AN: Welcome back. Good news, I am well rested and the writing has started to come back easier. Bad news, it only started flowing after all the holiday travel and stress was done. So, I've only gotten halfway through the next chapter, and am not sure I'll have it done by next week. So, keeping the two-week schedule for these last few chapters. There's only 5 left. But I know once I get through the next two chapters, it'll be smooth sailing.

Another thing I wanted to mention was I'm working on turning this into a publishable work (or filing off the serial numbers, if we get technical), starting with Chasing the Wind, but adding 2 other books to the series that would not be in the fanfiction series at all for character and world building, and the series would also end significantly different than how I have this one planned. I'm setting up a fantasy series where people are either magical or not magical, with heavy religious tones in the magic and culture that set the people in two different classes (it was easiest to change it to a religious thing/background to keep motivations similar and allowed me to build what I feel is a rather interesting government and social system). So far, I've added 3 chapters to Chasing the Wind to introduce several new characters (who would have no purpose in this story, but definitely would in that story) and add worldbuilding and explain character motivations in that world. I'm about halfway through my 3rd draft of it, and am starting to look for beta readers for notes to rework my story a final time before I try to send it off to either agents or editors. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please pm me, so we can discuss the story further and trade information.

Likely won't send anything until March, when this story will be done, which is when I'll also stop asking for beta readers. Only looking for 3 or 4 betas. Essentially, first come first serve.

Chapter 20

The sun shone brightly on the Great Clay Basin, and yet the surprising cloud cover brought cool wind sweeping through the desert gave them a reprieve from the patches of sunlight. It was odd that the weather seemed to match Konoha's for the most part. Usually, Suna was so much hotter. By late Thursday morning, Temari was happy to finally see the Eastern Gates of Suna. She was home.

As they entered the gates, they heard the flurry of guards passing back messages, for the last guard to land next to Gaara and Kankuro who awaited them at the gates. Gaara smiled, and they both bowed at their neck. As Gaara straightened, he stepped first toward Kakashi and greeted, "Lord Sixth. Welcome to Suna."

"Thank you for inviting us," Kakashi said with a smile.

Naruto pushed around his old mentor, and clapped his arm around Gaara's shoulder. "Gaara, you sly dog. I can't believe you're married!" Gaara blushed as Naruto jostled him, the blond giggling as he wiggled his pinky finger. Naruto looked around and asked, "So, where's the wife? She not here to greet us?"

"She's as busy as I am preparing her staff for the palace and the throne. As well as managing her private ventures," Gaara reasoned.

Naruto raised his eyebrows surprised. "Private ventures? I thought she was a princess. Don't they just sit around and eat bon bons?"

Gaara smiled a little. "Not this one."

"Well, Gaara, we are certainly excited to meet her," Lee said, holding an enthusiastic thumbs up.

"Yeah, what's she like?" Naruto asked. "And do you still have that Coral Islands shirt? You should wear it when we go for drinks tonight."

Temari, who had been growing more irked as Naruto pestered, finally spoke up, "Just because you came to town does not mean you get to monopolize the Kazekage's time."

"It's quite alright, Temari," Gaara said with an easy smile. "I'd be happy to join you for drinks, if you all are still awake when I finish."

Naruto scoffed "If we're still awake."

"For now, I've tasked Matsuri here to show you around," Gaara stated, gesturing to his old student, a now full-fledged jonin at 19.

She stepped forward and bowed, saying a small, "Welcome."

Naruto, Shikamaru, and Lee blinked in surprise. "Matsuri, your old student Matsuri?" Naruto chirped.

Gaara gave a pursed smile, adding, "I figured a familiar face would be good."

"My, you've grown a lot," Naruto grumbled. "Then again, last time I saw you, you were an academy student."

Matsuri tilted her head, and said, "Last time you saw me was in the war. Fighting Third Raikage, remember."

Naruto blanched. "I totally forgot you were there."

Kakashi rubbed his eyebrows in embarrassment, and instead turned to Gaara and asked, "Have the other Kage arrived, or did they RSVP—"

"They are all coming," Gaara answered. "The Tsuchikage arrived this morning, demanding a day in our sand bath spas. The Raikage is arriving either this evening, or in the morning. And the Mizukage will be here tomorrow."

Kakashi looked up wistfully, and said, "You know, I've never had a sand bath. What do you think Gai?"

"I think a spa treatment after a long journey is does good to the body," Gai replied.

"There is a spa in the hotel you will be staying in," Gaara stated, nodding to Matsuri to lead them away. Matsuri did her duty, showing their guests around Suna.

Gaara turned to Temari and Shikamaru who remained. Temari smiled, and hugged her baby brother, enjoying the scent of sand and home coming off him. "It's good to see you, Gaara."

"It's good to have you home," he replied.

As she pulled away, Kankuro stepped over, yanking her over as he eyed her carefully. "You seem boney. Have you lost weight. Shikamaru, are you not feeding our sister!?"

Shikamaru was wide-eyed at the accusation. "No … I mean yes. She eats."

"It's not that," Temari stated.

Kankuro scowled at Shikamaru skeptically as he pulled Temari into a hug. "Good to see you too, Kankuro," she groaned as he squeezed her. She winced, muttering, "Careful."

