Kankuro

The walk down to the main market was as comfortable as I could have wished. Though the sun was my everyday, Sakura wilted within ten minutes. Fortunately the main souk was near the residence.

People seemed out in force, children darting underfoot, and even more families, groups of teens, and off-duty shinobi crowded shaded tables drinking and talking. I was happy to get to show this side of Suna to Sakura, who'd perked up.

"This is amazing!" She pulled out her phone, snapping pictures of everything.

I was simply buzzed watching her exclaim over the simplest things. Seeing her hold fabrics to her skin to judge it's suitableness. Witnessing her use her smiles and cute little flirts to bargain down the merchants. She'd hold up dresses, and I knew it wasn't for me, but she wanted my opinion on how they'd look.

She bought a red, half-length cheongsam that threatened to make me unable to do anything but stare at her in open mouthed desire all through dinner. Fortunately my synapses were spared any further immediate harm as we wandered from shop to shop. Soft cotton sun dresses and even a woven tunic with a subdued mandala motif rounded out her purchases.

"A suggestion?" She'd seated herself at a small table while I bought an assortment of mochi for us. I offered her a fig mochi, and she bit into it with a raised brow.

"Oh, that is good! It's fig? Delicious!" She gave me a big smile before stuffing the rest in her mouth like there was a contest. "Mmm! Ok, what's your suggestion?"

I finished mine, a tasty black sesame. "A bathing suit. I think you'd fit into one of mine or Gaara's…" She rolled her eyes as I chuckled, "Seriously, if you didn't pack one you should get one. I was planning on taking you to one of the oases where we source traditional medicinal plants." Her eyes lit with interest, "It'll be an all day affair, and though we shinobi can get there and back in a day, it'll be better to spend the night."

"To use a swimsuit."

I chuckled, "Why, you'd almost think I have ulterior motives."

Sakura chose another mochi, "You never give up, do you?"

I shrugged, "I can." I hoped she wouldn't ask me to. My charmingly unrelenting flirtatiousness had to work sometime. I wanted it to work on her. "If you want. I'm here only if you want me here, and Gaara has made it beyond clear that I am replaceable should you wish."

She blinked, "Why? I'm curious. Why did he think you wouldn't be a good companion?" She tilted her head with a small frown this time, "If you aren't then why are you?"

I ran my finger across my mochi, removing a stripe of potato starch. I searched her lively jade eyes, "When Temari announced that she was going to date that Nara guy, Gaara saw it as an opportunity. Not just to strengthen ties between our villages, but to help his friend Naruto to be the best Kage. He began talks with Kakashi-sama."

"Gaara had already been an admirer of your, as in the Leaf's, medical prowess after curing Lee. Also, you'd impressed him upon hearing about what you did for me and in fighting off Sasori. So he made a deal. He'd help train Naruto and Sai and you'd help train our medical staff and identify what kind of tech we should invest in."

"Which doesn't answer either question."

I rolled my eyes, "Anyway. When Gaara proposed this to the elders they were… not excited, but they knew that Gaara would not allow them to ruin Temari's lovelife. On the other hand the tradeoff for the medical stuff was unprecedented. They agreed, and I asked to be your guide." I shrugged, "The elders said no, initially. That I wouldn't be up to spying on you."

She leaned back, "Why would you spy on me? Are you?"

I shook my head, "Not spy, but to pick up techniques that a medically trained nin would notice. Or to make sure you aren't selling us short." I took a chance, touching her wrist, "I never believed you would, but the Elders seem to live in a different time." She nodded, and I released a breath I didn't know I was holding. She understood. "As for why I'm replaceable…" I gave her another smile, "though Gaara knows and trusts me, he also knows what kind of personality I have. I'm not always the most diplomatic guy, and I can be… not to your taste, you know?"

"Thank you, Kankuro, I think I'll keep you around for a little longer. And you don't have to stop joking with me. I appreciate it, actually. Most of the guys I grew up with don't bother."

