Shikamaru

one month later...

A month had passed. The song was ready and I would soon release it. I confirmed my presence at the casino in Suna. Today was thursday and I would travel tomorrow, the show was Saturday night. I would have a whole day to get to know Suna, I've been there before but I've never been so deeply interested in that place.

Choji and Ino would accompany me. Ino also knows my secret, they're the only ones. Even though she is famous and known for knowing everyone's secrets and gossip, she would never do anything that would affect me like this, she knows we are like brothers. And since she met Gaara, Temari's brother, her interest in Suna has also grown. She was excited about the trip and planned everything we're going to do.

This was also another thing I learned recently. Temari was with them at the festival, I would meet her anyway that day. She and Ino even have a picture together, she was beautiful that day. And it got me thinking... When I met the boys on sunday, Kiba talked about a "hot" girl who was with them, and it sure was Temari and he hit on her. Wait until he finds out what the two of us did. I mentally laughed.

Ino had Gaara's cell phone and I also got Temari's number from Sakura, but for some reason I didn't have the courage to text her. I didn't mean to sound…desperate? Maybe that's the word. I had no problem with Ino meeting Gaara but I didn't want Temari to know I was there too. Not yet.

I was going to start packing my suitcase to leave tomorrow. My parents didn't object to this, they were even "happy" that I took this attitude. And I was too, I wanted to be ready to experience this new world. With other eyes now. Next year I take my place in the clan and I have to be ready and prepared for that. My dad isn't old but he's tired of it already and who wouldn't be? I already am and I haven't even started.

And when my dad said "maybe it's her," I understood exactly what he meant. Just like royalty, the clans of Konoha follow the same logic. A king cannot rule without a queen. But my parents knew I never had my eye on a queen, it's just... After what happened last month, even I've been thinking differently. But I knew very well who the king was and in fact, the king cannot exist without a queen, a woman, a womb.

Putting those thoughts aside, I put on some music and started packing up my stuff. I would only take a backpack and a suitcase. The backpack for me and the suitcase for gear. My dad booked the trip for me on his plane. Everything was ready, Ino saw the hotels and obviously chose the most expensive one. She wouldn't live without a luxury suite. Today I would take a day off. I'll stay in my room doing nothing, just thinking about tomorrow...

As I packed up, I kept thinking about the conversation I had with Sakura a few weeks ago...

FLASHBACK ON

After descending from the roof, I ran after Sakura to find out more about Temari. The girl I spent that night with, who slipped away, leaving no trace behind. Even my father knew her now, and by the way, he was enchanted by her. But... Who wouldn't be? I also knew her and even too well...

I stopped by my room to get my phone and would soon be downstairs. I told Naomi I would be back before lunchtime. It was still half a day, I didn't intend to delay, Sakura shouldn't have so much to talk about, she only stayed here for three days. And some things I already knew, I just needed to find out the rest.

I asked Yami to take me to Sakura's college. She must have been on her lunch break and like I said I wouldn't be long. In case she couldn't talk, I just wanted her cell number. I left the house and asked him to go fast. We crossed that forest and went out into the street. Konoha was not a small place and it would take me at least thirty minutes to get there.

The campus of this college is huge. And one of the main hospitals is here, that's why our doctors are considered the best and certainly Tsunade and Kushina go to great lengths to maintain this reputation. I called Sakura to meet me at the gate. In the distance I could see her pink hair among some people.

Yami approached and I got out of the car. I walked over to her and call your name. She seems to have recognized my voice and then turned to see.

- Shikamaru! - she called me - What is so urgent that you want to talk?

- Hi Sakura, I wanted to ask you a favor - I scratched my head

- It is what it is? You seemed kind of desperate in the message you sent me - she replied

- Do you have Temari's number? - I spoke at once

- Do you know Temari? - she said in surprise - H-how?

- It's a long story... - I said, I didn't want to give too many explanations

- I have time and you'll have to tell me if you want her number - she replied smiling

I explained the story to her. A short, abridged version. She understood and was surprised so to speak with what we did. And for a moment it seems like a light went on in her head while I was finishing talking.

