The events that began a war.

Enjoy

Tuesday 6:22 AM

Temari was never one to quit.

Even at a young age she was always determined and stubborn. When she fell, she brushed herself off and stood, never one to whine or complain.

He had never given her the choice.

Now she did as she pleased, her freedom given, but her personal ties keeping her grounded to the earth.

Watching the life drain from his eyes, she was almost mesmerized by the choking gasp, behind her gaze a memory played, blinding her to the present.

The call last night, as she had reported her mission a success, was not one she had yet to calm from. Even under threat, the woman was as stubborn as ever.

A disapproving scold.

"I see you have yet to kill the ones who interfered" the man spoke, his voice edging on anger "he will not be happy to hear of the peacekeepers involvement, or the Uchiha that is still alive" a stupid threat. Temari gripped the phone in her hand and glared a hole into the wall. Her location the office building they had made their base, the call coming after her fourth interaction with Sasuke Uchiha, this time leaving him to remain asleep, no venom needed.

"Let's make one thing clear, I do not answer to you" she sneered, just as threatening back to the man "think yourself mighty and you will fall for my own enjoyment, sheep" the man scoffed after receiving her bite.

"I follow a wise man, one who is going out of his way to keep the peace in your foreign home, Temari, don't forget that" the words only continued to build her fire.

"Do not make yourself a saint" she growled, anger growing with each word "you are holding the only thing that matters to me over my head, that is the only reason I am doing this, to keep Gaara safe. Touch him and I will destroy you both, that I promise" with her final snap the conversation remained quiet for a minute, each using the time to lower the flames.

The man sighed before speaking, calmer, his taunting taking a back seat, not that it was of any comfort to Temari.

"Take out all who stand in your way, it is a simple request, one you seem to keep forgetting" he reminded her "You have no choice, but to follow"

"Be careful who you call a puppet, I will show no mercy to anyone who harms what is mine. I will finish this my way, that is final" she finished firmly.

A pause then a sigh, defeated.

"Fine, do as you please, but know this" her eyes narrowed "if you do not give him what he wants, you will not get what you want" she bit her tongue, her end goal miles away no matter how hard she tried "we will meet soon, be ready"

"Looking forward to it" she had resisted the urge to break the phone against the wall.

Something brought her back, not the man begging for air, but someone familiar. The name someone spoke, almost foreign to her in her trance.

With a grunt, Kankuro grabbed his sister around the waist, prying her off the agent she had been sparring with, the one she had been choking. Lifting her in the air, as if she was a feather to him, he turned down to watch the man gasp for oxygen, grabbing at his throat in the panic.

"Damn it" Kankuro huffed holding Temari "you're not suppose to kill our guys, Mistress" he stressed her name and set her down, she had not fought him. Looking back to the agent, Kankuro nudged his head to the door, dismissing the man as he stumbled out the space without a look back, grateful to be alive. Turning his sister around, he looked from one eye to the other, vacant "hello, you in there?" She blinked, brows quickly furrowing as she leaned away from her brother's invasion of her space.

"I see you made it out alive" she stated evenly, giving him a once over.

"No thanks to you" his anger shown as he leaned away and crossed his large arms, dark eyes glaring down to her "how could you use Sasori like that?"

"Like what?" She crossed her arms back, smaller, but just as intimidating as her brother.

"The agent that showed up was Nara, your target" she blinked, no concern behind the stare "Mari" she swallowed when she heard the name "what's really going on?"

"Nothing" she shrugged, keep cool, she told herself.

"Stop avoiding me" he growled after her, grabbing her arm "what are you doing?"

"I said nothing, now drop it and fuck off" she jerked her arm from him and moved to the back of the room, ripping at the wraps over her hands, to protect her from the bruises she didn't need for the time being.

"You have got to be, singlehandedly, the most stubborn person I've ever known" he groaned, stomping after her "you cant keep this a secret from me"

"Wanna bet" she twisted around pointing at him "I told you we are here to get rid of the four who started the war, as soon as that is done we go for the head of the beast" she lowered her hand to her side speaking quieter after a moment "once that is done we can go home"

"Hey, look at me" he put his hands to her shoulder, doing little to ease her tension as her eyes lowered "Sasori was right, you're provoking them, why?"

