Is it hot in here or are we just in the Land of Wind?
Awkward? Cute? A little melodramatic?
Yes
Rated M for reasons
Enjoy
oh and I don't own any Naruto characters if I never mentioned yet lol
edited 6/30/22
The fragile tap of porcelain hitting the edge of a vibrant red saucer echoed in the quiet tent, the heat from the tea floating to the top to escape as steam. Delicate fingers reaching back to the scroll as Temari lifted the notes to her arm and read, small notes about supplies send from Suna, approval signed by her brother. A faint grin graced her lips, gentle, at least she'll be able to come home soon to see Gaara, once again to be named a war hero, not that she really cared for the title. Suna would be safe, and her family could rest easy for a little while, at least until she presented her idea for the attack on the Earth. Hopeful for once, she slid the scroll down her bare arm brushing her loose hair from her cheek and tucking it behind her ear, black silk gliding down her arm in her motion.
The painted words began merging into useless information, she'd read it all before, as usual supplies were short, yet somehow sake still managed to meet its demand. She almost groaned at the thought of another night of her army shouting out in song and praising one another on their well fought battles, mostly men who'd pass out a step from their tents. It amused her years ago but now she simply hid away in her tent when she wasn't needed, besides she'd always been too engaged in keeping the camps running smoothly more than celebrating.
One small victory meant nothing she was here for a war not a match. The same way could be said for her constant matches against the Leaf's commander, they fought against each other in an endless battle apparently each one leading to more interesting results. Back on the ledge she lingered more and more throughout the day, almost like some schoolgirl fawning over her first crush. Both annoying her and intriguing her to no end it seemed, she wouldn't mind it happening again, and if she wanted to badly enough, she'd make it happened. Biting her lip at the thought she held back the smile then sighed, wishful thinking on her part.
The distant hustle of Sand shinobi calling out brought her attention back, hearing faint mentions of the Leaf's unit arriving. Already time for her next match it seemed, with a smirk she continued her scan of her scroll picking bits and pieces from the voices outside, faint whispered of the enemy entering camp or someone shouting to hide the sake, to a familiar pair of gasps shuffling before her tent.
"Lady Temari the Leaf shinobi are here" Matsuri called in before gasping and rushing away from the tent Yukata squealing as she was dragged after her. With a sigh she shut her eyes, composing herself, rolling the scroll closed as the crumble of the rocks grew closer outside before standing.
Age 12
A small white box held before her in the shaking arms of a boy. Temari blinked quietly glancing from the red ribbon tied on the top to the boy sandy colored head tilted down, away from her eyes, holding it before her, his stance set in a tight low bow, eyes clenched. The boy, Saku if she remembered right, a village boy who seemed to always look at her all the time. She remembered vaguely how he'd look at her every chance he got and blush when she turned his way, but he wasn't the first.
As the Kazekages daughter she was well known throughout Suna, and very few disregarded her presence, some feared theKazekage's family others worshipped over them as if they were some kind of gods, she always found that one a bit farfetched. The boys her age either fawned over her or feared her and she'd ignore the teasing in between, she'd grown used to anyways. Very few braved to speak to her from fear of her brother, the Shukaku Demon, and she didn't quite mind their hesitance, after all they weren't the only one who feared Gaara.
"For you Lady Temari" She bit back a smirk at his nervous offer, it was kinda funny after all, even the brave ones stuttered, they were always too shy to walk up to speak let alone offer a gift to her.
"Saku right?" He lifted his head from his bow green eyes widened and nodded hastily "Thanks, that's very nice of you" She reached over taking the box and offering a tight closed smile, friendly enough but not one for a longer conversation. Though she offered a kind smile and bowed her head to him he still shook and nodded rubbing his arm nervously, before turning away and walking off in a rush. With a sigh after he had left, she looked over at the corner of a building eyes narrowing "Alright come out Kankuro" She heard an annoyed groan and her brother pulling away from the wall towards her, having been caught.
"Why did you even accept the gift Temari? Guy's a wuss probably would get killed at a genin level" He smirked at her glare "If he even becomes a genin" with a roll of her eyes Temari opened the white box and gazed at the beautifully decorated chocolates, a rarity in Suna, lifting the box to her brother who excitedly took a couple and stuffed them into his mouth.
"It was nice to accept his gift, besides it's not like any of the other boys are brave enough to come near me" She turned to lead the way home popping one of the sweet chocolates in her mouth with a sly grin.
"They better not" He muttered through his mouthful "I'd kill them"
"With what, your dolls?" She leaned in smirking savoring his instant rage.
"Their puppets Temari" he raised his arms to emphasize his point "Puppets!"
