Sorry for the late update again. I've been busy and distracted. Also had writer's block. I've been playing Pokemon Go too! Do any of you guys play? I'd love to know who play it! :D
Huge thanks to the additional people who favorited and followed my story! :)
And of course, special thanks to reviewers: fanofthisfiction, SariaKasumi, QveenLo, TheLegend, Rose-Aki, SnowHusky20, TooLazyTooLogIn1, BeNICEeatRICExx, Lock on Lockon, and Guest. You guys are the best! :)
WARNING: THIS IS THE M-RATED CHAPTER. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. LOL.
Flashback:
"I would like to request an indefinite amount of time off to take care of a personal matter."
The sixth Hokage stared thoughtfully at the pony-tailed ninja with his chin propped on his hands. His mouth pursed and moved about under his mask before speaking, "Oh? Indefinite? Well it's not like we can't do without you however there will be adjustments." Kakashi paused and asked in a slower, softer tone as if he was hesitating, "But I sense this is an important matter?"
Shikamaru stuffed his hands into his pockets, trying not to fidget. He knew that Kakashi might have already guessed the heart of the matter. But it was still embarrassing to be read like an open book. This was not the time to act like this though. Straightening his back, he said, "Yes. I need to secure my engagement."
With a startled look, Kakashi asked in a slightly astonished timbre, "With Temari of the Sand? What happened?"
Fighting to keep the flush from his face, he drawled, "It's... uh... a long story. But I have reason to believe that outside forces are preventing our engagement from proceeding."
The Hokage's brows knitted. "Hmm. Things sound dire. Would these forces be the council? I don't see what other forces have the authority in preventing such a thing."
"It's... possible." It was more than possible. In fact, there was more than a 90% chance of that being the case, Shikamaru thought.
"All things considered, okay, I'll grant you your request. I'll even send a word ahead to the Kazekage to allow you entrance. A quiet one perhaps?" A conspiratorial look was directed at him.
His lips quirked into a half-smile. "That would be much appreciated. Thank you, Hokage-sama." He bowed and turned to leave.
"Oh Shikamaru?" Kakashi called out.
"Hmm?" He looked over his shoulder to look back at the Hokage who wore an oddly fatherly look. Which frankly was something not often associated with the likes of Kakashi. He fought the urge to run out the door.
"I know there's no need to tell you this but I will anyway." A questioning glance shot from Shikamaru. Kakashi smiled crookedly as if he knew what Shikamaru had been thinking. "Don't let this one go. She's good for you."
Shikamaru let out a little surprised laugh. Then he met Kakashi's concerned gaze with eyes that suddenly seemed to age over the span of a minute but at the same time grew fierce in determination. Which pleased Kakashi a great deal. "She is too good for me. Nevertheless, I won't give up on her."
00000000000
It was nightfall when Shikamaru arrived at the gates of the hidden village of Sunagakure. The guards allowed him in without a fuss and handed him a sealed letter from the Kazekage. He proceeded to the hotel assigned to him and passed out on the bed for almost a day after travelling through the harsh desert.
Having recovered, he contemplated his plan after having read through Gaara's letter.
She has remained in the library for hours every night for almost a week now.
The sun was sinking in the horizon and he had never been so impatient to act on anything before. As soon as the curtain of darkness began to creep over the sky, he started moving. Thanks to Gaara's instruction, he was allowed access into the Kazekage's headquarters.
Upon reaching the library, he looked about the halls. It was clear. Before he twisted the doorknob, he took a deep breath and exhaled. Beyond this door, his every move had to count and his every word had to be precise.
He must be able to win over the dragoness in its territory.
The knob twisted with ease and the door swung without noise. The expanse of the library should have overwhelmed him but it did not shake his calm.
Some mysterious force drew him to where she was and he spotted her within seconds.
There she was. Down the aisle between two huge bookcases among many. Surrounded by piles of thick texts. Illuminated by a single lamp that emitted a dim yellowish light.
The image gave him the sense of her wish to be cut off from the world. As if she created a sanctuary where she cocooned herself. Which made him wonder what kind of reception she would give him tonight. Would she glare at him and order him to go back to Konoha? That there was no use being here? That his presence changed nothing?
Shaking his head, he reminded himself that he came here with a purpose and that he knew her feelings for him remained steadfast. Making full use of his ninja training in the art of sneaking up on an enemy, his careful, ginger steps were no louder than whispers. As he approached, he was able to make out the words on the texts.
