- XI -
Temari was walking through the square, almost empty now, only few visitors hanging around. It was midday, the official opening ceremony had just ended and now was the time to begin the trainings.
Her gaze wandered to a one particular booth with "Tanaka" name on it. She stared, not slowing down her step, until her boyfriend rose his eyes and flashed her a smile, waving his hand and mouthing a silent "good luck". His smile was as wide as ever, but she could see something was not right. He was a little nervous and distracted ever since he came here and even before that, and she figured his mind was preoccupied with tomorrow's matters.
As confident and even cocky he might have been in his weapon shop in Suna, here he just couldn't reach the same state of mind, knowing how many people will be here to watch him and his crafts.
Temari smiled. The biggest mistake one can make is to think you know a man through and through. Do that, and the next day he surprises you with unexpected behavior.
She didn't tease him about it though, haven't even said a thing about him refusing sex yesterday either. She saw how off he was, and shut her mouth despite coming up with a billion bites and teases. But she also knew how upset and annoyed he might get and she didn't want that because eventually he would ruin her mood as well, so she said nothing and secretly snickered every once in a while as he forgot to lock the door or unpacked his things with slightly trembling hands.
Temari continued her stride, unable to waste any time since the training was scheduled to begin right about now. Her thoughts drifted back to Yukata and Matsuri, who were about to begin their first lesson ever, and whether they will manage to achieve the goal all 3 have set up for the upcoming two weeks. She squeezed herself through a handful of people standing right in front of the gates that led towards the training grounds, but one girl, instead of stepping aside to let her through, shoved her shoulder, causing Temari to hit it hard with her own. The impact was so strong it was hard to believe it was accidental.
She looked over her shoulder with angry yet annoyed stare to meet the equally angry eyes of another shinobi. What a bitch. Her eyes, almost covered by her bangs, and her face, surrounded by long black hair, was unfamiliar. She wore a flack jacked over tight black attire, highlighting every line of her body. Her forehead protector was on her hips, and the symbol on it belonged to a Hidden Sound Village.
Temari narrowed her lids. She disapproved inviting Sound Village to the camp, considering the past of this villain-breeding place, but Tsunade was insistent about it, aiming to increase the trust between the villages. What trust can there be if they keep acting like that?
She clenched her teeth and strode forward, fighting the urge to turn around and kick the bitch in the face; yet the rational part of her kept her feet moving forward as she had more important matters at hand.
Passing Lee's training ground, overcrowded with people, she could see them staring at their sensei, demonstrating his abilities and speed. Oh, she knew all about that. By the end of her own private training – too short, insanely intensive and definitely insufficient training – she realized she'd have to completely give up her tessen and practice taijutsu from now until she got old to reach the kind of level he was in. And even in that case she might never beat Lee and his tall, lean and perfectly coordinated body with her feminine complexion. Every gram counts. And her curves were not made of muscles, unfortunately. She was as fit as she could get and there were hardly any fat on her legs or stomach, but you just can't shake away a certain piece of flesh from where your genes were responsible.
To her right she heard a dog's bark. There was no need to see the grounds itself to guess it was Kiba and Akamaru, demonstrating their own abilities. Temari quickened her step. She was not worried about being late for Yukata's and Matsuri's training, she knew it would not start without her. After all, she was the demonstration of wind techniques everyone was waiting for.
It was a much trickier task than it sounded, to demonstrate her abilities. All of her jutsu were destructive, harming and causing havoc. What could she possibly show in the arena, surrounded my spectators?
She stepped in the middle of a circular training grounds, next to her girls, who just finished giving the introductions. Behind them were a dozen of training posts, dug deep in the ground, that was densely covered by fallen leaves. They were left here for a purpose. Temari looked around. The tribunes were not overcrowded as Lee's, but there weren't many empty seats left. Most of the faces were young and unfamiliar, but there were several in the front seats who she knew.
Temari squatted down and snapped her fingers 5 centimeters above the ground. A tiny whirl of wind was created, that spun around, gathering its energy and attracting the leaves. She repeated again and again, creating a handful of small tornados, that were under her control as if puppets under her brother's fingers. They whirled around, collecting all the leaves and leaving the ground clean, then she sent them towards the tribunes and the wind crashed into the mass of people like the sea wave crashes against the rocks. The leaves fell down like confetti on youngsters' heads, leaving them in awe.
After that she simply swung her tessen with only one star visible towards the training posts and they flew towards the tribunes, where they were caught by Yukata and Matsuri, and before anyone started contemplating what all three stars could do, she spread her fan wide and directed the gust of wind towards the tips of the trees that stood on the hill approximately 5 kilometers away. It took a second for the wind to get there, but as it did, the trees were trimmed and their tops fell down, breaking the branches loudly. Even from this far it looked like they have been cut by the sharp razor.
