Temari clung onto Shikamaru's arm as they walked into town.
She savoured the feel of his warm body against hers, the sensation of supple muscle under her touch, and the sight of cherry blossoms around the village.
He savoured the gentle presence of her next to him, the soft touch of her hand on his arm, and the scent of cherries in the air.
It felt good to alive!
They walked slowly through the streets in silence, both acutely aware of the other yet both suddenly a little more nervous than normal.
If they had been honest with each other, they would have known how much they both just wanted to stay like that, arm in arm, for the rest of the night.
As they neared the BBQ Restaurant, Shikamaru began to wonder if it was really such a good idea to show up like that. His unease must have been sensed by Temari for he felt her begin to pull her hand away.
"Don't." Instinctively, he stopped her with his other hand as they stood outside the restaurant. She looked at him, surprise in her eyes as he took her by the hand, giving it a firm yet gentle squeeze. He remembered the promise he had made to himself. "It's ok, Temi. I can handle it."
She looked into his eyes then and her face softened. She almost melted at the touch of his hand, and the sound of his voice. "Are you sure? You remember what happened yesterday right?"
He looked back at her for a second before replying, "It's ok, really. Just us showing up together like this will be enough for them anyway."
Temari smiled at him and suddenly he realised how much he wanted to just stand there with her, holding hands, as the world moved around them.
She felt her heart beat faster at the sound of his words. This, this day of doing nothing except being with him was better than the heat of battle, the sun on her face or the wind at her back. It was time.
"Shika, I-"
"Shh", he said gently, pressing a finger to her lips.
She was so surprised by that one simple act she froze in place.
"That can wait. They'll all be waiting by now", he explained. "It may be expected that I show up late but not when you're around", he added more sheepishly, a light colouring coming to his face.
She squeezed his hand in response and he returned the pressure for a moment before freeing his hand reluctantly. Then he offered her his arm again. She hesitated but then he nodded at her.
"You know I don't need you to protect me though, right?", she said playfully punching him on the proffered arm before taking him up on his offer.
Shikamaru looked back at her and winked. "Why don't you let me be the man for a change?"
This made her smile, as a blush began to form on her own face. "Just don't go crying on me, ok?"
He continued looking at her as he smiled back. "Shall we then?"