Rated T for kind of strong language. Enjoy!

Two figures ran on foot from the sands to the hard earthy ground fast. They were late, pretty damn late. That stupid old man with his stupid directions! Temari was seething from anger when they spent two hours heading east when they needed to head west! Damn it all to hell. The captain of the boat was great when it came to directions of the sea, full of knowledge of all sorts of fish and aquatic life but on the ground, he couldn't tell up from down.

"How the hell can someone fuck up that much?" Temari muttered under her breath. The old man's laughter echoing in her mind. He was probably toying with them, right? No one was that terrible when it came to directions. Not to mention he couldn't even remember their names. "I see the castle ahead, Billy." Ever since they left the boat, Shikamaru's new nick name was 'Billy', the same name the old man constantly called him out of forgetfulness.

Shikamaru groaned, "Don't get too ahead of yourself. We still don't have time to rest when we get there. Pick up Tokuhime then we leave once more. Doesn't that sound fun, Joe?" He shot back to her the name she had gotten and dodged a kunai that was swung his direction. "Now, now... I'm sure your brother would be most upset that you tried to kill your partner." Instead of another throw, he got a vulgar hand gesture from his snippy girlfriend.

The castle was bigger and bigger as they got closer. There was no way anyone could miss that thing. Lit up like a damn decorative lantern in the night. One large building beside four small but still very tall buildings at each end shot out like a sore thumb. There was a large wall surrounding the entire complex and he noted only three figures stood at the edge of the main gates. Temari and Shikamaru stopped several meters away, huffing and panting softly from the run. They knew they were late, they hoped it wasn't too late to get everything up and finished on time.

The large figure was of a man who seemed to have a dark aura surrounding him, it had the hair on the back of Temari's head to stand. His eyes were intimidating, even more so than Gaara's. It reminded her of how her brother was years back when he still had that demon inside his body. Hungry for blood. He had some facial hair in the form of a thin mustache and neatly trimmed beard. His hair was tied up, much like Shikamaru's. He wore dark mesh under thick, black metal armor. The chest plate bore his family crest and a large cloak of dark purple with gold trim over it. He looked as if he were ready for battle. This man must have been Nobunaga Oda.

"You've finally come. Where is the Kazekage?" He didn't waste time with formalities. Shikamaru spoke to him.

"He was delayed a good hour or so. He'll be here momentarily. I am Shikamaru Nara, this is Temari. We will be the escorts of Lady Tokuhime." He wanted to sigh but the lord's eyes pierced into his. He was terrifying.

The medium figure spoke to Nobunaga with a calm demeanor, "We should give them Tokuhime and leave. We don't have much time, My Lord." The man's looks were above average. He was slender, milky white with long black hair in a pony tail held by a silk ribbon. He wore puffy blue hakama pants with traditional blue samurai armor and a large shoulder guard over his right arm. There was a sash around his waist which held his blade. He looked very formal, polite and unfazed at his lord's side.

The Oda lord nodded and gave the small figure a light grip on her shoulder. "Mitsuhide is correct. Go now, Tokuhime. Do not disappoint me by dying out there."

The third figure was smaller than the rest. Her body was covered up in a cloak to shield her looks from the people of the nation. Though hidden in shadows well, they could tell she looked very much like Tenten. Brown eyes glistening in the light of the stars, brown hair fell over her face but she pushed it away. She did not look at her father as she huffed, "I understand. I won't die until I see that bear princess cut down by my own orders, father. Thank you for the sentiment though." Her voice was entirely different. Tokuhime's voice was softer and more sultry than Tenten's but carried venom in her words. Probably from her father's side. Turning a glare at Temari and a smile to Shikamaru she ordered, "Let's go then. The faster we get this done, the faster I can take the throne from my old man. Oh and one more thing, I don't follow orders, I give them. So listen well or else."

Temari and Shikamaru looked at each other with grim expressions. This girl was going to be a handful, or at least not the type to get her hands dirty and would make them do what she wanted. Temari was going to have none of that shit. Biting her tongue to hold back a terrible comment, she began to walk down the path heading East. Shikamaru was at the back while the princess remained in the middle. From behind, they could hear Nobunaga laugh like a demon lord would. Full of wrath and enjoyment... Something was going to go down and they didn't know what.

