The prisoners were sat on chairs in the Kazekage's office. They had been given clean robes and allowed to freshen up. Gaara sat behind his desk, Temari and Kankuro stood behind. The elder council had sent a representative who now sat asleep in the corner. Ino was stood looking out of the window. When the four entered the room they went to stand beside her.

"Now we may start," Gaara stated.

Kankuro stepped forward "You are charged with kidnapping and threatening a treaty, you have been found guilty and will be punished."

Ino saw Tetche's jaw tighten as he nodded.

"Your punishment will be this." Gaara's quiet voice was like thunder in the quiet room " You will live here in the village of the sand, as ninja. You will begin your training again from the lowest level after academy, when you are fit you will undertake missions. You will fight to defend the village and the country, you will take orders from me"

"But that's what we'd do anyway as ninjas!" peters exclamation was hushed up

Tetche stood "Your punishment is gracious…may we speak a moment?"

Gaara nodded

There was brief discussion between the 8 with frantic whispers and hand movements. Eventually Tetche turned around "We thank you and are honoured to take up our punishment"

"Kankuro take their names, ages, personal details etc" Gaara said standing "Temari if you will help him?" He turned to the 8 "Tomorrow is rest day, you will be given quarters near to each other, the day after you will be expected at the training grounds where you will be assessed" Gaara held out his arm to Ino and beckoned the 4 Kahona ninja.

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"Gaara that was…."Naruto began before being interrupted by one of the secretaries

"Kazekage-sama? A man came to see you…he said you had asked for him? I sent him to the secondary office"

"I'll be right back," Gaara said removing Ino's hand gently and walking down a corridor.

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"Did you get everything arranged?" Gaara asked calmly as he saw the dark robed man

The man bowed his dark glasses glinting in the light" The cave is prepared Kazekage-sama and will be ready in time for your arrangements"

"Excellent" The man did no move to leave as Gaara turned causing the Kazekage to look back.

"Is there something else?"

The man smiled "we, we are happy for you Kazekage-sama. We will look forward to the wedding in…2 weeks?"

Gaara smiled back "The caves and their guardians have always been special to me, I am glad you could accommodate my wedding there"

The guardian bowed again and vanished.

Gaara grinned at the questioning look Ino gave him when he rejoined the group.

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"We're planning on leaving tomorrow," Naruto said as he ate a bowl of ramen

"Why?" Ino asked

"We need to go home and get out clothes and things…we weren't really prepared for a wedding when we were sent to help search" Hinata added with a grin

"Luckily the guys who took us kept our bags and things too" Sakura said smoothing down a white top she had changed into.

"You know, I remember when Sakura lost all of her clothes off a cliff once…" Naruto began

"NARUTO!" Sakura screamed reaching for him across the table

The evening progressed, only interrupted by the arrival of Temari and Kankuro; the arrival of the latter relaxed Shikamaru who didn't kept twitching around to the door now.

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"Night guys" Ino waved as the leaf ninjas walked towards the foreign ninja quarters.

She, Gaara, Temari and Kankuro walked towards the tower.

"Goodnight Temari, Kankuro" Gaara said suddenly taking Ino's arm

"Night" Temari said with a grin

Ino and Kankuro exchanged puzzled looks as they were dragged in opposite directions.

"Gaara?" Ino asked questioningly

"Yes…?" he replied

"Where are we going?"

"Home"

"But…don't we live at the tower?"

"Not any more"

"Oh?"

Gaara said nothing but smirked at his fiancée

"Gaara!" Ino said lightly pushing him, Gaara stumbled still unused to not having his sand protect him. Quickly Ino grabbed his arm and steadied him "Sorry…I'll try not to do that in public"

Gaara suddenly spun her around and kissed her nose "I don't care, come on let's go"

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After about 10 minutes Ino spoke again "So why don't you live in the tower?"

"Well, one my brother and sister live there" Gaara grinned at her "plus…my advisors suggested it wouldn't be a good environment to bring up a family in…"

"Oh, okay, so where are we going?"

"Here" Gaara stopped in front of a small shop

"A shop Gaara?" Ino asked as he opened the door and ushered her in "what…oh!" the place was filled with scents, scents she found oddly familiar and delicate. Ino opened her eyes from where she had closed them to smell "Cacti?" she asked in amazement. The whole room was full of the plants, small ones, big ones; there were even some shallow dishes with large flowers in.

"G, Gaara?" Ino asked unable to tear her eyes away from the scene

"When your parents met me…." Gaara wrapped his arms around her and murmured into her ear "…one of the things your mother said was that you would be far away from your plants, you give me so much…I wanted to give you something back"

Ino didn't reply but tuned in his arms sobbing into his shoulder. When she had clamed down Gaara wiped away her tears. "Why don't you go look around while I make a drink?"

She gave him a look remembering burnt toast

"I can make coffee you know…." He growled

Ino chuckled and fled the room.