Chapter 1

Of Leaf and Sand

"Ah… I could have done that without Sauske any time. I just figured I give him a chance to try to beat that Haku kid." Naruto said as team seven made its way to the academy.

"Naruto!" yelled Sakura as she smashed Naruto into the ground. "Don't talk about Sauske like that he saved your butt."

"Yeah well…" Naruto was about to make a comeback but he noticed a small box sliding along behind them. "Hey quit following us!"

Naruto kicked the box and out popped Konohamaru. "So you've seen through my disguise again Naruto." The small boy said as he stood pointing an accusing finger at him. "Your skill is recognized. Hey is this your girlfriend, you know the one you always talk about, Sakura." He said giggling slightly.

Naruto waved his hands pleadingly trying to get Konohamaru to stop but it was no use. Sakura gave an annoyed look which quickly turned into an angry glare.

"NARUTO! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"

Naruto and Konohamaru screamed and took off running away from the enraged Sakura. They turned into an alley way with Konohamaru ahead of Naruto. Just as Konohamaru made the turn out of the alley way he slammed into a boy with something tied to his back. The boy turned around quickly revealing his make up covered face. He glared down at Konohamaru who was too stunned by the fall to get up. The girl beside him stopped right after him and looked back to see what was happening.

"Hey punk watch where your going." Said the boy. "I guess I'll just have to teach you konoha kids a lesson." The boy lifted Konohamaru up by his collar and pulled back his arm to punch a whimpering Konohamaru.

Naruto charged in to take down the boy but before he could even get to him a stone was flung through the air and smashed the wrist of the boy.

The girl looked up to see who had thrown the stone. Sauske was sitting on the edge of a tree branch looking down at the boy in the make up, tossing a second stone up and down in his right hand.

Hey he's kind of cute. Thought the girl.

"Why don't you pick on someone your own side." Sauske said as he looked down upon the boy.

"Hey…" the boy started as he pulled off the thing on his back, but he was cut off by a new voice.

"Kankuro, Temari, how many times do I have to tell you. No fighting here."

Kankuro and Temari both grew quite pale and looked up to the person behind Sauske.

How did he get behind me without me noticing? Thought Sauske nervously.

"Yes, Sorry Garra it won't happen again. Right Kankuro."

Kankuro nodded gimly and put the thing back on his back.

Then without another word the two turned back up the street and walked off.

Later that day. Garra was no where to be found and Kankuro had gone to practice his jutsu, leaving Temari alone to roam around the village. After some time of looking through small shops and visiting the academy she caught sight of the boy from earlier. The one who had hit Kankuro. She instantly decided she had to talk to him.

Before she could talk herself out of it she was standing in front of the boy introducing herself.

"Hi, I'm Temari." She said, "What's your name?"

"Sauske." He said, not even pausing from his training.

"Yeah well anyway… uhh…" she hesitated trying to decide if she wanted to ask him out or not. "Well umm… I was just wondering if maybe you would… uh… well want to go out and get a bowl of ramen or something?"

Sauske stopped at this. It was strange besides Sakura's hints and trying to impress him, no girl had openly asked him out before.

"Uhh… well sure I guess."