Kankuro frowned, pulling her away as his eyes went wide. He gave her an odd look as he held her at arms-length. "Temari."

"Yes," she sighed tiredly.

"Did I just feel what I thought I felt?" Kankuro asked. She only blinked at him. "Temari," he pressed.

She waved a hand over her face, suddenly feeling faint. It came in waves, and had started to slow over the last two weeks, but still when the bouts hit, they hit hard. "Can we get inside?"

Gaara frowned at both his older siblings, but said, "Yes. Let's get you both settled in." Gaara led them back to the tower, catching up with Shikamaru a little as Kankuro kept poking at Temari, who bickered at him to knock it off.

"How is work treating you," Gaara asked.

Shikamaru gave an odd smile, and said, "Well, it's been little hectic since your news dropped."

Gaara nodded solemnly, muttering, "I have a feeling you are not alone on that front. I am sorry."

"I should warn you," Shikamaru added, "Kakashi has suggested I stay longer than the rest of our group to act as a more permanent liaison between our offices until matters are settled."

Gaara frowned, and said, "I'm not sure I like the idea of the Leaf interfering in this just yet."

"Which is why Kakashi has asked me," Shikamaru pointed out. "If and when this turns into an official war, Kakashi has positioned me to be one of your main strategists. Until then, I am just your brother-in-law." Gaara eyed him skeptically, but understood the reasoning. The Leaf wouldn't officially enter the ring until War was declared, but their strongest Military mind would be here, taking notes on the situation and reporting back, under the guise of a visiting family member. That didn't mean he liked it.

"I assume that means you'll be staying in Temari's room, then," Gaara grumbled.

"I'll stay wherever you put me," Shikamaru stated. He added with a shrug, "But since all my stuff will be there, I assumed yes."

Gaara set his jaw, realizing that meant Emika was staying in his room with him until things were settled. Oddly enough, it seemed fitting given the timing and how things were between them. He pushed forward a smile as he said, "That will be fine," as they reached the doors to the Kazekage tower.

They made their way to the penthouse, and Temari bid Shikamaru to set them up in her old bedroom. They were surprised by the presence of Akira with a cleaning crew. "Who-?" Temari asked, pointing at the finely dressed older man who was polishing the silverware.

Gaara cleared his throat, grumbling, "That is Akira, Emika's head secretary."

"I apologize, m'lord," Akira stated, as he finished polishing the last few pieces. "We were supposed to be done by the time your guests arrived."

"Done doing what?" Kankuro asked. "Aren't you supposed to be, y'know, adminning for the princess?"

Akira regarded Kankuro coolly, then replied, "First and foremost, I am trained as a butler. I am only the princess's secretary, as you do not yet have a palace to manage, given the crown is currently being withheld by that mad gambling bastard, if you'll excuse my frankness. So, when the crown is where it belongs, I will be running the palace as its head butler. Secondly, Princess Emika asked to have the Penthouse cleaned and prepared while she met with Lord Kyuurou in Kin Village about the Loyalists' support." Gaara narrowed his eyes at that, but stayed silent as Akira continued, "And when she returns, she'll be finishing calling the nobles on the fence about the vote." He cleared his throat as he finished the last piece of silverware, closing the drawer quietly. "She did say we had until noon, and it's only eleven. We will be done shortly," he offered finally. He looked to the guests and asked, "Can I get you something to drink? I've made fresh tea and lemonade."

Everyone stared at him a little confused until Temari spoke up a moment later, "Tea, please."

Akira bowed, and began making the drinks. Gaara eyed the butler curiously, then asked, "You have strong opinions of Lord Ginmaru."

"Aye," Akira chirped as he put a third cup full of ice on a tray on the counter.

"'Bastard,' I've heard of him," Gaara commented, "but 'mad' and 'gambling'?"

Akira smirked as he placed the last cup on the tray and grabbed a clay pitcher. "M'lord, if you intend to become a Daimyo, you should know the first two rules of the nobility. The first is treat your servants well, as loyalty cannot always be bought. The second is if you need to know anything about another Daimyo's house, you need only ask what his maids discuss during chores." As he picked up the tray, he smiled as he added, "Believe me when I say the stories I could tell you from the maids Lord Kyuurou hired for his Futen Estate after they left Ginmaru's employ would shock even you."

Kankuro scoffed, grumbling, "I doubt it would shock us." However, Gaara wasn't so certain.

Akira set the drinks on the table, then bowed again, saying, "I'll go check on the cleaning crew sir. They should be done soon." Then he left towards the back hall.

Gaara gestured for everyone to get their drink and sit down. Temari wasted no time, grabbing her glass and saying, "He seems nice," before taking a long sip. The way Kankuro stared at between her and her husband though caused her to sigh. "I hoped we could be settled before I said anything." Gaara frowned at her comment, but Kankuro only smiled at her. She looked to Shikamaru, who only gave her a look that said it was up to her. Temari inhaled sharply, then said, "Well, we were planning on making a trip before all this craziness about you getting married," gesturing to her youngest brother chidingly.

Gaara was taken aback by her accusatory tone, and opened his mouth to say something, only to be shushed by Kankuro. "Go on," Kankuro pressed, grinning wider.

