A/N: Welcome to the chapter. First of all, I would like to thank my amazing beta, Ukrainian Snowstorm for her work in this chapter! Happy reading guys!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Shinobu arrived at Mei-sama's room and knocked but no one answered. The Mizukage had requested snacks and tea so Shinobu brought her a tray.
She knocked twice more before deciding to open the door without permission.
Shinobu almost dropped the tray she was holding because of what she saw. Shinobu blinked but it was still there. She tried to rub her eyes with her free hand but when she opened them, everything was still the same.
The Mizukage's normally tidy room was in chaos; it looked like a tornado had passed through. Expensive-looking paper littered the floor, some were crumpled and others were shredded to tiny pieces. Most of Mei-sama's pictures were there too, glue and scissors beside them; different colored pens filled the bed, scented ones and the glittery kind.
Mei-sama meanwhile was on the chair, her face was on the desk and she's using her arms as a pillow. Only a single candle was lighting the room, the rest were on the floor as well. Her long hair looked mussed and her dress was wrinkled.
Shinobu bit her lips, "What happened Mei-sama?"
She was expecting to just bring the Mizukage's evening tea and snacks, then leave quietly. It had been Shinobu's duty since Mei-sama tasted her cooking and liked it. Shinobu was still a genin back then. Although they were cousins, they weren't close due to their age difference.
"It's over," Mei-sama muttered repeatedly to herself.
Shinobu closed the door, puffed up her cheeks, and carefully navigated her way to the redhead. She placed the tray on the table near her cousin's head and gave her shoulder a light squeeze.
"Hey, it's okay Mei-sama."
When she didn't stir, Shinobu said, "I'm sure we could clean this all up. I'll help you if you want?"
Hearing that, Mei-sama slowly raised her head and pinned Shinobu with an intense stare. "You already said that, there's no taking it back."
Shinobu gulped, "Of course."
She didn't know what it was that Mei-sama needs her help with but Mei-sama looked like she really needed it, so Shinobu will do her best. She wouldn't look so devastated if it was just a small thing.
Shinobu was brought out of her thoughts when Mei-sama clasped both of her hands and said," Help me write a dossier!"
"Oh... No problem, no problem at all," Shinobu started to pat Mei-sama's shoulder. Then, her eyes widen when her cousin's words finally registered. "Wait, what?"
"A dossier," said Mei-sama as she drew back and fixed her hair.
"Really," Shinobu shook her head. "All this mess just for that?"
"You don't understand me because you always write beautifully."
"Oi, don't be like that."
"I've been writing for hours but it just won't come out how I want it to," she motioned at the floor. "I feel like there's something lacking or its over-the-top or it's too plain."
Shinobu sighed and cleared a space on the bed. "Why do you even need a dossier?"
Mei-sama sipped her tea before she answered, "I'm going to send it to a matchmaker."
"I see."
"I'm tired of waiting for the right man. If he can't find me, I'll just have to find him. I'm a Kage for goodness' sake!"
Shinobu covered her giggle with a hand, "You're right Mei-sama. Go find your destiny."
"I sure will!" she exclaimed and they both laughed.
Shinobu stood there for a few moments. Her gaze jumped from Mei-sama to the scattered things on the floor and bed and back again, indecision clearly written on her face.
Then, she squared her shoulders and said, "Alright, I'll show you how to write a dossier."
"Really?" Mei-sama's face lit up.
"Hai."
After that, Shinobu cleaned up the room. She put the pens in a holder, threw out the ruined papers and picked up the rest to place it on the bed. Mei-sama ate what Shinobu brought while she worked.
Mei-sama finished it in no time and she took the tray to the kitchen herself. When both of them were done, they each took a paper and pen to finally start.
"Okay. Let's do the easy parts first," Shinobu said, "The personal information."
Each of them did just that. They wrote their name, age, village, rank, and occupation.
"And then?"
"Hmm, let's move to our hobbies. But just put what you're really interested in. If there's a lot, just write what you love the most. Or if you play an instrument, you can put that too."
