And we are back! took a little longer seeing as I had to get some details semi correct

hehe

Gaara is here guys, lets all gather round and give him a hug XD

Enjoy!

Warning rated M for blood and violence in this chapter just saying

5/20/22

Age 18

Lips pulling into a devious grin as Temari turned back to face the smug looking smile on the man's face. Kenji was it? The man dared to insult her authority, and even her presence among the shinobi of the front, because she was a woman. She can't say she was surprised some men were just pigs after all. Kankuro, standing to her side, didn't bother to flinch or say anything as he glared back at the man before letting out a huff, thinking this poor guy was going to get it, he knew what was coming and simply stayed quite as it not get in the way of his sister's wrath.

"Excuse me? Do you mind repeating that?" as sickly sweet as her voice could get, she pulled the man's attention with a soft glare.

"I said you are just a woman, you're to delicate to leading a squad, you're a Lady after all" Kenji chuckled taking a step forward, attempting to looks heroic in some way, Temari brightening her smile calmly silently mocking him with her eyes "Come on you've been here a week and want to order us men around" He scoffed obviously misinterpreting her innocent look.

"Have you forgotten who you're speaking with?" her tone lost all authority speaking as if she was a naïve newbie, setting the trap out nicely for him.

"of course not Lady Temari, but I would hate to see you hurt that's why I suggested you stay in the camp while we patrol" Kenji tried to sound chivalrous but mockery never left his tone.

"How noble, I bet all the women swoon over you" She pulled a pout at her lips purposefully eyeing the man up and down and turning away shyly when he blinked at her as if in a trance.

"Well, I've got my eyes on a certain woman" Sudden nervousness entered his voice.

"Aw who's that?" she looked back up under her lashes

"Well, you of course, my Lady" back to being confident he smirked down at her with a curt bow of his head.

"Really me?" she mocked surprised as he stepped closer looking down at her.

"We men should always protect delicate woman such as yourself" he leaned in close to her placing his fingers to her chin and turning her up to look at him, her trap triggered. Kankuro bit his cheeks as to not say anything, he would have gladly ripped the guy's arm off, but his sister insisted on showing her fury.

"Delicate huh?" She parted her lips and smirked, ruthless, cruel, and mocking his gesture, her hand shot up, fingers crushing into his wrist from her chin and twisted it backwards effortlessly for herself, painful for him. He pulled back crying out, attention of a few people passing turning to them, and followed her grip down until he fell to his knees, now looking up at the smug grin on her lips "Who's delicate now?" Her deadly tone shifted to a loud command, the few who had watched eyes widening at the sudden sight "If I ever hear that a man in this camp has touched a woman against her wishes" she looked down at Kenji who stared up fearfully her grip tightening on his hand causing another cry possibly a broken bone "I will personally see fit that that man is punished by me" She raised her other fist and smirked down to him "I will show mercy this one time because as you said I'm a Lady" With that she slammed her fist into his nose and pulled her bloody hand away, pushing his limp body down unceremoniously and stepping over him to walk by the shocked crowd unfazed and smirking. Kankuro laughed down at the groaning man.

"You're lucky you aren't dead" He followed his sister path but chose to step onto his stomach causing another painful groan. The threat put upon them, every man in camp never dared disrespect the kunoichi's again.

They always said keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Who knew that could backfire?

The enthusiastic atmosphere swelled around the Sand's camp; the once serious shinobi energized by the arrival of their Kazekage. Gaara had only nodded to their acknowledgement and yet it thrilled the troops giving them a newfound fire to succeed in the upcoming battle. Five years of her command on the front and she'd never quite seen the camp's desire for victory, she'd have to scold Gaara later for it if she didn't want to laugh about it. Temari led the way, a smile threatening to grow on her cheeks as she looked at the war room ahead, still mad Gaara showed up after she warned him not to, yet she couldn't help but still be excited to see her brother even if he was about to get an earful of her nagging.

She was focused ready to command her shinobi to battle their enemies, but she might have been just a little dreamy as she hid in her recent thought. Possibly a little disappointed at having to leave her interesting match inside the tent, she would have liked to see how far that lead would have gone with both sides tugging at the end. That warm feeling rose to her chest again, this time accompanied by other shameless needs she chose to ignore fully, the blush that would have been, subsided at her efforts. Push and pull she thought, he was just a bit too stubborn for the obvious approach, he did cover her up and looked away, she respected him even more for it. Then again, either he was a respectable man who was taught manners or just knew she'd hurt him for looking without her permission, she secretly hoped for the first. She was just playing the game, and he had the upper hand for a moment that's all no need to stress over this right? She'd get that control back, just like she would in battle, the tug at her lead tightened but only just.

