Authors note: Whew! Finally! Talk about rewrite.

Write, rewrite, delete, rewrite, brainstorm, rewrite, title, write, edit, brainstorm, rewrite, re-rewrite, title. Thanks to all my supporters, and of course my mom, sister, and brother-in-law, I got this done!

Disclaimer: 'Naruto' is owned by Masashi Kishimoto

Shadows in the Wind

10: Edge of Truth

The night sky was quiet, and the forest was still. We'll be in the desert tomorrow, which means Shikamaru-san will have to stop at least twice as often because of the lack of shade. The Kazekage leaned back against the cave's wall, watching the moon and the still trees If he does, then that means it'll take us probably a half to one extra day of travel.
"Gaara?"

The redhead turned to his sister's voice. "You should be sleeping Temari. You need your rest."

Temari sat beside him. "The baby usually keeps me awake for a couple hours."

Gaara eyed her. "You should rest."

She sighed. "I'm fine Gaara. I'll sleep in a few minutes."

The Kazekage looked back out at the moon. All was silent.

"Temari."

She turned her head.

"There's something I think you should know."

The woman blinked in question. "...What is it Gaara?" she prodded.

Gaara glanced back at his sleeping brothers. Shikamaru turned over onto his back, letting out an unconscious groan. Kankuro laid still.

"Temari," Gaara started again. "...Shikamaru doesn't want you to know, but I think you should. ...Some one has been tracking you down."

Temari blinked. "...What?"

"A missing nin was asking about you. We don't know who sent him yet, but..."

"What do you MEAN Shika doesn't want me to know?" Her voice raised.

Kankuro turned over mumbling.

Gaara frowned at his sister. "Don't blame him Temari. ...I figured you'd find out soon enough, and that's not always the best thing."

Temari looked at he husband, then at her baby brother. "But... Who..."

Gaara looked back into the night. "I can't tell you everything, but Shikamaru agreed that Suna would be a safer place for you."

"...Someone's after me?"

Gaara paused. "...Ya."

"Why?"

"Naruto's looking into it."

Temari looked at the fan that lay on the stone wall on the other side of her husband.

"He knows your pregnant."

Temari spun. She wasn't sure what feeling was strongest. The anger at Shikamaru for not telling her about this, or the sudden fear in her gut for the unborn child.

Gaara closed his eyes. "I don't tell you this to fear Onee-chan. I want you to understand Shikamaru-san's actions. He really means the best for you."

Temari wrapped her arms around herself protectively. "...Shikamaru's in danger too then."

Gaara nodded.

She let out a slow breath. "...Thanks Gaara."

"Go to sleep Temari. We will take care of you."

Temari nodded once. She walked back over to her blankets and rested by Shikamaru. She listened to his steady, easy breathing. She gently took his hand, and closed her eyes. ...Even if I'm mad, ...I still love you.

.~.

"Just... ten minutes..."

The three siblings looked back at Shikamaru who sat down in the sand, hot, tired, and sweating.

Temari frowned. Shikamaru's body moved with his rapid breathing. He swallowed, trying to slow it.

"Hey, look at the bright side!" Kankuro stated. "You're getting your workout in."

The Nara didn't respond.

Temari walked over to her husband and sat down beside him. "...Are you okay?"

"... ...ya."

He glanced behind him as sand rose up, creating a canopy overhead.

Gaara held out some water.

"...Thanks..." Shikamaru took it.

Kankuro started pacing. Come on, we are so close! I can see Suna from here! It's only half a days walk now! He looked back at Shikamaru and Temari.

His brother in-law set a hand on Temari's large stomach. They were talking quietly.

The puppet master folded his arms, watching. His thoughts began to wander. Why do I really not like him? He's lazy, yet he's carrying Temari's fan for her. He's Konoha's Genius, and one of the best strategists around, even in Suna. He's a good Shinobi. Temari loves him. Even Gaara's fine with him. ...So why not me?

