Wind of Truth & Sands of Change

To Become the Kazekage…

077. Candidates for the Title

"What about Gaara?" Temari blinked and drew her hand up to her lips instinctively. Did she really just say that? Did she really just suggest her youngest brother?

"Him?" The eldest council member asked, incredulous. "He—He's…a monster."

"He wouldn't hesitate to kill us all!" Another member added.

"He's a psychotic maniac! That is the worse suggestion anyone could possibly make!" Yet another member exclaimed.

Temari's fists shook as they continued with their hysterical rants about Gaara. Why did they still think that way about Gaara? He'd changed! Careful to keep her voice from rising Temari opened her mouth to speak. "Shut…up…" She was angry. Council or not, what did they know? What right did they have? She always had trouble controlling her temper, but she could keep from yelling insanely at them. At least she could do that. "He's not like that." Her voice was shaking dangerously. "He's not who you think.'

"He's exactly what we think! He's a mon—"

"He is NOT." Temari still hadn't yelled. She was proud of that fact. "Who would know what he is better than me? I live with him. He is the best one for the job and if you would get over your irrational fears—"

"That is ridicu—"

"At least consider it!"

"Temari-san, we value your input very much, but even considering him is out of the question."

Temari was about to retort when Baki spoke calmly. "We should," Baki said, speaking for the first time that meeting, "at least consider it."

Temari harrumphed and crossed her arms. She was very close to yelling, very close to insulting, and very close to unfurling her fan and smacking some sense into the members. The council members grumbled their disapproval. Baki spoke again, "You all have noticed, lately, he's been more controlled, less sporadic. He may have changed."

Baki still believed Gaara was slightly dangerous and unpredictable, but he wasn't as bad as the rest. Murmurs of 'I doubt it' rang around the room.

The more Temari thought about it, the more certain she was that he was the perfect person for the job. Dammit, her little brother was perfect for it. He was destined to be the damned Kazekage.

By the end of the meeting Temari had decided Gaara deserved the job. And she would fight tooth and nail to get it for him. Convincing the council members though, would be the hard part.

078. Personal Mission

Kankuro wasn't like Temari. He wasn't getting furious and annoyed at the council's reluctance. He understood. They didn't even trust Gaara; it was hard just to conceive the idea of making him Kazekage. It was always hard to believe people could change, especially one harboring a demon.

He agreed with Temari — Gaara was right for the job. He was the only one fit for it. But he understood why most council members reacted the way they did; so he didn't get angry. He just got frustrated, because they could not deny his brother this. Gaara wasn't even aware he was a candidate yet, but the title was still his. Kankuro wouldn't let them keep it from him. Kankuro closed his eyes. Gaara deserved it – needed it. He would make the council see reason if it was the last thing he did.

079. Tell Me What's Going On

"Temari, Gaara said slowly, "Something's bothering you…What?" Temari bit her lip and turned to the side avoiding Gaara's gaze. Gaara glanced at Kankuro. "Kankuro?" The puppeteer chuckled nervously and fiddled with the hem of his shirt. Gaara's eyes narrowed a bit, "What, happened at the council meeting?"

Kankuro and Temari locked eyes briefly. Mutual understanding was evident. "Nothing…yet, Gaara." Temari muttered softly.

"The meetings…" Kankuro explained lightly, "There's lots of discussion going on…and…Temari and I…we don't agree…but…"

"Nothing's decided yet." Temari finished firmly. "And I refuse to give up."

"We," Kankuro corrected, "refuse to give up."

Gaara looked at them in confusion and resignation, "You two aren't going to tell me what the issue you were arguing with the council about is, are you?"

"No." Temari stated.

"Not yet, anyway." The puppeteer clarified.

Gaara inclined his head. "Okay."

080. Reassurance in Unlikely Places

Shikamaru was in Suna on a political mission. Temari wasn't clear on the exact details of it, just that the Konoha ninja dubbed the mission 'troublesome'. Not that that really mattered. The shadow-nin called everything troublesome. She was escorting him to the gate. The council members had given her the task because they were tired of her promoting Gaara for the Kazekage. Sure, she tended to voice her opinions rather loudly and bluntly, but dancing around the subject wouldn't make them see the truth any faster.

Temari grumbled in annoyance. How dare they try to busy her?! Nothing would shut her up. Nothing. They cold send her on D-rank missions for the rest of her life; she would NEVER shut up about Gaara being perfect for the Kazekage job.

"Cheh, Temari," The boy said lazily, giving her a speculative look, "you don't need to accompany me. I can tell you have more pressing things to do. You can just tell the members you did it. I won't say otherwise."

"It's my duty to accompany you." Temari muttered bitterly. "Unlike you, I know the meaning of duty."

Shikamaru looked at the sky as they walked. After a long stretch of silence he spoke. "Whatever it is…you'll accomplish it." Temari's eyes softened slightly and she could feel some of her anger ebbing away. "Hastily, loudly, and impatiently, but you'll accomplish it. You always do."

Temari clucked her tongue. "Of course I will. Like I need your reassurance."

Despite her response, she was glad for his words. She's been worrying lately that she might fail; that her mission to make Gaara Kazekage would end up in flames. Even with Kankuro helping, accomplishing such a feat was difficult.

"Troublesome woman."

"Crybaby."

"Cheh."

Temari smiled. The first genuine one she'd displayed in awhile. All the meetings had left her haggard, angry, and irate. "What?" She teased, "Words to 'troublesome' for you?"

"Why bother when you speak enough for a whole village?"

She laughed. "Baka."

He grumbled unintelligibly.

Temari smiled, her mood lifting considerably. She needed this; somehow he had made her feel better. Temari briefly considered telling him what was bothering her but decided again it. This wasn't his fight. "Have a safe trip." She said simply as the stood before the entrance.

"Could be the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

Temari laughed. They boy started walking off. "Shikamaru?" He turned slightly; his hands slumped in his pockets. "Thanks." She fumbled with her sleeve. "For what you said." Shikamaru just smiled and continued off.

A/N: Mm…Again I've got nothing to say. I may update the next chapter on Thursday or Wednesday if I'm in a good enough mood…

And off topic, anybody know any really good Shikamaru fics to suggest to me?