"Why are you in a rush?" Her thoughts interrupted, slowing her pace unaware she was ahead of him, she casted a short glare at Shikamaru, him returning the gesture, before she smiled finally breaking her serious façade, to excited to care or just to see his face fall again she'd think on it later. He pulled his eyes back to the tent away from her pulling the most annoyed look he could make, hiding his urge to look no doubt. Smiling set him off and she always worked with it.

"Wouldn't you be happy to see your brother?" she slowed to match his pace and throw a taunt his way, causing him to glance her way briefly.

"I'm an only child" he muttered eyes narrowing as they neared the tent.

"I can tell" she scoffed "you're stubborn and it's annoying" move made.

"Speak for yourself princess" she glared back at him for his surprising taunt. He usually saved that for when she really pissed him off "but a captain shouldn't give up when faced with a challenge"

"Oh, so I'm a challenge" snarky reply for such a serious remark.

"Not when you get flustered" and her face fell "you just make it to easy for me" match point went to him, eyes widened slightly and she stopped, thankfully right before the tent. He didn't even look down at her, he was just dripping with arrogance since his move earlier. She suppressed the huge urge to knock him out, a the small one to kiss him. With a short breath to compose herself, making a mental note to let him have it later, she pushed forward gripping at each end of the curtain before entering the silent tent eyes first finding her brother standing at the end of the table, calm with arms crossed loosely. Her lips parted to greet until the hazy energy of the room silenced her, to intense, gaze slowly dragging out the other end of the table, the Leaf's blonde jinchuriki staring back at Gaara with a silent rage. Whose temper was suddenly stronger, she was sure it was hers. Turning slightly, she set her sights on the emotionless dark eyes behind her, turning her silent glare spiteful at Shikamaru who looked back quiet and calm, bastard knew about this and said nothing, that ledge looked real good right about now.

"Temari" Her attention pulled back, she forced herself to move to Gaara's call, eyes turning back to the blonde shinobi across from her as she took to her brother's side, her excitement gone and replaced with her wrath. Shikamaru followed in taking to Naruto's side and slowly turning his gaze to Gaara, speaking through the silence that seemed to threaten violence.

"Lord Kazekage" he bowed his head showing his regard, Gaara turned slightly to acknowledge him with a silent stare.

"You are the Leaf's commander" a statement rather than a question, with Shikamaru's firm nod he focused his unblinking gaze back onto Naruto, who was surprisingly quiet, possibly following orders "Temari tells me our temporary alliance is going well, I am hopeful it can remain after the battle tomorrow"

"So do I" Shikamaru responded gaze set firmly on the Kazekage. Temari balled her fists at her sides an unforgiving glare set on Naruto then to Shikamaru, to bring him into their camp was a sly move to make, almost as if he'd known Gaara would be here. She was sure he didn't know, she hadn't after all, but mistrust seemed to make her imagination venture to the impossible.

"You have yet to merge with the Leaf's units" Temari glanced back to her brother, his stoic gaze turned to her, waiting for her response.

"We plan for that tomorrow morning; they will attack during the night. We don't want to cause any suspicion if we move everyone to early" Confirming what Shikamaru had predicted, this being of three different scenarios of the attack being during the night, only two during the middle of day, and one possibly the next day if the armies were delayed.

"Are you sure?"

"Have I steered you wrong brother?" Gaara closed his eyes, the smile so small she barley saw it, biting back her own grin and wish to hug him for being adorable, as she'd put it, she turned back once again serious. Her eyes flashed a moment to Shikamaru's who remained focused on Gaara, impassive and tense, he was either afraid of him, as he should be, or calculating him, attempting to read where he'd steer the conversation. Naruto sudden shift caused her to lean close to Gaara protecting a possible attack from the blonde, she wasn't nervous, but she also didn't care to remember her weeklong hospital stay to the concussion he gave her more than a month ago the one that fueled her rage to somehow end up in the arms of her enemy. Mentally brushing that thought away as to keep focus, to troublesome to think about now, as he'd say.

"Baki has briefed me on some of your plans for tomorrow's battle" He turned to his sister unfazed by her fixed stance "Kankuro is leading an ambush?" Temari kept her glare forward but spoke.

"Yes, he's leading the retreating ambush, he'll stop the first wave's retreat back towards the Land of Earth" she bit back the hostility she wanted to spit out and kept her tone even, but only just.

"Has he made it?"

