Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who took the time to review, it is always appreciated. Believe it or not, I wasn't planning to make the last chapter so large. But I have found that on occasion when I am writing the story and characters take on a life of their own. From the response it looks like the last chapter was the most popular one so far. Believe me it is very gratifying to now have 60 reviews and to hear so many people eager for more updates. I will continue to try and have new chapters each week. As for this one, I hope everyone will enjoy it as it contains an event I know a few of you have been waiting for. I also hope that it has at least one real surprise. Oh, and I have a message for ThisIsntClair. I asked Shikaku, but he says cleaning is too much of a drag. Sorry. As always please enjoy.
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"That never happened!" They were lying side by side on the grass.
He looked at her and smiled. "I swear to you it did."
"You honestly expect me to believe that?"
"It's the truth." He sounded bored.
"You're telling me Uzumaki Naruto covered the faces of your Hokage monument with graffiti?"
"If you don't believe me the next time you see Naruto just ask him. Not only will he confirm it he'll brag about it."
She looked at him bewildered. "So what happened to him? How was he punished?"
"Iruka made him clean it all up."
She stared at him. "That's it?" Shikamaru nodded lazily. "I swear I don't understand you Leaf nins at all! Your village has produced some of the most powerful ninja in all of history yet I swear you're all as soft as baked bread. How can a village that's so tolerant be so powerful?"
He lifted an eyebrow. "Has it ever occurred to you it's because we're tolerant and allow people to be individuals that makes us strong?"
She thought about that. "Maybe, but I still can't understand it. I swear you Leaf nins are so loose with your rules I don't understand how you don't all end up in anarchy."
"We like things the way they are. So what would have happened if Naruto had done something like that here?"
"Public execution."
He stared at her. "You're joking."
She stared back. "No I am not."
"Don't you think that's over the top just for putting some paint on a sculpture?"
"You mean for desecrating a public symbol of the history and honor of Suna? For disgracing the image of one of Suna's immortal heroes?"
"Temari, don't take this the wrong way, but I think you Suna nins take things way too seriously."
She laughed. "We'll chalk it up to different cultures I guess. Maybe it's because we live in an environment that kills soft things. You have to be hard and strong to live here." She looked at him. "So do you have some more stories about Uzumaki?"
"Tons of them, but why are you so interested in him?"
"My family and I owe him a debt. It's because of him that Gaara has changed so much."
"Has he really changed?" He asked cautiously.
"He has." She spoke with conviction.
He knew he was wandering into dangerous ground but he needed to ask. "Did Gaara ever tell you about the run in at the hospital with me and Naruto?"
She had a worried expression. "No, what happened?"
"He was wanting to kill Lee. He would have too except Naruto and I just happened to be there. Fifteen minutes sooner or fifteen minutes later and Lee would be dead now."
"I am sorry." She spoke with a serious tone. "I know what he used to be like. I grew up with him and every single night I would go to sleep terrified he would murder me." Seeing the look on his face she rushed on. "But it wasn't his fault! There are things you don't know about that were done to him. I know he has done horrible things. Believe me Shikamaru I could tell you stories that would curdle your blood. But he really has gotten better and if you just give him a chance you would see it."
He wasn't so sure. "I suppose I'll find out one way or the other."
An uncomfortable silence descended on them.
She suddenly sat up. "I'm bored, this has been wonderful and I want to do it at least once more before you go, but let's do something else."
He sat up as well. "What did you have in mind?"
"You pick, what would like to do with me?" She saw his eyes drift from her face to a part of her body a bit lower. She immediately reached out and smacked him. "Not that you disgusting pervert!"
He rubbed that back of his head. "Well you did say…"
"Not until you're fifteen so get it out of your mind!"
He sent her the largest smile she'd ever seen on his face. "Is that a promise?"
She felt herself turning red. Why had she just said that? "We'll see." Shikamaru immediately decided he would have to get calendars for the next two years and figure out exactly how many days it was until his fifteenth birthday. He also wondered how angry his mom would be if he were on a mission to Suna on that day."Anyway what else would you like to do?"
"We could take a nap."
"Lazy," she muttered. "Pick an activity that requires consciousness."
"All right, how about we play shogi?"
She tilted her head. "What is it with you and that game?"
"I just like an activity that I know follows the rules of logic and is predictable. Too many things in the world aren't." He smiled at her. "Women for example."
"If I were predictable you wouldn't enjoy my company near so much." She stood up. "Fine, let's go play."
