Author Note: Hello Everyone, I really appreciate all the reviews, likes and follows. Thank you for being patient with me. I already have most of my story up on another cite and I am running into problems transferring it over to this one. I will do my best to post the story as quickly as possible.
"Shut up Naruto you are going to wake her up." Was that Kakashi talking? I was fighting to stay in dream land but was quickly pull away as I felt a presence standing above me.
My eye flew open only to find Naruto hovering above me. "Sakura-chan! You're awake!" Where was I? The last thing I remember is falling asleep in the tree but now I am on the ground. How? I went to sit up when I felt a soft fabric around my skin. I was in my sleeping bag by the fire. But how?
"Naruto you should have let her sleep longer, she was exhausted." Kakashi scolded Naruto as he walked up to me. He knelt down and placed a hand on my forehead. Why did his hand feel so nice and warm? Besides yesterday night it had been three and half years since I felt Kakashi's touch and I hate to say it but I missed it. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better now. But how did I end up in my sleeping bag?"
Kakashi removed his hand and smiled. "Once we realized you fell asleep I picked you up and placed you in your sleeping bag. I figured you would get more rest if you were more comfortable."
"Oh thank you…I'm sorry I didn't take my turn on watch last night." I held my head low, is there ever going to be a time where I am not a burden to this team.
"Sakura you were exhausted. We all know you have been working long hours at the hospital, no need to worry about it. Besides, we need you in your best condition were you discuss your new role with Gaara."
"Hai." We all started to pack up. It was dawn. How long was I out for? We could get to Suna by night fall if we kept a constant speed and didn't stop for breaks.
We jumped up to the branches and made our way toward the Sand. Naruto was going on and on about some new technique Jiraiya taught him that could beat Gaara's ultimate defense. Sai question how he thought he could take down one of the more powerful Kages. As the two fought back and forth between each other I could feel Yamato and Kakashi move closer to me. Great here comes the questions.
"So Sakura, Lady Hokage sent you to the Sand to help train their nurses?" Yamato kept looking forward as he jumped from branch to branch. Granted he had only been placed on a team with me six months ago, I had grown to care for him. Sai and Yamato fit perfectly in Team 7 and we all acted and fought like we had known each other for years.
"Hai. It was almost a year after Naruto left to train with Master Jiraiya. I had been training with Lady Tsunade before Naruto left. But once he left and Kakashi was no longer around I was taken of mission duties. Tsunade trained me all day and then at night I would train by myself. Within a year of Naruto leaving I had mastered medical ninjutsu. Suna had been lacking in well trained medical shinobi when the council of Suna sent a hawk requesting a highly skilled ninja to be sent to help with training." My foot hit another branch and as I look for the right way to phrase my words. Naruto and Sai had stopped fighting among themselves, I'm guessing to listen to my story. I glanced over my shoulder at Kakashi, his face showed no emotion.
"Lady Tsunade felt I was the best choice to send. I spent six months in Suna." I could see Kakashi's eye widen at hearing how long I had been outside of the Leaf without him knowing. "During my time there Gaara had made me temporary head medic at the hospital and I was in charge of training all the new shinobi. Those ninja didn't even know the basics. It look a while but they were a smart group and quickly caught on."
"What did granny mean when she said you were close to the village and Gaara's family?" Naruto asked, that dorky adorable smile plastered on his face.
"Two months into my mission the Sand was attacked by a group of rouges. They were trying to kidnap Gaara and hold him for ransom. I helped Gaara, Temari and Kankuro fight them off. When they started attacking villagers I stepped in and saved several of them. Ever since that attack the villagers have been very kind to me. I guess I proved to them a while back that I would protect them. It was actually quit a relief."
"Relieved? You were happy the Sand was attacked? I don't understand." Ah Sai you still don't understand half of these new feeling do you.
"Of course not! But when I first arrived at the Sand the town's people were afraid of me. The Leaf and Sand have not always been friends. Sand shinobi have been killed by the hands of the Leaf, and vice versa. They were all worried I was there to attack or gather information that could be used against them. It wasn't until the attack that they began to trust me."
"Oh I see, that's understandable."
I smirked. We continued on with our journey letting the subject drop. I was surprised Kakashi didn't ask a question. I could still feel Kakashi's eye on my back but I ignored it. What is his problem? Is he pissed I left the village without telling him?
Two hours.
Two hours and we should be at the village gates.
