Hana POV:

This can't be happening. This can't, I mean, WHY ME?! I slouch onto the floor before going deep in thought. So my soulmate is the Kazekage? The one with a thousand fan girls waiting at his doorstep to bear his children? The one that would only marry someone as strong as himself? I mean my parents were ninjas so they taught me a few things, including our family Kekkei Genkai. But that was only for self defense since they knew I didn't want to be a ninja. I'm not emotionally as strong as they are to go into battle and lose comrades daily. And, how could I ever compete with the other bachelorettes in Suna? Surely half of them have their eyes set on the Kazekage, the prized jewel of the village. 

I mean, from what I know about him he's very fair to the people and understanding, but I only know him as the Kazekage, not as Gaara. How could it even work out? Why would it even work out? Grrr... I stand up and dust myself off before taking a deep breath and going back to the kitchen. Only to see the sand siblings in there. Now he's in my sanctuary too?! Life isn't fair.

"This is your kitchen Hana?" Asked Gaa- I mean the Kazekage.

"Yes Kazekage-sama, Daisuke works over there on the smaller pastries while I focus on decorations for certain pastries and creating the bigger cakes for special occasions."

"I see."

"Your stuff seems a little, outdated." Added Kankuro, before Temari hissed at him to be quiet. I only laughed to myself before answering.

"Well yes. I work here everyday so I never really get the chance to upgrade some of the equipment. But I have already placed an order for a newer and much bigger oven which should be arriving soon."

"This place is wonderful!" Said Temari as she walked up to me. "Would it be alright if we watched you start on the cake?"

"It would be an honor." I said with a closed eye smile. I moved to one of the cabinets to pull out the fondant I made yesterday and spread some corn starch on my work table.

"First I'll make the flowers, they need to dry up to be ready for the cake." I explained before mixing some of the yellow food coloring to start on the center of the calla lilies. Eventually I finished with six before moving on to make the sakura flowers. I was happy to see Temari entranced with the flowers. Even the Kazekage was watching my movements, which made me a little nervous.

"Temari. Kankuro and I will be returning to the office, I have more paperwork to finish." Said the Kazekage as he began to turn away.

"Oh okay, bye Gaara!" 

"Farewell Kazekage-sama." I said with a small bow. His nonexistent eyebrow twitched in what I guess is frustration. I guess he doesn't like me. That's understandable though, after all, all I am is a baker. Meanwhile he's the freaking ruler of the village.

"Oh she's so cute." Said his older brother as he gave me a wink. I started blushing and turned back to finish on more flowers.

"Aw I see how it is. Gotta keep your heart breaker reputation right?" I froze and accidentally crushed the orchid I had in my hand. I hate that stupid title. That stupid freaking title. Stupid stupid stupid...

"Oh well then, later cutie." He said with a final wink before leaving with the Kazekage who was still in the kitchen. His shoulders were tense and yanked Kankuro by the ear before leaving. Geez.

"I'm really sorry about that. Kankuro flirts with anything that has a pulse."    Said Temari as she started to get her bag. "We should be heading out soon. I still have lots of planning to do for the wedding."

"I see, when is the wedding? So that I can finish the cake by then."

"We decided that it's going to be in two weeks, so that we can still have a little time for our honeymoon." She said before putting her arm around a now blushing Shikamaru.

"What a drag." He simply stated. She just laughed and kissed him on the cheek, making him blush harder.

"I understand. Well then I hope you have your dress made then." I said with a small laugh.

"...Actually I need that too." My smile faded instantly. Oh shit.

"Well, you may need to find either a good seamstress or a dress that needs very little alteration. I personally have an old friend who can help. Her name is Yuka; she works at the Bridal shop a few blocks west of here. She has an eye for picking a good dress and the seamstress there is one of the fastest I've ever seen."

"Thank you so much! I'll head there right away!"

"Alright then let's go." Said Shikamaru.

"What?! No I can't go with you!" Temari said abruptly.

"Wha-why not?"

"You can't see my dress before the wedding day it's bad luck!"

"Fine fine. Troublesome woman. Then who'll go with you?"

"....I haven't figured that out yet. Hana, do you personally know this Yuka?"

"Yes, we've known each other since childhood."

"Then, would it be alright if you went with me to see her? My other girl friends have already left on missions and won't be back until next week."

"Um, I-"

"Go on ahead Hana." Said Daisuke with a smile.

