I do not own Naruto. Sorry shikatema diehards. I thought I'd take a slight deviation and highlight a new couple I've never written about before in order to keep the creative juices flowing (kinda like crop rotation). References some of my previous Shika-tema fanfics. Also trying to see if I can write in third person and make it work.
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She watched and began to experience a dull empty ache. She was happy for the couple but sometimes they reminded her brutually of what she strongly desired but could not have. Shikamaru and Temari, so obviously head over heels for each other. Even though the table was full of her friends, the couple sat directly across from her and she was drawn to their intimacy. They weren't PDA junkies, but her ability to see gave her incredible insight into the depth of their relationship. The slight increase in the pink of her cheeks with the brush of his hand, his careful attentiveness to all of her needs no matter how small communicated how important the two of them were to each other.
How they kept this a secret for so long was beyond her, she became aware of their feelings at the onset of the now infamous "precious things" game. Looking at them today, they seemed infinitely happy.
Glancing a few chairs to the right, she sighed at the sight of her long term crush and wondered …when would it be her turn? At this point, all of her female classmates had experienced their first love. Granted first love for all (but the duo in front of her) didn't last, but they still came away from those relationships with memories and experiences that she so sadly lacked.
She stared from afar and wondered how long it would be before he noticed her. As the food came, he turned towards her and smiled his usually huge toothy grin. Furiously blushing she turned away. As the blood began to rush to her head she experienced a bit of dizziness. A gentle squeeze brought her swiftly back and she look forward to see Temari's encouraging and understanding smile. "It's worth it… the pain, the waiting, the sacrifice." Temari breathed as she looked towards her man and was met by a sweet peck on the forehead.
The girl nodded in understanding and her heart lightened as the hope Temari imparted sunk in. This was quickly taken away, by a pink haired tart who suddenly interrupted the meal and drug the poor girls crush away. Lunch was otherwise uneventful and by the end of it all were laughing loudly as they left the shop. As she started to walk towards her home she was taken up swiftly by two beings.
They brought her to an isolated rooftop and she finally recognized her kidnappers…the two blond women Shikamaru considered the most troublesome he had ever met. Temari started with "Have faith in him. He'll come around, but…" Ino finished with "It's time to take action."
She shakily voiced"B..b…but I still can't even be in his presence without becoming incredibly flushed, and embarrassed which in the end always ends up with me fainting. What can I do?" With her hands on her hips, Ino scolded, "Do you want that pink haired billboard forehead to steal him away from you? " The violet eyed girl furiously shook her head. "Then it's time to put you through Ino and Temari's seduction school!" Temari looked at Ino a bit irked…"I thought we were calling it Temari and Ino…" Ino replied with "Whatever…okay for lesson one…go with Temari, while I go make preparations." Ino poofed away and Temari (with a decidingly mischievous aura) grabbed the shy girl by the arm again and brought her to Shikamaru's home.
Before entering, she smiled and said, "Lesson one is body language."
Temari sauntered into the room and Shikamaru lifted his head off the couch in surprise. "Oi, troublesome, I thought we weren't meeting up till later."
"Hinata chan wanted to learn how to play shougi, do you mind if she watches a game between us?" The blond asked as she coyly smiled. He smiled back in return and sat up bringing the board out from under the couch and placing it on the table. The two of them swiftly set up the board. Temari was first, but before moving a piece put her right hand up to her mouth and slowly traced a line along her slightly open bottom lip. Shikamaru gulped in reply and his eyes seemed drawn to her lips. He replied with a serious move before pulling back, arms crossed staring furiously at the board.
Temari then leaned way forward and her kimono opened ever so slightly. Teasing eyes batted at Shikamaru. This alone completely broke his concentration and he covered his mouth seriously as he turned a slight shade of pink. With the blond's next move, she tilted her neck to the right, exposing the nape. Her right arm gracefully crossed her bosom and softly stroked a route between her ear to her shoulder. "Shika, do you want a beer?" She asked. He grunted a reply and she stood to go to the fridge. As Temari leaned over to grab a beer from the bottom of the fridge, he craned his neck to get a better look. Catching him in the act, she suddenly turned and shot him a mischievous smile. A pillow was removed from the couch and Shikamaru placed it over his lap.
When she returned, Temari took a sip from the beer and lustily licked her lips before handing the bottle to Shikamaru. His mouth was agape and he was definitely not paying attention to the game anymore. As she daintily placed her piece down on the board he grabbed her wrist. Without glancing away from Temari and in a throaty voice he said "Sorry Hinata, but can we finish this tomorrow?"
"Of course." The violet eyed darling stated before hurridly rushing out of the house. Just before the door closed Temari called after her. "Hinata, go find Ino and practice okay?"
My goodness how embarrassing! I could never do that! She thought as she walked back home. "I figured I'd find you trying to run home. Good thing I was right about that lesson being a short one, Shika has no self control when it comes to Temari." Ino matter of factly stated as she smirked at me from the middle of the road. "Are you ready to put what you learned into practice?" the devilish blond asked.
