This prompt is for spilihp17 who suggested I try writing a multi-chaptered story. To be honest, I am more comfortable with short stories so doing this is quite challenging for me. But since the person who asked for this is my first fanfiction friend ever and who has been very supportive since my first stories, I cannot very well deny the request. Plus, I believe this will be a wonderful experience. And I think I made this author wait long enough too.

Please do check out spilihp17's lovely ShikaTema stories!

As of now this story is T-rated, but it will most likely turn M at some point. Just a warning.

"We cannot allow this engagement," the elderly head of the Suna council announced at the round table. The old woman spoke in a soft but firm tone. Despite her lack in height, she held her head high and her back ramrod straight. Her gaze was daring and set on the kazekage's clear eyes.

At that, the Kazekage stiffened but returned her gaze coolly. After a few seconds of tense atmosphere passed, he quietly asked, "Why is that, Chiyose-san?"

"My Lord, with all due respect, alliances mean nothing. You know that. Precisely the reason why we gather all candidates in one village for the promotional chuunin exams. To gauge and monitor the skills of the strongest and most able of genins per village."

That sounded quite practiced, Gaara thought. He knew he had to be extra careful with his words. In front of someone who knew all her lines and probably predicted his responses, he was blind and ill-prepared. "Pray tell... what is the connection of that to this situation?"

The old lady searched his face intently before speaking evenly as if to ensure the clarity of her speech. "My point is why should we believe that Konoha won't use this Nara as a spy? Marrying the Kazekage's sister would after all put him into a very convenient position to do so."

A sharp gasp sounded. Everyone turned to look at the woman who sat next to the Kazekage and wore four short pigtails as she stood up, scraping her chair back soundly. Her body was shaking in rage, her hands were clenched on top of the table. Her gaze was piercing as she spat, "How dare you insinuate such a thing?"

The elderly woman held back a flinch, bowed slightly and said, "Lady Temari, with all due respect, as much as I would like to believe that this is a love match—" Temari scoffed. "we must consider the consequences in terms of political disadvantages."

Temari gritted her teeth. "Why do you need to look at it in a negative way? Can't we easily call this a political marriage? Won't a political marriage work more to your advantage than not?" The fire in her teal eyes shone bright and her entire body was rigid.

Despite the nervous and frightened looks among the council members, the unfazed elder continued to speak, "That may be correct if we are a civilian village but I'm afraid we are not. We will be at a disadvantage especially since Konoha has proved itself to have some of the strongest ninjas during the shinobi war. What if this move is their way of slowly taking over the other villages? What's to stop them?"

Temari shook her head. "You're overthinking things. We all fought on the same side. And Shikamaru has never done anything to deserve anything of this talk. And I am offended that you would think this man has ulterior motives to marrying me."

Gaara spoke up. "I agree with Temari. I owe my life to Naruto as it is as well. In fact we all owe our lives to him. I trust him not to do any such thing."

"My apologies but I did not mean it in that way, Lady Temari. And yes, My Lord, but Naruto-sama is just one person and does not have a complete hold on their council decisions. However pure he may be, I cannot say the same for the others in positions of power. Danzo was a perfect example. And however good Naruto-sama is, he is not exactly the smartest there is, what if they use his pureness and turns him against us? In the guise of helping his own village? Is it not possible at all in your minds?"

They could not utter a single word. Until the third sibling opened his mouth. Kankuro spoke up in an agitated tone, "So what are you saying? You're forbidding my sister to marry Nara? Are you freaking serious? You do know you need to have the Kazekage's permission to do that? And you know that he would never ruin his sister's happiness!"

"Yes, of course. We would never go so far as to forbid it. However we did hold this meeting so as to highlight the urgency of the matter. We hope you do not just strike this out of hand, Kazekage-sama. Because if you do, we will have no choice but to insist on the matter."

The Kazekage stood up. "That will be enough for today. I will consider the matter on my own time. We will reconvene in a few days. You're all dismissed."

