Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

"Thanks for helping me out today Temari, I don't know if I could have done so much shopping by myself. Thank you too Kankuro, you know, for carrying all those heavy bags."

With a grin, Kankuro nodded. "Ah, don't worry about it. I had fun despite the severe beating…and I think the feeling in my face is finally coming back."

Scratching her head in embarrassment, Sakura chuckled. "Yeah, sorry about that. It's sort of a reflex from years of being around Naruto...tell you what, I'll take you up on your offer as an apology but I'm not making any promises about bringing your stubborn brother with me okay?"

Kankuro nodded in agreement as the two shook hands sealing the deal.

"Come on Kankuro, time to let Sakura get to work." Grabbing his sleeve Temari tugged him towards the hospital lobby, as they both waved their goodbyes.

"See you guys later."

Sakura watched as the two Sand sibs disappeared out into the busy street and sighed as she took a look around the new hospital.

Time to get down to business.

Walking over to the front desk, Sakura waited as the nurse scribbled down some instructions for an out patient.

From the looks of things that shinobi shouldn't be allowed to leave yet. This is bad.

Before the nurse was able to dismiss the patient Sakura interrupted their conversation hoping to get a chance to interject her opinion on the matter.

"Excuse me. I'm Haruno Sakura from Konoha village, and I'm supposed to meet with someone about my duties but if you would prefer I could help this patient first-"

"Ah, yes. Haruno. One moment please."

Picking up Sakura's annoyed aura the nurse gave her a sideways glance.

"This hospital has to release non-emergency patients due to reasons you already know- reasons that brought you here in the first place."

Handing the patient a small package of ointment and instructions the nurse dismissed him and turned back to Sakura.

"You're late, but that was to be expected. The head doctor has already headed into surgery so your meeting will have to be set postponed for now."

Tapping her fingers on the laminated countertop the nurse looked over Sakura again, her eyes hesitating on the assortment of shopping bags on the ground.

"The Kazekage sent word that you're arrival would be delayed…you may put your bags in the break room. Once you are finished head to the second floor and find Sadah, she will help you from there."

You could try to be a little nicer. I'm here to save your ass.

"Thank you for your time." Sakura hissed between her clenched teeth as she headed towards the break room without waiting for a response.

By the time Sakura found Sadah her attitude had taken a complete nosedive and her day went to straight hell from there. She was informed by the kind but overworked doctor that she would not only be training medic nin but hand picking each prospective shinobi from hundreds of files- a feat that she estimated would take longer than a "couple of months."

After a day of running around trying to find people, gathering data files, and filing reports Sakura was ready to go home and have a good cry. But damn it all, she still needed to get groceries and carry her new clothes home.

Stupid nurse and her shifty eyes. I can just imagine what she was thinking- 'arrogant Konoha ninja, shopping while Suna is facing a severe medical crisis.'

Yes. Great first impression Sakura, I'm sure she has no worries about the future of Suna now.

Okay, shut up I get it and for the record that whole shopping thing wasn't my idea.

Sakura's inner dialogue continued as she dropped her bags and paper work off at her apartment and grabbed some money as she headed out the door again.

Well despite the whole incident with the righteous suna nurse, shopping with Temari and Kankuro was a lot of fun. But it kind of made me homesick... I hope Naruto is doing alright without me, then again who am I kidding- I'm sure someone will buy the boy some ramen.

Don't forget that little episode with Gaara. You have to admit it was cute seeing him hiding from his older brother.

Yeah that was really cute, good to know that there's a real person underneath all the straps, buckles, and sand.

Finding something in agreement, Sakura's inner conversation came to a pleasant stopping point as she reached the small family owned market a few blocks away from her apartment Temari had recommended.

Walking through the open door, Sakura grabbed an empty basket and headed towards the produce section for some fresh vegetables.

Sorting through the damp bunches of lettuce she heard a familiar voice.

"Oi Sakura. So they let you off early, eh?"

