3 weeks later...

Temari

I've been here in Konoha for a month now. My stay has been a pleasant one. My routine is quiet even though I have work to do. I visited a lot of places, got in touch with a lot of different people. All in favor of the festival that will take place in Suna and the improvements that will be there. I had a lot of ideas and my friends have been helping me a little bit with each thing.

The Kazekage calls me once a week to see how things are going around here and with me. I never thought I'd miss that old curmudgeon. He also keeps me posted on how things are there. For mine, that is to say, our unhappiness the rebel group that calls itself Shinigamis has advanced more and more. They want to be considered gods of death. Anyway, that wasn't something for me to be thinking about right now...

I'm at Shikamaru's house. More specifically on his bed. He's still sleeping, it's half past eight in the morning. A lot has changed in the last three weeks and we've been spending more and more time together. Our tree finally germinated, its first branch appeared. We take care of her almost every day. At the same time, I stay with your father and organize things for the festival.

The construction of the pipelines to Suna is in full swing and should finish a few weeks before the festival there. Everything is going according to plan. With the technology you have here in Konoha things go and work fast. I was happy and satisfied, I couldn't ask for anything better now. Today is Thursday and I am looking at the great Nara forest through the crack in the curtain in front of me. The sky is blue and the sun is shining, it's a beautiful day outside. I took a deep breath and went to get up to go to the bathroom to splash water on my face.

- Where do you think you're going? - I felt his hand on my wrist - Do you want to run away from me again? - he smiled, I loved your scrunched up face in the morning

- Are you afraid I'll run away? - I asked ironically sitting on the bed

- Not afraid, but I'd definitely miss you - he replied while yawning

- I just wanted to go to the bathroom, but you're holding me here - I replied

- I also have to go - he said getting up - But before ...

He pulled me close to him and kissed me. Can't say I was surprised, he always did it in the morning, it became a habit. He was affectionate, much more than me. Since he proposed to me "make the most of my stay here", our relationship has deepened and he was more and more part of my life. I thought about him all the time and it was weird to admit that to myself.

- Good morning, Temari - he smiled blushing

- Good morning, Shikamaru - I replied with the same smile

- You slept well? - he asked as we walked to the bathroom

- After yesterday? - I replied maliciously - Yes

- Glad my room is soundproofed - he rolled his eyes - You didn't moan so loud at first

- I say the same to you - I said giving him my tongue

- I'm not complaining, I like it - he caught me around the waist

- I know so - I kissed her on the cheek

We went into the bathroom, I grabbed the bag I had left there with my toothbrush. He took the toothpaste and put it for me and him. We started brushing our teeth. I don't know why but I felt this gesture as an intimate moment. It's only the second time I've slept here, the first was even stranger. Having to look at his parents and work with his father was and still is weird.

We usually stay at my house, my brothers are already used to it and there I feel more "free". Most of the time they don't even stay at home, Gaara is getting more and more excited about college and sometimes he slept at Ino and Kankuro's house the same thing. But... Not that it's bad to be here and I don't even want to label what we have, but whenever I step into this house it feels like we're lovers. I even feel goosebumps saying that word.

- People are calling us to have breakfast at Choji's restaurant - he told me - Do you want to go?

- Yes, I'm hungry - I replied but I couldn't deny my distraught face that I was because of my thoughts and he noticed

- What's wrong? Why do you have that face? - he asked

- What a face? I don't know what you're talking about - unfortunately he knew me too well now, there were things I couldn't hide anymore, I was totally vulnerable by his side

- What were you thinking? - he asked

- In a very warm bread - I replied smiling - My belly is rumbling

- It's not true - he crossed his arms - Tell me what's bothering you - he said and I snorted, okay, let's get this over with

- On both of us and how was this last month - I replied

- Why now? - he questioned

- I don't know - I shrugged

- And what's the problem with thinking about the two of us? - He continued with the questions - Is it a bad thing?

- It's not that - I said - I'm not used to having this "type" of relationship

- Define "type"

- The kind that lasts - it hurt to say it - Having these moments with you makes me feel like a fifteen year old discovering what love is - damn, I can't believe I said that word - I mean, the routine with someone

- It's also something new for me... - he replied leaning on the sink - Just... I don't want you to be afraid to say what you feel and you can talk to me...

- Okay, just - I took a deep breath - Let's change the subject, we said that we would enjoy these months together and that's it

- Yeah... - he swallowed - I'm going to change my clothes - he turned around and I felt I hit the ball, it was a delicate subject but I wasn't ready to touch it yet, the situations have changed

- Shikamaru - I called him and he looked back - I'm happy to be here with you, know that

- Know that it's reciprocal - he smiled, I loved that smile, dammit

We changed clothes and went downstairs. There was no one at home, I don't know why but I was relieved. We went to the car and got in. Before Shikamaru asked Yami to take us but it seems he likes to enjoy every moment we have alone. This is the staff's last "vacation" weekend. On Monday the routine returns, Sakura has college and now Gaara too. Kankuro will start working at the shop, people with surnames have gone back to "studying" to become head of their clans, I'll see less and less Shikamaru...

