Moments

Chapter 7: Goodbye

Time sure flies. It was hard to believe that chuunin exam ended six months ago. Even though operation to eliminate the rebels was a success, Hidden Sand had suffered a lot of casualties. Countless spies were found in the middle of every major branches of Sand's controlling offices. It took some more time to rebuild the whole system and regain total control. It took two months for Hidden Sand to recover. And three more to make sure that rebels won't cause problems again.

Although the recovery of the Hidden Sand village was good news, the fact that there might still be information leakages in the other countries was still an issue. Countless investigations continued long after the chuunin exam.

And no matter just how many times Kage would meet, exchange their intel, invite their special spies... there was nothing.

And nothing was the most suspicious.

Attack on Hidden Sand proved that other villages were involved, when bodies of Mist and Cloud shinobi were found among the attackers.

And yet, there was nothing.

And for today's meeting the situation was still the same.

Raikage was raging again. Nobody seemed to mind it by now.

No matter how hard they were looking and what means they've resorted to, everything was useless.

And that was frustrating.

The meeting would end up fruitless again. And everyone here already knew that.

"We haven't found anything in six months." Mizukage started the sentence everyone was thinking by now. "Maybe it's because there's nothing to look for."

"You're too naive, Mizukage!" Raikage was shouting.

"What if it is actually safe to assume that Kazekage eliminated their major forces? And all we doing now is just chasing our tales."

"I would agree with Mizukage on this point." Old Tsuchikage said. "Looking further would be just a waste of our time."

"You're growing old and lazy, Oonoki!" Raikage clenched his fist.

"I believe it's just an act." Kazekage raised his voice. "They let us notice them. And tracking them was almost impossible even when we knew what to expect. I believe it's a part of a bigger plan."

"I would agree with Kazekage." Kakashi raised his voice. "It's a part of a plan. I suggest we play along. And make an appearance that we believed them."

"That makes sense." Mizukage added. "If we want to lure them out, we have to be smarter about it."

"How about we seize all investigations?" Tsuchikage gave a sly smirk. "And exchange our special spies? This way whatever happens in one village can safely be known by an outsider. Chances are that we won't be able to rely on our usual means of communication again if anything were to happen to any village."

"Good thinking." Hokage said.

Kazekage nodded.

"Do we have any objections?"

"Not from me." Mizukage raised her hands. "Raikage?"

"I guess this will do for the time being."

"That means I'm sending Sasuke Uchiha to Hidden Sand."

Gaara agreed.

"We'll be sending..."

It was only after a month since the last Kage meeting when Hidden Sand sent a messenger. Something that might have been of a great importance was excavated from rebels' hideout.

In the past six month Shikamaru already used to see the Sand Siblings around. Was it investigation after exam, scheduled Kage meetings or Union gathering, the chances would just present themselves. When all five Hidden Villages were collaborating this close you tend to forget about the distance.

And yet this last month reminded him of it.

For the first time after actually being this close, the distance felt devastating.

"This doesn't look like much." He had to admit eventually. The important discovery was just a piece of embroidered cloth.

"We though so too, at first. But if you look closer over here..." Temari leaned forward to show almost invisible silver line separating cloth in two. "Shikamaru, are you listening!?"

Well, he wasn't. He hurried to look at the 'discovery' instead of Temari's face.

'You're too close.' He thought to himself, trying to clear his mind.

"What does it remind you of?" She asked again.

Silver line separated the cloth in half. But if you actually look closer, it wasn't just two parts, right over the torn edge the line split. This particular piece gave a hint that there should be more.

"It looks like a map."

"Exactly."

"Did you find anything else?"

"No, but we're still looking."

"So you want Leaf to investigate this?"

"Unfortunately the better half of our experts were among the rebels. And there's no time to train new ones. We have no other choice but to rely on you this time."

"I'll see what we can do."

She nodded.

"When are you going back?"

She looked outside the window. It was already dark.

"Tomorrow morning."

"Any plans for the evening?"

She looked at him and smiled.

"Not yet."

Shikamaru smiled back and stood up.

There weren't many places to go at this hour, but it didn't really matter as long as there still was some time left before she had to leave.

"Leaf's wind sure feels different."

Night breeze was gently blowing on the top of Hokage Rock. From up here village looked really small. It was hard to believe that those were actually places for people to live. Tiny pedestrians looked more like ants.

Wind was playing with Temari's hair as she sat down on the very edge.

"So gentle." She said with a faint smile. "I like it."

