They could've just headed straight to the Leaf Village and be there in a few days but no Sakura decided she wanted to go visit her friends in the Sand Village, Hidan sulked with his arms crossed it also didn't help that Suzumebachi laughed at him as they crossed the desert terrain in wind country "Oh come on Hidan what's a few more days as opposed to how long we've been gone" Sakura laughed sitting sideways on Midori realizing the truth in her words Hidan snorted in amusement "Suppose your right" he admitted just barely and Sakura shook her head.
Before they could go much further Baki jumped in front of them 'There's something different about him' Sakura tapped her lip in thought looking the older man over as he chatted with Hidan briefly when he turned towards her fully that's when she realized "Hey what happened to the Kage robes" she called out suddenly this caused Baki to chuckle "Well I was just the temporary Kazekage" he shrugged not wanting to ruin the surprise as he led them the rest of the way into the village "Well who's the Kazekage now" Sakura questioned curiously she seriously wanted to know.
"You'll find out here in a moment" Baki smiled kindly at the girl, Sakura really had grown in the past 2 years 'At least she's still the kind girl she was before' he thought with another smile before opening the door to the Kazekage's office where predictably Sakura gasped in surprise "Gaara is that you" Sakura blinked seeing her friend sitting behind the desk that belonged to the Kazekage "Yes, Sakura I'm the Kazekage now" Gaara let a small smile grace his lips "When did this happen" Sakura breathed out, again she seriously really hadn't been expecting this quite obviously.
"A year ago" Gaara grimaced not wanting to go into the details of how he became Kazekage because he knew that Sakura would fly into a rage at the thought of what he had been subjected to "Oh" Sakura missed the grimace "So how did it happen" she asked and Gaara resisted the urge to bang his head on his desk "Some villagers still didn't like me so they sent me on a suicide mission, Baki had no choice but to send me on it and when I came back I was appointed Kazekage" he explained simply and Sakura nodded.
Glad that she had taken that explanation without getting angry once Gaara released the breath he had been holding "You've grown up Sakura-chan" he teased lightly before directing another question at her before she could speak up "Are those piercings and do I spy a tattoo" he furrowed his forehead in concern 'Who would willingly get those things done' he shivered, Gaara really hated pain as witnessed in his match against Sasuke when he got hit in the shoulder he was so deep in thought he nearly missed Sakura answer "Yes, Gaara they are piercings and tattoo's" she giggled out.
"Tattoo's" Gaara frowned "Yes as in more than one" Sakura laughed at his expression it was the same one Kakashi had given her when he realized she had tattoo's "Don't worry Gaara" Sakura tried to reassure him that she was just fine and none of her tattoo's or piercings hurt "So what else has gone on since we've been gone" Sakura asked changing the conversation topic "Naruto came to visit" Gaara smiled fondly in remembrance even if he wanted to bash Naruto's head against the wall the next time he saw him "Uh oh that doesn't sound good" Sakura frowned.
She had picked up on Gaara's change in mood "Well lets just say he's still a knucklehead" Gaara said by way of explanation "Oh so nothing new he's still causing problems for people" Sakura let out a half groan half laugh kind of sound and buried her head in her hands shoulders shaking in silent laughter "Not much else has changed" Gaara gave Sakura another smile when she finally looked up for more information "Gonna go visit Temari and Kankurou so later Gaara" Sakura finally waved and then the entire group left the office so Gaara could work in peace.
Sakura skipped ahead relaxing when she spotted Temari just a little ways, away and headed towards the blonde female "Temari" she called out and Temari jumped a foot in the air from fright "Jesus Sakura warn a person" Temari laughed once her heart had calmed down "Sorry didn't mean to startle you" Sakura grinned not looking sorry in the least "You've gotten good at masking your chakra" Temari looked the girl over and smirked "That's a good look for you" Temari gestured at the piercings and tattoo's when Sakura stared at her in confusion which very quickly turned into understanding.
"You up to getting one more tattoo girl" Temari smirked when Hidan let out a groan as Sakura nodded eagerly "Can we pulled Kankurou onto the get a tattoo band wagon" Sakura grinned as Temari let out a loud laugh "Come on lets go see" with that both females set off at a rapid pace when the found the boy they latched on which confused him but when he saw where they were leading him he squirmed every which way he could to get away of course it did him absolutely no good as they headed into the tattoo shop.
"You guys are mean" Kankurou sulked but secretely he was a little happy that they wanted to get matching tattoo's with him "Think of it as a gift from me to you two" Sakura offered with that the three of them got infinity signs tattooed on their lower backs when they were finished Gaara walked in who had decided to take a little break, looking a little jealous he would get a tattoo if that's what Sakura wanted "Come on Gaara" Sakura smiled at him reassuringly and so even he got a tattoo afterwards they left the village heading home.