Tenten is sitting outside of the emergency room, hand shaking as she prays for the safety of Lord Kazekage. Lee is by her side, silently comforting his teammate. He understands how much this situation affected her, it's almost the same thing as when Neji jumped in and shield Naruto and Hinata from their death. While Tenten did not witness the whole thing, she was there to see the lifeless body of Neji Hyuga. That image still affects her to this day and to see Gaara in the same circumstance as Neji years ago, it got her.

Temari is pacing back and forth, she is worried. Despite keeping a professional expression on her face, she is still Gaara's older sister. Waiting outside without any knowledge if her brother is alright pains her. When she finally runs out of patience, the blonde kunoichi sits down, tapping on the chair surface as she waits.

She looks at the young woman sitting across her, distressed and overwhelmed. When Tenten came to the Sand Village, she always have a feeling that this is the opportunity for her and Gaara to bond and mend their estranged relationship. She never thought that this is the outcome…

As his sister, she wants nothing more than to see him happy. Being the Kazekage means Gaara rarely considers his own feeling and mostly follow the Suna Council in all matter related to the village. He even accepts some marriage arrangements just for the sake of maintaining a prominent bloodline for the future generation.

While admiring his dedication to the Sand Village, Temari finds his path to be so lonely. Everything he does is only for the sake of everyone but himself. He is the Kazekage and being the leader means he has to be selfless to facilitate the success of this village and his people. She remembers how Kankuro once told him that being selfish once would not harm anyone, that he has sacrificed enough for everyone and it's time for Gaara to think for himself.

So when she noticed that soft and tender gaze her brother has for a certain brunette, Temari accepts her immediately.

Despite how the elders keep telling Gaara to find someone from the upper class, he goes against their wishes and falls in love with a kunoichi of the Leaf Village. And that young woman who has captured the heart of Lord Kazekage is no other than Tenten.

Now that Gaara is in the emergency room, with no news on whether he's going to survive or not breaks Temari. But she has to be strong, not only for him but for his woman as well. Tenten seems like she has given up on everything, resting her head on Lee's shoulder with a grim expression on her face.

"Temari!"

A hand rests on her shoulder as the blonde kunoichi looks up, Shikamaru is the one who called her. He doesn't say anything, but his firm grasp is somewhat reassuring. Funny how things have changed for them. Years ago, it was she who gave him words of encouragement after his first failed mission. While they might seem jarring upon first hearing, her words spoke true. Thinking about it, Shikamaru is grateful that she was there during his most difficult time and now, he should repay her kindness.

Temari smiles as she reaches for his hand, patting it lightly. She is a strong woman and she knows that her brother is not losing that easy. But having Shikamaru shows her such kindness like that warms her heart, he knows very well that she is more than just a coldhearted soldier who fights for the sake of her village.

The emergency light is turned off as one of the medics walks out, looking tired and stressed.

"How is Gaara?" Temari is the first one to speak up, impatiently waiting for a response.

"Lady Temari…"

The silence sends chills down Tenten's spine as she covers her ears, too scared to hear the result.

"Lord Kazekage is finally in stable condition." the medic smiles at them "There was poison in the kunai, but we were able to get it out of his body and treated him with antidote."

Temari rests a hand on her chest, sighing in relief. She knows that her brother can pull through this. While Gaara is safe now, it will take him at least a day to recover and regain consciousness. The medic excuses herself as she walks away to prepare medication for the young Lord, leaving the group behind.

"All's well that ends well." Shikamaru scratches the back of his head as he looks around "Come on now, such moping faces don't suit you guys at all."

Lee laughs at his comment, turning his attention to the brunette next to him. She has been awfully silent upon hearing the news. Her shoulders shake lightly as she tries her best not to cry, she is so afraid that her mind only wanders back to the worst possible outcome that when she heard the medic's words, all her fear slowly fades away.

Temari walks up to her, patting her head gently, making Tenten looks up with tearful eyes. The older woman smiles at her warmly, her hand feels so warm and kind.