She licked her lips, and grabbed Shikamaru's hand, who could barely contain his blush as Temari smiled knowingly at her brothers, placing her other hand on her abdomen. Kankuro was grinning manically while Gaara only frowned confused. "We're expecting," she said softly.

While Gaara continued to look confused, Kankuro beamed brightly. "I knew it!" he chuckled, before punching Shikamaru's shoulder lightly, laughing, "You dog."

"I'm sorry. Expecting what?" Gaara asked, his brow furrowing.

Temari let out a small laugh at her youngest brother, then clarified, "A baby." When Gaara only blinked dumbly at her, she scoffed, "I'm pregnant."

Gaara's eyes went wide as he looked between his sister and brother-in-law, who smiled proudly at each other. He could hardly think anything beyond, That's a surprise, unable to move his mouth to speak the words.

"You both wasted no time," Kankuro chuckled. "I mean you've only been married five, six months? How far along are you?"

"Eleven weeks now," Temari answered.

"Eleven!?" Kankuro balked. Even Gaara was a bit surprised. Quick math said they conceived sometime in December, barely two months after their wedding. "You waited this long to tell us!?" Kankuro sounded a bit offended about that.

Temari flushed with anger and snipped, "Well, firstly, I found out only five weeks ago. So, given that time, I couldn't get proper confirmation and then the clearance to come tell you. Especially after you ran off and married the princess, and threw the Wind into chaos." Her last jab was specifically aimed at Gaara, who lowered his gaze apologetically. "Don't know if you realize, short of a mission, it's near impossible to enter a warring country," she added with a huff.

Gaara cleared his throat, and defended, "While it doesn't look great outwardly, this was the best course of action to get Suna and the Wind back on track." He pursed his lips then added, "I'm sorry it complicated telling us about our niece … or nephew… Do you know?"

She frowned at him, and sighed, "Not for another ten weeks." He gave a small nod, not entirely understanding, but accepting of the answer. She cleared her throat, and added, "Which by the way, this better be done by September, because I'm not delivering my baby while I'm worrying about you two."

Gaara looked away a little guiltily, while Kankuro scoffed, "Of course it'll be done by then."

She moved her lips pensively, then said, "And what do you mean 'Suna and the Wind back on track'? I don't remember things being so bad when I left."

Gaara pressed his lips in a thin line, then said, "With the stress of your wedding and the Council, I didn't want to burden you … either of you, with how badly relations between the Crown and Suna had deteriorated."

Temari pouted a little, feeling genuinely sorry her brother had been struggling with something so big alone, then asked, "How bad?"

"Ginmaru completely stopped paying for everything," Kankuro answered crossing his arms. "Stopped paying for the war and reparations he owed. Didn't pay for the bunkers to shelter his people during the moon incident. Stopped using Suna ninjas for missions. Gaara had to cut almost everything down to the academy before Emika came in with her offer."

Temari frowned, now incredibly worried she hadn't noticed the struggling before. "Do we know why he stopped paying?"

Kankuro pursed his lips, then looked to Gaara, as if to ask if they should tell her. Gaara closed his eyes, then forced a smile as he answered, "Why do Daimyos do anything?"

Her brow furrowed as she said, "Usually for money."

"Or pleasure," Kankuro added snidely, earning a cutting glance from Gaara. Kankuro raised his hands in a mild surrender. Temari looked between her brothers and knew she wasn't getting the full story. She narrowed her eyes a little, seeing they were now rather tight lipped on the subject, and silently vowed to finesse the details from them later. Especially because that was when Akira stepped out, giving them a bow and announcing the cleaning crew was finished as the four ladies and two men left. Akira apologized about leaving before he could clean up their drinks, but stated Emika needed him to handle the office while she was making her calls to the Daimyos.

Gaara dismissed him with an easy smile and a soft, "We can handle it from here. Thank you." Then after the door clicked shut behind Akira, he let out a sigh, finished his drink. "I should be getting back to work. Especially if Naruto wants those drinks after work." He stood as he added, "And I'm sure you two would like to get settled, refreshed and rested."

"I'll probably join you for the drinks," Shikamaru offered, only to frown and nervously ask Temari, "If that's alright with you."

Temari shrugged. "I can handle myself. And I'm sure Emika would appreciate a quiet evening before the onslaught of this weekend."

Gaara somehow doubted that Temari and Emika together would exactly be a peaceful meal, and more an interrogation. But he smiled anyway, and said, "I'll see you later."

"Bye," Temari said.

Kankuro grabbed the empty glasses, taking them to the sink, then stating, "Well, I wish I could stay, but I've got a training session with new recruits at the Puppet Corps, and then investigation stuff. However, I do have some time tomorrow afternoon to hang out between the Kages arriving and running errands."

Temari smiled sadly. While she missed her brothers dearly, she knew with their positions and the fact the world didn't stop on account of family being in town, that time off was hard won for both of them. "Go on," she said, "We'll be here."

Kankuro smiled, and gave his sister another half hug, adding in a low rumble, "It's good to have you home." The one-armed embrace still brought the familial comfort she'd missed living in Konoha away from her brothers these past five months.

"It's good to be home," she replied.

