Chapter 13 Rigged

A/N: I somewhat underestimated on how long this little away arc was taking.

Hinata yawned in exhaustion as she turned over to her side. She felt the softness of her blanket, the warmth it provided. Her own room was partly lit by sun shining through her window. She had nearly stayed exclusively in her room or the Hyuuga compound for the past three days. Yesterday her teammates had come, she didn't really feel like training or any of the sort with them. Her nightmare's and late night training of trying to accomplish a one handed rasengan had kept her from going with them. She felt far too fatigued every time she awoke, from the lack of sleep and her own distractions. She hadn't really spent far too much time with her own team, but she didn't want to worry them. Hinata looked at items that were cluttered on the desk beside her bed. She reached for the letter to read once more.

Early in dead lull of night, her restless sleep had been disturbed by some light tapping at her door. A letter had been delivered by an exhausted toad bearing an orange scarf. She had immediately woken at the realization that it was a toad, knowing it belonged to Naruto as one of his summons. He had hopped into her room and praised himself on fulfilling his orders. He brought out a letter that was designated only to her and had said that she may write one herself to him. She was little heartbroken to find his writing mostly jumbled in a near incoherent mess. The letter had jumped around quite a bit, never focusing on anything specific. It seemed he was only writing down his thoughts. She was surprised to see that he had included the details of his mission. He was frustrated and concerned, and he had voiced his doubts.

The last thing he had written made her smile sadly. 'Are you alright?' He asked.

She wanted to reassure him.'A lot of people believe in but...' There was a vast difference between knowing and thinking they do. She wanted to let him know, that she would be there for him. That she would always believe in him, like she always had. Hinata hoped that he would eventually get back to normal self, she believed in that. Because there was nothing that could hinder him, it was his nindo and she would always be there to remind him of that fact. The toad had waved farewell when she had written her reply. She put the letter addressed to her back on the desk and reached for a tiny box. She fiddled with the box with her hands and patiently waited for his return.

" I know you'll find someone..." He repeated. A faint ray of light shone through the window, the sun quickly rising over the horizon. It was a relatively simple phrase but he felt something stir within him. He took a deep calming breath and he suddenly felt like he was falling.

He found darkness, just nothingness. Naruto wandered, looking for anything that would reveal itself. Time didn't seem to exist, but he suddenly found something. He wasn't sure how long he was aware of it, but he knew the person that stood in front of him. He looked at his mother, her long red flowing hair that bustled from an invisible wind. She stood proudly in front of him. A slight smile on her face. "Mom?" He voiced. He felt his throat clutter with some emotion. He knew that she wasn't there. It was just some dream. He looked down at the black floor for a moment. Waiting for her to disappear from him sight. He looked back and was surprised to still see her standing there. Except her expression had changed. He felt like a knife had gone through him. She had a disappointed look in her eyes. "It's me...isn't it?" He asked.

"You forgot?"

"Huh?" As he opened his eyes. He saw the glare of bright light that came from the window. He groggily sat up and wiped the sleep from his eyes. His legs were hanging from the bed, he yawned loudly and stretched. He didn't really feel any more rested, he yawned tiredly as he looked at the clock on the drawer. It was past noon, he briefly wondered why he hadn't been called upon. Still... he was able to get several hours of sleep, it was undesirable but he was thankful that it wasn't one of those dreams. He looked down on the floor to see a piece of paper. Recalling yesterday he picked it up and reread once again. He didn't fully understand it, why he felt so reassured. It was a simple letter, with a few lines of her elegant handwriting. It didn't detail much, but the last two lines.

'I know you'll find someone...just come home soon...'

"Home..."He thought. Home was appealing for him right now, he wanted nothing more than to go back. The comfort of place that was his, but mostly, the group of his friends. He treasured the moments when they had went out for dinner together. He envisioned Hinata standing his kitchen, preparing food for the two of them. Turning around and sending him a sweet smile. He wanted that... He wanted a place to call home. Could he be happy one day? Did he even deserve such a thing? Disregarding his thoughts he focused on one thing he could do right now. Finding a partner for Chomei, so that he can hopefully get some needed sleep. He ignored his doubts and got dressed for today. 'I'll definitely do it..'