She was trying to protect him.

"My orders aren't coming from Suna" she looked up at him once, just catching the confusion. How could she forget about the other "they are coming from someone else" she added.

"Who?"

"Nara isn't the only one who knows we are alive" his hands dragged down her arms resting at her hands, holding them as she explained "remember the night we saw him?" He nodded slowly "our mission was to keep Gaara safe while father executed his strike, but what Baki didn't tell you was that night" she licked her lips and looked away from him, pulling her hands from his and turning around "father allowed another to take over"

"The balance" he muttered and she nodded once.

"I can't get out of it" she admitted setting the wraps on the table, gently.

"Is Gaara ok?" At his concerned whisper she shook her head.

"He's the reason I can't" she shook her head faster "I don't know how to get out of this" she stressed and met his dark eyes.

"You've been lying to us" he mumbled and shook his head in disbelief, putting a hand to his chest "to me, your own brother, I can't believe you"

"I had no choice!" She snapped loudly and just as quickly steered the anger away, reason making way past her outburst "If I don't do this he will kill Gaara and take over Suna, then everything we have been doing was for nothing" home she had called it once, home was not the walls she had been trapped in, it was the hell she braved for him, the innocent brother who had brushed away his father's teaching, his gentle soul to trusting in the good "if I follow his orders he will leave Gaara alone, he will leave Suna. All I need to do is get him what he wants" she finished and braced against the table.

"Who does he want?" Kankuro narrowed his eyes, serious, something rare for him.

"He wants Tsunade" she looked back at him then to the window before her, covered in parchment sheets with only a sliver open for the light to enter the stuffy office "she's the head of the beast"

"That's why you want to provoke them, you want to draw her out" with his understanding he let out a breath and grinned "but" he snapped, glare returning "like hell if I'm letting you do this on your own, he's my brother too, Mari" staring back at him, her once shorter than her brother now stood a foot taller and as he always had been to her, nothing more than an overgrown teddy bear.

"Fine" she agreed begrudgingly, but a part of her was relieved, another feeling making way, the strange fear that had started last year.

Tuesday 10:34 PM

Location: Ichiraku Bar, Commons District.

Owned by a a man named Teuchi and his daughter Ayame, the Ichiraku bar was a meeting ground for celebrations and failures alike. Meant to toast to a mission well done or drown out the heavy burden of a loss.

Today was a mix.

He had failed to save Haku, but he was sure of her next move, preparation making way for Friday. Four generals had been her target, but what was the end goal? Yet to find Sauske, yet to understand why he was needed in Wind country.

This had become a drag.

"Another round?" Looking up from his empty glass, Shikamaru caught the comforting smile of Teuchi. A man who enjoyed what life had to offer, always open to share or hear about stories people engaged him with. He'd known the team for nearly five years now, a slim part of Shikamaru figured the man knew about their true purpose in Konoha, but he never spoke it into existence.

"Make mine a double" Shikamaru glanced back, catching the blushing smile of Ino, tipsy to say the least, beside her Sai, a pleasant smile returned to the bubbly blonde. Sakura's interfere earlier setting the two up to a hour long conversation which meant Shikamaru had no choice but to stay and observe "and cut her off, one more drink and I'll have to carry Ino home" he added with a sigh.

"You got it Shikamaru" Teuchi chuckled turning to make the drink. A bell rang, the door to the small bar opened and a familiar face walked in "Let me guess, beer in a big cup" Teuchi broadened his grin as Naruto sat heavily into the chair next to Shikamaru.

"You know it Teuchi" Naruto gave him a salute and nudged Shikamaru with his shoulder "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages Shikamaru, busy weekend?"

"A little late for you to be out" Shikamaru observed the darkened circles under the Hokage's eyes, knowing the work that had to be put into this part of the mission.

"Lost track of time" Naruto shrugged, tapping the counter in a off beat as he glanced around "had a late night with the Storm that came in yesterday" Shikamaru furrowed his brows, storm being their code for Wind country. Naruto raised his brows, staring obviously at him, blinking a few times to make sure Shikamaru understood he was speaking in code, the blonde not the most subtle of agents.

