TL (guest): I'm seriously starting to think that you'll be highly disappointed in the story, the way I have thought it so far. But since you pointed out a of stuff, I will go over the story again. Thank you very much, for being attentive and pointing out more difficulties for me to use. I appreciate it very much.

Chewie Cookies: Once again, thank you very much for pointing out my misspelling. I need that very much.

Redsox31: Well, I can live with that. But I hope you have kept in mind that they were doing the dance in TUXEDOES... I mean that doubles the amount of awesomeness.

Hope you'll enjoy Chapter 4

-4-

"Hello Sakura, do you have a minute?" Politely Hinata knocked at Sakura's door. The white door was open, but Hinata hadn't wanted to waltz straight in, instead she waited in the doorframe. Sakura sat in a big office that was brightly white painted. It smelled like sanitizer and fresh lemons. Her radiant pink hair, stood out in the otherwise colorless room. There had been a time when Hinata had wished she was more like Sakura. Outstanding, confident and beautiful, but she wasn't at even if she sometimes wanted to be more like Sakura or Ino, Hinata had come to like who she was.

She had decided to pay Sakura a visit in the hospital to talk to her about the position and how she liked her mission in Suna. But Hinata also wanted to talk to her about how she was doing personally. Sakura's reason for leaving Konoha had also been not entirely professional. During dinner they didn't have a lot of time to talk about such matters. Not that it had been an appropriate time anyway. Hinata hadn't pried too much from Naruto after he had spent the evening before with his former teammate. Only that he thought Sakura was doing fine and that she liked Kankuro.

The pinkette looked up from her desk and smiled. "Hinata, sure come in! I'm so sorry I didn't have much time, but the medic program and the hospital; they take up all my time. Oh, please take a seat. How are things going in Konoha?" Sakura flopped down in her chair after raining down sentences after sentence on Hinata.

Hinata gave her a quick overview about the newest gossip in Konoha. Which wasn't that much to start with, since Sakura knew most of it from her lively correspondence with Ino.

"How are you doing here in Suna?" Hinata asked curiously.

"Pretty good you know…" Sakura elaborated and focused especially on her work.

Hinata and Sakura made casual talk for a while before Hinata finally addressed the touchy subject. "And how are you feeling? Better than in Konoha - about Sasuke?"

Sakura stopped for a while.

Sasuke?

She hadn't thought about him in weeks. Suna really had had an impact on her. She felt a lot better ever since she got her. Between her work, fighting with Kankuro, the medic program, trying to beat Kankuro into a pulp, her paperwork, screaming at Kankuro, writing letters to her friends, dinner or lunch with Kankuro since all the fighting made them hungry-wait was it her or did she spent a lot of time with that pervert?

So he could be charming and nice, but only to other woman, and only to get them to sleep with him - like she would want that! Pah, not in a million years. And then he had no shame at all, always running around half naked. And that was absolutely not necessary, even if it was his own home and it was six in the morning and his chest was incredibly toned and…

So what if he was good-looking, how else would he get all those stupid, brainless girls to sleep with his disgusting self? What sane woman in the world would want that anyway? Not her that was for sure…not that she needed to worry about that. He had made it very clear she was not his type. Not that she cared, not at all. She had plenty of guys that would die to go out with her…like she needed Kankuro. Not that she wanted him anyway.

Irritated Hinata tried to read the expression on Sakura's face but it really made no sense.

"Sorry Hinata, what was the question?"

…

"Wow that was great, Konoha needs a public mixed bath. I have to talk to the council about that." Naruto mused to himself using his chair to circle around his center while he waited for Gaara in the Kazekage's office. He was trying to figure out if the budget of the village was enough to build such an expensive building, like a public bath. After not getting further with his musings he started to swirl around the room using his chair only. He started to make switch noises for good measure and cheered if he managed to cross the room faster than before.

"Now look at that. The great Hokage all grown up." Hanabi leaned in the doorframe smirking. Naruto froze and blushed embarrassed. Hanabi continued unimpressed. "I wanted to ask you something. I have heard that before you became the mature and mighty Hokage you had a knack for what I like to call 'experiments with the human nature when in stressful situations', but I guess you would no longer be interested in such an 'experiment'."

An interested blond eyebrow rose. "Keep talking"

"Well, you did learn the Hiraishin, right?" She took a seat opposed to him and smiled wickedly. "So I was wondering, can you only do it yourself or can you send another person?"

