Chapter FIFTEEN

"We're here to pay our respects to the new Kazekage "Kakashi said, handing the paper to the guards. Said guard took the papers, then nodded and handed them back.

Kakashi's led the Hokage's accompaniments into the inn. Naruto and Sasuke, as well as Itachi, as the Uchiha heir, then Hinata and Neji as accompaniment. Additionally to that, Lee had insisted on going as well, and the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans sent respective heir's. Tenten had insisted on going along followed by Kiba and Shino. In the end, all of Konoha 11 ended up going.

Sasori met them at the inn. He handed them a set of keys, told them to be at the Kage tower at five, then took if with Itachi.

Temari and Kankuro came along and offered to take the interested people around the village, seeing as they had an hour or so. Minato politely declined, as he has preparations to make. Kakashi had vanished. Shikamaru went to look for a spot to watch clouds. Ino grabbed Hinata and Tenten, then asked Temari to take them to the closest shopping district. The Suna Kunoichi agreed and they were gone. Everyone else followed Kankuro around.

"So, who's the new Kazekage?" Naruto asked.

Kankuro grinned. "It's a secret." And that was that.

At exactly five, the Konoha shinobi met at the foot of the Kage tower. Sasori had vanishes after dropping off Itachi, leaving Temari and Kankuro to bring the shinobi up to the Kazekage's office.

The group from Konoha stepped into the Kazekage building. Temari rushed off ahead, and Kankuro explained the plans for the rest of the day.

"After you meet Kazekage-sama, you're invited to his house for dinner."

"Dinner at the Kazekage's place?" Neji asked, surprised.

Kankuro nodded, but didn't elaborate.

Just then, Temari came rushing up to them. She whispered rapidly into Kankuro's ear, and the puppet user smirked.

"Sure, just a few more minutes."

Temari grinned, then rushed off again.

There were certainly perks to being the Kazekage. Especially the comfy chair he was sitting on. It was big enough to fit two people on it if they weren't exceptionally big or anything. Besides, they weren't actually sitting side by side.

The weight on his lap didn't really bother him.

And Sakura had always been on the small side. Sometimes, her lack of weight worried him.

Now, if only he could ignore the papers on his table. He let out a soft groan just at the thought and buried his nose deeper into Sakura's hair.

Sakura's hair always smelled nice.

Said pinkette just let out a small sigh and leaned back into him, which please Gaara to no end. He slowly wrapped his arms around her and sighed. The good thing was that she didn't flinch anymore.

"Kazekage-sama."

Gaara looked up, scowling at the unnoticed arrival of Sasori. The Puppet Master was openly smirking at him. Sakura didn't even react, almost as if she had known Sasori was coming all the time. She probably did. At least she could have warned him. Then again, Sakura still hadn't managed to shake off the habit of following orders to the word. He hadn't said a single word about being on the look out.

Sasori's smirk widened, as if he knew what he was thinking.

Gaara wondered if he should sic Sakura on him.

Instead, he straightened. "What?"

"The Konoha group have arrived." Sasori raised an eyebrow. "They have been here for a while. I asked Temari to tell Kankuro to buy you more time for your...cuddling, but it may be impolite to make them wait anymore."

Gaara's scowl deepened. He grabbed the first mission request he could reach for and quickly read it. Perfect. "And you can leave first thing tomorrow morning and go help paint the Academy walls." He paused. "That is an order."

The glare Sasori shot him was worth it.

Kankuro was growing pretty desperate. There was only so much he could show and talk about in the Kazekage's office building.

He must sound so lame, trying to sound enthusiastic about the history of the second floor toilets.

So he was so glad he wanted to hug the first person he saw when Sakura arrived to tell him that the Kazekage was ready to see them. Only, he didn't. What would Gaara say if he caught him hugging Sakura?

Well, Gaara and Sakura weren't actually official, though anyone who knew them would think otherwise. Heck, if you saw them during one of their cuddling sessions, anyone would think so. Still, they weren't official, so usually, that would mean that it was fair game.

On the other hand, Gaara was Gaara. He would probably commit fratricide then tell the council that he had been killed by a deadly dessert snake, or something, with a straight face. And Gaara-loyal Sakura would probably go around creating some sort of fake proof without Gaara even asking. Maybe Gaara would lead an expedition against the 'evil snakes' and destroy them, just to ensure the safety of Suna. Two birds with one stone, or something.

Then again, any thoughts of hugging vanished when Sakura arrived in her usual way, which was out of no where, and tapped him on the shoulder. No one from the Konoha group seemed to notice anything as they wandered around the waiting area outside the Kazekage's office, inspecting the vases and paintings and stuff decorating the area.

It took everything in him not to whirl around and stab a senbon into the person behind him. Now, what would Gaara say if he caught him trying to stab Sakura?

He probably wouldn't care if everyone and anyone saw him murdering his own brother.

If he became the feared Jinchuriki again, at least it would give him a reason to leave Suna with Sakura and go live happily ever after somewhere. After all, together, they were unbeatable.

He quickly shook his head to clear his thoughts and turned to the Konoha guests. "I apologize for the wait. Kazekage-sama is now ready to see you." Sakura vanished back into the shadows unnoticed.

We have put up a poll in order to pick the second half of the crossover we were planning as a side story for 'Of Tales Now and Long Ago' (If you haven't read it, please check it out).

We'll try and write it so that it can stand alone(ish), but sometimes, it might be confusing...but still...

Anyways, please to check it out and vote if interested.

Warning: ERRORS!

Simply because Raven's not here. (Reason below)

(One more chapter ((Maybe two)) We are so not sticking to the plan)

Darque: No Raven today, because he's off to a cousin's wedding, or something...

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Darque: And I'm jut here by myself...

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Darque: I had to write everything, then check everything...

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Darque: And here I was, hoping for a reply, even though I know he isn't here...

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Read and Review.