"You think it'll rain?" Shikamaru asked, nodding his thanks to Teuchi as he handed him his drink. The mission to have Gaara come for official negotiations given to Naruto to lead the public side of things, while Shikamaru had worked behind the scene.

"Might be delayed, but it'll definitely rain for sure" Naruto grinned at his beer and took a long sip, downing half in one go. Gaara would be here, his date set at a later time, the meeting with their general set next week, he's have to remember that.

"Troublesome" Shikamaru muttered as he knew he'd have to keep tabs on the days coming up, while also work out how to catch the elusive princess that had been watching him lately.

"Now tell me" Naruto began after slamming his cup down, turning a amused grin to him "all about that chick who kicked your ass"

"Who told you?" Shikamaru groaned, dragging a hand over his face.

"Kiba" Naruto chuckled.

"Of course he did" he sighed, raising his glass to his lips as he spoke "nothing you need to concern yourself with" as he set the glass back down, sliding over to his pack, happy to ignore Naruto's whine about the matter, he paused and glanced back to him "isn't your wife waiting for you at home?"

"She left Sunday. Hinata is at her dads for the week, clan business" he shrugged, instantly feeling down about it "been pretty lonely without her"

"It's been two days" Shikamaru rolled his eyes.

"Feels like two years" Naruto sighed sadly, another swing of the beer and he looked over with a grin, a joke ready to amuse himself with "look who I'm talking to, you emotionless log, the only close relationship you have is with a woman you hate"

"I don't hate Ino" Shikamaru rolled his eyes with a groan "just can't stand being in the same room with her sometimes" he muttered, a small part hoping she didn't hear him "the only woman I met who hasn't given me trouble was" he stopped talking, glaring down at his drink when he absently thought of Shiho.

"You should talk to her" Naruto piped in, more excited as if he had the greatest idea known the mankind.

"And what explain the troublesome reason why we can't be together?" The idea instantly sat heavy on him, so he shook his head "to much of a drag"

"Well you could at least get laid" Naruto muttered with a shrug, wiggling his brows suggestively at him "you seem stressed and need some release"

"I'm not going to dignify that with a response" Shikamaru deadpanned.

"Suit yourself Shikamaru" he shrugged and stood "but I'm not this happy without a reason" Naruto winked and pushed away from the bar "hey Kiba!" As he shouted across the mostly empty bar, Shikamaru kept at his glaring, the way the ice moved slowly in the glass keeping his focus.

"Seriously, how did you manage to make him Hokage?" The sudden question from Kakashi brought him back. He looked to his left as the agent sat down, his mask gone, his dark eyes amused at his own question.

"I don't even know where to start" Shikamaru grinned and sipped quietly.

"Same could be said about your current predicament" Kakashi hummed, setting his clear drink on the bar.

"Tsunade told you?"

"Level one" Kakashi shrugged, nursing his glass in his hands "it's clear that this is not going to be an easy endeavor"

"They usually never are" he huffed grabbing at his pack and the lighter that wasn't his "and to top it off it just had to be something connected to Asuma" he added with a bitter note. Kakashi sighed taking a sip at the thought of his old comrade.

"I have a feeling" Kakashi began as he looked thoughtfully at the bottles lined on the shelves behind the bar "that I've heard of her before, at least I'm assuming now that we know what she's capable of"

"You have?" Shikamaru ventured quietly, curious. Kakashi had been known for his foreign affairs work, anything from targets on the international bingo book to investigations on threats made to Fire.

"While I was in Kumo looking for Itachi a few months back, I heard this story from some of the natives" he sipped his drink "I think it's about this dead princess of ours" Shikamaru quietly held the drink in his hands ears open to listening, Teuchi down at the end of the bar, unable to hear "see the village these people lived in had a leader once, man named Goda Hotoka"

"Wasn't he from the bingo list a couple years back?" Kakashi nodded to him.

