Hello! I hope that everyone is in good health and doing well.
I will state that all characters obviously do not belong to me.
This is 100% Alternative Universe and some characters might be out of character in the future.
Please feel free to PM me with any ideas or advice on this story and don't forget to review if you feel like it!
Chapter Three: So It's A Date
Hidden in the suburbs was where the Konoha boys were. They currently sat down partaking in drinks after 18 holes of golf at the exclusive country club owned by Kizashi and Mebumi Haruno, the doting parents of none other than Sakura Haruno.
"Even though it brings me so much joy to continue to expand and open more Green Hurricane locations I feel that I cannot fully focus on my personal clients! I want to give my clients 100% at all times!" Lee vented to the other males.
"Like Ino for example, I try to give her 100% but she seems to put more of her energy into figuring out who all of my clients are!"
Both Shikamaru and Choji shook their heads at their friends attempt to network.
The Inuzuka took this chance to speak up. "Speaking of Ino, I don't really appreciate her and her side kick ruining my family's charity event."
His eyes held a certain level of annoyance behind them as he glanced between Shikamaru, Choji, Naruto and Sasuke.
"Her and Sakura really raised hell. There is a difference between getting rowdy at some kickback but a charity event, come on!"
Choji's face morphed into a sympathetic smile. "I am sorry that she did that. I agree, it was very inappropriate."
"Yeah…" Shikamaru chimed in agreement.
Kiba's gaze now remained solely on Sasuke's. Their eyes stared back at one another, not one trying to back down.
"I do not know what you expect me to say. Sakura is not someone for me to apologize on her behalf." The Uchiha broke the silence.
"Well I apologize for her!" Naruto blurted, "Seriously Sasuke, she's our childhood friend!"
Sasuke refuted, "We all grew up in relatively the same circle. She is not anymore my responsibility then she is anyone else's. Merely an aquaintence at best."
Shikamaru observed the scene with his lids half open. The same old arguments that they have obviously had before.
"Since you mentioned acquaintances, are you ever going to spill how you know the Sabaku's?" Shikamaru's eyes widened slightly at Naruto's question out of pure interest.
The Uchiha's eyes rolled naturally at this.
Naruto continued, "I mean I helped them when they moved here. My father has sold several homes to their father before in the past. Obviously there is some type of business connection, right Sasuke? Let me guess, the Uchiha's handle the sibling's money, right? That's the only explanation!"
Sasuke took a sip out of his glass of water before curtly answering, "It's a thing called client confidentiality. Even if they were clients, do you think I would say that?"
"Oh cut it. We've discussed all of our clients at least one time or the other in the past." Kiba now was becoming annoyed at the conversation. This comment was returned by another eye roll from Sasuke.
"TenTen just informed me that the siblings are going to be joining us, so who ever made the reservation at Ichiraku's tonight needs to expand the seating list by three." Neji interjected cooly after looking at his phone.
Hearing this Naruto clasped his hands together in a dramatic gesture. "Great. I'll just ask Gaara at the dinner then!" While Naruto donned a cheesy grin externally, Shikamaru couldn't help but smile internally at this now. With the hopes of getting to spend more time with the alluring Temari, he noted to not make up an excuse to miss this dinner with his group of friends, at least for this time around.
The usual suspects were present at Ichiraku's, an upscale restaurant located in the downtown financial district. Ichiraku's could be found reviewed by any note worthy food critic and labeled as the number one spot to come to while visiting Konoha. It was a perfect fusion of traditional Japanese food with a modern and exquisite twist. While reservations were always hard to come by for minor salary women and men, those that were the "who's who" of the world didn't struggle to obtain a seat, even on the busiest of nights. Although the Akimichi family fell into the category of those in the upper echelon of Konoha's society, they liked to remain humble when placing reservations. With the family's collective appreciation for food though, a solid repetitive schedule of reservations was not something that was abnormal for them. This particular night, not being the exception.
"Reservation of 14 for Akimichi please."
The group of 11 friends chatted amongst themselves. All raised with enough etiquette to not place their orders for food before every guest has officially arrived.
Ino sighed while taking a sip out of her glass of champagne. "Could they be any more late? Like seriously what is taking them so long?"
"Don't even start Ino. The least you could do is give them a break because most of the time you show up late."
Just as Ino parted her lips to debate, TenTen cut her off. "And don't use the excuse of being 'fashionably late'."
The sparks between the two alpha females could almost visibly be seen. Whilst the majority of the group still were conversing, Shikamaru noticed the exchange. Most things did not go unnoticed by the male.
Unlike Shikamaru though, Neji was one to diffuse the situation. Unseen by the others, his hands gripped TenTen's thigh under the table as if urging her to ease up on Ino. Just before the sparks ignited and bursted into full fledge flames the Siblings entered the room.
Shikamaru's gaze was easily captivated by another blonde now. The same blonde that has been on his mind. The same blonde that he has been trying to logically reason as to why she has now monopolized his free time. The Nara conjured up an explanation that maybe because he was surrounded by the same females he grew up with. Maybe that was why a new woman entering his circle of friends shook up his world so much. However, this explanation did not hold up well since he met several different women throughout the political circuit while working alongside his father. Regardless the reason Shikamaru was dying to get to know her more and tonight was the perfect opportunity. Temari took a seat diaganol to Shikamaru. Her brothers sat on either of her sides now.
