A/N: Oops, I forgot to say in the first chapter that the universe may be a little screwed up. For instance, I plan to show Shikamaru's abilities as they are right now in the manga, but Asuma is not dead, Sasuke is still around, etc. Confusing, I know Thanks for all the reviews

Temari sat cross-legged, fiercely watching eddies of sand swirl through the desert

that stretched out before her. Sandstorms ravaged the dunes, metaphorical to the feelings

she felt inside. In other words, she was quite pissed. Why the hell are all guys the same?

Since she had turned 17, suitors had begun to flock to her, all claiming that she was something along the lines of 'their heart's deepest desire'. Normally she wouldn't have minded such attention, but there was always something weird with her would-be husbands, even if they were handsome or seemed nice at first glance.

First off, she could tell that none of them loved her. When Temari looked into their eyes, instead of the undying love they claimed to have for her, she saw primal hunger and greed.

Some were simply looking for a ticket to power, since marrying Temari would tie their clan to that of the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara of the Desert. If she ended up marrying one of them, she would be cast away after the marriage was consummated, left to rot while her husband enjoyed his new lifestyle. Sadly enough, at the time being, this was the type of suitor she preferred.

The other typical kind was much worse. They also stared at her with greed, but with a different kind. Their eyes were never still, always examining her profile, her curves, seemingly every part of her body besides her face. When she stood uncomfortably in front of them, her skin crawled and she felt a strong urge to break down and puke. Most of the wolves, as she had dubbed them, were at least twenty years older than her. Temari visibly cringed when she thought about what life would be with one of the wolves as her husband.

Sighing, the sand kunoichi uncrossed her tan legs and seized two fistfuls of sand. The grains scorched Temari's hand as they passed through her fingertips, but she relished the warmth that they brought her. Frowning slightly, she let the last of the sand fall back to the dune beneath her. I guess I should be happy that none of them are in love with me. That would be gross. One thing is for sure, Temari no Sabaku is NOT marrying some slovenly old man just because he would make a good ally to the Sabaku clan. Thank kami Gaara is letting me choose my husband. I'd hate to think what would happen if daddy dearest was still Kazekage...

Temari watched as one of the miniature sandstorms began to whirl towards her. Without batting an eye, she rose and stood there, arms spread wide as the seemingly powerful force approached her. Many of the Suna villagers feared the sandstorms, claiming that anyone caught in one would be buried alive, or have the skin ripped right off their bones. Temari simply snorted at their ignorance; people could be so stupid. As the grit washed over her, she felt calm, and yet very alive at the same time, a sensation that filled the void created by her countless meetings with suitors. Finally, the rough caresses ceased and she was left unscathed, if a little dirty, in the same spot.

Exhaling slowly, she plopped back down on the soft dune, surveying her beautiful desert with teal eyes. Smiling contentedly, she made a decision that would most likely infuriate the entire village of Suna. She would not marry anyone. They're all pigs, for one reason or another. Some of them are even more perverted than that sage guy in Konoha... Temari grinned gleefully when she imagined the varied expressions of disbelief and anger on the faces of her "admirers".

Not to mention, I'm most definitely not going to act like one of those silly girls in fairy tales, waiting for Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. Ha, I'd like to see some guy TRY to sweep me off my feet. Temari lazily made the motion of swinging her fan and smiled slightly sadly. If he did... WHAP. No more Prince Charming.

They say you know the second that you're in love... I wonder if that's true. Seems like more fairy tale bull-crap to me... The troublesome woman lay back and simply watched the blue sky that extended as far as her eye could see. No clouds. Pff, seems like a cloud in Suna is about as rare as an honest man. Temari's train of thought was disrupted as a shadow fell across her. "Gaara? Is that you?"

It was not Gaara, nor was it Kankuro or Baki-sensei. A willowy masked figure stood high above her, arms folded, carefully examining her. The man was at least six and a half feet tall, but had a wiry complexion. Judging by the veins on his hands, he was somewhere in his early forties. Temari stumbled to her feet and drew her fan, sizing up her opponent. Despite her open hostility, he made no move to attack. When at last he spoke, his voice was silky and dripping with false sweetness.

"Relax, my vibrant desert flower. I do not wish to fight with you. Please..." He did a small, fanciful bow, yet still did not reveal his face. "I have come with a proposal, that is all..."

