Chapter 4: Reunion Rhapsody

A/N hey hey, haven't been updating. Thanks for the reviews. AmberFox and Lyell, I'm sorry because I just can't imagine them fighting. I'm a 'happy ever after person', but if you are looking for some fighting scenes, just wait a while because there is going to be a fight, a big fight where two lovers fight for the sake of being able to love tomorrow. Or you can read Master's tale. Twilightstaruby, thanks for the review again. I will want to continue this story, because this is what will keep me going and my means of survival in that new world I went. I'll need your help and support. And to all other readers, especially Cher Zephyris if you are here, I'll also need your help and support, for that's what keep all the writers here at going.

So at snail pace, the trio left the village of sand and headed for Konoha. Raiin tried to go as fast as she could. Being bored for a week walking in the forests due to her apprentice not being a ninja, Raiin decided to train Regan. Temari's spirits lifted as each step she took brought her closer to her love. It's been a long time she actually walked a distance. Other times she just ran or leaped. Plus, it gave her time to think. But whenever she thought of what to say when they finally met, she'd want to turn back, only to be stopped by Raiin. A week later, the gates of Konoha loomed before them.

"Ok, let's go!" Raiin said happily, glad to be home. "You, don't create trouble for me." She pointed to Regan. "And you," she turned to Temari. "Don't you dare run away."

The three made their way through the streets to the stone figures of the previous Hokages. Then up the stairs to the Fifth Hokage's office. From the corner of her eye, she saw a signal. Raiin smiled to herself as she muttered 'Show time'.

"Are we going to see the Hokage?" Regan asked, breaking the silence. "That lady we saw?"

"Duh…" Raiin gave him a puzzled look. Although he was suppose to create such a conversation to break the silence but he could have picked a better, or rather, more intelligent topic. Temari would be unnerved by such a stupid question… "Remember what I told you."

A chuunin stood before the door. He looked at the trio who just arrived and was about to question about the unfamiliar face of Regan when Raiin, without another word, knocked on the door and pushed. Tsunade sat behind the desk with Shizune carrying Ton-Ton behind her.

"Finally." Tsunade said as she rose to hug her leaf. Raiin returned her welcome.

"It's not my fault…" Raiin said, casting a look at Regan. Then she leaned forward a little and whispered. "Ino should have told you."

"Yes." Tsunade whispered back. "And what a surprise to see you, Temari. Welcome."

Temari gave a bow and straightened. Now I just need my getaway, Raiin thought

Then Regan gave a cry of anguish.

"Are you alright?" Shizune rushed forward, letting go of the little pig she was holding.

"Yeah… must be an old illness. I haven't eaten anything since morning. I have gastric problems back at home." Regan said sheepishly.

"You are such a pain to bring on journey…" Raiin rolled her eyes. Then she walked over and picked him up and led him to the door. "I'll bring him back to my place first." She turned back to Tsunade, who gave a nod. Then as they made their way down the stairs, the others could still hear Raiin's complains.

"Well, she's coming good as a teacher." Tsunade commented. Then she turned to the sand. " I'll need to take care of a little matter with Shizune. You can find your way around here right?"

"Yes." Temari gave a polite reply.

"Then you'll make your way to the tavern you used to stay."

"Yes. Thank you." Temari bowed and left. The tavern is not far from the office, just two streets and a turn. So off she went, strolling around the place. Ino quietly followed her on top of the buildings. She gave a look at the deserted intersection ahead of her and prayed that this would work. Then from far she saw the white figure she was expecting. Then silently, she leaped and disappeared.

Temari walked the streets, unaware of what's going on. Raiin had agreed to help her deal with the current situation, but now that she's gone and Temari may meet Shikamaru anywhere, anytime. She struggled to think of something to say when they finally met. Little did she know that the cupid bow of Konoha was actually nearby, with a full plan in her mind.

Shikamaru dragged his legs along the streets.

"This is troublesome. Women…" he complained to himself. Ino had asked him to meet her at the intersection, beside the building where he usually watched clouds. Fierce as she was, Shikamaru agreed so as to avoid more troublesome matters. He gave a yawn as he tucked his hands into his pockets.

"Raiin, so you think this will work?" Ino questioned.

"I think so, you know, I'm really unsure of how the two will react after they see each other, here and at this time…" Raiin sighed. The least she could do for her two friends is this. "Whatever it is, I've done my best and they had better not screw this up."

