Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

The clouds are nice

Chapter 10

Shikamaru heavily sighed and leaned against one of the practice logs. He looked ahead into the darkness and remembered the fight from two days before. It still troubled Shikamaru that Ino and Temari were fighting over him and that his own teammate would sink to such a low level. Shikamaru groaned and placed both of his arms behind his head. Gah…how troublesome.

Over a ways in the bushes, Ino lay in secret to spy on Shikamaru and Temari. Since Temari wasn't there yet she was getting very uneasy. Damn it, can't she hurry up? Ino said to herself. Shikamaru did say to meet here from what I heard. I could use a replication jutsu, but things wouldn't go over well if she came and I was playing her still. Ino groaned and continued to watch Shikamaru closely as she waited.

Moments later Temari appeared in the distance and walked towards Shikamaru. Ino sneered at her arrival and wanted to rip Temari's face off. Shikamaru finally cracked a smile as the bright moonlight revealed Temari's presence. He only took a couple of steps towards her as Temari walked the rest of the way. Once Shikamaru and Temari met they shared a short romantic moment under the moon as they kissed each other.

Ino's heart sunk as she watched. Normally she would get angry and spout off, but this time things were different. For once Ino felt miserable from the whole ordeal. She wished she was the one Shikamaru was kissing and not Temari. The feeling didn't last long when Ino violently shook her head to get rid of the thoughts. "Damn it! I better not let my emotions get the best of me. I gotta win this even if it's the last thing I do!" Ino softly said to herself. I can't afford to make a fool out of myself again.

"Well?" Temari grinned after she pulled away. "You did say that we were gonna go somewhere else from here, right?"

"Follow me." Shikamaru responded and grabbed Temari's hand. They began to walk in the direction where Ino was.

Ino hid behind the bushes more while Shikamaru and Temari walked dangerously close to where she was. Damn…I gotta follow them now. Luckily it's dark out so they can't see me. She thought to herself. Once Shikamaru and Temari were far enough away to not notice, Ino left her hideout and followed them.

…Shortly after leaving, Shikamaru and Temari arrived at their destination and stood there for a moment. Shikamaru motioned for Temari to sit on the bench that was near and sat next to her after she took the invite.

"Where are we?" Temari asked. She looked up at the sky and noticed the stars twinkling vividly. Even though she had been in Konoha for a while Temari still couldn't figure out where they were, especially in the dark.

"We're in my 'secret' place," Shikamaru started after he laid back on the bench. "It's troublesome, but I wanted to bring you someplace special since this is our last night together."

Temari jumped in her skin. She looked down and noticed that Shikamaru had just put his arm around her waist. "Your 'secret' place, eh?" Temari mimicked Shikamaru once her nerves settled down.

"Yeah. No one except for you and Chouji know about this place. I come here every so often to think and to look at the clouds." Shikamaru smiled and stared up at the starry night sky. He loved being able to relax.

Temari looked down at Shikamaru. Shikamaru seems really sentimental and sensitive now. It's a wonder why no one ever sees this side of him or why he never brings it out normally.

Unknown to the couple, Ino concealed herself on the next building over and watched them impatiently. It was as close as she could get since the roof that Shikamaru and Temari was on was too small for her to hide on.

"I still don't see what he sees in her. I mean, she's all the way from the Sand…and…and…" Ino sighed when she couldn't think of anything else to complain about. There haven't been any opportunities to make my attack and there still aren't any. Damn it. I can't use my jutsu because he'd notice right away. He knows it too well. Ino huffed and folded her arms and continued to painfully watch.

Temari shivered a little bit in the cool night air. She still wasn't used to the Fire Country's climate. Shikamaru felt Temari's shiver and squeezed her waist to get her to lie down.

"Why don't you lay down with me? You're cold." Shikamaru suggested.

Without argument Temari repositioned herself next to Shikamaru. She wrapped an arm over him and placed her head on his chest. Temari could feel butterflies starting to form again in her stomach, and her face got even redder than before as she felt Shikamaru breathe. It was odd for Shikamaru to be that up front so it made Temari warm on the inside; he definitely liked her. Temari now felt comfortable and safe with Shikamaru and never wanted to leave his side.

What happened to me? Have I really softened? Temari sighed. Stupid boys. She thought to herself and kissed Shikamaru on the cheek.

Ino sighed and slouched over from observing. "I can't take it anymore!" She repositioned herself to perform her justu. This is my only chance! They don't seem to be talking or moving so I have to do this now. He for sure won't notice.

As hard as she was trying, Ino attempted to stay strong in controlling her emotions and staying focus. Watching Shikamaru and Temari really did a number on Ino's mental state and it was just getting worse for her.

Pull yourself together! Do it now or you'll lose Shikamaru forever! Ino yelled at herself.

At that moment Ino finally broke down and cried. It finally hit her. It's no use. Have I really lost him? Ino thought to herself as her sorrow began to overwhelm her. Ino couldn't bear it anymore and got up to leave. It was the only thing she could do at that point. Nothing that Ino could possibly do at that moment would change things to her benefit. Not even getting into Temari's mind again would work.

