A Notion

3.

Temari was very proud of the fact that the entire population of Suna, seemed to hold some sort of fear of her. In her opinion the amount of tough ass female ninja within the world seemed to be greatly shriveling and she was more than happy to be another notch on the bedpost for the kunoichi side of the ninja relationship.

In order to keep her status in place there was a certain body language and mannerisms that she preformed to a T. For instance she was never caught shopping or idly spending time at hot springs when there was training and missions to do. She held enough pride in her appearance so that she did not let herself go, but did not let her entire morning be consumed with making up her face and doing her hair. She noticed that these traits seemed to be similar throughout all the Kunoichi she had met that she felt held up to the standard of "tough ass" in her book. But despite all the similarities that she had with Sakura, TenTen, and Hinata there was something that wedged a line between the kunoichi, and as much as Temari wanted to wrinkle her nose and gag at the admission of it the difference was simple: Love.

Ninja like Sakura gave so much love to others it was somewhat sickening, while receiving nothing in return in the least. While ninja like TenTen and Hinata through the brief encounters she had with the two females over the years were in steady give and take relationships. Even the damn Hokage of Konoha seemed to be in some sort of relation with the great Frog Sage. Why did this perturb Temari so much? She'd had relationships, granted to her it was all about the sex. What could she say though; she was an on top kind of girl.

So the recent feelings that had been bubbling in her stomach for the past year of course would catch her off guard. Not being able to talk in front of him, blubbering about the weather and the latest gossip. Oh and who could forget the butterflies that seemed to fly nonstop in her stomach whenever she looked in to those delectable brown eyes, well eye but it wasn't necessarily her fault that their seemed to be a trend with masked men lately. It was all so femine that it made her want to cringe, not even the disgust she felt toward herself help repress the shiver that surged through her body any time their arms brushed.

"Temari, you with us," Tamari's large brown eyes blinked in surprise. She had been fantasizing again god, she was going soft. She blinked taking in the conference room, damn they were negotiating still. She fidgeted uncomfortably in her "formal clothes" as Kankuro had dubbed them in fact all the occupants of the room had donned their best. Personally she had never held the flare for civil negotiations she preferred simply fighting, it was just easier to beat someone senseless then compromise.

"How are we doing?" she whispered to the man next to her. The tanned man next to her looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Her heart fluttered slightly as his ruff voice washed over her, she grimaced in distaste to her reaction and at the same time while looking at Baki she had no idea of how her platonic student – teacher relationship had gone from being comforting to her wanting to be more then friends with him. Maybe it had started after she caught him without his ridiculous mask on last June when they had been on a mission in wave.

"Gaara seems to be winning so far with this whole custody arrangements, then again you have to take into consideration that Sakura would prefer to be with the child year round, rather then hand him or her off to a nanny in Suna. All in all I'd say we are currently at a standstill with negotiations." Temari nodded to her ex-teacher blushing slightly while noting the frustration present on Sakura's face as the woman stood to speak again.

"If your never planning to see your child, then how the is he supposed to take over for you once you step down," Sakura inquired toward Gaara, trying to keep her frustrations at bay they had been in the room for three hours. Their arrival to Suna had been a blur and not even a minute had passed before Baki had rushed them to the conference room for the custody negotiations. Apparently Hisao was sent on a mission for two days or so and would be back in time for the actual conference so the plan needed to be finalized fairly quickly.

"Haruno you seem to be under the impression that the child will hold some sort of spot in line for Kazekage." Gaara stated his stare blank and voice a chilly reminder of the past. Sakura slumped back into her seat her hands covering her face, trying not to let her temper get out of control.

"What do you mean, Kazekage-sama?" Sakura asked as politely as possible.

"The child, Haruno, is simply a decoy. The sex will not mater, nothing will matter except that I have a decedent whom is being well protected. Then at my leisure I will find a bride over the next year and have a child with her. This child once born will be my proper heir considering I will have been in a martial relationship before conception. The council has already made a decree stating so." Gaara spoke to the ignorant pink haired female, his nose turned toward the air.

Sakura wrinkled her nose at this information, and by judging the reactions that Temari, Baki, and Kankuro all shared it seemed they were just as shocked by the news. She looked at Gaara while his face remained hard, some of the edge had been taken off his eyes over the years.

"As much as I hate asking anyone for help, I need time to take out Hisao and find a bride that will be bearable to live with. Normally this wouldn't be a problem but my estranged uncle happens to have connections with rather twisted individuals and is not above bribing them with false promises of riches and glory should he become Kazekage. He is secretive and leaves no open trails. Both our countries are in danger if this man comes to power, so I ask you as a friend Haruno…Sakura that you have my child."

