AN: Sakori and her teammates are all made ups created by me. It was simply convenient to put them in this fic, though technically in typical naruto universe they're older by the time he's hokage, but Naruto's a young kage in this fic. They'll be floating around all of my Naruto fics.
"We are pleased to welcome warmly Sabaku Temari to Konohagakure." Naruto bowed formally.
Neji, Sasuke, Sai, Shikamaru, and other of his Anbu flanking him bowed as well.
"We are pleased to be welcomed, allow this humble one to introduce his most esteemed superior, Sabaku Temari of the sand, sister to the Kazekage." Temari's escort replied and finally Temari appeared from her group of ladies surrounding her, pulling back her veil.
She had been irritated by their need for the veil but this was a formal ceremony and she had already fought tooth and nail to be able to wear formal pants as opposed to a dress. She would greet the Konoha nin formally, but she would do it as a Kunoichi, not some simpering female in a dress. She wore a kimono clad shirt with Obi and long furisode style sleeves draping about her. They added an air of formality and also concealed her extra weaponry strapped to her wrists. She had on puffy pants, that swelled well around the thigh and calves and cut back tight with a cuff at the ankle. They allowed for decent movement ability in case of attack and she had pockets where she could reach the holsters strapped to her thighs.
Her fan was strapped to her back and her hair was done in her traditional style, four ponytails of her unruly hair waving behind her hitai ate. She would let it be known to all that she was a sand Shinobi, not some political triffle. They'd forced her to wear makeup and some light lip sheen but with as well as Temari had made out, being allowed to wear formal pants and bring her weapons, she didn't fight it. She bowed formally as she was supposed to and took a look at her husband to be.
Uzumaki Naruto had grown again since she'd seen him last. He was tall, and tan, blonde unruly kempt hair, beneath his own village's hitai-ate. He did not wear the formal robes but wore a white trench coat with flickering orange and red flames on the bottom hem of it. She supposed this was a decent change from his ridiculous orange and black jacket she'd seen him in last. Beneath it he wore a red shirt with Konoha's emblem and his standard ninja pants and sandals. On his back was a huge summoning scroll strapped across his chest. He wore the kage hat, to signify who he was. He hardly looked formal in his attire, but his countenance clearly pointed to his kage-ship.
She was pleased by the somber tone and gracefully executed bow as he stepped forward into the sunlight to give his next line. She hardly paid attention to what he said as she took note of his tanned whiskered cheeks, the way the tight fitting t shirt rippled across his pleasing form, and bright sky blue eyes. His eyes were the color of a clear day in Suna. Temari was very pleased by the appearance of him. At least he was attractive in his own rights.
"Now, honored guests from Suna and Konoha, let us celebrate the engagement of my intended and I" Naruto said, bowing to the crowd as they cheered.
Naruto took a step towards Temari, and she took a step towards him. He smiled sheepishly as he leaned into her ear.
"They wanted me to kiss you at this point but I didn't want out first kiss to be in front of a group this large" Naruto said.
"You may kiss my cheek, Hokage sama." Temari said, eyes gleaming in approval as he hadn't just taken for granted that she would kiss him.
He leaned in and kissed her cheek earning a bigger applause from the group.
"Can I hold your hand?" He asked, blue eyes wavering as he eyed his intended.
Temari smiled, once again impressed that he wasn't assuming. Though she wouldn't admit that Gaara was right, she was thankful that her husband to be was asking for permission. She nodded and interlaced her hand with his.
He beamed at her and then took her hand in his and the both of them bowed formally to the crowd. Naruto was pleased that her hand was warm and well calloused. The thunderous applause rose from his citizens. He grinned at his people and then spared a glance at Temari. She smiled softly as she glanced at the crowd around them, eyes scanning the faces there. Lovely…he thought as he looked at her. He grinned mischievously, and squeezed her hand in his. He brought their interlaced hands up to his mouth and kissed the top of her hand, releasing her hand and leading her away as the crowds began to disperse and her formal entourage followed after him.
Ino stood to the side resplendent in formal attire as the anbu guard moved around them taking up position.
"Well Met Hokage sama" Temari's formal chaperone said.
"The pleasure's entirely mine, I assure you" Naruto replied with a scratch of his head.
"Ehm" Naruto coughed covering his pause and his blush. "This is my assistant, Nara, Ino and she will be seeing to whatever needs Temari has for the next two weeks until our…wedding" Naruto stumbled over the word as he addressed the rest of her entourage.