He turned, looking back towards the city in the distance. Memories of him and Temari as kids came to him. They were always arguing or getting into trouble. ...Except when Baki was around. Then they got into trouble no mater what they did. He and his sister had always been close, even if they fought and argued.

He and Gaara trifled when they were little, though now they were true brothers, and had become very close due to some major changes in both.

Their father, however, being the fourth Kazekage, had been so involved with Suna and missions that he was rarely ever with his own family

Perhaps that was it.

Shikamaru needs to be with Temari instead of going on so many missions. ...Perhaps... If dad had been with us more, he would have found the value of what our family could have been. ...then mom would still be here.

"Kankuro."

He turned, half startled. "uh. ...Gaara..."

"What is it?"

He shook his head, relaxing a bit. "Oh. Nothing."

Gaara watched him. "When we get home, I want you to take Temari to the hospital for a check up."

Kankuro blinked. "...Okay... ...What about cloud boy over there?" He pointed over to Shikamaru who was looking up into the sky, Temari leaning on him.
"Shikamaru-san will be with me. Stay with Temari until we get back."

"But shouldn't..." Kankuro paused.

Gaara watched him expectantly.

"...Never mind." he growled.

The Kazekage frowned. "I respect your thoughts Kankuro. I just thought it'll be better since you and Shikamaru-san's personalities don't get along.

"Hey! My personality is JUST fine."

Gaara backed off, giving his brother space.

Kankuro sighed, aggravated. "...Sorry Gaara. ...I'll stay with Temari."

.~.

Temari gasped slightly. "...The baby's kicking!"

Shikamaru put a hand on Temari's large stomach. "That's not nice." He paused at the series of movement he felt. "...Does she always move that quick?"

Temari smiled, getting her breath back. "...Mostly."

Shikamaru moves his hand, touching the blond hair in his lap. "She's going to be good at Tai-jutsu."

Temari looked up at him, grinning. "Then you'll have another girl who can out walk you."

"How troublesome."

Temari smiled, knowing her husband was doing the same inside. She sat up and kissed him.

"Ready to go again?" He asked.

"Are you?"

Shikamaru stood up, and readjusted the fan. "Ya. Let's get this over with."

The sand canopy fell back onto the ground, leaving no trace that it had even been there.

The sun was not yet setting when they came to Suna's large walls.

"The Kazekage's returned!" one of the guards called out.

As the four shinobi walked into the city, a man with a white cloth covering the left half of his face landed beside them. "Lord Kazekage. We didn't expect you for another couple of weeks." He paused, looking at Temari. "...Temari-Sama."

Temari smiled. "Good to see you Baki Sensei."

Baki rested a hand on her shoulder. "Welcome back Temari." He turned to Shikamaru. "You too Shikamaru-san."

Shikamaru nodded once, a drop of sweat rolled down his cheek.

The Suna Shinobi turned to Gaara and Kankuro. "I trust all went well."

Kankuro nodded, grinning. "You bet! You should have seen the look on her face when we came!"

Baki smiled.

"Baki-san." Gaara said. "Please accompany me and Shikamaru-san to my office. Kankuro, take Temari to the house."

Kankuro nodded. "Come on Temari! Wait 'til you see what Matsuri did in your room!"

Baki watched the two walk away, catching Temari glancing back. "The village is secured and well, Lord Kazekage."

Gaara nodded once. "Take Temari's fan."

Shikamaru sighed in relief as the heavy iron weapon was taken from his back. The two waited as he stretched, free from the weight.

Gaara turned away. "Come."

Baki gave Shikamaru a questioning look.

Shikamaru caught his glance, then started walking.

.~.

Kankuro and Temari stopped at the house to clean off and change from their travel clothes. Shortly after, he took her to the hospital.

"I told you Kankuro, I'm fine."

"I thought fat people always go to get checkups."

"FAT?! I'm pregnant. Not FAT!"

Kankuro grinned at her reaction. "Relax Tem. It's just a little check up. ...you know Shikamaru would agree to it."

