It was a month mission to Takigakure, the longest mission Temari had been since Gaara was appointed as Kazekage. This is mostly because she had been occupied working as a liaison and preparing for the Chunin Exams besides being Gaara's bodyguard and advisor. Dealing with the Suna council was her least favourite job description. Those old hags are really conniving. Just because Gaara is young and patient, they think they could do as they please. From the day of his appointment, some councilman were brazen enough to dethrone him and voiced their disapproval in the council. Questioning every single decision Gaara made. Sometimes she wondered if being a tyrant would be easier. Gaara is undeniably the strongest ninja in Suna, let alone the Wind Country. It would be easier to control those old hags. No, that would not be wise. It is not how a country should be run. Suna was at a new age since Gaara was named Kazekage. Now, they had to be wiser playing the game named politics, her least favourite ordeal.

Since Temari was young, she was the included in the council meetings and various planning. This was not a choice but it was needed out of the three Sand siblings. Their father, the Fourth Kazakage had forced them at an early age to be involved in every part of Suna's administration be it defence of the village politics. As a great leader as he was to Suna, Rasa ensured his children were useful to Suna. It was his priority to use every individual especially his children. The only reason they were born. To be alive. To live. Gaara was deemed unstable to be included in the meetings and plantings. His hatred towards their father was too extreme to be left together without a brutal fight. Kankuro was too rebellious and impatient to listen to the chitter chatter. All that was left was her.

"Be useful for once Temari. You can't contain Shukaku. As the eldest you should at least be useful. I can easily put you in a room together with Gaara."

It wasn't her choice, it was her duty to live. What would happen to her brothers if she wasn't there. They were still young without anyone else. Kankuro was afraid of Gaara, abhor him. Gaara and Kankuro hated each other. She had to live. She had to warrant that they didn't kill each other. They had no one. She was the only link. Maybe at that age Gaara and Kankuro didn't know what it was like to have a family. Who could have blamed them? How would have known the meaning of family? They were young. Too young. She had that once, family, until the age of three when her mother died. She knew even for the briefest moment to have someone who would care for her. Unconditional love. It was her duty to be alive. To make sure her brothers were breathing instead of killing each other.

The mission to Takigakure was simple: information gathering. Takigakure was known in producing skilled jonin, a few of them were listed in the Bingo Book notably Kakuza, a bounty hunter. After the Akatsuki infiltrated Suna and managed to capture Gaara it was best to gather information on high skilled rogue ninja with the least information from Takigakure. Temari was asked personally by Gaara since he needed people who he can trust. Kankuro stayed in Suna to investigate every ninja to ensure there was no more spy in Suna. Suna can't afford another attack even though Shukaku, the one tailed beast had been successfully extracted.

As the 30 days passed, she was looking forward to going home. To the sunlight of Suna. The dryness that was comforting. Wind that was her stagnation. Home. Back to see her brothers. She had to visit the hospital. Her last day in Takigakure, she was caught in a trap and fell into a hole. Luckily she managed to grab hold of some vine. Her black kimono was wet from the knee length. It was foolish of her. She searched for any injuries but there were none. It was on her way back from gathering the Hero Water. Upon consuming this water the consumer will have tenfold increase in chakra. Hopefully it can be useful to Gaara since he lost Shukaku. As she was travelling amongst the trees, she saw Takamaru, Suna's fastest messenger hawk. She stopped to let Takamaru land on her arm. The message was simple.

Meet in Konoha discreetly.

This was not a good sign. As she changed her route southeast, she prayed her brothers were fine. Since she left a month ago, Gaara was still managing his chakra flow. She was reluctant to leave at first but the mission was a priority. She managed to postpone it for two weeks to help with Gaara's recovery. Suna probably was not under attack since she had to go straight to Konoha. She spent a lot of time in Konoha since she was Suna's ambassador besides organising the Chunin exams. It was awkward at first. Suna had invaded Konoha. Damaging apart of the village in the process. Even though there weren't any casualties besides the death of their Third Hokage, it was still wrong. Until this day she worked hard to secure the alliance. She owed Konoha for Suna's betrayal. Her first year as the liaison was the worst. She understood the hatred. The people in Konoha resented her. Her people was a part of a plot to murder their Hokage. That was why she had an escort during her stay there. Nara Shikamaru had to follow her around like a shadow.

"I have to follow you around. Like your shadow. Hokage's orders, to help you around Konoha and make sure no one will try to kill you in the process. Mendokusai, I know but we don't want another reason for an invasion, do we?"

"Follow me around like a shadow huh? How ironic."

