Inhale! Exhale! Breath people we are going to get through this. lol
I'm speeding up, but still working out details for future chapters.
Hey guess what, Gaara is in this one teehee
Rated M cause danger
Hella long chapter, 9k words just saying so your welcome my peeps XD
Enjoy!
3 years ago,
Mission- The Recapturing of Bara (Rated M- gore, blood, death, Etc.)
The smell of blood reeked in his nose, there was so much that night. The bodies, some shinobi some civilian, littered the small village of Bara between sand and forest, hidden in hills between mountains, land that used to defy a dividing line between nations, linked together now in red. Out of the fifty shinobi sent only thirteen from the Leaf remained, he had reinforcements but they seemed to have gotten delayed, with the Sand finally retreating when the air filled with their hatred made way to thicken with the smoke from the final strike, the paper bombs placed by the man who died last, he stopped it, the shock of his demise leaving both sides shaken. He wasn't a shinobi from either of their sides by one of the people of the town, he stopped the mindless fight that had managed to make its way into the town from behind their walls, his plan failing miserably to keep the people safe when they came to recapture the village from their enemy.
He faintly heard the call for a withdraw, a woman's voice dominating over the silence, angry it seemed, kinda familiar he thought through the ache in his body. From his knees he rose falling against the cracked building, a home that was just too close to the blast, steadying on his hand heaving for a breath over the thick fog, head throbbing, shadows running fast through the paths of the village. He thought he'd died the moment he fell back from the blast, that's right he was near the man when it occurred, so was she. He could feel something wet on him and could only assume it was mud, maybe blood as there was no rain, the plan really didn't go well.
It was Shikamaru's first real battle, first taste of the war he'd been warned about for years, the one he was destined to be in the moment the betrayal occurred, he'd only been a commander for several months and he fought against the idea, but an order was an order, and he obeyed with the least lethal plan he could think of to keep as many alive as he could. He managed to keep the fighting outside of town, in the forest, until the Sand insisted on retreating inside to defend instead of attack, he would have withdrawn had he had the chance, but there wasn't an opening he could take before his shinobi followed into the trap. He failed to protect those around him, was all he could think of in his hazed mind, to sore to think right in the moment, some genius he was he scolded to himself.
More shouts rang in his ear, the words being jumbled into sounds he couldn't quite make out, his blurred gaze searched through the scene trying to find any familiarity in the chaos, setting his sights on what seemed to be something white. It stood out among the darkness, a fan, the moons splashed in dark water, in blood, splayed and dug into the ground behind it someone calling out into the distance, he was sure they were yelling, but his ears still rang. The shadow turned, looking from one pathway in the town to another, and through the smoke he could make out something dark on their face, her face, and hiding hints of sandy blonde hair in it, blood. There was a moment where a certain clarity came to his eyes as he blinked, he knew who she was, her voice seeming to lessen the blurred sounds into something he could make out, finally.
"Retreat now damn it!" She called out, as a pair of shinobi passed her following her order, while she looked from one side of the pathway to another searching for something, someone "Kankuro!" the next call an almost worried plea, almost, and as if summoned he spotted a figure rushing to her side, paint smeared and lips turned into a bared frown, grabbing at her arm to tug her away, but Temari jerked her hand away from him, tensing as she looked past him still searching "Where are they?"
"It's not important right now, come on Temari we have to go before those reinforcements get here" he attempted to reason eyes searching through the smoke, looking around like she was.
"No" She glared back as he reached for her again "what about the people where did they go, are they safe"
"Temari come on your hurt, look at you your covered in blood we can look for them as we retreat" His pleading for her to move ignored by her turning to look down one side of the path again to the other until her eyes met his, Shikamaru having been staring silently between the two, not like he could run at the moment his body just wasn't responding to the command. The widened teal gaze held his own before hers slowly began to glaze over in a darkened rage as she pushed from beside her fan and began to advance towards him, her tone seeming to make his head throbbing even more at the yell "You bastard how dare you come here and try to take over our people!" the voice coming from her unforgiving and harsh.
"Temari!" Kankuro quickly grabbed her from behind as she fought against his hold all rationality seemingly gone from her as she shouted, legs attempting to kick at him, but too far to reach his tensed figure, he was speechless, and the rising dread of his death wasn't exacly helping his plea for his body to move.
"Let me go Kankuro!" She struggled against her brother attempting to get free, her eyes set on Shikamaru's as he stepped back, finally finding the will to push his body any way he could, he was sure he was living out his last minute, and he knew he couldn't hurt or kill her, so running was his only option, yet the pain from moving stilled any further effort. The distance they were from him was to close for comfort and she was furious, internally thinking to himself that she had every right to be, people, innocent people, had died that night because of the greed of the nations, the resentment for one another, the pain each had inflicted on one another "You killed these people!"
