Temari's Tournament

Part 3

Progress

The night Temari broke down to Shikamaru was a disaster. The two never arriving to dinner had set Gaara and Kankuro off on a man hunt that found their prey in the rock garden. Kankuro had yanked the genius off the ground by the back of his vest while Gaara wrapped his arms around Temari to drag her away. The fact that Temari was crying infuriated the brothers since the fierce kunoichi only cried once a year. The wind mistress allowed herself to quietly cry the night of Gaara's birthday every year, since it was also the day their mother died. Shikamaru tried unsuccessfully to explain, but the two younger sand siblings didn't want to hear any part of it. Temari eventually smoothed things over by talking to her brothers long into the night, but Shikamaru had been sent back to his room through the entire ordeal.

The following days were just as frustrating for the kunoichi. She wanted things to go well with Shikamaru, but every date seemed to be a catastrophe. They still had not even kissed, which was maddening. The two had known each other the majority of their lives, so things should be smooth with Shikamaru and bumpy with the nin from Kumogakure. The exact opposite was what was happening though. The blonde found that her dates with Darui were absolute perfection.

Temari was more than halfway through her week of 'dates' prior to the tournament when Gaara summoned her to the Kazekage office. It was only 8am, so the kunoichi figured that it must be something of significance to interrupt her morning training. The wind mistress had been working on a new jutsu when an anbu found her and informed her she needed to report to the Kazekage tower immediately. The Mizukage, Chojuro, Raikage, Darui, Kankuro, Naruto, and Shikamaru were all present when the kunoichi strode into the office. Temari was wearing full combat duty attire complete with her giant iron fan strapped to her back. Her face was flushed as sweat dripped from her body. "Lord Kazekage," the wind mistress bowed deeply before Gaara who was seated behind his desk. When Temari was in uniform she was serious and straight to business. The blonde's eyes darted to Darui only for an instant, but her face never changed from its serious expression. She noted that the dark skinned shinobi was wearing his usual bored expression with his hands shoved into his pockets from where he stood behind the Raikage. The fan wielder locked eyes with Gaara and reminded herself to focus on him. Shikamaru's heart sank that it wasn't him that her gaze had briefly shifted to.

"There is a very large sand storm coming in that could last for several days," the red head stated calmly. "Please instruct the Kage's and Naruto as to where their shinobi can take shelter and our procedures. I have already activated the usual plans for our citizens. The storm is forecasted to arrive tonight around 7pm."

"Hai, Gaara-sama," she bowed again before she began to give directions to all present. "Water rationing is to begin immediately; this means no baths or showers. Minimal water for consumption and cooking only," the kunoichi demanded being respectful, but firm. "All training and academy functions are to be suspended effective noon today," she proclaimed as she looked from Gaara to Naruto. The hyperactive blonde was the most likely to decide to do some training marathon just prior to the sand storm hitting.

She was Suna's tactician; she planned for these situations far before they ever occurred. The wind mistress continued to explain procedures and delegate responsibilities between the three villages that had the most shinobi currently present in Suna. Temari inwardly braced for Shikamaru to speak up and point out something she had overlooked, but was surprised when he didn't interrupt her. Gaara had already initiated their standard protocols, but due to the large number of people in Suna for the tournament they were going to need additional resources. They had to have sufficient water reserves, food, and basic necessities while securing all of the buildings to insure the least amount of storm damage possible. The sand storm coming in had a mile high lead wall, which would be very destructive by itself, but there was the potential for tornados within. Kankuro had pulled out maps of the village as well as provided Temari the list of current Suna shinobi ready for deployment and spread them across a large table. The blonde explained to each Kage where their people would be assigned to and pointed the locations out on the map. She clarified that they were not to leave their locations for any reason once the storm begins. If there was a building collapse or some disaster that drove them into the storm they had to keep masks covering their mouths and noses to prevent sand from entering their lungs which could cause severe and possibly fatal illness.

Temari and Kankuro went through the rosters to assign all available Sunan shinobi tasks to prepare for the impending storm. The fan wielder frowned as she realized how shorthanded they were. The Raikage silently walked over to Gaara's desk where the two discussed something in whispers and appeared to come to an agreement. "Temari, you can utilize C and Darui of Kumogakure on the walls," the red head interrupted as she discussed with Kankuro the possibility of only three shinobi manning the protective barriers around Suna.

"Thank you, Raikage-sama," Temari bowed deeply. "This will allow me to place Kazekage-sama in a safer position."

Kankuro turned to Gaara to explain, "We are so short handed it was going to be us three manning the towers for the entire storm. Just like old times, ne?"