- That blouse she was wearing was yours? - she asked - I knew it was familiar

- Er... It was my yes - I replied embarrassed

- You don't need to explain anything else to me - she took her cell phone out of her bag and quickly sent me Temari's number - But... She's very busy and... - I interrupted her

- I already know that, my father told me - I replied - But I need to talk to her, that day she left without saying anything

- Are you surprised, Shikamaru? - Sakura laughed - That's how you do with the girls here in Konoha, it seems you've met someone who plays your game

- I have my reasons, Sakura... You know that - I said, embarrassed

- Temari is amazing, I'm glad you got along well - she replied - I was chatting with her by text yesterday, things are crazy in Suna

- Yeah... I have a project with her for Suna - I confessed - My father arranged this for me, you know that next year is the year of passage for me and for the boys

- I know, I'm so proud of you - she came and hugged me - We grew up

- Speaking in proud, how is Naruto doing? - I asked

- W-what about him? - she got nervous

- Nothing, a little bird told me some things - I said relaxed

- Focus on Temari, which is better, with Naruto I can resolve myself - she and I laughed - Was that it?

- Yes, thank you Sakura - I thanked

- Be aware that I'm the biggest supporter of this couple - she said

- What couple?

- You and Temari

- We're not a couple, we're not even friends - I rolled my eyes

- Yet... And another thing, you didn't deny it - she smiled mischievously

- Didn't I? - I made a face of doubt

- You didn't deny that you wants you to be a couple, maybe you not is that smart - she completed

- Very funny Sakura - I replied - I have to go, we'll talk later

- See you later - she said and went to college

FLASHBACK OFF

Things were already cleared up. The rest I would only "solve" by talking to Temari. I still had questions in my head. My father wanted to help me by giving me this project she proposed and he accepted, I think so that we could spend more time together. But that would only be next year, how many things can change in a year? Absolutely everything.

The rest of the day went by normally, I spoke with Choji and Ino and we will be at the airport tomorrow at nine o'clock in the morning. Ino texted Gaara and apparently they are going to visit some of Suna's sights. Choji has already announced that he will spend part of the day going to restaurants to learn more about the region's cuisine. So for now we all had plans and we would go our separate ways, we would only see each other at the show on Saturday night.

My idea was to take a walk around and get to know the center of Suna. Getting to know this country that my father told me briefly that Temari loves so much. Am I really doing this for a girl or was my life stuck to the point where I needed someone to entertain me? I don't even know anymore... Anyway it would be fun and as strange as the reasons for my trip were, a world full of possibilities awaits me and I can't ignore it...

The next day...

I woke up late, what a novelty. Yami woke me up in a hurry. The plane belonged to my father, what's the problem with a simple delay? I already had messages on my cell phone and when I saw the time I had thirty minutes to leave the house. Yami has already packed the bags in the car, I just needed to get ready and get something to eat.

I quickly got ready and went to the kitchen. Naomi was waiting for me with her famous seaweed dumplings. I quickly ate it, thanked it and left. Yami was already talking in my head. I couldn't say goodbye to my parents. They still hadn't woken up. It doesn't matter, I would text later.

I got in the car. Yami accelerated the car and we were able to arrive in the blink of an eye. The traffic was clear even though it was early. I said goodbye to Konoha little by little, I would be back soon, I wouldn't have time to miss her so much.

I arrived at the airport and went straight to meet Ino who was already calling me. She said that she had everything straightened out and that I was only supposed to meet them on the plane. Yami took the bags and we went to the runway where the plane was. I had my headphones on listening to the song that was ready. And it was decided, I would release it tomorrow at the concert in Suna. It would be a surprise for everyone.

- Late as usual, isn't it Shikamaru?! - Ino caught my attention, and I just wondered how she managed to be so dressed up at this time of morning... - You don't change anyway

- I'm here, aren't I? - I said - Is Choji already inside?

- Yes, he's sleeping - she replied - Come on, get on that plane

- All right, Mom - she hated being called that, she thought that word was old age

- DON'T CALL ME THAT - she yelled

- No need to scream either - I rolled my eyes getting on the plane

We boarded and went. The pilot wished us a safe trip. This private jet of my dad was amazing, it always helped me with the shows. We were all comfortable and heading towards Sunagakure. We were told that the flight would take three hours. Stopping to think was very quick, in the comfort we were in I could stay up to twelve hours in here.

Some time later...

We've arrived. After three hours we had arrived. Ino was excited. She took selfs and wrote stories for her millions of followers. Choji had just woken up, already asked the stewardess for something to eat. And I was silent with the headphones to my ear. The plane landed and wow. I was on Suna's solo. I had actually traveled all the way here for this. We took off our belts and walked out little by little. I was the last one, I asked Yami to pick up my things and talk to the guy he had rented the car for, we would wait for him at the front gate of the airport and he just nodded. When I took my first step out of the plane I felt, could feel Suna's heat on my face.

Temari

Everything was going perfectly fine. My work schedule had settled down and I've been spending my lunch with Akira. Sometimes he comes to see me and we talk. It was nice to have company and our thinking was very similar in some ways. He was a great friend, okay, he hit on me a few times, but nothing out of the ordinary.

