In a misguided attempt to regain the publics favor, Corentin has written two chapters in 24 hours.

Thanks to Major Stranger and Taryn Streambattle.

Special thanks to Sincynati, who flooded my Inbox with a bunch of reviews last night (I think 7?), and gave me the push I needed to get up and write this chapter. Here we go.

Oh, incidentally, you're all going to hate me after this chapter.

Chapter 11:Problem

Perfection. Not easily attained, the perfection that everyone searches for, when it is found, forms a bubble around them, a bubble where everything is perfect in their life, in their body, in their mind, and in the world. And everyone else sees the bubble, and wants to get into it.

It's now been 11 months since Temari gave birth to Masaru. Both she and Shikamaru were now back to work as shinobi, although one of them always had to stay home with their baby boy. This was perfect, Temari decided. The two of them were sitting on the couch, fondly watching their little boy amuse himself, and attempt to stand and walk. He was already pulling himself up on furniture, and making noises bordering on words. One of them sounded suspiciously like "troublesome", but since Temari had forbidden Shikamaru from using his favorite word in front of the kid, that had disappeared as well. Hey, one lazy Nara she could deal with, but two? No. Their child would grow up to be strong, hard-working, and skilled. None of this lazing around and mumbling. No sir. But even with the stresses of parenthood (was his hair going to end up blond or brown?), her life was perfect. Well, almost.

"Shikamaru?"

"What, 'Mari?"

"Kiss me."

"Umm, come again?"

"Kiss me!"

"Why?"

"Don't you want to?"

"Of course, but is there any reason?"

"No. I just want you to kiss me, and if you don't , so help me, I will-" She was cut off by her husband's lips on her own. He grinned at her.

"Huh, you're weird, woman." She was about to retort, but he nibbled at her earlobe, causing her to let out a gasp of surprise, then a moan of ecstasy. He let go, kissed her again, and then whispered in her ear.

"But I'm not complaining."

Perfection is what we all strive for.

Today was the day. One year since she'd given birth to Masaru. Temari winced, remembering the mind searing pain, a pain which still haunted her nightmares. Sakura said that she'd never seen such a violent birth, such a painful birth experience. And then, the memory faded, as it always did, when she thought of Shikamaru rushing through the hospital to her, to her side, and comforted her. Temari smiled, and stretched. Shikamaru was at home, playing with Masaru, and she'd gone out to get the final peice missing for their party: the CAKE! In all capitals. A massive cake. About 35% frosting. Hey, they hadn't had the money to have a baby shower, with all the missions they'd missed during Temari's miscarriage, but now that they'd earned it back, they wanted to go a little overboard for Masaru's first birthday. So they'd invited all their friends, and gotten a lot of food. Masaru wasn't old enough to truly appreciate it, but all the other children would be there as well, so he'd have someone to play with. Temari skipped gaily down the street, disregarding everything around her. It was Masaru's birthday! Everything was perfect.

It is hard to maintain.

"Arigatōgozaimasu! (Thank you very much!)" Temari turned, and began to walk back to her house, carefully carrying the gigantic CAKE in both hands, so that none of its magnificent frosting was ruined. Of course, she'd snagged a little bit off of one of the gigantic blue flowers, but who would notice that? Really.

"Hmm. The main streets are going to be crowded at this time, so I'll take the back alleys. That'll be faster and just as safe, I mean, I'm a Jounin for goodness's sake!, thought Temari. And so, she charged into a narrow by-street, not looking back.

It falls down faster than it is built.

The alley was dark and cold, and Temari was regretting her decision. Even though nobody was there, the darkness made her shiver, as if someone was watching her. She kept looking over her shoulder. But going back would mean admitting defeat, and the end of the alleyway was only a couple hundred feet ahead. She was just a little ways away from the exit when the lighrt was cut off by a figure. A tall figure, wearing a coat covered in red clouds. Blocking her vison.

"Hey there, honey, wanna have some fun with me?" Then he squinted at her. "HEY!You're the sand slut, Temari. The girl who married that ****ing black pony-tailed freak, what's his name, Shikamaru! Oh, this one I can't pass up." Temari began to open her mouth to scream, began to go for her knife, began to run, began to throw the cake at him, but she was frozen as his hands grabbed her roughly, touching her in places she'd only allowed Shikamaru to touch, places where nobody else's hands belonged. Hidan grinned at her, and the cake fell into the muck and grime, crushed by their feet as he slammed her into the wall, his lips crashing onto hers in a way that was not tender, not loving, in a way which signaled his only desire, and the fact that he didn't care what she wanted, only what he wanted. She struggled, screaming against his lips, biting down hard and drawing blood, but he was unstoppable, unbeatable. And she was but a leaf before the storm, to be ripped apart for his pleasure. The cake was now ground underneath them as he threw her to the ground, ignoring her pleas, her tears. He grinned at her, and began to rip off her clothes.

"Itadakimasu. (Let's eat.)

A few seconds can undo years of work.

Shikamaru sat on the couch, waiting for Temari. She was twenty freaking minutes late, and Masaru was getting tired, and the guest were starting to arrive. He stared into Konoha's bustling streets.

"Where are you, Temari?"

Perfection is easy to shatter.

Do you hate me yet? Next chapter coming soon, you hope!

Chapter 12: Schism: "Temari has been raped,and Shikamaru is incredibly worried. But what will the end result of this event be?"

Women, (and men!) be careful when you're in shady parts of town. And learn some self-defense. There are people out there who will do this to you. Rape is not a joke, not a myth. It is a cold reality.