He gave her shoulders a tight squeeze then let go, offering a hand to Shikamaru, adding, "Congratulations, bro."

Shikamaru smiled, still a little uneasy as he said, "Thanks."

Then Kankuro grabbed his scroll pack by the door and gave them a small salute before leaving. Shikamaru let out an audible sigh now that her brothers were gone, earning an eyeroll from Temari. "Come on. Let's unpack."

"I was hoping for a nap," he grumbled.

"After we unpack," she huffed, getting up and heading back to her old room. Shikamaru grumbled something to himself inaudibly but joined her in her room, and got to work unsealing the bags and putting stuff away.

Most of the afternoon, Emika was bracing herself with meeting the final branch of the family: Temari and her husband. While she'd met Temari several times through their childhood from balls and cotillions when Lord Fourth brought her along, Temari had always seemed stand-offish. As if she'd been told the nobility were not to be trusted, even young princesses. If Emika thought about it long enough, she felt she should have realized the same stand-offish behavior when she met Gaara six, almost seven years ago. They shared that cautious nature in social situations that it was hard to deny they were siblings.

Kankuro was relatively easy to get along with, being personable, charismatic, and aloof. So Temari was going to be the real test. As for her husband, all Emika knew was he was a Leaf Shinobi, and son to the main general of the Fourth Ninja War, as that was all that was written about them in their wedding announcement back in September. Ryuki hadn't known much more than that either when she asked him. As far as Emika knew, her husband was just as stand-offish and gruff as she was, which honestly had Emika doubly concerned going into this weekend.

Despite the fact this marriage was temporary, and they didn't even live in the same country anymore, there was still a part of Emika that wanted them to like her. Simply because Gaara was still the love of her life, and the father of her son, she wanted his family to accept her, even though everyone knew this wasn't going to last. She was under no delusion that Gaara and Kankuro hadn't already told their sister that their marriage was a business deal. She'd be disappointed if they hadn't, really. That still didn't change that Emika wanted Temari to like her.

The calls today had gone long, so she knew she was arriving home a bit later than usual. She fully expected to be greeted with the whole Kazekage Clan as soon as she stepped inside. As Emika opened the door to the penthouse, she braced herself and walked in.

Oddly enough, when she entered the penthouse, it was oddly quiet. She expected the noise of family reunions and laughter, but there was none of that. She checked the clock on the living room wall, and saw it was ten after six. Usually, dinner was cooking at this time, but no one was in the kitchen, or the living room, or dining room. It was utterly quiet, almost like in a horror movie, when the house was too quiet because the slasher villain had already cleared the house by the time the heroine arrives, and was just waiting for her to come to corner her and strike.

"Hello?" she called as she walked in, hanging her jacket over the couch.

"About time you showed up," a gruff feminine voice said from the hallway, causing Emika to jump from fear. The princess swung around and saw Temari standing in the hallway, holding Unagi like a toddler, and stroking his head as he purred.

Emika wasn't able to get a word out from the surprise other than an audible, "Euh."

"The boys went to get drinks with some old friends," she offered, her smile soft and cool, and her gaze calculating as she looked the princess over. "So, it's just us girls tonight." Then Temari pouted a little, then asked, "Do I call you your highness? I don't want to be rude."

"Oh," Emika grunted, completely sounding ungraceful. "Uhm, technically yes, but generally among immediate family, it's not really a rule. If I were wearing the crown, and queen, then yes. But I'm just the princess for now, so Emika is fine."

Temari had an odd smile, and said, "Kankuro and Gaara haven't asked that once, have they?"

"No," Emika laughed, sounding a little surprised by the observation. "Nor called me, 'Your Highness.' But then, I've felt a bit like I've intruded on their lives with this arrangement, so I haven't taken offense." Temari nodded, both understandingly and as if she were filing away new information. Emika cleared her throat, then asked, "I guess Gaara called off the cook tonight, since dinner isn't ready. So, I'll whip us up something." She made her way to the fridge and asked, "I think we have some chicken cutlets."

Temari made a gagging noise, then said, "Anything but chicken." When Emika turned to her curiously, she noticed Temari subconsciously dropping her hand to her womb as she added, "Lately, chicken has been a non-starter for me."

Emika smiled immediately. "How far along?"

Temari looked up surprised Emika could tell just from that.

"I won't tell your brothers if you're worried about that," Emika offered.

"No," Temari sputtered. "No, I told them earlier. Kankuro figured it out from a hug."

Emika nodded, then sighed, "Well, then what have you been craving? Maybe we should go out."

Temari made a face, then answered, "Steak chimichangas covered in cheese."

Emika nodded knowingly. "Then we should go out," she stated, grabbing her jacket she'd set down earlier. "Chie's on guard detail tonight, so he'll know a good place for chimichangas."

"Alright then," Temari said, dropping Unagi to the floor. "Let me get my poncho." She walked back to their room, and came out fixing her poncho at her shoulders a minute later, and making sure her pigtails sat right. When Emika saw she was ready, they walked out. "Eleven weeks, by the way," Temari answered as they waited on the elevator. "I didn't answer earlier." She pressed her lips in a pensive line, then asked, "How did you know?"

