The long awaited Chapter 25!
My new story -The Enemy- has been taking over my thoughts so sorry about that
Without further a do enjoy!
The assault of sandstorm on the village of Suna lasted for hours, through the night and into the morning. Safely tucked away the residents slept peacefully, at this point so used to the storms they used them as lullabies. The storm raged through the night unable to damage any buildings, and soon left making way for the clear sky above.
Temari groaned pulling her face free from the soft pillow and turning to the dark room before her, the faint glow of orange beginning to creep in. She pulled a hand free and brushed her bang from her eye clearing her vison with a few groggy blinks. The yawn threatening to escape was stifled for a moment as she arched her back stretching her lean body forward, in an attempt to wake further. The arm holding her tightened and an annoyed groan pulled her back toward him. She grinned relaxing into Shikamaru allowing a moment of enjoyment to wash over her. However, to soon her mind began to race and she slipped her hand to his beginning to pull him away, only to be met with the same grumble as he pushed her toward him his grip tightening.
"Come on we have to get up" she breathed but was quickly silenced by a hot breath on her neck, tender fingers pulling the hair away to expose her skin. With a small kiss he lingered a moment longer before released and falling back into the pillow. Temari, now free slid away and came to stand cocking her head back to witness a lazy eye open and turn towards her, sleek black hair shading his rising smirk. She blushed under the gaze and searched the floor for her discarded robe slipping it over her nude body as she glanced out the window, keeping her attention away for fear she might give in.
The sky was clear, still slightly dark but people would be waking soon, and he'd be gone soon. The sheets behind her shuffled aside and drawn-out yawn before she heard his steps coming behind her. She inhaled quietly as the long arms pulled her into his warm body, the side of her robe slipping slightly as he pecked her shoulder, brushing lips towards her neck. Biting her lip, she leaned back and just as he kissed her neck a final time he pulled back from her burning skin. Turning to eagerly she gapped, he was already slipping his shirt on and glancing at her with a smirk. Even she knew he had to slip out undetected, but she loathed the idea, he was making her too soft. Shikamaru slicked his hair back coming at her in long strides and leaning down waiting before her lips.
"I'll see you soon" He fought his smile when she pouted crossing her arms, how childish. Her eyes narrowed at his and he waited expectantly until she gave in finally and pulled him down by the collar pressing lips together and relaxing into him as he pulled her in with gentle hands on her hips. She broke first and used her hold on him to push him away.
"I expect you ready in half an hour, we can't be late" Eyes shut her words a command she turned her face away ignoring the blush on her cheeks. With a grin he nodded and turned when she released him. Glancing back at his departure she sighed and turned her head back to the window arms tightly crossed around her body staying that way as the door shut quietly. Shikamaru peered down the hall, listening for any unwanted noise and when detecting none he made his way down with silent steps, passing what would have been Sakura and Ino's rooms and stilled at the closed door into the sitting area.
He listened for a moment hearing the distant snore from Kankuro's room and grimacing. No wonder she moved away from the brother's hall; man could wake up a village with his snore. He slipped the door open narrowed eyes glaring into the dark sitting room and slipped past and down the opposite hall, the snore becoming louder. A second more and he slipped into the room he was assigned. With a sigh he dropped his head grumbling at his loose hair falling before him. A thought came though that he should have stayed with her, he would have, but it quickly ended with him either buried in sand or trapped in the Crow. He'd have to face it someday, after all she made it to the front of his mind from the first moment, she smiled at him. He shook his head a small smile gracing his lips and settled on getting ready entertaining his imagination.
2 years ago
Shikamaru couldn't help the feeling she'd been staring at him for the past few days since arriving in Konoha as the Suna Diplomat, the line between the Kazekage and the Hokage. Every time he looked over; she was turning away her attention focused elsewhere ignoring him. He didn't pay much mind to it and usually brushed it away keeping at her pace as she made her rounds around the village.
Settled beside each other at Ichiraku Ramen for lunch both ate quietly. That is until she glanced at him staring again. He caught her narrowed eyes before she looked away and he sighed dropping his next bite in his bowl and leaning on his hand facing her.
"Alright what is it?" She chewed quietly and peered back her face stoic and almost as bored as his "Not gonna tell me?" Temari blinked as if waiting for him to say something different. He furrowed his eyes with a groan, attempting to read her "Are you mad? Did I say something stupid?" He ventured he'd already gotten the basics out the way. How was the trip, how was the meeting, stop calling me Crybaby? Yet she remained impassive, and it finally irritated him enough to ask her. Temari wasn't very pleasant when angry or demanding but silent sent an uneasy shudder down his spine. He minded enough to ask, even pester her about it now, so unlike him. He leaned in now glaring focusing on any small hint, but she remained unwavering "Is it a woman thing?" He felt awkward asking and she finally broke using her free hand to cover her face with a groan. That one was clearly wrong.
