Caught musing, they both looked up at the same time.
Shikamaru was caught by the look in her eyes. She looked...unsure? Childlike even?
That wasn't like her at all.
Temari looked at him, willing him to say something.
The churning in her stomach was overpowering.
Still unsure of himself, Shikamaru decided nonetheless that Temari of the Sand had never looked more lovely.
The heat in her face only served to accentuate her loveliness.
And that although she was a most troublesome woman, that it would be even more troublesome if she left him alone. He didn't want to be without her.
Temari decided that Shikamaru looked so grown up and that if she hadn't known, that they were of the same age. Temari thought he looked dashing and mature in his hakama and kimono. Altogether the man of her dreams.
She was glad the soft lighting would hide at least some of the colour that he caused to rise to her face. And that her brothers hadn't insisted on serving as chaperones.
This was nice.
Needing to think strategy, he searched into the cup of tea in his hands.
Then he heard his father's voice in his head, "You have fought some crazy evil villians in the past. You can do this."
To which he replied in his head "I know Dad. But this, this is something else. You were right. Women are just troublesome."
"Yes my son. But that is why we need them. For without them, life would be like a blank sky everyday. We need clouds and rain too. And that's where troublesome women come in."
"Wow! I understand now father." Shikamaru knew when he was beaten.
With resolve in his dark eyes he looked up at the lovely Sand ninja again.
Her teal eyes so large and luminous, shining bright like the stars up in the sky. He felt them calling him.
She looked back at his dark eyes. Pools of shadow, mystery and something else that drew her in. She felt pulled by something deep within him calling out to her.
Caught staring and feeling her face heat up even more, Temari placed her fan by her side and stared intently at it as if searching for answers.
The Samurai from the Stone village claimed that their souls resided in their swords.
Well, if that were the case hers was in her tessen.
It had served her well on the battlefield. It had defeated many enemies. And it had saved both of their lives in the past. For which she was glad. Even if he could be prone to laziness at times, Temari always looked forward to their encounters.
Normally when caught in difficult situations, she would cut straight through with her fan.
So what's stopping you now?, she thought to herself.
Resolve returning, Temari tightened her grip on her tessen as she looked up at the Shadow Jutsu ninja.