Chapter 3

Shikamaru's POV

The Next Night

"As you all may know tonight is open mike night. Thank you all for coming out to support your fellow artists. Our first act tonight is A man named Shikamaru Nara with his original song Whatever It Takes." The audience claps and I walk on stage and sit on the stool in front of the microphone. I take a deep breath before beginning to play a slow melody. I scan the audience for her and see her sitting in the front row. Perfect.

A strangled smile fell from your face

It kills me that I hurt you this way

The worst part is that I didn't even know

Now there's a million reasons for you to go

But if you can find a reason to stay

I'll do whatever it takes

To turn this around

I know what's at stake

I know that I've let you down

And if you give me a chance

Believe that I can change

I'll keep us together whatever it takes

Temari's POV

As the beautiful song continues to play, I see another flash like the one last night. It is the same boy playing this song on his guitar with a smile spread across his face and the sunlight hitting him, making his look as if he is glowing. I open my eyes and stare intently at the man on stage.

She said "If we're gonna make this work

You gotta let me inside even though it hurts

Don't hide the broken parts that I need to see"

She said "Like it or not it's the way it's gotta be

You gotta love yourself if you can ever love me"

It's the same boy from the visions.

I'll do whatever it takes

To turn this around

I know what's at stake

I know that I've let you down

And if you give me a chance

And give me a break

I'll keep us together, I know you deserve much better

Shikamaru's POV

I close my eyes, the chords and words memorized by heart.

But remember the time I told you the way that I felt

That I'd be lost without you and never find myself

Let's hold onto each other above everything else

Start over, start over

I'll do whatever it takes

To turn this around

I know what's at stake

I know I've let you down

And if you give me a chance

and believe that I can change

I'll keep us together whatever it takes

I stand and quickly exit the stage, before anyone has time to applaud. I begin to pack up my guitar, but slow as I close the case. I run my hand over the top, remembering the day she gave this to me.

Flashback

"Temari…"

"Oh stop whining we're almost there."

"Can I at least open my eyes?"

"No. It's a surprise."

"But…

"I said no. Jeez Shika..." I sigh and let her lead me in silence. "Alright…we're here." I feel her hand drop mine. "You can open your eyes now." I open my eyes slowly, seeing a guitar case leaning up against a tree. I walk over and look at her suspiciously. "Open it." She says smiling. I smile back and lay the case on the ground to reveal a beautiful, new, acoustic guitar. I look back up at her questioningly. "I remember you telling me that your old one broke. So I decided to get you a new one. After all, I love to hear you play." I stand and take the two steps needed to close the gap between us before placing my lips on hers. We part after a few moments and stand there with our foreheads touching for several seconds before she says a single word. "Play." I smile and sit back on the ground. I begin to strum as I smile up in her direaction.

End Flashback

I smile once more, reliving the memory. We were so happy back then. My smile fades as my mind travels back to the present.

"Um…Excuse me?" My head whips around at the voice. She gasps at my sudden movement and I rise slowly.

"Yes?"

"I know that this will sound strange but I was wondering if I know you from somewhere."

"Do you?"

"I'm not sure you see, I kind of lost my memory but you seem really familiar to me." I pick up the case, and walk over to her, almost walking past her but then bending down to whisper in her ear.

"You have to remember yourself Temari. I know you can. You have to." I stand back up to my full height and then walk out of the room before…

Temari's POV

I spin around to find him gone. What did he mean by that I wonder. I know that I know him from somewhere because he knew my name but where? And why do I have to remember this one on my own. Everyone else just reintroduced themselves to me when I lost my memory.

I know that I have heard that voice as well. And the fact that his face is the one I have been seeing in those 'visions'…Who is he?