AN: Hi guys, big apology for how delayed this chapter is. This document was lost several times. Its still not perfect but I'm opting to bite the bullet and post it now.

SHIKAMARU

Pretending to be regal is not something he's ever quite felt the urge to do before and he'd be lying if he said he didn't wish Team Asuma were here to help. He can remember a time when things were particularly awkward with Ino and he recalled she had engaged with a mission or two along such lines. Unfortunately he'd never thought to actually ask her about it, nor that it would be the kind of information he imagined he would ever need. As a chuunin dabbling in the cryptology or strategy, he's never had to dress up and in a clan as laid back as the Nara, formality was optional at best. The tunic fits him comfortably and he can tell that Kotetsu and Izumo have spent more than just a pretty penny on all of this. Still, at least they'd kept in mind his tastes, opting for a darker colour. Yet despite being a clan heir and in no way financially pressed, to be alluding to the wealth his clan probably possessed still feels far too foreign on him.

In fact everyone seems remarkably confident about the ploy to masquerade as people more flamboyantly affluent than they actually are. Not that the Nara clan wasn't important in the Leaf, but they weren't exactly one of the founding clans that had to deal with the the theatrics of regality. When he asks Ko about it as they engaged in some light sparring in the morning the elder male had shrugged and said even an average shinobi would always needed to be able to bluff themselves out of or into any situation, and that a clan heir most certainly would have to pick up the skill at some point. Then Ko had proceeded to casually hand his ass to him and Shikamaru had regretted even asking. Ayaka had scolded him and Ko for returning a mess, despite the fact he's certain she's covering more than a few bruises from her own night escapades with the surprisingly professional make up Kankuro had done on her. Seemingly anticipating her wrath Ko had offered her a token he couldn't quite glimpse. There was a flicker of surprise and thoughtfulness on her face as she pocketed the item somewhere in the folds of her silks, thanking the Hyuuga quietly. Shikamaru frowns, that was a little odd, but he's not alarmed. Ko's a pretty thoughtful guy, despite having really bad luck. Perhaps he was passing on a token of sorts from Neji?

It was obvious the brunette was missing her fiancée. Despite being something he should have expected, he was a bit surprised. It's not that he doubted their affections, but he had assumed they were more invested in the physical aspect. After all, they were an arranged pair.

He was about to ask about the exchange but quickly thought better of prying. Ko compliments her new look before heading off to get some downtime, practically dragging a dead on his feet Kotetsu with him. Then she finally turns on him.

She'd ushered him towards a much needed shower, and disappeared off to find his clothes, having to practically force him into it when she returned.

The black fabric, woven with gold thread makes his tanned skin stand out. He's left his hair loose, on Ko's instruction and tried to channel his inner Hyuuga as he stares into the mirror. Its weird, the image of him trying to be something he's not - yet still trying to be received as Shikamaru Nara - but he's committed now. Izumo is also in the room, his cream colored tunic, embroidered with black intricate designs, hangs a little loose on him. Shikamaru has no doubt its to conceal weapons on his person, after all even if he is to participate in the Izumo is still thier body guard. On his other side, Ayaka's wearing some fine silks in a striking shade of green. Unlike Izumo, Ayaka's weapon is on full display fastened haphazardly to her waist. While Kankuro had urged Ayaka to make more drastic changes to her appearances, she'd argued that she was a relatively unknown Nara in Suna so not much effort was needed to misdirect attention from her when Shikamaru would be out in public trying to woo a princess. As a retainer of someone looking to wed Temari, Kankuro and the Kazekage had every excuse to spare no expense when it came to the safety of their prospective extended family.

In the end it had been a compromise that Ayaka wore her hair differently and wore some make up, brunette hair braided into an intricate knot at the base of her head. Kankuro was busy giving her winged liner that would rival Orochimaru's own. Between the contouring and dark brown pigment applied generously to her lips, Ayaka would barely pass as a shadow of her former self. Shikamaru cant help but think she looks like a villain - the overtly seductive types drawn into Ino's manga - but then decides that he's pretty biased given that he's known her all his life.

