Chapter 7

Shikamaru's POV

I stand on the other side of the street, wishing that she would come out onto her balcony. I can't go on much longer like this. I may have to take…other…measures. But that is only a last resort. I will try one more time.

Temari's POV

I am sitting at my desk, working out my last math problem of the night when I somehow hear a knock on my balcony door through the pounding rain. Not knowing who it is I ignore it, knowing that anyone I know would call my cell phone it they were in some sort of trouble. I hear the knock again and ignore it again. I then hear a growl and someone hitting the wall. I jump slightly at this and I hear my table get knocked over. I get up and go to my balcony door and open the blinds slightly. I see a brown haired figure with his head between his knees, leaning up against the railing. I automatically know who it is and close the blinds, turning off my lamp and crawling into bed, hoping that he will get the hint and leave.

Three Days Later

As I a eating breakfast with Gaara and Kankuro, someone knocks on the door. Gaara stands and answers it.

"Is Temari here?"

"Why are you here?"

"Normally I wouldn't drop by at a place like this alone…that's pretty much suicide but I really need to talk to Temari." I begin to recognize the voice and stand, seeing that my instinct was correct.

"Sasuke? What are you doing here?"

"You know him?"

"Yea…he's Sakura's boyfriend."

"Is it impossible for you to fall in love with your own kind?"

"If you don't mind leech I need to talk to Temari."

"My apologies dog but I can not let you do that."

"Gaara it's fine. He won't hurt me." I push him out of the way and stand in front of him, walking out the door and shutting it behind me. "What did you…"

"What did you say to him!" He yells as his calm façade completely fades away and is replaced by panic.

"What…what do you mean?"

"What did you do?"

"I don't know…what did I do? What's going on?"

"Shikamaru is…damn it!"

"What? Sasuke what has got you so freaked? I've never seen you this upset."

"You've driven him to madness Temari! He…" I hear the door open behind me and see Kankuro standing in the open frame.

"You two are making a scene. Come inside before you spill our secret out for the entire world to hear." Sasuke shoves his hands in his pockets and cautiously walks into the house as if he is going to get caught in a trap. I follow him and Kankuro closes the door behind us. I lead Sasuke into the living room and he sits down on the couch. He sets his head in his hands and lets out a long sigh. I crouch down next to him and place my hand on his shoulder.

"Now tell me what's going on."

"I don't know if you know this Temari but some of our pack are…gifted."

"Stop right there. I have a question to ask all of you. What is up with the wolf terminology? First he called you a dog and now you are saying you a pack. And why did you call Gaara a leech?" He raises his head and looks at Gaara. I see him shake his head.

"Sorry to bother you. I am just going to have to get help from someone else." He stands and begins to exit the living room but I grab his wrist.

"Please…just tell me what is going on…"

"I can't. Not without your Coven's permission. Even I am not stupid enough to break there rules while on their territory." He breaks his wrist out of my grasp and exits the house.

Shikamaru's POV

I am almost there. Almost…over…

Temari's POV

I walk up to the front door as I hear glass break. I knock, hoping I can be heard over the screaming. I see the door swing open and Sakura appears. "Oh Temari…Hi…"

"What's going on?"

"Sasuke and Itachi are fighting. Naruto's in there right now trying to get them to calm down." I hear another thing shatter and Sakura winces.

"Are they going to be okay?"

"I'm not sure…they've never gotten in this big of a fight before."

"Can I come in?"

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

"I think I know what Sasuke's upset about. It has something to do with Shikamaru. I think I know how to get him to stop breaking things."

"How?"

"I just need to see him."

"Alright give it a try." She steps aside and I walk through the doorway, down the hall to the source of the commotion. I can barely hear myself think but yell out his name at the top of my lungs. He stops yelling and turns to look at me.

"I'm here to help. But only if you tell me what's going on. I don't know what I am here to help with but if you came to me for help…I need to give you that help. So just tell me what's going on and I'll do whatever you need me to."