A/N : I feel so swamped these days. I will update as I can please review when you can thanks guys!

~Mingled~

"The past is a source of knowledge, and the future is a source of hope. Love of the past implies faith in the future."- Stephen Ambrose

Naruto knew when Suna threw a party, it spared no expense to delight its guests.

However, Naruto hated parties. If he were to be quite honest it wasn't the actually party he disliked, no eating and drinking were his two favorite things to do. It was all the bothersome formalities that went along with attending such parties that damped his mood.

All the meeting and greetings, the long winded conversations about politics between rival and fellow villages and the excessive boosting; he extremely hated the excessive boosting. None the less he was chosen to attend in host of Konoha. He always looked at it as being one step closer to becoming Hokage; and if Gaara could do it so could he.

He paused amidst his complex thoughts, causing him to pull his eyes from the large crowd to the demanding presence next to him. His eyes eased when he noticed the Kazekage standing next to him.

"What…?", Naruto sarcastically commented after no words were spoken by Gaara to start a conversation. It however was obvious that he wished to speak, he had that all knowing look in his eyes.

"Last time you were here you made me assume you would not be attending the gala", Gaara stated raising his glass to his lips allowing his eyes to glaze over to Naruto's.

"I presumed you would send someone in your place. You are not one to attend such precocious events.", he continued as he set the sparkling wine glass in his hand down smoothly on the oak engraved table.

"And you're wondering what changed my mind right?" If I suddenly became eager to join in the overzealous habits of those attending", Naruto replied sarcastically sipping at his drink.

Gaara allowed a rare smile to rise to his lips, much unlike himself, "What made you attended Naruto? Or…should I say who?", Gaara stated motioning his head toward the stairs before leaving a baffled Naruto looking at the Kazekage blend into the crowd.

Sakura stood onto top of the grand staircase, her face unsuccessfully hiding the frightened look painted across it. As frightened as she was about the situation she was relieved she was not in Konoha among her friends and comrades. She could embarrass herself here, and she would be the weird pink haired woman, at home it would be pain strikingly obvious it was because of her lack of attending just events that would make her the center of ridicule.

She tried to wipe negative thoughts from her mind. She felt the more she thought them the more they would come true. She glanced around the room once more quickly the simple grey one shoulder dress that clung to her toned physique threw out the color of her eyes and hair, making her smile softly. She was utterly grateful for Temari saving the day; if it had been left to Naruto she would have been wearing her training outfit.

Her smile slightly faded, as she glanced down to the stairs. Why did there always have to be so many damn stairs to walk down, and the new high heels made her feel shakier. As if things were not already working out against her.

She decided it was best to hold the railing on her journey down, she grasped the fine marble railing, her fingers dug into the etched grooves as she ran proceeded her decent. She had not attended a gala this large in quite some time, but even she could already tell many high officials were attending. The journey to Suna was not easy but the culture and atmosphere was more than welcoming. Easing into her steps she felt light as if some heavy weight was being lifted off of her.

Before she could collect all her thoughts about her current situation , her feet began to give way to the slippery marble, and she quickly thought if anyone would notice the pink hair woman stumbling to the ground in front of the grand stair case. She wondered if Gaara or Naruto would be embarrassed by her, or if Naruto would regret bringing her here.

Before she could feel the cold marble floor, a pair of muscular hands reached out to grab her. She looked up to meet eyes with Naruto. He was a mere inches away from her face, but their bodies were pressed firmly against each other. The heat from his body poured over her causing the already dim blush to grow, she presumed from embarrassment

It took a moment to register what was going on, "Na-Naruto?"

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say my younger years have really rubbed off on you."

Sakura could feel an intense blush creeping to her face, but avoided meeting Naruto directly in the eyes. She was absolutely grateful he had broken her fall; she would hate to think she ruined the party after only being there for five minutes. .

"Are you sure you two aren't dating?", Temari questioned as she peeked over Naruto's shoulder to glimpse down at Sakura.