"Is that so?" Shikamaru didn't really care about the wind. Ever since she arrived today, he couldn't take his eyes off her. Nothing really changed since the last time they've met. It was only the way Shikamaru was looking that was different. Somehow minor details about her seemed important to him now. A golden strand behind her ear, her neck half covered by a collar, her fringe messed up by the wind. Everything seemed way too important. "You shouldn't sit there."

"I won't fall."

Of course, she won't.

But he still stretched his hand to her.

Temari raised her eyebrows as if asking 'Really?'. Shikamaru turned his eyes away.

Her smile when she took his hand was a bit different.

It was a second later, when he realized just what it meant.

One swift movement and he suddenly lost his ground. One more second and he fell right into the grass. Temari was on top of him looking right into his eyes.

'Too close!'

"You..." she started quietly. Shikamaru felt his face turning red. "...lack training!"

"Ha?"

She pushed herself away on the grass beside him.

"Seriously, you could have totally see through that move." She rose on her elbows to see his face. "Office job is no excuse to skip training."

He sighted.

"What a drag..."

Temari stayed herself till the end. Not even being this close could faze her out. He was looking at her again, this time paying attention to the grace of her movements and body lines behind her clothes. Suddenly plan of revenge came to his mind.

"Temari." He was looking her straight into the eyes. "You look beautiful tonight."

It worked. She lost her concentration, even if it was for a split second. Her eyes widened and cheeks went pink. No matter how fast she took back control over her emotions, that second was enough to make it too obvious to deny.

"See?" Shikamaru said. "You lack training too."

She burst into laughter.

"You're so cute. I love you!"

Shikamaru could hardly believe what he just heard. And yet, there was nobody else, just the two of them lying in the grass, a starry sky above and whole Leaf village below. And she actually told that she loved him. That couldn't be true.

"Do you mean that?" Shikamaru's heart was beating like crazy, he could hardly hear his own voice.

She stopped laughing. It was her usual serious face again, when she looked at him.

"Shikamaru, do you even know me? When do I say things I don't mean?"

That was true. Even though a normal girl would shy away and put her confession into more gentle words. Well, Temari wasn't a "normal girl" from the start, and he actually preferred it this way. Being with a normal girl would be so goddamn boring, and Shikamaru already gave up on his average life dream. A ninja should see the underneath of underneath. Despite the tone of her voice Shikamaru already knew what was behind the protective facade and sarcastic words. There was no better or "normal" way of saying it, not for Temari. And Shikamaru felt extremely happy to the point when his heart was ready to burst out from his chest.

One swift movement and he was on top of her. Just an arm length distance, but still closer than ever.

"Well? What is my answer?" She demanded. You wouldn't expect her to be shy all of sudden.

"An answer, huh?"

He rolled this word over his tongue, trying to put his own feelings into words.

"Don't even think to telling me it's too troublesome. I'll kill you."

He couldn't stop himself from smiling.

"Now THAT would be too troublesome."

She giggled.

Her mood changed in an instant again. From calm to fury, from serious to laughter. That's who Temari was. She didn't just control the wind, she was the wind: a fierce gale, a gentle breeze, a steady blow that was pushing forward. It was all her, and no matter how unpredictable it is, she was never fake. That was what he loved the most about her.

"You better don't go back on that words." His voice sounded unexpectedly serious. "Because I'm not letting you go. Ever."

That's when you expect a girl blush all over. And yet, Temari's eyes narrowed and a smile disappeared.

"Wait a minute. Out of the two of us, you are the one who is most likely to back out, just because it's going to be too troublesome."

That... was true.

"Not this time. I won't."

"Why? Because looking for another girl will be too troublesome?"

"Nah," he moved closer and whispered right in her ear: "Because I love you too."

With just that her defenses are down. Even though the words were expected, even though she demanded it, even though she probably knew all along, she still wasn't prepared to hear it like that. Well, it was more likely for him to say something like "what a drag" to a confession, and yet...

She looked startled - eyes widened, and a little blush on her cheeks. She probably swallowed all the words prepared to fly out from her slightly opened lips. Shikamaru gently touched her face. At that moment he was glad that she would never show this expression to the world. She was way too stunning and Shikamaru was ready to kill anyone else who would see it. That particular face of hers belonged to him only.

With just that he kissed her.

Another thing that felt different.

The distance between them was close to zero. And yet, it wasn't enough.

'Closer!'

One single thought was raging through his mind.

Just lips were not enough. His kisses would move down her neck to the tiny bit of skin unprotected by clothes.

