It's Not Really A Date, but is sort of kinda (Boruto x Sarada)

Part 11

[20:52]

"HEY WAITOR!! ANOTHER ROUND!!"

"I think you might have had enough sister."

"I concur entirely."

"Nonsense Udon. We're here to show Lord Kazekage a good time and keep Temari-chan (hic) company, and that's what we're doin'!"

"Here (hic) here!!"

Sigh.

5th Kazekage Lord Gaara of Sunagakure [Hidden Sand Village] had arrived to Konohagakure earlier for his diplomatic duties in attending the Cross-Cultural Festival. Early enough to make the most of quality time with his elder sister, which was something he especially treasured since she'd officially left the Sand to become a citizen of the Leaf. Unfortunately Kankuro had urgent business still to attend back in their native homeland and would not be attending the Festival, leaving the Sand Siblings quality time incomplete.

And then there were their other hosts.

With his Brother-in-Law Shikamaru Nara taking over the Hokage's duties in office for tonight while Naruto Uzumaki enjoyed the Festival with his own family, and Gaara's nephew Shikadai out enjoying the Festival with his friends, Temari's friend (sort of) and former Captain of Team 15 Hanabi Hyuga had likewise insisted on keeping the Wind-Style kunoichi company. That is Hanabi Hyuga pressured the two into joining her at a certain restaurant in the village along with her other fellow Captains, Udon Ise and Moegi Kazamatsuri to celebrate the Kazekage's attendance at the Festival. And that meant two of the three Shinobi attempting to get the 'kage and his sister as drunk as possible while the third was powerless to stop them.

Much to Gaara's consternation, a waitor DID promptly arrive with a tray carrying a fourth ('Or was it fifth now?') bottle of sake, which Temari accepted a little wobbily. "Now, don't give me that look Gaara (hic)..." she answered his wary stare with a stern frown. "...Your Big Sis is a Big Girl now and can han(hic)handle her alcehol... Hmhm (hic).." Her frown became a giggle and further hiccups.

"Temari, please, I promised your husband I'd take care of you tonight and make sure you get back home safe-", "Boooooo Shiki-(hic).." Hanabi tried to retort, suddenly unable to form coherent words. But Moegi had plenty. "Yeah! Just because Mr. Hokage can't make (hic) time with his family to pay a visit to his Ol' Buddy Gaara-", "Lord Kazekage Moegi!!" Udon reprimanded his longtime friend for her lack of respectful address for a Foreign dignitary. Moegi ignored him. "It shouldn't mean Shika walling himself up in that office up there (hic) leaving his poor wife all alone. Seriously, all he does is work, work, work (hic)."

Gaara found himself torn. On the one hand, though he wouldn't say he was 'best friends' with the ponytailed Ninja, Shikamaru Nara was a man that had earned the Sand Shinobi's respect for his stoicism and dedication to his village and its people as much as to his family and friends. Enough that he knew he could trust the man with his sister's heart, and wanted most of all to find some common ground with him. Enough that Gaara wished he could do more to defend his Brother-in-Law's position and rebuff the drunk kunoichi's blatant disrespect of him. But then again, he couldn't risk saying a word that would jeopardise Shikamaru and Naruto's mission.

The very safety of this village and its people (including his precious sister and nephew) hanging upon exercising discretion with that secret information that only He and the other 'kage, as well as a select few in Naruto's circle knew anything about!

And on the other hand, he could understand his sister feeling lonely with her husband spending more time away from home while at the Hokage's office, considering the tense situation with the remnants of 'Kara'. Maybe not so different from the loneliness He felt all those years ago?