The show had sold out, and even though they were just the opening act, the venue was close to packed. Heat appeared to rise from the audience, as they jumped and moved to the music. The sweat sticking hair to faces and clothing to bodies.
Shikamaru could feel the beads of sweat gathering at his hairline and running down his face. Suna may not be a lot of things, but it was definitely hot. None of that mattered though, as the energy from the crowd was radiated up to the stage, fueling him and his bandmates. Performing caused a spike in adrenaline and a type of high, which was amplified the more the audience got into it. Tonight it was strong, and it coursed through his veins as he drank it in. He looked around at his other band members, and could see they felt it too.
This tour was mostly small to medium sized venues, that could fit 200-500 people. Something that Shikamaru had been glad to hear. The more intimate venues suited their style and playing sold out shows always had more energy than the half filled ones of larger arenas, even if overall there were more people in the crowd.
There was a slight pause, between songs, and Ino spoke to the crowd. The crowd was cheering and screaming back. That's when Shikamaru spotted the blonde from earlier in the crowd… Trouble. She was sweaty, with her bangs sticking slightly to her face, her ponytails drooping, and her tank sticking to her body. He decided she looked better that way. She wasn't at the front of the crowd but further back, near the guy running the sound board. Within a couple seconds she looked at him, their eyes locking. He swore he felt electricity run through his body. It wasn't until Ino bumped his shoulder with her's that he looked away, realizing that the next song had already started without him.
After that he was conscious to only steal occasional looks at her, though she seemed to always be looking at him, when he did. (Something he didn't mind in the least.) His plan was to play it cool, and focus on playing. Girls love guys who play in bands, and he wanted her impressed. He sure as hell wasn't about to forget how she said she would see him later, and everything he hoped that would entail.
Shikamaru could hear Jinchuriki playing their encore, as he downed water and lounged on the couch in the backstage room. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. Their set had gone really well. He could hear Sakura and Ino excitedly chatting and Choji munching on snacks next to him on the couch. To anyone else, he looked like the epitome of relaxed, with his eyes closed, but he felt on edge. He had made sure to tell the guys working security to let a blonde with four ponytails through, if she wanted backstage, but he still hadn't seen her.
Probably just wanting to finish watching Jinchuriki before she comes back. Based on her shirt alone, she was here for their set in the first place. He reasoned with an odd note of bitterness.
Just then an excited Naruto burst through the door, followed by the rest of his band members. "That was amazing! We were awesome. Believe it!"
"The crowd out there was really great!" Ino chimed.
"Shikamaru, wake up! You alive?!" Naruto was right in front of him and had kicked his foot.
Peeling his eyes open, "Don't worry, I'm awake."
"We can wait until most of the crowd leaves, and then we should hit the bar. We can celebrate a great start to the tour, and maybe hang out with some of our fans." Naruto loved basking in the attention and admiration of his fans, something that Shikamaru couldn't fault him for, as he grew up without a family and only a few friends.
The thought that they might run into Trouble sounded good enough to Shikamaru. "Sure."
Choji eyed Shikamaru. Usually, he hated dealing with fans, so this was a bit of a surprise, but he had his suspicions.
"We will share our youthful energy with them!" Lee added, and Kankuro snickered and clapped him on the back, with everyone else choosing to ignore how sexual that would sound if was said by anyone other than Lee.
"Sounds like a plan, then." Kankuro glanced at Gaara to make sure he planning to join, and Gaara gave a very slight nod to affirm.
Just then Shikamaru felt Choji's elbow nudge him. When he looked, Choji motioned for with a slight nod that Shikamaru should look to the door. And there she was. A small smirk tugged at his lips and he waited for her eyes to find his. Play it cool.
However, the next thing he saw was Kankuro grabbing her and picking her up in a sweeping, spinning hug. "Mari! What did you think?! Did you see the crowd?!"
"You fucking rocked!" She proclaimed as was set to the ground and Kankuro threw his arm over her shoulders.
"Fuck… no. That's her." Shikamaru breathed, with only Choji hearing him, as the other members of Jinchuriki headed the blonde's way.
"Hey, man… maybe it's not so bad? Maybe she isn't Kankuro's girlfriend?"
Shikamaru watched as she chatted with Kankuro, Gaara, Lee, Sai, and Naruto. They all looked familiar with each other. A sense of dread washing over him. She hugged Gaara, though he was unreadable, except that he embraced her briefly back. Then she went as far to mess Gaara's hair, without any real reaction from Gaara.
Then, Naruto grabbed her hand and dragged her towards him, with a huge smile on his face. Shikamaru desperately wanted to run for a cigarette, but there was no route that would let him avoid the trainwreck that was coming his way. Kankuro and Gaara following in their wake.
"Hey, Choji and Shikamaru, this is Temari! She's our manager, and Gaara and Kankuro's sister."
"We've met." she smirked as she winked at Shikamaru. Confusion crossed Naruto, Gaara, and Kankuro's faces. Perhaps he was imagining it, but he was pretty sure Gaara and Kankuro's looks also had a hint of suspicion and protective anger in their eyes.
There was a slight moment of silence, as Choji began to cough on a chip that caught in his throat. "Uhhh… right…" Shikamaru wasn't sure how to respond. He really hadn't wanted to start any trouble with Kankuro and Gaara, let alone, right at the start of the tour.
"Well, not in person, I guess, but in emails when I was working out the details for the tour." Faces relaxed and Shikamaru felt a slight wave of relief, despite Temari's teasing teal eyes. "I would have been back here before the show, but I was working out some last minute details, and then I wanted to actually see the show. I'm glad to get to actually meet you guys in person, now. The crowd really seemed to be really into your set. Great way to start the tour."
"Yeah, thanks! It's nice to meet you… in person." Choji helpfully responded, as Shikamaru sat stunned.
"Now let me introduce you to Ino and Sakura!" Naruto pulled her off, and the group was gone.
"Trouble is right." Shikamaru mumbled.
"At least she's not dating Kankuro. You know, she's just his sister." Choji really wasn't helping, though he did seem to be trying.
"I don't think that's much better. I'm going for a cigarette." Shikamaru stalked out of the room, as Choji quietly chuckled to himself.