Lady Tornado
Author's Disclaimer and Notes: Hey ya'll. Nothing much to report other than I'm lazy and as much as I tell myself I'm going to buckle down and write more… I don't. But I digress. Here it is. Hope you like and please comment. (It drives me to update sooner)
Don't own characters obviously.
Temari sat at one of the cafeteria's tables, looking over some statistical files, while Ino, her ever-present attendant was chatting on her phone with one of her close friends. Sakura, she believed by the sound of it. She was feeling a lot less wound up the last few days because of her resent nocturnal activities that she has secretly picked up. Other than the first night where she rescued that one guy, Shikamaru she learned, from Tayuya last week she hadn't had much action. Mostly she just jumped around the rooftops and watched Naruto take out a few small time robbers, but it was still nice to get out.
"Hey!" Ino loudly exclaimed as she shot out of her chair and trotted off quickly.
Temari just gave her a quick glance. It was most likely just a co-worker she just wanted to catch up with. After being here for a while now she began to wonder very seriously if Ino's true job here was to keep tabs on everyone and be apart of everyone's personal business- she didn't seem to serve any other purpose here.
"You have to sit with us. There's someone I want you to meet." Ino said as she returned. "Shikamaru, this is Temari. She's the Sunan representative"
Temari looked up to whomever Ino wanted her to meet and outwardly making no display at all, but mentally doing a double take, as she was now looking face to face with the exact person she rescued. He didn't recognize her, of course, and just gave an uninterested nod in her direction. There was also another woman standing beside him with unkempt blonde hair and thick glasses.
"Temari, I'd like you to meet Shikamaru, he's one of the researchers in the lower levels, and Shiho, who assists down there as well."
"Hello," Shiho politely said.
"Hello, it's nice to meet the two of you. Ino has told me about you. " She said to both of them, though Shiho has never been brought up before.
"Both of you sit, you two never come out of that cave of yours. I almost feel the need to throw a party!"
"We're making a lot of progress with our research and have gotten through most of the rough patches that we faced in the beginning. So we may be able to make more time to come up and have lunch with you if you really want. The project is exceptionally fascinating though. Things never before seen- yada yada yada," Shikamaru said, purposely trailing off into nothing.
"And very secretive. I wish you'd let me into that head of yours sometimes so I could at least settle some curiosity. "
"My head is off limits Ino, stay clear," he replied with a smile on his face.
"Shikamaru," Shiho said beside him as he sat down. "I'm going to get something to eat, do you want me to get you something?" She asked with a blush on her face.
"Someone has a crush... Or they're dating?" Temari noted inwardly.
"No, I'm fine. But you can put it on my tab. I'll cover it."
"Oh no! That's not what I meant. You don't have to."
"It's fine, I don't mind."
"T-thank you," she said as she turned and walked to the menu bar.
"How have you been Shikamaru? Are you feeling any better or are you still sore?" Ino asked. Temari could only assume she was talking about the attack.
"Not really. My pride's still little hurt from having been rescued by that crazy woman but other than that, I'm fine."
"Crazy woman?" Temari interjected.
"Oh, that's right. Shikamaru didn't want me telling anybody so I didn't say anything earlier but last week he was pulled into an alley by, uh, Ta-"
"Her name was Tayuya," Shikamaru added.
"Yeah, that's it. Well, anyways, this female superhero popped out of nowhere and totally saved his ass."
"Eloquently put."
"Thank you. Though it never would have happened in the first place if you stayed and ate with the rest of us like I told you." Ino said, pointing a finger at him accusingly. " Though it's interesting that someone other than Naruto did it. He has this place pretty well secured as 'his city'." Ino said using her fingers as parentheses.
"Well, she was obviously not from here, right Shikamaru?" Shiho added as she returned with her tray of food.
"Yeah, she definitely had an accent, not sure from where. I never had an ear for those things. Brutal though. The woman who attacked me is still in the hospital. She's lucky she didn't die when she got blasted into the street."
"What did she look like?" Temari asked.
"Which one?"
"The one who saved you."
"Oh, um… Well she looked around her mid to upper twenties, was about 5'3 to 5'4 and wore tight black body armor, definitely fit. She had tan skin and blonde hair pulled back in quadruple ponytails, two on top and two on bottom-"
"Weird." Inputted Ino.
