It hadn't taken long for the gossip to spread. Sand shinobi were visiting the Leaf Village for an extended time, soon to be joined by their new Kazekage, Sabaku no Gaara. For most of the village, this was a cause of worry.

Had not Gaara and his siblings been a crucial part of the betrayal and attack upon the Leaf Village? Rumors circulated that Gaara wasn't even completely human, but most discounted that as mere superstition. Yet, for the charms merchants, it was a very profitable time making special items to ward off evil.

Most agreed that Gaara's elder sister, Temari, was a much more pleasant sort. Not that the girl was easy to get to know or to get along with, but she seemed so …so normal in comparison to her sibling.

Yet, there were those of the younger shinobi who spoke with admiration for the new Kazekage. Those who had been on the mission to aid in the rescue of Gaara's young student spoke highly of the changes they'd seen within the young man. So, at best, the gossip was both good and bad and everyone settled down to 'wait and see'.

Yet, for two kunoichi, the news was stirring up all sorts of feelings. Inuzuka Tsume was upset, but resigned. She saw this almost as if fate had knocked her on the head. So she set about making a visit of her own.

For Uzuki Yugao, the gossip stirred up another kind of emotional tempest. Rage and fury mixed with joy at being handed such a fine opportunity. The ANBU kunoichi began sharpinging her weapons and making plans for vengeance.

She'd heard about the changes wrought in the new Kazekage. And she'd even tentatively made rather stilted conversation with Temari. Yugao had let her temper cool where the sand siblings were concerned. They'd been tools, nothing more than young genin after all. Betrayed as much as the Leaf village had been betrayed. No, her vengeance had another target.

o.O.o.O.o.O

Baki knew he was being followed. He kept an eye out for the ANBU as they kept watch on him, it was no less than he had expected. He wondered idly what they would think of the new Kazekage of the Sand?

Gaara had changed. Baki smiled to himself, still amazed at the way Gaara had almost mutated. From monster to child in one long day. Thanks to his fight with Uzumaki Narato, Gaara had opened up. Literally opened up, almost like a flower.

Baki groaned, a flower? When had he ever thought in terms of poetry? But it did seem an apt description. Gaara had opened himself up to his siblings and those around him, learning how to actually care and to receive care in return. What had emerged from the wrekage of the previous boy, was a man who now had the ability to lead and protect a village, rather than merely being an instrument of destruction. And yes, despite his young age, Gaara was a man in Baki's eyes.

Proud of his former student, and now his leader, Baki entered his guest apartments after a long day fulfilling a secondary mission.

Temari and her beau were due to be wed in short order, but the marriage contracts had yet to be finished. It was tricky business negotiating terms between families, much less including villages and their respective politics. After telling his former students where he was heading. Gaara had asked him for a favor. Something the old Gaara would never have done. The young man had been concerned that the wedding would have to be postponed, so he'd asked Baki to hurry things along if possible.

Baki chuckled, and Kankuro had cornered him too, before letting Baki leave on his mision. But Kankuro hadn't wanted the marriage contracts hurried, what had been his exact words? Oh yeah, "kill it."

He'd decided to listen to the younger of the siblings on this particular matter. Having just formed closer ties to his siblings, Kankuro hadn't wanted Temari to marry outside of the Sand. It was understandable.

Gaara and Kankuro were due in only two days time. He hoped the elder sibling would be able to behave himself for his sister's sake.

Knock

Baki frowned, he hadn't felt anyone approach his quarters. Someone with some training then. And the single knock had sounded rather imperious in it's summoning.

Baki felt rather silly as he went out the side window and over the railing to the roof, then down to the walkway. But he hadn't been able to see who was there through the peephole, nor had he sensed any chakra. Caution was ever his watchword.

There was no one there. Frowning, Baki looked around, but saw no messages.

"A cautious one?" The words were mild, the tone was not.