Between Ayaka's ostentatious display of her weapons and Izumo's more subtle look he cant help but be undecided about how to carry himself. Eyeing his kunai, he sighs and slips his heavily packed weapons pouch around his waist but under his tunic. Its hidden enough that it doesn't quite break the illusion of regal he's going for but still subtle enough that even if one did see it they would not query it given it was a shinobi village. Part of him wants to wear his Leaf headband but he holds back, not wanting to flaunt the ties he may have to break should this arrangement be agreeable.

They fall into formation as they proceed to walk towards their audience with the Kazekage and Suna council. Kankuro and the girl he recognizes as Matsuri take point, while Genma brings up the rear. In a gesture he knows would imply his intent to yield his title as heir to Ayaka, as well as being practical as she is the one whos had several attempts on her life of late he flanks her right side. Izumo mirrors his position on the left and the longest and most stressful stroll of his life begins.

People stare, and he's not surprised they do. Its a clear and ostentatious display of wealth and he really wishes he was either Kotetsu or Ko who've retired after enduring night guard duties. Too bad he's 50% of the payload in this mission. After all, its no secret that Suna's economy has suffered for some time now. Thier failed invasion of the Leaf hadn't helped the situation, given Suna had to shoulder a good bulk of the expenses for repairs. There's whispers and he can feel the eyes of the citizens scrutinizing him. Surely, the information's leaked by now about him and Temari.

Do they think he's an adequate suiter? On a technicality he had beaten Temari before on a stage for all to see. Temari, the Kazekage's eldest child who was easily beyond genin level, had been beaten by one of the heirs of a softer Leaf clan. It must have been harrowing, to see her Suna royalty and arguably one of the brightest strategists of her age loose to a Nara. Would the consider the feat impressive still? It had been a few years and Temari had leveled up since then.

As they enter the Kazakage dome, he feels the dread building. Today would mark the most rebellious thing he's ever done in his life. Nothing could compare to having the audacity to wed the Suna princess with the support of a lone clan member. Not hooking up with Ino. Not running out on his hokage. Not even his intent to throw away his title as an heir held a candle to this.

He swallows as Matsuri slowly pushes the doors open, spine rigid as he tries to look as expensive and as powerful as Ayaka wants to sell him. Without even meaning to, his gaze sweep the room, locking on teal eyes. He feels more than sees Genma situate himself to guard the door, Matsuri moving to join him. Temari's on her Kazekage's right, and by the glint of chaos in her eyes and the flush of her face the discussion in the room prior to arrival had been nothing less than tense. Kankuro walks in and he expects to walk in right after them, but neither Ayaka nor Izumo cue him to move. Fortunate because he feels almost frozen on the spot, gaze locked with Temari. He's a deer caught in the gaze of a hunter and for whatever reason, he can't make himself move. Out of his peripheral, he spots Ayaka and Kankuro share a glance.

"Welcoming from the Leaf Ayaka Nara, Shikamaru Nara, and Izumo Kamizuki," Kankuro introduces them even though he's certain there isn't a single person in the room that doesn't realize who they are. Ayaka glides in first, confidently bowing and taking her position opposite Gaara.

Shikamaru follows her a second later, realizing that he's taking the first step to the rest of his life.

TEMARI

There's a special place in hell for whoever invented the bureaucracy, Temari thinks as she the surveys the council room. Its apparent from the moment she had let it drop prior to the arrival of the Leaf party that she was the one courting the Nara that the council were upset and a little uncertain how to handle this.