He got up as well and picked up the basket. "I brought a travel set with me; it's back in my hotel room."
She laughed at him. "Why am I not surprised? That's all right there's a set in the house."
They walked out of the garden. At the entrance she performed her sealing jutsu. They then headed back to the house. Just as they got to the door she reached out, grabbed him, and kissed him.
"Uhmm…" He articulated.
"Unpredictable," she laughed and went inside.
XXXXXXXXXX
On the second floor she led him to a room down a ways from the stairs. On the way they passed one with a wooden sign that said, 'Temari.'
"Is that…"
"You're not getting invited to my room so don't even ask." She gave him a coy smile. "At least not for a couple more years."
He felt a flash of heat. Oh he was definitely spending his fifteenth birthday in Suna even if he had to pay for his own mission here.
She stopped at another door and opened it. "This is the game room."
He looked inside. It was a large room with perhaps a dozen tables with various games set up at them. There was a roulette wheel, four dart boards, a pair of billiards tables with dozens of cue sticks hanging on the wall, some of the tables had cards sitting on them, and there was one with dice. "It certainly is." At a table near the corner he spotted what he'd been looking for. He went over and looked at the shogi board. "This is the nicest board I've ever seen." He wasn't kidding; he picked up the pieces to set up a game. "Are these made of ivory?"
She nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. "The Kazekage always liked showing off." She took some of the pieces and helped him set the board. "By the way you don't play dice do you?"
He shook his head. "No, dice games are the opposite of shogi, its pure chance what you roll."
She smirked. "Not with some of those dice."
"Your father used loaded dice?"
She shrugged. "He didn't like to lose."
He sent her a little knowing smile. "I see it runs in the family."
She sent him a smile of her own as she sat down. "You're going down this time Shikamaru."
He sat down across from her. "I've heard that before."
"Anyone can get lucky once."
"I won five times."
"Anyone can get lucky five times." She looked over the board. "Rock, paper, scissors to see who goes first?"
He shook his head. "Be my guest."
She didn't argue. She moved in a classic rook opening. "There." He moved a pawn without comment. She then advanced her bishop.
"Aggressive." He moved another pawn forward.
She smiled as she moved a pawn this time. "It's the only way to win."
"No, it's not."
Ten minutes later.
"Checkmate." With his knight he took her king.
She glared at him and then at the board. "How the hell did you do that?"
He rolled his eyes. "I've told you before you're too aggressive. The point of the game is to get inside your opponent's defenses and take out the king, it doesn't matter how many pieces you take." Looking at the board she had fifteen pieces to his seven, but he'd still won easily. "Want another game?"
She was about to say yes when a quiet voice came from the door way. "Actually might I play?" They both looked up to see Gaara entering the room.
A look flashed between brother and sister. Temari gave him just the slightest of nods. "Actually I need to take care of some correspondence, Shikamaru would you mind playing with Gaara?"
She could see the sudden panic in his eyes. She leaned forward and put a hand over his. She mouthed the words; please, for me. He knew how much it meant to her that he at least try and get along with her brothers. So despite his better judgment he nodded. "Sure, that would be fine." He began resetting the board.
She stood up. "Well you boys play nice." The words and tone were light but the look she gave her brother told him she meant them. He nodded to her and took her seat at the table. She sent Shikamaru an encouraging smile and then left.
Shikamaru and Gaara were alone in the room.
The two of them looked at one another from across the board. Neither of them felt any great urge to break the silence. Gaara was used to the quiet and Shikamaru actually enjoyed it. With the board ready they both just sat there waiting, taking in the other's measure.
Finally it was Shikamaru who spoke. "Temari and I usually play rock, paper, scissors to see who goes first."
"There is no need, you may go first."
Not wanting to argue the point Shikamaru began with a rook opening as Temari had. "Have you played shogi much?"
Gaara moved one of his pawns. "Not really, Baki taught it to all of us as a way to learn strategic thinking. I only ever play with Baki and Temari."
"What about your brother?" He moved a pawn on the left side of his board.
"Kankuro prefers to play cards." Gaara matched his move.
"Really? Which do you prefer?"
"Shogi." He answered simply.
"Mind if I ask you why?" Shikamaru found himself just a bit curious.
He shrugged. "I prefer battle when it is a test of strength and wit and is not influenced by the draw of a card."
Shikamaru slowly nodded. "When I play I always think of it as a sort of battle with myself as general and the pieces as my soldiers."