"By the report I read earlier they are prepared and waiting" if the others weren't in the room, she would have smiled knowing he was worried about his brother, in his own way.

"And the delay?" Temari slowly tore her eyes away from Naruto to Shikamaru signaling him to speak on the matter, he sighed keeping a more relaxed posture as if to help cut the tension in the room.

"The delay ambush will prepare tonight" Shikamaru reported "it will be a small unit of four led by Sai" Sai nodded once beside Naruto who's eyes laid firm on the Kazekage. Shikamaru gave a quick glance to Temari the slightest bit of unnerve glinting in his eyes at the possibilities between the two jinchuriki "they will wait for our command once word that the first waves retreat is stopped Shino will inform Temari and myself to start the delay, this way we won't alert Kurostuchi's main legion to retreat before they enter the pass" Gaara nodded and turned back to Temari.

"You want to trap them then?" his sister closed her eyes and smirked, when the idea first inspired her, she had been saved by the man before her, the one who stared back at her quietly awaiting her words.

"Once in the pass they won't be able to escape, they planned to pick us off" the wrath returning for retribution "and now we'll do the same to them" Gaara nodded, unfazed by his sister's vicious tone, clearly having heard it more than once. His eyes returning to Naruto, the visible discomfort of staying quite showing in his blue stare.

Silence followed. Then the moment they room had dreaded was upon them.

"You have changed Naruto Uzumaki" In his shaking fury Naruto finally broke and stepped forward, Shikamaru quick to grip his shoulder to stop his advance. Temari gripped the edge of her fan stopping her advance when Gaara raised his arm before her.

"Why did you let it get this far?" Naruto growled pushing against the hold on his shoulder "You had eight years to stop it"

"We attempted for two years; the Leaf refused each of our appeals for peace" calmly spoken, as if Gaara had rehearsed them. Shikamaru glanced at him with a thoughtful glare, as if remembering something.

"So, what you just gave up and let our nations go to war?" Naruto shook again as he spoke

"Your village left our nation no choice"

"How can you call yourself Kazekage if you don't want peace, you haven't changed since that day"

"Naruto" Shikamaru warned attempting to pull him back again.

"Your nation abandoned ours when we needed your help, casting us off as traitors" Gaara stepped forward Naruto tensing further a faint red shifting around him "My people in Suna suffered because of your village's power over ours for years, we had no choice"

"Gaara" Temari urged him to stop, to attempt to subdue the familiar unpleasant chakra radiating around Naruto. Baki who had been quiet in the corner the entire time sighed like a father who had bickering children, he was prepared to fight, but he looked too tired to bother showing it on half his face.

"Is that the load of crap they fed you this entire time? You always have a choice! We tried to make peace with your village, but then you went and declared war" Naruto, now restrained by both Shikamaru and Sai, leaned forward as if he'd jump over the table "Your no better than the day I kicked your ass" The room silenced for a moment, Temari casted a warning glare to Shikamaru who sighed, clearly annoyed at the moves made, and stepped in front of Naruto to have his straighten, yet he still forced his blue eyes over him to glare at Gaara. The Kazekage remained still and unfazed by the words and spoke.

"My father created me to destroy your nation, but you stopped me when Shukaku broke free, because of you I have chosen to serve my people" Naruto furrowed his eyes softer remembering the day he had stopped him, he protected his village the same way Gaara did now. Gaara attempted to step forward, halted only by Temari's firm grip to his arm, but made no move to stop talking "I protect those around me, the ones I love that is what made you strong and it makes me strong now" the room stilled eyes widening and focused on the Kazekage "my sister, my brother, my village because of what you said I want to there for them, and I thank you for showing me this clarity. Our nations should have never gone to war, but it was inevitable when the treaties were never signed" the room once again sat in a silence and the Leaf's side looked confused.

"Hold on that's not true" Shikamaru stepped forward hands placed firmly on the table as he spoke "we sent treaties to your village; you refused them each time" Temari scoffed pushing forward to lean her hands against the table narrowing her eyes back at him.

"No, it was your village who refused us leaving us no choice but to declare war in the end" he leaned forward remaining calm, although challenging her tone with his own.

"What do you mean we refused; I remember Tsunade saying she was declined four times for peace before the start of the war" she mimicked him in movement and her voice dominated over his.

"Well Baki was refused three times before we declared it" Temari glared back at Shikamaru, his own glare turning back to hers each reading the tension behind the others eyes, before they silently agreed to turn to Baki who looked between them and nodded, their linked thoughts getting through to him.