"Aversion to chicken or eggs is kind of common for pregnancy," Emika answered knowledgably. "Is your morning sickness still bad?"

Temari grimaced, "Kind of. It's not every morning, but it's most mornings."

Emika nodded. "We should get you some crackers then. And some hard candies. Keep at your bedside."

Temari frowned at the princess oddly. "Won't that attract bugs?"

"Not if you keep them contained," Emika stated. "But it will solve the morning sickness issues. It's usually caused by low blood sugar, because the baby is constantly feeding off you. So, it's important to keep food in your system."

Temari looked at the princess curiously, then grunted a small, "Huh." The elevator dinged its arrival and they hopped on. As the doors closed, Temari added looking forward, "I have been curious about pickles and ice cream."

"Not worth it," Emika stated. "What you're craving is the salt and sweet, and the pickles give a vinegary aftertaste, which is less appealing. Try potato chips and a chocolate milkshake instead."

"Chips and a milkshake," Temari repeated curiously.

"Sounds weird," Emika said, "however my friend, Tenshimi, showed me that combo when we were kids, and it's surprisingly amazing."

The elevator dinged again, and on stepped Emika's old bodyguard, Chie, with a bright smile. "Where are we off to, Ladies?" Chie asked as he hit the lobby button.

"Where are the best chimichangas?" Emika asked.

"Steak, preferably," Temari added.

He pursed his lips in thought, then said, "Little hole-in-the-wall place over by the theater. I can take you there."

Emika beamed at him. "Great. Lead the way." Chie did, and when their meals were finished, both Temari and Emika agreed. These were the best chimichangas they'd ever eaten.

"Aw, come on, Gaara. You gotta give us something," Naruto whined. They'd blown through most of the topics that evening, from Naruto's recent studies to Lee's hookup with Tenten a few weeks ago at Ino and Sai's wedding. Apparently Tenten was feeling self-conscious about her own love life since all the girls from their chunin exam class had gotten married, except her. Lee had cheered her up, and apparently that earned him a roll in bed with the weapons specialist. Gaara had successfully dodged all questions about his own marriage, but now Naruto wasn't being swayed. "What's she like?"

"A princess," Kankuro huffed into his whiskey. "Prim and opinionated."

"That is only because you are not with her," Lee noted. "She is Gaara's wife, so he clearly sees something different."

"Well," Naruto huffed. Gaara sipped his light beer as his friends stared at him expectantly. "Come on. Surely you can tell us your favorite thing about her."

"I'm not sure how much I can tell you," Gaara finally said. It was true. He wasn't sure what he could say that wouldn't tear apart the whole story they'd set up for the cameras.

"Temari already debriefed us all about the Final Trial six years ago," Shikamaru offered warily, sipping on his own drink. "If that helps."

Gaara fingered the rim of his glass as Kankuro pursed his lips at the Leaf ninja. "She did, did she?" Gaara asked carefully.

"Only because she thought it was pertinent to what was unfolding here, and would better inform Lord Kakashi's tactics," Shikamaru explained. "We all want the same thing. Kakashi is desperate to hold the peace between the ninja villages, which means backing you completely, because any other Kazekage the current Wind Daimyo would institute in your place might destroy it."

Gaara nodded, knowing his brother-in-law was telling the truth. "Then if you watched my speech in the House of Daimyos, you have the story. Just apply it six years ago rather than last year." He sighed, moving his lips wordlessly, then said, "When I started that mission, I too thought she was a prim princess, as fragile as crystal in her ballgown, tiara and jewelry. Then she went to that concert dressed as your standard party girl. And when she ran away from her guards, I thought she was just some spoiled daimyo, until I finally listened to her open up about her cloistered life. About how she yearned to explore and experience the world, but wasn't allowed to do any of that because of her father's health was forcing her to marry as soon as she turned sixteen to secure the throne. And then, when she fled Suna, I chased after her. That was when I saw who she really was. She wasn't a prim princess, or debaucherous daimyo like her uncle. She's an adventurer, and a dreamer, but she's also shrewd like her father. She's fanciful, but she knows how to get what she wants, and the sacrifices she needs to make to achieve her goals."

"Wow, Gaara," Lee commented, surprised.

Shikamaru nodded in agreement, "That is deep."

Naruto frowned a little either confusedly or disappointedly, "So, nothing physically attractive?"

Gaara pursed his lips, then said, "Her hair."

Naruto scoffed into his drink, "Here, I thought you were going to say her ass or boobs."

Gaara blushed as Kankuro chuckled bitterly, "Right? Especially given how often you two've been fucking." Gaara blushed harder as Shikamaru and Naruto spat out their beers. Gaara slowly turned to Kankuro, regarding him with a lethally cool gaze. His brother's red cheeks made it clear Kankuro was too drunk to care as he laughed in his face, his own gaze holding something akin to annoyance for his little brother. "Come on, Gaara, you have to admit that it's funny that you both signed a contract that said there would be no hanky-panky, and yet—"

He was promptly cut off by Gaara's sand sweeping up the bar and depositing his brother outside. The Leaf ninja watched with wide-eyed surprised expressions as Kankuro's head fell to the side as if knocked unconscious. Gaara's face was bright red as he tried to control his staggered breathing, not from exertion, but embarrassment.