The heat could burn right through clothes it seemed, a quick grab at his collar to stifle the uncomfortable burn as Shikamaru stepped closer to the two guards posted near burnt ground torches, signaling the entrance of the Sand camp. The camp was much more different during the day than at night, being as he was freezing during the time he'd snuck in to deliver the note to her, it appeared more energetic than when he came for the meeting, more shinobi rushing around doing their errands, preparing for the battle tomorrow. Pondering momentarily how the Sand shinobi delt with the surges in temperature here. Behind him the Leaf's main army remained before the ravine pass, he having made sure they were near, but unable to start any unnecessary conflict to measure which troops were better, like separating two fighting children to their corners for a time out.
War after all seemed to be bickering fools fighting over pieces of dirt, or something like that, he'd heard it from an elder many years ago over a game of shogi.
"Hey Shikamaru" With a short inhale he sighed, Naruto, a hand pressed to his sore shoulder which he quickly pulled away from and grumbled the faint sting returning "Right sorry forgot you got hurt" Naruto chuckled nervously pulling both his arms behind his head to smile weakly at the glare set his way "Yeah you never really told us how that happened? Did you fight someone or something?" he looked up into the sky as if looking for the answer, leaving Shikamaru to glance at Sai to his right who offered a small smile in return.
"Remember what I said Naruto no fighting or talking, just let me handle this before everyone starts wanting to attack each other" he warned in a hushed tone glanced at the tensed Sand shinobi ahead of him.
"Yeah yeah don't go picking a fight gotcha Captain" He rolled his eyes and letting out a groan as if bored by the current predicament, besides his job was basically set as a body guard while the commanders spoke about finalizing the plans, and finding Naruto's part in it all.
"What if they start it? Can we fight then?" From his other side Sai tilted his head curiously before returning his attention to the entrance.
"They won't, and no you cannot" Shikamaru muttered slipping his hands into his pockets before halting his steps at the approaching unit. Absently thinking what Ino saw in the reserved ninja. He looked between the two sand shinobi, men both carrying strapped fans to their back and stern expressions, noting how all of the shinobi looked mad. One with green eyes looked him up and down and turned to his older companion who looked confused before straightening from his threatening posture rubbing his beard pointing at him and speaking.
"You're the commander of the Leaf forces? Shikamaru Nara?" Shikamaru nodded and leaned back eyes narrowing as the man stepped closer to inspect him "You're just a kid?" the green eyes one cleared his throat setting the attention on himself.
"Daizen that is their commander" he mumbled covering his mouth as he leaned in to speak to him. Daizen straightened surprised at the mention and gave Shikamaru a quick glance up and down.
"Saku you've got to be kidding me right, he's what sixteen?" Daizen protested "He's the guy you've been struggling against for four years" He muttered back to Saku who sighed clearly embarrassed.
"I'm twenty" Shikamaru glared between them prompting in another surprised look from Daizen as he nodded slowly
"Impressive for a youngster to lead such a force" Daizen stroked his chin again thoughtful in his older age "during the third great war I fought against your father, Shikaku, he looked just like you at the time" Shikamaru didn't need to hear it and wanting to keep the conversation short, and not be compared to his father again, he glanced at the other guard who patted Daizen's shoulder to quiet him.
"He's been our Kazekage's guard in Suna for a while" Saku muttered apologetically smiling weakly as he approached and titled his head in a curt bow "Commander please follow me to our Lady, as instructed, your" he paused looking from Naruto to Sai "Companions may wait in our war room with Captain Baki" Shikamaru nodded and glanced back at Sai who blinked once in understanding, unfortunately Naruto didn't quite recognize the gesture.
"Hey why are you sending him off alone, you guys trying to pull something over us?" He glared between them suspiciously tensing beside his captain.
"Naruto it's a private matter between the commanders only" Shikamaru glared back warning his friend to quite down and not raise any eyes towards them "We'll be finished soon just get a good look at the plans and don't cause trouble" he turned back, Saku nodding firmly before marching towards Temari's tent, the Leaf captain following behind. Daizen nudged his head for the others to follow him towards the war room. Saku marched stiffly turning a silent glare to Shikamaru who didn't bother to notice as he focused his gaze on the camp, attention falling from the men carrying supplies to a familiar pair of chunin looking back at them from a tent before the brown-haired girl flinched and quickly dragged her companion away. He glanced back at the guard, Saku, who paused before the curtain inhaling unsteadily and spoke sounding confident but slightly shaking.