Temari bowed to the girl she had remembered being on the lazy kid, Shikamaru's team. Ino grinned and bowed. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'll be stealing you for the next week and a half with the wedding details. I wanted to make sure you were involved" Ino told her.
Temari nodded.
"Anbu operatives will lead the rest of your entourage to their quarters but I was hoping to be able to give my bride to be a tour of Konoha." Naruto requested, eying Temari.
"That would be most gracious, Hokage sama." Temari interjected before her chaperone could decline. She glowered at the formal chaperone, who was about to protest.
"em….Certainly, Hokage sama" The chaperone grumbled.
Temari grinned. "I will see you at the guest quarters later on this evening."
"Aah, Temari sama." The chaperone replied glumly.
Naruto frowned. "I didn't offend-"
"He's a conservative" Temari replied shaking her head "Speaking to a man without a veil is considered inappropriate" Temari said with a smile.
Naruto smiled and scratched his head. "Well…Uh…w-where would you like to go first?" He said stammering.
Temari eyed him. He was nervous around her. His shoulders were tense, and his spine was as straight as a ramrod. Ninja shouldn't wear their feelings so obviously. Temari brushed it off.
"The training fields I've heard are quite large" She offered. Did he think she hadn't researched Konoha? Was this question some sort of test of her knowledge, Temari balked.
"Sure" He beamed and looked at her, half blushing. He stopped mid stride and offered his arm.
Temari half grinned at his countenance. "You don't have to do that now that the people aren't watching, you know." She told him simply.
"I'm not offering because I have to." Naruto replied with a lopsided smile as he scratched his head sheepishly.
Temari sighed "Protocal states that I must take your arm, if you offer it." Temari replied.
Naruto flinched at her tone. "You don't have to take it if you don't want to" He replied, blue eyes snuffed as he held his hand halfway between taking it back and offering it uncertain.
Temari sighed and took the offered arm, raising her chin as she eyed her surroundings. Everything was so…green. Her nose crinkled at the unfamiliar smells of the city and the lush forest.
"Hey…I know um…that we don't really know each other." Naruto managed out.
"I know that you are the man I was given to for a peace treaty" Temari replied, toneless.
Naruto winced. "About that…I'd hoped that we could actually…um…"
"Yes?" Temari interrupted, wanting him to get to the point.
"I er, wanted it-um I mean us, of course to be..ehhh to have a real marriage" He stammered out as he eyed something apparently interesting on the ground near his sandals and looked back to her before eyeing the spot on the ground again.
Temari frowned. "Our marriage will be genuine, ceremony and all, from what I understood?" She questioned.
Naruto smacked his hand with his forehead. Clearly she didn't understand what he was getting at. Feeling defeated, but optimistic in spite of his failure, he pressed on.
"I didn't mean to imply that our marriage wouldn't be legitimate…I…Can I just speak frankly?" Naruto asked, eyeing her.
Temari smirked at his awkwardness, but nodded curtly.
"I'd like to get to know you before and during our marriage. I've never done anything like this, but…well…I want you to know that I'm going to do whatever it takes to make this work, Dattebayo" He told her, blue eyes shining in sincerity.
Temari was flattered, but flattery was not enough. This working was a political arrangement and nothing more to her, even if he was attractive. If he was being honest about his intentions, she needed to as well.
"If I, too, may speak boldly, Hokage sama?"
"Please just call me Naruto. We're going to be married and Hokage sama just gets awkward after you hear it forty times a day for a few months" Naruto told her, smiling.
"Naruto, then" Temari said. She waited.
"Oh. Go ahead" He said as he realized, she was still waiting for permission.
Temari paused at his lack of formality, but continued in spite of it.
"I too desire to make this a successful political endeavor between our two countries because of my love for Suna. But you should know that despite my mission objectives in this successful political coupe, that I have no real desire to be joined in any sense of the term with any one, though I am grateful if it must happen, that it is to someone so honorly." Temari said with conviction.
She saw the hurt flash before the whisker cheeked Kage's eyes before he concealed it. Temari continued on.
"However, I also do not intend to simply sit back. I am not just a political intrigue to be flounced around in your social circle. I am a kunoichi of sand, an elite jounin and I expect to be treated as a kunoichi." She said eyes narrowing on his figure.
Naruto paused searching for the words, his eyes full of hurt. He cleared his throat. "I did not mean to insult your skill." He said, once again blue eyes filled with humble sincerity. "I just…I don't want to live a lifetime with someone I don't at least try to love." He said honestly.
"Political marriages are not designed with love in mind, Hokage sama" Temari rebuked.