Dropping the lettuce in her basket she turned and smiled at Temari. "Yeah. I don't think they were very happy with what they have to work with though. I mean, what would you do if a young- not to mention, pink haired- girl was the person your Kazekage had hired to revamp you're medical capabilities? Maybe they just need some time to take in the whole situation…tomorrow should be better…I hope."

Laughing, Temari slapped her on the back. "Don't worry about them. They just have a lot on their minds right now, so just do your best okay? Besides, Gaara hired you for a reason so don't make him look bad or I'll have to beat you up."

Rubbing the pain away from the shoulder Temari had hit, Sakura tried to decipher whether or not the threat was made in jest or not.

Probably not.

"Hey Temari, can I ask you a favor?"

Raising an eyebrow the sand Nin smirked, "What kind of favor?"

"Do you have any books I could borrow? I didn't bring any with me…you know, security incase I was captured on my way here. But anything will do, it gives my mind a break from tedious work."

"I don't really have anything interesting."

Thinking for a second Temari came up with a brilliant idea. "You should ask Gaara about that, he has plenty of reading material you could borrow. But he can be pretty stingy with his things…so ask him nicely and he might let you."

"Okay, thanks Temari." Sakura waved goodbye as Temari went back to her shopping.

There's no way in hell he'll let me borrow one of his books.

The first week of working at the hospital left Sakura exhausted with all the meetings, paperwork, and picking the first group of ninjas to be trained she barely had time to eat and sleep let alone borrow some books. And she didn't even want to think about Kankuro's party which was about a month away.

After another full day of work, Sakura forced herself up the first flight of stairs and asked herself why Tsunade hadn't sent someone else with her.

Oh wait, I know this one. It's because she believed I could do this on my own. Do I get a cookie now?

No cookie. You've still got some work to do, silly girl.

Reaching the top of the stairwell, she began walking to her apartment door and finally noticed something was wrong.

Heeeey, this isn't the second floor…damn it. I went up too far.

Staring at the large oak doors for a few seconds she decided to go in and say hi. No doubt he already knew she was out there and it would be rude to turn around now. Straightening her back and brushing the hair away from her face, she walked up to the doors and knocked.

Half expecting him to ignore her, she held her breath until she heard movement inside and a low murmur that she took as an okay to go in.

Peeking past the door she spotted Gaara behind a mountain of papers.

"Hello Kazekage-sama."

Taking a few steps closer all she could see was his spiky red hair contrasting against the sea of white parchment.

And I thought I had it bad.

Slowly lifting up his head he starred back at her with blank green eyes.

"Giving up already, or was there something else you wanted?"

Moody sand brat.

Clenching her fist instinctively, Sakura grinned back at him.

"No. I'm not giving up."

Common Sakura, say it. The worst thing he could say is no.

Yeah… you're right. I'm just being stupid.

"I'm here because Temari said you had a lot of books, and I was wondering if I could borrow a few."

Sakura gulped as she saw his expression switch from blank to curious to annoyed and then back to blank before he spoke again.

"What?"

God, this is getting nowhere fast.

"May I borrow some books…please?"

Don't forget the cherry on top Sakura.

Shut up.

After what seemed to be small eternity of unnerving silence he answered.

"Fine. You can look through the ones over there."

Sakura followed his pointed index finger to the bookcase to her far right. Walking up to it, she ran her finger along the edge of the shelf at her eye-level and grimaced as it left a narrow streak in the deep layer of dust.

"This one?" Sakura squeaked as she wiped her finger on the beige fabric of her tunic.

With a nod Gaara went back to work.

Of course. The ones he would never use himself...from the look of it I don't think he ever bothered to open these.

After thirty minutes of digging she found two books and one scroll that looked promising.

The first was a condensed history of Sunagakure, which provided an overview of the economic and political aspects of the village from its first to fourth Kazekage. The second was a collection of Suna fairytales and nursery rhymes. And the scroll was a basic taijutsu technique that she already knew, but the illustrations were amusing so she decided to take it with her anyway.