"It was… interesting. No distinguishing facial marks from what I could see, but most of her face was covered. She also had lighter eyes. Blue or green, I think, but it was dark so I can't say for certain. They were definitely intense, and she was very, very, confidant in abilities and really enjoyed what she was doing. After she finished the fight she turned to me and gave me this huge, childlike smile, like what she did was nothing."
"Maybe it wasn't." Temari commented.
"Maybe. She was scary but absolutely breathtaking at the same time…."
Temari smiled.
"So, Temari. You're from Suna, right?" Shiho asked, switching the topic quickly. "I've been there a couple of times a few years back. It's really something. I especially liked the sunrises. My hotel had a great view of the desert and it looked magnificent rising. But I never got used to the temperature spikes. I thought I was going to have a heat stroke during the day and freeze to death at night."
"Being raised there I'm accustomed to it. Most people adjust to the climate they're raised in. We have hotter temperatures in Suna but I remember once me and my brothers came-"
Temari was interrupted by the ringing of Ino's phone that was to the tune of a popular song.
"Sorry, it's my Dad." Ino muttered as she answered her phone and turned away.
"Anyway," Temari continued. "When my brothers and I came here we all were miserable by the humidity. Well, at least me and Kankuro. If Gaara was feeling it he didn't show."
"It must be fun having siblings. Most people in the Fire Country either just have one child or two, tops."
"Wait wait wait, what?" Ino's voice was beginning to bleed over the group. "Is she okay? … That's good… Now? I can't I still have work to do here… But… Daddy… I… Okay, okay, fine. I'll make arrangements. Just give me thirty minutes though, okay? All right, I love you too. Kiss mom for me, bye." After hanging up her cell phone Ino turned to the group and began to stare pleadingly at Shikamaru.
"What happened and what do you want," he deadpanned.
"Shikamaru-"
"I'm busy," he sighed.
"Please just hear me out." She pouted. "I really need your help."
"Fine, what is it?"
"My mom was filling a big wedding order that's due tomorrow and she cut her hand open on some shears. It's pretty deep so dad is taking her in to get stitches. But mom is already behind and she needs me to go in and finish for her."
"So where do I fit into all this?"
"Well, someone needs to be here for Ms. Sabaku." She stated matter of fact.
"I'm busy. I can't do both your job and mine. And hasn't she been here a while. Surely she can make her way through on her own for one day."
"Yes, Ino. I'll be fine." Temari added though inwardly she was quite annoyed.
"It's fine in the unrestricted areas but in order for her to get the Suna project she needs to pass through restricted areas that I'm supposed to escort her through. You both know this. Please Shikamaru, just this one time?"
Shikamaru let out an over exaggerated sigh. "Fine. Today's halfway through anyway.
"Thank you thank you thank you." Ino repeated as she stood up from the table. "I promise I'll make this up to you." She circled around and gave him a tight hug around his neck.
"Yeah sure. Gah, this is so troublesome."
"Bye guys. I'll see you all tomorrow."
"Um… Shikamaru. I thought we were going to collaborate and cross reference phonic patterns with some more antediluvian samples we acquired."
"It's fine. We can work on it tomorrow. No harm done."
"Oh… Well do you want me to stay with you two then?"
"No, it's fine. You can go back to work without me. I'll catch up with you tomorrow."
"Oh, okay then."
The next thirty odd minutes Temari had the pleasure of sitting awkwardly with two strangers as they discussed some pretty technical topics that went even over her own head at times. It was mostly the Shiho girl who did most of the talking. She didn't look the type to be the kind of talker she was but she seemed quite at ease as she chatted endlessly to Shikamaru who only responded periodically to progress the conversation when she prodded a response. Eventually Shikamaru turned to Temari.
"Just let me know when you're ready to go."
"Hmmm? Oh, let me just reorganize these papers and we can head into the labs to check in for my report."
"Okay, Shiho, do you mind letting everyone know where I'm at when you go down."
"Yeah, no problem."
"I'll have my phone if you need anything."
"Okie Dokie. I guess I should be heading back down then. See you later." Shiho said as she rose from her seat, took her tray and began to walk off."
"Bye."
"You two are awfully friendly." Temari commented.
"We've been working with each other for a while now. You tend to either bond tightly with your team or quietly spite each other until everything destructs."
