You asked and you have received, working on next chapter, its in editing right now, so don't worry it'll be posted soon enough.
Enjoy more passages from the infamous Book of Kunoichi! At this point i should just write a while book about that XD
Rated M cause it's spicy, but like mild flavored
Hot might have to wait
Enjoy!
The Art of a Kunoichi
The Art of War
Passage Five
Rare spoken words from Tadame, The Silent One
The battle of Shizukana Mizu, Silent water
May your blade strike true and may your power shine through,
May you survive and may you die a proud and true Kunoichi.
The last battle cry from the lips of the Silent One.
War.
The inspiration for infamous hymns, poems, and stories written and spoken about great heroes, and devious villains, the start and finish of generations, the raw beauty of pure human emotion, wrapped up in blood, sweat, and tears. Even the thought of it seemed to comfort her, war was an end to tragedy and a start to peace, at least in theory that's how it was supposed to go. Her father taught her different, as did her sensei, and her village, and well anyone who lived in the Land of Wind, unforgiving and unforgettable people, as she was, a concept worth musing over now, to her surprise. Yet here she was hoping, deep down away from prying eyes, it might end as quick as it was declared, wondering if she should have listened to Gaara sooner, maybe she could have ended this sooner instead of getting pulled through hell over the past several years.
Temari of the Sand was raised to excel in the art of war.
With the desert at her back and the ravine laid before her, Temari scanned the sight of the final battle, something inside her hoping that it might be her last, then again knowing war never truly ended it was always just put on pause, waiting for the next betrayal to occur. Each nation would strike again, that was inevitable, but maybe just maybe her eyes wandered behind her for a moment. Teal's slightly narrowing when she spotted him, talking to a pair of his friends, some black-haired woman with the same ghostly eyes as one of his captains, and that guy she remembers the one who had fought Gaara many years ago. His words hushed and serious, seen by the severe glare he casted the two, even his stance was straightened commanding, guessing now she was the one staring instead of him. Turning back, she inhaled steadying her mind, holding back an invasive thought, wondering as to what they were talking about, only to smell the sudden scent of forest and smoke off her scarf, what a distraction that was.
She meant every word of what she had told him, he was a good man after all, understanding now as to why he had always seemed to push against her, and why she had really stopped her efforts, mostly at least. Almost groaning at the irritation that she had been bested by a man, one she admittedly liked, one she teased, one she kissed, that reminder quickly getting pushed aside as she needed to focus, easier said than done. Honestly, who would win at a game of Shoji? If she survived this, probably will, considering she was made up of fire that seemed to never burn out, she'd have to challenge him to a match to see who would finally beat the other in a game of wits, a match of the century she'd call it. Gaara really knocked some sense into her it seemed, she'd thank him later, but not without the scolding for coming to camp, unannounced, at such a dangerous time, with all those prying eyes. Kazekage or not, he was still her little brother, and even though she was protecting him she knew he could handle himself, at least before the Akatsuki hurt him. The memory paining her too much, him dead in her arms, but she resisted it her love for Gaara, her baby brother, helping her get through thinking about the matter further, her precious family, oh yeah and Kankuro she loved him too, sometimes. Grinning faintly, she barely noticed the steps behind her, only alerted full by the cheerful, excited as always, voice of her student.
"Lady Temari?" Temari shut her eyes for a moment, the call behind her answered with silence "Our unit is ready" Matsuri called over, wary now seeing as she didn't look back "and Yukata managed to sneak us some nikuman buns" she added beaming a bit when Temari glanced back a small smile gracing her lips, always kind those two were, maybe she could learn a thing or two from her students.
"You two spoil me you know that" Yukata giggled coming to her side and handing her a bun, but her eyes turned to the ravine serious and ready, just as she had taught them. Taking the bun Temari glanced back over the ledge into the path and pointed to the edge where the cliff curved around, their enemy to arrive from there soon "When we strike I want you two at my side until we reach up there at the turn, alright" They nodded prompting her to continue "the ravine had multiple passes, but they are more narrow and can't support the army that will be coming from there, so their only option in retreat will be" she looked to the opposite side and up the rising cliff that their army would be going down, their eyes following hers "right there" she glanced back down at them, Matsuri holding her chin thoughtful thinking of the tactic ahead, Yukata looking back to her as she nodded firmly. Temari looked between them tensing slightly as she heard the shift of the terrain behind her, although didn't look back as she knew who was approaching, only he could make a lazy step sound confident.
