I am sooo sorry! For the long wait and for the short chapter! I've had a crazy few months. Since the beginning of October I got myself another job! I've barely had time for myself or any beloved sleep! Not to mention school! I've had alot on my plate and then bam to make matters more difficult I'm going through a break up! After seven years we've decided to call it quits. It's been a difficult two months or so... Finally hours are slowing down so I have a day or two off out of the week, if in don't get called in as usual -_- I'm originally a temp worker and they will be cutting down ppl in two weeks time so we'll see what happens. Either way I swear I won't stop writing this story no matter how long it takes me to finish it! Anyways! Can i just say... *Spoiler to the ones who by any chance havent been caught up with the Naruto manga!* I Cant believe it finally happened! ShikaTema is official! :'D I can't wait until the movie comes out subbed here I want to see the NaruHina love story :3 I'm fine if there's no moments of our fave couple i'm just glad they've been confirmed :D Well I'll let you all to reading I promise I'll update whenever I get the chance again!
Scratching the back of his head awkwardly Shikamaru finally speaks as he turns around to face Temari. "I guess I'll be going now…"
"Please? So I can finally get the sleep you interrupted. I better wake up on time tomorrow or you'll be the one paying the consequences."
"Tch. As if you'd ever be late. I'm sure you've had days with less sleep."
Laughing at the scowl that she makes naturally appear whenever she speaks Temari retaliates. "Yes, but there's always a first for everything. Be warned Nara I will hunt you down if I don't make it to my meeting on time tomorrow."
A pair of rolling eyes accompanies his reply. "Whatever, woman. It's barely twelve. You still have a chance of eight hours of sleep. The meeting isn't until nine besides we both know you're not like other girls. It doesn't take you hours to get ready."
She smirks, "You got that right."
The troublesome woman held her door with her arm as she leaned on it while they conversed. It was a strange feeling, watching her outside her apartment as she talked this late at night. That forbidden feeling he felt at the pit of his stomach because he knew he'd never tell Fuyumi about where he'd been. He knew there really was nothing to hide but he knew better of the intimidation his girlfriend felt for the woman standing in front of him. She'd never understand the bond that the two carried. Fuyumi, or any other person for that matter, could never level with him not only in an intellectual manner but emotionally too the way Temari could. She understood him in ways that others didn't even when words weren't spoken.
Shikamaru places his hand on the door, centimeters from Temari's staring at her intently while she does the same. Acquiring sweat on his hands because he knows it's wrong that he's there and he should leave even if only a game of shogi happened that night. Shikamaru can't seem to manage movement in his legs though; they're glued to the concrete floor of the hotel.
A slight stir caused by the uneven breathing she is causing him by a simple game of a staring contest and his fingers slide accidently brushing hers as he tries to fix his posture. Their tips touch and he feels a pulse of electricity that is all too familiar, one that only she can create. He knows too well the rush of emotions that he buries deep within as the window she has left open lets in a gust of wind that breezes past her embracing him in her sent that brings shivers down his spine.
His eyes travel down, afraid to look her in the eye at that very moment, instead they fall prey to the smooth looking lightly tanned legs that expose themselves from her fuzzy navy blue bathrobe that is split in the middle. Suddenly, the warmth of her hand leaves his side and he is brought back to reality as she speaks.
"You should go home and sleep, its late Shikamaru."
He can't help but yawn. "Yeah… I haven't had my nap today."
"That explains it. I don't know if you've seen yourself but you look like shit. From my point of view you look like those zombies they play on TV, all pale with bags under your eyes. Naruto working your ass off?" She's smiling evilly at him, that woman feels pity for no one.
"Tch, whatever." He grumbles, rolling his eyes at her which earns him a devilish cackle. "I'm going then."
He puts his hands in his pockets but still he doesn't move. Instead he turns his head around and sees a little boy across the hallway pushing a toy train. Honestly, what is that kid doing up at this time, Shikamaru thinks to himself.
He turns around right on time to see Temari frown at him, "You said you were leaving, but I don't see you moving!"
"You're so loud." He yawns and sticks his finger in his ear. That does the trick.
"Leave my sight Nara before I go get my fan so I can pound you with it!"
