Sorry for the LOONG wait, but life…it gets in the way sometimes- Anyway, same disclaimer. I own nothing, expect your souls *evil laugh * (I fixed this chapter b/c I wasn't happy with it—I'm working on the 5th—thx for the support!)

The screams of joy and elation were thunderous as we entered Suna, passing through its patrolled gates. Despite this, all I could think of was what had happened-the missing P.O.W, the glaring truth that there was indeed a traitor, and the sobering reality of my current situation. In attempt to rid myself of the incumbent thoughts, I pressed my face against the window in an uncanny manner. People milled about the streets, rushing to see their leader and their loved ones return. In that instant, I felt something inside me fall away. The village of Suna was both a beautiful and haunting village, no—country, that stretched itself lazily across the enormous dunes within the craggy ravine. Massive spherical and cylindrical buildings seemed to shoot up from the ground before quickly disappearing into the shifting sands, their walls etched with symbols. Some old. Some new. Despite my initial resentment, I felt myself being pulled along, ushered into an intricate enigma that was Suna. Perturbed by this sudden feeling, I moved away from the carriage's window, letting the blue curtains fall back while the Kazekage skimmed through a stack of scrolls outlining various political mandates. Judging by their broken seals, I recognized the names of a few. They were small villages that bordered Suna and had been highlighted by Neji on the map he had given me two nights ago. And judging by its layout, it was a small recon detail. Nothing too big. Plus, I surmised, I could assign whomever I wanted to execute the mission once I was in office.

The silence within the carriage was deafening.

Bitting the inside of my check, I leaned back. " So, when I'm in office, can I assign personal missions?"

Buried in a mountain of scrolls and paperwork, there was a brief silence before the Godaime spoke.

His words were terse.

"As long as the state isn't jeopardized, you may do as you please."

Pensive, I studied the hilt of my sword.

"And what about the traitor?"

"What about them?"

" To what extent am I able to punish them before they fall under your hegemony?"

Putting his quill down, he looked at me. "Why are you suddenly so inquisitive?"

Leaning forward, I arched a brow. "Why not? This is important, after all. Besides, the least we can do is find some sort of comprise. I figured talking could be a good start."

Gaara returned to his work.

Unfazed, I decided to steer the conversation towards a much more interesting topic: our engagement.

"So, tell me how this happened? I'm sure there were others."

The Kazekage's pen didn't break stride. "There were. Many others."

"And...?"

"The Raikage suggested you." Re-dipping his quill into a small bottle, he continued, "to keep an eye on me. Which I surmised correctly, after realizing you had a peculiar effect on me." He stopped his paperwork for a brief moment to look at me, his mouth a slight scowl.

"Even now, you provoke within me a much more callous nature…."

With a strained whisper, I gripped the handle of my sword. "My uncle did this?" A stone formed at the pit of my stomach.

Gaara said nothing.

Frowning, I pressed the issue. "And what do you mean 'keep an eye on you?'"

The Godaime stared at me before putting his pen down. "When I agreed to this marriage, I ascertained that there would be catch. What and how this 'catch' would present itself, I had failed to perceive. It was, after all, just another obstacle that stood in my way and I imagined it as thus: another psychical hindrance to overcome. I didn't care how or who it would be, just that I would overcome it. And it didn't take long before I was proven right." It was here that he nodded toward my injured arm. "When you rescued that girl, that was the first time I was introduced to both you and the 'catch'. That callous nature I mentioned prior is a testament to your uncle's power. In his bid to see me fall, he happily sacrificed you. The Raikage was in pursuit of the title as well, at the time. He might still be, depending on how this goes."

He paused to study my reaction, probably to gauge whether or not I understood, but I remained stoic.

"So, when your sand attacked me in the carriage after you told me I was your betrothed-"

"-It wasn't actually my doing, but your uncle's Justu taking effect within the contract I had signed only a week early. A jutsu I had underestimated even when you had risked your life for that nameless konoichi."

"And what about Neji? Are you going to tell me that was the jutsu speaking?"

Gaara glared. "No. But I'll explain why I said and did what I did. You see, the jutsu also acts as a fidelity clause that must be upheld until tomorrow morning. Meaning, we must not engage with anyone until after our wedding, if I'm to gain the title."

"And what about the fact that you called me whore? What did you hope to gain there?"

Gaara spoke, his countenance betraying nothing. "Your indignation."

His office loomed in the distance. Gaara arranged his attire as he began to stand, smoothing any and all wrinkles. Appearance was, after all, everything. As soon as the carriage slowed to a halt, they dismounted as a couple, greeting the citizens. He didn't notice the children that ran to his future wife with silly grins nor the women who remarked upon her 'vexing hair and eyes.' He didn't remark upon the white mallows that spiralled in the air or the cheering. Instead, he focused on climbing towards the wide double doors that greeted him and his hand that currently gripped Karui's waist. He had found that, over the years, especially during his father's reign, whenever people had models of stability, it had a habit of calming them down even if they were such mundane examples like a happy couple. As they climbed, flocked by the Anbu and his siblings who greeted the people with unabashed love, he pulled Karui closer in response. Not from need to protect but a need to control, a need to control her and every single aspect of this war that was consuming it took everything he had to mask it. Much like his epilepsy. After their 'brief' conversation on the politics of their marriage, he and Karui had fallen, once again, into a stretched silence-a common habit it now seemed. Not that he minded it very much. In fact, he had been able to return his attention on much more pressing matters: namely, the Second Summit.

After allowing a minuscule breach in security only moments after he had informed Karui that he was going to marry her and subsequently, releasing his P.O.W., Gaara had began to put execute his project 'Second Summit' into motion. He knew from the get-go that someone would make an attempt to save the strange konoichi. He knew her deep-seated infatuation with the Uchiha and he also knew that she was invaluable in her own way because her of ability, judging by the numerous bite marks on her body.

But mostly importantly, he knew from that start that Sasuke was selfish. A selfish man who would drain himself dry to prove his 'worth', so wholly dependent had he become on his Mangekyō Sharingan.

And through his intuitiveness, Gaara quickly selected a few capable, merciless, and shrewd shinobi from the Anbu to execute the Second Summit, The Toorima. This small task force had also been dispatched only seconds after he had informed his soon-to-be about his 'unexpected' leave of absence.

All this he had set in motion after the fiasco at the first Summit

Now, he could only hope that his enemies (and there were many) would not catch wind of his plans while he was away.

As they reached the final step and crossed through the golden-framed double doors of the Grand Council Hall building, he stole a glance at Karui, his betrothed, wondering if she'd be strong enough with task he had left her in charge with. As he did, a bouquet of flowers fell at her feet. She bent down to pick it up but stopped when it rose in the air, encircled in sand.

There was a brief moment of hesitation. Gaara wondered then, for the first time, what she was thinking. His thoughts were interrupted, however, when suddenly a little girl ran up and plucked it from the air. She shoved the bouquet of roses into his startled fiancé empty hands.

"Take it," the little girl said breathlessly with a smile. The sand still swirled at its base. " Take it because you're pretty and you'll remember to take good care of me and my family when the wars comes."

There was brief pause before the Karui bent down, freeing herself from his grip in that moment, and pulled the little girl into hug. "Thank-you." She clasped the bouquet, tightly. "You'll be safe, I promise you."

Straightening up, she watched as the little girl ran back, disappearing into the crowd. Entering the Grand Council, Gaara watched as his fiancé held the bouquet of white mallows to her nose; her eyes were closed and there was a faint hint of a smile. He knew then that she would be quite capable of protecting his people.

She had made a promise after all.

And Kazekage's wife always keeps her promises.