"Sorry for the late entrance. It's insane getting used to the area!" Kankuro unknowingly broke the tension between Ino and TenTen now.
Sakura absentmindedly commented, "It's understandable. Konoha probably is harder to navigate, considering the city has a lot more going for itself compared to Suna's central city."
Before Kankuro could respond, his sister interjected, "Perhaps we are just used to Suna's thoroughly planned layout. It makes navigation easier for the residents and the tourist. After all, who would want to deal with the headache of a thrown together city when on vacation, right?" Temari finished off looking at her younger brother with an innocent smile on her face.
Astonished with Temari's quick wit Shikamaru drank up every word she said. Half amused by Sakura meeting someone that can hold her own against her and the other half intrigued at her rebuttal in general. It sounded like something he, himself, might have said during a debate.
Kankuro smirked at his sister before turning his attention to Kiba, requesting his suggestion of a good bourbon at Ichiraku's.
Sakura remained speechless as she glanced at Sasuke and Naruto to intervene now. Naruto notices the visibly panicked look in his friends eyes and decided to cease the moment.
"So, we were all hanging out earlier today at the country club and I forgot how you guys came up but I just couldn't remember exactly how you guys knew Sasuke! It was because you guys use the Uchiha's as one of your financial advisors, right? Or is the proper term consultant…?"
The siblings all seem to have different reactions to Naruto's rushed questioned. Temari simply chuckled to herself at his visible nervousness. Kankuro's eyebrows furrowed slightly while trying to process the question still as some words were slurred together by the blonde. Gaara was unknowingly thrown off at the question but glanced discreetly at his sister before averting his gaze back to Naruto's, agreeing that his assumptions were correct.
"That is right, Naruto. We have sought financial guidance from the Uchiha's before in the past."
"We've also known them since childhood practically. That makes it more embarrassing that we came late, you'd think after coming here so often before we would become familiar with the place."
The whole table was visibly surprised at Kankuro's statement. Naruto though seemed bewildered more than anyone though. Shikamaru's interest is now piqued more than ever and tears his eyes away from Temari to focus on the conversation.
"Why have we never met you guys before? The 12 of us have all been close since childhood too and we obviously all still are."
Shikamaru now peered back at Temari, noticing her face harden up stiffer than what he usually saw from her.
'Usually? This is the second time I am seeing her… But still I am not a total idiot like Naruto.'
Kankuro explains, "Well to be frank, our father is a guarded individual. Especially back then."
He could tell now by her posture she was uncomfortable. Everything about her seemed like she was frozen in place as if she was being on her best behavior. Her back was completely straight in an unnatural way. Her posture alone made Shikamaru readjust in his seat, causing his leg to brush up against Temari's under the table. This action causes her attention to be directed at him now.
"If you wanted my attention you could have said so," with a newfound coolness she was back to herself. Shikamaru didn't let this chance slip away from him, enjoying the chance for banter between the two of them.
"Don't flatter yourself," his comment was filled with nothing but light heartedness. An attempt to take her mind off the conversation that the others around them were having to pry further in the Sand Sibling's relationship with the Uchiha's. "So tell me, how much of a difference is Konoha's sloppy city compared to Suna's oh-so pristine one?"
To his pleasure she chuckles at his question. Just the reaction he was betting on from her. Understanding that Sakura's opinions differed from Shikamaru's. Due to this, Temari eased up on her criticism of the city.
"To be honest I am really enjoying the scenery that Konoha has to offer. The natural greenery is pleasant compared to the obviously forced greenery that Suna has."
During this time Ayame comes around to greet everyone and takes everyone's orders personally.
"So you have a thing for plants. Konoha has this pretty cool botanical garden—"
TenTen doesn't seem to notice that the two were talking when she jumps from the conversation she was having with Neji to tell Temari more about the research Shino has been conducting in the science field. Gaara along with Temari perk up at this.
"When do we get to meet this world renowned scientist friend of yours anyways?" Temari sincerely questioned.
Hinata answered since she was honestly the closest to Shino out of the group. "He should be at the bi-annual ball that we have. Shino always makes time to attend." Hearing Shino's name from Hinata now Kiba inserts himself into the conversation.
"I haven't seen Shino in such a long time! Also forgot that the Hyuga ball is right around the corner!"
"If you guys continue to have all of these social events I might end up taking a serious liking to Konoha!" Kankuro bared a toothy grin.
Between everyone popping in and out of conversations Shikamaru was struggling to find a time to ask Temari on a date. Now knowing her soft spot for plants, the botanical garden in Konoha was the perfect place to take her. He figured that he would need to muster up the courage to ask her on a date because if they continue bumping into one another at these social gatherings they were just bound to be interrupted by his, most of the time, obnoxious friends. Needing to clear his head he excuses himself without specifying a reason why. While all of natives to Konoha at the table knew he was more than likely excusing himself to smoke, Temari figures he is going to the restroom. Noticing his exit she was hoping to ask him more about the botanical garden.