Clothes...

Suddenly he felt that they were in his way.

That was the moment he realized he'd lost control.

"Sorry... I..." his voice sounded rusty. It took him a moment to slow his breathing.

"It's... okay..." she replied in small voice. She bit her lip, probably to hold back some words she would definitely regret. Her cheeks were bright red, her hair and thoughts completely messed up.

"We should probably head back." He stood up. "It's already late and you have to leave early in the morning."

"Yeah," she too tried to escape the awkward moment. And yet Shikamaru caught himself staring at her neck again and then lower, until he saw a little red spot on her collarbone.

'Oh, God! What the hell am I doing?!'

Temari rose to her feet too, and they started walking in complete silence putting enough space between each other. And even though the distance was killing both of them, a single touch would make them loose control again.

It was a very long walk back to her hotel room, with the hearts beating louder that the words could ever sound. It was awkward, but it wasn't silence at all.

The road ended before they've even noticed. The way up the stairs to the room, and here again there was silence instead of goodbyes, the distance closing in the narrow hallway. The door was opened and yet it nobody said a word.

"Well, I'll be off." Shikamaru broke the silence. "Have good night."

He didn't move an inch.

"Yeah. You too." Temari replied.

"You should go in."

"You should go out."

They've remained still.

"Then, I'm going." This time he gathered all his will to make one little step towards the stairs.

He was the one to break the silence. But it was her to break the distance. Before she even realized what exactly she was doing, Temari grabbed his arm.

"Don't."

"What are you doing?"

"I don't know. I just don't feel like saying goodbye yet."

All his will was not enough to hold back now. He turned around to look at her face all flustered and confused. A certainly a new look on her, but it still was tempting.

Their lips will meet again in passionate and greedy kiss. He would lift her up, like she weighted nothing and a hotel door will close behind his back. Then there will be a long struggle with clothes, until the distance will cease to exist.

Shikamaru woke up thinking it was a dream. And yet reality claimed otherwise. She was still here, sleeping silently in his arms, her golden hair scattered across the pillow. Her sweet flowerish smell surrounded him, making it impossible to resist the temptation of continuing what was started previous night. He remembered her touch, her smell, her voice. And it was enough to make him long for more this very second.

"Good morning." She murmured in sleepy voice.

He pulled her closer and buried his face in her hair. Sweet smell became stronger.

"Yeah."

It was too beautiful for reality.

"Temari," he called. "Why did you do that?"

"What? You didn't like it?"

"It's not about that. It's just... I have no idea how I'm supposed to let you go now..."

She didn't know either.

"I'll be back before you know it." She said eventually.

"That's a lie."

She didn't argue with that.

"I'm still here, in case you didn't notice." She moved away to meet his eyes.

Just like that she would bring him back to reality. Like she always did with those serious eyes staring right in his soul.

"Yeah, you are..."

When he kissed her, she was smiling.

Hidden Leaf village was just waking up when they've reached Main Gates.

And yet Shikamaru wasn't ready to let go of her hand.

"When's going to be next time?" He asked.

"I don't know. Knowing the state of the world we live in, something will probably come up pretty soon. There's always a reason for me to visit the Leaf. Don't worry. It won't be too long."

At this point, even the other second would be too long. But he only replied with simple:

"Yeah."

"It's time." She was the first one to let go.

"Be careful."

"You don't need to say that."

Steps. She was walking away confidently as usual. Yet, each other step was somehow smaller than the previous.

Eventually Temari stopped for a split second, and the next moment she was running back. It was a long desperate kiss, and when she let go, there was a glimpse of regret in her eyes.

"These goodbyes are getting harder, eh?" She whispered. And next moment pushed herself away. "I'm off."

She ran off before she could change her mind.

"Take care."

It was hard enough to let go. But it was probably even harder to leave. If it was any normal girl, she would probably cry and make a scene. It would probably be ugly and troublesome. And yet he still couldn't say he'd prefer it this way. At this point, he'd preferred for her to stay.

"You're lucky guy." It was the same guy on guard duty. "She's a real beauty."

"It's not about the looks, you know." Shikamaru said and walked back home.

He tried to be quiet about it, but...

"Who is she?"

Talking about troublesome. It was his mom.

"What are you talking about?"

"The girl you've spent the night with. Who is she?"

His mom had unusually thrilled expression on her face.

"I was in the office..."

"Don't try to lie to me! I saw you two together yesterday!"

She wasn't lying. And she was really excited about that too.