Shikamaru smiled and sighed. He took in the moment and never wanted it to end. He didn't want Temari to leave. How troublesome is this? I'm head over heals for a girl who's more bossy than my mom. I just hope I can see Temari again after she leaves. Shikamaru looked down and saw that Temari had her eyes closed. Heh…she must've fallen asleep.

Shikamaru and Temari didn't really talk much while they were there, and Shikamaru didn't really care if they did talk. All he wanted to do was to spend their last few moments together peacefully and alone with no interruptions. Since Temari had already fallen asleep, Shikamaru let her be and continued to take in the moment.

Shikamaru inhaled the night air and closed his eyes. Being in his secret spot with the girl he loved was more than he could ever ask for.

Temari opened her eyes and hazily looked around. Am…am I dreaming? She thought and rubbed her eyes to see her surroundings clearer. Temari noticed that she was lying with Shikamaru and realized that she wasn't dreaming.

Oh shit! Temari quickly shot up to a sitting position.

Remembering that she fell asleep with Shikamaru, Temari looked to see if she accidentally woke him up. He was still sleeping. Temari sighed in relief and looked up at the dying night sky. It was still dark but she could see the sunlight starting to lighten up the sky. This isn't good. I need to get back before Kankuro and Gaara notice that I was gone. We're going to be leaving soon, too.

Temari stood up and looked at Shikamaru. Her heart melted as she watched Shikamaru peacefully sleep. I'm sorry Shikamaru. I wish we could've had a better goodbye. I hope you'll make it to the gate in time. Good-bye. Temari said in her mind to Shikamaru. Immediately, she jumped over to the nearest roof and began her long trek to the Inn.

Whew. No one seems to be up. That's good. Temari comforted herself after she slowly opened up the door into the room and looked around. Temari tried not to disturb her sleeping comrades as she quietly tip-toed towards her room.

"And where have you been all night?" A voice said.

Temari immediately stopped and turned around. "Gaara!" Shit...how stupid am I for forgetting that Gaara doesn't sleep? Gaara was sitting by the sliding window of the main room and didn't move.

"Quiet. You'll wake everyone up."

"S…sorry Gaara. I…I was…" She paused. Temari didn't want to say what really happened, but she just sighed and confessed anyway. "I was with Shikamaru. We had to see each other one last time! Please understand, Gaara!"

Gaara folded his arms and sighed. "Don't worry about it. Just get to bed before Sensei and Kankuro wake up." He ordered and then put his attention back to the outside world.

"Yes Gaara." I hate it when he gets bossy. I swear he purposely forgets I'm his older sister. Temari sighed and quietly walked into her room.

…Shikamaru let out a huge yawn and stretched out his arms. "How troublesome. We both fell asleep, Temari." Shikamaru scratched the back of his head and waited for a response from Temari. "Temari?" He finally rubbed his eyes and realized that Temari was gone.

Damn it. Women are so troublesome. Shikamaru thought to himself. "Why would Temari leave without waking me up and saying good-bye? She could've at least taken me with her up to the main gate. Damn woman." He sighed heavily.

Shikamaru leaned forward onto his knees and stared up at the sky. It was very early in the morning since the sun was just starting to rise. A few clouds floated on by in the orange-blue sky. Shikamaru stood up and faced in the direction in which the main gate was located.

"I hope I'm not too late." Shikamaru said to himself as he jumped off of the roof and started running.

When Shikamaru finally arrived at the gate his heart sunk. Neither Temari nor the rest of her team were at the gate for him to see off.

"It is kind of early so they've probably haven't arrived yet." Shikamaru tried to reassure himself. Temari was everything to him and he wanted to have a proper farewell if possible. Shikamaru sighed and leaned up against the huge wall.

"What's a Chuunin like you doing here? You should be properly escorted by a Jounin." The guard ninja addressed to Shikamaru.

Shikamaru put his hands in his pockets and grumbled. "I'm only here to say good-bye to someone."

"And who would that be?"

"One of the sand ninja's who was leaving today."

The guard thought for a minute. "I'm sorry to say but you're a bit late."

"Huh?" Shikamaru was confused.

"A group of ninjas from the Hidden Sand village just left several minutes ago. You just missed them."

"No way! It can't be!" Shikamaru exclaimed as he ran out into the middle of the road leading out of the village. He looked down the road and in fact did see outlines of four ninja's walking away from Konoha. No doubt about it that it was the sand ninjas.

"Temari! Wait, Temari!" Shikamaru shouted while he ran down the road a little ways. He was too far away for Temari to hear him.

"STOP!" The guard yelled out at Shikamaru. "You know you're not allowed out of the village unless you're on a mission assigned by the Hokage."

Shikamaru immediately stopped and stared at Temari who was walking farther and farther away. The guard did have a point and he could get into a lot of trouble if he went any further.

Shikamaru didn't move and just continued gazing out at the shrinking figures. A single tear ran down his cheek and fell onto the ground. I…I love you…Temari.