"Most wanted man in Lightening, at the time, killed countless agents and military personnel claiming he was keeping his people safe while expanding towards Kumokure" Kakashi drank to the explanation, then sighed "Until one day she appeared, killed every one of his men and then him" Kakashi looked to him "his entire private militia wiped out during the weekend"

"By herself?" Shikamaru looked back to him, slowly, speaking as if he didn't believe him. Troublesome suddenly became a understatement, the caution towards legs remained.

"It's what I heard" he shrugged taking a sip "but from what I could gather around the village a man like a shadow followed her" the glare that followed settled in both of their eyes.

"Itachi Uchiha" Shikamaru swallowed the name distastefully, confirming the woman had dangerous allies, from the ex Akatsuki members to rouge agents.

"So, you said your being watched?"

"Yeah" he sighed, another troublesome observation he had found out. He sipped his drink and glared into the bottles behind the bar "I've decided to stay, not give myself away just yet" he already knew where the apartment was, subtle glances through the day had given him an idea at least.

Then he had spotted the woman from the club, Sen, reminded of her freckled features and sandy hair, her walk into the lobby of the building across from his, one he quickly followed, sheer luck on his part. Remembering the apartment number she entered, he went about his day casually, as if he belonged, as if he didn't know. Unless it was a setup, he knew now not to underestimate this woman, in more ways than one.

Shikamaru set his empty glass down, the melted ice clinking against the side of the crystal.

"I'll let her watch, for now"

Wednesday

He had been right.

Yanagi Fu had been tampered with.

After her arrest, her blood diagnosed what he had predicted, a slow poison, one that worked its way around the body, one that clouded judgement and created false realities. Yanagi's being her husbands extracurricular activities creating a murderous rage in her.

Beside him, Shiho set aside the file she had shown him with a sigh. He remained standing, glaring down at the images of foreign herbs and crime scene pictures Ino had took. The choice to come to the forensics lab alone, so far, an easy experience.

"With any luck, this could be used to get a plea deal at least, but I don't know if we should" he muttered, a part hopeful to redeem the poor woman, but blood had already been spilt. To weight his selfish conscious over the lives of others now seemed futile, it was a secret, one he was to keep to himself, unless told otherwise. Knowing Tsunade, he knew it was hopeless, she would always side with the many over the few, a part of him already knowing that the lost woman was to live out her days behind bars.

"I'm sorry to hear that, I heard she was a very nice woman" Shiho offered her sympathy, rushing a glance his way, before dropping it back to her notes, hand nervously pushing her glasses up.

"Yeah, she was" he sighed leaning against the table, glaring at the cracking wall in the back of the room, it's happened less, the hallucinations, but they still found a way to emerge during more stressful times. He realized if he remained calm they didn't show as often, so he did just that.

Stayed calm.

Even with Shiho a few feet away from him, their exchange quiet and professional, it had really helped until she had mumbled something about a similar case she had witnessed months back while they had been together. They had a short romance, only a few months, keeping secrets from someone who you were supposed to be close with wasn't a easy task by any means, and for him it just became more troublesome as time went on.

"So, who is this mystery woman that's been causing trouble anyways" she ventured, watching him. The question made his finger twitch, no lighter. He looked up at her and down again with a sigh, remaining quiet "oh level one" she muttered with a hum and pursed her lips as she looked back down "sorry to ask"

"Sorry" he rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh "I'm not allowed to share anything about her, but she's definitely trouble for the peacekeepers"

"Well" she offered a nervous smile to him "I saw what she did to Izumo and Kotetsu, so I definitely believe that" she kept her gaze on him longer than normal "I hope you're careful, I don't want to see you get hurt again" and the drop in her gaze just caught by his own.

"Tsunade would have never made me lead agent if she knew I couldn't handle myself in a situation like this" he tried for a comforting grin out of habit, one to ease her nerves.

"Either way" she fiddled with her fingers in her lap as she turned the chair to face him "it's just you do this thing where you get stuck in your own head sometimes and don't even notice things that are right in front of you"

"What do you mean?" As he looked to her she bit her lip, searching for how to say it.

