Shikamaru sat down between the two brothers as Kankorou shifted to the side of the long table to surround him.
Even though Temari was the older sister and had acted more like a mother to the both of them in the past, Shikamaru knew that the two Sand ninja could be rather protective of Temari.
They were obviously going to have some words to him about the entrance he had made with their sister just now.
"So, Shikamaru!", Gaara began. "What are your intentions regarding our sister?"
Shikamaru studied his face for a moment. Gaara had always been difficult to read and had only become more difficult with time. He was much more powerful and scarier than Kankorou as the latter was more obvious with his intentions.
"Yes, Shikamaru, what was that about showing up arm in arm here?", Kankorou demanded. "Last I heard, you two were not officially dating."
Gaara shot his brother a glare which silenced him for the moment.
"We're just friends", Shikamaru replied as Gaara's eyes continued to bore into him. "She got a bit cold last night when we went out so I was just, ah, keeping her warm. Making sure she's ok."
Gaara continued to stare at him, as he tried to think of something else to say to appease the Kazekage.
"And why would she be cold? Where did you take her last night, Shikamaru?", Gaara asked.
"You better not be up to trouble, shadow boy", Kankorou added, which earnt him another glare from his brother.
"Answer the question Shikamaru", Gaara commanded, eyes back on Shikamaru. Suddenly, Shikamaru noticed that Lee and Ten Ten were also following the conversation with interest. What a drag.
"Temari didn't have a place to stay as she was not expected for a few more days. Nor yourselves", Shikamaru replied, trying to draw a response from Gaara as to why the Kazekage had sown up early and unannounced.
"No, we left early", Gaara agreed, though his tone was still a little menacing. He didn't offer any more information.
"As I was saying, your sister didn't have a place to stay so I offered her my spare room", Shikamaru continued, still studying the Kazekage's face for clues. "We went out for dinner and on our way home she started feeling a little unwell. She spent the day in bed."
"Alone?", Kankorou asked suspiciously.
"Uh-", Shikamaru began.
"Do not be embarrassed by the power of youth, Shikamaru, my friend!", Lee yelled.
"Lee, you idiot!", Ten Ten scolded.
"Yes, Ten Ten", Lee added, a bit more quietly.
"Let me ask you again, Shikamaru", Gaara said, ignoring the others. "What are your intentions towards my sister? It has become more and more obvious to us in the last little while how much she cares for you. She left before we did", he said, indicating the two brothers, "to spend more time with you. We spoke about it, Kankorou and I. I don't care what you did or didn't do with her. She is a fully grown woman who is more than capable of taking care of herself. When you two walked in tonight, I realised that. What I do care about is what you intend to do about it. As Kazekage, I can either be a great help or a great hindrance to one such as yourself. Do you understand me now, Shikamaru?" His gaze never left Shikamaru's face as the Shadow ninja tried not to look too nervous.
What Shikamaru had first thought was a threat was beginning to sound more and more like one sibling simply looking out for another. At least Gaara was anyway. Kankorou he could take care of.
"To be honest, Lord Kazekage", Shikamaru began more formally and carefully. "We, that is, Temari and I, have never spoken to each other about how we feel. And I have never taken advantage of her either. As you said, Temari is a strong woman who can take care of herself. But she has never told me how she feels."
"You idiot, Shikamaru! What more does a girl have to do to let you know she cares about you?", Ten Ten exclaimed, interrupting him. "She came in draped so possessively on your arm that even a blind man could tell she wanted to be with you. Genius, my foot! You and your ridiculous notions about men and women."
The men stared at Ten Ten, stunned by her outburst for a moment.
"Ten Ten, my beautiful blossom, you women can be a bit difficult to read sometimes", Lee said, trying to placate her.
"You men are all idiots then!", Ten Ten exclaimed, returning her attention to her food.
Gaara recovered first, "Continue please, Shikamaru."
"Yes, we have never spoken about it though I would never do anything to harm your sister, if that is what you are concerned about, Lord Kazekage", Shikamaru replied. "I only want her to be happy. And I know that this sounds like an excuse but we are from different villages so I don't really want to get your sister's hopes up knowing that it couldn't work out."
Kankorou nodded in the direction of Chouji and Karui.
"Yes I know", Shikamaru continued, acknowledging Kankorou's more subtle contribution. "However, our circumstances are not exactly the same. Your sister is the Princess of your Sand Village. And I am being groomed to play an important role to the Hokage's office. It is clear that it is probably only a matter of time before Naruto actually becomes Hokage someday. And I will have to be his advisor. Even I cannot see a strategy where we can be together. So I have not broached the subject before, hoping that...hoping that...Temari will find someone else to care for." He averted his gaze as the last words came out.
Gaara studied the shadow ninja for a moment, observing his sudden conviction and clarity.
"Shikamaru, as I have said before, as Kazekage, I can wield my power to help my sister and I will. What I need to know are your intentions towards her. Do you care for my sister or not?"
"What?!", Kankorou exclaimed, stunned by his brother's words.
Suddenly, all eyes were on Shikamaru again.
Shikamaru looked up at Gaara. Obviously Kankorou was playing the role of bad cop in their little brotherly act but he knew they were both serious about discovering his true feelings about Temari.
"Supposing that I do, what could you do to help us, Lord Kazekage?", Shikamaru asked, not daring to hope.
"You leave that to me, young Nara", Gaara replied. "All I need to know is yes or no."
Shikamaru felt four pairs of eyes piercing into his head. This was it. There was no more hiding, running or pretending. Gaara had offered his protection and his aid to help them come up with an answer. As if that could help. It's not like either one of them could abdicate their roles easily. And running away would only lead to both Villages coming after them.
He felt cornered but at the same time, there was something about Gaara's gaze that hinted at a solution. It would all be for naught anyway if Temari turned him down. But he had nothing to lose now. Apparently, it was clear to everyone else except the two of them that there was something there. Whether that would be enough, only they could work out. And Gaara was suggesting he could come up with a solution for that too.
"Yes", Shikamaru finally replied, looking Gaara straight in the eye.
Gaara looked like he was going to say something more but refrained himself as more food began to arrive.