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Sand and Leaf	By : Polymer Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 1677 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Masashi Kishimoto created Naruto Shippuden, I didn’t. The anime and manga is licensed and owned by Shonen Jump. I make no money for the writing of this fanfiction story.

Chapter List
- 1-Sand and Leaf
- 2-A Willing Puppet on Strings
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- 2
Sakura could say she hated sand sometimes and loved it at others. Hated it when it got between her toes at the beach, but loved laying on it for a nice tan when they had helped the prince of the crescent moon kingdom.

Between times when she could not always see the man she wished she loved, she hated sand because it kept them apart. However, she loved the look of it when she could travel the three days and see it under her sandals. That blasted hourglass seemed to move too slowly and took too long to flip over if each turn was a day.

Ever since Tsunade had announced Naruto as her successor, and a wedding was impending between some of her friends, she had been caught up in the mess of other people’s relationships and neglected her own. She needed to help Suna with its medical ninja program sometimes, so the request for time at Suna was granted easily. That and the ninja reluctantly running next to her deeming all sand and sun ‘troublesome’ made it more than a chore to travel.

“Troublesome sand,” Shikamaru grumbled, running alongside her as they moved quickly across the desert.

“Don’t start with me. I don’t like full sand as much as the next person but you have to deal with it as much as I do,” she turned to gripe at him.

“But it’s quite obvious why we’re both going at the SAME time,” Shikamaru complained, rolling his eyes.

The pinkette tossed her head dismissively. “Of course. The Nara family is the best in preparing medicine, and I’m a top med nin from Konoha. Plain and simple.”

Shikamaru merely smirked. “Uh huh.”

Fortunately, the shadow ninja saw the wires before she did, and managed to yell at her to jump clear before they triggered the trap. Sakura almost tasted a mouthful of sand, rolling out of the way of the explosive wave. Shikamaru cursed and spat out some as he landed behind the dunes.

Brigands. The lowest form of low, Sakura thought, despite who may object to that. Both leaf ninja rolled to their feet in defensive positions. Rather Shikamaru was hidden and Sakura was standing making sure her shadow was behind her.

The man ordered, “Give us your money or your women.”

“Oh you’re not going to start with me, pal,’ Sakura growled, her body glowing green.

“Your loss bitch,” the lead brigand snickered. Arrows shot towards her. Sakura easily dodged each one, and then slammed her fist down into the sand in the midst of them.

“Cherry blossom CLASH!” she shouted. In the dessert, the sand absorbed some of the impact and generated a wave.

Her shadow stretched out from where she landed. It extended to envelope each of the men on their horses and some of the women too. From behind the dune, Shikamaru mumbled, “Shadow possession complete.”

Sakura then pulled out a few kunai, throwing them as she flipped and jumped from man to man. Unfortunately, the nearby dart that shot out and scraped her cheek was something she could barely avoid.

“Damn,” she cursed, feeling the bite of poison.

“Looking for this?” asked a female brigand, holding her medical pouch.

The pinkette gritted her teeth. “This isn’t enough to stop me.”

“Don’t count on help from your friend behind the dune either,” said another of the female brigands. Shikamaru felt the knife sliding under his throat. However, if his estimation were right, they would not have to put up with this for long.

“Are you sure you want to do that?” Shikamaru asked lazily. “It could be troublesome.”

“Shut up, Nara,” mumbled the brigand. “Remove the shadow possession from my men.”

“If you insist,” Shikamaru muttered. Sakura tensed, panting deeply.

“You and me. Since you wanted to start crap, I suggest you either fight me or surrender. If you don’t’ want your comrade to eat the same thing you did,” said the leader.

“I don’t have time for you, but fine,” Sakura panted. Five minutes and the poison would spread. Any unnecessary movements and then it would be over.

The shots of kunai zinging past her were enough to tax the best medical ninja. Dodging them and staying just out of range was possible, and blocking others was hardly a challenge the first two minutes. Nevertheless, even Sakura was starting to tire. She knew that Shikamaru was acting cool, but even he had better have a plan in reserve.

Sakura’s leg felt numb. Every movement was a nightmare. However, she had to keep going long enough for Shikamaru to put his plan into work. She could see the movements of his hands behind his back, very subtle but present.

“Give it up, Haruno. Yes… don’t be so surprised. I know who your clan is from your insignia. Always haughty and stupid,” the brigand leader laughed, swinging their katana at her. “You’ve only got another minute before you can’t see clearly.”

