So it seems like a lot of you wondered about my last comment about ending at a crude place. That is ofc my mistake, but it was because I knew that the scene is going to continue I felt like I stopped the chapter abruptly. (^,^)/
Well we're continuing in this.

But first a HUGE THANK YOU to all you lovely people who follow, review and have faved this story. When I started writing this I was nervous if there were other people who adore Gaara and I am so happy that you are here! (^-^) Thank you!

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The noise from the many people as they walked around placing the packages everywhere put a frown on Temari's face, but she held her tongue. She had been raised to not show her temper in front of strangers so she politely waited as the people, servants she guessed, began to leave the room as they had delivered their things. She glanced at her brother's, ugh… wife… standing in the middle of the room trying to stop fidgeting.

What had Gaara been thinking when he had agreed to this preposterous deal. A marriage?! She still fumed inwardly thinking about it. She felt how Shikamaru stiffened beside her, sure that he sensed her anger. He could always do that no matter how much she tried to hide it, but he was perfect since he always knew when to do what. When to calm her, when to let the steam blow off on its own, and when to aid her.

Temari took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly. No matter what she didn't intend to bring up this case in front of everybody even though it was family. She planned to talk to Gaara on one-on-one which always increased her success of whatever agenda she had. Shikamaru had the bad habit of arguing for both sides in any discussion, Kankurou tended to be more emotional than her in arguments and Shikadai was still a child in her eyes but would probably argue like his father anyways so that left it to her to bring some sense back into her youngest brother's mind. She knew he loved the village and would die for it. He literally had once, but living his life with this lie? No, she couldn't let him do that.

"So…" began a voice Temari quickly knew to be the blue haired woman's. The others' attention were also drawn from the many packages to her as she stood in the middle between the tables.

"I am not sure if you all have been told about the customs of my country?" she began her voice steadying for each word. "I have been told some of you only arrived yesterday." She smiled towards Temari and Shikamaru and then Shikadai next to Kankurou. Temari narrowed her eyes. What was this woman up to?

"Well it is custom for the one who moves to live with the other family to bring gifts as a sign of appreciation."

"Wait, you say 'one' so it would be the same if it was a man moving?" Shikadai broke in, something he rarely did but when curiosity got a hold of him he wanted things to be clear. Miki, that was her name right, turned smiling brightly to him.

"Yes, of course. And since I'm the one moving in this case I have brought you all gifts." Her voice got enthusiastic as she said it but then her expression changed to more embarrassed. She pointed to the stacks of things brought into the room.

"I sensed you all felt this was a bit excessive but since Gaara is the leader of the village this is to meet his status appropriately." Temari noticed the lack of honorific to her brother's name. Since when had Miki been told she could call Gaara, as the Kazekage, anything less than sama? Not that Temari did, but then he was her younger sibling.

Temari failed to notice the tiny smile on Gaara's lips as he heard his name without the honorific though he did have a vague recollection of Miki whispering his name like that last night… She continued her explanation.

"If you have questions for me, please ask since I do not know if your way of gift giving is the same."

Temari watched as the woman walked over and grabbed a basket that looked heavy and brought it to Shikadai.

"Well… We always begin with bringing the gifts to the youngest firsts… That is in order with you?" She received nods from the men in the room. Temari refused to answer though it didn't matter. Shikadai took to basket and looked under the silken fabric covering its contents. His eyes were curious as he shuffled around the items inside.

"Wow!" Kankurou exclaimed pulling out a thin neatly designed kunai. He placed it on his finger testing its balance. "This is really something."

"Yes…" Miki said sounding a little nervous. "This is chosen as I understand that the Kazekage's nephew is an aspiring shinobi, and as such needs the best tools possible." This was followed by the boy and his uncle showing the rest of the content to the others. It held a little purse, bag, and two jars made out of seemingly expensive material.

"Then there is this." Miki had begun to seem flustered despite her gift being an obvious success. She hurried over bringing a long packet wrapped in green silk and handed it to Shikamaru. Her eyes followed him intensely as he unwrapped it, but to the wonder of the receivers the gift was nothing more than a regular branch with its smaller side branches cut off. Even Shikamaru couldn't help but look confused at it.

"It's from the rare burning birch tree." Miki said smiling as if it explained anything. Temari almost snorted but the other woman continued. "You do not seem to recognise it? It is an everlasting burning branch." Still no acknowledging response from the Konoha shinobi made Miki tumble on her words trying to explain that it indeed was a good gift. Gaara sat still observing it all. He would gladly help her, but he understood the significance of this gift either.

"I was told you are the most skilled in the shadow jutsu? And to make shadows you need some light, yes?" she looked at him eager for him to confirm that she was at least right in this. Shikamaru nodded, politely not asking why she knew this about him.

"This branch will burn indefinitely or at least many, many years. So you will always have a… what is the word… torch! You will always have a torch with you to create the shadows for your jutsu." This information made the difference. It was obvious to all and Miki breathed out relieved. The appreciation was now clear on Shikamaru's face as he thanked for the gift. It was not something he had known existed but what she said was true. Though he wasn't much out on missions anymore it was truly a gift for a Nara.

Now also curious what his brother-in-law's wife had for the two siblings he followed her picking up a little red silken wrapped package. Kankurou doesn't hesitate but pulls of the fabric quickly revealing a dirty brown root. This time aware that there is more to the gift than meets the eye, the man looks up awaiting the revelation of the gift.

"I have been informed that you are a specialist in poisons, yes? This is where our most lethal poison comes from. This much…" she held up her thumb and forefinger. "Is enough to poison a thousand people."

Miki cleared her throat as her audience tried to hide their surprised expressions, hurrying to the next gift.

A purple wrapped tall basket was given to Temari who under the watchful eye of her family and especially younger brother politely took the gift. As she removed the cloth she couldn't help but think that the silk felt incredible soft under her fingers. And she had a problem not smiling when she saw the gift. It was a dark purple orchid.

"I am sorry. But the gift I wanted to bring you was already planned. So since I understood that you like orchids I have brought you this very rare one. It likes sunlight, which there is not much of where I come from but I believe will be perfect for you." Miki was talking enthusiastically only a tiny hint of sadness as she spoke of her old home. "Also the stick, when the flower withers, can be crumbled and used as healing medicine. Very useful I hope."

"I…" Temari began but stopped herself. It was a wonderful gift. But she was not accepting it if it meant accepting this preposterous marriage. But Shikamaru discreetly placed a hand on her arm, wordlessly telling her to not act out at that moment. She knew he was right. No matter how much she wanted to verbally abuse this new woman, it would change nothing. It was Gaara she needed to speak to.

"What about all these other things?" Shikadai's voice broke in. he was pointing to all the bags, basket and packages the servants had brought in earlier.

"Oh! I forgot to say that, yes? The other gifts are from my country to honour the Kazekage's family." She said nodding. "It is all gifts for Gaara's family. You."

Gaping this family stared at the overwhelming mountain of gifts.

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Time for bed for me. More will come. (^-^)