Shikamaru

I knocked at Tsunade's office doors on Friday afternoon.

- Come in! – she replied.

- You asked for me, Tsunade-sama?

- Yes Shikamaru, I have a mission for you. Only this time it's going to be a little different from what you usually got.

- That sounds troublesome…

- The hidden village of Sand decided to make a Shinobi Academy similar to ours. They are planning to open up in a year and are seeking for some help and guidance.

- It's great. But what that has to do something with me?

- I expect you to help prepare their curriculum and plan trainings and so forth as well as be a guide in Academy and Konoha.

- Ugh… Is that necessary? Can't you find someone else to do it? I'd prefer some shorter missions outside Konoha.

- Shikamaru Nara, you have less school hours than any other employer so suck it up!

- Okay okay… How long are they staying here?

- It's not they. Only one person is coming. And she's planning to stay for half a year.

- She? Half a year? – I raised my eyebrow, having a pretty good guess who is the she.

- Yes. I hope you will also help her in finding a place to live for the period as we can't provide her with any official apartment.

- No problem. And she is…? – I raised an eyebrow.

- Temari no Sabaku.

That name brought one word in my mind: Troublesome. And made me smile.

There has been 2 whole years since I last saw this girl who was exactly my opposite. We used to quarrel all the time, mock each other and laugh it off later. We fought each other at the first day we met, then we fought side to side with enemies, protecting one another and making fun at the same time. She was here for me after I miserably failed the mission, resulting in my friends getting gravely injured. I was with her after Kankurou got badly poisoned and fought for his life lying unconscious in hospital's bed. Back then we were quite close and did many missions together. I still feel like I have a friend somewhere far away behind the dunes. And now she's coming to visit. Maybe not everything's that bad.

Tsunade told me Temari would be coming to Konoha on Sunday afternoon or evening and plans to go to Academy starting Monday. That sounded reasonable. However I used to know Temari quite well. If she didn't change that much, and I presumed she didn't – she will be arriving anytime but the time stated. And since later than Sunday's evening wasn't very likely, I decided on early Sunday morning.

Saturday I went to visit Asa and Kurenai. I asked Kurenai if she's not thinking about trying to find someone to love and help her in raising a child, since it is a tough task for a single mother. Kurenai answered that she might be still stuck with the fact that Asuma died, unable to make peace with that, therefore simply incapable to move forward. She pointed at me, saying "I think you above all know the feeling." I had to agree with her. Asuma's death changed my life so drastically I don't think I will be able to cure myself of that anytime soon. He meant as much as my father to me and deep inside I was still blaming myself for his death.

I spent the rest of my Saturday tidying my apartment and stacking food in my fridge. Usually my flat's a mess but I didn't feel like inviting Temari into that chaos. Not that I cared. Or did I? I didn't have anything better to do anyway. I planned to offer for her to stay at my place at least for a night, or until she finds her own place. The hotels in Konoha are now unreasonably expensive.

I somehow opened one eye reaching for my phone to turn off the alarm. I knew it was Sunday, so what I was doing getting up so early..? Suddenly it struck me and I got up immediately. I need to pick up Temari. I don't actually need that, but I want to. "Wait, what? I volunteered to wake up at 6 am on Sunday to do something unnecessary? What's wrong with me?"

I took a cold shower to help me wake up. I found my dark blue jeans and a black V-neck T-shirt, jumped into my sneakers, grabbed a sandwich and set out to the main gates. Just behind them there was a bench I used to sit when waiting for Temari many years ago when she had used to come to Konoha for various matters. She was an ambassador between two villages back then and I was wondering if she still is.

It was a chilly morning, but I really enjoyed walking outside since the village was completely empty. I only saw two cats running towards each other, stopping to stare before they started hissing and fighting. The mist was floating near the gates as they were close to the big forest. Walking through it made me feel like I was walking into a cloud and for a second I though I'm still in my bed, dreaming. I turned right towards the bench and sat down. I felt the damp soak through my clothes but I didn't mind. For some reason I felt very warm. I closed my eyes and started waiting.

Surely, soon enough I heard silent footsteps approaching. I couldn't see who that was as some bushes were blocking the view but I didn't need to as I easily recognized that walk. After a minute or two, I saw her.

She looked different. Her hair was down and a bit longer than they used to be. She was wearing a black mid-thigh-length uniform dress with a green obi around her waist. She had a huge bag on her shoulder and of course a huge fan, fixed on her back. She was walking as confident as ever, her face was bright and I could tell she was happy. She glanced at me shortly and turned away and I had to ask myself how come I never noticed her beauty before. It was almost ethereal. Golden hair, tanned skin, deep teal eyes, full lips. I could see her perfect lines even through the clothes, and the way her hips swung… I found myself with my jaw hanging a bit from the sight, but as soon as she turned away without recognizing me, I smiled, trying to hold my laughter. After taking two more steps, she stopped and slowly turned her head towards my direction. Her beautiful eyes grew wide when she realized whom is she staring at.