A/N: Welcome back, now let's see what happens next…and who we meet this time.

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Aftershocks

---Somehow that night they had both managed to get away from everyone else to find each other and steal some precious time alone. Yes, Ino felt a wave of absolute delight run through her; I've missed this feeling…I've missed you so much. She smiled down at him; it was strange seeing him lying against the white and blue robes he'd been layered in. Her memories always had him in black…if he was wearing anything at all. She moved to slide off him, his hands guided her, while caressing her at the same time.

For the slightest moment, her gaze drifted across the pond they were taking their pleasures beside. The moonlight that reflected off it bathed their flesh in a cool light as he pulled her against his body, entangling her limbs with his own. Her mouth sought his, wanting this moment to never end. You're mine, I don't care that you're married, you'll always be mine.

He broke off their kiss and shifted his weight, rising up to pin her beneath his body. She gasped as his lips began to work their way down her throat, her breath becoming ragged in her excitement---

"Are you okay?"

The voice was far too small to come from him.

Ino's eyes snapped open. She was in the darkness of her bedroom.

"Mama?"

Her head turned to see her daughter standing beside the bed wide eyed.

A furious blush took her over. Omigod, I hope I wasn't talking in my sleep.

Ryokou's face seemed concerned, "Your breath sounded like you were running really hard."

Ino's throat was dry, only part of it was from the sake she'd consumed earlier that night. Dammit, why do I have sexual dreams after getting drunk? "Honey, Mama just had a weird dream. Just a dream, okay?"

"Oh," she could see the nod of her daughter's comprehension, "I hope the monster you were trying to escape from didn't hurt you." The girl reached a hand to touch her mother's face, "Goodnight Mama; sweet dreams."

"You too, sweetie." Ino watched her daughter climb back onto her bed. I should have known better. Dreams might be all I have left…I love him…I hate him…I…I don't know… She tried not to cry herself back to sleep, but it was a battle she lost.

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The next day, Chouji talked with Shikamaru while they did some training. "Why didn't you tell me about Kankurou?"

"Ino begged me not to."

"That doesn't sound good. How did you find out?" There was a seriousness that seemed like a shadow on the usually cheerful face as looked at his friend.

"You don't want to know, Chouji." Shikamaru gave him a very dark glare. He hoped this defiance would work. He really didn't want to talk about it.

"No, I really do want to know." Chouji strode forward to stand almost chest to chest and stare down his friend, "Don't try to brush this off."

There was an underlying anger that Shikamaru had never seen directed his way before. He'd always considered the possibility that his keeping this secret would be perceived as a huge betrayal by his best friend. "I found out on the last night of our mission in Suna. You know how Ino always talked about how things went bad with Ryokou's father. Well, it happened because she refused to take 'no' as an answer. She apparently waited in his room for him, even after he'd told her to stay away. It seems she had convinced herself that sexy purple dress would make him change his mind." Shikamaru paused; he was not sure how much he really should say.

Chouji still looked at him intensely, but in the back of his mind, he was remembering the effect that dress had on him as well.

Shika sighed, and then continued, "Instead her actions infuriated him. I found her huddled in the hall just outside his room, clutching the dress like a child would hold a blanket, wearing nothing but a slip. When I started to ask her if she was all right, she cowered like a frightened animal for a moment before recovering her senses." He gauged Chouji's reaction again. "She talked with me for over an hour after I found her, telling me about their affair. And I remember that she told me he said some very harsh words to her before threatening to give her to his puppets."

"And you kept this between yourself and Ino all this time?" The brown haired man seemed surprised, but it was tempered with annoyance. If I only knew, I could have... could have what? Helped her? Taught him a lesson…not likely since he's become Kazekage since then…

"I only told Temari parts of it and only when I found out Kankurou was definitely coming to Konoha. I recommended she talk to Ino directly, thinking it was best she hear it from her. Maybe you should too." Shikamaru frowned, "I'm grateful I got called in for that substitute duty. I hate to see what kind of hell my wife would have given me if I'd have been home all week."

"I'm sure you would have deserved every minute of it." Chouji didn't look too happy with Shikamaru himself.