"Ten Ten would have had a better plan." Ino remarked.

"At this moment, by the looks of it, yes." Raiin said sarcastically. The streets were deserted, thanks to Tsunade-sama. The two kunoichis perched on a building watching the intersection. Two figures came at right angles and were going to meet in a few minutes more. Just as they thought that everything was right…

"Yo! Shikamaru!" Kiba's voice rang. The two kunoichis flinched. "What's up?"

"I've no idea, Ino asked me to meet her. Women are really hard to understand…" shikamaru sighed.

"Shimatta!" Ino gasped as the two ninjas down below started talking.

"Now they will never make it there in time!" Raiin cursed. She got to do something! Temari was still walking, her eyes fixed on the ground, ears oblivious of what's going on the next street. "There must be something!" then her attention was switched to the little white dog on Kiba's head. Then, as though coincidence, a cat was walking on the roof they were standing on. Raiin grabbed it and casted a genjutsu on it with her eyes. The next moment, the cat sprang and ran in the direction of the two ninjas. Akamaru caught sight of the cat and took off after it.

"Oui! Akamaru!" Kiba shouted as he, too, took off after the two. "Mate!" Shikamaru was momentary stunned. Then he gave another sigh and walked on.

"Phew…" Ino heaved a sigh of relieve as Shikamaru began to walk again. "That was some thinking!"

"I know, keep watching." Raiin simply said, mind completely empty except to make this a success. Perhaps the two's future may depend on this day, nobody ever will know. And also to bear in mind, what if tomorrow never comes…

The two figures inched near the intersection, the two kunoichis gulped. They walked and walked. Raiin clenched her fists. Ino rested her hand on her chest to calm herself down. The two were already at the edge of the intersection, just another step they will meet each other. The two kunoichis shut their eyes as they waited for the crucial second…

"Ha! Temari!" Shikamaru exclaimed.

"Shi-shikamaru…" Temari shrieked. The two kunoichis jerked opened their eyes and saw the two stopped at the intersection, in utter shock.

"Temari…" Shikamaru said quietly. "You are here…"

"Hai…I…" Temari started. "I came… I came here… to… to…" Temari was desperately finding the right words she had rehearsed over and over in her mind.

"Oh no…" Raiin screamed inside herself. Ino beside her was grabbing her arm so tightly that she thought her hand was going to break. But Raiin decided that whatever they are going to say is between them. She and Ino need to make sure that no one comes along when this is still on. She glanced around the streets and saw nobody. Curiosity got better of her and she glanced back at the two.

Temari was on the verge of breaking down as she didn't want to ruin this chance, but at the same time she wasn't mentally prepared to handle this. It's not like her to have tears welling and stuttering.

However Shikamaru knew better. Temari came here all the way was enough answer he needed. By instinct, he stepped forward and pressed the Sand's head onto his shoulder. Temari struggled to hold back the tears, which a Shinobi isn't allowed to shed. She held up her head to prevent the tears from falling, but she saw, high up on the roof was a figure she'll never mistake.

"Save your tears for later. Ninja tears are precious. And the ones you are about to shed are to be saved for reunion." Raiin's words rang in her head as she saw her. Raiin smiled to her. Temari buried her head once again in Shikamaru's shoulder and cried.

"Cry out. You'll feel better." Shikamaru soothed as he stroked her back to calm her. Then he tightened his hands around her, holding her.

Ino smiled finally and Raiin leaped to the opposite building. Shikamaru saw her land on the rooftop. Raiin pointed to the tall building and Shikamaru looked in the pointed direction. It was his special seat for looking at clouds. Shikamaru smiled a little and let go of the Sand. Using the back of his hand he wiped off the tears on her face and took her hand. The two then walked in the direction of the building Raiin was pointing and climbed.

"I don't think you've seen clouds here in Konoha." Shikamaru smiled as he turned back to her.

Temari's eyes softened and clutched his arm, as the two began to climb the stairs. Down below, Raiin gave Ino a hi-fi as they cheered 'mission accomplished'. She looked up into the sky. There were a lot of clouds and the sky was a beautiful blue. She said a little prayer, like every other time.

Up there, at the top of the building, Temari snuggled close to Shikamaru on the bench and he had his arm around her. They didn't say anything, just plain cloud gazing.