Chapter 6

TEMARI

Her first week at Konoha campus had gone by like a dream or some coming-of-age movie.

On her walks to and fro classes, Temari observed how idyllic life was in Konoha. The entire campus was beautiful in fall, covered with orange and red leaves. At every corner, Temari saw warm smiles and heard cheerful laughter. It was clear that the community was happy.

As much as she'd like to blend in and be a part of the Konoha College, she was reminded often how everything here was a stark contrast to where she was from. The climate in Suna was extreme all-year long, ranging from scalding hot days to freezing nights. And higher education was saved for the most elite, meaning that everyone around her walked around with something to prove. It was more a competition than a community.

Wishing she could be as carefree as the other students here, Temari couldn't put down the chip she carried on her shoulder. A heavy burden that would remind her, this was all temporary. You are needed back home.

Just earlier today, she had her weekly check-in with her father. Usually, she was expected to report on their progress: Was Gaara keeping to his schedule? Did Kankurou stay out of trouble? And how were Temari's grades? In other words, were they still worth his time and attention?

But today's call was about her father's next big investment: Konoha College itself. She had to help him determine if Konoha College was a viable investment i.e how large was the faculty, how manageable were the students and which departments were the most profitable and which ones were expendable?

Growing up, Temari realised early on that it wouldn't do her good to label people and their choices as good or evil. That wasn't conducive for anybody and just led to squabbling and conflict. Rather it was about if one's actions were useful to accomplishing one's goals. In a nutshell, it was whether you were winning or losing.

Draining her water bottle, she got up from the bench and took a few more swings at the punching bag in the gym. She kicked and punched ferociously, not caring for the onlookers' stares. Temari was a winner and she always would be - mainly because she had too much to lose.

There was one convenience store on campus. It had fluorescent lights that on all night long and was the usual hotspot for students to grab their essentials. It was already late in the night with most of campus empty as students were either out or had gone home for the weekend.

Temari was about to pay for an ice pack at the counter when Shikamaru walked in. She noticed him right away, with his familiar spiky-black hair and dark coat. Upon noticing her, a goofy smile grew on his face.

"Hey," Temari greeted him with a smile. As tired as she was for a long week, she was glad to see him. True to his word, he had escorted her every morning to her classes and true to her word, she had treated him to breakfast when he'd stayed awake in class - which was surprisingly everyday this week. She'd been having almost too much fun with him, that their time was beginning to feel precarious.

"Hey," he said coolly, standing a little closer to her than usual. He put a hand on the counter to prop himself up. He had his gym bag slung around his shoulder and his clothes smelled of barbecue. The pink of his cheeks… someone has been drinking, she thought to herself.

"Having a good night, Shikamaru?" She asked. He just nodded his head. Picking up the ice pack, he asked her, "You hurt?"

"I have a kink in my neck," she told him, stretching to rub her shoulder.

"Here?" he asked, pressing the ice pack against the back of her neck for her. She closed her eyes and sigh in relief. She leaned her head onto his and looked up at him with a smile. "Thanks."

He just gazed at her with a goofy smile on his face. "Ice woman," she heard him mumble.

There was a quiet pause where nobody said anything.

And then from behind the counter, "You gonna pay for that, lady?"

Shikamaru put a finger up, swaying on his feet. "I'll pay," he said, rummaging through his gym bag for his wallet. "And gimme a pack of… the red ones," he gestured to the red packets of cigarettes on the wall behind the cashier.

"Thank you," Temari told him.

"Wait - wait," he held up a hand, still rummaging through his bag. He pulled out a grey crumpled sweater. "Take this," he said, pushing the sweater into her arms. It was soft to the touch and smelled like him. Why was he giving her his laundry?

He continued to rummage in his bag until he found his wallet. Temari offered the sweater back but he dismissed her. She gave an incredulous look. Did this drunkard want her to… keep it? Was this dirty?

'You know, seeing you really made my day. And actually… seeing you has made my day - everyday!" Shikamaru admitted, slowly pulling out some coins to place on the counter one at a time. "Something about the way you smile. Something happens to your eyes, it's like they … sparkle. It's distracting if I'm being honest... I haven't been able to get you out of my head since you shook my hand."