"Temari come on we don't have time-" Kankuro finally attempt at calming her left him groaning and bent over coughing as Temari retrieved her elbow from his stomach and pushed away from him, emotions of fury overpowering her. Shikamaru made no attempt to move, but the sudden fear didn't hide from his expression as she stepped closer, her hands shoved into his collar pushing him back into the building, the sudden force making him groan, her glare making him instantly silence. The hatred behind her words, the eyes that held no regret in what she would do, the subtle, so small he barley saw the shift, water welling in her eyes, distraught at what had happened and forcing it down to hide from him. Their chests heaved for a moment, staring back at each other before she let the rage out, his eyes refusing to close as he listened to every word.
"There were innocent people here and you killed them, you're no different from the others" Dark eyes shifting to the dangerous downturn of her lips, serious. He'd only ever fought patrols against her in the past several months as a commander, a couple of small ambushes at the border, nothing as serious as this, a recapturing of a village. She'd always been mocking and laughing in the face of danger, he'd never seen such a shift in her in the months he'd been assigned to protect the peace, secretly protecting her from dying at the hands of the Leaf. He regretted every move made, even more now, at the show of the small tear rushing down her bloodied cheek, she was in distress about lives lost that weren't even her people, but he didn't have time to link that together as she continued her hate filled words "I'm going to kill you just like I did the other captains Shikamaru you're no better than they were, this, all this is your fault their blood is on your hands" The whispered warning hit him deeply, the assumption even more and he knew he needed to respond, he wouldn't make excuses, he never did, but it was true everything tonight was his fault. The fear made way for his regret, sorrow, pain he'd cause another, and he stared back silent and serious.
"I know, I'm sorry" he spoke so quiet he was sure she didn't even hear him; the smallest widen of her eyes showing she had. The words she had said stung, hurt every fiber of his being to be told he was a killer, he never wanted to be, he was just following orders, and in doing so he didn't make any attempt to fight against her as she pushed her hands forward harder into the collar and into his neck, making it harder to breath. He'd die and she would be the one to do it, he felt deserving as the idea sat with him ever second, she stared back quiet, then the hatred returned.
"Mark my words I'm going to be the end of you" Her final threat, her sudden hold loosened a force gripping at her arms as Kankuro pulled her back, with great effort, as she fought against him her glare never leaving Shikamaru's. He remained still and made no move either frozen by the acceptance that he was supposed to die, or by her glare holding him in his spot.
"Temari come on kill him another time" Kankuro lifted her from her spot for a second to calm her, unsuccessful in his effort "Stop being so stubborn sis" he grumbled looking past her quickly and setting her down a firm arm wrapped around her waist to pull her back as she attempted to push past him again. A distant call, a shout from a man about reinforcements turned their attention "calm down will you we don't have time for this, the reinforcements are here, and we have to get out before we lose anymore shinobi" With a huff she seemed to still and pushed her brother away from her, both he and Kankuro watching her slowly relax enough to focus, chest heaving and casting one last glare at Shikamaru, before she turned away to her weapon.
"Kankuro make sure the rest of them had left the village, I'll meet them at the gates" her voice an even command, composed, he nodded hesitantly to his sister, turning a side glare at Shikamaru for a moment both seeming to question how she had calmed so fast. She never looked back as the two left each ready to finish their retreat, leaving Shikamaru to slowly drag down the wall and sit chest heaving, body aching, relief washing over him, eyes wide as he stared into the cracked wall of the building before him. He saw what war really was that day, and he saw what it could make someone become.
The memories, like Asuma said once, they never go away, lessen in hurt, sure, but they were always there as a reminder to him to never lose himself. The dreams seemed to always work against him, every time a battle of these proportions would occur, they only seemed to tire him more over the years, since the mission in Bara really, yet he still managed a couple of hours of sleep so at least he had that to work with for the day. No wonder he always looked like he was in a bad mood, cranky like an old man Naruto would say, the naps used to help, but they seemed too rare these days. With a sigh his head rolled back, the shadow of a cloud just making it past his sight, while ignoring the faint sting of the wound as he waited for Sakura to return and redress it. She was already annoyed by her medic tents lack of speed to get things ready for the battle, so he might have made a mistake to bring the matter about his wound being reopened so early in the morning, all thanks to the smiling woman whose sudden mention in his thoughts began to almost send him into a daydream, he preferred those over his real dreams anyways.
The grin so faint, although quickly stifled under a quick grumble to remain expressionless, at the thought of her. The blush, the kiss, the touch, the smile it took him a long moment to push down anymore thought of her, the goddess, and focus on what he needed to, the battle that would occur. Yet even as he forced it down it just pushed right back up, what a drag it was to keep himself from thinking about her. Imagining how troublesome he was for knowing he'd die for her, to prevent the war on Konoha he kept thinking, to protect her, the sudden whisper in the back of his mind seemingly awoke his senses to listen to the shift in the dirt, to hopefully distract his thoughts to remain decent.
"Honestly Shikamaru you have got to stop doing this to yourself" The scold from Sakura turned his attention back to reality, away from his daydream, and he simply groaned as his response, annoyed to be chided like a child in trouble.