Shikamaru sighed, the sun was shining brilliant today. If there was one thing that Suna did beat compared to Konoha, it was that how bright it was and not to mention the heat. 'Troublesome...' The shadow user thought to himself. He walked along the streets, which was filled with numerous civilians walking about. He was thankful that his popularity wasn't as notorious as Naruto, although he did get a few nods from Suna shinobi. He responded in kind, it was probably the most he could take. He yawned in exhaustion and wiped his eyes to get rid of the forming tears. His sleep hadn't really improved, but yesterday he'd seen Naruto. He felt a small smirk, he could almost feel the shift in him. He still looked tired, a little irritable even. Except now he had a little of his old spark in him, one that made him who he is. A sort of longing was inside him, to go home.

Shikamaru himself was a little anxious to go back as well. He felt the heat bore down on him, the climate was certainly different from Konoha. He took a peek at the clouds in sky, there was very little and they flew by quickly. Once again he thought about his future, what it might be in store for him. He had just survived a war, things were greatly slowing down. There were many people who were still mourning, him included. Everyone was focusing on getting back to normal as close as possible. 'What's going to happen when everyone is done with that?'. He thought as he rounded a corner, he tried to recall the exact destination, which he completely remembered. He sort of had a plan for the future; Assistant for Naruto, Senses to his master's child... A family of his own. Although that last one was still further down road. 'Much further'. He was quite certain they were still the distance away, although the closest one was for the upcoming Hokage.

Making his down a familiar street, it had a different atmosphere compared to the dark. He took his time as he arrived at his intended destination, he reached the set of stairs that led to her place. 'Great...' He cursed his luck. It was four stories high and he prayed that she didn't stay at the top floor. 'Why me?' He didn't want to be this involved. He waited and thought about what he should do or what to say. Certainly he could have just ignored it, but there was several reasons that he had to be here. Deciding to completely get it over with as he didn't want to be doing it all day, he opened the door and let himself inside. It was simple within the building, a set of stairs immediately in front, with door leading to apartments on both sides. Looking to the right side of the wall beside the door was a list of names and apartment numbers. He searched the simple plaque and quickly found the blonde's room number, he was little thankful that she was on the second floor.

He braced himself as he walked up the stairs, he had no idea what the reaction would be. So far there was only two things that he found unpredictable, nearly impossible to make plans for. Naruto and women. There was no way that he figure woman, especially their feelings. It was primarily why he was a little scared of them, you couldn't plan for it. Mostly. The apartment wasn't large, there were no hallways and the doors were simply right beside the staircase. Reaching the second floor he knocked on the door a few times and tried to guess her reaction. The sound of the door being unlocked was heard. He wasn't ready for this at all. What seemed like an intimidating gate dragged opened, revealing the sandy blonde.

"Oh it's you" She simply stated. It felt like an eternity before he replied, although the only that he did was sigh.

"Come on, let's go"

"A romantic aren't you?" He expected something of that effect. It was clear that she would remember that night, she was just a little influenced by the alcohol. He sighed once more.

"Let's just go for a walk or something" The genius suggested. A little talk was needed and Temari was able to understand it, thankfully.

"Fine, " She closed the door and he rightly assumed that she was only grabbing her sandals. She stepped out of her apartment and closed the door behind her. He didn't get a chance to see how her place look liked, it would likely reveal something about her character. She was dressed in a black Kimono, not quite as complex as the night her saw her. He remembered the garb, when they were stuck together preparing for the chuunin exams. He took the lead as they walked back down the stairs. 'Those days seemed so long ago.'

"So why are we doing this anyway?"She asked as they took their step outside. He didn't bother trying to hold the door for her. She could do it herself.

"Dunno" He shrugged her off and avoided her question. 'Can't do it inside...'

"Seriously?" Temari voiced. "I think it's a bit unlike you" He looked at either direction of the street they were on. He didn't have a clue which side to take. 'Does it really matter?'.

"I had nothing to do, there hasn't been much going on" He replied. Which was mostly a true enough answer, except for today that is. Shikamaru decided to take a right and contemplated how long this was going to take.

'Just one more...' Shikamaru thought. He was certain they were blissfully taking their time, simply for laughs.

"I got a feeling that you'd rather be somewhere else" He heard Temari comment. Bringing him back to what they doing. They were simply walking around Suna, Temari made the suggestion to show him around. Which he agreed with, much better than aimlessly walking around. They walked together side by side, with her on his right.

