"So after kissing him you fell asleep in his arms?" Tanya was practically squealing.
Temari smiled into the mirror at Tanya's reflection. "That's right, and then he woke me up and gave me another looong kiss before he would let me go."
Tanya let out a sigh. "That is so romantic."
"Yeah it is." Temari couldn't help it she actually giggled like a… well 16 year old girl.
She had never had any real friends. Outside of her brothers and her sensei no one was allowed to be close. She had of course a very large number of social acquaintances. She knew many girls her age from the six Houses and from the other shinobi squads. But there really was no one she could call friend. But even being as driven and focused as she was, she did occasionally long for some simple girl talk. One of the more pleasant surprises of her time in Konoha had been the few hours spent with Nara Yoshino in her home. It had been so refreshing to talk with an intelligent woman who cared nothing about her name or family. They had just been two women talking about things (mostly Shikamaru) and she'd enjoyed it thoroughly. Temari had lost her mother a long time ago. Having tea in Yoshino's kitchen it had felt like she was with her mom again, at least a little.
Temari's normal answer when she felt the need to actually talk with a fellow female was to have one of her maids comb her hair. As the girl did this the two of them would relax and talk for a bit. When there were no visitors around the servants dropped the, 'sama' nonsense and things were actually rather casual. Well around her and Kankuro at least. Gaara was still not comfortable with casual conversation and preferred to be formal even in his own home. Tanya was in her room now combing out her hair and helping her get ready for tonight.
"So did he try anything, well, inappropriate?" Tanya asked.
"Well when we started kissing on the sofa he did suggest we'd be more comfortable on the bed."
Tanya gasped. "What did you do?"
Temari laughed. "I hit him on the head and told him to get any dirty thoughts out of his mind."
Tanya laughed as well. "You know you seem to hit him a lot are you ever afraid you're accidentally going to hurt him?"
"No, he's a boy so he has a thick skull. If I do hurt him it won't be an accident."
Tanya laughed again and continued brushing Temari's hair.
XXXXXXXXXX
There was a knock on the door. As soon as he answered it Ino slid into his room.
"So did Temari get really mad at you for what you said and tell you she was never speaking to you again?"
"No." He replied.
"Figures, just so you know Chouji and I are going to the festival tonight. Not that I heard anything about it from you of course."
"I'm sorry Ino it must have slipped my mind."
"Uh-huh, that seems to be happening to you a lot lately."
"If I had told you it just means you would be even more troublesome than you are now. Besides," he reached over and tapped her hitai-ite. "We're all adults aren't we?"
"We're also friends right? Friends and teammates are supposed to trust each other."
"Then trust me." He said simply.
"Fine, but if you want to talk to someone about how things are going with you and the amazon you know you have someone who will listen."
"I know it's good to have Chouji here."
She glared at him. "Baka!" He held the door open as she left.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Is it just me or is everyone staring?"
She smiled at him and walked just a bit closer, their hands held. "Of course they're staring, it's not every day they get to see the luckiest man in all of Suna."
He sent her an amused look. "Lucky?"
"Well you are going to the festival with me aren't you? How much luckier could a man get?" He rolled his eyes at her but his playful expression made her laugh.
As they were walking towards the festival grounds the streets were getting more and more crowded. The truth was people were staring at them. To Temari that was nothing new, but the looks on the faces were. The usual signs of respect and admiration were largely replaced by surprise or by confusion. She knew why of course, but she was not going to bring it up. She was going to enjoy tonight. She was going to dance with the boy she cared for and she was not about to let some looks from some strangers ruin it.
As they came up on the festival grounds she could already hear the band getting set to begin. The grounds were nothing more than a vacant flat stretch of earth that was set aside just for public events. The perimeter was surrounded by lamps that were already lit though the sun was still in the sky. There were stands set every few paces selling food and drink. In the very center a temporary stage had been set up and she could see the musicians getting ready. Those who wanted to dance had already begun drifting closer to the stage, while those who were happy to watch and listen were closer to the outskirts and stalls. Still holding his hand she plunged into the middle of the crowd.
"Couldn't we get something to drink first?" He asked.
"Later, we came here to dance."
"Didn't you say the festivities would last until the early morning? Maybe we should pace ourselves."
She sent him a dark look. "You've been asleep all day lazy; you should have plenty of energy. Are you trying to say you don't want to dance with me?" The way she was looking at him promised swift and painful death if she got the wrong answer.
"No!" He said fervently. "It's just dancing isn't really my thing."
"And just what is your thing again? I forget is it sleeping or playing shogi?"
He looked a bit nervous. "I'm just not very good at dancing, that's all."
She gave him a gentle smile and a slight squeeze of his hand. "Don't worry; just do what everyone else does. As long as you're the one dancing with me I'll be happy."
He sent her a relieved smile. "Just remember you said that if people start to point and laugh."
She smirked. "They do that now; it's just usually because of your hair."
"Hey!"
