A.N. Hi everybody! I know I have become my own worst nightmare, an author who takes forever to update. Makes me sad. Makes me very sad. But tis life that got in my way of writing and I love living life heehee. For those of you wondering what the hold up was first my family got hit by a hard time we all came out of it ok though I'm happy to say. Everyone is safe and things started going back to normal. Which meant school work. Lots and lots of school work! So that is the second reason this is late but don't worry the next part is already being written! It should definitely not take even half as long as this one took. Again, sorry you all waited so long but to those of you who did wait and come back to read more of my story I thank you from the bottom of my heart and love you so much for your patience with me! You guys are the best! And to everyone who has reviewed it so far or favorited it or put it on alert you guys make me cry beautiful tears of happiness! You all rock! Seriously you do and now I'm going to quit rambling and let you get to what's important. Heehee. Please enjoy it everybody!

By the way I know it's been a while so some of you may have forgotten what happened just before this- Sakura decided to mate Gaara but just when it looked like they would get to Naruto came and ruined the moment and Sakura went shopping with her friends for a dress to wear at the dance coming up soon leaving Gaara to pout lol NOW on to the story!

Disclaimer: I own…no Naruto characters. Le sigh… so sad.

Sakura waved as she saw the girls standing at her car.

"Hey girls sorry. I…was-"

Temari snorted, "You were getting hot and heavy with my brother, don't even try to lie."

Hinata blushed at the mention of hot and heavy and Sakura's quick eyes saw this.

She greeted TenTen and Ino who were also going and Yura smiled at her before climbing in the car saying, "Something about those sand boys isn't it, Sakura?"

Sakura laughed, "They're just so hard to say no to."

Yura nodded and winked, "I was late too."

Sakura laughed and moved to get in the driver's seat.

Temari stopped her, "Oh no. Latest doesn't drive."

"But it's my car." she argued.

Temari snatched the keys. "Yeah, well consider it like this. I'm commandeering it then."

Sakura giggled, "What are you a pirate now?"

Temari shrugged, "Could be. So don't piss me off right?"

TenTen laughed, "Yeah or she'll get you drunk on rum and have her way with you before making you walk the plank."

Temari stuck her tongue out at her and TenTen returned the gesture.

Temari laughed, "I dunno…kinda sounds like a great night if you ask me."

The girls laughed.

Sakura sighed happily and climbed into the farthest seat and sat next to Hinata.

She leaned over and whispered, "So…I'm officially your sister now aren't I?"

Hinata squeaked and her eyes darted to meet Sakura's. "W-what?"

"You and Naru…I saw that look. You guys did it didn't you."

Hinata turned red and hesitantly nodded.

Sakura squealed quietly, "That's so wonderful. You guys are mated now! When's the wedding? Can I be the maid of honor please? Pretty please? Oh I can't wait! Oh, maybe Neji can be in the wedding. That would be just perfect for you two wouldn't it?"

Hinata looked deathly white.

Wedding?

Mated?

What was she going on about?

"W-what?" she repeated, for lack of a better word.

Sakura saw her confusion and then gasped, "Naru didn't know sex was mating did he? That's why me and Gaara were putting it off."

"W-were?"

Sakura blushed "Yeah, I'm doing it tonight. I gotta call mom while I'm out and tell her."

Hinata shook her head trying to clear it, "Y-you mean ha-having s-s-s-s-"

"Sex." Sakura supplied with an amused look.

"Y-yeah that. You m-mean having that makes m-me a-and N-Naruto ma-mar-"

"Married?" Sakura quietly supplied again with a grin.

"Y-yeah that." Hinata whispered feeling more faint by the second.

"Well, yeah. Gaara told me that mating was more permanent actually. He said that because he had the demon he had to obey both the demon and the human laws. But when you mate it's forever. No divorcing out of it. The only way to end it is through death. So it's a good thing you love him isn't it?" Sakura winked as she said that last bit.

"B-but wh-what if he g-ets angry when he f-finds out he's s-stuck with m-me?" Hinata asked with watery eyes.

Sakura took her hand, "Hinata. This is my brother. And before that he was my very best friend. He talked to me about everything. And I do mean everything. Like he thought it necessary to inform me of when he'd had his first wet dream back when we were younger. There really isn't much he keeps from me. So trust me when I say this, ok?"