"So, are we just going to go full force down there and strike them down or?" Matsuri asked looking back at her, having not heard the steps.
"Not exactly" turning back she caught Shikamaru's surprised look as he didn't seem to know she was aware of his approach, this plan was mostly his after all "Shikamaru" her tone changing to a demand for his attention, he furrowed his brows and waited for her to speak "Will you explain to these two what we are doing on this side of the ravine" not a question up for debate she turned to face him crossing her arms.
"Why do I have to do it? Why can't you?" losing the instant he talked back.
"Will you just tell them" She rolled her eyes taking a bite from the bun, seemingly forgotten in her hand.
"Fine" he muttered, giving up on the argument she would have started if he didn't, looking between the two sets of stares pointed at him, making him slightly uncomfortable at their intensity to listen "Well" he relaxed hands slipped into his pockets and took his commanding stance, that being an annoyed yet calm glare between the two "We have an ambush set up at the end of the ravine connecting where our two borders are, the first wave will consist of Baki and Kakashi who will meet at that border when the Earth's decoys set them up to attack each other, once they merge, they will push the troops back to Kankuro unit who will blow up their only escape" he sighed the students eyes still focused on him unblinking, Temari bit back a grin seeing the sheer irritation on his face, when he glanced up at her, of having to repeat himself, she always found that amusing finding something that bothers him and using it to her advantage, just another thing added to tease him with "From there Sai and his ambush will block of Kurostuchi's main army, and when they retreat we'll be waiting here, for our" he paused and smirked, the idea proposed by Temari during their meeting in the Sand two days back, as she finished for him.
"Little surprise to go off, and that is a secret we can't share with anyone yet" she smirked and leaned down between the two students, each looking at her with a curious smile "Remember what I said earlier alright?" they gazed at her a moment before nodded firmly facing her and bowing "now run along we should have a few hours before we hear word" they already began walking off waving back to her "and stay out of trouble you two" she called out, turning back to Shikamaru with a questioning look "Well? what are you doing here, thought you were sending out the other half, your backup was it?" she straightened and glanced back at the awaiting troops.
"Count is done, we have three hundred waiting here, thanks to those last-minute reinforcements from your Kazekage, and I've already informed Neji and his unit to go around the ravine to get them from the middle" with a yawn, lazily covered by his hand, he stepped to her side, keeping to her left side, no doubt finally having learned to keep his injury away from her, smart.
"Is it enough? His unit?" she avoided looking at him turning back to face the ravine, his eyes turning down to her.
"It should be, he's our support unit after all" with a shrug he followed her line of sight to the curve in the ravine, their plan only known between a select few.
"Well, it's not my first battle against the Earth, and after this probably won't be my last, they tend to do more close range than long range, so we'll have the advantage there with my wind style, we just have to remain aware of the cliff side and how much room we have for battle" She glanced down, instinctively, if not unconsciously, splitting the bun in half and handing him one of the halves, he looked down at it, a moment passing before taking it from her hand almost cautiously.
"Uh thank you" he looked at her suspiciously, the laugh bitten back at his sudden wariness at her offer.
"What's the look for, ever heard of sharing?" the tease accompanied with a smirk, pleasant memories too "I have two brothers, you learn pretty quick to share everything you have with one another, or it just gets messy" she took a bite, knowing he was watching her thoughtfully, but retuned her gaze into the ravine, focused halfheartedly on the plan.
"I was just wondering how long it'll be before Shino gives the word, he's our only connection between us and the first wave" he turned back taking a bite, seeming to have thought about replying to her mention of her brothers, but choosing not to bring to subject up.
"Nervous, are we?" She chuckled amused in the importance of his tone.
