Two months had went by and no word from the Konoha's Hokage. Temari avidly went to her Kazekage and asked if the council had formally met. Each time, he reported that they haven't formally met, but contact had been made between the countries.
Shikamaru heard Temari come though the door. He watched her as she took off her sandals at the doorstep.
"No word yet?"
"Nope. The only thing
they've done is contact each other. No formal meeting as of yet."
"Damn."
Back in Konoha, Tsunade stared at her overflowing desk of work. She, in defense of the lone Nara, tried to get the council to meet. But nothing could be formally done until things settled down a bit. If she could, she would change the law herself. She even thought about why one of the previous Hokages had made such a law, or never took notice to it. Gobbled up in all her thoughts, she placed her head on a clear spot on her desk. Shizune walked in to see the current Hokage taking a nap.
"Tsunade-sama. This
is not the time to be resting."
"Hmm?"
"I've just heard
the council is willing to meet. But only for two days."
"What did you say?""The council is
allowing the meeting. The meeting time is two days. They plan on
gathering in Konoha in three days.
Three days later, the Kages of every village met in the council meeting room in the Hokage Mountain. The Raikage started off the meeting.
"Hokage of the Leaf
Village. We've have heard your case and we would like to talk it
over, together as a council. You say one of your own in the Nara clan
is requesting the law in the fire, earth and water countries of
dating outside of other villages should be disbanded."
"Yes. Only the three
countries have this rule. Nara Shikamaru of the Nara clan believes
that this law should be disposed of within all the countries. But
also, he believes if there is disagreement of this between the
countries, the law should be enforced throughout all five countries."
"A brave boy, this
Nara boy." The Tsuchikage spoke."Yes, and smart too."
Later on in the day, word got to Temari about the council meeting.
"Shikamaru! Did you
hear?"
"Yes I have. And it's
not going well."
"Well, at least
they're meeting."
"Temari. I'm not
ready to say goodbye just yet."
"Neither am I. We'll
just have to fight it to the end."
The next and final day, the council met again. Once again, the Raikage started off the meeting.
"Hokage of the Leaf
Village in the fire country. We are unsure if we can comply with the
young Nara's request."
"As he said, if there
is disagreement between the Kages of the countries, then the law
should be enforced in all countries and not just in three."
"Let me ask you this.
Do agree or disagree with the young Nara's statement?"
"The rule was set
before I was Hokage. This is something I disagree with. Dating should
be allowed within the countries.""But do you realize
this can be an issue of war between the countries?"
"I do."
"Then what is your
reasoning?"
Temari and Shikamaru were resting in one of the mountains in the Sand village. Shikamaru's favorite past time, staring at the clouds for endless hours, took place in the middle of day. Temari followed him as usual.
"How do you think
this will all turn out Shikamaru?"
"I don't know. We
only have to hope for the best."
"You mean in your
plan you didn't think that far into the future?"
"Nope."
"You're helpless."
"That's why I have
you. To help me."
"They'll have to
approve of it. They just have to."
"So the final decision has been made. Kages, please report to your countries and let your people know about the new law. You are all dismissed."
Tsunade returned from the mountain top back to her office where Shizune waited for her. Tsunade walked past her assistant and took her place at her desk. She placed her hands under her chin.
"Tsunade-sama?"
The Hokage looked up at Shizune and gave a blank stare before she passed out.
Temari gave one final visit to her Kazekage about her situation. The Kage looked a bit shorter than usual and the stature had seemed to change. Temari didn't think about the issue too much. There was a bigger problem in her life that needed to be solved and finally, there was a verdict.
"How did it go
Kazekage-sama?"
"Temari?"
"Yes?"
"Return back home.
There's nothing for you here."
"You're joking
right? You banned it didn't you? I… I thought you were on my
side!"
Temari walked out the office and made her way back home. She couldn't believe the news. Now either she would have to run away with Shikamaru to somewhere and keep themselves in hiding, or break up with him. Both ideas were hard to deal with. She returned back to her home where Shikamaru waited for her on the porch. Temari, seeing the look on Shikamaru's face, had guessed he already found out the judgment. She slowly walked over to stand in front of him. Suddenly, he pulled her into a strong embrace.
"Shikamaru?"
"Let's get
married."
"What? We can't.
Didn't you hear the news?"
"I did. The law has
been eliminated throughout all five countries."
"You're lying!"
"Why would I lie
about something like this!"
"But the Kazekage
told me… so that's what he meant by for me to return back home
because there was 'nothing for me' there."
"And here I am."
"How… how… how
did she do it?"
"Temari."
She turned around slightly to see the Kazekage behind her.
"Kazekage-sama. Thank
you so much." Temari released herself from Shikamaru's embrace to
fully thank her Kage.
"It was not a
problem."
The Kazekage nodded to her in response. Now that Temari thought about it, the Kage was shorter than she was. The Kazekage she remembered was taller and had a higher tone of voice. The person standing in front of her had a deeper, monotone voice. The Kazekage noticed Temari's stares and strange looks. He began to disrobe himself. Under the white and blue robes and hat was her youngest brother, Gaara.
