Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Sorry for the wait but here's another chapter.

Thank you for all the reviews! Much love to everyone.

Opening her eyes, Sakura squinted at the trickling rays of sunlight that danced across her face. Rubbing her eyes, she stepped groggily out of bed and headed towards her bedroom window to take in the day. Looking down at the busy street below she could almost smell the fragrant spices of desert life. Taking a deep breath of air conditioned air she walked over to her plain white dresser and pulled open the top drawer.

"I've missed you so much!" Sakura cried happily as she held the familiar sleeveless red top, white skirt, and black shorts to her chest in a fierce bear hug. After a moment of enjoying their clean linen aroma she lifted them up to eye level. And not a damn stain left on them. Hell yeah.

After gently laying out her clothing on the bed, she opened another drawer and gathered her gloves and shin guards. I think that's everything. Time to take a shower and head over to Temari's. Which only seemed fair since the Sabaku household was located near the practice arena.

Taking a quick shower, dressing, and eating a small breakfast of dried dates and a few slices of bread she was ready to go. Gathering her pouch and the napkin with Temari's directions she headed out the door.

In an excited dash Sakura headed downstairs but not before she sensed a familiar chakura signature lurking in the shadows of the stairwell. Skidding to a halt she located its source.

"Just what are you doing Kankuro?"

The hidden puppet Nin jumped at her voice.

"Oh- Sakura, don't sneak up on me like that."

Letting out a deep sigh, Kankuro relaxed against the wall. "And to answer your question, I'm waiting for that redheaded pain in the ass."

Looking at Kankuro and then to the stairs leading to the next floor, Sakura scratched her head.

"Um. Couldn't you just go up to his office…unless you're planning on mugging him. But you should try hiding your chakura or he'll see you coming before he's sandal even touches the stair."

The purple designs on his face distorted as he gave Sakura a good frown.

"I'm not going to mug him. Although I may give him a good beating if he doesn't take my invitation seriously, but factoring in the whole Kazekage and controlling sand thing it might end badly..."

Totally. I thought the same thing yesterday. Damn Kazekage.

You two are such cry babies. Maybe Kankuro is a better match for you...oh I could just imagine the children- little pink haired hellions with purple face paint. Now that's funny.

Not that again.

Sakura managed to give him a nod as she fought away her inner musings.

"So you're still trying to get him to go?"

"Yeah. But he's being stubborn. I know he's changed a lot since he was little, but he really needs to go out and socialize every once in a while, you know. And I don't think hanging around a bunch of old geezers all day is helping his people skills any."

Glancing back up the stairs, he gave Sakura a sad smile.

"You said it yourself, he behaves like an old man but physically he's still a teenager. It's about time he starts acting like one and if that means I have to force alcohol and porn down his throat then so be it."

"Ah."

Gaara is lucky to have such dedicated siblings.

It's more than that Sakura, they're trying to salvage his humanity. Years of senseless killing and murdering could be a hard thing to deal with for just one person. They don't want him to be alone.

Thanks for the deep insight stupid inner self. Now I'm all depressed.

The strong hand on her shoulder brought her back to reality.

"Don't worry about it Sakura. Just being yourself around him is helpful. If you can't make him feel like a normal kid then there's no hope."

I don't know if that was some sort of compliment or a crack about me being childish.

Siding with the latter Sakura readied her best glare but all anger was defused in the face of Kankuro's biggest grin.

"Hey, weren't you supposed to meet someone this morning?"

"Oh my god, Temari! We're supposed to go train together."

Smacking her forehead, Sakura cursed her time management skills. I'm so late.

"No need to beat yourself up over it. I doubt Temari has dragged herself out of bed yet. She's usually an early riser, but I think she was busy doing something last night…or should I say someone."

He lost me there.

"Eh?"

"So innocent." Shaking his head in mock disappointment as he turned her around by the shoulders and then a soft push in the direction of the exit.

"You're a smart girl you'll figure it out. Now hurry up and go already."

Sakura flashed him a bright smile over her shoulder as she hurried off.

Running out of the administration building at full speed, she took a quick right down a narrow side street Temari suggested. It would take would take her close to the entrance of the Sabaku household without much traffic.

As the street opened up into a main street she turned left at corner coffee shop Temari mentioned and down yet another alley. Getting closer to her destination she slowed her pace slightly as the alley opened up into another street.

Unlike the business district she temporarily resided in, this street was a quiet residential area. Looking around at the tall houses lining the street she guessed that most of them were older than most houses in Konoha as their rough sun bleached exteriors gave evidence to their long years in the desert climate.

Stopping to admire the street she closed her eyes as she took a deep breath, appreciating the moment.

