is.. And he didn't have his gourd with him..

As his arms were wrapped around her loosely, he remembered the words she spoke some days ago. A cocky smirk played upon his lips as he pulled the girl against him for a second, then just let her fall to the ground. Taking a step back, Gaara looked down upon the shocked blonde haired girl. Then, with his usual emotionless, cold voice, he spoke.

"You were right, woman.. I did need a hug."