"Gaara. When did
you?"
"Recently. Our
Kazekage was assassinated four days before the council meeting. They
had chosen me as the new Kage of the Sand village."
"Oh, I'm sorry to
hear. But I can't believe you were the Kazekage all this time…"
"Yes. It was I."
"Gaara. Thank you so
much!" Temari hugged her brother.
"So I guess you're
part of the family…"
"Kankuro?" Temari's
voice exclaimed, shocked.
"Well since the law
was enforced, I guess I have to obey. But still, that doesn't mean
I like you Nara."
"I know. You don't
have to like me. That's not what I'm here for. I'm not asking
you to like me."
In the afternoon, Temari and Shikamaru set out for Konoha. There were able to make it there in three days. When they arrived, they stopped by the Hokage's office to properly thank her.
"If you don't mind
me asking Hokage-sama. How were you and my brother able to convince
the Kages of the other countries?" Temari inquired.
"Well this is what I
told them."
"There's this young
girl of the Haruno clan. The one she held dear to her heart has left
her for a search for power."
"Do you speak of the
younger of the two Uchiha survivors?"
"Yes I do. Haruno
Sakura loves Sasuke with all her heart. She has even come to me
asking for training. If Sasuke does not return to the village, she
will most likely leave Konoha in search for him and join him. She
will follow him wherever he goes. There would be nothing in any
Kage's power that could stop her. So even if we didn't clear up
this issue now, it would arise in the future."
"Do you really think
that this issue will arise again?
"I know it will. And
will cause more trouble in the future than it will now."
"Well honestly, I
don't see a problem with it." The Kage of the Lighting Country
replied.
"Neither do I, the
law is not enforced in our country either," The Kage of the Sand
Country agreed.
"Well then, Hokage,
Tsuchikage Mizukage. Shall we ban the law from existence?"
"As I have said, the
law was there before I became the fifth Hokage. I would rather it not
exist.
"The same as I."
"And as I."
"All right. As
Tsunade-sama from the village of Konoha has requested, the law is
banned throughout all five countries. Please, return to your
respected countries and report the new law."
The Kages started to leave the council room. The Raikage stopped Tsunade on the way out of the room.
"You are lucky you
were able to get the other Kages on your side. There was talk for a
long time about banning inter-country dating for war reasons. But
your story of that Haruno girl from your village showed us no matter
what laws are put down, we can't stop something like that,
especially in a matter of love. Just as we have love for our
countries, we have love for our villagers too. We must work together
and respect other's decisions. Also to protect our countries."
"Thank you
Raikage-sama."
"And there you have it, Nara Shikamaru. Sabaku no Temari."
"Hokage-sama, thank
you so much."
"It was not a problem
at all, Temari. I just want to see the happiness of my residents in
Konoha. And you, being now one yourself."
Temari and Shikamaru left Tsunade's office. Giving Shizune a bid of farewell, they continued to walk the streets of Konoha, leading to Shikamaru's house. Temari's mind was picking at her.
"Were you serious
about what you said?"
"Hmm?"
"About getting
married?"
"I wouldn't have
said it if I didn't mean it."
The two reached their destination of the Nara residence. Shikamaru properly introduced Temari to his mother and father. They both welcomed her with open arms. Soon after, Shikamaru's father pulled him aside.
"This woman you've
brought home. She's not… too troublesome for you is she?"
"At times she is, but
I love her dad. If she were that troublesome, I wouldn't have been
with her for over a year now."
"Just letting you
know, your mother and I have plans to go out tonight. If Temari is
not that troublesome, show her a good time, the Nara way."
"Dad. Don't think
that way."
The couple was left alone in the house, since the two elders of the Nara residence left the house. Nightfall came and Temari prepared dinner for herself and her fiancée. After the well-prepared meal, Shikamaru led Temari up to his room in the attic. The attic was the perfect place for him. He could easily climb out his window and sit on the outside ledge and stare up at the clouds during the day and the stars at night. Temari fascinated herself with his room and how neat it was. Shikamaru sat on his bed and watched her dance playfully around his room. Once she gained her focus back on him, he smirked and she found herself feeling embarrassed. Shikamaru then led her to the ledge outside his bedroom window. The two sat next to each other, side by side, her head resting on his shoulder while letting her hair down.
"I can't believe
this is all happening."
"What do you mean?"
"Everyone was so
willing to agree to your plan. I figured they would have said no
because of war threats and people might have been passing
information."
"Well, I'm sure
with this new law, there is going to be careful watch with who is
coming in and out of their country. And even with that, most of the
time, we're pretty much peaceful."
"Hey, Shikamaru?"
"Hmm?" Sleep seemed
to be taking him over as he slowly stroked her hair.
"I love you."
Shikamaru turned his head to face hers. He moved closer and kisser her on her forehead and then on her lips.
"I love you too."
A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update. The story has been finished for a while. All it needed was some proof-reading and such. Well it's finally complete now. I hope you enjoyed it. And if you have any ideas from a fan-fic, send it my way. Send me a message and I'll see what I can do. Thanks for reading and I hope you review.
