Disclaimer: I hate these things.
The oasis was as calm as always, it was protected from the dry, desert winds by high cliffs on the north and east sides. A cool waterfall trickled down from overhead misting the pool underneath. Temari placed her fan and shoes under a nearby tree and settled herself by a calm edge of the pond. The sun drew orange and pink lines across the cooling sand and settled gently at the edge of the world.
Her reflection gazed back at her, the image disturbed by ripples in the water caused by the falling droplets. She felt pleasantly drowsy, as if she had just completed a strenuous bout of training. 'Strange, I've felt so tired all day'
She allowed her fingertips to graze the water's surface, distorting her image further. Her unfocused eyes went past the water to the sandy bottom. A shadow fell over her and she turned around, expecting to see Kankuro waiting to tell her to get home.
"Isn't it a little dangerous for you to be so far from Konoha? They might think you are going to betray them again." She was pleased at her quick opening line. Dark eyes narrowed at her before their owner forcibly changed his expression to one of cool contemplation.
"I could not pass up this chance." His voice was deep, carefully measured amounts of nonchalance and condescending sarcasm blended into a sensual tone.
"What chance?" She leapt onto her feet and suddenly becoming wary of the uninvited guest.
"To speak to you, without that brother of yours interrupting." She backed up a couple steps, towards her faithful weapon, before a sharp pain sliced through her heel. She glanced down in surprise to find metal imbedded in the sand. 'Makibishi? When did he have time to plant those?' Temari looked back up with a glare to find him considerably closer.
"Stay away from me." Pain shot up her leg as she rested her foot on the warm sand, hoping that the grains would staunch the bleeding.
"That is the last thing I want to do." She jumped to the side, intending to make a run for it around him. Sasuke slid an arm around her waist and brought her to an abrupt halt with her arms behind her back and her mouth covered by his hand. She tried to bite down on his fingers, but his hand kept her entire jaw still.
"Now that I have you in a more agreeable position... we can talk." His breath crept around the shell of her ear and caressed her face. "I've been thinking about you..." Temari tried to turn and look at the Leaf-nin in disbelief but even the slightest movements made her want to wince. She felt the Uchiha take a deep breath.
"What did I do to get you interested in me?" Calloused fingers made small sweeping motions up and down her cheek. Her breathing hitched as warm lips descended on the side of her neck, nuzzling into her flesh.
"Try releasing me and we will see how things evolve from there." Temari was quite proud that her voice only shook for the first word. The grip on her arms loosened and they tingled as blood rushed back full force into her neglected veins. She wriggled her fingers to promote the circulation.
"I didn't mean to hurt you." Black eyes watched her as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"Will you move so I can get my shoes?" Sasuke backed off, clearing the way with a brush of his sandal against the hidden steel. Temari walked past him with more confidence than she thought possible. Sasuke simply stared as she strapped on her sandals and put her fan in its place.
"Meet me here again?" The question caught her off guard and before she could stop herself she found her mind considering the proposal.
"No." Her hesitation did not go unnoticed and Sasuke leapt before her doubt could leave her.
"Why not?" Those eagle eyes pierced her as surely as any weapon. She had to be careful with her words from now on. 'I bet as soon as I mention Gaara he will back off.'
"Gaara wouldn't like it."
"Does he need to know?"
'Well that idea didn't work.' "He would figure it out anyway."
"Why would he care? He's just your brother. It isn't like he has any real love for you anyway. He isn't capable of it."
"I...aa.." Temari bit her lip as she tried to figure out a way to defend her sibling.
"Are you afraid of him?"
"No!" The vehemence in her voice surprised her even as her mind chided her for lying.
"I can see it in your eyes... You are afraid to get close to me because you are afraid of him." His face was triumphant - as if he knew he was close to completing a difficult mission and would come out unscathed.
"You know nothing about us." Sasuke closed in until she was trapped against the tree. His eyes were drilled holes into her face, their intense gaze slipping slowly down to her mouth. He lowered his head and mimicked her own biting movements on her abused lips. Temari gasped and Sasuke dove in her warm mouth.
A tingling sensation spread. Her eyes fluttered closed as she allowed Sasuke to plunder her virgin lips. As first kisses go, this one wasn't bad. Temari felt a growing unease grow in the pit of her stomach as the pleasant feeling receded, along with Sasuke's lips.
"I guess I was wrong about your brother not interrupting us here."
A/N: Such a sneaky bastard! (grins) Sorry for the long wait I had to wait for my beta to get on-line! (gets smacked) And I guess it was partially my fault for not coming up with a good idea.
Meko (da beta): P!!! damn right it's your own fault!!