How could I not have noticed my student was not in the Leaf for six months? What kind of a sensei doesn't know where their students are? How could I have protected her if I did not even know where she was? I've failed her, more times and ways than I could possibly count.
I glanced over at Sakura. She was talking with Sai and Naruto about some new training moves she wanted them to learn so they could use them in missions. Every time I looked at Sakura it was as if I was looking at a different person. Where did that little girl I knew go? No, I needed to get that out of my mind. Sakura was not a little girl anymore, no that little girl grew up a while ago and I was just too stupid to notice it.
Her beautiful hair was well past her shoulders. And while she wore a baggy shirt I could still see her hourglass shape. I was studying her, trying to remember every detail of this new Sakura. My eyes fell on her bare arm. What's that red marking on her arm? Was she bleeding?
I jumped closer to get a better look when my eye grew wide. Why does she have an anbu marking on her arm?
"What is that are on arm?"
"What?" Sakura grew to a halt as she inspected one of her arms. Her face grew red when she noticed I was talking about the anbu symbol. "Damnit, the makeup must've of worn off." She muttered.
"When did you become an anbu?"
"What?! Sakura-chan you are an anbu and you didn't let me?!" Naruto was practically screaming in her ear as he looked down on her shoulder.
"Why didn't you tell us you were an anbu?" I was angry. How much was she not telling us? Sakura shook her head as she started to jump from branch to branch again.
"Oh no you don't!" I yelled as I jumped after her.
"If we want to make it to the Sand before nightfall we can't stop." Sakura seemed annoyed. How is it our fault? She is the one who left us out of the loop.
"Why…" I started but trailed off. Why was I so hurt Sakura didn't tell me?
"Because you never asked." Ouch that hurt a bit. The first time I saw Sakura gain I had just asked her how her training went, and left it at that. I never asked her what she had been up those three years I was gone.
"Sakura, don't you think it would have been beneficial for the team to know you held anbu ranking?" Sai made a good point.
"Why would it? Captain Yamato, Kakashi-sensei and yourself were all in the anbu at some point. Why would me being anbu change the dynamics of the team? My skill set is still the same as six months ago when this team was formed. That information would have changed nothing."
Same as six months ago? So she must have been made anbu before Naruto came back.
"Why were you trying to hide it? We have seen you countless times with your bare arms showing. Why haven't we seen it before?" Yamato voice held nothing but anger. I could understand it. When he became leader of this team while I was recovering in the hospital he should have known the details of the ninja on his team.
"I just had makeup over the symbol. Sometimes it better if you enemy thinks you're weaker. If I am facing against someone and they see the anbu mark they will attack more strongly than if I don't have it showing. Think about it. When Naruto came back, Lady Tsunade had me and Naruto fight against Kakashi to test how well both of our trainings had gone, Kakashi, could you honestly say you started the fight taking it seriously? You didn't take it seriously until I hit the ground and crushed it into several pieces."
I hung my head low, it was true. I took one look at her and still thought of her of my little cherry blossom. I went into the fight expecting to be able to take her out easily. If I had seen an anbu symbol on her shoulder I would have had a completely different mindset.
"But Sakura-chan that still doesn't explain why you didn't tell me!" Naruto whined, she just shook her head and smiled.
"I'm sorry Naruto. I honestly did not think it was that big of a deal."
Not a big deal? You looks at being promoted to anbu as not being a big deal?
I've been waiting at the gates for the past couple of hours waiting for her. When is she going to get here? I know it normally takes three days to get here but this is Team 7 we are talking about. They should've already been here, unless….unless something happened. What if they were attacked on their way here? What if he prevented her from ever leaving the village?
I was about to storm out of the gates and go find them when I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Kankuro clam down I am sure they will be here shortly. They still have another day's time before they were scheduled to be here."
"But Baki-sensei…what if something went wrong?"
"Gaara-sama doesn't seem too worried. The letter we received from Lady Hokage stated that Sakura had expected the proposition and that Team 7 was sent to bring her here immediately to discuss the new agreement. Just give her time. I am sure she will be here in the next couple of hours." Baki-sensei gripped my shoulder harder as I looked into his eyes. He must have known my feeling for her.
I've known Sakura-chan since we were kids. She was the only to expect our family completely. She was never afraid of Gaara. Hell when we first ran into her in Konoha right before the Chuin Exams she ran straight to me and Temari and trapped us in a bear as those two idiot teammates of her started freaking out. She even gave a friendly smile to Gaara and said hello. I'll give it to her, Sakura has always had a huge set of balls when it came to dealing with Gaara. She knew exactly what he was capable of, but never once feared him. Even when he attacked her trying to get to Sasuke, she never once blamed him for it. He severally hurt her and even now she claims he was just following mission protocol.
