Wow, can you believe it? I'm updating!!! (I can hear the applause from the distance XD). So, let me tell you a little story as to why I really haven't been updating. Long story short, all my files got deleted off of my computer. Yes, all of them. I've recovered most of my songs, some pictures and (weirdly) all of my avi files. However, no such luck for "Moving On". Well, not that it really matters since all chapters I write on paper first, and I've uploaded all the word documented chapters anyways. Okay, enough of my rambling on, time for you to read the story! Onwards!

And for once (besides Chapters 1 and 2 ... and possibly 3), let me put my disclaimer down. Just for fun.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Yes, I know, shocking.

Chapter 10
Favours

Shikamaru was under a fully blossomed Sakura tree. The branches were spread so widely that it was protecting him from the heavy rainfall Mother Nature planted. In the distance, he saw a tall blonde woman running towards him. As she got closer to him, he realized that it was Temari. She slowed to a walk towards him, drenched to the skin, but smiling. To him, she was like the sun in that rainy day, her beauty filling the atmosphere. Shikamaru stepped towards her, and Temari stepped back, frowning.

He was surprised; why was this angel frowning? He looked down at her feet and saw that chains had formed around her ankles, running into the ground. Shikamaru found a key by her feet, but out of reach for her to grab. He reached towards it, to free Temari, but Ino blocked his path.

"What are you doing? We have to-" Ino placed a finger on his lips and shook her head.

"You can not save her! You're not the one to do so."

"Why? What are you talking about?! Who is this 'one'?"

Ino turned around and pointed at the distance. Shikamaru looked towards the direction of where she was pointing at, and saw that Temari was no longer chained, but instead, laughing in Kiba's arms.

"This isn't how it's supposed to be! Let me go!"

He tried to push her out of the way, but Ino held him in a tightening, and strong grip. Temari and Kiba were starting to walk away, holding hands, disappearing from his sight.

"Wait!!" he called after them.

But it was too late. The world was slipping away…."It's too late…too late…" Ino's voice was echoing, sounding further and further-

Shikamaru woke up, drenched in sweat. He saw Ino beside his bed, patting his forehead with a damp cloth.

"Are you alright? You've been sweating and your forehead is boiling hot!"

"… Water" he said in a dry voice."Oh, of course!"

She reached over the counter and gave him a glass of still water. Sitting upright, he slowly drank the water, grimacing at the taste of the water that had been sitting there for a long time.

"I think you've got a bit of food poisoning from yesterday. I've called Sakura to come check to see what's wrong. She should be here soon." Shikamaru grunted in reply and went back to lying down.

"Were you having a nightmare? You kept saying 'Why?! What! And No!! We have to save her' It was really freaky!!"

"Yeah, it was a weird dream;" he turned to look at her face "I'm sorry you had to stay up listening to me talking in my sleep."

Ino smiled and patted his head.

"It's okay. Just get some rest." She lightly kissed his cheek and walked out of the room, discreetly closing the door.

Shikamaru was hoping he wouldn't be able to remember his dream, but it was crystal clear; the sight of how he couldn't release her really infuriated him. What was that 'you're not the one' talk all about?
He muttered "Troublesome" and closed his eyes. As soon as he had shut his eyes, he heard a gentle tap on the door.

"Come in" he said.

He saw the door slowly open and a pink haired girl walked into the room.

"Hey! How are you feeling?""… not as bad as I think I should feel." he replied. She laughed and walked to the side of his bed. She read his temperature and checked his heart rate.

"I've heard from Ino about you sweating quite a lot and you shivering… you don't normally sweat during your sleep do you?""No, well, at least, not that I know of."

"I thought so. Ino's right about her diagnosis. You have a bought of food poisoning, but it's mild, so you'll be fine in about two to three days. Make sure you take the medicine I've given her every seven hours okay?"

"Sure."

"And no missions or trips elsewhere! You have to stay in bed. Capise?"

"Sounds good to me." he replied.

"Get better Shikamaru. Bye!" said Sakura. She left the room and closed the door behind herself.

All Shikamaru could hear was the chirping of birds outside of his open window, a warm breeze flowing through. Everything around him was serene, silent…but out of place. He closed his eyes, trying to think of something other than his dream, but it seemed like as soon as his mind took a moment's break, the dream replayed itself all over again.

'Damn it…' he thought. Was his dream a coincidence… a hallucination? A sign!?

Or was it simply just a dream?

