First I would like to say thank you to those that have been reading this story. I would love to get a few opinions on it so please do not hesitate to drop me a review. As of December 30th, 2010 there have been some big and small changes to this fanfic. To anyone that has probably read the first 5 chapters you might notice them. I had to do a bit of research and found that even Ginkage is a bit older then I thought once I found out the ages of others in the series. (A lot of that will come to light in Chapter 5 now that I've sorted it all out.) There is also an added scene to Chapter 3 that I originally omitted but figured it would blend nicely with some info in Chapter 5.

I do not own the Naurto characters or their world though I enjoy playing in it! Ginkage is mine however and I'm very possessive. :P

Please enjoy the read!

The quiet calm of Konohagakure was suddenly shattered as a tumbling mass of limbs and breathless laughter rolled to a stopped outside of Ichiraku Ramen. Nara Shikamaru was stunned speechless after being tackled to the ground by tiny black and gray blur. Already struggling for breath he found it knocked out of him for a second time when his attacker thumped his shoulders roughly to the ground leaving him pinned beneath their light weight. With the sun at his attacker's back all he was able to make out was a dark silhouette rimmed in brilliant white light.

On the other hand, Temari, Ino and Chouji had a perfect view of the young woman who had utterly surprised them all. With her back to them she appeared to be several years younger then they were and her amused voice only seemed to assure that particular assumption as she teased the young man under her with a rather childish nickname, "Shi-kun!"

Glancing to each other and then back to the scene playing out before them, they took a moment to observe the figure while Shikamaru was still trying to figure out who had just jumped him. Unfortunately, the slender figure had other ideas and would adjust to keep her face in shadows every time he tried to shift so that he could better see. He could just make out a tail of black hair swinging at her hips from where it appeared to be wrapped around her neck. A silver spike, bound by a single oval of onyx, encompassed the tip and glinted with every motion of her body. From the corner of his eye he could see Ino gently nudging Chouji and pointing out the new arrival's clothing.

"Looks like someone got into her parents closet and played dress up," she teased, not bothering to whisper.

Chouji nodded his agreement and since he didn't want to completely take his eyes off the little prankster, Shikamaru let his eyes wander down over the tiny frame. If it hadn't been for the hint of black ink on her shoulder he would have agreed with them about the fact his attacker was wearing what resembled an ANBU's uniform. It just further confused him. A bland expression quickly hid his frustration before he shrugged, tucked his arms beneath his head and just closed his eyes. A childish tactic that worked wonderfully as he suddenly felt the weight rise off him. His eyes opening to a much clearer view of an offered hand encased in dark fingerless gloves.

"I should have known you would be no fun, Shi-kun." Where her voice had been higher and hyper before now it was low and smokey. A slow smile slidding over full cinnamon toned lips that complimented the soft tan of her face. Where he had breifly agreed that she was around their age he couldn't deny now that it was the body of a woman standing above him. Her all to familiar face trying to place its self inside of his memories as she helped pull him to his feet. "And that you wouldn't remember me."

Not so much nervous as a bit ashamed for not recognizing her, he did not even notice the tell tale rub to his nape as she continued to hold his hand. The intimate gesture adding a slight narrowing to Temari's eyes as she was the first to move towards them. The motion dragging up Shika's eyes and forcing a barely noticeable blush to steal across his cheeks as the pair locked eyes. His reaction pulling the young woman's attentions right along with it the second he pulled his hand free of hers.

Temari hadn't been fooled by the playful antics. The moment the tumbling had ceased she took stock of who had just taken down the guy that she liked. There was no way she had mistaken her for a child and when fathomless black eyes turned to face her approach, she knew she was looking into the face of a woman, albeit a short one. A full head shorter then the tall youth at her side, the woman's brilliant eyes were unnerving in how they intently observed her, the color of polished onyx completely hid her pupils. If she hadn't been smiled, Temari would have no clue as to her mood and after the tiny woman watched curiously for a moment longer she finally extended delicate hand in greeting.

"Hello. I am sorry to just drop in on you guys like that but I can't help getting an edge up on Shi-kun." Taken back a bit, Temari accepted her hand and was completely shocked how disarming her full smile was. As a matter of fact each of them were a bit agape over the whole situation. "Seeing as I have been so thoroughly forgotten by my pineapple crowned acquaintance here, I guess I sh..."

"Shi-kun...? Pineapple crowned acquaintance...?" Glancing up at Shika each of them watched as he began to piece things together. A sudden panicked look crossing his features that startled all but one of them. He stuttered, stammered and pointed dead at her chest as he took a flight ready step backwards. "W-what the hell are you doing here!"

"Well, now that you remember me, maybe you'd like to introduce me to your friends."