So much darkness surrounding them with only the small path under their feet to direct them to their destination. The crickets chirped their mating songs while their footsteps cracked wood and leaves with each step. Temari didn't speak, she had nothing to say to the girl or her boyfriend. She was angry and scared at the same time. As much as she didn't want to admit to it, and probably won't ever admit it, she didn't want to lose him. She wondered if he felt the same way. Damn him if he didn't.

Tokuhime glanced back at Shikamaru who looked bored at just walking so he placed his attention to the skies. She slowed her steps to stand next to him and looked up at what he was staring at. The stars. "Tell me Shikamaru, do you watch the stars because you like looking at them or do you watch the stars to find their patterns?"

"There are no clouds in the skies. I'm working with what I have," he deadpanned. Why was she talking to him? Couldn't she just talk to Temari about girl things and leave him alone?

"Clouds have a terrible fate. They seem free and pure to us but they can only move with the current of the wind. Perhaps they don't want to move. Maybe they don't want to rain, but they are made to move and to rain. While the stars remain forever in the skies, guiding travelers whom lost their way. I prefer to be a star than a cloud." She looked at him with a flirty smile, "Perhaps I can guide you with my light when you're lost, Cloud-kun."

Shikamaru said nothing to her but he knew she was right about the clouds. They did seem free but perhaps they were also shackled down to walk down a certain path. Carried by the winds. From ahead of him, he could feel the heat of Temari's rage from their position and heard her muttering more than a handful of vulgar words. Someone was getting jealous. How troublesome.

Never in his life had Gaara been so exited to touch the earth. The sweet relief surrounded his body when he left the boat and he found his shoulders feeling lighter. Like he was holding something heavy he hadn't realized was there. He sighed to himself and gave Yoh money for his assistance. The fisherman took it with glee and bid the two of them a good night and safe travels, pointing them towards the East where they needed to go. Gaara would take point from there and lead the way to Nobunaga's home.

Tenten yawned loudly, stretching her arms and releasing the kinks in her legs. Staying in a small space like that boat made her body all cramped up. The moment she saw Gaara begin to travel she followed after him. "Ugh... My legs feel funky," she thought to herself. Traveling away from the sea and into forests, she noticed that Gaara was light in his steps. "Hey Kazekage-Sama, I've been wondering this since we traveled on the ship... Do you know how to swim?" She smirked when he saw him stiffen up a bit but went lax soon after. She hit a bulls-eye.

"That isn't important right now. Concentrate on the mission, Tenten-San." He couldn't let her know he didn't know how to swim. They didn't have large lakes or streams of water in Suna. He never learned how too and never thought he'd need too since he could stand on water. Perhaps after this mission he could learn as it was admittedly a useful skill. "Now is not the time to think of such trivial things. Concentrate," he ordered himself. Light was present through the trees. Yes, he can see the castle ahead. "Be prepared to meet our client. What little information I've found of him proves he's earned the title of Demon Lord. I doubt he will harm you but none the less, stay sharp."

She nodded to him, gulping down a breath. If Gaara told her to prepare, she damn well better be. Nothing fazed Gaara when it came to strength and if this Nobunaga was something be warned about, she'd follow orders on the dot. Thanking Kami she prepared a load of scrolls to would protect herself well.

There was one shadowed figure at the main entrance. They couldn't make anything much out of it except for that it was about Tenten's size. Maybe a little bigger. Closer and closer they got until they realized the shape was of a woman. She had short brown hair with large, soft, brown eyes that looked motherly. She wore leather straps around her thighs and knee high leg bands. Arm guards to her elbows, she wore a thin brown mesh leotard with a yellow leather leotard over it. A yellow scarf held up in a ribbon in the back and a kunai clip on her hair. To Tenten, this woman looked so beautiful.

When they stood in front of her, the soft motherly smile turned into a scolding glare that had both Gaara and Tenten feeling bad inside for some strange reason. As if they were children being yelled at by their mother. "You're late!" Her voice sounded playful but stern. The glare went back into a smile though at the drop of a hat, "Tokuhime left an hour ago with your friends. You'd best get inside before someone sees you." She turned on her heel and began to walk through the castle plaza. There was no one in sight but the them.