"You're still manning a tower for the duration, Kankuro," Temari replied curtly.

Naruto piped up enthusiastically, "Shikamaru and I can help!"

"Tch, how troublesome," grumbled Shikamaru under his breath as he shoved his hands into his pockets. The blonde kunoichi locked eyes with him for a second, the look in her eyes indiscernible. Shikamaru immediately felt guilty again and looked at the ground.

The Kazekage stood from his desk and walked over to the table to look things over quietly. "I think I will request that you leave me on the walls, Temari. I haven't had the pleasure of a good sand storm in a while," the red head said softly. "This is ultimately your decision, but I would like to suggest the North tower manned by you and Darui, South tower myself and Naruto, East tower Kankuro and Shikamaru, and the West tower C and Baki."

Temari looked over the papers strewn across the desk, picking up a couple to examine them closer. The kunoichi looked back at her youngest brother suspiciously before answering. "As you wish, Lord Kazekage," the mistress of the wind said slowly as she nodded her head.

oO0OooO0OooO0Oo

Temari stood with her hands on her hips as she looked at the two men in front of her. The sand storm roared outside, the strong winds causing the tower to groan as it was pummeled with sand. Shikamaru had his hands in his pockets with a bored expression on his face. Darui was unwittingly doing the exact same thing before he looked out the window noticing that everything outside was now black. When Darui wasn't looking Temari narrowed her eyes at the genius as she glared at him, which caused the genius to lift his chin and stare defiantly back at the kunoichi. The two quickly resumed their prior facial expressions when Darui turned back towards Temari.

"Kankuro sent you here with an urgent message then?" the wind mistress asked the shadow user warily.

"Yes," the Nara answered as he produced a scroll sealed with the puppet master's chakra.

The blonde kunoichi released the seal so she could see what her brother was up to. Temari had difficulty maintaining her professional demeanor as she glanced over the message.

Sis,

Gaara and I didn't like the idea of you being alone with a guy for a couple days. It's not that we don't trust you, but we're just making sure you don't give in to temptation. Have fun and don't kill anyone!

Love, Kankuro and Gaara

The kunoichi felt her eye twitch as she tried to keep up her cool façade. Why were her brothers so much trouble for her? She couldn't help but wonder if they were trying to kill her.

"OK," the kunoichi sighed as she put away the scroll. She placed a hand on her hip as she looked at the two men again. "Obviously Shikamaru won't be making it back to his post, so there will now be three of us riding out the storm here. We will do four hour watches," the blonde said with an air of authority. "I am taking the first shift. Darui, you will be the second. Shikamaru will be last in the rotation," she ordered. Temari explained where everything in the tower was and what things they should be watching for. "Any questions?" she asked as she turned to assume her post.

"When we aren't on lookout duty, do we need to remain in the shelter downstairs or are we free to move about?" Darui asked sounding bored.

"It's our standard procedure that anyone not on lookout duty remains in the shelter for accountability," Temari answered appearing to think it over. "I think its best we follow protocol," she decided with finality as she nodded her head. "Please go ahead downstairs to rest. I'll see you in four hours."

"Sure," the Nara replied with a smirk. Temari hadn't called him out in front of Darui, which he took as a good sign. Shikamaru had known there was no important message from Kankuro, but he had played along with the puppet master. Why not, it had worked to his advantage. The genius had waited and timed his arrival at the tower for just the right moment. He knew the kunoichi couldn't send him back out into the storm and would have no choice but to allow him to stay. He also realized that Temari would know very well that he had intentionally stranded himself there but he had decided that the benefit outweighed the risk. Shikamaru was willing to suffer the repercussions in exchange for denying Darui the chance to be alone with Temari for what could be days. His concerns may have been unfounded since she had completely switched to shinobi mode; Temari's only objective was completing her assignment. 'That's my Temari,' he thought. 'Always so serious.'