"I mean you get so lost sometimes in something your doing and forget those closest to you" she peeked up at him, he could practically feel how nervous she got under the look he gave her, the reserved one. The one he was taught to keep in order to protect.

"It comes with the job" he replied evenly, emotionless log, Naruto had called him. He might have been a quiet man, but he understood others well enough, able to read a move to aid him.

"Im just saying" she ventured, another bite of her bottom lip, he found himself staring at the gesture "that you don't always have to be alone" she slowly stood, closing the comfortable distance they had been at "that's all"

"Shiho" he breathed the name, swallowing quietly as she neared closer and closer. He wasn't nervous of this, no, he was nervous of the aftermath. Leaning up to him, standing on the tips of her heels, she pressed her lips against his. At first he remained still, closing his eyes for a brief moment, feeling the glossy lipstick she wore, cherry. She slowly led, urging him to move against her and with the plea he tilted his head, just pressing harder against her.

Soft.

Just as he had remembered. The feel of her lips against his were mellow and calm as if each of them where afraid to break the other. In a way they both had feared the other.

Those calm nights returned, casual days of having another close, someone to warm his cold bed. He almost didn't notice how cold it suddenly got, the bed glazed over in a sheet of ice, yet warm, the dark stain growing on the blanket. Her body laid bare, naked, her throat slit, eyes sinking into nothing.

He jerked away at the sight, pulling his lips off hers quickly.

"I'm sorry!" Shiho seemed as panicked as he was.

"No, I'm sorry" he stepped back "we can't, shouldn't uh" he stopped himself, like a fool rambling on, he shut his mouth and took a breath willing the image clear from his head. Shiho looked back to him, he didn't need to look to know the worry that burdened the gaze "I still sometimes" he muttered after a moment "hallucinate" lamely finishing his thought with his eyes turned to the floor.

"Oh" she nodded slowly, asking quietly "is it bad?"

"Sometimes" he died in the sudden awkward air, escape just a few steps away. Something Naruto told him suddenly made way when Shiho neared and grabbed his arm. No, he couldn't do that, not to her, he couldn't string her along for temporary relief, not again.

"If you need someone" she began, but even he felt rude cutting her off quickly.

"No" he pulled back, hands shoved away from sight "Im fine, just need some time is all" he knew the way he left was a rash move, but he gave himself his out, and a new hatred for the dead princess began.

Thursday

He'd always been careful.

To keep anyone close to him he had to be. The only friendships he forged were with agents, and even they remained at a distance, since the day he was chosen to be their lead, he was tasked to protect his people and his country.

"Uncle Shika?" He glanced back in the rear view, a bounce of short black hair and burgundy eyes staring back at him.

"Yeah?" He began shortly, knowing where the conversation with Mirai would go. She was four, the prime age for a game of one hundred questions.

"Do I have to go to school?" Mirai whined, groaning as she rolled her head back in the seat.

"Your mom said you have to" he grinned when she huffed "but" he glanced in the mirror catching her wide eyes "if it was up to me we'd skip school and go out for ice cream"

"That's not fair!" she threw her head back, only whining for a second, before snapping her head forward, hopeful and excited, a new idea popping into her head "can we go after I come home from school?"

"Sorry Mirai, but I'll be at work later" another groan, he couldn't help but grin, wishing nothing more than to spend the day with his goddaughter, tomorrow held no promise that he would have this time with her again "Your mom had to go in early today so that's why I'm driving you to school" with a apologetic tone, he sighed.

"Well now you owe me ice cream" crossing her arms with a demanding huff "I'll be thinking about it all day"

"I'll get you as much as you can eat some other time" he grinned back at her.

"Promise?" She smiled, wide, bright, happy. Asuma would be proud to know his daughter was growing up. His smile grew, a light laugh followed.

"Promise"

As he set Mirai down in front of her school gates he put a hand to her short black hair and grinned down to her. Staring up to him, his grief vanished, no hallucinations, no pain, just delight in the innocent happiness children offered.

"Be good in school" his words met with a hug to his leg.

"I will" Mirai promised and rushed past the open gate waving back to him "Bye uncle Shika!"

"Bye Mirai" he waved back, returning his hand to his empty pocket and keeping in the calm, small smile, the future always bright when he saw her.