Seeing the window of absence from Shikamaru, Ino utilizes this time to get to know Temari a bit better. Ino ends up asking some intrusive questions to Temari. Some questions in the realm of dating history and even openly sexual questions. Disregarding Temari's brothers sitting at her side Ino had not an ounce of shame in her game.
The Suna native noticed that Ino's energy was sometime hot and then cold. She would flip from being pleasantly nice to Temari then to being dismissive at other times. Her friend Sakura noticed this as well but does not intervene between the exchange of the two. While Sakura did not have anything in particular against Temari, she knew that Ino's green ugly head reared itself since she took the time to request any information about the Sabaku's. Nevertheless, Temari seemingly opens up to the girls a bit more explaining Gaara's interest in alternative energy sources, which is why she has been talking about their friend, Shino, with TenTen. She also discusses how her brother Kankuro is interested in their families distilleries.
Ino notes that the Sabaku's seem to dibble into various industries. Temari explains that oil is the primary industry they've invested in. Other subsidiaries were from pure conquest by Rasa.
"You seem to talk an awful lot about your brothers. What about you? You should talk more about yourself." Ino verbalizes her analyzation of Temari. She expected Temari to become defensive but to her surprise she agrees.
"Yes. You're right Ino. I suppose I've always put them before myself instinctively." Before Sakura and Ino could read more into Temari's comment, a phone vibrated within their vicinity.
The oldest sibling excused herself saying that she needed to take the call.
Now outside of Ichiraku's, nearby the entrance Temari answered her call.
"Strange for you to be on my line," she stated.
A smooth voice responded with a question, "And why is that?"
Now she was looking down at the cement underneath her feet.
"I was just under the impression you forgot we moved to Konoha this week." There was a silence between the two. She sighed before looking up into the night sky seeing the stars above her.
"Don't tell me you sincerely forgot... Why am I not surprised."
"I did not forget. Besides I heard a lot about it from that loud mouth blonde my brother is always hanging out with, way before the three of you moved here."
His description of Naruto caused her to laugh.
"Of course you would be reminded of it through that way. Well is there a particular reason for this blessing of a call today?" The sarcasm was dripping off her tongue which did not go unnoticed by her caller.
"Easy on the sarcasm Tem, I can't just reach out to make sure my girlfriend arrived safely?"
Girlfriend. That labeled caused her eyes to roll and a scoff that could not be contained in her throat let itself loose.
"I'm afraid you're a day late and a dollar short my friend."
This caused the male's annoyance to build. "Friend? Let's not start this today Temari."
Temari. Itachi rarely used her full name, the main exception being if his fuse was running short with her. Which was happening more often than not lately. Not wanting to feed into their usual cycle she took a long, deep breath to collect herself.
"Come over to my place tonight, or I can go to yours, but regardless I will be expecting to see you tonight."
"Sure. I'll see you in the next two hours."
He let another expectation of his be known as well, "I expect that attitude to be gone before we see each other, unless you want a repeat of last time."
Letting his words sink in she kept her response short, "I'm hanging up now, Bye."
As she hung up and spun around she was face to face with the up and coming politician. He was half way through his second cigarette but this didn't deter her from approaching him. Embodying the confidence of a lioness she approached him slowly. "That's a nasty habit to have."
"I've tried to stop before," with that Temari takes the cigarette out of his hand and inhales a few times before putting it out against the bricking of the establishment.
"Well, everyone has their vices. Smoking, hallucinogenics, drinking, sex…" A trail of smoke escaped from her lips as she exhaled. The dirtiest of habits all seem tempting when coming out of her lips.
"Would you like me to show you the botanical gardens sometime?" He carelessly blurted out before his mind could even process what he just said. Once the gears in his mind started to spin and register exactly what had happened he internally scolded himself. He noticed her expression change from a confused one to an amused one.
'Great now I sound like Naruto, rushing through my sentences…'
"I didn't expect that to be the first thing a nicotine addict would say after someone takes their precious cigarette!" Temari couldn't help but cackle at this. Shikamaru now stood there with his hand rubbing the back of his neck. He realized there wasn't ever much in life that threw him off. For whatever reason though this girl, this woman, was making him feel something he hasn't felt before. There was something refreshing about her. Something that she had that others in his life that didn't have it. He still was unable to pinpoint it but was willing to take the time to find out exactly what it was.
Despite being deep in his thoughts he noticed her arm was now extended towards him with her palm facing upwards. This caused his face to scrunch up, unsure of her gesture.
"Your phone. Hand it here." She commanded with an ease of authority.
Without faltering he passed it to her. After she took it she began to input her contact information then explained, "You would need someway to contact me before picking me up tomorrow."
She stopped typing and then looked up at him with a smirk gracing her face, "That is if you're free tomorrow."
He nodded, a bit too quickly but nodded nonetheless. After receiving his phone again the duo headed back inside. Their entrance together did not go unnoticed by a certain platinum blonde though.