Naruto Fan Fiction

Wind and Shadow

By Kraven Ergeist

Chapter Two: Catching Up

The respective users of wind and shadow stood facing each other, neither venturing a word.

Shikamaru's mind was instantly fraught with emotions, but he calmly distanced himself from them, keeping himself in check. Though many might see it as otherwise, Shikamaru was probably the pinnacle of self-discipline next to Rock Lee.

Temari, for her part, didn't for an instant abandon her high and mighty posture, and stood with a half smirk on her face, but not one of arrogance, but more of…almost camaraderie, like the way the face of an old friend should be expressed.

Shikamaru, though used to long waits, broke the stillness with a nod and a smile. At least she had the good sense to tone down her outfit this time, He thought, with a smile. "It's been a while."

Temari nodded, doing her best to keep her face clear of any unwanted expression. "Yes," she said. "It has."

xxxxx

They eventually situated themselves outside a small café that portrayed an exquisite view of the Japanese countryside.

The two of them sipped their drinks; Shikamaru wasn't usually one for attending such places, though the drinks were good. But he wanted a reasonable excuse for sitting together with Temari.

As if he needed one.

"I've…thought about you a lot…these past years," Shikamaru muttered.

Temari, despite her resolute attempts at being expressionless, could not suppress a pleased smile from appearing on her face. "You…you have?"

Shikamaru leaned back in his chair. "Not that your ego needs any more boosting, but…well, you've made a pretty lasting impression on me…and this village."

Temari nodded. "Well, that's what I'm best at." She faced him. "How have you been?"

Shikamaru shrugged. "Playing tug-o-war between relaxing and training. Training's been getting the upper hand, but relaxation just won a big victory."

Temari giggled. "Yeah, that about sums it up for me too." She felt like mentioning her jounin status, but she didn't want to get into any competitions with him just yet.

Shikamaru, duly noting that he had yet to be shot down, smiled at her. "How about you? Anything new?"

Temari shrugged. "Well, I'd be lying if I said there wasn't. Gaara, my brother…was made into the Kazekage of Sunaha."

Shikamaru just about fell out of his seat. "Your younger brother? Jeez, he's gotta be the youngest ruler of any village yet."

Temari smiled. "Well, all it's done for me is put more pressure on me. But, it's been paying off. I've reached the level of Jounin already."

Shikamaru shrugged. "Really? I just turned down that very title a few minutes ago. I don't really care for such ambitious prospects."

Temari eyed him, wryly. No ninja she'd ever known had ever turned down that title.

"Then what are your prospects?"

Shikamaru looked away. "Grow up, get married…have kids…retire…lead an ordinary care-free life." He returned his gaze to her. "I gotta say…the ninja lifestyle doesn't suit me at all. I only signed up cause of the decent pay. But really…being a ninja is a full time job. It's not like you can say 'Sorry, don't feel like it' whenever a mission comes up. If you could, you'd be a mercenary."

Temari stared hard at him. It had occurred to her that what he was telling her was probably as close to his inner-most feelings as she could get at the moment.

"So how about you?" Shikamaru said, shaking his head of his thoughts. "Any plans for the long term?"

Temari shook her head. "Any plans I might have had got completely disrupted when my brother became Kazekage. Half a year ago, I just might have outlined a life-plan pretty similar to yours."

An unexpected twinge of pain hit Shikamaru deep in his chest. "But now?"

Temari shrugged. "Now…that might be asking too much. I'm…obliged to help my brother and serve my village, now more than ever."

Shikamaru looked away. "If you're so locked down, than…what are you doing in Konoha? The mission for Sasuke's not for another couple of months."

Temari smirked. "I'm here because of the upcoming Chunnin exam. As one of Gaara's aids, I'm responsible for carrying the plans and itineraries between our two villages."

Shikamaru nodded. "I see. I hope I'm not…impeding on that at all?"

Temari shook her head. "Nope. It's already taken care of. Now I'm just killing time before I head back tomorrow."

Shikamaru spoke before he could stop himself. "You will…be coming back again…won't you?"

Temari drew in her breath in rigid realization. "Oh…yes, of course. And I intend on being present at the Chunnin exam as well."

Shikamaru nodded. "Well, since you'll be staying the night, why don't you spend it my place rather than at a hotel? It'd be cheaper."

