Chapter 32

"What did I tell you last night?" Gaara said in a dangerous tone.

"C-Calm down Gaara, she's the one who asked me!" Naruto exclaimed as he waved his hand defensively.

Hearing this made Gaara's eyes widen slightly.

"Plus I spoke with Shikamaru after the breakup," Naruto said as he looked Gaara in the eyes. "He explained to me what happened, and he asked me to give Temari a chance if she ever asked me out. I want to try and make Temari-chan happy Gaara."

Gaara's eyes softened when he heard this. Closing his eyes Gaara crossed his arms and let out a sigh.

"As Shikamaru would say, you truly are 'troublesome' Naruto," Gaara said as a small smile appeared on his face. "If Temari wants to date you then you have my blessings. I trust her happiness to you Naruto, but I would be wary of Kankurō. He may not take this as well as I have, he may not show it but Kankurō is very protective with Temari."

"Sure thing Gaara I'll keep that in mind, and don't worry I'll do my best to make Temari-chan happy," Naruto said as he stood to leave. "Well I gotta go. I have to check up on my team before I freshen up for tonight."

As Naruto turned to leave Gaara stopped him.

"One more thing before you go, Naruto." Gaara said making Naruto turn to face him. Gaara's eyes shot open, and he aimed a darkened gaze at Naruto causing him to flinch in fear. "Remember what I said, if you hurt Temari you'll get to personally experience what a Sabaku Kyuu feels like. That area we sparred in earlier would be the perfect place to hide a body, wouldn't you agree Naruto?"

Naruto just shuddered and bolted out of the restaurant. Gaara smirked as he sipped his tea.

"That ought to make him fear me."

Naruto did just as he told Gaara. He dashed around the village and checked up on his girls, and told them where he would be that night. Most of them were happy to hear he was giving Temari a chance, especially Sakura. But when Naruto told Tenten she just smirked and walked off twirling a kunai around the end of her index finger.

After meeting with all his girl Naruto went to his room and freshened up for his date. Now he stood outside the Kazekage mansion, while he waited for Temari emerge. After waiting for a few minutes Temari emerged dressed in the outfit Naruto had seen her wear at the Five Kage Summit.

"So what do you have planned tonight, Naruto?" Temari asked as she walked down the steps.

"Well I thought we could go out and get a bite to eat, then I have a surprise for you." Naruto said with a foxy grin.

"Okay lover boy let's see what you have planned." Temari said with a smirk a she followed Naruto.

Neither one of them noticed the small eyeball following them.

Naruto took Temari to a decent restaurant near the edge of the village. Dinner went surprisingly well, Temari was surprised at how much she actually enjoyed Naruto's company. He could be genuinely funny, making her burst out laughing on several occasions, and he had some amazing stories to tell. Temari also loved how energetic Naruto was, it was a great change of pace. After dinner Naruto led Temari back out into the street.

"So lover boy what do you have planned next?" Temari asked as she subconsciously hugged Naruto's arm.

"Well it's a surprise," Naruto said with another foxy grin. "I'm gonna need you to hold on tight, and close your eyes."

"W-Why?" Temari asked slightly confused.

"Do you trust me?"

Temari blinked at Naruto before she nodded. Temari closed her eyes, and she gripped onto Naruto tighter. There was a bright flash, and for a few seconds she felt completely weightless.

"Dammit where did they go?" Gaara said to himself as he stood in his office.

"Okay you can open your eyes." Temari heard Naruto's voice say.

When Temari opened her eyes she had no idea where she was.

"Where are we?" Temari asked as she tried to figure out where they were.

"We're in Konoha." Naruto said causing Temari's head to snap to face him.

"How the hell are we all the way in Konoha?" She asked completely stunned.

"I figured out how to use my father's Hiraishin jutsu. So now as long as I have something or someone tagged with a special seal, I can teleport right to them." Naruto grinned when he saw Temari's stunned face. "I secretly placed a seal on all the girls so I could be at their side in a moments notice."

"W-Wow." Temari breathed out as she looked at Naruto with a new perspective. "But why did you bring us to Konoha?"

"I figured you might like to relax in Konoha's famous hot springs." Naruto said as he gestured to a building behind them.

Temari squealed when she saw the building. She could already feel the water melting away all her stress. But then a thought came to her, and she narrowed her eyes.

"Naruto Uzumaki, is this some way for you to peep on me." Temari said in a upset tone.

"Of course not Temari-chan, I would never stoop to peeping."

Temari just continued to stare at Naruto.

