Shikamaru

My head hurt. I made this realization even before I opened my eyes. The room was bright. I must have slept for a couple hours only. The party ended late. I mean, until two hours ago it was still happening. I opened my eyes and tried to look at the clock, it was 9:30. Why did I wake up so early?

When I turned to the side, an information punch hit me full on. My heavens. My night with Temari. I remembered every thing, as incredible as it was. All the statements we made inside this room. All the vows of love and the words spoken softly against her skin. What had I done? I can't believe I confessed it like that. I didn't expect to do it.

What if she doesn't remember anything? She had also been drinking. Although to knock that woman down, it would take a lot of drinking, and that wasn't the case yesterday. Speaking of which, where is she? I got up quickly and sat down, my mind whirling and I closed my eyes. She wasn't here, I can't believe she ran away again.

What an idiot I am. Of course I scared her now. We said we wouldn't show affection but after yesterday it was inevitable. She was the one who declared herself to me. But what if it was just an outburst? What did she really mean by all that? Did she feel the same as me? Argh. Questions, questions and more questions. And none of them with a good answer for me.

I needed to look for her. I can't believe my first thought as soon as I wake up is a woman. I had never gone through this before. What a strange feeling. We had a date today, and maybe it was time to put a stop to things. It pained me to think that way, but I need to do what's best for her.

I put my feet on the floor but continued to sit with my head down. Damn it. I was crying? What the fuck was going on? The mere thought of not having her in my life from now on destroys me. I wiped the few tears that came out with my shirt and tried to pull myself together. That's when I heard the door noise

- What's it? Did you think I ran away again? - she entered the room laughing

- Temari...

- Good morning, lazybones - she replied crossing her arms - Did you think I was gone?

- More or less like that - I replied with a smile and she came walking towards me

- I'm not going anywhere, for now - she smiled and held my face, I know she said it in a joking tone but it still hurt to know that she was going to leave, to know that this was the future

She was radiant. I pulled her closer and she pressed her mouth to mine. Smooth and good, as always. Its summer scent infected me. I loved having her around. I loved having her all to myself. Her mouth tastes so incredibly good. I feel like a damn teenager...so horny this time of morning. I settle for running my fingers through my pretty blond hair that looks like little rays of sunlight. One of my hands travels down her back and lands on her leg. I squeeze her tightly and push her closer to me.

- Take it easy, big boy - she smiled against my mouth - It's still early and you owe me a date, save it for later

- Good morning Temari - I smiled - How are things and the house is destroyed?

- Well... What do you consider destroyed? - she asked

We both laughed.

-Kankuro, Kiba and Naruto broke the dinner table - she said - Sakura got drunk as hell from drinking so much after she lost a bet with Ino

- My heavens... - I lowered my head laughing

- Choji and Tenten are fine - she said - They are the only ones in this house

- How did you find out about all this? - I asked - We spent the whole night here in the room

- This morning, people are already downstairs cleaning up the mess - she said

- We have to go help - I said already tired

- Yes, we do - she smiled - But in ten minutes - she went back to kissing me

Some time later...

We went down the stairs . The house couldn't be worse. There were so many glasses, spilled drinks, bottles, cigarettes, clothes and shoes. This here was a mess. Everyone was much more willing than I thought, really a lot happened in one night.

- Good morning, Shikamaru - Kiba said

- Good morning, Kiba - I replied

- Why that face? - He asked - It wasn't with me that you slept, so why the ass face? - he asked

- There's so much to clean, I'm lazy you know - I mumbled

- Why don't we call cleaning? - he asked

- Do you want our dear parents to know what happened here? - I asked

-Certainly not, my mother wouldn't hand over the clan leadership to me if she knew - he replied

- Well, here's your answer - I said - Good morning everyone - I spoke approaching him and they replied

- We were in need of a party like this, huh? - Ino said and they laughed

- I wanted to know... - Sakura said - How exactly did you break the table

- We climbed on it and started to undress - Kiba replied sincerely

- Are you kidding me? - I spoke

- The truest truth - Kankuro said - The girls even threw money at us - he laughed

- So my boyfriend was undressing for other girls? - Sakura punched Naruto

- BOYFRIEND? - everyone screamed

- Yeah - Naruto smiled - We started dating yesterday

- Where was I when this happened? - Temari asked smiling

- Do you really want me to answer you, babe? - Ino countered and we laughed

- It was no big deal girls - Kankuro said - It was a blouse and pants, we were in underwear

- How wonderful... - I said - Try to fix it

I walked to the kitchen and Choji was there arranging some things. I said good morning and he replied. He had a smile on his face. What else happened while I was with Temari?

- Why that smile? - I asked

- I met a girl - he said

- Really? - that surprised me

- We stayed all night talking yesterday - he said - And you why the smile?

- What a smile? - I asked

- This one on your face - he laughed

- I didn't even notice - I said looking back where Temari was

- What happened? - he asked

- Temari and I... We... - I lacked words to say what I was feeling - We declared yesterday, to each other

- Wow! - he said - And is everything alright?

- It's okay between the two of us - I said and the negative thoughts came back - I just don't know for how long

- Why?