"I have a feeling someone tampered with our villages" He crossed his arms seemingly lost in his thoughts.

"Well, that's just great" he sighed tiredly "so we've fought a useless war for six years" Shikamaru pinched the bridge of his nose shutting his eyes tightly "What a drag" he muttered to himself. Temari leaned back from the table crossing her arms with a soft huff expressing her annoyance, it was a plausible idea after all. Both nations seemed to never bring it up in conversation, so someone had worked against their chance at an alliance for eight years. Irritated at the sudden thought she turned her attention to Baki.

"Why didn't we know this?" she demanded, even though knowing he didn't have a real answer. Gaara, standing behind her, shut his eyes and lowered his head.

"We received the sealed scroll, it always came with the Hokage's and the Daimyo signatures, unless someone could copy Tsunade's chakra I don't see how it can be interfered with" he looked between the others "I was the one who always received them"

"We have to get word to Tsunade about this" Shikamaru placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder attempting to stop him as the blonde pushed past.

"You're telling me we've been fighting all these years because someone decided to change some papers? Who would do something like that" his face fell and he groaned "This is worse news than the Akatsuki we've been fighting" at the mention Shikamaru gripped his shoulder tighter, casting a quick glance to Temari who stilled, visibly fine but internally angered at the mention. She turned to Gaara who lifted his head finally steel gaze turned to Naruto.

"Gaara" Temari warned quietly, her voice a useless plea to what he was going to say.

"Naruto what I have to say goes beyond this war between our nations" at his name Naruto looked up at him, sensing the caution behind his voice.

"Gaara don't" she tried again but when he turned to her, she silenced completely with his unwavering stare, knowing he had to speak about this, to trust her brother to know what to do.

"Temari he is a jinchuriki as I was, he needs to know" the room silenced once more each pair of eyes set on Gaara, minus Sai who'd been watching him the entire time.

"What do you mean was" Naruto looked concerned for a moment slowly figuring it out and looked down solemnly "They took your one-tails didn't they" Gaara looked to him and nodded.

"They attacked our village four months ago and killed me in their attempt to take Shukaku" Temari turned her eyes away from the group staring quietly at the table before her, this memory hurt her the most the day when she held her limp brother in her arms begging for his return through her anger, her fear. She had promised her mother to take care of her siblings "I was brought back from the dead by one of our village elders sacrifice Chiyo, but they are after you Naruto and the others" With a short pause Naruto grinned and looked up at him, his sudden boost in volume turning the attention to him.

"Well, they'll have to try a lot harder to come after me, I've dealt with them before and so has Shikamaru, we know how to handle them" He slapped Shikamaru's injured shoulder causing a sharp groan of pain as he glared down annoyingly at the blonde, who smiled weakly at him in apology "Sorry forgot about the shoulder again" with a weak chuckle he stepped around the table towards Gaara, Temari having looked up at Shikamaru when the mention of a injury sparked her interest, she'd almost forgotten he'd taking a direct hit from her last night. Sensing the sudden movement she stepped in front of Naruto on his way to her brother, causing him to halt leaning back slightly at her warning glare and touch of her fan had him step back "You're still mad about the whole losing control thing aren't you?" he grinned sheepishly under her stare "I'm sorry you know it's not something I can control yet, I didn't mean to hurt you" the only noise was another annoyed sigh coming from Shikamaru.

"I think we've outstayed our welcome, Naruto" Shikamaru attempted a retreat, but Gaara stepped beside his sister placing a hand to her shoulder and seemingly stopped her. Temari leaned back slowly gaze never leaving Naruto but her hand dropped to her side.

"If what happened between our villages is true then we will seek a permanent alliance among our nations" Temari quickly shot a wide-eyed look to her brother, surprised.

"But Gaara, you can't just seek an alliance like this, we have to speak to the council and Daimyo" She hissed the words close to her brother's ear and finished by setting her glare towards Shikamaru who had shut his eyes in thought.

"It is time to stop fighting, I've been saying it for months. We have a common enemy who is stronger than our resentment towards each other" whether to feel proud of her brother or to be angered she didn't think on it and stepped back crossing her arms quietly, a little stung by his words but he was right if anything about the Akatsuki being their enemy "We should focus on the battle ahead of us"

"So Gaara you going to fight with us tomorrow" Naruto asked after taking a moment to make sure Temari wouldn't hit him, oh she would have, had Gaara not interfered.

"No" Temari instantly replied shutting her own eyes in her fuming rage.