"Okay fine! I may have kinda peeped when I was younger," Naruto said as he rubbed the back of his head. "But I know never to peep on a kunoichi, especially one as strong as you."

Temari relaxed slightly and crossed her arms.

"Alright, but I swear to Kami if I catch you peeping I'll beat your ass so bad not even Tsunade-sama can heal you."

"Message understood," Naruto said with a gulp. "Now come on I rented out the entire place, so it should just be us."

"Wow that must have been expensive." Temari said as they walked into the building.

"Yeah it was, but I'm very good at saving my money. So I have a decent amount of money saved up from doing missions."

Temari just nodded as they both separated to go to their changing rooms.

"AH! This is nice, isn't it Temari-chan?" Naruto said as he sunk into the warm water. He rested his head against the barrier separating the men's side from the women's side.

"Yeah this is the life!" Temari replied as she too rested her head against the barrier as she sunk into the relaxing water.

They both sat in comfortable silence as they let the water soak away their stress. While she relaxed, Temari's mind wandered and she started to think about the man in the springs right behind her. She had seriously misjudged the blonde baka. He was pretty much everything she could ever want in a man, and then some. But she still didn't know if she was fully ready to commit to another relationship. However she was willing to give Naruto a chance, who knows maybe he was the 'one' she was searching for. All the other girls with Naruto seriously seemed happy to be with him.

"H-Hey Naruto?" Temari asked breaking the silence.

"Yeah Temari-chan."

"I wanted to thank you." Temari said her face stained with a blush.

"What are you thanking me for?" Naruto asked in a confused tone.

"For everything," Temari said as she tried to calm her racing heart. "Especially for everything you've done for my family."

"Are you talking about what I did for Gaara?" Naruto asked as he laughed lightly. "You don't need to thank me. I'm happy to have helped Gaara."

"No Naruto, I do need thank you," The Suna kunoichi said as she clutched a hand over her fluttering heart. "You dragged Gaara out of the darkness, and showed him the importance of love and having friends. If it weren't for you I shudder to think of what Gaara may have become."

"Like I said before I was happy to help," Naruto said causing a smile to spread across Temari's face. "Gaara was a jinchuriki like me, and I understood his pain better than just about anyone. Since we both shared the same pain, I knew what Gaara needed to see the light. I knew that if Gaara understood the power of love and the importance of having friends that he could escape his darkness. Now Gaara is one of my closest friends, I would give my life to protect him, or any of my precious people."

Temari fought back tears as she listened to Naruto speak.

"T-Thank you Naruto." Temari said quietly as she chocked back a sob.

"Hey are you alright Temari-chan?" Naruto asked slightly concerned. "You want a hug?"

"Yeah a hug would be...NO WAY YOU PERV!" Temari yelled as her face flushed with embarrassment.

Naruto burst out laughing from behind the barrier.

"HA! I knew that would take your mind off what we were talking about," Naruto said as he sunk deeper into the water. "Now just relax Temari-chan, we still have this place all to ourselves for another hour. So we can just sit back and talk about something else."

Temari crossed her arms and huffed.

"I will get you back for that Naruto Uzumaki." Temari said making Naruto laugh again.

"I'll be looking forward to it."

After another hour Naruto and Temari exited the hot springs and met out front of the bathhouse.

"So you ready to head back?" Naruto asked when he met Temari out front.

"Yup!" Temari said as she grabbed Naruto's arm.

Before Naruto teleported them back, he pulled a kunai out and threw it. A few seconds later there was a scream and a crash. Temari turned to see Jiraiya lying in a heap on the ground.

"Ero-sennin I'm kicking your perverted ass when I get back from this mission." Naruto said as he teleported both of them away.

"Shit, knowing how strong that kid is now, he could definitely kick my ass easily." Jiraiya thought as he stood up. But Jiraiya stopped dead when he heard knuckles cracking behind him. He slowly turned to see Tsunade glaring at him with chakra flaring off her fist.

"You were peeping again Jiraiya." Tsunade said as she took a step forward.

"N-Now hime c-calm down." Jiraiya said as he held up his hands defensively.

"Why do you keep peeping when you have me now?" Tsunade said as she grabbed Jiraiya by his shirt and lifted him into the air.

"Uh...uh...I was researching." Jiraiya said without thinking, but all color drained from his face when he saw Tsunade cock her fist back.

"Wrong answer." Tsunade growled out as her fist shot forward hitting Jiraiya in the face, sending him flying across the village.