"Ya, but that's because you men freak out even when I lift up a handkerchief."

"I do not!"

Temari's mouth twitched, hiding her grin.

Kankuro glared at her, then continued walking, smiling under the war paint. It's been so long since we argued like this. He reached over and tugged one of her pigtails. "Kazekage's orders."

Temari tossed her head to get the blond strands free. "Kankuro!"

After stopping at nearly every corner to talk to old friends, they finally reached the hospital.

"Temari Sama!" the nurses and mednins greeted. "How are you?"

"Fine." she replied. "I'm here for a check-up."

A nurse looked at her schedule, then pointed to the waiting room. "We will get to you as soon as possible. Please, make yourself comfortable."

The two sat on the bench. Temari leaned her back against the wall, setting a hand on an empty seat beside her. "...So..." she started. "Why does Gaara need Shikamaru at the office?"

"Ah, probably to enroll him on some missions. He can't just stand around being lazy as the kid grows up, right?"

She nodded once. "I'd think they'd have it done by now."

Kankuro leaned back, putting his feet on the small side table. "Ya well, you know how he is."

Temari turned to her brother. "For how lazy you think Shikamaru is, he's just as efficient."

The Puppet Master turned to her. "...sorry."

Temari sighed.

"Come on Temari, something's bothering you."

She glanced at him. He knows about someone being after him. He's not telling me either. "Kankuro, if I was in a life threatening situation, you'd tell me ...right?"

Kankuro blinked in surprise. Then he laughed. "If you were in a life threatening situation, you'd know."

"...What if I didn't?"

"Then it wouldn't be a life threatening, now would it?"

"Stop playing with me Kankuro."

He frowned. "...Why are you asking?"

Temari set her hand on her large stomach once again. "...Nothing."

"Yes."

She looked at him again. "Yes what?"

"Yes Temari. If your life was threatened, I would tell you."

Then why aren't you telling me now? She thought.

"Come on Tem. You know we won't let anything happen to you. We're in Suna. It's not like anyone from here would try to kill you or anything."

Temari eyed him.

Kankuro blinked. "...What?"

She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted.

"...Kankuro-sama?"

"Ah! Utsu. What are you doing here?"

Temari turned, watching an older guy approached them.

He was probably into his later 40s with graying blue hair, and an Anbu uniform. He looked terribly surprised. "...Temari-sama?"

Temari nodded a greeting.

Kankuro stood. "Temari, this is my mission partner, Utsu."

The man bowed to Temari, still quite shocked. His left hand had a long scar. "No one expect either of you for another couple of weeks at the least."

Temari shrugged. "Same with us, but I guess it's better to travel now then when the baby's due."

The Anbu nodded. "...Wise choice."

Kankuro cut in. "I guess now they'll have to stay until my nephew's born."

Temari frowned. "...Nephew?"

Kankuro sat back down, putting his hands behind his head as he leaned back. "Of course. There's two boys and one girl in our family, and only one Shikamaru. The odds are clearly against a girl."

Utsu frowned. "...You must have forgotten what I told you Kankuro."

"I know, I know. You had 2 boys, their wives were the only daughters, and you ended up with..."

"5 nieces."

Temari smiled. "So, are you the one Kankuro gets his 'uncle' tips from?"

Kankuro stared in shocked. "...I never..."

Utsu nodded. "I've been giving him heads up."

Temari raised an eyebrow. "And what is your experience?"

Kankuro nudged his sister. "You heard him, he was an uncle 5 times! And the nurse is waiting for you."
Temari glared, but got up, the nurse coming over to help. "It's nice to meet you Utsu-san."

Utsu nodded once. "...You too, Temari-sama."

Kankuro watched her go, then turned to his mission comrade. "She can be pretty strict as far as 'family' goes."
Utsu shook his head. "It's fine. ...It's not her fault they're dead."

.~.

Temari took a deep breath as she walked out of the hospital into the warm air, the sun bathing her face. Yes. Truly, everything was fine.