Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto!

They arrived in the same boat that would take the pinkette to Suna. It was Sasori's teleportation power that they were able to catch the boat. As they appeared on the deck, Sakura abruptly pushed herself away from the red-head.

"What were you doing?! Can't you give some warning first before you just teleport people anywhere?!" She flustered in shock.

"Well, you said that you were ready." Sasori replied unenthusiastically.

The annoyed pinkette crossed her arms and spat back, "I never expected that to happen."

"Suit yourself." Sasori replied and disappeared out of sight.

The pinkette was left alone in the deck. It is up to her now if she'll ever find a room to stay or just stand there; waiting 'till the boat docks. She mentally screamed in rage as she found out that the red-head left her out of sight.

"Argh! That wooden head!" She gritted her teeth. She sighed as she quickly carries her bag and went directly into the entrance. If it'll be her job to look for a room to stay, then surely, she'll be the only one occupying it. And why would she ever think of sharing the same room with that annoying bastard? "Suit yourself…" She mouthed the words angrily.

The moment she entered the room, she was amazed at the dazzling sight of the cabins and people inside. She could not help but smile at the elegance and sophistication of the scene. She guessed that the passengers might be foreigners going to Suna. Well at least, that wood-head brought her to the right place.

Just then, a woman in blue uniform welcomed her happily, "Good evening, Ma'am. Welcome aboard to the Ocean Wonder via Suna. May I help you, Ma'am?"

Sakura felt surprised at the sudden hospitality of the people around here. She nearly fell out of words when Sasori appeared from nowhere. She nearly fainted.

"We would like to check in on one of your rooms for the night, Ms." Sasori muttered in a silk tone.

"Oh, right sir. You can stay on the benches sir while waiting since I will be checking out for the available rooms in the deck." The woman pointed out.

Sasori nods in reply as Sakura smiled back, "Thanks, Ms."

The pinkette halted and protested at the calm red-head, "Oh, so just like that? You just mysteriously disappeared out of sight and just came back from nowhere? I'm pretty impressed, wooden head!"

Sasori muttered in a low tone, "I just went in first since you were still busy with your complaints."

Sakura rolled her eyes, "I was not complaining! This is your entire fault! If only this ring never existed, I would not be stuck with an annoying wood-head!"

Sasori cocked a brow and replied back, "And I won't be wasting my time with a whiny brat!"

As they were quarreling, they didn't know that the ship attendant was awkwardly waiting for them to come into terms.

"Um, excuse me…sir, ma'am…"

The quarreling pair stared at her awkwardly and smiled back in embarrassment.

"Uh, yes, Ms.?" Sakura replied back. If only she could kick this wood-head out of the boat.

"Ma'am, I'm glad to say that you're lucky to have our last cabin in the deck. So what do you say?" The woman smiled.

Both were speechless and at the same time disgusted. This means they'll be sharing the same room!

"Sure, we'll take that." Sasori muttered apathetically like he doesn't care.

Sakura gasped in shock. What? Is he insane?! Maybe there are termites stuck in his wooden head… She glared at the red-head and hissed, "We'll talk about this in a minute…"

She grabs Sasori by the collar and points him accusingly, "I will NEVER share the same room with you!"

Sasori sighed, "So do I, but we have no choice but to, all the rooms are pretty occupied for now."

The pinkette growled in rage; as if she's going to devour the apathetic red-head whole. Cruelty of fate…too bad, she'll no way escape it. And if this'll continue, this'll be her worst break ever!

"NEVER!" She crossed her arms in opposition.

Fear creeps into her spine as the red-head whispered coldly in her ear, "Have you forgotten about this?" He shows her the glistening chakra strings from his fingers; somehow threatening the soul out of her. She shudders in fear.

Sasori sighed, "Good." He then went back to the ship attendant and muttered, "Lead us the way."

Sakura rolled her eyes and grumbled something in her breath. She really hated being threatened by this annoying bastard. But still, he overpowers her.

"You know how much I hated to wait." He whispered.

She shivered and followed him quietly.

"Here is cabin 23, ma'am and sir. Enjoy your stay!" The ship attendant left.

