I do not own Naruto

Xxx Temari xxx

I can't believe how much that lazy bum consumes my thoughts these days, I thought as I rolled over in bed. Gazing up at the peonies he had given me an evening before sent me off on thoughts of what it would be like to wake up next to that boy day after day. Ah how embarrassing! Blushing I forced myself out of bed and found both of my brothers already at breakfast. Kankuro was pacing with a half eaten pastry in his hands and raving about how difficult Ino was. Apparently she had skillfully avoided his flirtations and yet somehow managed to make him more hungry for her. I grabbed a cup of coffee and shook my head thinking about how stupid my brother was.

The morning passed uneventfully and quickly and I contemplated taking Shika to the Suna zoo today. The meeting wrapped and I was just about to request his company when Gaara beat me to the punch. "Nara san would you care to join me for another game of shougi and tea?"

Shikamaru smiled politely and accepted. As he followed Gaara into his office he turned to me and gave me his characteristic bored look. That face, the one that he gave when his shougi opponents were no longer a challenge. That bastard, he'd probably be done in 10 minutes…he'll come find me then.

Xxx Shikamaru xxx

We had placed our pieces on our board in silence when he opened with,"Thank you for joining me. I enjoy playing against you. ..And I did want to discuss some things with you."

Looking up, I met Gaara's intense gaze. "I have been informed that you are Temari's guide when she visits Konoha. " I silently nodded. "She only shares with me politically relevant information. So far as that is concerned I have been happy with her performance in this role. However, I am deciding whether or not to allow her to continue in this position or not."

My pulse quickened with this statement as I attempted to mask the concern I felt building on my face. A million thoughts shot threw my head…if she was no longer an ambassador, her trips to Konoha would be few and far between. Hokage Tsunade would not let me be an ambassador here…she had already stated she planned on making me part of the council. As nin we were never allowed more than a day off at a time when not on official business and had to be available at a moments call. Our villages were separated by a three day trip. Could we ever survive! "Nara san it usually does not take you this long to make a move." Gaara interrupted. I looked down on the board, oh crap when did Gaara make that move?

"Tell me does she have many friends?" He continued to inquire.

I tried to calm myself in my moment of panic and diplomatically stated "She is trusted by our village and has developed deep relationships with many Konoha nin." I quickly added, " Most of whom would give their life for her. " Gaara pressed his hands together and peered at me down his fingers.

Gearing up I continued with, "She has been an integral part of the good relationships between our two villages and it will sadden Konoha if she did not return as ambassador."

"Konoha...would be saddened…hmmm. Well, Suna is equally saddened at her absences." He then arrogantly smirked at me. "Most importantly once she is married she will not be permitted to leave Suna for any extended period of time. Since she is of marrying age and will need to consent to a partner soon I thought it best to find her a replacement as quickly as possible."

My heart stopped. "Oh and Nara san…checkmate." Gaara stood triumphantly from the game before pouring some tea for the both of us. I sat there frozen staring at the gameboard. "Drink some tea, it soothes the pain of a loss." He maliciously remarked.

CALM DOWN, COMPOSE YOURSELF, COUNTERATTACK… became my mantra for the next few minutes. I took hold of the cup he offered me and sipped the tea.

"If you would permit me to share an observation…Kazekage sama." Gaara turned facing me and nodded. In the most threatening voice I could muster I sharply said "It is my perception that Temari sama enjoys a freedom in Konoha that is absent here. For a woman with such a soaring spirit to become the caged bird of Suna wouldn't that be a horrible pity? " His eyes flared with anger for a second before he calmly took a sip of his tea.

Suddenly I was gripped with waves of pain and an extreme urgency to…"Excuse me Kazekage sama but would you please direct me to the nearest restroom." I pleaded halfway doubled over in discomfort. He pointed down the hall and I ran towards that directon. As I left I heard him chuckle saying "Did you enjoy your tea?"

Xxx Temari xxx

Sitting at my desk I whittled away at the paperwork that had been accumulating since the Konoha nin arrived. Geez those two seemed to be taking their time! I'm starting to get a bit worried, Gaara should never have lasted this long against Shika. Gaara popped up an hour after they had gone to play and brought me some coffee. "Thank you, where is Nara san?" I tried to nonchalantly ask.

"He disappeared 30 minutes ago. Dinner will be served shortly, why don't you go get ready?" He more demanded than asked before leaving. Scratching my head with my pen, I wondered where could that lazy boy be.

My concern grew when he and Chouji did not accompany Ino for dinner. She had been with Kankuro all day and had no clue of their whereabouts. As I watched them flirt across the table I was hit with an intense jealousy. Why couldn't we have the freedom to do that? Why was Suna so cruel!

As dinner progressed Chouji abashedly entered the room and neared Gaara's side. The poor boy was so nervous to talk to Gaara directly that he was already sweating bullets. "Kazekage sama, I humbly apologize for my tardiness and the absence of my fellow nin. Nara san regrets not coming tonight, but he has fallen suddenly ill."

"He's sick? What happened?" I tried to ask as calmly as I possibly could. That sweethearted nin replied with "Temari sama thank you for your concern, but he explicitly asked me to relay his regrets that he will be unable to accompany you on your stroll tonight. He believes he will be better in the morning and will look forward to your thoughts and comments in the early discussions."

"Temari, please do not ignore the needs of other guests." Gaara requested.

In the back of my mind, I couldn't shake what Shika had stated the night before "Gaara knows. He doesn't like it." I had seen him earlier in the day and he was fine, then suddenly after a game with Gaara he was struck so ill that he became unable to see me? Did Gaara harm him? I kept to myself for the remainder of the evening as I thought about the possibilities. When night came I quietly escaped through my window and snuck to Shika's hotel.

Appearing in his window as he had mine I knocked and saw a figure stir in bed in the darkness of the room. He walked over to the window , partially bent over. I knew it! Gaara broke a couple of his ribs! He opened the window and weakly stated. "Please go home, I just want to rest." I pushed my way into his room.

"Did Gaara hurt you? " I asked as I began feeling his chest for evidence of broken ribs. He answered with "Normally I'd make a comment about you not being able to keep your hands off me…but tonight…Temari…please keep your hands off me." He doubled over and a look of embarrassment crept across his face. "Oh geez." He stated before running into the bathroom. I started to stride over when I began to hear all sorts of cacophnous sounds. He echoed through the door "This is why I told Chouji to tell you I'd see you tomorrow, please can you just go home?"

"Uh okay." I stammered out before exiting again via window. On my way back, I wondered why he was so embarrassed. I didn't care about those sorts of things, I just wanted to help. "OW!" I rubbed my forehead as I looked up to see what I had bumped into.

"Miyako!"

"Ah Temari sama, you were still up?" She said nervously. I smiled and then my eyes were immediately drawn to a basket in her hands. "Are those…"

"Ah yes these are boro mushrooms. The Kazekage sama asked for some this morning, but didn't use it all so I am to get rid of the rest of it. I guess he maybe was a little constipated." She absentmindedly revealed before blushing. "Aw I mean…"

Flashing her my friendliest smile "I'm sure you're right Miyako, he must have been constipated" We left each other and I began shaking my head in the dark. Boro mushrooms-no wonder Shika had gotten so ill. It sure does look like Gaara is out to get him. Shika may be right, he must know about the two of us… why else would Gaara target him?

SCORE: Shikamaru 1, Gaara 1