"No" turning back down to the ravine he took another bite, eyes narrowing, and speaking when he swallowed "Ino told me earlier she sensed their chakra, movement has begun at their border, so I know it'll be a few hours at least before they send the decoys out, if they haven't already"
"Oh yeah blondie and her little mind tricks" The sudden memory of her a year back bringing on a sense of caution to her voice, she has been in her head after all, poor woman either brave or stupid for trying "she's easy to piss off, isn't she? and if I recall an easy target when she uses her jutsu"
"You have no idea how easy she is to annoy" he chuckled nervously rubbing the back of his neck before continuing "yeah, she is left unconscious when she uses it, so we have to keep watch on her when she does" he continued on warily "you know she told me something about that once, when she was able to get into your head and you woke up from it"
"I remember slapping you" She grinned, listening to his groan before he resumed, remembering apparently how it felt. She'd woken up to him looking down at her, and her only weapon was her hands at the time, that, and her inner rage at the fact she had been careless to avoid the attack.
"Yeah, that rarely happens when a jutsu like that is used, you'd need a very" he searched for a word and spoke "guarded mind for that to happened" he was treading cautiously around her, but none the less stepping closer to a place she didn't speak about, not even to her brothers.
"What did she say?" she hid her concern under a threatening glare when he looked back down to her unfazed by her question.
"Said she'd never do it again" he finished quickly.
"She knows her limits, I like her already" with a smirk she finished off her half of the bun, almost happy to know Ino hadn't told anyone what she saw, the face of her she protected.
"What was it she saw anyways?" he pried slowly interested in finding out what she clearly wouldn't say, she was good at avoiding something when she wanted to "she never told us, but she was bothersome for days after that, yelled more than usual too?"
"That" she poked his arm emphasizing her word, and point for him to stop talking "is none of your business" crossing her arms she continued, happier now that Ino kept quiet, though she looked like a gossip "it's between us woman"
"Still stubborn as ever" with a sigh, defeated, he finished his last bite.
"Like I said none of your business what she saw" shutting her eyes she debated for a moment and ultimately spoke, trusting in his concern seemingly "it's nothing pleasant I'll give you that"
"I don't doubt that" he resumed without hesitation seeming to still want to find the answer "you've been at this longer than me, I'm sure you've seen worse than I have" She glanced over at him and sighed, Shikamaru's gaze firmly set on Temari's, somehow prying her to continue on the topic, easier spoken for her as well when he was listening so intently.
"It's hard to forget the bad things, but it's hardly worth some sob story to you about what life is like in Suna when your whole village is determined to start a war that wouldn't lead to anything but a bruised ego and the death of more men and women than is necessary, considering we tried for peace before it started" she glanced down took a breath and proceeded, his eyes set firmly on hearing every word "I might be cruel out here, but I have a heart for my people and a vow to protect them even after everything my father put them through, what your" she paused, he knew she was about to say his village, his rebellious Sanin from the leaf who did all this, who killed her father, but she didn't allow herself to say it, remaining calm as she proceeded pushing that thought back down with the others "in a way my brothers and I have a lot to make up for everything that happened, I promised to be there for Gaara, and I don't like breaking promises" Temari finished looking back up with a sigh, that one lazy cloud catching her attention.
"I can only imagine what you've had to go through" his voice, low, gentle, calmly concerned she thought, maybe feeling soothed by it though, maybe pity for her? Temari hated being looked down on for this, comfort wasn't usually offered, and she didn't need it or needed him speaking anymore, but he did, his gaze turned up to follow hers. She might have seen him gazing at clouds a few times over the years, called him lazy during their matches for it, but she found something easy about it, the feeling of just laying back and relaxing under the sky, not a thought behind closed eyes, she'd have to ask him why he did it sometime, the idea making her curious if she wasn't irritated at him speaking now
"When the Hokage put me in charge of the western front I was meant to keep the peace and our nations from actually storming in on each other, you made that challenging, but not impossible" he resumed quieter, thoughtful in each word, still so gentle "When I was in the village of Bara" Her eyes narrowed instantly into the sky, the silent rage returning, the calm before the storm, at the name of the village, the one she protected the one he had retreated from "And I saw what war really was, I knew I had to stop and rethink every single move we made, that night you might have scared some sense into me the first time since I became the commander, not that you weren't uh intimidating usually" he sighed a short chuckle following, she could have smiled at him, laughed even at what she would call a compliment, but she remained emotionless every word sinking in gradually
"I saw that little girl, the way you hugged her" Kohana she thought, she almost turned to looked at him, but remained still knowing he was deep in his own memories, regretful of his actions "I never wanted to hurt anyone the first time, innocent people were killed because I messed up, I thought I knew what I was doing but clearly I was wrong about everything. I was just following my orders" he stopped and looked down eyes shut, she finally turned to look at him, just a small side glance to see he was ashamed, just as she was in her first year of war when her own had taken over the village, where she had fought back and made her name known to her people, and her intentions. He raised his head straightening, regaining composure
"Thanks to Tsunade I was able to convince our own council to let me take over the orders given to me, and well you seemed to have started doing the same with your own command" he caught her eyes, a brief moment of silent observation before he grinned shyly almost, nervous, she was always good at making him uneasy she thought fighting back a small smile of her own "considering we have been keeping our fronts as peaceful as they can get during a war, I'd say it's been better" he furrowed his brows the annoyance returning to his face suddenly "but you still liked to mess with me, it's troublesome you know" now she smiled, no smirk, no taunt, just a little ease would do, he understood her after all, and she did like him a little more now.
