A/N: Cool! This chapter came up so fast! I know, couldn't stand keeping you in suspense! Oh, and Naruto doesn't belong to me! But Shikamaru belongs to Temari ;)
Chapter 5: Icy Waters
Shikamaru yawned and stretch, then got up and hazily got his bearings. He was in his tent, at the campsite, on the way to the Suna. He stretched again, then folded up his futon and went to check on Temari. Upon entering her tent, the sunlight streamed on Temari's face, ligting up every shape and contour of her features. Shikamaru smiled, admiring the subtle beauty of her face. He crept into the tent softly, not wanting to wake Temari up. Shikamaru rested his hand on her shoulder and smiled softly, she looked like an angel when she was asleep. Then, his eyes fell upon the wounds on her back and he gasped. Shikamaru thought that the wounds looked bad yesterday, but now they were much worse. The yellow pus that was present the day before had thickened into a sickly green substance. The veins around the wound popped up in threateningly bright reds. Shikamaru was unable to look at the severity of the gashes, when Temari stirred. "Shikamaru…" she breathed. Shikamaru looked her in the eyes and was mesmerized by the shades of teal that seemed to sparkle in the sunlight.
Temari held her breath as Shikamaru leaned down towards her, fully expecting Naruto to burst into the tent. She was taken by surprise when Shikamaru's lips met hers. This was her first kiss and she regretted none of it. She eagerly kissed him back, enjoying the warmth and unusual sweetness of his lips. She felt the tip of his tongue lightly trace her bottom lip and she shuddered, letting out a gasp. Somewhere in her ecstatic mind, she realised how far they had gone without being interrupted. Reluctantly, she murmured into his lips, "Shikamaru… Naruto hasn't interrupted us yet. Is he alright?" Shikamaru rolled his eyes and sighed. He pulled back, full of reluctance and said, "I'll go check on him, be right back, wait for me, eh, angel?" He got up slowly and left the tent. Temari was glad that he had gone out as she could not suppress a squeal of excitement. He called me ANGEL! Was the only thought that resided in her mind. However, when Shikamaru lifted the tent flap again, full of worry, she immediately snapped out of her eutrophic state.
Not that far away, Naruto began to stir. He was feeling very uncomfortable, and tried to reposition himself, when he realised he couldn't move. His eyes snapped open and he saw the 6 rogue ninja smiling menacingly at him. "Now, heavy sleepers never prosper!" The head guffawed at him. Naruto looked at himself, his body and mouth was tied by some sort of sparkling string. In fact, the more he looked at it, the more mesmerized he became, it was just so… beautiful. The way the light reflected on them, shining out in so many colours, it was so distracting… No, he thought, panicking, Naruto, look away now! Reluctantly, his body obeyed and he visibly relaxed. The rogue ninja looked disappointed. "We hoped that would keep you busy for awhile. Oh well, we still need you alive." With that, they jumped and seemingly disappeared. Damn it, he thought, if I were awake I would beat the hell out of them! Oh, why oh why must I be such a heavy sleeper?
Temari watched Shikamaru's expression carefully. "Shika… what's wrong?" For a moment, a ghost of a smile appeared on Shikamaru's face when he heard what Temari called him, but then it disappeared again. "They…" he swallowed, "They took Naruto." Temari rolled her eyes. That idiot could put up one hell of a fight when he was awake but when he was asleep, he was like a baby rabbit. She shook herself awake and tied up her hair into her signature four ponytails. She put on her bravest grin and said, "Alright, let's go bring Naruto back! BELIEVE IT!"
Shikamaru, however, did not look amused. "You, Temari, are not going anywhere."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, so it's Temari now, is it? What happened to angel?"
He sighed, troublesome woman,he thought. "Look, this is serious, Temari."
She sighed, copying his expression. "I AM serious, Shikamaru, we've got to get Naruto."
He raised an eyebrow. "So, it's Shikamaru now is it?" Shikamaru grinned slightly at her blush. "You're not going anywhere with those horrible injuries."
Her eyes hardened. "I'm not completely useless you know! My injuries aren't THAT bad!"
He rolled his eyes. "Uh, have you looked at your back lately?"
She mimicked his facial expression. "Uh, I would if I could turn my head 360 degrees!"
"It's horrible, okay! You could die any minute for all I know! We've got to get you to Suna as soon as possible. We can't get distracted, you don't have the time to spare!"
"Oh come on! It's not like I can't stand!" she said, wobbling abit as she stood.
"Why must you always be so headstrong?" he questioned, eyes flashing.
"Why must you always be so lazy?" she retorted.
"Still you love me." He questioned simply.
Her eyes looked defeated for a moment, and her voice was barely a whisper. "I love-d you." She said, emphasizing the past tense.
Shikamaru glanced up, he was unsure of how things had escalated to this point. His voice, too came out meek. "What do you mean?"
She looked him straight in the eye. "I love the Shikamaru that cared so much about his teammates, he cried in relief when he found out they were okay. I love the Shikamaru that would have willingly given up his life to rescue his teammates. I love the Shikamaru who valued the lives of everyone, not just the girl he likes!" she practically shouted.
Shikamaru slumped on the ground. "I can't Temari… I can't go trying to rescue Naruto knowing that I could lose you!" he said at an almost equal volume.
When Temari looked into his eyes, he saw no love, no pity, no sign of weakening. "Too late, Shikamaru. You already have." With that, she walked out of the tent, stoking the fire and preparing breakfast, determined not to speak to Shikamaru more than the bare minimum.
After a painful day of barely any communication, Temari waited until she could hear snoring from Shikamaru's tent before she set off. If he's not going to rescue Naruto, she thought, I will.
A/N: OH THE DRAMA! OHH THE DRAMA! Looks like Shikamaru and Temari are doomed. And weak, injured Temari is going to go after the 6 rogue ninja as well! What would happen next?! :D I am so evil. Tsk. Anyway, that's for your review/follows/favourites! I sincerely appreciate it!