AN: The plot line isn't a new one, so I certainly didn't come up with it. There's better fics out there but I was intrigued and wanted to try my hand at it. Old plot line with a new twist.

Temari bowed low in front of the elders of Suna. As the Kazekage's sister she had appeared before them countless times, had been present at most of their meetings. As a jounin instructor for the little ones of sand, Temari had attended several hundred meetings with them anyways. Today, Gaara sat resplendent in his official kage robes. Temari's brow twitched. Gaara rarely wore the kage robes unless there was something official forcing him to act as such. Or unless he wanted to prove a point to his rather obstinate siblings on the matter of rank and orders. In either case, Temari knew the robes spelt trouble.

She knew all of these people that Gaara now surrounded himself with at their circular meeting room. They were all formidable nin and some of the most intelligent people Suna had to offer. To say that Temari merely respected them was understated, but not entirely correct. While these were the people who had laid the very foundations for Sunagakure, she knew they also held the future of Sand back by not allowing them to build their own future on what had been formed. They irritated her at times with their old way of thinking. Change intimidated them, and Gaara certainly had been a bringer of change since his alarming transformation from fighting that blonde haired kid; Uzumaki Naruto. That kid had grown into a man, had recently been installed as the Rokudaime Hokage of Konohagakure, as Temari understood.

Temari had been surprised. Gaara was after all Gaara, and had achieved the title of Kazekage young as well, but the boy who'd brought about the change in him was now also at kage level and grown. She supposed she should muster some sort of gratitude but the brat hadn't changed when she'd attended his coronation ceremony of sorts. He was still ridiculous, smiling like an idiot the entire time.

"Rise, Temari" The council issued, and Temari did as she was bid, waiting.

Certainly they didn't have another mission for her? But then why would Gaara be present if it was a simple A class mission? Temari waited, tensing as she didn't like the way her little brother was looking at her.

"With the installation of the newest Rokudaime Hokage, The council has reached a decision that will impact our future relations of Sand and Leaf."

Temari nodded.

"To prove our good faith with the new Hokage, and to ensure an everlasting truce between Sand and Leaf, we have decided that a higher level of commitment will be required. An alliance with paper has failed in the past. Due to our Kazekage's influence, Sand has prospered and will continue to prosper, with our intended plan of action."

Temari nodded approvingly.

It was only right to establish alliance with this new Kage of Leaf as they did with the old. They owed Leaf much, and though Sand could stand on it's own now, it was thanks to Konoha's interference and support that helped them do so. Sand would always have it's pride, but they were deeply indebted to the Leaf nin. It was only right to prove such support by a deeper commitment. The only problem is that she didn't know what else could be done to prove such a commitment. Temari's suspicion tripled as she eyed the council members with a leary eye.

"We have decided to offer an alliance of truce, and to prove our good faith, you Sabaku no Temari, will be wed to the Rokudaime Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto in a union of our two countries as proof of our dedication to this alliance." The council finished.

Temari's shoulders rippled in agony of the shock going through her system. Ninja did not show emotion and though she tried to fight the flinch, it came anyways. Weakness she cursed as she nearly faltered in her steps. Her bow had been one of accident, not of submittal and acknowledgement. Wed…. which definitely implied, wedding marriage and a stream of other correlated synonymous words whirled through her thoughts as Temari choked.

She stared at the carpet beneath her, trying to get a hold of herself with the remaining few moments she had left. Shock had taken its toll on her body as Temari clenched her jaw trying to rebuke her body into obeying. Eyes wide, she nearly trembled. Swallowing, taking a calming breathe to cool the anger flashing through her senses, Temari composed herself. She straightened her stance and contemplated the situation at hand.

They had just proposed giving her away in a political union of the country. It shouldn't have surprised her. She was the kazekage's sister, and as such a political union had always been a possibility. Temari had accepted that, when her brother was made Kazekage of Sand, and there had been no one prouder of him than her.

But Temari had no desire for marriage and furthermore, no desire for children or politics. She would be required both if they went through with this ghastly mistake. Temari was the kind of women who knew what she wanted out of life. She was a jounin of sand and as such had hoped to be one of the supporting pillars of their future, for and to her students. Temari's gaze went to Gaara. Her little brother had to have known about this and briefly Temari wondered if it had been his idea.

"And the Kazekage.. approves of this bold gesture of faith?" Temari challenged, eying the council as her eyes fixed upon the man at the center of the circle.

If Gaara spoke against it, she wouldn't have to do this.

Silently, she waited, defiantly meeting those forest green eyes head on with her steeled blue ones. She wouldn't beg him, but she sure as hell wasn't about to take this lying down either. If there was a way she could get out of this she would find it. Sabaku no Temari of the sand carved her own way out of the rock when there was none.