Shinobu tapped her lips as she thought. Her only hobbies are singing and cooking. She can't decide what she likes better between the two so she just wrote them both.
"Alright, I'm done."
"Great. Now," Shinobu flipped the paper, "It's time for what qualities we look for in a partner."
Mei-sama was already poised to write but Shinobu warned her, "Don't be so picky, Mei-sama. Just put what you think is important so the guy won't be intimidated."
"I have high standards you know." Mei-sama sniffed.
"No one will be interested if you're like that!"
"I'm a Kage, I should have high standards."
"Do you want to find a husband or not?"
"I want a husband that befits my status, not just anyone."
"I understand, but if you put that right away, the guys might get intimidated and that will hurt your chances of finding a decent match."
"Fine, fine, I understand."
Shinobu waited for Mei-sama's signal that she was done. It took her a few minutes but she finished eventually.
"This is probably the most important part, a short paragraph about yourself. Think of it this way," Shinobu tried to explain, "It's like you're selling yourself. Tell him your best qualities using limited words. Take care not to sound haughty or factual. Maybe imagine writing to the guy you like?"
"How do you know so much about this anyway," Mei-sama's voice was incredulous when she asked, "Have you done this before?"
"Of course not," Shinobu admitted begrudgingly, "I got it from reading romance novels."
"Well, it's better than nothing, I guess," Mei-sama said, but she still looked unconvinced.
Shinobu crossed her arms, "In the novels, it worked."
"My life is not a novel you know."
"Well, you don't have a choice, do you?" Shinobu raised an eyebrow. "It's me or the public will know about it. And, you know what they'll say."
Mei-sama scowled. "You have a point."
"Of course, I do," Shinobu fought to keep the triumph off of her voice but when Mei-sama's eyes narrowed at her, Shinobu assumed that she had failed. "So, will you do it?"
Mei-sama said. "Alright, alright, just give me a moment to think this through."
Shinobu turned her attention to her own paper. Mei-sama was right, she needed a moment as well. So she imagined talking to Gaara-sama and she finished hers quickly.
Thinking about him always brings a smile to her face. The last time she saw Gaara-sama was three weeks ago when she gave him the bento box. It was a good thing that she still had ingredients in their room and that Mei-sama told her that he's leaving at dawn.
Shinobu didn't sleep a wink that night, she wanted everything to be perfect. Every tempura and chicken were fried to golden brown perfection. The potatoes and rice were steamed just right. She seasoned the egg, beaten it, and cooked it in a low-temperature fire.
Of course, she didn't forget the mocha buns. Shinobu used her newly bought baking ingredients and made Gaara-sama the best batch she could. She got the nicest furoshiki she could find and used it to wrap the bento.
And then she rushed out to find him. Shinobu saw him standing near the Konoha gates, the sun illuminating his features. Most people thought that Gaara-sama had red hair but Shinobu saw that wasn't the case. It was mostly red with a shade of brown, so it's auburn to be exact.
Add his pale skin and those gorgeous pale green eyes and Shinobu almost fainted on the spot when he looked at her. It's a good thing that she ran there so she had an excuse for her flushed cheeks.
Not making a big deal of her previous behavior, that was truly gallant of him. He was such a gentleman. Kind, and handsome and...
"Shinobu-chan!"
Shinobu was startled to see Mei-sama glaring at her. "Gomen," she quickly apologized.
"You're daydreaming again, aren't you?" Mei-sama let out an exasperated sigh at her sheepish look. "Do it after we finish this dossier. My future is on the line here!"
"Hai Mei-sama! It won't happen again."
Mei-sama shook her head and got back to her work. They both added a few more things so it took a few more minutes but the two of them finally finished. They exchange their work so each could read what the other had written and make changes accordingly.
Shinobu and Mei-sama did this twice before they were satisfied. Then, Shinobu got Mei-sama to write it again on one of the expensive papers this time, that would be what they give to the matchmaker.
