The sun crept into the dark room leaving a fine line of gold in its wake. Blue eyes slowly opened, groggily rubbing sleep from her eyes, Temari rolled over on her side. At first she was confused of her surrounding, the sights and the smells of this room was not familiar to her. The movement of a still sleeping Naruto reminded her of were she was. He was sprawled out on his stomach his face buried in his pillow muffling his light snores.
Her eyes started to wander around the room; now that she had time to look she tried to take everything in to get a small slice of who this boy was that was now her husband. To her right was a make shift shelf that contained rocks off all shape and color, along with strange twisted branches. One looking curiously like a distorted face smiling back at her. Between the trinkets scattered on the self were numerous pictures of Naruto and his former team. She had to smile at this, in a way his team was the only family he ever had. No wonder he was so devastated when Sasuke ran off.
"Morning," a muffled voice said sleepily. Naruto lifted his head to smile at her, but closed his eyes again letting his warm blankets lull him back to sleep.
Seeing that he had fallen back to sleep Temari got out of bed and walked into the living room. The air was freezing sending a sharp chill up her spine, she closed the window quietly.
Slowly making her way to the kitchen, she ran her fingers along the walls and the small table that she would now be eating at. It still seemed so surreal to her, that this was her home now. Yesterday she felt so strong and confident that she would be able to pull this off, but unlike the missions she was use to this was now and forever, an ongoing mission that she dared not leave or give up on. Gaara had chosen Naruto because he was the only man that he would trust to look after his sister as well as held great respect for him. If this engagement crashed and burned, not only would her village shun her but also her brother, who seemed so proud to give her away to a man he saw as an equal.
Opening up the fridge door she found only a few things. Some orange juice and a few jars, along with a container that held something that should have been thrown away long ago. She defiantly needed to go buy groceries today. Sighing she decided she wasn't really at that hungry anyway.
Naruto got up about an hour later, still looking worn out from yesterdays stressful day.
They got many stares as they walked down to the market. Naruto didn't seem to notice as much as she did. She figured he was accustomed to being looked at by strangers, considering his past. All the time they shopped they never spoke a word, nor talked about the small intement moment they had shared last night.
"The days are getting colder," Naruto noted blowing out a puff of hot air, watching as is formed a small cloud of fog before getting dissolved by the cold.
Temari only nodded back at him. They walked to a small tea house late in the afternoon. The building had peeling paint as well as one boarded up window, making the building look prematurely old. Rain dripped off of the roof creating large brown puddles in the dirt pathway. Temari sighed, she had only been here two days and already she was starting to hate the rain.
"I would like a seat for two," Naruto said walking up to the owner.
"Preferably one in the back," Temari quickly added.
Naruto shot her a questioning glance.
"I need to speak with you in private," She replied. The color drained from his face at the sound of her words, but he nodded back.
They were placed in the back of the tea house in a small booth, the seats covered in old cracked leather. A lamp hung low giving off a dim orange glow over the table.
As soon as they sat down he began to play with a cup sitting in front of him, spinning the object nervously, trying to avoid her eyes.
Temari sighed in annoyance, placing her hand on the cup. "Listen for a moment will you."
Naruto looked at her face now but still did not have enough will to meet her eyes, his heart was beating wildly as his mind ran a million things that she might want to talk to him about, each one worst then the next.
"I didn't really want to bring this up so soon, but I figured we should get this out and settled now," She was about to continue but the appearance of the owner and there tea halted there conversation. Temari looked down at the table annoyed at being interrupted, she had worked up the courage to ask him about this all day and she wasn't sure if she could continue again. She looked back up at him after the owner had departed.
Naruto raised a eyebrow, "Is this about what happened last nigh?"
Temari took in a deep breath, "Not exactly, it's about what we might be doing tonight."
The whole tea house was filled with the sound of Naruto choking loudly on his tea. He gasped for air, his eyes tearing up from coughing so much. As soon as the words left her mouth he knew what she was talking about.
She waited patiently for him to regain his composure before she continued. She was surprised he took it that well.
"So what do you think we should do?"
"How the hell should I know?" Naruto snapped back.
"I figured the longer we wait the longer we would put if off all together. And the way they explained this arrangement they didn't really want to wait for a child to be born," Temari started to twist her napkin into a tight knot, wishing he would say something.
