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Shogi Anyone?	By : Shortcake Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 13931 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything Naruto related. I make no profit from this story.

Chapter List
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As the meal came to an end, Kankuro stood, turned to Sakura and offered her his arm, “Would you care to take a walk through the gardens?”
“Yes, thank you.” Her calm words belied her chaotic state as she took his arm casually ambling along in the cool evening. The gardens were certainly lovely and fragrant at this time of day. Anyone at a distance might think them an amorous pair, but the quiet conversation between them was tense. “Please tell me what you know about his headaches; Gaara is not the most cooperative patient.”
“Tell me something I don’t know. Like, what are your intentions with my brother? Is this just a side mission for you?” He was on the verge of real hostility.
Sakura was not amused. “Ok, let’s get a few things straight. First, take that tone again with me, mister, and I will kick your ass into next week. Second, my relationship with Gaara is a private matter. If you want details, you should ask him. Third, and most important, I’m concerned about these headaches he’s having. What can you tell me, so I can take care of him properly?”
Kankuro sighed. She was as feisty as Temari and as quick witted as Gaara. No wonder Gaara liked her. “Very well. The headaches began shortly after the Shukaku incident with the Akatsuki. I think they are getting worse though – more frequent and more painful. He hides them as much as he can, but a handful of us know. The council does not, however, so keep it to yourself. I know you’re having sex with him. You’ve only been in Suna a couple of weeks, but the night after you two sparred (well done, by the way. You really gave him a challenge.)” he elbowed her slightly then and Sakura couldn’t help but grin. “Anyway, that night I saw you together on his balcony having tea. And last night you did not sleep in your own bed. So…” Now Sakura was blushing. “He may consider his private life to be private, but I have to deal with the politics, plus he’s my brother. Now I’ll ask you again and I do expect clear answers miss, what are your intentions and is this an assignment?” He turned looking directly in her eyes.
Sakura looked into his serious face as she contemplated both his words and Gaara’s instructions. “This is not an assignment. I didn’t plan to fall in love with Gaara, it just happened.” Sakura gasped and held her hand over her mouth as she realized her admission. “I mean… I just… well… all of this is happening really fast.” Kami! Had she really said that out loud? Kankuro’s compliment had utterly disarmed her. He was cleverer than he looked. As her head swam with her own words, she knew she’d spoken true. She was in love with Gaara of the Sand. What a mess! She’d told his brother first. Of all things. Gaara was bound to be mad if he found out. This was not going well.
Kankuro dissected her words and body language carefully. “I see… Has Gaara educated you about the… political complexities that come with dating him?”
Sakura nodded as they resumed their walk. “He’s explained the basics to me, but I confess it is strange and foreign to me. I’ve tried to be discreet, but you figured it out. I’ve no idea who else may know then.”
Kankuro spoke plainly, “Sakura, Gaara is my brother. I love him and would give my life for him. It’s my duty to protect him. If I find out anything you’ve told me is a lie, I will kill you. If you break his heart, I will kill you. Is that clear?”
Sakura laughed. “Crystal clear, Kankuro.” He raised an eyebrow at her reaction. “since I know my own heart, I feel quite safe. Is there anything else?”
“As a matter of fact, there is. For political reasons, this relationship needs to stay secret for some time. So, I will be your decoy. You’ll go to the dance with me and so forth. If prying eyes think we are courting, it will buy me some time to lay the ground work for you two. Now, let’s go see Gaara so you can heal his aching head.”
…
They went by the kitchen to pick up tea. Jiro simply shook his head at the sight of both of them and added a third tea cup to the tray. Kankuro raised an eyebrow at the soft old chef. “Kankuro, I know nothing. No one ever tells Jiro anything. Always the last to know, I am.” He shooed them away and returned to some dough he was kneading on the counter. Sakura wondered when the man actually slept.
She knocked on his door lightly, “Gaara?”
His reply was quick, “Come in, my dear. I could use your help.”
Sakura opened the door and Kankuro walked in with the tea tray. “You really should scan the chakra signatures before you call her ‘my dear’ my dear brother.”
“Shit.” Gaara was busted and he knew it. He prepared himself for the coming barrage from Kankuro, only to be surprised by his words.
“Congratulations little brother. She’s an amazing woman. Of course, I will do what I can to help keep this quiet until it’s politically expedient to reveal.”
Gaara sighed with relief. At least his girlfriend was good enough to warrant some praise from Kankuro. Of course, she was the reason the puppeteer was still breathing. That had to help.
Sakura was at Gaara’s side, her chakra laden fingers examining his head as the brothers spoke. She pushed a bit of chakra into his skull to rebalance him, the pain relief evident on his face as he smiled slightly.
