Temari

I was getting more and more drunk and my glass of wine seemed to never get empty. No surprise, as Ino kept refilling it. Some music was playing in the background and I was moving to rhythm, chatting with TenTen about her new job and glancing to Shikamaru over her shoulder. All of the guys wore shirts and looked quite fancy but I fixed my gaze on Shikamaru, deciding he looks way too good in black.

We continued the evening by playing some board games, the last one involved describing and acting out various perverted stuff to your partner while he had to guess what you have on the paper you're holding. Sakura paired us so TenTen was with Neji, Hinata with Naruto, Ino with Choji, Kiba with his girlfriend Reila and Sakura with Sai. I was stuck with Shikamaru, of course. Judging from the smile she gave me, I knew instantly she suspects something but I had to go with this now, trying not to raise any more ideas in her mind.

Ino and Choji won the game, both being quite blunt and confident, and Hinata and Naruto lost, mostly due to Hinata's shyness. She couldn't make herself describe or do some things, so she just kept reading the paper, with her face red. Me and Shikamaru were second to last because of similar reason – I couldn't do it. I was simply too embarrassed and went speechless whenever I read something. I guess my lack of experience kicked in even though it was hard for me to believe, knowing how blunt I am. Also, Shikamaru's smirk did not help me concentrate. I did a little better when I had to guess Shikamaru's word. He was much better than me and didn't feel too ashamed, acting out some perverted idea someone had written.

To my relief, we finished the game soon and after taking some shots we headed to the club. We managed to be noisy: plenty of laughs and screams while the boys followed behind, being a bit more conservative but also bursting to laughter once in a while. I turned my head slightly, to see Shikamaru laughing and hitting Choji's shoulder with his fist. I wondered what they were laughing about. I also wondered if he will ask me to dance. I admitted to myself I wanted his attention badly.

We stepped into a club after showing our ID's and descended down the stairs to the dance floor. Ino had ordered us a table so we began with sitting there and sipping some drinks. I ordered only lemonade as I felt I might get too drunk like I did yesterday. Soon enough we headed to the dance floor, forming an awkward circle. Some of our couples separated from us and went to dance one on one, while me, Sakura, TenTen, Neji and Shikamaru danced in that circle, while Sai went to the bar. I kept my eye on Shikamaru and the way he moves. I had to admit he was really good and that was totally unexpected. I didn't think he'd be good at dancing, but he really seemed to be enjoying himself. He was actually better that any boy who we came with. Suddenly as the DJ changed the song, he grabbed Sakura by her wrist and pulled her outside, leaving us three to ourselves. Those two were dancing directly in front of me and I felt a sting of envy. Sakura couldn't take a smile off of her face while he was spinning her around and lifting her up in the air from time to time. I noticed she tiptoed, came closed to his ear and said something, causing him to smile rather shyly as he answered her. She grinned widely at him and they continued dancing. I couldn't take that anymore and decided to go somewhere. I told TenTen I'm going to the bathroom and she came with me as Neji went to get some drinks. I sat in the booth with a concerned stare to the doors, contemplating what should I do. I felt getting less drunk minute by minute, so I decided to fix that. Me and TenTen headed towards the bar as Neji caught her and pulled her to the side, engaging her into the dance. I also noticed Sakura and Sai dancing quite closely. I took a look around, trying to look careless but in fact I was searching for Shikamaru. And I found him, standing with a drink in his hand next to our table. We fixed the stares to each other and I felt an unnerving sting inside of me followed by the rush of adrenaline my suprarenal glands just released. I continued my way to the bar and when I turned around, Shikamaru was gone. I ordered some cocktail and started thinking of a way to seduce him again, when I noticed him soon enough, this time dancing with some sexy looking black haired short girl with a mini dress. She was swaying in his arms, unable to look away, while he had a familiar smirk on his lips. He lifted her up and swung her around, letting his hands travel through her body, feeling her legs and her ass. I was simply staring, trying to manage my envy, but I was failing at that. I felt even more devastated when Shikamaru lifted his eyes to meet mine the moment that girl was kissing his neck and he was gripping her ass. His look stung me like a kunai. It was the slyest look he has ever given me and his lips turned into a smirk as he put his hand over the girl's head, not taking his eyes off me. It was a nasty way of flirting, provocative way and I decided to feed him his own medicine to see how he reacts.

In a moment I felt someone's hand on my waist and I turned to see some nice looking blond guy, trying to invite me to dance with him. I left my drink unfinished and nodded, even though probably I'd have never done this in a different situation. I let him move my body and seductively placed my hands on his chest, showing off as best as I could until a poor guy started trying to kiss me. I kept glancing at Shikamaru but that bastard didn't even notice I got a date as well. After several more minutes of the blonde trying to grab me I ran away back to the bar, continuing my drink. I sat there, flirting with the guys and getting plenty of attention I wanted to get from someone else, but still enjoying myself.

Suddenly I noticed someone sliding next to me by the bar. I turned my head to see Shikamaru. He still had his sly stare and a smirk. Maybe it was his clubbing expression? I got to admit it was very effective and not only on me. Many girls were checking him out and trying to dance nearby for him to notice.

- Having fun? – he asked, after giving money to the barman, buying something.

- Why yes I am. – I smiled confidently, but feeling frustrated inside. – How about you?

This was stupid. I liked him. I knew he liked me. Yet he clearly showed he was not about to invite me to dance. I wondered why. He wasn't shy, he had his way around girls.

- Aaah, nothing too exciting. – He rolled his eyes, indicating how bored he is. I knew that was a lie. Meanwhile the barman poured two shots of tequila in front of him and he took one of it and put it in front of me. – Shall we?

My head was working like a little computer, trying to figure out the situation and what should I do. I sure as hell won't let him see me disappointed or sulking.

- Sure. – I said and licked the salt of my hand, following it with tequila and lime. It was disgusting. – Feh!

- I know, I hate it too. – He laughed, still frowning from the taste.

At that moment DJ changed the song and me eyes slid to Shikamaru's. My heart started pounding and I gulped down some ball in my throat, gathering my confidence, before leaning close to him with a smirk on my face and asking:

- Dance with me?