"Idiot" She shook her head and finally her glare turned to him causing him to wince back and shrink at her cold gaze. Not his favorite look, this meant he was about to be lectured and scolded for doing something stupid. "You haven't asked me yet" She simply stated turning her glare down to the ramen. His mind quickly raked for an answer, and he swore he saw her pout when he didn't say anything right away. He dropped his head and groaned rubbing his neck with tense fingers.
"Why do all woman do this, they just expect us to know what they are thinking" He muttered and held her side glare. "Just say it and I'll do whatever it is you want" He'd never known her to be so elusive, she usually just commanded what she wanted and got it, kinda spoiled in his opinion. As he watched her turn to face him she leaned in causing him to pull back.
"You never asked me to go watch clouds, I've been waiting four days for you to ask" His eye twitched and he pushed forward causing her to retreat now.
"I thought you said it was useless and a waste of time?" He studied her irritated look her nose scrunching up as she kept her harsh glare on him.
"Well, I've grown to like it and you usually ask anyways, but you haven't yet" She huffed and pulled her eyes away for a second to stare at the floor, her mouth once again set in a pout. As Shikamaru looked at her his face gradually softened, and he pulled back chuckling.
"I thought it was something more serious than cloud watching" She blushed embarrassed and turned back to the bowl. "Why didn't you just say so?"
"Because its useless and a waste of time" He heard her mutter annoyed, she knew he was grinning.
Later he had taken her to the hill she had found him once on and watched her settle down lay back and stare into the heavens just like he would. Useless maybe but not a waste of time, as he'd spent it with her.
Shikamaru grinned to himself mind wandering freely on the hints he's missed over the years, as he fixed his vest in the quiet room. When he made his way down the hall, it was quiet, a quick signal meaning Kankuro was awake. He slipped the door to the sitting room open surprised to find Temari seated across the table with Ino and Sakura, her voice rising as she gave orders, yet movements elegant as she poured tea for the two.
"Ino you let me know how the search goes, Kankuro will keep by you today and he'll make sure you have everything you need" She casted a quick glance at Shikamaru before turning back to Sakura as she spoke.
"I'll report back as soon as I can get Daiki's results, if all goes well, he should be fine in a few days, the nerves are blocked but easy fix, and hopefully he'll be awake later" She grinned and glanced back following the sound of Shikamaru walking over. "You two have that meeting today huh?" He kneeled beside Temari nodding once as he glanced between the two. Ino was all smiles resting her chin on her hand as she casted a knowing glance between the two. Yet neither reacted only continuing the conversation faces coordinated as they looked on casually. Temari lifted the teapot pouring his cup quietly and setting it aside before speaking.
"Don't worry about the meeting" Temari began looking thoughtful "it shouldn't take too long as we are only reporting but we'll stop by as soon as we can maybe Daiki has more information" Sakura nodded and turned to Ino as she leaned in.
"So, any clue who it is?" Her question was serious, but her eyes kept darting between the two and Shikamaru finally glared back, a warning, before lifting his tea as he spoke. Like a sister she annoyed him to no end.
"One stands out" He sipped and set the tea down crossing his arms "A man named Taiyo Hi" All eyes turned to Temari as she pulled back with a groan.
"Him? He's nothing but a glorified assistant to the other elders" Raising a brow at him when he looked at her questionably.
"You don't seem to like him" Ino chimed soaking every bit of information as if it was gossip. Temari turned back resting her chin on her hand looking irritated.
"On personal affairs his son has courted me several times" She grinned weakly "I might have sent him flying the last time he asked" Ino and Sakura laughed Temari huffing as she met the smirk from Shikamaru.
"I say you let him off lightly" He grinned down at her causing a quick smile that she covered with her hand hiding her soft blush.
"But why him?" Temari straightened dropping her hand back into her lap.
"I suspect that he's a pawn" he faced the two before him once again serious "He's new and has no background in anything related to what the council does aside from agreeing with traditional views" He sighed grabbing his cup "others in the council might be on his side if he was voted in so quickly" The table nodded, and each sat quiet for a moment the sips of tea the only sound in the room. Then the shuffle of feet a door closing and the appearance of a boxer only clad Kankuro as he walked out into the room yawning. He paused and glanced around the table.
"Morning" He waved and continued past them.