Tsunade sighed as she followed the path Jiraiya had taken as he flew across the sky.

"That stupid baka, he'll never change." Tsunade said shaking her head, but a small smile was on her face.

In a yellow flash Naruto and Temari stood in front of the Kazekage Mansion.

"Well we're here." Naruto said with a smile.

"I had an amazing time tonight, Naruto." Temari said returning the smile.

"We should do this again before I leave." Naruto said as he stared into Temari's eyes.

"Y-Yeah." Temari breathed out as she got lost in Naruto's electric blue eyes.

They both stood getting lost in each other's eyes.

"Kiss her you pussy!" Kurama roared from inside Naruto's mind.

"Ah why the hell not?" Naruto started to lean forward.

But before their lips could touch, a kunai flew past their faces and embedded itself in the wall behind them.

"Hands off my man!"

Both Naruto and Temari's heads turned to see Tenten standing a few feet away from them. She had several kunai in her in between her fingers.

"T-Tenten-chan what are you doing!?" Naruto asked as he stepped towards her.

"You stay back!" Tenten yelled as she pointed a kunai at Temari. "This is between me and her."

"What do you want?" Temari spat out as she glared at Tenten.

"You, me, right now, we're gonna have a rematch," Tenten said with a smirk. "If you win I'll back off, but if I win you stay the hell away from my Naruto-kun!"

Temari continued to glare at Tenten.

"Come on Tenten-chan there's no need for this," Naruto pleaded.

"I'm sorry Naruto, but I have to do this. She humiliated me in front of everyone, I want a chance to redeem myself." Tenten said as she turned to face Naruto. "Please just stay out of this."

Naruto looked into Tenten's eyes, and he could see she wasn't going to back down.

"Alright Tenten-chan, but please don't go overboard." Naruto said with a sigh.

"So are you gonna fight, or are you gonna back down?" Tenten said as she turned back to face Temari.

Temari looked at Naruto and her eyes softened.

"He's worth fighting for!" Temari thought as her eyes filled with determination.

"You're on!" Temari exclaimed as she hoisted her fan off her back.

"Excellent!" Tenten said with a feral grin.

Tenten and Temari stood across from each other in a strip of desert just outside the village. Temari opened her fan, while Tenten had a scroll in her hand ready to be opened. Both kunoichi glared at each other waiting for the other to make the first move.

Temari suddenly hefted her fan and swing it.

"Fūton: Kazekiri no Jutsu" Temari said as several blades of wind flew towards Tenten.

Quickly rolling out of the way Tenten opened her scroll. There was a puff of smoke, and Tenten held a weapon in her hands.

"No way, she's using that already." Naruto thought in a panic when he saw Tenten holding the Bashōsen.

"Tenten what are you doing!" Naruto yelled as Tenten prepared to attack. "You know how much of a toll that thing takes on your chakra."

But it was too late as Tenten raised the fan.

"Bashōsen: Hi no Maki." Tenten swiped the fan causing a massive wall of fire to fly at Temari.

Temari went wide eyed when she saw the fire racing towards her. The Suna kunoichi jumped over the flames, her feet barely clearing the scorching wall of fire. When she cleared the flames Temari saw Tenten bringing her fan back for another attack. Quickly biting her thumb, Temari swiped blood across her fan.

"Kuchiyose: Kirikiri Mai." Temari swung her fan summoning Katamari. The weasel spun toward Tenten swinging a sickle.

Temari was stunned when she saw Tenten duck under Katamari, and grab the weasel by its tail. Tenten tossed the weasel into the air and swung her fan.

"Bashōsen: Kaze no Maki." A insanely powerful blast of wind sent Katamari rocketing back towards Temari. The Suna kunoichi tried to dodge, but the weasel hit her in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her.

Tenten fell to one knee as she panted heavily, the Bashōsen had drained a massive amount of her chakra. She spotted Temari clutching her stomach as she slowly rose to her feet.

"Time to finish this!" Tenten thought as she gathered her strength and jumped into the air, unraveling two scrolls as she went.

"Sōshōryū." The air around Tenten was filled with dozens of various weapons. "This ends now!"

Regaining her breath, Temari started frantically dodging all of the oncoming weapons. But there were too many weapons, and Temari was quickly tiring. A few kunai grazed her as her dodging became sluggish.

"I have to get rid of these damn weapons." Temari thought as she saw an opening and raised her fan.

"Fūton: Ōkamaitachi no Jutsu." When Temari swiped her fan a massive gust of wind blew through the area.