- It's complicated, Choji - I replied - As much as this feeling exists and is sincere, we can't be together - I said - At least not now

- Shikamaru... - he said sadly - You'll find a way

- Believe me, my biggest fear is this "way" we are going to take - I said - We have a date today

- That's good, you need some time alone - he said - I'll also meet this girl

- That's good, Choji, really - I smiled, I was happy for him - Well... Let's clean up this mess

We started to tidy things up. With ten people it wasn't that difficult to put everything in place. There were some problems that would only be resolved later. There were some stains on the sofa, the broken table, and even a potted plant managed to destroy it. I have to make a mental note to never let Ino have parties at my house again.

We were all tired. Dead. The after party is always the worst part. The girls still had the courage to go to the beach. The boys and I were lying on the couch. Everyone was happy, which I particularly found strange. Kiba was too quiet, as if he was thinking about something excessively. Naruto was another who remained silent. I literally wasn't used to it at all. I just wish it would come later soon.

Some hours later...

The sun was setting. I was dressed and waiting for Temari. We needed to talk, sober. We couldn't stay as if nothing had happened. She and I talk things. Things I don't usually say, to tell you the truth I never told anyone. And well, she said things too. Things that made my heart race the way it is now, things I've thought about all day.

I was leaning against the car. She appeared and came walking towards me. She was so beautiful than the day I met her. Her hair was much blonder and shinier, her skin now a reddish hue from the sun. I couldn't control myself around her. She was the most amazing thing in the world.

- Have you been waiting a long time? - she smiled

- For you, I would wait all the time necessary - I replied

- Since when did you get so romantic? - she asked taking my hand

- Since yesterday - I said sincerely

- About yesterday... - she started talking

- I don't want to talk about it here - I pulled her towards me - Get in the car, we'll have a better place to talk

- All right - she agreed

We got in the car and left. I hoped the city wasn't all that crowded. There were a lot of things I wanted to show. It was a normal car ride, we chatted a bit and I realized how light and fun these moments were. I didn't want them to end. We watched the sunset together from inside the car and how valuable it was to me.

A short time later we arrived in town. Temari liked it, as I had thought, it reminded her a little of home. I dare say that I felt a great emotion in her voice when talking about how that place was similar to Suna. We ate and drank. We were walking hand in hand, it was still so unreal for me. The place wasn't as empty as I wanted it to be. I took her to the tree in the middle, which, by a coincidence of "fate", was the same one we had planted.

- Temari - I called her

- Yes? - she said as she devoured a cotton candy

- Do you know the tree we planted? - I asked

- What about her?

- It will look like this - I said and pointed to the big tree in the center

-Wow ...- her reaction changed - She will look beautiful...

- That's why I chose this one - I completed

- You did well - she smiled

- Come, let's sit down - I called her

We sat on a stool and stared at it. Her eyes sparkled and mine did too when they looked at her. The night couldn't be better, everything was going well. The pleasant breeze, the moon gracing us with her presence, the smell of the sea everywhere. I could live this moment forever. I don't remember the last time I felt as good as I do now.

- Shikamaru - she called me and I looked

- What's it? - I asked

- Thank you - she said - For everything we've lived so far - dammit... We were going to have this conversation

- I have to thank you... - I said with a smirk - Since you showed up... I, I've never felt so good, I've never breathed so relieved

- I think I can say the same - she said and looked straight ahead - You awakened something good in me

- You are the opposite of the evil that exists in me - I said - My dear

- My dear? - she smiled - This is new, darling

- You called me "darling" for a while, I thought I had to have a nickname too - I replied

- Things happened too fast - she said thoughtfully.

- What do you consider fast? - I asked - In theory I've known you for a year

- You know what I mean - she smiled - You know I'm leaving, as much as I like you , we'll have to go our separate ways - that twinge again, it hurt

- Temari... - I said sadly

- I didn't expect us to get involved like this - she said

- Temari - she interrupted me

- I'm not even that communicative but you make me like that - she looked at me - And it's not that I don't like it, I'm afraid - I understood what she meant - I'm in Konoha on a mission, I feel like I am leaving it aside

- Is this my fault? - I asked confused

- Of course not! - she got excited - I'm wrong, I shouldn't have fallen in love with you - how I hated those words

- I don't care! - I said - I just don't care, I want to be with you and I think we could make it work

- That would never work! - she said and I saw her watery eyes - I have my responsibilities and you have yours, life is not a fairy tale

- And I don't want it to be! I want it to be real, but I want it to be with you Temari! - I pulled her and sealed her mouth on mine, I didn't want to argue anymore

- Please... - she whimpered against my mouth - Don't make things harder for both of us

- I won't let you go like this - I imposed - I would walk to Sunagakure just to see you

- Shikamaru... - I interrupted her

- Maybe you're the best mistake I've ever made - I said as she held her face - I'm not afraid to love you anymore, Temari I'm just afraid of losing you-I pressed my forehead to hers and felt a cold tear roll down her hot cheek.

She looked at me scared, but only I understood how vulnerable she was at that moment. I didn't want to give her choices. I was being selfish but I needed her by my side, I wanted her with me. I wouldn't let her go. It didn't matter to me anymore. She was unique.