"Hey, don't you start in on me. That's been one of the toughest decisions I've made in a long while." He put a hand on Chouji's shoulder, "I hoped it would give Ino a chance to heal emotionally, but I have a feeling that wound is raw again."

"Oh yeah, you're right on that one," Chouji agreed unhappily. "She seems to have complete forgotten we were dating." As for your suggestion about me hearing her version, I'm just not sure if Ino will talk to me about him in that way. And I have no intention of listening to her when she's drunk again…we always seem to have bad luck with that.

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Two days after that Ino ran into Shikamaru alone: no wife, no children. "Can I have a few minutes of your time?" she asked.

"Sure Ino, is something bothering you?" He studied her expression. He could definitely tell there was something on her mind and he had a bad feeling he knew what it was.

"Well, since you did such a good job of withholding information from me about the Kazekage, I think it's time I get caught up on it." She looked at him intensely it was like a storm had settled across the blue of her eyes.

"So what did you want to know." He resigned himself to his fate. When she got like this there was no escape. I don't even think Temari could save me now.

"Let's start with the simple stuff." She tapped her finger against her chin, "What's his son named?"

"That's sons, they sent a message to him that arrived while he was still at the arena the other night. A public announcement was made that number two was born and doing well." Shika sighed, "The older is Yuugure and the newborn is Mayonaka."

"Dark names from a dark soul," she muttered.

"Ino, don't go there."

She frowned. The tense way she held her arms showed that her defenses were clearly up, "Yeah, I know I have a lot to get past."

"But you're not trying very hard are you?" he met her eyes. Studied her cautiously waiting for the inevitable …

"Okay, here's what I really want to know: Shiori." The blue eyes almost seemed uncertain, as if she actually didn't want to know what she'd asked.

"Now that is a strange story." An almost uncomfortable chuckle escaped Shikamaru's throat. I knew it, I just knew it.

"What do you mean?" The hint of apprehension seemed to switch to curiosity.

"When Temari got the message to come to Suna for her brother's elevation to Kazekage, there was no mention about that situation." He gestured toward a nearby bar, "This is gonna take a while, so come on, I'll buy you a drink."

"How can I refuse?"

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-Flashback-

"My brother must have gone crazy to insist that we bring the boys like this." Temari looked at the Suna gates. "It's hard enough traveling like a shinobi to get here on time without having a sixteen-month old child strapped to your back."

"Just be glad you had Zuki today," Shikamaru looked at her. "At least he's fairly quiet; Haji gets excited over everything."

The three other Konoha ninja whom the Hokage had sent to accompany maintained their silence but exchanged amused glances. This travel bickering had been going on almost from the start. Since they were all fairly young, at least once Shikamaru had given them the warning: "Don't think this can't happen to you."

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Shortly thereafter they were greeted by a contingent of the guard. Some excitedly checked out Temari and the boys. Then they started to head off to the main complex.

"So this is the man who won you?" A tall amber haired shinobi with brown eyes came up along side Temari and looked over at Shikamaru. A sly smile took over his features as his scrutiny left the dark haired shinobi and turned back to the flaxen-haired spouse.

"Shinta," Temari smiled, gave him a hug, and then turned to her husband. "Shikamaru, this is Shinta, he's the man I've teased you about." She turned back to the other, "I told him that if he hadn't come to his senses when he did, I probably would have waited another year or so and settled for you."

"I don't know whether to be honored or insulted." Shinta smirked, "I've never thought of myself as the type one would just settle for."

"Well, okay maybe not." She laughed as she moved Tsuzuki out of his pack and into her arms. "You're a damn good field medic and certainly someone I'd want on my side in a fight."

"Sure," he laughed back, "however, it is funny you should bring all this up considering your brother is marrying my cousin, Shiori, tomorrow after his Elevation."

"He's what?" Temari and Shikamaru said it in almost perfect unison.

"He didn't mention it when he sent for you?"

"No." She looked genuinely shocked; "He's never even mentioned he was seeing anyone in his letters."