He had already asked me out a while ago, but I refused, my weeks were full and I was extremely tired. And I'm not sure why but I wasn't in that mood. I didn't want to have dates or casual sex. Too many things were on my mind and the Kazekage was consuming my time. I'm surrounded by men all the time, I don't need to go out with another one.

I was in my offfice organizing some things. It was Friday, next week I would have to visit a town a little far from here, it's close to the Suna border. Looks like the monthly food shipment we send there has disappeared. I was willing to relax this weekend, to prepare myself psychologically for what was to come.

The hour passed, it was almost time for me to leave and for a moment I smelled a briefly familiar scent... At the time I remembered Shikamaru, the scent was his. I recognized, no wonder his shirt became my new pajamas, I just sleep like that now. That fabric is delicious and I think he won't mind that much. I got up and went to open the door.

- Temari? - Akira spoke opening the door before I even touched the knob

- Oh, hi Akira! - I said a little surprised, was the smell of him? It couldn't be - What are you doing here?

- I said I wouldn't give up until I could take you out - he said entering and closing the door - And this time, you won't be able to refuse

Seriously? I've told him a million times no. I'm just not in the mood, he doesn't know what the word means, no? I just wanted to relax in my house, take a hot shower, put on my pajamas and read a book. It was the only thing I wanted for the weekend.

- What are you up to? - I asked

- I've known you for a while and I know you like such an artist there - he replied - I got tickets to the Shadow show that will be here at Suna's casino - when he said I couldn't believe what I was hearing

- Lie! - I exclaimed in surprise - The tickets had sold out

- I have my contacts - he smirked - Do you want to go?

- Of course I want! - I replied without thinking and it seemed that he got what he wanted too easily

- Okay - he celebrated - I knew that one way or another someday I would convince you

I really didn't believe him when he spoke. It wouldn't be the same thing as Konoha's full moon festival concert but I would finally go to his concert. He announced a while ago, I think two weeks, tickets ran out on the same day, it was so fast, I was at work so it was impossible for me.

- Meet me tomorrow at 8 pm in front of the casino - I said

- I can pick you up at your house if you want - he said but I said no

- Relax, my brother got a car, he'll take me - I explained

- Alright, see you tomorrow then - he replied and winked at me

- Right - I said - Don't be late! - I yelled before he closed the door

I didn't even believe that invitation he made me. It would be fun, awesome. Akira was good company and he's been amusing me for the past month. Now it really surprised me, I wasn't expecting it. Today I would rest and tomorrow I would enjoy. This weekend would be perfect. Now I got excited, a lot to tell you the truth. It was as if a piece of Konoha had come to Suna. And thinking about, I'll send a message to Sakura.

Some time later...

I finally got home. I was dying to get out of that heavy boot and that outfit. I opened the door and Kankuro was sitting on the couch watching a movie and eating popcorn. I found it strange that Gaara wasn't with him, normally at night they always get together.

- Where's Gaara? - I asked as I finished entering the house and threw my backpack on the table

- He go out, didn't he tell you? - he said taking a sip of the soda

- No, he didn't tell me - I said angrily - Do you at least know where he went?

- He went out with that girl he met in Konoha - Kankuro spoke like it was the most normal thing in the world

- INO?! Is Ino here in Suna? - I asked in disbelief

- It seems so, what these people with surnames don't do right?! - Kankuro laughed - The girl left Konoha to see him here

- Unbelievable... - I still couldn't believe it and if Ino was here... Could Shikamaru be there too? - I'll call him

- Leave the boy, Temari - Kankuro warned me

- I just want to know if he's going to sleep at home today, at least that I can know right?! - I spoke to him taking my cell phone

- In a little while he turns eighteen and he runs away from you - Kankuro teased me - Don't worry so much, the most he can do is get the girl pregnant and it wouldn't be so bad in fact, she has money

- KANKURO! - I exclaimed - Don't say that - I called but he didn't answer me - You know what? I won't mind it, he are all grown up aren't he?! I'm going to my room - conclude

- It doesn't even seem like you're talking like that - he replied

- I'm tired and I'm going out tomorrow - I said

- And where are you going? - he asked

- Now you want to know? - and I asked back

- Of course you are the only girl sister I have - he crossed his arms, was he jealous?