"I bet it's boobs," Lee declared, breaking the silence. Naruto elbowed him in his side, and Lee grumbled, "What? It makes sense. You didn't see the boob-hammer incident but—"

Lee was cut off by Shikamaru jumping up and slapping his hand over the tai-jutsu specialist's mouth. "Would you put a sock in it?" Shikamaru hissed.

Gaara cleared his throat, his face still bright red as he said, "Apologies." Before disappearing in a swirl of sand in the wind.

Shikamaru let out an audible sigh, then grumbled, "Seriously, you two. Take a hint."

"Sure," Naruto grumbled. Then said, "Did you hear what Kankuro said about the no sex contract though?"

"No, I was a bit preoccupied with Gaara's sand coming out of his gourd," Shikamaru huffed annoyedly.

"Well, maybe there's something to that contract," Naruto suggested. Shikamaru and Naruto shared a look, and Naruto gave a shrug that said, "It's worth a shot."

Shikamaru made his way over to his other brother-in-law. "Kankuro?" he asked, kneeling beside the puppeteer. As Shikamaru jostled his shoulder, Kankuro's head rolled as he groaned a little. "Lee, get some water," Shikamaru directed. Lee saluted, then ran to the bar. Shikamaru tapped Kankuro lightly on the cheek, muttering, "Come on. Come on."

"Wha-?" Kankuro grumbled.

"There he is," Naruto chuckled.

Lee came jogging over with the water, handing it to Shikamaru, who passed it to Kankuro. "Here, drink some," Shikamaru urged.

Kankuro did, then grumbled. "Ow." He grunted as he patted himself down, brushing off grains of sand. "Did Gaara sand tsunami me?"

"Yes," Shikamaru answered. "I think he was getting flustered with how the conversation turned. He poofed shortly after."

"Pffft," Kankuro blew out. "Jerk."

"Well, what were you talking about? With the contract?" Naruto asked.

Kankuro's eyes fluttered, then he explained, "He signed a prenup when they set things in motion. The marriage is temporary." He then inhaled through the nose hard, and grumbled, "I probably shouldn't have said that."

"The marriage is temporary how?" Shikamaru pressed. For most of the world, especially in Suna as far as Shikamaru was aware, Marriage was binding and ironclad. Nothing ended a marriage short of death. Sure, couples went through separations, like Kiba's parents, but they were still legally married.

Kankuro took another sobering sigh, and explained, "The plan is to get Emika on the throne and change the Wind's laws of inheritance, so if the line is down to a princess again, she doesn't have to fight with a regency, which started this problem. As soon as she's in power, she'll annul their marriage, so he can stay Kazekage, because signing him into power was actually her first act as Daimyo before she signed over to the regency." He took another sip of water, then continued, "However, for the annulment to go through, they can't have any children. So part of the contract was outside of the consummation ceremony, there would be no fucking. Yet, they can't seem to keep themselves a part." He giggled, adding, "And they argue about it all the time. He wants her to get pregnant, so he feels justified staying in the marriage regardless of the position that would put us in. She doesn't want kids, because then she can't rule properly, or some shit. Yet they keep fucking." He put his head in his hands as he finally grumbled, "Shit, if she gets pregnant, then they can't get annulled, then the Council is going to force me to get married, or force Temari to move back."

"Like Hell they will," Shikamaru snipped.

"Wait. How do you know they're, y'know, doin' it?" Naruto asked.

Kankuro rolled his eyes. "First was one the honeymoon. They admitted that one. Drunken mistake, they said. Then there was the time in Futen, and Gaara thought he was so slick about it, but I knew as soon saw his face at breakfast. And then last night, I saw the tequila left in the kitchen, and I asked Baki this afternoon if he'd been drinking on the job, because he was on watch duty. Baki said it was Gaara, and when I didn't believe him, he showed me the fucking security tape. Literally!" He shook his head, grumbling, "I can't get married. Or be Kazekage. You know they'll ask me. Gaara is not thinking straight!"

Shikamaru nodded, biting his lower lip as he muttered, "Well that explains your sour mood all evening."

Naruto chuckled, "That's an understatement."

"He promised I wouldn't have to worry about this shit," Kankuro huffed. "Yet, here I am, worrying, because he can't keep it in his goddamned pants."

"Well, he is in love," Lee offered. "And aren't we here to celebrate that? Regardless of the circumstance?"

Kankuro's expression fell from anxious to guilt-ridden. "You're right. He and Emika are actually in love, and this is the closest thing they'll get to an actual reception … other than the first one."

Naruto raised his eyebrows at that, asking, "The first one?"

"Long story," Kankuro grumbled, finally picking himself up. "Come on, Shikamaru," he sighed, grabbing his brother-in-law around the shoulders, adding, "It's getting late."

Shikamaru nodded his agreement. Even though the clocks said it was barely 9:30, it felt much later. He assisted his brother-in-law to standing, waving his friends goodbye before heading back to the penthouse. Finally he found himself asking, "You really think they might stay married?"

Kankuro shook his head and grumbled, "At this point, who the fuck knows?"