He looked down at the old wooden table running his thumb over the corner, worn round and smooth over the years of use. "I just don't know."
"Well shall I come to you tonight?" Temari asked, her voice only a whisper. A whisper only meant for him to hear.
Swallowing deeply he nodded, praying that this decision would not come back and bite him in the ass later on.
When they got home the food was put away quietly. Temari was starting to wonder if she had been a little to forward about this. She pushed the thought out of her mind. She just had to think of this as a mission that needed to be done, only a mission.
"I think I'll go train for a while," Naruto muttered, tying his head protector firmly against his brow.
"Alright, I'll have supper ready when you come home."
"You don't have to do that for me, I'll help you when I get home," Naruto pleaded. He already felt guilty about agreeing to sleep with her so soon.
Temari began to open up cupboard doors, stopping when she found a large pot. Looking almost brand new from lack of use. "No I want to; you have been so kind to me."
Naruto walked up behind her, she flinched when he reached up and put his hand on her shoulder. "I'll be back soon."
His feat pounded against the forest floor as he ran, he wasn't planning on training at all he just needed some time to himself to think. Rain soaked his clothing, causing the fabric to cling to him like an extra layer of skin. He was finding it hard to see through the pounding rain that surrounded him like a liquid wall. He had lost track of time hours ago, but at the moment time was not a great concern at the moment. His mind screamed at him to keep on running, to run from everything. His feat almost followed when he looked down at his left hand, his thumb absently ran across the smooth silver band that he now wore. He was reminded it would not be fare to Temari; she was in this to, so many times he had forgotten that. As alone as he felt right now, he had to remember she was walking down the same path as he.
As he started to make his way back he stopped and plucked one delicate flower from a low hanging branch. Its red petals gleaming with water beads that slowly slid off when he tilted it to the side. His feet started to move on their own towards his home; for once his mind was blank, his thoughts silenced and lost in the cold starless night that had once again clamed another day. He found his house purely on instinct from walking the same path all these years, the same old wooden door, baring a large gash on the bottom greeted him like so many other times. But today was different; the door took on a different appearance and meaning to him. As soon as he touched that handle he would be changing his life forever.
Kakashi always told him that you are never ready for the day that will forever change your life. It always disguises itself like any another day, lulling you into a sense of false routine, when suddenly it hits you like a stone wall, knocking the wind out right out of you. It had the power to can change a person's life for the better or destroy it into a million broken shards. Naruto never listened much when Kakashi spoke of such things but for once in this life he understood completely his sensei's words, and prayed that his earlier decision would not cause pain, especially on Temari.
The door creaked open, allowing a gust of air to rush into the warm home. As upset as he felt, he couldn't deny how good the kitchen smelt. Never had his home smelt of such wonderful food.
He kicked off his shoes realizing that they were starting to form puddles on the floor. Gently setting down the red flower in a small cup full of water, he spotted Temari setting the table. Her gaze locked with his for a brief moment, her face showed no sign of emotion but her eyes told him things she was trying to hide.
Throwing his wet cloths on the floor he put on a pair of pants and a simple black shirt, he tried to towel his hair dry, but its thick mass was suborn about drying off. Giving up he tossed the towel in the same pile as his clothing.
The meal was excellent, distracting him from his worries. He was surprised that Temari had found his bottle of sake and had set it out. Naruto never drank but tonight he greeted the tastes of the rice wine gratefully. By the time the meal was over he was starting to feel some effects of the alcohol, and from the way Temari was looking at him she was as well.
Without a word Temari got up and walked over to him. Naruto felt it heart drop into his stomach when she reached down and pulled him up out of his chair. He followed without question, allowing her to guide him to their bedroom.
The room was filled with the dull light of the washed out moon that shone threw the window. Closing the door Naruto turned to her, both staring back at one another, waiting to see who would make the first move, Naruto could only stand there his stomach filled with butterflies, and his legs threatening to give out on him any second.
Temari stepped towards him, placing her lips gently on his. Flinching slightly Naruto backed up but was stopped by the door. His head was spinning wildly, and he was finding it hard to concentrate. He kissed her back as best he could but again felt his face turning red when her hand slid up the front of his shirt. She deepened the kiss just as her other hand joined the first. With agonizing slowness her hands traveled farther up his chest.
