There was the House. The gate guards nodded and passed him through without a word. Senya nodded and walked slowly towards the front door. He had been thinking about this moment for the past three days. He was tired; running at high speeds through the deep desert was not fun. It was a wearying and boring experience that went on mile after mile and hour after hour. It was no accident that the patrols were normally assigned to Genin teams. They provided excellent survival and endurance training; but they could exhaust even Jonins in their prime. He imagined for a moment someone not born here trying to stand the pace. He pictured a certain pony tailed boy gasping and dying of thirst under a red sun. He let himself have a chuckle at the thought. There wasn't a whole lot else to be happy about.

For three days Tybal-sensei had gone on and on about what it would be like to have a wife. To listen to him tell it he would be spending most of his nights at home helping to clean or listening to her talk. How thrilling. His description of fatherhood, especially changing diapers, had frightened him worse than any A-rank was ever liable to. And Tybal had kept reminding him he would have to be more responsible now. Apparently most wives didn't like their husbands to be out all night drinking and fighting. When he'd tried to tell sensei he was sure Celia would let him do whatever he wanted he'd gotten a response. Tybal had laughed, and laughed, and laughed, and then he had laughed some more. When his bastard of a sensei had finally been able to talk again he'd said that wives and girlfriends were two entirely different creatures. He'd assured him that once she was his wife her attitudes and expectations would change.

But all of that was for the future. Right now, he had something else on his mind. He would have really liked to have stopped for just one cold drink before returning home. But he didn't dare. His grandfather had warned him specifically about that, and grandfather was not someone to challenge. He shuddered just at the thought. He'd been thinking about his punishment. He was sure that he would not be disowned so he figured he would survive whatever it was. He had decided that the worst thing that could happen was simply to be told he was not permitted to leave the House except for missions and not allowed any alcohol. In short, to be grounded. That had happened before. For an eighteen year old Jonin it would be utterly humiliating, but there would be no getting around the punishment. Whatever his grandfather decided he would be a good boy and nod, there was no arguing his grandfather out of anything once his mind was made up.

As soon as he entered the house a servant informed him his grandfather was in his office and expecting him. Well at least he was done with the waiting. He knocked on the office door and was told to enter. Sulamon was sitting there behind his desk. He shut the door behind him and bowed. "Greetings Sulamon-sama."

"You may refer to me as grandfather." He pointed to one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Have a seat."

"Thank you grandfather." This was turning out to be much better than he'd hoped.

"How was the patrol?"

"Long, hot, boring; just like every patrol."

He nodded absently. "I have been giving much thought on what to do with you Senya." He sent the young man a hint of smile. "I am sure you know that I have found you to be a huge disappointment to me?"

Embarrassed he nodded. "Yes, grandfather." Maybe this wasn't going to be so good after all.

"The Council has recently decided that we will attempt to imitate the teaching methods of Konoha. Seeing the results the Leaf nins enjoy we believe we might have something to learn."

Senya shrugged. "It sounds interesting."

"I am glad you think so, I have decided to nominate you as a new instructor. You will be teaching eight year olds the basics of being a ninja."

Senya gaped at him. The old man had lulled him into a false sense of security and sand bagged him. A teacher? "Pardon me grandfather but just how long would this assignment be for?"

"It will be for the duration of the experiment, a minimum of two years. If we are pleased by the results it may become permanent."

Two years? Maybe permanent? Oh hell no! "Uhmm, pardon me grandfather but don't you feel that would be a waste of someone with my level of combat skills?"

"Normally, however Senya you have proven you cannot be trusted to behave like a civilized adult. Perhaps remaining close to home will aid in improving your behavior."

Senya blanched, in his most depressed moments he had never imagined his punishment would be this severe. No real missions? Staying close to home? "I see." Yet there would be no arguing with his grandfather. He would be a good boy.

Sulamon was pleased to see his grandson's spirit a bit crushed. He had taken and now he would give. "However…" His grandson's eyes lit up. "There might be an alternative. Tell me grandson, how would you like to completely change my opinion of you? How would you like to have all past sins forgotten and forgiven?"

"I would like that very much grandfather. What would I have to do?"

"I have a very delicate mission. Normally you would not be someone I would consider for something like this. But I believe you are motivated, yes?"

"Yes, grandfather!"