Temari blinked, surprised by his forwardness. "Oh, I don't want to impose upon your household."

Shikamaru shook his head. "You don't have to be so modest. If you known someone living in a village that you're staying in, they ought to offer accommodations. Don't worry; no funny business, if that's what you're worried about."

Temari sneered, blushing. "I…wouldn't have even considered it."

Shikamaru sipped the last of his drink. "Good, cause with my dad watching over my shoulder, it's doubtful that I'll get any peace and quiet tonight."

It occurred to Temari that offering to accommodate her like this was not exactly appropriate as a younger member of his household to do, and that his father might very well be displeased with him, and would probably give Shikamaru a very hard time about it.

She had seen how strict he was on his son after their last mission together, and though she hadn't known Shikamaru for a very long time, she could tell that doing what he was doing was not in his character. He was detaching himself from his normal self, something Shikamaru did not enjoy doing, for her sake.

It was a decision she thought it best to respect and appreciate.

"Thank you," Temari ceded. "I'd appreciate that greatly."

xxxxx

With what few hours of daylight left, Temari followed Shikamaru around wherever he felt like going. Shikamaru, about as self conscious as he could ever remember himself being, tried to make the best impression he could by visiting what respected places he could.

"Do you spend every afternoon watching clouds?" Temari asked.

It was near sunset, and Shikamaru was lying back on his favorite cloud-watching hill.

"What do you think that cloud looks like?" he said as an answer, pointing towards the cloud in question.

"A bunch of suspended water and ice particles. Why?" Temari snickered.

Shikamaru sneered. "I suppose I deserved that."

Temari sighed. "You make it so easy, is all."

Shikamaru cast a glance her way. "You've been following me around for the entire day."

Temari shrugged. "I was waiting for you to head home so I could give proper thanks to your household for their accommodations."

Shikamaru frowned. "You can ask almost anyone in town, and they'd be able to direct you to most of the family households."

Temari sighed. "Well…I didn't feel like going to the trouble. Plus, I enjoyed hanging out with you."

Shikamaru blinked. "Really?"

Temari smiled. "In fact…I think I might even be falling for you…"

Shikamaru stared hard at her, before she pinched his cheek, hard.

"Psych!" she jeered, making a face.

Shikamaru frowned. "Trust a woman to toy with a man's emotions."

Temari crossed her arms. "Oh, don't hide behind that again."

Shikamaru looked away. "You think I'm the one hiding?"

Temari moved to make eye contact again. "And what exactly would I have to hide from?"

Shikamaru shrugged. "I don't know, you tell me."

Temari inhaled, deeply. "Forget it."

Shikamaru sighed and laid his head back.

A moment or two went by.

"What do you think that cloud looks like?" Shikamaru ventured.

"Like a pig-headed bastard," Temari scoffed, getting to her feet.

"Hey, where're you going?"

"I'm going to get some peace and quiet," she muttered. "If what you said earlier is true, then I'll have no trouble finding your house later tonight."

Shikamaru sighed, realizing that he'd blown his chance.

xxxxx

When Asuma saw Shikamaru as he walked by, he could instantly read the boy's emotions.

"Hey, Shikamaru!" he waved from his seat at the outdoor bar. Gai, Kakashi and Kurenai were there too.

"Hey," Shikamaru said. "I don't…really want anything to drink, so…"

Asuma grabbed the boy by his shoulder. "Oh, you're not getting off that easily. Not with that look on your face."

Shikamaru resigned himself as Asuma brought him to a seat at the table, and all the teachers gave their less than sober greetings.

"So, tell us, Young Shadow warrior," Gai asked. "What ails you this night?"

Shikamaru shook his head. "It's nothing, alright?"

Kakashi smiled, which could only be noticed by his closing his one visible eye. "Obviously, this is not the case. Now, it will make things easier if you just say what on your mind here and now."

Shikamaru sighed. "Look, it's really not that big a deal."

Asuma, Gai, Kakashi and Kurenai looked at him, almost holding him prisoner with their eyes.

Shikamaru felt as if he were trapped in one of his own Kage-Mane's. "Well…it's just that…there's this girl, and-"

"Oh!" Asuma remarked. "A girl is it?"

"Beware, young Shikamaru!" Gai cautioned. "Women can be the undoing of any man!"

Kakashi sighed. "Trust me, kid, nobody understands women."

Kurenei's eyebrow twitched.

