Title: Sweet Release
Summary: After him, no other man could satisfy the hunger the dark man left his lovers with. They called him Casanova. (ShikaTema)
Author: Bibliophile Nincompoop
--
I always looked for a man to rescue me and bring me happiness.
I bought into that myth, of course, and looked for my own Prince Charming.
~Linda Evans
--
Chapter 7: Help
Shikamaru closed the door silently behind him and trudged down the broken stone road. His eyes never left the ground, and his heart heavier than his footsteps. What a fool he was. He knew this was going to happen and he just let it. What kind of genuis is he?
What a fool.
Temari loved him the way no other would, he finally realized that and then this! Temari couldn't fake a tear even if her life depended on it. He made her sob like a heartbroken child that had their favorite toy taken away. Shikamaru wiped at his face, Men don't cry. Well real men don't cheat on their wives either.
The man entered the bar he found Temari in earlier. He looked around disgusted. He couldn't imagine his woman in a place like this, and from what she said to him it sounded like these drunkards had given her a rough time. It made his blood boil at the mere thought of someone else touching her in any kind of way.
"I'm here to pay my wife's bill from earlier." Shikamaru spoke to the bartender.
The man behind the counter stared at the young man before him, sizing him up. "The Raikage's brother already paid it, and he told me you'd probably be by later so he paid for yours as well."
Killer Bee. Shikamaru sat down, exactly in the same spot the blonde had, the chair wobbled. Temari always liked uneven chairs, like a child she'd rock side to side. She had always been the hard ass kind of person, but she still had the heart of a child. "I'll have the same as my wife had."
A whisky was set down in front of him and he sipped it, growling at the taste.
Flashback (Shikamaru Pov)
I waited at the gates like every month, sometimes even twice a month. I always told everyone it was troublesome to wait for this troublesome woman. But I didn't mind waiting for her in all honesty, not that I'd ever admit it. Temari was a remarkable woman. There were no words to describe her accurately, and all he really knew was that he was head over heels for her. It was troublesome.
I spot her coming over the horizon like always, and like always her face is without a smudge or expression.
"Troublesome woman, making me wait." I mutter, but with her smirk I know that she knows that I've missed her.
Her smirk fades into a small smile, meant just for me. "I have to drop papers off to Tsunade, then would you like to go cloud watching?"
I nod in approval, it's not like I am going to say no. I'm not crazy.
Once again I wait for her till she comes out of the Hokage's office. My hands are in my pockets, I don't know why I always find myself in that position. I guess it's just comfortable.
But she taps my shoulder bringing me out of my thoughts."You're paid to escort me around, not to be in la la land."
"Hn." I say that only to get under her skin, and oh how it works wonders. I can see out of the corner of my eyes her face harden and she glares at me ever so lightly. It's better than a smack with her giant fan.
In precisely fifteen minutes we were in HER favorite spot, but I liked it too. It was just a regular spot on a vacant hill, Temari liked it so much because there were thousands of tiny daises and wild flowers covered the emerald green grass. I was the first to lay down, while she stood and taking in the scenery. She was so gorgeous standing there. Her posture straight but peaceful, that small delicate smile adorning her face, with the wind blowing her blonde tresses elegantly across her face. She was is everything that I didn't want in a woman, but I find myself wanting her more and more ever time I see her. I don't quite remember when I realized I loved her, but boy was it was troublesome seeing her after that.
She finally rested by my side, her knowing eyes gazing softly up at the clouds. Maybe it was a day like this that I fell in love with her. Maybe she was yelling at me calling me a crybaby or pineapple head. Either way I am done for, this troublesome woman had me wrapped around her finger.
"Shikamaru do you think I'm..." she paused, I didn't look at her. I didn't want to make it painfully obvious that I am doting on her every word. "pretty?"
She quickly offered up more information, "It's just in my country blondes are typically disliked, but people her think Ino is beautiful. And I know you wouldn't lie to me."
"No." I said putting my hands under my head, but I turned to look towards her. "You're not pretty in the slightest."
Her face darkened, though a regular person wouldn't have seen it. I know every face, and every twitch and gesture of this woman. "Breath-taking."
"What?" Temari spun her head to look at me, her eyes twinkled. Though she didn't want them to. Her eyes always gave away her emotions, though her face could be made of steel, those gorgeous teal orbs told a never ending story of feelings.
"Troublesome woman, are you deaf?" I asked almost seriously, enough for her to think so. "I said you're breath-taking. Ino may be beautiful, but she has nothing compared to you."
I nearly died from the look she gave me, it almost looked like she was going to cry. I didn't know whether to run like hell or actually comfort her. She masked it by smirking, "Don't get all mushy on me Nara."
Well if you would stop giving me that look, I wouldn't be getting all weak in the knees and every other joint in my body. She was something else... "Tch, you wish..."