Shikamaru sighted.

"Hey, mom... love is troublesome, isn't it?"

Now she was surprised. And then her expression softened.

"You really love her, don't you?"

He hesitated a moment, but then gave another sight.

"Yeah."

"Then what's wrong?"

It was the first time when they've talked about it. And first time they've really talked since he took the job in Hokage's office. But somehow he felt a lot closer to her, ever since his father died.

"She's from Hidden Sand. And I have no idea when she's coming back."

"How about inviting her here next time?"

Shikamaru turned to his mom surprised.

"Are you sure? I mean, wouldn't you normally go crazy about stuff like that."

"Well, it's my first time seeing you this desperate about a girl. I remember you used to say that women are too troublesome to deal with. "

Shikamaru scratched his nose to hide embarrassment.

"She's not the rest of them." He said and rushed to his room.

"Don't forget to invite her here next time! I'm really looking forward to it."

When he closed the door and fell on his bed face down, he only wished for another meeting to come around sooner.

Hidden Sand village was slowly going to sleep. The balcony in Kazekage's residence wasn't as high above as Hokage Rock, but people still seemed tiny. Temari was looking at the sun setting down. It was already cold outside, enough to make anyone shiver. The days here, in Hidden Sand, were always shorter.

"What's wrong, sister?"

He probably just came back from his office, overloaded by papers as usual. The job of a Kage was indeed honorable, and yet, he hardly had any free time. For Gaara to come home at all was already rare.

He never called her 'sister' in the office. But at home it was different.

"What makes you think anything is wrong at all?"

"You seem sad."

"That's not true."

"You seem sad every time you come back from Hidden Leaf." He tilted his head. "But every time you leave, you seem happier."

As observant as always.

"You're thinking too much about it, Gaara." She said with a smile. "I just feel trapped spending all the time in one place. So I'm actually happy to travel around. That's it."

He was looking at her in silence.

"I think, you are lying, sister."

"Why?"

"Because you wouldn't be crying if it was true."

"I'm not crying." Temari was surprised.

"On the inside."

Maybe, it was wrong of her to treat him as a child. Even though sometimes he looked like adorable little animal to her, he was still Sand's Kazekage - a man grown. She never noticed the fact, that he was taller than her already. Her baby brother had actually grown up.

"It's nothing, really." She gave up.

"Tell me." He came closer.

He wanted to help from the bottom of his heart. 'So cute!' She thought seeing determined look on his face.

"There's someone... special to me in the Leaf." She said waiting for his reaction.

"Special?"

"Of course, you and Kankurou are special to me as well. But that man... he's different."

Now he understood.

"Special... means love?"

"Yes. Different from a family or friends. That kind of love when you want to spend your whole life with one person."

He though it over carefully.

"I... don't really understand that kind of love." He said.

"I know. That's why I told you - it's nothing."

"If you love that person, it's not nothing." He turned around to face her. "Sister, I want you to be happy."

That startled her for a while.

"I am happy."

"Not like that." He paused. "You've always given up your own happiness for us. Sacrificing your life for us. Neither me, nor Kankurou will ever be able to pay you back for everything you've abandoned for our sakes. That's why I want to help you. I want to make you happy."

He looked so serious at that moment.

"I am happy, silly." She smiled again. "Look at you talking like a real adult. I might get the idea that you don't need me to take care of you anymore."

"I will always need you, sister." He smiled back. "But I don't want to rob you of your happiness anymore."

"It's not that simple."

"I'll do whatever is in my powers."

"Then... don't tell Kankurou about this for a while. Or he will go crazy." She laughed. "I might have spoiled both of you too much."

"I understand." He didn't know what facial expression to show.

'Like hell he'd grown up!'

Author's note: Told you this story is M rated, haha.

This chapter was extremely hard to write. Not the end, though. I wonder when did I stop writing innocent vanilla like stories, where everything was romantic enough even without kissing and stuff… Those times are over, seeing the last scenes coming out so naturally now… Do the chapter's name suggest a break up scene? I kind of hoped it would. I love misleading titles, hehe.

The hard part was the beginning. Since everything after "I love you" I wrote weeks ago, I needed some story to connect it to the main plot. It was only after Kage meeting was over that I've realized something. They have to be alone for the part! And for the goodbye scene. I've messed up! It took me half day suffering to come up with decent connection. Another half I was researching whether there is grass on top of Hokage Rock. I'm hopeless fool, but I'm satisfied with the chapter.

Hope you too!