Temari

I quickly slid into a wide black sweater, black stockings and dark red skirt. I didn't bother to do anything about my hair since it would take forever and I was simply too lazy for any make up. I grabbed my purse and left my bedroom. I noticed a surprised look on Shikamaru's face – he certainly didn't expect for me to get ready in only a minute.

My heart was pounding. It was pounding since he entered my flat this morning. I was so confused about everything, about us, about what we are doing, about what he thinks of me, about what happened yesterday. But I had a perfect poker face on. He shall never know how all of this tears me inside. I was still confused about actually liking this guy. Sure he was my friend, probably the best I had, he knew me well. However… He's from another village, he's a complete opposite of me and he's younger, though he doesn't look or seem younger. In fact, it he seems much older than he is. And here I am, making out with him last thing in the evening and first thing in the morning. I felt weak in my legs, remembering everything. I had a vague feeling he knows how I feel about him, even though I do my best to hide it. It feels like he knows everything.

We passed the city center on the way to Kurenai's house. She lived on another side of the village alone with her daughter Asa, who was now 5 years old. We stopped at a sweet shop and Shikamaru got some sweets for the girl. He managed to surprise me by handing me my favorite chocolate candy. I was sure I have never told him about it but he must have noticed it when we were here a week ago.

We went further and I was overwhelmed of the autumn's beauty in Konoha. Most of the trees changed their leaves into multiple shades of yellow, brown, red, orange. It illuminated the village so it looked like some fairy tale. There are no such trees in my desert and I felt a sting of jealousy of not being able to enjoy this beauty more often. I picked up a leaf from an unknown tree. It was deep orange and had red outlining. I soon picked up another one. And another. Shikamaru smiled at me, noticing what I'm doing.

- Planning to pick up them all? – he mocked in a friendly way.

- Yeah, will you help?

He only laughed as I tried to contemplate how a man's laugh can be so charming.

Finally we reached a small wooden cottage with a garden in the back. A small black haired girl ran out of the house screaming:

- SHIKA-CHAN!

Shika-chan? I sniggered to myself silently.

She soon was clinging to Shikamaru's neck, and I saw the sight that outrun the beauty of autumn in Konoha. He was holding her tightly and spinning around, she was cheering from joy, and the smile he had on his face… If you could materialize pure joy and love and affection, that was it, it was him smiling with that girl in his arms.

After a while Shikamaru came towards me, holding Asa's hand in his own.

- Asa-chan, meet my friend. Her name is Temari and she came to visit Konoha from a village in a dessert.

The girl came to me bravely, forcing a huge smile on my face, and bowed, as I did the same.

- It's nice to meet you, Asa-chan. I have a little present for you. – I extended my hand with three pretty leaves.

- Oh my! – She turned around to find her mom, standing by the doorway, and started shouting: - Temari-chan got me maple leaves, mom! – This is how I found out the name of those trees. She turned back to me and thanked me. – They are so pretty!

- So are you, Asa-chan. – I smiled at her.

She ran back to Kurenai and I had to admit she was one of the most energetic and cheerful children I knew. She was a beauty with short black hair, red Kurenai eyes, but the smile she always had on her face was Asuma's. In her knee-length blue dress she looked like a little lady, but in fact she was like a wild kitten. I thought she's the type to climb everywhere, explore places and things, ask a lot of "whys" and curious in general. Later that day I found out I was right.

- I believed we have never been introduced officially, Temari-san. – Kurenai nodded, greeting me.

- It's true, but I have only heard the best about you, Kurenai-san.

- Thank you, dear. Well why don't you two come on inside? The dinner is ready so I hope you're as hungry as I am. – She laughed.

It was a pleasant dinner. We talked a lot about the villages and Ninja Academies and Kurenai was interested in the developmental works in Suna. She also told me that next year Asa will be entering Konoha's Academy and will probably have Shikamaru as sensei.

- Really? – I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Shikamaru never told me he was planning to become a team leader. I looked at him questioningly and he shyly nodded his head.

- Yes! – Asa answered too, clearly super-excited about it. – Shika-chan and Mommy already started training me! I'm a wind user!

- That's really nice, Asa-chan. – I couldn't stop smiling at the little girl. She was adorable. I never knew I liked children.

- In fact, Temari also is a wind user just like you. – Shikamaru informed the little lady.

- No way! – Her eyes rounded up like two little coins. – Will you show me?

- Of course I will. – I simply couldn't say no to those eyes.

After the dinner we took Asa outside, leaving Kurenai to rest and spend some time alone, and headed to the park where I showed her several of my techniques and taught her how to so some things. She was amazed and demanded that next time I come to visit her I bring my fan and I have to teach her even more. I agreed – I enjoyed it more than I thought. She reminded me of my childhood – I remember being as eager to learn as she was.

After a while we came back to Kurenai's house and said our goodbyes. Asa waved us all the way down the street as we walked slowly in the darkening evening.