Gaara gave him an understanding look. "I also think of it as battle. That is one of the reasons I find it interesting. In real life my power is usually far greater than my opponent's. I find it interesting to meet my opponent with exactly the same strength and have the battle decided by wits alone. Also there is far less blood."
That brought the conversation to a grinding halt. For the next few minutes the two of them simply played. The game took on a steady pace as neither player needed that much time to consider their moves. Pieces began to disappear from the board, but it was clear the game would not end quickly.
Shikamaru was forced to sacrifice a knight. "You are much less aggressive than Temari."
"I can be patient when necessary. When you never sleep you develop a keen appreciation for the value of time."
"You never sleep?"
"I have my reasons."
"Does it have anything to do with Shukaku?"
Gaara gave him a look. Shikamaru stared back dispassionately. "How do you know about that? Did Temari…"
But Shikamaru shook his head. "No, she has never mentioned the fact you have a demon inside you."
"Then how do you know of it?"
"Since the Chunin exams you've been given a very extensive write up in our Bingo Book."
"I see."
"Also I did some research on you when I became interested in your sister. It seemed prudent to learn all I could about you."
"How much do you know?"
Shikamaru sat back and began to recite. "Sabaku no Gaara; age: 13, blood type: AB negative, date of birth: January 19, rank: genin, affiliation: Sunagakore, known relatives: son of Yondaime Kazekage, brother of Sabaku no Kankuro and Sabaku no Temari. Distinguishing features: tattoo on forehead with the word, 'love,' abilities: center around jutsus using sand in both offensive and defensive means. Is the know container of the Shukaku one tail demon which grants him the ability to transform into a demonic form and allows for access to vast amounts of chakra. He is to be considered to be an S-ranked opponent and highly dangerous. Is confirmed to have killed seventeen shinobi all with the use of sand for crushing or suffocation. Is also suspected of the death of Sound shinobi Dosu while in Konoha. Has been confirmed to have killed two hundred and thirty six civilians including women and children. Most of these in Suna but in other villages and cities as well. Several outstanding warrants for murder in various lands as well as bounties totaling two hundred thousand ryu for his capture or death." Shikamaru halted for a bit. "There's more, but that covers the highlights."
Gaara nodded and moved a bishop. "All true, though the estimates are a bit conservative. By the way, when you return home you can confirm I did kill Dosu."
Shikamaru took out a lance. "Why? Wasn't he an ally at the time?"
"He wanted to fight me." Gaara said simply. He dropped a pawn onto the board. "Do you love my sister?"
"What?"
"Do you love my sister?"
Shikamaru knew he had to be cautious and considered his answer carefully.
"You should know that I detest liars. So rather than think up a response that you believe I want to hear you would be best served by telling me the truth."
"I have no intention of lying, but the answer isn't a simple one."
"Why not? The question is simple enough."
Shikamaru shook his head. "I haven't had that much experience but one thing I'm sure of is that feelings between men and women are never simple."
Gaara frowned slightly and Shikamaru's worries grew. "I don't pretend to really understand love. In that I am still trying to find my way. But it seems to me that either you love or you do not. I am not asking for details or for you to gauge the depth of your feelings. But I do wish to know whether or not you love her."
He was feeling more than a little uncomfortable under that measuring stare. "I can't say whether I love her or not, I honestly don't know. I can only tell you that I care for her and have strong feelings for her."
Gaara continued to frown. "Since you cannot say that you love her does that mean you do not love her?"
"I didn't say that!"
"So you do love her?"
"No! I mean… I don't know, maybe but…"
"Do you wish to ask her to marry you?"
"What?!"
"Shall I repeat the question?"
He stared at the red haired boy as though he were insane. He took a deep breath. Just how the hell did this conversation get here? "I have not given serious thought to anyone becoming my wife. I am sure Temari would be a wonderful wife but I am still too young to begin thinking about that seriously."
"Since you are not considering her for your wife what are you hoping to gain from your relationship with her? Do you just want to use her for sex?"
"What?! Hey I don't know what kind of guy you think I am but I would never treat her or any other girl like that!"
"Kankuro does."
"Don't compare me to Kankuro and don't you dare compare Temari to the girls he sees! She is the most amazing and wonderful girl I've ever met and I would never use her or do anything to hurt her!"
"Interesting."
"What is?"
"I've never had anyone who knew my reputation stand over me glaring."
It was true. Shikamaru suddenly realized that was exactly what he was doing. At some point he'd gotten to his feet and was now staring down the boy who scared the hell out of him. He sat back down. "I'm sorry about that."
