Temari

I woke up a little bewildered. My head was aching from the drink and my vision was blurry, I was still situating myself. When I realized and remembered where I was. In his bedroom. That huge place. Bright sunlight streamed in through the crack in the curtain. I stood up in fright. The room was a little chilly. It should be normal because of the forest.

What time was it? My heavens. Today is Sunday, the lunch. I despaired. It all popped into my head and I took in a shitload of information. My job, the lunch, my brothers, Sakura, Ino. What was I doing? I looked around and looked for my clothes. I had his shirt on.

Shikamaru slept softly beside me. Her black hair fell over his face. Tonight... I shivered just remembering. Maybe the best sex I've ever had. Argh, I couldn't stop to think about it right now. I had to get out of here. I got out of bed gently so I wouldn't wake him up. I picked up my clothes on the floor, grabbed my cell phone. I puted on my sneakers and walk towards the door.

I unlocked my cell phone and had lots of messages and calls. I needed to get back to the hotel. When I looked at the time it was 11:16 in the morning. Lunch start at noon. So I had to find a way out of here, I wouldn't have time to get ready, I would have to go straight there. I didn't know if it was near here either, but anyway, I couldn't risk being late. I would look for a bathroom and try to get ready as best I could.

In a brief desperate sigh I looked back. What had that boy done to me? I didn't want to leave, deep down, it felt like I wanted to stay... How irresponsible, Temari. Your job first, always. I opened the bedroom door, he was still sleeping, he seemed to be in a heavy sleep, maybe he was as tired as I was.

A stupid idea popped into my head. That voice that encourages you to think the wrong things. What if I stayed? What would I say to him? The next day is always awkward. What would we talk about? I'm not from here, we won't see each other, but was it great to spend time with you? This is idiotic, I needed to focus my job. I'm at the peak of improving Suna. I can't have distractions.

The house was silent, I didn't see anyone moving. The only bad thing about a place that size is that anything would echo. I had to think, I couldn't walk out the front door. This place must be surrounded by security. How would I justify myself if one of them caught me? They would never believe a person like me.

I went downstairs quickly and bent down. I looked and checked the room more than once. Maybe they weren't allowed to stay inside, did it have security cameras? I heard some voices coming from the kitchen on the left side of the house. I didn't care who was talking there. I quickly looked for the back door, they must have one.

I found the door. I walked fast but smooth there. I had been trained for this. Not just anyone can become a Kazekage advisor without a bit of training. I knew how to fight and would know how to get by if anything happened. After so long being raised on the street, you learn. I opened the door slowly and got out. I came face to face with an immense forest... And now?

Anyway, I had to get away from the house as quickly as possible. I entered that dense forest and left. Going out the front door wasn't an option, so somewhere there must have been a wall, which surrounds this huge place. I walked a little more, glad I wasn't wearing heels. I decided to call Kankuro.

CONNECTION ON

- Hello?

- Kankuro?

- Temari? It's Gaara - he answered me - Kankuro is still sleeping, he drank a lot yesterday

- How wonderful ... I'm sorry for leaving you alone - I said as I walked trying to find a way out of that place

- We were not alone - he replied - Your friends were very kind to us - he added - We were worried

- I know, I wasn't supposed to leave you guys - I replied - But now I don't have it, I need you to do me a favor

- What there was? - he asked

- Go to my room, take the small paper that is in the middle of my purple notebook and send me the address written there - I spoke quickly and heard something in the background, coming from the forest

- Stay on call, I'll make it quick - he replied

- All right I'll be here - I said at last

- I found it - he came back after about five minutes - I'll text you with the photo

- Thank you Gaara, I owe you one - I said thanking and hung up

CONNECTION OFF

I got the message with the location now I just needed to get out of here. I walked some more, I was going to ask for a car to take me to the place, my heavens, because this was happening. Whenever I get involved with someone this kind of thing happens. I got lost in my thoughts and that's when I heard a noise.

I looked everywhere in the middle of that forest. I didn't see anyone. By the way... That place was beautiful, the morning sun through the trees, it wasn't hot. Near the ground a wide variety of flowers and several trails. I heard that noise again, but again I didn't see anything. The hour passed, it was half past eleven. I needed to get ahead of myself. As I tucked my cell phone in my pocket, I heard the noise even louder behind me and then I looked over.

A huge brown deer, with a lush antler. I didn't think I'd find that kind of animal around here. I wasn't afraid but aware of what was going to happen from now on. He didn't seem to feel threatened by my presence either, he walked over and I held my hand out to him.

The animal rested its head in my hand, as if it felt alone in that immense place. He was docile, I petted him. His eyes seemed to beg for attention.

