A/N: Hey guys, I have to say, you did remarkably with the reviews this time, Arigato. Ok, so here's another short chapter, the story is really getting started now. Also, Tenten mentions christmas here, and I just have to say, I know they don't have christmas. It's only for the plot's sake. =) Read and Review please!

10th CHAPTER ANNIVERSARY! =D

"Ugh, Tenten, It's just not...me."

"What do you mean?!" Exclaimed Tenten, looking intently at Temari's reflection in the full-length mirror.

"The colour is great, it's pretty hot, if I dare say so and, um..it just looks good, ok? You SAID I could help pick what you wore..."

"Um, it's RED." said Temari. "Why is that such a great colour?"

"It's CONFIDENT." chirped Tenten, happily studying her own reflection.

Temari sighed, closing her eyes and lazily flopping down on Tentens bed. "why do we even have to dress up?" moaned Temari, a bit over-dramatically. "It's not like, REQUIRED, is it?"

"No..." Tenten replied. "But It's almost Christmas, and..." she trailed off, smiling to herself.

"And WHAT?" Temari asked, preparing herself for whatever bizarre reason Tenten had thought up.

"Well, me and Sakura were thinking, and we agreed that you might wanna show up Ino a little bit."

Temari abbruptly opened one eye and narrowwed it suspiciously. "Why would I need-or WANT to do that?" she asked catiously. "well, everyone knows that you both like Shika, and we though-"

"Why do you think that?!?!" yelled Temari, burying her face in Tenten's pillow and attmpting to stifle a loud scream. "Uh, hello? You KISSED him. If you don't like him, what the hell are you kissing him for?"

Temari looked up from the pillow, her eyes wide in shock. "What are you talking about?" Temari demanded.

"I knew it was true! See, Chouji told me he saw it, but he's just not the most reliable source. You saying it never happened really confirms it!" Tenten said, launching into one of her self-assured rants.

"Tenten, come on. You're being mean." came a voice from the doorway as Sakura and Hinata walked in.

"By the way Temari, your brother's here. Kankurou, right? The tall one. He's been standing outside for like, 15 minutes."

"What the hell?!" exclaimed Temari, rushing to the window. Sure enough, there stood Kankurou, sans kitty hat, talking to Kiba outside the house.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Yelled Temari as she rushed down the stairs, jumping the last few.

"I don't know, we figured the visit was planned." muttered Hinata to no one in particular. The three laughed, then rushed to the window to watch.

Kankurou looked away from Kiba as he heard the door to Tenten's house slam shut. Temari stepped out of the house, looking flustered and suprised. "She looks...different." muttered Kankurou as Temari approached. "I don't know, she's always been that pretty." remarked Kiba.

Kankurou glared at him. "Don't think that way about my sister!"

Unfazed, Kiba replied; "Hey, it's not ME you need to watch out for, it's Shika thinking that way!"

"God. Whatever Kiba." Kankurou said, rolling his eyes.

"I better go..." Kiba said awkwardly. "She doesn't look too happy to see me..."

Sure enough, Temari's eyes narrowed when she saw Kiba, but the look on her face changed to amusement as he darted away.

"What are you doing here?!" She asked her brother. The look on her face was a mixture of shock and exitement. "I missed you? Where's Gaara?" she asked as she stepped up and hugged him.

Kankurou laughed. "We all miss you. Yura said to say hi for him."

Temari stuck her tounge out and sighed. "God, he's weird."

"Yeah, I've always thought that. Gaara sent me here to check on you. The training department wants you to take on a team, because you're a Jonin and all.
I tried to tell them you'd make a horrible teacher..."

"Oh, thanks for that." Temari said, only half joking. "I don't think I'll be done here for a while though...the Chunin exams aren't quite over..." she said, motioning for Kankurou to begin walking with her.

"Well then, with any luck, you won't have to teach!"

Temari laughed. "I miss you guys. And Suna. As much as I love everything here, it's just so different."

"Yeah, I noticed. The smells, trees, food, houses...where are you staying, by the way?"

"Um-" Temari faltered. Shit, he's so protective...well, he's bound to find out soon anyways...

"Uh, you know Shikamaru, the guy I fought last in the chunin exams?"

"Oh, Temari, Don't tell me you're staying with a guy, especially Shikamaru."

"Shut up! It's not my choice! And what do you mean, ESPECIALLY Shikamaru, at least it's not Kiba!"

"Ugh." said Kankurou. "Well, actually, I'm meeting some people really soon, I'd better go."

Temari noticed the obvious dissaproval in Kankurou's voice. She decided to let him calm down, but her curiousity got the better of her.

"Who are you meeting?"

"Some guys. Naruto, Neji, Kiba...and Shikamaru will be there too."

Kankurou walked off, leaving Temari alone. Well, that ended nicely. she thought, walking off to the center of the city.