If it were the Shikamaru who was the one in power taking liberties here, she imagined this being a royal pain for the Nara's to deal with no matter how much this Ayaka character could manipulate a situation. Fortunately being the older sister of Kankuro meant she knew exactly the protocol to handle these situations were. Since she had already admitted to being the aggressor in all this - because she'd kissed him first, asked him out first, hated him first, loved him first and had damned well asked him to marry her first - so the Suna council only had two options. Pay out damages, which realistically speaking was not a great idea, given that Shikamaru was an heir it could be perceived as an insult as it most certainly would in Suna, if the fact that Kankuro would have all but been blacklisted by now by the local clans had he not been the eldest son of Rasa - or actually treat Temari's intent to wed somewhat seriously.

Now as conversation flits back and forth between the Nara beauty and council members she bemusedly sits aside to watch it unravel, shooting Shikamaru a playful wink she's certain more than a just one council member may have caught. The Nara girl is certainly charming, knowing when to stroke an ego and when to make the power play. Izumo is surprisingly up to date on Suna customs, much to the council members dismay. Shikamaru is hardly rattled when questioned, opting to stay honest but not interfere if his input is not needed. Its not like she's silent either, she interjects whenever someone questions her decisions or whether or not any of this was actually her idea with the sharpest of responses but is keen to let Kankuro and Gaara impose her will. Of course, she will be punished, no doubt her mission load will pick up after this very meeting and she has little illusion that there will be some form of penalty for Suna not following the proper procedures with the Leaf, at least on paper (she's fairly sure that Tsunade had to have known - as had almost everyone, and had just turned a blind eye).

Her brothers love her. She's not been a great sister and she's been an even worse protector but for all her flaws she has faith in them. While she knows Gaara and Kankuro would chase each other down to hell and back given the opportunity, it was not in her nature. Temari has faith in the strength of her siblings and those she cares for. Temari endures and most importantly, she gets things done.

When the conversation shifts to Suna customs and Kankuro, Ayaka and Shikamaru do not hesitate in pointing out that Shikamaru had already defeated Temari on an official platform once she almost wants to sputter out laughter. While she has no hard feelings now - Shikamaru would be hard pressed to win a one on one battle like that against her again - she knows has no desire for vengeance. Its a fact that Temari would throw a battle to win the war without flinching. Her plans pretty simple - let the Nara's and the council do the heavy lifting in Suna, knowing that both Kankuro and Gaara would sooner see her wed a man they actually respected then whatever ponce the council planned on recommending. Which would leave her to take the earliest diplomatic mission to the Leaf, drop off the contract the representatives decide to draft here in Suna and go troll her future in laws, while Shikamaru and his cousin basked in the safety that was Suna's Subaku household.

Shikamaru had been pretty vocal about his dissatisfaction with his father and the Hokage to an extent, and Temari was willing to wager it had something to do with the incident that had landed him in the hospital. When she'd heard he could have died she hadn't known how to feel. As a shinobi they flirted with death often and she knew he could handle himself just as well as her. Yet, it had been a good reminder that they aren't invincible. There were reasons old shinobi were feared - one simply did not often outlive the job. Her mother hadn't, nor had her father. She was willing to bet she wouldn't either.

So the possibility of one of them dying young was very real. Now, Temari was not sure what the official story was behind Shikamaru's near death but she knew when her lover was upset and this time Shikamaru was absolutely livid. She's never seen anyone make her lover that upset before, even when he was a crying wet behind the ears Chuunin in the hospital.

So what if she was going to wreak havoc when she dropped the engagement on them? They'd messed with what was hers first and as far as Temari was concerned, diplomacy was just another tool in her arsenal of weapons. She was not someone that even the Leaf's council of elders would challenge in a hurry. She's a diplomat, a princess, the daughter and sister of two respective kage's and the head of the most prominent clan in Suna. She knew exactly how to throw her weight around. Sometimes she wonders if Shikamaru actually knows what he's getting himself into.

Still, she would walk away from it all in an instant if she got to keep him. Not even her brothers could stop her.

