The whole ballroom seemed to glitter. Many of Sunagakure's citizens had forgotten what a celebration was, as there had been little to rejoice about in the past few years. The fourth kazekage did not approve of any type of festivity.
But Gaara was not his father and the time of war had ended. So, to the people's delight, the fifth Kazekage had decreed that Sunagakure would be hosting a masquerade ball for its citizens.
It was to be a formal event, black tie for the gentlemen and all gold for the ladies. All week her esteemed little brother had been worrying about the event. He may be a natural leader in office and on the battlefield but when it came to social situations he was a complete novice. As such, most of the finer details had been passed on to her: invitations, pattern swatches, napkins, food, and silverware.
At one point it had felt as though she were drowning in the planning of this event. But now Temari could fully appreciate her hard work.
The curtains all around the large room were gold to stay true to the theme. Flower spray arrangements filled with black roses adorned all of the tables.
The only light in the room was supplied by the chandeliers and candle arbores. The candlelight caught the curtains and the sway of gold dresses created the illusion of gold dust.
"You've outdone yourself Temari," her brother's familiar low intonation commended her.
He was dressed head to toe in black, a stark difference from his usual red robes. Kankuro kept loosening the tie around his neck, not used to such tight fitting attire. Truthfully, she herself wasn't too pleased with her own dress.
What she had originally picked out was now being worn by Matsuri. It was simple, understated, form fitting down to the hip then flaring out in a sea of glitter. Temari smiled knowingly as she watched her brother stare at his former student.
Being the sister of the kazekage, her original pick had been replaced by the ladies of the council for a slightly garish, in Temari's opinion, ball gown. It was too heavy and strapless which didn't make her feel too secure. The entire top seemed to be encrusted with different yellow gems. She reflected light everywhere she went, which was actually fitting since her mask had a gold sun painted on it.
"You should go and talk to her," Temari whispered as her brother's gaze still hadn't left Matsuri who was happily chatting with her teammates. Her mask was covered with golden flowers, the same type as were in her hair.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered.
She swore that she could see a faint rose blush that his mask did little to conceal. In the corner, the musicians for the night started to tune their instruments. People began to make their way onto the dance floor and, before she had the chance to pester him some more, her little brother was already walking towards Matsuri.
It was nice to see her youngest brother finally reaching out towards others. Her own eyes began to search the room for someone. But before she could so much as take a step in her uncomfortable shoes, she was confronted by an unfamiliar man.
Despite being dressed in all black, he still managed to be showy. His coat had feathers hand stitched into it. And something about his air and manner of walking told her that he thought very highly of himself, most definitely a member of the council.
From the way he bumbled about, probably not a much respected councilman at that. He was not a tall, shorter than her. He would have benefitted from the heels she was wearing.
"Perhaps you would do me the honour Lady Temari," he gestured towards the dance floor with his head awkwardly.
"Oh," she said lightly, biting her cheek to hold back a smile.
It wasn't this man's fault. No one in Suna, with the exception of her brothers knew that she was involved with someone else.
"I wasn't aware that members of the council knew how to dance. You all seem so serious."
"I do not think it wrong to divulge in such an innocent diversion." His odd, formal way of speaking confirmed her suspicions. "In fact," he continued, "several people," members of council she assumed, "have complimented me on my," he bounced up on the balls of his feet, "lightness of foot."
Now she did laugh but quickly covered it up with a cough. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him lurking in the shadows.
"You know, I think I will dance with you."
She took his hand without even sparing the other a backwards glance. Thankfully the music was upbeat and in no way romantic or slow.
Despite this, her partner still managed to make the dance seem intimate by the way he stared at her.
"Usually I do not enjoy dancing," he said while attempting to twirl her, which ultimately failed as she had to bend down to get under his arm, "but it does give one the opportunity to admire one's partner." This man, he couldn't honestly think that he had a chance with her, could he?
"So," he continued, slightly out of breathe by their fast pace, "it is now I'll reveal my intentions, my primary goal, if I may be so bold, is to remain close to you throughout the evening." Immediately a tall figure loomed over her partner.
"May I have the next dance Lady Temari?"
"You may," she replied curtly as if it were a hindrance.
The council man seemed perturbed by this interruption but made no move to argue as the reason for his agitation was quite a bit larger than himself. Blissfully the song ended and her saviour stepped in.
"You're a very cruel woman," he murmured as the next song started. She could only assume that he was referring to her acceptance of another partner when she had clearly locked eyes with him.
"So I've been told once or twice," she replied coyly as they spun.
They danced for a couple more minutes in silence, gaining the inspection of many people. Temari realized they were standing much too close to be considered socially acceptable. Her chest was almost touching his, her hand on the back of his neck and his around her waist.
Onlookers whispered amongst themselves about the mysterious stranger who had apparently captured the interest of their ambassador.
"I'm surprised you recognized me in this getup."
It certainly wasn't something she'd pick out for herself. Everything about her was different, even her hair was resting on her shoulders.