Even after four years, the hostility was still there but she couldn't blame them. It was more than anyone could ask for. She just had to work harder. This was Suna's redemption. Her atonement.

She arrived at the border of the Fire Country in the middle of the night. Just a few more kilometres left. As she travelled, she was thinking of every possible reason she was needed in Konoha. The Chunin Exams were successfully completed two months ago. She finished most of the trade agreements before she left Konoha. Every agreement were to finalise before summer since the most traffic was conducted before winter. There were least agreements throughout winter. She would settle them with the Chunin Exams. She usually travelled to Konoha three to five times per year staying not more than two weeks. The alliance was still fresh. It wouldn't be easy to rebuild a century old treaty. It was difficult to trust when you were betrayed.

It was unusually chilly for a summer night. As her mind wandered she could see the gates of Konoha from afar. Back after two months. There must be someone waiting for her near the gates, she had to be alert at least a few kilometres near the gate. The Konoha's gates were shut during the night to early dawn. This was a precautionary state especially with the Akatsuki roaming around. There were barriers put up. It was chakra based identification. Only those identified by the Hokage's office were able to pass through and enter the village. The last barrier to enter the village. As Temari drew closer, she could sense a familiar chakra. Holding her fan just in case, she approached it. Hidden under the branches in the shadow, she saw a familiar figure. His ponytail was recognised instantly. A pineapple.

Nara Shikamaru just got back from a week long mission with his team, Team Asuma. They were in Iwa on an escort mission for a monastery. They had to escort 12 monks specialised in sealing jutsu. It was an A-rank mission since him and Sarutobi Asuma were the only jonin it was sufficient to guard the two dozen monks. Shikamaru had to stay back to guard the monks for them to seal their new monastery. The sealing of their latest monastery was a three day process. By the last day of the sealing Sarutobi Asuma, Yamanaka Ino and Akimichi Choji went home back to Konoha earlier. They had a new mission to be assigned. Since Ino and Choji were still chunin, an experienced jonin had to supervise their mission since it was a B rank mission. Konoha was in need of jonin levelled ninja since the Akatsuki was on the move. They were needed for information gathering, intelligence and supervising. Besides the Akatsuki, there were still mission demands to be fulfilled.

Shikamaru was just made jonin a week ago. The escort mission was his first mission as a jonin. He never wanted to be a jonin. Unfortunately, he lost to Asuma in shogi. His first lost to his sensei. He still couldn't understand how he lost. He kept on replaying the game but still hadn't managed to know how his sensei could win. It wasn't the fact that he was underestimating his sensei. It was the last thing he would do. A true shogi player would never underestimate an opponent. It was the basic rule during his first game against his father, Nara Shikaku. He was eager to get back home to Konoha. The shogi pieces from his last game with Asuma were in his room untouched. He wanted to replay the game. Understanding his defeat. It had blindsided him. He hadn't had the chance to replay since he was busy with his jonin exam. Right after the exam was the mission. He travelled back to Konoha without sleep for two days. He needed to understand how he lost. He would start to replay the game after a twelve hour sleep.

Just as he reached home, he dragged his feet to his room leaving his bag pack outside the door for his mother to do his laundry. How nice to sleep in a bed again. Just as he started to doze off, a knock on the door awoken his slumber. His father entered his room. He was still wearing his jonin vest. He was most probably just got back from work.

"Shikamaru, I need you to escort someone 3 kilometres near the north gate and head to the Hokage's mansion. Make sure you aren't followed. Do it as discreetly as possible," explained Shikaku with a serious tone.

Shikamaru sat upright on his bed. "Isn't there Anbu for that?"

"We don't have the time." With that Shikaku left.

Looking on the alarm clock on his bed it was 2.35 am. He left the house hiding in the shadows. Masking his chakra. He reached the north gate, exactly 3 kilometres from the gate and waited. Wondering if he could rest his eyes while waiting. He was too sleep deprived to ponder why or who he was waiting for. It was just so tiring. He wanted sleep. He needed sleep. Shikamaru regretted the fact that he rushed back just for a game of shogi. He accepted his lost. He wasn't a sadistic man to feel like his ego was bruised. It was normal to lose. He needed to understand why or how. Just as he was about to close his eyes, he could feel a familiar chakra nearing. Mendokusai.

"Oi, it was you? Mendokusai" as Shikamaru yawned.

