Hey, guys. Sorry for the short delay. I was busy working on the chapters for the other story since I haven't wrote anything besides GaaSaku fanfics. To be honest, it's not that easy to juggle both stories at a time. Depending on which chapters I am, I would continue writing it until it gets to the end of the story.
Anyways, please read & review!
Four days later, Naruto was appointed as the seventh Hokage, whereas he started to court Hinata as his girlfriend. He had moved on from his feelings towards Sakura since he figured out that they are more likely better as friends. Everyone congratulated him, including her and Gaara.
"Wow! You've made it, kid. We are so proud of you," Tsunade said, smiling at him.
"Congrats, big bro!" Konohamaru beamed as he raised his thumb up towards him in enthusiasm.
"I knew that this day would come and as far as I expected, we should have a drink of saki together. Twice the combo," Gaara insisted calmly with a smirk.
"Now, now. I suggest you two do not get drunk, alright?" Sakura giggled at him as she slapped his shoulder lightly.
"Yeah. Listen to your lady, Gaara. Hoot, hoot," Kankuro joked with a snort.
Temari rolled her eyes at him, but smiled anyway. "Jeez. Bunch of clowns here."
"Thank you, guys! This really means a lot to me. Yes, of course, Gaara. But I think I would like to have ramen for lunch today. You want to join?" Naruto asked the couple blankly.
"Actually, they are both going to a different place," Hinata answered.
"Really?" Naruto got startled.
"Hmm. I will be introducing Gaara to my parents," Sakura said excitedly.
"Ah! That's great news! I'm happy for you guys!" Naruto exclaimed in surprise.
"To be honest with you, I'm much more nervous than I thought," Gaara said chuckling as he rubbed the back of his head shyly.
"Why? I thought you were looking forward to this moment," Sakura glanced at him with a frown.
"I was… But um…" Gaara trailed off of his words until Kankuro cut in.
"He is just worried that he might not make a good impression of himself in front of your parents," Kankuro sniggered.
Temari whacked him with her fan and scolded annoyingly. "Shut it. You're even adding more panic to that."
The red-haired Kazekage sighed and smiled. "It's alright. Maybe I shouldn't be too concerned."
The pink-haired kunoichi nodded in agreement, saying. "Yeah. I mean, they know that you've changed a lot since we were twelve. Whether they like you or not, at least I love you."
With that said, she pecked a kiss on his cheek, making him smile and kiss her on the lips in return.
"Awwwww…." Kiba and Choji replied gleefully in unison while Kankuro and Temari were smiling happily at them.
"Hehe. I suppose I don't mind finding a lover of my own," Sai said monotonously as he started drawing the blonde ponytail-haired kunoichi beside him on the blank page of his notebook.
"What do you mean?" Ino questioned in confusion.
Sai turned his book around and showed her the drawing, much to her amazement.
"Is that me?!" Ino asked shockingly.
"Yes. Why? Is something wrong with it?" Sai became puzzled.
"No. It's absolutely beautiful," Ino pointed out.
"You are beautiful," Sai corrected, making her blush and continued on. "Would you like to go on a date with me, Ms. Yamanaka?"
Ino blushed and responded with a nod. "Absolutely. It would be thrilling to go somewhere out of the village. You know, just for once."
"I think I know one. We can go ride horses, fly kites, and eat ice cream together," Sai suggested.
"Sure. But you're going to have to pay for the desserts," Ino said, sticking her tongue out playfully.
Sai chuckled at her cuteness and nodded. "Of course. I will."
Then, the two of them started walking away and bid farewell at Naruto and the others.
"Okay. I need to practice my training and start a business soon," Tenten said.
"Business? What for?" Lee asked curiously.
"You see, I'm selling my weapons that I don't necessarily need. You can help me if you want or you want to continue hanging out with Guy-sensei," Tenten guessed while gazing dully at him.
Lee contemplated and replied shortly. "I think I would help you instead because right now, him and Kakashi-sensei are about to have another race around the village."
"Seriously?" Choji peered in astonishment.
Tenten raised an eyebrow and said. "Gee. I never expect that they would have that much stamina to actually head on for a huge run. They're strong."
"That is why I look up to them," Lee said enthusiastically.
"Anyway, let's head on because Gaara and I need to go now in fifteen minutes before my parents come home. See ya!" The pink-haired kunoichi said giddily, waving at them as she grabbed his arm around hers while the red-haired Kazekage placed his hand on her back naturally.
"See ya, guys! Take care!" Temari called out and sighed gladly.
"Don't go making babies soon!" Kankuro yelled and laughed hysterically, which he then received a huge smack on his back by his older sister's fist. "Ouch."
"Ugh. Keep your dirty jokes to yourself," she rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Hehehe. I can't keep that promise or maybe you do want to have one with a certain someone in your mind," Kankuro clicked his tongue and smirked at her getting flustered.
Temari's cheeks turned bright pink and stammered as she crossed her arms while looking away from him. "Sh-shut your trap!"
"Oooooh. I know who it is. It's Shik-" Kankuro was about to spill it out, but his mouth got stuffed in with an apple.
"Here. Have a bite of this delicious fruit. It's good for the heart," Temari said, smirking at him amusingly as she wiped her hands back and forth.
