The KNLS: Shikamaru and Temari

Chapter 1: Revisit From the Past

I stomped my foot impatiently on the ground. I knew that it was a three day journey to the Hidden Leaf, but who knew it could be so long? I looked at the scenery as I was passing. Trees, trees, grass...BLAH! It was all so boring! After traveling three days seeing the same scenery over and over, a girl could go crazy. Luckily, I was one of the few who didn't. I soon saw the forest clearing and I felt a calm, slow breeze. Being one with the wind, I knew that this was a good sign for something.

Finally, the village of Konoha was in sight. I could have jumped for joy. I practically ran to the gates of the village, happy to have finally arrived. If I had to walk any more today, I'd faint! I slowed down as I got to the gate. That was where I saw him.

The guy, who was a bit younger than me, was waiting near the gate. His dark brown hair was pulled into a tight, small ponytail. He had a stud in both of his ears. Judging by the green vest he wore, he was a Chuunin.(Inner me: There is a God. T.T Yes!!) He looked like something from my past, but who he was, I couldn't remember. It was like a distant memory that my brain was trying to remember.

Chapter 2: Oh We're Off To the Hokage

As soon as I came into the gate, he walked right up to me.

"Are you from the Sand?" he asked, not noticing that I wore the Sand symbol. Not the smartest of guys, but his looks gave him an advantage.

I nodded. "My name's Temari. Nice to meet ya!"

He smiled. "Cool. I'm Shikamaru Nara. I'm suppose to escort you to the Hokage. Kind of troublesome, I guess."

Troublesome.. who said that before? I need to stop trying who that was. Enjoy the future, not the past Temari! It was probably someone unimportant to you. I came back to reality and nodded at what Shikamaru said. (Inner me: Yes! Hot escort! Did I do any good deeds lately??)

We made our way down the street. We just walked, and Shikamaru scratched his head. I guess he was trying to think of something to say.

"So.. What's your village like." he asked, breaking the silence between us.

"Sandy and windy. Pretty mush two of the worst things in the world. Plus, there aren't any animals since the conditions are so bad, even for me sometimes."

His face lit up. "You like animals?"

"Totally! I guess most girls do. You?"

"My family owns deer. Maybe you could come over and see them after you're done meeting with the Hokage?" (Inner me: Sqeeee! I get to go to Shikamaru's place!)

"Sure, if it's alright with you." I said casually, trying not to sound too excited. Let's just say, I was a girl who usually kept to herself and never prepared herself for society (A.K.A. Guys) After living with Kankuro and Gaara all of your life, you pretty much have a guess about guys. But Shikamaru.. he was different.

His dark eyes sparkled. "Great! I'll meet you outside the Hokage's office."

I nodded and soon realized that we had already made it there. We both sighed at the time, which made me laugh. I f only I could remember if I had known Shikamaru before now. Why can't I remember? We said goodbye and I headed up, where the Hokage was waiting.

The meeting went smoothly. Both of us had thoughts in other places. I got up to leave after an awkward silence, but the Hokage stopped me.

"Do you have any plans, Temari?" she asked, her brown eyes peering at me.

I immediately thought of Shikamaru. I felt my face burn up. I looked away and nodded.

She laughed. "This will be between us girls. Love is a grand thing, isn't it?"

Hey! Did she know something that I didn't right now? I wish I knew!! I turned back to her and smiled. "I guess so, Lady Tsunadae."

She smiled knowingly at me and dismissed me. I paused as soon as I got out of the door and put my hand on my heart. It was beating so fast! I sighed, trying to calm down. There was something that everyone else knew except me. Whatever it was, I was going to find out!

Chapter 3: Deer and a Secret waterfall

I walked out of the Hokage's office and there was Shikamaru, waiting outside like he said he would. (Inner me: The guy sticks to what he says. Score! ) He saw me walk out of the building and walked over to me.

"You still want to go see the deer?" he asked as I caught up to him.

I smiled. "Totally!"

He smiled and scratched his head. "Then let's get going. It's kind of a long walk, but it's not too troublesome."

I giggled. He used the word troublesome so much!

"What's so funny?" he asked, confused.

