This chapter takes the cake guys. We start with flash backs marked by age, hopefully easy enough to read. There is a little bit of everything here

everything to feed the soul!

take your time cause it's a long one hehehe

It's officially, I live for these two geniuses.

Enjoy! Comment if you want they make my day XD

It had been years since she had cried.

Years since she let herself shed a single tear.

Years since she had let out her pain.

Years since she felt the remorse.

When Shikamaru had pushed past her fan, her only defense between them, she was lost only thoughts of how she had to fix her father's war surging her mind. Temari had to do it on her own as the eldest it was her obligation to her siblings, her people, her village. She'd become numb to feeling, stained were her hands with the blood of her enemies, unknown men and women who had gotten to close to the goddess's wrath. What she had left was her love for her brothers, she couldn't let them be hurt as the result of their own father going mad. They needed her, but she needed them. Her eyes rose to meet his.

With sudden realization she saw his unwavering gaze narrow and he pushed past her fan, determined. A quick step back she tensed trying to figure out how to get away, she went back for her weapon. He grabbed her wrist, although roughly she didn't feel anything as she stiffened unable to move her body, yet she tried with a weak grab at her fan. She was sure he would try and kill her now; he had the advantage and had brought her down to her lowest, one she didn't know existed. Teal eyes widened and she inhaled sharply as his body pushed into hers, his arm wrapped around her back pulling her into him. Her chin rested on his shoulder, and she stared into the heavens above, so this is how she'd die stabbed in the back, literally, by her enemy. The thought crossed her mind until her wrist was released, and his arm joined the other in an embrace. Temari didn't dare to blink as she stilled in his arms, hers slowly dropping to rest at her sides as he held on tightly. She felt his warm breath at the nape of her neck his hands gripping lightly but firmly into her back pushing her closer into him making her shudder.

Jaw clenching, her eyes shut tightly, and she let out her pain, the cry echoing around her. She was sure it was loud, yet she heard nothing only felt the rain and tears soak her crimson cheeks. Shikamaru didn't flinch and if anything, he pushed further to tighten his grip on her.

Age 3

Temari swung her legs anxiously as she sat beside Kankuro at the hospital. They had been brought down by her uncle upon her father's demands and she was now worried when she heard someone mention to much blood, she knew blood was bad. Kankuro had thankfully been too occupied by his doll to see her concern. When she spotted her uncle marching down the hall, she quickly pushed off the chair and ran to him, only to be stopped by her father's firm grip on her shoulder jerking her back.

"Temari sit" She swallowed nervously when she turned up to look at him. Rasa glared ahead of him his face set in something she'd never seen before, rage.

"Where's Mama?" she forced herself to speak and defy his order as she flinched back from his narrowed eyes turned to her, lips turned down.

"She's dead" his voice was stern as if he was scolding her for asking. Her eyes widened and she tried to pull away, but he kept her still with a painful grip.

"Where's the baby?" She demanded but it came out meek and to quiet.

"His name is Gaara" He let her go when her eyes began to fill with tears and went after her uncle. Temari stared down at the floor drops of tears falling to a puddle before her.

Age 5

Temari giggled quickly covering her mouth to stifle the noise as she successfully tiptoed her way down the hall towards the very far room. She couldn't let her father or uncle know she was sneaking around past bedtime. Her tongue stuck out comically as she raised a hand to the door and glanced around briefly before sneaking into the room, ignoring the faint squeak of the door as she shut it behind her. Turning she looked at the mess of red hair laying on the tatami and began to sneak over. The red hair shifted, and she was met with a wide ghostly blue gaze enhanced by darkened black lids. Gaara blinked sitting up his mouth set in a firm line as he watched her approach.

"Gaara" she whispered and quietly snuck to his side seating herself beside him as he looked up quietly at her "See I told you I'd be here your big sister keeps her promises" She smiled widely at him and leaned in hugging her brother. Gaara didn't speak but he did shift slightly to put his head closer to her. She pulled back and held his cheeks "Now how about I put you to sleep with mama's song huh?" He grinned, a faint tug at his lips really, and nodded laying back down. She turned to lay on her stomach and rest her palms under her chin swaying her head slowly as she began to sing, quietly, the lullaby her mother used to sing her before she died. Gaara closed his eyes and although he knew he wouldn't sleep Temari risked getting caught every night to sneak inside and sing to him.