Temari watched Shikamaru slide the last coin across the counter to the cashier. A storm of emotions swelled in her chest, going all the way up to her eyes. Her mouth felt full and empty at the same time.

He looked up to the cashier, who was staring at him. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was talking to the hot blonde here - not you ," he apologised. He looked back at Temari with a smile, "I'll see you Monday, Temari."

Temari could only watch, mouth agape as Shikamaru turned to walk out the door. She looked from the sweater in her hands to the cashier behind the counter. Her eyes went wide as she watched Shikamaru exit and turn around the corner of the store.

"Don't just stand there! Go after him!" The cashier screamed, practically throwing the cigarette pack at her.

Temari burst out the doors. "Wait!" She looked left and right, where did he go?

"Yeah?" Shikamaru's voice called out from the other side of the store. He sat on a stacked plastic carton on the floor. He had his lighter in his hand, "You got a cig?"

She walked over to him and held out the pack of cigarettes he left behind. His face lit up, "Wow, thanks!." He tried to take it from her, but she didn't let go. His fingers instead stayed on touching hers.

Temari looked down at Shikamaru squatting near the floor. His cheekbones were illuminated in the store's fluorescent lights. Who was this guy who just sauntered into her life? With his good-looking face and dry humour? And what did he want from her?

"Did you mean what you said in there? Or are you just saying that because you're high?" she asked him. With her guard up, there was nothing that could hurt her, she reminded herself.

"There is a strict no-no drug policy on Konoha Campus," he recited seriously, crossing his arms in front of his face and shaking his head. "I've just had a few too many beers and beef slices," he said, pounding his chest as a burp erupted.

"What do you expect from me, then?" She asked him. He wouldn't know, he's too drunk for this. He doesn't know what he's saying. What are the chances he'll even remember this conversation?

"Troublesome woman…maybe ask yourself why you don't want me to appreciate you," he said, standing up, swaying slightly as he did. He stood close to her, towering a few inches over her. He was so close she could get a whiff of his cologne.

As the most decisive person she knew, Temari's instincts were hardwired to win. Yet at this moment, Temari could only see herself losing. This idiot was never part of her goals and yet her instincts were screaming inside of her to take action. So choosing to believe in herself, Temari grabbed ahold of the sides of his face and pulled Shikamaru into a kiss.

His face was cold. He also tasted of beer and barbecued meat. But Temari didn't want to stop, she wanted more. He kissed her back, dropping his things to the floor. Her arms went around his neck and his arms around her waist. There was a little bit of tongue pushed in her mouth to which Temari responded by pulling his hair back to gain access to his neck. She bit down, tasting bits of salt from his skin. He groaned and squeezed her ass, then pushed her back.

He leaned his head on hers, "God I wish I was more sober for this," he admitted in a whisper.

You're taking advantage of him. Temari stepped back guiltily, taking a moment to assess the damage.

They were outside the convenience store, alone - save the cashier watching them through the window. Their items strewn across the tarmac floor.

"I'm sorry. I'll help get you home," she told him, feeling overcome with shame.

He pointed up to the boys dorm building, as if that was helpful information. She stuffed the items into his gym bag. "Let's go ," she told him. Surprisingly, he took ahold of her hand and they walked to the dorms together.

At the entrance, Temari saw two guys sitting outside - she recognised the blonde as the student council President, Naruto Uzumaki. And the other was a bulky guy who looked like a sumo wrestler. They were laughing but got quiet as Temari and Shikamaru approached. Shikamaru took his hand away and put them into his pockets. "They're going to bully me tomorrow," he lamented.

Choji looked at Shikamaru, shaking his head - then proceeded to pick him up and sling him over his shoulder like he was a bag of rice. Waving goodnight to Temari, the guy just walked away to the stairs. Naruto took Shikamaru's things from Temari, his face seemed bright and awake, as if it wasn't almost sunrise. "Thanks for this Temari, I hope he wasn't too much trouble. Shikamaru gets a little unpredictable when he's had too many drinks."

"It's fine," she assured him, not sure where to begin explaining what just took place. Was this romantic or had she assaulted him?

"You'll let me know if he's okay?" she asked Naruto before he walked up.

"Urm - I think he'll probably want to tell you himself. He was going on about you all night," Naruto said with a wink.