Chapter 7: Unexpected
Temari's vision changed from ceiling, to wall, to pillow, to wall, to ceiling and reverse. Tonight she felt a lot more restless than usually, which was strange considering the fact that she just came from a long journey and usually knocks out her first night back. Finding herself facing her night table, she quickly shut her eyes before she had the chance to look at the alarm clock. The last thing she wanted to know is exactly how long she had spent as a whirlwind in her bed. Sadly though, she couldn't help it and cracked one eye slightly open.
2 am…
It had been 5 hrs since she had initially tried to go bed. It was time to give up trying to force herself into slumber. Rising from under her thin sheets, Temari's foot hit the cold ground of her quiet apartment and she sighed in frustration.
"I guess since I can't sleep….I might as well head to the practice course."
Slipping into a comfortable pair of black pants and a black and red tunic, Temari headed out into the cool night air of the village hidden in the sand. The still streets and silence would disturb most other people venturing out at night, for the city looked quite formidable in it's most unobtrusive state, but not Temari. She was starting to wonder why she never trained at this hour before until she remembered her temperament when her sleep schedule got thrown off (she was now starting to pity the poor souls who would test her tomorrow). Finding her usual large clearing, she unstrapped her tessen and laid it down to stretch her muscles that were still worn out from that month of bad bedding in the Hidden Leaf.
"I would have felt a lot worse if I didn't listen to Shikamaru." There she went again talking about it and quickly scolded herself for bringing something she should have left in Konoha. Here, there was no Shikamaru and that's how it would stay.
Grabbing her large fan from the ground, she started with small gusts to warm up her chakra before she started working on her real technique. "First Star!" Letting out a wave of her fan, she managed to slice up a few of the stumps that were purposely rooted deep into the ground. Minimal chakra but good practice.
That brat Konohomaru got it easy when I used it on him…He should have thanked me.
"Second Star!" Using a little bit more umpf this time, not only did she cut up more of the trunks but she uprooted many of them as well.
If Shikamaru didn't butt in, I would have been able to dodge that Rasengan just fine…No Temari! Stop thinking about him!
"Damn Shikamaru. Why won't you stay in Konoha?! Third Star!" This jutsu combined the effects of the first two and created deep sickle scars in the solid earth. By this time she had her chakra at a comfortable enough flow to move on to more advance technique. That didn't stop her from going on a temporary rant about that 'damn Konoha sloth'. "Get out of my head! Get out, get out, get out!" Huffing and puffing from being so bewildered as to why she was thinking about him at 2 in the morning and why she was even awake the first place, she started pacing back and forth swearing and cursing. She was so into her thoughts that she didn't notice someone come up behind her.
"Temari…"
Doing a 180, she spun on her heels to find Gaara standing a few feet behind her. Although he didn't look it, she could tell he was slightly puzzled as to why she was out at such a late hour.
"Oh. Gaara…"
"Why are you practicing? I would think you would be in bed." His deep voice was husky but very calming. She thought she wanted to be alone but Gaara's now company made her feel a lot better.
"I couldn't sleep I guess….I figured I should make the most of my time and train."
"I see." He walked up to her with his hands behind his back.
"What are you doing up?"
"I am always up at this time. I find the village at night a good time to think and reflect." His maturity far surpassed even some of the most upright elders in the village. He casually glanced upwards at the stars.
"Yea it is pretty nice out here isn't it? If I wasn't so set in my ways I'd definitely do more practicing this time." She met his interest in the twinkling stars above their heads. There was a silence between the two of them to which Temari got a little nervous as to what her youngest brother would say next.
Did he hear me screaming like a maniac?
"What were you screaming about?" She had really hoped he didn't hear her.
"Um…this and that. Being a diplomat can be very frustrating sometimes you know." Placing one hand behind her head, she gave a very forced chuckle. Gaara saw right through it.
"I have not really focused much of my attention on understanding women but being your brother, I understand you a lot more than I thought." His subtle way of calling her bluff.
"Understanding us would take a lifetime Gaara but I'm sure if you really wanted too, you could get farther than any guy."
"Maybe. I believe there is one person who knows you almost as well as Kankuro and I do."
"Oh? Who is that?"
Gaara said nothing but let out a very small smile which left Temari with more questions. He then changed the subject. "Did you enjoy dinner?"
"Yea…..about that..."
"Kankuro should never be let in the kitchen again."
"I'm glad you said it!" Temari started to laugh so hard that it became too infectious for Gaara to resist. It was sad that after all of these years, it was very recent that Gaara every laughed. Even then, it was a rarity kept in the privacy of his siblings. Every moment she actually heard her brother truly enjoy himself was one that she treasured deeply.
"Temari…"
"Yea Gaara?"
"You can talk to me."
"Huh?"
"I am sorry I was not the sibling you and Kankuro deserved but I believe now I can try and mend our relationship that was strained in the past…" He took a few steps closer to her. "So I wanted to let you know that you can talk to me and that I will always support and defend you."