Would I miss him? Yes, I can't deny that, I sure cant. We saw each other almost every day, except Saturday, he always disappeared for a family appointment, he said it was important. And now, maybe we would only see each other once a week. So yes, I would miss his company. I blushed as I thought about it. He smiled at me, knew I was thinking of something. He knew I was thinking about him. He wasn't stupid, he was far from it.

- I think we should enjoy this last weekend - he broke the silence between the two of us as he started the car

- Yeah? Like what? And his appointment every Saturday? - I asked - Isn't it important? One day you will have to tell me

- It's important but... This weekend I'm totally free - he replied

- So what do you have in mind? - I looked at him

- I have a beach house - he said - We could go there, with the staff or just the two of us...

- My brothers would love it - I replied - We never went to the beach

- We can talk to the staff today - he scratched his head - And we leave tomorrow morning

- It would be amazing - I said and placed a kiss on his cheek, he smiled

- I can get used to it, with your affectionate side - he joked

- I sure you can do that - I replied and punched him in the shoulder

He started the car and we went. I was hungry, and soon after would meet Tsunade in it at the Hokage building. I have to deliver my month's report here, Shikamaru has agreed to drop me off there. I turned on his car stereo and put on some music for us to listen to. It was random on my cell phone and it started playing Wolves and I started singing along, wow, how I loved that song, even more in his voice.

I still exchanged messages with Shadow. I could vent anything to him. So I did. All my frustrations, my days, my relationships with my brothers, with my friends, with Shikamaru... Everything I told him. It was a random person. And I felt that he, whoever he was, wouldn't do anything bad to me. Argh, since when did I trust people so much?

- Do you like this music? - Shikamaru asked me

- And you do not? I love this song - I replied

- Yeah, I like her too - he smiled

- You know... I identify a lot with the lyrics - I revealed - And I remember you - wow I can't believe I said that

- Is-is it? - he asked

- Remember our first time? - I asked - This song matches that

- You may be right... - he put his hand on my thigh, I blushed - I haven't forgotten you since that day - that was revealing, when I got here he acted so indifferent, I didn't think he felt that way

- I'm quite memorable - I winked at him

- You don't know how much - it seemed he knew all the answers to the things I said

And I kind of liked that.

Shikamaru

We arrived at the restaurant. I confess that subject earlier made me a little nervous. That was very specific like she had a sixth sense. My dad always said women had it, but I never put much faith in it. Maybe he was right. Temari was getting more beautiful every day and we were closer. Maybe it wasn't so easy to let her go after all.

I got too attached. And everything was so complicated and problematic that it made me lazy. Maybe I couldn't say goodbye when she left, maybe I didn't want her go... But I made her a promise, three months and nothing more. And after that, with her living far away, with her job and my future, it would be impossible to maintain any relationship...

And it wouldn't be fair of me. Telling her all my thoughts, my feelings, if in the end it wouldn't do any good. Nothing would make her stay and I don't judge her for that. She has things that are bigger than us and I understand that more than anyone else. I don't want to let her down, I don't want to see her suffer. She became important to me. And I feel like I'm the same to her.

When I parked the car I realized that the people had already arrived. Choji was already eating, Naruto and Sakura, Kiba and Ino, we were just missing. I was also hungry and mentally preparing myself for the proposal I would make to them. We entered the restaurant and as we walked through the door two unfamiliar boys started staring at Temari, but specifically at her breasts.

That caused an anger in me that I couldn't describe how I felt at that moment. Okay, it was inevitable Temari wouldn't draw attention wherever she went, if it wasn't for her beauty it would certainly be her attitude. I wanted her the way these boys are wanting her now, and I know all too well the impure thoughts that run through them mind. I laced my hand tightly with hers and pulled her away. That was mine. She was mine.

- Oh, what's the problem? - she asked me irritated

- It's nothing, just keep walking - I said irritated in the same tone

- Whatever - she snorted

We walked to the table where the staff was and they noticed that both she and I were frowning, and worse, we were holding hands. I hadn't let go yet and honestly it didn't matter to me but Temari didn't like it. That was also agreed, no public displays of affection and okay, I flinched, but I had a good reason whether she believed me or not.

