A/N: My last update on this story was almost a year ago? I'm so embarrassed to admit that…thanks to everyone whose read and reviewed thus far. I'm glad you're enjoying it, and it will get finished, never fear. With the last chapter I deviated from what I had written down and ended up painting myself into a corner that screwed up the way this chapter was to begin and messed up the overall flow of the story.
Then life got in the way for a bit. My apologies, and I hope you enjoy this chapter, I'll get started on reediting the next one as soon as this one's uploaded.
Mattaku-jeez, Otouto-younger brother, Otousan-father, Iie-no, Oneechan/san-Older sister when you're talking to her, Joudan ja nai-"you've got to be kidding!", Hai-yes,

Disclaimer: I make no money from my stories, much to my husband's chagrin…

A Proper Wife-Chapter 4

As Temari made camp that evening she paused in her unpacking to feel the last rays of the setting sun on her face, she couldn't remember a time in her life when she felt so gloriously unburdened. She stretched he arms ups high and watched the way the shadows from the trees dappled her skin. Staring at the shadows, she resolved to represent her village honorably at that travesty they were calling a wedding. As long as she passed on the Kazekage's good wishes to the Daimyo the day of the ceremony, she didn't need to bother with anyone else. She could wander around the capital for the rest of the week and not take part in any of the other festivities.

A few hours later, she added a large log to her fire before settling down for the night. She watched the dancing flames and reflected on the past couple of days; so much had changed when she opened up to Yoshino. A nagging little voice wondered how different her life would be if she'd been able to talk about it all those years ago, but Temari knew there was nothing to be gained by wondering such things. Her life was what it was, good or bad. If it had been any different she might not have had the chance to become a kunoichi, build a relationship with her brothers, or meet and fall in love with Shikamaru. Those things were too precious to her to waste time on what if's. She rolled over falling into a second night of undisturbed sleep.

O-O-O

It was the middle of the night when Temari reached her village a day and a half later. She'd made excellent time and was looking forward to a long hot shower, so when the watchman at the gate told her she was to report immediately to the Kazekage's office she was more than a little alarmed.

"The Kazekage's fine Lady Temari," the jounin replied when she asked. "Lord Kankurou as well."

"So then why?" Her question hung in the air as she read the scroll the watchman handed her. She forgot to thank him for holding up his lantern as she sighed. "Mattaku...fine. Then he has no right to complain about how I smell."

Temari knocked lightly before sliding the panel doors open. Before they registered that she was there, she caught sight of both of her brothers. Gaara was sitting at his desk staring at the wall, his lips pressed against his folded hands. Kankurou was leaning against the wall, eyes closed and hands folded across his chest. Once she entered the room Kankurou's eyes opened and he straightened his pose. Gaara met her gaze briefly then his eyes slid to a stack of papers on his desk. He unfolded his hands and reached for the paper on the top of the stack, motioning her to sit down.

"Otouto," Temari yawned. "Is it really necessary that we meet right this minute? I'm gross and exhausted, and frankly," she said nodding at the telltale dark circles under his eyes. "You look like you could use a decent night's sleep too."

The Kazekage acted as if he hadn't heard her.

"There's some things we need to discuss," he said motioning to the chair in front of his desk. "Sit down, will you?"

Puzzled, Temari raised an eyebrow at Kankurou before sitting in the indicated chair.

"Don't look at me," the Puppet Nin said holding up his hands. "This is Baki-sensei's doing."

"Baki…" she stopped, staring at the broken seal next to the stack of papers. The realization of what Gaara was reading dawned on her, "I thought Otousan destroyed that file," she whispered.

Her youngest brother closed his eyes and sighed.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" He asked, a soft growl edging into his voice. "It wasn't enough that he sealed a demon inside of me, Otousan sold you off to one as well?" Opening his eyes, Gaara turned to their middle sibling. "Did he do anything to you that we don't know about?"

Kankurou thought for a moment then shook his head.

"Iie," he smiled, "I come by my weirdness naturally I guess."

His tone and expression broke the tension in the room and Temari grinned. Even the corners of Gaara's mouth turned up faintly as he shook his head.

"Either way," the redhead continued. "You're not going to that wedding. I'll send one of the male jounin to represent Sunagakure."

Temari frowned, "you don't think the Daimyo will find that a bit insulting? This is his brother afterall."

Gaara turned to Kankurou, "who went to the last one? "Kankurou looked back at Gaara blankly, it was their sister who answered.

"Tsuda Hideo, but he's retired now. We have no one else that can go."

"That's not true," Kankurou replied. "I can go."

Gaara nodded, "Hai, Kankurou will go."

Temari rolled her eyes.

"Joudan ja nai! Do you remember what happened the last time Kankurou filled in on a diplomatic mission?"

"Hey, how was I supposed to know that backwater village had some law about wearing hoods," Kankurou shot back. "Anyone could make that mistake."

"Anyone who didn't read the file that their sister left for them to review," Temari answered shaking he head. "You almost cost us our spice rights. Seriously," she turned to Gaara. "Are you really going to trust our relationship with the Daimyo to cat man over there?"

"Watch it," her middle brother muttered pulling at the points on his hood.

"Otouto," Temari pleaded. "I can do this, trust me."

Gaara didn't meet her eyes, instead, he stared down at the photograph of a battered and bloodied eight year old Temari. It wasn't so much the bruises that bothered him, she'd looked worse after some of their missions together, it was the look in her eyes that gave him chills. Even when he'd been at his very worst he'd never seen her look so beaten down, so utterly defeated.

"It's not that I don't trust you, Oneechan. I can't let him hurt you again," he finally said, eyes still on the photo.

Temari stood and picked up the photograph. She could vividly remember Baki taking it right before they started on the journey home. He'd wanted proof in case any of her bruises faded before they'd gotten back to Suna.

"I'm not that girl anymore," she stated crumpling the photo in her hand. "No one's going to do anything to me, least of all him."

Gaara finally looked up and seeing her determination, nodded.

"Will you at least take someone with you?"

Temari shook her head."Iie. Who could take better care of me than me?" She asked. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I really am filthy and tired." She smiled and touched her youngest brother's hand. "Get some sleep Gaara. I worry about you too."

Once the door slid shut Kankurou nodded at the sheet of paper Gaara had pulled from his desk.

"You sending for back up?"

"Hai," came the Kazekage's reply. "And if he hurries, he should arrive only a day or two after her."