"I see." Temari commented as she began filling her brief case with files. "Well, I'm ready to go when you are."
"Okay," Shikamaru said as he rose from his seat. After a few good pops in his back caused by a stretch.
The two began to make their way toward the elevator that lead to the lower levels where all the high level projects were conducted.
"Level nineteen, right?" Shikamaru asked casually as he swiped his card and entered an access pin to activate the elevator.
"Yeah, did Ino tell you?" Temari wasn't too keen on the idea of Ino chatting specifics with her friends about her country's project- even if he was an employee.
Shikamaru must have caught the suspicion in her voice as he quickly defended his friend. "Of course not. Ino may not seem like it but she is very professional about her duties here. I just know a lot about what happens around here. If it makes you feel better I don't know any specifics. Only the floor and that it weapon testing project from Suna."
"Hmmm."
"You're no very trusting, are you?"
"I can't afford to be. Not with my life."
Shikamaru sighed, "Whatever. Doesn't affect me any."
"You're right, it doesn't." She snapped.
"Okay, I wasn't prying. Geez, why do women always have to be so troublesome?"
"Excuse me?" Temari asked, dejectedly.
"Just let it drop." Shikamaru asked, almost pleadingly.
"No. Who the hell do you think you are? You don't know me and I don't need a presumptuous, arrogant, sexist lab aid to bulk me together with false stereotypical personifications."
"Wow, says the person who is haphazardly throwing personal insults toward someone she just met after griping about, so called, presumptuous comments. Typical woman."
Temari let out an annoyed growl as the elevator doors finally slid open. Storming out she quickly slid her card key through the slot and pressed her hand against the metal plate. Shikamaru followed shortly behind.
After entering the lab Temari caught the head researcher in her eyes and quickly made a beeline toward him.
"Ah Ms. Sabaku. Good to see you."
"Dr. Kite." Temari greeted.
"Let me get my clipboard and I'll give you an update and my progress. Wait here for me please." Dr. Kite rounded Temari and began to make his way to his office when he spotted Shikamaru standing near the entrance of the lab, looking annoyed. "Dr. Shikamaru," he said, oddly, a bit loudly, "What a pleasure to see you. Can I help you with anything?"
Behind her Temari could her a few muttered curses and turned to see some of the other scientists quickly cleaning their stations or looking busy.
"Don't worry. I'm just here doing a favor for Ino. Trust me, I will not be here tomorrow. "
"Oh, well you're welcome anytime of course."
"No," Temari interjected. "He's not."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
"Uh… I'm just going to go get that clipboard. Excuse me."
After a few hours of conversing with Dr. Kite, looking over the project and statistics Temari gathered enough information to report back to Gaara. Everything was looked to be going smoothly and all tests seem to going as initially projected. Though there will still be more thorough tests to be run before deemed safe to use on the field. After their goodbyes Temari headed out to the main lab area and found Shikamaru idly sitting at a vacant desk. Quite the contrast from Ino whom while waiting was either on her phone or distracting the lab techs with leisurely chatter.
"Ready to head out?" Shikamaru asked as she neared.
"I think everything's in order," Temari replied as she adjusted the strap of her file bag.
"'Kay," said Shikamaru as he stood and stretched. "Are you needing to go anywhere else or are you done for the day?"
"I can transpose these files when I get to my room. There's really no need to stay here anymore."
"Then I'll lead you out." He turned to the other lab techs who where focusing on their projects. "Have a good night."
A few nodded their heads in his direction while a smaller amount wished Dr. Shikamaru a goodnight. While walking down the hallway back to the elevator Temari turned to ask a question.
"Why does everyone here call you Dr. Shikamaru? Most scientists go by their last names."
"My father also works here. It's easier to differentiate between him and me if they call me by my first name and him by the surname."
"Ah, I understand since I come from a family business. I don't have to worry about it so much but sometimes people have to be more specific when referring to my brothers."
"Mmmhmm," he replied dejectedly.
"Are you avoiding a conversation now?" Temari asked annoyed. "What in the world are you moping about?"
"Don't worry about it."
"No~ope. Tell me."
"What do you care?"
"Because I know it's about me. So I want to know."
"You pegged me as the type of woman who didn't care what other people thought of her." He stated.