Slowly letting out the breath she began to step forward again and then froze as her gaze fell across something that was far from home- a five foot eleven pineapple wearing a green vest and Konoha symbol on the left sleeve.

Smirking as she flailed her arms wildly trying to get his attention, "SHIKAMARU!"

Waking for a moment from his daydreaming, he looked in her direction and an expression of recognition washed across his features.

Raising a hand slightly as Sakura closed the distance between them, "Yo."

"Yo yourself. It's good to finally see a familiar face… but what are you doing all the way out here?"

"Eh, just finishing up a mission."

"I see. Tsunade must be keeping everyone busy, that's good to hear."

Absentmindedly scratching the stubble on his chin, Shikamaru glanced up at the slow moving clouds in the sky.

"Say if you not in a hurry would you like to have something to eat with Temari and me? We're supposed to spar today, you remember her right?"

Tearing his attention away from the fluffy forms he turned back to Sakura.

"…Yeah. I remember her. Sorry Sakura-Chan but I've already eaten and I need to get back to Konoha for a mission report."

Sakura gave him a slight shrug.

"Alright, but you're going to miss out. Temari said she makes a mean pancake, but maybe next time right?"

Sakura raised an eyebrow daring the boy genius to say otherwise. And after years of experience Shikamaru knew very well that when Sakura casually asks you to do something she's really saying you damn well better say yes or your ass is mine, biatch. And now that she's been training with granny Tsunade the whole situation had escalated from threat to fact faster than this lazy genius had time to even think about it.

"Yeah-yeah. Next time."

Smiling brightly Sakura gave him a good slap on the back, "Alrighty. You'd better hurry up and get back to Konoha. Knowing your infinity for fluffy clouds and being an overall slowpoke you're probably going to be late, and you know how much she hates that."

With a slightly pained face he nodded in agreement, "Good luck with your mission. Eat a pancake for me."

"I will, don't worry."

With a small wave her pointy-haired friend disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Taking the final twenty yards towards the address Temari had scribbled on a napkin, she could already see the large Sabaku residence looming ahead.

The three story house stood in the center of the cul-de-sac, with its neighboring houses a good distance away.

Walking up the stone steps to the shaded porch she found something that would've never been there a few years ago, a welcome mat. Staring at it Sakura could feel the smile forming on her face as her eyes traced the simple ivy border and text. That would be a great feeling- to come home and know that everyone inside is waiting to welcome you home.

I wonder what Kankuro and Gaara thought when they first saw it. I bet Temari was waiting inside ready with smiles and hugs.

After a few taps on the large door Sakura could sense movement inside and then the echoing of footsteps until the old hinges groaned open. Catching sight of the familiar bunches of sandy blonde hair Sakura greeted her friend warmly.

"Good morning Temari."

Taking in her appearance – the dark circles under her eyes - Sakura had second thoughts about the 'good' part.

"Are you feeling okay, maybe we should do this a different day."

Covering a yawn with one hand, Temari waved off the concern. "No I'm fine, I just didn't get much sleep last night. Besides, I need to practice and I still want to see how much you've improved."

"Okay, but I'm not going to hold back."

Chuckling slightly Temari continued. "I wouldn't have it any other way. Now shut up and get inside, the pancakes are getting cold."

Moving aside Temari let Sakura into the darkened entryway, giving her time to deposit her shoes and slip on a pair of guest slippers. As they entered the hallway to the living room and dining area Sakura couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the traditional décor of the place. It screamed money. But that made sense. Their family had become a corner stone in the history of Sunagakure no Sato with two Kazekage under their belt.

"So this is where you all live. Impressive. And very ominous. I feel like of seen this place before…oh yes, the Sohma main house."

"Huh?" Temari muttered as she paused long enough to give Sakura a weird look before opening the door to the kitchen area.

"Nothing- just thinking out loud."

"Whatever, just sit down and eat all of those pancakes. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Sakura watched as Temari hurried out of the kitchen leaving her alone in the gratuitously oversized kitchen with dark granite countertops and polished wood floors. Walking slowly over to the table where Temari had placed her breakfast, Sakura found it complete with orange juice and milk. How sweet.

Sitting down, Sakura followed Temari's instructions. Content with eating her pancakes from heaven, Sakura looked around the place trying to find some tidbits of information about its inhabitants.

Some flowers in the window.

A note on the fridge, "take out trash. That means YOU Kankuro."

Smirking, she continued her inspection.

A couple of freshly used coffee mugs in the sink.

Finding nothing else of interest she concentrated on eating again. And just as she plopped the last bite of pancake in her mouth, Temari reappeared with her fan and a couple of scrolls.