"Wow this looks promising Mei-sama," Shinobu praised after seeing the finished product.
"Do you really think so?"
"Hai," Shinobu nodded. "All we need to do is put the right picture and we're done."
"I already have a photo in mind," Mei-sama showed her said photo. "It's my best one yet," she said proudly.
Shinobu had to agree, her cousin looked beautiful in the picture. It captures half of her body at a favorable angle that made her look slimmer than she really was. Mei-sama's hair was unbound and her lips were tipped in a mysterious smile.
"Perfect! Let's attached it right away."
Mei-sama gave her the materials and Shinobu carefully put them together. They straightened the paper on the desk and held it in place with paperweights.
"Just wait for it to dry and you can send it to the matchmaker as soon as possible."
"Hai, arigato Shinobu-chan," Mei-sama said, smiling at her cousin.
"Oh, it was nothing, I'm glad to help."
"Your dossier is pretty good too, do you want me to send it as well?"
Shinobu shook her head, "I'm not interested right now."
"Are you sure?" Mei-sama smirked, "I could give it to the Kazekage."
"Iye! Don't joke like that Mei-sama."
Mei-sama sounded faintly amused. "Who said I'm joking?"
"Urusai!"
Shinobu stamped her feet and started to clean the mess they made to hide her red cheeks but Mei-sama stopped her, "Just leave it Shinobu-chan, I'll take care of it."
"Are you sure?"
"You've done enough, now rest," Mei-sama said, patting her hand.
"Alright. Oyasumi, Mei-sama." Shinobu said and left the room.
Mei waited for several seconds before sighing in relief. She grabs Shinobu's dossier and quickly attached the picture that she hid earlier to it. She let it dry properly and when it did, Mei put it in an envelope and went to find their fastest messenger hawk. She needs to send it right away.
It was almost the deadline. Mei debated whether to tell Shinobu or not. Remembering her reaction earlier, she decided against it. That way, Shinobu will act naturally with Gaara-sama. Mei will just tell her if she passed the first test.
Mei knew about the younger kunoichi's infatuation for the Kazekage. That's why she insisted on the things she did in their meeting. The girl will get so excited when she heard the news about the young leader. Shinobu would pester Mei about what he wore, what he said, and if he looked well. She practically swoons whenever she sees a glimpse of him across the room.
This wasn't easy but Mei believes that she's making the right choice in recommending Shinobu to Gaara-sama. Sure, she's a total fangirl now but Mei hopes that will change when they get to know each other better.
Mei tied the message to the bird's foot herself. She waited for it to fly and when it did, she finally smiled.
'Let the selection begin.'
Gaara was in his office, tackling his seemingly unending paperwork. Noticing that it was twice as many as last time, he let out a heavy sigh. If Gaara had known that suffering through this would be his day-to-day task, he might have second-guessed his decision to be Kazekage.
This was what he hated the most after dealing with the council. Sometimes, he even welcomed the meetings just to break out of the monotony. And to rest his sore hand.
It has been almost a month since he spoke with them. Gaara is expecting the council's draft on his desk soon. Not to mention the special letters from the other Kages.
Gaara had received a dossier from Iwa first and the one from Konoha had just arrived this morning. He was waiting for the other two, he would rather open them all at the same time.
Gaara grabbed a small stack from the to-do pile and he started signing again. It took him the whole day but he finished his paperwork, read through the council's draft, and sorted it all in a neat pile.
Gaara was contemplating the letters from Konoha and Iwa. The sun had just set and he was tempted to look at the pictures at least. He was drumming his fingers while eying the locked drawer under his desk.
He has nothing else to do anyway. He's alone and he still has time before his brother got here. So, what's the harm? But to be sure, Gaara fixed his gaze at the closed door and started to reach for the key in his pocket.
"Oi Gaara, are you ready?" Kankuro's voice came from the direction of the door.
Gaara quickly brought his hand on the desk and let out an exasperated sigh. Dammit, he was so close. He gave his drawer one last look and then, he shook his head to get rid of the temptation. Gaara didn't think he would be this curious but here he was.