"It's almost boring when you make it this easy for me Shikamaru" she giggled into the scarf, his eyes turning to her for a moment before rubbing the back of his neck, both blushing slightly in the amusement of it. When they stopped, he glanced back down at her as if waiting, her smile remaining although smaller "You want to say something don't you?"
"I wanted to say thank you for earlier about what you said" he began, nervous at first, finishing quick and looking at her carefully, probably waiting for the inevitable teasing, but it didn't come, she didn't let her serious soft tone ruin her honest words, he didn't deserve her ruthless nature, not currently at least.
"Why are you thanking me? I was just being honest when I said it" she shrugged resuming with her casual demeanor staring ahead, the curve of the ravine her main focus "your no killer Shikamaru your cleaner than the rest of us at least, I'd say innocent if I hadn't seen you take out those shinobi in the Land of Rain" she bit back a smile, she hadn't exactly seen him fight in such a way considering he was usually avoiding conflict with her, protecting her as he said was his main mission. Temari could say that the pair worked well together on a team, seeing as they both knew each other's styles very well, and how to counter and work against it, the brief memory of the chunin exams came to mind. That was where she knew he was meant for more, he did outsmart her after all, almost effortlessly, very few did manage to get one over her. Although the giving up part still made her humored in a way, their fight leaving the crowd speechless, and her if she was being honest to herself
"I've been doing this for seven years, longer if you consider the war in Suna when Gaara was born" she paused but it was only for a second, the thought of her mother and brothers pushed down instantly, she hated those memories when they made her overthink "trust me when I say this, you might be good at war, not as good as me though" she added while pressing a proud hand to her chest, making it known she still, and always, saw herself as a more than capable kunoichi, absolutely sure that he didn't doubt that for a moment and continued "but it's not your purpose, your meant for better things than this, a better future than dying here over the elders own stubbornness to have stopped this years ago"
You don't have enough hatred, pain, or suffering in your heart to keep at this she thought, he was to good to drop to the level she had been on years ago, she almost felt bad he ever had to enter into the war, but that was life unfair and cruel no matter who you were. Why she seemed to care enough to tell him all this, she would think on it later. He might have been born into it, but he was smart enough to find his way out of it, he was a genius after all, while she just happened to live in the hell with a sense of calm for everything she saw, felt, heard even, her father's doing to teach her how to be a true kunoichi, the words in the books of the goddesses helping with her training to become one, and his words to her to always protect her own feeding the everlasting fire in her core. Those thoughts tucked away deep down in sandstone walls of her village along with her innocence, what she lost years ago when she saw red for the first time. Shikamaru did that thing again, she always knew when he did it, staring down at her with an almost blank look, thinking no doubt, but he spoke through the seeming speechless moment, his words a breathless whisper as he leaned slightly over to her, enough for her to notice not enough to be seen by others.
"If we didn't have three hundred shinobi at our backs, I'd kiss you right now" she allowed herself a second, biting her lips to hide the smile at the boldness behind the tone he proposed, arrogance wasn't entirely it, but he was being more than confident, so sure of himself, and it amused her enough to ask and play along with her curiosity.