"Maybe he was saving it as a surprise, but just so you know, I'll tell you what I know: The village elders were unhappy when they had to once again select another Kazekage so soon. I mean, with Gaara-sama disappearing and Rokudaime-sama dying like he did… Kankurou's name was put forward and they put him through some grueling tests before affirming their decision. However, since neither Gaara nor his successor ever started families, the elders also wanted some 'insurance'.

"Kankurou, being the last of the Yondaime Kazekage's offspring in Suna, made the elders want some assurance that the blood line would continue. They tied the restriction on his elevation that he should select and marry a woman of what they considered 'good lineage'. They narrowed the selections down to three, my cousin Shiori among them. Apparently, your brother told them he didn't care to see the pictures of the ladies; he didn't care about looks, he just wanted to see what their ninja specialties were. He apparently picked Shiori solely on the basis of the Chidoku family specialty."

"Poisons," Temari stated simply.

"You got it. He has no idea what his bride looks like and stated that he does not even want to meet her until tomorrow." Shinta laughed, "Apparently, the cousins and the few others who know her are vying for places with a good view for the ceremony so they can see his face when he sees his choice for the first time."

"I last saw her when she was about sixteen. I recall her as having a pretty face, but a boyish build." Temari raised an eyebrow, "Did something bad happen to her face when she was been out on a mission?"

"Oh, so you don't know either. The whole reason I told you was so you wouldn't ruin the surprise for him." His brown eyes shimmered with glee, "You'll have a front row seat...I guarantee it'll be a moment you won't forget. I know my whole family is looking forward to it."

"You're a wicked, wicked man Shinta," Temari said as her eyes narrowed.

"Wiki, wiki," Tsuzuki echoed in a happy little chirp.

"You said it kid," he headed off with a wave as they reached the main building. "See you tomorrow."

"No, wicke, wicke," Hajimeru tried to correct his little brother.

They 'wiki-ed' and 'wicke-ed' back and forth while their parents began to talk.

"Nice friend you have there, dear," Shikamaru said. "So, should we give your brother a head's up?"

"No, since he didn't tell me he's getting married, we're not going to let on that we know anything."

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They, as well the rest of the Konoha shinobi who came with them, had long since been shown to their rooms and taken the opportunity to get the 'road dust' off their bodies, when they got request that Kankurou wanted them to dine with him that evening. She made arrangements earlier with the building staff to get someone who could stay with the boys after they fed them and got them ready for bed. Temari lead her husband to the private dining area that their invitation had indicated. Kankurou was already there with a small group which Temari was happy to see included Baki.

"Temari," Kankurou smiled as he rose up to greet his sister and embraced her. "Sorry I couldn't get the opportunity to see you sooner. Too many people have been demanding a piece of my time today…and I suspect it will only get worse." He released the embrace and looked over her appraisingly, "You look well."

"Kankurou," she smiled, "I've missed you so very much."

"Shikamaru," Kankurou turned to shake his hand, "I assume you've been taking good care of my sister."

"I do my best to be worthy of her." He replied studying his brother-in-law's eyes carefully. He was looking to see if anything was betrayed by his presence.

"Please, have a seat and join us," he gestured toward the table.

They settled in, Temari sitting along side her brother. They listened to a little of the conversation that was offered up by the others present while they partook of the meal. "So about tomorrow?" she started.

"You will be seated as guests of honor as both family and Konoha's representatives."

"And at what time do these events take place?" She cautiously used the plural to see if he'd react. He didn't, but neither did he say anything.

"The Elevation starts at 10:00 am, they expect everything to be completed before 1:00," it was Baki who answered for him.

"I don't remember Gaara's taking that long." Temari looked at her brother.

Kankurou met her gaze, but after a moment under her scrutiny his left eye started to twitch. He bowed his head slightly and said quietly, "Gaara wasn't getting married, as well as Elevated on the same day."

Temari played it for all its worth. She stood up and gestured broadly, "You never mentioned that you we're getting married; you've never even mentioned you were seeing anybody."

"I'm not marrying for love; I'm marrying out of duty to Suna." He stared off into the distance, "I'm not even sure if I'm capable of loving another person that way."

It was Temari's turn to be speechless for a moment.

