Temari sat alone, looking at the delicious food that she had no appetite for. She touched the grilled chicken with her fork. Was this what rejection felt like? Maybe she was starting to understand Shikamaru. She sighed. Shikamaru. He had been ignoring and avoiding her for a whole week now. She knew for sure now, she did love Shikamaru. But how could she tell him if he didn't even want to look at her?

She keeps her secrets in her eyes

Temari's cocked her head. That song sounded really familiar...

She hides the truth inside her lies

She knew that she heard it before, but she just couldn't remember where she heard it.

Just when I can't take what she's done to me

She calls to me

And leads me back to paradise

Temari's heart clenched as she finally recognized the song. She opened her mouth and sang along softly.

She's so hard to hold

But I can't let go

As the image of her swaying in Shikamaru's arms flooded her mind, she could no longer sing along, just clenching her fists in her lap as she willed the tears in her eyes not to fall.

I'm a house of cards in a hurricane

A reckless ride in the pouring rain

She cuts me

And the pain is all I wanna feel

She dances away just like a child

Another voice overlapped the lead singer's.

"You drive me crazy, drive me wild."

She looked up into familiar narrow black eyes, and gasped.

"But I'm helpless when you smile."

She smiled at him, and he returned it hesitantly.

"May I have this dance?"

She took his hand, and they stepped onto the dance floor. As if burned into her memory, her hands immediately wrapped around his neck as his found her waist.

Maybe I'd fight it if I could

It hurts so bad it feels so good

She opens up just like a rose to me

When she's close to me

Anything she'd ask me I would

It's out of control

But I can't let go

I'm a house of cards in a hurricane

A reckless ride in the pouring rain

She cuts me

And the pain is all I wanna feel

She dances away just like a child

She drives me crazy

Drives me wild

But I'm helpless when she smiles

She pulled her head away and looked him in the eye. "This is the part where you kiss me."

He smirked, then leaned forward and captured her lips in a soft kiss. Her heart started to pound so fast, it felt as if it was going to explode.

When she looks at me

I get so weak

He pulled back, and so did she. They looked into each other's eyes, and Temari couldn't help but blurt out, "I love you, Shikamaru."

He smiled at her, the first genuine smile that she had seen in a very long time. But he made no reply.

"Do... Do you love me?" she asked, hesitantly.

He chuckled. "That goes without saying. Always have, always will."

Temari felt her face flush and she dove in again for another kiss. This time, the kiss continued as they danced on to the slow songs played in the restaurant, not caring about time or place, both entranced only in the other's presence.


A/N: That's a wrap! Sorry for the weird alignment, I hope it wasn't too hard to read. A big THANK YOU to all the loyal followers, and any new ones! This story couldn't have made it without you! Big hugs and kisses!