Rules of Seduction - A Shikatema AU

Chapter 11

Temari stared at the dry landscape of infinite grains of sand across her window and the rust-colored sunset touched her face. Tomorrow she will meet the Lord she's going to marry. An event will be held in the grand room of the Kazekage's mansion where different Lords will showcase their wealth, intention, and advantages to win Suna, to win Rasa.

She cried all the tears that she had, she couldn't release anymore. Her faith was decided. Her eyes were cold and she was unable to express her own emotions. She gave up, there was nothing she could do at this point, and accepted all the things that were placed in front of her.

Temari asked herself what she had done wrong. She fought, she didn't give up and accepted all the struggles and all the pain. She just wanted her freedom, to choose what her heart truly desired.

"You remind me so much of your mother"

She turns around and saw her father leaning on her door. Temari just looked at him with dead eyes, she didn't respond to him. She returned her gaze to her window, looking at the desert. Rasa continued to speak, he was aware that her daughter will not respond or talk to him.

"Your mother was a strong woman and she didn't easily sway by her struggles. People always saw her as soft and gentle but deep inside she's a fighter. Just like you"

"But you inherent my harsh and brassy attitude. You have the perfect blend of our personality"

"Tomorrow the Lords from different villages will present to the grand room. I wa----"

"I don't have any choice, am I? Why are we discussing this?" Temari interrupted him with her raspy voice "Just be done with it, decide whoever you want. I'm just going to be a pawn for your political interest"

"The world is cruel Temari, you know that" Rasa's voice softened "I did this to secure your future, to make sure that you'll end up having food on your plate, someone that will shower you with luxury just what you have in our mansion"

"No, you want me to marry those fucking Lords to make yourself look powerful, to show to Suna that you did a great job by giving them benefits from my marriage. But in reality, you're incompetent, you couldn't do your job as their leader so you will sell your daughter to some Lords"

"You always see me as cruel...brutal...evil...do you?"

"Because you restrain us! And use us for all your political games! A weapon to your success! Me and my brothers"

"I'm just protecting you!"

"No, no you don't! You imprisoned us" She mockingly laughed at him

"Did you know how worried I am when you and your brothers were kidnapped before? After your mother died, I cannot lose you all!" His voice stiffens and becomes louder.

She wanted to say a lot of things but her throat tightens, unable to speak.

"I may be a tough father but this is the only way I know how to protect you all. Sorry I couldn't be as gentle as your mother"

"Let's just be done with it, wed me to anyone. I don't care" Her voice starts to quiver.

"I want you to choose tomorrow, from all the Lords that will present in the grand room. I'm giving you the freedom to choose who you want to marry" Rasa walked away from her room and closed the door after he spill those words.

Still, Temari didn't care, none of those Lords is the one she wanted to marry.

Hidan starts packing his bag to prepare himself for travel to Suna. One of his servants approached him.

"Lord Hidan, the files that you requested from Konoha has arrived"

"Alright, put them on the table"

He put the box on the table. The servant stutters as he wanted to tell him something.