- By chance you don't know the way out of here, right... - I was talking to myself

He pulled away and nodded in a direction. He wanted me to follow him. I looked into his eyes and it looked like he understood what I had said. He would show me the way. He walked ahead and I followed him. We went deeper into that forest.

A few minutes later I saw a fence. He really had taken me to the exit. It had a hole, I could go through it. I was so happy, I could make it on time. I walked over to him and leaned my head against his. A distant memory popped into my mind. The smell of that deer was familiar to me, an olfactory memory.

- Thank you

He watched me go through the fence and then disappeared into the woods. He was a lovely animal. Konoha was surprising me more and more. It came out on a deserted street, it seemed to be the street that was on the side of that huge place. I walked to the main street and called a car to take me to lunch. Fifteen minutes to the lunch. I hoped Sakura was there, I needed to apologize for last night.

A short time later the car arrived. I was wondering where I would leave this shirt I took from him. I would have to wear my outfit from last night, I just thought it was too indecent for a lunch like this. My heavens, goddamn it. I hope Tsunade forgives me for that.

I was praying for Sakura to bring a bag or something like that for me to leave this shirt. I would go to the bathroom at the event to take a look at my face and wash my face. At least that. There was still traffic on the street, in fact, it was Sunday the festival was not over yet. The streets were still full and it looked like today was more of a family day. In the squares I passed, parents and children had picnics. Children running this way and that. It was amazing.

- We're almost there - the driver said - Are you going to that Hokage event?

- Yes, I'm Suna's counselor - I replied.

- This event only has important people - he replied - I'm glad I met someone like that

- I think the same thing - I said - What time is it? - I asked

- 12:05 pm

- Shit - I replied without thinking - How much longer until then?

- Probably about five minutes - he replied relaxed, not bad, it wasn't that long

I texted Sakura, asking if she was there yet. I didn't get an answer, maybe she was busy with Tsunade. Hopefully I can talk to some people and get more support, especially from the man who had his hair up and scars on his face.

Tsunade also said he had something to talk to me about. I love the Hokage, she had a temperament similar to mine and I think that's why we got along so well. She was always kind and the first to propose a peace deal with Sunagakure. I know many were afraid of Suna's rebels, but as she told the council, things are different now.

- We arrived, enjoy lunch - he wished me

- Thank you very, very much - I replied - Enjoy the festival too

The place was huge. A huge hall with the symbol of Konoha in front of it. I got out of the car and entered those gates. I saw some people, some familiar faces. I tried to spot Sakura, but it was in vain. I desperately looked for the bathroom, I needed to get ready. I walked quickly over there. I walked in and looked at myself in the mirror.

- Temari... Where were you thinking? - I asked myself

I started to get ready. I pulled my hair in two, splashed water on my face, removed some of the smudges from the makeup I was wearing, fixed my skirt, and wondered whether I wore my blouse or his. Mine left a part of my belly sticking out and I didn't want that. With his shirt already on my body, I tied a small knot at the end and straightened his sleeves. It was good. Presentable.

I left the bathroom and looked for something to eat. My belly was growling, I saw some waiters serving small appetizers. I got some water to help with the hangover, my head still hurt a little. How I wanted to take a medicine...

I don't know how long this lunch would last. But my flight was scheduled for 7pm. I would still have to stop by the hotel to pack and pick up my things. I must admit, I thought I would miss Suna more. The last few days I spent here in Konoha were amazing, better than I could have imagined.

While I was lost in my thoughts. Looking at the front door to see who was arriving, I felt someone touching my shoulder.

- Temari - that familiar female voice spoke and came to hug me, I stayed still - Where have you been? we get worried

- Hi Sakura - I replied and smiled a little embarrassed - I ended up meeting an acquaintance and...

- You knew how to enjoy the festival, didn't you?! - she laughed maliciously

- Yeah... - I smiled remembering last night

- You weren't wearing that blouse yesterday - she observed - It's familiar to me...

- Really? - where Sakura knew this blouse from...

- It doesn't matter, you don't know what happened yesterday - she spoke happily

- What happened while I was gone? Did my brothers behave? - I asked

- It depends on what you consider to behave - she replied

- Why did I ask... - I put my hand on my head - Tell me, if I ask they won't answer me

- Let me start with me, I kissed Naruto - she spoke happily

- The king of idiots? - I joked - And how was it?