"What happened? Did she string you along and blow you off?" Asuma queried.

"Did she rip your heart from your chest?" Gai asked.

"Actually, I believe that it is within the Fifth Hokage's power to do precisely that," Kakashi remarked. "And to sew it back in when she's through."

Asuma patted Shikamaru on the back. "Whatever it is, just treat it like you treat everything else in life, Shikamaru: Like you don't care."

Shikamaru threw him a dirty look.

"I knew this girl once!" Gai proclaimed. "She was young and pretty and an excellent cook!"

Kakashi nodded. "Oh, you mean Miki Ohashi? Didn't she dump you for me?"

Gai threw his head back in sorrow. "Argh! Kakashi, I'll never forgive you for that!"

Asuma shook his head. "Look, Shikamaru, you'll meet all kinds of women in your life, and no matter what, there'll always be more. So don't sweat it if you mess this one up."

Gai looked teary eyed. "Women have always been my downfall."

Kakashi shrugged. "Eh, they always appease me."

Kurenai glared. "Um, hello? I'm kinda sitting right next to you."

"But…what if I want this one to work out?" Shikamaru sighed.

Asuma shook his head. "Then you try your best. That's about all that anyone can do."

"They toy with the feelings of men like me, and then toss them down the drain!" Gai mourned.

"You just don't know how to play it right," Kakashi taunted.

Kurenai fumigated. "Would you two stop talking like I'm not here?"

Asuma stretched out. "I wouldn't worry about it, Shikamaru. I'm sure it'll all work out in the end."

Shikamaru looked away. "This from a guy who hasn't had a date in months?"

"Women torture you, eat you up, spit you out, and feed you to the squirrels!" Gai exclaimed.

"Doesn't it say in the bible that women are the root of all evil?" Kakashi observed.

Kurenai just about blew a fuse. "Has it occurred to any of you that I'm a woman too?"

Kakashi, Asuma, and Gai were basically left huddling at one end of the bar in fear of the raging Kurenai, as she calmed herself down and sat next to Shikamaru.

"Now…Shikamaru…why don't you tell me what's going on?"

Shikamaru sighed, realizing that this time, only another woman might be able to help him out, and he related his story to her.

"Well, she seems a bit ticked off, Shikamaru," Kurenai ceded.

"Yeah, well, that was pretty obvious," Shikamaru muttered. "What I don't know is how to make her not ticked off."

Kurenai shrugged. "Well, you might try apologizing, at first."

"Apologize?"

"And then," Kurenai smiled. "If she's still put off, offer to do something nice for her, like take her out to dinner, offer her something nice, do something for her that will make her happy. Women liked to be gifted, and certainly, they like it when men try to please them. But don't make it obvious; otherwise, she'll think you've got an ulterior motive. You don't have any ulterior motives, do you, Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru gulped. "Well…beyond us being a couple, I…don't really have any objectives. If it…well, if it last long enough, I was thinking marriage, but-"

Kurenai's eyes widened. "Marriage? At your age?"

Shikamaru shook his head. "That's way off in the future. But you've heard enough about me from Asuma, right? You know how far I like to plan things."

Kurenai sighed. "What you do later on in life, that's your call. If you want Temari to like you, and maybe want to start a relationship with you, then that's what I can help you with."

Shikamaru smiled, slowly, paying a cautious heed to the male members of the party, still cowering off in the corner.

"Tell me what to do."

xxxxx

When Temari walked into the Nara household, the first thing to greet her was the outstretched hand of Shikamaru, with a small, unmarked box, held out to her.

"Here," he said, with a disgruntled frown turned the other way.

Temari blinked. "Uh…what is it?"

"It's…" Shikamaru struggled over the words. "It's for you. It's my way of saying…"Shikamaru just about bit his tongue. "I'm sorry for making you angry this evening!"

Temari took the box with a curious look, before returning his gaze to Shikamaru. "Oh…that little spat? That was just a silly little argument. It's nothing like the kind of bickering I get into with my teacher, and anyway, I shouldn't have teased you like I did."

Shikamaru looked up, somewhat puzzled.

"But…thanks anyway," Temari smiled, opening the box. It was a silver kanji character pendant held on a silver chain.

"That's our house name," Shikamaru said, matter of factly. "You've officially been made into our guest. As long as you wear that pendant, you'll always be welcome in our house."