"Lady Temari the Leaf's-" The man tongue froze, flinching back as the curtain slipped open and Temari stepped forward curtain held above her as she stared the guard down, her face set in stone holding no emotions, her eyes however filled with amusement when the guard stuttered. Shikamaru could suddenly feel the sun melt him, he almost shrunk back along with the guard under the teal gaze as it slowly turned to him, his breathing stilling.
"You're early" she stated flatly, if not slightly annoyed to see him, he had to force himself to remember the woman would kill him before he showed any more emotion on his face aside from an annoyed furrow of his brows and steady the sudden rise in his heartbeat.
The name goddess came into mind again, as he dropped his eyes and silently dragged his gaze from hers to look from her bare legs resting to the start of the short black silk yukata at her mid-thigh, curvy hips slightly cocked to the side, tight waist covered in a blood red sash, the slit in her yukata that rode down lower than necessary exposing more skin than it probably should, then back to her lips, set in a growing prideful smirk when she noticed his silence. He'd blame his sudden blush on the sun, he confirmed, returning his eyes to hers, teal gaze seemingly waiting for his. Temari tossed her head, sandy loose hair slipping onto her cheek, back to the guard who stammered, clearly having been staring as well, before kneeling and bowing to her as he spoke
"Apologize my Lady I didn't mean to-" Saku began eyes shut tightly.
"Saku" the call of his name quickly silencing him, but he remained, his forehead pressed to the dirt below. Shikamaru glanced down at the poor man and bit back a groan at the sight, feeling bad for him, this woman brought men to their knees, he could understand why. Temari rolled her eyes clearly annoyed at his position and repeated herself "Saku" he hesitantly pulled back hands set firmly on his knees and eyes down "Stop embarrassing yourself and get up" Saku nodded furiously as she turned back waving him away leaving Shikamaru to watch her slip back under the curtain, before stepping forward following her inside. Saku slowly rose face burning and let out a shaky breath before stiffly turning to return to his post, noting this might have been the hundredth time he'd seen her dressed as such and yet still couldn't look at the woman.
Dark eyes followed her figure as she kneeled before a small table at the end of the tent and slipped a fan open waving it over her face, opting to ignore his short analysis as he stepped cautiously towards her kneeling on the other side of the table where she continued to avoid his eyes by shutting them with a small pull at her lips, no doubt waiting for him to speak.
"Did you have to do that to the poor guy?" Muttering he crossed his arms over his chest, swallowing nervously when she grinned stifling a laugh from behind her fan, absolutely having enjoyed what had happened.
"I didn't do anything" she smirked "Saku's just a little nervous around me, five years" she sighed "it's pointless to keep repeating myself around him" Teal eyes met his as she rested an arm on the table under her chest and leaned in with a sly grin "Can you believe that he's actually one of my best shinobi?" Tempted as he was to look past her enticing gaze at the exposed skin below, he remained slightly irritated at the thought that he wanted nothing more than to look and turned back grabbing the scroll from his bag to occupy the burning curiosity of wanting to stare down every inch of her, and uneasy thought but clearly one he showed interest to venture into. He'd always thought to himself she was a beautiful woman, but he found it more difficult than ever to hold his rivals gaze at the moment.
"I can believe it" he muttered clearing his throat and slipped the scroll to her, the one about the reinforcements, current numbers of shinobi on both sides as well as their positions, and a report on Kankuro's ambush being set and ready, earlier than expected "Kankuro's ambush is set and ready if you wanted to know" she grinned.
"As expected, he steps up when he needs to" She pushed a cup before him quietly pouring from the sandy colored teapot, causing him surprise at the gesture she set the pot down and smiled faintly answering his silent question "It's not poisoned if that's what your thinking" she scolded, teasing his unease but gently, almost friendly "you've been in the desert for an hour and you look like your going to pass out, it'll help you cool down" she explained and lifting the scroll in one arm and opening it as she read quietly.
The sudden silence would have welcomed Shikamaru to relax had he not been slowly choking in his collar the moment he entered the tent, uncomfortable in the heat, uncomfortable in his thoughts and well her appearance as much as it pained him to think on that. He'd consider himself a decent guy who didn't gawk at women, but it seemed to be easier said then done at his current predicament, his eyes fell to the steaming orange colored tea to avoid any needless ideas about staring at her so openly, it would be rude. He'd been bold as of late, quite uncharacteristic for him and yet he glanced up regardless of his sudden weak will telling him otherwise.
Teal eyes slowly drawing over the page, slightly furrowed as she focused, a slow wave of the fan brushing the loose sandy hair from her rosy cheeks with each breeze, hard to think she'd tried to kill him for four years, not that that bothered him at the moment. She looked so different, hair down expression relaxed, a new side of her he admittedly could not look away from for those seconds he just stared, feeling the burn on his cheeks. That unease rising in his chest again forcing him to shift and sit straighter when his eyes fell briefly to the soft skin on her chest, suddenly unable to pull away at the need to keep a firm gaze on it, but slowly diminishing by his resolve to look away, which he did out of respect. It was her skill over him, to make him as uneasy as possible with any means necessary, which she exceled at, or he was overthinking.
