53

„Isn't It Already Too Late?"

On the third day, in the late afternoon, the Konoha's group arrived in Sunakagure. They were met by a whole delegation, with the Kazekage on the head. Of course there was the obligatory one-hour welcome ceremony… There was no way to avoid it since the occasion was highly formal. The reason, on the other hand, was quite informal…

During the ceremony Tenten succeeded to smile - there were a bunch of 8-9 years old girls, looking at her with awe. For the Suna's children Gaara, Temari and Kankuro - they were on a pedestal. As Tenten was going to learn later on, Kankuro's wife was superhuman to those girls, as many of them were in love with him. She didn't really give a thought about the position she was going to be in…

Tsunade looked frankly pleased. She did prepare Lee and Gai that Temari needed her help. She spared the rest of the details though.

"Kankuro." Gaara approached his brother and nodded to him. He didn't have the chance to greet him personally up until now.

"Gaara… How is she?" was the first thing he actually had said since they entered Suna.

The red-haired man shook his head, causing Kankuro to clench his jaw as if the fault to her condition was personally his.

"I guess she worsened?" Godaime stepped forward, raising her eyebrows. The Kazekage nodded. "Well, I planned to check on her tomorrow, but if this is the case, I am not postponing it. Take me to her."

Gaara nodded and looked at his brother with a relatively worried expression. He didn't tell him anything, instead he put a hand on his shoulder and slightly bowed his head - a sign of pure gratitude.

"This way, Tsunade-sama," he said and gestured to one side corridor.

Tsunade made a few steps, then stopped and turned to the rest of the group:

"Go to your rooms, rest well and get ready for the official dinner," she ordered.

"Will do, Godaime-sama." Gai bowed. All the others confirmed, excluding one…

"You too, Kankuro." The red-haired said. "Your room is on the second floor, at the bottom."

"Don't…" he whispered.

"I am sorry, but this is how it is supposed to be, you know it. This is expected…" Gaara apologised.

The Puppet-master was silent for a bit, looking down, his clenched fists were slightly trembling.

"Tenten-san, you will be in a separate room until the official wedding ceremony. Then you will have to move into my brother's room." he turned to her with an apologetical tone.

She just nodded. She could sense something hidden in their conversation, though she had no idea what it could be.

Gaara led Tsunade to the hospital, where his sister was. Kankuto turned around on his heels and strode toward the great stairs.

A polite cough made the rest of the Konoha group turn their heads to a small, white-haired civilian. He was dressed in white Suna typical outfit.

"Please follow me," he said. "I am going to show you your rooms, if you don't mind." He bowed.

They exchanged surprised gazes. Then most of them just shrugged and nodded aggreengly.

"There are five rooms ready to use." he apologised. "We were informed about five more visitors, except Kankuro-sama. We are preparing one more room, but it will be ready a bit later."

The shinobis exchanged looks again - separate rooms were lux, not really necessity.

"Everything is alright." Gai-sensei said.

The civilian nodded and headed up the stairs. They followed him.

"It doesn't look well at all…" Tsunade said with a serious tone. "We literally caught the last boat…"

Gaara's eyes slightly dulled.

"But we do catch it, right?"

She turned her face to the side and didn't reply:

"I read all the reports your medics have given me. From the check up just now everything written seems about right. I think we should start the procedures as soon as possible, even immediately.

"What do you need, Tsunade-sama?" asked Gaara without any hesitation.

"I need three of your best medics and complete tranquillity," she replied.

The Kazekage nodded to the nurse waiting near the door. She bowed and got out right away. Her fast steps were hearable down the hallway. In 15 minutes everything was ready.

"Gaara-sama, please go out." Tsunade said softly. "It is important for the medics to be calm…"

The man looked at his sister's pale body, clenched his jaw and exited the room. When the door shut behind him, Godaime turned to the medics:

"Now, I will explain in detail what we are doing."

She needed 15 more minutes to describe the procedure - it was extremely exhausting and Temari needed at least 3 to get any better, if she was about to get better at all. The medics nodded with slightly frightening faces, but still filled with determination. All of them felt really privileged to work with the best one. They all were going to give their best to help one of the most loved protectors of Suna…

"Ok, get ready," Tsunade ordered quietly. She looked at the medics and smiled warmly, encouraging. "Now, let's begin…"

Shikamaru and Neji went to the same room until a civilian called one of them to a different room. The young Huuga thought it was a wise idea to ask the other man and maybe fill up his lacking knowledge about the women. He wasn't sure Shikamaru was going to share anything - he hated to talk. But Neji was going to ask anyway… Any information was welcomed.

"Shikamaru, how did you know Tenten meant…" he didn't finish the sentence.