"I haven't recovered fully" he nodded to Naruto explaining his predicament "I do not possess Shukaku's chakra anymore" To much to handle, too much to remember Temari stepped away towards the curtain leaving without so much as a word, Gaara watching her leave then sighed calmly knowing his sister's struggle over what had happened, what she had to go through the fear of losing what she had left, her brothers.

"Wow she's a bit uh harsh" Naruto scratched his head sheepishly

"Temari was the one who found us, she fought them, because of her I'm alive now" Gaara simply said and looked up to Naruto who understood quietly, thinking about his own sensei's death and how it made him feel "Naruto heed my warning about the Akatsuki, I will personally come to the Village hidden in the Leaf and seek the truth and an alliance" Naruto grinned and raised his fist to him.

"Guess this makes us allies now"

Dark eyes opened slowly having listened to the discussion between the possibility the treaties had been tampered with, the attack on the Sand by the Akatsuki, and the silent departure of Temari. He had no doubt she didn't want to hear about what had happened to Gaara again, and chose to leave on her own accord, she might have been as tough as steel, but he was sure she still had feelings. The embrace and her tears were to real to fake, it made him feel concerned and almost tempted him to follow her, after all he was supposed to be protecting her that was always his mission. His attention back to the room he stepped forward towards the Kazekage.

"Lord Kazekage" Gaara looked at him quietly, he didn't care so much for the cold stare he was returned with, it did make the end of his hair stand up possibly in a bit of fear, but he needed to be a leader right now on behalf of the Leaf "I will inform our Hokage about the possible tampering and from there we hope to proceed to reinstate the alliance" Gaara stared back, he was analyzing him searching for something.

"You have lasted four years" A simple reply breaking Shikamaru's stance, and he leaned back "Temari has killed three of the Leaf's captains, within a year, but you have managed to remain alive" He contemplated the thought, he'd done that before wondered how he was still alive, but to have Gaara, the Kazekage, ask was forcing a deeper thought process behind it.

"It's Shikamaru" Naruto grinned once again, interrupting, slamming a hand on his shoulder resulting in a silent gasp and quick glare back "Sorry" quick apology aside he returned his eyes to Gaara hopeful as ever "He's the smartest guy I know, don't you know it was him who came up with all these plans for tomorrow's battle" Shikamaru sighed.

"Temari did too" He muttered unheard as Naruto continued.

"I'm sure he'll be able to figure out who it could be who messed with the alliance"

"It's not my place to figure that out Naruto" once again silenced by the chattering blonde.

"And he's great at Shogi, beats me every time" He smirked at the last one and sighed straightening as he returned his gaze to Gaara who seemed amused, at least the faint grin on his lips made him seem so.

"I am glad to see the casualties have remained low since your command" Gaara turned his stare to him head slightly lowered "Thank you" Shikamaru baffled could only nod at the gesture, he had a gut feeling Gaara had known the real intent to his promotion to the front line. Nonetheless he remained courteous and bowed back taking his leave.

"Thank you for having us I hope the alliance will remain" With a final nod from the Kazekage he looked back to Sai and nudged his head leading the way out of the war room.

Could it be true?

Did someone tamper with their nations treaties years ago?

Was all this sudden rage just from all the years she'd been told to believe that they were nothing but traitors?

Was this from her being wrong against hating the Leaf for their betrayal?

Was she fuming, because all she wanted to do was cry?

Why are you overthinking this Temari?

Get a hold on yourself. With a silent march through camp, going through everything discussed, she could feel short glances set her way, her irritation hid poorly, and her troops knew better than to say anything. Storming out might have been a bit irresponsible on her part, but it was better than staying in there and venting out loud in front of Gaara, not to mention it'd break her composure and the Leaf didn't need to see that. Damn Shikamaru. Damn Naruto. Damn whatever that other guy's name was. She was frustrated, she was annoyed, she was embarrassed, she was cold, seeing at it had already fallen to dusk, and mostly she was afraid but to stubborn to acknowledge it. If she wasn't in camp, she'd scream and let out some of the rage boiling inside of her. With her approach towards the entrance of the camp, Daizen and Saku both looked back at her standing quick in attention.

"Lady Temari" Daizen instantly bowed, Saku slowly following him. She didn't acknowledge them and continued past without a word "My Lady?" Daizen called back confused, Temari halted and glared back warning becoming clear before continuing her departure. He turned to Saku "What happened in there"

"Beats me" Saku muttered turning slowly to see the Leaf commander leaving the tent along with his unit. Shikamaru glanced around quietly before speaking to Naruto and Sai and headed towards their awaiting troops.

Boring I know but had to get past this

plans, plans, plans, lots of plans