Chapter SEVENTEEN

The Dinner went through without much trouble. The subtle actions Gaara and Sakura exchanged left the girls trying not to squeal. They were so careful, so gentle around each other, that though it was pretty annoying, how slowly they tread around each other, it was also very sweet.

"It's so sweet." Ino whispered. "There aren't many guys who can treat a girl like glass, and still make it seem like they see the other as an equal."

"They're like that all the time." Temari told them. "Like, they cuddle everywhere, and say they aren't a couple." She smiled. "Gaara's fangirls are scary, but not even they can stand up to Sakura. She's gotten better, though. They both have."

"By the way, did you know that Gaara promised to change for Sakura?" Temari asked.

"Oh my gosh! Really?" Ino demanded, leaning over the arm of her chair. "Isn't that a confession?"

"It's not in Gaara standards." Temari snickered. "I can't wait for the day he confesses!"

It was a well known fact that Gaara and Sakura trained together. The two of them often withdrew for their jobs during their breaks and headed to the fields, where they vented out their frustration on the grounds.

With the Festival of welcoming Spring coming up, things were busier than ever.

At least the ground were made of sand. All Gaara needed to do was flick his hand, and the sandy surface was as good as new.

The next day, everyone apart from Itachi decided to crash the daily training session of Sakura and Gaara. The Uchiha heir had been dragged off by a very annoyed Sasori. The redhead had refused to explain anything in front of an audience. He did let a few glares slip, all of them aimed at the Kazekage. He was muttering under his breath before stalked off with a very confused Itachi in tow.

When Naruto interrupt their session with a yell of "NAMIKAZE NATURO-SAMA HAS ARRIVED!", both of them seemed pretty annoyed, but they didn't attempt to kick them out, so they took it as a win. In the dessert, Gaara was in his element, but it probably wouldn't be a good idea to bodily remove the heirs of Konoha's most important clans from the training grounds in front of the Hokage, who happened to be there as well.

Minato had dragged Kakashi with so that the Copy-nin could step in if someone did something stupid.

Kakashi looked like he would rather be doing anything but, but he nodded glumly at his teacher's orders.

Sakura and Gaara turned to each other for a second before teleporting to the other side of the huge fields.

Clearly, no one got the message.

Naruto and Sasuke just wanted to join in. Everyone else, in other words, the smart ones, decided to draw back, but was too interested to go too far.

"A stress reliever would be nice." Gaara had finally agreed.

"Teme and I'll wipe the floor with you!" Naruto declared, pointing across the field.

"Say, Sakura, don't you think this will be a good way to relax?" Gaara smirked, clearing trying to rile up the blond.

Sakura nodded, face blank. "Perhaps it will make up to not being able to punch in the elder's faces?"

Gaara smiled at her, clearly pleased by her comment. "Hopefully."

"Hey! We are going to beat you!" Naruto announced. His words were met with silence. "Hey, Sasuke-teme, say something!"

"Hn." Sasuke narrowed his eyes, acting as though he was working with Naruto only because he had to.

Naruto huffed.

Temari waved her arms. "I'm going to start it, okay?"

Oh, this was very exciting.

She swung her arm down.

There was a pause, before Sakura burst into a cloud of sand. A split second later, the pinkette appeared above them in another cloud of sand. She delivered a harsh kick to Naruto's side, making him skid back a few feet.

Naruto was reminded of Tsunade's chakra enhanced strength, then remembered that Sakura had trained under the woman for a brief period of time.

Sasuke came at the girl with his Sharingan blazing, a kunai in hand. Sakura didn't even turn to face him as a sand shield popped up to block the blade. Sasuke hissed, quickly putting a plan together. "Dobe, go for Gaara!"

He jumped out of the way to avoid an uppercut.

"I don't take orders from you!" Still, Naruto tore away towards Gaara, who sent tendrils of sand towards the blond. Naruto summoned a countless number of shadow clones, using them to take the hits.

Gaara leaned backwards as Naruto flew at him. He smirked, and there was a puff of smoke. Naruto received a chakra enhanced punch to the jaw which sent him flying.

Sasuke, who had been throwing a barrage of shuriken towards Sakura when they had substituted, found every single star he had thrown being tossed back at him, courtesy of a sand clone.

Sakura tore through the Naruto clones like they were nothing, the blows they someone managed to slip past the sand shield that kept popping up being nullified by her bones, which had been hardened to the extreme.

Naruto and Sasuke were an amazing team. They fought, they argued, but they were undoubtedly friends. Best friends.

However, Sakura and Gaara were just as good. Their relationship was twisted, brought together by the actions of several evil, greedy individuals.

And sometimes, relationships like that went much further that what friendship could bring.

Gaara and Sakura were having the time of their life.

And that meant they should have known. Nothing fun goes on for long. In their case anyways.

Baki, who had once served his father, interrupted them not a while later, face blank.

"Kazekage-sama, Sakura-sama, the elders are calling for you."

Gaara's sand froze just before it could drown Naruto and Sasuke. Sakura straightened beside Gaara. The two of them were standing on top of a sand wave, readying their 'finishing' blow.

"You, Baki, have absolutely terrible timing." Temari whined.

"My apologies, Temari-sama." Baki looked confused. "But the elders have called..."

Gaara sighed. The wave lowered them to the ground at Gaara's wordless command.

"Very well. Thank you, Baki." The Suna shinobi bowed, then vanished in a puff of smoke.

Gaara turned to Naruto. "My apologies, it seems like we must head back." He turned to look at his village. "The Spring Festival is tomorrow, and we're just making last minute checks. You are invited for dinner at my place today as well, and feel free to stay for the festival tomorrow. Once the meeting is done, I shall send Sakura to call you."

The pair were gone before Minato could protest.

"Hey, tou-chan! Can we pleeeease go to this festival thingy?"

So, we have two new story up!

Ripples:

Hozuki Sakura holds an ability that is rare even within her clan. Captured by Orochimaru alongside her brother, Suigetsu, they are freed when Uchiha Sasuke comes along looking to recruit a team to go after his brother, Uchiha Itachi. Alongside Karin and Jugo, they form Team Hebi under the Uchiha. However, this may soon become a relationship with more to it than just give and take.

The Gift of Sight

Morino Ibiki is recognized, if not by his name, then by his face. His scars disturb many, and children run at the sight. So when he comes across a girl with chakra vision, he doesn't know what to do with her. Especially when she taken as instant liking to him. For the girl, like any other Haruno, a clan that lost their sight in exchange for their chakra vision, cannot see.

Please check them out!

Darque: We've decided to write out all our new ideas.

Raven: Then, we're just going to update them whenever we feel like it...

Once again, please give it a try.

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