Sakura-chan was one hell of a women. She was the perfect package and any man would be lucky to date her. I loved Sakura, even though I know she only ever looked at me as an older brother. But maybe with her being Ambassador and her spending more time here, maybe I could show her that I could be the man of her dreams.
I was daydreaming about a perfect life with Sakura and how many children we would have when a guard caught my attention stating he saw ninja approaching the village. I looked up all to see my pink hair goddess running toward me with her team.
It took every ounce of willpower I had, and Baki's grip on my shoulder, to keep me from running past the gates and to her. I wanted nothing more than to sweep her off her feet and plant a nice long sweet tender kiss on those beautiful soft lips of hers. But I didn't. I stood still, smiling like an idiot, trying not to embarrass myself in front of everyone.
Team 7 began to slow down their pace when they were a couple yards from the village. As they walked toward the gate I could feel my heart beat quicken. My heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest. All it took to get my riled up was just seeing her, and I was really hoping a different body member would not react in the same way my heart did. That's all I need is to get an erection in front of everyone and have to explain to Gaara why later.
"I'm glad to see you are finally back on your feet after the last time I was here." Her sweet voice filled my ears. God have I missed hearing it. I could've help, honestly I couldn't, before I knew what I was doing I was pulling her into a huge.
At first she stiffened at the sudden contact but quickly relaxed. She began to hug me back and laugh. "God if I would've know I would have gotten all of this attention I would have been here months ago."
I didn't say anything for a long moment. I was to busy feeling the warmth of her body and smelling the sweet smell coming off of her hair. It wasn't until Kakashi began to cough that I looked up to find all the members of her team extremely pissed that I had hugged her. Oh well, it's not my fault I gave her attention when you idiots all left her.
I let go of the hug and placed my hands on her shoulders looking into her eyes. She looked up at me with those crystal clear emerald eyes and I could feel my heart skip a beat. "Are you alright Kankuro-kun you are all red? Are you sick?" She placed her hand on my check and I blushed a darker shade of red.
"No, no I am fine. It's just I've been out here for a couple of hours waiting, the heat must have gotten to me." Smooth, real smooth.
"Sorry to interrupt but could you bring us to the Kazekage?" Kakashi stepped forward early annoyed. I dropped my hands form her shoulder and said follow me.
Sakura quickly took her place in-between me and Baki as we made her way to the Kazekage building. It felt so damn good to finally have her back home. The deeper we got into the village the more and more people recognized Sakura was back. They all began to smile and wave at her. She had the brightest smile on her face as she greeted them back. Her team seemed at a loss for words. Had she not explained what she was already for this village? We were about three minutes for the office when a little girl began spirting toward Sakura.
Sakura stopped waiting, causing Naruto to crash into her back and fall down. "Eh Sakura-chan why did you stop?" But before she could answer the little girl jumped into the arms and hugged her. I couldn't help but smile. She fit in perfectly here, everyone loved her and it was very clear she cared deeply for them.
"I'm so Naruto I didn't realize you were so close behind me. Are you okay?" Sakura turned around holding the little girl against her with one arm and pulled Naruto up with the other.
"Yeah, but what's with the kid."
"Hey I have a name you know!" I looked at the senior members of Team 7 and they looked in complete shock. Did they not expect this? Did children in the Leaf not run up to Sakura whenever they see her like they do here?
"My name is Kishimoto! And my dream is become a great ninja like Lady Sakura!" I watched Sakura's face turn a light shade of pink as she gripped the five year old in her arms tighten. Kishimoto turned her attention back to Sakura who by this time was chuckling. "Have you been getting my letters?"
"Yes Kish-kun. Lord Gaara has been sending your letters every time he gives me updates. I hear someone is going to be enrolling in the academy soon. Have you been practicing what I showed you last time I was here?"
Kishimoto nodded her head furiously. "Can we go train?"
Sakura looked down at the little girl with such a tender loving look, and said no but promised before she left she would. The little girl was happy enough with that answer and gave Sakura one last hug before jumping out of her arms and running back to her mother.
"Sakura what was all that about?" Yamato asked as we began walking again.
"The children love Sakura-san here. Many of them write her letters that Gaara sends to her every couple of weeks. Many people in this village look up to Sakura-san. I am sure by tomorrow morning everyone will know she is back in town." Baki explained as we walked up the steps.