Walking back over to his desk a brightly colored scroll caught her eye on one of the more well-used bookcases. Curiosity getting the best of her, as well as mental malnourishment, she pulled the scroll off the shelf.

"Hey, what's this?"

Without glancing up Gaara sighed. "Nothing. Put it back."

"Why…does it contain a secret Ninjutsu or perhaps a forbidden technique?" She asked shaking the scroll at him.

"Curiosity killed the spinney-tailed lizard."

Praise Buddha, he speaks! Finally getting a few interesting words out of the quiet Kazekage Sakura decided to keep up the conversation.

"Don't you mean cat?"

"Same difference."

"Are you being cheeky with me Kazekage-sama?"

"No."

"Hmmm I think you are. Fine I'll leave that scroll alone for now."

Finding something else of interest on the shelf provided the perfect opportunity to continue her teasing.

"Oh my god, you like Gundam! Funny, I always took you as a Clamp fan. Guess I was wrong."

The dark glare she earned for that comment stifled the fit of giggles trying to escape her throat as she sheepishly placed the comic back in its place.

"I'm just kidding! Kankuro's name is all over this one-literally…besides I doubt you read manga anyway."

Barely audible she swore she heard him mutter something about Kankuro being a dumbass as she raised a hand to cover her sleepy yawn.

"Opps, I think its time for me to go."

Glancing back at his uninterested form, she held up the items in her arms.

"Is it alright if I take these with me, I'll bring them back sometime tomorrow. You'll be here right?"

"Hn."

"Okay. Tomorrow then Kazekage-sama." She half yawned on her way out.

Walking away from the oak doors she trudged towards the stairs and noticed a very paint-less and hoodless Kankuro heading her direction wearing what she assumed was his favorite pair of pajamas. A simple t-shirt and baggy pants that looked much too comfortable for the exhausted Konoha ninja.

"Hey Kankuro."

"Hey."

After a few seconds of Sakura's unnerving stare, Kakuro waved his hands in front of her face.

"Did you want something?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, Sakura giggled. "Oh yeah, sorry…it's just that I kind of thought you slept in the face paint and hoodie."

"What…do I look that bad?"

"No-no. The complete opposite actually, you're cute like your brother."

"What? I said you were cute, what's wrong?"

"You called Gaara cute. Subaku no Gaara. Cute. I can't wait to see his face when I tell him that."

Lowering her voice to a whisper Sakura almost dropped her books as she grabbed his sleeve in an attempt to stop his sudden movement towards the oak doors. "Wha- No! Don't tell him that!"

"Just kidding but while we're on the subject, I should warn you that there are some words that you should never use in front of Gaara for the sake of the alliance and your personal safety."

"Huh?"

"Never mind, just listen. In the past few years Gaara has acquired a large following of…fanatical teenage girls and boys in Suna. And so he has developed a strong dislike for the words commonly used by said group."

"What words?"

"Cute, adorable, and panda."

"Why panda, I thought it was a Tanuki?"

"Yeah I know, but panda is a friendlier substitute."

"Ohhhhh."

Sakura was silent as she absorbed the new information.

"I think 'little old man' would be a more fitting nickname."

Kankuro turned his head slightly as he raised an eyebrow at her.

"Little old man?"

"Yeah. Think about it, he takes his time doing everything…whether it's walking, reading, or making facial expressions- just like an old man. It's like he's trying to use the least amount of energy possible. And not to mention the deep voice that I remember from when he was like twelve, it just wasn't humanly possible for someone his age to have that voice."

Come to think of it Sasuke had a deep voice too. That must be the secret to their mysterious allure.

"I'm definitely telling him that one, see ya later Sakura." Kankuro's laughter was still echoing in the hallway as he left her alone with her twisted musings.

Thanks for reading!