Shadows of the Fan

Today was like any other day for Temari. Cloudless sky, hot, beating sun, and the endless amount of people in the market place. The kunoichi pulled out a smaller version of the giant, black metal fan, and began to wave it back and forth as an attempt to cool herself on the hot day in the desert. Tightening her headband around her quad of dirty blonde ponytails, she waltz right into a nearby Dango shop.

"Welcome Temari-sama, shall I guide you to your table?" A tan-haired waitress asked, handing her a menu.

"Yes please, thank you."

Temari sat down at the two seater table and sipped her tea. She closed her teal eyes and listened to Wind by: Akeboshi playing in the background of the Café. When an all-too-familiar chakra came to sit right in front of the Kunoichi, all she could do was sigh.

"What non-sense do you bug me with now Kankuro?" She asked with an annoyed tone and opened one eye to look at her goofy younger brother.

"What? I can't chill with my sister for once?" Kankuro replied with a cocky smirk on his face. Temari closed her eye again and sighed. Without a second glance, she closed her miniature fan and stuffed it up her brother's painted nose.

"Tell me the real reason Baka…." She demanded as she reached for a newly arrived dumpling and popped one in her mouth.

After removing the fan from his nose, Kankuro picked up a dumpling stick and stuck one right into his mouth.

"Well, it's nothing much but it seems that our little bro has a mission for you, me, and himself to complete. But he didn't assign it; the Elders did which mean we have to do it. But honestly I think we'll all enjoy it…" He broke the stick and smirked. Temari put her tab on the table and walked out of the Café with the puppet master in tow. They held up a small conversation during the walk to the Kazekage's mansion.

XXXX

Temari quickly masked her chakra and quietly opened her brother's door. Gaara was at his desk dressed in his Kage's robe. His hands were folded above his mouth and his eyes were firmly closed, to anyone it would appear that he was sleeping, but Temari knew better. She crept up as close as she could to his ear, ruffled his hair and yelled-

"WHAT'S UP LIL' BRO?"

This sent the poor 19 year old boy flying out of his chair and flat on the floor.

"Temari do that again and I swear I'll-"

"Yeah, yeah you said that the first time Gaara…." Temari nonchalantly said as she placed the giant fan on her back to prop against the couch she now sat on. Gaara mumbled about not getting a chance to relax without people bugging him while he dusted off his robe.

"Well I'm sure Kankuro told you that the 3 of us are doing a mission together," Gaara said eyeing his two older siblings. "The mission is to help some visitors with their needs and to make them feel right at home here in Suna."

Temari crossed her legs. "For the Suna Festival, right Gaara?"

The Kazekage paced to the front of his desk and leaned against it.

"Yes, it does. In fact you'll take care of the women in the group, and Kankuro and myself will take care of the men. I've already decided that they'll be staying in the mansion with us as well since all the hotels are booked. Now, big sister and brother, would you care to follow me to the gates to meet them?" Gaara gestured toward the door, as he headed out of it to the streets of Suna. With a few bows there and a few waves here the Sand Siblings finally reached the village gates.

XXXXX

"Just a few more minutes…" Gaara answered their silent questions. Temari took the time to look over their appearances again. It's been 3 years since the war and everyone she knew changed a lot. Gaara was now a few inches taller than his sister but still a good foot shorter than his brother. His red hair grew quite a bit, but he had cut it back to its regular style. His hair and the circles around his eyes seemed to darken by the least bit but it was still noticeable. Besides his Kage's robe, he still wore his sliming, deep red shinobi outfit with his gourd all the same.