I knocked three times and waited for Gaara to say come in.
Kankuro was the first to enter the office followed by Baki and then myself and Team 7. As soon as I stepped foot into the office I felt a pair of hands wrap around my neck and pull me into a hug.
Temari couldn't stop laughing as she deepened the hug. "I missed you." She whispered in my ear.
"I've missed you guys to." I really did. They were my rock. They kept me sane. When I was told to picture my happy place it was always here with them.
"Temari let go of her. We have a meeting we have to discuss." Kankuro shock his head and I couldn't help but laugh especially when Sai stated he was one to talk considering he practically jumped on me when we first came to the gates.
Temari walked over to Kankuro and slapped him upside the head. Ah how I have missed these to.
"Sakura-san" his voice filled the home, making his two siblings stop fighting.
I walked forward and bowed. "Lord Kazekage." I looked over my shoulder and saw Team 7 doing the same.
"How was your trip here? Any issues?"
"No my lord, the trip went perfect fine." I felt weird talking to Gaara like this but Team 7 didn't need to know how close we had become…at least not yet.
"I see. You five must be tired. Kankuro, Temari can you please show the members of Team 7 their rooms while I talk to Miss Haruno."
"Aww! Gaara come on, can't that wait until morning? There is so much I wanted to talk to you about." Naruto was never one to be good with formalities.
"It's good to see you Naruto, but right now I need to talk with Miss Haruno. I promise you tomorrow we can catch up." That seemed to satisfy Naruto because he stopped complaining.
None of my teammates wanted to leave, if fact they tried to argue about why they should stay. They all wanted to stay and listen in on the discussion. Gaara had to finally say there were matters about Suna that he wanted to discuss that he could not do in front of them because they did not hold high enough clearance in Suna. This seemed to upset Yamato and Kakashi. But I understood Gaara's point, I had proven myself to this family and this village, they had not.
"Please go to your rooms. I agree with Lord Gaara. If he feels that there is matter he wishes to discuss and does not feel comfortable for you to be in the room I have no choice but agree with him. I will come and talk with you guys as soon as I am done with my meeting."
The boys talked at me for a moment and then at each other for a moment before finally agreeing to leave. Once they were escorted out of the office and we no longer felt their chakra signature I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"Gaara what the hell where you thinking?" I walked toward his desk shaking my head. I was angry with him. Why did he not let me in on his game plan? If he felt that our two villages needed an Ambassador he should have talked with me first instead of Tsunade.
"Sakura-chan." His voice was so soft. He looked at me with those loving eyes and I melted at the sound of his voice. I shook my head and softened my glare.
"Why didn't you come to me first? You know I would have came running here to sign an agreement to help you. I didn't have to be order to come here and do it you know."
"You were order? Does that mean you do not wish to be our Ambassador?" Gaara stood up from his chair and walked over to me.
"That's not what I meant." I looked down ashamed of how my words came out. "I was called into the office and caught off guard. All the conical members were there. Tsunade gave me a choice but Danzo stepped in before I could answer and made it an order. I'm afraid the conical will use this to try and hurt your village…to hurt you." My eyes were still on the floor. I was torn between my duty to my village and my duty to my heart.
"Sakura-chan" his hand grasped my chin lifting it so my eyes meet with his. "I am sorry to blind side you but you would have not agreed to it any other way. I know they will try and use you to hurt us but I trust you. And this was my only way of…" Gaara trailed off but kept our eyes locked.
"I don't need your protection, I can handle my own. I have handle him. You don't need to worry about me, you have a village to run."
"Nonsense, you are my family. You are a member of Suna, one of my people and you know I protect my own. Besides I miss having you around." He dropped his hand from my chin and took a step closer. His eyes left mine and began staring at my check. Oh crap he noticed.
"Before you start I was late to a-"
"I don't give a fuck if you were late to a mission or meeting. He has no right to touch you. When did this happen?" I didn't answer. Gaara gripped my shoulders and I knew he wouldn't let me go until he was done lecturing me. "Sakura-chan, why do you allow him to do this?"
"You know why. I don't have a choice in the matter. I am a ninja, I was bread to be used as a tool for my village. Ever since that day my soul belongs to him, you know that."
"This is why I want you to be our Ambassador, it will be good to get you out of the village for a while. Besides, you are the only Leaf ninja I trust to help strengthen our bonds. I know you, I know you would never hurt this village."