"Meh...Just home mostly" He replied. It was entirely the truth. "Just want to see how my mom is doing" He added to clarify. She obviously caught the meaning behind them. They had been walking around the village for the better part of the morning. Hunger caught the both of them and now they were simply heading towards any sort of restaurant. He guessed it was a date per say, not any formal one though. It took too much effort, and he didn't really feel like he had much energy to do so anyway.

"So Shikamaru, you thought of your future?"

"Sure I guess..." He replied.

"You know you could be a good Hokage" She casually said. He took a peek at the Kunoichi, who showed no sort of joking manners.

"Not my kind of thing, and besides... Naruto deserves the right for it"

"Well, you know how he is...He's not entirely the smartest guy around"

"Sure... but he's got me to back him up, he does a lot things better than me and certain things come naturally to him" He defended. He remembered the match of shougi that played, how close he got the answer, which was technically correct. His talking skills were certainly better than his. "You know how he is... He won't let anything happen to the village and as the matter of fact, any village actually..."

"I suppose you're right..."

"He has charisma that no one else could match and besides... He's the perfect one to make sure that we'll never be involved in another war again"

"You really believe in him don't you?" She asked. "I don't think I seen you like this before"

"Well..."He recalled the chuunin exams, the only one that Naruto had taken. "I doubted him before and many other people did as well" How he had beaten Neji during that time and afterwards Gaara. "He did prove me wrong many times..." The Akatsuki's attack on Konoha was the straw that broke the back. "I don't think doubting him would be the greatest idea" Several children came running by as they neared a around a corner. A little girl came crashing by the kunoichi.

"Hey watch it kid..." Temari called out. "You alright?" As she helped the girl off the ground. He thought about how unnecessary it was for these things to be planned. Temari was a capable kunoichi, blunt and a little rude but she certainly was a good person. Gaara and Temari were siblings and certainly the Kazekage knew his sister even a little. So why was he ordered to do this. 'Wait...' He recalled the meeting with Naruto and Gaara. He certainly had a mischievous spark in him as he relayed the orders, Gaara seemed to be going along with it as well. 'You're kidding me right?...' Temari made some comments on making sure to be careful.

"How did I not see this..." He stared at the ground in defeat at his realization. 'Was I just pranked...' He asked himself numerous questions, him being completely blindsided by them. Were both Naruto and Gaara playing match maker? It certainly seemed like something Naruto would do, only Gaara had issued the orders and Naruto hung back with amused but tired eyes. Gaara was completely serious about the order, but he did have some sort of amusement. He didn't question it of course, it was merely his mission and he couldn't just brush off the Kazekage. He blamed his lack of sleep for his inability to analyze the moment. He took a peek at Temari who had finished with the young girl who was joining her other friends. "Huh..." Perhaps it wasn't solely wasn't just a prank, but something that they were serious with as well. If she did accept, he was thankful that a jinchuuriki's life would be vastly different from before.

"Something wrong?" She voiced. He shook his head.

"No"

"Really? Are you really, really sure?"He asked. Naruto shifted the large scroll on his back, made for the key of the sealing jutsu he was to use. He ignored the loose hot sand that kept flowing onto his feet. "Because once we do this, there's no turning back" Clarifying for what sounded like a the hundredth time.

"Yes Naruto I'm sure" Temari replied, she sounded a little annoyed. He didn't want to be wrong, nor did he want a friend to be regretful of it. He walked along with Temari, Gaara, Kakashi and Kankuro. A small security detail for what was about to transpire. The evening sun poured down on them while sand kept blasting towards them from the force of the wind.

"You will never be able to back out once it finishes Temari" Gaara added. The Kazekage himself was also a little anxious about it. The small team felt a little nervous over the whole ordeal.

"I'm completely certain" The blonde finished. Gaara mostly led the way to where Chomei was being kept. Which was several hours away from Sunagakure. Naruto let out a tired and thankful sigh. Was this little journey finally coming to an end? He wondered how long he was actually away from Konoha. He didn't exactly remember when he had left either, so he was completely lost. He knew where the Chomei was being kept, he had been here with Gaara when they arrived to discuss on how to go about selecting a partner.

"It's a good thing Chomei is willing because it would've been a lot harder to choose" Naruto commented.

"Why's that?" Kankuro asked.

"Well...first off you would need chakra to suppress it and If Temari were to have a kid and if Chomei wanted out, He actually could" He saw a few questioning glances sent. "The seal weakens at childbirth, but that won't be a problem at all because he won't fight to get out"

"That's reassuring..." Temari said after a silence.

