A.N- Hihi everybody! I finally am getting the next chapter out. Yay! I had a lot of fun writing this one and got back to my old games and ended this in a cliffhanger! I know you guys hate those but I just couldn't resist. Anyway I hope you all enjoy this next chapter. Thank you to everybody who reviewed you guys are the bestest! I love you all for it.

FanggirlX

The girls sat in the food court sipping drinks with their bags piled around them.

TenTen grinned at Hinata, "I usually loathe shopping but you guys made it fun."

Sakura winked at her, "Oh please, TenTen, we always make everything fun!"

Nodding Temari added, "Yeah, we could have fun doing just about anything."

Ino shook her head, "No way. I doubt you guys could make dieting fun."

With a shrug Yura replied, "Sure we could but none of us here need to diet. We all look hot. Just check that duo of guys over there. They've been staring us up since we sat down."

Sakura sipped her drink and then remembered she had yet to call her mom.

And she kind of missed Gaara… a whole lot. More than she thought she would.

Sakura glanced around the group to see if any would really mind if she slipped away for a moment.

Her eyes lingered on Hinata.

She looked sad…why was she so sad?

Sakura took Hinata's hand and whispered, "Will you come with me?"

Hinata jumped out of her daze and nodded.

"I'm stealing Hinata away for a few minutes ok, guys? We'll be back."

The other girls waved goodbye and said to hurry back.

She and Hinata turned the corner and sat on a bench.

Hinata looked at her waiting to be told why she'd asked her to come.

Sakura smiled at her.

"Why are you looking so down in the dumps? We found you the most beautiful dress to wow Naruto with."

Hinata nodded, "Y-yes and I appreciate a-all of your help. It's j-just…"

"Just what?" Sakura asked tilting her head to one side.

Hinata blushed, "I really miss Naruto. M-my heart al-m-most feels like lead almost and I can't stop th-thinking about him."

Sakura thought a moment and then asked, "You think its part of being mates?"

Hinata shrugged, "I-I really don't know. I d-didn't even know I w-was m-mated until you told me."

Nodding Sakura smiled at her, "I understand. Don't worry, Hinata. I will ask Gaara for all the details about being mates and then I can tell you about them ok? He seems to know a lot more since Shukaku tells him these things."

"A-and Sh-Shukaku can be trusted?"

Sakura giggled, "Well, I'm not really sure, but so far he has been for the most part. I think he actually likes me too…I mean, he likes part of me anyway."

Hinata nodded, "I see."

"So you'll be alright though?" Sakura asked laying her hand on her friend's shoulder. Hinata nodded at her and offered a tiny smile, "Yes, I'll be f-fine soon."

"Good…" her smile sincere even as her mind drifted to the subject of how to tell her mom she'd changed her mind on mating so quickly.

Hinata laughed softly into her hands, "N-now what else d-did you drag me away for?"

Sakura blushed, "I'm about to call my mama and I was hoping you'd sit with me."

"Of course."

"Thanks. She said she'd be fine with me mating Gaara, as long as I was sure. I am very sure. I was silly to want to learn everything first…just so I could be the perfect wife…I'm supposed to learn as we grow together as a couple. Right? Right. And besides…he looked so adorable when I had to leave and he was practically pouting."

"He p-pouted?"

"Yeah. It was so sweet. I…knew then I would definitely be mating him tonight."

"Good luck…l-lets just hope blood d-doesn't freak him out too."

Sakura blushed darker, "I hope not."

Hinata smiled and held Sakura's hand, "Go ahead and c-call your mother."

"Right."

Sakura pulled out her cell phone and dialed her mom's number.

Saiyomi answered the phone sounding as if she were in shock.

"Mom?"

"Oh…Sakura. Hello baby. What can I do for you, sweetie?"

Sakura heard her cover the phone and talk to someone else. Her mom had company? She'd never even thought of her mom having someone over. Now she felt awful for interrupting.

"Sorry to interrupt, mama." she apologized.

"Oh, Sakura, you're always welcome to call me. I just have a…an old friend over. We're catching up."

"I see. Well then I'll be fast then. I just thought I should warn you…by tomorrow you'll be a mother in law."

Sakura mouthed, 'You want me to tell her about you and Naruto?'

Hinata blushed and shook her head. She needed to tell Naruto first…

Sakura nodded her understanding and waited for her currently silent mother's response.