"It was Naruto's fault" Not a complete lie, he'd keep Temari out of this for Sakura's sanity at his recklessness, as of recently, he was sure she'd be angrier with him if he said anymore, after all he knew womans anger pretty well "he kept hitting it all day yesterday" he winced at the last part as she dabbed at the wound on his shirtless shoulder, although mostly closed it was slightly torn in the middle from the hits he took, from the grip he took.
He was thankful, although a little irritated, that Temari was aware of something he hadn't been even thinking about and stopped him last night. Embarrassed, sure, but last thing he needed was to do something even more stupid than kiss his rival, he'd personally throw himself off the cliff if he'd done something to hurt her or that she didn't want to do, although he had a notion that she would have done it herself if she didn't like something, she could protect herself on her own he didn't doubt that. Then again, she was the one who seemed to tempt him to go that route anyways, she was waiting to see how far he was going to go and thinking back on it now he concluded that she stopped it on her own, because she got nervous, that's why she hit him after all, panicked she made her decision with what she had to use, like back in the Land of Rain, that being his damn shoulder and her anger. Now with that in his thoughts all he could think about was her again, great.
"That idiot" Sakura grumbled eyes furrowing at the thought of her hard work being ruined "He reopened it" Shikamaru sighed and leaned back eyes turned to the orange sky as the dark blue fought to make way for the morning day, his arm stretching out towards his vest blindly searching for his pack and lighter as he'd closed his eyes to lessen the rush of Temari's invasive presence in his mind and think on the battle ahead, he has to focus more if this plan was to work.
He always found it amusing he could seemingly predict when a battle would occur, it wasn't hard to determine when the best time was to strike, and if he was right, usual was, he'd be hearing from Kakashi by the end of the day that the first wave had attacked and went for their retreat to Kankuro's unit where Shino would inform him to start Sai's ambush to trap Kurostuchi's main legion, as they would have made it to the ravine by then. All that was left after that was his and Temari's main army blocking their retreat back into the Land of Earth. Plan set and ready, perfect, he almost grinned as he took the cigarette to his lips and began to light it "Oh no you don't" he opened his eyes to glare at Sakura as she snatched the cigarette from him and tossed it down "Eat something before you start your nasty little habit" He huffed irritably and turned away "Don't sulk like that you know I'm right Shikamaru"
"Yeah yeah" muttering he took to mindlessly checking the troops around him, some putting away weapons into their packs, others speaking among each other in their units, even Choji, kind smile on his face, walking by, bag of chips in one hand a crate sitting on his shoulder in another, he chuckled too himself at least he'd had his best friend at his side today, and later in the battle Ino would be there as well.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio of Team ten his best friends, his secret brother and sister, they grew up together always at each other's sides since he could remember. Of course, at first he wasn't interested in the aspect of making friends with Ino, being she was a girl and boys back then thought girls had cuties and were to troublesome to be around, but when you grow up with a legacy in a war you tend to get close to your team, and although he'd never admit it to the two he loved them like family, as annoying as they could be sometimes. Asuma would be proud to see them now, grown and making names for themselves in the best way possible.
"Hey when Sai and Ino get there do you want us to follow after Naruto and Yamato or you guys?" The question returned with a lazy gaze to the medic, and he responded with a yawn as he spoke seemingly disinterested in his tone but listening for her response.
"Keep an eye on Naruto, you know the signs to watch out for I've got to stay by Temari with Choji and Ino. Sai will be our eyes in the sky, he'll be watching between our individual battles" at the mention of the Sand's command Sakura smirked, a quick wave of suspicion washed over him to her sudden change, not that she had already figured him out before when he first got attacked. At least she was usual quiet and didn't belittle him with questions like Ino would have had she figured it out, at least he thought.
"Of course, you do" she raised a brow at him smugly suggesting something, Shikamaru quick to glare back at her in warning to her next hinting words "So where did you go to last night, I know you didn't go straight to your tent Shikamaru" her eyes focused on the wound as she waited for his response, that being a roll of his eyes to ignore her "You didn't think I'd figure it out, I'm not an idiot you know and besides better me than Ino"
"Can we please not talk about it" he muttered resting his chin on his free hand and looking away, silently making sure no one could hear them.
"Yeah sure" she chuckled and placed her healing hands on the wound working quietly for a moment, his irritation towards her slowly building up in the silence "for a smart guy you're pretty stupid you know that? She's not our ally well not yet at least"
"Yeah, I know" another mutter and his eyes narrowed tightly glaring into the distant camp, focusing on anything he could as if it'd quiet her.
"Well, what happened?" she paused smiling almost embarrassedly at the thought, one he already knew she was suggesting building into his rising embarrassment "anything interesting?" she glanced down at him eyes wide to get more information. He didn't look at her and took a breath, thinking how to steady her suspicion, he didn't like her suggestion finding it insulting in a way, but his thoughts were not fast enough it seemed "I'm surprised you'd be the one to do something like this but she always seemed to like you, I've seen you guys fighting you know if you wanna call it that" she pressed her lips together to hide a smile, his usual unreadable expression turning into one of discomfort, which he clearly was at the topic.