Age 8

Temari rolled her eyes when Kankuro insisted on going outside to play, with a sigh she followed him towards the playground. Upon reaching it Kankuro stopped at the gates and looked back at her quietly, she quickened her pace when he shook his head at her and halted when she saw Gaara seated alone playing in the sand. Looking around quickly a mischievous smirk graced her lips, finally a chance.

"Well go on Kankuro, no one is here we can go play with Gaara" She gave him a nudge

"But Papa said" He began to protest

"Listen to your big sister it's ok" She hushed him and walked into the ring smiling at a surprised Gaara and seating herself between her brothers enjoying the rare moment of being together. Mom would have been proud to see Kankuro and Gaara getting along. She awed at Gaara's powers and shook her head to Kankuro's silly remarks until her father showed up.

"Temari, Kankuro" His voice sent a shudder of fear down her spine, she wasn't scared of him, but she knew what he would make them leave Gaara, again. Just as she was fulfilling her promise she was ripped away, each time her heart hurt a little more. When she turned back defying her father's orders Gaara quietly stood and reached out for her his blue gaze arching to one of worry.

"Gaara" she whispered her body froze eyes widening and she wanted to reach back out for him

"Temari now" as if stunned she bawled her fists and her eyes slowly dropped as she turned away dragging her feet after her father and brother. They said her brother was a monster, but she never believed it.

Age 9

She saw the blood, she heard the screams, she felt the chill desert air wave over her. Temari's gaze never left the crushed body before her, even as her father pulled her back turning her away from the sight, she still saw. He was mad, he always was. Temari was supposed to be home in bed not out wandering the streets following her baby brother, her brother who just crushed the man in sand, the same sand she had always looked at in awe, in his attempt to attack him.

"Temari I've warned you countless times" she heard the anger behind it yet didn't dare look up at the glare turned to her "Gaara isn't your brother, he's a monster" She flinched but made no noise "Don't go sneaking out like this again understood?" when he stopped holding her still forcing her attention she finally turned eyes red and cheeks stained with dry tears "I said understood?" Stern, demanding, unforgiving. She nodded and spoke obediently.

"Yes father" her eyes held his, hers beginning to glaze over as she realized he was right. She saw it all she heard it all, she feared him like everyone else. Her shoulder went cold as he released his grip on her and turned leading the way to home. Temari looked back at the kneeling red haired boy, his head held in his hands. Shutting her eyes, she turned and followed her father.

Age 13

With a hard pant Temari fell to her knee arm gripping the steel fan to help steady her and lifted her head to bare her teeth in rage at Baki who glared back unimpressed.

"You call that an attack, felt more like a soft breeze" he smirked and closed his eye mocking his student. With a growl she rose and shot forward with all intent to slam the fan into his head, he always said show no mercy. Yet when he ducked, her eyes widened in surprise, she was met with a firm shove causing her to fall onto her side and yell out on frustration as she sat back up. "Use your anger Temari but use it to move not just attack. Wind Release jutsu isn't accomplished in one day you know"

"I know that Sensei" she huffed standing and crossed her arms abandoning her fan on the ground "That's the hundredth time you've said that" she hissed clearly irritated.

"Well maybe if you got is right, I wouldn't have to say anything" he mocked halfheartedly and turned away from her towards the gates of the training grounds, her eyes narrowed and her arms fell to her sides in fists absolutely livid at his disinterest in her training "We can pick up again tomorrow" or right now, she thought. With a smirk she crouched slipping her hand behind her and the other to pull her fan up and with all her might swung her whirlwind at him. What she saw as a victory on her part was a hard lesson in life. Baki had already predicted her move and vanished before her, leaving the whirlwind to crash into the sandy gates at nothing. Her eyes widened and she looked back to see her sensei knock her forward with a swift kick to her back. She fell forward face connecting with the rocky ground below and winced at the pain as she forced herself to push off the ground to stand wiping the dirt from her mouth quickly. "Nice try" he sighed and crossed his arms "you keep at it Princess you might be a half decent Kunoichi someday" Temari turned a dark glare towards him "That's enough for today" he gave her a stern look his eye narrowing a she wiped her mouth smirking ruthlessly as she jumped back her next words mocking him.