"A mother in law?" Saiyomi repeated.

"Yes."

"You're going to…do it?"

"I am. I'm mating him tonight. I am so in love with him, mama, I'm not worried about any of it any more. I'm not even sure why I was worried in the first place anymore to be honest."

"That's wonderful. I'm sure he'll be very happy."

"He is. I already told him I wanted to."

"Oh my. Then I suggest you don't keep that poor boy waiting."

Sakura laughed, "Thanks, mom. You're pretty cool about this. I mean I figured you'd be mad since I was going to have sex with him."

Saiyomi laughed, "The love is what I focus on. I try not to even think about the fact that my baby is going to be doing…that."

Sakura giggled, "Whatever helps you sleep at night." She sighed softly and added, "Well, thanks for taking it so well."

"You're very welcome. Like I told you. That boy adores you. Even I, the overprotective mother, can see that. That puts me at peace with this."

Sakura nodded though her mother couldn't see her, "Yeah. Thanks. Anyway I'll let you get back to your…guest. And I'll call you later ok?"

"Oh, please, some time tomorrow will you come over? I have a bit of news myself that I want to share. But due to your busy night ahead I won't expect you until late tomorrow evening ok? We can even try having dinner again, this time without the drama show."

"Ok. Thanks." Sakura laughed into her hand.

"And please bring Gaara and Naruto and his sweet little Hinata alright? She's probably going to be a part of this little family of ours in no time so I want her included as well."

Sakura covered the giggle of hers that wanted to escape at Hinata being a part in no time. Her mother just didn't even know how true that was.

"Sure thing, mama."

They said their goodbyes and hung up.

"She told me she thought you'd be a part of our family in no time." Sakura giggled.

Hinata blushed, "W-wow. M-mother's intuition is a powerful thing."

Sakura nodded, "Yeah it is…"

She looked at her cell phone.

Then she grinned at Hinata, "Want to see what they're doing?"

Hinata blushed slowly nodding yes.

Sakura giggled and scooted closer. "If I know Naru, he's probably feeling the same things you are and so he would probably go to Gaara to hang out. So I bet they're together. Much to Gaara's dismay."

She called Gaara's dorm phone and he answered on the second ring.

"Help." he growled into the phone.

"Hi to you too. What's wrong?"

She motioned for Hinata to lean closely so she could hear too.

"He won't. Leave." Gaara muttered.

She heard in the background: "Hey is that Sakura? Ask her when they're coming home! Come on! Ask her! Ask her! Ask her! I miss Hinata! Tell her to tell her I miss her! Come on! Tell her! Tell her! Tell her! Please? Can I talk? I want to talk. Is Hinata with her? Ask her if Hinata's with her! Is she having fun? Does she miss me? I miss her! When are they coming home? Ask her! Ask her! Ask her!" he kept going but Gaara sighed and she refocused on him.

"Oh, baby, are you getting tired?" she asked, slightly teasing slightly concerned.

"He has but one good question. When are you coming home? I can't handle him-this- much longer. …He mated her. He doesn't know." Gaara sounded uncomfortable.

Sakura laughed, "Yeah, so Hinata told me. She didn't know either. But don't worry I told her and we made a special plan for her to tell him tonight."

"Tonight?" he repeated sounding almost sad.

Sakura smiled, he thought she meant she'd be helping.

"Yeah, I helped her pick out this sexy little number to distract him with while she tells him."

"So…she'll be alone." he stated.

"Yes, of course. I couldn't exactly help her I am going to be much too preoccupied tonight to be of any use to anyone."

"You will be of much use to me." he rumbled into the phone. She could practically feel the heat from his eyes as if he were gazing at her right that minute.

"You are coming home soon? It's 8:30."

"Is it? I had no clue. Um, yeah I really think we'll be coming home soon. I bought my dress! And a dress for you tonight. I want to look pretty."

"You already are."

The sheer certainty in his voice had her turning red.

"Um heh heh, Gaara, you're sweet."

There was a cheering whoop in the background and then a loud crash.

"What was that?"

"Naruto breaking either his head or my floor." Gaara grumbled, sounding weary again. She could just picture him bowing his head slightly and pinching the bridge of his nose to alleviate his growing headache.

"How long has he been with you?" Sakura asked.