"So what is your plan to strengthen the bond?" I wanted to change the subject. Gaara and I have fought for hours about him. Gaara wanted me to leave the Leaf years ago and join the Sand, but I couldn't. My brother died protecting this village, I couldn't just turn my back to it.
"We need to strengthen our treaty." I agreed. The treaty we currently have is strong but if the two federal lords in charge of our villages wanted to start a war they could, and there would could be nothing Tsunade or Gaara could do about it.
"Well where do we start?"
Gaara and I got straight to work. We ignored our previous personal moment and got to the matters at hand. Our issues could come later but our village could not wait any longer. We sat in the office for hours. It wasn't until we had a rough outline we both agreed with did we stop to take a break.
I stood up from my chair and walked around the office stretching. I looked outside and it was pitch black. "What time is it?"
"1:39" Gaara looked up from his watch and lend back in his chair closing his eyes. "Let's get you into bed, you must be tired."
"I am fine. My team let me sleep last night. Besides we still have a lot of work to do unless you are tired."
Gaara stood up from his chair and took my hand leading me out of his office. I didn't question his action and followed him. We had done this countless times. Gaara wanted me to sleep, and when I would refuse he always took me to his room, where at least I could be more comfortable while I worked.
We existed the Kazekage building and I immediately felt the warmth leaving my body. My uniform was not built to keep me warm, it fact I wore this outfit to make me appear feminine and weak. The knee high boots and short skirt did little to warm my legs and the loose red top revealed my bare-arms allowing the warmth to escape from my skin. Gaara pulled me closer seeing the hairs on my arm raise showing goosebumps. I was thankful for this body heat. We walked side by side walking closer to his house.
"Where is my team staying?"
"My house, I had the maids prepare the two extra for them. Two people will have to be in a room. Your room is still the same as the last time you were here. I thought you would be more comfortable with your team being at my house."
"Agrotiko Gaara-kun." I was taken back my Gaara's thoughtfulness. I knew the only member on Team 7 beside me that Gaara liked was Naruto. He did not like Kakashi. Ever since he left me for three years Gaara always despised him, and with Yamato and Sai well Gaara hadn't known them along enough to care.
We continued our way to the house in silence. I was looking around Suna taking it all in. It had been three months since I had last been here. After we had ran into Sasuke, Kakashi took Naruto under his wing and began training him again. Yamato helped with Naruto training, leaving me to do nothing. I was back to being a part of the Foundation full time, and when Gaara caught word of it, he sent a request that I be sent to help train more nurses. Of course where I got there, I found out Gaara only called me away because he was worried. I ended up at the academy helping Temari train a new group of genin.
My last trip is when I grew close to the children here. There is no way I could hurt a hair on any of their heads. I looked at them all as if they were my own. I would die for any of them, I was sure of it.
We reached the front steps of Gaara's house and as we made our climb up the stairs I became nervous. The last time I was here it was very confusing. Gaara and I had several intimate moments, but never once did we act on it. I wasn't sure what I wanted. When Gaara was killed by the Akatsuki it left my heart feelings a lot of emotions it shouldn't have. Hell I was able to perform that forbidden jutsu that would have exchange my life for his when Chico stopped me saying I was to young and that it was not my time to go, and took my place instead.
As soon as we opened the front door we heard arguing.
"What do you mean I can't go get her?! It is 2 in the morning where the hell is she?" I could hear Kakashi yelling at someone upstairs. This was so out of character for him. I've never seen him go crazy on someone before. Typically on missions he is the clam reasonable one.
"Calm down, she is with Gaara. I am sure she is fine, they are probably still in the office working. No need to get your panties in a twist." I giggled at Kankuro's comment.
Me and Gaara exchanged glances as we walked up the stairs. It looked like Kakashi was about to go off again when he stopped me at the head of the stairs. He relaxed. He stuck his hands in his pockets and his eye locked with mine. "Where have you been?"
"I have been with Lord Gaara in his office working on a new treaty. Why are you yelling at Kankuro?"
"He wouldn't let me go out and look for you." Kakashi's glaze bounced between me and Gaara making me uncomfortable.
"Kakashi-sensei, we are in their village we need to respect their rules." With that Kakashi simply shot a glare at Kankuro before turning on his heels and went back to his room.
"What was all that about?" Gaara was a little taken back, in all these years of knowing Kakashi never had he seen him act this way.
"I don't know but the dude needs to chill. He wouldn't take no for an answer. What kept you guys so long?" Kankuro yawned, he must have never went back to bed, probably having to keep Kakashi inside.
