"This place is pretty fucking depressing." Sasori stated, a 'not gonna lie' tacked onto the end, as if to soften the blow.

God, he was awful at comforting someone. Sakura thought, a chuckle rising to her lips despite her tired disposition.

Sasori was not exactly wrong, but it was a rather grim reality of the place she near-haunted for the past month. The hospital was where people lived and died. And while that could be said of literally anywhere, this was the place that was supposed to save people. You were supposed to walk in and believe that this was the safe space.

But it just wasn't.

Sakura was still encased slightly under his chin, the top of her head brushed against his skin. He had a hand on her back, moving in a comforting motion, as the other sat comfortably around her waist. Out of surprise, Sakura had initially kept her hands fisted against his chest. However, now, she wrapped both arms around his body. It was almost as if she was leaning against him for support.

The pinkette refused to believe that she was disappointed when he pulled away.

Her strangely amused visage caused Sasori to quirk a brow before continuing, "Let's get out of here."

"Lets?"

He looked her straight in the eye, expression flatter than before. "Like I would leave you alone now, ya idiot."

Sakura playfully rolled her eyes before logging her exit from the hospital on the computer.

Not a second later, Sasori grabbed her hand and shunshin the both of them to another building. She took in her surroundings carefully, spotting a relatively clean and well-furnished living room. Supplied with a couch, bookshelves lining the far wall, and other traditional decorations, Sakura wondered if Sasori had brought her to his family home.

"Where are we?" She asked Sasori, who was already walking through an open door frame and into his kitchen area.

"My apartment."

She followed him wordlessly, surprised at seeing a fully stocked and relatively clean kitchen - filled with decorative fixtures, stocked cabinets of wood and glass, and various appliances. It was better than her kitchen back in Konoha.

Sakura sat at one of the bar stools by the kitchen counter. In this situation, Sasori looked so oddly domestic that it caused some strange flips in her stomach.

He had the take-out box in one hand, dumping the remains onto a simple white-ceramic plate. And, in a way so oddly Sasori, he forgo-ed the use of a kitchen appliance and instead used a fire release technique to warm the food.

The pinkette felt her usual smile worm its way onto her face, just from watching him. He said nothing, simply watching her reaction.

"Thank you, Sasori." She stated in a low voice.

The use of his real name must have been a surprise, since, like Sakura had earlier, his expression was that of a dumbfounded look. However, Sasori recovered much quicker and moved to take the seat next to her, putting the plate on the counter as he did so.

This time alone together felt so intimate - so implicating of something that Sakura, deep down inside her, firmly wanted to believe. But with a teammate so elusive to feelings and a captain who had been acting similarly yet failed to confirm anything, Sakura did not want a repeat of last time. Instead, she attempted to hamper down on her sudden flush of feelings.

A sigh of silent relief left her lips when he left the kitchen.

She said a quick thanks for the meal, even taking a few bites before Sasori returned. This time, he had a few scrolls with him. Taking the seat next to her, Sasori opened one and started reading noiselessly.

"Wait." Her voice promulgated the otherwise soundless room, "It's morning. Shouldn't you be getting to the Kazekage's office?"

She realized her mistake after, from seeing his flat expression as he lowered the scroll back to the counter.

"Temari told me. Yesterday, actually." Sakura answered his silent question, not even needing to hear it.

He attempted to wave it off casually, "You would've found out eventually."

But the small indicators of a frown was enough to convince her otherwise.

"This shouldn't change anything between us, right?"

And, to her surprise, Sasori looked right at her with a hint of amusement at the corner of his lips. "No, it really doesn't."

Sakura shot him a full smile this time, before turning to her food.

"The first death in Suna under my tenure." She stated, "It was a question of when and not if."

"You're not the chief and it is not your fault." He emphasized, not even looking up from the scroll. "The person at fault here are the people who attacked us. And we will find them."

Sakura nodded in agreement, appreciative that Sasori was good at keeping a level-head.

They sat together in comfortable silence, each focused on their individual task. However, the red-head would admit that each word of the supposed peace treaty failed to actually reach his mind, attention always returning to the other occupant of his home.

He had read the same group of paragraphs three times before Sakura stood, plate devoid of food. "I should go before I impose anymore."

Sasori rolled his eyes, "I brought you here, idiot."

"I know, but.." She trailed off, standing and moving to wash her dish when she wavered in her step. It was as if her legs were jelly beneath her.

Sasori grabbed the plate in one hand, putting the other on Sakura's elbow to keep her steady. She felt his chakra reach out to hers, before he stated. "You're still low on chakra. You need rest."

And while she nodded in agreement, it was him who placed the dish in the sink before dragging her along further into the apartment.

Her mind swirled in confusion until he opened the door to his bedroom.

The blush on her face was immediate.

"Uh…"

There were simply no words.

The rosiness on her face only increased when he pulled on her hand, silently pushing her onto his bed and tucking her in beneath the sheets.

"Get some sleep."

How the hell she went from the kitchen and suddenly in his bed - Sakura had no idea. She allowed him to guide her, her feet following along without her brain fully registering what happened until she was under the warm blanket and Sasori was sitting at the window frame. He faced toward the outside, but just seeing him was enough to set her heart on fire.

How the hell was she supposed to be comfortable enough to sleep?

Everything about this room screamed of Sasori. Even in the desert climate, he had dark bed sheets that seemed of a deep cinnamon. Another bookcase was against the furthest wall, along with a desk and bedside table. It was simple - it embodied him.

But with his husky scent covering all the way up to her chin, it seemed impossible to focus on anything other than Sasori. Just the simple act of breathing was enough to have her mind swirling.

And while Sakura mused of her suddenly caring and somehow closest friend in Sunagakure, exhaustion seeped through her brain and she drifted off to sleep in the foreign bed.

When her breathing finally stabilized, Sasori turned to the pinkette in his bed. She was sound asleep, and if her chakra was any indicator, Sakura had fallen into hella deep sleep and fast. The poor pinkette had really pushed herself to the limit and still had attempted to not impose on him.

She was an idiot.

He felt his eyes linger on her, from her soft pale cheeks to the wild exotic hair. The light color clashed obviously against his dark bed-sheets, the sight bringing a strange feeling of delight stir in the pit of his stomach. After all, he was a man. And seeing his beautiful, young friend encased in his sheets definitely incited something within him.

Suddenly, he saw glimpses of something better. Of the two of them together, not just as friends. Of a future where she would be joining family dinner for a more intimate occasion. A time where he would be visiting Sakura at the hospital, but not just on a mere social call. And maybe even a time where she would be gracing his sheets out of her own volition.

Fuck, who was he kidding?

The attraction was obviously there. And while her looks have definitely gravitated a portion of the Suna shinobi toward her, to his everlasting annoyance, it was her personality that made him want to learn more. From her headstrong and yet empathetic nature, it made him want to keep her in his close circle.

But their relationship was a ticking time-bomb.

She was loyal to Konoha and he was on track to be the next Kazekage.

It was as simple as that.

And while he grumbled at the title and the sudden posterity that came with such high regard, Sasori was also loyal to his village and would see that it had the proper leader. And while Gaara could fill the role as well, he had officially denied the title (this was a factoid only Gaara, the Third, and himself were even aware of).

Only a month and a half had passed with her in Suna and he was already this attached, Sasori mentally noted with a grimace.

At least his attraction was not one-sided, he was sure of. Previous ANBU commander was a title not given easily and observing her rosy-blush was a clear enough indicator that her feelings toward him were not only of the platonic nature.

But at this time next year, Sakura would be back in her village. She would be in her infamously close-knit Team Kakashi, with two males whose love for her was obvious even to his eyes. Or better yet, she would continue to be pursued by the heir of the entire Uchiha clan.

It was as if the odds were stacked completely against him.

But was he really going to give up before trying, Sasori inwardly asked himself, eyes still trained on the pink tuft on his bed.

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

By the time Sakura came to, the room was devoid of any handsome red-heads that invaded her dreams.

The pinkette stretched in her prone position, arms brushing against the pillows as she enjoyed the last remnants of warmth from the bedspread. It was late morning when she had fallen asleep and she guessed it was around early morning the next day when she woke up.

She sat up in surprise, wondering if he had slept next to her?!