I could hardly credit that because the Sakura I know is gorgeous, smart, and strong. I kept my eyes steady on hers. Her own soft green seemed to have the beginning of tears. That simply couldn't happen.

"I can't believe it. You're kind of top shelf."

She blushed a radiant pink, "That's so sweet, but I think it's more they all know about the guy I like."

"That I did not know." I felt my chest deflate, did she have a crush on someone? Was she actually dating him? It couldn't be too serious if she didn't mind flirting. "It's a deal then. You say you're fine then I'll keep on. I am here to see to your every need, even ones you didn't know you had."

She stood, rolling the last mochi in her palm. "Thanks, I appreciate it." She smiled prettily, then popped the treat in her mouth, "Let's get that bathing suit."

Later…

Sakura

I slipped into the cheongsam and admired my henna work crawling up from the fingers of my right hand to my wrist. I loved the vines and flowers with the large eye right on the back of my hand. Kankuro had gotten one, too, a circle filled with paisley on the base of his neck. The artist had told me that while mine asked for protection and strength, his is a reminder of his destiny. Sai had seen mine and told me if I ever wanted body art, he was available.

I pulled my hair back, securing it with pins and a matching red silk band. I debated make-up; I had lip gloss and a tube of mascara, nothing particularly elegant. I decided a touch of both would be better than nothing. I checked for anything else I might have missed. The mirror showed a rose-haired girl with green eyes trying to look grown. Those eyes narrowed and I was instantly mad at myself. Is that why Sasuke couldn't bother telling me that he'd come back? Not just that he might, but he wanted to even see me again? What was I to him?

Consciously I smoothed my face, willing myself to show a happy demeanor. Not the face of a girl who just stands around waiting to have her heart re-broken every three years. I am an amazing medic. I helped save the world. I am in Suna as part of a diplomatic mission. I can be strong. I stood, pulling my dress straight and marched to the door.

Sai was standing in the hall, the door behind him not hiding Naruto who was fussing over his tie with one hand and molding his hair into spikes with the other.

"Need help?"

Sai delivered a snort, "He's fine. Worse than a woman. Present company excluded."

"You're really looking good." Sai had forgone the tie, and wore a chunk of gold wrapped obsidian on his mandarin collar. It was elegant. And he rocked it.

"That dress is very nice as well. We had a couple of men come in and set us up with rented suits. Did Kankuro help you?"

"A little." I smiled, "I bought this out at the souk. I hope you guys can get out to see it."

Yamato stepped out of his room, dressed in a similar black suit. He stopped in front of us, his friendly face on, and gave us a pose.

"Wow, looking good Captain."

"Yamato is fine, Sakura." He looked up as Naruto pulled their door shut with a bang. "You boys clean up well. Sakura, you are lovely." He held out his arm, "If I may?"

Naruto groaned, "Sakura! Walk with me!"

I put my hand on Yamato's forearm, "I think Hinata might literally kill me."

That perked Naruto up. Now that their feelings were out in the open, even if neither would acknowledge them, they'd both been changed. It was almost enough to make me sad again. I wanted that. I wanted everyone in the village to know that Sasuke wanted me and I, him - and nothing could tear us apart. Unfortunately all I had was the memory of his back as he walked away from me. Again.

Resolutely I tacked my gaze to a spot a couple of meters high so that I wouldn't be caught staring at the floor like some morose, silly, little girl. Yamato smoothed his free hand over the one I'd tucked into his arm and I smiled. There. I could do this. The whole reason I was here was to get a break from the misery, and to learn how to smile, laugh, and have fun again.

The four of us walked out to the foyer to meet Gaara and Kankuro. Gaara was wearing his Kage robes with what must have been some sort of ceremonial ribbon hanging over his shoulders. Kankuro looked like the other guys in a black suit with a teal tie that perfectly matched Gaara's robe. I imagined that were Tamari here, she'd be in the same colors.

Gaara's clear eyes caught mine, "Good to see you again, Sakura, Yamato."

AN/ Thanks for reading!