"I don't think so" She called out. Below Baki a faint glow under his foot signaling the paper bomb starting to ignite. He gasped and jumped back just in time to cover against the fiery smoke and when he fell into a crouch Temari laughed at his surprised look.

"Well well someone had a few tricks up her sleeves" She gave him her best smile proud of herself.

"You should have seen your face sensei" Baki shook his head but chuckled as he rose to his feet the laughter that very few heard softening his stern expression.

Age 15

Still a day left in their retreat to Suna, after the plan to attack Konoha had failed, the three sand siblings had finally made it to the desert. Kankuro sighed rubbing his eyes and stifling another yawn after his sister's refusal to stop until they had reached to border of the Land of Wind. They had slowed their pace, considering it a break instead of stopping, seeing as each looked more tired than the last. Temari stayed to Gaara's side, although still distant from him, and casted quick glances down at her stoic brother noting his silence seemed more composed, he lacked his certain feral rage and hadn't spoken since his defeat.

Yet he apologized and she had been simmering on it for two days now, whatever that blonde jinchuriki told him had changed her brother, taming the feared inner demon within. His pale eyes met her next stare, and she stiffened the fear creeping back up, but she held onto them as if drawn in. They seemed softer to her like that of when Gaara was just a baby, when he stared up at his sister in wonder when she sang to him or snuck smiles every chance, she saw him. Over the years that wonder had turned to a cold lifeless gaze that she looked away from fear of meeting the same end as his victims. Until now. Her lips quivered and she fought the welling water in her eyes when he stopped quiet as she clenched her jaw and pulled her face away shutting her eyes tight.

"Temari?" Kankuro paused behind them and raised an eye to her back. She ignored her name and tensed fists bawling and fighting the tears leaving her eyes.

"This is all my fault" she muttered almost to quiet to hear. Kankuro's eyes widened, and he looked quickly to Gaara who's stare never wavered. "All this is my fault" she repeated louder this time and turned to face them eyes opening to meet Gaara's gaze "I should have fought more to be there for you Gaara" her eyes fell to the sand below blinking away the continuous tears "I'm so sorry I let you get hurt I" she swallowed "I broke my promise to mom I'm sorry I wasn't a better sister" She looked up eyes turning from Kankuro to Gaara and quickly wiping away her blurry vison with her sleeve "I'm so sorry both of you" she dropped her head biting back her whimper and hiding her weakness poorly behind her arm.

"Temari it's not your fault none of this" Kankuro reached over pausing slightly before reaching her shoulder, he wasn't too sure what to do. Temari was always known for her confident appearance, never one to break and fall and he'd rarely if ever seen her broken like this. She had always been good at putting on a show.

"Temari" Gaara's voice stilled both of them Kankuro turned a cautious eye to his brother and Temari stilled her crying shoulders shuddering silently "Father is the one who did this" he stepped towards them, Kankuro tensing out of habit "do not blame yourself for his actions" He stopped before her, and she slowly raised her head to turn her red eyes to him "Thank you for being there" he raised a hand and placed it on her shoulder turning his eyes from her to Kankuro "Both of you" New tears welled in her eyes she smiled and threw herself forward wrapping her arms around his neck and cried, fear replaced with her longing to be there for him after so many years. Gaara tensed and looked at Kankuro who hid his grin poorly under his paint, knowing of the ultimate form of love from Temari.

Age 17

The Suna council muttered among themselves as Baki spoke his narrowed eye gazing to each member. Behind him the sand siblings stood quietly their youngest member staring back into the crowd his blue gaze unwavering of all emotions.