But feeling over to the other side, it seemed completely unscathed and even cold to the touch. There was no indicator that anyone, besides herself, had been in his bed. A quick look over to the windowsill and she noticed some folded blankets in their place, making her wonder if he had slept there instead. Sakura shifted over and felt an object protruding against her arm.

A small note, in what she had come to be familiar with as Sasori's handwriting, said:

Enjoy your day off.

She felt the ink against the paper, observing his relatively neat handwriting that would not usually be associated with a shinobi of their generation. Of course, Sakura should not have expected less from the perfectionist. He was an artist, a sculptor with gifted hands.

Sakura flopped back down on the bed, hands on her face as her mind whispered her honest thoughts, that she had secretly wished he had taken the spot next to her instead. And maybe even show her the true use of his hands.

She blamed her sleepy musings on Sasori's earlier display of domesticity. The pinkette dreamt of waking up next to him, his lazy golden eyes crinkling out of love at the sight of her. Of the two of them preparing for the day together - him cooking and her washing the dishes in return. How he would walk her to Suna's hospital, before making his way to the Kazekage tower.

The pinkette comically sat up in surprise again, his sheets falling to her waist as she brought her hands to her cheeks, Was she falling in love with him?

And now, even when she thought about Itachi, it did not bring the similar pang of pain it did a month ago. Instead, she felt a reminiscent tendril at the corner of her mind. It reminded her of what did happen, rather than what she would have wished.

Itachi's image was quickly being pushed to the side, like Sasori was not only enveloping her surroundings, but her mind as well.

Now effectively freaked the fuck out, Sakura quickly the made the bed and thought of leaving. Reaching out with her chakra, she was relieved to know that Sasori was not there at all. A quick shunshin and she was back in her own bedroom, running into the bathroom for a cold shower and hoping that it was just her sleepiness that brought this on.

When she exited her room, now fully adorned in new Suna clothing and fully replenished for a new day, Sakura bit her lip as she looked at the housemaids. There was nothing she really knew about them, besides their names and general assignments.

"Good morning, Yuna." Sakura greeted to the house-maid dusting the banister.

She smiled back, "You remembered my name."

"Of course. I'm appreciative of the work you do here, even though I'm not the best guest."

"You have been one of the most respectful guests." Yuna responded, "And I'm not just saying that."

Sakura nodded, aware that this must have been a home to delegates all over the main-land, even the most snobby of people. "I see, I'm glad to hear that."

"Is there anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable?"

"Yes, there is."

Yuna perked in interest, urging her to continue with her expression.

"I would like to get to know you and the other housemaids better." Sakura replied, watching as Yuna' smile relaxed into that of a more natural one.

"Really, is that all?" She asked with a confused tilt in voice.

"Well, my time here is coming on two months and I still don't really know anything about you guys."

"What do you wish to know?" Yuna asked, not unkindly.

"Are you a ninja, like Tayuya?"

"I was a genin, but had stopped here." She answered, "The lifestyle left much to be desired."

"Yeah, that's true. Not a lot of stability." Sakura added, "And have you always attended this home in particular?"

"Yes, myself and a few of the other girls have been assigned here for years. Tayuya has filled in as head housekeeper since we lost the last one."

Sakura frowned, "I'm so sorry."

"She was attacked on a mission, the hospital did everything they could." Yuna explained.

"But poison overcame her?" Sakura asked, receiving a sad nod in reply.

"A lot of us have known each other for years. She was one of us, working alongside us until she was promoted." Yuna answered, a wistful look in her eye.

"I see. Tayuya as well?"

Yuna paused, her eyes slowly drifting to the kitchen doorway. "No, none of us knew her before she even started working here."

Sakura narrowed her eyes, "Is she from Suna as well?"

Yuna shrugged, "That's what I'm told."

"Interesting." Sakura started with a hand on her chin, her mind drifting off to the head housekeeper.

And while Sakura did not really care for politics at all, it was rather strange that the leading housekeeper for a delegate so important to the Kazekage was under someone the main staff did not know much about. It made her wonder of Tayuya's background and maybe that she should be the next person to reach out to, to get to know.

Yuna cut into her thoughts, "May I ask something of you?"

Sakura lowered her hand back and smiled, "Sure."

"Please pardon my imposition if this seems like a loaded question. However, is it true that you and Sasori are courting?"

Sakura, immediately incensed, held her hands up in defense.

And while, as of late, it was becoming easier for her to brush off the gossip and people's general musings, her treacherous mind reminded her of the earlier display of the redhead. Of him, preparing dinner for their family.

She shook her head and denied it, "No, we're just close friends."

"Oh, I'm sure." Yuna responded casually, "However, I must say that you two would make a fine match."

"Thank you?" The pinkette tilted her head in confusion.

"I must warn you that Sasori does have quite a following in the village. Even if you two are simply just friends, I cannot guarantee that your actions would be seen that way by the infatuated bunch." Yuna warned, making Sakura think back to Sari's earlier display.

"Thank you, for cautioning me."

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Appreciating her time away from the hospital, Sakura stepped out and toward the marketplace. She perused stalls - so used to eating at that particular restaurant that it made her purposefully turn away, wanting to try something else this time. It was strange to crave for ramen without her blond teammate, she mused with a smile.

Despite the early tendrils of sleep, Suna was already beginning to bustle with energy that early morning. Vendors, unlike before, had greeted her with a curious smile. It made Sakura wonder if time was truly the determining factor in assimilating in the village.

"Has it been so long that you don't even recognize your teammate?"

Sakura stiffened, then smiled as she turned to the Uchiha's presence behind her.

"Or maybe you worried that we were getting…" His voice dropped into a lower tone, "Too familiar?"

"I've missed your witty banter for sure, Shisui." She greeted, stepping up to him to offer a one-armed hug.

"Look at you, if it weren't for the irreplaceable hair-color, I would have taken you for a real Suna chick."

Sakura amusedly shook her head, the casual vernacular not unusual to him. "What are you even doing here? Missed me too much?"

"Of course, I had to get my monthly dose of your beautiful face." He stated with a smirk, "And of course being commissioned here for a mission helps as well."

"I see." Sakura stated, aware of his vagueness and general confidentiality holding him back. "How long until you have to head out?"

"I'll be parting from you by this afternoon." He held a mock hand of hurt over his heart.

Sakura nodded then asked, "Feeling up for breakfast?"

"I accept your proposal." He said as he winked.

The pinkette rolled her eyes then, before gesturing with her neck into a certain direction. The two walked further into the market area, toward a particularly familiar restaurant to the kunoichi. What could she say? Despite wanting to stay away, Sakura could not refute the fact that the food was excellent. It was an easy, safe choice.

With both their orders taken and sitting across from each other at the table, in a rarely non-busy time for the restaurant, the two allowed the comfortable silence to promulgate their conversation.

"How's it been back home?"

"You know - the usual. The birds are chirping, the grass is green. But it's not exactly the same without the random earthquakes or even the occasional Team Seven grand adventure."

"Our team isn't that special."

"Of course. And how many times has ANBU had to break up your spars?"

Sakura rolled her eyes but muttered a small true.

"And how's your time here been?" Shisui started, sitting back in his chair.

"Busy. Sometimes even exhausting, but it's a good challenge. It actually reminded me of how complacent I could get, with three strong women already leading Konoha's hospital." Sakura admitted to her friend, comfortable enough to state the truth.

"I can see that. Lady Tsunade is the strongest medic-nin in the world, she oversees everything. It must feel strange to suddenly be in charge of what she usually does."

"Definitely, but at least now I understand more of why she drinks so much."

Shisui quirked a smile at that, "Oh? Already taken up the role?"

"No, I'm sorry I haven't displayed any quirks of escapism yet." Sakura joked.

"Really? None at all?" The smirk on his face was small, but there was no hiding the seriousness underlying his words.

The pinkette shook her head in denial again.

"Or maybe you prefer blowing off steam with something much more intimate." Shisui stated instead, his voice dropping with each word as a single eyebrow rose.

She sighed and leaned back in her chair, "Shut up."

He took in a deep breath and flattened his expression, crossing his arms as he put a carefree mask on. But, the pinkette knew better at this point, Shisui was discreetly deliberating over her next few words and actions.

"Sakura." Shisui emphasized, her name rolling off his tongue with emphasis.

"I am not doing any of that right now."

"Don't lie to me, Sakura. I'd like to think we've been friends for a while now."