"Trying to find the right words to a treaty both of the feudal lords with agree to takes time. I would still like to work on it Gaara if you don't mind."
"We can work on it in my room, Kankuro go to bed you look terrible."
"Geezz thanks. Next time you need a babysitter don't ask me." And with that Kankuro went to bed and me and Gaara went to his room to get to work.
The sun rays crept threw my blinds and landed on my face. I knew it was time to get up but I wanted to stay in bed and relax. I was tired. I couldn't tell you what time Sakura and I fell asleep last night. I only got a couple of hours of sleep. Sakura refused to go to bed until she found a way to protect the children from both villages in case a war broke out. Sakura was one hell of a women. My eyes shot open when I felt the pink hair beauty move next to me.
I looked down to find her snuggling closer into my chest. My arm was under her neck and her head rested on my chest. Our legs were intertwined and I could feel her chest raise and fall. I blushed looking down at her. At one point last night she went to change into sleep wear only to realize she forgotten it in her rush to get out of the village. She was wearing one of my t-shirts, with very short shorts on. She looked stunning, even in her sleep. Her bare legs against mine sent sparks up and down my body. I blushed even harder when I realized I only had on boxer shorts. When did I change?
Oh that's right, once she had fallen asleep on the floor I picked her up and put her into bed. Then without thinking I stripped down to my normal sleeping attire and joined her. God just being near her made me unable to think straight. A lose piece of hair fell in her face and I very carefully, moved it out of her face and behind her ear. Her hair was so soft. I could run my fingers through it all day. I know I tricked you to get you here, but now that you are here I will do everything in my power to protect you.
By now the makeup she had on last night had worn off and I was able to see her bruise. That bastard hit her hard. If I ever get my hands on him he will regret the day he ever meet her. My beautiful blossom how could anyone raise a hand to you? All the things you have done for your people, all the things you have given up and this is how you are repaid.
I felt my blood boil. How could anyone hurt this beautiful girl in my arms? How could her team be okay with what was going on? Did those morons truly not understand that she was being tortured?
I heard people walking around the house. I looked at my clock which read 6am. What is everyone doing up? Naruto isn't the type to get up until noon. Suddenly I heard a light knock on my door.
"Come in" I whispered trying not to wake Sakura-chan. Temari cracked the door open and looked in. Her eyes grew wide spotting Sakura. God I'm an idiot, this must look like we did something.
Temari quickly came into the room and shut the door behind her. "What are you doing? Did you guys have sex last night?" Yeah that's Temari for you, she wasn't one to beat around the bush but she didn't seem mad in fact she was smiling.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Yeah Sakura is wrapped around you wearing nothing but your shirt and I am being the ridiculous one here."
"What do you need?" I carefully reached down and took hold of blanket pulling it up and over Sakura. I didn't need one of her team members to come in here and see her in still state nor did I did Kankuro bragging in here and creating a scene.
"I was just letting you know your morning meeting was canceled. What is going on between you to?"
"Are any of the members of Team 7 up yet?" Temari knew better than to keep asking questions I didn't want to answer so she let it go, at least for now.
"Yamato and Kakashi are up and last time I checked Sai and Naruto were still sleeping."
"Let Yamato and Kakashi know I need to see them in my office at 11am for a meeting."
"Hai, do you need anything else Gaara? Maybe a condom?" Temari had the biggest smirk on her face. I took one of my pillows on my bed and threw it at her. She ducked and quickly left the room laughing. Troublesome women.
I looked back down at Sakura, and although she looked stunning she also looked tired. I ran my fingers through her hair over and over again. It was soothing, relaxing even. I felt at peace knowing she was right here with me. I wanted to stop time and enjoy this moment. I wanted to stop time and have her in my arms forever.
It was now 8am and I knew I had to get up soon. But I didn't want to move, I didn't want to wake the sleeping beauty that I held in my arms. I had watched her for two hours remembering every detail on her face. I ran my fingers up and down her arms feeling the warmth coming off her skin. I was almost drifting back to sleep when I heard yelling. "What now?" I groaned.
"Hey you can't go in there!"
My door was about to open when I sent a rush of sand at the door blocking it from moving. "That isn't the bathroom moron that's Gaara's room." Kankuro was yelling outside of my door and I could feel the person let go of the handle.
"Geez Kankuro clam down I was just looking for the bathroom." Well looks like Naruto is finally up.
"Third door on the right dickless."
