Chapter 8

The four of them breakfasted together that morning on the Kazekage's balcony. Sunshine beamed around them and the pleasant early morning sounds of the marketplace on the street below them floated up filling the air with the sounds of the merchants setting up for the day. It all felt so familiar and so like home to her. Temari had to admit that she had slept better than she had for days now. Sleep had eluded her ever since she found out...

As her thoughts started to drift to the reason she was here with Baki and her brothers this morning she felt the by now familiar panic and noticed that her hand holding her tea cup was starting to tremble. Hastily she set it down hoping that none of them had noticed but she realized it had not escaped the attention of any of the others.

Gaara shifted uncomfortably and Kankuro started to speak when he saw Baki glaring at him with a look he was all too familiar with from his training days - don't say a word.

Temari's smile that a moment before had been relaxed and genuine was now replaced with one that barely reached her eyes. "I wonder if they still make the pistachio cookies you were so fond of, Gaara?" she asked, trying frantically to think of something innocuous for them to discuss.

"I'm sure they do," he answered. "We could send for some or go to the marketplace ourselves later today if you would like?"

"If Baki would let us," Kankuro said with a faint grumble. That elicited a chuckle from all of them. Temari was thankful and talk then returned to pleasant memories of childhood attempts to sneak away from their sensei's watchful eye or attempts to sneak in snacks from the marketplace that he would not have approved of. Baki took the siblings' teasing in stride, reminding them all that at least his watchfulness appeared to have worked as they were all now marginally contributing members of society, in his opinion.

"So, Temari, will you be staying a few days before you and Baki depart for Amezrou?" Gaara asked.

"No, we were leaving this evening, " she answered. "But I should...I only plan to be gone a few days from Suna. Did you get my transfer papers?"

"I have them," Gaara replied, "Do you want me to approve and file them now? Or wait until you return?"

Baki spoke up, "There will be plenty of time for that later. I think that can wait until after we return." Temari glanced at him and just nodded.

Surprising everyone, including herself, Temari then added, "Um...if Shikamaru comes here...that is, I think he is coming here...can you just let him know to come on to Amezrou?"

This puzzled both her brothers. "Uh, sure," Kankuro answered.

After the breakfast was cleared away, Gaara suggested that they all stroll through the market. They spent the rest of the morning perusing the various wares and foods that were available. Wandering among the stalls, Kankuro and Temari ended up down a side alley away from the other two. As Temari was admiring some bolts of fabric, Kankuro cleared his throat and spoke softly behind her. "You know, Temari, I'm not good at this and let's face it, Gaara's worse but if you want to talk or anything then we're both here for you."

Focusing on the two fabrics in her hands rather than facing her brother, Temari found his offer endearing. "I know. I just need to...sort somethings out."

Kankuro nodded then choosing his words carefully he added, "And if, that is when Shikamaru comes, do you want us to send him on to Amezrou? Because if you're just doing it because you think you need to...well you don't. He can stay in Sunagakure as long as he wants but we won't send him on unless you tell me right now that that is really your choice. That it's really what you want."

"Yes. If he comes to Suna and I'm not back then I want you two to send him Amezrou," she confirmed.

"Temari, did he hurt you?" Kankuro blurted out.

She smiled faintly turning to him then, touched by his concern. Her clueless dolt of a little brother seemed to be all grown up into a caring young man. "No. He didn't hurt me. If anything I've hurt him."

Kankuro grinned. "Yeah. I kinda didn't think so. But I had to ask, because, I'm your brother and I needed to know if I was going to have to like, kill him."

Shaking her head she responded, "No. Nothing like that. You don't need to kill anybody for me. But thanks. You know, Kankuro, in your own homicidal way you're kind of sweet."

"I'm glad. Come on, let's get cookies while Baki's not watching." His grin was infectious and they picked out an assortment for everyone.

Catching up with the other two they spent the rest of the morning choosing a new rug for Gaara's office, some earrings for Temari as well as food for their lunch later in the afternoon.

The day passed quickly enough. After lunch and resting through the afternoon evening came quickly enough and Temari and Baki were preparing for their trip to the desert.

"So, Sis, when will we see you next?" Kankuro asked.

"In a couple of weeks or so, I expect," she replied.

"Well, safe travels," Gaara added.

"Thanks," Temari said as she shouldered her pack and Baki took up his. "See you in a couple of weeks."

Traveling through the night they arrived at the outskirts of the village in the early morning hours. The sky was just lightening to a faint blue as the darkness lifted. They walked through the small side streets before even most of the vendors were out although they could smell the freshly baked breads that would soon be available for sale. Winding their way among some of the ancient buildings they finally came to Baki's house.

"Is this yours?" Temari asked as he opened the door to the outer courtyard. A fountain splashed lightly over tiles in the center of the yard and a few scattered plants gave an overall lush feeling in contrast to the dusty streets they had just passed through.

"Yes. It has been in my family for years. I've been transitioning to spending more of my time here than Suna now that the Kazekage doesn't need me as much."

"He'll always need you, Baki," Temari chided gently. "We all will."

"Kankuro's a more than capable right hand man for him now."

He showed her to one of the bedrooms upstairs. "I had the housekeeper prepare this one for you. I hope you'll be comfortable."

Temari surveyed the crisp white room with appreciation. The arched window was framed by drapes patterned with deep greens and blues and it overlooked the courtyard where they had entered earlier. A similarly patterned thick rug covered the cool white tile floor near the bed. The bed coverings continued the blue and green theme with geometric patterns outlined with a thin gold thread.

"It's lovely, Baki. Thank you." She turned away from the window and saw that he had crossed the room and was lifting a small chest from the dresser.

"This was...hers," he said. "I should have given it to you before now. I always meant to but it seems there was always some war or another..." his voice trailed off and he shrugged handing it to her. "And before I knew it you were all grown up and moved off to Konoha."

Temari accepted the ornate little wooden chest clad at the corners and edges with silver filigree and ran her finger over the inlaid enamel panels of the same rich blue and green colors in the room. "I remember this!" she gasped reaching back to her dimmest memories from the time she was three years old. "It's her jewelry box! Where did you find it?"

"After she was dead," Baki caught himself before he used the word 'butchered', "your father ... the Kazekage ordered her things destroyed. I saved what I could. There are a few of her clothes in the chest." He nodded towards the wicker chest at the foot of the bed.

Carefully, Temari released the clasp and opened the little box. "I remember all of these!"

Inside the box were a few rings and pairs of earrings but what captivated her the most were the twenty thin golden bracelets each with its own unique etching. Temari flipped through each one counting and remembering them. She looked at Baki with shining eyes. "I learned to count with these! She would let me sit on her lap and count them, sliding each one up her arm. I never thought I'd see these again, I thought they were gone... with her. Thank you, Baki."

"I'm just sorry I didn't get them to you sooner. They are yours, you should have had them all this time."

"No. Don't apologize. It's wonderful! It's just..."

"It's been a long night. Why don't you rest. We can talk more later."

She nodded as he bid her goodbye and closed the door behind him. Until the moment he left Temari had not realized how tired she actually was. She sat on the bed, slipping the bracelets on her arm one by one counting as she did so. She fell asleep in the big bed with all the bracelets on her arm clutching the little jewelry box to her chest.