"So, I was the first woman you kissed" Temari turned to him, hooded teals tempting a challenge, and his undivided attention, though it didn't disappoint her when he suddenly seemed uneasy, the confidence her had gone, he always made it easy for her to get the upper hand.
"Uh yeah" he rubbed his shoulder, looking occupied elsewhere, to easy she grinned slyly.
"Figures" glancing away ready to start the match against him and see if he was willing to fight her or avoid her, to her surprise he chose the first.
"Why would you say that?" his eyes narrowed and turned discreetly to her.
"Just seemed that way" she tilted her head eyes forward, smugly speaking on the matter, thanks to those damn books. With just a hint of slyness in her tone she spoke "Men like to stare at something they want, usually at something they can't have, if they are smart about it though, they do it when a woman isn't looking, and you like to make it known, not very subtle of you now is it?"
"Well, what about you?" he didn't miss a step in the fight back, ignoring her tempt, hands slipping from his pockets and into his vest, a familiar clink following her answer, he was annoyed, however.
"What about me?" she glared quietly at him, warning clear, but he either didn't care to read into it or seemed to have a new need to argue with her, the egotism returning, she did warn him about it didn't she?
"Well, who was your first then?" For a moment she glanced at his lips, the familiar downturn of irritation to her tease, accompanied by the smoking cigarette smoke waving past his features somehow disrupting her thoughts, but only for a blinking second. Something about the look he gave starting the warmth in her body, the burning beginning again, the one from last night, the one from earlier at the thoughts of him, the storm surging but hidden inside, barely keeping down at the urge, but she was to prideful to good at being stubborn at least and ignored it.
"You" she shrugged relaxing as if it meant nothing, the surprise she was waiting for never showing on his face, becoming alert to it instantly, the move made her downfall.
"Figures" so smug she narrowed her eyes slightly; he was choosing to fight alright.
"Why's that?" shooting back, now annoyed.
"When you get nervous about something you freak out, and you hit hard" he shrugged but refused to turn away, the casual blow of the smoke an afterthought to him in his focus on her.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she glared back her chest beginning to heave ready to push him off the ledge to shut him up, to stop the heat on her cheeks she was unaware of, but she was frozen in her anger.
"When your flustered like that" he leaned closer to her, still at a distance as they were both still aware of the people behind them, but enough to smell the smoke and feel the words "you're predictable" her anger melting, she almost didn't catch the burning on her cheeks as his glare had been holding her, she could laugh, the fact he seemed to have picked up one of her tricks so suddenly, so easily, she must have rubbed off on him over the years, or irritated him enough to attempt. Temari bit back her amusement and shut her eyes looking away faking ignorant to the observation, the burn inside held back "You just make it to easy Temari" Temari smirked behind her closed eyes, always with the arrogance, always thinking he got the upper hand and turned it around on her, she did warn him? Instantly, and rather roughly showing her point clearly, she reached an arm up beside her grabbing at the collar of his shirt and pulled him down to her side, immediately aware, if not thrilled by his reaction, of his shock and uneasiness when she turned her hooded teals to see his dark stare back at her, inches apart, she did always like to mess with him, and even when she had warned him about his ego he still seemed to disobey.
"Shikamaru you better not do anything stupid out there today" a taunting smile played at her lips, enticing his eyes to look down at it, before turning back to her eyes the annoyance at her action making it clear on his downturned lips, the dark glare back enough to lure even her to lean in slightly. So tempting she thought, but the control was there, at least she had that to work with, under the darkened gaze glaring back at her, the same look she saw in the eyes of men with desire, but the intensity burned her back, to her surprise, as always amused by his reaction to her fearlessness she continued, pushing past her own burn "if you make it out of this alive, I might just give you another kiss" she smiled, the one he always looked at, taking note of the quick glance down to her lips, remembering, before she pushed him back to stand void of a gentle touch, content with the surprise on his face to her sweet whisper, this game she liked. Crossing her arms she turned back to look into the winding path of the ravine so pleased with herself she could laugh, but on the inside, outside remaining smug and confident, practically graceful in the matter "So you better not mess anything up Nara you know I am-"he interrupted her with a glare and a mumble through clenched teeth, uncomfortable and blushing red, defeated.
