AN: Yay! I feel loved! Thanks to
--BrokenAngel363 (I don't see Temari as being that sentimental…or at least being that open about being sentimental. X) But read on, I promise it gets good!)
--Kawaii Chibi-kun (Why thank you!)
--Musik Drache (Hinata does rock, doesn't she? :D)
--xXkickass-kunoichiXx (Sorry, a rule of karaoke challenge is that all but one song has to be by the same artist. But boy, do I feel you when it comes to Paramore!)
--royalburnisce1865 (My heart sings at your generous rhapsodies! Thank you!)
--Tobi'sgoodgirllovesSasuSaku (Holy Ramen!)
--Orchird Tiger Lily (You're ever so welcome!)
for your undying support and praise. Special props to Angel and Tiger Lily for correctly guessing the recurring artist: Taylor Swift! Now, on with the show! ShikaTema, here we come!
Disclaimer: Do not own Naruto, yada yada yada
Karaoke Night, Chapter 4: Just Friends?/You Belong With Me
Shikamaru leaned his throbbing temple against the chilled, almost-full glass in his hand. While it was amusing to see his friends' prospective ladies bare their souls to an inebriated audience that wouldn't remember any of tonight (conveniently enough), he still had a stress-induced headache from the inner turmoil brought on by his and Ino's relationship and the termination of said relationship. The whirl of emotions and confusion was too much to bear for a shinobi who was so used to straightforwardness and clear paths marked by superior intellect. Shikamaru sighed quietly, allowing the bottom edge of the glass to dig into the side of his head. He'd see Temari tomorrow—she always knew what to do, or could make him forget his troubles for the time they were together. You wouldn't think it was possible, but she actually had a knack for that kind of thing.
A swell of applause signaled the MC's return to the mic for another intro, but Shikamaru kept his eyes closed; it was probably Sakura or Ino, and he had a pretty good idea what and who they would sing about.
"Hey, hey, hey, everybodyyyyy!" the MC called. "Now our next performer tonight is also participating in the Challenge—yeah, that's right!" he broke off, encouraging the appreciative crowd. "Now, our next performer may be playing it old school, but I hear this is her first time on the stage, so please give a rousing Leaf welcome to…TEMARI NO SABAKU!"
Shikamaru's eyes flew open, astonished. Sure enough, a familiar, spiky blonde head was bobbing above the crowd, making it's way onto the platform. Holy shit.
oOo
Temari looked out over the sea of indistinguishable faces and abruptly decided to do something a bit rash. Whether it was her own pent-up frustration or the alcohol controlling her actions, Temari whipped out a kunai and swiftly cut the ties of her four pigtails, letting the sandy blonde hair tumble around her face and onto her shoulders. The onlookers hooted and hollered, whistled and catcalled.
"Now, now, boys," she purred into the mic. "Just because I'm single doesn't mean I'm available." And with that cryptic admonishment, the Sand kunoichi signaled for the recording to begin. Rhythmic, bouncy guitar music sounded through the club.
You're on the phone with your girlfriend, she's upset
She's goin' off about something that you said
'Cause she doesn't get your humor like I do
(Her voice suited her, Shikamaru thought, clear and strong and crisp and low, with a vaguely sharp flourish to it. And damn if it wasn't a little sexy.)
Temari smirked flirtatiously, as if Shikamaru were in the room and all the barriers between them had ceased to exist. The truth was, nobody understood his humor except her, because no one else had the mental capacity to fully appreciate his mix of intellect and dry sarcasm.
I'm in the room, it's a typical Tuesday night
I'm listenin' to the kind of music she doesn't like
And she'll never know your story like I do
Got that right. Ino may have been Shikamaru's partner when they were genin, but Temari could guarantee that Shikamaru never talked as openly with anyone as he did with Temari. She could see through any façade of boredom or irritation he tried to retreat behind, so there were virtually no secrets between them.
She wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts
She's Cheer Captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreamin' 'bout the day when you wake up and find
That what you're lookin' for has been here the whole time
If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along, so why can't you see?
You belong with me, you belong with me
Temari frowned a little, concentrating on the notes and pondering the implications of the chorus. Come to think of it, how could such a smart guy like Shikamaru have gotten it so wrong? He needed a low-maintenance tomboy who could keep up with his intricate strategizing, while still being bossy as hell. And though Ino was her friend and matched the bossy-as-hell part of the job description, Temari couldn't believe Shikamaru could be so dense as to think the shop-a-holic was the girl for him.
Walkin' the streets with you and your worn-out jeans
I can't help thinkin' this is how it ought to be
Laughin' on a park bench, thinkin' to myself
Hey, isn't this easy?
