Chapter 2: Farewell for now

Disclaimer: I don't own anything here except the storyline (and Raiin) unless our great author 'coincidentally' happen to have the same plot as me (Which is impossible).

The sun rose from behind the sandy horizon the next day after the squad arrived at the village of sand. Shikamaru had a great time gazing at sandy winds the day before with Temari. They had many topics to talk about. Some people think that having things in common for a couple is the best. Some says that having too much in common results in nothing much to talk about in the end. Others believe that having differences will give the couple many topics to talk about; tiffs are common, besides, which couple never quarrel? He had never watched sand and wind before; neither had she actually sat down and enjoyed her home's landscape. He had certainly introduced many new elements into her life. She certainly brought comfort, although they were enemies before.

He had to admit, he was once afraid of her. The way she showed her power, the way she planned her strategies… Although she had 'lost' to him during the chuunin examinations, but she had displayed more power than him when she helped him deal with the Sound Nin, Tayuya.

She had to admit, she was once an admirer of him, and a little envious of his brains. The way he had defeated her by catching her with his shadow, at that time, when shadow captured the fan, it also captured the fan's heart. Shadow is his weapon fan is hers. Someday the two will work together. That's what she believed, and what he believed also.

The thought of leaving here somehow brought him confusion. But what could he do? He's a leaf and she's a sand, he's a chuunin and she's a jounin and that they live so far away from each other. From the sand to the leaf it'll take 3 days. Shikamaru sighed, as he got ready for his journey home. Stay or leave, think! He thought. Thinking of plans and strategies was his ultimate prized possession. But when it comes to something like this, even a genius falls to defeat.

"All packed?" a somewhat sad voice came from the door. Needless to say, he knew who it was.

"Yeah…" he strapped on his backpack and turned. His heart ached as he saw Temari's cheerless face. He would have accepted a thousand missions in exchange for her smile. What's more, he didn't know how to please a woman. But more importantly, Temari isn't that kind of woman who will submit to such method.

She walked him to their village's entrance all the while remaining silent. The winds howled, as though voicing out their sadness. They were still walking with a distance between them. How she wished they could close the distance. How he wished he could hold her hand. His gaze went up to the sky again. This may be the last time he could see such a scene in the near future. Then when it's time to separate…

"Sore jaa…" Shikamaru said and took a step.

"Wait!" Temari exclaimed. Shikamaru turned to look at her. Then she was at a loss of what to say. "Be careful, on your journey back."

"Yeah." Shikamaru sighed. His vision traveled up to the sky again. In the end, will he be seeing clouds or sand and wind? He wished he knew. Then he walked towards Temari and wrapped his arms around her.

Temari was momentarily stunned and stumbled, but as she quickly recovered she returned his hug. She buried her face in his shoulder. At that time, Shikamaru wished the time would just stop so that he can savor the moment. He had wanted to do that for a very long time. He just wished he could do that forever.

He had once told Chouji that not all men like skinny women. They prefer women with a little flesh. Of course, he's one of these men to say that. Then at that moment he had her in his arms, he knew she was his type, and most importantly, he loved her. But how would he tell her? Will she accept his laziness?

Temari felt a sense of security when she was in his embrace. She had never felt like this before. Not with her parents, not with her brothers, let alone friends. His arms felt comforting around her and the world seemed to be at peace. She wanted to be with him for the longest possible time. They held on to each other for a very long time, enjoying each other's company.

"I have to go…" Shikamaru said finally.

"I know." She answered him.

Then they let go of each other. They looked into each other's eyes. Shikamaru felt his face turned red again and turned to walk off.

"You know something? Temari?" he said as he walked with his back facing her, vision fixed straight ahead. Temari looked up. "I always thought women were troublesome, selfish and annoying people. That they always act cordial and friendly. Literally means that they are really dry. I can never tell if they are really getting along or not. Besides they think they can boss us guys around. I hated them before." He laughed and stopped in his tracks, still not facing her.

Temari's face fell. What the… she thought.

"My father would say that if there wouldn't be men if there weren't any women. And men are no good without any women around, which must be the reason why he got married in the end."

Shikamaru turned to the sky again.

"He once told me that even the most roughest woman is tender to the man she loved. And I thought he was nuts."

Temari's heartbeat stopped. Then Shikamaru started to walk again.

"But right now, I feel like that nutcase I used to describe my dad. I finally understood how he felt." Then he turned and looked at her. "Because, I'm in love too. With the roughest woman I've ever known."

Temari watched in bliss as Shikamaru took off. She stood there for a long time, replaying the scene over and over again.

Roughest woman…

In love…

He told her his feelings. When will she ever get the chance to tell him hers?

A/N I know this is kinda short. But I'm sort of making things up along the way because of the loop holes I forgot to consider. But hey, if it's short, readers will have a more easy time reading right? Ok, I want reviews! (makes an evil face) by the way, in this story, Raiin (OC and replacement of Sakura) will pop out here and there and some of the story lines are not according to the real story so if you need some answers pls check out Master's Tale, it's another fic where i placed a lot of ninja elements in, ninja fights, ninjutsus and all that, and also some of my Naruto parings are also there. And when you do that please review also. Thanks in advance.