My heart caught in my throat as she wrapped her arms around me, resting her head on my shoulder. She is so warm. Her golden locks tickled my neck and sent chills through my body. But as soon as my body reached nirvana, even more peaceful than watching the clouds she pushed away and punched me in my left pec.
"Oy! What was that for troublesome woman?" I rubbed my chest, but more disappointed that she took her warmth away from me.
She smirked, "Which? The punch or the hug?"
"Both."
"The hug was for my own personal reasons. And the punch was for you enjoying it too much." Her tempting smirk grew even larger, if even humanly possible. And my mind got the greatest idea ever, though she was probably going to kick my ass. Even if it was troublesome, it was worth it. Just like she is.
I reached over and grabbed her by the back of her head, and my lips crashed down upon hers. Kissing her like I had always imagined. But I was afraid to pull away, not only because she was going to beat me, but because she may hate me. I slowly pulled away, holding her wrists just in case.
This was a face I'd never seen before. I don't even know how to describe it. "What was that for pineapple head?"
"Which holding your wrists or kissing you?" I just smiled, looking at her lips again. I want to kiss her again and again, hell I don't think I cant stop.
"Both."
"The kiss was just because I like you. Though it's troublesome. And holding your wrists is so you don't maul me, and it's the closest I can get to your hands..." I took deep breaths before I let go of her slender tan wrists, preparing myself for the ultimate beat down. It never came.
"You should ask before you take. What ever happened to your manners?" The slightest tinge of red painted her cheeks. Yes! She likes me too! "So what now crybaby?"
"I guess the proper thing would to ask you out on a date." I muttered, "But I already take you out and pay every time I see you. So would you like to watch the clouds with me?"
"Sure why not, but next time you are taking me out to a nice restaurant, none of that barbecue or ramen crap." She smiled, and I nearly turned into a puddle again.
"Troublesome woman."
"Your troublesome woman."
Yes, she was mine. Now and forever.
End of Flashback.
She never belonged to me. I never deserved her anyways. No, no one deserves her. No man could even come close to matching her worth. And here I am causing her all this trouble, I guess I am the troublesome one. She won't forgive me for this. If I'm lucky she'll just loath and despise me at least. How could I screw up so much? I can recite every word from every chapter of any book I've read, but I can't even go one day without insulting Temari in some way! I'm such and idiot! Shikamaru, what are we going to do with you?
He thought of that day on the hill, it was still fresh in his memory like it was yesterday. She admitted that she was his, but she wasn't that forgiving. Lets go home, she needs to at least understand why.
With that he stood up but was caught in his tracks when he overheard a silent conversation.
"Yea he said he was going up to the house to fight him." Someone whispered in the corner, "He's obviously pissed about that guy sleeping with his wife. He came out of here so drunk, he'd probably be destroying the house while he was at it."
"Poor woman," The recipient sighed. "I hope she doesn't get in the middle of it. She might get hurt."
Shikamaru's heart pounded, and he wasted no time. He ran from the bar and home.
Troublesome woman you better be safe.
"What are you doing here?" The blonde asked the man on the other side of the door.
The man's words came out in slurs, "I come to say sorry, I shouldn't done that in front of everbodies."
"Mutaro, go home." Temari demanded. "Go to your wife and make up. She loves you."
"I... I..." The large man started sobbing, barely able to stand. It was a pitiful sight. Against her good judgement Temari unlocked the door and came to rest and the man's side. Telling him everything was going to be alright. But he shot to his feet screaming at her, "No it's not! Your husband is going to feel the same pain as I do!"
"Mutaro, just go home. You don't want to do anything irrational..." She fell back into her house, dodging a blow aimed for her head. He came in stumbling after from the force of his punch. "Now I don't want to hurt you, so just go home now!"
"What the hell can a civilian woman do to me?!" He yelled. And it clicked in Temari's mind that she couldn't fight back like she normally would, and she didn't want to kill him 'accidentally'. This wasn't going to be pretty, she had to let him rough her up. She was forced to be weak, if not then their cover would be broken and the fates of their countries would hang in the balance. Why are you never here when I need you Shikamaru?
The large man barrelled towards her tackling her to the floor, which he immediately started ripping at her kimono kissing her messily around her neck and cheek. Temari kneed him in the unmentionables, and pushed herself up off the ground watching the man gasp for air swearing every word in the book. He quickly grabbed out a kunai and ran it through her calf. And like most women who were under attack, she let out a scream that could be heard miles away. Mutaro grabbed her wrist and before she could pull away he snapped the bones into hundreds of shattered shards. Temari dropped to the floor, holding her arm, scooting towards the kitchen.
Fuck this I'm stabbing his ass.
She pulled herself off the floor and reached for the knife set on the edge of the counter. The dark man grabbed her ankles and yanked them out from under promptly smashing her forehead into the edge of the counter, she was out cold.
Mutaro grabbed her ankles and dragged her through the house and up the stairs. He threw her on the green bed and crawled onto of her, "In his bed, like they did in my bed."