With a smirk and a chuckle Shikamaru jumps away from her before she can smack him and waves, bidding her goodbye. He hears her huff loudly and slams the door. Shikamaru grins and continues strolling down the hallway, whatever it was that ailed him has been forgotten; all he can think about is the look of irritation he easily causes her, surely the fact that he can influence her emotions that easily slithers through his mind, and his inner turmoil about Fuyumi is long forgotten.
At least for the night.
The nights have become his secret hideaway.
They usually ended after a long match with the following words slipping out of his mouth, "I should probably go."
Which was code for it's getting late and Fuyumi doesn't know he's with her.
Her usual responses were always a shrug of the shoulders with an 'I don't care' attitude.
She'd walk him out each time and hold the door until he would decide to leave. It usually took fifteen minutes of small talk and another few filled with silence. It became his favorite routine.
Tonight was no different.
"I got us some take out."
"I can see that." Temari says with a raised eye brow and a teasing smirk.
Equally matched with this woman in jabbing at each other was quite a perk and never a dull moment.
"Tch. Whatever smartass." He repeats what she had called him the night before.
The woman laughs but continues the route towards her hotel. He follows.
Facing her back as he walks behind her he carries his feet with a familiarity down the road. Technically it's earlier than usual considering they've just about finished the preparations for the Chunin Exams. So he hasn't exactly been invited over today, not that he was any other day but he follows behind incase she's not up for a game tonight but her carefree attitude suggests otherwise.
Perhaps it's the fact that since everybody knows he's her escort he doesn't care if they're seen together. He was doing his job, if anyone asked.
Shikamaru follows her up the stairs and into her hotel room. She immediately enters her room while he leaves the bag of food atop of her small kitchen table.
He follows…
His feet move on their own accord.
She left her door open so it meant she wasn't changing clothes. No, she's only taking off her beige poncho that protects her from the chilly weather that will soon turn humid. Underneath only a tank top made out of mesh.
He walks in slowly, in case she screams to get out, but it never comes.
Her room is small, and barely has any furniture. Just the bed and the two small nightstands on each side. The only other door is a closet that resides open. He does not like what he sees because it confirms all those rumors. It's filled with dresses.
Shikamaru stands opposite ends of her. He doesn't move anymore, there's a fire boiling in his blood.
"I can see you'll be kept busy next week. You came prepared and everything." Inhaling heavily he lets out the words that ache with the truth.
"Indeed." She raises her eye brow at his remark, crossing her arms in return.
"It must be nice playing dress up while I'm stuck doing all the work."
It makes her snort, his comment, because they both know that last part is a lie. "Yeah right. You? Work? Never."
It's begun; their usual banter but this time it's personal.
He clenches his jaw. Shikamaru knows he has no right but his emotions are letting lose. The numbness is out of the window. He feels, and everything. But that doesn't stop him from thinking rational; he's a genius after all.
"I'm just saying, it must be nice. You do what you want with that boyfriend of yours." He shrugs the comment off like dust but his words come out harshly that even he damns himself for not controlling his voice volume.
"Speaking of boyfriends. How's your girlfriend? Does she know you've been here the past few nights?" She asks calmly, now making herself comfortable sitting at the edge of her bed.
"We're not doing anything wrong." He makes way to sit next to her.
His leg brushes past hers, elbows bump with each other as he leaves no gap between them.
"Everything's friendly between us. We're just having a simple game of shogi. Whether she understands that or not is up to her." Except she didn't even know…
"Yeah, I'm sure Ryota wouldn't mind, he's heard so much about you from his uncle. I'm sure he'll want to meet my friends, since we're official now."
Those last words stung.
It can't be avoided anymore, a night with his own girlfriend. The days had melted away just like the snow and Temari had once left again. Shikamaru solemnly walks the path that leads to Fuyumi's house, dragging his feet more than usual.
He can't concentrate. Not during the movie, or dinner. Although he's really good at hiding it considering he's not much of a talkative person anyways. She hung onto his arm no matter where they went. All he wanted to do was latch away. It would upset her though, so he didn't.
The hollow part of him walking like a marionette with no strings tries to come back to his reality but it deems impossible. It's no longer working….
A breath of fresh is let out as he walks her home because she needs to help her father early in the morning.
To him it's like a slap in the face when the epiphany hits him as he walks back to an empty home.
There's no denying it now.
The feelings he's fought so hard to bury. They'll never go away, not really.
He can no longer play the ignorance card because that no longer leaves him satisfied.
The truth of HER words have stabbed him right in the heart.
And he's living this miserable life now…