"Gaara…"
"I am sure Kankuro feels the same way." Giving her another beam again, he turned and began walking away towards the village. He must have sensed that she should go back to being alone in her thoughts. Temari was left happily speechless. "Oh. Temari?"
"Yea Gaara?"
"It's ok to feel something towards him."
Huh?..
"Shikamaru I mean. Also, next time you feel like ranting, please do not do it when a lot of people are around. You will be known as the Kazekage's senile sister if you do." Vanishing between the buildings, Temari stood there in complete shock as to how forward her brother was. Not only that, she was slightly embarrassed that she was caught feeding into her feelings. That shock then turned into anger, not at herself for being so open about a private matter but at the person who was the root of the problem.
"Damnit Shikamaru! Take that!" Releasing a significant amount of chakra, she managed to completely severe the top of a large bolder on the practice field. "Hmpf!"
…..
Temari was right in her assumption that her late night practice session would cause some trouble in the morning. Waking up at 8 am for her weekly meeting with the other liaisons, she was in no mood to be reckoned with. Everyone also seemed to notice.
"Uh…Good morning Temari-san!" "Lady Temari, don't you look….rested?" "Miss, how about some coffee?…"
Waving them off with a half opened eyes, red pupils and some yawns thrown in, she managed to make it to the meeting without choking someone. It was a surprise indeed. She thought she would have everything under control until she walked in to see that wretch sitting at the head of the crescent shaped table.
"Nice of you to join us Lady Temari." The curl of her smile made Temari's blood bubble.
Bitch.
"Good morning." Straightening herself up, she felt the woman's burning eyes follow her to her seat at the end.
"Now that we are all here, Lady Temari will give us a full report on the leaf village."
Temari suddenly stood straight up at this surprised presentation. She was not supposed to give her briefing until next week when Gaara's schedule was clear. Being the Kazekage, all matters involving foreign affairs were under his watchful eye, especially anything concerning the leaf village. "I am not to give a report until next week in the presence of the Kazekage."
The woman chuckled behind her cream sensu fan. "I am guessing all that training has made you a little forgetful, Lady Temari. A memo was sent out yesterday that you would give us an overview of your information so our official meeting would be a lot smoother and with less questions."
She was purposely trying to put Temari on the spot and royally embarrass her. Temari swore that she would pay for this later but seeing as how everyone gathered for that main purpose, she had no choice but to organize her information. Being half asleep and unprepared definitely set her back a few paces but she would wing it as best as she could.
"After spending a month in the Hidden Leaf Village, I have nothing suspicious to report. All business affairs are being carried out at their usual pace, diplomatic relations and agreements are still being upheld and I foresee no oncoming threat to the Sand Village. The city is for the most part completely rebuilt and Naruto Uzumaki is set to take the title as Hokage at the end of the year."
"How is the young Junchiriki? Is he capable of taking on such a role?" One of the male councilman looked quite weary of the thought.
Temari was a bit insulted that he would think so lowly of Naruto. "I believe he is more than capable and will be just as good of a Hokage as Gaara is as a Kazekage."
"I hope you are not skimming things over because of your relation with him or the Hidden Leaf Village." Lady Rie was fanning herself casually.
"My duty lies with the Sand Village no matter my connection with the Hidden Leaf so that idea can be put the rest." Glaring at her, she had hoped her answer would quiet the rusty old woman.
"Well, it seems like things are going rather well then. Your abilities as a liaison have happily surprised me. Our Temari has been quite a big help to us you know." With a smile, she connected with all of the other councilmembers as they nodded in agreement. "Don't you all think it's time she started to focus on her own life? We have given her such a great responsibility that she can barely focus on being young woman."
This fucking witch….what is she up to?
"I agree! Why don't you take a break Lady Temari? You can get some rest, go out….maybe find a nice young Sand Village man." Temari knew that the other members were merely being manipulated by that evil geezer who was probably enjoying this far too much but she had to stand up for herself.
"My personal life is fine and it is no business of anyone to worry about it. My duty should be your sole concern."
"She is right everyone. Let us all just continue with the meeting. Our apologies Lady Temari." Giving her that fake smile, Temari gazed upon her with even more fury as she sat back in her seat. The meeting continued on as usually, speaking about upcoming ceremonies, overviews of the other liaison's time in their respected cities, etc. Temari was on the brink of collapsing by the time everyone was dismissed and as soon as the go-ahead was given, she was the first one to grab her things and fly out. She did not make it far without catching a few conversations from the others that were behind her.
"Temari is of marriageable age you know?" One man said.
Marriageable age?
"She is. The Kazekage should take more interest in finding a suitable man for her so she could settle down…" The woman chimed in
Settle down…
"We should discuss this with Lord Gaara because it is clear that Lady Temari will need some coaxing…"
Coaxing?!
In a blind fury, she burst through the doors of the Kazekage building and went straight to her apartment.
