A/N: YAYZ!!!! Bac again! Now ready to go go! This chapter isn't supposed to be a long one so I'm guessing around 2800 words is fine to me... What do you think about the story so far??? I have a sequel in mind... I'm not sure though... Howz things going for all my readers? I'm sure we're all suffering cuz of hwk and all kinds of crap but I hope we can all get pass it!

Now! On with the story!!!

Chapter 3: Challenges

Hanako,

My nose is bleeding... I had an accident... God... The person that hit me had a foot the strength of a ton. I was minding my own business and wham I ended up using sandpaper material like tissues. What the hell is wrong with people? Seriously she either needs anger management or get fired. I think the boss was abit pissed off about the stain I left on the floor but I was in his office when he told the girl that he wouldn't fire her. I'm done for... Short little reply... what happened to sending me one at work? Was the boss driving you around like a dog like you suggested? Hey, at least you're not suffering from a nosebleed. People are looking at me funny, especially the woman around my area. They keep screaming about me finding them sexy.

They seriously are NOT in any way sexy.

Sabure

She laughed and winced, the muscles on her arms, legs and stomach definately wasn't agreeing with what she was doing. Poor Sabure had a little nosebleed and it seems like his actions could change the world. She enjoyed these quiet moments at home when she could ignore her friend Ino and Naruto. The small appartment was her haven and she intended to keep it that way. Sabure always had a thing with funny comments. The wya his last sentance seem to try and convince her that he seriously didn't find tem sexy. They were best friends in a way. Never meeting and knowing who was exactly at the other end of the e-mail but enjoyed the company that the other provided. It was just enough to keep their lives moving. He was what she needed and she was what he needed. It was only true though. He had told her about his childhood and she told him of her ex boyfriend, they simply listened and understood. They opened their hearts and let the other in. Just as simple as that.

Gently she got off her warm comfortable chair and got dressed, a light blue elegant blouse and a blue-ish blazer combined with a matching skirt and tights. She couldn't help but be reminded of what had happened yesterday, that perverted boos of hers might have looked up her skirt and she definately wasn't prepared for that. It had took several long minutes before she emerged from her bedroom feeling abit more sure she wouldn't get caught up in a situation like that again. Pocketing her secret devices and a small toolbox she headed out the door with a slice of toast, her handbag and her secret weapon.

The day was going to go smooth for her.

She would make sure of it...

He glanced around the whole office and sighed.What was he expecting after all? A whole office of people already here and working their butts off not for their pay checks but because they wanted to? Dead wrong. Since his takeover of this company he knew everything that there was to know. People were people; they were greedy, ambious and selfish beings and wouldn't give a damn if the company burnt down if they knew thought they might get income support. It was people like that; that stops the world spinning. He didn't have a choice in the matter, they were workers and what he needed for his workforce. Simple as that, a trade that meant no emotions was to be exchanged in the progress. It has gone on for many years and he only carried on the tradition. Sure there were people that acted like they did care and look what happened to them; they were too crap of a actor and got their asses fired before they can even try to get their hands onto a promotion. He saw through their masks and saw through the compliments and their plans to get more money.

Money

That was all people cared about, that or their own life. Was life really that important? He would often in the past tried to kill himself. He really didn't see the point of being in a world full of hate and betrayal. What is the point of living when you would get hurt. A moment of happiness is half of the sorrow you would face. That was one of his many motos. It wasn't like he had something to gain, money wasn't important to him and he seriously didn't even want it. His brother and sister didn't mind him much, they were hardly there for much of his developement. The beach was only filled with one set of footprints.The set of footprints was his own. Until Hanako came along. She had just walked into the beach without anyone's permission and walked along side him, the trail of wind that she gathered seem to erase that one set of footprints that he would look apon to see his past. Her appearance kept him moving and never looking back. Never to think about those sad times.