"Shut up" he mumbled a warning shutting his eyes, he wasn't going to argue it would be pointless to say anything, it'd just give him up even more, not that his silence helped him either.
"That's sweet though, kinda reminds me of a story I once read once about two enemies falling in love-" she began slowly and almost cheerfully, but he quickly sat up casting a glare her way.
"Sakura please be quiet and don't talk about things like that especially in camp around the others" he grumbled under his breath, tone quiet, but words harsh "And don't imply anything like that about her" She smirked and took her victory to break his cool, she was almost as good at getting information out of him like Ino was, he wondered why he even talked to the two.
"Fine I wont say anything you already know that, it's our secret" with a wave of her hand she pulled away from his shoulder grabbing the wrapping beside her as she began to cover up the pink scarred skin, at least it'll be safer from further injury "Maybe she'll finally trust us to sign this alliance with what you got planned" his eyes found hers and she offered a small smile, reassuring his trust in their secrecy, a blush subtly rushing to his cheeks at the mention of liking, he really needed to control that "And with Lady Tsunade approving of the meeting for the alliance I'm sure their Kazekage will be more than happy to finally end this war"
"Yeah" with mumble of the word he glanced back down, uninterested in further conversation, as she set his arm down, her hands to her hips, proud of her work.
"Alright all done" With that he rolled his shoulder as if testing it and almost grinned at the lessened pain, sore yes, but he barely felt a thing. A fist raised to his face, and Sakura glared dangerously at him as he leaned away from her next warning "don't, and I mean don't, you dare mess this up a third time I'll kill you myself"
"Yeah, got it I'll try not to get hurt or die out there so I don't ruin your work" He grinned slightly, content in the sarcasm that seemed to lighten the mood as she chuckled and pulled back grabbing the items from beside him while he pulled his shirt over his head standing to take a second to adjust it "now come on get your team ready we'll have to head into their camp soon so you can join up with their medics, they are probably still getting ready themselves" he grabbed the lighter and pack again halting when she spoke.
"Eat something before you smoke or I swear I'll knock you out" She hadn't even turned to look at him, but her threat was clear, and he rolled his eyes with a sigh, she had almost done that once so probably best to listen.
"Fine" He placed the cigarette behind his ear annoyed and turned to put his vest on, distracting himself as he glanced around searching "Have you seen Naruto?" he called back to her.
"Not since last night, probably still asleep" With a wave she left to head to the medic's tent, leaving him to walk into the camp before he made his was for the tent Naruto was in. The smallest feeling of worry for what could happened with the control Naruto possessed still refused to sit well with him, he planned out all the possibilities around it anyways. Yet he didn't warn him, it would work against them if he really knew what could happened, so he had to keep his friend in the dark, to keep his control over the nine tails. As he slipped the cover of the tent open, he spotted the blonde, as Sakura said, still asleep, sprawled over the bed arms and legs handing off every edge, snoring. He was supposed to be Hokage someday, and as Naruto said many times before, Shikamaru his advisor slash best friend specifically like that he said it. The thought making him proud as he stepped forward nudging his leg with a foot.
"Naruto get up" at the nudge, Naruto quickly opened his eyes and rose to sit on the bed arms raised as if ready to defend against an enemy.
"Are we under attack?" He quickly rose to his feet eyes darting form side to side before turning to Shikamaru with a small grin "hey Shikamaru"
"Come on we have to head out to the Sand's camp soon" He turned to head out stopping as Naruto's grabbed his shoulder, thankfully his right uninjured one, Sakura would kill them both if he messed up her work again.
"What's the rush if we are waiting for the attack tonight?" he questioned pulling his hand away to scratch his head and yawn, finally awaking it seemed. Shikamaru glanced back with a sigh.
"We have to cross in the desert and it's going to be a few hours before we actually make it to the site where we'll be waiting to attack" he rubbed his shoulder rolling it to relieve the stiffness "like I said before there's always a chance that they can strike during the day or evening, so we have to be prepared to block them off by noon at least"
"Oh, so that's why Kiba and Shino left so early yesterday" He grinned figuring it out at his own pace, Shikamaru chuckled "So Ino and Sai set up the ravine huh?" With a nod in confirmation Shikamaru turned to face him his expression serious and possibly worried.
"Naruto, I need you to control your nine tails today, no matter what happens, I need you to be calm" The warning hitting him, Naruto grew just as serious as him, a rare look for him. Shikamaru narrowed his eyes back before seeing the smile creep to his mouth, the determined look he'd seen so many times when his friend overcame what seemed to be the impossible, he was ready.
