I do not own Naruto. This is a sequel to another game and a prequel to Kakashi's wisdom. As per request…a fanfic with Shika in Suna.
XXX TEMARI XXX
Being sister to the Kazekage of course had its benefits, but few realized there were also some sacrifices. The hardest sacrifice I had yet to make, was my freedom. Because of who my brother was, my life existed under a microscope. For the most part the love I had for my brothers and our village made this bearable, but at the moment…
"Troublesome!" He breathed as he approached me. "Why did you make me come all the way out here? "
"Shut-up." I grumbled back. " I don't like this any more than you do." A light gasp escaped when his arms wrapped around me…it had been a really long time. I instantly nestled into the familiarity of his embrace before whispering, "I told you, things are different in Suna than Konoha. Every thing I do here is carefully observed and every word that comes out of my mouth is analyzed. Why do you think I come to Konoha so often…this place can be so stifling. "
As he gently peppered my neck with his lips he softly said, "Hmm, and I even took the extra effort to get assigned to this mission."
I turned towards him and smiled before meeting his lips with mine. "We're just going to have to be patient and creative." I commented cupping his face in my hands, as I drunk in and enjoyed the look of desire in his eyes.
"I can do patient…but creative … that's just too much work." He smirked before leaning in for another kiss.
During the brief moment my lips were free I managed to rush out, "Leave the creative to me you lazy boy."
XXX SHIKAMARU XXX
We had been together less than an hour when she suddenly stretched and sat up. She looked at me in that come hither way of hers before she pulled me in for yet another mind wrenching kiss. This troublesome woman had completely bewitched me.
"I have to get going before someone starts getting suspicious." She sadly stated. "See you at dinner…lazy."
After pulling her back for a few more minutes of contact, she eventually did push away. I watched her walk …man I really missed watching her move. When she was out of site, I waited another 10 minutes as previously instructed before I dusted the sand off myself, tucked my hands into my pockets and wandered back into town. Stumbling into the marketplace I was struck by how different the colors and smells were compared to Konoha. Things here were exciting, rich, intense…just like her. She had said she thought she'd only be able to "disappear" for an hour or so a day without people getting suspicious. She tried to make that up to me by saying we'd see each other at meals and meetings, but she explicitly warned that at no time was I to do or say anything that could give anyone a hint about the existence of our relationship…this was going to be a painful and difficult mission.
As I walked through the jovial streets my thoughts were interrupted by a familiar droning voice , "Geez, there you are! Baka, we've been looking all for you. Don't tell me you've already found a secret napping spot – we've only been here for three hours."
Looking up I spied my teammates. "Ino, Chouji. What's going on? " I replied.
"Shikamaru.. .what's going on is that Chouji and I have been wandering around looking for you after you disappeared from the hotel. We have to report to the Kazekage!" She exclaimed, her eyes glaring with annoyance. Chouji trailed behind her, but was all smiles, his arms loaded with various types of meat products on a stick.
"Shikamaru, this one's for you." Chouji commented as he held out one of the sticks. " Apparently this is some type of sand cow. Its not quite as tender as our beef, but the spices definitely rival barbeque."
A hand swept past the both of us and that meat on a stick somehow ended up on the ground "Chouji, what are you doing, we have dinner plans in an hour at the Kazekage mansion. "
I looked up at my teammates. Dust poured out from Chouji's nose as he snorted, "Ino, I can't believe you just wasted food! " Expectantly, he was getting angrier by the second. Realizing her mistake she backed away and attempted to coax him out of his mood via her usual method … flirting. I took their preoccupation with each other as the perfect chance to escape.
"See you guys at dinner…Kazekage mansion right!" I yelled back before rushing into the crowd hoping to lose them quickly. I still had some things I wanted to do before dinner and didn't have the time to stand there arguing with Ino.
