Disclaimer: Kishimoto owns Naruto.

A/N: Thank you xXxBloodDeathLovexXx-sensei for beta-ing this.

Rated: K+

What if, Temari?

"Temari, you can't survive Konoha," Kankuro said.

Temari looked at Kankuro. "You know I don't know why you doubt it so much that I could stay there? Is this your round about way of saying you'll miss me?" Temari smirked.

"It's too humid there," Kankuro reasoned.

"So?" Temari asked. "I like plants. In case you didn't notice Konoha have lots of vegetation because their weather supports it."

"The people there are all good natured. They'll probably mind your own business. I tell you, you won't like it if everybody is after you because they want to offer you free advice."

Temari laughed. "Is that the best you could tell to discourage me?"

"You're laughing now but with your temper you'll probably end up killing all those innocent people who just wanted to give you a helping hand," Kankuro said, displeased by being laughed at.

"I think you're describing yourself. Not me. I actually appreciate another female's opinion once in a while."

"Matsuri is here. You two are close but I have never seen you seek her opinion or advice before."

"That's because just in case you haven't noticed Matsuri is way younger than me," Temari remarked, exasperated. "In Konoha, I have Yoshino's wisdom. It'll be like having a mother. Well, technically she will become my mother." Temari grinned.

"I heard from that Nara ass that his mother is troublesome. I don't think you two would get along."

"Yoshino?" Temari again smiled. "We get along fine. We want the same things for Shika so I bet I have found an ally in my future mother-in-law."

"I still think you did not think this through." Kankuro felt he was losing the battle. "Suna is one hundred percent different from Konoha. You're not going to get used to it."

"Kankuro, I have been travelling back and forth from Suna to Konoha for several years now. Trust me Konoha sometimes feels like home." Temari reassured her brother.

"So you really want to marry that that lazy-ass Nara."

"Yeah."

"He's lazy you know."

"I know. I told you that."

"He's unmotivated. And the only thing going for him is that brain of his."

Temari shrugged. "All I need to do is prod his lazy ass. He'll do just fine."

"Well, worst case scenario is you'll turn lazy yourself."

"You think that's possible?" Temari had never thought of that.

"I never thought it'll be possible that you would like that Nara, but look you're ready to move to Konoha," Kankuro rationalized.

"So you think it's possible."

"Yeah. When you have lived in Konoha long enough, you'll be like him." Kankuro shivered.

"I'll just make sure he will be more like me then."

"I doubt it. People in Konoha outnumber you. They let Shikamaru behave as he likes. They'll probably raise their brow—remember somebody else's business is probably everyone's business there— if you do anything to change him. You can't change Shikamaru. If anything he'll just get worse," Kankuro taunted. He felt that with this one Temari won't have any rebuttal.

Temari grew silent. "That's ok. I could always rely on Shikamaru on things that are important. He may be lazy but he's quite dependable still."

"Huh. When you have kids I doubt if they'll grow up like you with the kind of lenient environment that Konoha has. They'll probably turn out to be brats." Kankuro tried another tactic.

"At least with Shikamaru, I'm sure he won't implant a monster inside my child," Temari countered.

"I- well, yeah." Kankuro paused. "Dad valued strength above the rest. I'm not saying I admired what dad did to Gaara but he did that for Suna and you don't want weak-willed children, do you?"

"Dad did that for himself to gain power," Temari said seriously. "Shikamaru isn't weak-willed. He knows when its time to attack and when to be cautious. He knows what's really important that it's worth fighting for. My children will have a strong-willed father who will protect them and guide them into becoming strong shinobis."

"Temari, I think you're looking at Shikamaru and Konoha through rose-colored glasses. All the things you wanted in a family you're probably projecting it to the type of life you will have with Shikamaru." Kankuro considered just as seriously. "Our family may not be perfect, but it shaped us to who we are. All this talk regarding change is just hypothetical. I doubt you would change or that Shikamaru could change. But what if you did change? What if the things you value about him is what is going to tear you apart?"

"What do you mean?" Temari asked, perplexed.

"In Suna, Temari, you have power. Your brother is the Kazekage and the people recognize you as one talented kunoichi. What if in the future you change and being your father's daughter you want power for yourself? Shikamaru would not probably allow you to. And you have to admit all of us our personalities crave to be the best nin, the strongest. All I'm saying is later on Shikamaru will be holding you down."

"Then Kankuro I will be glad that he will be holding me down."

"You say that now."

Temari shook her head for emphasis. "I'll never want for my children what we have Kankuro—betrayal, murder, no peace of mind. We are just pawns our father move to his liking and I doubt I will turn like him."

"It's just hypothetical Temari. I said 'what if'."

"Then with your reasoning you're actually making me sure that I want this. That I need this," Temari voiced with conviction.

"Well, yeah I guess you're right."

"I know I'm right."

Kankuro growled, "Nara-ass can have you. He doesn't deserve you but if you like him that much you can bloody have him."

"Gee, thanks Kankuro." Temari twisted her lips in a smile. "I don't really need your blessing you know, but I'm still glad I have it."

"Pssh, good luck getting Gaara's then." Kankuro smirked. He may have lost but there was still Gaara.

-o0o-

11/10,12/10 ~6 21 11AF~

A/N: To xXxBloodDeathLovexXx, I can't believe it's been that long...Do you even remember this fic?

... review ok guys...