As it was, this was a sneaky underhanded tragically old way of doing things to ensure that their alliance would succeed. Certainly the old fools could see the shambles of this folly? They should concentrate their efforts on a different measure. Temari was almost certain the Rokudaime wouldn't approve of something so old fashioned. Uzumaki Naruto was, if anything, the first element of change. He was the stone in the pond of ripples that spread into their world; all who encountered him.

"I do." Gaara replied frank and to the point. "This would secure our alliance with Leaf not just presently, but for generations to come." Gaara replied.

Temari bit back the hiss of contempt that threatened to spew forth in front of the council and one foolish little brother that she had the desire to render in itty gritty sand pieces. Chewing the side of her cheek to keep her tongue in cheek remarks to herself, Temari bowed, giving her a few precious seconds to reign in her anger.

"Am I to presume that this is an order from my Lord, Kazekage sama?" Temari said through clenched teeth.

"You may construe it as a mission, if that will help you understand the nature of it's importance to Sand" Gaara replied.

Temari avoiding clucking her tongue. He was being purposefully evasive and he knew it well. Temari's eyes hardened, and she bowed stiffly.

The council members exchanged glances as they saw the clear tension between Gaara and Temari.

It was no secret that the Kazekage's sister had a formidable temper. Realizing the rather delicate nature of this timely news, the council made a decision in it's own best interests.

"Ah, as it is left to Kazekage sama to decide the specifics of such a mission, the council will adjourn and leave you two to discuss the specifics in private while we draw up the paperwork." One of the council members said.

"With your approval Kazekage sama, we will adjourn and begin working on the paperwork at once." Another spoke.

"You may adjourn. I will give you further instruction on the paperwork in due time" Gaara answered regally.

The council nodded and bowed, leaving as Temari watched them go and the door shut. As soon as the handle clicked, Temari shot those hardened blue eyes the color of a desert sky at her little brother.

"Just what the HELL were you thinking when you agreed to such a proposition, Gaara?" Temari spat.

"It's not a proposition. I and the council members created it when we were posed with the problem of leaf."

"Is this or is it not a mission, Gaara?"

Gaara saw her fury and sighed. "I would never order you to do something of this nature."

"Then I refuse, respectfully, Kazekage sama. I am unsuited for this kind of mission" She said scathingly.

"While I will not order you to do it, Sister, I do, however, hope to persuade you to the benefits of this idea before you refuse it." Gaara remarked.

"Benefits? Chee" Temari snorted.

"Things in Sand are growing at a tremendous rate." Gaara replied.

"That has nothing to do with a marriage of state" Temari snarled.

"It has everything to do with it." Gaara retorted, slight frown on his brow at his sister's lack of control over her famous temper. "The older generation looks upon our peaceful progress and scoffs, desiring more of the war they had seen in their time."

"The great ninja wars? Pah, Old fools." She replied with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Gaara regarded her seriously with a cool look of those forest green eyes.

"The council members want war?" Temari asked.

"I doubt they would ever word it in such a manner, but yes." Gaara replied evenly.

"Politics" Temari spat in contempt.

"They want continued revenue and profit for our country. They want to see Sand rise to it's own glory and this is a desire I share with them. However their methods are not exactly as pure and honest as their intentions." Gaara replied.

Temari at least, was listening to him and nodded for him to continue as he had her attention. Gaara nodded.

"As I mentioned, Sand has become formidable. By sharing such a close border with Fire country it is only a matter of time before eyes are set greedily upon the wealth and usefulness of Fire country."

"So you think that the council members will want to go to war with Konoha to expand?" Temari asked, eyebrow arched.

"I think that it is only a matter of time before that happens. If we go to war, Sand will loose and become what it once was before, crippled and starving. If we go to war with Fire, there will only be death and casualties on both sides. We will loose that fight no matter what bravado is instilled in our people." Gaara replied.

"Gaara, I know you have lingering… sympathies and some twisted form of loyalty with that Uzumaki kid, but you're overlooking the interests of our people for a fail safe." Temari replied.

"If sympathy is to wish for any other conclusion than death and destruction, then so be it. I do not desire to see another Sand shinobi meet their death at the hands of a Leaf, nor do I desire a Leaf shinobi to meet their end at the hands of a Sand shinobi." Gaara replied.

"And so by using me, you stray the blow from happening? This is ridiculous Gaara, it achieves nothing." Temari replied.

"You love our village, do you not, sister?" Gaara asked her.

"If you even have to question my loyalty, brother-" She snapped.

"I know that you love our village, Temari." Gaara replied. "I also know that our youth look to you for guidance, teaching, wisdom. You are an example to them." Gaara replied.

Temari regarded her little brother suspiciously.

"You are popular with our people for your spirit, and hard work. It is clear to anyone who observes you long enough to know how much you love our people. You fight to keep our way of life alive and put the entirety of yourself for the line of duty." Gaara told her.