"The Daimyo stated clearly that the Land of Fire refuses all attempts at peace" Baki's voice boomed into the crowd silencing each member as they looked towards the leader "their feudal lord wishes nothing to do with our country and so from hence forth we will no longer remain peaceful with the Village Hidden in the Leaf" He pulled back eye shutting at the sudden uprise in voices. Temari clenched her jaw and shared a glare with Kankuro before they both returned to staring coldly into the crowd, "They betrayed us two years ago and they call us traitors" Baki called out silencing them once more

"We will officially send a report and declared war among them in the next month, as the proceedings go we will also appoint our new Kazekage before the months end" He turned to Gaara everyone's gazes following him "I solely recommend Gaara of the Sand as our fifth Kazekage, the one who will lead our Village through the challenging times ahead" He faced the council "The desert is as unforgiving as it is unforgettable" with that he nodded to his students and they left the council. Gaara unmoving from the recommendation stiffened when Temari draped an arm over his shoulder smirk resting on her lips, still not quite used to her need to show her affection towards him.

"Aren't you excited little brother" She beamed smile widening and voice rising excitedly "Gaara of the Sand the Fifth Kazekage of Suna" with a giggle she pressed her cheek to his, pride swelling in her chest for him. He made no move to pull away and shut his eyes.

"It is just a recommendation" Kankuro muttered but smirked down at his brother. With glare Temari turned to her other brother her delight gone and a warning set on her face.

"Shut it will you Kankuro, this is Gaara's moment, he's earned it" She hissed with a groan from Kankuro as he looked away opting to ignore her.

"This war was inevitable" Gaara stated, opening his eyes to stare ahead "The Leaf doesn't seek us as allies anymore" Temari looked back down to him pulling her arm away and gave him a small smile.

"Well yeah they called us traitors after all" She paused eyes turned down "Father started it that's why we have to fix this, even if it means we have to fight against them" Kankuro grumbled turning his narrowed eyes back to them.

"They're probably scared that we are just planning to sneak in again and hit them from the inside, cowards" he snorted and turned to his sister as she cleared her throat eyes narrowed, serious.

"Regardless we have a duty to our people, if that means we fight we fight" Temari sternly looked at each of them crossing her arms "this is the third time we tried for an alliance, and they have refused us each time, if that is T a clear sign that this war is meant to happened then I don't know what is" her words bitter at the thought of the Leaf looking down at their pleas for peace "You two two need to understand that we have no choice right now" She refused to look at them for a moment, they didn't need to see the grief she carried.

"So we are at war then" Gaara looked at her. Temari sighed her teal eyes meeting his and placed a gentle hand to his shoulder.

"Don't worry little brother you've got me and Kankuro here with you, we'll fight side by side against our enemies always" She pulled her biggest grin, forcing herself to steady any doubt among her siblings. Kankuro groaned and looked at her.

"Temari if he's gonna be Kazekage you can't always be so affectionate around him" Her smile fell, and she turned to him with a hard glare.

"You're just mad because I don't hug you anymore" She grinned smugly when he rolled his eyes losing interest in arguing with her "besides I've got a lot of years to make up for here and Gaara is just to adorable" Temari turned a gentle grin to Gaara who sighed and tugged slightly on his mouth "Now let's get going we've got a war to prepare for" She smirked stepped forward nudging her head for the two to follow.

Age 19

Standing beside Kankuro, Temari took a deep breath willing herself to savor in the moment. The two sand siblings surveyed the Sand's frontline camp ahead of them, the Suna's armies main camp she would lead. Kankuro leaned forward and looked at his sister with a smirk.

"So, you ready to get in there and start bossing everyone around sis?"

"It's not bossing everyone around Kankuro" she smiled lightly turning her awed gaze him "It's called commanding and now as Suna's second in command I'm going to be responsible for every life here. I'm going to lead the attacks against the Lands of Earth and Fire and restore the Land of Wind's power back" She draped an arm over his shoulder "Plus Baki has to listen to me now" pulling his cheek to hers with a wide victorious grin "I'm so excited" she squealed with a laugh at the end. Kankuro sighed and patted her back at her secret enthusiasm, she wasn't about to go into the camp this happy. When she pulled back, he snickered.