Darui had already started walking to the steps with his hands still shoved casually into his pockets. Shikamaru fell into step behind him, still not realizing that the two had similar posture and habits. The Nara admired and studied the workmanship of the sword the Kumogakure nin carried on his back as he walked. Temari watched the two descend the stairs like long lost brothers, shaking her head once they were out of view. The blonde let out a soft groan as she pinched her nose, wishing that she had just assigned herself to do this alone. It would be so much easier than dealing with this. The kunoichi looked out the window longingly as a light shone in her eyes. "I think it's time to go to my happy place," she whispered softly as she began weaving hand signs. The four pigtailed blonde was surrounded by currents of air, swirling around her to form a protective barrier. She walked out the doors silently and onto the tower wall. Her winds had kept the sand and roaring winds from entering the tower when she had slipped outside. The mistress of the wind knew the north tower and its walls like the back of her hand since she had walked them ever since she was a little girl. The sky was still thick with sand which caused next to zero visibility, but Temari still walked swiftly across the stones with a smile forming on her face. The kunoichi found the location that she wanted with ease then sat down assuming a meditative position. The four pigtailed blonde searched her surroundings with all of her senses. She looked for chakra signatures, unfamiliar sounds, and out of place scents as she listened to the howling winds around her. The destructive winds of a sand storm that she found comfort in.

oO0OooO00Oo

"Come on Hinata-chan, it can't be that bad," Naruto whined as the pale beauty coughed and choked. The raven haired kunoichi had just tried a sip of the Sunan sake the jinchuriki had brought with him. The Hyuga heiress' quickly downed her cup with Naruto cheering her on. The byakugan user's cheeks flushed quickly afterward. "Uhh, well. Ahh. Noo," she sputtered, "Should we really be doing this? Aren't we on lookout duty?"

Gaara looked at her stoically from where he sat with two fingers covering his right eye. "Temari, Kankuro, and I have covered all four walls with just the three of us before. Temari and I can move freely in a sand storm, plus I can send my eye anywhere needed to see what is going on," the Kazekage shrugged. "I can easily use my eye for all our watches."

"That is so cool," Naruto interjected energetically as he poured three more cups.

"Lord Kazekage, should you be drinking though if you are doing all the watches?" Hinata asked quietly.

"I have a high tolerance for Sunan sake," he replied in his monotone voice as he picked up the cup with his free hand. Hinata and Naruto quickly picked theirs up as they all toasted, "Kampai!" then quickly downed their glasses.

oO0OooO0OooO0Oo

Darui leaned against the wall of the main look out room with his arms crossed. He stared at the doors across the room intently. He had arrived for his watch early but Temari was nowhere to be found. The Kumogakure shinobi had sensed her chakra outside heading back to the tower, so he waited patiently. Chakra laced winds began to seep in around the doors just before the kunoichi opened them quietly, not allowing a single grain of sand from the storm into the room. Temari closed the doors behind her before turning back to face Darui.

"Impressive," the white haired shinobi stated softly as their eyes met. "Didn't you say that no one was allowed to go out into the storm?" he asked as he began to walk lazily towards her. The dark skinned man shoved his hands into his pockets as he strode across to her.

"Well, there are a few of us that are exceptions to that rule," the kunoichi smirked. "It was a secret though, so now I'm afraid I'll have to kill you," she teased as she sauntered across the room to meet him halfway.

"Could you make it slow and painful, please?" the tall man murmured playfully in her ear as he leaned over the kunoichi.

"Oh?" Temari exclaimed as she raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realize that you were into that sort of thing," she began seductively. "But I'll see what I can do," she whispered as she moved behind him. The kunoichi moved with lightning speed, it only took several swift movements to have the towering nin on his knees before her. Temari had her fingers on a pressure point in one ear of the sword wielding shinobi while her other hand held a kunai to his throat. Darui smirked back at her since she was wearing quite the smile. Temari leaned over him conspiratorially as she whispered, "How about we make a deal? You know one of my secrets, so you should share one of yours in return. Why don't you tell me about this new position that you've taken?"

Darui's eyes darkened for a moment as he thought about it, his playfulness suddenly gone. Temari gasped as she was suddenly disarmed and lifted off of the ground with amazing speed. Darui pinned her to the floor making sure not to hurt her, but making sure to immobilize the kunoichi. "No, Temari," the white haired nin said with conviction. "I want you to make your decision based on who I am, not what position I hold. I'm not going to take a risk that it will influence your answer. I want you to want me," he breathed with concern clear in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," the blonde whispered as she placed a hand softly on the side of his face. "I was only teasing. I didn't mean to upset you."

"I'm sorry I threw you around a little there," the dark skinned man said softly as he offered her his hand to help her up off the ground.

"Don't be, I started it," Temari smiled as she looked up at him and shook her head. The kunoichi straightened out her uniform before lightly placing her hand on his arm. "I'll see you in four hours." The blonde walked quietly to the stairs and slowly descended from view. Temari glanced at him one last time as she disappeared from sight to see him looking out the window. He was looking out into the storm like she had. He appeared enthralled.

oO0OooO0OooO0Oo

Shikamaru and Temari argued the first hour they were confined to the shelter together. Their voices ranged from yelling to hostile whispers until they finally began to make peace with one another. The couple were finally making progress after the disastrous week they had been having, but it took them being locked up in a basement together to get there.

