'Gaara, is that really necessary?' She moaned looking begging at her brother. 'Isn't there anyone else who could bring those scrolls to Konoha?'
'It's only you Temari who I can trust, what more it's your job, you're the ambassador of Suna. What's the problem all of the sudden? You always liked the trips to Konoha. Is it something about that Nara?' Gaara crossed his arms and looked from above at his sister.
'No! It's not Nara's fault. I just don't feel like leaving the village after such a short time..'
'It's been a year Temari. I need to get you back into missions and doing stuff you neglected for all that time. '
'A year..' She sighed. ' Fine, Kazekage-sama. Hand the rolls over, I'll give them to the Hokage as soon as possible. '
'Thank you and take care.'

'Hokage-sama.' She bowed low in front of Tsunade and put the bag with the scrolls in front of her.
'Oh Temari-san. Arigato.' She smiled gently and took a look at the brought things. 'You must be exhausted. You really traveled fast.'
'I'm absolutely fine. If there isn't anything else I can do for you I would want to head back to my country.'
'Head back? Today? You must be joking! Of course you'll stay for the night here. What more I have something I want you to present thr Kaze-kage. Some king of a business idea. First I want to show it to you though, but it's not ready yet. Give me a weak and it's going to be a master piece. Meanwhile enjoy your free time. I'll send a letter to the kage to apologize for your absence. '
'Hokage-sama I really have much to do in Suna.'
'Nothing you can't be excused of.' She put a strict face on.
'As you wish Hokage-sama.' She bowed and left the office.
She knew there would be probably somebody waiting for her to show her where to go. A certain someone she really didn't want to meet. As she went down the stairs she felt like her knees were getting weaker and heart pounded faster. Did she still love him? Why was she so afraid? His contempt for her. That was definitely one of the things that hurt her like hell. She never thought she could hurt anybody that badly he would feel that much disgust towards her. It really made her hate herself.
She pushed the doors open and was ready to see the pineapple head, but to her surprise a small brunette with deer-like big brown eyes stood there smiling.
'Good evening Temari-chan! I'm Ninjin Kikio and I'll lead you to your accommodation!' She spoke happily.
'Good evening.' Temari murmured surprised. Did he send some young girl, just not to meet her? 'Where's Shikamaru?'She couldn't help but ask.
'Shika? 'She seemed surprised. 'Oh, of course you must know Shika, silly me.' She laughed joyfully. 'He had something important to do so I took over his duties. If there is anything you would want to discuss with him I'll let him know!'
'Important things…yhm. Let's go.' She walked next to the brunette. 'So Kikio, are you Shikamaru's student?'
'Student? No! ' She laughed. 'Shika teaches only children.'
'I see, so colleague, yes?' She really didn't like the way she called him 'Shika'.
The brunette's smile paled a bit and she stared to watch the blonde more carefully. She didn't seem to like the questions too.
'I'm his girlfriend. Do you mind if I ask why you're so interested?'
Her heart stopped for a second and she looked with wide eyes at the yet very young, pretty girl.
'His Girlfriend?'
'Yes…' She laughed nervously. 'Why is that so shocking? Is there anything I should know?'
'No, nothing.' She pretended to be cool although her inside felt kind of strange. 'Shika didn't seem to be that much of a womanizer. '
'Oh he isn't. It was me who fell for him and asked him out first. I never thought such a great ninja would go out with such a brat like me, but it worked and we're happily together for a year now.'
A year. He's been with her when he came to check on her.
'That's quite a long time.' She forced a smile on her face.
'Oh not that much, but a friend of mine…oh!' She covered her lips. 'I talk to much! I don't even know you and I shouldn't tell you this. I don't even know it's true.'
'What is it?'
'Oh you know..a friend of mine heard that Shika was looking at some engagement rings.' She looked like the happiest person alive.
Another knife in the chest. 'Where did I have my eyes? How could I have not seen how happy this lazy man can a woman make. '
'Congratulations.'
'Oh not yet, but thank you.' She giggled. 'Mrs. Nara. I really like that sound.' She seemed to be in her world of dreams.
'For fucks sake that was supposed to be my title you little bitch!'
'A-do-ra-ble.' She couldn't make that sound real, which again gained the interest of Kikio.
'And you know Shika, because of work, right?'
'Yes, we've known each other quite a long time, but it's only professional.' 'You couldn't have made this sound any bit more fake than it is Temari, congratulations.'
'Cool.' Kikio frowned. 'That's your hotel. Have a nice stay Temari-chan!'
'Thank you a lot. Goodnight.' She entered the lobby and her heart felt a tone heavier than a moment ago.
She was heart-broken but all she knew is that she had to meet Shikamaru this week. Meet him and finish this crazy, non-existing love story.