Not surprisingly, no one in Suna is keen on her having Shikamaru battle her to prove his worth. He's done so already anyway. Kankuro has his alternative motives, quite clearly itching for a fight and not just a spar with the Leaf heiress wannabe. Its not that Temari didn't approve of the theatrics behind what Kankuro and Ayaka were pulling, kami knew the Suna council deserved it, but she'd never given much thought to who her spouse one day would be. Gaara was never intended to be a Kage, despite his sheer power and Kankuro had been groomed to be the Kage's right hand the minute he hit puberty by their father. Sure the patriarchy would have likely ignored her and married her off as soon as someone with fat pockets came looking, but one couldn't deny of Suna's finest Shinobi she was one of the few that wasn't decades past retirement age, nor housing a tailed beast.

The council had a tough call in allowing her to walk away from the hat, and Gaara to claim it. However, with Kankuro unwilling there was little choice. Still, this time they had a few choices and clearly chose to make it as difficult as possible for all parties to get thier way. Thankfully, Gaara was astute enough to keep things from escalating. One wouldn't want to offend the Leaf ninja who were the reason for such a lucrative little S-class guarding mission headed thier way. Fortunately, the Nara girl was hitting all the right notes, even offering to waive the dowry. Frankly, that was better than most suiters offered.

She certainly was taking more than a few liberties with her negotiations.

The council's hands were tied and they knew it but so would the Nara clan's be after this. After most of the bickering and power plays had died down, the elder Ebizo finally chose to speak. A master spy in his youth, Temari was quite fond of him, even if he could be a grouchy old man. She certainly favoured his temperament over the elder Chiyo, who would sooner see Suna go to war than have one of thier elites marry a mere Leaf ninja. The council had wisely chose to leave Chiyo out of the negotiations dare she offend the Lady Nara whom Temari was quickly realizing would have a bright future in politics, if she chose it. As a diplomat herself, negotiating with Ayaka Nara would probably be a cringeworthy experience.

"Lady Nara will represent the Nara Clan in the duel for Clan head Temari no Subaku. Kankuro no Subaku will represent the Subaku clan," the elder Ebizo pauses glancing at Ayaka with slight disdain, the brunette smiles sweetly at, before continuing to announce the topics conclusion.

"Suna values strength and the alliances it has forged. Should the Nara Clan be deemed worthy, Temari no Subaku may take Shikamaru Nara as a spouse. Of course, unless Shikamaru were to become his clan head in the future, it is assumed that he will be relocating to Suna."

There's some annoyed mutters, about the slim possibility Suna may loose Temari, but Ayaka and Kankuro beam with pleasure. For his part, Shikamaru looks relieved. Gaara was looking a little pale, but then again he tended to be on the pasty side. It doesn't escape Temari that Shikamaru's cousin has almost everyone wagering she's going to become clan head and not Shikamaru. It's a bold assumption to make, honestly she thinks Shikamaru should be mildly offended but her soon to be official fiancée looks too stunned that this meeting has even remotely gone in his favour to react to the insult.

The crybaby sure was something else.

She of course, is immediately slapped with a few diplomatic missions. It's not surprising, they clearly want her out of Suna until Shikamaru is at least officially her betrothed.

Can't exactly have the Suna princess be so wantonly stealing the virtue of a impressionable Leaf Chuunin. The scandal, while already circulating Shinobi gossip, would result in an outcry if it reached the public.

Temari was thier favourite after all.

GAARA

Being a Kazekage is tough but rewarding, he tells him self as the meeting nears it's end. Both his siblings are thrilled and he's surprised how endeared he is by it, even if Temari's been dumped with missions starting immediately and Kankuro will likely be made a public spectacle in his bout against the Nara girl, scheduled as soon as the conference ends. He can't say he's often brought Kankuro and Temari happiness, but over the past few years he's done his best. He would like to think he's learnt a thing or two about putting the needs of others first, after all he is a kage.

He does want both Temari and Kankuro to be happy, even if Kankuro finds that through obsessing over work and between the sheets of whatever being that's currently caught his eye. Temari is a different case altogether, always content but much like his late father, never quite satisfied.