Catching on to what she was wanting to do Naruto broke the kiss, lifting up his hands to aid her in the removal of his shirt. After it was tossed carelessly to the floor, he returned his attention on her. Allowing his body to take over his mind, his thoughts soon were hushed as he gently licked her lower lip, and was rewarded when she opened her mouth to his tongue. Temari was a little surprised at his boldness, but pushed the thought out of her mind and concentrated on what was at hand.
As he fumbled with the removal of her sash, she lowered her head kissing his neck lightly. He tasted of the rain that had soaked his body earlier that day.
Her clothing soon joined his on the floor, as the two walked to the bed. Temari rested her head against the pillow. Her eyes looking up at the boy she hardly knew. Reaching up she lowered his head towards her, there lips colliding sending shivers of unease threw both there bodies. Running her hands in his still damp hair she curled her fingers closer to his scalp, as his callused inexperienced hands glided over her body, stopping at her breasts for a while before continuing to eventually rest on her thigh.
His knowledge on these things was limited to only the things Jiraiya had told him. Things he often preferred to ignore.
Kissing her deeply he rested his body between her legs, his hands slowly moving up to either side of her head to support his weight, his muscles flexed under his skin, that glowed pale in the dim light. As he pulled away he locked eyes with her, looking desperately for any sign of regret on her face, he found none. But then again Temari was a good actor.
Seeing the concerned look on his still boyish face Temari reached up sliding her fingernail over the strange marks that covered his cheek, her finger slowly followed the angle of his jaw and the curve of if neck, eventually running across the tense muscles of his back. Lowering his head he kissed her neck, gently dragging his teeth over the sensitive area, he was pleased when he heard a soft gasp escape her mouth. His skin tingled when he heard her whisper his name in a tone that informed him she was ready. Her hands rested on the back of his neck where hair met skin. With a quick motion he entered her, she made no sound to acknowledge the pain but the tightening of her hands around his neck told him what he needed to know.
"Are you alright?" he whispered into her soft hair. He felt her nod slowly, as her fingers released there tight hold from around his neck. Naruto knew that this was expected of him, but a part of him screamed at the wrongness of it all.
After a few minutes Temari relaxed, and he continued. He kept his pace slow not wanting to cause any more pain to her. There lovemaking was not fueled on lust or love but partly on alcohol and the overwhelming need to live up to the expectations of their village.
When he was about to speak to her she placed her finger gently on his lips, more out of impulse to keep him silent rather than any need for affectionate gesturing. Complying with her wish he kept quiet, bending down to kiss her softly.
The room was sickly quiet, the only sound was the soft creaking of the bed accompanied from time to time with there heavy breathing.
The sex seemed mechanical and desperate, both acting as if they were learning and performing a new and uncomfortable jutsu.
Temari watched his hair sway in time with his thrusts. After some time he sped up his pace, wanting to end this as soon as possible for his wife's sake. Resting her head in the crook of his neck she whispered his name into his ear, reassuring him that she was alright.
"Temari I'm sorry," he whispered back in a low voice. A shutter racked his body as he came, releasing a low growl from deep in his throat, echoing her own soft moan.
Narutos let himself sink down onto her chest, his body shaking lightly with exhaustion, a thin layer of sweat covering his body. For the longest time both remained motionless. Each wondering what had just happened.
It was a strange feeling that came over Temari, while she gently ran her fingers across Narutos back. In place of feelings of uneasiness she had expected she felt nothing, it was done and over with. Just like that this part of the deal was finished.
Her mind returned to the present when she felt Naruto roll off of her. Turning to her side she gazed out of the window watching as thin clouds wisped over the moon and sky revealing the few stars that managed to shine despite the foul weather. Feeling a little better when Naruto wrapped his arm around her, she let him lock his fingers with hers, his warm breath brushed over her neck lulling her into an uneasy sleep.
Rest was hard to find that night for Naruto. He had heard Temari fall asleep hours ago but he couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened. He had felt it just as surely as she had, there was not a single spark when his lips landed on hers in the darkness.
Determined not to let this marriage fail. Naruto made a silent oath that night, to keep on trying to find love with this woman that was lying next to him.