our star

Shikamaru was sleeping on a hill opposite the river that ran through Konoha. It was night, the sun had turned to the moon. The air felt a little cold considering that it was autumn in Konoha. But Shikamaru didn't seem to be moving from that place.

The Shinobi World War ended almost three months ago. Until now everything still feels like a dream. The Shinobi Alliance that fought together, his reunion with Asuma, Naruto and Sasuke who fought together, how he almost died, his dream of being trapped in the Tsukoyomi … the incident felt too abstract to be a true story. But Shikamaru knew, it was all real.

Because he has evidence for it. His father would never come back again. Nara Shikaku became clear evidence of the war, his father was killed while on duty along with Inoichi and other shinobi in HQ when the Juubi mercilessly attacked the place. Until now all of Shikaku's last words were still vivid in Shikamaru's mind, as if they had just happened. Everyone is currently moving forward, trying to reorganize their lives after the war. But Shikamaru felt trapped, in a circle that kept forcing him to recall the details of the incident without him wanting to.

No matter how hard he tried to distract himself, the image would always come and make him feel suffocated. He knew that he had to let go of everything in order to move forward but on the other hand he also felt unable to let go of those memories. He was afraid that if he let go, his father would be lost from his life forever.

"You're here apparently," a girl's voice interrupted Shikamaru's thoughts.

Without turning his head, he knew who the voice belonged to. A four-tailed girl who fought alongside him in the fourth division during the war. The owner of Tessen with eyes as dark as the forest. Shikamaru didn't answer, Temari didn't seem to have any intention of starting a new conversation. The girl's feet stepped next to Shikamaru and in one short motion, she lay down right next to Shikamaru with her hands supporting her head.

Shikamaru sometimes felt so amazed by Temari. How the presence of that girl can always calm his feelings even without words. Temari always knows how to make Shikamaru feel comfortable. Even though she can be chatty at times, she knows when it's time to shut up and listen. Although sometimes rude but Temari knows when it's time to be gentle.

"I... love looking up at the sky," Shikamaru spoke breaking the long silence between them.

Temari remained silent, but Shikamaru knew she was listening.

"I love looking at the sky. The time i do isnt always during daytime. Sometimes, I also do it at night like this ..." he said again.

" What do you see?" Shikamaru heard Temari's voice right next to him.

"I...I love looking at the moon. The moon gives light to illuminate the dark night, and casts shadows. For a shadow user like me, the existence of the moon is very important. Also, isn't the moon very beautiful..." Shikamaru muttered.

"I think you're right..." Temari also looked up at the sky.

It was a full moon, a full circle moon shone beautifully illuminating all of Konoha.

"But don't you think stars are more attractive?"

Shikamaru turned his body to look at Temari's face who was still looking at the sky. The girl's face was illuminated by the moonlight and looked mature. Shikamarus seemed to be lost in the sight, he felt a strange sensation in his heart.

" Star?"

"Huum ... do you know? The moon does not have its own light, it borrows light from the star, namely the sun. But unlike the moon, the star has its own light,"

Shikamaru didn't answer, he waited for Temari to continue her words.

"You know... my uncle used to say, when the person we love leaves us, he or she becomes a star in the sky," Temari said quietly.

"Become a star..." Shikamaru repeated Temari's words. N

ow his gaze turned to the night sky, looking at the millions of stars scattered there.

"I think we are like the moon"

Shikamaru looked back at Temari with a confused look. Temari chuckled at Shikamaru's expression.

"We can also shine bright to others because we borrow strength from our parents and all those who have sacrificed for us"

"Just like the moon borrowing starlight," Shikamaru said quietly.

Temari nodded.

"You know why I like my uncle's stories so much?"

" Why?"

"Because it makes me feel confident that they are all still with me. Their form may no longer exist, but their power is still here, in our hearts," Temari put her hand on her chest

"They will always be our stars, lending their light and making us strong. We never lose them, they just change into another form," Temari ended her story and smiled broadly.

"I think you're right, they never leave..." Shikamaru's voice was shaking.

Tears rolled down his cheeks. He covered his eyes with his hands. He no longer needs to be afraid of losing his father, his father will always be there, lending his light to Shikamaru to shine so that he can shine on the 'kings' who will grow up in the future.

"And also...they will always be watching us from there" Temari pointed at the sky "So whenever you miss them, you can look up at the sky and you will always find them there."

Temari looked up at the night sky. She didn't usually talk as much as today, but somehow she couldn't let Shikamaru sink into his sadness any longer. Temari knew how much Shikamaru had missed his father figure, because she had felt the same way when her mother and uncle died. Temari closed her eyes feeling the night wind blowing against her body.

"Temari..." Shikamaru muttered.

There was no answer from the girl, Shikamaru raised his hand and opened his eyes, to find Temari sleeping peacefully beside him. Shikamaru subconsciously smiled looking at Temari's face, he lifted his face and kissed the girl's forehead.

"Thank you..." Shikamaru whispered.