"It's Naruto" He reminded her, deflated as he fought the feeling to pout.
"Naruto, then. I understand your position and respect it for what it is." Temari replied.
"I don't want just your respect, Temari" Naruto said, obviously getting frustrated.
Temari was startled by his lack of formality and grateful at the same time.
"Perhaps in time we will be better acquainted, but for the time being, Perhaps we should go on the tour." Temari prompted.
"Oh. Right. Sorry." He said awkwardly. "Are you hungry at all?" He asked.
"I have already eaten Hoka-." Temari started and Naruto eyed her.
"Uzumaki kun" She completed.
Naruto deflated further as she refused to use his name. "Alright then. To the training fields" He said, inflating optimistically at the prospect.
Temari simply nodded.
…………………………………………………….
The day dragged on as Naruto led her through the training fields was able to show her where Anbu headquarters and the barracks were. He showed her the ninja academy and they both said hello to the children.
"Temari, this is Iruka sensei..He was my instructor back in my academy days." Naruto said with a smile as he introduced Iruka.
Iruka was a tall man with a brown haired ponytail tanned skin and brown eyes. He bore a scar across his nose and his hair was streaked with gray on the sides. He was a mediocre ninja but from his countenance he seemed like the perfect kind of man to work with the children. He smiled as he held out his hand. Temari gave him a kind smile as she shook his hand.
"Aha…quite a handshake you have there, Temari san." Iruka said, one of his eyes closed.
"Thank you" Temari replied with a hint of a smirk.
"You'll have your hands full keeping Naruto out of trouble." Iruka said shooting the whisker cheeked kage a look.
Naruto glared defiantly at Iruka, as the children surrounded him with grins and giggles at their Hokage. He would've retorted, but Keiichi kun was climbing up his arm towards his hat.
"OYE!" Naruto cried, as he disappeared with a substitution log to the right where more children were ready with hugs and grins.
Temari giggled, hand covering her mouth as she watched the children hang off of him, trying to get at his hat, whilst Naruto tugged and tickled. Normally children were intimidated by one of such importance but it appeared that they were not cowed by his title at all. She probably should have faulted him for it; such a lack of propriety about him when dealing with the children. But she couldn't help but find it strangely endearing as well.
Temari felt something tug at her pants and looked down to see a small girl the size of a three year old draped in an overly large shirt with a rope to keep it around her waist, thumb in her mouth.
"S'cuse me" She murmured. "But are you our Naruto Ji-chan's?" She said, green eyes wide.
Temari beamed at the girl and she bent down to her. "I am going to marry Naruto Ji, Yes." She replied. "I hope that's okay" She said with a wink and ruffled the small girls green unruly hair.
The girl flashed her a thousand watt smile and shyly hid behind her huge stuffed animal as she introduced herself.
"I'm Sakori…everybody calls me Sako chan." She said fidgeting with the small braid in her otherwise unruly hair.
"It's very nice to meet you, Sako chan" Temari replied offering her hand to shake.
Sako chan eyed the hand and launched herself into Temari's arms with a big hug instead.
Temari was startled, but hugged her back with a soft smile.
She felt someone's eyes on her and turned to see Naruto looking at her with a tender look on his face.
Temari curdled at the look, thunderstruck as she knew what implications that kind of look could have with her in the position she was in with little Sako chan. Temari released the girl abruptly leaving Sakori startled.
"I'm afraid we have to move on, Sako chan" Naruto told her, coming over and bending down to the girl.
"Awww" Sako pouted, jutting her lip.
"We'll be back to visit soon" He promised, ruffling her hair. Sako chan hugged him in the same manner she had with Temari and he grinned hugging her back.
Naruto and Temari left the academy in silence. He considered showing her the swing set but thought better of it. She didn't need to know about his lonely past just yet.
"Our academy children only take D rank missions. We do train them with the knowledge to kill, but usually only after they graduate do they get placed into a team." Naruto commented.
"The children were so innocent. It was refreshing" Temari replied. Her thoughts still drifted on the way he had looked at her.
"Did you-" He started. But she said his name at the same time.
"You first" He told her.
"Look, I saw the way you were…looking at me while I played with Sakori and I want to be clear. I don't want children, Naruto" Temari said firmly.
"That wasn't why I was looking at you like that" Naruto said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. His eyes were sad and distant and Temari was startled to see such a look in his eyes.
"Why then?" She asked.
"Sakori, better known as Sako chan by her peers, does not have a last name, if you didn't notice in her introduction." He said simply.
