50. Did the Mission really fail?

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According to the side's statistics some of YOU MAY HAVE SKIPPED CHAPTER 48!

It was uploaded on the same day as chapter 49 and it contains important scenes for the story, so don't forget to read it too.

SquaMata

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Sakura woke up in the middle of the night. Again she had one of those weird, very lively dreams. They had been surprisingly colourful and delightful with a lot of erotic scenes which had seemed to develop a life of their own, but she didn't mind they had always been very pleasant for her. The pinkette wasn't sure who it had been to sweeten her imaginations this time, she had not seen his face. Most of her fantasies contained a certain silverhead or a handsome ANBU who was sadly still declared "missing in action".

The young kunoichi turned to lie on her back while her mind drifted off to Tatsuo.

It was a shame that Naruto wasn't allowed to bring him back. Tsunade had told him there would be a reason he would understand someday and the pinkette had told him his family would need him more, which was true and had worked wonders on the blonde jinchuuriki. Sakura didn't regret a thing and there was still the possibility he would return all by himself like the hokage had reassured her. The elite ninja had not been declared KIA by now, there would be a year and a few months left until his name would get engraved into the cenotaph. The medic-nin took a deep breath and put her underarm to close her eyes and soothe the upcoming headache.

After a few unsuccessful attempts of continuing to sleep she decided to get up.

A cup of strong coffee and a run would make a good start into her day and it had the wonderful benefit of getting her mind clear.

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Sakura walked through the bedroom door and headed for the kitchenette. Respectfully she did not switch on the lights of her combined living space, though her eyes searched for the sleepy pug. Lately he had developed the habit of crawling onto her sofa in the middle of the night to sleep there sprawled over in a kangaroo pose between the large pillows and snoring bestially. Whenever she had woken up Pakkun had been outside the bedroom or he had been even gone completely, but she had always been well-rested and relaxed. That's why she didn't dare to ask questions and neither did he.

There was a gurgling noise and she knew it was the cute dog slowly waking up. Sakura smiled as she took a sip of her warm and steamy cup full of fresh brewed oriental coffee.

Temari had brought the pinkette's favourite brand as a gift for her on her last visit to Konoha. By now Sakura's coffee had reached an ever higher stage of perfection, it was so delicious with just the right amount of oriental spices added, sweetened with a half teaspoon of dark golden honey and topped with a soft whitecap of foamed almond milk slightly powdered with cinnamon. That coffee was a creation of desire like pure sex made as a hot beverage, her personal, daily sin, coating the taste buds in sweet glee and with a sudden delightful explosion on her tongue like a colourful firework of all different spices. Closing her eyes and licking her lips Sakura relished in the sensation of her amazing beverage.

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Today would be special, Gaara had come to Konoha for an alliance meeting.

On the first official kage meeting there had not been enough time to discuss the seduction mission and some other topics due to extended negotiations and on the second there had been an unforeseen emergency with rogue nins involved. Sakura had helped to patch up Naruto and Sai after they had returned, because Tsunade had been too tired out of the epic fight and the healing of all the severely wounded. But that was the past, today would be great. Today would be enough time.

Sakura had been invited to join their private meeting later on today and she was looking forward to spend some time with Gaara again. Yesterday he had surprised her with a visit at the hospital. First he had wanted to take that opportunity for his three-monthly check-up and second he had asked her to have dinner with him tonight after his alliance meeting.

Frankly she was a woman with needs, her dreams haunted her and her two objects of desire were either missing in action or teasing her until she couldn't think straight only to vanish in a puff of smoke then. She knew the kazekage was a very discreet man and not averted to some occasional fun, so she wouldn't mind to blow off some steam with him if Shukaku would give his consent.

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In the early afternoon Gaara and Tsunade were discussing about the upcoming marriage between Konoha and Suna and the terms and conditions both councils had prescribed.

"Konoha is grateful to welcome such a skilled kunoichi supporting our alliance."

"I guess my sister will be happy. She has never been fond of the rough desert climate anyway. "

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The hokage gave him an apologetic look. "I have to admit, I'm still sorry for the failed mission. Your siblings had asked for our help and I want to assure you once again that we all had just wanted the best for you. I'm deeply sorry that it didn't work and all the inconvenience that it caused you."

"Inconvenience? No. Though I knew it from the start, it was refreshingly different." His lips moved into a half sided smile as he averted his eyes briefly to look out of the window. "She was great. I mean, she did a lot for me and for my village." His attention came back to the leader of the leaf. "Suna feels deeply indebted to Konoha. That is why we have decided to allow Temari to move to your village after her marriage with Nara Shikamaru."

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Tsunade smiled in approval, but before she could respond there was a double knock on her office door.

"Come on in!"

Sakura approached the two kages and joined them having tea at the office.

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They spoke about the mission and why it had failed.

"I understand. Of course I'll keep it a secret and so will Sakura."

"I'm glad you comprehend the situation." The young handsome man poured them some fresh tea into their cups as a gesture of kindness.

Then the three came back to the issue of the wedding and Sakura as the maid of honour informed them of the more recent plans and changes.

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After their tea the pinkette had to leave, she said she had another appointment. Gaara smiled knowingly as Sakura closed the door of the office behind her and made her way to the training grounds.

The two village leaders smiled, the mission had gone perfectly, even if it failed at first.

Gaara had learned to sleep, the remaining pieces of Shukaku had been sealed together, he was easier to control now and behaved.

His sister would be married in Konoha soon and would deliver a possible heir for Suna someday.

Last but not least Sakura and Kakashi both had been saved from their sorrow and grief.

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"So, I assume they are still training together?"

"Yeah, they spend a lot of time together since he has returned from his journeys."

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Gaara chuckled and shook his head in incomprehension. Though they could be together now, they are still both too afraid to give in.

Perceptive hazel eyes had noticed the reaction of the younger kage. "So I'm not the only one who suspects there's something going on between the two, right?" She smirked.

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"There were many indications, yes." He nodded with a half sided smirk. "To all appearances there are many men interested in her actually."

Tsunade chuckled. "Yeah, she has it in her to turn all the heads of the men."

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Gaara smiled and shifted in his seat to a more comfortable position. "What about that one ANBU who had accompanied Hatake on his last ambassador trip to Suna? He had sought for one of my best armourers in particular to manufacture a specific sword for him."

"Oh, you mean Tatsuo." Tsunade remembered she had sent them together to Suna.

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"I cannot remember his name, but by the description of the very unique tanto I am sure it would be a gift for Sakura. Are they in some kind of relationship?" The redhead asked out of pure curiosity.

"Sadly he's been declared M.I.A. for over nine months now. It's a very sensitive topic." The sannin's amused look faltered.

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The leader of the sand felt sadness washing over his former emotionless heart. "That must be hard for her. He seemed to be a really nice guy with honest intentions." He had hoped Sakura would find the love she deserved eventually.

Tsunade snorted and Gaara gave her a questioning look. "Sorry. I had a frog in my throat. Yes, he has some good sides indeed." There was still a weird grin plastered all over her face.

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"Mhm. But?" The young man cocked his head to the side.

"Like most of my ANBU he's an idiot. An elite idiot, but still an idiot. Especially with women!" The hokage answered laughingly.

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The kazekage chuckled briefly before he decided to switch topic. "Speaking about the elite, do you have chosen who will be your successor?"

The blonde village leader nodded confidently.