The other man sighed with boredom but still spoke:

"My troublesome father decided I need education on the topic some years ago." He frowned. Then he started to talk quietly. He told Neji that usually the women are the one in charge, well, most of the time. He told him about his parents, how they were giggling and blushing to each other some years ago. About how his father was complimenting his mother that she was beautiful. Or most correctly he was telling her that she was "the most beautiful woman in the world". When his mother was in a good mood, she would give him a kiss. Though when she was sour, she usually would tell his father something like "Of course you are going to say this. I am Your woman, after all."

Neji was making an inner comparison with his own family. He had never heard his father saying something nice to his mother, they even hadn't sat to just talk with each other. They had an arranged marriage just like most members of the Huuga clan. Neji, himself, avoided those kinds of conversations. And even if his teammates and the rest friends started to talk about those things, he would change the topic or find a way to sneak out of it. He regretted it a bit…

"So that's it? Neji raised eyebrows.

"Well, more or less…" Shikamaru shrugged.

"And it is all the same for everyone?"

"Oh, most probably not." He slightly smiled. "Every woman has something typical for her. I am judging from my mother, my teammate Ino and one more really troublesome woman."

Shikamaru could have even said her name. Neji was so shocked by all he just heard, that he hardly would turn any attention or remember to annalise it later on.

And he could guess what was going on with Neji. He was smart enough to get a conclusion from really little, almost invisible facts. He was just that type of person that noticed things…

"Shikamaru…" started the pale-eyed shinobi.

"M?" He mumbled, gazing lazily through the window.

"What should I do if I suspect I have some feelings towards a woman?"

"I don't know," he shrugged. "It depends what you want to achieve. I suppose you should tell her. Women value that kind of stuff, as strange as it sounds…"

"What about if she has feelings towards another man?"

Shikamaru turned his usually bored gaze, which was now thoughtful and sympathetic.

"Look, Neji… If we hypothetically say that the woman is Hinata…" He raised his hand to prevent Neji from talking, "I said hypothetically. Now… If we accept that I have romantic feelings towards her… No, I don't have, relax… But she naturally is all over Naruto. This is a fact. So in this case me talking with her, sharing my feelings with her, is just useless. I would not stand a chance, you see…

Neji nodded.

"If, again hypothetically, say that the woman is Sakura instead. And get me for an example. Even though I know she is devoted to waiting for someone that probably would never return, she is way more practical. If I share with her my romantic feelings, she may give me a chance after all. So it would be a good idea to talk with her."

Neji nodded again.

"And last example… If we say my hypothetical romantic feelings are towards Ino. No, don't look at me like that - I don't have romantic feelings for her." He sighed with boredom. "She recently started to go out with Sai. But I don't think she has fallen in love yet. So in theory if I shared my romantic feelings with her, it is highly possible she would give me a chance. If this is the case, I wouldn't let that chance sneak out.

"What about Tenten?"

"I know her the least and I would not risk giving an example." Shikamaru was aware he would get a headache because of the talking but he still took pity on him… "Maybe you don't know this… but she used to be in love with you some years back."

Neji looked genuinely shocked.

"I guess she had her reasons to let this go…" He sighed. "But she's married now… at least for the moment. And even if I suspect all of this… thing… is an excuse for Tsunade-sama to come here… If that's the case, I advise you to talk with Tenten. Do not wait for all of this to be over."

"I have some doubts I may be already late."

"It doesn't really matter." Shikamaru looked at him with an unusually lively and insightful look. "She is your teammate, she values you and loves you at least like a one. She is not going to lie to you or hurt you intentionally. Have some trust in her and talk to her." He leaned on the wall and closed his eyes, his face returning the usual expression of boredom. "Now excuse me but I really need to stop dealing with so troublesome stuff. I am already getting a headache…"

Tenten got a room in a different wing than the rest of the group. She wandered around until she decided it was time to get herself a decent appearance. She took a shower and wrapped herself in the soft, fluffy towel someone left in the bathroom. She applied her favourite oil with the scent of spring flowers.

Quiet knock led her to the door- it was Tsunade-sama. She looked really exhausted.

"You are not ready yet?" The blond woman smiled widely.

"No, not yet." Tenten smiled back. "Come in, Tsunade-sama."

Godaime collapsed on the chair in front of the little dressing table. She sighed deeply, closing her eyes for a moment.

"Shower looks like a brilliant idea," she said, leaning a bit ahead as she gazed up at the girl. "Come on, show me what you have prepared for tonight."

Tenten took out the tree dresses she got from home. The first was the familiar long light blue one she wore in the Tsunade office when they signed in the marriage papers. The second one was semple knee-length yellow dress with short sleeves. The last, which Godaime reacted to positively, was an ankles-length creamy colored dress - the back was closed, the neckline was decent and the slit in front of the left leg was almost obscene. Tsunade pointed to the last dress, exclaiming "This one!"

"All right, I will be leaving you now to prepare. I need a shower and… some reinforcement…" She got up slowly and headed to the door. "And don't worry about me, Gai-sensei will accompany me to dinner."