"O-okay."

"He has been head over heels in love with you for the longest time. He held back at first so he could train so he could be the strongest ninja so he could manage to become Hokage and so he could protect the ones he loved. You were at the top of that list, Hinata. I know because I fussed at him for making me second." she said with a giggle.

"R-really?"

"Yeah, and after that he held back because he thought he wasn't good enough. Because he didn't come from anyone special and had no actual clan. He thought being an orphan was a shameful thing. He thought you deserved a better name to take as yours. And then his having the fox held him back. He was terrified of hurting you. I'm sure he still is actually. That's one of his biggest fears. Naruto worries a lot more than he lets on."

"He does." Hinata nodded. She looked at the rest of the girls and made sure they weren't listening before she leaned close and whispered, "You can't tell anyone this bt… He…he cried after we did it. He was sad he'd m-made me bleed. H-he was scared."

"Yeah, that sounds about right. Completely loving and caring but also completely clueless." Sakura nodded.

"S-so you d-don't think he'll be m-mad?"

"Nah. If anything he'll only be upset because he didn't know and he will feel like he's trapped you with him. Just like what you were scared of a minute ago. And he'll maybe be a little upset he didn't propose to you the right way. Because as I said he's liked you a lot. I know for a fact he wouldn't date you or even go to the sex stage with you if he wasn't already very seriously contemplating marrying you. Naruto thinks you're like a goddess of pureness, Hinata. He wouldn't allow any less for you, especially from himself. So he probably will just be a little down that he did it wrong by you in his own eyes."

"B-but he was so sweet about it. Th-that was beau-beautiful a proposal enough." Hinata said shaking her head.

Sakura wrapped her arm around the girl, "You, Hinata, are the best thing to happen to that dummy since cup ramen."

Hinata giggled, "O-oh my. B-but he loves that stuff."

"He loves you more, I guarantee it." Sakura then grinned wickedly, "So…what exactly do I have to bribe you with to get details from that night. I want to know every thing he said and did. Come on. There may be valuable blackmail material in there."

"Y-you can't use him crying in the end." Hinata defended strongly.

"I would never, Hinata. That is too personal." Sakura swore.

"O-okay. Maybe at lunch."

"Great! And you can help me pick out the sexiest lingerie known to man! When I go home to Gaara tonight he won't stand a chance. I plan on seducing my sand man. Not that he isn't very willing already. I think it'd just be a nice gesture for him."

Hinata nodded, "Sh-should I get something too?"

"What better way to 'accidentally' let slip to him that you found out from me that he married you that night then dressed in practically nothing. His brain will be so distracted by how gorgeous you look he'll probably be like 'Oh really? That's great, Hinata.'." Sakura giggled.

Hinata laughed into her hands and then nodded, "I was sacred this wouldn't be much fun. But I should have known with you I would be fine."

"Aw thanks, Hinata! We're also going to find you the best dress! One that will turn every head and leave Naruto stuttering."

She giggled quietly again, "I can't wait."

"You know what? Me neither!"

The girls made it to the mall and piled out of the car, a giggling mass of females.

Temari handed out walkie-talkies she'd lifted from Kankuro.

"Alright girls. There are a lot of stores in this mall. So we split up and when one of us finds a good sale we notify the others."

Ino and TenTen giggled and saluted, "Ma'm yes M'am!"

Sakura saluted as well.

Yura just chuckled and walked off with Temari following.

Ino and TenTen waved goodbye to Hinata and Sakura as they took off in a different direction.

Sakura chuckled, "Guess we'll go this way then. Lucky for us it's the section with the Victoria's Secret right?"

Hinata turned red but nodded and followed after her.

--------

Sakura stood in front of a rack studying her choices.

"Hinata? Which do you think is better?" she asked.

Hinata who stood off a little ways inspecting something else turned and studied alongside her, "Um…th-the red one on that side."

"Sexy isn't it?"

"N-no doubt. And isn't red his favorite color?"

"Yeah, I thought so. I mean, it used to be. But today he told me it was green…"

"Oh…why don't you b-buy that red and a gr-green dress for tonight to wear over it?"

Sakura giggled and nodded, "Hinata you're a genius! We could go on a date first! And as long as I promise to not bring waffles into the equation he should be fine."

