I was gonna to 2nd person POV but I decided to do 1st person with Temari as if she was talking directly to Shikamaru.
And Strength
Xxx
You've become stronger over the years. It is not your intelligence that gives you that strength, nor is it your connection to the Hidden Leaf. It is not who your father was and what you have accomplished in battle. It is you, Shikamaru.
I wish I had the kind of strength you have. I may be physically stronger than you, something I obviously take pride in. But I can never dream of having the emotional strength you have. And to think, I had the gall to criticize you for it. That emotional training means nothing now.
Maybe if I had been as strong as you are emotionally, I would have pulled Gaara and Kankuro out of the mess my father put us in. I would never had met you though and Shikadai would not be here with me now. Would it really have been worth it? Not having the family I do now?
I'm thankful you gave me that chance. You blessed me with a new chance at a happy life and you gave me Shikadai. Wouldn't you know it, he's getting lazier and lazier every day. We both always said he was going to be like me. He still is. Blunt and determined. But he showing signs of your strength. I'm proud.
I've been crying a lot lately. There are days where I'm fine and then I get my moments. That's your fault. You made me like this. You didn't know it though. I haven't cried like this in a long, long time.
I've been weak lately. I cry in front of Shikadai. I hate doing that to him, but I look at him and I see you. If you could see the emotional wreck you've left me in. He's strong though, like you are. He has his moments, too. He forgets sometimes, and goes into your office asking for advice. And he remembers that you're not there. I wish I could forget and never have to remember. But that would make me weak. That's not who I am.
I hope your father and Asuma are doing well. Shikaku is destroying you in shogi no doubt. You always said I was no better than Asuma. I just never had the patience for it. I hope you met my mother up there. Where ever 'up there' is. I don't know.
I'm still angry that you're gone. I'll always be sad about it, of course, I'm still just so angry. You didn't even get to see Shikadai make chuunin. He was the first of his class to get promoted. Sound familiar?
You left me weak. Hell, you didn't even have to die to get me weak. You did that on your own without you even realizing it. But I'm getting stronger. Shikadai, too. I guess that was your parting gift to the both of us.
Thank you for leaving us with your strength, Shikamaru.