Temari smiled at the gift, running her hand over it, before putting it around her neck. "Shikamaru…thank you."

She gaze him a light peck on the cheek.

Shikamaru tried not to blush. "What were you just saying about teasing?"

Temari smiled, standing tall. "That wasn't meant to tease you. It was to thank you."

Shikamaru raised his eyebrow. "If that's the kinda reward I get for gift giving, I might just buy the you the whole village."

Temari giggled. "Oh, don't expect too much in return."

Shikamaru smiled, leading the way to his father's audience chamber. "I'll take what I can get."

Temari didn't have much time to think on it before she was presented before Nara Shikato, head of the household.

"I welcome you to our house, Temari of the Sand," he said, warmly. "I see my son has given you our house pendant. I trust he has already explained its purpose?"

Temari bowed, politely. "Yes sir, he has. And I thank you for welcoming me."

Shikato rose from his seat and held his arm out. "Not at all, my child. Come, sit at our table, and be at home with us."

Temari bowed again, before following him, with Shikamaru close behind, to the dinner table.

Shikamaru's mother was already there, was his younger sister, Shikazumi.

(A/N: I have no idea if Shikamaru has any family besides his parents, but I figured another character would do the story good, so I threw in a sister.)

"Hi, Shikamaru!" his sister said, hugging him. "Is this that girl you've been talking about?"

Shikamaru glanced, warily at Temari. "Shika-chan, not in front of guests…"

Temari just giggled and took her seat.

"So, this is Temari of the sand," Shikamaru mother's observed. "Shikamaru's told us much about you."

Temari blinked, interested. "Oh, really? What has he said?"

Shikamaru groaned. "Mom, please."

Shikamaru's mother ignored the boy. "Well, that you saved his life for on thing. His father and I have been wanting a chance to express our gratitude for that."

Temari bowed. "It was my duty, ma'am. As a shinobi of the sand-"

"But that doesn't change the fact that it is what happened," the lady of the Nara household interrupted. "So for that, I thank you."

"As I do too," Shikato added. "Your assistance in the ordeal has given Shikamaru much to shoot for."

"Dad," Shikamaru moaned.

"As a matter of fact," Shikato went on, "He's been training non-stop since you left. His teacher and I even recommended him to partake in the Jounin exam."

Being privy to the gossip of Konoha, everyone the in the household already knew that Shikamaru had passed the test before turning down the title, but out of politeness, refrained from mentioning it.

Shikamaru, on the other hand…

"Which I turned down, naturally," Shikamaru sighed.

"Shikamaru!" His mother spoke up.

"It's ok," Shikamaru muttered. "I don't feel any shame for what I did. I made my decision, and I appreciate it if you all respected it."

Shikato frowned, deeply. "We all had such hopes for you, son. Why did you have to lead us on like that?"

"Dear, not at the dinner table!" Lady Nara said.

"I did what I did because I knew that if I didn't, I wouldn't be staying true to myself," Shikamaru said, fighting back tears. Arguing like this with his parents really bothered him. He prayed to whatever gods existed that he not cry in front of Temari. Not again.

"Then why did you accept the rank of Chunnin?" Shikato blared. "Why did you even become a ninja? Why were you even…"

"Born?" Shikamaru said, angrily, standing. "Why was I even born? Is that what you were about to say?"

Shikato said nothing, realizing he'd said too much. Lady Nara just sat quietly, praying for the situation not to worsen. Shikazumi was just sitting there, confused over the whole ordeal.

And Temari, suddenly thrust in the middle of a family ordeal, had no idea what to do.

"I don't need this," Shikamaru said, turning away. "I'm tired of people trying to change me. If you want someone who'll make you happy, then look somewhere else."

He walked away, angrily.

The entire dinner table stood still for quite some time.

"I'm sorry," Temari said. "Perhaps I should excuse myself as well."

Shikato shook his head. "No, please, stay. You're our guest. If anything, we should be apologizing to you. As you might know, Shikamaru's always been like this. He has incredible potential, but he refuses to apply himself."

"At the Jounin exam," Lady Nara explained. "He didn't turn down the test. He took the exam and passed with flying colors, and then turned down the title."

Temari blinked. "What? Then you mean to tell me that he's on the same level as a Jounin?"

