Strive forward
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters
They sat next to the grave, Temari sobbing softly into Shikamaru's chest.
He was gone, and her brother would never come back.
It would take a lot to break Temari down, and Kankuro's death was most definitely a lot for her to take.
"It's okay," Shikamaru tried to comfort her but to no avail.
She sniffed and took quick breaths, making it hard for her to speak. "No," she let out. "No, it's not."
She stopped sobbing but the tears continued to fall. "H-how could it b-be possibly alright?" her voice gained volume. "He's dead, and..." she began to sob again. "And it's all my fault!"
Shikamaru noticed that Kankuro's death was a burden that Temari couldn't bear. He had died protecting her and had paid for it.
She buried herself once more into his chest, and he held her tightly. She needed every ounce of comfort he could give her.
When she had finally finished her crying and she was able to sit down herself, Shikamaru spoke again. "He was a great man, Temari." He looked into her eyes. "A man of strength, a man of skill, and a man who loved his family very much. He wasn't afraid that he would die, because he didn't do so in vain."
He looked up into the sky, as if searching for her brother. "He died saving you."
She looked down at the ground and tears began to well up in her eyes. She controlled them however. "I know, It's just that..."
"I understand Temari. Just know that it wasn't your fault. It was his choice, and he chose to lose his life, not yours."
With his finger he wiped a tear that began to fall down her cheek. "You won't feel any better if you just sit here and regret, you will though if you get up, strive forward, and move on."
She began sniffing again.
"This isn't what Kankuro would have wanted of you, Temari," he said softly. "He would have wanted you to be the strong, great woman that you are. Not to be someone who doubted herself and felt like she had let everyone down. He would have wanted you to keep living, for it is why he had saved you."
She wiped the tears in her eyes away. "I know," she whispered, and Shikamaru barely heard. "I know, but Shikamaru?" She leaned back onto his chest. "Do I have to be strong now?"
He curled his arms around her and looked back at the grave. "No, Temari," he felt her tears dampening his shirt and he slightly tightened his grip. "Not now. You don't have to be strong now."
End.