The council members all filed out after bowing before the kazekage. The head of the council pursed her lips before following suit at the blatant stares of the siblings.

"Are you okay, sister?" Gaara asked immediately, concern laced in his words.

She shook her head, face stricken. "What are we going to do, Gaara? They will be persistent. They think they're in the right of it. And if it were anyone else but Shikamaru, I would also think the same way they do. That's the worst of it all." She sighed in frustration, gripping her ponytails without thinking.

"But it is Shikamaru! So this is all moot!" Kankuro nearly yelled.

"It's not that simple. Once they mention espionage, everything becomes complicated. You cannot trust anyone. It's as simple as that," Gaara said calmly. "No matter how much we trust Shikamaru and that he has the best intentions for our sister, we can never fully convince the council of that. Their minds are already prejudiced to the claims of that elder."

There was a moment of silence among the siblings.

Temari started laughing out of the blue. Kankuro looked at her as if she was crazy. Gaara looked at her with worry.

"It's just that Shikamaru always liked to joke that it would be much less troublesome to just elope than do things the traditional way. I am so tempted to take him up on his offer right now." She grinned like a loon as she pictured his reaction if she had agreed to his offer.

"Don't you dare, Temari! A sister of the Kazekage not doing things the proper way would have our parents rolling in the grave," Kankuro grumbled.

"I agree with Kankuro, sister. Please do refrain from doing such a thing," Gaara said, eyeing his sister warily.

"Geez, you guys can't take a joke. I need all the laughter I need right now, thank you very much," Temari groused.

"Don't worry, sister. As Kazekage, I will not allow them to do this to you," Gaara said. He looked at her in a solemn manner which caused her to break out into a warm smile.

"I know I can count on you, Gaara. You're the best brother any sister can have," Temari said as she placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed.

"Hey, I'm right here!" Kankuro complained.

The other two simply laughed.

Oooooooooo

As Temari made way towards her room, she noticed the head of the council by her door. She had a sudden urge to commit an act of violence at the sight of the elderly woman.

"What do you want?" she said curtly, as she crossed her arms impatiently and also to prevent that urge from showing itself. Being sister of the Kazekage did have its downsides.

"Might I have a word with you, Lady Temari?" Chiyose asked in that same irritating soft voice, head slightly bowed as they were taught to talk to royalty.

"You're already talking, aren't you? What is it?" Temari said irritably, wishing she could at least do something juvenile like pull at her hair if she was not allowed brute violence.

The woman hesitated, sensing Temari's frustration. "I did not mean to offend you at all, Lady Temari. I said what was needed to be said. If truth be told, if the Kazekage refuses to see what's right in front of him, well that is too bad for him." The tone of her voice became increasingly hard and determined.

Temari felt a chilly wind stab her in the chest. "What are you saying? Are you threatening the Kazekage? Watch your mouth." She glared at the woman, causing the woman to step back.

But the woman found the will to carry on. "Of course not, my lady. However, if the Kazekage insists on protecting his sister before his people, then a lot of people would start questioning his loyalty and his ability to rule. Bias should hold no part of major council decisions, don't you think so?"

Temari stilled for a few seconds, absorbing that, before saying slowly, "Are you saying Gaara might lose his position as Kazekage if he takes my side?"

There was a hint of a triumphant glint in the woman's eyes and a smug tilt at the mouth as she said, "Well... a council is built to have a sense of check and balance. If the Kazekage does not do his job well, the council has the right to intervene."

"You'd go to any lengths to have your way, won't you?" A sense of dread filled her.

"Anything for the protection of the village, dear. I do hope my meaning is clear, my lady. Have a good day."

The small witch strutted away while she just stared like an imbecile. She really wanted to punch a wall right about now. But the urge dropped as soon as it came. A hollow feeling entered and spread throughout her body, causing it to numb.

So... Gaara or Shikamaru, huh. Damn.

A/N: I am kinda unsure of this chapter but I hope you guys still enjoyed it. Anyway, the next chapter is most likely the ShikaTema confrontation!