[Shikamaru]
We'd reached the villages hospital within minutes. I've never ran faster in my entire life. Tsunade was already in the room as I entered with Temari's body.
Shizune wanted to take Temari from me but I kept a firm hold on her, I didn't want to give her away. What the hell is happening to me? I can't control my body like I want to. Shizune said something to me, however I didn't care to listen to what she was saying.
I looked down at Temari, her temperature lowering considerably fast. Blood starting to emerge from her wound again.
Tsunade pulled Shizune back before hovering a hand over Temari's body. My concentration was solely on Temari's face. She looked lifeless and pale.
"-kamaru," A soft voice spoke as I felt hands on my shoulders. I wanted to help Temari out, however I didn't want to give her away.
I saw Tsunade nod in the corner of my eye.
I suddenly blanked out for a few seconds, but when I came around Temari was no longer in my arms. Sound started to gradually fade in as I frantically looked around for her.
"Shikamaru!" I heard Choji's voice, I turned around to see him supporting a limp Ino. She must have used her mind transfer jutsu quickly to allow Tsunade to take Temari from me.
I rubbed my face as I looked back at Temari, who was laying still on a hospital bed. Shizune pulled out a seat as Choji picked up Ino's body. He sat Ino down in the chair.
"She will be okay, Shikamaru." Tsunade spoke, snapping my attention to her. She looked confident while she moved her hands around Temari. Differentiating her professional skills from Ino's basic understanding as I could see the burns on Temari's arm and leg start to heal over.
Shizune was frantically cleaning Temari as Tsunade worked on her. All I could do was stand there as the two women helped Temari stabilise.
…
Two hours passed and it looked like Tsunade was finished with Temari's treatment. Choji had left the room quite some time ago, with Shizune.
"Thank you." I spoke, my voice cracking at the lack of use. Tsunade smiled slightly as she turned her head to Ino.
"I did the easy bit, It's thanks to Ino's quick thinking that Temari was able to sustain life until she reached me." Tsunade said modestly.
I was aware that the jutsu's Tsunade used were advanced, way more advanced than what Ino was doing, however, I definitely need to thank Ino for keeping Temari alive.
An overwhelming feeling of bittersweet sadness overcame me as I looked down at Temari's, now peaceful, face.
"I'll leave you to it, I'll send someone in to collect you later on in the night."
Tsunade left the room, closing the door behind her. I couldn't help myself from crying a few tears of relief that this troublesome woman is now in a safe condition. I sat on the edge of Temari's bed, despite reading the 'Do not sit on patients' bed' over in my head earlier on.
I didn't realise just how strong my feelings had become for Temari, I'd spent so much time with her that I had formed a bond similar to a strong friendship with her…
"Troublesome woman…" I said out loud, stroking a piece of her hair behind her ear. I knew that Temari needed all the rest she could get…But I just wanted to wake her up and laugh with her. I wanted to hear her laughing again.
A sudden feeling tugged at my stomach. This couldn't be…I don't feel love for this woman do I? I tried to imagine a world without her for a moment... but after a while of thinking, I couldn't possibly think of what I would do without her.
I felt my face heat up before I sighed deeply.
"What a drag…"
"You should tell her how you feel." Ino's voice shattered the silence as I shot a look in her direction. "I really hate seeing Temari on the verge of being the one to express her feelings to you first. Y'know, girls feel a lot better when the guy expresses his feelings first." Ino continued as she adjusted herself in the seat.
"Expressing her feelings?" I spoke, watching her chest rise and fall.
"Normally I'd praise your intelligence, but when it comes to Ladies you're as clueless as they come!" Ino laughed, irritating me somewhat. I looked up at Ino, raising an eyebrow. "I know it may be hard for your lazy brain to understand, but its soooooo obvious that Temari is infatuated over you." Ino continued.
I sighed again before looking down at Temari.
"I guess...you'd know more than I would." I agreed before inching my face closer to hers. "I just wish she'd wake-" As soon as I said this, Temari's eyes shot open. Her face dusted itself in a pink hue. I froze in place, in anticipation for Temari to make a move. Although the words Ino said just moments before floating to the front of my mind. With slight hesitation, I pressed my lips to hers. My hand automatically moved up to cup Temari's warm cheek. I looked straight into Temari's captivating eyes and my heart skipped a beat. I can't believe I've passed this feeling as nothing more than friendship.
Reluctantly I separated myself from her.
"I love you, Temari." Those words fell out of my mouth naturally. Temari looked like she was about to cry. "I'm so glad you're safe." I continued as I started to pull my head back. However, I was stopped from pulling away further than a few inches as she used her left arm to pull me down towards her. Her lips brushed against mine as she paused.
"You took your time." Her voice croaked before she kissed me.
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter! :) I hope you enjoyed and Please review!