Everything was calm.

"She's a cute one" the voice. The chill running up his spine, the sudden fire in his eyes, he swallowed. He didn't need to turn to know who had come to stand beside him, who had suddenly covered the clear sky in dark clouds and blinding winds.

"If you go anywhere near Mirai or her mother-" he growled out, eyes remaining ahead to the innocent child as she entered the school.

"Relax" Temari rolled her eyes, calm as he once was, if not interested in the sudden protective tone that took over "you really think I'd hurt a child?" He paused, thought of the possibilities and let out a breath.

"Why are you here?" He looked over to her, she remained watching, a soft glare aimed at the gates. Casually dressed in a tan long coat and golden hair loose and blowing against her cheek in the autumn breeze.

"Some genius you are if you're still asking questions" he found no amusement in her taunting, or when she turned and pinned his eyes against hers, unable to look away as the match began "cheer up tall, dark, and brooding, I won't touch them" she raised a hand flashing a small smile, innocent "honest to Jasin" a moment more and he let out a breath he was holding, though annoyance still remained. It clicked after a moment who actually smuggled her over the border undetected.

That son of a bitch.

"Fucking Hidan" his eyes shut and let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing the back of his neck, a part of him believing her calm words, a part annoyed at how slow coffee kicked in some mornings.

"Slippery bastard that one" Temari agreed with a shrug. She turned with a beckon of her finger and headed down the sidewalk following the fence from around the school to the streets "move Nara, I don't have all day" she called back, the demand clear that he had no choice. His path made for him, curiosity sparked, the sixth sense made way, but he followed.

"You don't seem like the type to go on casual strolls" glaring ahead at the cracked sidewalk he took a pace beside her, keeping just out of touching range, both with their hands in their pockets, his twitching, hers holding something. The area around them calm, but populated as the morning began.

"Once again you just assume something about me" she tsked, scolding him "you know who I'm supposed to be, but you don't know who I am" she glanced over at him, eyes tight behind the dark mascara.

"Enlighten me then" he returned the look.

"I am not an agent of Suna" she stated. His brows instantly raised and turned a questioning look to her, but she answered before he could ask "I don't answer to Gaara, therefore not a Suna agent" she shrugged "all I'm doing right now is a job"

"Then who is giving your orders?"

"That's a secret" she grinned, he was sure it was from the irritated look he gave her "all you need to know at this moment is that Suna and Gaara are two separate beings" he skipped a step, stopping and blinking at her in confusion.

"What do you mean exactly by two separate beings?" She huffed and stopped with a stomp of her boot, looking back.

"You have Gaara, the Lord of Wind, last remaining blood heir to the title" she narrowed her eyes back at him, for some reason he took a step and continued to walk, following the silent demand to keep moving "then you have Suna, the council, and elders that make up the city and villages around them" she shifted a step closer to him, passing a pair of women on their brisk morning walk, keeping her close distance to him after they left "it is those two beings that make up the hourglass that symbolizes Wind" he looked at her thoughtfully, the image of official sealed documents from Wind always had the symbol of the hour glass. A sudden spark in knowledge he didn't know about intriguing him to listen closely "the top of the glass symbolizes the family who rules, the bottom is the council of people who follow. The power they share is balanced, that is how Wind should be ruled" she looked to him, serious "but it's been broken for a long time"

"How so?" Suna history, a rare knowledge, and from someone who probably knew it better than most. Even the language Shikamaru had learned when he was younger was limited, the basics to understand how to read, write, and speak it had been some of his toughest to master.

"The balance has shifted, it doesn't turn anymore" Gaara went around his councils back to negotiate, the sudden thought, the words Sasori had told him.

"Is someone else in charge of Suna?" He asked quietly, outwardly keeping at his casual pace.

"You could say that" she shrugged nonchalantly, making him uncertain of her words, unable to decide if she was lying to him "What happens when you flip an hourglass?" Looking to him to answer her trivial question.

"The sand shifts to the other side of the glass" as he spoke her face shifted to a excited grin, a jab at him for fun.

