A/N: Here's the 4th chapter! I took long to update cause I had writer's block. But in the end, this chapter turned out to be the longest of them all! Remember to review...

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the other characters.

Summary: Sakura is sent to Sunagakure on a mission to train the medic ninja there. Yet, there is one little problem…She'll be living with the Kazekage and his family. Will she survive long enough to complete her task?

Up Close and Personal

Chapter 4

Temari eyed the newly arrived kunoichi with interest, trying to estimate how long she would last in the desert. Hmm…Probably not long. Her musings were interrupted by Gaara's voice.

"Welcome to Sunagakure no Sato. I hope you find your stay enjoyable."

She mentally rolled her eyes and watched with amusement as the girl's eyes widened in disbelief. There was a rather long moment of silence as they stared at each other. Just as Temari thought she was going to die of heat, her brother spoke again.

"Well, are you going to stand there all day!" He barked, startling the girl. Turning away, he said, "Temari, Kankuro, get her settled in."

And with those oh so welcoming words, he was gone faster than they could blink. Temari sighed and rubbed her temples with her thumb and forefinger.

"Um, I'm sorry," Said the girl weakly.

There's no reason to be sorry." Said Kankuro lightly. "Gaara's always pissed."

This made her chuckle softly. She grabbed her bag and approached them, apparently having recovered from Gaara's lovely reception. "So, where will I be staying?"

"In our house," Replied Temari. Seeing her slightly fearful expression, she said, "Don't worry; all the doors have locks and the house is pretty big."

They began walking, making their way through the dusty streets, stepping around people sitting on the sidewalk. Sakura looked around, taking in the sights with her sparkling green eyes. She had never seen such a peculiar village before.

The moderately sized houses where the villagers lived in were made of a sand-like material that seemed to hold against the howling winds that blew in the night. She spotted several villagers looking at them from their doorways and windows, observing with curiosity.

"What's your name?" Asked Temari.

"I'm Haruno Sakura."

"That name sounds familiar," Remarked Kankuro.

He thought for a few seconds until he finally got it. "You were one of the participants in the Chunnin Exams when Sound and…um, Sand attacked."

"Yeah, that's right." Said Sakura. "Temari fought Tenten in the prelims."

Temari got uncomfortable as she realized that the girl she had given a beating was Sakura's friend. It was funny how she was thinking about it now when she had cared nothing back then.

"Well, we can't let stuff like that get in the way," Said Temari, effectively ridding them of the chance to discuss the war.

Sakura glanced at her but said nothing. She recalled what Kakashi has said. It really was better to not dwell on past mistakes. Temari obviously didn't want to think about her village's mistake.

After a few more minutes of walking, they stopped in front of a two floor house. They approached it and entered. The inside was cool, very different from the almost stifling air outside. Kankuro left them, saying something about going to look for Gaara. But both girls knew he was just ditching.

Temari led Sakura up some stairs and through several corridors. Apparently, the house was bigger than it seemed from the outside. Finally, she stopped in front of an ordinary looking door.

She went to open it only to find it locked.

"Damn!" She cursed softly under her breath. Temari began fishing around her pockets. She unearthed a weird looking necklace. "So that's where it was!"

This sent Sakura into a bout of silent giggles.

Then she found the key. It was small and silver with intricate carvings on it. She handed it to Sakura and let her have the honor of entering her room first.

Sakura opened the door easily and stepped inside. She froze on the doorstep. The room was beautiful. It was about the size of her apartment. She turned to look at Temari. "This is way too much for me." She said modestly.

The sand nin scoffed. "Would you rather live in a tiny room for six months?"

Sakura wrinkled her nose. "I thought not." Temari smiled and began walking away. "I'll let you get settled in. Once you're finished, meet me downstairs."

And with that, Sakura was left alone.

She peered out and looked both ways in the hallway. She spotted a door at the end but disregarded it for now. She would snoop later.

She closed the door slowly and turned. Resisting a childish squeal of excitement and the urge to jump on the fluffy looking bed, she walked further into her room, practically dragging her bag behind her.

"I think I could get used to this place," Commented Sakura to herself. She smiled ad proceeded to put everything of hers in place, trying to make the room look as nice as possible.

By the time she finished, it was already dark outside. Sakura took a hurried shower in the huge bathroom she had found beyond one of the doors. She exited her room, wearing a thin cotton shirt and black shorts.

Her stomach growled loudly. Sakura winced and looked both ways, thinking about what Temari had said. Now, if only she could make her way downstairs…

She turned a corner, retracing her footsteps and found herself face to face with the Kazekage himself. Cold green eyes stared into her own. "What are doing?" He asked.

"Um, I was trying to find my way downstairs," Sakura replied.

"Rude jerk!" Said Inner Sakura. "Can't he be nicer?"

He sighed and turned, motioning for her to follow him. She looked at him, a confused look on her face.

"I'll take you there." He said, answering her unspoken question. "Temari had sent me to get you anyways."

Sakura brushed back a strand of pink hair and smiled, looking at his back as he walked away. Even though his first impression hadn't been so good, he was doing better.

"Are you coming or not! I won't care if you starve!"

Or maybe he still had to work some things out.

&&&&&&&&&&

Gaara trudged up the stairs, annoyed at his sister. Did she think he was her maid or something? They had servants to go fetch things and do stuff. But Temari preferred to use her younger brother, the Kazekage, as her messenger.

Why did he allow her to?

Ah yes…She was his sister and he felt some sort of obligation to her. Maybe it was the same with all siblings.

Hmm… Nah.

He didn't listen to Kankuro at all.

He turned a corner and had to stop quickly to avoid crashing into a certain pink haired girl. He looked at her coldly. After all, he had appearances to keep up.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Um, I was trying to find my way downstairs," She replied.

He sighed and turned, motioning for her to follow him. He sensed her confusion.

"I'll take you there." Gaara said, answering her unspoken question. "Temari had sent me to get you anyways."

He continued walking, expecting her to follow. He glanced back and found her still standing at the same spot, an idiotic smile on her face.

"Are you coming or not! I won't care if you starve!" He barked.

A smirk made its way onto his face as he saw her jump in surprise. Sakura hurried to his side.

"Sorry," She mumbled.

Gaara rolled his eyes. She was so predictable.

Together, they walked down the stairs and towards the delicious aroma of food that was filling the house.

Dinner was going to be interesting.

A/N2: Well, Gaara did make more of an appearance in this one. He'll definitely appear/speak more as the story progresses. Leave a review!