Tenten walked closely behind Nene and Gaara followed after. She wasn't going to meet the princess, she didn't know how she'd act. Perhaps this lady would know best. Both weary of the silence and the feeling as if they were being watched by something or someone. "I'm sorry we're late miss...umm?"

"Nene. You may call me Nene. I am Lady Tokuhime's Lady in Waiting." She walked so casually when she spoke, smiling all the way. "I am assuming you, young man, are Sabaku no Gaara, the Kazekage?" He only nodded. "And you are Lady Tokuhime's decoy? What is your name?"

"Ah, Tenten. My name is Tenten," she said with a blush. Standing next to this woman made her feel a little on edge. It was strange yet comforting to be at her side.

Nene put her hands together and turned around to walk backwards, "Your name is beautiful." It caused Tenten to turn pink and smile back at the woman with a nod of thank you. "It's too late to show you around the castle grounds but tomorrow after you've all rested, I will give you a tour and introduce you all to the others."

After walking around the first two buildings they make their way to the back of the largest structure. Nene started knocking softly on a few of the rocks that made up the first base of the castle. She hummed a little victory tune as the rocks began to move in a way that shaped a door. Tenten blinked at her grin and they made their way inside the secret door. It was pitch black inside as the door closed behind them. It was also cramped. Gaara felt Tenten's back against his chest and he tried not to move anymore than he needed too. Tenten herself couldn't see what was in front of her then she jumped when she felt something touch her hand. She bounced back further into Gaara who let out a surprised breath at the feeling of her body.

"Sorry!" Nene laughed nervously and then a candle light flickered on. "I didn't mean to scare you." The shadows cast over her face from the candles made her look a little spooky but the two ninja eased up a bit. Tenten no longer pressed against Gaara and he could breathe normally. "Come on, I'll show you to your room. Or I should say, Tokuhime's room." She giggled, "No, no. You're room, Lady Tokuhime." She smiled a little and started walking till they reached a small elevator. All aboard inside, they headed up.

"That reminds me, I wanted to know how Tokuhime presented herself. I know I look like her and all but how does she act?" Can she fight? I really don't want to be the damsel in distress.

"She's very..." Manipulative. Power Hungry. Merciless. A complete bitch. "Kind to others, sincere and delicate. She likes to make others happy and keeps a smile on her face to ease others around her." Nene lied, not wanting the two shinobi to learn how much of a terrible princess Tokuhime was. She was embarrassed of the girl, really. But there was nothing she could do about it but hide the shame.

Tenten said nothing, she felt her hopes crushed a bit inside. She was playing the damsel in distress. "Damn it all, why do I have to look like that princess?" She wanted to slam her forehead against the wall right about now.

Gaara said nothing as he simply had nothing to say on the matter. He wondered if Temari and Shikamaru were resting right about now. Or if they kept traveling. He didn't need to worry though as he tried to reassure himself, they would be okay.

A small beep sounded and the doors opened to reveal a dimly lit hallway. There were stairs that lead down to the floor below on their left. Soft plush carpet under their feet made it feel as if they were walking on soft sand. Two doors stood in this hallway and they headed to the largest of the pair. The large emerald colored wooden door stood high and looked heavy to them. Nene reached to the golden handle and turned it, making Tenten gawk at the sight.

The room was bigger than her entire apartment. Hell, she could fit two apartments in here and still have room left over. The king sized bed was against the wall, covered in sheets that looked like an arrange of colorful silk. The large wooden bed frame held up sheer fabric and golden tassels hung low. Beautiful art works hung on the walls beside a large door which was possibly the closet. There was a bathing room attached to the room which was larger than any bath Tenten had ever seen. It was like a pool filled with hot water. The flooring was made of fine dark wood and the ceiling was painted in hues of dark blues and purples that matched the night sky. A large window pooled with the light of the moon and had a balcony access to the outside. All Tenten could mouth off was "Woah."