His eyebrow furrowed, "I can take another person with me if I have contact. I haven't quite mastered all of its secrets yet, though. One person is the maximum right now. I'm working on more but that'll take some more time."

Hanabi shrugged. "So theoretically spoken you could bring one person to another place, if there is a seal in that place, right?"

His eyes narrowed and the grin in his face got dangerously close to the expression she was currently wearing. "I could - theoretically spoken of course."

…

"You know Naruto; it was very considerate of you to let Sakura sleep in, after her long night at the hospital." Hinata smiled widely at her blond boyfriend, who in turn almost felt a little guilty.

"So don't you think the public swimming pool is great?" He changed the topic fast. "I was thinking about asking the Suna engineers about that. I mean what else is the skill exchange program for?"

Hinata agreed with him and waved at her sister.

"Good morning, you two." Hanabi already waited for them in the doorframe of the Kazekage Tower. "It's so sad you are already leaving again! Where did you leave Sakura?"

Her grin should have made Hinata suspicious but only Naruto grasped why Hinata's sister was in such a good mood despite them leaving today. His wink to the younger one went unnoticed by his beautiful girlfriend since she had her sister locked in a fierce embrace. Hanabi answered his wink with an even larger grin.

"So come on in! Gaara and I made breakfast" Hanabi ushered both of them in, overlooking the astonished faces of the couple.

She couldn't blame them anyway, Gaara didn't exactly enjoy cooking and it was only due to her very convincing strategy that he had helped her out this morning. If she had let him have it his way, they would still be in bed, doing…well, each other.

"Why are you so red all of the sudden? You almost look like Hinata when you do that!" Amused blue eyes meet her silver ones and behind Naruto, Hanabi could see her sister stifle a giggle. Hanabi rolled her eyes and pretended her cheeks were not heated from thoughts about their usual morning ritual.

…

This felt warm, warm and protected, Sakura mused still half asleep. Her shift at the hospital had been so very tiring; she didn't plan on getting up any time soon. It was warm and nice and she felt save, there weren't a lot of times when she felt like this. Somehow Kankuro appeared in front of Sakura's inner eyes. First she tried to shake the feeling from her, but then she realized that no one was here and therefore no one would judge her. She could even blame her half asleep state.

Despite all his shortcomings and his annoying ways, Sakura couldn't deny that Kankuro was one hell of a man. Without that ridiculous make-up (he could call it face paint all he wants) he was very good-looking. It was in moments like this that Sakura was grateful the perv was so shameless. On the countless occasions she had seen him shirtless, she didn't have to leave much to the imagination. With a sigh she shifted slightly in bed, because much to her dismay those occasions had always been linked with an equally undressed bimbo.

Sakura didn't like to admit it but for a while now, she realized that she did not like this one bit. She was still cautious about calling it jealousy, but in the end the pinkette was very aware what she felt and it only enraged her more when he flirted so openly with other women in front of her. Then again he had no idea at all and basically she had neither reason nor right to be jealous. They weren't a couple, not even close, and the chances of that ever changing were like zero.

She was as far away from his type as one could get he had told her so numerous times. Apparently her assets weren't enough to please him at all. Great, now she felt depressed. Time to go back to dreamland!

…

This was nice, it smelled like cherry and somehow a little like sanitizer. It was the simply and clean smell Sakura had. Kankuro decided he could get used to that. But then again he could get used to a lot of things regarding Sakura. It was funny how the only girl he could see himself being seriously interested in hated his guts. Even worse was, that it was his own fault that they didn't get along. But he couldn't help himself around her.

Sakura was always pretty but when she was mad, her eyes were glowing and her whole body was shaking. It was just so hot. Besides after she had calmed down they sometimes even went out to grab a bite to eat. So much fighting made hungry after all.

Kankuro lazily grinned to himself still half asleep, man how he wished to feel that wild cat beneath him or on top, he didn't really mind. Groaning he twisted around, it wasn't like that would ever happen! She thought he was a disgusting pervert and he couldn't even deny it.

He buried his head in his pillow. It smelled even more like her than before. Maybe he was going crazy, because right now he could have sworn he heard her sigh besides him. But his chances of ever getting his hands on her were already non-existing much less to get her even close to his bed.

