A/N: I DON'T OWN NARUTO!!

Raising a Couple

Chapter 1 Suna's Call for Help

It was a a hot and dry day at Suna. And currently, the village is experiencing a major El Niño. The villagers are in need of the governmant's assistance. And as usual, the Kazekage has to do something before they experience something worse.

Gaara, Suna's current Kazekage, just settled a meeting to fix this problem along with the other officials. He's on his way to the meeting hall along with Kankuro and Temari. Who knows what another brilliant idea will he come up with now?

"Welcome, Master Kazekage!" the board of officials bowed to him as he entered.

Gaara just nodded and took his seat as well as the board of officials. His siblings took the seats beside him.

"As for now, Suna's at a risk in facing the consequences of El Niño." Baki, the head of the board, told them. "One of them is drought and major water loss. Our water supply programs are not enough to satisfy the need of the villagers."

"This is a lot of trouble." Temari said. "If we don't do something quick, we'll be dehydrated."

"It's impossible to find another water source." Baki added. "There are no rivers or lakes in Suna."

"This calls for drastic measures." Gaara told them. "Tell all of Suna that I declared a state of red alert in our water supply. I'm going to Konoha to seek assistance."

"But Gaara," Temari opposed him. "You don't have to go. I can settle that for you. I am the ambassador to Konoha."

"I know that." Gaara answered her. "But I have other things to discuss with the Hokage besides Suna's problem. And I believe that it is best if I go there."

"If you say so." Temari shrugged.

"While I settle this problem in Konoha," Gaara continued. "You will facilitate Suna, Temari."

"Me?" Temari asked. "Why?"

"You remember the last time I let Kankuro do that?" Gaara whispered.

(Flashback)

Gaara just came back to Suna from a meeting out-of-town. While he was gone, he assigned his older brother Kankuro to take his place while he's gone.

"Kankuro, how did everything go?" Gaara asked his brother ah he entered his office.

He was surprised by what he saw. His brother was flirting again with another girl. With that, he learned that his brother will never change. His note to self: "Never put an eldest brother in charge."

(End of Flashback)

"Oh, right." Temari remembered. "Okay then."

"I expect that nothing else will happen to Suna besides this." Gaara told them. "When I come back with assistance, don't EVER leave any papers to be signed. Let Temari handle those."

"Hai!" the whole committee nodded.

"Send a note to Konoha about my visit." Gaara added. "Tell them about the problem as well."

"Hai!" they nodded once more.

"That's all." Gaara told them.

"Meeting dismissed!" Baki announced as the other members went to do their tasks.

The Sand Siblings left the hall as well. Gaara went to his office to pack up. He has to leave now. The long journey to the Leaf Country takes three days. He knew Suna's problem couldn't wait for more.

"I'm going now." Gaara told them. "I expect that you will take care of the rest."

"We'll handle it, Gaara." Temari assured him. "Say hi to Shikamaru for me! Take care!"

"So that's why you wanted to go to Konoha." Gaara snickered. "Don't worry, I'll tell him everything about you."

"NOOOO!" Temari yelled at him. "Don't. Ever. Dare. You got it?!"

"Right." Gaara mumbled. "I'll be going now."

"Happy trails!" his siblings said as he left.

Gaara started his journey to Konoha. He has to make it quick, before his village dies with thirst.

Also, the message department has sent the message to Konoha through their messenger bird. They have done exactly as what the Kazekage have ordered.

Hours later at Konoha, their message department has just received the message from Suna. They decoded it immediately and brought it to the Hokage herself.

"Master Tsunade!" Shizune exclaimed as she ran to her office. "Suna has sent us a message."

"What does it say?" Tsunade asked.

"They're experiencing El Niño these days." Shizune told her. "They're asking assistance for their supply of water. Also, the Kazekage's going here to discuss these matters further. They're currently on a red alert status."

"The Kazekage's coming?" Tsunade raised her eyebrows. "I wonder why he didn't send his ambassadors."

"Isn't that great?" Shizune asked her. "At least things will be a lot clearer when he himself tells you all about it."

"Well, I'd better assign someone to guide him." Tsunade said. "Who's available?"

"It seems that the only ninjas available are Naruto and Sakura." Shizune told her. "I'm sure they can handle a simple escorting mission."

"Alright then." Tsunade agreed. "Bring them here."