.

.

The council speaks in hushed whispers, glancing back at Gaara, furtively. "We must shore up our alliances," the elder says. "Gaara. To take a wife from Konoha would do much to further our village's interests. As Kazekage it is your duty to put the village first."

Beside him, Temari scowls. Kankuro grits his teeth. "This is absurd!" Kankuro says. "You cannot force the Kazekage-sama to marry! If anything--"

"I will marry a Konoha man," Temari says. The council looks up. "If it pleases the council, I will make an alliance with my escort, Shikamaru of the Nara clan, if he is willing."

Kankuro slams his fist against the table. "No one should be forced to marry!" Kankuro says. Gaara rises.

"I will not make a whore of my sister," Gaara says. "I will take a wife from Konoha. Assuming someone will have me."

Kankuro stares; Temari is shocked. The two exchange glances and watch as Gaara folds his hands.

"Then it is settled," the elder says. "If it is the Kazekage-sama's wish, we shall send a hawk to our allies in Konoha and make the proposal. It is our hope that they, too, will agree to such an alliance."

"Gaara," Kankuro says, but Gaara's eyes are dim. The meeting ends and the council rises, bodies walking past the siblings like water around a stone.

"Gaara, a marriage between a Konoha chunin and a Sand jounin would have been more than sufficient," Temari says. "You should have let me." Gaara shakes his head.

"It would defeat the purpose," Gaara says. "Shikamaru Nara does not come from a strong family; the type of alliance the elders seek would involve an older family, someone whose political connections would strengthen our alliance with Konoha. As much as it would serve your personal feelings," Temari's eyes widen, "it would be futile."

Kankuro hunches. "Now if only someone from Konoha would agree," Kankuro says. He rubs his head. "What madness."

The dust stirs. Above them, the messenger hawk flaps its wings.

xXx

.

They receive a reply almost immediately: Tsunade-hime has dispatched her men to look for a suitable bride. We believe a woman from the family Hyuga would best meet our interests, Tsunade wrote. They are the oldest family in our village and have the strongest bloodline. If there is a girl willing, we would gladly arrange this union.

"Hmph. No one from the Hyuga family would stoop themselves so low," Kankuro says. He glances back at Gaara, who's watching him, quietly. "I mean, marrying someone they've never met! Gaara, you know what I meant--a girl who would marry to further her political ambitions! The Hyuga are too proud, they would not sell themselves out so lightly."

"I know," Gaara says. "It's probably why the Fifth chose that clan."

"Gaara," Kankuro says. "You can have any woman you wanted. In the Sand, the younger generation admires you and only knows you as the Kazekage. You are...a desirable mate." It sounds completely absurd; Gaara raises his eyes at him, but Kankuro pushes forward. "I know what you must think of yourself: that the only way a woman would want you is to further her political ambitions, but I tell you, it's not true. Do not accept this marriage," Kankuro says. "Find someone who will acknowledge you for yourself! Do not settle for this! I will not allow it."

"Kankuro," Gaara says. "I am the Kazekage. And if doing this will protect my people, then I have no other choice."

Kankuro falls quiet. Behind him, the sun begins to set, the orange light streaking through the window.

xXx

.

The answer comes on the fifth day. Joyous news! We have found a Konoha bride to wed your Kazekage! Please expect her in three days' time. Kankuro's hands tighten into fists.

Across from him, Gaara sits; his face is a mask. Kankuro grits his teeth as the elders pour over the message. "How wonderful!" the elder says. "A woman from the Hyuga clan, coming to wed our Kazekage-sama! We must start preparing for the wedding preparations without delay!"

Kankuro catches Temari's eyes; she gives him a worried look. "Elder," Temari says. "Perhaps we should give them time to get to know each other--there is no reason we should rush the wedding."

"We must have the wedding as soon as possible," the elder says. "We cannot give the girl time to change her mind." Temari and Kankuro glance back at Gaara, who's staring at his hands. Kankuro stands.

"You are treating the Kazekage-sama like he is a piece of meat!" Kankuro says. "He is doing this for the benefit of our village! I will not sit here idly while you insult our leader!"

"Kankuro-kun." Gaara's eyes meet his. "It is fine. We will continue with the wedding preparations as planned. Thank you, elders." Gaara rises. The rest of the council stands.

Kankuro blanches. "Gaara," Kankuro says. He starts to go after him but Temari grabs his arm.

"Leave him," Temari says. Kankuro watches helplessly as Gaara disappears into the corridor.

xXx

.

At the end of three days' time, the entourage arrives as expected: the would-be bride on horseback, men of the Hyuga clan flanking her sides. The elders greet them, bowing their heads and clasping their hands under long sleeves. The girl's face is veiled; her eyes never leave the ground. "We must begin the ceremony," the elder says, and the girl is ushered off into the temple.

"Madness," Kankuro says. He watches the arrival from above in the northern tower, squinting his eyes. "They're really going to force that poor girl into the ceremony. She barely arrived."

"Kankuro, please," Temari says. "Gaara is doing what is best for the village; doubtless the girl feels the same way. Why else would she be here?" Kankuro's hands tighten into fists.

"Gaara deserves better," Kankuro says. "Gaara..."

He remembers the first time Shikamaru accompanied Temari back to Sunagakure. She was tired, and Shikamaru wordlessly had put an arm around her waist. Kankuro glanced back at Gaara, who was watching silently. Gaara seemed to sense that Kankuro was looking at him; he raised his eyes to meet his.

"She is precious to him," Gaara said, finally. Below them, Temari yelled at Shikamaru and smacked him on the side. "Even if she doesn't realize it; he will always be there for her."

"This is so troublesome," Shikamaru said. Temari glared. "You're troublesome," Temari said. Kankuro looked up at Gaara, who was watching them with sad eyes.

You deserve better than this, Kankuro thinks. He watches as Gaara moves to greet the Hyuga woman, and he clenches his hands. This...woman. Whoever she is. She is only marrying you for political gain. You deserve so much more.

Below them, the woman bows; her eyes are hooded by her cloak. Gaara takes her by the hand and leads her into the temple.

xXx

.

The ceremony is a quiet one; Gaara and the Hyuga woman kneeling side by side. Their eyes are dim. Wordlessly the elder holds out a bowl of water; Gaara takes it and drinks, then passes it to the Hyuga, who does the same. Their hands brush as Gaara passes the bowl, and Kankuro can see his brother struggling to keep his composure.

"Madness," Kankuro says. Temari shoots him a look. "And what do we know of this Hyuga woman? How do we know she's not an assassin out to poison Gaara as he sleeps?"

"Gaara doesn't sleep," Temari says. "Even without the Shukaku he still wanders at night. He will be fine," Temari says, and Kankuro scowls.

"Even so, I do not trust this woman," Kankuro says. "A woman who would marry out of political ambition. The Hokage would not have forced any of their shinobi girls into such an arrangement. Clearly this is a cold-hearted woman. What else would she have to gain?"

"Hold your tongue, she is the wife of the Kazekage," Temari says. They watch as Gaara silently takes the woman's hand.

"All that is left is for you to consummate the marriage," the elder says. Temari catches her breath; Kankuro grits his teeth.

"Bastards," Kankuro says. He watches angrily as Gaara lifts her veil.

"It is for the good of our village," Temari says. "He is doing his duty and so is she. We must not judge them for it."

"I know," Kankuro says.

They disappear behind the curtain. Kankuro clenches his hands.

A/N: Honestly I have no idea where this idea came from. Mostly that being Kazekage (or even Hokage) kind of sucks, and that you're kind of beholden to the village elders who are pulling the strings behind the scene. So yeah. Woo.