He nodded. "It is classified an A-rank and it will be a solo mission. It is top secret and you are forbidden to discuss it with anyone. There will be no documentation and at its completion you will not file a mission report." He looked at him sternly. "Do you understand?"

"I understand very clearly grandfather." This was going to be what they called a, 'hands,' mission. Meaning if anything went wrong everyone would wash their hands of it. These kinds of missions were always of one of two varieties. They always involved either assassination or espionage. "What is the mission grandfather?"

"An assassination of an enemy agent currently here in Suna. The agent has not been caught in any illegal activity and so cannot be arrested. The agent has strong connections to the leadership to a foreign village. As such this assassination must take place in secrecy. Let me stress this point to you; no one must know how he dies. If there is any danger of secrecy being broken you must abort the mission. Am I clear on that?"

"Yes grandfather."

"I am not happy to order this; his death will be a serious incident. However so long as it is not certain he was attacked by a Suna nin it should not lead to a complete break in relations. As such you will be forbidden to wear either your hitai-ite or Jonin vest. You will also have to disguise your identity. I cannot stress this enough, no one must know he was killed by a Suna ninja. And I repeat that if this cannot be done in absolute secrecy you are to abort the mission."

"I understand grandfather. Who is the target?"

Sulamon handed him a folder that had been sitting on his desk. "Nara Shikamaru."

On hearing that Senya gave his grandfather a wide and very happy smile.

XXXXXXXXXX

They were kissing by the gates. Their arms were wrapped around each other, neither wanting to let go.

"I got a call from the head merchant today."

"And?"

He let out a disappointed sigh. "He wanted to let me know he'd completed his purchases of goods and supplies and that the caravan will be leaving the day after tomorrow at 9 a.m."

"I can't believe the week's up tomorrow. It feels like you just got here!"

"I know, I feel the same." He caressed her cheek and looked into her warm eyes. "We still have one more day together and we can have breakfast before I leave."

She nodded and squeezed him tighter. "I don't want you to go."

"I don't want to go either."

She gave him a mischievous little smile. "You know if some of the wagons were to have their axles accidentally break…"

"Temari…" His voice was scolding, but his face was amused.

"Just kidding… mostly."

"What do you want to do tomorrow?"

"Why don't we have lunch in the garden again?" He nodded eagerly. "Then you can take me out dancing for our last night together."

He frowned a bit. "More dancing?"

She frowned as well. "Don't you like dancing with me?"

He gave her his little trademark smirk. "I like doing everything with you Temari, so dancing it is."

They shared one more long slow kiss and he finally pulled himself away.

XXXXXXXXXX

Senya flipped through the file. He spotted something interesting. "Shadow jutsus huh?"

Sulamon nodded. "They are the blood line limit of the Nara clan. They are mostly used for possession, but have other uses as well."

"Doesn't sound impressive." He closed the folder and handed it back.

"Perhaps you should take a bit more time going over that. I will not allow it to leave my study. But I will allow you as much time as you like to review it."

Senya shook his head. "He's a weakling. I doubt he'll last two minutes."

Sulamon looked at his grandson and seriously considered calling the whole thing off. "Confidence is a blessing, but arrogance a curse. I've told you before to always try and gather information before attacking an enemy. Perhaps you should reconsider and read that some more."

But Senya stubbornly shook his head. "I know enough about him."

"I wonder grandson, is that confidence I hear or arrogance."

He smiled. "I suppose it depends on how I do on my mission."

Sulamon wanted to chastise him again, but it seemed pointless. "Get some sleep; you will have a very long day tomorrow."

XXXXXXXXXX

His last full day in Suna was bright and hot like all the others had been. He would miss Temari, but not the heat, and not the cloudless skies. He had breakfast with his team and they made plans for getting together the following morning. When he mentioned he would probably have breakfast with Temari, Ino had made another comment. Shikamaru let it go as he usually did. He was glad to see Chouji back to his usual self. He really hoped when they got home Chouji would be able to find a girl that would appreciate him. He made a mental note to talk to his aunt Suska to see if she knew someone. It would be troublesome, but he wanted to help his friend out. Being with Temari had convinced him that though girls were troublesome, the right girl was worth the trouble. He hung out with his friends until it was time to go to the mansion.

