I am extremely honored to have my story listed under a community! I know this isn't the best not even close so thank you. I got really inspired and eager to write this chapter and I've already started the next one. This chapter has a little bit of Sakura and Gaara and even some of Kankuro's thoughts on Sakura. Still no pairing but I have a few definite choices. I love that some of you are giving me some excellent feed back. Even my flaming inbox has gone from an inferno to a small camp fire. I hope that you guys/girls enjoy. As always reviews are not necessary but they are inspirational.
Gaara walked out to the market place his eyes taking in many of the buildings that were rebuilt after the attack on Konohagakure. He watched as the vendors attempted to peddle their wares to housewives, teens, shinobi, and passers by indiscriminately. Temari would have loved the chance to go shopping, but someone had to stay behind while he was gone. He was sure she missed Shikamaru. He then decided that after all this was over Temari would get a vacation so she could spend time with him. Listening to the dull roar of chatter surrounding him made Gaara smile, not that anyone could tell as it was barely there. To the untrained eye they would see an impassive Kazekage was just passing through. Then his ears picked his name from the crowd. Sitting on a bench he listened intently to the barely visible women to his right.
"That's one of them right? Sabaku No Gaara Kazekage of Suna?" The first woman asked in a whisper that was to loud for him not to hear.
"Yeah he's one of the candidates who made it past the introductions." The second woman whispered back. This disturbed Gaara greatly, they had made quite a spectacle over the competition for Sakura's hand. He knew that Sakura had wished to keep the competition a secret as would most of the candidates. No one wanted to be publicly rejected it seemed to add a level of humiliation to the mix.
"He's handsome, the Uchiha's are going to have a run for there money." Gaara's attention was caught at that moment. He hadn't expected to get any information about his competition from these gossiping women.
"I heard she eliminated Sasuke Uchiha as soon as he entered." Gaara laughed inwardly remembering the confident look Sasuke had when receiving his scroll. He was so proud to receive his doom. Gaara silently wished he had been present to witness the look on the childish boy's face. The other woman giggled covering her mouth.
"I bet that really pissed him off. Poor Mikoto must have had quite the fit to deal with. Good thing Itachi, and Shisui are there to help her. Haruno- san really thought of everything didn't she Kora." The second woman sighed with hero worship for the pinkett.
"She's so luck, she's got it all. Beauty, grace, brains, and strength. She was the OBGYN for my first son Kinta and my daughter Amu. I've never seen a doctor like her before. Oh the sales about to start we better go." Kora gasped and dragged the younger housewife off in a rush. Gaara looked to the sky with a smile. Sakura really was a goddess of hope like Nagato and Konan said. She had saved him and his siblings a number of times. Every hospital in Suna followed her notes closely. Some actually taught from them. The few times she had helped in Suna's hospitals he had watched her from afar. He especially liked the way dusk complimented her features. Her hair would look darker and coated with a silver halo. The light would illuminate her porcelain skin, and effectively outline every slope of her body. She had a way with nibbling at her lips that could drive a man to madness. How many times had he thought of taking her into his arms and tasting those very lips. Of teasing her body with his fingertips until she cried out with passion and begged him for more.
Gaara shook himself from his thoughts before they caused trouble for him. Exercising his self control he closed his eyes. It would be highly inappropriate for the Kazekage to be seen walking through town with a fully pitched tent. After a few moment Gaara stood and continued his walk down the path when a booth caught his eye. Kankuro stood in front of it arguing with Ittetsu, Komaza, Korobi, and Nejiri. Coming closer he saw what the problem was. The stall was devoted to selling different kinds of merchandise pertaining to the competition. Behind the shop owner was a board with a large heading that read: 'Candidate's odds'. Each of the men participating in the event had a column and within those columns were the odds due to bets, friendship, intelligence, and sex appeal.
"What is going on here? You five are making a scene." Gaara interrupted the Suna shinobi.
"Have you seen this Kazekage-sama? They're selling smut about Haruno-san and taking bets on her love life!" Komaza growled pointing at the stall. Gaara raised a barely there eye brow and took a step towards the stall to inspect what this so called smut was. His eyes widened as he saw what had caused the outrage. Hell even he wanted to kill the vendor whom sat behind the counter with a nervous smile. Laying in front of him were various posters and books that could not be mistaken as anything other than candid. There were pictures of her from a public bath house, on a masseuse's table sleeping, in a sauna, and even one in the shower. This meant only one thing. Sakura either posed for these shots, which was highly unlikely, or a servant was the camera man.
"I demand that these booklets and posters be burned immediately and the negatives be released to my care." Gaara growled narrowing his eyes on the shop owner.
"Aw come on Kazekage-sama there not to bad. You can barely see anything." Ittetsu answered as Korobi, and Nejiri agreed. Kankuro and Komaza landed a solid fist upon each of their heads twice for good measure.