Baki turned to look and behind him was a rather fierce looking woman with red markings on her face who hadn't been there just seconds before. She looked like she was motion personified, held still by sheer will alone. He could almost feel the energy potential within her.

"Always." He agreed and bowed warily, keeping his eyes on her.

There was a long pause. Baki didn't feel the need to break it, she'd come to see him after all, not the other way around.

"And yet, we're allies." She mocked softly.

Baki's gaze narrowed. "Yah." Was his simple response.

"Are you going to invite me in?" She asked, tapping her foot. Baki smiled, but only to himself, he'd known she wasn't the type to remain still long.

"I don't know, am I?" He didn't feel like being polite. Long hours negotiating with Leaf Village elders over a marriage contract that should have been settled months ago had taken most of his patience.

"Yes, you are." She told him, her voice still mocking.

"Why?" He shrugged.

"The obvious response of 'why not' would get us no where." The woman walked toward him. He tensed, almost expecting an attack, but she merely reached out and opened his door, then walked inside without ceremony.

"Rude." He said matter-of-factly, as if just pointing out the obvious and not passing judgement.

"I am often so, or so I'm told." She turned to face him. "I'm Inuzuka Tsume."

"'The Claw of Konoha'." He nodded, she looked like her reputation painted her. A vicious tool and capable clan leader. "And your business with the Sand?"

"Not the Sand. You." Tsume said with ultimate simplicity.

Very much surprised, Baki gestured for the kunoichi to sit. She looked reluctant, but took the seat offered. Obviously, she didn't think much of him. So what was her business here?

"You are thirty-five?" She asked, her rough voice almost a growl.

Surprised? Now he was confused. He shook his head and couldn't think of a single reason not to answer. But then, he couldn't think of a reason for her to ask. "Neh. Thirty last month."

"Damn."

Baki frowned, had she just muttered something? Or had it been a cough?

"Single?"

Alarm trickled down the Sand shinobi's spine. "Why?"

"Yes or no?"

"Yes. Now tell me why." He did a little growling of his own, his one visible eye staring intently at this very strange visitor.

"Are you looking to change that?" Came her surprising answer.

Baki sat back, stunned. Was she asking him if he was interested in her? "Nooo." He answered cautiously. It wasn't that he didn't find her appealing ...wait, strike that ... he didn't.

"What's under your 'veil'?" She asked, changing the subject as she eyed the cloth that hid half of his face.

"None of your concern, Inuzuka." He was getting annoyed. Baki almost told her to get to the point, but he was half afraid of what she was leading towards. As strong a kunoichi as she appeared, he didn't think he and Tsume would suit each other. And strangely, she didn't even seem to like him!

"You have been chosen as one of several strong possibilities to court the next Inuzuka Clan leader. According to our traditions, it appears you 'suit'. You have until tomorrow to answer yea or nay." With that stunning announcement, she left with as much ceremony as she'd arrived with. None.

Baki didn't move to show her out. Court the next Inuzuka Clan leader? Confused, he got up to pour himself a cup of sake. Who was the new leader supposed to be? A vision of a young boy with face markings to match Tsume's sprang to mind.

On that thought, he spewed out his mouthful of sake. Surely not?????

o.O.o.O.o.O

Aburame Shino sat in his father's study, reading. Shibi was at his desk, working on family business as Shino read up on arachnids. His father had not been joking about having to study up on the natural enemies of the destruction bugs.

Even now, the destruction bugs in his body sent up a pleasant hum as they fed on his chakra. It was almost a symbiotic relationship. The chakra-eating bugs had a safe, steady supply of food and shelter and in return, they fought battles for their hosts. The destruction bugs had been the offense and defense of the Aburame clan for generations.

"Hrmmph."

Shino looked up questioningly. His father didn't talk much, and he'd learned early how to recognize his father's non-verbal vocalizations. Something had intrigued him. He waited. Shibi would tell him or not, dependending on the secrecy of the information.