Fortunately the band chose that moment to finally begin. He took a quick look around at what everyone else was doing. Mimicking what he saw he put one hand on her hip and used the other to hold her hand out. They danced apart, but not too far. They moved slowly to the music, he was glad to see there didn't seem to be any formal dance steps. After the first minute or so he began to relax and started to actually enjoy dancing with his beautiful Temari.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Do you see them anywhere?"
"No, it's a big crowd." There was a stand not ten feet away selling skewers with roasted meat. The delicious aroma was making his mouth water. "Let's get something to eat." He tried to get to the food, but Ino had a death grip on his arm.
"Let's get closer to the stage." With surprising strength she pulled him in that direction and away from the stall.
"Ino couldn't we…"
"No, we just had dinner an hour ago."
"But it smells so good." He whined.
"Later," she barked at him. "Now keep your eyes open."
"Why are we spying on Shikamaru anyway?"
"We're not spying we're just looking out for him." She was frustrated it really was a very big crowd. She actually thought about using one of her jutsus to try and look for him. But she decided that using a jutsu in a foreign village might not be the best of ideas. She was still trying to weave through the crowd as the music began.
She turned to Chouji. "We'll keep looking while we dance." He just nodded and placed his hands as he took the lead. Ino relaxed a bit and smiled up at her teammate. Most people would never guess it but Chouji was actually a wonderful dancer. And unlike a certain annoying Chunin he never complained about dancing with her.
Seeing the way she was smiling at him Chouji could feel himself blushing a bit. Maybe he could wait awhile to eat again.
XXXXXXXXXX
Gaara stood patiently watching the dance from the outskirts of the crowd. People were very careful to show him respect and keep a polite distance. Thus he was a bit of an, 'island,' in a sea of happy folk. It didn't bother him as he was used to it and frankly preferred it to having others crowd in close to him. He had been trying to change his image with the populace of Suna since returning from the fight with Naruto. He thought he was making a little headway, but it was hard to change so many minds. Yet he knew he would keep trying. Whether people acknowledged it or not he had changed thanks to Uzumaki's words and actions. He was willing to do whatever it would take to win over the respect of his fellow citizens.
Being an island in a sea made him stand out and easy to find. An old man approached him; a pretty young girl trailed a few steps behind him. The man was dressed in loose trousers and dress shirt, his clothes were pristinely white. His face was worn and carried all 70 of his years, but the russet eyes were still sharp, as was the mind behind them. The girl was no older than 11 or 12 and had her black hair in a simple pony tail. Her dress was of finest cream colored silk but of simple cut. As she trailed behind her eyes were cast down. Her image seemed to scream out, 'innocent virgin sacrifice.'
The man stood a couple steps before him and offered Gaara a deep formal bow. "Gaara, it is good to see you again."
Gaara returned the bow. "You as well Sulamon."
"I thought it was time for you to finally meet my granddaughter, this is Alysa." He nodded to the young girl.
She approached Gaara and gave him a cautious bow. "I am most pleased to meet you Gaara-sama." Her words and her tone were perfect and had obviously been drilled into her. Gaara however was an expert at spotting fear. He had no trouble noticing the tiny quiver in her fingers or the look of terror she tried to hide in her eyes.
He returned her bow. "I am also pleased to meet you Alysa-sama." He did not resent her in the least for being afraid of him. He knew his reputation was fearsome and had been well earned.
"My granddaughter has looked forward to meeting you for sometime now. I thought this festival would be the perfect opportunity for the two of you to get to know each other."
Gaara saw the slight twitch of Sulamon's hand and Alysa immediately offered him a shy smile. "Gaara-sama I would be so deeply honored if you would dance with me."
"Perhaps another time." He replied simply.
A very slight frown touched the old man's lips. He turned to his granddaughter. "Well, it seems you will have to wait to have Gaara honor you with a dance." The girl looked at him hopefully. "That being the case you are free to enjoy the festival with your friends while I speak further with Sabaku no Gaara."
She gave him a look of pure relief. "Thank you grandfather!" He lifted an eyebrow. "I mean, thank you Sulamon-sama." He shook his head but smiled at her.
Leaning down he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "It is all right, go and play." With a genuine smile the girl left. He turned back to Gaara. "It is a weakness, but I love my family."
Gaara nodded, he could understand. "She is afraid of me you know."
"That will pass with time." He replied simply. "You should get to know her a bit she is a very sweet child, very kind and open."
"In that case I trust she is not being trained as a shinobi."
He shook his head. "There are enough shinobi in my clan; she will have a different future. She will make someone an excellent wife."
"She will also serve as an excellent chord with which to tie someone to House Ossama."
"You make that sound like such a terrible thing, as if someone were being tied to a stake in the deep desert."
"I merely make an observation."
"Do you find her displeasing?"
Gaara shook his head. "I do not know her well enough to find her pleasing or displeasing."
"That would be easy to change. She can be made available to you to have dinner at any time you like. She is a fine cook and an excellent conversationalist. You might come to enjoy her company. What if you were to come and join us for dinner tomorrow?"
"Perhaps another time."