Eyeing him carefully, she noted the black Konoha standard jonin uniform. In two months he became a jonin. Temari wondered how that came to be. She was fully aware of his lack of motivation. Shikamaru was a very skilful ninja. He may not be as strong as Gaara but he was intelligent if he put his mind to it. His intelligence was her envy. It was more than enough to win a strong opponent. His lack of motivation and laziness were the attributes that made him difficult to work with. When they started working together, she was emotionally drained by an hour. It was like talking to a child. They were young then. It had absorbed every ounce of energy she had. She understood why the Fifth Hokage was constantly yelling at him. If she hadn't known patience, he would have died the afternoon of their first day working together. She tolerated his lethargic behaviour as she realised how clever he was. He took his job seriously after being threatened more work if he didn't finish on time. She strictly divided their work into two maybe his a little bit more. She had to deal with him so it was fair besides he was good at his work. As the four year passed, they worked well together. He was still lazy but he grew up as did Temari. Working together became tolerable the least. They now became more mature. The arguments became more intelligent instead of why didn't he finish on time.

"Where to?"

"Follow me. Mask you chakra"

Giving him a nod, they departed immediately. The village was quiet since there was a curfew from 3 am to 5 am. As they made sure they weren't followed, Temari followed Shikamaru to an unknown alley. Entering through one of the secret tunnels, she followed him until they heard some familiar voices. A wooden wall separated them from the other side. Shikamaru gave a knock if she hadn't been alert she would have missed the part that there was a rhythm to it. As the door opens, they were greeted with familiar faces. Sitting across each other the Hokage and the Kazakage. Right beside Gaara, standing was Kankuro the only face that showed any emotion at that particular moment. Was it sadness in his eyes? He didn't looked happy to see her despite her being away for a month. Usually her absence even after a couple of days, Kankuro would always greeted her with a big hug even in the presence of company. He would at least smile. She was relieved, she hadn't realised she was holding her breath. Just behind him was a face, similar to Shikamaru's except for the two scars across his face. Nara Shikaku. The exact copy of his son.

"Hokage-sama, Kazakage-sama, Shikaku-san, Kankuro"

They gave a slight nod. Temari was the last to enter. She walked and stood beside Shikamaru. No one was breaking the silence. The atmosphere seemed tense. The subject discussed seemed crucial. Judging by the way she and Shikamaru entered and the meeting place which is not the Hokage's office this must be a very delicate issue.

Clearing her throat, all eyes were on the Hokage. "Glad both of you could make it. I assume both of you just got back from your missions. I will be straight to the point. As you know, the internal affair of Konoha has been very delicate since the passing of the Third. The politics played by Root under Danzo, one of the councilman is becoming a cause of concern. He is known to use a darker side to achieve peace. Cutting ties, going behind ones back are one of the few ways he'd achieve this goal. Since the recent attack on Suna by the Akatsuki, we can say that Suna is still vulnerable. What we have discussed is to benefit both villages. It was thought very carefully and the best resort we could think of."

Where was the Hokage going with this. Sure Danzo was scheming but would never dare to harm Konoha. His methods were wrong for Shikamaru. It was forced and selfish. He would kill innocent life in the name of Konoha. Many had been his victim. He would also kill anyone that didn't share his idealism. Since the death of the Third, there was more movement from Root, Danzo's underground organisation. Danzo was only afraid of the Third since theey were comrades during war under the Second. Shikamaru only knew these information from conversations he heard between his father and Asuma. Danzo must be planning something to make Tsunade and his father this concern and calling them in the middle of the night. But what did had anything to do with Suna.

"It was agreed that a permanent alliance would be best to secure the treaty between Suna and Konoha. An alliance by blood specifically Sabaku no Temari and Nara Shikamaru. A marriage. Temari, as you know you are the only royal blood there is in Suna besides being the sister of the Kazakage. Shikamaru, you are the heir to the Nara clan, one of the noble clans in Konoha. Konoha can't offer lower than this since Suna will be represented by Temari. The marriage will be kept a secret until needed to be used against our enemies"

Two sets of eyes were widen instantly. Shikamaru had never been more awake in his life. It felt like he was dreaming. He tried to pinch his fingers in his pockets. He could feel pain so this wasn't a dream. Married at seventeen.

Temari was trying to think every word that was mentioned. Regaining her composure. "I know that Suna is fragile at the moment but there isn't a reason to go this far. The trade has increased tremendously. The highest since the existence of Suna and Konoha. There isn't any bad blood between the Gaara and Konoha. I just think we are being worried over what ifs. "

This time Gaara spoke. Looking from Temari to Shikamaru alternately. "Actually, Kankuro discovered that some members of the council were in contact with Root. As you know some of the council didn't really approve of an alliance. They prefer a more aggressive approach. We have yet to discover who that is why it is best to keep it a secret. Suna cannot afford another war oneesan. I haven't full control of my chakra after the Akatsuki took Shukaku. You will have remain an ambassador to Konoha with dual citizenship. Shikaku-san came up with it and I have signed the documents."

