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

Part 11

"N...no.. no... M..Moegi-chan (hic)... Gaara's right..." Temari managed to slur out between hiccups surprising everyone, including Gaara. "Shi-Shikamaru's a good.... good man (hic) who loves his family and his people,.. And he loves me (hic).... But...... But.. when he's not here.. It's like, like there's this part of me missing, y'know... Like.. that part that wants to stand (hic) proudly beside him as his wife, upholding our family honour...."

She paused her slurred speech (and hiccups) abruptly with a solemn look on her hazy face. A face that to Gaara's dismay, began shedding tears. "Like... I should have.. upheld my bonds with my brothers..." And her face fell into her crossed arms on their table, sobbing aloud.

"Temari.. please..." Gaara panicked, unsure how to handle his drunk sister crying. As if the sideways glances from the restaurant's other patrons weren't awkward enough. Still he ignored the odd looks and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, but her sobbing into her arms remained as loud in between hiccups. "Our father's treatment.. of me and Kankuro was nothing.. compared (hic) to the abuse you went through.. everyday.. since you were born!!! And here I am moaning about being lonely (hic)... I'm so sorry Gaara!! So many times (hic) I should have protected you as my Kid Brother,.. but I just.. didn't notice anything, or was.. too afraid (hic) of Father to acknowledge.. what was happening and (hic) actually stand up to him..... I'M A COWARD AND A HORRIBLE BIG SISTER!! JUST LIKE I'M A HORRIBLE WIFE AND MOTHER!!!" And her sobbing intensified.

"Temari please...you are a wonderful sister, as well as a wonderful wife and mother to your family, and you have always done the best you could with what you had... really...." Gaara said desperate to console her, not taking his hand from her shoulder for a second. And the awkward glances of the other patrons was followed by uncomfortable murmurings.

It was true his entire childhood was one of abuse, loneliness and anger. A byproduct of the people's fear of him previously as a Jinchuriki, and numerous attempts on his life, including his own father and his uncle! And yet so much changed when he first met Naruto. The hyperactive knucklehead that helped him find his own light in that darkness. And since that fateful day, he made every effort to fix relations between himself and his people as the Kazekage. And most importantly fixing his broken relationship with his older siblings, just as he knew they were striving to overcome the pain of the past in order to fix things with their Little Brother. It was by no means easy for him to watch Temari tormenting herself now.

"Booooooooo Gaara! Making Temari-chan cry (hic)-" Hanabi scolded the Sand Shinobi disgracefully, having completely missed the point of Temari's lamentations. "Yeah Gaara, y-you Big Meanie-(hic)." Moegi joined in the stink-eye unashamedly directed at him, or tried too as blurry as her vision was in her drunken stupor. "Lord Kazekage I'm so sorry. I just can't with them. I just can't..." Udon tried to apologise on his companions behalf but found himself soon with his face in his hands and rubbing his temples. The consequences of his own alcohol consumption finally kicking in.

Gaara ignored them as politely as possible while focused on his Elder Sister, noticing she had suddenly become all too silent. "Temari?.." he called softly whilst listening intently for any response. And was greeted by soft snoring.

Temari in her own drunken stupor had literally cried herself to sleep.

"I think it best if my sister and I retired for the evening. Please give the Hokage and his family as well as the other 'kage my sincere apologies for the early departure." At once the thoroughly drunk kunoichi tried imploring him to stay, completely forgetting their earlier animosity. "Nooooooo Ga-Ga-roo... Gaga..... Gary.... Temari-chan's Baby Bro!... Staaaaayy (hic).", "Y-Yeah... Let Temari-chan stay and have fudge... full..... Fu(hic)!", "We understand entirely Lord Kazekage. We'll give Lord 7th and the other 'kage your regards. Please travel safely." Udon cut off his inebriated companions' further whining in a bid to salvage the situation, still massaging his throbbing head. Gaara offered him a short nod before paying his and Temari's contribution to the bill. Then he stood up and without much effort, picked his out-cold sister up in his arms.

"Goodnight Captains. Thank you again for the drinks and meal. And your company." And without giving them another chance to implore him to stay he turned with Temari safely cradled in his arms and headed towards the establishment's main door. He wouldn't bother asking them for an escort in their emancipated state, as he knew Naruto would have numerous Security Ninja stationed about the village during the Festival who would be keeping an eye on the 5th Kazekage regardless. Not that he needed a bodyguard anyway, especially if someone should be foolish enough as to try to threaten Shikamaru Nara's wife, and Lord Gaara's sister!

On his way he nearly bumped into the other man and his entourage he'd been waiting for up until now.

"CHOJUBRO (Hic)!!!" two drunk kunoichi called from across the bar while their male companion groaned. "Lord Mizukage." Gaara acknowledged the blue-haired man politely with a stony face. "Lord Kazekage." Chojuro acknowledged the red-haired man politely deigning not to ask about the slumbering woman in his arms. They gave each other curt nods, and the Mizukage waved his escort aside to let the Sand Shinobi pass with the Wind-Break-Style kunoichi in his arms, which they did without question.

Chojuro didn't challenge Gaara's early departure, or do anything that might be considered out of the ordinary. Both men knew all too well the delicate situation the entirety of Konohagakure was in this very night with its citizens none the wiser. And Gaara could do naught else but act as natural as possible whilst carrying his sister Princess-Style, hoping for the sake of so many people that Naruto knew what he was doing.