Chapter 5: Cloud Chords

A/N hello once again. anyhow, let me address some matters. To reviewer 200 IQ thanks for the review, and yes, my characters are OOC… ok, I have to admit they are… but I'm the naïve sort of type, so my romance stories are a little ;;; for some people, some people used to say that love can change a person's habits, heroes may fail when they comes to love… I know someone out there (You know who you are) is going to say 'a leopard never changes it's spots', when that happens, I can only sigh. For now, the story.

The clouds took different shapes as they drifted across the endless blue sky. The wind was mild; it was just another peaceful day. This day, two different, yet similar people were watching the carefree clouds. Little was spoken, because words are useless, especially to those who are connected by heart, or maybe not.

"Ne, Shikamaru…" Temari started as she turned to one side and rested her head on her arm.

"Nanda?" Shikamaru said lazily.

"Why do you like watching clouds?" Temari asked as she curiously studied the lazy ninja's lazy face.

"Because it's the only activity that is not troublesome." Shikamaru closed his eyes as he answered. He knew she was watching her. He didn't feel uncomfortable. In fact, he quite enjoys the attention. It was the second day since their reunion, and all they had done was just watching clouds. It wasn't such a bad thing after all as they both enjoy it, and also each other's company. Shikamaru was back watching his clouds with a smile in his heart and Temari was back feeling happily. Thanks to their cupid.

"Then what about you?" it was Shikamaru's turn to ask. He still had his eyes closed but his features showed hint of curiosity and unmistakably, a grin.

Temari turned back to face the sky, face reddened. She didn't want to admit that it was him who got her interested in other aspects of life. Relaxing, for example. Raiin's words rang in her head again. "Human will have to settle down one day. Pride is what that destroys this fact."

"Because of you…" Temari said softly. She still didn't get around to tell him her feelings. Now, she started doubting whether she'll ever get to do so. Shikamaru's grin widened as she made her comment. He opened his eyes slowly and turned them to peek at her. She was watching the clouds with a confused mind. As though being read, Temari tries to change a subject. "Raiin says you play Shogi."

"Yes. Mostly, if I'm not watching the clouds." Shikamaru answered, wishing Temari hadn't brought that out, because he didn't want to bore her with such a 'old-man' game, like what they say. But, whenever it's a topic one likes, he never gets to escape the clutches of talking about it. "Hey you are a strategist right?"

"Um." She hummed her 'yes' and turned to look at him. He had that far-off look on his face. "Want to challenge me to a game?"

Shikamaru jerked his head to face her. He didn't expect her start him off; he had expected her to say that he was boring and act like an old man. So instead of saying 'yes'…

"Even if we played, I would have let you win…" Shikamaru said without thinking, and realized that he had really screwed up this time. However, Temari just laughed.

"Giving up again?"

"A man cannot be fighting a woman." He said, face reddened.

"Still at that men and women crap again?" She smirked. Shikamaru turned his face to the other side to hide his embarrassment. He realized that the conceited tone in her voice had disappeared since the last time she said this to him. They were making progress. No doubt. He sighed and sat upright. Temari was puzzled and did so, putting her hand on his. "What's wrong?"

Shikamaru was jumped a little at her touch, which was warm and comforting.

"Nothing… just…" Shikamaru shook his head. He twined his fingers around that hand and held on to it. Though he may appear calm, but deep down he had been so nervous since the day she saved him.

"Shikamaru…"

He looked up at her. Her eyes were filled with emotions. Worried, sad, afraid, happy, confused… At that moment he just wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her. It just hurt him to see her unhappy. He would go the distance for her; he would journey a thousand miles just to be with her. Even she didn't actually tell him how she felt about him, he was all right with it. As long as she is happy, he would sacrifice anything.

"Shikamaru?" Temari had that worried look again. He must be staring at her for a moment already. He blinked his eyes a few times.

"Iie, nande mo nai…" Shikamaru muttered. No, it's nothing.

Temari tightened her grip on his hand.

"Shikamaru, I …" she started, summoning all the courage she could. But Shikamaru didn't give her that chance. Instead, he pulled her closer to him and wrapped his other hand around her. Temari was a little astonished at such an action, but she was in total shock when he pressed his lips onto hers. Her eyes widened in shock, he let go of her hand and took her in his arms. Temari gave in and clung onto his neck as she answered his kiss. He initiated this, despite his character. She thought and smiled to herself. She deepened the kiss and brought herself closer to him. I must be mad to be doing this… Shikamaru thought, but when he found her responding to him, he felt sure the answer to his question is a positive one. How he wished he could stay like this forever. How she wished she could stop time and live in that moment.

