Chapter 34

The following weeks, Temari has led and trained her own team of genins and she has also joined one other elite team on a rank A mission, functioning as its leader. She keeps busy but she can't ignore the changes happening to her body.

At first, she has attributed her moodiness to being tired because of the missions but then even her sense of smell is affected. She hates the smell of wet soil and crushed or cut grasses but she's in Konoha so the scent permeates everywhere. She also has the tendency to lose her breakfast but even so she appears like she's gaining weight.

She then starts to refuse difficult missions like the ones she had together with Sasuke and Naruto, afraid that if her suspicion is correct then it might not be good for her to strain herself.

She would have confided in her mother but she can't bear to hurt her this way.

In the end, Temari decides that Shikamaru has the right to learn about it first.

After securing the Hokage's permission for an indefinite absence, she hurries up to Suna before she can change her mind. She thought Jiraiya-sama would be against it considering she won't give a concrete reason or specific length of time she'll be gone but it seems as the Hokage, he is more lenient than the others. She would have raised a brow at the easy acquiescence but opted instead not to question her fortunate chance.

She has promised her parents that she will send a missive once she gets to Suna to let them know that she's safe. She made up a story of wanting to know more about her family, her brothers specifically, with the full knowledge that she's causing Yoshino untold worries. Maybe she should explain the truth to her parents but not yet. Right now she wants to share her news to Shikamaru first.

About four weeks since Temari has last seen Shikamaru, Temari arrives in Suna.

After securing a permit from Baki for her visit— not really surprised that the Kazekage has not issued a travel ban involving her, probably not wanting to place her in the spotlight and make the people wonder— she leaves Baki's office in search of Shikamaru.

She goes first to where they had first met all those years ago. Within the last six years Shikamaru didn't change much, he still frequently dozes off behind that big boulder of rock amidst the open desert but when Temari arrives on Shikamaru's favourite napping spot; she doesn't see him or even sense his chakra.

"Damn, I should have asked Baki about him," Temari mumbles to no one in particular. The sooner she can share the news with Shikamaru, the sooner she can decide what to do next. The wait is what's going to be difficult and she hopes that it won't take long and that Shikamaru isn't on some lengthy, dragging mission at the moment.

Sitting behind the boulder, taking advantage of the shade, Temari takes a deep breath, noticing that the air doesn't smell damp, making her feel better. Funny, but Konoha's air turns her stomach a bit.

She decides to wait in that particular shaded spot, closing her eyes and enjoying the occasional light breeze wafting through her face and ruffling her four ponytails. Maybe the lazy ass is bound to arrive... soon. Preferably today, of course.

When she hears a set of footsteps approaching, impatiently, Temari stands up and takes a step towards the source of the sound. "Ass, I have been here for hou—"

"YOU!" Kankuro suddenly shouts when he sees Temari. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Temari is taken aback. The last time she saw Kankuro, he was teasing her and Shikamaru despite the tense atmosphere. "I'm here to see Kamaru."

"Well, go back! You can't see him!" Kankuro gazes at her without trying to mask the hatred in his eyes.

"I will see him! Now where is he?" Temari demands. Really, she has never expected Shikamaru to turn her own brothers against her. When she sees him she will—

"He's dead," Kankuro grits through his teeth.

"Tell me another. Now where is he?" Temari clenches her fists. Kankuro just has to cooperate with her or she'll make him cooperate with her. She can't believe her little brother is now making up stories to push her away. What a stupid jerk! She won't be thrown that easily.

Kankuro glowers.

Finally, something in his eyes communicates something to her. "You're lying! If it's true then bring me to his grave!" Temari yells.

"We can't find his body," Kankuro admits, biting the words out.

"Then you can't be sure he's dead." Temari grasps at the sliver of hope; with the possibility that Shikamaru is still alive, her heart that seemed to have stopped beating, pounds again warming her, pushing away that numbing cold that had spread through her body.

"Yeah, I can't be sure," Kankuro agrees.

With Kankuro's further confirmation, Temari exhales, letting her choked breath go and allowing her rigid muscles to relax. "I'll stay until he returns then."

"I don't want you here!" Kankuro looks at her, his eyes still ablaze with undisguised anger. However, after meeting her haughty eyes for a tense moment, he abruptly pivots around in order to leave, his steps heavier than before with his shoulders stiff.

"I don't need your permission to stay...just father's," Temari mumbles to herself as she watches her departing brother.

—o0o—

"I can see you're back," the Kazekage announces evenly, sounding almost like he expects her to be back.

"I am your daughter. You can't kill me," Temari gambles. So long that the Kazekage is secure in the knowledge that nobody in Konoha, particularly her parents, knows about the birth switch then it is only her life that is in jeopardy. Really stupid but, at the time back in Konoha, she had subconsciously placed her trust in Shikamaru, thinking that once he hears her news, he will protect her during her brief stay here. However, stupider than that, now, is her wanting to stay to ascertain his return. After all, she can't go back home to Konoha just yet and tell Shikaku and Yoshino, Shikamaru's missing and possibly dead.

The Kazekage laughs. "Yes, it's obvious you are my daughter—all that bravery. Again misplaced, I might add." Adapting a serious tone, he demands, "What do you want this time?"

"I want to stay and see what I missed growing up," Temari clearly states. "And I have already made up a story for my parents that I'm to train in Suna's harsh terrain. If I return home now, they would find that more dubious."

The Kazekage stares at the kunoichi. Gauging her intent, he asks, "And why would I allow you to stay?"

"Because if you don't; I will tell your other two sons the truth that I am their sister."

"You could do better than that," the Kazekage sneers.

Temari smirks, confidently blundering her way, "Of course. Gaara might realize that you have deprived him of his sister's love. Who knows; maybe he will take it to his head to disobey you and attack Suna. People would not appreciate the Kazekage's son destroying their homes."

"I could kill you now."

"Go ahead. What's one more wrong committed to your children to you?" Temari spats, meeting her father's eyes.

The Kazekage holds Temari's gaze while silence reigns inside the room.

"Alright," the Kazekage mutters his agreement to Temari's stay. His one word is tinged with admiration for his daughter and even perhaps regret. Kamaru after all had not lived to fulfill his expectations.

"I want to earn my keep. Since I am still a Konoha nin and it's illegal to work here without permission from the Hokage, I can pay for your generosity by being your servant," Temari announces.

"The council would still question your presence in my household."

"You're the Kazekage, you can deal with them."

TBC

—oOo—

~3/20/11AF~

A/N: You're no. 101, Love Is Only a Word!

Thanks to all who reviewed. I have decided to concentrate on this fic alone so there will be faster updates!

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