"You haven't thought so, not even once?" Shikamaru decided to ask.

Kankurou's eyes narrowed almost like he suspected something for the slightest moment. He maintained his scrutiny of his brother-in-law as he said, "No, not even once."

"So who's the unfortunate maiden?" Temari asked. "Since you seem so determined not to risk loving her."

"Shiori of the Chidoku family."

"I haven't seen her since she was sixteen, I think," Temari responded. "That would make her twenty-two, right?"

"I believe so," he muttered.

"How'd you end up with her?" she was getting into giving it to her brother now.

"They gave me a short list." He looked at her, "You know all about the Chidoku, you've worked with a few of them in the past, so you're familiar with their specialty."

"It's definitely something you could work with," she frowned.

"What, you're not happy for me, sister?" He said softly, "I thought for sure you'd want to hear that I've settled down and plan on starting a family like you."

"That reminds me, why did you have me bring the boys with me, when you've been so busy that you probably won't get a chance to see them?" She gave him an intense look, "I didn't think you were too keen on children, and yet you asked me to bring them anyways…" She threw her arms up and rolled her eyes dramatically.

Shikamaru was starting to worry she was laying it on too thick.

"Do you have any idea how hard it can be to travel with them at this age? I could have left them home with Shikamaru's parents for a few days."

Kankurou's right eye was twitching under his sister's verbal barrage. "I'll see them tomorrow, I promise."

"When, after all the dignitaries? That leaves about five minutes between the celebration feast and the wedding bed." Temari was definitely not pleased. "Are you going to have any time for your own children, once you start making them?"

"Well, thank you for the pleasant dinner." Shikamaru stood up and put his hand on Temari's shoulder, "I think we're just a little overtired and it's going to be a long day tomorrow, especially with two young boys in tow. Come along, Temari."

"You're probably right," she rose from her seat then stopped to give her brother a kiss on the forehead, before he could get up himself, "see you tomorrow."

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They had almost made it back to their room when Baki caught up with them. "I could tell by your reaction you're a little worried about your brother."

"Well, to find out he's getting married to someone he's never seen, after his reputation of being one of the great male sluts of Suna, second only to his predecessor, is a little much don't you think?" Temari stopped to regard her former sensei. "I wonder how long it will be before he reverts. Considering how Pokaru-sama used his position… "

"You've been away for a while, so I guess you don't know. Apparently, as far as anyone can tell, your brother gave that up long ago. A lot of us thought what happened with you scared him out of it." He shrugged, "Although, I can tell you a funny story about one of his last alleged rendezvous sightings. This was around the time when you were here." He looked at Shikamaru. "You know that balcony your brother was so fond of?"

Temari nodded in response.

"One of the newest members of the guard at the time went and did the patrol and came back with his report: 'He'd just seen Kankurou out there, combing the tresses of some silvery haired maiden in the moonlight.' We all looked at him like he was crazy, so Norihiro decides to go out and see if they're still there. He comes back a few minutes later and gives his report: 'No one on the balcony.' Then he turned and added, 'We can check again tomorrow. Maybe they'll be there again…' The newbie smiled starting to feel reassured, when Norihiro added, '…picking out their wedding announcements.' We all burst out laughing. None of us could possibly believe that Kankurou could possibly be the kind of guy who would sit around combing a woman's hair, and none of us ever found any proof to the contrary."

Temari seemed amused by his story. Shikamaru just stared at the ceiling looking slightly bored. He knew if he tried to laugh it would seem forced.

"So my brother gave up his bad habit. Maybe this might work out after all." She looked to Baki again. "So, what do you know about Shiori?"

"Not much, the Chidoku seem to be very secretive about her. They don't seem to let her out in public. The only occasions I've been around her, she seems to wear so many layers, hoods and veils that you can barely tell if there's a person under all the material," Baki responded. "However, the interesting thing is she apparently was on call for select missions for the previous Kazekage: S-rank missions, her specialty is rumored to be assassination. If it's so, she's the first member of her family to have had that as their specialization in three generations in spite of the poisons. Makes you wonder what extra quality they value above the poisons in their family to allow her to do that."

