A stream of sand from out of nowhere appeared and began to swirl in circles, concealing the two tall figures inside the sand.

"Shoot. They don't have to, you know, shower everyone with sand if they wanted to make a grand entrance," TenTen coughed, rubbing her eyes. A considerable sound of ruffling and brushing followed, as people tried to rid their bodies and things of sand. The sand then disappeared, revealing the brothers.

After many years, Gaara's appearance did not change, except that now he is a fully grown man. His scarlet hair, in wild disarray, flew back in the wind. His face is calm, but his intense emerald eyes scanned the whole place. The brawny, taller man beside him did not look like Kankurō at all. Or maybe it is just that the Hidden Sand Village residents and his Hidden Leaf Village friends are so used to seeing him with thick, dark purple Kabuki paint lines designed all over his face and he was always in his 'Little BLACK Riding Hood' attire, plus the pointed catlike ears on the hood and minus the cape. That IS the outward show of the Kankurō they all knew, on a daily basis. However, he has completely done away with his former get-up. He was slightly unshaven, with extremely short hairs on some parts of his face and on his chin. His hair in its copper hue is completely disheveled, just like his younger brother's. In an odd way though, the untidy manner of their hair suited them both.

Everybody stared. They stared and they stared.

SILENCE…

"Gaara! Kankurō! I thought you two have an important business to attend to across the desert!" Temari exclaimed.

"That can wait," replied the Kazekage in his usual subdued tone.

"Yep! Our sister's most important day of her life comes first," Kankurō agreed.

"Though I see that we are…late," he added sardonically as an afterthought. He grinned in self-mockery, which caused sounds of girls giggling in the background.

Hehehe, looks like my two new brothers-in-law upstaged the famous Uchiha Sasuke, Shikamaru thought with an idle smile.

It was true. The girls who were feasting their eyes on Sasuke a while ago were now focused on Gaara and Kankurō, save Haruno Sakura, of course. If the two Sand brothers were aware of the turncoat fan girls, they made no sign of it. The three siblings were now locked in an embrace. They all watched the touching scene.

"Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Emotional fellows. They're always like that," TenTen said, amused at her former teacher and her former teammate.

Gaara faced the wedding guests. "I would like to thank all of Sunagakure for their diligent attendance and of course, the inhabitants of Konohagakure no Sato, taking great pains to travel towards here for three days, just to attend the wedding of my sister," he said solemnly.

"Uh, Sakura, I'll go to the bathroom for a sec," Ino said.

"Go ahead."

Sakura looked after Ino as she made her way towards the toilet. Ino closed the door behind her. She stood in front of the mirror. She slowly removed the black ribbon the held her hairs, letting it fall gracefully on her shoulders. She run her fingers through her hair and she brushed it again and again. She stared at her reflection. She was very interesting-looking. Soft, flowing hair of white-gold, sapphire eyes and thin cherry lips. Her father would always tell her that she's a beauty. If so, how come I'm always short of things when it comes to love? Ino asked herself sadly. How come?

POOF! There was somebody behind her.

Ino jumped up and skillfully took out her kunai with remarkable speed. She turned around and upon seeing who the intruder was, she withdrew her weapon.

"Shizune-san?"

The dark-haired woman nodded.

"Yamanaka Ino, always pampering herself. You don't really need to, you know." She smiled at Ino.

"What brings you here? And what jutsu was that?" Ino asked.

"I've come to take you back to Konohagakure, Miss Yamanaka," Shizune answered.

"So suddenly? What for?"

"On behalf of Tsunade-sama's orders."

Ino fell silent. She slowly opened the bathroom door and stepped out.

"I'll tell them first, and then we go," she told Shizune.

She saw Sakura and Kakashi in a friendly conversation with Shikamaru and the Sand Siblings.

"Ino!" Sakura called. She pointed to an empty chair between her and Kakashi. "Join us!"

"Sakura. I have to go back to Konohagakure," Ino informed her best friend.

Sakura's face fell. "But Ino! I already booked a room for four at a nearby inn here! You couldn't—"

"It is urgent," said a voice behind them.

"Shizune-san! What are you doing here?" Kakashi asked, quite surprised.

"Hokage-sama sent me here to fetch Ino. She has to be involved in a mission."

"A mission? What is it then?" Shikamaru questioned.

"I'm afraid I don't know. We will find out when we get there," Shizune replied.

The Sand Siblings made no comment, but their eyes were fixed on Ino, who looked as clueless as everybody else in the group.

"Fine. Then I'll stay here in Suna with Hinata and TenTen until Ino comes back," Sakura finally said. Ino looked at Sakura as though the girl had gone mad.

"You can't do that! Do you have any idea how much a night in an inn cost nowadays? Geez, you—"

"She can stay with us at our place until you come back. TenTen and Hinata can come, too." Temari cut in.

Sakura stared at Temari. "That is so nice of you, Temari-san. But I can't just possibly go and stay with a couple of friends in a newly-weds' house for a series of days! You need time to keep your mind on a lot of things. I'm sure to be a burden," Sakura objected.

"I insist. That won't be a problem." said Temari.

"That's right," her husband agreed. "What Ino just stated is true. If you proceed with your plans, you'd be hurting your wallet."

"Well…" Sakura did not know what else to say.

"Come on!" Temari pleaded.

"Okay." Sakura finally gave in. She smiled at them gratefully.