Temari stood behind Gaaras back, watching his crimson hair swaying in the wind. Looking at him, she thought to herself that her little brother had really grown splendidly.

They were standing on top of a hill, gazing down at the brilliant view of Suna from above. The people in their village called this hill the winds reading spot because the wind never stopped blowing up here, all year round. Temari knew very well that Gaara was the only one who came up here despite the strong wind to enjoy the view of the village.

Do you need anything, nee-san? Gaara asked. He tilted his head back to look at her, and Temari could see the lone kanji for love that was tattooed onto his forehead.

Several years ago, if anyone in the village had heard the name Gaara they would shudder in fear. But look at her little brother now. He was the leader of Suna, and a vital authority in the alliance holding all shinobi together. Gaara had become an existence the Shinobi World couldnt do without.

It was all thanks to Naruto.

Gaara had a bijuu inside him ever since he was born, all throughout his childhood. He used to believe in loving only oneself and had accepted the rest of the world to be his enemy, not letting anyone near. The old Gaara hadnt even let his elder sister Temari or older brother Kankurou anywhere near entering his heart. Even if he didnt say it out loud, his whole body, his actions of losing himself in the throes of bloodlust, all the things he did transmitted those words loud and clear.

Naruto was the only one who had managed to reach Gaara.

Naruto simply couldnt abandon Gaara, not when he was a fellow jinchuuriki whod lived the same life he had. After exchanging blows in a fierce battle that surpassed the limits of normal humans, the two slowly came to understand each other. When Gaaras bijuu was removed from his body by the Akatsuki and he was on the brink of death, Naruto had pumped as much of his own chakra into him as he could, not holding back in the slightest. Gaara had recognised him as a friend.

Gaara had been changing ever since he met Naruto. His cold demeanour disappeared. The way he treated and spoke to Temari and Kankurou changed. His attitude towards the village changed. His feelings towards the people in their village changed.

And in the end, Gaara was recognised by everyone.

Temari was eternally grateful to Naruto for that. She thought that the village of Konoha overall was likeable. Their villagers held a strong pride as shinobi, and many of them were logical people.

Suddenly,that guysface flashed across her mind. There was a stinging pain inside Temaris chest all of a sudden, and she irritably clicked her tongue.

Is something wrong, neesan?

Eh? No

Gaara was looking at her, worry transparent in his eyes. Temari could feel his concern so keenly that it hurt, and looked away from his gaze.

The village of Suna was always parched for water. Being right in the middle of the desert, it never rained. And sand always got mixed in with the wind as well.

I got a little sand in my eye, thats all.

Thats rare. Gaara mildly said. That doesnt usually happen to you, neesan.

Th- thats true

Those born in Suna were accustomed to the relationship between its sand and wind, used to handling it. Even in a dust storm, no suna-nins eyes would ever sting because of sand.

Temaris line about sand getting in her eyes was a blatant lie and excuse.

Shikamaru Gaara suddenly saidthat guysname, and Temari was caught so off guard she couldnt stop herself from stiffening.

Although his sister had stiffened up as if in response to an enemy attack, Gaara didnt say anything about her sudden guarded posture, and simply went on speaking indifferently.

I feel like hes been behaving strangely lately. The last time I saw him at the Unions Headquarters, it seemed like his heart wasnt in his actions. I got the feeling he was working himself too hard.

You think so too, huh. Temari said.

Gaara nodded. I used to not care about other people, but now Im extremely careful to take notice of others behaviour and appearances. Maybe thats why Im sensitive to the movement of others hearts.

Of course, her brother was, at the root, a very serious person. Once he believed he should do something, he put his all into diligently carrying it out. It was because of that he was able to open his heart to everyone so completely.

It wasnt a surprise that her brother should notice the subtle changes in Shikamarus behaviour, when he was so careful about reading others in general.

Hes hiding something.

Mm Temari let out a sound of agreement.

Hes someone who thinks about the future of the Union and shinobi over all more seriously than anyone else. Gaara said. I dont think he would do anything that could threaten the Union.

Gaara was referencing the fact that each hidden village participating in the Union had the duty to report any problems inside or outside their jurisdiction. He was also referencing the fact that both he and Temari had noticed Shikamaru was holding back reporting some situation happening in Konoha. Any problem that made him act like that was very likely a problem that affected all the shinobi villages.

Do you have any idea what he could be holding back, neesan?

I wonder if I do.

It was natural that Gaara would ask her. Temari was the one who worked with Shikamaru the most within the entire Union.

