:: Author's Note ::
Just thought I'd address a couple of the reviewers :)
To everyone who was wondering... yes, the father will make an apparance(somewhat) and yes, I am planning this to be a NaruTema. Sorry, Shikamaru fans!
And because it's so convenient for Temari to be running away from her father and not just her brothers and fiance, we'll pretend the Kazekage is still alive (;
Big thanks to refused for the awesome manga chapters idea! I would never have thought of that, but isn't it only in Japanese? I haven't checked it out yet, but I will be as soon as possible.
And I will be striving to extend my chapters so there's more Mimi Goodness for all ;D
Anyway, onto the next chapter, centered around Temari's thoughts on her baby' father from her perspective, who is, unfortunately, not Naruto but an OC character :(
The paint on the walls is chipped and cracked, and the floorboards squeak as if they are in pain, crying out as my sandals press upon them.
It isn't an issue; I won't be living in this home when my baby is born. This is only temporary.
"How much, old man?" I ask, being sure to gaze firmly at him.
I am at a advantage; I'm a good head taller than him, and certainly stronger.
He stutters a bit before offering me a cheap price for one week. I agree, hand him the money, and continue gazing firmly until he excuses himself and hurriedly runs out the door.
It figures. Gaara's the only man who will actually stay in my presence when I do that.
I unstrap my sleeping bag from my back, and roll it onto the cold, bare floors, incased in the square pattern of sunlight from a window without shades or curtains.
Without truly realizing it, I place a hand on my stomach as I lie in the ill-lit room, and I think I can feel a heartbeat.
My child... what will he or she look like?
After rooting in my bag for a moment, I find my collection of pictures I brought with me; pictures of my brothers, my 'father', my mother, Yashamaru, even... Shunichi.
I didn't have any friends when I went to high school, until I met him. I always assumed he was stupid for making friends with the 'Sand Bastard's Sister' as they called me then, but he always seemed contented.
After we had known each other, we began to date- not seriously, but just for fun.
After a night of fooling around, we became much much closer... much more intimate.
So although we weren't in love, and just friends, Shunichi and I agreed that if either one of us was feeling depressed or unhappy or just needed human contact, we could rely on one another not to take advantage of each other but still be intimate.
My father would have killed me as I slept if he knew, but he never found out, as far as I know.
My fingers trace longlingly over his picture, the only one I have of him. He's dressed in his Chuunin battle outfit, and it's a picture I took only a little while after he passed the exam.
His messy, muddy blonde hair is tangled and tipped over in the wind, happy brown eyes gleaming as he's caught in the middle of a laugh.
But every time I think about him, I feel bad for not telling him before I left.
You're a father, Shunichi-kun!
And we would laugh and kiss and celebrate, and all would be fabulous.
Ha! I wish. Only fools believe such mediocre fairy tales.
In my mind, I imagine a little boy, with his brown eyes and my blonde hair, or perhaps a girl with opposite features, blue eyes a-sparkle and muddy blonde hair a mess.
And I have thought up a hundred ways to write to him, but none have been right.
It's times like these I feel like crying... the times when I am alone and don't need this protective shield around me to protect me from all the men who disrespect me otherwise.
Even Kankuro used to criticize me. Be more ladylike, Temari. The men will never like you this way.
Your clothes are so loose-fitting, Temari. You'll never be noticed.
He always thought he knew how to make me a prize bride- tighter clothes, no bulky fan, no more talking smack with Shunichi and his friends, things like that.
But one day, to my shock, my brother stood up for me.
I had just gotten an unopened bag of potato chips to feast on in front of the television, and had my feet resting on the nearby coffeetable.
"Oi, Temari-chan, get your feet off there. And those chips make you fat, and-" he had begun to lecture.
"Leave her." said Gaara suddenly, his voice easily snapping the near silence. He was neither angry nor exaggerative, but simply calm. Always frighteningly calm at home.
I wonder if they will come looking for me... if my father will send an army of Jounin here to bring me back screaming to him.
I miss my brothers, but neither one in particular. Kankuro is useless and unfearable, while I often worry Gaara will murder me if I don't make his lunch correctly.
I pull the blankets over me, still holding my picture album, and pull it to my chest. I was never allowed to display such emotion at home, such a thing meant weakness.
For the first time in months, I pray to God, any and all, and ask for help with my baby, and that Shunichi is alright.
- - - -
Naruto returned to his apartment after a day-long grocery shopping trip, having gotten lost in the super store and unable to find his way out.With little interest, he noticed that the 'for rent' sign on the apartment beside his was gone, and that someone had already moved in.
He was too tired to think, really, although it was unlikely that he would think well anyway, and simply put away his groceries in a daze before crashing into his bed and falling asleep, kunai and all strapped to his body.
- - - -
Temari groans; her next door neighbor seems to be a nuisance. He comes home late and sleeps noisily.What a brat.
