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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
- 7
- 8
- 9
Gaara was midway through his morning correspondence when Temari arrived. She was one of the few people who knew him well enough to notice a change in his demeanor. And that was reason enough to get her out of town for a while. Kankuro was easier to appease. And the only other person who knew or would know anything was Jiro the Cook. Fortunately, Jiro had the discretion of a high priest. But Temari…
The quick-witted blonde bounced through the office door, “You called for me Gaara?” She looked him over swiftly, noting a warmer than usual disposition. She arched an eyebrow slightly, “And what’s gotten into you? You’re awfully cheerful today.”
Gaara looked up from his paperwork with a calm, cool expression. Anyone else would have thought him completely stoic. “hmmm… Must be the cooler fall weather… But enough chit-chat. I have a diplomatic mission for you to Konoha.” He motioned her to the chair in front of him.
Temari sat down, giving Gaara her full attention, her glee at the thought of time in the Leaf well concealed. She sighed, “How long will I be gone this time?” A slight irritation in her voice.
“I thought you enjoyed the company of the Leaf kunoichi? Ino and Tenten and… what’s the Hyuuga girl’s name again?” Gaara wanted her away from Suna for a bit, but there were other missions.
“Hinata.” Temari supplied. “And, absolutely, I do enjoy visiting with them. But that will leave Sakura here alone. I suppose I could ask Kankuro to make sure she’s not lonely or anything.” She watched Gaara carefully for his response.
Gaara managed to repress a blush at the mentioned of her name, but the idea of Kankuro spending his spare time with her sparked a flurry of jealousy beneath his calm exterior which threatened to erupt. His hands gripped the arms of his chair tightly and his knuckles went white. He held his voice steady, but of course, Temari noted the change in his body language. “I’m sure that’s unnecessary, Temari. Sakura is extremely busy with her duties here. I doubt she has time to be lonely. However, if it will make you feel better, I will personally look in on her while you are away.”
Temari smiled, “Thank you, Gaara. That puts my mind at ease. It will be nice to visit Konoha. So, tell me about the mission.”
They went on to discuss the details of the trade agreement Temari was to negotiate for Suna. It was likely that additional nations from the Allied Shinobi group would join in, which could extend the talks. Temari knew all the details of Suna’s positions, and of course, she could send a hawk if anything was unclear. Gaara trusted her judgement and her capable mind. She was one of the few people who could beat him at Shogi, after all.
As the meeting concluded, Temari stood and smiled at Gaara, “Well, I’m going to see if I can grab Sakura for lunch since I leave in the morning.” She bowed lightly.
Gaara nodded, offering his own version of a smile, which was really only a slight change in his neutral facial expression, “Safe travels, Temari.”
…
Temari caught up with Sakura at the hospital as the pink haired medic finished her morning rounds. “Sakura, I’m glad I found you.” The taller blonde smiled brightly at her friend.
“What’s going on, Temari? Is something wrong?” Sakura was concerned, but the kunoichi’s demeanor was lively, so why was she in a rush?
Temari shook her head, “Nothing is wrong, Sakura. I’m leaving on a diplomatic mission in the morning to Konoha and I wanted to have lunch with you before I go.
Sakura turned to the chunin medic shadowing her for the day, “Well, Reo, you get a lunch break today. I’ll see you in class this afternoon.” The young man nodded, bowed to Temari, and left to make the most of his small reprieve. “Temari, I’m all yours.” The two kunoichi locked arms and set off for their favorite tempura spot.
They settled in and ordered, sipping tea as they waited for their meal. Sakura smiled at Temari, “So, does Shikamaru know you’re coming to town?”
Temari blushed at the mention of her boyfriend’s name and shushed Sakura gently, “Keep it down, would you? No one in Suna knows about that. And please, please don’t say anything to my brothers. They are soooo overprotective and I prefer Shikamaru with his head attached to his shoulders.” She rolled her eyes for emphasis and looked at Sakura pleadingly.