Temari continued to watch him warily, expecting him to draw some hidden weapon, or begin to form hand seals. Judging by his arrogance and the interest he seemed to have in her, this was yet another man seeking to woo her. Who knows, he might be one I've already met. Hell, I've lost count... CAN'T I ESCAPE THEM FOR JUST ONE HOUR?!?

"Cut the crap! If I hear one more lame pickup line, I swear I'm gonna have to kill somebody." Temari paused and looked around for good measure. Her snarl turned into a sweet smile. "And it appears that you happen to be the only person around... Now, leave me alone."

The tough girl shuddered as she thought she heard the suitor lick his lips beneath his chujo mask. Still appearing not to lose faith in his own abilities with women, the man gave a muffled response.

"The best women are the feisty ones... Are you sure you do not wish to accompany back to the house of my clan?" Temari nodded her head vigorously, repulsed by the very idea of the least bit of intimate contact with this stranger. The disguised pervert only shrugged his shoulders before taking up a fighting stance. Now I have an excuse to beat the bejeezus out of him... Finally, a chance to vent. Nice...

"Then I suppose I'll have to get my hands dirty." The man sighed before examining his finger nails. "And I just got a manicure. Oh that is most unfortunate... Ah, well."

He had just finished making his second hand signal when voices reached them from a few dunes away calling Temari's name. For a moment, the kunoichi's concentration was broken, and she looked away from her assailant to a group of small children that were tugging Kankuro by both arms towards her. Remembering the weirdo, she turned back to where he should have been. Sand swirled in his empty place, and there was no trace of him anywhere. Her expression blanched. Was it all a mirage? ...No way... Where did he go?

She was starting to convince herself that she had imagined the whole thing when the corner of a white object caught her eye. Bending down, she brushed sand off the mask before examining it closely. It appeared to be an ordinary chujo mask, used to represent young aristocrats in plays. The only thing unique about it was a heart painted in sickening pink on the left cheek. Temari turned away, fighting back a nauseous feeling that was swelling up like a wave within her. She tucked the mask inside her sash, but could not shake the mental image of the creep and his mask. It's his way of saying that he'll be back. One time or another. Tomorrow or next week. He will find me.

The wind kunoichi shook the brief fear from her mind before narrowing her eyes and clenching her fists. When and if he does, I'll be ready and waiting. Several shrill, excited voices broke the sand nin out of her trance.

"Hey, Temari-sempai! We're gonna play ninja with Kankurou-sama, do you want to play too?" The ninja academy children smiled up at her innocently, obviously oblivious to what had just gone on. Temari's tough expression relaxed and she smirked at her brother, who was barely tolerating the kids. Kankurou rolled his eyes and mouthed the words 'Get out while you still can'. Temari laughed and crouched down by the kids. Surprisingly, unlike her brothers, she had a way with children.

"I have a meeting with the fifth Kazekage," The young Sunese looked down cast. "But, as soon as I'm done, I promise I'll come back." With that, the wind kunoichi rose and began walking back towards the village of Suna. Behind her she heard a yell as the young ninja took Kankurou's cat ear hat and ran away with it, the annoyed puppeteer in hot pursuit.

Lost in thought about her meeting with the mysterious man, Temari wandered through the archway of the city walls and into the bustling streets. Walking through the various roads and marketplaces, Temari could not help but notice the immense number of couples. They were frigging everywhere! Making out in doorways, groping each other on benches, whispering in each other's ears and laughing like idiots. I guess animals aren't the only ones with a mating season.

Despite her best attempt to tune them out, Temari was always watching the couples out of the corner of her eye, torturing herself with the thought of what it would be like to love someone and have them love her back. Get the thought out of your head. It's not going to happen.

The kunoichi looked up and found herself thankfully in front of the Kazekage's office building. Her eyebrows furrowed as she remembered the circumstances that had led to her scheduled meeting with Gaara. He had approached her after an incident involving a heavy golden cup, an awful dinner, and a suitor with severe head trauma. He had simply sighed and asked her to drop by later for a talk.

I doubt that he's going to punish me... After all he gave me the right to choose my husband. Not to mention the fact that I'm his older sister. Ha, he knows he can't control me, and has never tried. It seems that he understands my situation at times, and yet he keeps herding more and more slovenly pig-men into my life. Meh, he still makes a hell of a better Kazekage than father did. With that final thought, she opened the door to his office and sauntered in.