"Hey Temari, you got a little something on your face" realizing, his sister quickly began to wipe at the purple paint on her cheek and glared at him.

"This is why I don't hug you anymore" she scoffed

"This is why I wear the paint" He smirked proud of himself.

Age 19

A cry loud and distant, a Leaf shinobi fell onto his back his shout quieted by the fall as he slid back into his land, grass making way for dirt in his plunge. Temari slowly rose straightening herself and with a sigh smirked as her eyes opened to look at the defeated man. The fight beside her seemed to rise in volume and she turned from her groaning foe in time to spot the Crow and Black Ant ensnare their opponent. Kankuro snickered and crossed his arms the scream ripping through the air, she sighed annoyed, always so dramatic her brother.

"Kankuro we need to get going before more show up" She called out to him keeping her eyes moving around the green brush around her "I told you not to get to deep into Fire country chasing these shinobi, when will you learn to listen to me" she lectured with a huff "you're lucky I was here to save you" looking back at her unit, two remaining sand shinobi walked forward sheathing their weapons, and awaited command.

"Hold on Temari gotta make sure he's good and dead, don't want the Leaf thinking we show mercy to those who cross our borders" With a roll of her eyes she turned to the branches above and grinned.

"I think we have company" she stiffened her hold on her readied fan sitting behind her and listened to the small taps of feet falling from the branches coming to stand behind her. "Well well" She glanced back eyes widening slightly at the sight of the three man squad. The dark narrowed eyes, the same disinterested frown even the same high ponytail, just like her chunin fight four years ago, what was his name again? He seemed older, looked it at least, kinda cute she thought to herself. She turned on her heels and rested her arm on her opened fan leaning into it pulling a smirk at her lips, eyes narrowing back. He responded by tightening his eyes readying "Who do we have here? Reinforcements?" She teased with a tilt in her head mocking the three. The blonde to his side scoffed glare turning bitter as she focused on Temari, mouth opening but the one in the middle, the one with the dark eyes, raised a hand stopping her from making her remark

"You're in Fire country, we'll give you one warning to retreat, or else" His tone was calm yet stern a warning with a command behind it, yet he still looked bored. She almost leaned in further to get a closer look at him, almost instead she chuckled mockingly pulling her chin up and showing her own commanding stance.

"Who made you captain kid?" Sarcastic as she was, she almost lost her grin when he smirked, readying a taunt back to her. That being the ambush set around her, she felt the eyes heard the rustle in the trees, Leaf shinobi waiting for their command to strike. Kankuro sensed it as well and turned his glare to the three baring his teeth in disdain.

"The Fifth Hokage has reinforced the western border and I am now in charge of the Leaf's defense against your Suna troops" He sighed his face as relaxed as could be "It's a drag but someone's gotta do it" his eyes turned to her waiting for her move. Temari lowered her gaze shut her eyes and smirked, she had already played it out in her head and saw the outcome, and she knew who he was. With a dramatic huff she turned away fan slipping shut and looked back with a mocking smile.

"I expect you to be more of a challenge then the last guy, been kinda boring on your border anyways" She softened her smile one to entice him to look "Let's hope you don't give up" his face faltering staring at her lips none the less "on your first week as captain" Her eyes hooded "Shikamaru Nara" savoring the surprised look on his face she turned eyes focused on Kankuro who kept watch as she passed him and what remained of her unit. Outnumbered three to one she took no risk here she'd have her win eventually.

Age 21

With a smirk Temari lifted herself from her crouch and observed the Leaf shinobi before her. One on his back turning to groan and cough, another beside him passed out, and a third curled over the branch of a tree. She would have laughed had it not been for the two on her patrol coming up to beam at her.

"Lady Temari that was amazing" Matsuri laughed as Yukata pushed to her side with a wide grin

"Yeah, teach us how to do that move" She blinked up at her excitedly. Temari sighed trying hard not to laugh at the two genin by her side. Her secretly favorite among the others, if anything due to the pure determination they had to offer, even if their skills lacked to her standards.

