Chapter Five
Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi were all very upset. Of course, Naruto was the one who expressed this emotion for the other two stoic shinobi, and whined as Tsunade gave them a new mission for the next few months.
He was so eager to finally get out of the village, when Kakashi called the team, aside from Sakura, to meet at the Hokage tower for a new mission. The jinchuuriki could see a pattern in the making. Getting his hopes up for an action packed mission, but only to have to waste his time on something silly. And the most recent mission was something that he considered to be ridiculous.
"Lady Hokage, if I may ask," Kakashi stepped up, trying to be polite towards the Hokage, "Are you implying that something will happen?" He could see there was a hint of humor in her eyes, and something mischievous up on her sleeves.
Tsunade shook her head, "I received news earlier that team seven, as well as two other shinobi, who I have spoken with, are currently disturbing the peaceful environment in Sakura's home. Surely you must understand that the reason I had the Kazekage live with her is not only for security but to provide him a comfortable environment."
"But Grandma Tsunade, you pretty much banned us from her home!" Naruto glared angrily at the blonde hokage. What will happen to protecting Sakura? And what about their bonding time? A stupid mission wasn't going to get in the way of making sure neither Kiba or Gaara touches their Sakura. "Why does it even matter whether or not Gaara gets his peace and quiet? Sakura is usually the loudest one out of all of us."
It was true. Sakura was always yelling and screaming during missions with Team Seven. The reason why Naruto just did not understand what difference it made if they were to crash in her place.
Tsunade pressed her finger and thumb on her forehead. She could feel a headache coming. Gaara requested that the "idiots" as he called them, do not bother his plan on earning Sakura's affection, and of course, Tsunade could not refuse, not just because of the treaty, but also because she was curious to see just how far Gaara was willing to go in order to marry her student.
"Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai, who we all know couldn't really care less but I will include anyways, are to not bother, enter, cause any kind of commotion near or in Sakura's home for the next months that the Kazekage will be staying there. No more questions asked. You are dismissed, and Kakashi, stay for a few minutes."
While Naruto and Sasuke slumped out of the door, but plans already formulating in their minds, Sai walked out with his usual expression, trying to come up with a plan of his own to help out his two teammates, Kakashi stayed behind. He already knew what was coming.
The Hokage waited until she was certain the other three could no longer hear them, "Kakashi, I understand that you and Sakura had a history, and I know you two still have a connection, but I'm afraid I cannot allow that anymore. I am giving you this as an order from your Hokage. You are not to perform sexual acts with Sakura...but do feel free to try to gain her attention, or even flirt with her around Gaara."
Kakashi stood there, trying to process just what the sannin was trying to tell him. He placed his hands in his pockets, "That's a very straight forward order Lady Tsunade. I require an explanation before anything else."
Tsunade sighed, looking up at the copy ninja, "Sakura is to be wedded to Gaara within the next few months."
Ino smirked as she locked eyes with the Inuzuka standing before her. She tried to hide the blush that was creeping on her face, but Kiba seemed to care very little about her reactions at the moment. He simply wanted to get Sakura away from Gaara. "I have a plan."
Kiba frowned, "You said that last time, remember? That didn't go well for us at all, and worse, the Hokage has forbidden us to go anywhere near Sakura's home." He growled, clenching and unclenching his hands into tight fists. He was angry because for the first time ever, he was rejected, he actually likes a girl, and lastly, he could not do anything about it. "That bastard. He's certainly abusing his title as Kazekage."
The Yamanaka shook her head, a small laugh escaping her lips. She crossed her arms beneath her chest, "Kiba, you underestimate me. There's a reason why I am Sakura's greatest rival, I am on par with her intelligence, however, my smarts are entirely different from hers."
The dog ninja raised an eyebrow, not entirely sure what Ino was talking about. He never could understand the female mind. He inwardly groaned. All he wanted was Sakura. How could someone who was wrapped around his finger possibly slip away within the time he was away for a mission. He supposed it was his fault. He did tell her that their relationship was entirely physical and that no one is to know about it. How was he to know that he would become attached to the medic ninja?
"Alright, let's hear it," He crossed his arms beneath his chest and leaned against the trunk of the tree behind him. It was the same tree his teammates usually met up.
"You want Sakura-chan, while I, on the other hand, have something I need from the Kazekage."
