I have been getting a little positive feedback when I posted this on Pixiv, so... If you just want to leave flames, I would prefer that you take your frustrations elsewhere. I don't care about shipping wars. I adore crack fics, and I can spend hours thinking about just how anyone can be plopped into someone's story. LOL You got a great crack!fic? Link me! Scared that I won't finish? I have 10 finished chapters already. I'll try my hardest. These are unbeta'ed. If you want a job whipping me, PM me!

Every time I see Kakashi-sensei in his new Hokage gear, I have to repress the urge to burst out laughing. If there was ever a person less suited to being stuffed in a robe, trying to look wise and engaged, I did not know who it could be. But, since the entire village knew that Naruto would be the next Hokage, I suppose I would get to see another. It was Lady Tsunade standing to his right accompanied by Shizune and Shikamaru that saved the scene.

I stood in front of the desk, and eyed Naruto who was chatting with everyone, like we were here for tea instead of receiving a mission summons. Sai stood at my left and Captain Yamoto was rubbing his fingers over his eye, irritation writ large in his slightly downturned lips. It was almost like old times.

"Alright." Kakashi raised his hand, Naruto closed his mouth, and we all stood a little more at attention, "So. Team Yamato." He smiled under his mask, "It feels good to only have diplomatic and medical missions. This one is both. Naruto has not had many missions requiring diplomacy. That is going to change. Since Sai has also become important to the village, we believe he should get some training, too."

Naruto slumped and Sai just gave one of his small satisfied smiles. "The Kazekage has agreed to show you how things work for a Village like ours from a practical standpoint." I watched Kakashi with a critical eye, wondering what in the world I was doing here.

"Also, Suna sent word with Tamari and requested that we help them with their medical program." Ah. I frowned at Shikamaru, this had his fingerprints all over it. Strengthening Suna's ties with the Leaf would only grease the wheels in his quest to marry his feisty blonde.

Shikamaru shifted irritably behind Kakashi, making the older man eye him before returning his gaze forward. "Sakura," I snapped my attention to him, "Tsunade and I believe that you're just the person we need to take a closer look and make recommendations, put procedures in place, and even start training their medic nin on medical jutsu they don't know or need updated. You're the only one with medical knowledge who has seen any part of their operations up close. Prepare accordingly."

Tsunade handed me the scroll with a smile, "Good luck, Sakura."

I nodded, and asked, "Isn't Shizune-san or you yourself, my Lady, much more qualified? I'd like to remain in the village." Everyone stared open mouthed at me. I scowled at Kakashi, "You know why."

"He'll be gone for a while, Sakrua. And unless you want to meet him again as a civilian, you'd better take that scroll and go."

"My Lord Hokage." His eyes narrowed and Tsunade audibly growled as Naruto snatched at my sleeve as if he wanted to pull me out of the office. "If that's what this was about, why could we not meet privately?"

"Sakara," Kakashi's dark eyes grew dangerous, "don't confuse our friendship with your duty to not only me as your Hokage but also this Village and all her allies." He took a deep breath, "Each of you has a part in this mission. Yamato is our liaison. He can communicate over longer distances than our new cellulars can. Sai and Naruto will be students of the Kazekage for a couple of weeks." I felt ashamed of my outburst and his eyes softened, "You need time away, too. Anything else?"

I fought the impulse to scream at them and bust his desk over his stupid head. "No," I bent my neck slightly, "I apologize."

"If Sasuke comes back before you do, I will send word along."

I didn't need everyone to see me flush with embarrassment. Hastily pulling my face straight, I looked at my team, "Two days. Meet at the gate at dawn." Naruto opened his mouth, and Sai had the intelligence to grab his shoulder. "Dawn, Naruto."

Kankuro

I stepped out of the cool shower, mentally reviewing the things I was supposed to do today. I was supposed to meet with the Konoha delegation with Gaara, and then I was supposed to not hit on Sakura. Gaara made it very clear. Temari threatened me, but she was in Konoha right now, probably giving that Nara guy a false impression of what it'd be like to have her as a wife.

I toweled my hair before wrapping it around my hips for the trip back to my bedroom. The door next to mine opened, and I watched as Gaara sleepily trekked over to the bath. I liked seeing the results of him learning how to sleep. He sometimes even woke up late.

I heard the door close and the water start as I finished drying myself. I pawed through my outfits until I settled on the last thing Sakura had seen me in. I pulled on underwear followed by black pants and my best black tunic. I wrapped a white obi around my waist, cinching it tightly.

I indifferently finger combed my hair before sliding open the drawer that held my paints. Plopping down in front of the vanity, I switched on the lights that brightened the mirror. Carefully, I kneaded a little water into a fresh pot, and leaned forward to apply the make-up. Geometric lines of deep indigo took shape first over my eyes and cheeks then lips and a final strip down my chin. Satisfied that it looked even, I tugged on my hood, plucking the corners to get them to stand up neatly while the rest hung the way it was supposed to. With a last critical look in the mirror, I flipped out the light and went to wait for Gaara down by the village gates.

In full office robes, my brother stands out for a mile. Everyone was buzzing around us, the huge gates full of shinobi and villagers here to get a look at their Kazekage. There were cheers and shouts, but Gaara just stood, his hat dutifully perched on his head, his white and green robes swirling in the early morning breeze. I grimly settled my scrolls on my back and crossed my arms.

"We've reconsidered." Gaara spoke in a soft monotone that didn't tell anyone what he was feeling. I knew he had grown past that, but today he must have been nervous.

I spared him a glance, restricting my mouth to a small curl only noticeable to him, "What was that?"

He cut his eyes to me, "You will be Haruno's escort." His mouth twitched, as good as a chuckle from anyone else, "The elders have decided that you have the chakra control necessary to help teach."

"They're right about that, but I thought I was 'unsuitable for teaching'." I made finger quotes around the last part; Elder Gorudo had said it to my face.

"I will be busy with Naruto and Sai. Yamato-taicho is basically on vacation, and I've asked Suda to be his aide if he wants one. But Sakura needs someone to show her around, to take her to all the places she may want to go. You have the highest security clearance of people I trust."

I rubbed my hands together and faced out toward where I could feel several chakra signatures nearing. "Good." Another narrow glance from my baby brother had me chuckling, "I'll be good." He could take that however he wanted.

I saw her first, as usual, though Naruto was actually in the lead. Sakura tucked an errant lock of her rosy hair behind an ear as she leaned toward Sai. I knew the pale guy well, even respected his abilities. They put their heads together and lagged farther from the rest of their party. Yamato turned, beckoning to them, making the slow-pokes step quickly to catch up.

I slipped my eyes to Gaara who had raised his hand to welcome the Leaf delegation. All four of them stopped in a line of smiles, waiting for Gaara's official welcome to end. Sakura was shifting her feet, and I couldn't help but wonder what had her so nervous. Or bored, though the welcome could probably account for that.

AN/ I know I cannot be the only person who thinks that Sasuke is still the universe's biggest ass-cravat! Thanks for reading!