The car drove away, and Temari watched it; seeing it from a different perspective confirmed her suspicions that the driver was tired (the car was now slowly wandering desolately right in the middle of the two lanes). She turned back to see Shikamaru studying her in silence.
Temari grew self-conscious, remembering what Kankurou had said; "meretricious", wasn't she? Though it was hard to see why he'd point something like that out now, as she'd dressed much more inappropriately before. Just to be safe though, however much she doubted Shikamaru's more vile intentions, she planted the fan firmly infront of her and siddled behind it, trying to hide as much as she could.
Shikamaru's gaze lingered on her face for a while longer while Temari looked resolutely back. He scratched his head and sighed, pushing himself off the pillar. He then turned to leave, gesturing for her to follow.
"C'mon. Let's go to your hotel first..." he crossed his arms, "Hmph. It's rather stupid really. You could find your own way around just fine," he tisked and mumbled something that Temari could very well have guessed even if she was deaf.
"How bothersome."
Temari chuckled to herself; she'd been wondering how long it would be before he would finally say it. And though she was reluctant to admit it, she felt just a little relieved as well; she was glad he hadn't changed much, something that would definitely help them patch up awkward silences.
"What're you looking at? Hurry up or I'm gonna get into trouble. I'm supposed to take you to your hotel before dusk," Shikamaru said.
She hoisted her fan up and grinned involuntarily; she could hear something like pleasure in his voice despite his complaint. Temari stepped up beside him and tried to engage him into a conversation as they made their way into the busier areas of Konoha.
"I can feel your enthusiasm in seeing me," she teased. Not because she meant at all what she said, for she knew he was glad of her company, but because Shikamaru was a fun victim, quite challenging, and he almost always remained passive. She'd only gotten his eye to twitch once when she taunted him about his relationship with Chouji two and a half years ago.
Shikamaru turned to look at her, an eyebrow raised.
"Well, what do you want me to say?"
Temari smiled satanically, evoking an image of Ino just before she was about to force Shikamaru to do something stupid (like pestering Sasuke for information on what he thought would be the perfect wife).
"Oh I dunno," Temari said passionately, "Maybe 'Wow Temari, I'm so glad to see you, now there'll be someone to watch my ass again."
Shikamaru said nothing but smiled a little.
"Yes," he mused silently to himself, "it was rather typical of you to bring it up... even though I DID thank you."
From the corner of his eyes, he saw that Temari was looking through some shop windows. He noticed the way half her face was illuminated by the sun, making her hair turn a beautiful shade of orange. Her clear green eyes were wide, and Shikamaru found himself smiling a little at how amazed she was by the wide variety of things in the shop.
"Haven't you seen this before?"
Her brow furrowed.
"I never got to go outside the last time. Kankurou and I were always asked to watch Gaara."
Shikamaru nodded.
"Let's go in here. I need some new kunais," she commanded suddenly.
Shikamaru deflated visibly and sighed, but followed her into the shop anyway. A little brass bell tinkered as they entered.
"Welcome Shikamaru!" the woman behind the counter beamed, and remarked with a glance at Temari, "Who's this nice little lady? Are you... shopping together?"
Temari turned hastily into one of the aisles while Shikamaru pretended not to know what she was implying. He nodded, thinking it was best to act stupid rather than to explain that they were just together because of the Chuunin exam.
Shikamaru paid for her kunais and the little bell rang softly as they left the shop.
Temari's narrowed eyes darted across the board, looking for possible moves she could make that would help at least soften, if not evade, her inevitable defeat.
It was well after dusk now, but Shikamaru had wanted to stay with her in her hotel room to play go, and so that was what they did. Seven games had passed, all in favour of Shikamaru. He said nothing when he won, just asked if she'd play another game. Temari would always agree of course, unable to accept her defeat.
She again envied his genius, the casual way of which every move was meticulously planned out, so that it was only a distraction from the general strategy of which he had concocted. Temari tried to analyze his facial expressions, hoping that they would give a hint to what really went on in his brain, but it was impossible.
Shikamaru thought that she was one of the best opponents that had ever faced him in this game, but was naturally silent about it. He had a lot of time as she planned her next move, and he marvelled at the effort she was putting in trying not to scream in his face.
"It's getting late," he said finally.
"No!" her eyes flashed dangerously, but she forced herself to swallow down her frustration, "I got it."
She moved a black piece. Shikamaru glanced at the board and immediately placed his piece to end the game. Temari gave a little moan of annoyance.
"Fine then. Go," she said sulkily.
Shikamaru nodded to her, "I'll be here tomorrow at 9 alright?"
"Yeah yeah okay," she replied testily, and started to let down her hair.
"It looks better like that."
"What?"
Oops. Had he said that out loud?
"I said that it looks better like that. Your hair I mean."
"Oh. Thanks I guess," Temari answered hesitantly. She grinned at him. And hadn't Kankurou said that she was horrible at thanking people?
"Well, bye then," Shikamaru said and got up to leave.
"Bye." Temari watched him go with an unexplained feeling of regret.