Oh well, maybe it's not to be. Gaara stood and put it out of his mind. He'll have time for it later.
Gaara met his brother outside. They're going out to have dinner with Temari in a bit. He and his siblings are not the emotional kind but the three of them are making an effort to spend more time with each other. This was an unspoken rule between them. Since Temari is moving to Konoha and neither of her brothers would dare to stop her, they decided to just make the best of it while they still can.
"Where are we going this time?" Gaara asked his brother.
The cold wind bit their skin as they walk through the sand-filled streets of Suna. They passed by one neat row of brick buildings after another. Unlike in other villages, there weren't a lot of people around. Gaara guessed that most of the villagers are inside since he saw that there were lights in the houses that they passed.
Suna is a quiet place at night but there were restaurants that are still open if you only knew where to look. And Kankuro seemed to know where their destination was.
"It's a cozy place," said Kankuro. "I know you'll like it there. Temari is already waiting for us."
Gaara quickened his pace at that. Temari hates waiting and he'd rather not get glared at through their dinner.
He's been looking forward to this the whole week. Gaara enjoyed these outings a lot. It's mostly a quiet affair but other times, it got lively. They teased one another, they bickered and they laughed together like a normal family.
"Here we are," Gaara heard Kankuro announce. When he had finally paid attention, he saw that they arrived in a quaint restaurant. It's made up of red bricks and it had a flashing sign at the top.
"Itadakimasu?"
"Hai. They said that the food here is so delicious that you'll forget everything except saying itadakimasu," Kankuro explained.
"Well then, what are we waiting for?"
The brothers stepped in and a little bell jingled as they entered. It was just a small place and sits just two to three families. It was perfect for an intimate dinner.
Temari waved at them, she was sitting at the table at the back and they made their way to her. When they were seated, they asked for a server and ordered their food.
"So, what took you so long to get here?"
"Gaara got lost in his paperwork again." Kankuro immediately blamed his younger brother.
"I believe the word is responsible," Gaara replied drily.
"That's just because you don't go out more," Kankuro said wisely, "You need to have fun ototo."
"I have work to do."
"Working is great and all but sometimes, you also need to play."
"I'm too old for games."
"Not that kind of play little brother," Kankuro leaned in and whispered into his ear. "Cards and ladies, if you know what I mean?"
"Oi, don't encourage him to debauchery. He's the Kazekage," snapped Temari as she gave Kankuro's ear a vicious twist.
Kankuro wagged a finger in her direction. "Hai hai, but he's also our little brother."
"That's why I'm telling you not to tell him such things," Temari narrowed her eyes at him. "Gaara's not a playboy."
"But there are a lot of girls interested in him, it's a waste." Kankuro wiped away his fake tears to make his point.
Temari rolled her eyes at her younger brother. "You're still a bad example so, I say no. Besides, have you forgotten what happened on his last date?"
"I'm not asking Gaara to go on a date, I'm telling him to carouse. There's a difference."
"Iye."
"What Temari doesn't know won't hurt her," mouthed Kankuro.
"I saw that," Temari ground out.
Gaara just stayed silent even though they're bickering about him. He'd learn long ago that arguing is his siblings' way of communicating. Sure, they always presented a united front but now it's just them, so they feel relaxed. That's the good part. The bad part was, they say what's on their minds and no one was spared.
Gaara eyed both of his siblings warily. He's sitting in the middle so he can see that they're having another glaring contest across the table. He vanished the prickle of nervousness he felt when he thought of what they'll do to him when his siblings learned about his dates around the five great nations.
Oh, they won't do something drastic but they will certainly yell at him. Mostly Temari. And he'll probably endure a few of Kankuro's pranks and teasing. Lots and lots of teasing.
Gaara sighed inwardly. That's going to be troublesome. He shook his head, now he's thinking like Shikamaru.
