A/N: Next few ones deal with character death. depressing ik.

Insomniac (T)

Shikamaru loved to sleep. He could never get enough of it. He would waste countless hours lost in his dreams while reality would pass by. But things were different now. The war had 2 ended years ago. There was peace for once. There was no more fighting. No more bloodshed. But there wasn't a certain troublesome someone around anymore. There was peace for everyone except for him.

Shikamaru was now a shell of the man he once was. He ate just enough to survive. He drank just enough to survive. He spoke only when he needed to. His face held no expression or emotion. Hell, he hasn't even shed a tear since that day. When he was off duty, he would go home and stay confined in his room all day. He never looked at clouds and he never slept. He hated sleep.

It had been 4 days since that dreadful mission happened, meaning Shikamaru hadn't slept for 4 days. Every time he tried, his mind would get pestered with the image of her. Her body sprawled across the floor, beaten, bloodied, and lifeless. When it wouldn't be hellish dreams he experienced, it would be soft pleasant memories with her. Her smile. Her scent. Her eyes. Her laugh. He hated it. She was gone and he could never experience it again. He hated seeing her through his dreams. He wanted to see her through his eyes.

At the moment, he lay in his bed with wide eyes. He had no intention of sleeping tonight, about to rack up 120 hours without sleep. The moonlight shone through the open window, illuminating his distressed face. Shikamaru shifted and faced the wall now. His mind was rambling on again. The thought of her poisoned his restless thoughts. He kept thinking how it could have been him instead. It should have been him instead. She saved him at the cost of her life. It all could have been prevented if-

"Shikamaru." His bloodshot eyes grew wide as he recognized the voice. Her stern voice of concern. His mind screamed for him to turn around but his body remained frozen,"Shikamaru. This is not healthy."

After a period of silence, he finally scrambled in his sheets and sat up on his bed. His eyes finally saw her. It was her. Her sea-green eyes, her four ponytails, her confident smile, and just her. They were all actually there.

"T-Temari, I-"

"You need to sleep. Seriously, this is not good for you. You look horrible," Temari crossed her arms and shook her head in disapproval. Shikamaru ignored her concern and darted out of his bed, pulling her into an embrace.

"Temari, you're here." It was barely audible. For the first time since the incident, tears fell from his eyes. Tears of joy and relief, not sadness or grief. A smile forced its way on his lips,"Temari, you're here! Come on, let's go out tonight. There's this crazy thing that happened the other day, you won't believe it."

"No. Look at you Shikamaru. You're losing your mind. I just want you to sleep." She took his hand in hers and led him to the bed. He hesitated and she shot him a quizzical look,"What's up?"

"I haven't seen you in awhile. I thought we could do something at least." A yawn fought its way up Shikamaru's throat and forced itself out.

"Then join me and sleep." She lifted the covers over her and smiled up at him. He returned her smile and did as told. Temari wrapped her arms around him and drove her head into his chest. His arms pulled her to him tight and they took in each other's warmth. They remained in peace and silence until it was disrupted by a voice.

"Temari. I miss you."

"I know and I miss you too. Just don't miss me too much okay? We'll meet each other again someday." Her fingers drew patterns in his back as she lightly whispered.

"Don't leave me."

"I can't promise you that. But I can promise you that I'll wait, however long the time is. Now, sleep." Her grip around his body tightened and she hummed herself to sleep,"Goodnight Shikamaru."

Tears stained the pillow his head rested on. With a heavy heart and a choked up breath, he managed to mutter the three words he longed to tell her. "I love you."

I love you too, Shikamaru...

His eyes lazily opened. The level of redness had significantly diminished. His head wasn't throbbing anymore. He could see clearly now. His eyes glanced over to the spot next to him. Empty. Shikamaru knew it was empty from the start. He was in a state of deliriousness and he envisioned her to be real. To be alive.

After straightening himself out, he paused and sat on his bed. He recalled the events of last night. His lips arranged into a grin. Hallucinating was better than dreaming. At least he was conscious when he hallucinated. So he decided the only way to see her is to avoid sleep. And that is what he did. He became an insomniac for her. Just to see her and spend time with her in his "reality". His health was slowly worsening but he did not care. Restless nights were something he looked forward to now.

Every week, she would visit him once. Only then would he be able to fall into deep slumber. He did not care that he was risking his health or if others concerned for him. Sure it was selfish, but for her he would never sleep again. Temari, I won't keep you waiting any longer...