"I'm being serious." She defended, hands flat on the table.

He crossed his arms, "So what's this I've been hearing about a red-head?"

"I bet you've heard a lot of things." Sakura replied, "But Sasori and I are not dating."

Sakura watched him marginally narrow his eyes.

"I know you and I know enough about Sasori. Believe me, I've known him since my first Chunin exam." Shisui continued, "A year ago, I would have never even heard your names in the same sentence. And now it seems like that's all that's been circulating."

"Well, that tends to happen when you make new friends." She defended.

Shisui had a flat expression, "Sakura, what are you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

She could almost see the internal sigh of exasperation on his part. He uncrossed his arms and stated, "You have three guys waiting for you back home - three. Is that not enough for you?"

"Three?" Sakura repeated incredulously, very close to losing her temper. "Shisui, do not start with this bullshit."

But he did not let-up, repeating her name, "Sakura."

"Alright, I don't know where this is coming from. Itachi may be your best friend, but he is the one who chose to end things the way they are." Sakura, now equally annoyed, heard her voice increasing in volume with every word. "I was the one who asked Itachi to confirm literally anything about us. I was the one who basically begged him to give me a straight answer. And guess what, he is the one who chose not too, not me."

Shisui straightened, this sudden knowledge of their previous conversation obviously surprising him.

His eyes, even further narrowed than before, "You asked him outright?"

It was Sakura's turn to sigh, "Yes, I specifically asked him if we were just friends right before I left."

Shisui leaned back, his face looking suddenly tired as he muttered skyward, "What the fuck."

"Yeah, me too."

Shisui uncrossed his arms, lips pursed as he was obviously unhappy at that statement. And while Sakura was partly surprised that he was left in the dark about their last interaction, she felt the anger inside her dissipate over his earlier resolve.

Yes, there were a lot of things still left unsaid. And yes, there was a lot of tension that she would undoubtedly have to return to.

But these were not one-way decisions. She put her cards on the table and, in the moment she needed to hear it the most, Itachi decided to end it there. And so Sakura would follow suit, it was time to move on from the elusive man. It would be unhealthy otherwise, to hold onto someone who did not bother to hold onto her.

After the long stretch of silence, both engrossed in their own thoughts, Shisui straightened to look at her again, "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"That's fine, I got that much." Sakura waved off, "It just really hurt since, I felt like I was getting to that point where I did want something more."

"More than friends?" Shisui vocalized, to officially hear it from Sakura.

"Yeah." She smiled wistfully, before squashing it down. "But I can't keep hoping for something that may not be there."

"And the way he treated you, it made it feel like there was nothing there?"

"Well, I don't know." Sakura admitted, "There were moments that felt so intimate and just so nice, for a lack of a better word." Her voice was full of a sad mirth at the end.

Sakura thought back to the little moments they shared - even during the time that Naruto and Sasuke were away from the village. It all ranged from different actions - some that could be quickly passed off as casual and friendly if it were any other person.

But it was not just any other person.

And yet, on several occasions, Sakura would lay awake at night, wondering if she was over-thinking their interactions and overall relationship. Would it really be too much to ask for someone to give her a straightforward answer?

"And then there were moments where I just wasn't sure where we stood. I've thought about our relationship so many times and for once I just wanted to hear what he had to say about it." Sakura continued, "And I got nothing in return."

Shisui nodded quietly, listening along before pulling her hand on the table into his own. "You don't have to justify anything to me."

Sakura could not help the half-hearted chuckle of exasperation, "Really?"

"Believe me, as his self-proclaimed best-friend, I see there's only so much other people can take. I know him, but even then there are times where I have to claw words out of his mouth sometimes."

"I just wished he was honest with me."

"That's probably what my dear little cousin thought he was doing." Shisui grimaced.

Sakura admitted, "Everyone kept telling me about how lucky I was - to even have the attention of both Uchiha heirs. But in reality, they both had made me feel the absolute worst over the past couple of months. With Sasuke more willing to cut me out of his life than to even speak to me and Itachi feigning casualness on a daily basis, I had to keep reminding myself of what was real."

Shisui squeezed their joined hands in reassurance. "I'm sorry, for pushing you onto someone who was only half-honest with you."

"You were just being a best-friend to an Uchiha. Believe me, I have plenty of experience on both ends." Sakura joked, referring to how even Naruto would defend his best-friend to the ends of the world.

Shisui smiled at her quip before responding seriously, "Listen. Don't think you owe anyone anything, what you need to be is honest. If you're honest with yourself first, then everything else will follow."

"Thank you, Shisui."

"I'm appreciative that you opened up with me." He said candidly, "After all, I'm still your friend as well."

Sakura smiled, squeezing his hand in her own. "Aw, I love sappy Shisui."

He rolled his eyes and then overturned their hands, winking as he went. "I bet I could get you to love another part of me."

The pinkette laughed at his teasing, before pulling her hand away as the waiter brought their orders. It was so refreshing, to finally speak to someone objectively about her feelings.

So many people had told her how lucky she was, how many would kill to be in her position. But that was all based off rumor. Sakura mused, what was so great about titles and roles when the actual person brought constant heartache? If only they had been honest with her from the start.

They enjoyed their lunch together with a new, comfortable feel. She was happy to call Shisui her friend, even if it was surrounded by strange circumstances.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

A hospital was not built overnight, Sakura had to remind herself numerous times.

Especially for their profession, advances really came with experience. There were undoubtedly a number of medical interns and residents that had a plethora of academic knowledge. But there was nothing compared to being thrown directly into the fray, nothing but your mind as your guide. And for the staff at the Suna hospital, Sakura was making sure that they were lessening their reliance on the higher staff.

Spying the dry-erase board holding the schedule for the staff that day, the pinkette winced at seeing her name on there so many times. But, thankfully, she noted that she had delegated herself only to assist. Rather than taking full charge, she would be in the room on standby to watch and assist whoever was assigned.

And while she was not directly in charge of the surgery, it still brought a mental strain on her. She had to give special attention to the other staff's actions and make sure to ask questions as they were performing.

It will be worth it - Sakura reiterated in her mind like a mantra.

Not only that, but she was taking special care of certain medical students in the special program. Takumi was picking up the pace, haunting the poisons department like it was his own personal curse. On multiple occasions, she entered to see both him and Lady Chiyo. Even when venturing there just for some backups, Takumi was there even to the late afternoons.

"Hello again." Sakura greeted, the afternoon sun setting through the windows.

"Sakura-senpai." He replied back respectfully, before turning his attention back to the scroll on the table.

The sight was very familiar to the pinkette, a training exercise that Rin had her do multiple times throughout her training. Similar to what Lady Chiyo had first tested her with, there was a deteriorating plant in the center of the scroll. Sakura had done it once with Takumi before, but he must have been extra paying attention for him to duplicate it again on his own.

He stood over the scroll with a pipette, dripping something of his creation as it slid out and onto the plant.

They both watched in fascination, as it initially absorbed the darkened liquid before decaying the spot it touched.

Takumi silently cursed before putting both hands on the table, "Sorry."

Sakura raised a brow, "These things take time to learn."

"I know, I just -" He cut himself off, "I know I can do better."

"I know that feeling." The pinkette replied, "But what would you say the issue was with this particular antidote?"

"It had a volatile reaction to the poison and burned the control."

"Right, and how were you trying to negate that?"

"By neutralizing the poison."

Sakura took a step toward the table, "But was the poison already inside the host?"

"No, it wasn't." It seemed as if a light-bulb shot up above his head, "And so I can circumvent that by creating a solution that prevents the absorption of the toxin."

Sakura smiled, "Feel free to contact me if you ever feel like you're in a rut."

"Thank you, Sakura-senpai."

She silently watched him as he flipped through his notebook on the side of the table, a pencil at the ready as he continued scribbling notes into his personal memory. Even Lady Chiyo had commented to her personally that Takumi was constantly devoting his free time to this department - enough so that it annoyed the hell out of her.

His work ethic showed promise, Sakura was sure. But his motive? She had no clue.

"Something wrong?" Takumi asked, noticing she had yet to make a move.

"You've been progressing very well." She praised, but noticed he still had a guarded expression. "You don't have to answer me, since I know fairly well everyone has their own personal reasons. But, I wonder, what is it that drives you to do all this?"