From afar, a few figures were watching them. Among them was Ino. Her heart sighed as she saw the couple, not because she is interested in her own teammate, but the teammate of her teammate's love, Kankuro. Naturally she is happy for her teammate, but there weren't any news of Kankuro. Perhaps no news is good news, she told herself.
Shikamaru broke the contact they were sharing and looked into her eyes. Then he pressed her head onto his shoulder and held her. Temari snuggled close to him. They held each other for a very long time, enjoying the moment. Her fan lay beside her on the bench; his shadow was cast over it. Shikamaru gazed up to the sky again, but, once again, the clouds were not as beautiful and appealing as whom he was holding. He rested his head on hers, and soon, they fell asleep.
The sunset was striking, as the two awoke and watched as the sun retreated and the moon rose.

"Hungry?" Shikamaru asked, smiling joyfully. Temari nodded and they got up. Shikamaru took her hand and they walked down the steps. At that time, hopefully they could find a place to eat as majority of the ninjas are back from missions. They entered one of the eating-place and spotted familiar figures. His teammates and the other teams were sitting around the table chatting. Ino spotted them and waved, beckoning them over. They walked past the other tables and reached the inner side of the place.

"Are…" Naruto appeared shocked to see the two together, holding hands. "Why…" before he could even finish his sentence Raiin, and Sasuke, sitting on both sides of him pressed his head down into his bowl of Ramen.

"He. So that's where you went that day. If it wasn't for Akamaru, I would have caught a good show." Kiba smirked as Akamaru barked. Raiin and Ino laughed inwardly.

"Great progress, Shikamaru." Asuma, Shikamaru and Ino's teacher-in-charge added in, with his future bride Kurenai, teacher-in-charge of Kiba's team sitting beside him.

"Chey!" Shikamaru turned to one side to hide his color. The teachers and ninjas laughed. Even Temari was grinning.

"That is of course! If he screwed whatever we planned I would have him slaughtered!" Ino laughed loudly.

"Planed?" Shikamaru and Temari said together. Ino tucked into her food while Raiin answered a phone call to escape their doings.

"Eh!" Raiin suddenly burst out. "You are really a troublesome person!" She stood up angrily. Her apprentice was at attention. "Sorry pals got to go."

"Eh! Naze?" Naruto cried with his mouth full of Ramen. Huh? Why?

"That troublesome Lance… got into some trouble and I'm supposed to be there to clear up a mess. Though I may be a master but I'm certainly not a cleaner." She stood up with her apprentice. "Ha, now the two of you can take these seats, there aren't anymore so you better make do with this. You don't want your girlfriend to go back hungry." Raiin said with a voice that contained a certain amount of laugh. Shikamaru went red and Temari looked down "Well, the others, you can continue to tease these two for all you want, unfortunately I'm not able to join in the fun."

She collected her things and bid her fellow ninjas goodbye. She left shortly with her apprentice, but just a second before she left, Temari looked back at her. Raiin gave her an assuring nod. She smiled confidently and sat down with Shikamaru. The other leaf ninjas treated her like a family and she felt comfortable with them. She must say, that this was the most happiest meal she ever eaten in her whole life.

Outside of the village of sand, the shadowy figures emerged. Two of them leaped off and headed for the village, while the others retreated back to the shadows…
A/N ok ok, I know there are a few questions to be answered. First of all, the paring of Ino and Kankuro. Just one of my crazy ideas when I was still writing Master's tale. Theirs would be in another story, but it'll depend on a lot of factors whether it would be posted or not. Next Asuma and Kurenai. Haha, I just thought the two look nice together, especially when they appeared outside the sweet shop that day (after the war and that itachi and kisame were in the village). Lance, just another side character (not really important). shogi, it's a game of chess. Anyway anyway, reviews please, for those who had reviewed and those who have not. having a bad hang over after this chapter. Setus (Actually spelt as Cetus, the sea monster in Greek Mythology), i am a cold-blooded, merciless sea monster. it's a miracle this story even lasted this long... perhaps my characters aren't the ones OOC. it should be me! haha