"I c…c…an't." The girl adamantly stated. "Oh don't worry, we'll practice on someone familiar so you won't get too nervous. Wouldn't want you fainting the first day of training." Ino grasped her hand and pulled her to the training ground. As they neared she saw that her teammates were already there. "Don't worry, they don't know a thing. See if you can take what you learned from Temari and incorporate it into sparring. No cheating, I'll be watching and grading you." Ino warned as she stuck a finger out at the nervous girl. The poor thing had started sweating as Ino pushed her forward towards the boys.
"Oi Ino, are you here to watch me kick some ass?" Kiba asked winking. "Nope I just wanted to watch Hinata's byakugan today." Ino replied snidely. Shino quietly walked over to Ino and whispered something to her. Ino looked shocked for a second, but then whispered something in reply. As the girl wondered what they were talking about, Kiba grumpily lumbered over and said, "Well Hinata chan shall we spar?" With hesitation the shy girl nodded and took her usual position.
They started and Kiba quickly overpowered her throwing her to the ground. She got up, but instead of the usual quick brush off, pointed her left leg straight into a 45 degree angle. This allowed her outfit to slide slightly up revealing a little thigh. Using that leg as leverage she slowly swung herself up to sitting and cocked her head giving Kiba a look that she hoped mirrored what Temari had given Shika. He froze and looked at her curiously before shaking his head and resuming his charge. She gracefully launched over him, but as she landed a shuriken grazed the side of her face and a trickle of blood traveled towards her mouth. Facing him directly she gracefully blew her bangs out of her face before licking her lips as Temari had done. Again Kiba froze and furrowed his brow.
This time she charged him and tackled him to the ground. With her on top, She smiled as mischieviously as she could muster before jumping away again. He stood and wiped a bit of blood from his nose. Huh? I didn't think I managed to hit him that hard, she thought. Within seconds he had tackled her. Bringing her arm up to her neck, she closed her eyes and slowly rotated her head saying "Ow Kiba, don't be so rough." A warm moist liquid started dripping on her chest and she looked up to see Kiba grinning ear to ear with a nose bleed. He grabbed her hands and pinned her to the ground…THWACK!
An irritated Ino had sent him flying. Smiling she said, "Very good Hinata! I would probably give you an 8/10. What did you think Shino?" Shino walked towards the girls his bugs swarmed the air before forming a large 10! As he reached forward to wipe the blood off her chest, his hand was swatted away by the blond. "I change my score, you definitely get a 10." Ino said shaking her head at a beet red Shino.
Walking home, the shy girl smiled and thought that wasn't that difficult after all. But still, it would be impossible to do that with Naruto. Nearing the large Hyuuga gates she heard a familiar voice. "Oi Hinata, come with me to eat ramen! I just got a bonus from the Baba." He walked up to her wearing a confident smile, before suddenly frowning. "Are you feeling okay, you look like you have a fever again?" Placing his forehead against hers he checked her temperature and as usual she immediately turned bright red.
"I …I don't feel so good, I probably should just go inside." She stammered. He smiled sweetly and replied, "Ichiraku makes a ramen for colds, I'll treat you then bring you right home, okay?" Her body responded before she could think and she nodded and started following after him. Inner Hinata cheered her on and made the resolve to put to practice tonight everything Temari and Ino had worked so hard to impart.
They sat next to each other at Ichiraku's and indeed the "cold-killer ramen" really did make her feel better. He talked and she listened. Part way through the meal, she looked at him directly and licked some dashi off her lips. Blinking back at her he smiled before saying "I know I lick every last bit of the soup too!" DAMN. Okay what's next? She thought. She turned towards him again and crossed her legs to let her skirt fall breezily to the side. She then leaned forward, her blouse opening ever so slightly. He laughed and scratched the back of his head. "Was that story really that interesting? I thought it was kinda lame when Ero-sennin told it to me." Starting to panic, she thought…I must be doing it wrong, it's not working at all. In a last ditch effort she turned her neck slightly and began softly rubbing it. Warm, strong, and tender hands replaced her own as Naruto said. "You must have worked hard today. I'll give you a quick massage."
"EEP! " She managed to squeal as she straightened as stiff as a board before…
She woke up the next morning in bed. A maid came by and said that Naruto had carried her home on his back. The maid continued and relayed how he had gotten on his knees and bowed with his head to the floor while apologizing profusely to father for keeping the girl out, even though she had said she didn't feel well. Her father eventually forgave him but not before scolding and scaring some sense into him. Passing the girl a note the maid reported that he secretly asked her to ensure its receipt. Winking the maid quietly left the room.
[Hinata chan, I'm really sorry I forced you to go out last night. I really hope you get better soon. I'll come visit if your old man will let me see you. Take care and rest well. Naruto
The paper was moistened by a few tears, before she even realized she had started crying. Naruto…I'm going to work even harder!