"You must like the word troublesome huh?"

He laughed. "I guess I do!"

We made our way to the outskirts of the village where I saw a wooden sign that read: Nara Park.

"Welcome to my house." he sighed as he held the gate open for me.

I stepped inside and saw a small path. I turned to see Shikamaru pushing me forward.

"Shikamaru! What are you doing?" I giggled, as he kept trying to move me forward.

"You're too slow! Time to go see the deer!" He said letting go of me. We made our way down the path until we saw a small log cabin, where a lady was waiting impatiently.

"Shikamaru! There you are!" the woman called as I approached the house.

"Uh oh. That's my mom. She's really nosy, so she might ask a lot of questions. Watch out." he whispered as he waved to her. (Inner me: T.T . Moms are annoying, I guess. Not that I would know.)

She handed Shikamaru a basket and then turned to me.

"Hello there! Are you Shikamaru' s girlfriend?" she asked, peering at me.

"Mom! Leave her alone! Come on, Temari!" Shikamaru said, grabbing me by the hand and pulling me down the path.

I took one last look at his mom, and she had this smile strewn across her face. I turned back to Shikamaru, who slowed down. He smiled at me and we kept walking down the path, Shikamaru still holding my hand. He noticed my stare and let go of my hand.

"Sorry." Shikamaru said, blushing.

"Don't be sorry. You did nothing wrong." I said, smoothing down my dress. A strand of my blond hair floated onto my face. I tried blowing it away, but it didn't work. Shikamaru pushed it back behind my ear and smiled at me. (Inner me: Aww.. so cute!)

Soon, the deer came into view. They were so pretty. Shikamaru nudged me.

"You want to feed them?" he asked, smiling.

"Sure, if they won't bite my hand off!" I said as he handed me the basket, which was full of berries.

The deer weren't scared at me. They let me walk right up to them and they munched the berries happily from my hand. Their tongue felt warm and slobbery against my hand, which made me giggle. Shikamaru took some berries too and talked to me as we fed the deer.

"You like them, don't you?"

"They're very friendly. I never fed a deer before. Do you do this everyday?"

"Yeah. It isn't the hardest job in the world, but it sure is fun."

"I envy you."

"Envy me? Why?"

"Back at the Sand village, everyone expects so much of me. Temari the Jounin do this, Temari's the oldest do that, watch Gaara, this, that, and everything else! I get so sick of it!" I clenched my fist.

He came over and placed his hand on top of my fist. I guess he understood what I was trying to say. I unclenched my fist and put my hand down to my side. I handed the empty basket to Shikamaru. He grabbed my hand as well and led me off into the wooded area.

"Shikamaru, where are we going?" I asked, trying to catch up to him.

"Oh, you'll see." was all he said. Where was he taking me?

We walked through the forest and i soon heard the sound of rushing water. As we walked farther, the sound got louder and louder. We soon made it out of the forest and there was a beautiful waterfall!

"Wow!" was all I could say. The water was shimmering in the afternoon sun and it was just so.. so breathtaking.

"Welcome to Shikamaru's Can't-Stand-Life-Anymore-Remedial Place!" he said, gesturing towards the place.

Chapter 4: Returning Memories

"This is so cool!" I squealed.

"Well, if you like it, that's all that matters. I really missed you since the last time we fought." He said.

Soon, everything flooded back to me. I remembered I was in love with Shikamaru. I remembered my dumb 16 year old self and all the things that happened when coming to Konoha was a weekly thing. Now I was 20,almost 21. Man, the years sure have gone by so quickly!

"I missed you, too. Life's just been so hectic lately, I haven't had much time to travel. Shikamaru did you really miss me?" I asked looking him in the eye.

He sat down on the ground and patted his hand on the ground, a way of asking me if I wanted to join him on the ground. I plopped down next to him and he stared at the sunset in the distance.

"You're still your blunt self, I see." he remarked as he scanned the sky.

"Well? Aren't you going to ask my question?" I demanded.(Inner me: answer the damn question already!!)

He sighed. "Does it really matter that much to you?"