The girl nodded shortly and sent the woman away with her gaze. Then she stared at the dress for some time. She had no desire to show off and take part in such events at all, but it was part of the mission, part of the delusion.

She sighed and started to get dressed. The cloth was so delicate that it required delicate underwear as well, which, fortunately, Ino had insisted on providing for her some time ago. Tenten put on the delicate material over her breasts and locked it between them with the almost invisible locks. Then she slipped on the bottom underwear, made from the same cloth - that way there will be no visible rims under the dress.

When she was fully prepared she took a look at herself in the not so big mirror in the bathroom. She made up her hair in 2 buns, wanting to keep something ordinary to hold on to… She remembered then something else, another present from the girls - bold red lipstick she received for her last birthday. She took it out and applied it to her lips. It really changed her whole appearance…

She was just thinking she should go downstairs, when there was a knock on the door. She lifted the dress to move more freely and got to open. When she opened wide enough to see who was there, she was met by Kankuro's brown eyes.

He opened his mouth to say something, then shut it. He stepped back so he could take the whole picture. His gaze slid on her from the top to toes. He shook his head like he couldn't believe his eyes and warmly smiled.

"What?" she asked, blushing.

"You look… I just can't find the right words… You are wonderful." He sounded genuine.

"Thank you…" she mumbled. She wasn't used to being the centre of a man's attention, and not the less, so intense attention.

"Should we go?"

"Yes, I just need to put some shoes on and we are good to go." She nodded and headed to take out the crimson low-heeled shoes Ino had recommended for this dress.

In the moment she made a step with her left leg through the dress's slit, Kankuro took a sharp breath. He rushly entered the room and closed the door behind him. His eyes were darkened with longing, looking dangerous…

"Kankuro…" she stepped back, raising her hands in front of her body to protect herself. "I don't know what you are planning…" she said, stepping back again.

The thing she remembered next was him standing right in front of her. His hands wrapped around her, pressing her to him. He leaned to her ear, whispering a bit hoarsely:

"You just don't realise… You don't have an idea what torture will be to look at you that whole evening… Knowing I can't really touch you…" - he ran his fingers over her back, making her shiver. "Knowing I can't really kiss you…"

After finishing the last sentence, he breathed out heavily over her neck, pressing a kiss under her ear. The sensation was so strong and new, causing her to cling to him and tremble. She looked up at his darkened eyes and shivered partly out of fear - never in her entire life a man had looked at her like that, with so unhidden desire. She could see in those eyes he would tore that dress right on the spot if she just let him do it.

She was stunned… She knew she needed to react. At the same time she just wanted to not do a thing, to let him be in charge so she could see for herself what it is to be a… woman.

He traced his thumb over her red lips, then leaned and dug in his lips within hers. That was not a soft or tender kiss like those before - it was demanding and passionate. He didn't ask for permission, he required access to fully explore and touch her. His hand slid down and stopped little lower than the small of her back, pressing her hip against him. She took a sharp breath sensing exactly how strong was his desire, judging by the hard bulge, compressing in her belly.

Her hands, as on their own accord, caressed his broad shoulders, her eyes shut and her mouth gave him access. His tongue penetrated right away, without losing a spare second, searching for hers. When he found it, his tongue started to explore as if it was dancing.

And she was left breathless… The girl moaned softly, trying to catch her breath. He groaned in response, invading her even deeper…

Then in her dizzy mind came the sound of Tsunade's loud voice. She pushed his chest hard, to break the kiss. He had also heard it so he let her move away… But his eyes were glued to her as he was trying to regain his normal breathing.

Tenten took a deep breath. She was going to think about what had just happened now later on. Now she had to do what it was required of her… She looked at the man, feeling the wings of hundreds of little butterflies flying in her stomach. She also felt something else - a pure excitement building up in her lower belly… The girl knew what it was since she didn't feel it for the first time, though maybe the first time it seemed… shared…

She stepped forward and reached out, gently setting her palm on his cheek - he slightly let his head lay on her hand. Then she reached with her other hand, wiping carefully the lipstik he had on his face.

"There…" she said quietly and attempted to head to the mirror, so she could fix her own lipstick. He grabbed her hand and gently kissed her, then let her go.

Tenten wiped the red paint that wasn't on her lips, then applied some more. After that, she put on the shoes and was ready to go. But all the time she was moving around the room, Kankuro was following her with his gaze, as if he was hypnotised.

She stood up, sliding her hands on the sides of her body mechanically to straighten any flaws on the dress.

Then she dared to look at the man again. He didn't say a word…

His face was clean, no trace of paint on his skin. She lifted her arms and with a few swift movements took out all the hairpins from her 2 buns. Her hair cascaded beautifully down her back and shoulders.

Kankuro stretched out his hand towards her and smiled gently. She smiled back and took his hand.

They went out in the hallway and headed towards the dining room, where the official dinner was going to be held.