"You doubting me Shikamaru?" Shikamaru smirked relaxing as he crossed his arms when he continued "You're looking at the future Hokage and his advisor slash best friend you know" the blonde grinned wide, his dream since they were kids always sparking his drive.
"When the war is over" he nodded, fighting the urge to smile with him, he really was proud of his friend.
"Exactly, you can't be a commander forever, right? As soon as we are done here, we'll be back in Konoha to finish off those Akatsuki and then well be making our way to the top" he raised a fist to him
"Well, I haven't died yet, so I guess that's the plan" he paused and shot him a smirk "then again there's still time"
"Don't worry I'll watch your back buddy" Shikamaru chuckled bumping his fist with his own, before slowly retreating his hands into his pockets, he needed to tell him his true position now while they were alone.
"Actually, I need you to take on Kurostuchi" the blonde looked surprised for a moment, the command among the Land of Earth would be his target, a worthy opponent who intimidated him but barely worried Naruto.
"Really I get to take her on?" he relaxed slightly as if coming to terms with his mission.
"We'll help, but I already know she's more powerful than most of us so it's up to you, you're the strongest among us" Naruto nodded firmly, his order taken seriously.
"You got it Sir" he saluted, a grin pulling at his lips knowing the title would annoy Shikamaru who groaned and turned to leave.
"Don't be late, we are going to head out soon" he waved and left the tent ignoring the laugh behind him. At least he had his friends to watch his back, all while he would focus his energy on protecting her. The day hadn't even began and it was already turning into a drag.
Two years ago
She vaguely remembered seeing him once, a couple years back, a dark-haired man, tall, large built, burning cigarette at his lips, the faint clink of a lighter as he tucked it away, a voice so deep she could feel the intimidation behind it, not that it scared her, wary maybe, but she was fearless after all. Yet the man smiled kindly to his student, her rival, both settled in a field in their own world of conversation.
Temari had simply been scouting the enemy's territory, her patrol had spoken of a possible ambush being set up and she took it upon herself to look ahead to prepare and create her counterattack, she liked to be ready if she had the chance. What sheer luck to stumble upon than a conversation between the Command of the Leaf and what seemed to be his sensei, must have been her lucky day she had thought at the time, intel so easy to get she almost felt excited at the ease as she hid among the tree listening, watching quietly. Sitting back his sensei spoke, Shikamaru lying back, arms comfortably behind his head, seemingly asleep, but the slightest sigh at the words showing he was awake and listening.
"Seems like you've been having an easier time in the front, since Tsunade talked down the council from pushing forward" Asuma chuckled blowing a cloud from the corner of his lips.
"Yeah, I guess" Shikamaru muttered, apparently uninterested in his sensei's discussion, or to relaxed to care to respond anymore than a few words.
"Any plans for actually taking back the territory, you've been on the defense, but lacking in offense against the Sand?" His sensei glanced down at him.
"A few, but nothing worth looking into right now, not the best time anyways"
"Whys that?" with a furrow of his eyes, questioning the response, he watched Shikamaru opened his eyes slightly, almost annoyed as he glanced at his sensei.
"Because you don't fight fire with fire, it'll just be more unnecessary deaths if I do anything right now" he moved an arm to lazily wave away the smoke that began to float towards him.
"You've been pretty cautious about that lately" Asuma chuckled raised a brow at him "Any reason?"
"I have to be Asuma" Shikamaru stated as if it was obvious "it's not like I have a choice when that troublesome woman is like a damn force of nature" he groaned sitting up hanging his head between his bent knees, Asuma laughing in his misery, amused "She really doesn't let up, it's been such a drag to get anywhere past her" he grumbled, Temari bit back her grin, she did like it when her enemy would mention her in such a way, felt like some kind of praise for her ease in getting past his defense, outsmarting him was her favorite pastime.
"I thought I told you to watch yourself on the front?" Asuma, still amused, widened his grin.
"I'm trying" Shikamaru ignored him turning to the sky.
"Well consider yourself lucky" Asuma leaned forward resting his arms on his bent knees and blew another cloud out, resulting in another wave to get it out of Shikamaru's face "I remember seeing the captain before you didn't last very long against her, poor man was found so close to death he kept asking to just leave him there"
"Yeah, I've heard" he muttered dropping his head between his knees, wanting out of the conversation.
"But hey at least you'll get a break for a while, Tsunade needs you to join in on a mission with me" Asuma pulled a scroll from his pack as he spoke.
"So that's why you came to the front?" His interest sparked and he glanced up at him, full attention "What's it about?"
"Well can't really say that right now" Asuma blew out a cloud of smoke and smirked glancing into the sky "you never know who's listening Shikamaru" Temari stilled her breath, eyes slightly widening, he'd known she was there the entire time, she was sure of it.