In her mind, she didn't – here, she even couldn't – do anything really impressive, but the tribunes were silent, surprised, hooked. She left the grounds soon after Yukata and Matsuri gathered a first group of students and started teaching them the basics – chakra control and blending it with the air. As she stepped back on the road, planning to take a peak at Kiba's grounds and then proceed to Lee's to maybe learn a new move or two, she heard an applause behind her.
For any reason, maybe because of the bitch earlier, that clapping sounded like a taunt, and her fists clenched instantly as adrenaline rushed through her veins. As she turned her head around, Temari secretly craved for it to be her, but what she saw was no one other than Shikamaru.
"What a celebrity you're becoming. You should've heard what they were talking while you were playing with your wind."
Playing. I saved your ass playing with my wind.
"What's your problem, Nara?"
She stopped and waited for him to come, maybe circling her and keeping a safe distance, since her voice was harsh and rather angry, but he took her by surprise, stepping straight next to her. His hands were in his pockets, yet his lazy look was rather cautious this time, and he kept his eyes fixed on her. Her fists rose to her hips, and as she stared daggers at him, her lips curved into a soft smirk as he answered.
"Why does every woman have to be looking for some problem in every sentence a man says?"
He resumed his steps and stepped forward, she followed, eyeing his back.
"Why did it sound like you wanted me to find a problem in that sentence?"
She could swear she heard his mouth open for an answer, but the only sound he made was a late sigh. He didn't say anything, as he turned towards the camp's square and she went to Kiba's training grounds. What she failed to see was the smile he was wearing while walking away.
Shikamaru put his elbows on the table, right next to Sakura's first aid kit. She was leaning back into her chair with a book on her lap.
"Finished setting up?"
"Yeah. Now I'm rather bored since no one comes to me unless injured, and there were only few interested in medical healing pills."
"Enjoy while you can. I'm sure you'll receive few visitors after the trainings today."
"Oh I bet you'll have more than just a few when my sister steps in the fights."
Sakura and Shikamaru turned their heads simultaneously towards the next booth, where Kankurou stuck his head out and waved a hand. "Yo."
"She won't be having any for the first two weeks." Shikamaru answered, eyeing the other sand sibling. Just like Temari, he was demonstratively confident, and he even topped her when it came to loudness. He was laughing now, and the way he did it reminded him so much of Temari the other day.
"I thought you knew my sister better than that!" Kankurou snorted. "She'll get into a fight much sooner, trust me."
Shikamaru smirked. He might be right, actually.
"Wanna drink some beer in the evening?"
Kankurou's eyes were directed at Shikamaru, ignoring Sakura completely, and before he thought of the answer he immediatly realized one of the reasons Temari's in a constat quarrel with her brother. Kankurou was a living example of what she hates in a man – sexism.
"The bar will only be open on Friday, during the social evening."
"I've brought my own!" He retorted with the voice implying it was the most natural thing to do. "Sakura," – his voice changed vividly – "join us, would you? I'd love some of your company."
Kankurou has been friendly with her ever since his poisoning, clearly feeling grateful even now for saving his life. He earned for her company always, and Shikamaru guessed he likes her, but he never made a move even though he had no problem flirting with girls. He reminded of Kiba in many ways. And Shikamaru agreed.
Crossing the square to have a little chat with Sai and Shino, who sat next to each other in awkward silence, Shikamaru noticed a booth with many colorful flutes on display and a Sound Village sign above it all. The person was missing from the booth, though. However, in the next booth there were two, sitting and giggling – the same couple Shikamaru saw in the woods the other day. Black haired tall girl, who was, apparently, from the Sound, and Kakashi look-alike. Judging from his surroundings, he was a blacksmith, and a wooden plate, hanging from the roof of his booth, had a symbol of sandglass carved – Suna.
Shikamaru smiled, making a guess those two met right here, accidentally, setting up their displays before the camp began. They must've begun with a hello, and soon flirted their way into something more, something involving eating each other with their eyes and barely withstanding keeping their hands to themselves.
He met Mina accidentally as well. Nothing was planned, he wasn't particularly looking for anybody, the was no official first date nor romantic intention from his side. The first time he noticed her was in the corridor of the hotel she was working in. As he leaned against the wall, waiting outside Temari's door, a maid passed. Nodding her head she looked at him, a sweet innocent smile and slightly blushed cheeks – and she didn't notice the crumpled carpet in front of her, causing her to stumble down. He caught her just in time, leaving her cheeks even redder. The next day they met under the same circumstances, except her cheeks were red even without stumbling on anything. The third day he was already expecting to see her, but since she didn't pass that corridor that morning, he waited for her outside the hotel after her working hours finished and walked her home. He didn't plan to fall in love with her, but love never cares much about your plans, does it?
As always, thank you for the reviews, and tell me, what do you think of those little interactions between Temari and Shikamaru? Because I don't even know how to call that. It's not love, but rather increased awareness of each other. Or something.
Please review and interpret. :D
Love,
Cafe