My heart started pounding faster. I had to know if what i forgotten was better left forgotten. "Please?" I said, about to cry. I thought why he wasn't telling me was because he didn't like me. He probably liked that Ino chick that was on his team. She was pretty, skinny, and had long blond hair. Me, I wasn't as skinny as she was and my blond hair was pulled into four short, poofy ponytails.

"Temari! Please don't cry!" he said, pulling me in for a hug.

I just sat there and cried on his shoulder. He sat there, hugging me. I wrapped my arms around him and cried. Cried for everything that was wrong. Stupid Temari, it's not going to change anything! It's not going to change if Shikamaru likes you or not.

"I really did miss you, Temari. Why do you think I invited you over?" he whispered into my ear as I kept crying.

"I thought that you liked Ino!" I cried as he pulled me closer.

"Nope. She's just my teammate and nothing more than that. I like you Temari. No, I love you."

That broke through to my heart. He did love me. All this time, he loved me! "I love you, too!" I whispered. Tenten and Sakura were right. Keeping that you loved someone in was a big burden to carry.

I let go of Shikamaru and he looked me in the eye. "Will you go out with me, Temari?" Shikamaru asked, the sunlight reflecting off of his eyes.

I smiled. "I though that you'd never ask me!"

He smiled back at me and pulled me in for another hug. This time, I paid attention to how warm and comfortable he was.(Inner me:T.T crying for joy) I snuggled into his arms and he held me close.

We stopped hugging and Shikamaru placed his hand on top of mine. The sun had gone down, and the moon shone brightly above us. Shikamaru leaned closer to me and I leaned closer to him. We kissed under the moonlit sky and I forgot about everything except Shikamaru. (Inner me: ..In heaven. Come back later.) I wanted Shikamaru and nothing less, but I knew better than that. I pulled away gently and Shikamaru gave me a loving smile.

Chapter 5: Good Night

I loved that smile. It was the kind Lee gave Sakura.. wait! "Crap!" I said, remembering something important.

"What's wrong Temari?"

"I'm suppose to spend the night at Sakura's and I'm late!! She'll chew me out!"

Shikamaru started laughing. "Hold on, bunny rabbit! Don't worry so much. Come on, let's go."

Shikamaru helped me up to my feet and we made our way back to the main road. Shikamaru grabbed my hand and smiled at me. "Let those troublesome people think what they will. I love you and they can all know for all I care!"

He was right. "I love you too!"We made our way down the street until we got to Sakura's house. Shikamaru knocked on the door. Sakura came busting through the door, already speaking her mind.

"You could have come earlier, Temari! Did you just get here or something? You little wind nymph! And why were you- oh!" She stopped her babbling and finally noticed me and Shikamaru standing outside the door.

"Oh, hi Shikamaru!"

"Oy, Sakura. Take care of Temari,ok? Temari, I'll see you in the morning. Neji and Tenten are coming back!"

"Sure thing. Bye Shikamaru!"

I made my way into Sakura's house. She gave me a weird look as she close the door behind me. "What took you so long?" she demanded as we made our way into the guest room.

"Oh, I was just hanging out with Shikamaru." I said casually as I plopped down on the bed.

"WHAT?!"

"What? We just hung out at his place after I met with the Hokage." I smiled as I plopped down on the bed.

"And what did you guys do exactly?"

"We fed the deer."

"Oh come on Temari! Details, I need details!" (Inner me: Damn pinky! You don't need to know the details!"

"He asked me out." I said joyfully.

Sakura screamed. :Aww! I knew it! Did he kiss you?" (Inner me:-covers ears- she's scary when she yells. T.T One day, she'll destroy my ear drums.)

"Yes." I murmured as a little blond girl made her way into the room, her little fist rubbing her sleepy eyes. "Who's here Sakura?" Larxene asked as she looked over at me. Her face lit up. "Auntie Temari!"

She ran over to me and gave me a hug. Larxene is such a cute little girl. (Inner me: But when she's awake and hyper, she's worse than Sakura screaming.)

"Okay, Larxene. Temari is tired from traveling. I'll take you back to bed so that she can rest. She had a long day."

After she left, I used the last of my energy to get up and change. I turned off the lights and drifted into sleep, dreaming of my romantic night and first kiss with Shikammaru.