ShikaTema chapter 11

Temari was standing there, not quite wavering, but was altogether speechless. She had to say, Shikamaru cleaned up well. He, in turn, was staring at her with some bit of interest. Was it that he didn't recognize her? Was it that he was curious about her? Was he to think any different of her now? Even as these questions ran through her head, she didn't quite know what to expect. And that is exactly what held in her suprise when he and Choji made their way over to the three dressed-up kunoichi.

"Hello ladies!" Choji said. He was holding a rather large cone of cotton candy. Temari was startled by the amount he was able to consume, but he wasn't her main focus... even if she was trying to hide it, she was shooting extremely subtle glances at the cloud watching ninja. His eyes, however, were turned to the sky, obviously, he was somewhat bored with the scene... but there was a subtle pink tinge in his cheeks.

"Hello, Choji, Shikamaru." Ino said silkily. "I believe you've met the lovely sand kunoichi here eh? Temari?" Shikamaru finally took the cue and he, as well as Choji took a look at her.

"That's Temari?" Choji asked somewhat dumbfoundedly. " What'd you do to her Ino? She looks like... entirely different!" Temari didn't know whether he was kidding or not. As far as she was concerned, she looked the same. Shikamaru seemed to be generally disinterested. Then Ino leaned towards him smiling mischieviously.

"Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeellll Shikamaru? What do you think?" Shikamaru looked at Ino, then turned back to Temari. Temari held her breath. She didn't know why, but she felt so hung up on his opinion of her... perhaps it was because he saved her life? Did she honestly care what he thought of her? Apparently so.

Shikamaru looked at the kunoichi, and realized she was indeed hanging on his words. How troublesome. But... at the same time... He couldn't help but wonder...

"Well Shikamaru?" Ino asked. "Are you that speechless?" Shikamaru shrugged.

"I guess I am." Temari let out a breath. Well, now she knew what he thought... sort of. Now all there was to do was find out the context of what he said...

"Eugh..." Temari groaned to herself. " Men's minds are so confusing..." However, interupting them came another familiar nin. He was smiling, but quite frankly, Temari wasn't sure if he meant it or not.

"Well hello." He said. His voice was that of calm and cool, though portrayed no emotion as well. Sakura stepped foreward.

"Your late Sai. What happened to your ponctual meeting times hm?" Ino turned to the pink haired kunoichi incredulously.

"You made a meeting with Sai and didn't tell me?"

"It wasn't a requirement Ino-pig."

"Whatever happened to the best-friends rule?!"

"Whatever happened to privacy!?" The two were on the rise alright. Temari was beggining to feel uncomfortable. Shikamaru stepped foreward a bit.

"Hey Temari." He said quietly. "Wanna get away before the cat-fight hits home?" He asked. Temari looke at the two kunoichi and realized both tempers were rising at an incredible rate. At this point, Choji was holding onto Ino's arm, and Sai was holding onto Sakura, trying very hard not to get punched in the face, as the two kunoichi sent back insults. Temari nodded.

"Let's hurry." She said. " I don't think this will end well..." Shikamaru nodded and they headed away, silently.

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Temari was walking alongside Shikamaru. Both were silent and looking around at the lights and the smells which radiated around them. Temari didn't recognize to many of the people. However, when she was walking, Shikamaru stopped.

"What is it?" She asked. Shikamaru pointed to the left, smiling. Temari turned her gaze and smiled, trying not to laugh. Hinata was very red, and couldn't stop staring at Naruto, in whom was trying to understand how the game in front of them worked. The man in charge of the booth was becoming frustrated, but Naruto was completely oblivious. He then turned to Hinata and asked her to do it first. She, in turn, shakin, completed the game to both Naruto and the man's complete amazement.

"How'd you do that Hinata!" Naruto said smiling widely. "I had no idea how to do it! Your amazing!" Hinata just turned a deeper shade of red and started playing with her fingers.

"W-well...I-I d-didn't really h-have t-to... do a-anything special..." Naruto then took her hand, smiling widely and led her off to the next place in the festival. Temari smiled.

"Naruto... He's going to give her a heartattack on of these days." She said. Shikamaru nodded, then continued walking.

"So... " Temari said. She felt like talking now. She had been a little too silent in the past few minutes. Shikamaru turned to her.

"How long are you staying here?" Temari stopped, a bit taken aback. She didn't exactly expect that to be his answer or statement.

"Well..." She said. " I... I really don't know." Shikamaru looked away and stopped as well. She looked at him. "Why do you ask?" Shikamaru turned his gaze back to her. Her face was that of a confused, or puzzled expression. He couldn't help but tell her now.

"Well..." He said. " I -"