Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters used in this story.

This takes place after the meeting in chapter 491 of the manga, but it's also semi-au. Rated for language used once near the end.

The War Within

Temari walked slightly behind her brother as they returned to their village, deep in thought about the all too quickly approaching war. At length, Gaara noticed her unease. "You seem troubled, Temari."

"I'm worried. Do you really believe these tactics are for the best?"

"We must protect Naruto Uzumaki at all costs. He's the one they want."

"And Killer Bee too?" Temari asked quietly. "Or have you forgotten about him?"

The Kazekage looked over his shoulder at her. "Hmm?"

"It's very convenient that the kages agreed to protect Naruto and keep him out of the war. But what if things had gone differently? What if they decided to let him fight at the front lines? Just how much are you willing to sacrifice for a ninja from the Leaf Village?"

Gaara paused midstep for a moment before walking on. "I owe him everything."

"Everything?"

"He taught me how to reshape my life's purpose. No one ever reached out to me like that before."

His older sister felt a stab of pain at her heart. "I know he changed you, but..." Her voice faltered slightly. "But I've been here. Long before Uzumaki. I've been here. Why didn't you notice me? And Kankuro. We've been trying to reach you for years, but you never acknowledged us."

From the slight glimpse she caught of his face, it was obvious he felt confused at the turn the conversation had taken. "Temari," he began and then stopped. "I find it difficult to explain."

"That's not all. I worry about our people."

He glanced back at her again. "I will protect our people. It is my duty as the Kazekage."

"I know. And I know you care about them even if it's hard for you to express. But if push comes to shove, who will you protect first? The Sand Village or Naruto Uzumaki?"

"The two are not mutually exclusive. Protecting Naruto means guarding them both."

"Maybe right now. But there might come a time when you'll have to make a choice. Our village needs a leader who will put its people first. If you can't... If you won't do that, maybe you should resign and become Naruto's personal bodyguard for the rest of your life." She did not mean to come off so harshly, but her feelings of rejection as a sister and Gaara's usual impassive attitude, which she normally had a high tolerance for, moved her mouth before the diplomatic side could stop it. "You are a great Kazekage. But if our people aren't your highest priority, we can find someone else."

Gaara evaluated her words carefully. "We do not have as many strong ninja as the other great nations. I fear that if I stepped down, there would be no one powerful enough to take my place. I know that you and Kankuro do not want the position..."

"There's more to that title than powerful abilities," Temari interrupted him, ignoring the last part of his statement. "The Kazekage must care for the village above all else. He cannot abandon them for one person from a different nation."

Gaara sighed and finally turned to face her for the first time since their journey back. "I don't understand, Temari. What do you want from me?"

"I want you to pull your head out of Naruto Uzumaki's ass! I realize how firmly it's lodged up there, but it would be nice if you could, at least once in a while, appreciate some other people."

Gaara's expression was hard to read. "I see," he said simply and turned around again, continuing on the path. The two siblings were not satisfied with how their conversation had ended, but neither knew what to say. So they both walked on in silence.