Takumi, keeping his expression neutral, closed his notebook before turning to her.

"Because a few months ago this poison put people's lives on a coin flip. There was almost nothing we could do, but put hope in a hospital that was unsure of itself." Takumi's resolve hardened, "I hated that feeling and I refuse to lose anyone again."

Sakura paused as she took in a breath, "I'm so sorry for your loss."

"You shouldn't be, you're the one helping us." Takumi replied, "We'll make sure those bastards pay for it."

The pinkette nodded in firm agreement, before taking initiative to see his notes. Her eyes scanned them fairly quickly, interested to see the diagrams and charts that he created off his observations. It was a good start and she contributed small details that could be added.

His resolve and motive - they were solidified without a doubt.

The hospital was finding its footing, creating a stronger foundation to take root above. Not that the hospital before was completely unusable, but it lacked a proper flow, so to speak. Every emergency was a true emergency - calling almost all the hands they had access to. But now, Sakura watched as residents took initiative in the ER. Attendings had time to discuss cases with one another, generally able to stick to their schedules with little interruption from below.

Sakura sat in her office, looking over the organizational chart. It was the same as the first one she received, with various highlights, post-its on the side, and even smaller notes that she had scribbled throughout her stay so far. There were things she had noticed with each attending - both useful and little information she picked up on: how many children they had, who had a crush on who, their favorite snacks in the vending machines; all these little details she heard overtime.

It was starting to feel more alive.

And while it was still taking time to really get a foothold, she was proud of the progress they were making in just a few months.

There was one major issue that kept plaguing her mind, one that she could not continue to push to the side without feeling the anger of those they had all lost. There was the looming danger that came with their unseen enemy, Orochimaru.

While Sakura was generally left out of these important meetings - she was sure that even in Konohagakure there was movement she was unaware of - there was a rather obvious elephant in the room regarding the poisons department.

She could verify now that all activity, whether for visitation or work, in that department was logged. The reception room in the front saw all the visitors while hospital staff had various ID's and checkpoints where they had to scan in to get through. There was no one that came in and out of the hospital unidentified - unless they had access to the hospital already or were granted access for that day.

Meaning, whoever had infiltrated the department and used Sasori's poison at that first initial attack, they were a citizen of Sunagakure.

She had no time to properly vet the hospital staff. Not to mention, it could have been someone planted on the inside, someone under the guise of Suna-nin who had an examination and then made their way through the hospital. Or, for all she knew, it could have been someone disguised who had already long left the village by now.

There were too many factors that she was unaware of, she only hoped that she could contribute some of that information to the Kazekage and he would be more capable of narrowing down the person.

But from the evidence she saw regarding the department, she could not rule out the possibility that they had a traitor in their midst.

Who that could have been - Sakura has absolutely no idea. There was the immediate hospital staff, those going through examinations, medical students - just thinking about it made her head hurt.

She perused the file containing the profiles of current hospital staff absent-mindedly. Sakura did so, not really with the intention of singling anyone out, but to really remind herself of people's names and assigned roles.

Looking over the hierarchy chart in her office, Sasori and Takumi's names were now scribbled underneath the poisons department. She remembered the last interaction she had with the redhead, it seemed the both of them wanted to say something more, but he was adorned fully in his ANBU attire.

"I have a mission." He greeted her as he walked into her office. Sakura was standing in front of a white-board, various charts and her own handwriting under certain graphs.

"I'll make sure to eat lunch, granny's boy." She shot back, an amused smile radiating toward him.

The look he threw back at her was one of his more impatient ones, she came to notice. "You will." His words came out like an order as he stepped closer to her.

She felt her pride rush to the forefront, teasing words coming out. "Oh? And if I don't?"

The pinkette saw a smirk quirk at the corner of his lips, Sasori asked back. "Do you really want to find out?"

She only hoped that he could not hear the heavy pounding of her heart - ready to burst out of her chest at any moment. What did not help at all was when Sasori, completely unabashed, slowly gazed at her up and down. Sasori only paused at her lips, but otherwise made sure to make his interest fully known as he stood less than an arm's length away from her.

Her panic increased exponentially when he raised a hand. She fought the urge to snap her head in its direction, instead sucking in a breath when Sasori gently pushed back some of her hair to place it behind her ear.

In a much more gentle tone, Sasori stated. "Stay safe, Sakura."

She was sure that she was reflecting back big doe-eyes to the puppet user, but the sudden rush of affection radiating off the man was almost too much. The moment was so intimate, it only brought back her own treacherous musing the day that she stayed in his apartment.

There was no question in her mind - Sakura wanted this and more.

Knowing Sasori was waiting for an answer back, but not at all confident in her voice, Sakura simply nodded.

Sasori smiled, this time, and added before departing. "We'll talk when we get back."

Sakura thought back to that interaction maybe a thousand times, strangely gleeful whenever it crossed her mind. That was only a few days ago and since then, she had been in and out of the hospital from scheduled surgeries. She had yet to really sit down and think about her feelings, but there was no doubt that something was there for the both of them.

Right now, her priority was the hospital. Her thoughts of crushes on redheads would have to take the backburner as she donned on her newly cleaned doctor's coat, heading downstairs toward the emergency ward.

There were surgeries, classes, and lots of other responsibilities she had to worry about for the time being. Not to mention the large number of assists she was scheduled for for the next few days alone. Shaking her head, as if to clear her mind of these restless musings, Sakura ventured through the building with one goal in mind: to improve the hospital.

xXxXxXxXxXx

With so much escalating so quickly, Sakura had unfortunately missed the first meeting regarding the hospital budget with the Sunagakure counsel. And while she was still fairly new to Suna when it happened, and would have been much less informed than she was now, Sakura still preferred to have seen how that would have gone for her own personal reference.

As she walked into the Kazekage tower, home to all of the village's politics, she noted the lack of bustle in the entrance way. The two receptionists greeted her before motioning her in the direction toward the meeting room. Daito had made his way here hours before her, stating that he had some paperwork he needed to sort out and get notarized before anything else.

Nearing the doorway, she noticed a familiar redhead stationed outside. Unlike when she had last seen him, Sasori was in his shinobi clothes, but not the usual ANBU attire.

"Welcome back." She smiled, meaning no ill will.

Sasori reflected back a light expression in response, "Unfortunately just for today."

The pout on her face was small, but enough to make the redhead amused. "You have another mission already?"

He nodded before adding that it was for the ANBU.

There was no avoiding his duties, but it made Sakura worry about his health. It was not as if the missions he were going on were easy either. Instead of voicing her growing concern, she stated. "Stay safe, Sasori."

"Don't go stealing my words."

"I'm being serious." Sakura added.

The redhead looked down the hall and saw no one was there. Sakura curiously watched the action and nearly froze when he took a step closer to her, "Patience, doll. I'll come back."

Her posture shot up instantly, aware of his new nickname for her. While calling each other nicknames was nothing new, they tended to be on the more biting end of the scale, words such as Pinocchio or bastard replacing his name in her mind.

But this… was undoubtedly more intimate.

The way she whispered out his name, breathless more than the inquisitive tone she desired, Sasori smiled and pushed back hair behind her ear. She followed the movement in her peripheral, watching as he did the same not too long ago.

And Sakura inwardly screamed that it was not lingering disappointment when he stepped away from her.

He inclined his head toward the doorway, "Get a move on it."

She smiled, and not one to be outdone, Sakura reached over to squeeze his hand. "See you soon."

Sasori smiled back before returning back to his earlier post, standing by the door and dutily as she entered the conference room.

Sakura had unfortunately missed the first council meeting regarding the budget, but she believed there was not much she could contribute with her limited time there when it occurred. Entering the room, most of the occupants were milling about, chatting with one another before the official start to the meeting.

The chief was sitting at the front of the room, only a few seats away from the Kazekage himself. Daito shot the pinkette a familiar look, one that she had seen him doing quite frequently these past few days. But now, looking at it so candidly given to her, she could finally place the emotion.

It was a wistful smile.

But it was gone as soon as she recognized, Daito returning his attention to the papers on the table in front of him. Sakura was unsure where to place herself, many of the highest ranking officials were assigned to this room. Did she hang around the door? Did she take one of these seats along the wall, by the corner?

Her worries were alleviated immediately when one of the council members waved her over, urging her to take the seat across from Daito. And while Sakura would have preferred to lay relatively low until she got a grasp of the others at the table, she conceded and took the seat near the front.