"That is all right. I know you are afraid of me. Don't bother denying it, I can read it clearly every time you look at me. But just now you weren't afraid."
He shrugged. "I guess I don't like hearing anyone suggest I would treat Temari like that."
Gaara just stared at him for a moment. "You really do care for her don't you?"
"Yes."
"Then why don't you say that you love her?"
"Because I don't know whether my feelings are love or not. Love is a powerful word that can break hearts and make otherwise rational people do the most ridiculous things. I don't want to use it until I am sure."
"I see." He paused a bit. "Kankuro and the girls he brings home don't seem to mind using the word."
Shikamaru frowned. "Please don't compare what I feel for Temari to whatever it is Kankuro feels for the girls here. I don't believe he really cares about them and I suspect the girls who say they, 'love' him are just desperate to hold his attention. I knew plenty of girls who would swear up and down that they loved Uchiha Sasuke, even though he never said two words to them."
"So you are saying that even though you may love her you will not say it because she matters to you?" Shikamaru nodded. "You also seem to be saying that Kankuro will say it because the girls he sees don't matter to him?" He hesitated but nodded again. "I find all this to be very confusing."
"Like I said, feelings between men and women are never simple."
Gaara slowly nodded. "Perhaps, shall we continue playing? It is your move."
Shikamaru scanned the board. He dropped a bishop that he would use to eliminate one of Gaara's gold generals. "Tell me something Gaara. When we spoke in the hospital you said you were a monster and that you loved only yourself. Has that changed?"
"I am still a monster." He spoke quietly as he moved his general out of harms way. "But I have changed. If I hadn't I wouldn't care about who my sister was seeing." He was silent but then spoke just above a whisper. "I love my sister and my brother."
Shikamaru stared. "Was that hard to admit?" He asked warily. Gaara nodded. "There is nothing wrong or even unusual with loving your family."
"Perhaps not for you or most others, but for me it is an alien concept. My uncle taught me that I was alone and that I could only love and only trust myself."
Shikamaru looked at him in horror. "Your uncle taught you that?"
"Yes, I was five and he was the only person who I thought cared about me. Then one night he tried to murder me on the Kazekage's orders. I did not know who it was and mortally wounded him with my sand. But before he died he told me to love only myself. This was just before trying to kill me again by detonating a number of explosive notes he had on his body. That was the night I used my sand to carve this tattoo into my forehead as a permanent reminder to love only myself." Shikamaru could only stare at him. Gaara tilted his head and almost smiled. "I take it that information was not in your Bingo Book?" Shikamaru could only shake his head.
"I am sorry Gaara; I never imagined you had to go through something like that." Temari had told him that things had been done to him. She had not been joking. Hearing what his own uncle had done to a five year old Shikamaru felt the first slight sympathy for Gaara.
"I have dealt with it." He frowned as Shikamaru finally took his general off the board. "My life has been hard but I have learned to accept it. I have decided to try to love others rather than just myself, largely because of Uzumaki Naruto."
"Temari told me it was because of him you decided to change. Has he really had that big an impact?"
"He is the reason I gave my blessing for you to court Temari." Gaara said flatly. "I asked him about you while he was in the hospital. He told me you were a true friend and one of his precious people. Since Naruto thought so highly of you I decided you were deserving of consideration."
Shikamaru shook his head. "If you had told me two years ago I would be grateful to Naruto for his support I never would have believed it. I've known him for years but I never thought of him as more than a loud mouth prankster. We only became close recently while serving on missions together."
"Do you consider him your friend?"
"Yes, after having fought beside him I am proud to call him my friend."
Gaara nodded approvingly. "How well do you know him?"
"Pretty well I suppose, I'm not as close to him as I am with say Chouji or Ino. But we were in the same academy class for four years so I do know a lot." He paused. "I was wondering about something."
"Yes?"
"Well, while I was doing my research on you there was one document I wanted to read that I wasn't allowed access to. When Kakashi sent me, Naruto, and Sakura after Sasuke he declared it to be an A-ranked mission. In the files is a mission report written in two parts by Sakura and Sasuke. I was able to read the part written by Sakura that just covered the pursuit up until they caught up to him. But the second part which I assume describes the fight between you and team seven has been sealed. I asked Tsunade but she told me specifically that it held S-ranked information and that I was not entitled to read it."
"You wish to find out what happened in that battle?"
