A Fairytale Come True...Literally!

Temari was going to kill TenTen! She was walking...more really limping around trying to find somewhere to sit down. It was the annual New Year's Day masquerade ball at the Hyuga mansion which was the only reason why she was so dressed up. Her hair was worn down while her bangs were clipped back. The reason why she wanted to kill TenTen though was for getting her glass slippers to wear! Like anyone can wear glass slippers. Cinderella was just a fairytale!

As she sat down a boy came up to her and asked her to dance, for one second she thought about turning him down, but she didn't feel like having to deal with the whole line of guys behind him either...plus he was...attractive himself. She removed the stupid glass slippers leaving them in the corner as she went to dance with the boy.

He asked her, "So...I haven't seen you around here before...where are you from?" She looked at him closer...the boy looked slightly familiar to her, but this was her first time in Kohona in a while. She said, "I'm an ambassador." He nodded then said, "So am I...do you think if we play twenty questions I will figure out who you are?" Temari nodded wondering where this would get him. He began the game, "What's your favorite time of the year?" She replied, "Fall, it's not too hot, not too cold, and not too close to summer." Then he questioned, "What's your last name?" She laughed and retorted, "Don't have one."

She had seen the whole shocked look coming, but then he asked, "What's your favorite flower?" Temari answered, "Um...I guess it would have to be the lily...I don't usually spend that much time worrying about flowers though..." He sighed then said, "So why did you agree to dance with me?" Blush spread across her face and answered, "You asked and I didn't care?" He laughed then murmured something unintelligible. Temari knew she should have probably been a little less honest, but she didn't really know the guy.

Then he continued the game, "Have you been to Kohona other than for an ambassador meeting?" She nodded. Mysteriously his voice changed slightly and probed, "Have you ever met the ambassador here?" She smiled at the thought of lazy crybaby. For some odd reason, the boy got an agitated look on his face then Temari answered, " Yeah, he's pretty lazy don't you think?" He nodded then said, "How do you know him?" She bit her lip then answered, "Missions and ambassador meetings." The boy seemed to scratch his head and yawn.

It looked so similar to something she had seen someone do before, but she couldn't quite remember who...As she stared up into his eyes she could see her reflection...for once in a very long time she felt wanted...loved in a weird way. This boy leaned in closer...and they bumped noses. She backed away from him a bit...when a boy tapped him on the shoulder he replied, "I'm sorry we're playing twenty questions." Temari smiled then said, "This boy is my boyfriend sorry..."

The boy looked at her then she retorted, "Well... Ninja must use deception sometimes to accomplish the mission." The guy asked, "And...your mission is?" Temari thought then said, "Well for tonight...get through it with the least amount of attention and fan boys." He looked around then said, "I know one of the Hyugas...he showed me a place where you shouldn't be bothered by fan boys...and if the judges haven't seen you yet then you won't have to worry about attention." Her skeptical look made him grab her hand and drag her out the door. Outside it was enchanting...

They were in the Hyuga garden...somewhere she had never dreamed of being there yet she was now. Next thing she knew the hand had released hers. She turned towards the boy to see him smiling at her then said, "It's a lily..." Temari's eyes widened at the most beautiful flower she had ever seen in her life. Usually, she didn't even take notice of such things, but this was a different case.

He was smiling at her expression. She blushed slightly embarrassed...then they heard slow music...again! Temari was so close to leaving...just had to wait till midnight then she had to go...due to Hokage. The boy sat down which surprised her. She sat by him as if to make sure no other guy came up to ask her anything. He asked, "So what's a girl like you doing without a date?" Temari said, "Well...I don't waste time on such matters as getting dates...what about yourself?" Shikamaru smiled then said, "I couldn't find the girl I wanted to ask...I thought you might have been her, but she isn't really like you. She doesn't sport dressing up, she wouldn't even consider glass heels, and she NEVER wears her hair down. But you are pretty funny yourself...I can't even recall you." She answered, "I am a sneaky ninja." He shook his head then he said, "May I have this dance?"