The red-head simply went inside the cabin first and left the door open for the pinkette to follow him inside. The cabin was neat and spacious. There is a cream-colored table on the side and a tv set on the other. There is a small bathroom at the corner with all the toiletries you need. A large peek hole is provided for anyone to look outside. Everything was perfect except for the fact that only one bed is provided, suitable for two people. "Why should it be the bed?!" She sighed in exasperation. The pinkette tries to calm herself down as she slowly places her bag by the table. This is going to be a rough night.

"Tsunade-sama! Tsunade-sama!" Shizune panted heavily as she burst the door open. The Lady Hokage stood up abruptly and raised her voice, "What is it, Shizune?!" Her raven-haired assistant gasped, "Lady Temari is here!"

The surprised Hokage quickly fixes herself from her haggard state. She's not expecting anyone from Suna to come, visit here, especially on this busy time. She cleared her throat, "Okay, let her come."

There must be something wrong…she thought. Temari calmly went inside with a blank expression. She is with her Jounin uniform with her large fan stuck on her back.

"Hokage-sama!" She greeted. "I'm here to give you the message of Kazekage Gaara. About the scroll you're sending him, he says to better keep it safe for now since there is a couple of preparations he's making. Keeping it hidden within the Konoha grounds is the best option for now."

Tsunade was overwhelmed of what she heard. There's nothing she can do since she already sent the Haruno to Suna with the scroll. She muttered in disappointment, "Unfortunately, I have already sent someone for it. But don't worry; I'll give word for it to return."

Temari nods in reply and sighed, "By the way…" She places a box on the table and smiled, "Advance Merry Christmas, Hokage-sama."

Tsunade smiled as Temari left. But there are a lot of things important to take care of. After all, the scroll is already past the country grounds that she must immediately send someone to catch up with the Haruno. Biting her lip, she muttered thoughtfully, "I hope the Yamanaka's not busy pulling up daisies."

"So what do you say?" The red-head asked as he sat on the bed with a blank expression on his face.

The nervous pinkette gulped and sighed, "Uhh…." She scanned the cabin once more but her heart skipped a beat when her eyes fell on the bed. She doesn't like the idea. "…nice?"

Sasori knew the circumstances they would be facing and sighs that after all, fate is somehow fighting back against their likes. He never expected this to happen but all he can do is to just shrug things off like it doesn't matter to him…at all. He could sense, by the look in her eyes, that the pinkette is finding this situation uncomforting. But for a guy like him, although how much this looks disgusting or awkward for real, he just tries to ignore these things to fight fate.

"I'll leave for awhile…" He left a hanging reply as he went out.

Sensing the door shut, Sakura couldn't help but stare in agony at this nightmare. If only she could sleep forever and wake up; finding out things going back to normal and thinking it was just a mere dream. She sighed, if sharing the same bed with your mortal enemy is worse, then how much worse if it would be more like falling in love with that annoying bastard? Yuck! She'd rather die. But she mentally guessed that Sasori's gentler in his human form.

"What?! You wanted me to go catch up Sakura-chan to abort her mission?" Ino exclaimed.

Tsunade sighed, "Temari just recently told me that Gaara would be busy preparing some things and that as soon as possible, that Haruno girl must return back. If better, before Christmas since you don't want to miss the reunion."

Ino muttered frantically, "But how? Hokage-sama, tomorrow is Christmas and the reunion will be tonight! I shall not miss the countdown! And so does Sakura!"

Tsunade flashed her pearl whites slyly, "I have a great idea…"

"This better be good…" Ino gulped.

Sneaking her way outside the deck, Sakura couldn't help but feast her eyes to the amazing beauty of the view. The cool breeze is just right to calm her down and forget all of her worries. It was just like she's spending a vacation cruise aboard. This is her first time to experience a trip like this; only the wonderful things. She could feel the splash of waves against her skin and the relaxing sounds of the sea.

As she explores the boat even more, she noticed the red-head staring at the sea with a blank gaze. His eyes were soft and downcast like he's worrying something. She felt a little guilt for being so hard on him. For sure, he also didn't like these things from happening. Speaking about the future, she was also worried on what circumstances they will be facing and where would fate take them. Although their mortal enemies, she mentally gives in that maybe there not enemies at all; only people who didn't agree on anything….or maybe just on some things.