Shikamaru nodded. "I asked Naruto but he wouldn't say anything. That's unusual; usually the problem is getting him to stop talking about what he did on his missions."
"Very well, what precisely do you wish to know?"
"Just how did team seven defeat you?"
"To begin with I wasn't beaten by a team."
Shikamaru nodded, not really surprised. "Sakura didn't do anything, did she?"
"No, she got between me and my prey and I left her pinned to a tree with sand."
"Your prey?"
"Uchiha Sasuke."
"So how did Sasuke and Naruto defeat you?"
But Gaara shook his head. "Sasuke wounded me twice but by the time Naruto arrived he was out of chakra and helpless. Naruto defeated me alone."
"Alone? I know he's really improved, I've fought with him and I saw him beat Neji. But I didn't think he'd become that powerful."
"You know he can use Kage Bushin?"
"Of course, I've seen him use it several times including in his match with Neji."
"When he fought me he created two thousand shadow clones."
Shikamaru's hand froze over the board. "That's impossible! That jutsu splits your chakra up evenly among the summoned clones. No one, not even a Kage, has that much chakra! If you were to split your chakra that far you would collapse immediately from chakra exhaustion."
"If I knew the technique I believe I could split my chakra that much."
"But you're a jinchuriki; you can tap into your demon's chakra. The only way someone could split their chakra that much would be if they were a…"
Gaara calmly looked across the table at him. "Yes?" Shikamaru slowly sat back into his chair, shut his eyes and put his hands together in an, 'O.' "What are you doing?"
"Please give me a moment this helps me to concentrate." Gaara obliged and simply sat there waiting.After five minutes he opened his eyes and looked at Gaara. He held out his hands and began to tick off points on his fingers. "Naruto has always been treated with an unexplainable dislike by the majority of adults in the village. It is a general feeling that borders on and sometimes spills over into outright hatred. When I asked my parents once why people treated Naruto so badly they refused to explain and simply said there were reasons. Naruto was under the personal protection of the Sandaime. None of us could ever understand why an orphan and a prankster like him got such special treatment from the Hokage. I have heard Sakura and others talk about his incredible healing ability and I've never known him to stay more than one night in the hospital no matter how wounded he was. He has always had an endurance bordering on Jonin level even when he was a small child. During his graduation exam he failed to produce three Bushins, while I later heard the story of how Iruka graduated him because he was able to perform multiple Kage Bushins. The former jutsu is a very low end genin level, while the latter is an extremely powerful jonin level technique. His talent with the latter but not the former would seem to indicate he has immense chakra reserves and finds it easier to use jutsus that require large amounts of chakra. I've spoken with Neji who says that in their match Naruto was able to summon vast amounts of red chakra even after having all his chakra points closed. That should not have been possible. Also there is no explanation on why Naruto had red colored chakra when normal chakra is always blue. Now you say he was able to split his chakra two thousand ways, which again should be impossible. And lastly, I know the dates of birth of all my class mates and his was October tenth, thirteen years ago. That is the date of the Yondaime's defeat of the Kyuubi." Shikamaru sat there with nine fingers extended.
Gaara calmly nodded. "And what conclusion do you draw from all these facts?"
Shikamaru took a deep breath. "Uzumaki Naruto is also a jinchuriki and is in possession of the Kyuubi." Gaara again nodded. "How long have you known?"
"You mean with absolute certainty?" He shook his head. "I don't, even now, but I began to suspect in the hospital when he mentioned he had a monster inside of him. After he defeated me I became convinced it had to be. If you are asking me if he told me or if I have some absolute proof I do not. But as you point out it seems certain." Gaara leaned back. "So now that you know what will you do?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your friend and comrade has a monster inside him. Does this change how you feel towards him?" Shikamaru thought about it, and slowly nodded. "I see." Gaara said with some disappointment.
"I understand him better; I finally realize why he had to endure the treatment he did. And I have more respect for him now."
Gaara looked over at him in surprise. "Does that mean you will still be his friend?"
Shikamaru lifted an eyebrow. "Of course, he is the exact same person he has always been and he is my friend. Why would I change how I treat him simply because I've learned about something that has always been there?"
"The adults in your village hate him."
"Not all of them. My parents have never said anything bad about him. There are others; Iruka, Asuma, Inoichi, Choza, Kakashi, Kurenai, Guy, Tsunade, Shizune, Jiraiya, and more do not treat him as anything other than a shinobi of the Leaf. As for the rest I feel sorry for them that they can't see he is not the Kyuubi. I don't see how you can blame someone for something that was done to them over which they had no control."