"All. Damn. Day." he bit out. "So. I repeat. Help." he growled.

"Hey! Is that Sakura?!" she heard Naruto ask. "Is Hinata with her? When are they coming home? Can I talk to her? Will you-"

"Quiet!" Gaara bellowed at him

"God, Gaara, you don't have to be so pissy about it…." Naruto whined.

Sakura giggled, "Here, let him talk to Hinata a minute he should start behaving better."

"You sure it'll work?" her sand master asked sounding more than a little hopeful.

"Fairly certain anyway."

"Very well." Gaara sighed, "But they do not hang up. You speak to me again before hanging up."

"Of course, Gaara. I miss you."

He was silent a moment and then she heard him call Naruto and say, "Here."

There was a crash and Naruto shrieked.

Then he started grumbling, "Ow. Gaara, that hurt…why'd you have to throw it so hard? You hit me in the head…"

Sakura could hear the smirk in Gaara's voice as he replied, "Did I?"

Sakura spoke into the phone, "Naruto. Hinata wants to talk to you. Pick up, you dummy!"

His fox enhanced ears heard her and he shouted happily and was immediately yammering into the phone.

"Sakura! Hi! Hey! Howya doin'? Is Hinata okay? Is she having fun? I miss her. Does she miss me? Is she talking about me? Is she-"

"Naruto!" she shouted, her frustration showing in her tone.

He stopped, finally keeping quiet. Angry Sakura was a scary Sakura…

"She's right here and if you promise to calm down you can speak to her."

"Yeeeesssssss! Yay! Yay! Hooray! Hoorah! Hoopla! Alright! I'm gonna get to speak to her! Hinata! Hinata! Yeeeesssssss. I'll be good,. Give her to me. Please. Please. Pretty please!"

Sakura giggled at his foolishness and handed the phone over to Hinata who was as red as a beet at how happy he'd sounded to speak to her.

"Hello?" she said quietly.

"Hiiiiinaaaaataaaaaa! Hi! Hey! Howya doin'?"

"Naruto…hi. I'm fine. How are you?"

"Horrible! Hinata, I'm just horrible! I miss you! Alot! It was like not even an hour after you left and I was sad! So sad! I missed you! Still miss you. I want you home now, please? Pretty please? Will you come home now? I'm bored and I miss you and I don't like this feeling without you. It kind of hurts….its annoying really…"

She laughed softly, "I know how you feel. I feel the same way."

"Really? You mean you miss me too? Yay! You miss me! You hear that, Gaara? I'm missed! Woo!"

"Naruto…why are you being so crazy?" she whispered.

He whispered back, "Weeeelllllllllll, part of it is because when I'm crazy like this I don't miss you nearly as bad and so I don't just sit around moping waiting til you get back. And the other part? It's friggin fun as hell to piss off Gaara!" Naruto giggled like a little boy.

"WHAT!?"

There was a small shriek and then the girls heard scuffling around as if Gaara had dove on him.

Which in fact, he had.

Gaara had snapped and dove at Naruto and now was strangling him.

Sakura took the phone back and shouted, "Gaara! Stop trying to kill Naruto! I want to come back to a whole room not pieces of one! Come on! Besides I gotta go now. Don't you want to say good bye to me?"

There was instant silence and Gaara picked up the phone once more.

"Yes." he replied.

She giggled, "I love you, Gaara. You're just too cute."

"Cute…?"

"Yes, adorable even."

He grunted and it sounded as if he'd kicked Naruto.

"Are you still fighting?"

"Will you hang up if I lie?"

"Probably."

"Then yes. Yes, I am."

She covered her laugh, "You better be nice to him. Hinata wants him in one piece. And if he isn't completely fine when we get home she'll cry because her night's plans will be ruined and then I'll have to spend the night taking care of her and cheering her up and I won't get any time alone with you."

"Positive?"

"Completely."

He huffed and then there was a pause before he said to Naruto, "Get up and go get clean. You must be ready for Hinata when she gets home."

"Hinata! Yeah, yeah yay!" Naruto cheered and then his cheers faded away.

"There. A safe and clean Naruto delivered as requested." Gaara grumbled.

"Thank you. I would have been very sad to not have time with you alone tonight."

She heard him grunt again and figured he probably wouldn't admit out loud he would too. But his meeting her requests so quickly made it obvious.