"And?" She asked, skeptically.

"The people don't merely respect you, Temari, they love you and our youth try to model the example you have shown them. You are not just a political figure, Temari, but an icon among our bolstering strength." Gaara replied.

"It is true that by doing this, I stray my hand, and furthermore any future kage's hands from harming Leaf. The opposite is also true. Leaf will not be able to harm Sand now, or in the future because of such a deep commitment. That is not the only benefit."

"In doing this, you will set the example for our people. Because it is you, they will accept it with celebration. The youth will admire your courage, and the old will throw away such talk of war with an old gesture of assurance between our two countries. The old will not fill our youth with condemnable ideas of the glories of war with such a traditional political move as this one."

"You have other reasons I presume?" Temari scowled.

"I do." He admitted freely. "I will not always be Kazekage, nor will I always be around to protect you, or Kankurou."

"Gaara, nothing like that will happen" Temari snapped, irritated and embarrassed by his words.

Gaara smiled softly and shook his head. "War is always a possibility, Temari and it will come. You are one of my most precious persons, part of my village, and you and Kankurou are the only family I have." Gaara replied.

"But thanks to you, you've put a stop to the wars. The people have flocked to you Gaara and responded in a way that they have to no other Kazekage before you." Temari exclaimed.

"The future is, as always, undetermined. I cannot stop the future, But I can prevent what might happen by ensuring the present. War is always a possibility, and civil war has ravaged our country for years" Gaara said, eyeing his sister.

"…You're serious about this?" Temari said, hesitating on her resolve.

"Very. Also the happiness of my only sister is very important to me." Gaara replied.

"Happiness? Chee" Temari snarled.

"I think you know how much I hate politics, marriage and the idea of bearing children. I am not a submissive subservient housewife to be doomed to fortitude of a kitchen for the rest of my days. I am a Kunoichi, Gaara" Temari stated firmly.

"And as such, you will need someone who respects that trade. The appropriate suitors in Sand will not have such a high regard for your skill, no matter how invaluable you have been to our youth." Gaara replied.

Temari scowl deepened. What he said was true, which is why Temari hadn't married anyone from Sand, in the first place. She didn't need to join herself with backward thinking, political scheming, cretins that would only hinder her brother's work.

"There is no other man I would be so willing to entrust my sister to than Uzumaki Naruto." Gaara replied.

"He's an idiot." Temari couldn't help but blurt out.

"He respects women greatly, as shinobi, as valuable assets to any community. Uzumaki Naruto has the ability to see and find worth and potential in anyone, male or female that he comes across. He is resourceful, optimistic, and believes firmly in his ideals. He follows through, never giving up on what he has determined to believe in. He is an honorable man, in the way he fights as a ninja, and the way he lives his life." Gaara replied.

Temari sighed. She knew how much her brother admired the moronic blonde, and while she had seen those character traits in action, in a very tangible way asshe looked at her little brother, she couldn't help but be biased about his blundering past. And she didn't want to be married at all, no matter how nice the young man was.

"Gaara, I don't want to have children. You know that" Temari replied.

"And you think Naruto would force childbearing on you?" Gaara asked, mildly.

Temari shifted uncomfortably. No, she couldn't see the idiot forcing her to have children in spite of her biases. He was a man with honor, and did treat women better than the majority of Sand nin she'd encountered. Temari gave a shake of her head, agreeing with Gaara's measure of the man, even if it killed her to acknowledge him so begrudgingly.

"And as such, should things turn unstable in Sand or another bloody uprising occur, I ensure not only your and Kankurou's safety, but the safety of our people to flee to Konoha in case of such a dire need. If some other Kazekage's reign is bloody then our people will still be safe from that terror" Gaara replied.

"….Gaara…" Temari was always astounded when she heard the depth of care and concern Gaara had when it involved their people.

He had sworn to protect them when he entered into his reign as Kazekage and he had followed through on every word he had made in regards to that… as he was doing now, even if it was at her expense. It spoke to the level of commitment he had to be willing to consider this in the first place.

"I know the idea is not…appealing." Gaara said delicately. "But it will be for the best of our people, and I think you might even benefit from being united with him."

Temari scowled. "and just what is that supposed to mean?" She retorted, hotly.

"Uzumaki Naruto has a way of breaking and melting the hardest of hearts." Gaara replied, with a smile towards his beloved sister.

Temari's eyes flashed, and she turned on her heel, storming towards the door.

"Will you accept this mission for the betterment of our people, Temari?" Gaara asked.

Temari turned, eyes narrowed. "It is not my answer you need, but that of the Rokudaime Hokage." She replied stiffly, effectively sealing her fate.

Bah. It did her no good to be so pessimistic. A coy smile curved on her demure lips. There was no way in hell Uzumaki Naruto would agree to something so backwards. She had nothing to worry about then. Temari was sure of it.