"I'm beginning to think my brother wasn't paying attention when he selected her."

"Yeah, it doesn't sound like the makings of an ideal marriage." Shikamaru said, "Then again, your brother didn't sound like he was looking for anything other than a business arrangement. It could be interesting having one of your up and coming assassins always at your side."

"As long as her doesn't piss her off," Temari shuddered.

"Hey, I only said that was speculation," Baki reminded them. "As of this time it is unconfirmed, there may be other reasons she was an on call specialist."

"I'm sure there are, but somehow that doesn't make me feel any better about all this," Temari frowned.

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The next morning they made their way to central courtyard where the Elevation Ceremony was being held. Some of the village elders who recognized Temari came over to see her, Shikamaru and the boys.

Kazue was among the first to speak out in general. The silver-haired matron was dressed as flamboyantly as ever, in a fuchsia kimono with cranes in sky and steely blue, and with saffron silk for under layers. The elder spoke gently to her, "This must be a day of full of mixed emotions for you. Although I am sure you are proud of Kankurou, this surely reminds you of those you've lost as well." The woman embraced Temari, then regarded her with a thoughtful smile. "Who would have thought that things would turn out like this: You, living in Konoha, raising two lively boys? At least you seem happy enough, I still think you brother is too gloomy." She leaned closer, "if we're lucky, his marriage will give him something to smile about."

"Did you have anything to do with this marriage clause?" Temari looked at her.

"I wish it was my idea, I've tried my luck with matchmaking and your brother in the past." She winked, "It will be interesting to see how selecting a bride sight unseen works out for him."

"Well, I guess we'll see you after the Ceremonies." Temari smiled; then, as soon as she was out of earshot, turned to Shikamaru, "Do you remember Kazue? She was the busybody who had a death grip on Kankurou at the party the final night of my last visit here and was forcing him to look at Ino. That was probably her idea of matchmaking. She'd probably be shocked to find out was happened to Ino while she was here."

More than you know, Shika thought, then he looked up at the sky, no clouds in sight, I just wish there was I way a could tell you without it blowing up in my face.

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When the Elevation began, Kankurou surprised the crowd by doing something different with his appearance: He had his war paint on, but this time it was blue, elaborately detailed around his eyes and across his cheeks and none of it around his mouth or chin. He made his speech, and for him it was surprisingly eloquent. Shikamaru was wondering if he'd found someone else to write it. It didn't seem like the way he normally spoke. Very soon, it was on to the event that it seemed the crowd was more intent on seeing than the creation of their latest Kazekage: his marriage.

Kankurou waited as a priest who had been selected by the elders came forward. He gestured for the Kazekage to kneel. He took his place as indicated. The priest then turned back toward the direction from which he had come. Four men appeared; one of them was Shinta. It was obvious the four were related, their hair was all the same amber color. Their eyes and complexions matched as well. They carried forward a box-like structure that had an opening about five inches high in its front. Sticking out through that opening was a pair of delicate well manicured hands. The priest turned to the honor guard as they settled the carrier to opposite side of the priest front facing Kankurou.

"As a formality I ask you: Is this Shiori of the Chidoku that you have brought before us?" the priest raised his voice to the crowd.

"It is indeed," said the man to the right hand of the box. He was the youngest of the honor guard. "My sister, Shiori, is here willingly to marry the Kazekage."

"Then you have done your duty, please join the assembled crowd." The honor guard joined the rest of the Chidoku family.

From where they were in the front of the crowd Temari leaned to whisper to Shikamaru. "They're really playing this for all its worth." Tsuzuki was sleeping against her shoulder. She gently shifted him to the other one. Hajimeru was climbing restlessly on his father's lap to get a better view.

In front of the crowd, the priest continued the ceremony; he was painfully long-winded. Temari began to wonder if the elders planned this as one final test of Kankurou's patience. Finally, when the crowds were looking painfully bored, the crowd got their payoff. The priest gave the Kazekage leave to stand, he stepped along side the box, his final words, "Shiori, come out, and greet your husband."

