Temari stared at the dry landscape of infinite grains of sand across her window and the rust-colored sunset touched her face. Tomorrow she will meet the Lord she's going to marry. An event will be held in the grand room of the Kazekage's mansion where different Lords will showcase their wealth, intention, and advantages to win Suna, to win Rasa.
She cried all the tears that she had, she couldn't release anymore. Her faith was decided. Her eyes were cold and she was unable to express her own emotions. She gave up, there was nothing she could do at this point, and accepted all the things that were placed in front of her.
Temari asked herself what she had done wrong. She fought, she didn't give up and accepted all the struggles and all the pain. She just wanted her freedom, to choose what her heart truly desired.
"You remind me so much of your mother"
She turns around and saw her father leaning on her door. Temari just looked at him with dead eyes, she didn't respond to him. She returned her gaze to her window, looking at the desert. Rasa continued to speak, he was aware that her daughter will not respond or talk to him.
"Your mother was a strong woman and she didn't easily sway by her struggles. People always saw her as soft and gentle but deep inside she's a fighter. Just like you"
"But you inherent my harsh and brassy attitude. You have the perfect blend of our personality"
"Tomorrow the Lords from different villages will present to the grand room. I wa-"
"I don't have any choice, am I? Why are we discussing this?" Temari interrupted him with her raspy voice "Just be done with it, decide whoever you want. I'm just going to be a pawn for your political interest"
"The world is cruel Temari, you know that" Rasa's voice softened "I did this to secure your future, to make sure that you'll end up having food on your plate, someone that will shower you with luxury just what you have in our mansion"
"No, you want me to marry those fucking Lords to make yourself look powerful, to show to Suna that you did a great job by giving them benefits from my marriage. But in reality, you're incompetent, you couldn't do your job as their leader so will sell your daughter to some Lords"
"You always see me as cruel…brutal…evil…do you?"
"Because you restrain us! And use us for all your political games! A weapon to your success! Me and my brothers"
"I'm just protecting you!"
"No, no you don't! You imprisoned us" She mockingly laughed at him
"Did you know how worried I am when you and your brothers were kidnapped before? After your mother died, I cannot lose you all!" His voice stiffens and becomes louder.
She wanted to say a lot of things but her throat tightens, unable to speak.
"I may be a tough father but this is the only way I know how to protect you all. Sorry I couldn't be as gentle as your mother"
"Let's just be done with it, wed me to anyone. I don't care" Her voice starts to quiver.
"I want you to choose tomorrow, from all the Lords that will present in the grand room. I'm giving you the freedom to choose who you want to marry" Rasa walked away from her room and closed the door after he spill those words.
Still, Temari didn't care, none of those Lords is the one she wanted to marry.
Hidan starts packing his bag to prepare himself for travel to Suna. One of his servants approached him.
"Lord Hidan, the files that you requested from Konoha has arrived"
"Alright, put them on the table"
He put the box on the table. The servant stutters as he wanted to tell him something.
"Lord Hidan, I—the—you need—I have—"
"What? Get out of here! Scoot" He was annoyed
After a few hours of preparing, he opens the box of files. He will bring these files to Suna and present them in front of the Kazekage and the princess. He flips the papers to check if the land titles were named after him. His eyes narrowed and sweat are forming in his temples as he saw the papers.
Shikamaru Nara. All his lands were now named after him.
"There's no fucking way!" He starts flipping all the papers again and again and again. Still doesn't change. He found a letter under the box and immediately open it.
I assumed that you read all the documents by now when you saw this letter. As you can see, I acquired all your lands. I am no fucking low-class Lord in Konoha, you're wrong. I can buy all the things that you owned, all the things you see in your village. I am very thankful for your stupidity; you signed all the documents that allow me to transfer all your possessions. You didn't even read all the terms you fuckhead!
Between you and me, you're the one who doesn't have any chance to marry a princess now. You're nothing but some low-class dickhead in your village. I don't know who you kneel or look up to in your village but I can clearly say that I am your Lord now.
Your Lord,
Shikamaru Nara
Hidan flips his table in a burst of rage, punched the wall, and storms out of his mansion.
In the grand room, twelve Lords from different villages were done presenting themselves in front. A platform was built in the middle where the Lords were giving their speeches. In their front, the Kazekage family was seating in a marvelous throne chair, listening to them. Temari looked out the window the entire time, she was not interested in anyone in the room.
"How many more? I want to rest now" Temari complained
"C'mon Temari! Just look at them, will you?" Kankuro whispered in her side
Rasa turn his head at her and told her to focus but she just rolled her eyes.
"This is the last one Temari, you need to choose now" Rasa said
The next Lord made her heart stop. She just stared with her eyes wide open unable to shut. Just there she was in total paralysis, couldn't move a single inch. Her hands were placed on her chest, stopping the fast beating of her heart. Different emotions exploded in her, she was unable to think, and her mind and heart failed her at that moment.
"Lord Shikamaru Nara from Konohagakure" The speaker announced.
Gaara and Kankuro looked at each other and grinned. Shikamaru walked to the platform, ready to spill his speech. His pleading eyes focused on Temari.
"I am…I am really glad that I make it on time"
Temari curved a smile, the first smile she had during her stay in Suna. You fucking idiot.
"I would like to present myself as your best candidate for your daughter's hand in marriage, for the princess's hand in marriage. Well…uhm currently, I owned most of the lands in Yagakure where hot waters are abundant, I'm willing to provide the people of Suna an unrestricted water supply. I also owned lands and properties in Konoha, the deer forest where we breed and protect our deer. A study about the wonders of deer antlers has been ongoing in my care, to formulate a medicine for people in need. I am willing to provide the people of Suna assistance with that. And I have known your daughter quite well, I can promise to adore her, love her, cherish her, protect her, and show her the world"
Tears are now falling from Temari's cheeks as Shikamaru continued his speech.
"Just what I promised to her. That I'll marry her in the right way, the best possible way. This is the best possible way I know to ask her hand in marriage. In front of her father and her brothers whom she loves and adores"
Rasa looked at Temari, she was wiping her tears while a smile displayed on her face. Temari turned her gaze to her father.
"Please" She pleaded in low voice.
Rasa smiled, it was the first time to see her daughter smile. "Lord Shikamaru Nara, please submit your documents in my office and set the date for your marriage"
Temari jumped from her seat and runs to Shikamaru. He immediately catches her in an embrace.
"Did you hear your father? I'm gonna marry you" He whispered in her ears.
"Sometimes I fucking hate how your brain works" she said while looking into his eyes.
Shikamaru wiped the tears that were falling on her cheeks and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"What will happen to Tayuya and Shiho?" She asked
"I gave them freedom, as you requested"
Shikamaru gave Tayuya and Shiho their freedom and provide assistance, Temari told him about their dreams and he supported them. The two girls returned to their home with few fortunes in hand to start their lives, to start living their dreams.
Temari smiled and kissed him, Shikamaru happily kissed her back.
Gaara showed a soft smile he was happy for her sister and was impressed with Shikamaru. Kankuro was crying on his side.
Temari and Shikamaru break apart from their kisses, she turns her head to her father and whispered
"Thank you" inaudibly but her father catches it, Rasa smiled back at her.