Three months later
The absence of the commander irritated her, yet for some odd reason Temari didn't fight against the Leaf until she heard he was back, almost as if she'd been waiting for his return before striking, that or she was busy in her northern camp against the Earth seeing as the border at the Leaf seemed quiet in his leave. He'd left the border for three months; word of an unknown enemy having attempted to strike their village seemed to be the cause. When Shikamaru had returned, she was more curious than anything to find him, to figure out why he had left, that thought irritated her even more, that she was actively searching for him, not that she didn't do that during a fight, he just posed a challenge and she found it hard to resist a match with him. She was just too stubborn to turn down a chance to mess with him, as she'd been doing for the past two years, ever since Bara when he retreated, really. She knew he was different that she wasn't up against a killer, but she couldn't quite put a finger on what it was about him, so he remained alive at least by her decision at the time.
Alone he laid, the clink of something in his hand revealing a lighter, she'd seen that lighter before, as he stared into the sky, cigarette hanging from his lips seemingly peaceful in his thoughts. When did he start smoking? She'd never seen that before, unusual new habit, kinda like that sensei she saw months back. If she had not been slightly mesmerized in watching the sluggish act of the lighter flicking open, the fire burning for a second, before he harshly shut it and repeated the motion, she would have noticed the subtle change sooner. She leaned back against the tree, silent in thought, something seemed different about him her opponent, something to have changed in his demeanor, he was calm as always but lost in thought, he was angry she could sense the silent rage off him. That she was familiar with, anger buried deep down that burned at the core of your being over something, she kept trying to figure it out but it just wasn't clicking, how frustrating. The clink echoing in the field stopped, a shift in the grass focused her mind back to the steps of the larger shinobi, Choji she remembered, he was usually at the commander's side in the recent year, a friend of his, a tough opponent to move when he attacked.
"Hey Shikamaru, you ready to get going?" Silence followed as Choji glanced down at him, the faint clinking began again, Shikamaru appearing to ignore his friend "Should I get Ino?" at the mention the clink stopped, and the command sat up slowly as if forced to, his friend smirking as if he knew it would catch his attention.
"Don't, she'll talk my ear off for slacking" Shikamaru sighed eyes narrowed at the tree line, glaring quietly into the trees.
"You know how she's been lately can you really blame her?" Choji shrugged turning his attention to the trees, curious as to what he was looking at.
"Guess not" he looked form the trees to Choji as he responded, bored in his expression.
"You, ok?" Turning back the friends shared a silent look, Shikamaru quick to glance away.
"Yeah" he muttered
"You sure?" Choji attempted again, cautiously.
"Can you stop asking me that" eyes shut Shikamaru slipped the lighter into his vest.
"Yeah but-" irritated now Shikamaru cut him off, tone a little harsher than she'd heard it, she was right he was angry.
"Choji stop asking if I'm ok, it's getting annoying" His friend seemed unfazed and sighed giving up on his questioning.
"Fine I won't ask anymore, I was just worried that's all" he muttered but he didn't let his tone sour his mood "Well, you ready to go at least, we are waiting back at camp?"
"Yeah, I guess" With a sigh he plucked the cigarette from his lips glancing at it before looking at Choji "Sorry" he muttered and glanced away as his friend nodded accepting the apology "Haven't been back even two days and already having trouble with the border. What was everyone doing while I was gone?" His annoyance at the disorganization at camp, caused Choji to chuckle.
"Waiting I guess, heard the Sand wasn't attacking while we were gone, maybe they took a break too"
"Or the Earth has been pushing them too" He smirked as he said it before slowly rising to stand flicking the cigarette from his hand and watching it land down the hill "Guess they wanted to start messing with both of our sides" he sighed as if he'd known it'd eventually happened "About time"
"So how do you plan to get over there this time?" Choji asked following at his side as he began to lead them back.
"Can't really say that right now" he turned his gaze from the sky and then to his friend a small grin rising to his lips, knowing and familiar possibly a little arrogant "you never know who's listening Choji" Temari narrowed her eyes, but hid her smile poorly, at least he was back.
The base in the Sand hustled with shinobi readying for the battle ahead, each doing their part to rush to finish on time for the ones who were to depart. All but two it seemed. Matsuri looked from Yukata to the tent curtain and back to her friend, each woman silently reading each other before Matsuri finally sighed and spoke.
"You want to wake her?" She offered to Yukata who quickly shook her head her free hand waving before her, her other carrying a teapot.
"No way you can" She stepped away from her.
"Come on I did it last time and she yelled at me" Matsuri groaned wanting to step forward, but too timid to process as she remembered.
"She'd not a morning person, can you blame her?" Yukata shrugged with a small smile.
"Yeah, I guess, I know I hate being up this early" Matsuri sighed again, undecided who would enter first.
"Remember Lord Gaara said he needs to talk to her" Yukata grinned sheepishly, the order clear, yet neither moved for a moment. With a look of fierce determination, to please her Kazekage, Matsuri quickly hooked her arm over her friends and raised a fist, finally ready.
"Well then I guess we have no choice, let's just go in together" Matsuri took a deep breath and braved a step forward to the entrance of the tent, Yukata gripping her arm by her side "Lady Temari?" she squeaked, both her and Yukata jumping back slightly, when the side of the curtain moved Temari stepping out at her the moment she said her name, she'd been listening to their entire conversation right behind the curtain.