It started the same as always, even like how it was in Konoha. The secretary started with stating the minutes of the last meeting, the current agenda, and the list of things that were meant to be covered today. There were smaller things of interest, such as infrastructural changes and other domestic issues they wanted to discuss.

Sakusa listened intently, interested and yet no really. It was very similar to the meetings held back in Konohagakure, the ones that Lady Tsunade absolutely hated and the ones she got roped into when both her and Shizune slyly passed them on.

"I see that there's quite a bit of funds allocated to the emergency unit of the hospital." One councilman commented as the topic shifted to the hospital.

Even though the pinkette was aware of the correct answer to this, Sakusa turned to Daito to respond. He was the chief after all and she was not here to step on anyone's toes.

"With the increase in attacks, we had to increase the hours and pay of the staff designated to emergency. This ranges from the nurses to the doctors, to keep them happy and content despite the increasing political climate." He answered, to which Sakura nodded in agreement.

However, she was taken aback when the same councilman basically waved off the answer before turning to her. "And what do you think?"

"Um." She visibilly recoiled and turned back to Daito, who's eyes dropped down sadly to the table. Why had they cast this opinion to the side? Just trying to answer the question, Sakura started. "It's like Daito said. The hospital is built on the staff and it's just as important to keep them equally content to the rising situation."

"Do you believe there would be any retaliation on the staff's part if this wasn't done?" A different council member asked.

"Well-" Daito started, only to be cut off.

"Please, may I hear the opinion of the one who hasn't killed five of our own?"

Sakura could almost feel the blood in her veins freeze. The pinkette wanted to scream at them for their rudeness. Yes, they lost five. But they had no right being this way under the constant stress Daito was under. He was the head of an underdeveloped hospital and turning on him would do no good.

"Believe me, my hands are hardly any cleaner." Sakura started, more than ready to throw hands and defend him, before answering the question. "However, it's hardly from the fear of the staff quitting or rising a rebellion. These are the people you are entrusting your lives too, they deserve to be compensated thusly."

And while they accepted her answer and moved along, the sly comments toward the chief hardly stopped. It was downright rude, how these old council-members were so audacious enough to be mean to her superior. She wanted to bite back that they should get off their old fat asses, but the fact that she was here on loan kept ringing in the back of her mind.

By the time the meeting ended, Sakura could almost physically feel her blood pressure spiking. If this was Lady Tsunade or even Shizune, someone would have been punted through a wall. Or better yet, Lord Minato would have stopped it from going that far.

The pinkette raked two open palms through her hair, frustration evident to everyone around her, not that she really cared. She turned to Sasori at the door, but he was being beckoned away by the Kazekage, and so she figured it would be a while until she saw him again.

Instead, she rose and walked over the chief as he was parting.

"What was that all about?" She asked with little preamble.

He just shot Sakura a sad smile as he motioned to her, "While I may be your senior, in terms of overall experience and certain medical prowess, they would want to hear from you instead."

"That's not it." Sakura stated, "Why were they being so rude to you?"

Daito frowned, eyes dropping to the ground before going back up to her emerald eyes. "They called a diplomatic review of my position because of the Jounin we lost."

"What?" Sakura bit out, uncaring of her loudness. "That's not fair. No one would have seen it going that way."

Daito merely looked at her, eyes speaking volumes for what was left unsaid.

Sakura stood there, a million emotions going through her mind as Daito left the room. She wanted to yell at them for being so unreasonable. Another part of her was mad at herself for not saying more during the meeting, she should have defended her colleague more.

She knew better than anyone that Daito did his absolute best concerning the situation. Would they have been so trigger happy if she had been the one to lose the Jounin? None of this was fair, she wanted to fight the outcome best she could.

Her first stop would be the hospital, the jounin's file was still on her desk and she would prepare a thorough testimony to clear the chief's name. There were also the key witnesses of the nurses and attendings that day, surely they would be able to attest the same.

Sakura's head was in the clouds, unaware of the remaining council member who was waiting for her. Rasa cleared his throat loudly and the pinkette whirled around at the noise, before greeting the older man.

"I wanted to properly thank you for saving my sons."

"Oh?" Sakura asked lamely, unsure where this was going.

"Please, join me and my family for dinner at our estate tomorrow tonight."

A filing cabinet of a thousand different excuses opened up in her mind. In the span of seconds, a thousand little versions of Sakura were running around, looking for any reason to not have to attend. But somehow, there was nothing. This was the one night that she was free from any scheduled surgeries and from being on the on-call rotation.

Had Rasa cornered her on a night that he knew she could not say no?

And so instead Sakusa smiled and said she would love to.

He shot her a small smirk, before leaving just as quietly as he appeared. Sakura fought the urge to groan aloud at whatever was happening there. It was not like she could exactly stop him from actively pursuing her, she just had to play along piece by piece for now.

Sakura re-entered the hospital in her casual clothes, scrubs and doctor's coat waiting for her in her office. The receptionists waved at her as she passed while some of the nurses greeted her formally.

What the pinkette was not expecting was the unimpressed look of a nurse standing right in front of her, blocking the rest of her path.

Sakura stopped and lifted a curious brow at Sari in front of her, the nurse putting both her hands at her waist. Some of the interns watched on curiously, while the nurses station was suddenly filled with conspiratorial whispers.

"Consider this a declaration of war." Sari started, "Everyone here treats you like some kind of saint, but I don't buy it."

"Then why don't you study up and become a doctor." Sakura bit out.

"Not about that!" Sari snarled, "You want Sasori's heart? You have to pry him from my cold, dead hands."

"Kami help me, do you not have anything better to do with your time?" Sakura sighed aloud, "Are the boys of this village the only thing you aren't lazy about?"

Sari huffed and crossed her arms, "Am I wrong? Are you not interested in him?"

"Who I am interested in is none of your business." Sakura stated clearly, "But since you have the free time to be so nosy and spend it on matters that have nothing to do with you, then I'm sure you'll have no problem if I issued a review exam right now."

The pinkette turned to those still murmuring at the nurses' station and continued, "Would anyone else like to join Sari?"

They instantly scattered like mice and Sari floundered for a response. But whatever excuses she was saying, Sakura would have none of it. She had more than enough drama to last her entire trip here, it would do no good to give into any of them. Give them inches and before you know it, they'll be taking miles.

xXxXxXxXxXx

While Sakura would have preferred not to be invited to the councilman's home, there was nothing she could do or say to get out of it. A part of her waited on edge, beeper at her waist as if she was anticipating an emergency at the hospital at any moment.

Inside, the pinkette chose to bid her time going through her mail. Most of it was forwarded to her location via hawk, but there was an overly large package that made its way to the home that she was not anticipating.

None of the maids were present when Sakura brought it back to her room - leaving her questioning if it was truly for her. But seeing Shizune's familiar handwriting on the top, addressed only to Sakura with no note of who it was from, was just enough.

Sakura dug into it eagerly, a note further inside addressing the contents. And, while Sakura knew both women were not the type to engage in social calls, the pinkette was not surprised to see that it was additional notes from the Konohagakure hospital about the ongoing poison.

The pinkette thoroughly read the initial prose - eternally grateful for her friends back home. It was good to see that they were truly in this together. After all, Konoha had the staff and time to have people working around the clock against the poison. Sakura's priorities were everywhere and anywhere within the hospital - leaving minimal time to really sit-down and process her next step against Orochimaru's mass weapon.

Crumbled notes - obviously written quickly and ripped out of a notebook - detailed the included ingredients and their uses. And while Sakura did not see her mentor's name mentioned anywhere within the box, the pinkette could recognize Lady Tsunade's handiwork anywhere.

She felt her heart swell and then steady, getting out her own notebook to add the additional notes in her own personal words. Reading and re-reading took her mind off the inevitable danger waiting for her that night, but when a housemaid knocked on her door Sakura had no choice but to leave. Taking her dinner party gift with her, Sakura locked the door to her room behind her as she exited.

While taking up Rasa's invitation signaled all sorts of warning signs in her brain, there was something she wanted to talk about with Temari sometime during the night.

Sporting a casual red-dress, a floral-spring design with no sleeves adorned her body for the crisp evening. To think that in Konoha right now, it made Sakura laugh that her friends would be preparing for the cooling snowy winter.