"Well at least you care about me enough to abandon your post," the blonde commented in a mocking tone as she crossed her arms.

"Tem, I didn't abandon my post technically. I was following orders," the genius sighed as he placed his hands behind his head. The Nara was seated against a wall that he had occasionally been resting his head on. He looked away from Temari to a corner of the room as he spoke slowly, "Let's get to the real issue. Do you even want me here or not?"

The blonde's eyes softened as his eyes came back to meet hers. She walked over to where the genius sat on the floor and leaned her back against the wall. The kunoichi slowly slid down the wall so she was seated beside him. "Do you really have to ask that?"she asked in a defeated tone.

"Yes, because I don't know," the genius murmured looking at her. "It seems like all we have done is fight this week. We usually have playful banter, not full out fights like this."

"I know," Temari groaned. "Yes, I want you here, Shika," the blonde barely whispered as if it was painful for her to say. She looked at the floor in front of her so she wouldn't have to face him. She was still a proud kunoichi, even with everything else going on in her life.

"Then why are we fighting? Yes, I have been a comedy of errors this week with my mouth. I screw up, I say the wrong things at the wrong time. I do learn from my mistakes though," the genius said as he draped his arm over her shoulders. Temari shifted so her head was on his shoulder and wrapped one of her arms around his waist.

"I thought it would be easy," Temari uttered quietly. "I imagined when you and I finally admitted how we felt about each other; it would be all downhill after that."

The Nara smirked, "You aren't the only one." "Some geniuses we turned out to be, huh?" he shrugged as he wrapped his other arm around Temari to pull her close. The shadow user kissed the top of her head as he mumbled, "Troublesome woman."

"You're a little high there," the blonde complained as she looked into Shikamaru's brown eyes.

"Oh, sorry" the shadow user smiled. "How about there?" he chuckled as he kissed the wind mistress on the forehead.

"Cold," droned the kunoichi as she rolled her eyes.

"How about here?" he murmured sweetly as he gently kissed her cheek.

"Nope," the fan wielder said pretending indifference.

"Here?" Shikamaru asked as he pecked the end of her nose.

"Getting warmer," Temari murmured pleasantly.

"Here?" the genius whispered seductively as he trailed kisses down her neck. The kunoichi's stomach turned flips as she felt her entire body temperature rise.

"Not what I had in mind," she managed to choke out as she gasped from the sensation. "But it works."

The Nara slowly kissed his way back up her neck, then across her jaw line as he slid a hand to the back of her neck. He moved his face to mere inches away from the blonde's; his soul piercing eyes meeting her wide open ones. The genius moved his lips towards hers, but stopped just short and hovered there. Temari let a tiny whimper escape her lips as she eagerly waited. "I love you," Shikamaru murmured before finally bringing his lips to hers. The wind mistress felt as if she had forgotten how to breathe as his lips pressed against hers again and again. She opened her mouth in response without thinking, which the shadow user eagerly took advantage of with his tongue. Shikamaru weaved several hand signs summoning his shadows to stand the pair up as they continued to kiss passionately. A moan slipped from Temari's lips as she felt his shadows wrap around her; the sensation was strange but pleasant. The Nara moved his hands to her hips, pulling her entire body against his. They both gasped at the contact, feeling the heat between their bodies, before they resumed their fervent kissing.

Temari lost herself in the sensations, not thinking about anything but how good she felt. The kunoichi's mind snapped back to reality when she felt Shikamaru's hand slide up her body to cup her breast. The feeling was pleasant but she needed to get back control over herself. The blonde reminded herself that she was the Kazekage's sister, the Sunan ambassador, and didn't have the luxury of being a silly girl that got carried away in the moment. The shinobi part of her personality kicked back in to override the pleasure she felt.

"Shika, please, we need to stop," the blonde said pushing him gently away.

"Temari, you don't understand how long I," the genius argued with desperation in his voice.

"I do," she replied firmly. "I need to do the right thing. I'm confused right now, Shikamaru. I need to make my decision with a clear head and not my hormones," she said as she pushed him away with more force. "I can't say that I love you. I'm not going to lie to you," the kunoichi said slowly. The hurt and disappointment were obvious on Shikamaru's face as she continued, "I'm still not sure I can love anyone. Give me time, please, give me time to sort this out."

"I've waited this long," the genius murmured. "What's a little longer?" he asked trying to force a small smile.