“Shut up,” Sakura hissed, though the double vision was telling her she was close to deaths’ door.

Somehow, her arm managed to move and hurl the kunai. Her legs moved as if they were possessed and she smoothly dodged the next volley of arrows. Relief filled her because she knew they were not alone. A whirlwind seemed to slam into the bulk of the brigands the next minute, and avoided Shikamaru.

“Shadow stitching jutsu,” Shikamaru got out, throwing one of the trench knives towards the brigand sneaking up behind Sakura. Once tagged, the shadow spread out to entrap the others.

“Black spider lily…” muttered Shikamaru, holding down all of the brigands though he was starting to sweat.

From behind Sakura, two other deadly gimmicks seemed to move on their own. Dozens upon dozens of sharp needles zinged and met their targets. The explosive tags Shikamaru had planted hit any of the rest.

“You always need me to bail your butt out, crybaby,” said a familiar voice over the Nara’s shoulder.

“Took you a troublesome amount of time didn’t it?” Shikamaru said without turning around.

Sakura was seeing double by the time she leaned heavily into the arms of the master puppeteer who pulled her out of the way of the explosion. She clung to Kankuro, her breathing shallow and fast. Maneuvering one of his puppets with one hand, he snared the medical kit and grabbed it.

Sakura could not talk. Her lips moved but she felt stiff as a board. Shikamaru got up as Temari bound the survivors in a jutsu and grabbed the kit, fetching the proper antidote.

“Hemlock poison, and curare. Very nasty,” Kankuro muttered before Shikamaru could see the effects himself.

“I’m not going to ask how you know,” Shikamaru muttered, finding the right ingredients from Sakura’s medical pack to put together an antitoxin he could inject.

Both seemed shell-shocked to a certain degree. Temari could tell from the haunted look in Shikamaru’s eyes that it was not just a diplomatic mission that brought both intelligent leaf ninja to their village. Carefully Kankuro picked up Sakura and held her bridal style as he waited for his sister and Shikamaru to follow.

He looked pissed.

**

“Sakura, wake up you troublesome girl,” grumbled Shikamaru’s voice. From the sluggishness in her body and the aching in her guts Sakura knew exactly what hit her.

“I can’t believe it,” she muttered.

“Don’t move so quickly,” Shikamaru scolded. She could tell he had been worried sick.

“I’d listen to him if I were you,” mumbled another voice, the same one that had reached out the chakra strings and helped her to dance against death.

Someone was holding her hand in his. That painted face was still blurry but she could tell the concern in his voice. Yes, she had dated him, but she had also dated Lee after finding out about her short list of prospects being cut off.

“Shikamaru… Kankuro…” she mumbled out. “How stupid could I be…? I should be the one treating… you.”

“Well you aren’t, so you need to stay still and let the antitoxin work,” grumbled Kankuro. “And if it hurts and my hand breaks, you give it a good squeeze.”

She could tell he knew exactly what she was going through; because not long ago she had pulled the poison out of his body. Shikamaru was feverishly working, his hands glowing green as he struggled to do a similar procedure, assisted by the other medical ninjas. She sipped the bitter antitoxin and made a face, feeling someone bracing her up from behind. Kankuro again.
Once things were stable, Shikamaru shoved hands in his pockets and excused himself to go out into a waiting area. He sat down, rubbing his forehead with his hands only to hear someone near him calling his name.

“Enough with the crybaby already, it’s troublesome and annoying,” Shikamaru got out.

“Says the guy who saved a life and walks away like it was nothing. Didn’t you learn not to stuff your feelings down the last time?” Temari asked. Shikamaru glared at her but accepted the mug of tea.

“I’m tired Temari. Just tired,” he mumbled.

“You look tired,” said Temari sitting next to him.

“I can’t be in another relationship so soon,” he found himself mumbling before he laid his head on her shoulder.

“I know about you and Naruto, and I’m sorry,” she got out.

“I knew it was always Sasuke who was first in his heart, but I’d hoped… damn love is troublesome,” Shikamaru got out, closing his eyes.

“Who says that it’s a relationship I want. I am a friend, and a shoulder to cry on. No strings,” Temari scolded him. Shikamaru yawned a bit, and accepted the fact that Temari was pulling his head and shoulders to pillow on her lap.