"And that would be?"
"Not anything of interest to you, but back to the point, once I get what I want, I'm almost certain that Sakura will come running right back into your arms." Before the anbu member could interrupt her once more, Ino raised a hand to stop him, "Liquor."
"Liquor? What?" Kiba scrunched his eyebrows, "Are you trying to get the Kazekage drunk just so you can take advantage of him?!" He could not stop the incredulous look that crossed his face at her plans. "First of all, wouldn't you rather he gives you what you want willingly and second, are you insane, Ino?!"
Ino shrugged, "Hey, anything to make sure I get what I want."
Kiba shook his head, not comprehending what goes on in her mind. Her plan is a sure way of causing political disruption. They might as well beat the guy up and and let him know exactly who Sakura belongs too. "Let's rethink our strategy. We are clearly not getting anywhere with this."
The two spent the whole day sitting under the shade of the large tree just coming up with plans to ensure they both get what they want in the end. Four months without Sakura was too long for Kiba to wait and four months with Sakura and Gaara in the same roof was a disadvantage to Ino in terms of their game. They needed a fool proof plan, and fast at that.
"Say, if we can't go to Sakura-chan's house, maybe we can get them to come to ours?"
Sakura stepped into her home, greeted by silence. Sighing, she quickly pulled off her boots, setting them by the welcome mat and proceeded to remove her tank top and her shorts, leaving her in nothing by her undergarments. She sighed, tired from her solo training in the training grounds, and tossed her clothes on the couch. It was too hot outside and her clothes stuck to her like another layer of skin. She was more than happy to finally be home and in solitude.
She walked into the kitchen, grabbing a glass and filled it with water and ice. After downing all of it in one drink, she groaned in relief. The cold air in her home was soothing, as was the ominous silence. It was strange that no one has gone looking for her in her home. Normally, either Naruto or Kakashi would greet her at this time of the afternoon.
The pink haired kunoichi shrugged at her observations. She might as well enjoy the silence while it lasted. Placing her now empty glass on the sink, she walked into her bedroom, grabbing her towel and made her way to the bathroom. A shower was just the perfect way to unwind after a long day of training.
Her eyes grew wide, and her face flushed at the sight that greeted her upon opening the door to the bathroom. Though she tried to tear her eyes away, they will not leave the Kazekage, who was in nothing but a towel, that was riding dangerously low. Her eyes roamed his body, noticing how his skin was still wet from the shower. His abs were exposed and looked finely chiseled against his pale skin. She swallowed, her mouth suddenly becoming dry.
When she finally noticed the smirk on his lips, she stuttered, "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were in here—" her eyes followed the direction where his were traveling, towards her own body. She immediately slammed the door shut after realizing she had walked in on him with nothing but her undergarments on. The kunoichi mentally screamed in anger and frustration. Her inner was screaming at her to go back in the room and devour the godlike man in there, and it took effort to keep herself from doing so.
She wrapped her towel around her as the door opened once again, Gaara stepping out, still in his towel. Sakura looked away, blushing, "S...sorry."
She made an attempt to dash into the bathroom, but felt a tight grip on her arm. She turned to meet the intense gaze of the Kazekage. Before she could react, she was pushed against the wall, hands trapped in his, over her head. Heat began to pool in her belly with both fear and excitement.
A soft moan escaped her lips as his free hand traveled over her towel covered waist to her back. She arched forward her hips meeting his. Her eyes widened at the feeling of something large and hard pressed against her.
"It's almost like, you're asking for me to touch you," his hot breath sent shivers down her spine. "I believe I owe you some well deserved punishment." His deep voice was almost enough to send the kunoichi over the edge. She wriggled beneath his hold, unable to respond to his words. She wanted it. She wanted so bad to touch him and see what he would do to her.
She was both frustrated and relieved when he let go of her. Sakura glared at him, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her true emotions. "W...what the heck was that for? You have no right to say these...things to me in my own home! You may be kazekage, but next time, I will kick your ass if you touch me again!"
Gaara smirked slightly, "Certainly did not look as if you were going to attack me. When you're ready for your punishment, let me know."
The blood rose to Sakura's face at his words. She watched as he walked into his room, flustered. After a few minutes standing in her hallway, her eyes grew wide. Punishment?! What right does that ungrateful bastard have to treat me this way?! She did not bother to hide her anger and slammed the door shut after entering the bathroom.