Lazily he dragged his arm around the woman next to him…

…

…

Wait? Did he hook up last night? He couldn't remember that and he really should. He barely drank two beers with Naruto and his brother. Apart from that, Naruto was so busy telling him stuff he didn't even get close to a woman.

But then…who was lying next to him?

…

"So what did you guys do last night?" Hanabi blew at her tea to cool it down.

Naruto shrugged, "Nothing special, we just hung out, you know? And how was girl's night?"

Hinata smiled, "It was nice. Sadly Sakura had to go to the hospital very soon, so most of them time it was just the two of us, but we had a good time"

"Hey Gaara, stop overworking Saku…" whatever Naruto wanted to say it was drowned by a deafening cry from upstairs.

"AHHHHHHHHH"

All four of them were out of their seats and on their way to the source of that scream before the yell stopped. The sight that they were met with when they stormed in Kankuro's room was a definite shock to all but two of them.

"Oh my god you pervert. I can't believe you! What did you do to me?" Sakura had sheets warped around her screaming her head off. Fierce green eyes completely drained to the other person in the bed.

Kankuro looked equally angry. "ME? I'm the pervert? Who woke up in whose bed? And I sure as hell didn't invite you here?"

Sakura gasped for air, "I can't believe you! I don't know how I got here, but trust me I have more self-respect that to sleep with you!"

"Oh." Kankuro crossed his arms and one of his eyebrows rose. "You do? Then how come you are in my bed? Maybe you wanted me so bad that you just couldn't hold yourself back anymore"

"You are so utterly disgusting, Kankuro. I swear if I ever find out you did something to me, I'll kill you." Her fist were clenched but she had yet to try to hit him. In her current state she was just too shocked and embarrassed.

"Me, touching you? You wish!" He snorted as she turned to leave.

Sakura had barely left the room, with Hinata hot on her heels. And Gaara cleared his throat quite loudly. "Kankuro I would prefer it if you could make yourself decent before we discuss this further." His dry tone made Hanabi and Naruto snicker.

As Kankuro looked down he came to the conclusion that yes, indeed he did sleep naked!

"Could you people please get out?"

He rummaged through his closet and slipped into a lose pair of pants followed by a black shirt. He had no idea how Sakura ended up in his bed. He really didn't, but it wasn't like he particularly minded. It was just that he would have preferred to know about it and he definitely wanted to be the cause of her stay in his bed.

It really wasn't his fault but the look on her face this morning wouldn't leave him alone, so even if he had nothing to do with it, he was going to be the bigger man and apologize. But he was not sinking so low as to look for her; he was apologizing for something he didn't do, that was all his pride could take.

He was not going to look for her. Absolutely not! Nope!

Then why were his feet taking him toward her room and why where his eyes searching for a head full of pink hair? Damn it, his pride must be on vacation right now, Kankuro growled under his breath.

The knock on her door was harder than he had planned.

"Go away. I don't want to talk to you right now, Hinata."

Shit, her voice sounded like she had been crying.

"Sakura, it's me."

At first she didn't say anything. "Go away. You're the last person I want to talk to."

Kankuro flinched at her tone. It may sound crazy but he did prefer an angry and pissed off Sakura over this small little voice.

"Come on. Open up." He knocked again.

"Go away." She screeched inside.

He smiled a bit, that was a little better. "Sakura you may not realize this, but I'm really good at everything that requires tools and if you don't open up this door now, I will pick the lock."

It was a blunt lie. Kankuro could indeed pick a lock, but he had nothing on him other than white cotton pants and a shirt.

He heard angry footsteps at the other side of the door and she tore open the door. "What?" She hissed.

She got even more pissed when she say that dirt-eating grin on his face.

Without waiting for her consent he entered her room by pushing past her.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" She stomped in behind him, clearly pissed.

Kankuro was actually relieved to see that, since he preferred it over her mood earlier when she had looked like she was about to cry. He hadn't minded the waking up in his bed part, though.

Her foot was tapping against the wooden floor and she had her arms crossed to put up a physical barrier between them. The long awkward silence stretched on between them as Kankuro inspected the view from her living room window.

He had never realized how nice the room was. It was huge, more like a suite than a room. The living room was bright since the light filtered in through two big windows taking up almost the whole west wall. The door to her bedroom was open and he caught a look at her big princess bed with pink sheet.

"What do you want?" Her voice was small and quiet. "If you're here to gloat or make fun of me, I swear I'll kill you."

He would have liked it better if he could believe her words, but her voice hadn't even instilled an ounce of fear in him.