"NO!", they both pronounced in union, causing a few pair of eyes to wonder toward their direction, only to have them realize they were still grasping each other quite tightly. They broke apart hastily as Sakura softly thanked him for saving her from embarrassment.

"Oh Sakura.",Temari stated eyes befalling on the pink haired woman.

Sakura who had recovered from her almost embarrassing fall turned to face her, slight confusion placed across her pretty face.

"You…look beautiful.", Temari stated truly meaning the words she spoke.

Naruto who had not taken the time to notice Sakura 's appearance also affixed his gaze toward the pink cherry blossom, and he too stood stunned for a brief moment before recovering.

"You, do.", he stated fixing his eyes to fall on hers before breaking it to turn to Temari.

"You were looking for me.", his voice a bit dry as he coughed out his words.

Temari eyed them back and forth, "Yes, Naruto, there is a girl here dying to meet you. She will not leave me alone until I introduce you."

Naruto opened his mouth to object, unsure completely why, when he was sharply cut off by Temari.

"I assure you she isn't a fan girl, and I already told her all about you, not that much need be said about the famous Uzamaki, Naruto. She is one of the visiting high official's daughters."

Temari latched onto Naruto's arm and called back to Sakura, " I will be right back Sakura."

Naruto wanted to rotate around to glance at Sakura but advised against it believing it would lead to even further teasing from Temari about something that was simply not true.

Sakura watched as the two strolled off, stopping in front of a breathtaking woman. She was quite…well quite well endowed. Sakura glanced over the young women's flawless body; she seemed to have curves in all the right places. Sakura glanced down at herself rather hastily, and could feel a blush sprouting; she shook her head and waved it off.

"Not in this lifetime Sakura", she incoherently stated under her breath.

Gaara who noticed Sakura making her way over to a table intervened, "Thank you for attending Sakura-San.

Before he could continue Sakura interrupted him, "Gaara would you like it if I called you Kazekage?"

He blinked his eyes at her question and continued, "Sakura I am sure the journey was not an easy one during the blistering summer months."

Sakura let a confident smile slip to her face glad her friend learned faster than some people she knew.

"I'm surprised you came with Naruto we had not expected either of you, but we are honored you are attending.

"Naruto hadn't planned on attending?"

"Not to my knowledge, than again what was that phrase, Konoha's # 1 unpredictable ninja, right? I guess you never really know what he will do."

Sakura a bit taken back shook her head in acknowledgment. It was quite strange to see how time and love had changed the feared jinchuuriki into a proud and acknowledged leader. It was always amazing to Sakura how Naruto had so much compassion after what had happened to him. She often wished Sasuke had found that compassion as well, when he was younger.

In all truth it had been Naruto who had brought Sasuke home, and she would be forever grateful to him. But she did have to admit she spent a great deal of time taking care of Sasuke and trying to find a way back into his life that Naruto and Sakura had lost their strong bond they had developed when in search for the raven haired companion.

"He seems different, when he is with you. You always manage to bring out the best in him. You always have, you probably always will."

Sakura hastily looked back to Gaara who was looking at the crowd of people around the grand ballroom instead of meeting her gaze as if he needed no reassurance from her that the words he spoke were true.

It was a simply innocent statement, but Sakura found her eyes wondering toward the eccentric blond. He seemed a tad displeased with his current situation, the woman that Temari had introduced him to obviously was trying too hard to have him like her, Naruto was never interested in a women that tried too hard.

"I need some air", Sakura stated suddenly feeling a bit too warm for comfort, breaking her gaze from Naruto. She didn't wait for a reply but simply walked toward the exit. Gaara watched her fade from view a slight smile set upon his face from her display.

Once outside the dark night and cold breeze helped ease her mind. She closed her eyes only to have a soft voice bring her from her thoughts.

"What's the matter dear?"

Sakura found that this voice was the same one from earlier today, belonging to the old shop lady.