Once Shikamaru and Kankuro returned home to see Emika and Temari getting along well, and Emika met Shikamaru and found him to be a shrewd but easy-going and loyal man, she decided to turn in. She hadn't finished the calls she had to make, and would have to finish them in the morning before she took Gaara shopping so they matched appropriately for the reception. As she made her way back to Gaara's bedroom, where she'd be staying for the foreseeable future, she opened the door to hear the shower going in his ensuite.

When she was there last night, she hadn't really had time to take in the furnishings and space. For a man as esteemed as he was, his tastes in regards to this room versus his room in Futen. His flat in the capital had seemed to been tailored for understated luxury. This room was for comfort. The walls weren't even painted or designed, with nothing hung on them except a few shelves with books and potted succulents and cacti. The bed was a solid wood platform bed, with a chestnut stain. The solid headboard towered halfway up the wall, with no design to it except for the wood and straight plank detailing. The bed was precisely made, with hospital corners in the gray soft cotton sheets, and a plush rich blue duvet and sham pillows, and a fluffy black blanket folded across the foot of the bed. As she felt it, she had to admit it too was incredibly soft. There were nightstands on either side that looked to be made of wood as well, but these were stained oak. They only had moveable desk lamps on top, and it was easy to tell which side was Gaara's, because that nightstand had a half-read book, a pen, and a clock.

The dresser in the opposite corner on the right side of the bathroom door was just slightly off in color and shape from the bed. Instead of chestnut, it looked to be a slightly chipped walnut stain. On it sat four silver picture frames. One was of Gaara and his siblings on what looked to be his election day. The same one that hung in the hall. Another was him within the last year standing beside a man with gray hair on his wedding day, marrying some doll-like woman. Gaara wore a formal white coat. In a similar photo, Gaara stood wearing the same coat, opposite his brother who was in the same coat but black and green instead of white and red. Between them was a man with bright yellow hair and cerulean blue eyes, whiskers adorning his red cheeks, dressed in what looked like traditional Konohan wedding robes. The last photo was set aside next to an aloe plant was an old photo of a woman with a similar shade of hair to Emika if she were to describe it. It was a soft mousey brown, brushed straight and cut to her chin. She had bangs that barely wisped over kind lavender eyes. Eyes that were the same shape as Gaara's, and Gaara's pouty lip.

Next to that dresser was a full-length mirror that was also well worn, but perfectly clean. In the opposite corner was a tall black wardrobe. And at the end of the bed was a black leather bench, which she saw his robes cascaded over haphazardly.

She decided she should go ahead and unpack her things, starting with her clothes. She opened the wardrobe, pushing his suits and robes as far to the side as they could go so she could start hanging her clothes up. Most of her clothes were hanging anyway. She hoped he'd cleared a drawer for her underwear, bras, slips, and pajamas. Although she doubted it, because they didn't really go into logistics of them sharing a room indefinitely beyond him telling her they were. She assembled her portable shoe rack under the bedroom window on what she assumed was her side. It was a simple wooden three shelf folding piece that when stretched out, allowed her extra space for her shoes, which she knew Gaara wouldn't have had room for.

She heard the shower turn off as she was bent over the bag, her butt in the air as she fumbled with a high-heel that seemed determined not to be put away. She finally got ahold of it as the door opened, and she snapped up, only for her knee to buckle under her from the sudden movement. She heard Gaara grunt behind her, as if surprised but quickly remembered what she was doing there. She recovered herself without comment on it, quickly putting away her shoes.

She heard Gaara open his drawers and she turned to ask, "Did you cle-ah…" The words dried in her throat as she saw him standing there in nothing but a towel, his hair and back dripping wet. His shoulders and spine were sinewy with muscles. Not buff, overgrown muscles, but natural and even, with slight dimpling at his hips that led to his glutes. He paused, turning slightly to her, regarding her coolly.

She cleared her throat and tried again. "Did you clear a drawer for me?" He blinked at her, which told her he hadn't, and didn't know why he should. "For my underwear and stuff? Or do you just want that out and about in your room?"

He pressed his lips in a thin line, then pulled a draw out, grabbing several rolled belts, grumbling, "I can probably hang these," tossing them onto the bench with his robes. Once it was empty, he gestured for her to fill it. She brought her bag over and quickly began to unload it.

He watched her for a second before going back to the drawer next to hers, which was full of his boxers and pajamas. Finally, he actually spoke to her, "How was your day?" His tone was brusk, and not really curious actually. More like he was trying to get information out of her.

"Busy," she said.

"It sounded like it," he grumbled. "Akira said you had to go to Kin Village for a meeting."

"Yes. I did go to Kin Village," she stated as she moved on to setting her bras carefully in place.

He licked his lips. "But not for a meeting," he filled in, grabbing some boxers and pajama bottoms, shutting the drawer.

"I did schedule a meeting with Kyuurou to go over the Loyalists' network. See what votes we can secure," she answered. "And while I was there, I got a sylph pill."

He nodded as if that was the answer he was waiting on before going back into his bathroom quietly. His expression grated on her nerves, and she set her jaw frustratedly, throwing the rest of her things in the drawer less carefully. She grabbed a nightgown, a simple beige cotton sleeveless design with lace around the upper bodice, and quickly exchanged her dress for it, and began yanking off her leggings. She'd been wearing the nightgown most nights this week, since it was modest and the skirt reached her knee, and all the other pajamas and teddies Tenshimi had packed in her trousseau were too revealing and sexy, especially for the current temperament in their relationship.

