She watched him sitting across from her, thinking how much he had grown up since the first time they had met.
The soft light made shadows in the room and that only reminded her how of his power. His Shadow Jutsu technique as well as his powers over her. He had rendered her speechless in their very first encounter in the arena and he could still do it to her now. But they were no longer children now and this encounter was a lot more serious.
She felt nervous. And that was not normal for Temari. Not unless she was around him!
Normally, she would tease and hit him, but now maybe she needed to be more like him and just let things happen.
It was not really her style but she had slowly been learning this from him through the time they had spent together over the years.
She admired that in him, his ability to stay calm no matter what.
She teased him about being lazy and all that but really, he just didn't waste energy on things that didn't matter.
Like a deep and powerful river whose power was only evident in the depths. He was her rock and she never wanted him to stop being there for her.
And as he watched her in silence, he couldn't help thinking how lovely she looked.
The soft light of the moon through the window paling in comparison with her more radiant beauty. How she was the one who lit up his life, even when she wasn't there.
How all he saw in the clouds lately had reminded him of this lovely kunoichi seated across the table from him. Well, if he really honest with honest, lately had actually been a longer time than that.
He always looked forward to her visits, even if he had never told her to her face. Because she brightened up his days. And if he wanted more, he would have to charge in like she normally would.
He had never seen her back away from a challenge and that was one of the many things he loved to watch. When she got worked up over something that to him was trivial. But it didn't matter, because Temari in full flight was a scary, but beautiful, thing to behold.
Like a raging fire she was, so full of power and passion. He only called her troublesome because he didn't know what else to say to her. She was his light and he never wanted it to go out.
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.
Temari decided that Shikamaru looked so grown up and that if she hadn't known, that they were of the same age. And 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.