The door opened and out stepped a woman of extraordinary beauty. Her body was curvaceous without being disproportionately so; the dress she wore resembled the night sky strewn with stars. Someone obviously knew about his stargazing when they selected it. Her hair resembled the same amber as that of her entourage, but it seemed to glow with a remarkable luster, and her hairpins were also ornamented with stars.

There was no other was to describe the expression that crossed the Kazekage's face than lust. All of the men close enough to get a good look at her felt the same way, an audible moan came and went through the crowd like a wave. Temari herself gasped, "She's the ultimate late-bloomer," with a shocked realization that she even thought that Shiori had grown into an amazingly desirable woman.

Kankurou was still staring at her in disbelief.

"Are you going to kiss me or shall I just languish away here?" Her voice was as beautiful as she was. For just a moment, the Kazekage's eye did the briefest squint. Finally he stepped forward and took her into his arms and gave her a very definite sign of his approval. The crowd cheered.

After the kiss had gone on a little longer than it should have, someone called out, "Congratulations, you're the luckiest man in the world." Someone else added, "But don't rub our faces in it."

The Kazekage stopped embracing his bride and turned to assembled crowd. "I wish to thank you for your support today. Unfortunately, I have business to attend to and must take my leave of you." He took Shiori's hand and led her over to the where the higher-ranking guests were. The village elders began with their congratulations, and he nodded and acknowledged each one. Finally, he worked his way over to his sister with an expression on his face was what could only be considered a dopey grin.

"What, do you think someone is rewarding you for being a good boy?" Temari gave him one of the smug looks he normally used on her.

He laughed and turned to his bride, "I believe you've met my sister Temari in the past."

Shiori smiled at her. "Pleased to see you back in Suna."

"This is her husband, Shikamaru, and their sons, Hajimeru and Tsuzuki."

"How cute." She smiled at them, "I can't wait to have a few of my own." She squeezed Kankurou's hand. "But I'll guess that will have to wait until a little later."

"Yeah, all these annoying formalities." The Kazekage grumbled, "If there were only some way to get to the good part faster."

"I could kill a few of them for you, my husband," she smiled and batted her eyelashes.

Kankurou threw his head back as he burst out laughing. Temari and Shikamaru joined in uneasily.

-End of flashback-

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Shikamaru looked up at Ino. "By the end of that evening, people were saying it was as if the 'Goddess of Sex' had descended to earth. I don't think there was a man at the dinner that could look at her without wanting some of that." He looked slightly uncomfortable, "Damn, Temari would kill me if she could see the reaction I'm having just thinking about Shiori. I am so glad we're sitting here instead of walking down the street right now." He whacked down the rest of his drink.

Ino had an expression on her face that was strangely thoughtful. Then she muttered, "If she's all that, then why did he come on to me and kiss me?"

"He did what, when?" Shika asked.

"Did I just say that, I meant…"

"That was definitely your outside voice, Ino."

"When he was here for the Chuunin exams. When we talked, he got all touchy-feely with me. Worse yet, I almost let myself give in…thankfully he was wearing his war paint."

"You could be reading too much into it. Maybe he was just horny and did it to see if he could get something out of you he wasn't getting at home lately. Remember, Shiori just gave birth to his second son mere days ago," Shikamaru told her. "Do you even think for a minute that he regrets what he did to you? Unless he comes out and tells you so, don't write some little fantasy in your head. You know that men aren't always pure of thought."

"Oh, like you a minute ago when you thought about the first time you saw Shiori."

"We're talking about your situation, Ino…" he looked up, "I really worry about you sometimes."

"I know." She said softly, "Lately it seems everybody does."

"I'm sure that's true." There was definite concern in his eyes, But you're not the only one I'm worried about. What about Chouji? Have you even thought about him since that incident, Ino?

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The Kazekage just arrived back to his residence in Sunagakure. It had taken him longer than he'd expected to make it back from the main gates since almost everyone was passing on good wishes to him due to the birth of his second son. They were also stopping Baki and his son, Hiroki, and offering congratulations on the young man's victory at the exam and his promotion to chuunin.