Temari looked strangely at the boy then said, "You may?" That guy must have picked up on her uncertainty because he didn't move until she pulled him up. He said, "Well you didn't want to dance so why?" She rolled her eyes then replied, "Because I want to, and I thought you'd leave all the dances for her." He shook his head and said, "I wouldn't be surprised if she hasn't danced a day in her life." Temari laughed if she had it her way she wouldn't know how to dance either. Once they started to dance he accidentally stepped on her bare foot...it didn't hurt, but it tripped her. As she fell, he swooped her off her feet.

There faces were inches apart, and their eyes connected again. This time he asked, "Have you ever been kissed?"

This time she blushed turning away and saying, "I don't have to answer that." He said, "Did you forget about twenty questions?" Temari sighed then answered, "Once." His lips were close to hers...she winced, but he didn't kiss her...then she realized that he wasn't going to kiss her unless she wanted him to...her eyes met his again all she could see was her...she felt wanted...Temari started to lean in to kiss him when her alarm rang. Midnight already! She jumped out of his arms running away from him. He watched her every move then yelled, "Where are you going?!" She yelled, "Bye"

Her cheeks were still flushed...as soon as she got to the bathroom she changed into her normal clothing then went straight towards Tsnude. She didn't let her know that she had to dance with another ambassador then whenever she saw that it was the guy she had been so close to kissing she nearly gasped, "you...?" but her restraint kept her line.

Then he said, "I saw a girl who looked quite like you...I can't believe she wasn't you in one way and in another I do believe she can't be you." Temari froze then said, "Who are you?" He answered, "Oh come on Troublesome woman...you should know." Temari remembered the arm scratching and the yawn of course! How could she be so stupid not to know it was Nara?!

Her hand immediately flung to her lips...she had been so close to kissing him...so close it was scary...yet exhilarating and tempting...DID SHE JUST THINK THAT?!

She didn't know, but once she started dancing with him he asked, "So where have you been all night? You know all ambassadors are to attend this?" Temari rolled her eyes then replied, "I'm dancing with you aren't I?" He narrowed his eyes then said, "Where's your mask?" She was glad she had forgotten her stupid mask it would've given her away in a heartbeat...she planned on never letting Nara know she had been the girl that he had almost kissed. Then she answered, "I kind of lost it." as she shrugged at him.

Then the fireworks were set, and they were to all go outside to see the fireworks then go home. She walked out with him...then said, "Shikamaru...did you like that girl...you seemed pretty into her?" Shikamaru had a thoughtful look on his face for a second and then replied, "I kind of do and I kind of don't. In a way I still have many things to learn about her...really I can't give you the answer you want, but she isn't anything compared to someone I know...even if she's drop dead beautiful...I like someone else better." He yawned then scratched the back of his head...she cursed herself for not telling it was Nara! Then said, "So did you really think she was going to kiss you?"

He gave her a it of weird look then said, "Well...I didn't know I was still kind of thinking it was you...if you don't remember...we accidentally once had kissed, so I was going to kiss her if she had already been kissed to see if it were you...even though she was about to lean forward..." Then she asked, "Why were you so determined to find me?" He sighed then said, "Well, I needed someone I knew...everyone here is hidden well...I wouldn't even be able to tell you Choji if it weren't for him and Ino kissing..." She sighed then she heard the crack of the firework and jumped.

At first she thought it was a gun shot then remembered that they sounded like that. It had been years since she'd taken the time to see fireworks...now that she thought about it...it's been years since she thought about anything but ninja stuff. Had she let years pass by her without even taking a minute to smell the lilies? Shikamaru seemed lost in her eyes until her blank stare turned into a full one with blushing. His own cheeks flushed then he said, "You ok?" Temari nodded then stared up at the fireworks until it was time to go home. Right when it was about to be time to leave, Shikamaru offered to walk her to the hotel. She declined because she wanted to get home without him figuring about her being the girl...

The girl he had met would only be a memory...