- Date me - I said at last

- I - she stammered - I... I mean, we can't

- Of course we can - I said - We'll make it work

- I can't leave Suna - she said walking away

- I didn't ask you to leave - I explained - I asked you not to leave me

- Believe me... I don't want to - she came to her senses

- So Temari... Be my girlfriend - I asked - It couldn't be anyone but you

- I don't know if I can answer that now - she said and I tried to understand, it was a complicated situation - Please don't get me wrong, I wanted this more than anything, but give me some time to think

- I will accept anything, I will never force you to do anything - I said - I will do everything so that your answer is yes

- You're the most amazing man I've ever met - she put her soft hand on my face - And look there aren't that many out there - we both laugh - I feel you

- I feel you - I repeated what she said

And I really believed that, to me, it felt like it was an I love you. Our "I love you"

Kiba

I was waiting for Ino at the pier as we had arranged. I was afraid she wouldn't show up. That she didn't choose me. And I had promised Temari, I didn't want Gaara involved in this, I really didn't want to hurt him. We talked a little bit today and I felt bad. But at the same time, in anger, he was the one who enjoyed all the good things with Ino.

He was the one who had his attention. He who could touch her skin. And all I wanted most was for it to be me and not him. That situation wasn't fair. Eventually she would have to make some decision. Some choice would be made and someone would end up hurt. But deep down, I feel like she hasn't especially forgotten about me after yesterday. Wow... Seeing her naked like that awakened memories, wonderful memories by the way.

The sun was setting. I had my feet in the salt water that was freezing cold. The sky was already with that blue and half-orange tone. It was a beautiful scene to behold. How I wanted her here with me. Even idiot Naruto made things right with Sakura. This year is crazy. Things are moving too fast. And for me too.

I never wanted to be the leader of my clan. But just like Shikamaru, I carry this responsibility and to make matters worse. I'm still an only child. I can't even pass it on to someone else. I really didn't have a choice and I honestly don't know if I'm ready for it. But... I don't want to disappoint my mother, she always supports me with everything and we are very similar. It is for her and for her alone that I strived to learn everything we are taught.

I started to get lost in my thoughts and saw that the sun had already set. The sky was dark and starry. She hadn't shown up. Maybe I've been here for an hour. So this is what it's like to have a broken heart? Well... Now I understand you Ino. No longer can you say that no. I was laughing at myself. What an idiot I was. I lost an incredible person to my childishness. I didn't want to stay here blaming me but there's not much else to do now.

I got up little by little to go. I wanted to enjoy this time I was here alone a little more. Feel the softness of the white sand on my foot. Wow, I definitely needed a drink. I was here, away from everything and everyone and alone. What an irony, soon I was left alone. In the end, maybe people were right. This life would not last forever.

I wasn't sad that Ino hadn't shown up. I know it's my fault. I know how fear can take us. And maybe I pushed her too hard. What a thing. Soon I was thinking about it. I started walking back to the house. Slowly and enjoying the view of the sea. Listening to the waves breaking. With my head down and feeling like shit.

- Kiba! - I heard she call me then I looked back - Where do you think you're going? - it was Ino, she appeared

- Ino... - I called her, I felt my eyes burning

- You idiot, you call me to be here and I was leaving? - she spoke approaching

- I thought you weren't going to show up - I smirked

- I really thought about that possibility - she replied - But I feel that what we have is still unfinished

- What do you mean? - I asked

- I decided to give you a chance - she said and my eyes sparkled - But...

- But... - I said crestfallen

- I haven't talked to Gaara about it yet - she explained - I don't trust you, Kiba

- I don't want to be with you while you're with him - I said pissed - It's not fair, with none of us

- That's why I want to take a test - she said and I didn't believe

- A test, Ino? - I lost control - Do you want to take a fucking test? What do you think this is? The school?

- It's your fault! I should never have come here - she screamed

- Ino, wake up! It's me you like! Stop fooling yourself! - it was my turn to scream

- What? - she looked at me shocked

- If he was the right guy, you wouldn't be here - I said - It wouldn't even cross your mind, if he was the right guy for you but he's not! I'm!

- But he gives me security, something I don't have with you! - she spat the words in my face - He's zealous and takes care of me! I need someone like that!

- And I can do the same if you give me a chance! - I wanted to cry so much - But I'm not playing house with you two, you know what? - I played

- What?

- I talked to Temari, in that room - I said - I said how much I liked you and do you know what she said? - She looked at me scared - She asked me, and I felt it was from the heart, so that we wouldn't hurt her brother - concludes - And I'll honor that word

- I did not know...

- Of course not, princess - I replied - Sometimes your ego is so big you can't see two feet in front of you

- Kiba!

- You love me, Ino! - I held her - Stop being proud, you never forgot me

- I don't want to talk to you anymore - she started to cry - You are the most insensitive and stupid guy I know - I hugged her - I don't trust you to be with you, you dog!

-Decide what you want - I spoke in her ear - Until then... I'll be here waiting for you - I let her go

- Kiba... Will you leave me again? - she asked

- That's the question, Ino...

How I was a dog for that woman.

- I never left you