Temari frowned.
"She's an orphan, like many of the other children in that class due to the war with Sound. But the reason she doesn't have a last name is because she was found in our infiltration of sound, she was one of Orochimaru's experiments that failed and was about to be culled before we showed up. She gets teased because of it." Naruto replied softly.
"I didn't do anything special" Temari replied with a dismissive gesture, uneasy under his serious gaze.
"You acknowledged her. The Hokage's bride gave her a hug, knows her name…" Naruto replied firmly.
"I might forget it tomorrow. It wasn't anything special" Temari insisted, uncomfortable.
"I looked at you the way I did, because it made me happy to see you hugging her. As an orphan, I know what it means to her." Naruto replied, looking at her with those clear blue eyes. "On behalf of the youth of our village, I thank you, Temari of the sand" He told her, bowing his head as his eyes filled with tears.
Temari flushed uncomfortably, not sure how to respond to such an heartfelt sincerity.
"You are welcome, Naruto" She replied bowing in turn.
He walked her down the streets of Konoha, figuring he could stop by Ichiraku when he sensed Konohamaru's chakra. He dodged the kunai launched at him and kicked the clone coming his way, turning as he threw the other clone bearing a rasengan into a wall. The clone dispersed, though Temari had already whipped out her fan and dispersed the other clones, eyes narrowed dangerously.
Naruto felt Konohamaru's chakra and gasped pulling Temari into his arms. Temari lost her footing with his yank and stumbled into him, hands bracing herself on his chest to keep from falling over completely. Naruto's summoned clones huddled around them, and he was able to take the brunt of the water balloon attack, which he realized had been filled with paint.
"HAHAHA! Got you boss! If I had been an enemy ninja, you would have-" Konohamaru froze at the sight.
Temari pushed Naruto off of her, irritated as she pulled out her fan dispersing his clones as she looked at the Chuunin in front of her. Blue eyes narrowed.
"He bears your village insignia, but I can teach him a lesson he won't forget in manners" Temari said, and Konohamaru glared, as he eyed the Sand Jounin. Moegi and Udon appeared next to him as Temari regarded them with an arched eyebrow.
"Ahck! That's not necessary Temari, ehm. Konohamaru just likes to…play pranks" Naruto said, stepping in front of their team.
"Who's she, boss?" Konohamaru asked.
"His wife, Idiot!" Moegi scowled as she whapped him on the back of the head.
"You're MARRIED BOSS?!" Konohamaru exclaimed.
"That's Hokage sama to you twerp, and I will be in two weeks and you nearly got my wife!" Naruto scowled.
Konohamaru turned pale. "I-er-" He stammered.
"Forgive his failure, Temari sama" Udon bowed formally, and Temari titled her head in an echo of acceptance.
Udon bowed again, and kicked his teammates, who also bowed.
"Uh…see ya later boss!" Konohamaru said red faced as his team disappeared.
Naruto sighed, raking a hand through his blonde hair. "I'm really sorry about that Temari. The kid thinks it's alright to ambush the Hokage at random and-"
Temari glared openly at Naruto.
"You tried to protect me?" she questioned, tone clipped.
"Yea, I didn't think getting paint on you was-"
"I didn't NEED your protection, Hokage sama. I had my fan out, and responded when you summoned your clones." Temari snapped.
Naruto frowned and then it dawned on him. "Oh Crap. I wasn't implying-"
"You didn't need to imply it" Temari replied with feeling as she walked off.
"Temari, ahg. Wait, please- I wasn't trying to assume you weren't able to protect yourself." Naruto replied, falling over himself as he tried to grab her hand.
Temari evaded the grip and stopped, glaring at the whisker cheeked kage.
"I know perfectly well that you could defend yourself." Naruto told her.
"Then you should have let me. Instead you let your students assume I needed your interference." Temari snapped.
Naruto blinked. "Now, I'm sure Konohamaru didn't see it that way, particularly when you dispersed his other clones."
Temari growled, and turned on her foot.
"Ahg! What can I do to make it up to you? I can go grab Konohamaru if you'd like to clarify! Temari, please." Naruto pleaded.
Temari took a deep breathe and stopped. "I have no need for you to do that, Uzumaki san." She replied formally.
Naruto winced. She was back to formalities. Damn it.
"I'm tired from my journey, Hokage sama" Temari prompted.
Naruto felt like kicking himself knowing he'd blown it. It was only the first day, he thought. Pathetic. "I'll walk you home." He replied sullenly.