"But-"

"You haven't left early since you opened up the bakery. Six years Hana, now go on, Chiharu and I will close up shop."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah yeah now hurry up!"

"Yes sir!" I lazily saluted as I took off my apron and washed my hands. I dried them up quickly before getting my raccoon back pack from the office.

"That's so adorable!" Temari said as she examined it. Shikamaru shook his head and mumbled something about women and stuffed animals. I just smiled and put it on before saying goodbye to Chiharu and walking out with the couple. Luckily I always bake an extra batch of every pastry before I close shop. I always do that in case of a full house.

"So where's the shop again?" Asked Temari.

"Just west of here, three blocks away."

"Sounds perfect." She then looked at Shikamaru.

"I know I know I'm leaving already." He said irritated.

"I miss you already." Temari cooed, subtly teasing him.

"Yeah yeah I miss you too Tem." He gave her a quick peck on the lips before heading North.

"Shall we go then?" I asked.

"Lead the way!" She said excitedly.

Gaara POV:

Kankuro had no right to flirt with her. I don't even understand why it made me so upset but I couldn't stop myself from dragging him out of there. And all that keeps replaying was how happy she looked before that. She was so in thought when she was making the flowers that she looked like she was in a different realm. She was so at peace, serenity was written on her face as she delicately modeled the fondant into a beautiful work of art. Hana, that's a pretty name.

What is wrong with me? Am I that lonely that I think about the first girl I see? Maybe I should socialize more. But with Hana. Wait what am I saying? I barely know her! I rub my forehead before looking at the paperwork. I suppose Shikamaru was right; women can be troublesome.

After finishing my work for the day I see that it's already six in the afternoon. I should probably head home to see what Temari made for dinner. I put away the scrolls left on my desk before putting on my gourd and heading home. And all the way home all I can think about is Hana and trying not to think about her. What made her special anyways? Being a baker? No. Being young? No. Being Beautiful? Yes. Wait. Damn it!

I open the door of the house to see Kankuro setting up the table while Shikamaru is getting out a bottle of sake. I walk in the kitchen, curious about what we were to eat for dinner, and I was startled by what I saw. Temari was only making lemonade. It was HANA, who was cooking an unidentified dish that consisted of a stew of pork. I felt a shiver run down my spine as she stopped to look at me, her smiling making me feel warm inside.

"Good evening Kazekage." she said, without a bow this time. "Good evening." I simply answered, still shocked to find her in my house.

"She went with me to the bridal shop." Began Temari. "And together we found the perfect one and since she has contacts there the seamstress immediately went to work on the alterations and should be done in less than a week! I wanted to thank her for helping me, so I invited her to dinner. Except we started talking about food and I found out she isn't originally from Suna."

"Well, I was born and raised in Suna, but neither of my parents are originally from here." Hana corrected.

"Yeah, and then she talked about all these foods that don't exist here, and one sounded so amazing my mouth began to water. And the next thing I knew she started making it." Finished Temari as she stirred the lemonade. 

"Yeah, she's an angel!" Said Kankuro from the dining room, making Hana laugh before going back to cooking. I clench my fists while I glare at Kankuro. How dare he flirt with her right in front of me? She's mine- I mean she deserves better. Yes, that is what I meant. She deserves much better than him. She really is an angel. Stop! Why does this keep happening?!

"Dinner's ready!" She says before serving some of the stew in bowls to each of us. We all sit down at the table, waiting for her to explain the dish. 

"This is from my mother's village, the dish is called 'Adobo'. You eat the pork and use the bread to soak up the juice too."

"So no rice or noodles?" Asked Kankuro.

"No, in my mother's village they mostly grew quinoa and wheat, so those were the only grains in the dishes."

"Oh okay. Itadakimasu!"

"Itadakimasu." We all said in unison before eating. I took one bite of the pork and it was heaven. It was juicy with a very subtle sweetness that almost made me moan. Almost. A Kazekage shouldn't moan. All of a sudden I hear a moan coming from Kankuro. Why am I not fucking surprised?

"This is so good!It's even better than Temari's cooking!"

"Hey!" Temari yelled, throwing a piece of bread at him.

"Thank you Kankuro-san, this is my mother's recipe."

"Hey drop the titles, to you I'm just Kankuro, or if you want you can call me Kankuro-kun." He said with a wink. I feel ready to shove my foot up his-

"I prefer to address you as Kankuro, seeing as we aren't close enough for me to use the suffix." I let out  a little smirk. Of course she's smart enough not to go for him. I let a small sigh before smiling.