“Thank you, Sakura. That’s so much better.” He took the hand that had just healed him into his own and kissed it softly.
Sakura was an emotional disaster, still she managed to only sigh a bit as she tried to keep her medical hat on a moment longer. “You need to have a thorough physical, so we can find and fix the underlying cause Lord Kazekage.” Her familiar tone with the formal words added a twist of irony noted by both men.
Kankuro took the hint. “I’ll make sure Shishio sets something up with the hospital staff.”
Gaara practically growled with resignation. “Fine. I can’t argue with both of you at once.” He crossed his arms across his chest; his dissatisfaction with being forced into a medical appointment evident.
Kankuro went on. Gaara was already in a bad mood, so he’d take advantage of it to get everything done at once. “Speaking of things you shouldn’t argue with, I’ll be helping keep your love affair under wraps, Gaara.” Gaara raised an eyebrow. He felt conditions coming. Kami, he hated politics. But Kankuro was good with the council, so he held his tongue. Kankuro continued, “I will be seen escorting Sakura as often as possible. The dance, dinner seatings, seeing her to her room, that sort of thing. You will both use more discretion. For the love of Kami, if you aren’t going to be sleeping in your own bed, at least send a clone to take your place. It should go without saying, but no public displays of affection and keep all your public interactions professional. I will start planting seeds for this in my private conversations with the council members. Every single one of those conniving bastards wants their daughter, niece, or granddaughter to be Gaara’s bride. However, every single one of them also does not want him to choose one of their rivals’ daughters, nieces, and so on. We can use this to your advantage. By the time we announce your engagement, they will give unanimous approval to the match.”
His last words hit Sakura like a truck. Engagement. Kankuro was already planning their wedding. This was why Gaara wanted him in the dark longer. Which meant Gaara planned … The world spun around her as blackness descended. Sakura passed out.
Ninja reflexes were useful when your girlfriend fainted. Gaara grabbed her by the waist as Sakura collapsed, folding in half limply. His eyes shot daggers at Kankuro. Kankuro was there a second later, scooping up the pinkette, then laying her down on the floor. The two brothers knelt on either side of the kunoichi. Kankuro scratched his head. “I’m just guessing by her reaction that you haven’t proposed yet?” The puppeteer enquired cautiously. Gaara’s temper wouldn’t be so guarded with his sweetheart unconscious.
Gaara’s blood pressure was high enough that his face matched his hair. “She’s been my girlfriend for two days, you idiot. No, I haven’t proposed yet! You better pray to Kami that you haven’t scared her off completely with that stunt Kankuro. I swear if you have frightened off the woman I love with Suna’s fucking politics, I will never forgive you.”
Her senses came into focus clearly as her breathing returned to normal. She heard their voices over her, “I swear if you have frightened off the woman I love with Suna’s fucking politics, I will never forgive you.” She smiled, lifting her hand to her head as her eyes fluttered open, “Gaara, did you just say you love me?” She looked in his turquoise eyes, watching as the anger melted away, his affection for her clear.
“Yes.” Gaara didn’t mince words, he simply lowered himself over her, grabbing her lips with his own in a deep passionate kiss. Sakura sighed into the blissful warmth of his mouth, her hands wrapping around his shoulders as she drew him in further. Their tongues danced blithely as time grew still for them in the amorous moment.
A loud cough from Kankuro broke the spell. The lovebirds turned their heads to the side, suddenly noticing the shinobi next to them. “I’m still here, you know.” He stood as Gaara helped Sakura to her feet in case she was still light headed. Kankuro was relieved. At least Sakura had heard Gaara’s profession of love and responded positively to his kiss. His gamble was paying off. The three stood looking at each other for a moment when Kankuro finally spoke. “I’m getting a real third wheel vibe here.” The young lovers simply nodded at his obvious statement. “Sakura, if you would be so kind as to make a clone for me to escort to your room, I’ll leave you two to your own devices.”
“Of course, Kankuro.” Sakura made a quick hand sign so a clone appeared at her side. She turned to the clone, “Kankuro will take you to my room. Just undress and climb in bed for me, okay?” The clone nodded and stepped next to the dark-haired man. “And Kankuro…” He raised an eyebrow at her address. “You and I should spar. Soon.” She cracked the knuckles of her fist as her eyes drove into her boyfriend’s brother’s face.
Kankuro swallowed hard. He sensed a beating in his future from the girl who’d bested Temari in Tai Jutsu. He hoped all of this was worth it. “I look forward to it, Sakura. I will not underestimate you.” He bowed to them both, took the clone at his side, and finally left them alone.
Author's note: Some necessary plot details. Additional pairings may include Kankuro; still working that part out. In the meantime, Gaara and Sakura are just warming up. Please leave a review; feedback is helpful.
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Shogi Anyone?