"It's alright now…" she looks at her "Let us get some rest. You wouldn't want the first thing Gaara sees are these tears, would you?"


Gaara wakes up five days later when one of the medics is preparing new bandages for his injury. Looking to his side, he notices a carnation bouquet resting neatly in a small vase. Did someone come to visit him?

"Lord Kazekage, you are awake!" she smiles "We were so worried about you!"

He grunts in pain, touching his injured shoulder. The medic has to explain to him what happened when he was still unconscious and how they were able to create an antidote for the poison that is still affecting his body. While his injury is already stable, he has been having severe fevers as his body's immune system is fighting back the effects of the poison. They also have to treat his wound several times to ensure there will be no infection.

"I will call Lord Kankuro in, he is waiting outside while we're changing your bandage."

"Thank you…"

He turns his attention to the flower vase again, admiring the soft vibrant color of the carnations. To think such flowers can survive in a desert environment like this, he wonders who is the one that brings them here.

"Gaara, finally wake up?" his brother jokes as he steps closer "You made us all worried, you know?"

"How is everyone?"

"Everyone is happy, now that you're awake."

Kankuro tells him about the rogue ninjas that ambushed him a couple of days ago. With Shikamaru's help, they were able to locate the headquarters and arrest the ring leader. It seems like the leader had incited fear among his followers that Lord Kazekage is selling out the Sand Village for his own profit. While many people did not believe it at first, some were persuaded to join in the grand scheme to assassinate the young Lord.

A few noble families sided with them, believing that the hereditary system of the Kazekage clan is leading the Sand Village to its own destruction. Some even proposed that it was time for a new family to take over the mantel of leadership and go as far as to suggest casting the Kazekage clan out of the village for good.

"They wanted an insurrection…"

"Too bad that their ninjas are nothing but weaklings. They are shinobis of the Sand Village but hold no warrior value." Kankuro snickers as he remembers how they busted into their headquarters "Some threw their pride away just for us to spare their lives. Temari was absolutely furious to see this."

"Temari…?"

"Yup, she and Baki-san went in and destroyed everything."

The young Kage sighs, knowing his sister and how she just lets her temper run wild sometimes. He thanks Kankuro for keeping him up to date with everything then turns his attention to the flower vase by his side again. They're just flowers and yet looking at them warms his heart. But why…?

"Ah, today is carnation as well?"

"As well?"

Why did his brother phrase it like that? Does it mean that these flowers have been here before he even regains his consciousness?

Kankuro gives him a knowing look. Being the good brother he is, the puppet master can't just leave him hanging like that.

"Lord Kazekage! Lord Kankuro!" a medic busts in, panting as his face turns pale "Lord Kankuro, you need to go to the office immediately!"

"Calm down, what's with the rushing?"

Gaara raises a brow, waiting for an answer.

"L-Lady Temari is arguing with the Sand Council…"

"Temari and the Sand Council?"

When Kankuro hurries to take his leave, Gaara stops him. Holding onto his brother's shirt, the auburn-haired man gives him a look, making the medic flinch. Lord Kazekage just woke up from his injury, it would be very bad for him to return to work immediately like this. But Gaara insists…

Something tells him that if he's not there to see what's going on, he might lose something he holds dear to his heart…

Kankuro scratches his head, while he wants to oppose this, it seems that Gaara's determination has won him over. Ordering the subordinates to get Lord Kazekage his clothes, the puppet master prays to his heart that they arrive on time to stop another ruckus from happening.


"How dare you talk about Gaara like that?"

Temari grips her fan, staring angrily at the senior members of the Sand Council. Tojuro has requested a meeting behind Gaara's back to talk about what happened five days ago. This didn't sit well with Temari as when she received the news from her former mentor, Baki, she charged into the meeting room, followed by Shikamaru and his teammates.

The formal conversation soon turns into an argument when Tojuro proposed the idea of giving the Kazekage title to Kankuro as in his eyes, Gaara had proved himself to be a weak leader who got injured by a low-rank shinobi.