Teal eyes slowly opened, blood pouring over her eyes and a man's chest firmly pressed against hers. She screamed again, punching him with all her strength now. His now broken nose spilled over her nearly naked chest. And it scared her more than anything to be here, in this situation, again. Her head throbbed as if she were hit with a sledgehammer, she could hardly see anymore.
But she was conscious enough to hear the door slam open, "SHIKAMARU!"
Shikamaru didn't look around, he didn't spare to glance at her blood staining the walls and floors, or the broken vase he was running over. He just followed her voice, the screaming voice that haunted his dreams. Flew up the stairs and didn't pause to gasp at the sight that he was sure would never escape his mind. He quickly grabbed Mutaro and threw him on the floor, promptly punching him over and over again on the man's cheek. Blood quickly engulfed his victim's face as the poor man underneath him started gagging on his own blood.
"Shikamaru stop!" Temari looped his arm in hers and pulled him away, sending him back on his rear. The raven haired man looked at his blonde and let himself stop. Her face was begining to bruise and the scarlet liquid poured down her face. She suddenly gasped, and rested her palm on his cheek. He was crying. "Crybaby stop. Why are you crying?"
He took his sleeve and wiped the blood hiding her beautifully sculpted face, "I'm sorry." Shikamaru grabbed her pulling her into his arms, forcing all of his love into the embrace. "I am so sorry."
The Kumo police barged into the house and up the stairs to see Mutaro and the lovers embrace. The medic quickly ran over to Mutaro, checking his pulse. "It's faint but it's still there! Run him to the hospital quick!"
A man with extremely spiky hair swooped up the much larger man and disappeared. While the medic ran to Temari's side, which Shikamaru only hesitantly let her go still holding her wrists, though he now realized that one was hanging limply from her arm the bones completely broken. Like spaghetti noodles before cooked, when you break them in half in order for them to fit in the pot.
"My my, I am surprised that you are in such good shape. Mutaro could have done a great deal of damage to a little thing like you." The medic sighed in relief. "You'll just spend the night in the hospital, and tomorrow you'll come back home."
The medic signalled a burly man over to pick up the blonde, but Shikamaru grabbed her first. "I'll take my wife."
They all nodded. Shikamaru took off, slower than his run to the house, but still faster than normal.
"You were late." Temari muttered still angry at him, but much less than before. How can you be mad when the man you love was sobbing in your arms from regret and anguish?
"Never again." He promised.
"You're so troublesome." She forced a smile.
He kissed her lips soundly, "I love you too."
Shikamaru paced outside of Temari's hospital room. They had already stitched up her calf and forehead, and the doctors were currently putting her wrist in a cast.
"I want purple!" Came a scream from the room, which made Shikamaru laugh. "I don't care if I'm not a child!"
The doctor exited the room, giving Shikamaru an apologetic smile. But it made Shikamaru laugh even more, "And to think that she is the mature one in our relationship."
"Oh we get this all the time. I just wasn't quite expecting it from a grown woman. Usually they complain of even having a broken bone." The doctor chuckled with a smile.
"She's full of surprises, I guess that's why I fell in love with her."
"Then why...?"
Shikamaru cut of the dear doctor before he could finish the sentence, "I have to tell my wife why before I start telling the world. You understand right?"
The man in the white robe nodded, "Of course. Well I better go make the cast purple before my patient blows a gasket. Just one more thing I'd have to fix."
He sat on the bench for twenty more minutes, thinking of possible outcomes from his confessions. He had never been religious but Shikamaru was praying to whatever higher being that this would turn out in his favor. But like he said earlier Temari was full of surprises. He looked up as the door opened and all the medical personnel walked out in single file order until the man doctor came out nodded to Shikamaru, as if saying you can see her now.
The undercover Jounin pressed his head against the door his feet felt like lead iron, they didn't want to go any farther. "Come in pineapple head."
"You shouldn't refer to me as that." His feet felt light again and he walked into the room. And the sight of her made his gut twist and contort. Her skin was translucent looking unbelievably sickly, black sutures stuck out of her forehead, and the black, purple, and green bruises spread like a curse mark over the left side of her face.
"Yea because everyone knows you by my little pet name and not your actual name." She scoffed, wincing from her wounds. Silence passed over them, and Shikamaru looked at her with those eyes. She knew what he wanted to talk about. "Go ahead, tell me."
---------
Ha ha ha, sorry to leave you like that, but I am extremely sunburned (I look like a freaking lobster) and tired and I just want to stop the chapter like this. :D
I based Temari's head wound after mine, though I was jumping on the bed when I was five and cracked my head on the dresser when I fell off. Don't worry it fades with time, though it never really goes away.
Well hope you guys are enjoying, this was the high point per say of the story. Tell me about any spelling errors I didn't catch.
Now will Temari learn to forgive?
Next chapter called (so inventively)... 'Forgive me'.
