Temari gazed up into the sky. White fluffs of clouds floated past her overhead, gliding gently in the breeze. She grinned, "Wow. It looks like it's going to be another sunny and cheerful day, right Gaara?"

"Mmph!" Her younger brother shot her an annoyed look. Temari cocked her head, "Well, sor-ry Mr. Grumpy. Can't you be friendlier for once? Gaara didn't respond, causing her to eventually loose interest in him and felt her gaze slipping back upward, towards the open window.

I wonder if he's looking at the clouds too…

"Hey Temari," She spun around to see Kankuro walking out the door, "I'm going out, okay?"

"Why?"

"I have something to do." He glanced at her, "Don't forget to cook lunch."

"I won't…" She sighed. It has only been a month since she was promoted to Jonin. But everyone just treated her as though she was still a genin. Which literally annoyed the hell outta her.

No congratulated her, or paid her any attention. They were all literally, 'Oh, another Jonin.'

Except him.

She can still remember that day. About a week after being promoted, going outside to get the mail. There was nothing very interesting about that; usually the mail was nothing more than missions for the Kazenkage Gaara and junk. That day, there were thankfully no missions, but a whole bunch of love letters addressed to Gaara, bills, and one more thing.

A letter from Konoha, addressed to her.

Inside was a simple piece of paper, nothing interesting. But someone had scribbled a couple of words on it:

Temari,

Congrats on becoming a Jonin.

Nara Shikamaru

She smiled. A really short letter, and no one expects lazy bum Shikamaru to write than a few lousy lines, but…

At least someone cared.

"Hey Temari." She gave Gaara a bored glance. The Kazenkage was getting up from his seat and heading for the door. Not much had changed since he became the top ninja of the Hidden Stone Village. Except for the fact he seemed, somewhat, happier in a way.

Odd, really.

"What?"

"You're still thinking about that boyfriend of yours?" She felt her face flush, "He's not my boyfriend!" Gaara gave her a strange look, typical for a raccoon-eyed brat like him. Soon enough, he was gone.

Temari sighed. She was all alone, again. That's what you get when you're the woman of the house. She turned around and instinctually started whipping the kitchen counter clean with a spare rag.

Nothing has changed.

Nothing at all.