Speaking of Shikamaru, Gaara discreetly glanced at his sister. She's talking to their server. Their food had just come so thankfully, the two of them stopped bickering.
Most people wouldn't realize it but Temari has changed. She's softer now and there's something that's making her glow. She became more beautiful as the result and Gaara knows that he had Shikamaru to thank for that.
Temari has a look of contentment about her and she's more comfortable in her own skin now. They're just waiting for her to start her own family with Shikamaru and Gaara is happy for her.
Kankuro doesn't think of starting his own family now but he might soon. His brother has a lot of relationships to choose from, Gaara feels like it's just a matter of time before he does.
That just leaves Gaara. All alone... Again.
"Gaara, Gaara!"
When he looked up, both of his siblings were staring at him.
"Gomen, what did you just said?"
Temari smiled, "It's time to eat."
"I told you Temari, Gaara needs a vacation. He's working too hard and it's not good for his health." Kankuro's voice kept its teasing tone but Gaara saw the concern in his brother's eyes.
Temari bit her lip, "Maybe?"
Gaara let out one of his rare smiles in the hopes of reassuring his siblings. "Let's eat, I'm hungry."
That said, the three of them ate to their heart's content. During the rest of the dinner, Gaara stirred the conversations to other topics. They bickered, they ranted, and they laughed. All in all, it was a great night.
There were still a few hours before midnight so he and his siblings went their separate ways. They'll just see each other at home in a bit.
Gaara contemplated his thoughts about Temari as he made his way back to the Kage tower. He knew that Temari and Shikamaru were in love with each other even though they're not affectionate. Shikamaru used all of his considerable wits and influence just so he could marry Temari after all.
He'll miss her but he's also feeling something else. A kind of curiosity? No, it's not that.
It's longing. It started in Gaara's heart, through his toes, and slowly but surely rushed in his head. And now, he's finally doing something about it.
Gaara's certain of it. He wants to at least try to find someone and to know for himself what this kind of love feels like. He got the love of his family, friends, and people. This is the only one left.
When Gaara finally reached his office, he shook off the dust he accumulated as he came in. The sand may be his element but it doesn't mean that he enjoyed it in his clothes. He was still straightening himself when his eyes strayed to his desk and he saw two letters. When he confirmed that it was from the Raikage and the Mizukage, he got the other letters and read them.
He started with Iwa since it was the first to arrive. It was indeed Kurotsuchi, the Tsuchikage's granddaughter. She had short glossy black hair and arresting pink eyes. Gaara recognized her grandfather on her by the proud tilt of her chin and the confident smile on her face.
She was a strong shinobi in her own right and there's no problem with her family.
Gaara didn't have the chance to get acquainted with her during the war so he had no complaints yet. She was also his age so that's good. He'll just have to make his final decisions when they meet properly.
He placed the picture and document back in its envelope and put it on his left, it will serve as his done pile. He opened the one from Konoha next, only to blink in surprise.
Familiar gray eyes greeted him and her long black hair is in its usual buns. It was Tenten. She was grinning broadly but she was looking at the weapon in her hand and not at the camera. Gaara had to give it to her though, that javelin looked like it was in great condition.
He knew her, she was Lee's friend and Temari fought her in the chunin exams. She also escorted him around Konoha once. Gaara didn't pay her much attention though. Reading through her profile, Gaara saw one common interest. At least they'll have weapons to talk about.
Gaara returned its contents in the envelope and moved on to Kumo's candidate. Her name was Yotsuki Aya and she came from a good family. She had blonde hair and deep brown eyes. She's smiling at the camera, showing her dimples.
She was a medical ninja but Gaara saw that she's a few years younger than him.
Other than that fact, the rest of her information was alright. Gaara supposed he'll meet her just to be certain. He put the dossier back and set it aside to open Kiri's file.
The picture is of a girl with light blue hair tuck in a side ponytail and she had deep purple eyes. She's not looking at the camera but the picture captured her soft smile perfectly.
"Terumi Shinobu, huh?"
A/N: Thanks for reading! Read and review please?