Hinata shook her head, "Y-you can't do it."

Sakura stuck her tongue out, "I could for him."

Hinata blushed, "You really love him."

Sakura nodded. "I really do."

"P-please don't take this wrong b-but I never thought he'd l-love anyone. B-but I'm glad he got you…y-you are best for him."

Sakura hugged her tightly, "Thank you! Just like you are perfect for my dummyhead brother."

She squealed hugging the quiet girl tighter, "I still can't believe we're officially sisters! And you know, if I marry Gaara then Temari would be officially kin to me and Yura too through Kankuro and well TenTen is definitely going to marry Neji one day if he has any say so in it. All those summers I spent with him he always talked about her. So then she'll be part of our huge family. That will only leave poor Ino pig out. Oh well." she chuckled.

"Gee, thanks, Forehead. And here I thought we were friends again."

TentTen was red like Hinata usually was, "He talked about me even back then? When he was with you? Alone?"

Sakura nodded, "Yeah…"

Ino shrugged, "See? Told you. She never knew how pretty she was." Ino turned to her, "Sakura you are like the exotic girl. I mean how many pink haired girls with eyes that green do you know? All the guys were gaga for you."

Sakura shook her head, "Nah, I think Kiba has always wanted Hinata."

Hinata blushed and then whispered, "He's b-been following N-Naruto and me wherever we go l-lately. Trailing us…I d-don't think he knows I know. B-but I see him e-every time."

Sakura giggled, "Yeah, he's probably jealous."

"Fancy meeting all of you guys here." Temari smirked as she and Yura came over.

Sakura giggled, "Are we all buying sexy underwear?"

Temari shrugged, "Me and Yura…that's all we wear mostly."

Ino nodded, "Yeah, Shika can't keep his hands off me when I wear it so I make sure my supply is high in number if you get what I mean." she said with a wink.

Temari clenched her fists, "Yes, well, Sasuke told me I might as well stop wearing it; he could hardly stand the wait of getting it off me." she said glaring at Ino.

Ino sniffed, "Well we can't all have relationships based wholly on sex. But if that works for you, Temari, go right ahead."

Temari balled her fists tighter, "What'd you say?!"

Ino shrugged, "You heard me. There's no way Sasuke actually loves you. He doesn't love anyone. He even left his village for crying out loud. He holds no loyalties for anyone. So why should he for you? Just wait…when you start saying no to sex. He'll start saying no to you."

Sakura placed a hand on Temari's shoulder.

"Ino, Sasuke isn't like that any more. I bet you're just jealous she got him when you couldn't."

Ino shrugged, "What? Oh please. I got Shikamaru, someone she wanted and couldn't have."

Temari moved to hit her, "Why you little..."

Sakura stepped in between them, "Look., I am a bundle of nerves right now because I am contemplating a huge step in my relationship with Gaara tonight and I don't want to play mediator for you guys on top of that! Now I came here today to get a dress and a couple sexy little numbers that will make him drool! So if you want to fight get the hell away from me! Got it?"

Ino snorted, "A relationship? With Gaara? Can it even be called that? Pfft, Forehead, this is the guy who not only was a mass murder but he even tried to kill you not to mention claimed he loved only himself."

It was Temari's turn to hold Sakura back.

Yura stepped up and slipped a packet into Ino's hand. "Here do us all a favor and take these please. I'm sick of this drama already."

Ino looked down at the packet of two Midol pills.

Ino blushed. "Sorry. Is it that obvious?"

Yura chuckled, "Girl, even if I couldn't smell it your bitchiness gives it away. Now go. There's a water fountain over there and in about thirty minutes you'll feel much better and so will we."

Ino left and everyone giggled.

"Nice save, Yura." Temari grinned.

Sakura was still frowning, "Why does everyone question Gaara's ability to love?"

Yura shrugged, "Because truly he's one scary mofo. Not everyone sees the side you get to. Just remember that before you get all defensive. He is a very private hottie hunk. And so his more human attributes are only exposed to you and those who are lucky enough to be in the vicinity when that happens."

Sakura nodded, "I guess that makes sense. Wow. What would we do without you, Yura?"

The cat girl chuckled, "Probably claw each other's eyes out."

She held up a barely existing bra, "Do you think Konkers would like this?"

