TEN-TEN X TEMARI: A GROWING AFFECTION - PART 3
Temari sat silently on her bed. Her things were packed and she was ready to leave. She stood up and thought to herself about the following week.
''What if she doesn't feel how I feel about her? What if we realize we're not right for each other? What if she falls in love with someone else?''
The more she thought about the worse her anxiety grew. She had always dealt with it, but as she grew stronger and became more mature she learned to control it and use it to her advantage in some ways. She brushed away these thoughts and fastened her fan on her back. As soon as she left she replaced her anxious thoughts with comforting ones about seeing Ten-ten. As she got near the gates she saw Temari. Her legs seemed to have a mind of their own because she ran to her without a second thought.
''Hey, Temari! How'd you sleep?''
Ten-ten let out that cute giggle that drove Temari insane instantly.
''I slept great, but the A/C in my apartment is out so it was hot as hell!''
''Poor thing. Should have told me, you could've slept at my flat.''
Temari's face instantly got red, and was very noticeable so she tried to hide her face.
''Co-come on, we should go now.''
Ten-ten and Temari walked for a few minutes, without either of them saying a single word. Temari had this nervous look on her face. Ten-ten could tell, but she felt like it would be a bad idea.
''Why aren't you talking?'' asked Ten-ten.
''I just ha- nevermind. It's not important.''
''Yes, it is. What's wrong?''
''I have a bad feeling, okay? It always happens before something awful happens. It's making my anxiety flare up and I'm trying to keep calm but I just can't and I wa-''
Temari was interrupted by Ten-ten suddenly grabbed her hand. Ten-ten laid her head on Temari's shoulder as they walked. That was more than enough for Temari to feel secure. Just knowing that Ten-ten was with her.
''Th-thanks. I needed that'' said Temari as she let out a sigh of relief.
''Do you want to talk about your anxiety? It always makes me feel better to talk about it...''
''I'm not su-''
''I care about you, a lot. Please, I want you to feel okay.''
Temari sighed
''It all started when I was 6, before I started training to be a ninja. My parents would always scream and fight. They would literally destroy the house and I would always be in the middle of it. In the middle of the night you would hear the sound of the bricks being torn, and cement being ripped apart from the intense jutsu they used. Kankuro would have to take us out of the house. When we tried to leave, they didn't even try to avoid hurting us. When their 'other half' wasn't there they would take their anger out on us. Divorce is strictly forbidden and leaving your family is even worse. Kankuro would always have to protect us. Eventually, when me and Gaara got old enough to leave, we did. As soon as we turned 8 we began ninja training. We left the house at 13. We both got jobs and lived by ourselves. I began training as a ninja to cope with feeling powerless as a child. I'll never forgive my parents''
Ten-ten sighed. It was probably appropriate to tell her story. She looked at the sky. The sun was setting and it would be dark soon. As she was about to speak, she noticed a tear roll down Temari's face. She wiped it away with her sleeve and kissed Temari's cheek.
''As a kid I was heavily abused. My parents were never there, and when they were they would either call me trash or hit me. I learned to hide. At age 8, i began ninja training. It was illegal to be denied that right. I learned about gen-jutsu, stealth, and everything else, but what impressed me the most was the kunai. Such a simple weapon with infinite possibilities. One day I took a few home to practice. I was outside throwing shuriken at a wooden target, when my father drunk on saki came out. He was calling me names and began coming at me. I got scared and panicked. I closes my eyes and threw. I didn't think, I just did. I impaled his knee. He fell on the ground and writhed in pain. I then realized the power of this weapon. I began to cry and call for help. The Inuzuka's came over and gave him medical attention. I told Tsume, Kiba's mom, what happened and she made sure I never had to live with those awful people again. I lived at the Academy, along with a few other children. Lee didn't have to live there, but he was training 24/7, so he did anyway. God, I still have nightmares from that hell-hole...''
They both began to cry. It was dusk, now. They set up camp in a tree top.
''Temari?''
''Yeah?''
''I just want you to know I love you''
''I love you too.. Goodnight, Ten-ten''