"I told you already you have to master one weapon at a time, and the fan is only meant for long range users" she pointed at them "Which you two are not" She leaned on her fan listening to them chatter, but her gaze slowly scanning the brush before her. They were at the edge of their border and to close to the Leaf's camp for her liking. Their talk becoming distant as she pulled off her fan and straightened eyes narrowing. The faint hiss directed towards her only connected with the edge of her fan and she pulled her lips down "Get behind me" She ordered the two genin quick to obey as she scanned the trees around her resting on the calm figure approaching hands slipped in his pockets and a cigarette hanging off his lazy downturned lips.

"You're a little too close to our border" Shikamaru remarked tiredly pausing a respectable distance away cautious at her glare meeting his uninterested stare. She smirked and straightened leaning against her fan relaxed as he was, this man wouldn't dare strike her first and she knew it.

"Are we now?" She mocked taking great interest at the newly appointed captain's appearance "Maybe if you kept your men on your side of the border we wouldn't have to fight so often" she tilted her head widening her grin slightly under a hooded gaze sparking a tense in his posture "not that I don't mind the practice" He dropped his head and rubbed his neck pulling up to smirk back at her.

"Come on give the guys a break they just got up here two days ago" he grumbled

"Fresh from the village" she glanced back at her students, both quietly staring back at him, but kept her senses on alert "Probably should have taken it easy then?" she returned with a glare.

"We all know you don't do easy Temari" He glanced over at one of the groaning shinobi as he sat himself up wincing at the gash on his arm "My point exactly" and with a sigh came over to help him up. Temari stared a moment longer before grinning.

"Get to close again and I won't show as much mercy as I did" When he looked back, she pulled an almost friendly wide grin waving delicately at him, relishing in his falter, the look of unease on him making her laugh on the inside, as she turned walking past her students each taking to her side. She knew she could fight him here and now, but some nagging feeling in her told her to take her win and leave, his expression was more than enough.

"Lady Temari why are we leaving?" Matsuri took to her right looking concerned.

"Yeah, we have the advantage, right?" Yukata looked up at her nervously. Temari pulled her lips into a sly grin her eyes narrowing.

"Ladies let me share something with you" She tilted her head back hooded teal meeting the dark widened eyes of the captain and pulling a smirk before turning back "Sometimes you have to use different tactics when it comes to the art of war. Not all battles have to be won using force" With that she silenced the two and left the border.

Age 23

Her mouth tasted like blood; she was sure the knock back from the crazed nine tails did a number on her. Temari huffed sitting up painfully and spitting out the metallic taste from her lips, it's been a while since she tasted her own blood. Her vison clearing, she blinked, looking around the clearing and groaned when she heard the distant growl and screaming. Rising to her knee she gripped the fan to her side and took a few breaths steadying her mind the throbbing painful. She heard the shouts and yells from both Leaf and Sand shinobi rushing away to avoid the darkened red chakra of the Fox. Then her name was called. Raising herself she looked around finding herself staring at the beast as it stilled a growl escaping it and a shadow holding it.

"Temari" ignoring the call she stared on the crouched figure calling out orders to the man beside him. She knew that guy she was sure, maybe, her vison blurred, and she fell forward. Kankuro sighed in relief he caught Temari in her fall, she'd kill him if he'd let her fall on her face. He turned a glare towards the beast as they restrained him to the ground, fighting all the way. Lifting his sister in his arms he snorted, Leaf's problem not ours. "Everyone, retreat!" he called out Sand shinobi turning and heeding their commander's call.

Unseen by all Shikamaru peered back seeing the slumped body of his enemy's captain hanging from her brother's arms as he gripped her protectively. Her lips parted and head slunk back, she seemed peaceful, the only sign of life the faint fall and rise of her chest. Kankuro tossed her weapon to one of their shinobi and stood turning to glare at the beast before rushing into the woods. He turned back eyes narrowed, Naruto had lost control, but this time it would have been worse had he defeated their adversaries by killing them. He'd managed to temper the war so far minimal casualties and small scuffles usually two sets of patrols just itching to fight, like dogs with too much energy.

