So I recently posted this story on AO3, so for those of you who would rather read this on AO3, it'll be there

All characters belong to Kishimoto-san.

Chapter 13: Cloud-Watching

Temari followed her two brothers as they got in line for lunch. Kankuro was complaining again, as usual, while Gaara was silent.

"We played soccer on grass," Kankuro said, referring to the soccer game they had played during third period. "On grass!"

"That's not weird, Kankuro," Temari informed him.

"No, but back in Suna, we played on sand," Kankuro said.

"Yeah, but that's because we don't have enough grass," Temari reasoned.

"Okay, but what about artificial grass?" Kankuro challenged. "We have those, don't we? But we still play on sand."

Temari sighed. "It's just more convenient to leave everything as is, instead of installing artificial grass everywhere."

Kankuro shrugged. "Grass is so high maintenance, though. You have to water it all the time."

"Kankuro," Temari said patiently. "It rains here, in case you've forgotten."

Kankuro grumbled to himself and grabbed his lunch. Temari did the same, and the three sand siblings headed out of the cafeteria.

"I will go sign up for the fight club," Gaara announced, speaking up for the first time that day. Temari and Kankuro exchanged glances.

"Okay, Gaara," Kankuro said hesitantly. "Go ahead. I'll go check out the arts and crafts club, then."

Temari frowned but didn't argue with her younger brothers. She was so used to being with her brothers, or at least Kankuro, all day long that the two of them leaving her alone was something she didn't know how to respond to. Part of her wanted to follow Kankuro, but she knew she was unlikely to join such a club. Besides, they were in a new school and there were bound to be people here who had no idea of Temari's identity and heritage. It was time to make some friends.

.

After mulling about the campus for a few minutes, Temari abandoned her attempts at finding a friend and decided to explore the campus. She finally settled on sitting down underneath a tree at the edge of campus. The tree was smaller than the others, but provided adequate shade. There was a nice patch of grass around the area, and, even better, there were few people in sight.

Temari made herself comfortable, leaning against the tree while eating her lunch. There was a slight breeze and Temari watched as a leaf fell off a branch and made its way slowly to the ground. She finished her lunch and closed her eyes, deciding to rest a bit before lunch ended.

Temari was resting peacefully when she sensed a presence staring at her. Normally, she would have ignored it, but this was Konohagakure, and not everyone would stare at her. Curious, she opened her eyes and scanned the area, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. However, as she finished her sweep of the area, her eyes made contact with stunned brown ones—the eyes of Nara Shikamaru.

Temari sat there for a moment, surprised. He had been the last person she would have expected to see. She was about to ask why he wasn't with Naruto, when he interrupted her.

"That's my tree," the lazy boy said suddenly.

Temari stared at him, not believing her ears. What had he just said?

"Your tree?"

Shikamaru nodded, as if it were obvious. "Yeah, that's my tree and you're in my spot."

Temari was sure he was trying to annoy her. How did he even have the nerve to argue with her, the Kazekage's daughter?

"I'm not 'in your spot', as you call it," Temari scoffed, "And this isn't your tree."

"But it's where I always sit," Shikamaru said stubbornly as he continued to stand there, "So it's my tree."

"You don't own this tree," Temari argued, though she wasn't sure if he did or did not own it. For all she knew, Shikamaru actually owned the tree. He was the heir to the Nara clan, after all, and had enough money to spare.

"But it's my spot," Shikamaru insisted, looking like he was expecting her to move, as if she would move from this spot. Instead of moving, she opted to roll her eyes at him.

"I can sit anywhere I want." Temari said, just as stubborn.

Shikamaru hesitated, and Temari wondered if he was going to leave. After a moment, he spoke again.

"I usually sit here. During lunch, I always come here."

Temari wasn't sure why he was telling her this; it was already obvious from his previous remarks.

"Well, you don't get to sit here today," Temari told him, getting more annoyed by the minute. Why was he making such a big deal out of it? If he wanted to, he could have just sat down. There was more than enough space for the both of them.

"But that's my tree." Shikamaru said.

Temari glared at him. He was truly getting on her nerves.