Tenten and her weapons were blown back by the force of the wind. Temari watched with a smirk as Tenten fell to the ground in a heap, surrounded by her fallen weapons.

"Huh, looks like I win," Temari panted out as she closed her fan. "Again."

"NO! I REFUSE TO GIVE UP!" Temari went wide eyed when she saw Tenten lift herself up off the ground. The Suna kunoichi could have sworn she saw Tenten's eyes become red and slitted for a moment.

Tenten's chakra flared, before she stood and immediately charged Temari with remarkable speed.

"How the hell is she so fast all of a sudden!?" Temari thought as Tenten closed in.

"Dainamikku Entorī." Tenten jumped and raised her leg, much like Lee.

Temari raised her fan to block the attack. But when Tenten's foot hit the fan, Temari was shocked to see it start to dent and crack.

"She's breaking my fan with just one kick!" Temari thought as she was sent skidding backwards by the force of the kick.

Tenten was immediately on top of Temari engaging her in taijutsu. Temari was quickly put on the defensive by the force and speed of Tenten's strikes.

"What the hell happened, she was dead tired a second ago. Now it's like she got a power boost or something." Temari thought as she raised her arm to block a roundhouse kick aimed at her head.

"I WON'T LOSE!" Tenten roared as she cocked her fist back.

"Now's my chance!" Temari thought as she swung her fan.

Just when Tenten's fist made contact with Temari's jaw, Temari's fan hit Tenten's chin. Both kunoichi went flying back from the force of the blows. They both panted as they laid on the ground.

"Damn that was a nice punch." Temari said as she held her aching jaw.

"That wasn't a bad swing either." Tenten replied as she spit some blood out of her mouth.

"Are you both alright!?" Naruto and a clone exclaimed as they helped Tenten and Temari stand.

"We're fine Naruto, it's over." Tenten said as she used Naruto's support to stand.

"Okay, let's get you both to Sakura-chan so she can heal you two." Naruto and his clone said as they helped the girls walk to the village.

"Hey Tenten?" Temari asked as they entered the village.

"Yeah?" Tenten replied turning her head to look at Temari.

"Truce?" Temari asked as she extended her hand.

Tenten looked at Temari's hand and grinned.

"Truce," Tenten said as she shook Temari's hand. "But we will fight again, and I will win next time."

"Name the time and the place." Temari said with her own grin.

Naruto watched the girls with a smile on his face.

"It looks like they'll be friends after all."

(4 Days Later)

Four days after the fight Naruto and Temari had went on three other dates. Temari spent most of free time by Naruto's side, they were nearly inseparable, much to the other girls jealousy.

But today was the day Shukaku was to be sealed back inside Gaara, and tensions were high. Temari and Kankurō had strongly opposed the the idea at first. However after a talk with Gaara, and some reassuring from the Naruto the other two sand siblings were on board with the idea.

Naruto and Gaara stood outside a set of massive doors. Behind them Shukaku was waiting to be sealed inside his former jinchuriki.

"Are you ready?" Naruto asked as he placed a hand on Gaara's shoulder.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Gaara said with a nod, but he still seemed nervous.

Naruto quickly pulled Gaara into a hug, surprising the young Kazekage.

"I'm so scared Naruto." Gaara said as he held Naruto tightly.

"You'll be fine Gaara, I know it." Naruto said as he patted Gaara's back.

A few tears escaped Gaara's eyes as Naruto tightened his hold. After a few moments Naruto released Gaara, the Kazekage quickly wiped his tears and turned to the massive doors.

Gaara took a deep breath and steeled himself for what he was about to do.

"Well here goes Nothing." Gaara said as he pushed open the doors.

Naruto saw the one-tailed bijuu sitting in the room through a crack in the door.

"Hello Shukaku." Gaara said as the door closed behind him.

Several hours passed as Naruto waited outside the room. He heard Gaara yell out in pain several times, but there was nothing he could do. The sealing ceremony required absolute silence and concentration. So Naruto was forced to wait outside the doors. All of his teammates came at one time or another to talk to him, and take his mind off worrying about Gaara.

While Naruto stood outside the door silently talking with Temari, one massive door opened. Naruto and Temari turned to see an exhausted Gaara being supported by a guard.

"GAARA!" Naruto and Temari yelled out as they ran towards the Kazekage.

"STOP!" The guard said causing Naruto and Temari to stop in their tracks. "Please don't touch Kazekage-sama, he is very weak right now."

"I-It's alight," Gaara said as he raised his head slowly.