"What the hell do they mean marriageable age?! I'm not getting married because those old fools think it's time! I don't even want to get married! They'll probably set me up with some bozo who expects me to put down my tessen for a baking pan and a pregnancy test….ugh! The only thing I know how to bake is boxed cake! Gemme breakfast through dinner and I'm fine. I can make a itememono pretty well…" Temari's rant quickly turned into a conversation with herself as she paced back and forth in her apartment until she heard a knock at her door.
"Who the hell is that?" Walking to her door, still mumbling nonsense, she took a deep breath to prepare for it being Lady Rie or one of those meddling councilmembers but the person on the other side nearly knocked her onto her feet.
"You need to choose a better place to live." Looking rather weary, with his eyes half open as usually, Temari was face to face with the person she was never expecting to see but slightly glad she did.
"What are you doing here?"
"The higher-ups sent me on an escort mission for some top secret old guy. They said he creates really valuable things for high class people so he's on the bandit hit list and the number of people after him is pretty significant."
"Oh." Temari was still in shock and really wasn't paying too much attention to his story. They both looked at each other in silence as he leaned against the doorframe. It suddenly hit her at how rude she was being by making him stand out there and how easily someone could be watching them. Poking her head out the door for a quick look, she pulled him inside and locked the door.
"What's with the secrecy?"
"What secrecy? Everything's fine. Please…sit…" She walked him over to her large and rather expensive maroon sofa that was handcrafted by a cloud village crafter. Everyone knows that the best furniture comes from there. Shikamaru sank comfortably in his seat.
"Nice couch."
"Thanks. So….is this is your first time here?"
"Yea."
"Well what do you think?"
"To be honest?..." She found herself honestly wanting to know his opinion. "I don't like it."
"What?!"
"The air is dry. It's making my eyes water. The accents of some of the villagers are hard to understand. I asked this guy for directions to your house-"
"You did what?! Don't tell anyone else that you're here!"
"Um…ok. Well I asked him directions to your house and, I shit you not, I thought he gave me the recipe for watermelon punch." Temari tried to hide it at first but she couldn't suffocate the chuckle that came about at the thought of Shikamaru interacting with a toothless market goer who probably tried his best. "I'm glad you found it amusing. The clothing is also odd. How do you breathe in that thick fabric?"
"It's meant to keep the sand out. You don't know how uncomfortable it is to have sand in areas where it shouldn't be…"
"I never had any bodily sand storms from you…" As he twirled his Kunai his outstretched sand, he smirked to himself and Temari quickly changed the subject.
"You seem to be surviving fine though."
"Yea I'm hanging in there. I wouldn't mind being home already…"
"The Lead Village is nice."
He stopped spinning his knife. "Would you ever live there?"
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing."
"Shikamaru…"
"Forget it…"
"Shikamaru…."
"So, nice place…"
Temari agreed internally to spare him this time. "Thanks….I like classic things…" She sat back in her wooden chair that was curshioned with the same type as the one on the couch.
"I never pictured you as having an elegant side…"
"Why?"
"It's too….feminine…"
Temari narrowed her eyes at that comment. "What do you mean by that?"
"Fuck me- nothing Temari. Nevermind. You're really touchy today. You didn't sleep did you…"
"As a matter of fact!...I didn't…"
"You always get bitchy when you don't sleep."
"Bitchy?...excuse me you lazy ass!" Her nerves were on edge and his insults weren't making it better.
"Come." He motioned with his head at the stop next to him on the couch.
"I'm not sitting next to you, you insulting little snake."
Shikamaru made the motion of a knife stabbing into his heart before laughing.
"This is not funny!" Temari was trying her best to fight the urge. He was not going to get at her that easily and as long as she still had energy, she would stand her ground.
"I know you're tired Temari…"
Getting up from her seat, she decided it was best to leave the room to cool off and to get some distance in between them before she let her emotions get the best of her. She walked past the couch with Shikamaru and almost made it into her bedroom before she felt something grab her wrist. "Shikamaru let me go!" Not listening to a word she said, he yanked her arm and caused her to fall over the arm of the chair and land on her back with her head resting in his lap. "Shikamaru!…"
"Just shut up and take a nap. I'm tired of your attitude." Kicking his feet up on her one of a kind prism glass table, she gasped and was about to sit up before he pushed her back down. "Sleep."
It made no sense to fight him because her parasympathetic nervous system began to take over and this was the first time her head as hit anything since the wee hours of the morning. As she looked out of her sliding glass window at the sunlight getting brighter and brighter, it forced her to close her eyes from it's blinding rage. That was all it took to get her to slowly begin to sleep under. Giving in to a last yawn she managed to stumble out something before sleep completely took her. "You win…this time…" He had only been there for 10 minutes or so and he already had a hold on her she didn't like. Out of his mouth she could have sworn she heard him laugh while he positioned his body to be more comfortable. She sensed that he was probably going to take a doze as well and so together, with his arms outstretched on the couch and her head laying comfortably on his legs, they both enjoyed a quiet period where the world outside couldn't bother them. Maybe, on a day like today, she could feed into her addiction this one last time.