"Well you're going to be partners pretty soon, trust will be important" He said.

"He's right Temari..." Gaara added. The talking seemed to have stopped after that, as nervousness overcame them. Over how to two will interact with one another. Naruto saw some rocky crags rise out from the sand, indicating that they were close. After a few minutes of silent walking, they came across a deep slope which led to an incredibly large cave. Two ANBU sat together under a shade, they were there to merely alert any potential intruders and help protect the biju that slumbered within.

"Kazekage-sama!" Both the ninja bowed once the group had gotten closer. Gaara nodded in response.

"Keep guarding until we return"

"Hai!" As the group trudged past the duo. The cave itself was vaguely lit by various torches; Stalactites and stalagmites littered the cavern, spiders webs and insects littered the edges, holes and crannies. As soon as Naruto entered the hideout he could feel the chakra that Chomei exerted. It's chakra spiked slightly in excitement, as it could no doubt feel him too. Their steps faintly echoed throughout the cave as they walked ever to where the biju resided. The terrain was rocky and one false step you could be sent tumbling down. If they weren't shinobi, it could be potentially dangerous.

"You couldn't have picked a better place could you?" Kankuro complained.

"Yeah...I can't my book" Kakashi added. "At least not without the sharingan"

"Hehe, do you really do that Kakashi-sensei?"Naruto asked.

"...Only sometimes..." The blonde chuckled in amusement as the they continued down for several more minutes. Reaching the bottom of the cavern they were met with a vast amount of space, with the large bug-like tailed beast resting in front of them.

"Naruto you're back" Chomei said.

"What's up! Found you a partner, she's right here" Slapping Temari on the back and slightly pushing her closer to the large bug. "Chomei this is Temari"

"Another Kunoichi huh? I'm certain we'll be great friends!" Chomei said happily.

"Uhh...You're not really like I thought you'd be" Temari replied a little nervously, her pride refusing to make her appear to show the little fear. "You seemed a bit more cheerful than I thought you'd be"

"I guess you can say that" Chomei replied. "If Naruto and Gaara trust you, then I have no problem with you"

"We trust her" Both added simultaneously.

"Then we'll be good together, partners?" It asked.

"If it doesn't bring any more wars, than yes" Temari replied. By then Naruto couldn't control his excitement anymore.

"Alright! Let's get started!" He proclaimed loudly, echoing throughout the cavern. He unhooked the large scroll on his back and threw it to the ground in preparation.

"Right so how do you feel Temari?" Naruto asked once again. Like before, she inspected the swirl styled seal on her midriff. She still felt her own chakra, but she also felt the alien presence of another. They were on their way back from the cavern they came from. She covered herself and answered back.

"Weird" She looked back up to focus on walking. They weren't inside the cave that long at all. She was a little surprised at the shortness of it all. She never really expected to be like her brother in her lifetime. Her little 'date' with Shikamaru seemed to be a little test, although more like a little prank. When Gaara and Naruto had asked her all sorts of questions she was a little wary, but answered truthfully. She took a quick glance at the blonde. 'So he really wants peace huh?"

"Yeah! I believe he could do it" She heard Chomei within her.

"I'm not sure I could get used to that" Temari replied aloud to it. She saw the others throw a questioning glance at her. "I'm talking to the bug biju" She clarified.

"It's Chomei"

"I'll try to remember it...If I can" Temari replied. Focusing on the conversation inside her head.

"You're really blunt aren't you?"

"Let me get used to all this before we talk anymore okay?"

"At least you're honest" It cheerfully added. It didn't talk anymore at the least. Temari didn't really know how to make up today, Naruto had insisted that they go today and which she had agreed with. Only her brother insisted that she would sleep on her decision, but she refused and said that she was prepared for it. If it was for the village and to stop wars, she would gladly do it. She felt an odd sensation of approval stir within her, from the biju she guessed. It still felt entirely alien to her, when they talked briefly she saw it talking directly to her. Except she was also walking ahead with her group. It was entirely an odd sensation within the place she had talked with it. Her surroundings were a little bare, walls on either side with some golden colored liquid on the floor. The Biju itself stood behind a bronze gate as it conversed with her.