And it nearly floored him. And puzzled him simultaneously. Why did she blatantly reject him and now here she was searching for ways to make their engagement work? Was she just testing him back then? When was she going to tell him about this?
He understood that the council was getting in the way and for some reason she cut ties with him so that he would not find out. Why? And now it was clear that she still wanted to be with him.
There was a piece of the puzzle missing and he was uncharacteristically adamant to find out. But for now, it was time to stir the dragoness from her sleep and lure her out of her self-made sanctuary.
Bracing himself, he leaned down to her sleeping form and whispered her name. Just as he anticipated, she struck out with her right arm in a slicing motion through the air and he was able to dodge in the nick of time. She was now sitting up on her chair, but sleep still fogged her sight.
"Shikamaru?" she murmured with half-lidded eyes which made his chest swell. During their last encounter, she pointedly avoided using his given name. But with remnants of sleep, she used it without hesitance. Which further underscored how she truly felt towards him. Still felt towards him.
"Yeah, it's me," he said cautiously while stepping closer. There was a tremendous urge to take her into his arms but he was afraid of losing an eye or breaking an arm.
Miraculously, a smile crossed her lips. An action that tugged at his chest. "You're here." Then she shot out her hand, dug her fingers into his shirtfront and dragged him down to her level. There were mere inches that lay between their faces. Her warm breath ghosted across his mouth and he fought the compulsion to take her mouth as he longed to do since he left Konoha.
"You kept me waiting. I don't like that," she muttered in an ominous tone. Which startled and confused him. But not for long. With a forceful and abrupt pull, she made him stumble closer and caught his mouth with hers.
There was an explosion of heat between them. He scrambled for balance and placed his hands on her shoulders, kneading. She tried to pull him closer, wanting to press herself to his chest but the difference in positions made it difficult to do so. Groaning in frustration, she dug her nails into his chest.
Hissing even as he understood her pain, he slid his hands down to her arms and pulled her to a standing form. She immediately leaned against him, bringing her hands up and around his neck. Opening her mouth to his, she allowed him a deeper and a more intimate access. He moaned deep in his throat as he did as she demanded. Shudders ran through her body as his hands settled on her bottom and pushed her into him.
Squirming, she muttered against his mouth, "Dammit, Shika, get on with it. Or better yet." Dragging him by the shirtfront once more and swiping the texts from the table, she hopped onto the table and pulled him between her legs.
Resting his hands on her waist, a playful smirk appeared on his face as he leaned down to press his nose against hers. "Missed me, Tem?" he asked in a sinfully low and husky voice. She fought the immediate reaction that tone always did to her. Yet he looked at her knowingly, gripping her hips tighter as if he could not get close enough to her.
"Perhaps." Then a wicked smirk spread across her lips as she pressed her hips sharply into his, eliciting a groan from him. "But you definitely miss me more."
"Minx," he chuckled then dipped his head to nip and suck at her neck. His hand crept up her shirt and rough fingers traced the underside of her chest covering. Shallow breathing from her indicated the effectiveness of his technique and he grinned against her neck. Until she ran her hands down his back and dug her nails into his buttocks. A helpless groan escaped him.
"Stop playing, Nara," she warned breathlessly. A split second later she felt her breasts engulfed and stroked by his large hands. Her eyes fell close in pleasure. A minute later, she felt cold air strike her chest. Before she could say anything, a searing heat covered her breast. Almost immediately, she held his head to her chest as she bit her lip to keep silent.
But he was a sly and vindictive one. And she was a willing victim. His attack became more vigorous and she could not help the sounds she was making. And her impassioned cries increased in volume as he went on relentlessly. Her thighs clenched onto his hips as heat pooled in her core, desperately trying to find a sense of relief.
Slightly panting, she whipped her shirt and chest covering off which momentarily paused Shikamaru in his actions. Feminine hands gripped the back of his head and she smashed her mouth against his, tongues tangling and duelling. She fumbled to push his shirt upwards, wanting so much more.
Releasing her, he took off his own shirt in haste. Then he looked to the half-dressed woman before him. And for a moment, he could not help but gape in wonder. It was not like he had not seen her in such a state before. But somehow this moment with the lamplight illuminating her skin and the shadows playing about her alluring shoulders, beckoning breasts and flat stomach, not to mention the lust clouding her teal eyes... well, it was a wonder he did not burst right then and there.
"Shikamaru..." she growled, making to move towards him. Shadows lashed out and held her to the table, restraining her wrists at the back of the table and her legs to separate front wooden legs. The position pushed out her chest enticingly and widened the gap between her legs.