A slight bang caught his attention and his eyes sharpened almost immediately and he concentrated on the source of the bang. It came from his office and he took a defensive stand. He took a 4 year course on martial arts and wasn't going to let that go to waste. he had frequent sparring sessions with a 'friend' or what he thought of as a friend. He was first considered freaky by him but eventually accepted him after realising the mistake he made from thinking that. He was a monster, his friend was normal. Or as normal as he could get.

The door creaked open slightly and his eyes focused on the door even more. One false move from the intruder and they would get their asses kicked out before they can even scream. He had his silent and speedy moves and thats why he was Sabure. His attacks were like the sand, fast and controled. His speed and accuracy never fails to shock his opponent. He was Sabure. He was Sand.

The intruder moved fast and swung the door shut, his eyes couldn't make out who it was as she got into a defensive stance too.

She.

She lowered hers and her cheeks went into a furious blush. She hadn't expected him to come in so early but she got ready for his line of questions as soon as she saw who was there. She had just finished with her little job and about to start her work early and do what she needed to do before Gaara could pile any more things for her to do.

" What the hell were you doing in my office woman?" He barked at her and she didn't show one bit suprised by his voice.

"I was tidying your desk and installing a new system for you and was about to make some coffee for you when you come to work." She answered, she couldn't show any weakness and wouldn't let him see through her. A few years of courses on drama and martial arts proved to be more rewarding than she had thought.

"What system?" He asked suspicously and turned to glance at his office. It was neat like she said and couldn't spot anything until she answered:

" On your desk there's a little button, if you want I'll show you what it is..."

He looked carefulyl at his desk and spotted a small button the size of his thumb and walked into the office, his hand signalled that she should follow him.

"What does it do?" He asked as his fingers lightly traced the outline of the small button.

"If you press it 3 times then a similar button on my desk would glow, it tells me that you need something. If you use this button it saves you running out of your office to call me." And save me from dropping that mountain of work that you pile on me...

"Do you need a test run Gaara-kun?" She raised her voice when using kun and knew he noticed it too. The sacasm on the kun was more than enough to push him back into the boss he was and the control over the situation.

"That would be more than appreciated Sakura-chan." He followed her example and sat at his desk smirking. This little button was going to end up torturing her to the ends of hell.

She walked out of the office also smirking. How innocent he could be if he thought that the button would be more harm to her than him. He never noticed the little things he put into his office, she was way more prepared than the average secretary. She had deliberately cleaned his desk as an excuse to go in and if she was caught like she was now then the excuse would be used. If she wasn't caught she would still use the same speech. Either way she wins.

Returning to their normal expression the two couldn't help but inwardly smirk, each had their own plan and was going to put it into action as soon as the clock struck 8.

They stared at each other and the silent message was transfered through that one glance.

Just try and beat me. I dare you.

The office door slammed opened and both of them looked. It was before 8am but somehow everyone in the office had come in early. They didn't have time to test run of the button but all was going according to plan.

Or at least one of their plans.

"Why are you all here so early?" Gaara asked, his tone was lower than usual. The office became silent, the birds outside seemed to have stopped their songs to hear the answer, all of Sakura's co-workers pushed Daisuke who was at the back, unseen by Gaara to the front. He gave a slight cough before answering.

"Sir, errr... we kind of... erm... got...erm...-" He was cut off by Gaara, his face was fumming and his face was almost as red as his hair. If it was one thing he hated was to wait. he was an impatient man and hell he hated waiting for answers even more.

"God damn it Daisuke! Say what you have to say!" Gaara shouted and his voice was loud and hoarse.

" Sir, we have Mr Makinova outside and he said he heard about a new product we were going to put on the market and was interested in knowing more about it..."

Mr Makinova was a hard man to please, it took several long agonizing hours just to convince him to think about buying a large amount of the product but he had somehow heard about the new company: 'Jackle' and wants some of the products.

Something was definately fishy here.

"So why are you all here? Its not even 8 yet. I haven't seen you all here so early in my whole life."

"Errrr... Sakura-san called us all in here around 7am this morning sir. She said that Mr Makinova had an appointment at 8am so I phoned everyone."