Kankurou looked at the man who had been his sensei for years and was still among his most trusted of advisors. Hiroki's mother had somehow managed to keep her son away from his true father for many years by marrying another man. The man who Hiroki had been raised to believe was his father had been killed in the massacre at the gates when the Akatsuki had taken Gaara. The boy had already been working hard toward becoming a shinobi when this happened.

However, about two years ago, when Hiroki's sensei, Yuusaku, started testing the boy for elemental affinity, his seemed to be totally unlike any his 'father' had. This bothered Yuusaku because it seemed highly unlikely for the child of a shinobi and a civilian to have none of the same abilities as their parent. Furthermore, when Yuusaku started to make arrangements with Baki to train the boy, his mother got word of it and immediately tried to get her son to request a different specialized trainer.

Over the following two weeks, Yuusaku got to the heart of the matter and Hiroki's true paternity was discovered. Baki acquired not only a new shared student, but a son as well. He was very noble about the whole situation as well; he fully accepted the fact that he would never be the father of his son's heart. The training bond was legacy enough for him…no matter how many people publicly referred to them as father and son now.

Kankurou looked them over with a guarded smile, Who would have thought we'd have something like this in common? I have a child being raised by a past lover. He looked at the doorway ahead of him, At least Ino didn't marry someone else and lie to Ryokou about her parentage. For a moment, he pictured Ino as he'd seen her in the stands, leaning very comfortably against Chouji.That would have really pissed me off.

He turned to Baki and Hiroki, regaining his now well-trained control. "I hope to see you for 'business as usual' tomorrow." He clasped his friend's hand and tried to smile, then turned to the young man at his side: "Have a very pleasant evening celebrating with your friends." He acknowledged the new chuunin one last time with a pat on the shoulder.

"Thank you Kazekage-sama," the new chuunin bowed to him.

They took their leave and Kankurou went inside with his remaining entourage. A scowl crossed his face as he approached the main staircase. So much has happened these past few days. He let out a slow calming breath, then proceeded up the stairs.

When he finally made it to the floor where his residence suite was, he proceeded to the room where he knew they would have Shiori isolated. One of her cousins was already waiting at the door. It's no surprise that word of my return would already have reached here. He nodded polite acknowledgement of the woman's presence as he stepped through the doorway. The Chidoku are so protective of my wife…and of me. The woman hid a smile behind her hand as she stepped out into the hall pulling the door shut behind her to give them some privacy.

He'd barely entered when the dulcet tone of her voice greeted him: "Welcome home, my husband." Her soft brown eyes looked to him, a delicate smile on her perfect lips.

As he approached, he could just make out the slight shadowed rings beneath her eyes. How can she be so beautiful, when she's obviously exhausted? Her shoulder-length amber hair was not as neatly arrayed as usual. They must have just woken her in anticipation of my visit, he revised the thought as saw that she held a tiny, well-covered bundle in her arms, or someone else woke her. The slightest of smile flicked across his lips.He continued toward the chair that was stationed by her bed. He remembered the drill that the Chidoku women had driven into him when Yuugure was born. 'Caution, the risks of accidental contact with her blood are greater at times like this.'

It was almost amusing watching her tilt her body and the baby away from him like she wasn't going to show the child to him, all the while her smile getting broader.

"All right, I give up, what has the women of the Chidoku so amused?"

"I told Shoei not to smile. I suppose I should know better, the minute you ask someone not to do something like that…" She swatted Kankurou's nose playfully as he tried to lean closer to see the child. "No you can't, he's mine." She was fighting the urge to giggle, "My Mayonaka."

Kankurou placed his lips close to her ears, and whispered, "I'm the Kazekage; everything in this room belongs to me." Then he lightly kissed the ear.

"Very well," her voice teased, "but please take a step back. I don't want you to gasp in my ear."

What? He thought as he honored her request. Then as she turned the tiny bundle to him and pulled the blanket back from the head: he gasped. The baby's head was crowned with reddish fuzz that contrasted with his pale skin. For the slightest moment the tiny eyes blinked open revealing a bit of turquoise. It's almost like looking at one of Gaara's baby pictures…except for no dark ringed eyelids and he has a hint of what might be eyebrows. He flopped down into the chair next to the bed.