Temari faltered momentarily but quickly jumped back. "So it is about me… and I'm not that type of woman, but I'm curious. So tell me."
"So demanding. Fine," he said as they were now heading up in the elevator. "I just have to admit that I'm a little disappointed," he admitted.
"Disappointed? At me?" 'What the hell does that mean?' She thought in a huff.
"Well, Ino told me a lot about you and you sounded pretty interesting. You're intelligent, I'll give you that, but you have a serious attitude problem."
"I'm not here to make friends," she stated bluntly. "I'm here strictly as a temporary liaison for Suna and am here to get the job done."
"A job, I'm sure you do quite well but you're very unapproachable."
"I'm not here to-" She was about to repeat but was interrupted.
"'Not here to make friends'," he repeated. "Got it. You've definitely made that clear."
The two were silent as they made it to the main entry level. It had heavier traffic than normal due to most everyone leaving for the evening.
"Don't misunderstand, I'm not some heartless bitch. I just see what needs to be done and I do it, I can make time for a personal life afterwards."
"And do you?" He asked, as he turned and looked at her.
Temari couldn't help but noticed that aside from her brothers she had next to zero social interactions that weren't office related. "What business is it of yours?"
Shikamaru gave her a cocky half grin that made her heart flutter and heat rise to her cheeks in anger.
"I have a personal life and I can be quite friendly when I want to. Hell, I'm the nice one in the family."
"I'd hate to meet your brothers," he commented.
"They'd hate to meet you," she countered.
"How about this. You play me in a game of shougi and if I lose I'll get Ino to ease up on her 'friendship' offers-"
"I'm already game. And if I lose?"
"And if you lose. You have to join me for dinner at my friend's restaurant tonight."
Temari glared at him for a long moment, contemplating the wages of this potential bet. She wasn't sure where he was coming from. Was he just angling for a date? She was an excellent shougi player but if that was the game he choose than surely he was as well… What the hell, she decided to bite.
She gave him a cocky grin of her own. "Just to let you know, in high school, I was the regional shougi champ for three years in a row."
"I read a rule book on it once when I was twelve."
Temari couldn't help but let put a small chuckle. "This should be easy then…"
Six games later
"Fucking hell," Temari emoted as she starred frustratingly at the shougi board in front of her. 'Four moves. How the hell did he beat me in four fucking moves?' "One more."
"Mmm, no." Shikamaru stated as he leaned back in the break room chair, lethargically.
"Just one more."
"The last five games were 'Just one more'. It's getting late and I'm hungry, let's go."
Temari sighed in defeat as she rose from her chair and grabbed her bag. "Fine, you win. Let's just get this over with."
"You won one game, you should have ran with it while you could."
"You let me win. You deny it but I know you did. I don't take things if I don't earn them."
"Very noble."
"Are you coming?" She said impatiently.
"Yep," he said as he rose from his chair, stretching when up.
"You stand like an old man, hurry up."
"So impatient."
After a hostile taxi ride to the restaurant, Chou, the two exited the vehicle and walked toward the entrance. Temari instantly noticed the hours and smiled sweetly.
"Oh, how sad. Looks like they just closed." She wasn't going to mention the fact that she tried as many games as she could so that this was a severe possibility.
Shikamaru gave her a coy smile as he knocked on the door. Almost instantly a face appeared, pulling back the doors curtain and the door quickly opened after. A large man wearing a dirty culinary outfit with plumb cheery cheeks then greeted them and ushered them through.
"Shikamaru, took you long enough to get here."
"Sorry Chouji, someone," he said tilting his head toward Temari, "was insistent on multiple rematches."
Temari turned away, huffing.
"All futile obviously." He waved a hand toward Temari. "Chouji, this is Temari. Temari, this is my oldest and bestfriend, Chouji. His family owns this restaurant."
"Hello," Temari said. Chouji returned the sentiment.
The three walked to a table toward a table near the kitchen that was already set for three. Shikamaru pulled the chair back, obviously, for her. She took the chair next to it. He just shrugged and sat in the chair previously offered while Chouji snickered.
"You know Shikamaru. What you did wasn't that fair. I've only heard of your dad every beating you."
"It wasn't like I was playing some novice. The woman-"
"Don't call me 'the woman'", Temari interrupted.
"-Was actually pretty good. I actually had to stop and think at one point in time."