"It's not your tree!" Temari almost yelled at him, but held herself back. "Is it seriously that inconvenient for you to sit with other people?"

Shikamaru looked at her, surprised, as if he had never thought about it. Temari shook her head. She had heard the Nara's were smart people, but maybe that did not apply to Nara Shikamaru.

Eventually, Shikamaru seemed to have made up his mind, as he accepted her suggestion and sat down. Though, the way he did it—slowly and cautiously as if she would suddenly attack him—made her roll her eyes at him.

"Has no one else ever sat here before?" Temari inquired after he had sat down.

Shikamaru shrugged, looking up at the sky. "Not really. People don't like to come all the way out here. Besides, this is where the shogi club hangs out."

"The shogi club?" Temari had heard Kankuro talk about shogi the other day, but she hadn't been aware there was an actual club for it at Konoha High.

Shikamaru nodded. "Yeah, the shogi club. All we do is play shogi. Or we just hang about, doing nothing. Though, since we're always here, it's hard to get new members since freshmen are less likely to stumble upon this place."

Shikamaru paused, and looked at her. "Though, I guess you managed to find this place."

Temari wasn't sure if that was supposed to be a compliment or an insult. "So, you're in the shogi club?"

"Yeah."

Temari didn't think Shikamaru would be a shogi type of person, but then again, he wasn't exactly an outdoor person, either. He was more likely to be in a sleeping club, not that there was one at Konoha High … that she was aware of, anyways.

"I would've thought you'd be too lazy for shogi," Temari commented.

Shikamaru glanced at her before returning his gaze to the sky. "I like shogi. It's a good game. It helps to pass the time."

Temari snorted. "Don't you have other things to help pass the time? Why shogi?"

Shikamaru frowned at her. "Shogi isn't a game for old people, you know."

"I didn't say it was."

There was a flash of surprise in his brown eyes before they returned to their usual bored appearance.

"I just like shogi," Shikamaru explained. "It's nice to have all the pieces on the board. I get to think my way through it, until my opponent has no moves left, and then it's checkmate."

Until my opponent has no moves left. Temari shuddered. It seemed like something Gaara would say, before he cornered one of his assassins and ruthlessly murdered them. Though, the way Shikamaru said it, it was more about the thrill of the game, of being able to outthink your opponent, rather than the excitement of the kill and the sight of blood.

"What do you even do here anyways?" Temari asked.

Shikamaru shrugged. "I like to stare at the clouds."

"The clouds?" Temari had never heard of such a ridiculous hobby before.

"It's relaxing," Shikamaru said defensively. "I like watching the clouds drifting in the sky. Don't they look so peaceful?"

Temari almost laughed, but she thought it would be rude, especially after Shikamaru had gone out of his way to answer all her questions truthfully. Temari was taken aback by the change in Shikamaru's attitude, from resentful to almost friendly. Temari supposed Shikamaru wasn't purposely trying to annoy her, after all.

"I guess they do look peaceful," Temari said, also looking up at the sky. "It seems kind of aimless, though."

"Maybe," Shikamaru admitted. "But at least they're free. They don't have to worry about restrictions or anything."

Shikamaru's tone implied that he knew what it felt like to be restricted, and Temari was almost curious enough to ask him about it. She herself knew the feeling of being caged in; she was the Kazekage's only daughter, and so had many rules and expectations as she was growing up.

"The clouds eventually disappear when it rains, though," Temari countered.

"Everyone dies," Shikamaru stated. "Even clouds. See, the clouds are kind of like us; they wander around, with no idea where life is taking them, until one day, they disappear forever."

Temari thought that was a bit morbid, comparing the lifespan of humans to that of clouds. "We're not clouds, though."

"No, but we could learn a thing or two from them," Shikamaru said. "Look how free they are. We should learn to be like them, to be just as relaxed. Everyone always rushes ahead in life, especially people like Naruto, you know? People should take some time to slow down, enjoy life a little. Besides, life will take its course, no matter what we want."

Temari laughed at his statement. "You really are an old man."

It was Shikamaru's turn to look annoyed. However, before he could reply, the bell rang and Temari got up.