"I see."
"Besides, I think that will change in time. The crowd cheered him when he beat Neji. Perhaps in time as they come to know him their feelings will change."
"Do you really believe that is possible?" Gaara said quietly. "That a whole village can change how they see someone like him?"
"I do, it may take time, it may not be easy, but I believe that you can change the hearts of people."
Gaara looked at him in appreciation. "Thank you."
Shikamaru looked over in surprise. "For what?"
But Gaara simply shook his head.
Their game continued for another ten minutes until Shikamaru was finally able to slip in through Gaara's defenses.
"Checkmate." He looked at Gaara. "That was a very good game."
Gaara nodded. "Yes, I enjoyed it." He stood up from the table.
"Would you like to play again?"
Gaara looked at him. "Are you sure you would not mind?" Shikamaru shook his head and began setting the board up as Gaara sat back down.
Ten minutes later
"Anyone want some lemonade?" They both stopped to see Temari at the door with a tray holding a large pitcher and three glasses.
"Thank you Temari." Gaara said.
"Sounds good," agreed Shikamaru.
She came over to their table. "You two have been up here over an hour." She looked at how many pieces were still on the board. "Are you still playing?"
"We're on our second game." Shikamaru said.
"Really?" She sent Shikamaru a pleased smile. She set the tray down on a nearby table and poured a drink for each of them. She set one in front of each by and then pulled up a chair and sat down. "Do you mind if I stay and watch?" They both shook their heads.
"So Gaara," Shikamaru said in a friendly tone. "I've heard when you were little you used to carry a teddy bear."
Gaara sent his sister an accusing look. She had an innocent and stunned face. "Don't know where he could have heard that from." She said.
"I see." He turned back to Shikamaru. "It's true I did."
"So what did you call him?"
"His name was Mr. Bear." Shikamaru nodded. "I have heard you used to have a stuffed toy deer as a child."
Shikamaru sent the girl to his right a look of betrayal, only to find her intently studying her nails. "Your mom, tea, girl talk." She murmured.
"Hmmm," he turned his attention back to Gaara. "Yes that's true."
"And what was his name?"
"Cloud."
A giggle escaped from her lips and he sent her an annoyed look. "Say Gaara, did Temari ever have a favorite toy?"
"What?! Of course I didn't!" Temari snapped.
"She used to carry a large doll with blonde hair with her everywhere." Gaara contradicted.
"Gaara!" She sent her brother a look of horror.
"So what was the doll's name?"
"Don't you dare…"
"Sandy." Gaara replied.
Shikamaru looked at the blonde girl and smiled. "Awww, how cute! Did Temari like playing with her dolly?"
She sent him a dangerous look. "One more word…"
Gaara stood up. "Would you like to see some pictures?"
Shikamaru jumped to his feet. "Absolutely!"
"Hey! Gaara don't you dare show him pictures of me and Sandy!" She got up as well and hurried after them.
XXXXXXXXXX
Tanya was heading home back to her apartment when a young boy bumped into her.
"Oh excuse me!" The boy said. "Have you seen my dog anywhere?"
She felt an immediate chill. "No, I'm sorry, I haven't."
The boy simply nodded and ran off with shouts for his pet.
Tanya changed direction. Going home would have to wait now. Someone coming up to her and asking her about an animal, that was the prearranged signal. She walked well out of her way and towards one of the seedier neighborhoods of Suna. She hurried into a small run down motel stuck between a couple of bars. She felt sick every time she came here, but what choice did she have? She walked into the empty lobby and was swallowed up by the odor of booze and stale smoke. The man behind the counter recognized her and sent her a leer. She knew what he thought she was and it sickened her.
"There is a room held for Mr. Atoli." She said quietly.
He laughed at her and handed her a key. "Your boyfriend is in room twelve just like always."
She nodded and hurried away from him feeling dirty. She came to the door and knocked.
"Enter." She heard the voice and went in. Sitting in a beaten up leather chair looked to be a young man with a dark complexion, not really handsome, not really ugly, dressed in common work clothes. She shut and locked the door and offered him a deep formal bow. When she stood he held out a hand signaling her to remain silent. He quickly cast a sealing jutsu.
"Now we can talk in private." With that he dispelled his henge. There sitting before her in pristine white clothing was Ossama Sulamon, clan head of Ossama and Suna's Director of Internal Security. "Now then," he leaned back and measured her with his calculating eyes. "Tell me everything."