"You wanted to see me, Gaara?"

Gaara looked up from his desk and smiled slightly when he saw her. He motioned for her to sit down. By the way he fidgeted uncharacteristically, she could tell he was dealing with something that was completely foreign to him. He opened and closed his mouth several times before grunting and finally speaking.

"Yeah. As you know, right now is a difficult period in your life. I know that you are not fond of most of the suitors..." Temari snorted at this comment, temper rising slightly.

"At the moment, my top candidate is a forty-five year old, four hundred pound bald guy... Believe me, I am not fond of any of those fatheads..." Gaara narrowed his eyes slightly and she abruptly stopped speaking, sorry that she'd taken out her frustration on him.

The fifth Kazekage sighed and rubbed his temples, before continuing, choosing his words even more carefully.

"I know that I don't understand how you feel, but I think you are far overdue for a break..." Gaara trailed off as he caught sight of the white mask that poked out of Temari's sash. He nodded to it, a quizzical expression on his normally indifferent face.

"What's that?" Temari pulled the chujo mask out and handed it to Gaara, and gave him a troubled look.

"I had a 'meeting' with one of the suitors out in the desert. He wore this mask and did not identify himself. I don't know what would have happened if Kankurou and some kids hadn't come along... As soon as they were within earshot, the guy just up and disappeared, leaving this behind." Temari forced a smile as her brother examined the heart painted on a cheek. "You know how much I hate hot pink..." Gaara suppressed his rage at such a dishonor to his sister before speaking again.

"This is more serious than I thought. As I was saying, I think it is high time that you took a bit of a vacation..." At this Temari raised her eyebrows and grinned slightly.

"About time! Thank kami! So, where are we going?" Gaara pulled a paper from a drawer and held it out for her to see.

"Not we. Just you. And it's more of a temporary transfer."

Temari stared down in disbelief at the sheet of paper. It was a letter from the Hokage, approving Gaara's request that his sister live and work in Konoha for an indefinite amount of time. She slowly raised her vision to her brother before snarling.

"Konoha?!? But–" Gaara cut her off with an icy expression. Whenever Gaara got that look, he was adamant in his decision.

"If what you told me about the masked suitor is true, then it is best that you are sent someplace that is our ally, for both your comfort and your protection. A decoy caravan is setting off for the Land of Honey tomorrow morning. You will be traveling under the cover of darkness. I'm sending Kankurou and Baki to accompany you to Konoha, but you will be staying with some host family that Tsunade-sama has picked out." Temari sighed in resignation, unhappily looking down at her feet.

"So, I leave tomorrow night? Gaara nodded before rising and gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I promise that we'll visit whenever we can. It'll be tough to drag Kankurou away from his girlfriends and booze, but I think I just might be able to convince him to come." Temari smiled slightly, in spite of herself. Gaara and his sand could be pretty convincing at times.

"Well, I guess I should pack. I'll see you tomorrow Gaara." With that she left, wondering how she would survive in Konoha. She normally brimming with self confidence, but at the moment she felt she felt slightly worried.

Every other time I've been there, I wasn't alone. Ugh, and no doubt I'll be grouped with the fifteen year olds. Hmm, I wonder if Tenten still hates my guts... And is Naruto still an irritating loudmouth?

She stepped out of the building and into the dying light of the sunset. She casually glanced up and caught sight of something that surprised her. There, in the middle of the golden-red sky, a small cloud floated lazily, propelled by the slight breeze. What was it I thought earlier? A cloud in Suna is as rare as... Temari could barely stop herself from breaking down laughing at her own naiveté. Oh, please. This isn't some dumb fairy tale. Get a hold of yourself.

Temari shook her head. Honestly. That would be so corny... Wait, what was it I promised to do? Oh right... the kids. Better make sure they haven't eaten Kankurou alive... or the other way around. With that, the sand nin set out to look for her brother, giving the cloud no further thought.

A/N: Well there's chapter two. I'll try to get number three up soon, but as you know the last week before school starts is somewhat hectic. Also, I know Gaara is a little bit out of character, but I imagine that he acts a little different around his family since his encounter with Naruto. Also, can somebody please tell me how to put more spaces in between the lines!!! It's driving me crazy...