A/N: Had to reupload, thank you the-pink-quill for pointing out the error! Again, thank you so so much to everyone who's still here, sticking by this story. It's been too long since my last update so I wanted to upload this chapter already without fully polishing it. Still, hope you enjoy this!
"TH-THAT IDIOT. HOW CAN HE NOT SH-SENSE THAT IT WASHN'T M-ME?! YOU HAVE BEEN T-TRAINING TO BE A NINJA Y-YOUR WHOLE LIFE. Y-YOU'RE ALREADY A S-SHINOBI FOR KAMI'S SAKE... WHAT'RE YOUR BLOODY INSTINCTS FOR IF NOT FOR MOMENTS LIKE THAT!" Temari raged, waving around her glass full of beer, sloshing the contents onto the table as she slammed it down to make her point. Her eyes were out of focus and her body swayed.
Ino and Chouji looked at her in mixed horror and fascination. They never expected a scene like this. They had expected a calm and composed Temari, how she normally was, at least in public, or in front of others that aren't family or friends.
Temari had been rambling on in that manner since they started. After only a glass of sake, she had already started to vent out her frustrations with what happened.
Fortunately, the restaurant bar was empty. It was one of the few that was open in the wee hours of the morning. After Temari glared at the bartender and threatened to tie him up if he did not get out, he scrammed and promised he would not breath a word of this to anyone.
Ino had been pondering something and she could not help but ask, "Temari, you don't drink, do you?"
Temari gave a bark of laughter. "Of courshe not! 'm the daughter of the former Kashekage and- shister of the current Kashekage. 'm not shupposed to loshe control!"
Ino and Chouji nodded in thoughtfulness. It did seem fitting that people in her position would avoid putting themselves in potentially humiliating situations… not unlike this one.
"Then why now?" Ino asked curiously. Then almost punched herself in the face for that stupid question.
Temari turned and gave her such a withering look it was no wonder Ino did not cower. "Ya told me… we can talk. Let'sh talk dammit!"
Not one to back down, her even gaze boring into Temari, Ino said, "Fine, tell us exactly what happened then."
"I told ya already!"
"No, you didn't. You said I'd know when I got into that woman's mind. All I know is what happened through that woman's eyes."
"Ishnt that enough? D'ya wanna torture me too?"
"No, Temari, of course not. I would like to help you but I can only do that if you tell me what it is exactly that you saw on your end. I don't want to depend on what I saw in that woman's mind."
"SHE WAS ON TOP OF HIM, ISH THAT WHAT YA WAN ME TO SHTAY? THAT THEY WERE GETTING IT ON WHEN I BURST INTO THE SCENE AND STOPPED DUMBFOUNDED LIKE A TOTAL IDIOT-" She slammed her fists onto the table as her words grinded to a halt.
Chouji winced but also noted that beneath Temari's temper there was definite frustration and a hint of desperation. In his soothing voice, he started, "Temari—"
Temari sharply turned to look at him, the same withering look pasted on her face.
He swallowed in his throat and forged on. "Temari, I am positive that Shikamaru would never do anything to hurt your feelings intentionally. Whatever happened, there must be a reason for it. He loves you. To the point that he is willing to face your entire nation to prove himself."
There was sure sign of softening in that withering look. Chouji felt relieved.
A thoughtful look now resided on Temari's face. And she quickly downed another glass of beer. And swiped across her mouth ungracefully.
Ino added, seeing the temper drain away, "I am sure Shikamaru is feeling as lost in this situation as you are."
Temari rested her forehead against her raised palms in a way that they could not see half her face. A few moments later, they heard sniffling.
Alarmed, Ino and Chouji looked at each for help. They were both a bit overwhelmed by the mood swings and emotions that Temari rarely show to others. It was getting increasingly uncomfortable. However, this was for the sake of their friends and the very reason for their travel, so they held on.
"Temari, why are you crying..." Ino asked in a small, hesitant voice. Her hand was raised and was ready to comfort Temari.
"Who'sh crying! Not me!" Her sharp reply was muffled against her palms.