A thrill ran through her. Gaara wanted her so badly he would pass up beating an annoying Naruto he'd been stuck with all day. He wanted her…

She shivered with anticipation.

"Okay, well I'm gonna go herd these girls out of here so we can get home. To you. It's about 9:00 now so I should be home by 10:00 just as I promised."

"Good."

"I'll see you then ok?"

"Yes."

"And Gaara?"

"Yes?"

"I really can't wait to see you."

There was a short pause and then he said quietly, "I can't either."

Sakura trembled at the tenderness in his deep voice.

"Ok. Well tell Naruto Hinata says she loves him and she'll be home to him soon."

He grunted and she took that as he would.

"I have to go now."

He said nothing.

"I love you, Gaara."

Another short pause and then he said with a strained sounding voice, "…Thank you… for calling…"

He'd been worried. He'd missed her. He'd wanted to hear her. And then she'd called.

Sakura giggled, "Well, I couldn't go any longer without at least talking to you. I'll see you in a little while okay?"

"Stay safe." he mumbled.

"I will. You be good."

He didn't say anything.

"Or don't…" she laughed.

"Anyway, I'll see you when we get there. Got to go."

"Bye."

"Bye bye."

She slowly pulled the phone away and then pressed the button to end her call.

"Thank you for letting me talk to Naruto." Hinata whispered.

"Thank you for tolerating my girly girl mushy talk to Gaara. I just really do miss him being near me."

Hinata nodded, "Yes a-and it seems t-to gets worse when you m-mate."

"Joy." Sakura said with a wide smile.

Then she remembered something she'd found interesting.

"You don't stutter when talking to him."

Hinata blushed, "W-well, I…I don't know why I d-don't. I just…stopped."

"Awe." Sakura hugged her friend and they stood.

"Now lets go get those other girls and get the hell out of here and back to our sexy pouty guys at home waiting to bang us." Sakura said.

Hinata blushed and buried her face in her hands. Her eyes peeked out from behind her fingers and she noticed Sakura's attire.

"Sh-shouldn't you change first?"

"Oh yeah! And you should too! Let's go get our bags! I bet we should dress TenTen too."

------

They hurried towards the food court eager to get dressed and get back.

The girls had piled into Sakura's car and were half way home.

They were all laughing and chatting amicably and were all more than ready to get home.

TenTen was getting tips from Yura on things she could do with Neji once she got home. TenTen was also beginning to think she would be red for the rest of her life.

Ino was attempting to make peace with Temari up in the front seat where Temari was driving again and though she wasn't exactly fond of Ino she was being nice towards her. Though inside she still thought she was better and that Nara was a dummy. But she had also reconciled with the fact that he was in love with Ino and because of that she'd had a chance to fall for Sasuke. Her Sasuke. Her brooding angry and yet shockingly sweet Sasuke.

The man who'd been un-claimable was claimed by her. And she loved him. And he loved her back. Not Ino. She shouldn't have but she got such a sick pleasure from that single fact.

Temari and Ino had decided upon arriving at the car to set aside their differences and to also forget the fact that the other had ultimately ended up with the guy the other had thought they'd wanted…

And they were quickly discovering that they had many man troubles of the same variety and so they were discussing ways of dealing with them.

In the far back Sakura sat with Hinata. Both were mostly in their own minds- thinking about how their night would go- but every now and then would talk or say something, though they didn't feel pressured to talk. Hinata sometimes preferred quiet and Sakura was comfortable to just sit with so they were fine with the little amount of talking going on.

All of the girls were at peace and happy when the mini disaster struck.

A medium sized creature darted out in front of the car, too quickly to be identified. Temari swerved to miss it sending the car onto a rather large pile of broken glass and metal shards- what the hell was something like that doing in the middle of the road! The dangerous debris caused some of the tires to be cut which made the jeep fishtale out of control and careen into a huge ditch slamming, hard, into a huge tree. A tree that had recently been hit by something else, be it lightening or another car no one knew but because it had been struck previously its trunk was weak and breaking. When they hit it the impact broke the rest of the trunk and the big tree toppled over onto their car crushing the roof down towards them, and crushing the doorframes so the doors wouldn't open. The poor jeep had already been mangled from hitting the tree at a high speed and had wrapped around the breaking trunk but now with a tree on top…they were also pinned with no way out.