He looked at the young man in disappointment. "Are you rejecting my offer?"
"No, I am merely not interested in forcing my company upon someone who is afraid of me."
"The last time we spoke you told me you would make great sacrifices to become Kazekage and protect Suna. Has that changed?"
"No."
"Then why do you hesitate? With Sabaku and Ossama united the other Houses will fall into line. Let me kiss your cheek and call you my grandson and I shall bow to you and call you my Kazekage."
"For a price."
"Everything has a price, is mine so high or unreasonable? I helped your father ascend the throne and I could do the same for you. All I ask in return is what your father gave me."
"To be chief advisor and head of the Council of Wind."
He nodded. "I was the Kazekage's strongest supporter."
"He never completely trusted you."
"He never completely trusted anyone that is what made him such an effective leader. Yet he did seek my opinion on matters of state and often followed my advice."
"I am still considering the offer, but I do not wish to be with someone who fears me."
"Is that your concern? As I said that will change over time, it is not as though you could marry her immediately at this age you are both far too young. All I require is the betrothal, that is enough to tie our two Houses together. Once that is done you can put off the actual marriage for as long as you like, indefinitely if you wish."
"You would have your granddaughter remain alone for an untold number of years? I thought you loved your family."
"I do love my family, but each member must be ready to make a sacrifice for the greater good of the clan."
"I shall consider it."
He shrugged. "There is no rush a new Kazekage is unlikely to be chosen for another year or more." He looked at the crowd. "Is that not Temari?"
XXXXXXXXXX
After three songs the musicians stopped for a bit. Apparently the intermission was expected as some couples moved onto the dancing area as a few moved off. As the two of them waited for the music to start again Shikamaru felt a light tap on his shoulder. He turned to see a Suna Jonin perhaps 17 or 18 with blonde hair and blue eyes towering over him. He was smiling at Temari.
"I beg your pardon, but may I cut in?"
Shikamaru was about to respond with a loud, 'hell no,' when Temari answered him in a clear and friendly tone. "I am sorry Senya, but I am afraid all my dances are already reserved. I would appreciate it if you would inform the others."
His jaw dropped in a rather comical look of surprise. His eyes shot from Temari to Shikamaru and back again. But he quickly regained his composure and gave them both a polite nod. "I see," his eyes did a swift examination of Shikamaru looking him up and down. "Well then if you will excuse me." He backed away and swiftly departed.
Shikamaru watched him go back to a group of about four other men. "Ex-boyfriend?"
Temari gently took hold of his face and turned it back to her. "No, current suitor."
"So are all of them suitors as well?"
She sighed. "Yes and I am sure we will be interrupted again at least a few more times tonight. I would normally not come with anyone and I would let them all get at least one dance with me. He didn't mean anything he just presumed that I was only going to have one dance with you."
"I see, well I don't mean to cause trouble if you prefer…"
"Don't even think about it lazy, you don't get to squirm out of this so easily." The music began again, this time it was slower and a bit more somber. She moved closer and put her head on his shoulder as they began to stir again. "Don't worry about anyone else, I am yours tonight." Hearing that he put his arms around her and decided to just hold her close.
XXXXXXXXXX
Chouji felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see a young boy perhaps a couple years older than him standing there. He had dark brown eyes and long black hair. "I beg your pardon but might I have a dance with the lovely lady?" Chouji just looked at him, not really sure what to say. But Ino was kind enough to solve that for him.
"Of course!" She let go of Chouji's hand and walked over to the smiling young man. "You don't mind do you Chouji?"
Not really waiting for an answer she turned to the fellow and introduced herself. He in turn kissed her hand and gave her his name. Ino smiled at him in delight. The music began again and the two of them began to slow dance.
Chouji in the meanwhile just stood there forgotten and invisible. As everyone around him began to dance he finally got away. He went over to the stall he had originally wanted to visit and bought three skewers of meat. He then stood there with the other onlookers looking at the dancers, or rather at one dancer. The meat grew cold as he watched Ino blissfully in someone else's arms.
XXXXXXXXXX
Sulamon had watched the surprising scene play itself out. He turned to Gaara. "Is your sister angry with my grandson for some reason? Why did she refuse a dance?"
"It has nothing to do with him. She simply prefers to dance with Shikamaru."
"That would be the name of the fellow she is dancing with now?" Gaara merely nodded. "From the color of his Jonin vest he is a foreigner I take it."
"He is from Konoha and he is Chunin not Jonin."
He lifted an eyebrow. "She prefers the company of a Leaf Chunin to that of my grandson?"
"It would seem so."
"I presume he is a suitor for Temari's hand?" Again Gaara simply nodded. "Does she intend to dance with him exclusively?"
"I did not ask, but whether she does or not is her concern."
He looked at Gaara warily. "It could become your concern if she is perceived to be too friendly with him."
Gaara looked directly at Sulamon. "It is her decision, Kankuro and I have given our blessing. In any case Sulamon it is none of your concern."
"I see." He said nothing more, but did continue to watch the young couple very carefully.