"Kankuro" Temari stern voice stopped him in his tracks, and he looked back cautiously "Put pants on now, there are ladies in this home" Her voice dangerously close to a yell she didn't even have to look at him before he groaned turned and headed back down the hall. Temari dropped her head in a sigh the moment the two before her burst out laughing. Shikamaru hid a smile behind his tea and cleared his throat for the attention of the room.
"Sakura have Choji join you today, he can't help the victims, but he can be there if something happens" Sakura nodded quieting her laugh. Turning to Ino he held her eyes for a while before she sighed looking down at her tea in a secret agreement. Temari glanced between the two and turned to the clock.
"Alright we have our missions for the day, we'll see you all later" She pulled back and stood Shikamaru following behind as they headed for the door. Pausing she turned to Ino "Don't be afraid to yell at Kankuro if he gets out of line" She called back heading down the steps. The two stepped out a quick scan of the bare streets before Temari led them towards the heart of Suna. "Are you ready?" she asked after a few minutes of surveillance around her.
"I would have preferred to stay in bed today" Shikamaru muttered hands comfortably slipped in his pockets. She turned to him with a small knowing smile.
"I bet you would" She caught his eyes, and he could sense the irritation behind her glare promting in a nervous grin "What was Ino thinking?" She asked her smile falling.
"She knows" He grumbled looking away, hearing her scoff. Ino was known for knowing things, things that not even others would think up. One look her way and she could reveal your childhood with a blink.
"How could she possibly know"
"I've known Ino since I was a baby, our dads were best friends, trust me she knows" He grinned apologetically to her and Temari glanced away hiding her sudden embarrassed blush. "Don't worry she won't say anything" He muttered quietly still sensing her unease he leaned down toward her closing the gap they had set between them when they first entered the streets "but she'll talk my ear off when we get back to Konoha" successfully he heard the stifled chuckle from her and pulled away pleased.
"I trust her to be smart about what she says. Besides she told me you liked me years ago" She straightened pleased to see him burn red as if he'd been caught. Although she wanted to lean into him to tease further, she kept her distance from his side seeing as rumors traveled fast in Suna. Temari wasn't ready just yet for that problem to add to the tension.
Although it was early in the morning, sun barley shining on the sand, it had already surpassed the hottest day in Konoha. Even as they entered the cooler Kazekage's building it left little heat out. Shikamaru twisted his collar stifling the choking feeling of the hot air as he followed beside Temari around the curved halls. She glanced over a small grin of amusement darting on her lips.
"Can't handle the heat?" she bit back a laugh as he sighed pulling at the hot shirt further.
"It's barley eight and it's already this hot, at least in the desert the wind helped with it" He muttered fighting hard not to complain and keep some sense of composure as they passed a pair of guards bowing quickly to Temari and continuing.
"It's your uniform Shikamaru" She mused looking down the halls her posture straight and proper "We have light weight vests for this reason, doesn't weight us down or get us to hot"
"Easy for you to say, you have one temperature here" She tilted her head glancing at him still smiling.
"Are you going to complain the entire time your here?" He chuckled rubbing his neck and stopping when she knocked on the Kazekage's door. She slipped it open slowly when she heard Gaara call out and a laugh stop abruptly, tensing her shoulders for a moment before stiffly walking in. Shikamaru caught the white robes of a man facing Gaara's desk and inhaled sharply fixing his narrowed eyes when he turned around grinning. Taiyo Hi.
"My my what a sight to be graced with the presence of Lady Temari" The man's words sounded like sweet venom, so kind yet mocking? Temari had forced her shoulders to relax her face set in stone as she entered tipping her head in a short bow towards Gaara and facing Taiyo who bowed deeply even went as far as pulling his cap off his grey shaded black hair flowing down "The beauty of the desert has arrived" he smirked as he pulled up slipping his hands together in his robe eyes darting up and down her for a second before turning to Gaara "My son still weeps over her rejection to his proposal" He pouted looking back at Temari when she bit back her smirk and snarky comment turning instead to Gaara who shut his eyes silently inhaled and looked at Taiyo.
"Is that all then Taiyo" he asked calmly.
"For now, Kazekage" He glanced past Temari at Shikamaru grinning as if he had been forced to and left the office. Temari groaned slipping her hand over her face the moment the door shut.
"What did he come in here for now Gaara?" She muttered crossing her arms and looking annoyed. Gaara shook his head.
"He said he'd be cancelling all his trades going out to the other villages seeing as anyone who leaves Suna seems to get caught up with the rouges" Shikamaru stepped forward sensing the unease in the room, he knew another attack would happen near Suna sooner or later, but not this early.
"When did it happened?" he sibilings turned to him as he focused his gaze to Gaara.