XXXXXXXXXX

Senya watched his target walking obliviously along the street. The Leaf nin seemed happy with the world, lucky him. Senya knew where he was headed of course. It still amazed and galled him that Temari had invited this foreigner into her home but had never even accepted a single one of his invitations. His grandfather was obviously right; this character had to be a master manipulator to have managed that. Senya felt the urge to leap down from the roof tops and just do it. Just tear into the little wimp and spread his blood all over the street. But it was morning and there were people everywhere. Have to be patient, I have all day.

XXXXXXXXXX

Temari greeted him at the door with a hug and a quick kiss. "Hey Temari there's something I'm curious about."

"What?"

"Why are there no guards at the gate? And why is it always open?"

She gave him a small smile. "Everyone in Suna knows who lives here. Would you try and break into a place where Gaara lives?"

"I see your point."

She took a hold of his hand. "Let's go upstairs, we can play a game."

"Good, I haven't played shogi in a couple of days."

She gave him a mischievous grin. "We're not playing shogi; I have a better game in mind."

"There is no better game that shogi."

She leaned in and whispered teasingly into his ear. "Ever hear of a game called, 'five minutes in heaven?'" By the way his face suddenly turned red she knew that he had.

XXXXXXXXXX

"What do you think he's doing right now?" Ino asked.

"He's probably just hanging out with Temari." Chouji took another bite of cake. They were at a table in an outdoor café.

"That slut probably has her hands all over him."

"Why are you so down on Temari? She makes Shika happier than I've ever seen."

"Oh come on Chouji! It's obvious she's all wrong for him. I mean even if she lived in Konoha it would still never work out. I mean she's nothing but a pushy loud mouth blonde who tries to tell everyone what to do! Honestly, what kind of guy would be attracted to that?" She looked at her friend. He was just staring at her. "What?"

"Nothing."

XXXXXXXXXX

Tanya's heart was pounding within her chest. She took a look around to make sure no one was in the hall. She quickly opened the door to a small room on the first floor. Inside was a large piece of machinery. The many lights showed it was obviously running. She reached over to a dial and gave it a simple twist. Then she stepped back out again. She looked about, but there was no one. Despite her fear she walked upstairs calmly. She passed a couple of the other servants and said hi. She was very glad Gaara was out of the house. She went over to a large window that was always left uncovered. As casually as she could she moved the curtains blocking out the light. It's done. She went back downstairs to do some cleaning. She tried to relax. She didn't notice the slight trembling of her fingers. I haven't killed anyone; I just did what I had to.

XXXXXXXXXX

Outside Senya noticed the closing of the curtain and knew what it meant. That was good, it might be useful later.

XXXXXXXXXX

They were lying side by side in the grass, the remains of their lunch already packed away. "When do you think you'll be able to visit me in Konoha?"

She looked over to him. "I honestly have no idea, but certainly not before the Chunin exams."

"Well those aren't too far away. I really want you to come see me; I'm going to miss you."

She smiled and propped herself up on one elbow. "What will you miss most about me?"

He smirked at her. "The look in you eyes, that smile on your lips, the sound of your sighs, and the shake of your hips."

She laughed and brought her hands together in applause. "Oh, we've discovered a new talent."

"Don't get used to it. So what will you miss about me?"

"Nothing! You annoy the hell out of me."

He sent her a deeply hurt look. "So you won't miss me at all?"

She brought two fingers together and held them just barely apart. "Maybe just a little."

"You know I liked that game you showed me."

"I thought you might."

"Do you have to be in a closet to play it?"

In reply she flipped herself on top of him, pressing him down into the soft grass. "No, you don't."

XXXXXXXXXX

Senya chewed absently on the ration bar. The sun was getting lower. The bastard had been hiding out in the Sabaku house all day. Boring, boring, boring, just sitting on a roof looking down the block. A weak genjutsu hid him from prying eyes as he just sat there in the hot sun. Come on out and play Shikamaru, come on out and play.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Where are we going?"

"Come on, I want us to watch the sunset together."

"Troublesome woman couldn't we just do that here?"

"There's a special place with an amazing view. Then after that we'll get dinner and you can take me dancing all night."

"You know I have to get some sleep tonight."

She poked him in the ribs. "Suck it up tough guy."

"Troublesome."

XXXXXXXXXX

Finally! The two of them were going out. He stretched a bit and got ready to follow them.

