Well, here's chapter 9. I hope I didn't overdo it.


Chapter 9

Romance at the Dock

This is just great. We are on a detached dock in the ocean, and we're floating away.

Temari drifted back into consciousness. She hurt all over, but she was warm. The source of the warmth was behind her. She was leaning up on it. Then she realized that it made no sense. Why was she warm? It would make sense if she didn't hurt, because then she would be dead. And it would make sense to just hurt, and be about to die. But she was breathing cool air, and she was warm. She opened her eyes.

"Ngg." she groaned at the light. She was still in the ocean. She was on the dock. But why was she warm? She turned around to the source of the warmth. Shikamaru smiled at her.

"Shikamaru-chan?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you take the trouble to save me?"

"It wasn't trouble." he replied. "It was worth it."

Temari blushed. "But I haven't done anything for you…"

"Now's your chance."

Temari didn't grasp what he was suggesting. "What do you mean?"

He looked into her eyes, making her blush. But she couldn't look away. His gaze told her what he wanted. She wanted it, too, but wasn't really sure of herself.

Suddenly, he moved in, kissing her. She relaxed into his body. It felt so natural and real. She ran a hand up his back and ran a hand through his hair, freeing it from its elastic. It was so smooth and silky.

She felt his tongue probe her lips, asking to enter. She opened her mouth, letting his tongue brush up against hers. His hands met behind her back, drawing her closer. She felt his perfect abs against her body. Temari was happier than she could ever remember being. His left hand ran up her back. He started fiddling with the tie in her bikini top.

Suddenly, he realized what he was doing, and slowly broke it off. Temari smiled and blushed. She looked at him with absolute love.

"I…" Temari started. Shikamaru smiled.

"Would you consider a date tomorrow night?" he asked.

She broke out of her daze. "Yes!" she exclaimed, and hugged him, knocking him over. "I'd love to!"

They heard a motor boat in the distance. They stood up and waved their arms franticly, trying to get their attention.

It veered towards them. It was Sakura, Naruto, and Kakashi.

"Oy!" yelled Shikamaru "It took you long enough! we've been here for hours!"

Kakashi smiled. "There was a fish drowning on the way, so we taught it how to swim…" Shikamaru raised an eyebrow cynically.

"Hop in!" Sakura yelled.

"Shikamaru, why are you in your boxers?" asked Naruto. Sakura hit him, but she looked curious, too.

"It's not what you think!" exclaimed Temari. This made Kakashi raise his eyebrows.

"If I had kept all my wet clothes on, I would have caught cold." Shikamaru said. Sakura decided that Temari was too happy for having almost drowned. And the bow tying her bikini was only a single knot, now. Sakura took her to a room, 'to get her some clothes'.

She did. She didn't have much selection, only one other outfit than what she was wearing. It was a black belly-shirt with mesh sleeves and belly. It said "Shut up." in pink across the front. There was a very short black leather skirt with a thick belt. It had a pair of matching boots that came halfway up her lower legs and two inch clunky heels. It was a very gothic look. Sakura smiled.

"So, what happened between you and Shikamaru?" she asked.

"Nothing!" Temari replied a bit too quickly, blushing.

"You're as bad of a liar as Kakashi." Sakura said bluntly. "Tell me: what happened? You're too happy to have just drown, and the strap on your bikini was half untied."

"He kissed me." Temari said, blushing. "And then he asked me out, for tomorrow night."

"Really!" Sakura was extremely excited. "That's great."

"But I don't know what to wear…" she said.

"Then we'll hit the mall as soon as everyone is assured you're okay." Sakura loved shopping, and had a great eye for it. "We'll see if he likes this look, and shop based on that and what looks good on you."

Sakura walked out of the room with Temari. Shikamaru was lost for words. He stared, thinking how beautiful it was, and how lucky he was to be going on a date with her. Naruto saw this and drew the connection.

When Shikamaru finally found his tongue, he said "Wow." Temari walked up to him.

"Cat got your tongue?" Temari said. Shikamaru smiled.

"If you're a cat."

"Would that be a good thing?" Shikamaru just smiled. Naruto looked lost, unsure of what to do. It was becoming quite obvious that they were a couple.

Kakashi looked on with interest. "So you two are an item, now?" he asked. Temari blushed.

"I guess." replied Shikamaru.

Gaara was troubled. He got a strange feeling whenever he saw or talked to Hinata. He didn't know what it was. He didn't understand it. He wondered what it was, and it ticked him off. He decided to ask Kankuro.

"Kankuro," he said. Kankuro looked at him. "I have a question." Kankuro was seriously confused, but allowed him to be towed to a small room in the hotel they had been staying at for the past three days. Gaara sat down, so Kankuro did, too.

"Have you ever felt a weird, confusing emotion because of being near someone?" asked Gaara. Kankuro looked at him. It was true. He really was in love!

"Yeah." Kankuro replied "What about it?" He knew, but he didn't know how to explain it. He thought about it.

"What is it, and why?" asked Gaara. He was acting like he had before the tragedy. Before his mother died and he was labeled a threat.

"It's love." Kankuro said simply, wanting more time.

"What's that?" Gaara asked, still sounding confused.

"It's when…" Kankuro thought for a moment more. "It's when one person cares more about someone else than themselves. And no one knows why."

Gaara blinked, taking it in. He was acting like he had when he was five. Kankuro smiled. He hoped that Gaara would stay this way

"Who's the lucky lady?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Hyuuga Hinata." Gaara said. "I'm in love with Hyuuga Hinata."

Oops

Sakura walked out of the room with Temari. Shikamaru was lost for words. He stared, thinking how terrible this was. "Temari, you don't like that, do you?"


Well? Did I overdo it or not? I don't know if it's any good or not. Please review.