"I hope you've finished eating." Looking over the empty plate she smiled. "Told you my pancakes kick ass. You can just sit the plate in the sink and we'll head out."

Standing up Sakura placed the dishes in the sink and nodded at Temari who looked just as anxious to get to the gym and do a little training.

"Alright, let's go!"

"Hey! Why didn't you wait for me?!" Kankuro yelled at a coolly indifferent Gaara, who happened to be eating some barbeque pork on a stick outside of the training arena.

Earlier, during Kankuro's conversation with Sakura in the stairway, Gaara had sensed their presence from his office as Sakura had predicted and took an alternate route. This proved to be unfortunate for the puppet Nin who realized this 45 minutes after the fact- let's just say that it didn't take him long to what happened to his little brother when he found Gaara's office empty and the open window left wide open from his escape.

Pausing before he took another bite of pork, Gaara smirked at his irritated brother. "I was hungry."

Mimicking Temari's angry stance, Kankuro put both hands on his hips and lifted an eyebrow. "But why did you go out the window?"

Raising an eyebrow in retaliation, Gaara met his brother's glare, "I was really hungry."

Gaara ignored Kankuro's fit of exasperation and once again returned his attention to consumption of his snack

"Right. Because going out a window is much more logical than using the goddamn stairs. It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that you are trying to drive me crazy?!"

Gaara's eyes widened in feigned shock, "I didn't realize my actions have had such a profound effect on you. I'm sorry. Forgive me onii-chan?"

"Just shut up." Kankuro muttered as he mentally pulled his hair out.

Finished with the last bite Gaara tossed the empty stick at the sulking Nin next to him. "I'm done. Let's go inside."

Hearing the door open to the left, Sakura looked up and followed Temari's eyes over to the doorway as Gaara and Kankuro walk in together.

She could faintly hear Kankuro talking something about not being a trashcan as Gaara ignored him with his attention focused on the training ground below him. Catching Temari's gaze as he nodded in her direction.

"Looks like we have an audience."

Nodding in agreement Sakura stood up and brushed off her shorts. "Yeah. You ready to start?"

Sakura flexed her fingers as she approached her opponent but decided not to put on the gloves just yet. Temari followed her lead and sat her fan aside, as she motioned to Sakura. "Let's start with some Taijutsu, just to warm up."

Taking the offensive first Temari aimed at Sakura's footing with a sweeping kick.

Jumping to the side Sakura evaded the attack and stepped into a rapid punch combination testing for any weaknesses as Temari blocked each and countered with an elbow to the collar bone that connected hard enough to knock the two apart.

Grinning, Temari watched as Sakura inspected the area that had been hit. Enough of this friendly combat crap, time to see if she lives up to everyone's expectations. I know it's going to hurt but that's life. Get over it.

Speaking loud enough for only Sakura to hear, Temari began a new tactic. "Tell me Sakura, are you still fawning over the Uchiha?"

What the hell?! Where is this coming from!? Did she not just feed me pancakes less than an ago??

Ignoring the taunt, Sakura dashed forward as she directed a kick at the Sand Nin's upper body. Missing her target she rolled to the side, bracing herself for another counter attack.

But it wasn't a physical assault that Temari had in mind. It was something far worse.

"Does it still hurt. Knowing that you couldn't stop him and that he's never coming back."

The feelings of failure and uselessness that she forgotten were now exploding into her mind as those harsh words continued to invade her psyche. Damn it. I'm better than this.

Stopping her next punch in midair, she grinned at Temari. I guess playtime's over Temari-chan.

Chuckling to herself, Temari picked up her fan as Sakura pulled on her black gloves.

Watching as the sand Nin opened her fan to the first purple moon, Sakura also settled herself into an offensive stance and quipped her own verbal attack.

"Now you tell me Temari, since we're friends and it seems that no subject is off limits, just what were you and Shikamaru doing last night?"

Temari's eye twitched.

Bingo. A physical reaction to an unpleasant stimulant, just like her brother.

Successfully wiping the grin off of Temari's face, Sakura only had a moment to bask in the glow of her first win as the sand Nin opened her fan to the second purple moon and initiated a powerful whirlwind attack that left Sakura scrambling to form a series of hand signs.

This is going to be messy.

Thanks for reading!

Sorry for any grammatical errors/ incoherent storyline. Let me know and I'll try to fix them, not so much the incoherent storyline because I don't want to totally rewrite this monster. I didn't have my sister proof read it…darn my laziness. But that's the least of my worries since I haven't updated since November.

I had a hard time writing this and I'm not sure if I completely approve of the last scene, but it's setting up for the next chapter. Things are getting interesting.

I've been reading a lot of Fruits Basket, so that was the Sohma reference. I like referencing other comic, can you tell?