A/N: This is technically a sequel to 'Someone Like You' - chapter 2 of my collection, Pictures of You. You don't HAVE to read it to understand but I really think it would help.
4 in The Morning
#5 Tulip/Declaration of Love
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
"Shikamaru," Temari said quietly.
No response.
Frowning, she tried again, a little louder this time, "Shikamaru."
He didn't move.
Eyes narrowing in frustration, Temari raised her hand (and her voice), saying, "Shikamaru, wake up!" before bringing her hand down forcefully.
Shikamaru caught her hand before it touched him, "Troublesome woman, what do you want?" he mumbled, opening one eye cautiously.
Still frowning, she withdrew her hand from his grasp. "Sit up and I'll tell you," she responded, sitting up herself.
He opened his other eye and rolled over, looking up at her drowsily, "Temari," he said, using that tone that meant he thought she was being unreasonable, "It's the middle of the night. Do you have to tell me this right now?"
Temari rolled her eyes, "It is not the middle of the night - it's four o' clock. Anyway, do you really think that I would disturb your precious sleep without a good reason?"
"Yes," he replied instantly.
"Just get up," Temari exclaimed, kicking him for good measure.
Groaning repeatedly, Shikamaru sat up and faced her, "Fine, I'm awake. What's so important?"
Temari considered him steadily for a few minutes, taking in all of his long, lanky frame before sighing and saying, "I love you."
Shikamaru remained silent for several minutes, blinking sporadically and (she assumed) processing what she'd said. Finally he nodded, "Good. Now we're on the same page."
Temari frowned, 'That's it?' she thought, 'That's all he has to say?' She had expected something a little more dynamic, then again, she was talking about Nara Shikamaru.
"What's wrong?" Shikamaru asked her, his brow creasing with concern (and confusion).
She shook her head, turning away slightly, "Nothing."
He sighed, then reached out and wrapped his arms around her, "I'm sorry if my response wasn't what you expected, Temari - it's just - it's four in the morning and I'm tired," he finished, burying his head into her shoulder. "Tell me again tomorrow and I promise that I'll be more responsive."
Temari kept silent for a few minutes, then finally sighed in defeat, "Fine, whatever, go back to sleep," she responded, managing to sound both hurt and irritated.
"Thank you," Shikamaru mumbled, retreating to the comfort of his pillow and pulling her down with him. Ignoring her obvious tension, he pulled her closer and buried his face in her hair this time, smiling as he inhaled the scent of tulips, "Go to sleep, Temari."
Temari rolled her eyes but still made an effort to relax which was aided (somewhat) by his embrace. After a few minutes though, she spoke again, "Shikamaru?"
Her reply came in the form of a sleepy grunt.
"You haven't...changed your mind about me, have you?" He felt her tense then and knew that she was ashamed to be so vulnerable.
He tightened his hold on her, smiling slightly into her hair and said, "No, Temari. I haven't changed my mind at all."
A/N: So the inspiration for this came from Grey's Anatomy - the scene where Christina wanted to tell Burke that she loved him but he was sleeping. I thought she'd wake him up but she didn't - I knew however that Temari's the kind of person who'd wake someone up.