Disclaimer: The answer's no. So don't ask. (sulks)

Quick Summary: Temari has yet to inform her brothers of why her outings are beginning to take so long. Kankurou moves silently, though, and Gaara is perceptive. Needless to say it doesn't take long before both find out the details on their own. The results of which could be catastrophic. (This story takes place one year after Naruto returns with Ero-sennin, making Gaara and the rest 16, Kankurou 17, and Temari 18)

Britni: This is not my first work, but is is the first I have posted on this site...so be gentle!!!

Temari: Heh. Sorry, but I'm not sure I know the meaning of the word.

Kankurou: (sneers at Temari)

Temari: (glares back) What the hell is that look for?

Kankurou: Oh. I was just feeling sorry for the sad sap that ends up in your clutches...(barely dodges a blow to the head)

Temari: Stand still you ass, so I can cleave your head off!!!!

Kankurou: (keeps dodging)

Gaara: . . .

Britni: (gazes at Gaara) Aren't you going to stop them?

Gaara: (gazes back) Why?

Shikamaru: (sighs) Troublesome. I suppose I'll start things. . . Here's the story guys. (yawns) Enjoy.

The Desert Rose

By: Britni

Large hands clenched into fists, tightening with fury until the fingers began to dig viciously into the palms. Cloaked in the thick shadows of the alley, Kankurou strangely felt as though he had been betrayed. As though the scene unfolding before him was ripping at the weak seams that held the Sabaku family together as one. He didn't want things to fall apart again; not when it had all been mended only recently. The puppeteer kept his threats silents, though. He did not approach the entwined pair at the other end of the dark alley, did not shout accusations and tear the puppet scrolls from his back. Despite his bravery and confidence in battle, he couldn't bring himself to confront the two shinobis. So with a slight frown on his painted lips, Kankurou simply turned and shunshined back into the darkening streets.

oooOOOooo

Temari mumbled something into the silken lips encasing her own. The warmth of the body pressing intimately up against hers was lost as it pulled slowly away, forcing the Suna kunoichi to bite back a whimper of protest.

A lazy smirk, which she had grown to both love and despise, was directed at her from the jounin in front of her. He might have leaned back, but he had not released his hold on her completely. Temari's back was pressed gingerly up against the back wall of the alley. She was supported by strong hands which gripped both passionately and possessively at her hips and the well-toned leg slid between her own. Oh no, he was still very much there and looked as though he would never let her go; part of Temari wished he wouldn't.

"Heh. I don't believe I caught that last bit." A bigger smirk. "Those little noises you were making distracted me." Shikamaru knew the noises had nothing to do with why he had not heard what she had muttered into his mouth a moment before. He was simply looking to point out the fact that he had bested her during their little 'alone' time. For the two jounins, everything, no matter how simple or pleasurable or complicated it might turn out to be, ended up being a competition.

"You chauvinistic bastard!" Marine-hued irises burned with malice just as finely tanned cheeks burned with a light embarrassment. Shikamaru's deep chuckle was cut short with an exclamation of surprise and pain as Temari's fist connected sharply with his spleen. "Asshole! I was not making noises." The last word held an emphasis of disgust, but the leaf shinobi repressed a knowing smirk as he rubbed his injured stomach. Instead, he chose a more appealing strategy and leaned forward to rest his head in the crook of her neck. Temari felt more than heard his long inhalation of breath, then the deep sigh of content. Her anger was gone and forgotten as he nuzzled closer to her skin. She exhaled in satisfaction before stating in a more formally toned whisper, "I said that it's about time I left." Her voice held no emotion and failed to mirror the regret the hovered in her dark eyes. "Gaara and Kankurou might get worried and come look for me."

Shikamaru's head lifted, his gaze lingering briefly on Temari's lips. He didn't move forward to kiss her, though. He knew that she was right, and the last thing he wanted was to face the deathly-calm Kazekage in such a dark and small alleyway. He managed a mumbled "Troublesome." before taking a step back from the shinobi of the sand.

