Chapter 94

After cooking rice and three dishes involving vegetables, chicken and fish, Yoshino's eyes roam over her domain—the kitchen. She has disposed of the feathers and scales but the pots, pans, chopping board, knives, plates, chopsticks and others used in preparing dinner are still stacked up haphazardly near the sink.

Before calling anyone that wants to eat, with a grunt about the mess, Yoshino grabs a pot, cramming it in the sink and starts washing the greasy cookware.

She has kept herself busy the whole day. She has laundered everything she can get her hands on after she came back from the hokage's office. She has also done general cleaning around the house and has even killed a chicken albeit with Temari's help for dinner but still no matter how tired she feels, her mind keeps drifting off. Deep in thought, she doesn't even notice that Kamaru has approached her until he speaks behind her.

Shikamaru, addressing Yoshino's back, utters in a quiet voice, "My father has started moving his pieces. It must mean it'll be over soon."

Yoshino just continues with her chore, taking another pan from the stack on the side of the sink and pouring liquid soap onto it then remembers belatedly to use the sponge.

"When this is over, I will leave. Just that—"

"You still think of leaving when this is all over?" interrupts Yoshino, scrubbing the pot harder that the suds end up covering the entire sink.

"I didn't forget about our deal," reassures Shikamaru. "I know you will continue to worry about Temari as long as I'm here."

"I didn't forget about our deal either," snaps Yoshino. She turns the faucet on, trying to drain away the excess suds while scowling at the defenseless bubbles. "So don't forget your part. You can't die just yet, not until you have made sure Temari's safe and the baby."

—o0o—

That night after a quiet but bountiful dinner followed by a game of shogi with Shikaku who talked about honor, being a shinobi and dying, Shikamaru finally opens the door to his and Temari's well lit room. The breeze greets him as he enters, making him notice the curtainless windows.

Temari is waiting for him in her overlarge t-shirt, sitting on edge of their bed. "Here." With a hand extended, she offers a tiny object to Kamaru.

"What is it?" Shikamaru asks, sitting beside Temari on the bed as he receives the object.

"A leftover from tonight's dinner," Temari answers, twisting slightly to face Kamaru. The slight breeze plays with his dark hair, suddenly covering his brown eyes. With his hands already cradling the small package, Temari raises her own hand to tuck the stray strands behind his ear. Next, she leans forward and touches his lips with hers, softly, gently, like she's exploring something precious.

But Shikamaru, with a groan, he opens his mouth and deepens the kiss hurriedly. Sucking Temari's tongue, dueling with it, fighting for supremacy. He then pushes her on her back, hovering over her as he continues to kiss her mouth, her jaw, her neck.

"I need you now," he rasps, the bulge in his pants unmistakable in his meaning.

Instead of answering, Temari hoists her body up to unbuckle his belt, helping him take off his pants.

"Oh God, Temari, I can't wait," Shikamaru murmurs, grabbing the edge of Temari's shirt, pushing it up to remove it.

"Wait," calls out Temari, pulling her shirt back, covering the obvious protrusion on her tummy.

"What?" grunts Shikamaru. "I can't," he adds, moving on top of Temari again.

Temari pushes Kamaru off her. "Turn off the lights first, ass. I don't want to be seen outside—"

"Nobody's gonna look into our—" The daggers in Temari's eyes stop him from continuing. "Okay, alright." Standing up, Shikamaru turns off the main light switch near the door in their room before turning on the bedside lamp. "Tch you shouldn't remove the curtains if you're not gonna replace them," he grumbles as he returns to bed.

"I didn't remove the blasted curtains," huffs Temari. "And I couldn't replace them because I couldn't find any. Kasan must have washed every single one of those damn curtains."

"Woman, you talk too much," mutters Shikamaru, his hands already busy slipping down her panties, the only thing she's wearing beneath her t-shirt.

"Just shut up yourself," retorts Temari, kicking off her tiny underwear.

—o0o—

"Make sure you come back to me alive," utters Temari.