It had Nene smile as she turned to look at Gaara and placed a hand on her hip, "You can rest in the servant quarters located at the end of the hall. If Tenten A.K.A. Lady Tokuhime needs you, she can simply shout. That is what you're expected to do; protect. As for you Tenten, you are expected to not fight. So no weapons anywhere near you. You need to be helpless, remember that." Nene didn't notice how Tenten's mood soured at those words. She went to the kunoichi and put a hand out. "Now, give me those scrolls. I'll keep them locked away safe until the end of the mission."

Nodding slowly, Tenten placed the large scroll down and began to place down a mass of scrolls to go with it until there was a small pile of them. Nene laughed a little and picked them up, "Go to bed now you two. Tomorrow is a bright and early day!" She skipped out the room with all weapons and scrolls in hand leaving a saddened Tenten and a stoic Gaara behind. Tenten never realized how naked she felt without having some sort of weapon at her disposal. Gaara not speaking out to at least let her keep a senbon needle made her upset. She didn't want to depend on the guy or anyone for protection. She was not helpless! She trained hard and made it to jonin to not be protected anymore.

She walked to the bed and sat down on the sleek silk sheets. The sudden fatigue of the trip as well as the comfortable bed under her began to set in. Gaara was watching her movements out of the corner of his eye and it had caused him to take a gulp. The moon shadowed her so radiantly but the look on her face looked anything but relaxed or happy. Tired, perhaps, from the long ride over. He was tired as well but sleep would not take him. Even after all these years of no rest, he was rather used to it and didn't need it as much as everyone else. At home, he mostly just laid on his bed and watched the ceiling. Here would be no different. He turned away and headed to the door but stopped short before leaving. "Have a good rest," he told her causing Tenten to blink a bit in surprise and nodded. As he left, he heard her say "Same to you."

Stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him, he felt strange. He didn't know what he was feeling but for some unknown reason he felt like he should of done something when Nene took her weapons away. She was called the Weapon Mistress of Konoha for a reason. And now that title was stripped away for a long mission of pretending to be the opposite of who she was. He closed his eyes, what was done is done. She had a roll to play and so did he. His feet carried him down the dimly lit hallway to a small room. A basic red bed much like how he had in his own home, it wasn't fancy but it didn't need to be. He noticed a shower joined to his room and he too also had a balcony. Passing up the chance to lay down or freshen up, he opted to head outside and watch the world pass by. Tomorrow would come soon and it would be a long day for everyone.

"Is she asleep now?" Shikamaru turned from the fire towards Temari who came out of a tent. She glared at him and sat on the opposite end of the fire pit where her sleeping bag was laid out. She was still clearly upset at him. What a troublesome woman. She had no reason to be mad. He didn't want to talk to Tokuhime but she spoke and he answered giving as little interest to her conversation as possible. Trying to tell her 'not interested' without harming any future relationship between the Land of Fire and this nation called Japan.

Temari put a stick into the flame and watched it burn into ash. "Were you having fun flirting with her, Cloud-kun?" Speaking with a harsh tone, she made no attempts to hide her anger. He was flirting the entire time with that girl. Talking about clouds and stars and nature. It was worse when they were quiet and that stupid princess leaned her head against his arm. All she got as a response from him was a sigh. He was ignoring her question! She turned away and clutched her hand into a hard fist. She wanted to beat the shit out of him right about now. "Whatever. You're pathetic going after her. A girl who resembles Tenten. You probably have a thing for your friend, huh?"

Shikamaru couldn't take anymore of her lip. Standing up, he began to walk off to leave her to smoulder in her anger. He wouldn't fall into one of her traps. The moment he would try to defend himself she'd flip his words around like she tended to do when they fought. He didn't want to deal with it. Did not want to fight during this mission. There wouldn't be any falling for her tricks, he'd show her instead of tell her how much she meant to him when the time came. All he had to do was wait.

Temari slammed her fist into the ground and felt tears threatening to fall. Damn this guy. Why did he have to make her feel so damn weak? How in the hell did she even fall for his lazy ass in the first place. And why did she hate herself for not taking the chance to remain at his side? Frustrated and angry she opened up her sleeping bag and laid down for the night. Sleep wouldn't come easy and her dreams wouldn't be pleasant, but at least she slept.