He came back in, now in pajama bottoms, and went to his drawers for a top. She took her turn, remembering he used to keep the hamper in the bathroom the first time, and smiled when she assumed correctly. If Gaara was anything, he was dependably habitual. She began unhooking her bra, and taking off her underwear from under her nightgown as she started, "Why does me getting a sylph pill bother you? Especially after last night? You want to conceive a second child with hate sex?"

"No," he answered in a churlish voice. "But I can't help but be reminded you're doing this because you don't want to stay married to me, which would hurt but not bother me if it wasn't for the fact that means you want to keep a child you claim is my son away from me."

She straightened and scowled at him. "Claim?"

Gaara shrugged, crossing his arms. "You've used men before like that. And as far as family falsehoods I've been led to believe, it is hardly the worst." His cool, distant tone set her on edge. She could feel her whole being vibrating with rage until she balled her fist and stormed up to him.

"How dare you!" she hissed. "How dare you say I would lie about that to manipulate you. How dare you!"

"If you aren't lying, then the test will confirm it," he said tiredly.

Her eyes flew wide. "What test!?"

"We got sidetracked before I could tell you yesterday, but I'm running a genetic comparison on Hira and I," he answered plainly, as if he were reporting nothing but the weather.

She was livid. "You SonuvaBitch!" she howled, trying to shove him, yet he stood firm, effectively pushing her backwards. Tears filled her eyes as she wailed at him, "He's our son! Our son! I've kept him safe and secret for six years. And the first chance you get, you try to expose him, knowing as soon as he's out, people will try to kill him just because of who we are!" The tears fell fast down her cheeks as she hissed, "How dare you stand there and tell me I should let you have any sort of relationship with him when you just painted a target on his back!" She took a shuddering breath, then said, "You are just like your father."

That actually caused him to flinch a little. "I am nothing like my father," Gaara rasped.

"You may not have hired the assassins, like him. But your test announces to anyone in that lab, he exists, and he's right over there," she hissed. "And you did this knowing he inherits both of our enemies. Anyone who wants to get at you will go through him! And knowing Chie and Rinri are his guardians will tell them he's mine! And we've seen what my Uncle's men have done! They blew up a building to stop a vote! You think they'll show him mercy because he's five? He's a threat to Ginmaru's claim."

"I will protect Hira," Gaara said.

"How!?" she snapped. "The only thing protecting him was anonymity, until I could change the law to protect him! And you just stripped that away."

"No one knows who the samples belong to. Kankuro is running them anonymously and handling the reports," Gaara explained. "He's promised to destroy the samples and the test as soon as soon as it's done."

She shook her head in mourning, silent disbelief. There was nothing she could do to stop it. Nothing she could do to protect her son from whatever dominos fell from that choice. "When will you know?"

"Saturday or Sunday," he answered.

She sniffled, and said, "I pray that we get lucky, and nothing comes of this. But know if something does happen because of this, if he is hurt, or heaven forbid killed, it is your fault, and I will blame you." He flinched again as she turned to the bed, pulled back the covers and got in. He wanted to say nothing would happen because of it, that he was being careful, but a part of him in the back of his mind realized she was right. Careful as he was being, strong as he was, he couldn't know this test couldn't start an unforeseen chain of events.

But he still had to know. It was one thing to see Hira, and suddenly see himself in him. It was another thing for him to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Hira was his son. He wanted to be rational about this. To accept what she said without question, because sure, the timeline matched up, and Hira did look like him when it was pointed out. But he needed proof. Maybe it was just denial that needed to be put to rest. Or maybe deep down Gaara could feel that this was another trick.

The thing was, ever since Gaara saw his father on the battle field in the war, he felt the nagging feeling to question what he knew, what was presented to him as fact. He knew his whole life his mother hated him, and his uncle hated him, until his father admitted otherwise. Growing up, he knew he'd never have friends or connections, until Naruto showed him otherwise. Even when Emika came to him this time, he knew she wanted power for her birthright, until she showed him Hira. So now he knew Hira was his son, until the test told him otherwise.

It's possible he could have it backwards. Maybe it was that he knew they'd gotten away unscathed six years ago, until Emika told him about their son. But again, only the test would tell him for certain.

In the end, he said nothing, walking over to turn out the light and climb into bed next to her. Her back was to him, and he felt her tighten the covers a little. Flashbacks to the first night the slept next to each other, side by side in that inn, when she stole the covers out of anger, and he had to use the baby-maker for warmth. He turned opposite her, and tucked the covers underneath his side. That way she couldn't steal the covers and leave him shivering.

It was odd, this time in bed. Last time they slept together after an argument, it felt like he was sleeping with a stranger. Now, he knew everything about her. She wasn't a stranger. She didn't feel like a stranger. It felt like he was sharing the bed with someone who was plotting his death. He was sleeping with an enemy. Neither of them slept well that night, but they also didn't say a word to each other.

He finally began to drift off hours later when he heard her soft snoring.

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