"Surprised?" Shiori's giggle was like music.

"That's an understatement," was his reply.

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After Shikamaru put their boys to bed for the night and gone back to their own bedroom, he told Temari about Ino's inquiries about Kankurou's wife. "I hate to say it, but I think some part of her is still hung up on him."

Temari was over the worst of her anger at her husband about his concealing of Ryokou's paternity from her. Especially when she saw how much information they had withheld from Ino about Kankurou. "I had always worried that the reason Ino wouldn't talk about Ryokou's father was because she'd given in to Pokaru-sama," the flaxen haired kunoichi started to undo the ties that held her tresses, "and she was ashamed that she'd done it in spite of my repeated warnings. I'd have certainly been afraid of him coming after me under those circumstances."

Shikamaru reached to help her and gently worked his fingers through her hair. "At least your brother said he won't take Ryokou away from Ino. That was one of her worst fears." He continued to flex his digits, working gently to massage her scalp. Then he stopped and turned his wife to face him. "What really bothers me is that he said that he didn't approve of Chouji being the man who was closest to being Ryo's substitute father."

"I hate it, all of Ino's pent up feeling are suddenly brought to the surface and then my brother deliberately drives an additional wedge into things." Temari was seething inside, If he weren't the Kazekage, I'd kick his ass for what he's done to them. "I really wanted Ino to see what's right there in front of her. Chouji's been so good for her and Ryokou. She always seemed so comfortable with him, like they could talk about pretty much anything. Even before she hooked up with my brother, it seemed like they had fun together."

"Yeah, but there've always been issues."

"I know, you've told me." She gazed up at him looking into his eyes, then suddenly her mouth curled wickedly. "Do you think maybe she got together with Kankurou because she subconsciously likes Chouji, but couldn't get past certain things didn't fit her image for an ideal mate?"

"Why would she? I'm not following you."

"They have similarities: spiky, unruly hair; small, kind of squinty eyes. Kankurou just happens to have a nicer body."

"Sure, but Chouji's got a much better disposition," he replied.

"That's why I don't get this whole thing, logically thinking Chouji is a much better choice if she goes for that type." Temari muttered then she caught a slight snicker came from her husband. "What, are you trying not to laugh because I dared put logic together with affairs of the heart?"

"No, I just thought of another similarity: stupid headgear." He grinned, "Your brother and his cat ears. What was up with that? Did your brother like playing dress-up?"

Temari started to giggle, "And underwear-like thing that Chouji wore. Where did that fashion statement come from?"

"I guess we should be happy they outgrew it." Shikamaru put his arms around her as he tried to say it with a straight face, then snorted.

They both collapsed into each other's arms onto the bed, laughing.

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That evening, Kankurou sat out on the balcony he used to frequent, even though it was not on the same floor as his residence suite. There were two things that he couldn't stop thinking about. One was the surprise of seeing his new son, Mayonaka, for the first time. It never occurred to him that one of his children could have those traits. He wondered if it would be a blessing or a curse. Either way he had made a point of sending a letter to Temari to let her hear of this…just in case she and Shikamaru changed their mind about not having any more children.

The second thing was, of course, Ino. That's why he was on their balcony. He even had the sandalwood comb in his pocket and was fidgeting with it. Prior to this trip to Konoha, the last time he thought about her this strongly was the night before his wedding. That night he had pulled out the comb and simply left it out on an extra pillow on his bed. He let the scent of it fill his dreams and put it away in the morning, whispering yet another farewell to her. You were supposed to be out of my life forever. Why now, and why did I have to find out about my first born like that? He looked to the heavens wondering if there was an answer to be found there. I'll just have to wait for the right time. I can't risk word of this getting out before I feel comfortable telling Shiori…

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A/N: Yuugure means 'twilight or nightfall' and Mayonaka means 'midnight', hence Ino's comment.

Thank you to my reviewers: Awaii, shannny2k, shelvesinthecloset, Shubaltz Crazist, & Tomato-Vampire-Countess. I always have fun reading your messages, I hope I don't annoy you with my replies…