"This stuff would make Sakura feel violated and insecure. If that doesn't bother you then you shouldn't be here." Kankuro yelled directly into there faces. Truth be told Kankuro was deeply infatuated with Sakura since they were teens. Her features were so exotic he couldn't help but to admire her. When she saved him from Sasori's poison she had only solidified her place in his heart. Each time she would visit to check on the hospitals, or bring new types of exotic herbs he would make a point to spend time with her. He enjoyed making her laugh because it sounded like the song of angels. He learned about different herbs so that he could care for the plants she brought with her. When she would visit and see the herbs flourishing the look on her face made the effort well worth it. Many times they would lay in the green house ground and watch the stars above talking about nothing in particular. In his mind it didnt matter as long as she was there, safe, and happy. He was the first she told about her feelings for Sasuke fading. As well as when she stopped feeling anything for him but betrayed and angry. He promised himself that he would have her and if he couldn't then he'd make sure that whoever was that luck treated her well.
"If you wont hand them over I will simply bring this knowledge to the Hokage. I hear that Ibiki Morino has become bored in these times of peace, and he has become rather protective of Haruno-san after the war. Perhaps I should tell him as well." Gaara threatened making the man visibly pale in a matter of seconds.
"Ok ok I'm burning them now please just keep it a secret!" The Stall owner quickly admitted defeat and dumped the pictures into a sack. Tossing them into a metal can he then tossed a match after them. It didn't take long for the fire to catch and spread over the bag entirely. Dropping the negatives into Gaara's pale hand he apologized again and again. ignoring the man Gaara motioned for the others to follow him making there way to Sakura's home. The entire walk Gaara, Kankuro, and Komaza seethed with anger, and disgust. Someone was about to be fired and exiled if Gaara got his way.
Upon arrival they were ushered into the sitting room where Sakura herself was going over a scroll munching on strawberries from Kushina's garden. Looking up from the document in her hands she gave a soft smile to the sand siblings. Her slender brow arched in confusion as she took in each mans expressions. Were they unhappy about the order in which she would have dinner with them? If so they needed to suck it up and be adults about it like the rest of the men.
"Sakura-chan I must bring something to your attention immediately. " Gaara began politely placing the negatives in the palm of her hand his fingers brushing hers. "These are the negatives of pictures of you in less than savory positions. The pictures were being sold at the market place from a small booth. I had any pictures that were not sold burned. I suspect that a servant of your own has been taking these pictures." Gaara explained before she could get a look at the negatives. Closing her eyes as her hand closed around the negatives she growled.
"Did any of you buy any of them?" Her tone was low and dangerous. Immediately she was met with no's all around. Ittetsu, Korobi, and Nejiri looked nervouse shoving there hands into their pockets quickly. This motion tipped her off and caused her to smirk at the same time.
"Empty your pockets you three." She ordered them with a tone that would make a man turn in his grave. They looked at Gaara, Kankuro, and Komaza whom had immediately caught on. Each held an enraged look on there faces.
"Why? We didn't do anything wrong." Ittetsu answered back as he took a step back towards the door. Noticing Gaara was poised to come after him he sighed and gave up.
"Do it or I will personally beat you to death slowly." Sakura answered causing the men to cower a little bit more. This woman was just as intimidating as the Kazekage. So without further hesitation they dumped the pictures they had purchased and attempted to run. They however were met by a very irrate Kankuro and Komaza. Behind them a wall of sand hid the door. It was certain that they would not escape and so they turned to face the music.
"Would you want your wife to be seen like this by any other man?" She questioned the three. they simultaneously answered no. She threw each of them a black scroll and turned away. "If I was to pick one of you as my husband that is exactly what that would mean. The fact that you would purchase such filth means that you do not see me in your future. This means that you are wasting my time. Take these and leave and do not return."
Kankuro, and Komaza parted along with the sand wall. They exited silently to return to their motel rooms and pack. Temari was going to be pissed when she found out. More so when she found out they got off so easily.
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention Gaara, Kankuro, and Komaza. Now if you'll excuse me I have to change my schedule and firing some staff. " Sakura gave her best smile and placed a soft kiss on Kankuro, and Komaza's cheek each leaving after. As she moved to repeat the process Gaara drew her closer wrapping his arm around her slender waist locking her into place.
"I'm sorry." He whispered gently capturing her petal soft lips with his rough lips. The feeling was everything he expected and more. She tasted like strawberries which Gaara had now found was his favorite fruit. Gently nipping her bottom lip as he pulled away. Sakura's response was a whimper that forced passed her lips. The next she knew it he was at the door with a soft smirk on his lips.
"If you wish to eliminate me I will understand." With that he was gone leaving an irritated Sakura behind. No she would not eliminate him yet she smirked as she returned to her work.