Temari laughed, "What man wouldn't?"

Then the blonde girl turned her intelligent gaze on Sakura, "So what exactly is this big step you're contemplating."

"Well I…we're….that is.."

"She's going to bang him." Yura purred from where she stood examining a two piece set.

Sakura's eyes widened. "How did you know!?"

"Besides the obvious clue of you looking at underwear? An article of clothing worn under the clothes? Showing you plan on taking your clothes off. His scent is on you, not in you. You haven't yet. You need to get on the ball. TenTen will be meeting Neji in his room after this, she said so in the car. So if you don't do him tonight then you will be the only virgin in our group by morning."

TenTen blushed, "God you make me sound like a whore, Yura."

The cat girl chuckled, "What girl isn't at some level?"

Ino giggled as she rejoined them, "That's true."

Sakura tapped Ino's shoulder.

Ino looked at her expectantly.

"Gaara can love. He just doesn't show people like you or half the world for that matter because he's very private. But don't say anything like that again. Cuz it's not true."

Yura gave a half shrug and leaned close to Temari, "That wasn't what I told her that for but eh, she got the main point I guess."

Temari nodded, stifling a laugh.

The girls finally all had selected their sexy apparel and moved on to looking for dresses.

Deciding it was silly to separate when they'd already found each other so close to lunch time they stuck together and went to three different stores before they found one that had dresses they liked enough to think about buying.

Ino cheered, "Woo! Dresses I actually want!"

Sakura shook her head at her dumb friend and moved to look at a dress for that night before picking out her dance dress.

Temari walked around a moment then reached past her and pulled one out.

"This one, it will make you look drop dead sexy."

Sakura stared at it.

It was perfect!

Yura handed her shoes to match.

TenTen came over with a necklace that would enhance it all.

Sakura grinned at her, "How about we make you pretty tonight too?"

TenTen blushed, "Oh, I don't know…"

Temari laughed darkly, "Oh, but we do; trust us."

As she led TenTen away to find a suitable dress TenTen glanced over her shoulder and mouthed 'help me'.

The rest of the girls erupted in giggles.

Then they moved on to finding their dance dresses while Temari worked with TenTen.

Yura quickly scanned and selected one.

"This is the one I want."

Ino glared at her, "You didn't even try it on to know how it will look on you."

Yura shrugged and sat, crossing on leg elegantly over the other, in one of the chairs offered along the wall for shoppers- most likely meant for exhausted men struggling to keep up with their shopping girlfriends or wives.

"Why bother? I know I look good. Konkers thinks I look good. This dress is gorgeous and a nice color. If I can't pull it off with those facts alone then no dress will do any better."

Sakura laughed, "Awesome logic. Wish I had that sort of confidence."

Yura's pale blue eyes met hers, "You really should. That red head of yours is more infatuated with you then Konkers could ever be. Demons desire more strongly after all. But Konkers makes up for it, he comes very close to matching the desire of that of a demon."

Ino shook her head, "Weird. I never pegged him as the hot and horny type."

Yura chuckled and simply shrugged with a light grin on her features.

Sakura turned to Hinata and asked her, "Do you like this dress? I think it would look really good with your hair."

Hinata looked at it and her eyes sparkled with joy, "It's amazing." she breathed as she reached timidly out to touch it.

Ino reached for it too. "I like this one! I want it."

Sakura whirled and slammed her fist on top of Ino's head, "You're getting on my nerves, Pig! This dress is for Hinata! Find your own!"

Ino fell to the ground in a daze.

Yura chuckled, "Happened faster than I thought it would. But in the end, Sakura snapped."

Temari and TenTen returned and Temari presented the dress she'd chosen for TenTen that night.

All the girls oo'd and ah'd except Ino who was still out of it.

TenTen laughed, "Sakura finally snapped did she?"

Yura nodded.

Hinata was pushed into a dressing room and so she tried on the gorgeous dress and took one shy step out of the door.

All the girls, Ino included now that she was awake again, cheered and applauded her.

Hinata turned bright red and did a tiny twirl.

Sakura whooped and called, "If Naru can keep his hands off you while you're in that, he's gay."

Hinata blushed, "O-h he's not gay."

Sakura winked, "Then I hope you don't plan on staying at the dance long."

They all laughed as Hinata went back to change.

