KIND

Life as a shinobi will never be easy.

Temari had realized that even when she was very young.

Shinobi must be strong to face a world full of hatred, because in truth Shinobi is a tool used to fight each other and fights always cause hatred.

Temari was fully aware of that.

A shinobi must obey orders, like it or not. Want it or not.

That's what Temari learned.

Because of that, hse never bothered with other people's words and actions to her.

Temari had no choice. Growing up in the Kazekage family with a father who tried to kill his own son and a younger brother who always threatened her all the time, Temari was used to facing people's hateful gazes, even for things she didn't want to do.

Just like that time, when her father gave the order to attack Konoha village. Temari obediently accepted the order. No personal grudges, no hatred towards Konoha, even to be honest, Temari liked the village. The village was filled with people who chatted warmly. The trees and the cool air, the blue sky and white clouds drifting freely in the wind.

But Temari was a shinobi. Shinobi must submit to orders.

Because of that, she carried out the plan, together with her younger siblings, not knowing that it was just a trap set up by a runaway ninja from Konoha who was trying to destroy his own village due to personal problems. But no one knows about it. All Konoha residents know is the fact that the Suna ninja attacked Konoha. No one had time to explain to the residents what really happened, everyone was busy rebuilding the village.

And for that reason too, the events of that day happened.

For the first time in a long time, Temari returned to visit Konoha. The task of being an ambassador for Suna made her set foot in this place again. A place that feels strange and familiar at the same time. Temari decided to follow where her feet were going, leading her down streets that brought back old memories of when she and her siblings first stepped foot in the village. One by one she walked the streets, walking aimlessly.

If someone asks why a Temari walks alone, it's because she should be at the inn right now, that's what the Guide knows. Shikamaru never knew that as soon as he escorted the girl to the inn, Temari decided to reminisce around the village.

Temari was still lost in thought when she suddenly felt a chill all over her body. It took the girl a while to digest what was happening, she finally realized that now her whole body was soaking wet. Temari looked up to find a shop owner with a bucket in his hand shouting hateful words she knew were directed at her.

"How dare you set foot in Konoha huh? You Sunan ninja, aren't you satisfied with destroying Konoha?! Don't you have any shame?!" that was one sentence that Temari could catch from the many curses that came out of the man's mouth.

Temari just looked down and was silent. Not because she didn't feel angry, nor because she didn't feel sad. She was just too used to it. After all, she was aware of the fact that she was involved in the attempt to destroy Konoha. Even though she didn't really want it, it couldn't be used as an excuse to justify her actions.

Shikamaru widened his eyes, surprised by the sight before him. The young man was walking to a nearby shop, intending to order vitamins that are routinely given to the deer his clan keeps. Suddenly he saw a man pouring a bucket of water on a walking girl, and what surprised him even more was the fact that the girl was someone he knew very well.

The girl who saved him when he was almost killed. The girl who made him for the first time put his all into battle. A girl with a scary smile but as beautiful as the sun. The girl who repeatedly appeared in his mind, that girl... Temari.

Temari just stood in silence, with a wet body. Water seemed to be dripping from the girl's hair down her face which was not visible because she was looking down. Shikamaru momentarily felt his breath stop. Anger of unknown origin welled up in his chest,

" What are you doing?!" without realizing it he was standing in front of the man who poured the water and restrained the man from continuing what he was doing.

The man was still shouting hateful words at Temari. Realizing there was nothing he could do, he pulled Temari away from there. He just hoped that Temari wouldn't have to hear those words any longer. From a distance he still could hear the man's voice.

After some distance from the place, Shikamaru took his hand off Temari, checking the girl's condition. Temari's expression was still the same. The girl didn't cry, her expression flat as if nothing had happened.

" Are you okay?" Shikamaru asked hesitantly.

Temari nodded.

"I'm fine. You know, you shouldn't have defended me earlier... you're a Konoha citizen, you should have side with Konoha," Temari smiled lightly wiping the water that was still on her face.