"You're a slow reader" Shikamaru muttered, taking a sip from the bitter tasting tea and hiding his surprise when he almost instantly felt cooler in the desert heat. He turned his eyes back to hers forcing an annoyed look, only to have it quickly smother down his confidence as she peeked up from under her bangs innocently, making him more uneasy than when she was mad.
"You've somehow managed to add an extra one-hundred units for our main company overnight" Temari raised her head looking at him "what makes you think I trust you to keep your shinobi in check?" her fan shut audibly, and she set it on the table glaring at him, a ragefully suspicion burning in her eyes, his short observation noting quickly, she wasn't pleased with the current numbers against her. She chose his first choice in reaction, this being the surprising news that Tsunade had deployed reinforcements a couple days back for the upcoming battle without his knowing.
"Why do you always have to argue a good thing?" He sighed defeated, once again at step one with her "It's better than your numbers at least, and if I recall from this years reports the Sand had taken a pretty bit hit by the Earth" a bit of arrogance behind it to loosen her hold, or in this case enrage her further, his fault considering he wasn't fully focused on being calm like the planned to. She inhaled sharply and glanced away annoyed in the current change in numbers, his shinobi outnumbered her two to one "Did you consider you troops further north stationed near the Earth's border?" She considered his question for a second, a flash of surprise that he knew about the camp, but it passed quickly.
"Of course, I did" having snapped she crossed her arms straightening and narrowing her eyes back at him, his set firmly to hers avoiding his discomfort at doing so "I have only about a hundred I can spare, still not favorable considering Kurostuchi might be able to get reinforcements from their southern outpost" a small bruise to her ego it seemed as she pulled back leaning against an arm strategizing her next move.
"Well how many did you originally have up there?" Another step back towards her wavering mood, after a moment a short exhale, rethinking how to conceal her annoyance no doubt, she grabbed the fan coming back to stifle the heat on her blushed cheeks, Shikamaru noticing the relax in her voice, the little trust she gave him finally showing.
"I have around three hundred in the north, but they've been busy dealing with their southern camp" pausing she grumbled shoulders slumping a slight shift in the silk slipping further down bare skin, his dark eyes darting quickly to notice before settling on hers again, avoiding the subtle heat on his face, to many thoughts coming all at once "They were equally matched, and my captains up there reported that they had been at a standstill for a few weeks because of it" Her eyes shut frustrated almost pouting, thinking on her strategy there "Not even a scuffle on the border last time I was up there to check. Possibly because of this battle they've been planning against us" she considered for a moment.
"Let me guess if you take to many out, they'll invade the camp?" She nodded once the motion of her fan slipping the silk further down, completely unnoticed to her it seemed as she was too busy fumed to herself, careful about picking her dwindling options.
"I have a feeling that if they move any additional troops from there to join the main legion" another slip as the breeze to her face increased at her irritation, dark eyes falling back to the skin Shikamaru tightened his crossed arms annoyed at the weakened willpower he suddenly possessed and needing it to stop as he hadn't been listening for a while, and he was pretty sure she was still talking.
"Temari" He muttered to quite to hear it seemed as she continued unfazed.
"Seeing as they haven't attacked us up there in weeks" Her tone grew further irritated a bit louder, silk falling past her shoulder.
"Temari" He tried again face burning as she drowned him out.
"How exactly are we supposed to counter if they can somehow-" barley touching her elbow now, he tensed to uncomfortable to continue staring.
"Temari" Forcing his eyes to her closed ones his voice grew louder domination over her own, his unease to remain calm finally causing a stir in her.
"What is it?" Temari hissed, fan shutting forcefully as teals glared back at him, furious at the interruption. The bare skin exposed barely batted her attention, but the sudden motion of Shikamaru standing turned her eyes up to him, anger melting, wondering why he was glaring down at her, and why his face burned red. She was sure she didn't do anything to cause it, at least not purposefully. He made a step around the table kneeling before her and with a short groan, as if forced to do this, leaned forward. She bent back slightly, but he continued his advance one arm reaching towards her side, her body stilling when the other pulled her wrist, holding the fan, down gently as if he'd hurt her if he didn't.