This entire situation should both startle and baffle him, but even he's caught a glimpse or two lingering between Temari and Shikamaru once in a while. Sure, he had mistaken it for hostility, but Matsuri has informed him that the line between love and hate is a thin one. He would know, having mistaken the first time his siblings had tried to hug him as an attempt to spar. Temari had been amused, Kankuro exasperated and the duo had invested a significant amount of time into helping him update his social and emotional trajectory.

One day, he hopes to do the same for someone.

Initially, he had of course briefly entertained the notion of crushing Shikamaru but he hesitated. Keeping in mind is siblings apparent disapproval to undue violence, his desire to keep things diplomatic, as well as the lucrative mission the Nara's had brought in was enough to make him pause. Now, he could crush the man Temari was courting but not without consequence. Although he far outclassed Temari in raw, undiluted power he would be hard pressed to wager a win against a pissed master strategist who had half of this shinobi force wrapped around her calloused little finger. Plus, he wouldn't want to cause a war, with Suna's economy being what it was.

Thus, Shikamaru would unfortunately have to live another day.

The meeting winds down in hostilities after that, and while Gaara feels there are no other pressing concerns as he begins to close the meeting. He's wrong however, as Shikamaru interjects. A few council members bristle at the audacity. He can't remember anyone but Temari or Kankuro ever cutting him off.

"What of the prisoner in your custody?"

Gaara blinks, pondering how to explain. While Genma had been well informed that they were likely to be tailed, it seemed the Hokage had expressed interest in having the ninja returned in one piece. Of course, they'd only learnt that after setting Temari loose on him but he seemed to be still somewhat functional, despite the odd scandalous question falling from his curios lips in that deadpan voice Gaara was all too familiar with. They'd found nothing on his person that seemed out of the ordinary, although his ink had spilled ruining the content of his documents, even if they could glean he would be taking his Jonin exams soon. He'd written to the hokage that he'd keep the extra shinobi in custody, and Tsunade had seemed relieved. She'd even offered quite the bounty to have him returned unharmed. As a Kage, he simply had no reason to refuse but he does realize he needs to be somewhat vague. Tsunade didn't want any undue attention brought to his prisoner. Genma had been even vaguer, simply stating that the ninja was likely given very ambiguous instructions, which had resulted in him tailing them. As is, T&I had found the shinobi to not have any real desire to hurt anyone outside of duty, despite the fact he'd been sneaking around.

Seemed a little suspect to Gaara, but Suna was literally being paid not to look too deeply. He could easily assign some of his finest and order them to respect that.

Still, his shinobi would be elite spread thin at the moment, most on guard rotations and duties surrounding the delegates attending the talks. With Temari about to receive a hefty mission load, he supposes he can't expect her help. Besides the prisoner intrigued him slightly. How often does one find a being more socially and emotionally handicapped then himself? Seeing as this kindred sprit was certainly not on the caliber to cause him any trouble, Gaara may as well take on a mission himself.

It had been too long. Besides, he does want to explore this phenomenon Matsuri calls trolling. What better opportunity could he have?

"The hokage has communicated her instructions. You needn't worry for his safety, I shall have him shadow me to learn how to express emotions and the appropriate social customs, until he will be released into the custody of the squad sent to escort him home."

Several things happen simultaneously. There's a few snickers and groans from the council members and attendees. Temari is laughing uncontrollably, the meeting hitting a ridiculous high note for her. Ayaka looks incredulous while Shikamaru seems equally pained. Baki had facepalmed, loudly while Ebizo nodded sagely as if Gaara had made the most sensible observation in his life.

While they still were recovering, he closed the meeting before anyone could argue and swept out of the room swiftly.

If only meetings were always this entertaining.

AN: Next chapter Yugito arrives on the scene and we get some evidence of Ko being sneaky. Might also throw in some Neji because we miss our boy.