Much like her temporary home, Rasa's estate was placed within the walls of the upper-class area. The atmosphere of his home alone, standing tall and with every window lit from top to bottom, it was hard not to be intimidated a hair behind her ear as she made the short walk to the other home, Sakura took a deep breath before knocking on their large door.

A few seconds of movement and a familiar face answered the door, "Hey, Sakura! Come on in."

"Thanks, Kankurō." She smiled, "I brought something for tonight."

"Aw, Sakura. You shouldn't have!" Kankurō replied, as he casually motioned for her to follow him. He guided her through the home, moving from the foyer area to the sitting room and finally to the dining room where the rest of the family were waiting.

Rasa sat at the head of the table, only standing in greeting when the pinkette entered the room. Gaara stood at the window, simply inclining his head as a hello. Temari immediately engulfed the pinkette in a welcome hug, before taking her hand to a seat at the right-side of their father.

"Thank you for welcoming me into your home." Sakura started toward Rasa, extending her gift to the older man.

He opened it to one of Konoha's priceless bottles of sake, compliments of the recent care-package she received. She had a few other bottles left in the box, but decided she may as well use one tonight.

Rasa thanked her for the dinner gift, commenting that it would pair well with the dessert they were going to have later. Gaara slowly took the seat across from Sakura as Temari took the one next to the pinkette. Kankurō sat beside the redhead with an amused smile on his face.

"No need to be so formal." Temari replied in a sassy tone.

"It is the least I can do." Rasa started, "Since it was only because of you, that we are even able to sit together now as a family."

Sakura fought back a blush, Rasa was so straight-forward in his words that it made her unsure what to even say. "You already know what I want to say: that I will never abandon-"

"Yeah, yeah. We've been there, heard that." Kankurō cut in. "Lets enjoy our dinner, shall we?"

The pinkette fought the urge to roll her eyes and instead shot him an amused smile, sitting back in her seat as a housemaid placed a salad on her table setting.

"Tell me, how is our hospital treating you?"

"Everyone's been very helpful." Sakura commended, "From Daito to even some of the medical students, you can feel their passion. And for this particular field, improvement comes with experience. And so we've been gradually strengthening the foundation, enough so that I'm certain some advanced surgeries won't really require my supervision. But, I'll be present nonetheless."

Rasa nodded at the end, "Glad to hear about it firsthand, but I must say what I hear from the grape-vine is rather… animated."

"Like the time she stabbed a student and the entire class basically begged her to do it again?" Kankurō asked with a sly expression.

"It was only one time." Sakura immediately defended, before adding in a small voice. "That day."

Gaara had a small smirk at the corner of his lip while Kankurō laughed, muttering the small amount of pity he felt for the medical students. "Just physical wounds though, right? Can't imagine that would work with poisons."

"That's against our moral code of conduct." Sakura stated.

"Right, but not like shanking or anything?"

The pinkette sighed, "For poisons we work in an entirely controlled environment, such as placing a plant on a scroll."

Kankurō casually waved it off, not unkindly. "But I could imagine the stabbing makes for a fun classroom environment."

Sakura gave a light chuckle, "That's true - I find it to be more interesting during hands-on sessions, but they also have their grades in the balance."

"Trial by fire, I assume?" Rasa asked, receiving a nod in affirmation from the pinkette.

"Wish I could've seen it." Temari muttered, nodding in thanks to the housemaid as she switched out their meals to the next course. "You've kind of been the center of attention these past few weeks."

"I could imagine why, a new foreigner given high-clearance at the hospital." Sakura's voice dropped slightly, "That fact paired with my last time here definitely raised some people's curiosity."

"And how has your stay in Suna been while outside the walls of the hospital?" Rasa asked, the neutral look on his face was a bit too suspicious in her eyes.

Trying to keep her answer relatively vague, "Very welcoming. Honestly, I was afraid of being away from home for so long. This is the longest solo mission I've ever taken. But, I'm glad to have so many friends here." Her eyes shot to Temari and the blonde smiled in response.

"So I've heard." Rasa replied, making the pinkette incline her head in question.

From Gaara to Sasori's mother, that phrase came was said to her from members of their clan so often that she may as well start collecting money for it - like the Kazekage clan version of a swear jar. What were they saying - she didn't even want to know anymore.

Rasa continued, "It is quite relieving to know that my family is in the good hands of a close friend."

"Yes, well." Sakura tried to keep up with her light tone, "Temari is always at the ready to make sure I'm eating lunch."

Temari smirked, causing all sorts of alarm bells in the pinkette's mind. "Well, I'm not the only one."

Sakura felt her smile tighten, they were not having this conversation with three other members of the Kazekage clan listening. "I'm just glad to have such attentive friends."

Temari gave a loud chuckle while Rasa simply looked at Sakura, "And engaging sparring partners, I presume?"

Sakura grimaced, "Right, who can forget that?"

"Water under the bridge - I'm sure given time, we will get used to such avid attacks."

"You can only imagine Konoha when this one and her mentor spar." Kankurō commented.

The otherwise silent member of their dinner party cut in here, Gaara starting by saying. "I look forward to sparring with you in the near future."

"As do I." Sakura shot him a smile, "I expect us both to give our all."

Gaara nodded in affirmation, saying nothing as the conversation came to a halt.

"And while I would've enjoyed having my nephew join us, some complications came up tonight." Rasa started.

"Oh?" Sakura asked, trying to dampen down her enthusiasm at Sasori's mention. "I hope he's alright. I know he just got back from a mission and he seemed fine yesterday morning."

Temari frowned, "Yeah, Sasori was sent out on another mission just this morning."

Sakura could not even imagine the physical and mental annoyance going through the redhead now, being forced away for days on end. And while it could not be helped, the pinkette inwardly wished there was something she could do to alleviate his situation.

"I appreciate the particular concern you have over my family." Rasa commented.

"Sasori's one of my close friends." Sakura answered, hoping it would end at that.

The look in Rasa's eye screamed otherwise, "I see."

"Best of friends, alright." Temari emphasized, making the pinkette withhold her desire to elbow the blonde right here at the dinner table.

"And how has that relationship come to be?" Rasa asked.

"We knew each other way back somehow - just encountering each other from my Chūnin exams and then missions in between. It's only really been as of late that we've grown closer." Sakura kept her answer short and sweet.

"I see." Rasa started to reason, "Your interesting friendship has surely only strengthened while you work in close proximity - seeing how you both frequent the poisons department at the hospital."

"Um, yeah."

Was that a question? Or was he just looking for confirmation?

Sakura bit her lip at the lame answer, but shifted her focus down to the food in front of her. She ate the pasta quickly, hoping that the food would offer the proper distraction for the family to change the topic.

Unfortunately, the conversation met another halt. Lulling as the occupants ate at their appetizer in silence. Temari looked as if she wanted to say something, but one look at her father and it seemed he was ready to start with his own words.

It remained that way until the main course, the five of them giving thanks before digging into a Sunagakure known delicacy.

"I'll be honest, I was one of the councilmen who vouched for your personal aid for our hospital." Rasa started, "I believe you proved yourself enough during your last visit."

Sakura could not help the blush at being so openly complimented, "Thank you and I'm thankful to be entrusted with such a vital mission."

"Of course, I have high hopes for you."

"I'll do all that I can to exceed them." Sakura smiled at the older man, trying to convey her thankfulness while keeping a humble head. The pinkette turned to her food when the man did not reply, thinking that that specific topic was done.

However, the other family members held their breath. The look on Rasa's face showed he was far from over on that topic. Rather, it seemed he was setting it up before he brought up his next point, whatever that may be. The small shift in the air was only obvious to the other members of the Kazekage clan. Temari unconsciously bit her lip while Kankurō was constantly shifting his eyes between his father, Sakura, and his food. Even Gaara had folded his arms across his front.

Had the pinkette played into some kind of trap?

"To see such a firm determination in a promising young woman like yourself." Rasa started, "I must admit, you would make a wonderful match for one of my sons."

Sakura nearly choked, coughing the food she was so gratefully chewing not a moment ago.

Kankurō had to fight the urge to burst out in laughter, knowing that some odd bomb was about to drop, compliments to their father. Temari was in a similar state, ready to squawk at, not only pinkette's reaction, but the statement that literally came out of nowhere from their dad.