"What do you think of young Koto?"

Surprised, but showing nothing but an arched brow, Shino thought of his cousin Koto. She was maybe a year or two older than he, but not a kunoichi. Her name meant 'harp' and her singing voice made that name seem appropriate.

"She is an Aburame." He said, unsure of the exact nature of the question.

His father snorted lightly. "I know that, Shino."

Rather than wallow in his confusion and stumble along trying to find out the meaning behind the question. Shino asked point blank. "In what context are you asking?"

"In the context of weddings."

Startled, Shino put down his book to stare at his father. "Marriage to whom?" He'd thought his father had allowed Koto's two elder sisters to form attachments, rather than make any sort of arranged marriage for them. Something was amiss.

"The new Kazekage of the Sand Village." Shibi peered over at his son. "I believe you've met him, young Gaara."

"Gaara???" Shocked to the core, Shino took a moment to digest the new information. The Sand shinobi was strong to be sure, but he was also young. A year younger than Shino was himself. To be Kazekage at his age? Shino couldn't help but be impressed.

But wasn't he still too young to marry? With sudden clarity, Shino realized that none of them were too young anymore. Kiba and Shikamaru were both betrothed. He himself had hopes in that direction, why wouldn't Gaara be looking to marry?

"How does he know about Koto?" Shino wondered aloud. "And if he's looking to marry, why an Aburame? Why not someone from the Sand?"

Shibi shook his head at his son. "Think it through. One step at a time."

Shino almost groaned. This was what it had been like his whole life. Answers were never given, they had to be reached. Logically he knew this to be for his own benefit, but once in every great while he wished he could be like Kiba and demand an answer be given.

Yet, he wasn't Kiba. And he knew better. So he answered. "Well, if Gaara is looking to the Leaf for a wife, then it's a political marriage."

Shibi nodded, gesturing for his son to continue.

"The Aburame's are one of the pillars of the Leaf Village. One of the founding families. Koto is of our clan, but does not carry the secrets of the destruction bugs in her veins. So it would not be out of the question for her to marry outside of the village."

"Ah!" Shibi smiled. "Go on."

Go on? Where? Shino sighed and went through what little he knew piece by piece. But he was drawing a blank. "No. I do not know why Gaara would be asking about our Koto and not approaching the other founding families as well."

Shibi nodded. "You got there, but don't see it. Gaara has not approached us about Koto."

Intrigued, Shino thought it through. "Then he approached the Hokage, who then approached you as head of Koto's clan? And so, I suppose, Tsunade-sama has also approached the other founding families as well?"

"Indeed." Shibi nodded, holding up the letter. "There is a list of possible names to be introduced to the new Kazekage when he arrives here. The Hokage asks my thoughts on offering Koto a chance to meet the young man."

Shino digested that information and felt a rising surge of panic. He fought to keep the color from his face and his breathing even and slow. He did not need his father questioning him right now!

"Who else is on the list?" He hadn't meant to ask, but couldn't seem to stop the words. Holding his breath, he waited to see if his father had noticed his agitation.

Shibi merely shrugged, and handed over the letter.

Shino fought to keep his hands steady as he took the list. He scanned it quickly. There were a few he knew, and a few he knew in name only. Then his eyes stopped and his heart stuttered. NO!

Shibi turned back to his desk, taking out some fresh paper. "I've not personally met Gaara in person. I've heard many interesting things though, especially since his last …er, visit, here. I'm counting on you to give me your thoughts, as you've interracted with him most recently."

Shino wiped away the sweat from his forehead, and uncrumpled the list he still held in his hands. He struggled to slow his heartbeat. His stomache turned and his bugs were buzzing through his body, reacting to his emotions.

"Shino?"

Shino stepped forward and started giving a precise accounting of the mission where'd he'd last run into Gaara. He was struggling so hard to maintain his calm, that he didn't see the quizzical glance his father shot his way.

o.O.o.O.o.O