Temari had been running non-stop for three hours when she decided to stop and have a single glass of water. She knew exactly what she wanted to do when she got home and without delay she marched on. Her mind had emptied as she left Konoha behind, it felt rejuvenating almost. She felt stupid for wasting so much time and energy on crying. Sabaku no Temari didn't cry so much when she was in Suna and that's how she preferred it to be. Tears are an obvious sign of weakness. They show a lack of strength, power or determination. Why had she cried so much?

Shikamaru had fallen asleep. The clouds had an intense tranquil effect on him. Everything that occurred the day before really wore him out. He realized this when he woke up as he opened his eyes. The sky was dark outside and the wind was stronger than normal. After a moment he stood up and sprinted towards Temari's hotel. I need to see her! She won't wait for me! He didn't expect to encounter Naruto on the way.

"Hey Shikamaru, good to see you. Heard you had a rough night last night"

"Who did you hear that from? It was a good night from my point of view" he lied but he wanted to know who was spreading the gossip and kept running.

"Ino actually she's been looking for you and Chouji today but it was like you both had vanished"

"Yeah, I've been busy y'know.. lots of strategies and..."

"You've always been a terrible liar Shikamaru" Ino added.

Great when did she get here? "Hey Ino, seen Temari anywhere?"

"Didn't you know, she's gone back to Suna, left just after dawn"

"WHAT? Do you have any idea why?" he surprised and annoyed. Why wasn't I told?

"Well.. didn't you get a scroll this morning?"

So it was from her after all. Great Shikamaru, just great. "I didn't look at mine yet, I didn't know it was from Temari, it's so unlike her to send a scroll.." he was curious to find out what she had written to him.

"Can you stop running for a moment Shikamaru please? I only need a few minutes out of your time to have a quick talk with you" Ino was slightly desperate to clear the air with her fellow teammate and it was obvious to him.

Shikamaru stopped running when he reached the store, which protected them from the powerful wind. Naruto had conveniently run a different way and Ino arrived a second after Shikamaru had stopped. This weather isn't normal, it's getting worse.

"So, who's the 'woman' you like Shikamaru?" Ino asked bluntly. "Please tell me"

"What the! What does that matter now Ino? Seriously, did you ever find Chouji last night?"

"No. I'm sorry I didn't. As I was running I fell down and broke my arm. Did you even notice?"

He hadn't noticed her wearing a sling and felt guilty. However Ino Yamanaka was a medical ninja, so why didn't she just heal herself?

"I know what you're thinking and to answer your brain thoughts, I'm unable to heal bones, I'm still learning after all" she sighed.

"What did your scroll say Ino?" Shikamaru wanted to know.

"Well.. it was a little unusal.. Didn't sound like Temari at all." She surrendered her scroll to him

Ino-chan

I'm sorry to have to rush back to Suna today; there were still lots I had hoped to learn about you however my duties to my country are important and to my heart. I'm truly happy to have gone to the store that day you were there and hopefully I was able to be a positive impact in regards to your friendship with Sakura-chan. I promise I will send you a bracelet via messenger as soon as I get back home. It was important to me to spend this time with you all. Remember Ino-chan, be true and always follow your heart.

Sabaku no Temari.

Even with his IQ that was over 200 he didn't know what he was reading; it looked so silly to him and didn't make any sense. He looked at Ino, who had looked troubled by her scroll as he opened his scroll. Just what is my troublesome woman up to!

Chouji had awoken in the early morning and headed straight towards the Team Asuma's old training field. He let out his frustrations and continued to even after he was no longer frustrated.

Gaara had spent the whole day looking for Chouji himself and he was annoyed for having to avoid Shikamaru! He had not been there to guide him as he should have. When he finally located Chouji, he was nearly collapsing from exhaustion from over-training. Gaara then asked Chouji to join Kankuro and him at Ichiraku ramen for dinner to which Chouji eagerly agreed to.

They sat in awkward silence eating their ramen when Chouji decided to break the awkwardness.

"So, what did you think about the Eclipse, it was awesome wasn't it?" Chouji talked with a mouth filled with ramen.

"Yeah it was interesting" Kankuro replied with ramen in his mouth too.

Gaara just stared at the two of them.

"Chouji, my sister asked me to give this to you, but before I do I would like you to tell me what happened last night, after we left you." Gaara almost demanded the answer from him as he held up the scroll to Chouji's face.