Shikamaru gritted his teeth. Citizens of Suna and Konoha, that's not justification for what just happened. He would stand up for what was right, and in his eyes the man's actions were unwarranted and did not deserve any justification for any reason. After all, aren't Suna and Konoha already in an alliance?

This was all his fault, he shouldn't have let Temari walk alone. If only he had been by her side at that time, maybe that moment wouldn't have happened, if only he had accompanied her, if only...

"Hey, crybaby. It's not your fault," Temari said quietly as if she could read Shikamaru's mind.

Shikamaru was a little surprised, but the fact that Temari's words didn't make him feel any better.

He escorted Temari back to the inn, those 'if' thoughts still haunting him even after Temari's back disappeared behind the door. Even until the next day, when he escorted Temari to the Konoha gates to return to Suna, the thought didn't want to leave his head.

Their journey was filled with silence. After being lost in their own thoughts for a while, a voice finally escaped Temari's lips.

" Are you okay?"

Shikamaru woke up from his daydream, Temari looked at him with a smile. Seeing Temari's face made the guilt come back again.

"Well..." Shikamaru replied while averting his eyes "I'll handle the rest here, I'll let you know about the preparations," Shikamaru said.

And the conversation stopped. Shikamaru looked at Temari in silence with a guilty look on his face, and this made Temari feel annoyed.

She is fully aware of the consequences of her past actions, and this is nobody's fault. Especially Shikamaru, whatever she experienced had nothing to do with this young man in front of her. If anyone was to blame, it was Orochimaru who betrayed the village, killed her father, and made them attack Konoha. The smile on Temari's lips turned into a snarl. She pursed his lips

"How many times do I have to tell you..." Temari said.

"Huh?"

"What happened yesterday wasn't your fault! I told you, didn't I? The fact that I was involved in attacking Konoha even though it wasn't my intention. What they do to me is normal thing. You don't have to feel responsible for what happened," Temari said angrily.

Shikamaru looked at Temari, the girl always looked arrogant and strong.

"Besides, do you think I'm that weak to the point of being pitied by you?!" she asked.

"...I know" Shikamaru closed his eyes "I know you are strong and always tough, but..."

Shikamaru recalled yesterday's events. The girl's face could not be seen because she looked down, only water droplets were falling from her hair. But somehow Shikamaru seemed to be able to feel Temari's feelings. The mixed feelings of sadness, anger, and disappointment made the girl look very fragile in his eyes.

"...You don't -"

"That... just plain water" Temari cut off Shikamaru's words.

"You haven't changed since the beginning, you always overreact to everything. Are you going to take care of every little problem that happens, huh?"

"It's a different thing! You're very..." Shikamaru was at a loss for words.

Temari turned to look at him with a questioning face. Shikamaru was lost in thought.

'..very..? Very What?' Shikamaru didn't understand his own feelings.

Temari was different, that was all he knew. For him, Temari was more than just a friend, for him Temari was important enough to protect her, precious enough to make him always want to protect her, save her from hatred like what happened yesterday. Special enough to make him feel guilty for not being able to take care of her.

'What is this feeling?' Shikamaru thought.

"I'm absolutely fine!" Temari said.

The girl smiled so wide that her eyes narrowed. A very sincere smile, a smile that is as bright as the sun.

"You... are really kind!"

Shikamaru was dumbfounded, lost for words at the sight. For a moment he was stunned by Temari's smile.

" See you!" Temari smiled once more before leaving the Konoha gates.

Shikamaru looked at Temari's back which was slowly drifting away.

"..She..." Shikamaru realized that Temari wanted to comfort him, releasing him from the guilt that had not gone away since yesterday.

He remembered Temari's words. 'You really are kind!'

Shikamaru's cheeks were red. He didn't know how he felt about Temari. But he had a hunch, this would be troublesome.

"Damn... don't treat me like a child..." Shikamaru muttered.

He turned and started walking with a big smile on his face.