"Gaara are you alright?" Temari asked as she took her younger brother from the guard.

"Yes I-I'm fine Temari, just exhausted." Gaara said weakly.

"So did it work?" Naruto asked as he supported Gaara on his right side, while Temari supported his left

"Yeah i-it worked," Gaara said as he offered them a small smile. "Me and Shukaku got a lot of making up to do."

"Just imagine how strong you'll be once you and Shukaku learn how to work together," Naruto said with a grin. "Once you and Shukaku become a team come find me, and we'll have another spar. But this time we'll both have our bijuu to back us up."

"Y-You're on." Gaara said as he closed his eyes and passed out.

Two days later Naruto's team was ready to leave Suna and head towards their next destination.

Gaara, Temari and Kankurō met the group at the village entrance to see them off. Gaara was still fairly weak from the sealing, so he was using a cane to help him stand.

"Well it's been fun." Naruto said with his usual foxy grin.

"Yes it sure has been interesting," Gaara said with a smile.

"Don't get into too much trouble." Kankurō said with a cocky grin.

"I won't make any promises." Naruto said returning the grin.

"I had an amazing time Naruto." Temari said as she hugged Naruto.

"Me to Temari-chan." Naruto said with a sad smile. He was gonna really miss his desert rose. "Well we best be off." Naruto said as he hoisted his backpack over his shoulder.

With a few finals waves Naruto's team started walking down the path exiting the village. When Naruto's group was out of sight, Temari bit her bottom lip as she gazed off into the direction Naruto had went. Gaara sighed as he watched his older sister.

"Go after him." Gaara said suddenly.

"What?" Temari said as she turned to face her younger brother.

"Go after your man." Gaara said with a smile. "I know you want to."

Temari smiled brightly as she hugged Gaara tightly, causing much pain to the Kazekage.

"Thank you Gaara, I promise I'll be safe." Temari said as she released Gaara and turned to Kankurō.

The puppet user had a frown on his face as he looked at his sister.

"That bastard better protect you, or so help me."

Kankurō was silenced when he felt Temari wrap her arms around him.

"I'll be fine Kankurō," Temari said before she tightened her grip around Kankurō, making him gasp in pain. "Plus I can take care of myself."

Temari released Kankurō and looked at both her brothers.

"I love both you guys." Temari said before she took off after Naruto.

Naruto's group wasn't very far from the village. Tenten turned to Naruto lagging behind the rest of the group. She saw the look of sadness on his face.

"What's wrong Naruto?" Tenten asked as she started to walk next to him.

"I miss Temari-chan." Naruto said as he stared into the cloudless sky.

"I hate to admit it, but I actually kinda miss her too." Tenten admitted with a sigh.

"I wish she had come with us." Naruto said in a sad tone.

"Well your wish is granted."

Naruto and Tenten spun around to see Temari behind them.

"Temari-chan!" Naruto said in an excited tone causing everyone else to turn around.

"What are you doing here, Temari?" Tenten asked surprised by her presence.

"Gaara let me go with you guys," Temari said as a blush spread across her face. "I want to explore these feelings I have for you, Naruto."

"Well than welcome aboard Temari-chan," Naruto said with a massive smile.

Again they both started to get lost in each others eyes.

"Don't puss out this time." Kurama muttered out from inside Naruto's head.

This time there was no interruption when Naruto captured Temari's lips with his own. It wasn't a very long kiss, but it was a very passionate one. When they both parted Temari had a dreamy look on her face.

"W-Wow." Temari breathed out in a dazed tone.

"Come on Temari-chan let's head out." Naruto said as he wrapped his arm around Temari's waist.

The Suna Kunoichi had a huge smile on her face as they walked through the desert.

"So where are we going next, Naruto?" Anko asked as she walked up next to Naruto and Temari.

"Well we're making a slight detour," Naruto said getting confused looks from everyone.

"What do you mean detour?" Konan asked in a confused tone.

Naruto turned his head and smiled at Anko.

"We're heading to Oto, and we're getting that curse mark off you for good."

Fūton: Kazekiri no Jutsu- Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique

Sabaku Kyuu- Sand Coffin

Bashōsen: Hi no Maki- Bashōsen: Coil of Fire

Kuchiyose: Kirikiri Mai- Summoning: Quick Beheading Dance

Bashōsen: Kaze no Maki- Bashōsen: Coil of Wind

Sōshōryū- Twin Rising Dragons

Fūton: Ōkamaitachi no Jutsu- Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel Technique

Dainamikku Entorī- Dynamic Entry