Kankuro took the apple and started chewing, then he spoke again slyly. "You know who's good for your heart?"
Temari shot him a death glare to be silent until they both heard a voice clearing their throat behind them, but she continued to threaten her brother. "If you mention his name again, I will make sure you won't be able to breathe for that long."
"Ahem. So who wants to go and volunteer to arrange Hokage's new office?" A lazy dull tone asked while his hand was shoved in his pocket.
"Shikamaru!" Temari's eyes widened in shock as she swiftly turned around to face him.
"What up?" He greeted casually and continued on. "So do you guys want to volunteer? I only need one person, anyways."
"I will do the honour-" Kankuro got interrupted when Temari elbowed him on the stomach, causing him to flinch in pain.
"Arghh!" He bit his lip as he lowered his head down.
"I'll help you out. For Naruto's dream," Temari said grinning widely.
Shikamaru furrowed his eyebrows in puzzlement at her sudden exciting reaction. "Um… Alrighty. Yeah, let's go."
"Hmm," Temari said, nodding carelessly and they both walked away, leaving Kankuro in his own spot.
Kiba was snorting out with a laugh and approached him. "Dude, you sure must have brought them together just like that. Seeing your sister in such a loving daze full state is pretty obvious."
Kankuro began to chuckle and stood up straight, saying. "Trust me. I tend to do that for a very long time. She has feelings for him and I know for a fact that he does too."
"True. Want to play some cards?" Kiba asked.
"Yeah. Let's go," Kankuro said, shrugging as they both walked away and decided to go to the cafe.
Before noon, the pink-haired kunoichi opened the door in front of her house and looked around to see that her parents were in the living room, reading newspapers and piling some letters. All of their emotions began to wander around them because of how long they've been waiting for her to come back after the war and here she was, standing tall in her own two feet.
"Sakura? Is that you?" Mrs. Haruno murmured in a whisper as she walked right in front of her and gently touched her hand.
The pink-haired kunoichi nodded in response as her eyes glistened in tears of joy. "Yes…"
Mr. Haruno, on the other hand, got up from the couch and approached her. "My dear little girl. We missed you so much."
He examined her face and hugged her tightly in which she also returned. "I miss you all too!"
Then, the whole family came to a loving embrace, then let go of each other.
"You're back from your mission. How was it?" Sakura asked beamingly.
"Not bad. Kind of interesting. Fought some other bandits on the way home," Mrs. Haruno said, smiling confidently.
"Ah, yes. Your mother is always a tough one," Mr. Haruno pointed out cheekily.
"That's great," Sakura said happily.
"Yes. You know what else is great?" Mrs. Haruno paused and continued on. "You…"
"Me?" The pink-haired kunoichi became puzzled.
"Hmm. We've heard a lot about you and Team 7. You saved the world right before it was about to fall into an endless illusion that the Akatsuki created. You are truly a hero. We couldn't be more proud of you and for the kind of flower that you have bloomed into a truly strong woman you are meant to become," Mrs. Haruno stated genuinely.
"You are one heck of a blossom, sweetie," Mr. Haruno complimented and patted her on her head, which Sakura giggled joyously and hugged them.
Then, they all let go of each other when she cleared her throat, saying. "Mom, Dad. There is someone that I would like to introduce to you."
The red-haired Kazekage stepped in with a smile and bowed down respectfully at them. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Haruno."
Both of her parents' eyes widened in surprise with their mouths gaped wide open.
"You are the fourth Kazekage's son. Gaara of the desert," Mr. Haruno described with a grin.
"My, you are more handsome in person that other people are talking about," Mrs. Haruno complimented.
"Thank you. Um…" the red-haired Kazekage glanced at Sakura blankly when she figured out what they needed to tell them.
"Mom, Dad. I want to announce that Gaara and I are in a relationship," the pink-haired kunoichi said proudly.
On the other hand, her parents couldn't help but drop their jaws and clapped their hands triumphantly.
"That's wonderful, honey. Thank goodness you found the right man," Mrs. Haruno said smiling.
"Yeah! If you love him, we will support you all the way. We are happy that you are happy," Mr. Haruno said contentedly and joked. "I guess you wouldn't mind. I may start calling you my son-in-law, Gaara."
Sakura's cheeks became bright pink and got flustered. "Dad!"
Mr. Haruno burst out laughing in wholesome, saying. "I'm just teasing. But seriously, I wouldn't mind seeing you two have a wedding eventually."
Gaara chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Yes, we will."
"Really?" Sakura looked at him with a hopeful smile as she wrapped her arm around him closer to her.
"Hmm," he hummed in response as he hugged her lovingly.
Sakura embraced him in return while her eyes were closed and squealed in delight, much to her parents' joy.
"Well, we're glad to hear that. Anyway, let's all head out for lunch because I haven't eaten breakfast," Mr. Haruno said, rubbing his belly.
Mrs. Haruno scoffed and rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Oh please. You ate half of my sandwich this morning. How are you still starving?"
Mr. Haruno retorted back defensively with his arms held out. "Because I need more energy. I happen to love food, thank you very much."
Mrs. Haruno sighed and laughed. "Whatever."
Gaara and Sakura giggled as they all exited the house on their way to the sushi restaurant.
TO BE CONTINUED...