She felt a sudden tug in her gut to go and talk to him. She fights the urge to do so but his soft and gloomy expression is pulling her even more. Why has she become so sensitive to his feelings? Since then, she never cared for him but she mentally slapped herself for being easily pulled by emotions. She tries to defend herself for the reason that even that unnerving guy doesn't even give a damn care about her and so do her but she was completely helpless whenever she sees the hurt expression of his face. It was like she feels that there is a certain understanding between them.

"Maybe a simple 'thanks' would light him up…" Her inner self suggested. "But what would he think of me? This is pretty embarrassing to give credit to a mortal ene-"

"You're not mortal enemies!" Her inner self with a split personality protested. "You're just opposites!"

"Fine. Fine!" Sakura sighed. She slowly goes towards the red-head and stopped only inches away from him as if she's also sea sighting. Sasori gave no word like he didn't notice her.

"Sa-Sasori….uh..t-thanks…" She inhaled deeply; clenching her fist to fight her awkwardness. She closed her emerald orbs shut; now regretting for saying those words. Baka! Baka! It's okay if he'll ignore me at least he'll not say something embarrassing about me…

After a few minutes, she was surprised when he spoke up. "What made you say that, brat?"

She felt herself blush in embarrassment. She doesn't know how to say it, "Uhh…I…erm…its…" She couldn't stop fidgeting her hands.

"What?" He asked in a low tone. She looks at him and blushed even more; knowing that he's already standing centimeters from her. He stared into her emerald orbs deeply. She felt like melting under his intense but soft stare.

The moment she stared into his eyes, she realized that they're beautiful. She could feel an intense warm feeling in her; calming her down like the feel of warm chakra whenever you are healed by a medic ninja. Was it just like, he's healing her long lost broken emotions with his?

Sasori could feel the same warmth when he stares deep into her emerald eyes. For the first time, he felt safe and healed. He doesn't know why but could this be the bond they're sharing now? Emotions…he thought. For so long, when he was a human puppet he was never pierced by emotions. And they're the reason why he hated to be human again. Emotions once destroyed him but now, can emotions mend him back? No, this is wrong… he thought. He never wanted to be deceived again. Could fate be doing this all along?

"No problem." He muttered and left; breaking off the stare.

Her heart skipped a beat, she could feel him smiling as he left. And indeed, the red-head smiled to himself as he walks away.

Going back inside the cabin, she could see Sasori sitting on the bed as if waiting for her. They both exchanged quick glances while Sakura managed to hide the awkward feeling. Sasori stood up; shrugging things off and sighed, "So which side are you?"

The pinkette stared at him inquisitively, "You mean…the bed?"

The red-head nods in reply and sighed, "I don't bother which side I will sleep…"

"..."

"..."

They both stared at the bed awkwardly.

The puppetmaster scratched his head and sighed, "So what?" His voice was a little bit impatient. You know how much he hated to wait...

Sakura's inner self started to blush and melt in embarrassment. Gods, how she hated this! If only that wood-head was a puppet and he'll no way need some sleep...if she's right.

'Don't worry girl! Just ONCE! Just this once!'

She gulped and sighed, "I'll just stay on the right side since it's by the window."

Sasori replied as he walks towards the switch, At last...what took that brat so long?... "Alright. Tell me if I should turn the lights off now."

Sakura nods in reply and slowly climbs up the bed. It was pretty comfy and soft. She then slowly lies down and quietly faces herself towards the window. Sasori then, turns the switch off and went to bed. They both tried to be as far away as possible. Sakura could feel the bed squeak; knowing that he's already in bed. They both use the large white blanket to keep them warm. After a few minutes, silence enveloped the room. Sakura could hear the soft breathing of the red-head; guessing he's already asleep. She tries to get some sleep too but each time she knows he's beside her; her heart skipped a beat. Well, he'll not kill her at least. For a long moment, she stares at the night sky through the window. The night was calm and kind. There's nothing to worry about… but she still can't believe that she's doing this…with her mortal enemy! She tightly hugs the soft white blanket covering them and calms herself down.

"Kami-sama please help me…" Was the last prayer she said and drifted her tired emerald eyes to sleep.

Thanks for reading guys!

Arigato!

(bows)