"Excuse me?" The pinkette asked weakly.

The blonde subtly pushed the cup of water into Sakura's line of sight, to which the young woman took thankfully.

"I mean it exactly as it sounds. I know especially for my youngest son that his circle of friends is rather… tight. And yet you have comfortably introduced yourself in such a small amount of time." Rasa explained, "Not to mention that with our lifestyle and prominence within the village, there would always be some lurking danger. But you have proven yourself a strong, worthy suitor."

Sakura was so confused, so speechless, she shot a look at Gaara across from her to try to gauge his reaction at being specifically called out. His eyes were closed now, but there was no doubt that the dip in his eyebrows and obvious wrinkle of his forehead showed his annoyed response. While his arms still crossed against his front, Sakura was surprised that he had yet to actually say anything yet.

"While I apologize for being so forward, you must understand that I have to properly vet my son's prospects. As the next potential Kazekage, there are plenty of undesirable people who want to take advantage of the situation."

Sakura exhaled loudly, a bemused expression on her face. "I don't even know what to say to this."

"Is affection from one of my sons such a grand idea?" Rasa joked, and while Sakura was afraid to have offended the older man, the smirk on his face said otherwise.

Maybe one in particular…

"Don't say it never crossed your mind." Temari goaded, hiding her smile behind her upheld palm.

Sakura diverted her statement, hands waving as if a physical defense, "I'm sure such a thought hasn't crossed any of your sons' minds."

Kankurō laughed, next words definitely teasing. "Speak for yourself. You saved my life and have a smoking hot bod."

Rasa inwardly counseled him for his casual language, but otherwise nothing for the statement. Sakura let out an exasperated sigh at this turn of events, covering her face with her hands as she leaned her elbows against the table.

"But with the way this conversation is going, looks like your compatibility is being questioned for someone else." Kankurō added, his eyes sliding to his younger brother.

She opened her eyes slowly, dropping her hands back on her lap as she met Gaara's staring back at her. Sakura screamed inwardly for him to deny it - to say something or just anything against Rasa's ulterior motive.

But Gaara simply stared back, arms crossed and silent, before averting his eyes elsewhere in the room.

Sakura dropped her eyes down before taking a breath, trying to clear her thoughts and find a way to voice it all outright.

"I'm flattered at the prospect." Sakura started, "But I'm in no position right now to consider a significant other. I have the hospital and we all have this looming threat of war - everyone's priorities are elsewhere and I'm not looking for anything during this time."

But Rasa's amusement did not go away.

"I see." He said instead, before taking a sip from his glass. "Thank you for your candor - a mature answer indeed."

"Okay…"

Where was he going with this?

"But not a permanent one." Rasa added, "Let's enjoy our dinner for now."

His craft of words and finding implications was so… so strange. Sakura felt like she could never let her guard down, like Rasa was always searching for something in her actions. Ever the politician, his speech and language were so precise that it made it easy to catch holes in her own.

At least the conversation was moving on.

She was surprised to see that Rasa had dropped that earlier teasing for the rest of the evening. Conversation flowed between more talk about the hospital, certain mission details that the sand trio could share, and just overall small talk about their last few days.

"I heard that the smaller village on the outskirts is still seeking some sort of alliance with Suna." Rasa pointed out, his eyes on Gaara this time. Sakura remembered Sasori briefly mentioning it not that long ago.

The young redhead at the table affirmed his statement, before offering his own view. It surprised Sakura to hear him speak, but all the more so to share a neutral position to their current political climate.

Gaara was quiet and very observational, Sakura inwardly noted he was a stark contrast to the host to the nine-tailed fox.

And, ending on light conversation on world politics, the pinkette could say she actually had a lovely time. (Dans the grilling of her love life.)

It was interesting, to say the least, to see the dynamics of their family. The crafty Rasa, outspoken Temari, jokester Kankurō, and heavily reclusive Gaara - it was a unique dynamic that somehow worked.

"Thank you so much for having me." Sakura bid her farewell, standing and bowing to the older man at the table.

Rasa did the same before offering to shake her hand. She took it with a smile, doing the same with the other male occupants of the table. Sakura waved goodbye again, Temari moving out of her chair to walk the pinkette to the door

"I wouldn't think too much into tonight." Temari started, as the two walked side-by-side.

But the pinkette shot her an incredulous look, as if anything about tonight could really be considered normal. But with a family as crazy as the Kazekage clan - did she really expect anything less?

The blonde laughed back at her expression, opening the door as the pinkette followed suit.

Admittedly, Sakura had something on her mind these past few days. And while usually delegating her love life drama to Ino was her usual work-around, there was no way she could do that now. Besides, Temari was her friend, she could confide in her.

The pinkett's even had a plan earlier to speak to Temari about what was on her mind. But with Rasa being Rasa, Sakura was easily distracted away from the topic she wanted to bring up with the blonde.

Sakura took a step out of the mansion before turning back to the Temari and asking, "Do you mind walking me home?"

Temari, surprised but not fighting, nodded and yelled back into her estate to someone that she would be back soon. Thankfully, Temari did not push for details immediately, simply falling in step to her Konoha-based friend.

It was clear that Sakura was internally debating something, the grim line on her face showing how seriously she was mulling something over.

Sakura knew what the right answer was - Sasori was someone she respected, but also someone she was admittedly attracted to. But there was so much surrounding the two of them now. And while she would have eagerly wanted to clear the air, she feared either losing their hard-earned friendship or worse, getting too deep into something she was not sure of.

This was something Sakura had bottled up inside her - it would help to hear the words of a friend, even if they were the same as what she was already thinking.

Five minutes into a walk of pure silence, Sakura sighed and started. "What if… you guys were right?"

Temari, trying to ease the pinkett's serious tension, amusedly answered with a small grin. "You'll have to be more specific."

Sakura gave her own dry chuckle back, "What if you guys were right that I," She paused before inhaling deeply, "That I can't ignore the fact that something is going on between Sasori and I?"

This was the last thing the blonde was expecting. The redhead's name was barely ever mentioned throughout their dinner and for Sakura to bring it up now of all times, it had her wondering what had changed between now and the last time the pinkette had denied it.

"Do you have feelings for him?" The blonde asked.

"I don't know." Sakura frowned as she answered, "I honestly really like spending time with him. And there are times that we seem to get in our own little world - there are times I feel like we really know each other. And, I can't deny… the attraction that's there."

"But?"

"But there's always something." Sakura admitted, "Something is always just happening to hold either of us back."

"Sure, sure." Temari agreed, "You aren't exactly the most average set of people - Kazekage in training, international medic-nin, the threat of somelooming war in the distance. You have other priorities right now."

Sakura nodded, "Exactly. This may not be the best timing."

"And above all that, you're a Konoha-nin. That type of issue, the fact that you're only here temporarily, that's never going to go away."

The pinkette frowned, but silently agreed.

"I have a feeling that this looming issue is always going to be there. With how the two of you are, there is no simple answer to this." Temari voiced, "But I think the first thing you should do is clear up how you really feel."

Sakura nodded along.

"You two have a lot of things on the line - if you're hesitant about your feelings to begin with, maybe they'll just pass." Temari guestered a shrug, the both of them coming to a stop outside of Sakura's apartment. "But if you're serious about this - then there's no doubt that you can make it work."

Sakura heaved in another deep breath, the blonde was confirming her own earlier thoughts. And while it was nothing new to the endless amount of reasons going through the pinkette's mind, it was good to hear the opinion of a level-headed outsider.

"You're right. Thanks Temari - this was a really good talk."

"Thanks for confiding in me." Temari shot back, nudging the pinkette lightly with her shoulder. "And who knows, maybe we'll end up being related after all."

Sakura rolled her eyes, before enveloping her friend in a hug and walking inside the comfort of her apartment.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

The sleep she got that night was so surprisingly refreshing, that Sakura felt on top of the world that morning. Even after two emergency surgeries that first half of the shift - from two prolonged patients that were suddenly crashing - Sakura healed them within an hour each and was on her way to her regular routine.

This small, lighthearted feeling was simply squashed when the elusive redhead of the Kazekage clan walked into her office, forgoing the use of knocking entirely.

"Sakura."

"Gaara-san, is there something you need?"

"You said I could come to you if I needed anything."

Suddenly worried at the possibility of a medical emergency, Sakura stood up and looked up and down his person. "Did something happen?"