"Oh right, Here Gaara" Naruto said, he took the large scroll that he wore around his red coat. She wondered briefly what it was for before it was answered by him. "It's for the key to Temari's seal, she can sign it later" Now that he mentioned it, she did see a piece of paper with the kanji seal on what she presumed to be the lock. She was explained the mechanisms of the seal itself, it was designed so that some of the biju's chakra constantly mixed with hers. She guessed that it might have disrupted her control a little, so she would have to compensate and practice with it later. Gaara took the scroll and it merged through gourd as it rested on his back.

"So Kakashi-sensei when do we head back to Konoha?" Naruto asked the masked jonin.

"It's getting pretty late already, so probably tomorrow morning" She overhead, she could see him out of the corner of her eye as he continued to read his reading material.

"Oh alright..." She could almost hear the disappointment in his voice. The sandy blond wondered who he was excited to get back too. 'Guess it's that girl Shikamaru mentioned' She respected him, while not the smartest person she ever met, he had good intentions. Naruto did save her brother after all, twice to be exact. He was like Gaara, she didn't think it was fair to compare herself to them, not when she didn't grow up in their conditions. She hoped that her brother would be happy with a family later in his life, and she hoped the same for Naruto. 'They deserve it...for all they've been through'

Naruto felt extraordinarily tired. He felt today's energy leave him, leaving him forever. He felt a assured that he had done it, he could trust Temari with Chomei. He was worried though, he didn't quite know the rest of the other villages or the people within them. He shook the thoughts away and focused on the cold breeze that blew in the dark of night. Once again he stood on the roof of their hotel, he was eager to return. He resisted the urge to lie on the inviting ground, he didn't desire to sleep. He loathed it, he didn't want his nightmares to return. He fought a constant battle with his heavy eyes, threatening to close each and every single moment. The blond thought about several earlier events to help with his exhaustion.

He had played a few rounds of Shogi with Shikamaru, he even won once. He probably would have celebrated more loudly if he known he had won, or if he wasn't tired. Only when Shikamaru had told him was he even aware that he had won, and with that the lazy chuunin had said his farewells as he went off to sleep. He went to go check up on Ino and asked if she would like to go for a walk or finding something to eat. He had been berated for suggesting that, What was so bad doing something with a friend? After that, he decided to go upstairs and watch the darkening sky once again.

He just wanted to go home and hope that his nightmares didn't come back. The only thing he heard was the slight howling of the wind, the sand scraping against the floor. His eye's... suddenly locking shut. He felt sudden terror and vertigo crawl up on him, gasping for air, he fell on his knees and hands. He looked around to confirm any sort of danger and found nothing. 'I just... dozed off a little' He couldn't seem to muster up the energy to push himself off the ground. Forcing himself, he grunted as he rose to his feet. He felt his movements drastically slow within the last few hours, ever since the sun had set. He heard something call his name, was he going crazy now? Was he hallucinating now? Is this what lack of sleep did? What next? Hinata coming out of nowhere? Would it get worse?

"Naruto" He heard the voice, this time more loudly than before. He realized the voice wasn't just a figment of his imagination. In fact he recognized the voice, he looked to his left to once again see Gaara about to reach beside him.

"Oh...Hey Gaara" He stated. He tried to wipe the sleep out of his eyes to make sure that he was actually there. He stood beside him like yesterday, Or was that two days ago? He almost narrowly missed the question that he asked.

"When do you return to Konohagakure?" he asked in his emotionless voice. The young Kazekage stood right beside him and joined him in his viewing of the sleeping village. The village he was assigned to protect at all costs. He wanted to be like Gaara, watching over it. Even it seemed like something that was far away.

"When the sun rises..." He yawned once more. At least, that's what Kakashi had said. He didn't exactly take his word for it though, if he didn't , he was intent on storming his room to get back.

"Naruto..."

"Huh?" He looked at his friend. Who had a sympathizing eyes as well as a tired expression, although not from exhaustion. "I can't wait anymore, Not when a friend is in need" Naruto heard him say. It took a moment for him to comprehend the words.

"What do you mean?"

"Naruto...The nightmare's you've been having" He wanted to voice his opinion about them, what had gotten him so worried. He wasn't certain that he said it though. "Bastard" He heard the Fox inside him say, the only words that he had spoken all day. "I think they're being caused by Kurama" Gaara replied. Naruto felt something pulse inside him.

"What?"

A/N: Yeah...That's probably the only other pairing in this story, ShikaTema, It won't focus on them of course. Their relationship will probably develop