When this strike occurred, it was a full ambush led the Princess herself, a term he liked to use to mock her when he got the chance to cross her path, but only if she pushed his far enough. He heard the term goddess used before, he could see it, but that thought stay far away in his mind locked up with all those taunting remarks and smiles. She planned the ambush well each part down to the meticulous second it seemed, each side fought well until Naruto angered and lost control. He didn't see sides, and many were left injured from both sides, they managed but only just. She was alive however so he could breathe, her death meant a real war would occur. One where the battles would not be as forgiving as this.

Two weeks later

Temari having recovered and gained a new merciless fury against the Leaf. She had pushed past her brother and commanded that she would kill the one who messed up. During her rage, he didn't protest but she knew he'd follow. Secretly grateful that she knew her brother so well she tracked her way through the Land of Fire pushing close to the Earth's border and only stopped when she noticed the units below.

They were planning something by their scattered numbers and when she noticed him, she hid a small tinge of excitement, she did enjoy the game of wits with him, her rival, she wouldn't admit it to herself but she kinda liked the guy or he'd grown on her. Either way she followed him, he was alone after all, a rare chance for a more personal game. With him dead the armies would be at war, a real ruthless war of entire villages going against each other finally time to determine the victor.

They smirked.

They fought.

He saved her.

She saved him.

As he held her still body in his arms he listened to the breathless pant for air, the tears dry but she was still soaked from the rain. Shikamaru had counted minutes in his head, but it felt like hours or days if she needed that long he'd give it, she deserved them. His gaze turned to the ground below slowly blinking away rain and gently shifting to hold her closer, to will some life into the woman. She was still, then she tensed a sharp inhale then a whisper.

"Let me go" she muttered into his shoulder, she felt small in his hold, her fingers gripping at the back of his vest slowly pulling away sliding down and away to her sides. His hands tensed for a second at the sudden call from her and he eased away hesitant at first, he'd forgotten for a moment her voice even quiet commanded attention. They pulled away at a hesitant rate both bodies stiff as if realizing just then what had happened, his eyes kept their place on the ground below waiting. As he predicted she'd force his gaze on her first, red rimmed teals brightened by the tears. His unease still lingered, and he could just manage to steady his breath as he looked at her, lips parted, eyes wide, curious? Her gaze lowered just a small flash to his lips, before she stared back up. He caught that one, his eyes widened but only just, yet he remained stoic, patiently awaiting her move. It was her turn after all.

Temari's eyes slowly hooded, and she lifted her lips. He tensed but made no move, his heartbeat quickened though and just as she noticed he lip curled up into a smirk. A sharp pain to his stomach and he hunched over, just seeing her fist hidden in his cloak.

Troublesome woman punched him.

He grimaced and was silenced by a grip at the back of his neck, firm enough to hold him yet gentle delicate fingers placed lightly on the skin. His forehead rested on her shoulder and his vison only say the damp scarf. First thought stupid Shikamaru for a genius you sure are an idiot. The second thought never happened as she lowered her lips to his ear speaking in a voice soaked in a gentle enticing tone.

"Shikamaru" The pain stopped instantly and he could all but still his body as to not interrupt her "Thank you" she leaned in, feeling her lips hover over his skin "But if you ever tell anyone" he felt the slight pull on her lips her fingers tightening on the back of his neck "About this I'll have to kill you, and I don't want to do that" the last words left and she pulled her fist away to push him up to stand. He was instantly aware of how hot he was, his eyes furrowed, and he glared down at her, his cheeks were burning, and she made sure he knew.

Her lips pulled back, and she laughed. His face fell and he just stared down at her, no cruel intent no snarky remark just a chine of joy filled laugher, eyes closed and cheeks flush with a wide grin to add to his awe. He saw why they called her a goddess, beauty with a good amount of wrath, a woman to be praised and revered with love. Just as he had grabbed her on instinct during the ambush he stepped forward and held her cheeks stilling her and leaned in pushing his lips to silent hers.

The second thought came back as he was in trouble, and he hated trouble.