"You need to get some rest," Temari commanded as she walked over to her supplies. The kunoichi grabbed her cloak, goggles, and mask then turned to the Nara. "I'll be back before your watch," she declared with no emotion in her voice. The mistress of the wind slipped her cloak on quickly as she turned to leave the room.

"Wait, Temari," Shikamaru said with more force than he had intended.

"Please," was all she said as she turned to look at him. The look on her face was that of a trapped animal. A creature terrified of being tamed. The shadow user's request died as he looked into her blue-green eyes. He simply nodded his head in understanding.

The kunoichi moved with swiftness and grace up the steps as quickly as her feet would carry her. She slipped her fan from its holster from underneath her cloak with ease while climbing the stairs at a rapid pace. The iron fan in her hands felt comforting and reassuring, helping her to regain her composure. Temari climbed the last few steps to the lookout room and found Darui already by the doors watching her entry warily.

"Again, all ready?" he asked softly.

"I need to feel the wind," she answered in a haunting voice.

"As you wish," the dark skinned man bowed moving out of her way with concern clearly written in his eyes.

"One hour," she said softly. "If I am not back in one hour, come after me." The fan wielder slipped on her mask and goggles as she added, "Wear you cloak, goggles, and mask or you will not survive." Temari tucked her fan under one arm as she began weaving hand signs again. The currents of air swirled around her, tossing her cloak and hair around wildly. Then she was gone. The four pigtailed blonde was through the doors so quickly that Darui never registered a change of air pressure in the room. The sword wielding nin from Kumogakure felt a terrifying spike in Temari's chakra as he heard her let out a blood curdling battle cry. He could sense she was hurtling jutsu after jutsu out into the sand storm with horrifying ferocity. The tall young man couldn't help but wonder if that is what she did when she faced his mentor, the third Raikage. He had heard that she led part of fourth division against the resurrected Raikage with the advice of Dodai.

Darui looked out the window since the storm had let up enough that there was slight visibility. He watched silently, occasionally catching glimpses of the wild kunoichi who was blindly attacking the storm. Lightening flashed across the sky but didn't faze her at all; electricity was being discharged from the sand everywhere with no discernible pattern. Temari couldn't maintain her protective barrier with all the chakra she was using, but she battled on while being pummeled by the sand. The white haired nin from Kumogakure watched her in silent awe. He had heard about her fighting style, how terrifying she could be, but had only seen a glimpse of it firsthand when they fought together against Sasuke. The fact that she was able to swing the large iron fan in the midst of sixty mile an hour winds was impressive in and of itself. The kunoichi's rampage lasted for what felt like forever to Darui as he sensed her chakra growing weaker and weaker. The dark skinned man watched her put her fan away and walk to the edge of the wall with her arms outstretched. The mistress of the wind let her head fall back as she spread her fingers wide to feel the currents. The cloak around her whipped wildly in the relentless wind as she sat down in a swift, graceful movement. The kunoichi arranged herself in a meditative position, looking like a monk in prayer. The blonde's head was bowed to the storm and her hands folded in front of her. Temari stopped moving, she didn't even appear to be breathing. She was unnervingly still as her chakra flickered and faded. Darui clenched his jaw as he waited obediently even though his every instinct was to retrieve the woman now.

oO0OooO0Oo

Shikamaru began walking up the stairs of the tower with his hands shoved into his pockets. He yawned and stretched as he neared the top of the stairs, but was already aware that he didn't sense any chakra in the room like he should. The genius suddenly remembered that Temari never came back like she had said she would. The Nara rushed up the last few steps and found the room empty. He immediately checked for signs of an attack or ambush as he tried to sense outside of the building. The doors burst open as Darui strode through with Temari cradled in one arm. The Kumogakure nin kicked the door shut forcefully behind him as he ripped his goggles and mask off.

"Does she try to kill herself often?" he asked as he took the mask and goggles off of the blonde, sand spilling onto the floor around her.

"Yeah," the Nara replied in a bored tone. "She calls it training though."

"Ah," the man grunted as he picked the woman back up and disappeared down the stairs.

"How troublesome," grumbled Shikamaru as he rubbed the back of his neck. 'Just when I thought I had made progress.'

A/N I apologize that this is going to end up a 4 shot. I am not a good judge of how written pages transfer to type. The ending was very difficult for me to write and I still wonder if I should redo it, but I am going to post it the way it is first. It is heart-wrenching in my opinion, but definitely let me know what you think. I am working on getting the last chapter up as fast as possible, but thank you all for your patience.