- I was invited to go to the Shadow show - I said

- LIE! YOU GOT THE TICKETS? - he yelled

- Don't scream - I mumbled - It was a co-worker who arranged for me to go with him

- Your new boyfriend? - he provoked me

- None of that, we're just friends - I replied

- Fool me Temari... - he laughed - Get me one too

- I think it will be difficult - I said - And besides, can you take me tomorrow? I didn't want him to pick me up here at home

- I'll take it, is there any way? I won't let you go alone - he said upset

- In next you go - I said trying to comfort him

- I know...

- I'm going to my room, anything calls me - I said kissing her forehead good night, just like I used to do when we were younger

I went into my room and closed the door. I finished taking off those heavy clothes. I went to the closet to choose an outfit for tomorrow. Maybe I wore an ordinary black dress, I didn't want to draw Akira's attention that much. I separated the dress and left it on top of my dresser. I grabbed my towel and Shikamaru's shirt and went to the bathroom.

I took a relaxing bath. I would leave it to wash and dry my hair tomorrow. I was just going to put on some clothes and lie happily on my bed. I picked up the book I recently bought and started reading. I love reading about fantasies and dystopias, they are my favorites. From time to time I read novels but I don't really like it, not the novel but the drama that come with lots of silly.

I was reading in my bed and moonlight streamed in through my window. She was beautiful. Big and bright in the sky. It was orange but beautiful. I received a message on Gaara's cell saying that he wouldn't sleep at home and that tomorrow he would also go to the Shadow concert, I was surprised by that, but it was good to go out with my brothers. I replied saying that I would also go to the show with a friend. Kankuro was right about some things, he wasn't a kid anymore, soon he'll be in college and we'll barely see each other. I received a photo of him and Ino along with the message, he looked happy...

A short time later I realized it was getting late. I got so caught up in the book I was reading that I lost track of time. I need to sleep, the day tomorrow would be long.

The next morning...

I woke up later than usual. It was half past eleven in the morning. Kankuro must still be asleep so I didn't even bother. I picked up my cell phone to see if I had any messages from Gaara and saw that I had from Sakura. She responded to the message I sent her and said she was looking forward to my stay in Konoha next year.

Speaking like that seemed a distant reality, but it wasn't, I would go there and stay for a while. A year goes by so quickly and things change quickly. Three months is a lot away from home and away from the boys too. While I was thinking about this and what I could do to make this stay a little easier, Kankuro knocked on my door.

- Sister, hurry up, come have breakfast - he mumbled sleepily

- I'll go - I replied in a sleepy voice and said I would go

I left the room and went to the kitchen. Kankuro had cooked and he was incredibly good at it. I was hungry and was going to pull up a chair to sit on.

- Oh Temari, put on some shorts, you're just wearing a blouse and by the way, what blouse is that? It's not mine - he mumbled covering his eyes

- What is Kankuro? You grew up with me, you see my panties hanging on the clothesline everyday, stop for free - I mumbled back - And no, this shirt is not yours

- Whose is it? From your "colleague" at work - he made fun of me

- No, I bought it there in Konoha - I lied - Are you happy now? Pass the plate over here, I'm hungry

- Okay, famished - he rolled his eyes

The food was good. He made some oniguiris and it was delicious. I ate until it was over. We were talking for a while until his cell phone rang.

- YEEES - he yelled

- What's wrong, boy? - I asked

- Gaara is the best brother in the world, he said that Ino got the tickets for Shadow's concert for me - he celebrated

- Oh heavens... Hey, better brother is it? I will remember this

- He's the brother and you're the sister - he did well - I said that being with that rich girl would be good

- Good for who? - I asked laughing

- For him and for us - he laughed mischievously - I also had to go to Konoha to find someone like that

- It seems, I look forward to the day you finally get a girlfriend - I said mocking him

- And you too, Temari - he replied - You are the oldest of us and so far nothing

- Want to get rid of me?

- Away from me, but you never dated anyone either - he shrugged - I mean, there was that weird guy with white hair

- That can't even be called dating - I rolled my eyes

- So, get yourself a very rich one too - he laughed and so did I

- Want to watch that series we were watching? - I asked

- Come on - he replied promptly

I loved spending time with my brothers. Especially with Kankuro, he was outgoing and we got along well. We watched series all afternoon, he made popcorn and went down to the shop next door to buy a soda. We still had time until showtime.

Akira had already texted me asking if I was excited. He was insistent, but maybe I'd just give him a chance today. Besides, he got the tickets, the least I can do is be nice. I would try as much as possible, maybe with a few drinks it would be easier.

Time passed, I went to my room to get ready. I put on my dress and a black boot. I left my hair down this time and got an eyeliner. I was ready to go.

Hello is TemariWindQueen here!

This week I will be free from college work and will try to translate as many chapters as I can, I will post every day! Hope you like it!