"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?" Naruto and Sai went on for a couple of minutes until I heard another door shut and the shower turn on.
I let my sand around the door drop and I looked down happy to see Sakura was still deep in sleep. How do you put up with your team? As much as I hate to do this blossom we have to get up. I pulled her closer to me, tightening my grip around her and leaned my lips to her ear.
"S-a-k-u-r-a-c-h-a-n" I slowly called out her name. She stirred in my arms but still didn't wake up. "Blossom it's time to wake up." Her eyes remained shut. "It's 8 in the morning blossom it's time to get up." And with that her eyes flew open. "Good morning."
Sakura looked around the room confused for a moment before it clicked where she was. Her beautiful eyes locked with mine and my heart skipped a beat. "Good morning Gaara-kun." Her smiled warmed my heart, now I really didn't want to get out of bed. "What is the plan for today?" She started to escape from my gasp and sit up.
She didn't question the position she woke up in or why I was only in my boxers. She didn't question it because this wasn't the first time it had happened. Last time she was here it happened quite a bit. It always happened the same. We would be working on my bed and then we would fall asleep only to wake up in each other's arms.
"I have a meeting at 11, but after that we can work on the treaty. Why don't you go with Temari to the academy and see your students."
She nodded and left to get changed in her room. I quickly took a shower, dressed and walked downstairs to find Temari cooking and Kankuro sitting at the table talking with Naruto and Sai. Yamato and Kakashi were sitting on the couch, each reading a book.
"I see someone is finally up. Did you not get much sleep Gaara?" Temari was smirking ear to ear as she flipped the pancakes in the pan.
"Yeah you could say that. Sakura-chan and I got a lot of work done."
"Oye Gaara when did you guys get home last night?" Naruto whined.
"Late."
"When do you and I get to spare? I want to show you my new moves Prevy Sage taught me."
I sighed. I knew Naruto very well, we had become extremely close friends since our first fight during the Chuin Exams and I knew he wouldn't drop the matter. "Why don't we fight after dinner?"
"Dattebayo you better be ready to get your butt kicked."
"Who is getting their butt kicked?" I turned to see Sakura coming down the staircase. Her beautiful hair held lose curls and the soft makeup she had applied made her eyes pop. My eyes scanned her face only to see that makeup perfectly hid the nasty bruise on her check.
"Good morning Sakura-chan! Gaara and I were just talking about sparing later want to come and watch?" Sakura walked by me and the wonderful smell of cherries filled my nose. I loved her perfume. I loved it so much that last time she was here and had forgotten it, I bought her a new one as a thank you gift for helping train the new genin.
"I would love to." Sakura made her way into the kitchen. "Would you like any help?"
"No but thank you Sakura-san. Why don't you go sit down, breakfast should be ready in a couple of minutes." Temari was giggling at Sakura. Please do not say anything in front of everyone.
I watched Sakura walk back to the table where the boys were sitting. Every step she took, took my breath away. She was about to sit down in a chair next to Naruto when he pulled her into his lap and into a hug. What the fuck?
"Na-ruto?"
"I'm sorry you just had me worried last night. You said you would come talk to us when you got home and when it became late we all were worried." Naruto squeezed her tighter and I could see something in Kankuro snap.
"How nice of you guys to finally worry about your teammate?" Kankuro muttered under his breath, but I knew everyone had heard it. Sakura shot him a nervous glare pleading with him not to go any further and Temari had stopped cooking, turning around to see the event unfold.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Naruto quickly let go of Sakura. Sakura stood up and tried to get in-between the two boys. Both Naruto and Kankuro stood up and began yelling at each other across the kitchen table.
"I means it's about time you cared about your teammate!"
"I have always cared for Sakura-chan! I would die for Sakura-chan! Believe it!" Sakura tried to lock eyes with Kankuro but he was too busy glaring at Naruto. Sai remained seated with a blank express on his face not saying anything. Yamato and Kakashi stood up and were now standing behind Naruto.
"That's a load of bullshit! You two assholes left her for three years. You took off to train with Master Jiraiya and never looked back." Kankuro then raised a finger and pointed it at Kakashi "and you, you were her fucking teacher and you left her all alone to fight on her own. What kind of a teacher does that? What kind of a teacher puts his two male students above his third student? What kind of teacher leaves a young girl on her own when the two male students take off with different teachers?" To say Kankuro was pissed was an understatement. He had wanted to flip out on these two the last time they came into the village, but because they had saved me he kept him mouth shut. But I know how long those words had been boiling in his chest. Plus I had a feeling there was more issues with Team 7 last night than what Kankuro let on when we got home.
