After breakfast with Temari, I head to the hospital, followed by Luo. He and Temari did most of the talking at breakfast this morning, and it got me wondering why he has to be my bodyguard, and not Temari's. She at least enjoys his company.

But I've decided to make up with Luo. It would suck to have to spend the rest of my days here with a man I can't even get along with.

"So, too bad you couldn't get rid of me."

Later. I'll make up with him later.

I teach class all day, followed by Luo. He remains as silent as ever, but my students have gotten over their initial shyness, so they now ask me questions at least. I'm really starting to warm up to them.

After work I'm told to visit Seri in her office, so I head over there.

"You rang?" I ask, poking my head inside the door.

She smiles and waves me in. "Come in." For a moment I get this image in my mind of a demon sitting inside its terrible lair and waving me in so that it can eat me, but I dismiss it with a smile. Seri's not quite a demon, and besides, a demon would probably at least disguise its voice.

I sit in the chair across from her and wait.

"I found your official papers." she tells me. "I just need you to sign them now. And it would be nice if you dated them for the first day you came, since you've actually been working illegally these last few days."

I laugh and sign the papers where she points dutifully. It figures, that not only would I be doing more work than expected, I would be doing it without the proper papers.

"And I have something else to ask you."

I groan a little inside as I push the papers back across her desk to her. What now?

"You did a good job examining the Kazekage yesterday." She says.

I roll my eyes. "As good a job as any doctor. Probably not as good, even, since I'm a medic really, not a family doctor."

She frowns for a moment, as if just realizing something. "I'm sorry. Does it bother you that I've assigned you all these menial tasks, and stuck you here? Would you rather be out on the field?"

I shake my head. "That's not what I meant."

She smiles broadly then. "Good! Because I want you to take over for me while you're here. Examining the Kazekage that is. It's something that I just can't trust to anyone else. And besides, it's a great show of trust, isn't it?"

I nod slowly. "You don't need to get politics involved Seri; I would have done it for you anyway."

She sighs. "I'm sorry Sakura. I know this isn't what you expected."

I smile, try to make her feel better. The last thing I want to do is make Seri feel bad. "I don't mind one bit."

"I'm glad." she says, and hits her hands palms down on her desk. "Well! Now that that's all taken care of, you should go get some food and rest before tomorrow. More exciting things to do! Every day is new, I like to say."

I raise my eyebrows at her last comment, and she shrugs and grins at me. I stand and she walks me to the door. Just before I'm about to leave she grabs my arm and pulls me back. I'm too surprised to do anything as she pries my eyelids open and stares into my right eye.

"When was the last time you had a check up?" she asks me.

I shrug. "I can't remember."

She makes a disapproving noise, and pulls a pen out of her chest pocket. "You should really get that done soon, if it's been so long. Doctors should be at least as healthy as their patients at all times. Come see me again tomorrow."

I nod, and she writes it down on her palm. I suppress a laugh at her professionalism as I leave, so that when I face Luo again I'm smiling.

"Good news?" he asks flatly. I'm reminded of classic bodyguard types who have no emotions. Maybe he's actually a robot.

"Oh yes." I respond sarcastically. "We'll be waking much earlier now." I walk past him on my way out, and he follows as usual.

"Joy."