That was the thing with Shikamaru—it never ceased to amaze Temari how easy it was to be around him. Everything in her relaxed a little, and she never got bored or ran out of things to say. Hell, he could make her laugh if he tried hard enough, something she rarely allowed anyone to see. She preferred that everyone think of her as take-charge, smart, and a force to be reckoned with.
And you've got a smile that could light up this whole town
I haven't seen it in a while since she brought you down
You say you're fine, I know you better than that
Hey, whatcha doin' with a girl like that?
Now matter how hard he tried, she could always see through Shikamaru's pretenses and excuses. She was one of the few people he really and truly smiled around, though it had faded as his relationship with Ino had deepened. Temari was certain that she had been the first one to see how hard Shikamaru had to work to be with Ino—it had gotten to the point where he lost sight of who he really was.
She wears high heels, I wear sneakers
She's Cheer Captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreamin' 'bout the day when you wake up and find
That what you're lookin' for has been here the whole time
If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along, so why can't you see?
You belong with me
Standin' by and waitin' at your back door
All this time how could you not know?
Baby, you belong with me, you belong with me
Okay, so he was the one who waited at her back door, rather than the other way around, but who was really keeping track?
Oh, I remember you drivin' to my house in the middle of the night
I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're 'bout to cry
I know your favorite songs and you tell me 'bout your dreams
Think I know where you belong, think I know it's with me
She was the one he'd turned to when he lost himself in the mindless pleasantries of being Ino's boyfriend. He'd come to her, desperate and confused, and his utter cluelessness had touched her carefully guarded heart. She'd never seen him so at a loss of things to say or do, and it had scared the shit out of her. But she'd been there for him, she'd made him face reality, she'd made him see just how far he'd strayed from his path and called him back to it.
Can't you see that I'm the one who understands you?
Been here all along, so why can't you see?
You belong with me
Standin' by and waitin' at your back door
All this time, how could you not know?
Baby, you belong with me, you belong with me
Temari was pouring her heart and soul into the song now, her pulse beating in time against the inside of her chest. Who cared if this wasn't her type of music, it felt so good to get all this emotion out of her system. She could practically feel the pent-up emotions flow out of her mouth along with the notes.
You belong with me
Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me?
You belong with me
Temari panted as the song wound down, returning the mic to its stand. She was spent and exhilarated at the same time, emotionally satiated and physically charged. No wonder the Leaf girls did this—with all their boy issues, they needed all the outlets they could get.
oOo
Shikamaru stared as Temari took her bow, her sandy hair wild and loose around her shoulders. The flush in her cheeks, the light in her eyes, the gleam of her arrogant grin—it was all so familiar, yet he felt like he was seeing her for the first time.
"Well, genius?" Naruto asked, grinning. "Have you clued in yet?"
Shikamaru ogled at his blond friend. "You knew?!"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "What? It wasn't like I was the only one." He looked at Kiba, Sasuke, and Neji for back-up, but all he received was blank stares. "Really? It was just me?" His signature grin grew wider. "Guess I'm not as idiotic as everyone thought."
"How did you know?" Shikamaru demanded. This revelation was a severe blow to his pride; if Naruto could read Temari, who Shikamaru knew better than anyone, better than him, the apocalypse was surely looming on the horizon.
The Jinchuuriki snorted. "Dude," he said pityingly. "Even when you were with Ino, you spent more time around Temari."
Shikamaru blinked. "No shit."
Naruto nodded sagely. "Shit, my friend. Shit."
Shikamaru looked back at Temari as she resumed her seat with her friends. Something had taken place here, on this night, in this smoky karaoke bar, and he would be damned if he let it go unnoticed.
oOo
"Not your style, huh?" Tenten asked slyly as Temari collapsed into her place in their circle.
"Not my style," Temari agreed. "But you have to admit, the message is fitting."
Tenten laughed, full-throated and loud. "All righty then. As long as one blonde went up, we might as well have the other. Ino, your turn."
Ino lifted her head off of the tabletop. "Whatcha got for me?" she slurred. Even with her hair mussed, her eyes bloodshot, and her makeup smeared, she managed to look the most attractive while intoxicated.
Tenten leaned over and whispered into the cornsilk blonde's ear, one hand shielding her lips from their friends' prying eyes. Ino frowned when the weapons' mistress pulled away. "You're mean," she pouted.
"You know it's true," Tenten insisted, leaning back in her seat and pointing at the stage obstinately. "Get to it."
AN: *chuckles* God, I love Naruto. He's a knucklehead, but he's such a loveable knucklehead.
Whaddya think of switching to the girls' perspective during the song? I'm kinda just rollin' with it, depending on the chapter and the couple involved. Thoughts?
Yay ShikaTema! :D Review please, or…or…or I'll tell Kakashi it was you who stole is Icha-Icha Paradise collection!