"What does Gaara want?" She demanded, although it sounded tired and irritated, despite her amusement while listening to them.
"Uh well the Kazekage was waiting to speak to you, but you were asleep my Lady" Matsuri smiled weakly up at her, before relaxing as Temari sighed, no choice in relaxing at the mention of her brother.
"Fine tell him he can come, and please can you-" She began to turn stopping halfway as Yukata chuckled.
"Already have it my Lady" Yukata called holding the teapot up with a wide grin. Temari smirked, her mood seeming to better, she did like the two chunin, they had always been her favorite, and she more than enjoyed their company from time to time, it was nice to have more woman around her after all, considering most of the shinobi in her camp were men, and annoying. Although she could also appreciate the fact that they where always to be trusted, they admired Gaara far too much to be worth her suspicion of her own.
"Thank you, ladies, I appreciate it" she lifted the curtain for Yukata to enter while Matsuri beamed up at her
"So, the battle today I can't wait to be protecting our country with our new allies" she clasped her hands together under her chin eyes wide and excited. Temari's grin slightly fell, she accepted them so easily, possibly because she didn't know the whole story between the nations now allies, at least temporarily, but none the less Matsuri seemed more than happy to defend their land alongside their old enemy.
"Are you ready for today?" she looked between them as Yukata exited just as excited at her friend.
"You know it!" They both cheered in unison each raising their fists into the sky, she bit back her smile and nodded.
"Good" she paused a moment and grinned as she leaned in putting a hand to each of their shoulders, her words less than a whisper "We can trust them but don't let your guard down understood" they looked at her and nodded slowly, shocked it seemed "now go get Gaara" She glanced between them, dismissing them with a soft-spoken command.
"Yes ma'am" with a bow they rushed off, their conversation turning to her brother, and which one of them found him cuter, she almost smiled at the notion. Temari turned back and hid in the shaded tent, relaxing in the silence, the distant chatter in camp seemingly blurred out as she settled down at the table brushing a fan over her face, fighting against the morning heat. Her eyes slowly turned from the steam of the heated teapot to her bed, the pale green scarf folded nearly at the end. The gift given to her. With a silent glare she turned away fanning briskly at the rising blush to her cheeks. Idiot, she told herself, why are you blushing again over a stupid gesture, you've become so weak, she should have just killed him back in Bara it would have been easier on her, yet here she was trusting him. That's right she liked a challenge, he'd clearly won a portion of her trust despite what she had said, no wonder she let things get out of hand.
The one weakness she had read about, and she never even thought about it, until now. All these years of using her feminine charm twisting her opponents with words and gestures so small and subtle, delivering the strike so accurate they barely saw it coming, barely saw him twist it around to his advantage. With a groan she set her fan down on the table with a loud smack and glared down into the teapot with a pout, all her rage delivered, and he met it back with kind words, she felt bad in a way for being so cruel, she never felt bad about that. She had to trust him today, right? He made it clear what his intentions were, to watch her back like an ally, where she couldn't even trust her own. A brief image of her fingers brushing his vest, lips against her neck, hands so gentle. She huffed quickly, almost panicked, sitting straight, and shutting her eyes as she confirmed the heat had gotten to her head, damn it back to thinking about that again. She'd hardly slept with the assault of those images to her mind most of the night, smiling faintly as she turned her mind to the war, now that was calming and familiar territory.
She had more experience in battle than she did in other aspects, one being her, once calculated now careless, acts against the commander. Sure, she was revered as goddess among men, like the kunoichi in the books, but that didn't mean a thing when her first kiss happened to be with her once enemy, even admitting that to herself she blushed again snatching her fan as she did to stifle the burn, absentmindedly she wondered what he had thought of it, aside from her trying to knock him out. Why was she losing her cool all of a sudden? Oh, right the burning, that seemed to cloud her mind of many rational thoughts, then again, she wouldn't mind revisiting it to see where it led. Apparently, she was great at seducing, tempting men to near, terrible in other acts, she paused a moment smirking slightly, well not all physical acts it seemed the look on his face was priceless. At least he liked her in that sense, another blush met with another vigorous wave of the fan and the sound of steps outside the tent, slow and calm, he was here.
"Come in Gaara" Temari brushed back her hair and smiled lightly as Gaara entered quietly turning to her. He nodded and made his way over to kneel across from her at the table "You wanted to talk?" she set her fan aside pouring his tea before hers having been waiting for him.
"Yes, thank you" Temari nodded before he glanced down at his tea and gently grabbed it taking a sip before continuing "I hope you will stay safe today"
"Of course, I will, are you doubting you elder sisters' judgment baby brother?" she teased smirking
"If they are planning to attack then yes" She rolled her eyes, completely relaxed even in knowing that she most likely would have to kill her own men today, at least someone was watching her back.