XXX TEMARI XXX
The room was vibrating with excitement at the anticipation of our guests. That long table was filled with the usual councilmen, except for three seats next to Kankuro. He sat at Gaara's right and I sat at his left. I began to sweat hoping that our meals together wouldn't betray the intimacy that existed between Shika and I. Kankuro and most of the councilmen were clueless, but Gaara had always been keenly astute to such things. If he knew about Shika and I, it would be a LOT of trouble. I was ecstatic that he had grown closer to us, but he had also become extremely overprotective…especially to anyone who dared to show romantic interest in me.
"Temari…what's wrong?" Gaara flatly asked. I looked up to him somewhat alarmed that he had already picked up on something.
Subconsciously I began twirling a stray hair. "Ehehe, what do you mean?" I asked.
He continued with, "You've been acting strange. All week you seemed really energetic and happy even though you were on guard duty and confined to the city. Today you disappeared for an hour…"
"Aah I told you I just needed to go for a little walk to unwind after that afternoon meeting." I quickly interjected.
He ended with "…And now you're suspiciously quiet and fidgety." His face betrayed no emotion at all. Oh man keeping this a secret from Gaara was going to be really difficult. I was saved by an increase in the buzz of the room.
"Announcing our guests from Konoha: Akimichi Chouji, Yamanaka Ino and Nara Shikamaru." The room stood in honor of the Konoha nin. I glanced over at Kankuro who had a very satisfied grin on his face and was nodding his head. I chuckled to myself knowing Ino was going to be much more of a challenge for my brother than the usual Suna kunoichi.
XXX SHIKAMARU XXX
I followed Choji and Ino into the grand dining hall. The room was huge but not obnoxiously ornate. There were people everywhere. I searched for Temari in the sea of limbs and heads and clothes. I caught a glimpse of Gaara and then finally Temari next to him. She was dressed quite formally with her hair twisted up in a way that accentuated her maturity and grace. She had her head down and I thought I spied bit of color on the tips of her ears. I felt someone's gaze and turned my eyes back towards Gaara. He was looking at me directly and unflinchingly…as would be expected of the Kazekage. I kept my eyes on him as we neared the empty seats we were being gestured to. His eyes narrowed slightly in answer to my gaze, and a shudder ran down my spine. We bowed deeply before him.
"Honorable Kazekage, we thank you for your hospitality and are looking forward to deepening the relationship between our two villages as we work together." I respectfully announced, maintaining my bow. "As a token of our gratitude our Hokage has asked us to present you with the following gifts." I felt Ino stiffen next to me just before we took our seats and heard her whisper to Chouji, "Did you know we were giving gifts?"
XXX TEMARI XXX
He had showered since our earlier meeting and had his hair down. Goodness my boy was so handsome. I thought as I felt a blush begin to rise. Oh crap. I immediately looked down and began counting the beads on my bracelet. I heard Gaara rustling next to me and felt his gaze for a brief moment. This was going to be A LOT harder than I thought, my body was going to betray me if I wasn't careful. I figured tonight I'll just keep my head down and stare at the silverwear.
I heard him speak and mention something about gifts. After they had sat I looked up slightly at the boxes he was placing onto the table.
Shikamaru began with, "Because of our climate, Konoha is fortunate to be the producers of some of the finest products. The rich and moist soil produces a fragrant and earthy cocoa bean. This is a bag of Konoha's coffee as well as tin of our sweetened cocoa powder." These were all MY favorites…that lazy guy could be so thoughtful sometimes.
He continued with "We would also like to present you with an example of some of our craftsmanship. " Unwrapping a black cloth he revealed a beautiful gold and amethyst necklace, and bracelet. The bundle that followed the jewelry contained a beautifully detailed deep burgundy shogi set. All these beautiful things…they were all gifts for me. I looked over at Gaara but his expression hadn't changed at all.