"Lady Temari, we all know by now what happened during the attack. To preserve the bloodline of the Kazekage clan, we can not just sit there and let a weak shinobi like him be the leader of this village." Tojuro speaks up "Lord Kankuro has shown to be a more reliable leader. That is why, we must…"

"Enough with this bullshit already!"

A gust of wind slashes across his face, breaking the wall behind him. Temari glares at him, part of her fan opened to unleash an attack, a warning to everyone in this room.

"Where were you when Gaara was being ambushed? Where were you when my brother was defending himself?" she yells at them "Besides Baki-san, all of you seem to forget that besides being members of the Sand Council, you are also shinobis of this village. And yet, no one came to his aid…"

"W-We were fending off the rogue n-?!"

"Don't you dare make another excuse." the blond cuts him off, gritting her teeth in rage "It was his subordinates and the Leaf shinobis who provided the aid he needs while you cowards hid away for your own safety."

"Lady Temari, I would advise you to be mindful of the language you are using." Ikanago, another member of the Sand Council, speaks up.

Backing up by his colleague, Tojuro expresses his concerns about how the Leaf Village is poking its noses in the Sand Village's business. In his mind, because Lord Kazekage has his eyes on a woman from another village, it would pose a threat to the lineage of the Kazekage clan as the child would be an outsider and thus, could be an influential factor in future political matters.

"Had Lord Kazekage accepted the arrangement with the Princess of the Wind Country, none of this would ever happen. There would be no insurrection that wants to take him down."

Tenten, who has listened to everything not far away, flinches at his words.

The Princess of the Wind country…?

While she is here, selfishly thinking that Gaara's eyes should be on her and only her, they already arrange a marriage for him, with a princess nonetheless…

She is crazy to think that she even has a chance with Lord Kazekage. She is Tenten, a nobody, a crazy person whose mind only thinks about the dead. Holding her head with shaking hands, they are here again, those voices that scream how worthless she is, how stupid of her to think so highly about herself like that, how she is nothing more than an eyesore for Gaara.

"Oh how noble of you, thinking for the future of this village like that. You're nothing but a power-hungry man who cares less about the people around you."

"Lady Temari, need I remind you that, besides Lord Kazekage, you and Lord Kankuro also have the same duty to produce the next leader of this village?" Tojuro looks at her coldly "We as members of the Sand Council only act in the people's best interests!"

Shikamaru's ears perk up upon hearing this. Although they have remained silent all this time, the thought of this man reducing Temari down to an heir-producing machine annoys him.

"I also share the same opinion with Tojuro-san." Ikanago rests her chin on top of her palms, agreeing "You are carrying the same bloodline as Lord Kazekage, my lady. I advise that you should start planning for your future rather than just traveling back and forth between The Sand and The Leaf Village."

"What did you just-?!"

"What is going on here?"

Tenten shudders when a rough deep voice speaks up behind her. The brunette turns around, a glimpse of happiness sparks in her eyes as she sees him, Gaara is standing in front of her.

"Lord Kazekage, y-you are…"

The senior members stand up, surprised to see him. Tojuro grits his teeth, how can Gaara be here…?

He briefly looks at Tenten before walking to his seat at the meeting table, Kankuro follows him quietly. His presence brings a heavy and pressured feeling, the air is thick as everyone sits still and silence fills the room.

"Welcome back, Lord Kazekage." Baki is the first one to speak up "We have all been waiting for you."

The emphasis on we makes everyone jumps, a silent warning to anyone who is going to say anything.

"It seems like no one informs me about this meeting…" Gaara calmly speaks. His voice, however, holds no emotion "Tojuro-san, can you please explain what's going on?"

Tojuro flinches when his name is being called. He looks at the young Lord, almost too scared to speak up. Although he is a senior member of the Sand Council and a talented shinobi, he is smart enough to know not to mess with the Kazekage.

"W-We are talking about the future heir of this family. We believe that it's time for you, Lady Temari, and Lord Kankuro to think about that subject. The Sand Village needs its new heir, after all."