"See you later, old man." Temari smirked and made her way to Kurenai's room for fifth period.

.

"Man, that was boring," Kankuro said as he and Temari got out of class.

Temari couldn't really agree with her brother. "That was pretty useful, Kankuro. You wouldn't learn this otherwise."

"I don't need to learn about Konohagakure," Kankuro whined. "Someone like me only needs to know how to build stuff. Politics and history? That's your job."

Temari had to resist the urge to hit him. "You're going to be so useless in the future."

"Says you."

The two siblings shut up as their youngest brother arrived.

"Did you apologize to Rock Lee already?" Temari asked carefully.

Gaara nodded stiffly. "Yes."

Temari nodded. "Okay, let's go home, then."

"Wait, can we stop by the art store first?" Kankuro interrupted. "I want to buy some paint."

"Is that okay, Gaara?" Temari asked.

Gaara said nothing, and Temari decided to take that as a yes.

"Sure, let's go."

Knowing Kankuro, Temari figured he had no idea where the art stores in Konohagakure were, so she took out her phone and searched up the nearest art supply store.

"I hope you brought money," Temari said as they began their walk.

Kankuro laughed nervously. "Uh, I was hoping you had some, so I could borrow it."

Temari sighed and handed her money over. Her brother really was useless.

"You better pay that back."

"Don't worry," Kankuro assured her. "I'll pay all my debts back on Thursday, along with a gift! I've been working on it for a while, but I'm sure you'll like it."

It took Temari a moment, but then she remembered what day Thursday was: it was her birthday. She had forgotten her birthday was coming up. When she had been younger, Temari had celebrated birthdays with her mother and uncle, and occasionally her father. But after her mother and uncle's death, the Kazekage had simply forgotten about his children's birthdays, choosing to focus on his village than on his children.

It then became Baki's role, even though he wasn't very good at celebrating birthdays, but he did try his best. Temari reminded herself to thank Baki on Thursday, since he was bound to have some event planned.

.

As Kankuro rummaged through cans of paint, looking for a specific color that only he knew, Temari waited outside the store with Gaara. Temari was sitting on a bench while her younger brother chose to stand behind her, which she found a bit creepy.

Gaara was glaring at nothing in particular, though the passerby did not know that. Many of them hurried along, avoiding his gaze. If Gaara had been a normal younger brother, like Kankuro, Temari reckoned she would have told him to knock it off. But Gaara wasn't, and he was likely to kill her if she suggested such a thing. It was best to leave Gaara alone.

Temari waited a bit before she grew impatient. Half an hour had passed, and Kankuro was still not out of the store.

"Don't tell me he went to look at other stuff," Temari muttered, glaring at the sidewalk and unintentionally doing the same thing Gaara was doing.

She sighed. There was no point in getting angry; Kankuro always got distracted whenever he went shopping, and then he would come out with his hands full of junk that he had not said he would buy.

There was a breeze suddenly, and it felt good on her skin after sitting in the sun for thirty minutes. Involuntarily, Temari looked up at the sky.

"The clouds are nice today," Temari said aloud. She hadn't really noticed before, but the clouds were beautiful in the sky, the way they floated so calmly, and shifted with only the slightest breeze. She remembered Shikamaru's words about people being like clouds, and thought about how people, just like clouds, were easily influenced by the smallest things.

"Did you just say the clouds are nice?"

It was Kankuro. He was finally out of the store, holding two bags filled with paint.

Temari got up, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, so what if I did?"

Kankuro shrugged. "I didn't think you'd say that about clouds. That's just weird. What are you gonna do next, lay on top of a hill of grass and just stare at clouds all day long like they do in movies? Man, that's so lame."

"That's not lame," Temari disagreed. "Watching clouds can be fun."

Kankuro rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure, just like how doing homework can be fun."

"Hey, it can be relaxing, you know," Temari asserted. "You could do with some relaxing."

Kankuro stared at her like she was crazy. "Watching clouds is boring, not relaxing. Since when did you watch clouds, anyways?"

Temari said nothing. She didn't watch clouds. At least, not until today. Shikamaru really was rubbing off on her.