Gaara simply nodded, before motioning with his head outside her office. "Please, follow me. Daito has been alerted that the Kazekage requested your presence."

Only more worried now, the pinkette nodded slightly before forgoing her doctor's coat at her desk.

Had the Kazekage heard about the Suna-nin they lost? Did he want a formal report on her encounter? Was Daito in trouble? What could they possibly be calling her for? Sakura's mind whirled with a hundred different questions, but there was only one way to find out.

However, it was no question that the higher authorities within the Sunagakure council respected their international delegate. Only a few hours prior to her calling, the leaders of the village were debating who could be assigned this important task.

"We cannot send the puppet brigade alone." A councilman argued as he stood, other members sitting around a round table. "They barely came back alive the last time."

"Then we won't." Another countered, "We could send more members."

"That'll just make them easier to spot."

"Then what would you rather do? Knowingly send them unprepared?"

"It's not like we can keep throwing our best fighters at a problem and hope it will get resolved." He answered, "Besides, it seems our best fighter has been relegated to a desk job." His eyes slid over to where Gaara was sitting.

While maliciously said, it was true that the Kazekage was benching Sasori and Gaara in alternative ways. While they both still went on missions, it would be dangerous, not to mention tactically unsound, if he sent them both. He would be without his two inheritors if something were to happen - which definitely would considering that Gaara was one of the first few targets after all.

Sasori fought the urge to snap at the bickering councilmembers, instead crossing his arms in his seat next to the Kazekage. This emergency meeting was supposed to be a short one, called last night (or rather in the early morning) when information was given regarding Orochimaru.

The Third, much more composed, cut in. "Then we send with them someone who is prepared - a medic-nin."

"Right, since our very own Chief of Medicine showed himself so useful last time." One of them countered in a biting tone.

"You're ignoring the most capable person in that building." The Third responded, mind resolute on this specific solution. Both Gaara and Sasori understood immediately where their leader was going with this line of thinking - the latter uncrossing his arms and raising a brow in interest.

"Our biggest fear at the moment would be our best teams succumbing to the poison before ever returning to the village. We have someone, here and now, who can stop that from happening." The Third explained.

The disagreements came immediately.

"The Konoha-nin? She's the bandaid on the mess we call a hospital - her concerns should be focused there."

"Besides, what if she dies? We'll have an international issue at hand."

The Third reasoned, "We can get her to sign the proper paperwork. However, this is if she agrees to begin with. Regardless of the outcome, she is one of the best solutions going into this issue. Or, do you have any other ideas that we can employ?"

The silence after his question was near deafening.

The Third turned to Sasori, "You worked alongside her on multiple occasions, most recently in the Gaara rescue delegation. Do you think she can handle joining the mission?"

"Yes." There was no hesitation, but the heaviness in his voice was palpable. "She's reliable."

That was apparently enough to appease the other members, questions now jumping to the release forms and other legal counsel they would need to even request her help to begin with. The Konoha representative in the consulate would have to be called in before they made any moves.

And, if this did not work out, they would be back at square one - which just could not do. They had to act now.

Much to Sasori's dismay, the counsel was quick to act now that some kind of plan was in the works. To say that he was annoyed would be a severe understatement. She was the last person he wanted on this mission, one that he was sure he would be leading.

And, true to the Third's resolve, the pinkette was escorted by Gaara to his chambers. After four more hours of debate, an entire release form drafted between both the councilmembers and the Konoha delegate (along with multiple hawks sent to the village to store the backup copies), Sakura's name was officially added to the report.

The usual ANBU guards stood watch as she entered, but no one else was in the room. Gaara closed the door behind him and suddenly, Sakura was standing with only the highest leader in the entire village across from her.

She quickly bowed, stepping up to his desk as she did so.

"You requested my presence, Lord Kazekage?"

He simply nodded before reaching into his desk, a scroll in hand. "Haruno Sakura, Sunagakure humbly requests your presence on a mission involving reconnaissance on our mutual enemy, Orochimaru."

She took the scroll in surprise, this being the absolute last thing on her mind. "You want me, for a mission?"

He almost smiled at her humble, simple question, but withheld it. "That is correct."

"My expertise is not exactly stealth."

"However, if the situation were to escalate into a fight that encountered poisons, you are the most qualified person to neutralize the situation."

Realizing his intent, Sakura silently nodded as she read the contents of the scroll. There was movement nearby the border of Amegakure, with someone who was apparently close in the hierarchy to Orochimaru.

"There's no international problems if I accept?" Sakura asked, thinking back to her original citizenship contract with Konoha.

"Believe me, that has already been ironed out." The Third answered.

Sakura smiled, the tiredness in his voice easily conveyed to her after having heard it multiple times from Lady Tsunade and her own Hokage.

"Then I accept."

"Great. Please make arrangements within the hospital this morning and convene to depart this evening." The Third did not waste a second, "You may enter now."

The door opened behind her silently, Sasori adorned with his full ANBU regalia. And while she was used to seeing him in his casual attire, this was something entirely else. His mask was pushed to the side of his face. Otherwise, he was in full uniform, only his striking hair a distinguishing factor.

He threw something at her with one-hand as he walked, only coming to a stop at the Kazekage's desk. Sakura looked down at the object, a temporary ANBU mask.

"You'll need this. The rest of the uniform has been sent to your apartment, so get ready and you'll meet the team later at the Southern gates." Sasori informed her.

Sakura nodded, taking the mask and putting it in her pack. The Kazekage thanked her for her service, before waving them both away.

"I didn't even know you were back in the village." Sakura started, but the redhead did not pause in his walk.

"With Gaara behind a desk, I don't have much of a choice." Sasori grimaced.

"Back to back missions Sasori, I doubt you went to the hospital for any check ups either."

"It's not like I have a lot of time." He bit back, strangely meaner than usual.

It was not her fault he was being an ass - everything was just getting on his nerves as of late. These hour-long meetings, endless amounts of missions, it was taking a toll on his already rude bedside manner. Not to mention, his attraction to his pink-haired friend had so many difficulties and it was not like they were even dating.

He remembered his last interaction with Sakura thoroughly - must have imagined it in his mind at least a dozen times these last few days that they were apart. She had a habit of unconsciously biting her lip when she was nervous. It was strange, she could tackle cases and save people from their deathbed with the most levelhead he had ever seen within the hospital walls.

And yet, just a light brush of his hand and she was breathless before him.

It made Sasori want to learn more - to explore her as much as he could and to have her want him the way he desired her.

Meanwhile, another part of him just wanted to push her away, like all the other women in his life - make her not want to even be near him.

She was leaving for Konoha, sooner or later. Would he ask her to stay? Would she even think about it? How much would it hurt to watch her walk away?

But instead, Sakura grabbed at his wrist to hold him in place, "Can I at least take a look at you?"

Sasori fought the urge to rip his arm out of her grasp, a piece of his gut swelling when her wide emerald eyes continued to stare right into his own.

"Please, come on. You nag me all the time, I have a right to care about you too." She continued.

Sasori smirked, his previous inner-resistance crumbling, "Oh? So you are listening when I tell you to watch your health."

"I'm a doctor." She stuck her tongue out at him, only tightening her grip on his hand.

"Thank you for worrying, Sakura." Sasori stated with a fond expression on his visage.

Their banter was so easy to fall into, so easy to be comfortable in. Would he ever feel this way with someone else?

But with Sakura here in front of him now, why question all these what-if's?

Sasori sighed, the pinkette did not even have to try that hard to chip away at his walls. But at this point, it was not like he was trying that hard to fight her anyway.

And seeing the pinkette, usually so headstrong and stubborn, blushing at his simple actions, Sasori treasured their here and now.

And for Sakura… While it was not the first time for her to hear her real name on his lips, especially since it was used so intimately not that long ago, it still made Sakura jump to attention at his words.

He seemed to have noticed, since he only continued to grin fondly at her, causing Sakura to huff and bite her lip again. Sasori's eyes shot to the action, not at all attempting to hide his reaction, before he raised a hand to ruffle her hair.

Sakura pushed the offending hand away, slightly embarrassed to be treated like a child. They were still joined by their other hands, somewhere along the lines Sasori encasing it in his own.

Sasori conceded, leaning his forehead against her. "I'll meet you in your office in an hour - don't be late."