Shikamaru, with his hand still on the knob, having opened the main door, ready to leave, stops. Outside, the sky is just starting to lighten up. It's early dawn, the air smells dewy and yet it promises a sunny day. The birds can be heard chirping as the wind whips the tree leaves gently.

"I planned to, to return in one functioning piece." Shikamaru smiles, trying to shake off the somberness of Temari's words.

"I meant it. You better not die just 'cause I'm not there to save your sorry ass."

"If someone is saving my ass, that's Shikaku. He showed me some neat jutsus—" Shikamaru abruptly stops talking, realizing his mistake. It was a secret—his and Shikaku's training was a secret but now it's out in the open because of him. "I meant you shouldn't worry. I have practice in this kind of terrain. It's actually easier than in the desert."

"Even if it's easier, you still need to train more with otosan," says Temari, "When you get back, I'll make sure you do. You're not going to be allowed to slack off."

Shikamaru notices it. He finally notices it—the fear that lurks in the blue-green eyes. She's trying to hide it but she couldn't, not really, not when she sounds like she's reassuring herself more than him that he'll be back.

Her words of moments ago echoes back to him: 'Make sure you come back to me alive.' That's what she said. She specifically used the words to me like she is asking him to return to her alive.

"Do you love me?" The suspicion is uttered through his lips even before his mind can check it for flaws. As soon as the question is asked, the abruptness of it shakes even Shikamaru. Wanting to call back the words and at the same time, not wanting to, he can only stare and watch as Temari struggle to find an answer.

The suddenness of the question has taken aback Temari. "I—You—you will just twists the words I say until they fit what you think of me."

The question is out in the open and as the seconds tick by, he is presented with a chance to back down and return things to normal between them before he leaves.

But knowing the probability of his mission…

He may die later on today so the least he can give to himself is an answer—no matter how painful it'll be. "Do you love me?" he asks again, insisting this time, not wanting to back down.

"I—I'll tell you when you get back," croaks Temari, her blue-green eyes mirroring her confusion.

"What if I don't return?"

"ASSHOLE, DON'T SAY THAT!" snarls Temari. She is suddenly furious, really furious. Her confusion of moments ago is replace by a seething expression, her eyes spitting fire and her body shaking with anger.

Shikamaru can only watch her, scrutinizing her reaction. He can't help it…hope is spreading like wild fire that maybe she does love him. His heart is thudding like crazy while his brain does its damnedest to tamper his happiness but still losing.

Temari won't say she loves him…Then she must love him. Even his logic is starting to believe she does. A crooked grin denting his lips, he says in an appeasing tone in the face of Temari's temper, "If you can't give me an outright answer, can you atleast give me that goodbye kiss you once promised?"

Almost visibly sighing in relief that Kamaru stops his probing, Temari grumbles, "When did I…" Her querulous voice fades as she remembers when she did announced that the only time she'll kiss him by the door is when he's off to a dangerous mission.

A tick appears on her brow. The asshole seems to take perverse pleasure in reminding her that his mission isn't just dangerous—it's fucking suicidal. With hackles rising up once more, Temari growls, "Do you recall what else I told you?"

Vividly, she remembers what else she told him and he should too. She also said then, 'I'll definitely give you a goodbye kiss that'll make you want to come home fast.'

"Yes," replies Shikamaru.

"Make sure you do that."

Shikamaru nods his head, almost solemnly. Trying to reassure Temari the best he can.

"Then this is definitely not a goodbye kiss," protests Temari before she grabs Kamaru's head tilting it down as she tilts her face up. While in tiptoe, she firmly plants her lips on his. The kiss is more punishing than tender. It asks for more rather than gives. It's bitter as well as sweet.

"I'll see you later," Shikamaru utters when the kiss ends. His lips feel like they are bruised. The sensation will remind him of Temari…and her feelings towards him.

TBC

~4 6, 25; 8 18; 9 14 14AF P9 15 14~