Title: Transformation

By: DarkSeductress/darkemptyheart

Fandom: Naruto

Pairing: onesided Kankuro+Sakura

Summary: Kankuro ponders the changes in Sakura's person as she saves his life. He wonders if Naruto and Sasuke will ever appreciate the woman, she has become.

Spoilers: For Manga volumes 28 and 29

Sakura Haruno saved Kankuro of the Sand's life. It was something he never thought would have been possible. He remembered her from the Chuunin exams. The pink-haired little girl, who was having a stupid, overly-emotional feud with her former best-friend. Calling the match melodramatic, would have been an understatement. She did show some strength though, when she knocked the blonde out of her body, that Kankuro could admit took a lot of fighting spirit.

So he knew there was substance in her, a tough core so to say. He just never thought she would ever be the one to save his life. It shocked him when he saw her pinched face over him, her hands over his body. Such concentration and seriousness there. A medical-nin...he would have never guessed; the apprentice of the legendary Tsunade...that was kind of unbelievable, but true.

The manner in which she took over the situation, commanding the Sand shinobi was admirable. The shinobi of Sand could be intimidating and stubborn, but for them to listen to her and follow her lead, said a lot for her demeanor and character. Sakura Haruno had grown so much, but she was the friend of Naruto Uzumaki after all, and that damn kid inspired everyone to better their person and reach for something more. If Uzumaki could change his brother's life upon knowing Gaara for such a short time, surely he could have a dramatic effect on someone, who was his teammate.

So this transformation in her shouldn't be such of a surprise. Her name, Kankuro thought, fit her well: a flower, that had blossomed gracefully. She had smiled as she helped him sit up to drink the antidote. She told him to rest, but Kankuro knew rest was a long way off with his brother possibly dead and her hands on his back.

If anyone could bring his brother back, it was Naruto and her. They could do it. He asked Naruto to bring his brother back, but he saw her eyes: she was not to be counted out. Her eyes told him, she was not a child to hide behind her teammate any longer. Her eyes gave him the same promise that Naruto stated aloud. She would give her life to bring Gaara back.

Kankuro wondered as he watched her leave room: did Naruto know what he had in front of him? Would Uchiha Sasuke ever be able to appreciate what he carelessly left behind? Would the pounding in Kankuro's chest ever stop...

Author's Note: This fic was written as an experiment. I never see any good heterosexual fics containing Kankuro and I wondered what female would the be the most logcial for my writing style and which female I could most see him involved with. So I picked Sakura, she saved his life in the second-part of the manga and you have to think her being there and the changes in her would be a shock to everyone around. So this isn't really a romantic fic per say, but more of a door-opener if I ever want to have a core for the pairing. I might write a companion or sequel (don't quote me on it).