Chapter 3
SHIKAMARU
He stood behind the starting line, where the relay girls had placed him. He was still holding Temari's jacket and their file, that had their keys and schedules. He had just two jobs : a guided tour and hand over the keys…. It was a pretty easy job and somehow he'd lost one kid, embarrassed himself and his council and they were now in an unsanctioned inter-collegiate race - which was becoming increasingly popular. The relay girls sat on the bleachers and a crowd had appeared to record that race.
The girls were crouched down beside each other at the starting line. it was an odd sight seeing Tenten in her zipped up track gear gear and Temari in a turtleneck and tennis skirt. She wasn't even wearing running shoes.
"Ready!" A voice shouted out.
The two girls crouched on the floor and with their hips in the air. Shikamaru respectfully pretended not to notice Temari's dark blue panties riding up between her cheeks, and tried to focus on the finishing line, though his eyes did travel back to her legs.
The whistle screeched through the air and the girls pushed off. The crowd cheered as the girls clawed through the air, pumping their arms and legs as fast as they could. Temari was an inch ahead of Tenten, and as they ran, the distance remained. Tenten was effectively the fastest girl on campus. but try as hard as she might, Temari was unyielding. Like a bullet or a wild stallion, she didn't let up for a second.
At the last few metres, it looked like the girls would be neck-and-neck but almost immediately, Temari launched herself further to eventually pass the finishing line first.
Shikamaru could only describe it as if the wind itself favoured her. As Temari slowed her run to a jog, he watched her face change completely. Her mouth stretched into a huge grin and her eyes crinkled. Her laugh travelled through the air.
Was womens' sports always so exciting? Perhaps he ought to pay more attention. He walked up to the line, relieved to see the girls shaking hands.
"You're a legend," Tenten said in admiration between pants.
"You're not so bad yourself, kid," Temari told her, standing victoriously with her hands on her hips. Her face was covered in sweat but from her refreshed expression, you'd never tell she just ran for her life.
"Why weren't you there last season? You would've broken your own record," Tenten asked.
Temari shrugged the question off. "Other commitments," she said in a low tone.
Temari turned to Shikamaru and he felt his heart jump at the sight of her face. Her eyes were shining and her cheeks flushed a light pink.
"Kankurou! Gaara!" With a big grin on her face, Temari raised an arm and waved to the people behind him. "He's going to show us his flower garden," she told them happily, pointing to Shikamaru.
"Acceptable," Gaara muttered with a nod. "I enjoy succulents." He seemed pleased with himself. Shikamaru wondered where he'd gone.
"They got some pretty cool stuff here," Kankurou told them, gesturing to the workshed. "You get your revenge?" He asked Temari. She nodded her head cheerfully. Gaara reached around into his bag and took out a water bottle.
"That's better," she in relief after taking a sip.
"Sports attire would have been more appropriate for…sports," Gaara told her, eyeing her damp turtleneck.
"Told you a turtleneck was not the way to go," Kankurou said, "It's so last season."
Temari rolled her eyes. "And how is a turtleneck out of season in autumn?"
Gaara nodded in understanding while Kankurou rolled his eyes and scoffed, "I'm surrounded by basics…"
These Suna kids are something else… He thought, enjoying watching their conversation. Then they stopped to look at him.
"Oh right, let's head to the spice garden then the dorms where you'll be staying," he told them.