Sands of Time, Winds of Change (11)

argh.

---

Sweat poured down Shikamaru's face as he held the antler in his palm, the book on the bed next to a calm Temari. He read the passage in the book again and again. It still hadn't hit him as to why he wanted to save her so badly.

Place the antler tip in left palm, drawing blood.

Do the same with the patient, placing it in their right.

Mold chakra around the antler.

Patient will be healed soon after.

It was so troublesome. But he had to do it. He took the tip of the antler in his left palm, cutting himself with it. Blood dripped down his arm as he grimaced in pain. He did the same with Temari, drawing blood on her also. He closed his eyes. He pulsed chakra into the antler. His eyes opened. Blue chakra spiraled around the antler. Then there was a huge blinding flash.

When he opened his eyes, he was on the ground, antler sprawled next to him. His hand was no longer bleeding. Instead, in place of the cut, there was a red symbol.

An X with two spiral swirls on the right and left side. His eyes widened. He got up from the ground and stared at Temari. He looked at her right hand.

The same symbol was on it. Then he stared at her face. No longer peaceful, her mouth was set in a frown.

"Damnit. She's not awake. How troublesome." He whispered, saddened. He stared at her for a long time before standing up. Tears came falling down his face. "Not again. I always do this around her." He moaned, wiping his face off.

"Did all of you Konoha ninja fail emotional training, cry-baby!"

"TEMARI!"

"Damn right! Wait a minute. Where am I!"

"Stop screaming! Troublsome woman. You were in a coma. Remember the fight?" He said calmly. Suddenly her mouth closed.

"Oh. What happened?"

"We won."

"I meant to me."

"Ugh. You sort of got a kama in your back."

"WHAT?"

"And your fan broke."

"NOOOOOOOOO!" She cried, holding her head. "MY FAN!" Shikamaru slapped his forehead.

"And then I healed you."

"You what!" Suddenly she took notice of her hand. Then his. Her face turned dark red. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY HAND!"

"I SAVED YOU!"

"YEAH RIGHT! YOU GAVE ME A TATTOO!"

"Hn."

"Whatever." She said angrily. She got out of the bed, grimacing.

"Your back is still not fully healed. I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"I don't give a shit!" She hissed.

"Troublesome woman."

"Shut up!" She hissed threateningly.

"Alright, alright...! Troubles—"

"DID I NOT TELL YOU TO CAN IT!"

"Sorry." He said with a sigh. "Well now that you're awake..."

"I'm going home. Where are Gaara and Kankerou?"

"What!" He cried. "You can't leave!" She turned to him, surprised and a little confused.

"And why is that!"

"...nevermind. Troublesome."

"Alright then."

---

The next day, Kankerou, Gaara, and Temari were set to leave. Shikamaru wasn't there to see them off.

"Where's that guy?" Gaara ask disdainfully. Temari hid the frown that was currently on her face.

"He said he wasn't good at saying goodbye. That it was too...troublesome."

---

Shikamaru sat in his room, hands in the thinking position that he had come up with the first time he had ever played Shougi. Several things played in his head. But the most important... 'Temari.' He thought with a sigh. He didn't know why he was so sad that she was leaving. She was just another troublesome woman. But for some reason, the words his father had said to him long ago played back in his head.

Even the roughest woman is tender to the man she loves...

"...Shit." He thought, getting up and running out of his house as fast as he could.

---

Oooh, run to her Shikamaru! –cheesy music plays—

WudaiMarsWind