TEMARI

They were now outside the female dorms. Her brothers had gone up to their room in the male dorms that were located around the corner. She looked from the schedule in her hand, up to this spiky-haired guy who offered to give her a 'heads up' on her schedule.

Temari was raised to be an academic weapon with impeccable comprehension and analytical skills. She was more than capable in reading the damn schedule chart in her hands. But she let him talk. There was something in her gut telling her to take a closer look at this guy. Something about him irked her.

He was of good height, a few inches taller than her. He dressed well, in a simple hoodie, sneakers and an expensive coat. His face was handsome. Yet one questioned remained: how could the Student Council VP be such a pathetic crybaby?

Despite the chipper act he put on this morning, he stank of misery and cigarettes. He didn't even trying to mask his emotions. His embarrassment when they caught him with a cigarette in his mouth. His fear when he'd lost Gaara. His teary eyes in the art studio. His confusion when she faced off with Tenten... She didn't get it. How did he lead with his heart on his sleeve like that? If the rest of Konoha was as soft as this guy, then it'd be easy pickings.

She tuned back to his prattling, "...this class you have- well it ought to be easy but the professor is a hardass..."

"What? Why?" She asked, stopping him.

He looked at her with that dumb expression. That dumb expression he'd have whenever she looked him in the eye. Like he was stunned. Was he afraid of women or something?

"Why? Well, the professor is just troublesome-"

"I mean, why would I want an easy class?" She asked him point blank. Excellence didn't come easy, a voice reminded her.

His brows jumped. It looked like he'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. What was that expression on his face... Surprise? Shame? Guilt? She found it increasingly vexxing that she read him so easily - or was that the trick? To be so open that she'd lower her defences.

"Why... wouldn't you want an easy class?" He asked her, as if it was an obvious question.

A victory is not won unless it's a fight.

"I like the challenge," she said plainly. Time to test the waters. "Are Konoha boys adverse to a challenge?" she asked daringly. He tilted his face away, as if she was a fire and he was too close. There was something enjoyable in the way he was intimidated by her.

"In Konoha, we aim to give our students a well-rounded campus experience. Balance is one of our key values, in addition to openness and diversity," he answered her smoothly.

Diplomatic. Eloquent. She thought to herself.

"Besides, all work and no play makes for a dull time, wouldn't you agree?" He turned to look at her carefully, as if studying her face.

She nodded in agreement, letting her teeth show as she grinned. Sufficiently charming too.

Play is for babies and amateurs, Temari. You are neither. The voice in her head rang louder, but she chose to focus on the warmth in her cheeks. You were made to be a warrior.

Temari was first to break their eye contact. "Thank you for today. The tour was enlightening."

And it was. Even if she had a mission to carry out whilst she was her, her time would not be wasted. The campus was pretty. The facilities were expansive. "I hope to see more of Konoha while I'm here," she told him ignoring the sinking feeling in her gut. It almost hurt to think that this college might be completely changed soon. "I'll see you around," she wished him about to go into her dorm.

"Wait!"

Temari turned back to him in surprise.

"You'll see me plenty while you're here," Shikamaru informed her.

"Yes, I know. We'll both be on the same campus."

"No, I've also been designated as your escort."

"Escort?" She asked in a low tone. His cheeks went pink in response.

"I can take you out, I mean- take you around, campus," he said quickly.

"Oh?" she asked, a brow raised. "You will take me... where? To my classes?"

He nodded eagerly. "At your beck-and-call, I'm your inside guide to Konoha."

"What about your own schedule?"

"Would you believe me if I said we're in all the same classes?"

That caught her off guard. Every one of her classes were advanced. If he was in those classes, that would mean he was more capable than he appeared. Either that, or he was a huge liar. That might make things difficult, she thought to herself, if there was someone around her all the time. Inside guide to Konoha. Or maybe it'll make her job easier...

"Alright," she told him. "I'll see you bright and early tomorrow, Shikamaru Nara…" she gave him a smile and then walked up the steps.