A/N: Hey there :) I rated this M just to be sure, but don't worry, nothing will be too explicit. It's a ShikaTema story with some implied other pairings :P Read and review please? I'll update a chapter every two days, for sure, since I have most of this written already. Enjoy :D
Sure enough, for the battle briefing, Shikamaru stood front and center, hands stuffed into his pockets as if nothing was wrong. Temari glanced at him suspiciously, though he never showed any signs of pain. Gaara gave the briefing with a certain amount of assurance; It'd be an easy win, or at least he anticipated. With every 'it'd be easy' always came the warning of 'be prepared for anything' because no matter how sure you are that there's five opponents, there might actually be five hundred.
"They let you out of the infirmary?" Temari glanced at him through narrowed eyes.
"When they're under my control, it's hard not to." Shikamaru gave a lazy smile towards Temari, "Did you expect any less of me?"
"Never," She smiled. Temari found herself grow meek, looking at her hands for the words before she spoke again, "Shikamaru, I think it best if you sat out of this one."
"Yeah, right," Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
"I'm serious, Shikamaru-" Temari fired back, "You're not well enough to go out and-"
"I may not be much help at this point," He glared at her, "But at least I'm a target that might stand in front of someone more innocent."
Temari watched the chuunin Shinobi with angry eyes, "So you're trying to get killed? Is that it?"
Shikamaru glanced over his shoulder, "I'd stop fighting if I was."
"Don't make me go to Gaara-" Temari never thought she'd have to use such words. She didn't hate her tie to the Kazekage, but she always felt awful using it to make her better than another.
"Go to him." Shikamaru smiled, turning toward the door. Taking a step, Temari followed. Her eyes widened,
"You-" She attempted to fold her arms, "Well, guess you can't go fight then."
"I never said anything about not battling," He shrugged, causing Temari to shrug too.
"How are you supposed to pass by Gaara without me passing by him?" Temari managed a smirk.
Shikamaru sighed, "How troublesome.."
Temari felt herself regain control of her actions. Walking to shove past him, he caught her at the door, "Don't tell him, Temari."
Temari was left standing there for some time after Shikamaru had left her, a million thoughts flying through her head. Shikamaru was never particularly aggressive – or for that matter, assertive – but his words were harsh; With a hint of determination, Temari wondered what the consequences would be for letting him fight, versus holding him out of it. With a heavy sigh, Temari knew she'd just have to keep a close look out for him.
Standing to the left of Gaara, Shikamaru stood to Gaara's right, seemingly unfazed but as equally unamused. There was period of silence which passed before the rival Shinobi took to the field, the only time anyone was given a moment to think over everything. Temari didn't like that moment, not at all.
And then it was time to fight. Between slaying the men after her life, she focused her attention on the injured Shikamaru and her brother, Gaara. He needed little protection, but as her younger brother, Temari was always quick to aid him. Kankuro was off assisting another division, heading his own Surprise Attack division in hopes of gaining the upper hand a few miles south of their current position.
The second she saw him stumble – something unlike Shikamaru – she focused her attacks so she was heading toward him. Spending too much time slashing her front, her rear was left open and vulnerable. One good slice-
Shikamaru's nightmares were interfering with his brain again. The battle field was a haze; Only screams and dying moans made it in and interrupted his awful thought train. When he lost such consciousness that he let himself slip, he thought for the first time that this might be it. He watched the kunai sail toward his heart –
Her screams sent a reaction through his system. An arm went up, blocking kunai with kunai, and he was running.
He found her quickly, her outfit torn and bloody in the back. She herself seemed to have passed out from the immediate shock of pain – as good a fighter she was, she had low tolerance for it. With her superb intelligence and great skill, it was hardly a problem – she rarely got hurt and therefore, rarely felt the pain which plagued her so.
With a growl, Shikamaru guarded her fallen body till he could retreat with her behind Gaara, who's eyes narrowed, anger flowing through him and causing his sand to create a great wave, "Enough of this. Tell them to retreat."
Shikamaru reluctantly left her with Gaara, ordering the men to cease fire and fall back. Gaara's wave of sand crushed most of the remaining enemy Shinobi, ending the battle – for now.
Gaara himself felt weak after such a chakra consuming technique, refusing assistance in walking but lagging behind all the same. Shikamaru stayed with Temari's medical cart as they made their way across the field to gain ground before another wave was sent, most likely midmorning tomorrow. He wondered how she had been so careless, when a thought passed through his head, Was it me? Did I distract her so? Troublesome woman.. He cursed her for being such a girl. At the same time, it was her screams that saved his own life..