"Gaara don't worry about us that's my job" she slipped her fan open brushing her hair from her cheek "Kankuro already knows, I already know" she smirked "we will be fine baby brother" she waved her fan at him, giggling as the breeze blew at his hair, his smile small in amusement, but it only lasted a second before he became serious.
"Will he protect you?" When he spoke, she continued to fan herself normally his words were about to become a speech, and she was ready to fight every single word.
"Why are you asking me that?" she held his gaze eyes narrowing, why was he mentioning Shikamaru?
"Because you have been different" he stated simply, unmoved by her sudden suspicion.
"Different how?" her tone raised slightly, she almost felt insulted, her tone would have intimidated Kankuro, but Gaara wasn't one to be fazed by her annoyance so easily.
"You are calm, more than usual Temari" he was so peaceful as he spoke, and it began to irritate her at his assumptions.
"Are you implying that I'm not normally calm" he nodded once, resulting in the roll of her eyes "Gaara I don't need protection" her words coming out like a command to leave her alone, yet he pressed on. Absently thinking to herself why he was even asking her, it wasn't like him to speak so much unless he was worried, that was always a possibility.
"If I can't be there, or Kankuro, then who can you trust?" the thoughts began to slow as she sat back thoughtful for a moment, he was concerned.
"Well," she paused her mouth slipping shut but only for a second "I know what could happened, but I know how to handle myself Gaara you don't have to worry about that" frustrated she glanced away, back to betrayal she went, seems like she could never get a break with the thoughts of the past "besides it's not like my entire unit will turn on us, I know who I can trust" at least she knew a few who she could have faith in.
"Are you sure?" he blinked elbows resting on the table as he linked his fingers together under his chin, he was peacefully thinking, how dangerous that was for her.
"Yes, now stop asking me questions" she leaned in resting her chin on her hand the other arm on the table, tapping it lightly, all while glaring back at him reading into any change in his expression, that being none.
"Do you trust the commander?" she almost broke under the gaze to widen her eyes at the statement, almost.
"Why do you keep bringing him up anyways" she remained in her calm rage.
"You look at him different" he almost sounded curious, as if not sure what to ask differently about the question, although that calm rage she had wasn't fairing well.
"What exactly are you implying Gaara?" her tone a serious warning for him to stop, cursing the blush to her cheeks, why it had to happened at the moment she didn't quite know, but he noticed and grinned slightly, this adding to her irritation.
"Since Bara you've been different" He lowered his arms grabbing his tea quietly "You trust him don't you" she was silent as he continued, his question was a statement as he knew her answer "that's why the deaths have been lessened, you've restrained yourself these past couple of years, and our hold on their land had returned almost to how it was before the war even began. You two have been stopping the war over the years between our nation and the Leaf's, and you haven't even realized that yet. Have you?" she felt embarrassed at the last part, of course she knew she had slowed her efforts, she knew Shikamaru knew, Gaara now knew. Yet they kept picking at each other's sides and she still followed her orders but thinking now, things had slowed and had gotten better since the start, at least. Things were raw in the beginning, harsh and unforgiving, each death avenged the instant it occurred, but the nations had slowed when she saw who she was up against, she was more cautious going forward, still ruthless when she needed to be, but admittedly less damage overall.
"So, what I'm a failure as a commander for wanting things to stop eventually?" She crossed her arms looking away almost childishly, wanting out of her sudden discomfort.
"No, you have succeeded in helping us end this war for good" He sipped his tea setting it down gently, the faint tap on wood barely heard and smiled "When you return, I want to assemble the council" a silence followed, she was hesitant something rare for her.
"You want the alliance to last" She muttered eyes turned down, silent. Peace finally something she wanted, something she feared, as hard as that was to admit to herself finally. Her father's war finished, and she was relieved at the idea, it almost sounded too good to be true. Gaara had wanted it longer than she had, since the war began, he spoke only about it ending, he was more than deserving of the title Kazekage and she couldn't help feeling proud of him, the feeling overwhelming her to be silent until he spoke.
"Temari?" He called her name, but she had already looked up speaking as soon as he finished.
"I'll help" she began eyes narrowed and serious in her words, she'd stand by him she always would in any battle, even one without weapons "I'll get the council to listen and agree to the terms of an alliance, I want to trust them, or at least try, but it's going to be tough" she sat straight her voice even "We have years to make up for everything that has happened Gaara, but I believe there's no better time than today to finally show that we aren't traitors"
"You're ready?" he smiled faintly, as if he was waiting for her approval to the idea, of course he already knew that she would, but she still had to say it to him.
"Yeah, I'm ready Gaara" She smiled softly, bringing her fan back up and waving the breeze to her cheeks, she did always say she'd take care of her siblings and standing by their decisions, that's one promise she kept. In the blissful silence Gaara turned to look to her bed, then back at her.
"So where did you get that scarf?" Her smile fell and she glared back at him, great one issue after another it seemed.