- It was amazing, I still didn't talk to after that and neither did he... I was wondering if he liked it - she blushed

- You can be sure he liked it - I said touching his shoulder

- Do you really think? - she smiled - Continuing... Kiba and Kankuro fought to see who could keep a girl there, Kiba won and Kankuro drank until he dropped, it was the price of the bet

- This last part I knew, I called him this morning and it was Gaara who answered, he said he was still out - I said

- Gaara is not far from it - she smiled with her hand over her mouth - He stayed with Ino

- WHICH? - I said a little loud and some people looked at me

- Yes! - she exclaimed - Ino said she wanted to be with him and she stayed

- And what he does? I mean, what did she think? - I asked

- She liked it a lot - she said - They even changed the cell phone number

- My heavens... Gaara is still a virgin, at least as far as Kankuro told me

- This is certainly no problem for Ino and neither was it for him - she said - They spent the night together at the hotel you are staying at, Ino rented a suite for them

- Gaara is no longer a virgin... - I said, shocked

- Certainly not! - she laughed - But the best part is not this

- And which one is it? - I questioned

- Ino liked it! Or rather, she even said that she would travel to Suna to see him - she talked excitedly, for a moment I forgot how easy it was for them, nothing money couldn't do

- I don't even know what to say, Sakura - I said, shocked

- That's great, we can visit you! - she said

- I still can't believe it - I replied - But changing the subject, did you see Tsunade around?

-She hasn't arrived yet, she's solving something with Jiraya-she replied

- Who is Jiraya? - I asked

- You know that book? Garden of making out, Icha Icha whatever? +18? - she asked and I said yes with my head, what has to do with the subject? - He was the one who wrote

- Are you kidding? Kankuro wants to buy this book since he turned fifteen - I said laughing

- She will arrive in a little while and Ino will come too - she said

- What's Ino doing here? - I asked

- All people with last names will come - she replied as if it was obvious - And their heirs too

- And what does Ino's family do? - I asked

- Okay, I'll start from the beginning - she said and I knew it would take time

- I'm all ears

- The one who arrived first is Shino Aburame - she indicated with her hand - His family is responsible for pest control and for our agricultural fields

- I see - I said, agreeing with her

- That old man accompanied by that girl with bangs are the Hyuga - she replied - They are an ancestral family that takes care of the social issues of Konoha, 2/3 of the orphanages that exist are theirs, but it wasn't always like that, it started to take effect later that a member of them and a friend of ours died as a teen - I looked chock

- Yeah, you can see in the man's eyes that he's not very sociable - I replied

- Continuing - she said - Those two you already know, Kushina Uzumaki and Tsume Inuzuka, they were at the assembly yesterday

- Wait, Uzumaki and Inuzuka? Naruto and Kiba?

- Yes, themselves - she smiled - Kushina is responsible for the hospital network along with Tsunade and Tsume as you met yesterday, is responsible for the Konoha police, she did a great job inserting dogs to work with their police

- Amazing - I replied

- One that is not here but is equally important is Akimichi, you haven't had the opportunity to meet Choji yet - she said - They are responsible for most supermarkets and restaurants in Konoha, they work with the food part

- How I wish Suna was organized like this - I said smiling

- That leaves Yamanaka and Nara - she said - Both work together in the intelligence and politics of Konoha - Ino is one of the heiresses and the other is Shikamaru Nara - she said and my heart froze - You met his father yesterday at the assembly also, the one with some scars on his face

- Really? - Did I stuttered

- He was supposed to meet us yesterday at the festival but he didn't go - she spoke naively, I knew him and more than she could imagine - Speaking of which, he arrived

I turned to look back. I thought it was him, but it was his family. Mother and Father. The Nara Clan. Why didn't he tell me? Now I knew who he was and it couldn't be worse

- Boys never show up for this kind of event - she rolled her eyes - It's the rebels without a cause, if I had half the money they have I wouldn't act so patetic

- Yeah... - I said and I thought the same thing

- Anyway, let's eat something, I'm hungry - she pulled me and we went to the buffet table

Sakura and I were talking for a while. Tsunade arrived with who would be the Jiraya that Sakura spoke. They were all talking and drinking a lot. The party was watered. We sat down for a while and continued gossiping about the people at the party. Sakura told me about everything and all the families. She, like me, lost her parents and didn't come from a rich family. I wonder what it must have been like for her to live among them. But... One way or another, Tsunade adopted her as his daughter, which was less worse. She had no siblings, I believe she was lonelier than me...

- Who helped me a lot was Naruto, since I was a child in fact... - she said

- Is that why you like him? - I asked

- Not always .. - She smiled sideways, I felt a tone of irony - I think he cultivated this feeling in me little by little

- Which?

- I liked someone else when we were younger, but that was a long time ago - she lowered her head - He left with his brother, and never came back... And again, I found myself alone and who was there?

