Summary: AU. I wanted someone plain but instead I got me to have this massive crush on the most unaverage woman I have met. And what's more she obviously likes Naruto. Should I fight Naruto for her?...Tch troublesome. I should just quit work. Shikamaru POV ShikaXTemaXNaruto OOCness abounds
Rated: T for some swearing
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto. Shikamaru belongs to Temari.
A Slight Change of Plans
The first time I saw her, I gawked. She was obviously my senior but she wore her hair that way. I mean; no woman would get caught wearing that type of hairdo. Then she noticed me. I immediately closed my mouth and cleared my throat. "What are you looking at?" she asked. I murmured "Nothing" and I moved my eyes towards the computer screen in front of me.
I first learned her name the next day. She's called Temari. Somehow that name fit her. Hey, I didn't like her or anything but seeing as there wasn't much to do, thinking about her passed the time. Did I just say thinking? Well, I didn't mean think, think alright? More of a speculative think kind of way. I wasn't really that curious you know. Anyway back to how I learned what her name was. The boss called her Temari. She was obviously some sort of hot-shot executive. She certainly was hot. She had gorgeous legs and an amazing body and...anyway aside from the hair she looked ok. More than ok. She looked good even with her blonde hair in four outlandish ponytails. You know two on each side of her head.
As it is, I had been working here at Suna, Inc. for 2 long days now. Today was just Tuesday and so far away from the much awaited weekend. Ah weekends, time I could lie around. Ten days from now I should be finished replacing Suna's old security system with the new one as planned. So after the next Friday, I wouldn't have to come here any longer. I could have probably done it faster than that but since I was also training Naruto at the same time, I didn't see how I could speed things up. Naruto was quite enthusiastic but he wasn't really good at grasping things easily.
I quite noticed that the boss seemed to be close to Temari. I wondered if they were seeing each other after office hours but I think that is against office policy. After all it would have been troublesome to have sexual harassment lawsuits later when the relationship went sour. But then she wasn't that old just barely 25 ...I wondered how she became such a hot-shot executive so soon...
I didn't have to wonder anymore. She was amazing today. She just saved a junior executive's butt. The other executives were obviously out for blood but she was able to turn the tide against them without a single bloodshed. She could be pretty harsh but it was obvious it was because she cared so much about the company and its people's well being. I shouldn't have witnessed this but the boss insisted that I be present to explain to everyone what I was supposed to be doing and I'm glad I did.
Tch now I couldn't lose to her. I may be lazy but I liked what I was doing and I was really good at it. I must have been pretty passionate about it 'cause some of the executives (okay most of them) actually listened to me you know...especially her. She was pretty attentive. I guess she really understood what the heck I was talking about.
Then it was as I was leaving the meeting that I heard the junior executive thanking her. The executive called her Ms. Sabaku. Tch I guess she really did have a vested interest in the company. I felt a smile creeping up my face. So those two—she and the boss, I mean— didn't have that kind of relationship. Instead they were genetically related but then who would have thought that when one is a red head and the other is blonde?
-o0o-
I think I'm staring at her again. She has the uncanny ability to catch me at it. Tch with the way she looks she should be used to people staring at her. I know she has probably caught me staring for the past 2 days but it is only today—the third day— that she actually approaches me. "So you're Nara?" I said "Yes" in a monotone. She remembers my name from the meeting yesterday. There's actually no reason to be happy about that, right? It just shows she was listening when I give my spiel and anyway her voice sort of grates on my nerves. Or she just uses that condescending tone of voice towards me.
"And you're Naruto?" she then asks my friend whose table is beside mine. I wonder why she smiles towards Naruto and not to me. What? Do I look like a villain or something? I have always worn my hair in a pony. I don't think it makes me look like a thug, right?
She's actually kind of sweet to Naruto. Too bad her charm is wasted on him. I mean I don't think Naruto notices girls. I mean Naruto's not gay but first time I met his friend Hinata a year ago— mind you I knew immediately Hinata wanted to be more than just friends—one of the things Naruto was slow to pick up on. But what's great about Naruto is that he's a good friend. That's why I hired him. This is sort of our first gig together under my dad's company. And I would not throw our friendship just because of a girl— I mean woman. Afterall Temari is all woman. ... Tch, actually I don't mean Temari in particular. She's just a sort of example, got it?
"You're Temari-chan, aren't you? I heard from your brother you're a brilliant strategist. The new program is your baby and I think you're really great to come up with something like it" Naruto beams. As usual Naruto being his noisy, talkative self. Nobody could really hate Naruto even when he's like that. After all it's part of his charm. And this time Temari is genuinely smiling. Tch another conquest for Naruto. Dammit! This program isn't following my commands I guess I have to try this key. Fuck! Where's that manual anyway.