"Impressive. Ino told us you were intelligent," Chouji said as he handed a menu to Temari.
"How often does Ino talk about me?" She asked as she began to eye the menu, apparently he already knew what Shikamaru wanted.
"Don't worry, Ino talks about everyone. If you have Ino there's no need for social networking. She does all the work for you," Shikamaru offered.
"She said you were hardworking and determined- very businesslike."
"True enough. Could I have the wild kenchin soup please?"
Chouji nodded and took the menu. "I'll get everything started."
"Your friend seems nice," Temari commented.
"He's a good guy. There's not enough people like him in this world."
The two were silent for a few minutes until Temari asked a question she mulling over since their game earlier. "Why are you doing this?"
"What?"
"Why all this," she motioned around her. "What's your angle? Are trying to get something?"
Shikamaru starred at her at her through his typical half lidded eyes. "You have a very rough voice," he stated, dodging the questions.
"What? What's wrong with my voice?"
"Nothing, you just have a very rough way of speaking. We have a very soft-spoken language than others. You do realize it always sounds like you're yelling, don't you?"
"You're the first to complain."
"Nobody likes to typically make negative comments unless they're familiar with the person."
"And who says you're familiar with me?"
"I'm not typical. I call it how I see it." Shikamaru cupped his chin in his thumb and pointer finger in thought. "You know, that woman who rescued me a while back also sounded rough, like you. I wonder if she is from the Wind Country, as well."
'Shit', Temari inwardly thought as she thought quickly. She couldn't let there be any ties to her and Lady Tornado. "Possibly, we are a large country. There's certain to be some people who wants to make a name for themselves with powers."
"I suppose," he said as he rested his arms on the back of the chair.
"You should just be thankful that someone was there to save your sorry ass."
"I would have been fine. They wouldn't have hurt me too much. Plus Naruto's pretty quick at stopping pretty much everything around here. People are lucky if they can get away with petty burglary."
"You put a lot of faith in Naruto, don't you?"
"He's always managed to pull through. He's an idiot but he does his job well and has a way to make the impossible- possible."
"Have you every ran into him before? You talk about him like it's casual."
"That's putting it lightly," he said in a half smile.
"What do you mean?"
Shikamaru held out his hand and showed Temari the watch he was wearing.
"And I'm seeing?"
He pressed two buttons in sequence and a light flashed on the watch face. Turning to the kitchen he yelled at Chouji who could be heard preparing their meals. "Couji, Naruto will be here soon."
"Okay!"
"Wait- wait. You have a superhero and speed dial? Why?"
"Because he's a freak of nature that attracts trouble like me to ramen," came a voice behind them. Temari turned to see Naruto walk through the door and advance towards them. "Sweet, social visit," he said as he stole Couji's seat. "And hello," he said in a deep voice. "Uzumaki Naruto, hero to Konoha."
"Temari Subaku- ah- Subaku Temari."
"Foreigner, nice," he turned to Shikamaru. "How'd you score a date with this hotty?"
"This isn't a date," Temari quickly corrected.
"I helped her out today at work for Ino," Shikamaru added.
"Why would I ever date-" Temari began but dropped it. Shikamaru shot her a look.
"Ri~ight," Naruto added in a singsong voice.
"Now, is this the original you or one of your copies?" Temari asked with a smile, changing the subject.
"I always use my real self for friends. Wait," he thought to himself for a moment. "Yeah, it's me."
"So, how are you two on such friendly levels?"
"We went school together." Naruto said.
"He was a loudmouth idiot."
"You were a smart mouth loser."
"Always skipping class and pulling pranks on the teachers."
"Slept though school and refused to do any work."
"We both were bottom of the class."
"You were at the bottom of the class?" Temari asked Shikamaru, surprise evident in her voice.
"Second to last," he corrected with a smile.
"Yeah, until the forced you to take an IQ test followed by a review by some snooty people, then he took placement tests, and after that he got skipped up a few grades. Hadn't seen him for years after that."
"You were skipped ahead? How far?"
"Just three years. They said I could go farther if I wanted but my mom and dad decided that three years was already pushing it."
"That's still pretty substantial. What year did you graduate?"
"2002."
"Me too! Wait… how old are you?"
"Twenty-five."
'That's three years younger than me…' She thought. "Huh."