Temari pulled on hers and came out and mouths dropped.

She suddenly felt self-conscious.

"What?" she asked running her hands down the smooth material of the dress, smoothing out invisible creases.

Ino whistled, "Damn you fine. Shika was an idiot. And I'm who he ended up with so you know I'm right!" she giggled.

Yura leaned over to TenTen and whispered, "She does realize what that makes her sound like, right?"

TenTen shook her head, "Nope. She really doesn't."

Yura stared in bemused awe at the giggling blonde.

Sakura clapped for Temari and said, "Sasuke will definitely love it, girl. I already know you won't be at the dance long. But…you'll look like sex on heels until you two leave for a closet or something."

Temari smirked and went to change.

TenTen chose to go next and came out in hers and stood shyly waiting to be told the color was wrong or something. She was always so bad at picking clothes out.

Sakura grinned and clapped for her, "TenTen, that is so, so your color! It always has been! You look great!"

Ino nodded, "You really do. If you don't buy that one I'll slap you silly."

TenTen laughed and went back in to change.

Ino grabbed her dress and went to change next.

When she came out all the girls pretended to be disgusted, except Hinata because she thought it was mean to do that even if it was Ino.

Ino frowned and looked down at it, "What's wrong with it?"

Sakura giggled, "Nothing. It's actually perfect for you, we're just picking."

Yura nodded "Yeah, and like me, you'll be going for the slut look that night, huh?"

Ino grinned, "Is there any other look? We'll be the ones turning heads. Sluts are fine as long as they're just sluts for their man."

Yura grinned, "Slut is what I aim for. More fun."

Sakura giggled, "Pinocchio will be pleased I'm sure. Shika too."

Ino squealed happily and went to change back.

Sakura sighed and looked at the dresses some more.

"Guys, I can't pick. It's awful. You all found one after a little looking. Me… I guess I'm being too picky but I want him to be speechless."

Yura chuckled darkly, "What, he isn't silent enough for you as it is?"

Temari laughed too, "Yeah, he must be a real chatter box behind closed doors."

Sakura stuck her tongue out, "You guys know what I mean."

"Yeah we do. And so I'm going to tell you what to do." Yura said. "Close your eyes."

Sakura did so.

"Take a deep calming breath." Yura instructed.

Again Sakura obeyed.

"And reach out your hand into the rack."

Sakura hesitantly did so.

"And grab a dress. I promise you it will look amazing. Any dress would."

Temari nodded and stealthily slipped a dress into Sakura's grip at Yura's cue.

Sakura pulled it out and stared at it.

"Oh man! It's pretty! I didn't even see this one."

Yura smirked, "It's an old shopping technique one of my sisters taught me. Works almost every time. I'd say it works two out of three times."

Temari looked at her, "You mean you have more sisters than Kiki?"

Yura nodded, "Well yeah…there's a total of fifteen of us in all…some more spaced in ages than others; dad never did get his son. Instead he ended up with a house full of estrogen."

The rest of the girls giggled.

Sakura grinned, "Wow, having fourteen sisters would be crazy…"

Yura nodded, "Can be. But it usually isn't unless they all come home for a holiday. They've mostly spread out now."

Ino looked stunned, "Wow…fourteen...and here I was feeling bad Sakura had to be sister to Naruto…"

Sakura snapped her head to look at her, "What!?"

Yura chuckled, "Well Naruto alone, I think, could equal at least half my sisters."

Sakura smiled at that, "Yeah, he probably does." she then glared at Ino, "You're really trying to piss me off today."

Ino grimaced, "No. That time I wasn't. It just slipped out."

Sakura practically growled as she moved towards Ino.

Temari stepped in front of her and said, "Um, hey, Sasuke is kind if impatiently waiting for my return…can we please find shoes and buy theses things? Besides…This much shopping is gonna give me hives or something."

Sakura glared one last time over her shoulder at Ino and then nodded.

After all, Gaara was waiting too.

Yura chuckled and watched them walk away to find shoes.

She couldn't remember a time she'd had this much fun. She was going to have to test Konkers' patience by telling him this story when she got home.

And he would listen the whole way through…because he truly loved her. Truly wanted her, all of her.

She stood and followed the girls when Sakura looked back to see why she hadn't already.

A smile seems stuck on my face today, Yura mused.