He couldn't do it. He was too busy trying to recompose himself, standing stick straight with a slight bead of sweat cresting his temple. Finding it odd that he was reacting this way, Temari shifted to his side and lightly let her hand brush against his as she turned to face the smiling pixie like woman. Worried over who had just barged in on them. She had been about to ask what was going on but Ino stepped in, rather physically against Chouji's full-mouthed protests, and grabbed the woman's shoulder. The forced touch was left to look a lot more effective then it actually had been.

"Alright, just what's going on here? Who the hell are you? Shikamaru never looks that scared."

It was her smile that told Ino she had just made a bad move. Where it had once been warm and friendly, the supple curve now held ice at its edges. Those black spheres shadowed beneath thick ebony lashes at the narrowing of her eyes "Didn't anyone ever teach you to respect your elders, Yamanaka Ino?"

"E-elders! You can't be that much older then me! Don't act so high and mighty!" She had yet to drop her grip from that smooth curve of shoulder and in barely the blink of an eye regretted ever touching this woman. Her startled cry cut through the streets around them locking all of those peeking eyes right onto them as she found herself on her stomach being used as a seat. "HEY! GET OFF'A ME! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!"

A sharp pain slid along Ino's hand and arm as her contorted wrist was pressed deeper into the odd angle it was held in, all the while, the young woman just kept smiling at the other three. It was rather impressive how she completely ignored the shouting figure stretched out beneath her. "Have you found your voice yet, Shikamaru?"

He nodded, his once wide eyes returning to their annoyed glaze, "Temari... Chouji... Ino... I'd like you to meet Ginkage... my Aunt ."

"Your Aunt?" Temari didn't even realize she'd blurted it out as she stared dumbfounded at the way too young looking woman.

Chouji had actually dropped his bag of chips.

Ino had finally fallen silent as she angled her head to look up at the still smiling woman.

"It's a pleasure to meet each of you. Now then..." releasing the pressure hold upon Ino's hand Gin also slipped out the tiny pin that had punctured the young chunin's nape without so much as a flinch from the blonde-haired teen. However, neither Temari nor Shikamaru missed the motion and realized why Ino had been unable to move. "Before I got all wound up in my little surprise, I had been sent to fetch you for my sister. Apparently, my impromptu return has inspired her to cook a special dinner and she would like you home. Though I'm fairly certain that she wouldn't mind any of your friends joining us either."

He just sighed, his shoulders slumping with his level glare. "I guess if they want to come... Temari is staying with us for a few days while she's in Konoha, so unfortunately she's stuck with this arrangement."

Gin was impressed by the young woman at her nephew's side, especially when she prodded his side after his comment. Shaking her head, the young Sunagakure shinobi, stepped forth to again offer her hand this time. "I apologize for Shikamaru, Ginkage-sama." His small snort of indifference earned him a narrowed glance before both women looked back to each other, "I'm pleased to meet you."

"And I you. I looks like a lot has changed since I left. This should be a very interesting evening."

And it was...

For all but Shikamaru it seemed.

Not only had his mother decided to make a special dinner for her sister's return to the village but she had thrown together a whole party in the expanse of a single afternoon. Anyone that knew Ginkage and many who did not had been invited. At some point he even noticed that several of the Genin cells had shown up, including most of his 'friends'. Neji and Hinata had arrived in the shadow of the head of the Hyuga clan who startled several when he openly accepted Ginkage's enthusiastic embrace. Her almost childlike features seemed to forgive much of the action before she was hauled aside by Asuma and drowned in a rough bear hug. For the most part, he had to admit ignorance as to just how popular his Aunt really was.

A point that Temari emphasized, as she sat down next to him and leaned to ask, "she seems to know everyone. What exactly does she do?"

"Ginkage is... She's an elite Jonin."

"Really? She looks so young..."

"She's older then she looks. She's my mom's youngest sister, the baby of the family, that's why my mom dotes on her so much." Continuing to watch, he could not help the cruel smirk that twisted his lips as Kiba slid over to flirt with his Aunt. He had no idea just what he was getting into. "She's about thirty seven if I remember right."

"What? She doesn't look much older then us!"

"Nope, but don't tell her that I told you. My dad always says that I got my skill for strategy from my Aunt."

"She seems nice enough." Looking to him, she gently settled her hand over his, hiding the gesture between their legs, "why did you seem so scared of her when you realized who she was?"

"I was just shocked. I haven't seen her in almost ten years and last time I did I..." He suddenly clammed up as a hand settled on his shoulder forcing him to realize he'd lost sight of his Aunt for a moment.

Temari, who was watching several of the Sensei's talking with Shika's mother and father had not even noticed the new arrival as she absently spoke, "you'd what?"

"He'd proposed to me..."