Author's notes: I do not own naruto.


"The lost opportunity"

Shikamaru wondered away, looking at the stars. It'd been 6 months since he proposed to Ino and the closeness of the wedding was starting to build anticipation. In less than a month he'll be married. He will be married. Despite that, Shikamaru felt happy and peaceful. He'd almost planned the rest of his life with a magnifying glass so he was not afraid to take the big step. Ino seemed happy too. She answered "the question" without hesitation and always made remarks about how things will be when they marry.

Yes, Shikamaru's life was on the right path, heading straight without any obstacles ahead. At this point in his life he was finally able to take the other woman of his head. He finally was able to move on. But Shikamaru ignored that that feeling wouldn't last long.

"Uh… Temari-chan?" Sakura exclaimed recognizing the figure entering the gates of Konoha.

Temari's head turned to that direction and recognized the girl. It was the girl that had saved his brother life 8 years ago.

"Hello" Temari replied with a tranquil expression on her face

"Temari-chan it's been so long! What brings you to Konoha?"

Suddenly Sakura's expression turned serious.

"Is everything ok?"

"Oh yes… I just came… I came to take a small vacation you could say"

"A vacation?... well enjoy your stay. If you need a guide or anything else don't hesitate to ask me"

"Thank you. Well I better get going. Bye"

"Bye!" Sakura said while seeing Temari going away.

-

Temari was wondered the streets of Konoha randomly… she was looking… for him. She though many times how stupid and pointless being here was, but she couldn't turn back. She knew. She wasn't sure where to find him so she just hoped if she walked around for a while she would.

Suddenly a shadow on the ground made her eyes lift and widened. It was the boy… man she was looking for. It must be fate.

"Temari?" Shikamaru asked her incredibly surprised, but tried to act cool "what are you doing here?"

"7 years and that's the first thing you say idiot?" She replied with an annoyed face.

"Umm I'm sorry. It's been 7 eight years? So long ago… how've you been? Is something wrong?" he asked

"No, no… I'm just here for… a small vacation" She replied nervously.

Shikamaru took a good look at her, from top to bottom and made Temari blush.

"Really? Why would you come to a place like this for a vacation?... And without any laugage?"

Temari realized the flaw in her alibi too late.

"Tell me why you are here!"

Temari stood silent looking down, and that made Shikamaru even more curios

"Tell me!"

"The reason I came… the reason I came is you!..." Temari's answer took Shikamaru by surprise. "I'm here for you… to fix my mistake from the past" Temari said with a weak voice.

"What are you talking about? What mistake?" Shikamaru asked still a little shocked.

"Back then…we both always knew… that we felt strongly about each other. But neither of us had the guts… I didn't have the guts to tell you… and I've realized that was the biggest mistake of my life…" Shikamaru's eyes widened since he felt the exact same until a year ago "right now it's about time for me to settle... and have a family. Back in my village… I've met men… but everyone I met… every time I couldn't help to think about you... so that's why I came… to fix that error from the past, to tell you what I feel… and hopefully you'll still feel the same way…"

"so… do you?"

A small silence passed between them. But somehow it felt like an eternity.

"I do…" Temari felt so relieved and came close to the verge of tears "but I can't… It can't happen" Temari started to experience the exact opposite feelings she was feeling a second ago. What could be the reason? For them to feel the same… but not being able to be together?

"But wh-" Temari was interrupted by a female voice calling Shikamaru's name.

"Shikamaru!" the blonde girl shouted, to then give her fiancée a kiss on the lips.

"I've been looking all over for you! I know it's a bad thing to see you so much before the wedding but I can't help it!"

Temari's eyes widened in horror. She directed them at shikamaru's hand and found what she was afraid of… a ring on his finger. She was too late. It was stupid to begin with… to think that he would wait for her. But she couldn't help to keep the hope all those years.

"Huh? Who's this?" Ino gave the girl standing in front of them a look from top to bottom and barely recognized her.

"Oh! You're the girl from the sand right? Is something wrong with your village? What happened?"

"It's none of your business" Temari said while running away from the couple.

"Geez she's still as rude as I recall from the few times I met her" Ino complained.

"Ino I have to go" Shikamaru's face was serious

"Is something wrong?" Ino asked concerned

"No just some things I have to take care at the academy" saying this Shikamaru left Ino's side.

"Okay… bye" Ino was a little worried about the way he was acting. But she'd figured she'll find out later.

-

Shikamaru looked around for Temari calmly. He'd been walking around the village expecting to find her.

Finally she found Temari on a small garden… looking at the clouds… so peacefully. She looked so beautiful. Shikamaru didn't have time to notice how she had changed since 7 years ago. She was a woman now and she was so much more appealing to him. He slowly approached her without her noticing and began talking.

"For many time after the last time I saw you, I felt the same way. You were the only woman I could see myself with. I refused to think of anyone else"

Shikamaru voice tone was serious, and caring. Not usual in him "Until… I realized that, it wouldn't, it couldn't happen. Ever, under any circumstances. That was the only way I could convince myself to move forward… releasing it was impossible… and still it took me years to do it"

Temari looked at the serious Shikamaru. She hadn't had time to realize how much he'd changed in 7 years. He was a lot more mature and handsome.

"I've tried that… but I just… I never could…" She replied

Suddenly on a quick movement Shikamaru cornered Temari against a nearby tree.

"Do you know how many times… I fantasized about cornering you against a wall and kiss you, forgetting about everything else?"

"Do you know… how many times I fantasized about you cornering me against a wall and kissing me, forgetting about everything else?"

They looked deeply at each other in the eyes for a few seconds and then Shikamaru looked away.

"It's almost cruel isn't it?" he said

"We're here together… we finally recognize each others feelings and we can't do anything about it…" Temari took his hand and squeezed it hard while slowly looking away.

"I know this is wrong… it goes against my values and everything I was though but… I don't care. I'll do anything you want to be with you… if you want me to move here, I'll do it… if you want me to stop being a ninja I'll do it… anything you ask… anything" Temari's voice sounded almost desperate.

"Ino… I couldn't do that to her… even if my hearth desires it more than you can imagine…" Shikamaru's hand caressed Temari's face softly "To kiss your lips… to merge with you… it's a torture…" Shikamaru turned away and started walking. "If the reason you came is only this… I think it'll be better if you leave… for both of us. It's too painful... to see each other… again"

Suddenly Shikamaru felt Temari's hand grabbing his arm and forcing him to turn in a quick movement.

Temari took Shikamaru's hand and reuniting all of her courage kissed him. She could feel an explosion inside of her body, hidden feelings, hidden desires, the forbidden fruit, everything became blurry as their lips merged in one of the strongest sensations she'd ever experienced. But the sound of a female voice interrupted them.

"Shikamaru! Where are you?" Ino's voice reached the couple's ears. Before the blonde girl could spot them they were able to move apart. But they both were still a little dizzy from what they just experienced.

Well that's it, thank you for reading. I hope you liked it. I know the ending seems a little bit sudden but I was passing my word expectation per chapter, 1500 for this fic. I'll plan only one more chapter so I'll probably update within two weeks. see ya.