"Kankuro please it is fine. Temari has cooked a wonderful breakfast why don't we all clam down and enjoy the meal." Sakura held both of her hands up trying to calm down the situation. A smile was plastered on her lips, but I knew it was fake. That smile she wore never really reached her eyes.
"I'm sorry Sakura-chan." Kankuro sat back down. He look a few deep breaths and started to drink his coffee. The rest of Team 7 sat down at the table not talking. I look my place between Kankuro and Naruto as Sakura helped Temari severe the food.
"So Sakura-chan would you like to accompany me to the academy to take a look at the new group of genin?" Temari was smiling from ear to ear. She was trying to diffuse the situation.
"I would love too. I would love to see how they are progressing." Sakura smiled as she took a pancake and put it on her plate. Temari had made all of Sakura's favorites, potatoes, pancakes, eggs and bacon.
"Naruto and Sai why don't you come with us? I am sure the children would like to see you again as well Naruto."
Naruto looked up from his plate of food and nodded. His plate was stacked with food and it didn't seem like he was going to be slowing done anytime soon. Kakashi and Kankuro were having a glaring contest while Yamato and Sai look at each other not quite sure what to do.
The rest of breakfast was pretty quiet expect for Temari and Sakura talking back and forth about what was going on with the rest of the girls in Konoha. The two girls were like sisters to each other. I smiled. Sakura really did fit in perfectly in our little family and all of us just wanted to keep her safe.
"Thank you Temari, it was delicious. But if you all will excuse me I need to go to my office." I stood up from the table and placed my plate in the sink. Before walking out the door I shot a glance at Sakura-chan who looked nervous. "How about you meet me in my office around noon and we can continued to work?"
"Hai Lord Gaara." And with that I was out the door wondering how my talk with those two idiots was going to go.
"They seem to be progressing nicely. But I expected nothing else with you as their teacher." I slapped Temari on the back, smiling.
"Yeah, yeah but they are a lot of work. Plus it doesn't help that ever couple of weeks they whine saying they want you back." I couldn't help but laugh. I had only been away for a couple of months, how much could they really miss me?
"Sakura-chan would you like to train the class today?" Baki asked standing in front of the class. Temari, Naruto, Sai and I were watching from a roof top that allowed you to see into the training grounds. All the genin turned around trying to see where I was at.
"It would be my pleasure to." My voiced boomed over the training felids, making it sound like it was coming from all different directions. It was cute watching the genin twisting and turning all around, trying to locate where my voice was coming from.
I jumped down from the roof top and landed next to Baki-sensei. "What were you planning to cover today?" I looked around the training grounds, noticing a bunch of different weapons.
"Frist they need to master hand to hand combat then I was going to move on to weapon use." I nodded my head.
"Ah taijutsu my favorite."
The group of genin gather around me and Baki forming a circle. "Baki-sensei would you like to spare with me? The best way to teach taijutsu is to demonstrate and then practice." Baki nodded and got into a fighting stance.
"There is no way a girl could take down Baki-sensei." I looked up to see a boy smirking in the back. Oh really?
I disappeared in a smoke and repapered behind the boy sweeping his legs out from underneath him causing him to fall on his ass.
"When the-"
"Lesson number one never underestimate your appointment. Lord Gaara once had to fight a dear friend of mine who could only perform taijutsu and while Lord Gaara won the match, my friend was able to break through his ultimate defense."
I reappeared in front of Baki to see him glaring at his student. The boy's face was as red as a tomatoes as he stood back up brushing the sand off his ass. I smirked to myself. Some of the strongest people I have ever fought have been female, and if this boy doesn't change his way of thinking he will probably be killed by one.
"Lesson number two, never let your opponent use your own body against you."
"What do you mean Lady Sakura?" One of the girls asked. I looked at Baki and he nodded. He went to strike me with his right arm, I caught it and twisted it around his back. His hand was in mine applying a slight peruse upwards causing a groan to escape his lips.
"In this situation his move was counterproductive. Now I am the one in control of his body movements. Do you all understand?"
They nodded and we moved on to the next lesson. Baki and I went on for hours demonstrating the proper technique before we allowed the students to practice. At this point Temari, Sai and Naruto jumped down and were helping the students perform the correct moves. I smiled. This is how two villages with a treaty should act. Ninjas from both villages should be teaching the next generation how to protect themselves.