Shikamaru ended with "These last gifts are of a more personal nature…Kazekage this is from Uzumaki Naruto and Rock Lee." He carefully laid down two scrolls and a huge pouch. The whole room immediately fell silent as they observed the unusual phenomenon that accompanied this gift…Gaara's smile.
"Those fools." He simply said as he reached for the pouch and excitingly took out something that looked like a miniature cloud. He then proceeded to plop that cloud like thing into his mouth. Still smiling, he said "Thank you Konoha nin for your generousity. Please enjoy all we here in Suna have to offer, you are indeed our most honored guests…well now, shall we begin our meal?"
I spent the majority of the meal busing myself in conversation with the nearby councilmen. I skillfully avoided all eye contact with Shikamaru, but I did let myself enjoy observing Kankuro's attempts at impressing Ino. As the end of dinner neared, I excused myself from the table. Thankfully Gaara seemed preoccupied with the scrolls Shikamaru had delivered and waved me away without questions.
XXX SHIKAMARU XXX
She had skillfully avoided all eye contact for the majority of the meal and I equally attempted to avoid any actions that could be regarded as suspiciously familiar. Though tonight I couldn't help but steal a few glances at her, she looked so beautiful and refined. Thankfully the scrolls I had encouraged Naruto and Lee to write seemed to be keeping Gaara busy and he was no longer glaring at me. Sake flowed freely during the meal, and by the time dessert was served most in the room were well beyond pleasant inebriation. Shortly after dessert, she quietly stood and left. At this point, no one seemed to even notice.
XXX TEMARI XXX
I fled to the rooftop of and sighed pleasantly in the embrace of the cold crisp dessert air. The stress of the evening slowly disappeared as the stars calmed my soul. The door clicking behind me prompted a smile. "How did you get away?" I inquired without turning around.
"Just like you said, everyone's plastered. Kankuro's obsessed with Ino and Chouji's preoccupied with keeping Kankuo's away from Ino. The marshmallows and those letters from Naruto and Lee completely preoccupied Gaara." He answered before I felt his arm wrap around me again. I smiled with the feeling of his breath on my neck "You're right the stars here do rival the clouds in Konoha." We stood there in silence, just happy to be in each other's presence. He tightened his embrace and set his chin on my shoulder before stating, "I missed you, you troublesome woman." His right hand began to make its way across my belly and slowly down my thigh.
"Oi, what are you doing? " I teased.
He replied with "I want my dessert."
I turned my head slightly and began tickling his cheek with my nose. He stiffened immediately behind me. I smirked before I started to trace little circles with my lips.
"You greedy woman. You've already had your dessert, it's time for mine" He growled before turning me to place his lips firmly on mine.
XXX SHIKAMARU XXX
We enjoyed each other selfishly until we heard someone climbing the staircase. I immediately hopped over the railing, clinging tightly while I hung from the side of the building. She effortlessly fixed her outfit and hair and stood protectively between me and the door (thank goodness they're ninjas). "What are you doing out here. The councilmen are leaving. You know you are expected to say goodbye." Kankuro scolded as he grabbed her and drug her back to the door. She loudly told Kankuro… "I'm going to stop by the bathroom first, you know the one with the window just below the balcony."
After a few seconds a window opened up below me and she called out. I effortless swung myself through and caught a glimpse of the edge of her dress as the door closed behind her. I counted to 60 then followed her out that door and headed back to the dining room.
"Shikamaru where have you been?" Chouji inquired.
"Uggh, well I don't think this spicy Suna food sits well with me." I grumbled while holding my stomach. A drunk Ino interrupted with, "Stop…too much information!" She glanced at me before pulling me close and coyly stating…."Shika, I'm too drunk to walk alone, you'll have to help me back and tuck me in nice and tightly."
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Temari stiffen and simultaneously felt Kankuro's glare. "Of course Ino dear, but before we go please thank the Kazekage for his hospitality." I thought with success that this was going exactly as planned…I just hoped Temari understood.
I think tanuki are supposed to like marshmallows