Sakura chuckled, “Very well, Temari. If you want to keep them in the dark a bit longer, I won’t be the one to spill the beans. Seriously though, I’m sure if you talked to them rationally – “
“Sakura, you have no idea. Between the politics of Suna and the wrath of my brothers I must keep this relationship quiet for as long as possible. Just, please be my friend and be discrete?” She needed Sakura’s help on this one. It was a wild card she hoped would never play.
Sakura just sipped her tea again, “Temari, my lips are sealed.” And as though they were still school girls, Sakura turned an imaginary key in front of her mouth and tossed it over her shoulder. “But, do say hello to everyone for me, and give Naruto a big hug.”
Temari raised an eyebrow, “So, you and Naruto, huh? I mean, I knew you were teammates, but I didn’t know – “
Sakura nearly spat her tea across the room and coughed, choking slightly, “Naruto and me!?! Oh, Kami, no! He’s just like the brother I never had, you know? Oh, Naruto and me…. Not in a million years.”
Temari laughed, “Well, then, please forgive my jumping to conclusions… But is there a guy back in Konoha I should be checking on for you?” She was prying a little, but this was critical intel, so she would pry.
Sakura sighed, “No. Not in Konoha. I … well, all the shinobi back in Konoha know, I’m surprised no one told you already.”
Temari held her face calm, “Told me what?”
Sakura sighed again, “Oh, it’s just that I had this crush on Uchiha Sasuke for the longest time. Since we were students in the academy, actually. And when he helped in the war and came home, at first, I thought, well, I thought he might… you know… But no. He went off and left again.”
Temari listened intently, “Sakura, I had no idea. But he was your and Naruto’s teammate too. Not the brotherly sort though?”
Sakura just waved her hand, “No. But, it was a school girl’s crush, really. I’ve just been slow to grow up and let it go. Sasuke has never felt anything romantic for me. Honestly, I think he has a thing for Naruto. It explains a lot, but I don’t know for certain, if you get my drift.”
Temari simply nodded over her tea cup.
Sakura continued, “Anyway, my time in Suna has been good for me. I’ve finally kicked that childhood crush to the curb where it belongs.” She smiled as her thoughts drifted to the red headed man that held her affections.
Temari’s eyebrow raised again, “Oh? And what is it about Suna that has liberated you so?” The wind mistress asked coyly.
Sakura took a deep breath. Suna’s politics were still a mystery to her, but Gaara had cautioned her earlier that morning to trust only the cook about their budding romance. Why the cook could be trusted over his own family members, she didn’t understand. Nevertheless, she’d been cautious, returning to her room in stealth and going to breakfast separately from the man she’d snuggled up to all night. So, even though the reasons were unclear, she’d be discrete for Gaara’s sake. “I suppose I’ve just had time to reflect and process everything.” It wasn’t a lie, but it didn’t tell the entire story either.
Temari tilted her head to the side. She knew Sakura was hiding something, but she let it pass. After all, she wanted Sakura to keep her secrets about Shikamaru too. “If you say so, Sakura… Time is a good healer, I suppose.”
Their food arrived, and the two women ate, turning their conversation to other topics as they enjoyed their meal together.
…
Sakura was frustrated. She wanted to get to dinner on time, especially since it would be the last one with Temari there for several weeks. But one of the genin had projectile vomited on her during the autopsy lesson, so she desperately needed a shower first. And while she certainly understood about being squeamish at a first autopsy, did the kid not know how to hit a trash can? She’d changed her lab coat, but there hadn’t been any grace for the chunks in her hair or the ones that slid down the front of her shirt. She nearly ran head first into Temari as she rounded the corner next to her room.
“Sakura! Excuse me.” Temari was startled by the medic as they nearly collided. “And… oh my… you stink.” Temari pinched her nose as she surreptitiously slipped a small box into her pocket with her other hand.
Sakura groaned softly, “One of the genin vomited on me. I just need a quick shower. Save me a seat at supper, okay?” She waved as she hustled in to her room to grab some clothes.
“Sure thing, Sakura.” Temari smiled and continued down the hall.
Sakura was in such a hurry that she nearly missed the note that had been slid under her bedroom door. She paused, admiring the penmanship as she read, “Tea tonight? - G” She smiled as she scuttled into the shower. The day might end well after all.
- 7
- 8
- 9
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Shogi Anyone?