Temari tentatively watched Gaara take a sip of his tea. He could feel her eyes on him since she poured it, but didn't question it. He eyed her, and she averted with a poker face. With the world being at peace for the time being, it seems the one thing his sister can get excited about is giving her little brother new tea. He could already tell, it didn't have a bitter aroma, instead it seemed sweet, with a spice he is unfamiliar of. Finally, he ended her anticipation and brought the warm liquid to his lips. He looked up at her to see if she was satisfied, and then relentlessly took another drink.

"Like it? It's cardamon cinnamon tea, totally naturally ground, and homemade," she took out a box and placed it on his desk. "There's a new shop, selling herbal medicine and flowers, it's getting pretty popular even though it opened just this week." She sighs, pouring herself a cup, leaning on her fan, "Then again, it's probably because the shopkeeper is sorta a cutie. Although, not as cute as me..." she sighs into the sweetness. "All right," she pushes herself up, securing her weapon to it's usual place. "That was my fun for today," she strolls out of his office, waving back at Gaara.

He silently waits for her footsteps to fade before reaching for the teapot. Only one drop poured into his already empty cup. He holds in a sigh, and reaches for another pouch.

Bitter tea was his preference to stimulate him, however, he found himself turning back to the pouches. Changing from bitter to sweet. Yet, it's not overly sugary to make him reject it. He felt lighter drinking it, lighter in a way for him to reflect on his own growth, his own change. Bitter reminded him of blood, of those he killed, the past, referring back to... When he killed Yashamaru, nearly killed Lee, almost destroying the Leaf Village, his eagerness to fight, how he thought he was on the verge of never being able to repent.

This tea is different. Focusing on the present, where he no longer stood alone, continuously feared, actually having friends, having the support of his village. The same village which rejected him before. Appreciating the sacrifices for his life. Meeting Naruto, changing himself, emulating his best friend, becoming hokage, his mother... The scent, the taste, it reminded him of who he became, not who he was before.

It wasn't long until his hand shifted through an empty box.

...

To his dismay, Temari wasn't available to give any directions. The only thing he relied on was the name on the box as he shuffled around the village. Eight in the morning, the sun's rays sparkle against the red sand of Suna. He asked for assistance to those who greeted him, and left them bewildered at their Kazekage running such a casual, personal errand. Of course, his reign as Kazekage To his luck, he found the shop rather quickly, Temari was correct at it being well-known. He already recognized the smell and walked straight towards the entrance. Of course his presence would make a difference, especially with his growing popularity with the girls. They gathered around him, Matsuri pushing herself forward.

"Lord Gaara! What are you doing here? This is probably the last place I'd imagine you stopping by," she tried to hide her sudden outburst with a shy grin.

"I...wanted tea," he nods to the other girls, accepting their "good mornings." He realizes it must be a favored location for the young adults. He feels relief when Matsuri ushers herself and the others out, leaving him in peace. He doesn't understand the flustered feeling of being caught shopping, and scans the shelves stocked with different sorts of varieties. Fresh and growing herbs decorated the cashier's counter. Flowers littered in various places, blooming in an unfamiliar, dry environment. Whoever was running the shop is either good at blending in the crowd, or being recklessly carefree. The tea came powdered, or in bags, but he wasn't adventurous enough to stray from his current favorite. He paused when he finally found the label.

"Cardamon cinnamon?" a soft voice from behind. He turned to face the "cutie" Temari was also correct about. She wore a baggy jacket along with a scarf wound around her neck, yet shorts and tights. There is sand lingering in her hair, and dust on her cheeks, yet a pink tint as well. She seemed uncomfortable with the weather, but her lips had maintained their softness. "Oh! Th-The Kazekage," she whispered harshly as if scolding herself and bowed. "L-Lord Gaara, I presume? I'm sorry, I'm not originally from Suna, it's still all a great big maze to me. I only recognize you from your hair, sir. They told me it'd be..." she looked up, noticing the symbol on his forehead. "...red."

"...welcome," he cautiously walks around her, a tea box in his hand, approaching the cash register.

She knows nothing. He felt as if Shukaku was teasing him with this fact.

An obvious newcomer.

There is no hesitance in her smile as she places herself behind the counter, trying her best to treat him like any normal customer. Her hands shook, taking his money, it wasn't out of fear, but nervousness. He is aware of the expression of fear. She is only trying her best not to offend him.