Shikato nodded. "Probably more so, because he scored 100 on the written portion and beat four examiner Jounin's in under a minute. No Jounin in all of Konoha has achieved this."

Temari was frozen with disbelief. The boy that she ridiculed was…

"I'm sorry," Temari said. "I appreciate your hospitality, but…I really must excuse myself."

Shikato nodded. "As you wish. A servant will be around to show you to the guest room."

Temari bowed politely, and walked out of the dining room.

When she was beyond their earshot, she just about ran outright. She had to speak to Shikamaru at once.

xxxxx

Temari found him eventually, stargazing on the roof of the house. Temari wouldn't have known to look there, had it not been for Shikazumi's direction.

"He goes up there whenever he gets into an argument," she said, innocently. "I think it calms him down."

Temari nodded. "Thanks."

Before, she could leave, the young child took her arm. "Be nice to my brother, ok?"

Temari smiled, sweetly. "Why wouldn't I be?"

The girl shook her head. "It's just important that you do. Because my brother…he…you…you're a very special person to him."

Temari caught her breath. "Where did you hear that?" she said, like a nanny to a child.

"From him," Shikazumi said, simply, and walked away without saying goodbye.

Temari found herself being all the more uncomfortable with the idea of facing him.

Just calm down, she thought to herself. Just because his sister says he likes you doesn't mean it's true.

She crept up to the rooftop and found him lying on his back, staring at the stars.

"Did my father send you?" Shikamaru asked, indignantly.

"Your sister, actually," Temari smiled. "She really holds you in high favor. You'd better be thankful for that."

Shikamaru nodded, remembering that she had siblings to look out for herself, and that someone as sweet and tempered as Shikazumi was a tragic contrast from Temari's youngest brother.

"I am," Shikamaru sighed. "I just wished the rest of my family felt the same way. Sorry you got involved in that, incidentally. We're not usually so rambunctious. It's just that…today is…"

Temari stepped over to him and sat down next to him. "They told me about how you took the Jounin exam. When you told me you turned down the title, I assumed that you turned down the test as well, but…you aced it…and then turned the title down."

Shikamaru nodded, not tearing his gaze from the stars above. "Yeah, so what? As long as I know that I'm as strong as any Jounin out there, that's enough for me. I don't need the added responsibility."

Temari looked away. "That's ok with me," she said, in almost a whisper. "I don't mind if you want to turn away from your family's ambitions."

Shikamaru blinked at her. "What?"

Temari shook her head. "Nothing."

Shikamaru sighed, looking back at the stars. "Hey, Temari?"

"Yeah?"

"When you leave tomorrow…when do you think you'll come back?"

Temari shrugged. "It depends on what needs to be done. If the schedule or the lineup or any of that changes, then I'll probably be the one tallying back and forth between the villages."

Shikamaru blinked. "So…is that a 'soon?'"

Temari giggled. "Pretty soon…a week at most, considering how screwed up the bureaucrats who work on these things are."

Shikamaru sighed, and looked up at her. "That's good. I wouldn't you leaving, thinking I'm just some 'pig headed bastard,' now would I?"

Temari smirked, speechless, giving him a playful shove against his shoulder. "Oh…you're impossible, you know that?"

Shikamaru smiled. "And you're a little minx. What are you gonna do about it, huh?"

Temari grinned, before pinning his face to the roof with a deep kiss that left him gasping for air.

"And that," Temari smirked, tapping him on the nose. "It called 'payback.'"

She stood and went to the stairs, leaving Shikamaru as speechless and confused as before.

xxxxx

This time, the whole Nara family came to see off the messenger from the Sand. Temari smirked as she saw Shikamaru faced with almost the identical situation he had left her in the first time they'd kissed. The irony was perfect.

Each member of the household gave their respective farewells, and Shikamaru gave a wave and a smirk.

Temari turned around, disappointed, until Shikamaru stopped her.

"Wait!"

She turned back as he approached her, taking her hand in a firm grip.

"I'll be waiting for you, Temari," he promised. "I've been waiting all this time. Don't…don't make me wait longer than I have to."

Temari grinned widely, before giving a thumbs up. "Man…you worry too much!"

xxxxx

A/N: That turned out as good as I could have hoped. I was surprised with myself; usually, my romance fics wind up with the couples hitting it off right from the start, but this is the first one t hat I've been able to make more "real," if that's the word to use.

Read and Review.

I'm out.