Chapter 9

She was without her beloved battle fan. But with their training sessions quickly becoming routine, it was hardly a problem. She had no new techniques to perfect, so Temari spent most of her time keeping her skills up to par while the Demon Prince watched.

Once, she asked him to spar with her, but he politely declined without giving any reason as to why. She didn't ask again.

More often than before, he asked her questions. Always she would ask: "Do I get to leave if I answer?" And always he would reply: "Probably not." If she felt like it at the time, she would give him an answer, and other times she just kept on swinging her fan.

It was of little surprise to her that he replied as he did—his questions were nothing remarkable. He never asked about the upcoming invasion, though his eyes glowed with knowing, and never did he ask about her private life. She hadn't quite noticed yet, but she was starting to look forward to their meetings, their long silences, and the Demon Prince's detached yet curious questions.

Naruto, on the other hand, had noticed. 'I don't understand…'

You've been alone too long, kit.

He tore his eyes away from the rabbit in the moon, his awareness shrinking into himself.

'I'm not alone. I have you, I have Ren and Nichi and all of the other foxes. I am not alone at all.'

It is not the same.

'The same as what, Father?'

You are approaching your 16th summer, my son. You must find a mate by that date when you will receive your daikyuu no shippo. You are of the kitsune, yes, but they are not of you. None of them can be your mate.

'I know that.'

But you still do not understand.

'No.'

It will come to you in time. It must. The Kyubi heaved a deep, rumbling sigh. I have exhausted my consciousness. I bid you goodnight, my son.

'Goodnight, Father.'

Naruto still couldn't understand.

Temari watched as her youngest sibling finished his meal and left. Kankuro had a puzzled expression on his currently un-painted face, but Temari wasn't so ignorant. Gaara had noticed her nightly escapades and he was starting to pay attention to them.

It wasn't a good revelation.

"Watch it, Goldilocks."

His attention made her wary and afraid. It wouldn't have been the first time he'd gotten involved in her business because he didn't approve of something she was doing, missions or morals be damned. This was different though, because they weren't in their home village nor did it involve their home village.

"I had to pull a lot of strings to get that, be grateful."

She worried. She worried about how this would affect their mission. She worried about what would happen if her youngest brother came face-to-face with the Demon Prince of Konoha. And she still worried entirely too little.

Suikouta tossed Aiko a small bag.

"I'll have you know getting into the greenhouses weren't easy," he said, eyes narrowed as she sniffed at the contents, "And I still don't get what you'd need those little flowers for. You making a poison antidote or something?"

The redhead stowed the sack in one of her many pockets. "Not your problem, Sui-chan." Her amber eyes turned to Temari's crouched form. "And you?"

The blonde teen sighed, standing. "Don't get your panties in a bunch, Aiko. I've got it."

"Watch it, Goldilocks. Don't think I'm going to treat you special just because you're the Kazekage's firstborn."

Temari handed over a small, silver dagger that had belonged to her grandfather, the Nidaime Kazekage. "Special treatment, from you, Aiko, would be an insult. You have what we want?"

The yellow-eyed girl jerked her head to the side. "It's in the Burrow. It wouldn't have been much a problem just bringing Suikouta's thing, but yours would've been too conspicuous."

Temari nodded. "Let's go then."

The "Burrow" was the name for the catacombs that the members of the Black Scorpion dwelled in. Few people actually lived down in that dark dwelling, and those that did were usually kids that had run away from home or been kicked out. If someone in the village went missing, the chances were high that they could be found in the Burrow, living or otherwise. Sasori of the Red Sand had been one of the more famous members. It was a breeding ground for black trade, mistrust, and violence, especially among the teens, but nevertheless, Temari felt more at home in the Burrow than she ever did up on the surface. Here, she had people who could understand her and who would give a damn if she died. They were closer to being her family than her father and brothers ever were.

The three presented their tattoos to the entrance guards, as well as relaying the week's password. Temari recognized the door-guard as a feminine boy named Jen she used to go to school with. A strip of bloodstained bandages covered his left eye socket. His eye had been gouged out less than a week ago in a brawl with one of the more experienced gang members. He smiled weakly upon seeing her.

"Hey, Goldilocks. Haven't seen you down here in a while." he said.

She nodded at him. "Otou-teme's been keeping my team rather busy since Gaara graduated and joined up with us. I haven't had a lot of time."

"Well, it's good to have you back."

"Oi, Temari!" Suikouta's voice interrupted the brief conversation. He now held a worn, blue book in his hand. Aiko, her eyes hard, shoved a large battle-fan into Temari's arms.

"I had to pull a lot of strings to get that, be grateful."

The blonde unfurled the hefty weapon, revealing it's white base and simple purple moons. "Kind of plain isn't it?"

"Don't complain!" The other female snapped, crossing her arms. "You don't have time. That Misuzu girl of yours showed up. She's in the Hulls."

Temari's eyes widened. "Misuzu?"

Things Gaara got involved in never ended well. This time was bound to be no different. However, this wasn't the Finals and it and the invasion were still a ways off. Casualties outside the exam could not happen until then. Gaara had already pushed his luck by slaughtering Dosu ofOtogakure.

"I knew I'd find you here."

She had to do something to keep Gaara out of confrontation. Excusing herself from the table, Kankuro watched as she retreated to her room. He didn't see her slip silently out her window.

Temari was not unskilled when it came to covering her tracks. It was just that Gaara was better and it was because he was better that he could find and follow her shallow footprints, the trail of weight-crinkled leaves, the low-branches missing their dew.

You're getting close, Gaara.

'Yes, Mother.'

His breath trembled as he licked his lips in anticipation. He always looked forward to bloodshed, but this… this was different. His body hummed with strength, senses on high alert. He hadn't even set eyes on his opponent yet, and he was more excited than he could ever remember being. It wasn't some pitiful human that he would be crushing this time. Mother could feel it, he could feel it, and she told him.

It's another demon.

His lips curled, teeth bared in a predatory grin.

'You're no fairy tale, Demon Prince. And you… will make me truly alive.'

End Chapter 9