"I heard," his low voice made her shiver while she bagged the item. "...you make the tea yourself?"

"Well, most comes from my family, but this one, yes, I make it," she gently places the change in the money tray, and motions the bag towards him. Their hands exchange a short and light touch as he took the bag, she said her gratitude and he went straight back to his office.

Her hands were soft.

...

"Ha! I knew you liked this stuff," commented Temari when she discovers a new box of the tea. She pops the lid open only dismayed to see one pouch left, and judging by his glare, there was no way in sharing.

"What's up?" Kankuro stood at the entrance of the doorway, smirking at his sister's pouting lips. He leans in to read the description of the box, "Oh, I know this place. That's where that new cute girl is."

"Of course you would remember if there's a cute girl paired with it," Temari said with a snarky tone.

Gaara continued with the paperwork, entertained by the chatters of his siblings.

"You're just jealous cause someone is stealing your 'title.'"

"Oh please, at least I don't have to try to get someone's attention."

"Whatever..." he glanced at the teapot as it made a hissing noise, poured a cup of hot water for himself, and then tore open the last bag from the box. Temari is too afraid to turn to Gaara, but watches Kankuro hastily drink the tea down.

...

Another rare sight for the villagers, watching the "Three Sand Siblings" walking nonchalantly on the streets. Usually they were seen individually, or in a pair, hardly all together due to different reasons and their positions. Temari giggled at Kankuro who uncomfortably walked beside his irked little brother. To think Gaara would summon sand over a petty reason, he underestimated him, realizing his childlike behaviors.

"You're paying."

"I got that already, geez!" he scratches the back of his head as Temari let out a tiny laugh.

Gaara dressed casually, abandoning his robe, hoping for less recognition. However, his appearance is too particular to cover up, and to be with his siblings, the two always attracted some sort of attention. Their names, their history, it is all known, too well by total strangers.

"Welcome," chimed a voice from the register. Unlike before, the shop is empty, probably because they arrived at an earlier time, "Oh, it's you two!" she exclaims seeing Gaara and Temari. Kankuro turned the corner and her face turned sour, "Oh, it's you, too."

"Hey there," he replies smoothly, not allowing his confidence to shake. He gestures a hand towards her, but instead a container is placed on his empty palm. And then, another from Gaara. Temari jumps the opportunity and piles a couple of her choices in Kankuro's arms. The girl looked pleased. Not only was she making money so early in the morning, she also gets to see Kankuro suffer a little.

"Are you all friends?" she asks, taking her time to scan the items.

"Actually siblings," replied Temari who began to casually lean against the counter, her two brothers knew she was going to carry on the conversation for more than a minute. No one else occupied the store.

"Oh?" she paused taking a second look at the three.

"Temari takes after mom, I take after dad, and Gaara-" Kankuro takes a pause, thinking about the correct words to say, "He's a mix of both." She cocks her head, "Oh yeah, you don't know our names! Well, you got those two down, mine is-"

"That's fine," she said bluntly, and he bears with another rejection. "I'm [Name], nice to meet you all, even you, Kankuro."

"You know my name!" the cloud has lifted.

"Actually, I enjoy socializing with my customers, so you three are a common topic," she pulls her sleeves over her wrists to properly pack.

"What do they say?" everyone paused at the sudden question and glanced at Gaara. After a few seconds of quiet he recedes a bit, "...what?"

"You've come a long way," [Name] answered. "A long way in such a short amount of time. Continuously defending your comrades and the village, doing what's best, it's amazing how many people adore you."

Adore.

"Especially, the girls," she snickers to herself.

"Oh, what?!" groaned Kankuro, scratching the back of his head, losing to his little brother at this sort of thing.

"Here you go," [Name] holds out three bags, Gaara and Temari stepped back for Kankuro to take them. "For you three to be able to stop and chat, the village really must be at peace right now," her lips curve, and she looked up from the counter, accidentally meeting eyes with Gaara. He doesn't break the gaze, she does, and Temari takes notice, but holds her tongue. "Thank you," she said shakily.

He reflected on her comment that day.

Unfortunately, this "peace" was only an illusion, an illusion to be shattered at any time, even with thorough preparation. Even though he knew nothing of her, whether her innocence is a delusion as well, he secretly hoped she wouldn't be exposed.