----

Temari was very annoyed and angry at herself. Out of all days she could've broken down and let the dams explode, it just had to happen on that day. Keeping her emotions in check was something that she easily did, that was part of her nature. Yet, on that one faithful day, she couldn't hold her tears back.

'Why was I even crying? I have everything I want; a family, friends, a lover…' she thought. She sighed with frustration, shoving her face in her bed sheets. Temari heard the doorbell ring several times. She got up slowly from the bed, grumbling complaints under her breath.

'It's probably those stupid idiots who keep asking me if I want to apply for something or another.'
Without looking through the door's eye piece, she forcefully opened the door and blurted out,

"Whatever you want, I don't want to apply!!"

"Um…" Temari looked properly and saw Ino with her shocked expression. She turned pink and said,

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I thought you were someone else…come in!"

She let Ino into the apartment, while thinking,'If it was you I wouldn't have even opened the door… damn! I should've used that stupid eye hole on the door!'

Temari almost let out a gasp and told herself to shut the hell up.

"I can't be here for too long, so if you don't mind, I'll just get straight to the point." said Ino.

Temari nodded her head in agreement.

"I'm going to be away for two days on a mission," she continued, "and I was wondering…"

Alarm bells rang throughout Temari's head.

"… if you could watch over Shikamaru. He has food poisoning, so he's not allowed out of the house."

Temari's eyes grew to the size of saucepans and she ended up choking and coughing.

"Um, I don't think that's a good idea!"

"Please Temari! You're the only one who I can trust to do this!" begged Ino.'

Yeah right. You're just asking me because I'm a lazy whore who has no mission and won't hit on the boyfriend because I'm not single aymore' She mentally slapped herself for thinking such a thought.

"Fine."

Ino beamed with happiness, and gave her a tight hug.

"Thank you so much!! I'm leaving the village tonight, so while you're staying over at my house, you can sleep in my room!"

Temari nodded and tried to fake the best smile possible.

"I'll do my best!" she said. Ino walked towards the front door and yelled a quick "Bye" over her shoulder. She shut the front door a second before Temari screamed in one of the couch cushions.

---

Every bone in her body told Temari to turn around and spring back to her hotel. It took every last bit of resolve to make herself walk towards Ino and Shikamaru's house. After going, turning back, going, and turning back again, she finally made it to their house. Temari raised her right fist to knock on the door, but hesitated. '
Ahhh you idiot!!' she thought 'just knock on the damn door! The neighbours probably think I'm insane or something.'

After internally arguing with herself she mustered up all her courage and knocked on the door. It was a only in a matter of seconds when she saw Ino's head pop up through the space between the door and the frame.

"Hi Temari!!" she said.

"Hello…" replied Temari.

Ino waved her inside, and closed the door behind her.

"Once again, thank you so much for taking care of Shika!" Ino looked at her luggage and said,

"Let me take that bag!"

Temari nervously laughed and replied,

"No, no it's okay! It's not heavy or anything, it just has my essentials!"

"Let me show you around the house!"

Ino guided her through the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and finally, her own bedroom.

"Here's my room; you can sleep here for the night."

Temari looked around the room. It was light, serene…and felt so open. She placed her bag on the bed, and glanced at a framed picture on the bedside table. She picked up the photo and commented,

"You look so cute together."
'I can understand why he's in love with you.'

Ino smiled brightly and stood beside Temari.

"Thanks! This photo was taken a year ago…. This is one of the two beaches in Konoha! It's quite lovely in the summer; you should really go some time!"

'I own a beach house there.' Temari thought, but acted oblivious and nodded in agreement. She set the picture back down.

"I wrote all the emergency contact numbers and also when he as to take his medication. I'll be back in two days…and I hope Shika won't be too much of a handle."

"Don't worry," she reassured her, "he'll be easy to handle."

Ino, once again, flashed her a smile and replied,

"I'm gonna go visit Shika one last time before I go. Thanks so much, and take care!"

"You don't need to say thanks!! Bye." said Temari.

Ino walked out of the room Temari laid on the bed thinking,

'The torture begins.'

Lawl! Temari talks a lot to herself doesn't she?Well, this was kind of a filler chapter (sorry about that). We'll get to the good stuff next chapter. Heh heh.. I should be studying for my Biology test. My updates this week/next week are going to be a little random; my schedule is at the busiest time of the year. For those of you who are having exams/finals, good luck! I hope my luck pitches in XD.