"Gaara"
"hmm? Dear sister, what is it?"
"I'm pregnant."
Gaara looked up, rather slowly from his paper work littering his desk. His face stoic and neutral as always.
"You're… pregnant? By whom?" Gaara seemed to ask almost too calmly. It seemed to Temari that rage was slowly building in his eyes, though in hindsight it could have just been the years of fear of her brother. Temari, hesitant at first, swallowed hard before answering almost inaudibly, "Shikamaru…"
Gaara's face loosened in an attempt to convey sympathy when he caught the sadness in his dear sister's response. Naruto had changed him, but he was still learning the nuances.
Gaara was not, by any means, against the Nara. Actually, next to Naruto, Shikamaru may have been his favorite Leaf shinobi. The news, however shocking, was more or less saddening to Gaara as well. His elder sister was to give birth to his niece or nephew alone. He decided, as all good brothers should, to allow his sister to make the decisions and the Kazekage, no her brother, would support her. In the short time, he had grown to love his sister unconditionally and wanted nothing but her happiness for her.
"I want to have them in Konoha. I'd like to raise them on the Nara compound…" She stopped for a moment in order to think of a reason Gaara would go for it. Gaara was amused that she was trying ever so hard. He would have told her it was fine, but Gaara always found that making his siblings nervous and fret was, though cruel, rather enjoyable. A guilty pleasure however guilty is still a pleasure.
"I think it would help me out to have Okasan…I think it's the least I could do for her. I mean they're her grandchildren and she's lost her husband and only son..." Temari went silent and stared at her baby brother, watching him as he seemed to contemplate, subconsciously putting her hand on her stomach.
"Why did you say 'them'?" Gaara had picked up on her word usage.
"I'm having twins." Gaara shut his eyes for a few moments, so Temari decided to add on a little incentive. "It can even be used as a political strengthening between the two villages, I mean with the nephews of the Kazekage being Leaf citizens. I'm sure Lady Tsunade would be more than willing."
Gaara allowed the side of his mouth to curl into a small smile. "Then it is decided, you will leave for Konoha when you are ready. Whatever it is you need, you just have to ask dear sister. I will accompany you personally to Konoha." As Gaara spoke these softer words, Kankuro entered the Kazekage's office. "Woah Woah, Temari, darting off to the Leaf? What for?"
Temari gave a small smile, looking down at her hand still resting on her stomach, before giving her answer, "To raise your nieces or nephews."
Kankuro stood dumbstruck for several moments as Gaara allowed another smile to brush his lips. "I. will. KILL THE SON OF A BITCH. Temari! Who did it?! What bastard did it!? I'll kill him I swear!" Kankuro began pacing, muttering obscenities and threats as he clinched his fists.
"You're too late for that dumbass." Temari tried to respond lightheartedly with a weak chuckle, though her voice betrayed her once more. "Crybaby's been dead, you know that."
Again, Kankuro stood dumbstruck before he finally seemed to understand. By no means unintelligent, Kankuro was much slower at piecing things together when it involved Temari and boys. "I'm…I'm sorry, Tema, I am so sorry… Did he love you? Did you love him? Why move away? What do you need? Whatever you need sis just ask. Gaara and I will do whatever it is. You don't have to leave, we can help."
"Kankuro, please, give Temari some time to respond." Gaara, with his infamous scowl, requested of him, making Kankuro almost whimper.
Temari laughed at her brothers, it never failed. She loved them more now than ever, and they were always capable of making her feel better.
"No No Gaara, it's okay. To answer, yes I love him. It took me awhile, but I finally realized it and I'd like to think he loved me too. I mean that lazy bastard had to have planned this right? I think it'd be good for the kids, Yoshino-san, the two villages' alliance, and me. All I need from you right now, Kankuro, is to never call me Tema." Temari shot the request rather harshly, though was quick to fix her tone. "…please. He always called me that."
And with that, Temari smiled and bid her brothers farewell as she made her way back to her home, her old home. Home is where your heart is and Temari's heart belonged to a Konoha-nin. Her heart belonged to the Nara clan. Her home was waiting for her in Konoha.
A tear fell off of her chin as she walked down the hall. Tema had always been her favorite nickname.