"Well, isn't that quite a sight." Shikamaru let loose a wicked grin. Temari raised a brow and drawled, not the least bit disturbed by her position, "Come here and do something about it then, lazy ass."
Chuckling as he stepped closer, he touched her under her skirt and between her legs. She sucked in her breath as her legs tensed. Moving his fingers against her, he enjoyed the twitching of her hips and labouring of her breath. Her chest quivered with every movement which he took immense delight in. Releasing his shadows, he continued to pleasure her but withdrew his hand just before she could reach her peak. She threw him a glare that should have had him running.
"Patience." He then lifted her by manipulating his shadows, wrapped her legs about his hips and her arms around his neck. He then ripped her underwear from beneath her skirt and lowered his pants. Moving to a chair, he lowered them to it. As he sat, he made sure to penetrate her as she went down. She half-moaned half-whimpered as her chest rubbed against his and he struggled to contain himself.
Utilizing his shadows to aid her about the hips, he manoeuvred her to rise and descend in a snail-paced, Shikamaru-style fashion. A while after, his shadows loosened enough for her to take partial control but it was not nearly enough. It was wonderful and sweet and toe-curling until Temari growled, "Faster, dammit!"
Shikamaru halted his shadows. Leaning close, Shikamaru deadpanned with a serious face, "You aren't in any position to be making any demands." Struck speechless, she kept her mouth shut.
Abruptly, he rose along with her while still connected and brought her against the wooden side of the bookcase. He took both of her wrists and pinned them above her head, his shadows following suit. Then with his hands on her hips, he continued to make love to her in the exact same tempo which Temari both savoured and detested.
"Shikamaru..." she whimpered. He drove particularly hard at that and she lurched upwards, moaning, writhing. "I... can't..."
Pausing as he stayed full hilt inside her, knowing this was the perfect moment and ignoring the twinge of guilt, he murmured into her ear, "Tell me why you lied to me."
She stiffened, indignant at the thought that he might have used this interlude to prompt answers from her. But when she saw the plea in his eyes, she deflated and softly but firmly uttered, "I can't."
"Why not?"
"I can't say."
"I see. Then maybe we should... stop." Releasing his shadows, her arms fell to her sides. Then he made to move out of her. She stayed him by a hold on his shoulder.
"It is a matter bigger than you and I. That's all I can say."
"I know it's about the council."
"You do?" Astonishment filled her voice.
"Yes. You don't need to hide that from me. And perhaps you think you were protecting me but I can't stand to think that you gave up so easily on us. But then I find out you haven't. That's why you've been here all this time."
"Shikamaru..."
"Tem... let's do this together."
"Can't."
Shikamaru paused at the gravity of her tone. "So there is something else."
Temari remained silent.
"Okay, I trust you." Dark eyes seemed to stare into her very depths and the complete faithfulness in them almost made her cry. "Just don't push me away anymore."
Teal eyes dropped down, guilt consuming her.
Taking her chin between his forefinger and thumb, he raised it. As his gaze met hers with clear intention, he said, "If you do, I'll just keep coming back anyway."
Words failed her as a lump filled her throat.
Maintaining eye contact, he started to move within her again. Her eyes fluttered close. Because she knew she would not be able to keep the emotions from her eyes. Not if he looked at her like that. Despite the fact that she was heralded as the cruelest kunoichi, she had no such defences against that.
She could not afford to let him know how deep her feelings still ran.
His voice still reached her though. "I'll love you just like this. Every time. And know that I won't give up. Not this time."
Her resolve shattered. After that, she pretended that the night was just like any other night they had before. She kissed him and gave back as good as she got.
They made love passionately and exquisitely several more times.
As they surrendered to exhaustion, sleep overcame them whilst still in the library. Shikamaru cradled Temari, the length of her front pressed against his front. Her head nestled against his chest as his arms surrounded her waist.
The next day, however, Shikamaru's arms clutched empty air and he sighed.
"Well, she wouldn't be her if she made this easy."
0000000000
Earlier...
"Kankuro, do you think they need assistance?"
"Huh?"
"They keep making sounds of pain."
"Oh lord. Gaara, let's just go. They're fine."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, trust me. I'm your older brother. I would know."
"That is not very reassuring."
"What did you say?"
"Oh, nothing. Let us return to our rooms then."
A/N: This is my longest chapter by far. Phew. Hope you like. And lemme know if you guys play pokemon go! Haha.