Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine.


When Temari heard Chiyo scathingly denounce Tsunade's talent, she knew that Kankuro was in good hands; Chiyo might grumble and complain and give everyone a hard time in general, but she saved genuine contempt only for those whose skill rivaled or surpassed Suna's best. And while Tsunade might have been unable to attend to Kankuro herself, she had sent her protege in her stead.

Although it had been nearly three years since Temari had seen Sakura up-close, she remembered her first encounter with the girl and was pleased to see that Sakura was still as sharp and quick as ever. She knew theory flawlessly (just like Temari remembered) and she never hesitated when applying theory to her work (unlike Temari remembered). She had beautiful pink hair (like Temari remembered) and she no longer resembled a twelve-year-old boy (unlike Temari remembered).

While Sakura fixed the antidote that would counteract the poison racing through Kankuro's veins, a messenger stopped by his hospital room and told Temari that her presence was requested elsewhere. Temari was slightly annoyed that she had to leave, but she promised herself that if Sakura lived up to her expectations (and Temari was sure that she would), she would be sure to stop by the set of rooms that the Konoha envoy had been put up in for the night to express her gratitude in person.

Fin.