She refused to be played by the most emotionless man in the shinobi world. He was sick and perverted and so damn hot!Sakura shook her head, turning on the shower to clear her mind. Inner Sakura was already betraying her. God, she wanted him and her sexual frustration was only increasing as each day passed. And it has only been a few days into the four months he was supposed to stay.
You can always accept the punishment Gaara has in store for you. Sakura groaned. Gaara's offer was actually quite tempting, but she refused to be played by him. This could be your chance to be able to kiss him and win the bet. At that thought, Sakura's eyes widened. It could be the opening she needed to be able to kiss the ever so stoic, until recently, Kazekage.
Why is Gaara suddenly acting that way? There's no way someone like him could ever be interested in me, or anyone in general. He's way too selfish.
After another five minutes, she shut off the water, dried herself with a towel, and once more, wrapped it around her body. She took a deep breath, You're a strong, smart girl, Sakura, if he so much as takes advantage of you, you can always keep your promise and kick his sorry ass, and walked out of the bathroom. She stood in front of his door for another minute, about to knock, when there was a knock on her front door. She frowned at the interruption, but returned to her room and quickly put on some clothes. Gaara can wait.
When she opened the door, the last person she expected to see was Gaara's older brother, Kankuro. She raised an eyebrow, but allowed him to enter her apartment. He quickly made himself at home, sitting on the couch. The puppet master laughed when he raised a tank top and spandex shorts in the air, questioning her. Sakura flushed embarrassed, but angrily snatched her clothing from his hands and threw them in her room. When she returned to the living room, she glared at him, armed crossed beneath her chest. He whistled at the sight, only increasing her annoyance.
"Is there anything you need, Kankuro?" At the sound of Gaara's voice, Sakura froze, letting her hands fall. Her face flushed immediately, which went unnoticed by the puppet ninja. He raised an eyebrow, but shrugged it off, taking note of the distance between the two. It was pretty clear they were still uncomfortable with each other with so much distance between them. He inwardly sighed, disappointed with his younger brother. He was never going to get her to like him if he continues to isolate himself.
"Calm down, I'm only here to relay a message from Ino Yamanaka, and the rest of the rookie nine," Sakura raised an eyebrow at his statement. Normally, her friends would just barge in and talk to her themselves. "There's a party that they are throwing in Naruto's apartment. They wanted to make sure you both go since we are all going."
"I'm not interested," Gaara closed his eyes, leaning against the wall behind him.
Still confused as to why her best friends did not come to her themselves with the invitation, Sakura shrugged, "Alright. I'm in." It was, after all, her week off. She might as well enjoy herself.
"Now there's someone who knows how to socialize," Kakuro grimaced at his brother. He was a hopeless case when it comes to getting him out of his comfort zone. "Oh and Kiba will be there, too. Just a heads up because I heard about what happened earlier today." He inwardly smirked, knowing full well that his brother was aware of the Inuzuka's feelings.
"Wonderful!" Sakura mumbled sarcastically, "I can't wait."
Gaara gritted his teeth in anger. Kiba was definitely asking for a fight. "I'll think about it."
Kankuro grinned in triumph. He knew his brother too well.
Sasuke and Sai were already feeling full just watching Naruto take out his anger by eating bowls and bowls of ramen. Sasuke was ready to blanch, while Sai tried to look away and block the sound of his slurping and swallowing. No human can possibly eat that much ramen every single day.
After ten minutes and ten bowls of ramen, Naruto finally decided to stop, the jonin and ex-anbu root member more than thankful. It was then that Sasuke decided it was time to question his idiotic friend as to why he agreed to have Ino and Kiba's social gathering in their apartment.
Naruto shrugged, "Ino still lives with her parents, Kiba's is a mess right now, and Sakura's is out of the question. After Temari bossed us around into cleaning our apartment, ours if the best choice to have a party. Besides, it's going to be fun and we get to see Sakura-chan without disobeying Grandma Tsunade's orders. And maybe you'll finally get a chance to apologize to Sakura-chan."
At that, the Uchiha stopped complaining. He cared a lot about his female teammate and gaining her trust back was important to him.
Sorry for such a late update! Please forgive me!
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