She nodded. They arrived at the guest complex shortly, anbu guards prowling the perimeters.
"Hokage sama, Temari dono" The masked anbu nodded. Temari nodded in turn.
Naruto opened the door for her, which made Temari's scowl deepen as she stalked inside.
"Look, I'm sorry" Naruto said, as he walked after her. "I didn't do it because you aren't a capable kunoichi. I just didn't want the first day you were here to be bombarded by paint and ruin your nice clothes" Naruto said as they stood outside her door.
Temari turned, eying him with a hand on her hip. He was completely sincere, honest even as he met her eyes without faltering. Idiot. He truly wasn't lying.
"I am a kunoichi, Naruto. Clothing should never be an excuse for being unprepared for attack. I do not appreciate your protection over something insignificant in light of an ambush."
"Konohamaru and his team are hardly ambush worthy. They do that every day" Naruto retorted. "Seriously this paint is going to take forever to get out of my hair" He whinned.
Temari eyed him passively.
Naruto sighed. "Look, I'm the chivalrous type. I open doors for girls, the whole nine yards." He told her.
"I do not require your chivalry" Temari replied bristling.
"I'm not doing it because I think you require it. It's not a necessity, or like your weak or something. I know perfectly well that you can take care of yourself, Temari. I'm doing it because I want to take care of you."
"I am perfectly fine on my own." She said through clenched teeth.
"I know that" Naruto retorted. "Hell, most of the girls I hang out with could kick me ten ways to next thursday. Sakura's pounded me through a string of eight buildings in her anger. Ino has interrogation skills and can friggen switch bodies with people. Tenten could ram weapons up my ass before I even blinked. I'm surrounded by completely self reliant and capable Kunoichi" Naruto told her. "It's probably why I've lived as long as I have"
"Then why aren't you marrying them?" Temari said derisively.
Temari turned.
"Hey wait!" He told her grabbing her arm and turning her. Temari's eyes narrowed coldly. "Look, I know that you're capable…I just- I just want to do things for you."
"You're not just my trophy or some political excuse. You are Temari of the Sand, an elite Jounin and one of my best friend's sister. You also happen to be the unfortunate person who is stuck spending the rest of your life with me and I want to do whatever I can to make that easier. I want to love you, Temari" Naruto stammered out.
"and I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you like that. I never want to embarrass you. You can beat me up in front of Konohamaru the next time if you'd like?" He said with feeling as he sniffled away the tears that threatened to spill and wiped his nose.
Temari's anger snuffed out at the near tears the boy had on his face. He was a ninja…nearly crying? For her? It was a weakness certainly, but it touched her nonetheless because he was a ninja. She didn't understand. She didn't understand him. Naruto was a walking contradiction of the way of the ninja. He wasn't proper. If any other ninja acted like this they wouldn't last a second in Suna. And yet Naruto was the Hokage. And the people responded to him, like nothing she had ever seen. This man was entirely himself good or bad.
Temari sighed. He may be overzealously ridiculous, and chivalrous, but he was sincere.
"I'll overlook it in this instance, Naruto. In the future please have faith in my skill" She emphasized.
He beamed, eyes glowing like the brightest day in Suna in his joy. Temari felt the smile tug at her lips at his look. He was so easy to please and that pleased her in turn.
"I'll let you get your rest. You're going to need it tomorrow with Ino and her parade. Don't let them walk all over you. This is your wedding. It should be what you want it to be." Naruto told her.
"You won't be helping with the planning?" Temari stated, confused.
"I was told that I didn't even have taste in my mouth, much less being able to coordinate enough for wedding planning." Naruto scowled arms crossing, very much a little boy pouting.
"I do not desire to plan this wedding alone." Temari replied.
Naruto was surprised. "You….want me there for the planning…" Naruto asked hesitantly eying her.
"It would be nice not to be alone among so many females" Temari said with a smile.
"I'll be there." He said firmly, taking her hands in his.
"I guess this is goodbye then?" She hinted .
"Aah. Till tomorrow. If you need anything just let anbu know and they'll relay it along. I hope…your rest is…restful." He told her, stumbling over the words as he blushed. He still hadn't let go of her hands.
"Till tomorrow" She said tugging on her hand.
Naruto brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. "Till then, Anata" He told her blue eyes shinning fiercely, red faced.
Temari felt the blush bringing heat to her cheeks at such an endearing term and turned to open the door before he could see it.
Naruto waited until the door closed before taking off down the hallway, hands shoved in his pockets as he thought on his wife to be.