-o0o-
Still Wednesday, late afternoon, I'm on my way out of the office lobby to go home when it suddenly rains hard. I decide to risk it and run the few meters towards my car when I hear her call "Hey". She's trying to get my attention. I look behind my back and there she is taking out and opening her umbrella. I wait for her to be alongside me. "Where's your car?" she asks. I answer while pointing to a black Toyota "There". She replies "Come on" while moving her head in the direction of my car. She waits until I get under her umbrella too before we start walking towards my car. Her umbrella's the usual size but since we're trying to fit both so we won't get wet it's a bit of a squeeze. I can smell her perfume. It was flowery, womanly. I try to inhale natural-like but I guess she still notices the hitch in my breath. I can feel her smirking. I clear my throat and say "Thanks" as we approach my ride. "Anytime" she says then she smiles. She's smiling at me. Wow. I think I got rained on a little because for a few seconds I stand still beside the still-closed door of my car as I watch her walk towards her own.
The next day I didn't see her at the office. I admit I'm disappointed. I decided to go to the park to eat lunch and then that's when I see her. She just came out from one of the buildings. Obviously she had some sort of a meeting judging by the folders she's carrying. I approach her and say "hi". "Oh, hi" she says back. No smile this time. She's obviously harassed anyway. I suggest "I was on my way to lunch and if you want you can join me. My treat. Take it as a form of repayment for your kindness yesterday" I don't want her to think I'm asking for a date because I'm not.
One side of her lips tilts upward and then she nods her head. She's probably very hungry because just the mention of food perked her up—she's back to her dynamic self judging from the way she walks towards the closest diner.
She does not really talk that much—I mean she doesn't chatter. I like that. Well who wouldn't? Me? I really don't talk that much either but this instance I find myself being more forward. Our conversations are about her work, my work and Naruto. She's actually curious how Naruto and I became friends. She remarks that we are quite the opposite of each other. "Enough about Naruto and me" I say and ask her what she likes most about her job. She answers then she asks me too about mine. We are laughing about some comments either she or I made. She's not really funny, mind you. It's just that it seems so easy to laugh when I'm with her.
It's only during the night that I realize it. We were actually laughing because of some of Naruto's misadventures—most of it anyway. I wonder— is she really interested about my work, about me or she has just been fishing information about Naruto?
-o0o-
The boss, Temari and Naruto- when did they all get cosy anyway? And what's so funny that she's laughing that way. Sounds phony to me. And why does she keep looking in my direction? I'm not even staring at her. Well, not anymore. Naruto's welcome to her. She obviously likes him. I don't see why but I really don't care. Tomorrow's Saturday. I can oversleep and probably play some Shogi with someone. I hope Choji is free tomorrow. He is if his wife Ino could share him for a while. Honestly, women are troublesome. I didn't want any before and I don't want one now. True I do plan to marry someone plain but that's in a far away future. I'm just 22, man! There's no rush. And I haven't met anyone who fits my checklist anyway... and no Temari is so opposite of what's on my list, its absurd. And I did say she likes Naruto. Why I am thinking about her anyway? It's not as if I'm considering her. Definitely no!
-o0o-
"Shika, it's your turn now" Chouji says.
"I know that. I'm just thinking what piece I should be moving next" I reply. I invited Naruto too to my apartment today but he said he got a date. He did not tell who with but I'm a freaking genius so I could give at least two guesses. I doubt it's with Hinata. Well, I thought this morning it was with Hinata but that was before I saw Hinata at the grocery when Chouji and I were buying some chips and drinks. That leaves Temari, right? I wonder where they went. Naruto's the outdoor type and I bet Temari would drag him to some malls to do some shopping. That would probably bore Naruto no end but Naruto, being Naruto who likes to surprise everyone, may actually enjoy shopping with Temari.
"Shika, you still haven't moved anything."
"Huh" I look at the shogi board "look Chouji; I actually need to buy something at the mall. That is... You can come if you want"
"Well, I can wait for you here" Chouji is already making himself more comfortable by opening the next batch of barbeque flavoured chips "Afterall you won't take long".
I answer back "I don't know how long I would be" Chouji gives me a look. I don't know what it means. Okay I know what it means. I'm acting weird. But I forgot to buy that paper from the mall and it isn't available at the grocery you know.
In the end I went to the two malls and did not see the type of paper I wanted to buy. After all, I'm going to use it for a presentation so it should be well presentable... I didn't see Naruto or Temari either. Since I was already at the mall, I went and saw a movie. There was this movie Naruto told me was great. It wasn't really but as I was actually looking for two sets of spiky blond hair, you can't ask me what the story is about. Then I got hungry. Fast food would actually suffice but I really do have a craving for fine dining. As I wasn't really dressed properly, they kept telling me every table was reserved. Well, Naruto would not really bring Temari in that kind of place although I really think Temari would appreciate such a place. I mean if I ask Temari on a date I would probably bring her here. Not that I would ask Temari on a date. I definitely would not ask Temari on a date. She's not my ideal girl. She's too bossy. She's spunky. She has to be to get where she is in that company. She speaks her mind. And ... she does not think much of me probably. And she goes for what she wants—and that's namely Naruto. I sigh. I guess beautiful, sexy, overachiever women like Temari do not prefer laid back guys like me. Man, Naruto is so lucky. I sigh again. Oh well; at least Chouji is waiting for me. Oh man, Chouji! Ino will definitely kill me!
TBC
AN: Thanks to xXxBloodDeathLovexXx for helping me improve this. Pls. R and R.