"Heh, as if I wouldn't. Even with this," he looked at the mask, "those eyes are a dead giveaway."
What a sap.
Her head fell against his chest in embarrassment. The volume of the chatter around them seemed to increase.
"You know," he carried on as if they were alone; "this is our first dance."
She hadn't failed to realize that. He was quite good. Shinobi were supposed to be light on their feet but somehow she had envisioned him stumbling. Being in connection to a kazekage all her life, it had been required of her to learn proper etiquette. She had hated all those meaningless dance lessons when she was younger but now it seemed they had actually paid off.
Temari looked past his shoulder to see her previous partner. His feathers looked more than a little ruffled, no pun intended. She was well aware that the council would rather she be associated with some rich influential family from Suna. Regardless of the fact that the song was unfinished, she took him by the hand and began to march off the floor.
Ignoring the wary look from her eldest brother, she continued to pull Shikamaru out towards the back balcony, away from prying eyes. She couldn't help but laugh as she broke into a run. It proved to be a difficult task with all of this fabric. He smirked at her amusement and allowed himself to be dragged along.
"If you wanted them to stop talking this probably wasn't the best way to do it," Shikamaru murmured.
"I could care less what people say," she sneered, resuming their previous stance.
There was no music out here but the hum of people out on the street below was enough. She was perfectly content.
However, his brow was furrowed and, by the look in his eyes, she assumed something was wrong.
"No one else is out here. I want to see your face."
With baited breath she watched as he slowly removed the mask. It felt as though he was undressing her and the thought made her face burst into flames. He took off his own and she had to admit it was much better this way.
"It's a good thing you did that out here, wouldn't want to scare anyone," she teased to hide her embarrassment.
But he knew her well; she still didn't know if she liked how easily he was able to read her. Ignoring her jibe, he bent over and ensured she wouldn't be saying anything else for the next couple minutes. As his lips met hers again and again, all she could think about was how desperately she didn't want to mess this up. Temari knew that she had left everything she didn't want in that room, the grandeur and the greedy political figures with their hidden agendas. What she wanted was someone who didn't expect anything of her other than honesty, someone who just wanted plain Temari.
"Who was that guy you were dancing with earlier," he questioned, breaking apart from her, opting to trail lazy kisses down her neck.
"Uh..." she was having trouble concentrating. "Um...someone from the council?" she supplied meekly.
"You don't know for sure?"
He asked directly in her ear before his mouth descended to her jaw. Accusing her of being cruel, who was the one being merciless now? Temari could hardly answer him if she had to remind herself how to breathe.
"You did see him right?" she managed to get out. "He was ridiculous. His head barely reached my shoulders."
"A convenient height," he grumbled. Finally, she was broken from her trance.
It's not like she wanted some twerp ogling her chest.
"You're being a cry-baby again," she accused.
Finding the courage, Temari pulled him down to her level and demanded his attention.
"If it means that much to you we can go back in there and I'll kiss you in front of the entire damn council. But that doesn't really seem like your style, much too troublesome."
"I don't know," he stared unabashed, "sounds good to me," he called her bluff.
Seeing her open and close her mouth, looking for a comeback, he quietly laughed and pulled her in. "
Just kidding," he breathed onto her lips. Temari vaguely realized that her back was being pushed up against the balcony. But that was all that registered at the moment. As things started to get heated, they heard a gasp that definitely hadn't come from either of them.
Temari whipped her head around to see Yukata standing in the doorway, hand over her mouth. Quickly she pulled herself out of Shikamaru's grasp and attempted to smooth down her hair.
"Sorry, I'm so sorry," Yukata called out as she ran away, face beet red. Shikamaru cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Well I guess that's one more person who knows about us."
"You obviously don't know anything about her. If Yukata knows, all of Sunagakure will find out by tomorrow. Looks like you got what you wanted."
"Honestly, I was expecting more people to have figured it out by now. Your friends are a lot slower than mine...or maybe more like less nosy," he amended when she was about to argue with him. "I guess that's why I hadn't been expecting someone else to dance with you right in front of me."
It was a nice to see him get flustered for a change.
"Mm, well, we should probably get back...wouldn't want people think we were being improper."
"Weren't we?" he questioned smugly.
What a pain.
She sent him a glower before turning on her heels and walking with purpose back towards the ballroom. Naturally, he followed her.
"If you spread those kinds of rumors around, I won't be there to help when my brothers hunt you down."
He believed her. Each brother was terrifying in his own right. He may have a very small chance facing one of them, but both would be impossible. As she reached for the golden door handle he pulled her shoulder,
"Wait, take this," he handed her the mask that she had completely forgotten about. He always was a step ahead.
It was amusing to see everyone's head turn as they walked back into the room. This was the whole reason she had extended the invitation to him, a non resident of Suna. By shoving Shikamaru in the face of the council, instead of sitting down for a useless conversation, not one of them could say anything against it. Temari smugly eyed all of those stuffy old men as they walked past.
"Ah, I see it now. You're using me," he looked around the room and smirked at the man she had previously been dancing with.
"You love it."