[Houki Shijima is a character from the Gaara Hiden novel. (You don't need to read them for this story).]

Preparing For The Kage

Nighttime in Sunagakure was quite. The skies were clear and a ceiling of stars greeted the Kazakage as he stared out his office window. Having learned what was happening in Konoha put him on edge all day the view put his mind at ease tonight.

Gaara stood in his office in front of his desk now speaking to his wife Matsuri. It was quite normal for him to speak to those closest to him in his offices where he tended to spend most of his time. He'd much rather spend time outside of the offices but ever since the war he mostly deals in paperwork and meetings. All Gokage were busy working on infrastructure and internal problems due to the lack of animosity between them.

"There are still people out there ready to hurt you to get to me," Gaara said staring out at the setting sun. The heat was finally subsiding. Soon the extreme cold of the clear sky desert would take over. Matsuri made her way to stand beside him.

"I know how much you worry about that. We can't let this run our lives," Matsuri said. They were both aware of the reports coming out of Konohagakure. It bothered her to know that the impersonators knew so much about them personally. Not many people outside of Gaara's siblings knew about their relationship and now Gaara was worried that people would use it against him.

Many people in Suna wanted to see Gaara marry into the Houki clan. Shijima a member of that clan was quite close to Gaara but Matsuri had other plans. Of course being Kazekage Gaara's rumored potential wife grew to a long list. Gaara also understood the need of the people to have a ceremony for their kage and he agreed with his family members to have a large celebration some time in the future. For now he was just happily married to the woman he loves.

"The Kage summit is in a week," Gaara said cutting through Matsuri's thoughts.

"Why now," Matsuri wondered.

"Seems that the Otogakure and Amegakure are going to have representation there. They want their villages recognized but of course they will not be on the level of the five nations it is just a formality," Gaara said.

"What do you think of that," Matsuri asked.

"No matter what I think I need the council to agree. This is a major move for these lands to seek recognition. They are part of the peace of the five nations. Besides that Uchiha Sasuke is rumored to be accompanying the Kage interim for Otogakure," Gaara said.

"Sasuke of Konoha," she said grinning.

"There is something strange going on no doubt about it. But yes that Sasuke," he said knowing how popular he was thanks in large part to Naruto.

"Konohagakure are our allies they must have their reasons," she said.

"Shinobi villages have acted outside alliances before. Either way I want you with me at this summit," he said. This was something surprising to Matsuri. It was always the case that where Gaara went his siblings were quick to follow especially on official business.

"Sure but Temari and Kankuro usually accompany you-

"Temari is in Konoha with Shikamaru needless to say in a compromising position," Gaara said.

"Please don't say it that way," Matsuri giggled.

"Anyhow I doubt I could convince her to rush back in time for something so routine," Gaara said even as Temari still accompanied him to certain events while pregnant.

"Routine but the Kage summit is anything but routine," Matsuri said.

"There is a party I wish you would attend with me," Gaara said looking away. Naruto had told him that all of them were going as couples and although he sent word they were attending he hadn't told Matsuri they were going.

"Of course I'll go with you," Matsuri said. It was a major step for both of them to reveal themselves so publically. She was sure that it meant they were closer than ever now and that the village would be willing to accept them.

"My sister will deliver a child any day now and I want to be a part of it as much as I can," Gaara said walking over to his desk and retrieving an invitation from his desk.

"Of course you would although the party is coming so late the baby might be here before the party begins," Matsuri replied looking over the invitation.

Matsuri was more than overjoyed to know that she would be spending some more time in Konoha with her friends. Lately between missions and general errands she had little time to connect with anyone the way she had with Temari. Not to mention the strong bonds that were starting to form outside Suna.
000

Gaara listened in his office from behind his desk as Shijima reported about a special project mission to gather information about the Nightmare Jutsu case and specifically any involvement by Orochimaru.

"We worked close as we could with the team from Konoha on gathering the information for the reports," Shijima said.

"That is all we could find on Orochimaru," Gaara asked.

"It has been a long day Gaara I must turn in," Shijima said having finished her reporting.

"I see. I know how hard it must have been for you to revisit Orochimaru. Thank you for everything and goodnight," Gaara said.

"Thank you Yondaime and please send my best wishes to Temari-san," Shijima said.

"Yes and tell your sister I said hello it has been a long time since I've heard from her," Gaara said and waited for her to leave before picking up the paperwork off the desk.

Gaara looked over the paper work on Orochimaru. The information they had came as some surprise to the Kazekage. Orochimaru had a son. The boy was far from a threat at the age of a newborn but gave him something to look out for in the future. Not much information had been gathered about Orocimaru's child and the information on the mother was unknown as of yet.

Of course all of the information about Orochimaru's child was a closely guarded secret. A secret that Gaara only gained through his connections with Konoha. That generation was giving birth to a generation of children who never needed know war. Gaara intended to keep the peace between nations and this new information suggested that Orochimaru couldn't be behind the crimes of late.

Looking out the window of his offices Gaara wondered on all the information that traveled through his office today. Everything from family matters to official village concerns bothered him and he needed to getaway from the stress of it all.

Getting away with Matsuri for a while would be good for his soul. He needed to be at peace for a while. But he couldn't let anyone take over for him. Even now he had the urge to go over the security reports for today. He wanted to be sure that the threat that faced Konoha hadn't traveled to his lands.

He sent Matsuri away not long ago so he could catch up to her. He did promise not to take so long finishing up with work. With that thought in mind he sealed up all his scrolls and information and set out the office for his residence.

Gaara planed to be there for the Kage summit but more importantly for the birth of his sister's child. This would place him no doubt in Konoha for a while something he was looking forward to. Despite all the problems the five villages were reporting he felt confident that he could leave for a little while and still come back to a strong Suna.

If the worst scenario took place he would have to miss being there for Temari a thought that pained him but he was sure she would understand. First and foremost Gaara was the Kazekage like his father before him. A shudder went through him at the thought of possibly losing Temari during childbirth. His own entry into the world took away his mother.

Pushing the thoughts from his mind Gaara focused on the positive. Sakura was a more than capable medic-nin who they even entrusted with Kankuro's life. In the past she saved so many people and he knew her teacher's strength as well so he trusted her. Naruto's wife and his friends were the best things in his life and he trusted them with Temari's life.