Ino pulled back her hand and threw a "who are you kidding" look to Chouji.
"Whyy couldn't he just shay he wash shorry he wash mishtaken. He never once shaid that, Ino. Not onesh." And she lifted her face. The teary-eyed look that Temari showed to Ino made her feel like embracing the Sand Princess very tightly. And if she gave into that urge, she would probably be hurled to other side of the restaurant.
Instead Ino said, her eyes taking on a dangerous shade, "That jerk."
Even Chouji's face fell in disappointment.
It was so simple. What Shikamaru had to do and yet he had failed to even do that. Ino shook her head in dismay. Men, she thought with disgust.
"And the worst part is I feel so guilty for being mad at him because the bitch did look like me and he did think it was me all along. But why, why does it still make me feel awful? I'm not even sure if I'm mad at him or at myself."
This time Ino did take Temari's shoulders which startled Temari, and said firmly, "Your feelings are there for a reason. Regardless if they seem irrational or not. Every feeling is valid and they will guide you to what you need to do."
Temari looked intensely into Ino's eyes. Swiftly, she also took hold of Ino's shoulders and said just as intensely, "Yous right. This time I don't give a damn. I'll throw caushon to the windsh. I'll follow my emotionsh and damn the conshequencesh."
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"Shikamaru, you're a complete bonehead." Ino said as soon as she and Chouji sneaked into Shikamaru's room.
After Temari made her vow, she slipped into unconsciousness. Both Ino and Chouji brought her back, though they had no idea where her room was. Luckily, for some reason, Kankuro appeared and took Temari from them and said thank you. He then pointed out where Shikamaru's room is.
Chouji nodded in the affirmative as he and Ino stood side by side next to Shikamaru's bed. Shikamaru sat up.
"What the hell-? You guys scared the hell out of me. Why are you guys in Suna? Did you just call me a bonehead?" Shikamaru shifted from a petrified state to raising his eyebrow at Ino.
"Yes, I did. You know why, buddy, because after this recent incident between you and Temari, anyone would think that a genius would know what to do."
"Wait a second. How do you know even know about that? No, wait, before you answer that, why are you here?" Shikamaru asked suspiciously.
"The sand siblings called me in. To use my expertise on that deceptive woman. Satisfied?" Without even giving a second for Shikamaru to answer, she continued. "And of course I found out as soon I used my mind technique on that woman."
"Uhuh" was all Shikamaru could utter.
"Are you embarrassed?" Chouji asked curiously.
"As well you should be!" Ino said heatedly.
"What the—why are you so angry? You do realize that I was a victim?"
"That's just it, Shikamaru! You were a victim when you didn't know! As soon as you knew, you no longer were!"
"What exactly are you trying to say? Just say it!" Shikamaru bit out, frustration coloring his tone.
Just as Ino was about to blast back, Chouji stepped in and held her shoulder which made her stop and look at him.
The big gentle shinobi stepped closer to his long-time friend and said, "Have you ever considered apologizing to Temari?"
Stunned, Shikamaru was unable to respond for a few seconds, giving Ino just enough time to say, "I knew it, you baka! How could you—"
"Ino, that's enough." Chouji cut her off as he carefully observed the pony-tailed ninja.
Shikamaru then turned his gaze fully onto Chouji and Ino and slowly started to narrate, "At first, I thought why should I apologize, I was the victim, but you're right, Ino, once I knew and didn't do anything to ease Temari's pain, I was just as much at fault. And I've been pondering that the past few days."
"The past few days?"
"Yes." He half-smiled at them, shaking his head.
"What is it?" Chouji asked.
"You guys are the best."
"We know we are, the question is when will you go to her and apologize?" Ino insistingly said.
Shikamaru chuckled. "I will not."
The two gaped. And Ino started bristling again and Chouji waited patiently and asked, "What will you do?" Ino looked at him in confusion.
Shikamaru grinned at his best friends. "What do you think? What I've been meaning to achieve here all along. I'm gonna win this troublesome competition and win that troublesome woman's hand."
A/N: Well, hope that was satisfactory. Please keep safe everyone!