"Is everything alright Gaara?" Asked Temari.

"Everything is good, the food is delicious."

"I'm glad you think so." Hana answered with a smile. That smile makes me feel so warm inside. All of a sudden I see her eyes widen in shock.

"Is something the matter Hana?" I ask.

"N-no but, this is the first time I have ever seen you smile." She stated, smiling soon after. I feel my cheeks start to heat up before I look back at my bowl and finish eating.

"So," Began Shikamaru. "I was wondering how many people would go to the wedding, seeing as we still have to plan the venue."

"Well we don't have family on our side, except for Baki sensei. And we have about ten friends here, so most of the guest list will be from the leaf village."

"Okay, so I talked with Naruto and the gang and before I could finish they started packing their bags. And the knuckle head just said he and Hinata will be here in four days to help with whatever preparations are needed. And I can assume at least fifteen people on my side, not counting family." Said Shikamaru.

"So on our side including my brothers it would be about fourteen people." Added Temari.

"Fourteen? I thought you had ten friends, plus your brothers, plus Baki sensei. That makes thirteen." Questioned Shikamaru.

"Well I'll be inviting Hana too." I noticed Hana dropped her pork from the news before wiping her mouth and looking at my sister questioningly. That face she's making is cute. Cute? Oh Kami I need to calm down.

"U-um, what was that Temari?" Hana asked.

"I said you are also invited. Seeing as how much you helped me today and even taking care of the cake, it only seems fair to invite you to it. Please say you'll go?"

"Um, well I suppose I could-"

"Yay! Thank Kami because I could really use some girl advice. Being around nothing but boys can be a pain." Temari says with a laugh. So Hana will be at the wedding? Oh Kami I may need more help.

Hana POV:

KAMI-SAMA HELP! I'll be attending Temari's wedding. Where the Kazekage will be. For the whole freaking day. I'm not even that close to him at the table and my heart is beating out of my chest.

"So since you'll be joining us," Kankuro began. I snapped out of my thoughts to look at him.

"Would you like to be my-"

"Kankuro!" The Kazekage interrupted. We all turned to face him, and I noticed he was fuming. Oh shit.

"Y-yes Gaara?"

"Kitchen. Now."

"Okay, give me a second. So Hana real quick, would you be my-" 

"Now Kankuro." Gaara seethed. Oh shit. If it wasn't for what happened with the Akatsuki I would've thought Shukkaku was trying to get out. Damn he's angry. That's hot-STOP. No brain stop those thoughts. I feel like a pervert now, crushing on the Kazekage like another fangirl. 

Kankuro sighed before getting up and handing me a note under the table. I stared down at it before opening it the crumbled paper to read : Will you be my date for the wedding?

My eyes widened as I dropped the paper. Nope. Nope, not good. First I'm crushing on the Kazekage and now his brother is crushing on me? What the hell is going on?!

"Are you alright Hana?" Temari questioned.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine. But it's late I should head home. Good night Temari, Shikamaru." I bowed slightly before walking to the kitchen to put my bowl in the sink. Before I enter I hear Kankuro say "What's the big deal Gaara?! Do you like Hana or something? Is that why you keep cockblocking?"

".....No. I don't like her. But you shouldn't toy with her."

"I'm not! I actually like her! She so talented and beautiful. Look I want to settle down at some point and she seems like a good candidate. I want to be happy Gaara. Who are you to stop me from trying to be happy?" They grew dead silent after. So Gaara doesn't like me. I should have figured. But Kankuro ACTUALLY likes me? He's even thought about settling down? This is new. I've only known Kankuro to be a ladies man. This is odd. I take that time to walk in and put my bowl in the sink. I felt both of their eyes on me and I was a freaking bundle of nerves. Oh Kami give me strength.

"Hey Hana," Kankuro began. "Whatcha up to-"

"I'll be heading home now. Good night Kankuro." I said with a small smile.  "Good night Kazekage-sama." I said more formally along with a bow. I then got my backpack and left. And for the first time in my life, I didn't want to smile. I didn't want to sing to myself on my way home. I just walked home, Thinking of how cold and indifferent the Kazekage's voice was when he said he didn't like me. My other rose just thinks of me as a nuisance. I really am the lonely rose.