XXXXXXXXXX

They were sitting on an obelisk that stretched about two thousand feet into the air. Except

for the Tower of Winds it was the tallest structure in Suna. Below them was a vast maze of pyramids, walkways, arches, domes and smaller obelisks. The place was on the western edge of Suna just within the wall, and about a mile from any other buildings. It seemed as isolated a spot as you could find in the city proper.

"So what is this place?"

"It's a monument to all of Suna's fallen heroes. We call it the, 'city of the honored dead,' or just the city of the honored." She pointed to the pyramids beneath them. They were each of an identical height rising about a hundred feet; big but not gigantic. "Each of those is the final resting place of a hero of Suna."

He stared at her. "You brought me to a cemetery on our last night together?"

"It's a monument, and take a look." She swept her arm out towards the western horizon. "Tell me they have sunsets like that in Konoha."

He nodded. He had to admit the sunsets were spectacular in the desert. The sun was more than half way down and the entire sky was a brilliant shade of crimson and gold. "The sunsets are beautiful here but I miss the clouds."

"You're never happy are you?"

But he shook his head and took hold of her hand. "No, right now I am very happy."

She smiled and they just sat there for a moment. The obelisk was smooth stone. There was no balcony or steps. But being ninja they simply used chakra to stick to the stone face. "What are your dreams?" She asked him quietly.

"Well I wanted to be an average ninja making an average living. Marry a regular girl who was not super pretty or super ugly. Have two kids a girl and then a boy. Retire when my daughter got married and my son became a ninja, and then just spend the rest of my days playing shogi or go. And eventually die of old age before my wife."

She shook her head laughing. "I don't believe it; even your dreams are lazy."

"Well what is your dream?"

She paused. "It's silly."

"Tell me anyway."

She hesitated but finally told him. "I grew up without my mom, with a dad who barely acknowledged me, a brother who was self centered, and a brother who killed people just for annoying him. I would make the servants read me stories every night. Always romantic stories about a prince who would come to rescue his fair maiden. I always dreamed that some day my prince would come for me. He would tell me that he loved me and only me and that he would be with me forever. Then we would go to a small house somewhere and have a family and just live there, happy, loved, and safe." She shook her head feeling a bit embarrassed. "I told you it was silly."

"No," he said. "I like your dream Temari."

She looked into his eyes and she felt happy, loved, and safe. "Shikamaru…" he kissed her, and she didn't need to say anything more.

XXXXXXXXXX

Standing beneath one of the stone arches he watched them kiss. He felt a hate and a jealousy some burst out like fire. He had been planning to wait until night fall to make his move. But this was good enough. There was no one else here, just the three of them. The nearest people were a mile away. Once Temari left there would be no witnesses. He took a radio communicator out of a belt pouch. He was done waiting.

XXXXXXXXXX

A loud and irritating beep interrupted their kiss. With a worried look she pulled the radio communicator out of her pouch. The radio wasn't used for casual communication, it was for emergencies only. She put in the ear piece and spoke. "This is Temari what is… Gaara is that… repeat that you're garbled… your voice sounds… what emergency… what? All right I'll bring… what, you want… but why? Your signal's fading… Gaara… can you hear me? Gaara?" She was standing. Shikamaru had a concerned look on his face and was on his feet as well.

"What's wrong?"

"Gaara contacted me on the emergency line, but there was heavy static, his voice sounded strange. He wants me to come back immediately to the house, but he asked that you stay here until I can come back." She switched her radio setting to send. She waited a minute and checked the frequency. "Damn it, I'm not getting anything, it's like the com link is off line." She looked at him worried. "Gaara wouldn't call me if it weren't urgent and I don't like the fact that the line is just dead air when I call back. I'm sorry but I need to check this out."

He nodded his agreement. "Of course you do. I'll wait here for you."

She didn't like this, something felt very bad. Gaara was never panicked. "Wait one hour for me. If I'm not back by then go to the hotel and call me from there."

"Roger."

She gave him a kiss. "I will see you later." With that she jumped off and began heading back to her home.

He watched her go. He wondered just what was going on. He jumped down himself. He found a good sized dome and got to the east side of it so he could get some shade. He was only there a couple minutes when he was surprised to see Temari jump down beside him. She couldn't have made it all the way home so quickly, she must have gotten another message.

"Temari, what was the emergency?"

"Someone has died!"

He ran over to her. "Who?"

A predatory smile covered her face and he felt a sharp pain. He looked down to see that she had just stabbed him through the belly with her kunai.

"You."