Surprised to see her there, she answered her question anyhow, "Oh I'm fine, just tired I believe."

The old woman didn't seem to buy it, " I sense a great…loss within you."

Sakura again lowered her head to look at the old women, who had put a smile across her face.

"I usually don't do this for people, but…here.", she pulled out a large deck of what looked like cards.

Sakura curiously eyed the deck and wondered what she was supposed to do.

"Take…one.", the old women whispered

Sakura was in no mood to play games, life was too confusing to be playing games, "I'm alright.", she answered turning away from the old women.

The old lady more determined came around Sakura once again and pushed the cards closer to Sakura's face, "Please dear…for an old sweet lady."

Sakura huffed out a short sigh and ran her fingers over the cards, but instead of pulling one out of the speedily she pondered a moment or two, letting her fingers run over the somewhat tattered deck. When she finally decided, she pulled it out quickly turning it over to show the old women.

A moment of silence passed, as the old women and Sakura pondered over the card she pulled. A smile crossed the old women's face.

"Heaven."

Sakura lowered her head to examine the card, and true enough the card she had pulled was heaven. The card had an Angel with large white wings she was reaching down to grab something but her hands were cut from view she had a loving gaze upon her face.

"What an extremely lucky card…"

Letting curiosity get the best of her she peeped up and asked what it meant.

"Well Sakura, heaven is a powerful card. Noted for its beauty, but not forgotten for its kindness. Heaven is very prevailing, it has the power to change and give birth to life again. Honest, courageous…pure hearted. The card that matches with Heaven is very unique."

"What card matches heaven…?"

"I don't have all the answers my dear."

Sakura wondered a moment, "Can… I pull another card?"

The old women withdrew the cards from view, "Oh no dear you can only pull one card for yourself." Each person must pick their own path to walk, you can't hang onto the past forever can you? If you do you'll just end up alone. No one wants to be alone my dear.

Sakura suddenly laughed bitterly, "At least I understand why I am alone.", she thought about Sasuke for a moment. Eyes closing to picture him.

The old lady raised her head to look up at Sakura her stern voice asking, "Are you really alone Sakura…?"

Sakura eyes flashed open a moment later she suddenly became perplexed as to how the old lady had known her name when she had never properly addressed herself. Before she could even form the question to ask she became with Naruto calling out to her.

Not wanting to sound like a crazy fool about what she was doing she managed to stuff her card into her purse before Naruto arrived to her.

"Sakura-chan…what are you doing out here alone?"

Sakura quickly turned to face him stated, "I'm not alone Naruto…", she paused a brief moment looking at his face in the moonlight against the night silhouette, as she looked at him the old lady's words filling her mind again.

"I am not alone...I was out here with…" , she began again pointing over her shoulder to indicate what she meant.

But when she turned around she found there was no one there, she looked around a moment or two and shook her head.

"You weren't trying to bail were you?", Naruto asked laughing at the look upon her face. A mix of confusion and astonishment.

"Leave me here to fend for myself?"

Sakura still a bit shaken about the sudden departure of the old women, wanted to get back inside as the chill in the air was running up her spine. She really must be going crazy was the last thought that crossed her mind before she and Naruto entered the crowded room again.

"By the way I should warn you I had to tell th-"

"Is this your girlfriend?", the red haired woman annoyingly questioned.

Sakura threw Naruto a souring look. He put a look of pure innocence on his face; he had to say something to get that girl off his arm.

Sakura sighed and answered, " …Yes."

The young women threw an acidic look in the direction of Sakura before stocking off toward the crowd once more.

Sakura turned as Naruto opened his mouth to thank her, put before he had the chance he felt the purse smacking him harshly on his forearm.

"Sometimes Naruto, I could just kill you."

"...I know Sakura-chan", he replied rubbing his forearm. He could tell she had infused some chakara to get her point across.

"I know."

A/N

Light chapter but thanks for reading. = ) Please Review!