**

Sakura hated being a patient. Even though she knew that it was necessary she was going nuts. The fire in her gut had gone down and she felt sluggish. Every part of her body hurt. However, the cool cloth on her forehead felt wonderful, as did the hand pushing the hair out of her face.
The pink haired kunoichi kept her eyes closed for the time being. “Kankuro, you’re still here?”

“You bet,” he answered.

“You don’t have to. I’m sure you have something else to…”

He snorted. “Knock it off babe; I’m here because I want to, so get that out of your head.”

“Babe? I don’t like being called babe,” Sakura grumbled but there was no bite to her voice.

Sharply he shot back, “And I hated laying there where you are now.”

Sakura struggled to get up but his hands on her shoulders held her down. She could not muster enough chakra to throw him off because of the poison’s aftereffects. Instead, she opened her eyes and tried the same green-eyed stare she gave Naruto when he pissed her off.

“Uh uh. Unless you want to face Temari, I suggest you lay down.” Therefore, she lay there, frowning and thinking murderous thoughts at the person whose painted face looked into hers. She had seen him without the crap and he was quite handsome.

“Lady Tsunade is going to be pissed I was caught off guard so easily,” she complained. Next to her bed, Kankuro grasped her hand lightly in his and she felt all of his skin. He must have taken off the gloves and hood so she could at least see his hair.

“We all do stupid things, babe. Take it from one who knows. And your mistress may be pissed but just think how angry Baki sensei was at me for running after Gaara that time you had to pull the poison out of my body?” he asked.

“You’re just returning the favor,” Sakura murmured, giving him a small smile, though she did appreciate him holding her hand.

“It didn’t work out with Lee did it?” he asked.

“Why did you have to bring that up,” Sakura grumbled, glaring up at him.

“Just interested, that’s all,” said Kankuro. “And it’s a valid question isn’t it?”

“I don’t have feelings for him like that,” she mumbled. “Though I wish I did. He’s in love with Tenten.”

“His loss, my luck,” Kankuro smirked, his makeup moving like a second skin with his face. Sakura gave him a tentative look.

“You’re self confident today aren’t you?” she managed to quip, though the hand brushing over her cheek was cool and nice.

“Since I’m not able to punch you across the room if you make me angry you’re making a move on me?” she grumbled.

Softly enough to puff her hair without moving closer he said, “Shinobi take advantage of the moment. And I don’t want anything more then you’re ready to take.”

Sakura rolled her eyes. “If you’re going to kiss me, go ahead and get it over with. I owe you that much for saving me.”

“Who says I want to kiss you because of that? Maybe I want to because I actually LIKE you?” Kankuro snapped at her, giving her a hard stare of his own.

Sakura sighed and closed her eyes. “Kankuro please.”

His loud voice filled the silence, ranting, “I’m not going to kiss you because I’m trying to pay you back, Sakura. I thought I meant more to you then that!”

“Kankuro, just shut up and KISS me then if you’re going to!” Sakura managed to shout up at him.

Leaning over the bed the puppet ninja then caressed her cheek and angled it up to meet the mouth looming over her. Sakura closed her eyes and anticipated the kiss he was going to give her. She tasted the greasepaint but also his warm soft breath as his lips met hers. To her sorrow, she could not even lift her arm to wrap around his neck.

She could however open her mouth and invite him to join her. Kankuro’s tongue darted inside and started to dance with hers. Needy, hungry and willing to give. His low moan was encouraging so Sakura melted into the kiss that deepened enough that she felt the tingling from head to toe. Her fingers twitched and she let out a sob into the kiss.

He broke away and muttered, “Don’t cry Sakura.”

“I can’t even move my hands or arms,” she sniffled.

“But I can,” Kankuro offered gently, wriggling his fingers so a chakra string moved to manipulate her arm and position it around his neck. He did the same with her other arm and she was able to lean into him, feeling her tears spilling down her cheeks.

Sakura kissed him, managing to move her mouth enough for him to realize she wanted it and meet their lips. He had pushed the railing down so he could sit on the edge of the bed and wrap his arms around her while still controlling her arms with his fingers. He only needed one hand to manipulate her limbs enough so she could run her hands through his hair and feel the softness. Ironic that she normally had enough strength to punch and split rocks but now she was weaker than a newborn baby was.

Breaking the kiss with Kankuro she groaned, “Mmmm.”

Eyes framed by purple paint he blinked at her half lidded, inhaling deeply. “You like that?”

“You’d better put your mouth back where it was while you still can,” Sakura panted as the fire ran through her deeply like the hot sun baking Suna.
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Sand and Leaf