Chapter Four

Next Morning

The sun shined through Sakura's window, waking her up. She stumbles out of bed yawning, heading to her bathroom to wash away her grogginess. 'Ugh, yesterday was exhausting, thank goodness I've got time away before I've got to go back to the hospital'. She got ready for the day, made some cinnamon toast, and was out the door in record time. 'Gotta meet Ino and Hotaru, hmm…getting paid to have fun with friends, this will be a great week' . It wasn't long before she saw Ino and they headed to the Hokage mansion.

Meanwhile at Naruto's

"Oh Crap! I'm late!" Naruto runs out the door while he finishes getting dressed. 'I hope they haven't reached the gates yet' Naruto ran as fast as he could, concentrating all his chakra to his feet. When he got to the gates he didn't see anyone. "Whew, I just made it. They aren't here yet."

"Who's not here yet?" Temari the oldest of the three, appeared out of nowhere.

Naruto jumped out of his skin "AH! WHERE'D YOU COME FROM?!"

"Relax! We've been here for maybe a minute." Kankuro the second of the three smirked "Besides, is that how you treat all your guests?"

Naruto scratched the back of his head smiling "Yeah sorry, It's great to see you guy's again!" Temari and Kankuro smiled, while Gaara the youngest of the three and the Kazekage, gave his usual "Hn" response.

Kankuro blurted "So where are we staying?"

"Oh well, umm…We had difficulties getting you rooms at an inn, so we improvised." Temari and Gaara looked at each other "No No…it's great! You'll be staying at the Hyuga mansion until something is available."

Temari looked at Naruto, then at her brothers "Alright then, Hyuga mansion it is."

"Oh Temari! Ino And Sakura wanted to know if you wanted to go shopping with them today. Their's a new girl in town and they're showing her around"

Gaara's eye's widened, hearing Sakura's name suddenly made him interested in the conversation. Kankuro was also interested 'New girl in town eh? Can't wait to meet her' a devilish grin on his face.

"Sure Naruto, I'd love to! It's my favorite pastime. Let me just drop off my stuff." she had a huge smile. She never gets to shop with girls, so shopping with her friends in Konoha was a treat.

"Great, whenever your ready just go to the Hokage mansion."

Gaara was staring at the ground while he walked. It had been a few months since he last saw Sakura, but he couldn't stop thinking of her. It was driving him to the brink of insanity. He wanted to see her but had no idea what he'd say when he did.

Back at the Hokage Mansion

Sakura and Ino walked into the lobby "I hope we aren't late, I slept in a little."

Ino sat down "I think we're ok, it's not a doctor appt. Isn't Temari coming with us today?"

"Yeah, I asked Naruto to mention it to her when he picks them up this morning." she peered down at Ino, she looked like she was counting the tiles on ceiling. Just as if she was answering my question, the wind mistress walked in the door seconds later.

The girls squealed and hugged their friend. "Hello ladies" Temari smiled and hugged her friends back. "I missed you guys! It's been such a drag being alone with two boys all the time."

They looked at each other "Did you just say, 'such a drag' ?"

She blushed a little "Yes I did, and yes I think I picked it up from that lazy Shikamaru."

Sakura smiled "So you've spent a lot of time with him then?" right then a young man with his hair up in a pineapple shaped ponytail, walked into the building. They all grinned except for Temari.

"Hi Shikamaru! Watcha been up to?" Ino said with an unusually cheery voice.

"Just checking with the Hokage. Just got back from some lame mission, such a drag."

They all burst out laughing, he just raised an eyebrow. "Women are so troublesome."

As he walked away, Temari yelled to him "I'll see you later lazy" he just blushed 'Man that woman is so troublesome'

"So ladies! What are we doing today?" Temari was eager to get started on their spree.

Sakura looked at the clock "Well we're getting lady Tsunade's daughter used to the village so we'll take her shopping and..."

Temari interrupted "Wait, the Hokage has a daughter?"

"Yeah I know, that's what we said…but with more yelling…"

Temari had a mischievous grin "Well, let's go upstairs and wake the princess up." they nodded and ran upstairs.

Meanwhile at the Hyuga Mansion

Kankuro was exploring the house "Wow this is a really sweet place Naruto, better than any hotel."

Gaara turned to Hinata and her father "We thank you again for letting us stay here, it will only be temporary I assure you. We don't want to be a burden." he bowed to the Hyuga king. Hopefully Gaara's manners would make up for Kankuro's lack of.

"Nonsense, it is an honor to have the Kazekage and his family as our guest." the king and Hinata bowed in return. "Let me give you a tour." Kankuro collected himself and joined them.

"Hey Hinata, some of the girls are going shopping, you should go meet them."

She smiled at him, "O-Oh, O-O-Ok Naruto-kan."