Sakura.

He glanced at the so said secretary and she just looked back at him.

You wanted a game? I'll give you one...

The contest was clear.

The playing field was set.

The characters were ready.

Bring it on woman!

Let the games begin.

He fiddled with his fingers as hhe tall man seated. This was one hell of a mess if he ever saw one. He knew nothing about the Jackle company and this man wanted him to tell him all about it. This situation had to be dealt with; with care and concentration. One little slip up nad the company loses millions of its customers from around the globe. Mr Makinova was one of their many customers and concentrate trade in the western areas of the globe. If he wasn't pleased then Temari would kill him, literally. Even if he was the owner of this company it didn't mean that her sister and brother didn't own parts of the company as well. They took over the Suna Corporation as a family and decided on who did what before they stepped foot into the company. As manager of the east and west side of the Suna global trade temari would gladly rip her little brother's hair off if anything happened to her side of the company. Gaara owned the central department and therefore had the most power but he worked along side his siblings and had to respect them as well when he trades with customers. The best thing to do right now is stall for time and let him do some research on the company while Mr Makinova is being distracted.

He pressed the tele-com system in his office to Sakura.

"Sakura, please call in Mangers: Temari and Kankuro please. They should be on the third floor in a meeting right about now. Knock on the door and tell them that... that Gaara wants them here NOW." He didn't shout the now but the grunt at the end showed his impatientness and she leisurely walked through the busy mass of her co-workers and headed towards the elevator.

Ok... I won't be that mean as to take the stairs but I will slow down abit when I get to the thrid floor...

The two men regarded each other carefully and the silence was enough to show that the two men were on the edge of pouncing onto each other like tigers. A few years ago Mr Makinova was still as he was now, fresh out of university with a degree and a manager for the Western Trade Route company. He had been a customer of Suna Corporation and had frequent meetings with Gaara, Temari and Kankuro.

That was when it started.

The hints were subtle but were there. He began to ask the siblings for a drink and of course they said yes. It was only respect that they have a few drinks with their customer and enjoy the night. After that he began to ask Temari out for Lunch, Dinner and even wanted to give her a ride home. That was when they both snapped. Kankuro and Gaara had grown up with their older sister and even though their family bonds weren't as strong as steel it was somewhere there. Their sister was in a relationship with Advisor Nara Shikamaru of the Konoha Corporation and knew that she loves him dearly. Mr Makinova was making things harder for the couple and they fell out of their relationship once because of him. That was as far as it went. The two brothers silently decided that it was as far as ot would get. Their sister deserved much better and loved another man. They couldn't force her into a relationship with someone she didn't love. they couldn't sell their sister to a man like Makinova who knew about her relationship with Shikamaru and still made moves on her.

They stopped the meetings and told him exactly how they felt. They were disgusted with him and even though Suna Corporation went through a hard time after that they managed to get back to the top in no time thanks to the hard work the siblings went through. Mr Makinova didn't reappear for a few months but when he did he kept a neutral face with them and nothing more. He made things harder for the company and they would spend more time on him then they would normally did for their customers. He had a way with his words and his arrogance annoyed Gaara greatly. The incident with Temari was confidential and therefore it was not the gossip in the offices and Temari could only thank her brothers when they helped her get back into her relationship with Shikamaru.

Sakura walked out of the elevator, her eyes relaxed like nothing was going wrong. In fact everything was nearly according to plan. Except she never thought of Sabaku no Gaara calling in for reinforcements. He was in one hell of a situation and used the best way to get out of it; this made the gane even more interesting to the both of them. Soft tapping noises echoed through the almost empty corridle made the trip boring but worthwhile. She couldn't wait to see Sabaku no Gaara recieving help...

It was too much of a temptation to not do as she was told but she argued with herself silently as she appeared nothing less than normal on the outside.

Gaara... I won't ruin your company... But it doesn't mean i can't have fun... I'll do my part as your secretary... and also do my part to send you to your living hell...