"Wow, you are smart" she widened her grin, rosy lips framing perfect teeth, the way her eyes shut in her amusement, he skipped a step.

"Must you mock me" he groaned, looking away quickly, uneasily, trying not to stare.

"Can't help myself" the absolute delight in her short laugh was worth glancing back to witness it as it fled just as quickly and she looked back to him after she settled, after he wiped away his embarrassing blush "you see, the power has to constantly be moving, it has to be shared, or else the hourglass stills and the sand no longer moves, in order to keep it balanced, it must turn or the power then shifts and stays on one side of the hourglass" the lessons she had learned from a young age, from her uncle.

"The power is broken then?" He nodded, mostly to himself "it's stuck on the council's side?" he looked to her for approval, but she only let out a breath and kept at her pace. She couldn't answer him.

"What do you know about Suna? What did they teach you here in Fire?" she hummed and glanced back to him, curious.

"It's nickname is the impenetrable fortress" he gave her a pointed look with a shrug "I don't think they just named it that for kicks"

"No they didn't" she smirked, pulling at her pink lips "Suna might look prosperous on the outside, but inside it is hell" she lost the grin "you asked where I went after I left Sasori" he gave a nod "I went to Suna, lived like the common people, I no longer had a title, no protectors, I lived on the other side of the hourglass, all I had was Kankuro and myself" with a shake of her head she continued "I lived just outside the walls I grew up in"

"Why didn't you just leave?" He asked, catching the fall of her gaze as she kicked a rock aside with her boot.

"The only reason I stayed, was for Gaara" she stopped then, around them a quiet park he remembered taking Mirai to a few times. The next words were quiet, and spoken with care "I was three when I lost my mother, the day my brother was born" She pulled something out of her pocket, a stained folded parchment, gently caressing the paper in her hand "Karura was her name, she was a beautiful woman, with the kindest smile, my father might have been the Lord of Suna, but she was The Lady of Wind. She was the hourglass that kept him balanced" she handed the photo to him, the one she had stolen from her father's room the night she reunited with her youngest brother, the only image that remained of her mother, others had all but vanished the day she died.

In it, Rasa stood stoically next to a seated woman, her young age forever frozen in time. The gentle curves of her face pulled up with a quiet smile as she adorned traditional silk sashes and beaded jewels. In her lap a small boy, his lopsided smile bearing several teeth. Below Rasa, Temari stood just as stiff as her father, but dressed as gently as her mother.

"When she died, so did he" as he returned the image, careful to handle the delicate paper, he could feel the bitterness in her tone "the balance changed, the fall of an empire because of a woman, and a man who left a world of ashes to his only son" she added with a sigh and kept a leveled gaze at him "because of this nations look down on Wind, this is how Rain began, how the third war started. Their balance shifted" she shook her head "Leaving Suna was the greatest day of my life" she blinked once, sighed, and continued "not that I realized it at the time, but in a way, I am grateful that Asuma had tried to get us all out, not so much the killing part," she added with a shrug "but the past is the past, sitting around mourning the dead won't help our future" just the name was enough to drop his eyes, she noticed "our nations might have their quarrels with each other, but I do not have personal ones with anyone in Konoha" she paused and her look changed, her voice lowered, a threat "that is" Clink, he knew that sound "if you decide to drop this chase you've started with me and stay out of my way"

"You know I can't do that" he returned evenly, glaring at Asuma's lighter in her hand as she shut it quickly, the sparked flame gone.

"How unfortunate for you" the threat remained and her hand retreated to her pocket, lighter tucked away.

"What are you doing here, Temari?" What was her end goal, what was the reason? A part of him wanted to snatch that lighter from her, but he knew others were around, she knew he wouldn't try.

"We all have hoops to jump through, Shikamaru" facing him with a glaring look, one of warning "I told you to stay out of it, but you just had to stick your nose in other peoples business" she stepped forward, lifting her chin to gaze up at him. The fierce heat behind her eyes burned, as if he was staring at the very sun "I look forward to killing you" spoken ever so softly past her lips, a promise. He lowered his gaze, forcing a shadow over her as he returned the promise.

"Likewise"