Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters in Naruto or Naruto Shippuden. All rights belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

"Human Talking"

Human Thoughts

Jutsus

"Tailed Beast/Summoning animal Talking"

Tailed Beast/Summoning animal Thoughts

CHAPTER 9

Born For Each Other

It has been quite a while since baby Gaara started to speak his very first words. As time went on he started saying the words such as 'Dada' to refer his father too, which made his father emotional. Kankuro saw his father getting emotional for the very first time in his three years of life.

Today is a very special day for the family. It was Temari's Fourth Birthday. Entire family was preparing for a family celebration at night and Karura has a special gift for her eldest daughter.

"Temari... Come here once..." Karura called out.

"Coming mom..." came Temari's shout.

Soon Temari entered her parents room. Karura was the only one in the room standing behind a table. Temari gazed at the table and she was surprised when she saw what was lying on the table.

"What's this mom...?" Temari inquired staring with wide eyes at a Giant Folding Fan that was placed on a table in front of her mother. The Fan was taller than Temari herself.

The Giant Folding Fan lying on the table is a war fan. It has three purple circles along its metal body inside and they can only be seen when its opened. The fan can be used for both defensive and offensive attacks as a club when its closed shut. It can also be used to deflect kunai and shuriken when opened wide.

"It was my war fan when I was in the ninja force. No one was able to even make a scratch on me when I was wielding it." answered Karura tracing the outlines of the fan with her finger. She was remembering her fond memories with it. "I would like you to have it. Happy birthday Tem...." She wasn't able to finish as a small happy bundle known as Temari has crashed into her and started hugging her at waist level.

"Thank you Mom..." Temari said sounding genuinely happy to have her mother's War fan. She released her mother a few moments later. She then reached out for the war fan and tried to lift it.

"Its heavy..." Temari said while struggling to lift the fan.

"Don't worry... You will be able to lift it easily as you grow up." Karura explained.

Temari lifted the war fan with both her hands. She wanted to show the gift to her make up wearing brother and baby brother who are playing outside. Temari went out and started to show off her gift to her brothers. Karura who followed her daughter outside was smiling at the pouting Kankuro and Gaara who was crawling towards his sister as soon as he saw her. Temari then put the war fan carefully on the ground and lifted Gaara who was asking her to pick him up by opening his hands. Gaara then started to play with his sister's blonde hair.

"So... I wanted to ask... why you always keep your hair in four pig tails..? Its not that I'm complaining, but why don't you let your elegant blond hair fall freely on your back..?" Karura asked hesitantly as she approached the sister and brother duo. She wanted to ask about this for quite some time, but didn't ask thinking she may hurt her daughter's feelings about how she wanted to look.

As soon as Karura said blonde hair, Temari felt something. She couldn't comprehend what this feeling was. It was like she was not the only one...

Karura saw her daughter's facial expression change from happy to dreamy to confused and then finally settle with a pout and question mark face...

"What happened Temari...? I just wanted to know why you don't let your hair lose, that's all..." Karura said in panic thinking she may have hurt her daughter's feelings by questioning her hair style. She didn't hate the hair style of her daughter, she was just curious.

"Oh its nothing mom... I was just lost in my thoughts... Oh and I don't let my hair lose cause I don't wanna look girly...!" was Temari's reply as she let Gaara down so he can go back and play with Kankuro.

"Girly...? But you are a girl...!" Karura asked surprised.

"Not just any girl, but a girl that will become an awesome ninja that wields your war fan." Temari replied confidently while pointing her right hand thumb towards her chest.

"I have no doubt in saying that you'll become a ninja that everyone will look up to. But never think that being a girl or girly is a weakness." Karura admonished her daughter. Temari looked at her mother with a confused face.

"I myself am a woman, and I can proudly say that I can go toe to toe with your father any day." Informed Karura.

Temari's eyes became wide. "Wow, mom you're awesome...!"

"That's not the only thing. Lady Chiyo was said to have taken down an entire fortress, all by herself in a battle. Even Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin of the Leaf Village is also a woman." Here Temari's eyes were filled stars. "Never ever think that being a girl/woman is a weakness. Its true that we are women, but NOT WEAK WOMEN." Temari was still in awe at what she was just told.

"Its your choice how you want to look, but never be ashamed of being a girl or woman." Karura said to her daughter.

"Alright....." Temari exclaimed raising a fist to the sky being proud.

"Though your hair style is quite unique too with your blond hair..." Karura complimented after Temari settled down.

There... That feeling again... that I'm not the 'only one'. were Temari's thoughts when she felt the same way again as her mother mentioned about her blond hair.