Its not that I dont have an idea what it is Temari said. Im just not sure if Im right.

Gaara nodded, silently listening.

Hed been seriously investigating the shinobi who went missing in action during the war, and the recent cases of missing-nin in the villages.

At Temaris reply, Gaara took his eyes off her and gazed down at the village again. A furrow came between his brows.

He was thinking.

The wind suddenly picked up. Bits of sand scraped across their foreheads, a familiar pain.

Lets ask Naruto. Gaara murmured. Will you go, neesan?

Yes. Temari was startled by how eager her voice sounded.

Of course, you should ask Kakashi too, but hell definitely find a way to avoid answering, so ask Naruto about Shikamaru first. Gaara said, If it turns out that Shikamarus confronting a grave situation, then we must do nothing less than try to save him with our full strength. If you feel like shinobi from Suna are needed, take as many with you as you need.

Shikamarus a shinobi of Konoha, you know?

Were long past the era where we care about things like Suna shinobi or Konoha shinobi. Hes a man whos necessary to the Union. Its natural that we would support him.

Thank you.

This isnt something you need to thank me for, neesan.

One small tear had slipped its way down Temaris cheek. Impatiently wiping it away, she looked at her little brother with a wide grin.

Somehow, the sand keeps getting in my eyes today.

Hey Sakura-chan, are you listening? Naruto irritably asked, leaning his elbows against a pile of books that came all the way up to his chest. He was speaking to Sakuras back as she was rushing along the length of the bookshelf that covered the wall.

Ya know, Sai hasnt been around for over a month now, and Shikamarus suddenly turned incredibly cold and stiff around me. Hey, dont you think hes hiding something from me?

Idont!

Sakuras exasperated voice made Naruto wince.

What happened to your mission?

It ended today.

Then quickly go to Ichirakus, eat some ramen, head home and sleep!

Whaaaaat, but its been so long since you stopped by the Hokage Residence. Youve finally shown your faceYoure acting so cold as an original member of team 7.

Sakura furiously turned around to face her pouting friend.

Right now, Im already overwhelmed with working with Tsunade-sama on developing a system for medicinal jutsu,as wellas working on the structure of the Unions system. Ive got to go through documents left over from Tsunade-samas time as Hokage! I dont have any free time! I cant listen to your gossiping! Understand?

Huffing, she turned back to face the shelves.

Besides, havent you been hanging out with Hinata lately? Wouldnt it be a better idea to go and have her listen to you properly instead of bothering me?

What? Are you jealous?

Sakura turned around with a furious expression, her fist slamming against Narutos head.

Obviously not! I decided to wait for Sasuke-kun, you know!

Y-yes maam Naruto answered. Suddenly his eyes changed to look a bit more serious, and Sakura, noticing, paid a little more attention to what he was saying.

But lately, ya know, Ive just had this really bad feeling.

Is the Nine Tails making a fuss?

The Nine Tails was still living inside Naruto. There were also remnants of the other 8 bijuu inside him as well. In that way, you could say he was a human pillar for the power of the Ten Tails. In the last war, Obito had become a human pillar for the Ten Tails and gained chakra rivalling that of the Sage of the Six Paths. Naruto, whod taken the bijuu into him as well, had some of the Sages power even now. His bad feelings were different from a normal humans, and Sakura knew it too.

Dont you think youre misunderstanding something?

Youre cruel, giving my judgement zero trust Naruto muttered, flopping onto the floor in a sulk.

Its because if you are rightly worried, theres nothing you can do. Both Sai and Shikamaru are brilliant shinobi. Even if they end up in a situation where need your help, then theyll ask for it. And if they cant, then the Hokage will tell you to go save them.

Ehhh, I cant trust Kakashi-sensei to know when to do that.

Youre much worse than he is! Sakura exploded, giving him a kick in the shin. Naruto shot back to his feet, wearily keeping a distance.

Stop talking about things you cant help, and concentrate on your missions. Thats what Sai and Shikamaru would both want you to do.EspeciallyShikamaru. Hes been working himself to the bone in the Union and the village so you can become Hokage! You cant let all that be in vain.

I know hes working for mebut thats exactly why Im worried, ya know.

Sakura let out a sigh.

Get a hold of yourself. Theyre comrades whove believed in you all this time, theyre not gonna die meaningless deaths.

Dont talk so ominously about death!

Oh, for goodness sake! I say one thing you get upset, I say another you still get upset. Youre being a real pain, ya know! Sakura used Narutos own phrase against him. Go home and sleep!

Sakura threw Naruto out of the room.