The composure she had, gone, she blushed as he gripped her fallen silk at her elbow, her eyes panicked, turning down quickly to notice the fallen fabric had almost revealed her breast, unintentionally. Not necessarily ashamed, but not pleased with it either. He forced her wide eyes on his, holding them, as he slid the sleeve back to her shoulder hesitating for a moment to remain touching her before pulling away slowly. Both left with an awkward unease at the gesture, and her to attempt to steady her wrist in his light grip his hand seemingly unable to let go, or frozen in thought. He made no motion to move or release his soft glare at her, she almost wished to be sulking back in the tub in her dark thoughts, at least that was familiar territory. This unease not so much, where was her boldness when she needed it? Apparently tucked away under her rosy cheeks and stiff posture, his touch so light so gentle, it made her feel out of place just sitting there not saying anything, not fighting back.
He didn't seem to be fairing any better either, to hesitant, no doubt trying to figure his way out of it, typical. Heart threatening to beat out her chest she shut her eyes and looked down, stilling her breathing to force herself to burn away the cowardice, it's not like she hadn't been in this position last night, when she was pressed against him, why so timid now? As the words of the ancient Kunoichi spoke.
A woman's power over a man, lies in her ability to make him fall in love with her.
Temari let out a short breath willing her eyes open to meet his, clarity among the words written by the goddesses from the books. She was always known to make the first move, unfearful in any endeavor she encountered, especially ones she wanted for herself. Without a second thought, possibly a little rash, throwing caution to the wind, she leaned forward resting on her free hand, twisting her other to grip lightly at his wrist. Stilling his own breath Shikamaru leaned back, catching himself on his hand, at her sudden push forward his eyes set firmly onto hooded teals in an uncertain worry, her motion towards him clear, but he was nervous. Even if he could speak, she knew he'd silence the thought of it the moment she crawled between his legs releasing his wrist and pressing her chest against the vest tilting her lips towards his, she'd have the control now and he didn't fight it, giving up to her.
A brush of their lips and the memory of last night spurring her forward to finish the distance, the short inhales of lips connecting, eyes fluttering shut, seemingly silencing the distant noise outside of the tent. Both wanting to feel it, both to stubborn to care what it meant. The tender push and pull of their lips led by her steadily gaining pace, a slip, just a slip of the tongue asking for her permission, the moan following was quieter, caught in her throat, she almost didn't notice her own hand gripping the dark green vest as if to ground herself when she pulled back an inch, her breath coming out in a pant and his following.
The man below willing to her command without resistance, to mesmerized to argue against her as she pressed her hand forward pushing his slow fall to the ground, with a hand to his chest, loosening her lead on him enough to open his eyes and gaze above at the soft seductive smile of the goddess, a smile to break a man's spirit, or so he made her believe.
Breaking his spirits no, but his inhibitions yes.
The sudden touch of a hand against her thigh stopping her advance and narrowing her eyes at the challenge he proposed, his own vengeful glare silencing them in a stalemate. Her hold on him loosened fully as he returned, fingers firmly placed on her leg, the foreign touch tensing her whole body. He lifting himself to tuck into her neck a soft breath against her sensitive skin, her chin lifting with the motion to obey him, before he planted his lips on the neck, just one kiss, causing her eyes to widen and gasp silently at the sudden shock running down her back, her hand gripping his shoulder. Another brush to let out a breathless pant, lips quietly grazing the skin, each touch awaiting a response from her. One being her sudden blushing temper against the loss on her side, again, to much and she began to finally question her own actions, feelings she's never felt before.
She'd forgotten his recent arrogance, and with a final restrained moan pulled back using his shoulder glaring at the smirk pulling at his lips his hand on her thigh unmoving, fingers hiding under the silk, so close to her hip, remaining still as she was now. The warm feeling returned as did the thought of pushing him off the cliff, except there was no ledge here to do the work for her.
"Rethinking this move?" He leaned back resting on his arms smile relaxing, lazy even, savoring his win, her skin suddenly cold where he had touched her, so much for control. Once again, she found herself following him, almost as if she trusted him to. Then again. Mulling over the idea of confiding in him for this purpose, and that being enough to continue, she'd at least give in to that, what she wanted she got simply put. She almost didn't hear the calls outside the tent, her usual high alert senses numbed to an extent. Shikamaru straightened pulling his focus to the entrance of the tent, shadows rushing past in one direction. Temari furrowed her brows and slowly pulled away standing as she made her way to the curtain remaining behind it after hearing the mention of Kazekage, and the familiar squeals of her students calling her growing closer.
"Lady Temari!" She almost flinched back at the call to her name, Matsuri crying out joyfully and Yukata just screaming in general behind the closed entrance "Lord Kazekage is here!" control of any situation seemed to be out of reach now.
hehe Nice
Gaara appears!