Kankuro sighed. "Look Sakura, I swear I have no idea what happened last night or how you ended up in my bed. I really don't know, but I'm sorry, alright?"

The pinkette stared at him intensely searching for any hint of dishonesty in his eyes. When she couldn't detect any she huffed slightly and turned away from him.

"I don't understand how this could have happened." She wiped her eyes tiredly and rubbed her arms from the chill that came through the open window in the kitchen to her right.

"Maybe you want to get yourself a sweater." He suggested as he took in her clothing. Her thin tank top was clinging to her slim body but what really got his attention was the cute little hot-pant-sweatpants kind of pants that covered her lower body part to only a very slight amount. She might not have been the best-endowed woman but hell she had legs to die for and her ass, boy he could stare at that tight perfect shaped backside for hours without getting tired.

"No, it's fine. I'm not that cold." She smiled a little because really she was happy that he had noticed, since it meant he was at least paying a little attention to her.

"So how did this happen?" He wondered out loud.

All he got as an answer was a shrug.

Suddenly he grinned, "Maybe you did sneak in. I mean what other explanation could there be?"

She snorted very unladylike, "Yeah right, who would?"

"Apparently - you. But you know next time you could just ask me."

Her pink lips parted to make way to let a laugh out. "Maybe you abducted me from my bed. I mean you do make it sound like you really want me in your bed again."

With both his hands tucked in his pockets he turned to face her. "And what if I did?"

Green eyes locked with dark brown ones. Sakura's heart was thundering in her chest and she could not fight the blush on her face.

Had he always been standing that close to her or did he only get closer when she didn't look? Either way he was close enough to feel the warmth emitting from his body. He was half a head taller than her and she had to crane her neck. His hot breath on her face made her shiver.

"If is you ever develop a chest that can be seen, that is!" His face was almost slit in half by his grin.

Her punch came hard and fast. Kankuro found himself impaled into her wall.

"You jerk!"

…

"Did you get rid of the seals? We can't leave any evidence behind" Hanabi whispered to Naruto as they got ready to set off.

"'Course I undid the seal on Kankuro's bed, what would I ever use it for? – It won't ever disappear completely, however. And Sakura was fast asleep. She won't remember being Hiraishin'd. You worry too much, Nabi." He grinned relaxed.

"What are you two whispering about?" Hinata frowned at the pair. Something was up but she couldn't figure out what it was for the life of her. Whatever it was it couldn't be too good, they were both notorious pranksters after all.

"Nothing much. Well, then we'll head off again. It'll be so much faster now that we can just use the Hiraishin no Jutsu." Naruto seemed happy.

"Yes and now that you have a spot here in Suna I expect Hinata to see me at least once a week!" Hanabi exclaimed.

"Sure thing, I'll let Gaara know so that he can remove the suppressing seal on it." Naruto promised immediately.

"I do like having you in the family." She half smirked up to him.

Naruto smiled back, a warm feeling nestling in his chest. That was right he was a part of a family now! Hinata was his family and with her came a whole clan…well not that they were officially introduced.

He gulped when he thought about having to face her father, Hiashi had been fairly nice to him and Naruto was sure Hinata's father respected him but it didn't change the fact that he was a Jinchurriki. While most people accepted and respected him even before he was announced Hokage not everyone shared that opinion. It had been hard for Naruto to accept that he couldn't change everyone's mind. It didn't matter what he did for them or how much he tried, there were always going to be some people who saw a monster in him.

While Hiashi surely was not one of those people Naruto was still unsure how the head of the Hyuga clan would take it when he was dating his first born. For now, Hinata's father hadn't approached him yet so Naruto assumed that Hiashi was not entirely sure about their relationship, but it wasn't like they were hiding anything. Especially not Naruto, he was a horrible liar and whereas he had been great at pretending to be fine when he was a child and at that time he had certainly been anything but fine, he resented it now.

And apart from that Naruto highly doubted he could hide the feelings he had for Hinata anyway, when she was near he was constantly seeking any form of touch or contact. He'd play with her hair, stroke her back, traced patterns on her arm, nuzzled his nose in her neck, he'd kiss her and hold her hand and he'd be damned if he'd stop.

"Ok let's get back." He announced as he snatched Hinata's hand and intertwined their fingers. "Hold on tight. See ya." He flashed though the hand signs and in the next moment they were gone.

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