"We actually really started hanging out a few years back," Naruto started. "He was crossing one of those over the road, crosswalk things when one of the supporting beams broke. The bridge didn't collapse right away but it was about too. I didn't know what to do. I'm pretty strong but I couldn't lift that bridge and even if I could it would just crumble above me. If Shikamaru weren't there he wouldn't have given me the directions to give the walkway what little support I could and coordinate the best way to evacuate everyone before the bridge finally did collapse.
After everything died down we talked for a bit and caught up. Turns out, Shikamaru is a beacon for bad things. I wasn't quite as advanced as I am now and could only produce about twenty or so copies at once so I was too busy to notice at first how often he was in these situations. When I became more advanced I found him in random muggings, stuck in violent crossfire and freak accidents. He then added me to his panic contact on his watch so whenever-"
"You had that thing before Naruto," Temari interrupted.
"Yeah, it contacts the security we have at Nara Labs for emergencies."
"They must really value the safety of their employees."
Naruto shot her a peculiar look. "Well, Shikamaru, yeah. He's-"
"Nara Labs really does care about all of their employees. It's not unusual for them to make arrangements to accommodate reasonable needs. All this pretty much is, is a beeper."
"Uh… yeah. Well anyways. We've all been hanging out since."
They all turned to Chouji who was exiting the kitchen with a couple of trays covered with steaming plates. Two other Narutos puffed into existence and relieved Chouji of the trays.
"Let me grab those for you," one of them said.
"Thanks," replied Chouji as he pulled over a chair and joined the group.
Naruto made quick work of getting everyone's order to them and once everything was situated the two extras vanished in a puff of smoke as quickly as they came in.
"Ramen, the meal of champions," exclaimed Naruto as he lifted his bowl and began to eat. After a large slurp he gave Chouji a satisfied smile. "Excellent."
"It is very good. I'm impressed. Thank you," added Temari.
"My pleasure," humbly replied Chouji.
Temari turned toward Shikamaru, whom was eating quietly at his grilled mackerel, and have him a cross look. "Aren't you going to say something?"
He looked at her and rolled his eyes. "Thanks Chouji."
Chouji laughed deeply, "don't worry about it."
The rest of the night went by rather smoothly. Naruto boasted about his prowess and his latest feats, while Chouji and Shikamaru mostly ignored him and either held their own quiet conversation or commenting on Naruto's boasts, typically in a poor light. Even after everyone was done they sat around and conversed hours later. Luckily for Chouji, Naruto volunteered a handful of clones to kitchen duty. Eventually everyone decided it was time to head out and both Chouji and Naruto went their separate ways.
After much bickering outside the restaurant Shikamaru finally broke Temari into letting him escort her to her hotel. It wasn't a bad walk the few blocks over to where her hotel was located and she had to admit, as annoying and rage inducing he was that she truly did enjoy his company and hadn't had this much fun with a person in a long time. He seemed to put so little effort into everything he does but she still found her laughing over a simple comment he made as they made their way down her hotel hallway. They stopped in front of her door in time for her to compose herself.
"Well, goodnight. I surprisingly didn't have too horrible of a time," she said as she searched her bag for her key card.
"You proved not to be too bad yourself," he admitted.
"Told you," she said as she located her key and unlocked her door. She turned to look at him. "Guess I'll see you sometime?"
"Mmmm, maybe," he said with a smile and turned to walk away. "Goodnight Temari."
That morning
Temari made her way pass the daily security routine as she entered the Nara facility and to the place where she typically met Ino for her daily duties. After nearly ten minutes of waiting for her tardy party Temari pulled out her phone and dialed the other blonde's number which, annoyingly, went to voicemail.
"Temari," came a voice behind her. She turned to see Shikamaru walking toward her.
"Shikamaru? What are you doing here," she questioned as she pocketed her phone.
"I talked to Ino and her mother's hand is still pretty sore so she's going to be helping out there instead for a little while. After much arm pulling I agreed to stay as her fill in."
"Oh really?" She asked, mocking suspicious ion. "And your bosses are okay with you slacking on your other 'top secret' project?"
He shrugged. "As long as I get my work done it doesn't matter."
"Well," she stated as she placed her hands on her hips. "So far you're doing a horrible job as my escort. Making me wait this long."
"Already nitpicking? I can already tell this is going to be troublesome."