"Oh last night? Nothing really, Temari was feeling tired so she left for the hotel I'm guessing. Because she didn't actually tell me where she was going. I met up with Shikamaru and Ino and then we went our separate ways" Chouji half lied. He hadn't been sure what Temari had wanted to keep secret from her brothers and wasn't particularly interested in dying either.

Gaara stared into Chouji's eyes and then handed over the scroll.

"I understand if you don't want to show it to me or Kankuro but if you wouldn't mind.. just telling us the feel of the scroll" Gaara spoke with authority present in his voice.

"Um come to think of it where is she actually? She isn't with you? And why a scroll?"

"I don't know, just read it Chouji" Kankuro had become impatient.

Chouji-kun

By the time you read this I will have left the village. In regards to last night I hope that you don't hold a grudge towards Shikamaru or Ino because at the end of the day they are like your family. I've wasted most of my life being unfriendly and hating others and I don't want you to make the same mistake as I have. Sadly I realize that my words won't be of much help to you as much as I'd like them to. But I would like you to know that you are an amazing friend with a heart of pure Gold and I wish you swift healing. I'm sure Ino has her reasons for doing what she did..

Believe in yourself, follow your dreams and more importantly never ever give up.

Mari.

P.S: If my brothers ask, don't tell them what I've written to you in this scroll. I know they might be worried but they must respect my boundaries. So I must ask you one more favour Chouji it will be the last I promise; lie to them. Just this once.

Chouji read the scroll very carefully and found a smile on his lips. Temari had been a real pain to deal with back when the siblings helped attack the Leaf village but since then she had grown into such a gentle caring woman, he was happy that she cared so much about him. Gaara and Kankuro had watched Chouji closely as he read each word, but this boy was a mystery. He didn't show any emotion as he read until he was suddenly smiling.

"I see why you would be worried for her as she left in such a hurry" Chouji spoke with a cheesy smile and tone "However I know that Temari was homesick and that's why she left so quickly" he hoped that this white lie was a good enough reason for her two brothers. He stared at Kankuro, then Gaara, thanked them for the ramen and dashed out of there. Once outside, he felt the storm as it ripped one of the trees out of the ground and he began to feel troubled for Temari who was travelling alone in this dreadful weather.

Gaara and Kankuro paid the tab and began running back to the hotel when they bumped into Shino and Kiba.

"Gaara, Kankuro, you need to collect Temari and get to the underground shelter immediately. This hurricane has already destroyed some of the buildings and trapped some children in the Academy. Hinata's been badly injured and we would appreciate your help to rescue the children. This is a level 1 emergency." Shino spoke clearly with no emotion in his tone.

"Temari isn't in the village, she left this morning! We have to go after her right no.." Kankuro yelled back at Shino turning to look at Gaara.

"Our sister is strong Kankuro, she won't let a simple storm take her down easily. Let's assist these two with the trapped children; our main concern is with Konoha's civilians for the moment and their safety is top priority." Kankuo reluctantly agreed with Gaara, but they had to act like shinobi, not think like worried brothers, and with that they ran with Shino and Kiba towards the collapsed buildings.

Shikamaru Nara.

I had many things to say to you when I arrived to the village yesterday but this is something I really need to let you know. Ever since I first saw you, you have always been a bother to me. I've tried time and time again to figure you out but as much as I try I can't. I've waited for you, but now I'm through with waiting. I cannot believe you as a man, would betray your best friend and with the girl he cares for. I understand Ino and I understand Chouji, but you I have not the slightest clue about. How could you allow yourself to be tempted by her? How could you do this to Chouji? As you know this is the end for my missions, I've decided to accept a proposal from a decent daimyo and will relinquish my title as a Shinobi when I get back to Suna. I think I will miss you a little, you lazy crybaby. Take care of Ino and Chouji and do everything in your power to fix the mess you've made.

Bye.

Shikamaru knew this wasn't Temari, she would never write such foolish words. Why didn't she wait for me, what is the point in all of this commotion? She is sort of right, I made her wait too long and now I have to try.. Before he could continue his thinking Ino screamed when a tree had begun to fall in their direction bound for a power pole. Shikamaru reacted with calmness and precision. He grabbed Ino and evaded the tree just in time before the tree fell on the power pole causing a fire to erupt surrounding the two of them instantly. Konoha was in trouble.