Chapter 6

After the Chuunin exam it is announced that only the first born of the Kazekage is awarded the title of Chuunin. The Daimyo has agreed but the Kazekage himself may have voiced a different opinion.

Asuma-sensei, the leader of Temari's team, is left alone to watch the awarding program at the Suna stadium since both Ino and Choji are injured and are recuperating at the Suna hospital. Temari is with them to make sure that the Suna medic will take good care of her team mates.

The other sensei from Konoha, such as Kakashi and Gai, have opted for their team members to participate in the Chuunin exam next time since it will be held in Konoha instead. With Sasuke, a member of Kakashi's team, being hunted by Orochimaru, Kakashi-sensei has decided it's safer not to travel to Suna in the meantime while Gai-sensei, without his rival, sees no point in going to Suna ahead of Kakashi. Whereas Kurenai-sensei became suddenly sick and unable to travel hence her team isn't able to go to Suna. Kurenai is actually the reason why Asuma is a bit late meeting his team that day on their way to Suna.

Asuma catches a fleeting glimpse of the first born when the boy has approached the Kazekage on the stage during the awarding. Because of the distance, Asuma notices only that the twelve year old boy has long dark hair framing his face and reaching up to his shoulders; together with the tinted glasses the boy is wearing, it effectively obscures his face.

The boy walks with a slouch with both hands shoved in his robe's pockets. The brown robe he is wearing reaches almost to his knees. It's unbelted to reveal a white shirt underneath and black pants that go down to his mid-calf. There's a pouch tied around his right thigh. While the Suna head protector coiled around his right wrist has only became visible when he raises the said hand for a second to wave just once to acknowledge the people watching.

The Sunan civilians and some nins seem to scoff at the first born's increase in rank and a few brave ones have even shouted 'boo' when the first son has raised his hand in acknowledgement.

After that the excitement for the Chuunin exam winds down but the people are still talking about the new Chuunin and his brothers. The people seem to disregard mentioning his or his younger sibling's name preferring to call them the Kazekage's first and second son except the third one, people call him Gaara.

Gaara's name comes up frequently in conversations, most of the times in hushed tones. The first born, it seems, has already been overshadowed by the youngest and it is said that the position of being the next Kazekage is already reserved for the youngest.

Asuma has observed everything, that how the Sunan people seem to ignore the first born and even more so the second son's existence but appear to be fearful of the third brother.

-o0o-

"Lazy ass!" Temari mumbles to herself, obviously irritated.

Ino grins from her hospital bed. "You still don't know his name, huh."

"Shut up!" Temari glares at her childhood friend. Not wanting to blame anyone but herself, Temari realizes that, if not for the lazy Genin who is now a Chuunin, she and her friends would have turned into mush right now. "Gah, I can't believe I owe him something!"

"I don't think he's gonna collect it though," Choji mentions reassuringly. He is seated on the bed with a table in front of him laden with roasted chestnuts. Temari had discovered the nuts the first time she and Ino went to the Suna market five days ago and learned she likes its unique taste.

Choji and Ino share the same room as Temari requested it from the hospital. Temari is currently seated on the side of Choji's bed rather than Ino's for easier access of the chestnuts but with Choji's softly worded assurance, Temari's arm, which is extended to take a chestnut from the table, halts and she glowers at Choji too. "That's worse!" Temari pauses then speaks more vehemently, "I'm gonna repay him. I swear."

"Sure." Ino smiles; knowing voicing any doubt regarding the issue would turn Temari into a hard-hitting bitch. Ino loves her friend honest but there are times her friend takes competition a bit too far. Good thing they don't have the same taste in clothes and boys. Ino's smile widens. "But he's cute."

"What?" Temari is appalled by Ino's suggestion. "He is not cute. His hair is a bit too long and he covers his eyes with darkened glasses since I bet if he squints his eyes would disappear since they are so darn small. And he's so dark. He must be staying under the sun too much." And since she's being honest, Temari adds,"But alright for someone who does that he does smell nice," remembering the time she was embraced. Temari does a mental shake to erase the sudden memory.

Ino's smile goes down a notch. Temari has never described someone in that much detail before. Not even when the topic is Sasuke who Ino has a feeling Temari likes. Temari would just say a clipped word like 'Cool' when describing Sasuke and that's it. Ino personally thinks Sasuke is an obnoxious ass.

Even knowing this, Ino looks closer and notices a pink tinge on Temari's cheeks. "You like him too don't you?" Ino suddenly accuses.

"What? You gotta be kidding me!" denies Temari, maintaining eye contact with Ino.

Reassured, Ino's smile gets bigger again. "Ok. I believe you. Since you're my friend and it's best to know right from the start that our friendship won't be ruined by some guy."

Temari rolls her eyes.

"Do you get the feeling he reminds you of someone?" Choji suddenly cuts into Ino's girly squeal, effectively changing the topic.

"You get that feeling too?" Temari swivels her attention to Choji.

"What do you mean? We haven't seen him before coming here so how could he—hey, can we give him a name please!—be familiar to you guys?" Ino asks bewildered.

"I did suggest Lazy ass. We will call him that. Beats calling him the First Born," Temari remarks; her forehead knotted into a frown. "So Ino, he doesn't look familiar to you?"

"No," Ino replies. "But I plan to be familiar with him." Ino gives Temari a wink. Choji notices and he continues to shove the chestnuts into his mouth at a faster rate.