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Chapter 22:Suna

Sasuke was trying his best to tune out the chatter of the dobe's genin kunoichi as the Konoha delegation ran through the desert, heading towards Suna.

"…it's just so lucky that I found you at the bakery, sensei! Otherwise you wouldn't have bought that dress! What if your best friend wanted to take you on a date again? You can't possibly go on a date in your usual clothes! And that dress was so lovely! Even the salesclerk agreed. I'm so glad I got to help you pick out that dress. You need to work on your fashion style, sensei!"

Sasuke was trying his best to tune out the chatter of the dobe's genin kunoichi, but wasn't being very successful. Instead, he was getting more and more annoyed, especially now that it seemed the dobe had bought a dress just in case the former jinchuuriki and current Kazekage was going to take her out on a date. His expression was so dark none of the other genin or jounin sensei in the Konoha delegation wanted to come near Team Seven and Sasuke. He was just thankful that today was the last day of the journey, and he wouldn't have to put up with the maddening girl talk anymore. He was broken out of his thoughts by a loud, happy shout.

"Gaara!"

He looked up to see the walls of Sunagakure's outer defense and the small knot of people waiting by the opening in the walls. The red hair and large gourd were a dead giveaway as to the identity of the person at the forefront of the group. From his side, a yellow blur shot forward and attached itself with such force to the Kazekage that he took a step backward. The genin kunoichi squealed, and Sasuke's mood soured even more. Unconsciously, he picked up his pace.

He got there in time to see the redhead return her hug, with a small smile. He stood some distance to the dobe's left and glowered darkly at the duo.

Eriko bounced up to her sensei's side, followed by Nichiro – who didn't bounce, obviously.

"Is he your best friend, Naruto-sensei?" she asked excitedly. "He's so handsome!"

Naruto coloured faintly as Gaara raised a non-existent eyebrow at the girl's exuberance and the young Hyuuga's scowl.

"Eriko!" she chastened, and turned back to Gaara. "This is my Eriko, and that's Nichiro. The two of them and Nichiro's twin Ichiro are my team."

"Nice to meet you, Gaara-san!" Eriko piped up cheerfully, and Nichiro just bowed respectfully, although a little coldly.

One of the Suna nin standing behind Gaara attempted to correct Eriko, but a lazy voice drawled, "Mendokuse."

Temari stepped up to Gaara and gave his shoulder an affectionate squeeze. "Gaara."

"Temari." Gaara's voice had the warmth he usually reserved for only his siblings and Naruto. He nodded at Temari's husband, who nodded back. "Nara."

"Oi Naruto! What's the hurry, huh? Just jumping ahead like that!" came Kiba's brash voice, and Akamaru skidded to a stop next to Shikamaru. The other genin and jounin sensei were with him, and Ichiro walked to join his brother and teammate.

"Kazekage-sama," Kiba greeted with a short but polite bow, and the other genin and jounin sensei imitated him.

Beside Naruto, Eriko perked up and tugged at her sensei's vest. "Which one's the Kazekage, sensei?"

Naruto looked down at her with an incredulous face, then laughed loudly and elbowed Gaara playfully. "Hey Gaara, which one's the Kazekage, huh?"

Gaara's face was blank, but there was amusement in his eyes and a slight tilt to a corner of his mouth as he observed the blonde wipe the tears out of her eyes. Kiba gave a bark of laughter, Shikamaru rolled his eyes and Temari snickered. Eriko stared at Naruto perplexedly, obviously wondering what triggered her mirth. Ichiro looked away in embarrassment, and Nichiro whispered urgently to Eriko, "Gaara-sama is the Kazekage, Eriko!"