This was the problem, if the alliance break Gaara cannot protect Suna. That was why they had to prevent the possibility of war. Those councilmen didn't want an alliance but they weren't the one that would be at the front lines if Suna were to go to war.

"I'm sorry to say this but it seems that this will benefit Suna more than Konoha. I don't understand why Danzo would want a war with Suna if he wants to protect Konoha."

"Son, as you see Danzo-sama wants control over Konoha, if a war breaks between Konoha and Suna it will show the incompetency of the Hokage. That is more than enough reason for Tsunade-hime to step down. The Suna council isn't the only one we are dealing with. The Konoha council is starting to question every decision Hokage-sama has made."

Shikamaru took both hands out of his pocket and made a circle touching his right fingers to his left fingers. Crouching to the floor, eyes closed. His thinking pose. He was trying to find a way out of this.

Looking from her brother to Shikamaru. Temari tried to find the flaw in the plan. A solution to the problem. She was only twenty and marriage was never in her plan. She wanted to stay a kunoichi to Suna. Standing beside her brothers. Making up for the loss of their childhood. Caring more for Gaara whether he needed her or not. That was her resolution since Gaara began to change.

Shikamaru opened his eyes. "Gaara and Kankuro can't be chosen since Konoha has only two heiresses from the Hyuga clan and the Yamanaka clan. There is only Ino and Hinata. Ino will not be chosen since her clan specialises in Intel. It would be a risk to Konoha. As for Hinata, her standing as the heir to her clan is still undecided. There is a possibility Hanabi, her sister will become the heiress so that leaves the Nara and the Uchiha. Sasuka is a missing-nin so that was never to be considered. That leaves me. Oyaji, this is your plan isn't it? "

Shikaku looked at his son, a slight relief came upon Shikaku. He didn't mention Choji, maybe his surmise was true. He never wanted to use his son in this way nor any other children. It wasn't fair. It was interfering with their future. Hell if it weren't Temari and Shikamaru in front of him this would difficult to explain. He noticed that the two of them were intelligent people. They would think and analyse before questioning any authority. It was rare to see someone of his son's age would be able to keep up with his thinking level.

Kankuro hated the idea, how could they decided this to their sister. Their only sister. Temari never demanded anything from them. She was the peacemaker before Gaara changed. She was the only one he had when they were a child. He knew Gaara hated this too. He offered himself first when they came to the conclusion.

"Can't we ask the Hyuga to name the heir? Or I'll marry the eldest and Gaara marry the youngest. Let us meet him. If you don't mind arranging a meeting between us, Hokage-sama, Shikaku-san"

"I'm sorry Kankuro-san, we have asked Hyuga Hiashi but he was adamant to see the progress of his daughters before deciding. The Hokage cannot interfere in clan succession since each clan have a ritual to follow especially if it is a noble clan. As for the younger of the two sisters, she is only eleven. Temari-san, your sister is the only one who can be a part of this."

"You don't understand. Temari-neesan isn't just our sister, she is our mother, our father. She took care of us when she was three. A child taking care of two children and those weren't normal children. Gaara had Shukaku. Gaara and I were practically killing each other. She was our peacemaker. She is everything to us. We can't do this to her Gaara. She has been protecting us for all this time. We can't do this to her. We can't. She doesn't deserve this." With that he let them see his tears.

"I am a father, Shikamaru is my son. We may not be in the same situation but he is my flesh and blood. They are friends, Shikamaru and Temari. I guarantee you that he will treat Temari with respect. Let us hope for their happiness."

With a heavy heart, Gaara turned to Shikaku. "What we are agreeing isn't a simple arrangement. Temari-neesan is our heart. Hokage-sama, we are giving you our souls. "

"Gaara, Kankuro, we will make sure this will not be taken granted. You have my word and my head."

They understood what was asked of them. It wasn't a choice. It was an order. With an exasperated tone, trying to think collect herself Temari asked, "When will it be held? I assume sooner?"

Tsunade took a deep breathe," By 4.30 you are required to be at the Nara clan shrine in the Nara forest. I will bring Gaara, Kankuro and Temari with me. Shikaku and Shikamaru, we will meet you there. We have half an hour. Remember not a word except for your wife who isn't here Shikaku."