- Naruto - I replied

- Yes, why not embrace whoever is always on your side? - she asked and I felt it was rhetorical - He has money and even with that he never changed, with no one, that's his way

- You can see, for him to eat at that restaurant the other day - I said

- Temari! - she exclaimed - Don't look now but someone is coming to talk to you - she said

- Who? - I asked

- Temari! - the man with the ponytail and scars called me - I couldn't introduce myself properly before, my name is Shikaku Nara - oh dear, that was Shikamaru's father, they are identical

- Hello Mr. Nara - I said bowing to myself

- No bows, please - he smiled - We are all the same here, the Sunagakure Counselor must not bow to anyone

- What do I owe the honor, Mr Nara? - I asked, I was a little nervous

- I would like to discuss some of the projects you told me about yesterday, they caught my attention - he said putting his hand on my shoulder - Let's go outside

- Yes sir - I nodded and said goodbye to Sakura

We walked to the outside of the hall. It had a beautiful view of trees. He had a glass of liquor in his hand and a suit that must have valued my apartment.

- You know... You may not be aware but most of the trees in Konoha were my family who planted them, over the years - and yes, I was aware of what he was talking about, I was lost earlier in the forest of his house - I was intrigued by your project about planting trees in a desert area, you are very well oriented and studied

- Thank you sir, it's an honor to hear that from you - I said with a smile, someone like him praising me isn't every day - But yes, the tree project in Suna is something I've been studying for some time

- And what's your idea? - he asked me

- When you think of desert, most people think of endless sand dunes - I explained - But Suna also has solid ground, but as I mentioned earlier, the arrival of water in my city and in others is scarce, making it impossible to cultivate these trees, so the project includes part of the water table

- Yes, I understand - he said and took a sip of his drink

- There are greenhouses in Suna, mostly for the production of medicines and even some fruits, but the air is dense and many people have breathing problems with it, which ends up entering a vicious hellish cycle

- Look Temari, you surpass any expectations - he smiled - I never thought I would have a conversation like that with someone other than my son - he kept laughing and remembering Shikamaru, I blushed - Know that I'll do whatever it takes to grow these trees happen

- Thank you sir, it is very important for me and for my country too - I said

- For us! - he said - It's our neighboring country, Konoha prospers because of countries like yours, we are all dependent on each other within this immense ecosystem

- I think the same thing, sir - I ended up laughing

- I'm glad you'll spend three months here with us - he smiled back and I got scared - You'll learn a lot while you're here

- How, sir? - I asked

- Tsunade didn't tell you? - he asked - Let her explain later, it's nothing to worry about now

- Y-yes sir - I replied

- Now, I have to go, I have other matters to discuss with these people - he said, extending his hand to me - See you soon, Temari

- Until!

He walked away and left me alone. What did Tsunade want? I knew I would have to spend time here in Konoha to organize the Suna festival, but three months? How will my brothers manage without me? Did the Kazekage agree to this? I am also important in Suna. I would have to get this story straightened out when I got here.

I enjoyed the party a little more. I kept talking to Sakura until Ino arrived too. I felt that we had a friendship even with little time, Sakura even said that she considered me her lost sister, because our stories are similar. The hour flew by. I couldn't talk to Tsunade, she was busy and no wonder. Whatever it was I would talk to the Kazekage about it.

After some time I said goodbye to them and asked for a car towards the hotel. It was still five o'clock in the afternoon. But I needed to pack my things and go to the airport, my time here in Konoha passed, and fast. The boys' train was scheduled for eleven at night, they would arrive Monday morning. Which means that at least tonight I'll have the house all to myself. How wonderful.

Some time later...

I left the hotel with my things and decided to stop by the grocery store to buy something to eat during the flight. I walked and was more familiar with the streets so it was easy to get there. I had already asked for a car to take me to the airport, he was almost there. I hurried bought the things and left the store. I walked through those people and for a moment I felt.

I don't know if it was in my head. But I smelled Shikamaru as he walked down the street, reminding me of last night. Now I could think about it calmly. I let out a smile. Why was my heart racing? It was no big deal, just one night. An amazing night, the summer moon festival... He touched me, made me feel sensations I had never experienced before. It became unforgettable.

Anyway, I wouldn't see him again. We live in completely different worlds, I'm from Suna and he's from Konoha. I'm poor and he's rich. Two realities that do not coexist. Why was I thinking like that? Did I want to see you again? Argh, why is my mind doing this? The right thing to do is forget, it won't happen again. It's past, I've done it other times, this one won't be different. Hide my feelings until I don't feel anything anymore.

I had already got into the car while I was thinking about it, heading for Suna. Goodbye Konoha. See you soon.