"That liar…"

Shikamaru stops Temari from saying anything. The advisor is wise to know that they should not intervene.

Tojuro is very vocal about this matter and how they should preserve the prominent bloodline for the next generation. Ikanago seems to agree with him as well.

"We have been through this, Tojuro-san. I will let everyone know once I find her, for now, let us focus on other things."

Tenten doesn't know how to feel when hearing this. She is happy with the answer, but at the same time, she feels conflicted. It might be that he will no longer be forced into a marriage arrangement but does that also mean he is not planning to see anyone now?

Then that night…

Does it mean nothing to him…?

"Lord Kazekage, after what happened to you five days ago, we can no longer ignore this matter. If something happens to you, then the future of the Sand Village will…" Tojuro shakes his head "I must insist that you find a bride soon, or at least, let us help you arrange one."

"I do not wish to repeat myself, Tojuro-san."

Tension rises between two men, their ongoing conflict has resulted in nothing but unfinished discussion. The senior grits his teeth, just how many times does he need to bring up this subject so that the Sand siblings understand how dire the situation is. With no current heir and the ongoing attacks on the Kazekage, should something happen to him, then the Sand Village will…

No…

He can not let that happen…

"Lord Kazekage, the reason you refuse to see anyone is because of a woman in the Leaf Village, is that true?" Ikanago lowers her voice as she turns her attention to a certain brunette "I have read the report on your last assassination attempt. Your injury was caused because of her, was it not?"

Tenten flinches when all the attention in the room pours onto her. She lowers her head, stepping closer to Lee as if to hide herself away from them. This tension is too much for her to bear.

"Not only she failed to protect herself, but she was also the reason for your injury. Is this truly the woman you want to be with? A weak and pathetic woman?"

"How dare you call her like that?" Lee shouts at her, angry at how his friend is being insulted.

"Lee, calm down!"

Shikamaru pushes down his teammate's pointing finger. Although still wearing a calm face, he is irritated at the accusation they have for Tenten.

"Lord Kazekage, just because we have the Shinobi Union doesn't mean any woman is worthy of the title Lady of the Sand."

Weak, pathetic, unworthy…

They're no longer the voices in her head, but real people calling her names. In their eyes, she is unworthy to be with him, just like how she is unworthy to stay by Neji's side.

Neji…

Tears gather at the corner of her eyes as she tries her best to hold back her sobs. She is a kunoichi of the Leaf Village, she should not humiliate herself by showing her tears in front of everyone. And yet, those hurtful words pierce through her heart before it even has a chance to heal.

She should fight back, she knows that she should speak up. However, even breathing is a difficult task for her right now. Tenten bites her bottom lips, fingers gripping onto her clothes tightly. They will call her a coward if she chooses to run away, so she stays, accepting all the insults.

This is not a place for her. In everyone's eyes, she is not a good match for Gaara. And even in his final moment, Tenten was not worthy enough to meet Neji the last time. She is not a princess that they're looking for the honorable Lord Kazekage, she is no prodigy who excels in one or many forms of arts or techniques, she is just Tenten.

A good-for-nothing Tenten…

Just like back then when she could not save Neji, Gaara is here with an injury caused by her. It seems like the men in her life are ill-fated, or she is a bad omen that everyone should stay away from. Even with Lee and Shikamaru by her side now, she feels so alone, so helpless, so vulnerable…

"Lord Kazekage, that woman is nothing compared to everyone we have presented to you. Just look at her! Worthless and pathetic…" Tojuro points at her "She has bewitched you, such a disgusting woman. She is nothing but a filthy wh-GARHHH!"

Tenten raises her head upon hearing the scream, staring in terror as Tojuro is captured in Gaara's Sand Binding Coffin.

"L-Lord Kazekage, t-that's…"

"Ikanago-san, it would be wise for you to stop talking." Gaara glares at her then turns his attention to him "And you, what are you going to say about my woman?"