A cocky smirk brushed Temari's lips. "Heh. Afraid of them, are you?" She was rewarded with a stream of denials and curses, some of which were directed at her.

"Bitch."

"Aw. Did I hit a nerve, crybaby?"

"..."

"Che. I'll take that as a yes." Temari wore a triumphant smile as Shikamaru sunk further into gloom. He had yet to try and reverse the effects of his meeting with Gaara years ago in Rock Lee's hospital room. The soon-to-be leader of Sunagakure had made a promise then that he would take both his and Naruto's life. Though he hadn't followed through with the threat as of yet, the leaf shinobi had never attempted to give him a reason not to. Then there was Kankurou. The puppeteer, though crude and assertive, posed much less of a nuisance to Shikamaru. However, the face-painted sibling was still a worthy adversary to reckon with.

No. Something needed to be done before either of the Sabaku brothers discovered what he was doing with their sister behind their backs. Albeit, their relationship --if it could be called that-- had not progressed that far, but Temari's siblings seemed the type that would consider such details as insignificant. Shikamaru knew that neither would ever admit to such a weakness, but he had noticed how protective they could become. The Kazekage would simply stare down those who appeared too interested in his older sister; while she wasn't looking, of course. Kankurou was a bit more physical with his threats, but not so much so that it was noticeable to Temari.

Shikamaru's dark irises studied the kunoichi before him intently. In fact, giving credit to their discreetness, he was positive that she had not yet realized just how protective her brothers were of her. The only reason he had caught on was because of the numerous, unprovoked, bone-chilling stares he had received from the youngest.

Temari lifted her tessen from its resting place at her feet, swinging the large fan to a secure position at her back. She dismissed the Konoha jounin's absorbed gaze as simply a look of dull displeasure at having been accused of being frightening of her family. So, brushing idly at her shinobi clothing, she stepped closer to Shikamaru, whose sour mood was reflected in the slight frown on his lips. His eyes were emotionless. "Your laziness nullifies the fact that you're a genius. So I s'pose it's up to me to think of something, huh?" With that, Temari brushed her lips against his and was gone in a small whirlwind of air.

The Konoha jounin frowned and stared at the spot where his desert rose had been standing a second before. "Troublesome." And he was gone as well.

oooOOOooo

The hotel suite, the one the Kazekage and his siblings were accommodated in during all of their trips to Konohagakure, was prodigious. The generous Hokage allowed them the use of the second and third floor of the three-story building. The lower of the two was where the guard shinobi, similar to Konoha's ANBU, were quartered. The highest floor was reserved for Gaara, Temari, and Kankurou. It consisted of a massive suite with four bedrooms, each with their own balcony, a large common room, and a kitchen. Every square foot was exquisitely furnished and beautiful in the way only Konoha living establishments could be. The Kazekage's room was the largest and rested furthest from the sitting room. Kankurou's lodging was stationed just beside his younger brother's, and Temari's was positioned across from them. Now, though, as the sun vanished beyond the horizon and frosted the sky and clouds with darkening hues, only one person inhabited the third floor. Not a single candle or light burned. No remaining illumination from outside penetrated the closed shutters. Only the hazy gleam of a pair of bright green eyes indicated who sat alone in the midst of the quiet emptiness.

They're late.

oooOOOooo

Temari: (stops in attempts to murder Kankurou for a moment) What the hell was that?!

Shikamaru: (smirks) I do believe that was me getting you to make small noises.

Britni: Uh-oh. (rushes to hold back Temari)

Temari: What'd you say, you lazy bastard!?!

Gaara: Don't worry, Temari.

Temari: Huh? (turns to Gaara) What'd'you mean don't worr---GAARA!!!!

Shikamaru: GAH! Put a damn leash on him will you!?!?! (tries to avoid being killed by a tidal wave of sand)

Gaara: Sabaku Soo--

Britni: (tackles Gaara to the ground) NOOO!!!! We need him!!

Temari: (grabs Shikamaru by the collar) You aren't saved yet, genius.

Britni: Eh. (cough) Reviews are welcome, but please keep any criticism you might have constructive.