"Yeah, you're unforgiving I got it" He straightened the harsh inhale to the cigarette occupying the ever-rising blush to his cheeks, embarrassed if not something else, she didn't have to even look to know. Better him burning than her she thought, giggling behind her scarf as she listened to him shuffling beside her to fix his collar and keep his gaze away muttering something about her being troublesome.
Standing behind one of the many boulders decorating the edges of the ravine, two sets of dark eyes hid back their curiosity sparking their interest to look.
"Do you think she likes him?" Matsuri smirked as Yuktata gapped at her, shocked at the notion.
"What no way she was about to hit him just now right?" Yukata chuckled unconvinced before glanced back at the commanders, raising a curious brow to Matsuri when she looked back uncertain "Well she always said that that was how to fight against a man, without actually fighting"
"Oh, come on Yukata" Matsuri scoffed shaking her head almost disappointed she didn't see it her way "how do you not see it, our Lady has been teaching us about this for years"
"About what?" her friend asked curiously.
"Have you ever seen her reading those books about kunoichi?" she muttered in a hushed tone.
"Well sometimes" Yukata placed a finger to her chin thoughtful "but she keeps them hidden from us, she said we aren't old enough yet to read them yet" she shrugged ignoring her curiosity on why her companion asked, her Lady's order obeyed without a second though, at least it seemed so.
"Well, I got to sneak a look into it once" Yukata's eyes widened and she leaned in listening "when she left me to yell at Kankuro" Matsuri looked around quickly to make sure no one was listening and leaned into Yukata whispering "it's about these amazing kunoichi in history who took down their enemies, some of them even did it without killing anyone"
"Really? What else did you read?" Yukata pressed on, eyes widening with each word.
"It's also about the duty to your country and obeying orders and stuff like how they should act and present themselves, but" Matsuri smiled dreamingly "I saw some interesting things in there about the kunoichi falling in love"
"Love?" Her friend now lost looked unconvinced again "But Lady Temari never talks about that kinda stuff, she only tells us about manners and how we are supposed to act"
"Yeah, duh because we aren't old enough to hear what woman do when they are in love, you know like the stuff you do" Matsuri blushed for a moment, embarrassed at the passage she had read.
"We are almost eighteen you know" Yukata rolled her eyes, but heard every word, regardless of her own sudden nervousness.
"You remember her mentioning" she paused quickly glancing around "Seduction, right?"
"Yeah" Yukata gapped slightly leaning in wide eyed again.
"Well apparently that's how you-" her words interrupted the girls heard her before they saw her.
"What are you two talking about?" The girls squealed in unison, turning back to look at Temari, arms crossed, and a questioning brow pointed at them, the warning clear behind her eyes.
"Nothing" Spoken at the same time, they both forced a nervous, innocent really, smile up at her.
"I thought I said not to get into trouble?" Temari glared quietly, knowing they were lying.
"That's a bit rich coming from you, don't you think?" Shikamaru smirked as he stepped to her side, turning away from the girls to him, her anger now forced elsewhere the girls relaxed slightly.
"And I know I told you to stop being so full of yourself, are you asking to be thrown off that cliff?" She put her hands on her hips, a silent glare following the two when he didn't back away from her, although both annoyed at each other now. Matsuri glanced at Yukata, grinning slyly, her companion pressing her lips together when she looked back at her, their conversation before saved from a lecture.
The Art of a Kunoichi
The Art of Seduction
Passage Ninteen
The way to a man's body is guided by the senses,
Each one enticing a new feeling to the mind,
A woman in a man's arms is held with care and fear,
The slightest touch could either hurt them or burn them,
Their bodies entangled nonetheless,
The woman's body is made up of many things,
Curves and plains that tempt a touch from even the most resistant of men,
Gazes that pull at their souls, leading them down the path of delight,
The taste of the skin showered in their marks,
The instinctive subtle sounds that push them closer,
The intimate will to be with another in secret,
The edge one of the many things that encourage them to start again,
To risk another chance to be close.
The writer Unknown
Hot enough for you?
I sure hope so XD