- What are these faces? Did you sleep with me, Shikamaru? - Kiba laughed at both of us

- Very funny, Kiba - I rolled my eyes

- Come on, sit down, let's eat - Sakura said

- Naruto, really? Ramen this time of morning? -Temari asked as she sat down

- Every time it's time to eat ramen - he smiled with his mouth full

- I can't wait for the big boy to stop at the hospital from eating this stuff so much - Ino said and we laughed

- Oh, and you're going to the hospital for not eating, you skinny one - he stuck his tongue out at her

- Look how you talk to me - she got up and pulled his ear

- If it's any consolation I think you're hot, Ino - Kiba completed

- And you also stop saying these things - Ino yelled and punched him

- I wanted to talk to you guys about something - I said cutting the fuzuê that was

- What's wrong? - Choji asked

- This is the last weekend of the "vacation" - I replied - What do you think about going to my beach house? - I said ready to hear the screams

- YES - Ino yelled

- LET'S GO - Sakura completed

- NOW - and Kiba finished

- Let's go tomorrow - I replied - Wake up early

- YES! That's what we needed - Naruto said

- Kiba, I need you to drive - I spoke to him - I'll take the truck

- Count with me - he smiled

I felt Temari's hand on my leg. It was automatic, she didn't even notice. The rules we created were useless. Our bodies wanted each other whenever they were together. We couldn't control it. It was as natural as breathing for us. And I liked that. I was used to her presence and the way she blended in so well. Looks like she's been part of the group for years.

Our food arrived and we ate. Time passed and we would have to leave. Today was still Thursday and I had some things to do. Temari doesn't know about my Saturday appointment, it's the shows I do. But this weekend someone would have to go in my place. She and the "Shadow" continued talking. And some messages were revealing. There were three in particular that I couldn't stop thinking about.

Temari: "That's the kind of shit the rich people like to say to make themselves feel a little more human."

This was on a day when I was complaining about a car not picking me up for a show but I said it was okay as everyone makes mistakes, but before that I had cursed the driver in ten different ways. She supposed Shadow would have a lot of money because of fame and be arrogant.

Temari: "Sex without love is just body parts and friction."

This was right after our episode at the lake. I had asked her how her night went and I don't quite remember how we got to that subject, but it was revealing anyway. Was that what she thinks of the two of us, or was there something else?

Temari: "Love does not make you weak. It makes you strong"

Here I was pretty sure she was talking about her brothers. She loved them unconditionally. They were recurrent subjects in our conversations. And for what little I know, it was that love that kept her going after her parents died.

It was so much easier to deal with her knowing what was on her mind. She told of everything and even about me she spoke. In no time has she flirted with this other me. And did I feel "happy" about it? She liked to let off steam. But I still hadn't discovered much... But I found that she was happy with what we had, but always with the however, she misses home, her home.

It's not like she and I don't talk. We do that, but it's always so light and so subtle. It rarely involves a problem or a fight. Even the two of us with the strong temper, we managed to get along perfectly well. Conversations are funny and I could stay like that for hours. I like what she talks to me but I like to know what she talks to "Shadow".

I honestly wouldn't know how to handle it if I had to leave Konoha, so asking her to do it would be crazy, considering this idea was already crazy on my part. Good thing she can't read minds. I wanted even with that she chose to stay here. When did I become this selfish? So possessive… Argh.

A few moments later...

We left the restaurant and settled everything with the staff. There would be two cars, in one I would go, Temari, Naruto, Sakura and Choji. In the other would be Kiba, Ino, Gaara, Kankuro and a friend Temari insisted she go with, Tenten. Everything was arranged and we were leaving in six hours. You could still go to the beach in the morning, it was about two hours to get home.

Temari follow me, she didn't want to be late for her meeting with the Hokage and Sakura ended up going with us, which I honestly didn't want. Enjoying the moments I have alone with her is the best part of my day and as we've talked about before, this is about to end. Our project worked, there's not much else to do. She will be more and more busy with my dad and I have my chores too.

-Hurry up, Sakura- Temari yelled - If you won't miss the ride

- I'm coming - she said - See you tomorrow guys - she waved getting into the car

- Hokage building? - I said

- Yes, driver - Temari joked and I accelerated with the car

- Hey Shika - Sakura sighed in the backseat - That was a brilliant idea, we needed it

- You don't have to - I said

- Although you would like it to be just the two of you right - Sakura said as she went and Temari blushed

- I never went to the beach, you know? - Temari said - There are no beaches in the wind country

- What a sadness! - Sakura replied - You'll love it! Shikamaru did well to propose this

- Yeah... He did - she smiled at me, I was still getting used to it when she gave that smile and someone had noticed

- And how is the relationship going? - Sakura leaned against my stool

- What relationship? - I asked

- You two - she spoke naturally

- There is no dating - Temari replied

- So what you're doing is... What? - Sakura kept asking

- We're taking advantage of Temari's time here - I said but I was cut off

- Having sex a lot, right?! - she laughed

- Sakura! - Temari laughed along but I blushed

- Whoever mentioned this subject is no longer here - she shrugged - But Shikamaru, ask her to date before she leaves

A silence fell. I thought Temari was going to answer something but she didn't. She just laughed and looked out the window. And I can only interpret it in two ways: did she want it or did she just ignore the "date"? And why am I thinking of asking her to date? Argh, I don't want to think about it anymore. Three months and that's it. After that, each one with his life.

The reality came out and I couldn't deny it. I could barely understand how he was so in love with her. What we had was valid, our destinies were traced when we were born, at least mine was. She crossed mine when I least expected it and maybe she was the best mistake I ever made.