Hey everyone! I'm working my way towards more chapters in Petals in the Wind, but I decided to do something. So here's a prologue for Petals in the Wind, written for the purpose of clarifying any confusion that may be present about the situation between Temari and Shikamaru. I'm still thinking about bringing him back into the story somehow, and if I do, I want it to be awesome. So let me know what you think of this, and keep an eye out for updates :)
Prologue: Before Petals in the Wind
A young couple walked down the streets of Konoha, hand in hand and just enjoying themselves. The blonde girl was laughing nonstop as the normally lazy chocolate-haired boy was putting his best effort forth to keep his girlfriend happy.
"So Shika, what are we doing today?"
"I actually hadn't thought about that. As long as I'm with you, Tema-chan, I don't care what we do." Shikamaru said. Temari laughed. Even after two long years (she's 20, he's 18), Shikamaru still hadn't changed a bit.
"You're lucky I'm used to you now. Hmm, should we go get something to eat?"
"That sounds nice. How about some barbecue?"
"Okay." Temari smiled and they made their way to the restaurant.
'Maybe now I can tell him...'
When they got there, they took a booth toward the back so they could have more privacy.
'Yes! It'll be much easier to tell him now!' Temari thought. When they got to the booth they saw the one next to it was occupied. And who else was it occupied by but...
"Oi! Choji, Ino!" Shikamaru called. The two turned from their lunch and their faces lit up from seeing the couple.
"Shikamaru, Temari. What's up?" Ino asked.
"Just grabbing some lunch." Temari said. She loved them, she honestly did, but this just wasn't the time for this.
"Oh, we'll join you. We just got here ourselves." Choji decided, already moving the table around so it was one large table. Temari sighed and took a seat. She didn't have the heart to deny her lover's best friends. The rest of the time, they ate and the team laughed and chatted. Temari joined in whenever she could, but she wasn't in the mood for it.
"Temari, are you okay?" Ino asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine Ino. No worries." she quickly lied. It seemed like forever until they left, but thankfully Ino's mom needed help at the flower shop. Shikamaru and Choji paid the bill and they walked outside. Ino and Choji said their goodbyes and left, leaving Temari and Shikamaru.
"Tema-chan, what's wrong? You were kinda quiet in there."
"I'm fine. I just thought it'd be you and me alone."
"I'm sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you later. But for now let's go cloud watching. Just the two of us." Shikamaru said, taking her hand. She did smile a bit at this. When Shikamaru introduced her to his favorite past time when they started dating, she was pretty pessimistic about it. She'd pegged it as "the past time for lazy idiots". But she quickly found out she was wrong. Shikamaru always picked the best spots with the softest grass and most view of the sky. It was a surprisingly relaxing escape from the world of being a shinobi.
"Fine." she mock pouted. They ran like happy teens all the way to their favorite spot. They both sat down before laying back, Shikamaru pulling Temari closer so that she rested on his chest.
'Okay, now is the perfect time. I have to tell him now.' Temari thought. She closed her eyes, going through the conversation in her mind. She planned exactly what she would say and his possible reactions. To be truthful, she was a bit scared. She loved Shikamaru with all of her heart, but what if he didn't feel the same way she did? Thoughts flooded her mind, breaking down her confidence. She took a breath and forced those thoughts away. There was no way he wouldn't be happy. Right?
"... Tema-chan." Shikamaru whispered, breaking her out of her thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"I have to tell you something."
"What is it Shika?"
"I was assigned a mission earlier today by Tsunade-sama. Asuma and I leave tomorrow morning. We'll be gone for about two or three days." Shikamaru said. All thoughts left Temari's mind and were replaced by one: 'Shikamaru's leaving.'
"Oh..." was all she could say.
"I'm sorry. I wish I had gotten an earlier notice, but it's an emergency mission. It might have to do with Akatsuki."
"Akatsuki?" Great. Not only was he leaving, he was probably going to encounter one of the bastards. But, she was taught to have faith in her teammates, so she would just have to trust that Shikamaru would come back home to her.
"You better be careful Shikamaru. I mean it. I want you to come back home to me." she said in her most intimidating voice. Which wasn't so intimidating, considering her jumbled emotions.
"Of course. I will always come back to you, no matter what. Even death couldn't stop me." he said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. Temari sighed in content, her own news forgotten, and tilted her head to watch the clouds float by.