It was getting very late and Sakura hadn't caught sight of Gaara since the little 'incident' during the black out but that was the least of her worries.

*FLASHBACK*

Come on Sakura! It'll be like a huge sleepover!

wouldn't that be great!" Tsunade cheered patting Sakura's back "I definitely like the sound of that" Kiba boasted giving Sakura a wink.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

"I don't know if I like the feeling of staying overnight here" she mumbled while strolling the halls

"Oh don't be so glum Sakura!" Tenten said with a bright smile

"Yeah it'll be fine" Hinata coming out from behind Tenten in her sneaky little way.

"Why don't the three of us and Tsunade share a room" Tenten grinned

"That'll be so much fun!" She jumped in excitement

"But Tenten" Hinata slowly poked at Tenten's arm to stall her enjoyment "They are six beds in each room, we need to share"

she slowly stepped back in case of fire from Tenten "Oh shoot! I forgot about that" Tenten slowly scratched her chin.

"I hear talks about sleeping arrangements! I'm so in!" Naruto announced with a big goofy grin

"Only if you behave Naruto" Sakura quickly stated knowing that the way of dealing with Naruto is sternness

"Of course Sakura! I'll be the protector and protect you from weirdos like Kiba" Naruto chuckled acting proud of himself only to get a punch to the head from Kiba himself

"What do you take me for idiot, it's more like I'll be protecting them from you" Kiba shouted back like a dog barking back.

"To be honest, I don't trust either of you" Sakura spouted within the group only to receive puppy dog eyes filled with tears from the two men

"Please don't say that" sobbed Naruto

"I mean no harm" Kiba said defeated.

As the two guys started to sulk shuffling their feet on the ground, Tsunade walked up to the group surprised to see them all still up

"What are you guys doing standing around in the hallway? You guys should be going off to sleep, it's pretty late" She exclaimed looking around at the group

"Oh!'We' as in the girls anyway, were looking for you to ask if you wanted to share a room with us and then those two decided to invite themselves" Tenten explained

"Oh how sweet of you! I've kept a room aside anyway so yeah lets share" Tsunade smiled giving Tenten the key to the room

"Oh! Of course you would have the room closest to Gaara so you can keep an eye on him" Tenten said reading the number on the tag with the key

"Yeah I still have to be somewhat responsible to my duties" Tsunade chuckled and turned to Sakura

"I know I told you to stay away from Gaara but this is a different situation, it can't be helped. I know he's prone to escaping his room so I think we should all be careful

not to make him fully aware she is in this room. We don't want any sudden visits" Tsunade announced

"Yeah I've heard he's been possessive of you, well it was obvious really especially at lunch times" Tenten said in concern

"What is this!? Is Sakura in danger!?" Naruto shouted in shock

"No no no! Naruto! That's not the way it is guys! He just feels more comfortable talking to me, I mean he's never had a doctor around his age who is willing to deal

with him. Maybe that's it" She said in defence.

"It's very possible Sakura" Tsunade smiled encouragingly to Sakura

"Either way, this is just a test for his benefit alone. No one is in danger, I just want to try and not tamper with my little experiment, that's all" Tsunade huffed

"now let us all now get some good nights rest!" She cheered nudging everyone to the location of the quarters.

Each person took turns with getting changed in the bathrooms, or should I say the girls anyway. Both Naruto and Kiba were in their boxers in an instant and already

arguing amongst each other before the first girl came out changed.

"Man it's a good thing this place supplied night clothes, even though they're not exactly appealing" Tenten pouted pulling and the sleepwear in distaste

"No need to complain Tenten, who are you hoping to please eh?" Tsunade winked to the young girl causing her whole face to turn a lovely red tone

"Never mind! Lets just hurry up and go to sleep" Tenten stormed to a random bed and chucked herself inside cocooning herself away.

Everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter 'this seems to be more then than I originally thought' Sakura thought with a little smile.

"Finally smile" Hinata quietly said to Sakura

"You haven't genuinely smiled at all since this morning, has something happened?" She asked taking hold of Sakura's hand.

"Everything is fine Hinata" Sakura smiled "I'm just not used to things like this so I guess I was a little nervous" she laughed scratching her hair

"Umm Sakura..." Hinata glanced at Sakura with curiosity "What is that mark on your neck?" She said poking at Sakura's neck.

"Mark? What mark?" Sakura said in confusion before pacing to the bathroom to look in the mirror.

That's when she saw it, dark red, bit of blue and black bruising but it's obvious what it is up close, a Hickey.

"What the hell!?" Sakura blurted out "How?.." She began before remembering. That's right, after lunch in the dark. Gaara said he was going to 'Mark her' and this was it!

"Shit" She mumbled "and Hinata saw it as well"

"What's up in there Sakura?" Naruto called out "Got a Hickey or something!?" She heard him laughing and then bringing the rest into laughter.

Going bright red she didn't know what to do, she had no make-up to cover it to hand and they're all waiting for her response.

"It's a bruise" She finally said "it actually looks like a Hickey though" she added with a laugh 'hopefully that'll be a good enough bluff' she bit her lip before entering

the main room.

"Lemme see!" Tenten jumped towards her "I know a Hickey when I see one" she winked while wiggling her fingers towards her as if to give her the scare.

"I'm fine!" Sakura laughed "and who exactly would I be around to give me that?" She said still chuckling.

"Oh I don't know... Maybe Gaara?" Kiba accused giving her the look down with his arms crossed

"You seem to have something against Gaara, huh Kiba?" Tenten accused back "are you jealous of a patient Kiba" She laughed turning to Sakura to carry on her inspection

only to confirm herself, that it certainly is a Hickey "we can chat about this later, between you and me" she whispered to Sakura.

Giving her a thankful look she managed to whisper a 'thank you' back before Tenten spins herself to the others "Yep! It's a bruise, nothing special. Now why don't we

sleep now? It's pretty darn late" She smiled pushing everyone towards the beds.

"Sounds good" Tsunade yawned falling into the closest bed to her and that was it, she was out before anyone managed to get into their own beds.

"I wish I could sleep that easily" Naruto whispered inspecting if Tsunade was 'really' asleep or pulling his leg

With a giant snore from Tsunade which scared Naruto shitless which caused everyone to laugh as they all joined Tsunade in curling into their beds ready for sweet, sweet slumber.