"This morning, they found two poisoned by our border with the Land of Earth, dead before they reached the gates of Suna" The room sat in silence for a moment. The northern border of Suna was a half day to a day run if they attacked there yesterday, they could be close to the village by the end of the day, if they were traveling here.
"Any news from the Tsuchikage?" Temari broke the silence her pose tense but considerate as she began to strategize where and when they'd attack, already preparing for the worse.
"No, but I have sent a letter warning him" he glanced down holding the report about the incident in his hands
"They move fast" Temari muttered to herself.
"Have they been able to be detected using your sensory division?" Shikamaru asked eyes narrowed as he held Gaara's gaze
"Regrettably no, the victims were only found during a mission sent out to the town there yesterday, nothing was sensed beyond that" Shikamaru nodded glancing down thoughtful. They would have to be headed to Suna, annoyingly enough they somehow could travel in the sand undetected. Temari peeked over at him, noticing his mind at work and then back at Gaara speaking firmly.
"We can discuss it later; we have to get to the meeting soon" She turned heading for the door, always so punctual, Shikamaru glancing up at her words tailed behind her as she slipped out and down the hall keeping an even pace as to not betray her irritation. Turning to Shikamaru his thoughtful glare met hers "They are close to Suna" she muttered quietly.
"Probably on their way here" he mumbled back and adjusted his collar with a groan "Ino should be able to sense them as soon as they are in range" he stopped when she raised her arm before him and turned to face him making it clear they had to keep quiet. She glanced behind herself before placing her hands on his shoulders serious as she glared up at him.
"During the meeting keep your head up when you are speaking" Shikamaru almost dropped his head and groaned when she began to lecture "Don't mumble when you speak the elders won't listen if you don't speak loud enough" He held her eyes as she rambled on her teal gaze fixated on his collar before shifting her hands to focus on fixing it "They aren't going to be happy your there but the ones who have no knowledge of this will be more focused on hearing your report" She paused and raised her brow at him as he began to smile down at her his gaze unwavering from the admiration he held for her "What?"
"Thanks" her expression faltered and pulled her hands back as if she'd just become aware that she was touching him.
"For what?" she hid her blush poorly as he leaned down keeping a respectable inch from her face as she stood firmly on her spot attempting to look stoic at his closeness.
"Helping me get my act together" He pulled back enjoying her look of confusion before a smile made its way to her lips and she chuckled.
"Well, someone has to" She turned back with him following at her side. Their smiles slowly faded as they entered the council's room.
Four years ago
Soft scribbling filled the empty room as Temari furrowed her brows leaning further into the pages of the folder in front of her. Across the conference table Shikamaru slouched arms crossed on the table still fuming at her words earlier, he'd have to present to the Hokage and other officials for his first Chunin exams. Talking to a group of important people wasn't his thing, Temari always spoke first, and he'd just hang back and listen in every meeting, simple enough job when it came to being her escort. Why he was put in charge of speaking now was beyond him, and irritating as that was, she didn't so much as care to listen to him complain about it for the past hour, she usually lived to argue with him when she came to Konoha. So, he sat read the speech with a face set in a childish frown and sulked to himself.
With each passing second, he felt the sudden unease as he matched her steps beside the Suna diplomat heading towards the meeting. Temari walked confidently she knew her part and as always appeared calm and ready for anything, so when she stopped abruptly causing him to hesitate and look back meeting the unforgiving glare from her.
"Will you stop it" Her tone stern and commanding his attention, although he leaned back looking away from her, the unease apparent on his face.
"Stop what?" he glanced back regrettably as she crossed her arms, she was preparing for a lecture.
"The pouting" her voice becoming a harsh whisper "you are acting like a child, it's one meeting and you know I shouldn't be the one talking on behalf of the Leaf. It's a simple speech you tell them about the leaf's security and the feudal lords that are going to be there, and you're done" she relaxed her arms as she sighed trying to fix the annoyance on her face. He grumbled looking away seeing he had no place to speak, thinking about how she was such a bossy woman, and tensing when her hands raised to his collar and began adjusting it "And look presentable, you look like you just woke up from a nap, and don't slouch, speak loud enough where everyone can hear you so no mumbling" He sighed and looked back down at her, the glare softening up at him as she pulled her hands back and sighed "Honestly for a genius you can be such an idiot" She walked past him and down the hall unaware of his burning blush from her touch, yet he didn't feel nervous anymore.
The meeting went on for an hour when he stood to speak, every word she nagged at him stuck. He spoke clear firm and without so much as a hitch, half in fear of hearing her lecture more and half because she made him want to try harder. Temari watched quietly and at the end he could see the smallest smile grace her lips, proud of him.