She stopped outside the room and examined the door. The door was impressive with its 3 meter length and 2 meter width. It was enough to let a giant through and she knew this had to be the places. From the muffled voices inside she could only assume that people were in there and may possibly be in an arguement. She sighed.

Damn me for giving you mercy...

She knocked on the door and waited for a reply. After a few short moments later a man that looked very much similar to Daisuke opened the door and led her in.

"What do you want?" A woman at the east end of the table sighed. She was enough to knock men out with a stare. The woman had blonde hair tied up in 2 sets of piggy tails and the fishnet and T-shirt mix gave a whole new meaning to 'exposure'. She showed off her body and her mini skirt really didn't argue with that. She wore full black like Gaara and if she was to just stand in an alley you would think she was one of the Mafia bosses or a member.

"Give her a break Temari... I think she's new. Not many people know we have these meetings... She must be lost." He smiled at her sweetly. The man had brown messy hair and he wore a black hoodie, black trousers covered to his toes and his face was almost all hidden from her view until he had turned in her direction. He looked similar to the woman in his dress style and looked like a gangster in the streets.

Temari?

That must be who Gaara's savior is...

"Temari-sama? Gaara-sama asked me to call you and Kankuro-sama to the office now." She looked at the man that had treated her like a child lost in the supermarket.

"I presume you're Kankuro-sama? I'm Gaara's new secretary. Haruno Sakura."

"Ah! Haruno Sakura... The new secretary... Skip all the sama and san crap...Mind if I call you Sakura-chan?" He asked and smiled at her. He didn't seem too bad. Even if he did treat her like a child. This could be used to her advantage.

"No sir I don't mind, its my duty to call you Kankuro-sama or Kankuro-san. Gaara-sama might get abit annoyed if I just call you Kankuro."

"Sure, you can just call me Kankuro when we're with people like Temari. She doesn't really give a crap. I think Shikamaru is finally rubbing off on her... Heh, she's been talking like him for the last hour!" he joked and glanced back at Temari who looked like she was either magically turning purple or she was angry as hell.

"Temari-san or Temari-chan is fine with me... Like dimbo brother just said I don't really mind what you call us. Gaara seems like he's got a stick up his ass most days anyway so just do what he says. You must be having it tough by the looks of things... Gaara hasn't fired you yet... it certainly is a record. He's fired more people than I've had boyfriends." The woman named Temari said as she examined her nails and her brother sniggered.

"Temari, the only reason you don't have so many boyfriends is cuz-" From out of practically no-where a giant fan hit him on the face and he was knocked out of his chair. Sakura ran over to him and helped him sit up.

"...that giant fan of yours..." he finished as he fainted into the floor.

Sakura stared from Temari to the unconscious Kankuro that had crosses in his eyes. She just looked at her brother and sighed.

"Why do I get such difficult siblings?"

"Sakura...err...chan what was it that you came in here to tell us anyway?" She asked and scooped up Kankuro with her fan. She headed towards the Daisuke look alike and handed Kankuro over to him. With a few quick words the man disappeared from the room leaving the two woman alone.

"Gaara-sama wanted your assistance with a customer Temari...san" She replied and held the door open for her. Temari smirked and pushed her out of the door way and walked out herself.

"I'm not useless you know... I really can manage. Don't treat me like how Kankuro treats you. I know you aren't dumb and I'm not either. No need to be like a slave to me. You're just like me. Just a girl working in an office. Nothing new."

She helped Sakura up and smiled at her, as much as she would like to talk to her and get to know Gaara's little secretary she doubt her brother could wait any longer without blowing the whole building up she pressed the button for the elevator and waited for it to come back down.

I guess Gaara's siblings are a little different than I had thought...

A/N: Yayz! Another chapter done... ok... I'm estimating that I'll be able to update around next week or 2 weeks after cuz I'm getting more determined to working hard on this story and making it good! I can't wait to see those reviews! What do you think of it so far??

I really hope that I'm doing better than my other fanfic...

Thx so much for the support so far!

BlueSkyHeaven