Apparently although the entire triad had been spoken with a rather sarcastic drawl, it was the most emotion the man had shown in years judging by the rather shocked expressions now pasted on Tamari's and Kankuro's faces. Sakura shifted slightly in her seat while trying to keep the shock off her face, and play the role of the good diplomat she had been sent to be. Gaara sat at the table directly across from her the look in his eye just daring her to try and deny his little heartfelt 'I want to find true love too' request. Shizune let out a rather blunt snort which broke the silence and momentarily brought the attention to the brunette.

There was no way in hell she'd say yes now. Having his kid was one thing but, raising it without any help at all. Did the man really find himself so superior to not even offer yearly visits to see his first born? This was not the 'changed' Gaara that Naruto had talked about for three weeks after his last visit to Suna. No, clearly Naruto's judge in character was not that horrible. There was no way she'd agree to this not today, not tomorrow. Ha, she planned to walk back to Konoha never even looking back, and let the bastard beg to shove his semen up her viginia. Ha, the nerve!

"Fine, but I'm excepting financial assistance and added security around my home."

Sakura's hand flew to her mouth in a fashion that would be greatly frowned upon for any diplomat.

Damn


"I'm not that cold hearted," Gaara declared looking up from his ice cream. The small shop was very crowded due to the hot day and Sakura snorted into her chocolate ice cream cone. Less than 24 hours ago they had signed the final twenty-seven page contract, and both parties were greatly surprised by the councils promise to make the pregnancy look like one between lovers and not a one night stand. Yeah, like that would really help her reputation at all, Sakura thought with distaste.

"Then pray tell why are you refusing to see your child at all," Sakura asked attacking the cone with new vigor. It seemed like all her frustration was coming to the surface and frankly she was sick of all the damn manipulation.

It seemed every person she'd been in contact with had it in their head that she was some sort of stubborn child that needed to be ordered, bribed, and pushed toward saying yes. Did no one think that she would do this out of the goodness of her heart or consider that a kid without a man attached maybe a good thing for a kunoichi who adored children but was unable to snag any male attention? And yes it would be difficult and she may not have said yes right away but over time she would have accepted the circumstances. Of course not though, they only saw a stubborn child who would happily rant and rave until she got her way.

"The council's behind this all, the contract and these scheduled 'outings'. I do hope being the intelligent woman Naruto won't shut up about that you realize this."

Sakura blinked blankly at his face, he seemed to relax chewing at the bit of ice cream. This wasn't the look of a man who wanted bushels of kids that was for sure, and as far as Sakura could see there was no way that he needed to be the victim of her wrath.

"I guessed as much, being the Kazekage and all I'd be surprised if you wanted to settle down and have a bushel of kids. It'll probably put a damper on your sex life." Sakura replied.

"I think you'd be surprised Haruno, about how easily woman are attracted to babies."

"I'll be sure to visit often with the runt than."

"I'd like nothing more."

Sakura looked up at him, Gaara didn't seem as scary sitting there smirking at her as he did in the conference room maybe in the end they were both just as much victims of circumstance. Maybe it was for the best to just pretend that their lives weren't at all changing and just relax because though she doubted Gaara would ever admit it she had a pretty good idea that the next nine months would be equally bad for him.

"So how soon are you planning to find a bride," Sakura biting into the waffle cone. Gaara looked a tad annoyed at the question.

"I'm guessing the council will start parading nobles of all other countries in front of me then make me chose one."

"Somehow I have a feeling your not too thrilled about that, little plan. Though I have my doubts that you'll have any issues finding someone willing."

"Contrary to popular belief Haruno, I don't have a willing Harlem. Granted when I was first instated there was a rather hefty fan club. But unfortunately the members all seemed to grow up and moved onto greater conquests."

"So are you just planning to line them up and pick one?"

"Of course not I just plan to sleep with them all and figure out which one is best in bed." Sakura felt her checks reddening at his blunt statement.

"Well I suppose physical intimacy is an important part of conveying ones feeling within any healthy relationship."

"I was joking, Haruno. Lighten up a bit." Sakura stared at him her checks matching her hair; he was really one to talk.

"For your information, I am one of the most laid back people I know."

"Relax, it's just sex something need I remind you that most Shinobi partake in regularly."

"I know," Sakura mumbled seeming engrossed with staring at dripping ice cream cone.

"You're a virgin aren't, you."

"W-what no I've slept with tones a people. I mean sex is great." Sakura felt her voice loosing the power and her checks heating up more.

"Well isn't this something, I get to have a damn virgin have my first child, aren't I just a lucky bastard." He let out a sarcastic chortle that was just so uniquely him, and Sakura laid her head upon the table life really couldn't get much worse.


Yay! Chapter Three is up and posted. Happy Day! Any way please leave a review if you have time it would mean the world to me. :)

And Yes I know Gaara Is not his usual somewhat scary self---- This was why I mentioned in the first Chapter that I've used the time lapse as a period for personality growth. I've had a lot of fun writing sarcastic Gaara and I think that he works better in the story then a scary Garra. Ok---- End of Rant Thanks for reading!