Disclaimer: I don't own anything
Temari generally didn't like drama. She, herself, never started drama on her own accord. But if she happened to be in the same area as people fighting, well she wasn't going to pass up a free show.
Her smart remarks have earned her a fist fight or two.
But she never went out of her way to start a mess with people.
People were just too stupid to try and intimidate her. So their faces became acquainted with the floor. She wasn't responsible for people's stupidity.
She partly blamed being raised by all males for her attitude and mentality.
Her father did not raise weak children.
She was fiercely loyal and protective of her family and tiny friend circle.
There were few people who annoyed her to no end. Kankuro was always being a punk with his pranks. Being her younger brother, that came with the territory. Her older cousin Sasori was nosy as hell. He and his boyfriend Deidera always tried to pry into her nonexistent love life. Her grandmother who constantly faked her death.
And then there was Sasuke fucking Uchiha.
She never had a problem with him when they first met. He usually kept to himself or was too busy arguing with his best friend Naruto. He was polite. Kinda handsome. Temari always viewed him as an ok guy.
Then he started dating her friend Sakura.
She learned how incredibly annoying he was.
Temari always loudly criticized that he was borderline controlling and possibly emotionally unstable.
Sakura always waved it off. She would always say, "you don't know him like I do."
To which Temari always replies, "that's how people talk when they're in an abusive relationship."
Needless to say, Temari and Sasuke did not see eye to eye. Many fights (verbal) have broken out between them.
Today was no different.
"Sakura, when you invited me to come to the bookstore with you I didn't expect a third person." Temari glared at her friend's boyfriend.
Sasuke coolly returned Temari's glare.
Sakura completely ignored their heated glares and dragged Temari along to her favorite section. Romance.
She happily squealed as she found the next book to her favorite series.
"I'm so excited to read what happens!"
Temari began to browse other book titles and make sarcastic remarks.
"I wonder if editors charge extra to read this sappy trash."
Sakura looked up from her future purchase to see Temari scrunching her face. She followed Temari's gaze to a book cover that had the male lead shirtless, with the female lead dramatically draped over his body. A sunset at the ocean behind the characters.
Sakura giggled.
"I don't understand how you like this crap Sakura." Temari's face grew more disgusted as she continued to look at book covers.
Sakura tried really hard to control her laughter.
"I bring you exactly for this reason."
"I'm glad I can amuse you. God knows the dark lord isn't funny."
"Don't be so mean."
"Is it mean if it's truthful?"
"A bully is still a bully."
"I am not a bully." Temari was offended.
Sakura merely raised her brow.
"If anyone is a bully its chicken head."
"I see you have yet to tame the animal."
Temari scowled at Sasuke's smirking face.
"Stop it both of you. I would like to be able to hang out with you guys without causing a scene."
"Then control your edge lord." Temari walked further down the section.
"Maybe if you weren't such a brute, guys would date you."
Sakura elbowed Sasuke. "That's incredibly rude!"
"Your words don't affect me, Uchiha. Just remember the only reason you're dating my friend is because of me."
"Bullshit."
"You're not charming."
"You're jealous."
And Temari's anger went to the point of no return.
"Listen here you shit-"
"No you listen-"
Sakura could only sigh heavily. She watched tiredly as they shouted insults back and forth. She rubbed her temple. Children. She was surrounded by children. All Sakura wanted was a nice day out with her good friend and boyfriend.
In the very back of her mind, Sakura knew she was setting herself up for disappointment.
She walked away from their arguing. She headed toward the checkout. She was done with their crap.
She was happy to see a familiar face.
"Hey Shikamaru! How are you?"
Shikamaru yawned from behind the counter. He was slouching with tears in his eyes.
"Slow day?" Sakura placed her book down.
"Not really. I just hate working." Shikamaru started up the transaction
Sakura shook her head. "Your day has to be going better than mine."
"You ok?"
Sakura sighed and leaned against the counter. "My boyfriend and friend hate each other. I'm sick and tired of all their fighting. I hate that we can't all hangout and act like adults."
"It can't be that bad."
A loud "horse shit!" echoed throughout the store.
Sasuke came tumbling down and face planted on to the wood flooring. Temari jumped over him and loudly proclaimed 'ha!'. Sasuke growled and then mustered up his strength to tackle Temari's legs and send her to the ground.
They started their shouting match again.
Sakura refused to look. Her face was very red and her entire body was warm.
Shikamaru blinked. "Um, I think you dropped something."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Should I call someone?"
"No," Sakura accepted her new book from Shikamaru's distracted hands. "As soon as they see me walk out, they'll follow."
"Are you ok?" Shikamaru gave Sakura a concerned look.
"Oh they wouldn't hurt anyone but each other...and my feelings."
Shikamaru could say nothing comforting as Sakura chose to leave the store. True to her word Sasuke and Temari noticed her fleeing. They scrambled to stand, while simultaneously trying to keep the other down, and ran after her. Both shouting 'Sakura wait!' as they continued to fight each other.
Shikamaru just stared as the dumpster fire left his workplace.
Poor Sakura.
Sakura refused to speak to either one. She told them she needed time alone.
Sasuke respected her decision and gave her space.
Temari listened for one day before she went over to Sakura's apartment and banged on the door.
Sakura opened the door but didn't let her inside.
"What?"
"I can't help that he aggravates my soul."
Sakura shut the door.
Temari groaned and knocked again.
Sakura opened the door. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry."
"And?"
Temari felt her brow twitch. "I'm a grown baby."
"Thank you. Please come in."
Temari grumbled as she walked in and took a seat on her couch.
Sakura returned to her seat as well. She picked up her new book, snuggled into her blanket, and continued to read. Temari kicked her feet up onto the coffee table and took out her phone. She began to mindlessly scroll through social media.
Silence in Sakura's apartment.
Occasionally Temari would show Sakura a funny picture. Or maybe a cool video. Sakura eventually changed position so her head lay on Temari's lap. Sometimes Sakura would voice out loud what was happening in her book. Or she let out sounds of surprise or annoyance.
"That is so stupid!"
Temari didn't look up from her phone. "You've reached the part where they break up for the 7th time."
"No, worse." But Sakura didn't offer more of an explanation.
Temari's curiosity burned her skull. While she didn't like romance trash she at the very least needed to know what was happening. Only because Sakura had given her the basic plot of what was happening. She needed to know how it ended.
"Love triangle."
Sakura slightly shook her head.
Temari's mind began to think of all the clichés the romance genre used.
"Amnesia."
Negative
"Oh god, is one of them dying?"
"In the stupidest way possible."
"Garbage."
"But I love it." Sakura sighed dreamily and placed the book on her chest.
"You're a hopeless romantic."
"Always."
Temari rolled her eyes but didn't comment further.
Sakura poked her friend's cheek. "We need to have a serious chat."
"No we don't," Temari waved away Sakura's hand.
"Look, I know you and Sasuke don't see eye to eye-"
"If he wasn't an arrogant asshole-"
"But he's my boyfriend-"
"By some miracle-"
"And your my friend-"
"That you've known longer-"
"Stop talking over me!"
"I'm not!"
Sakura groaned and sat up. Temari put her phone down.
"This isn't going to work."
Temari didn't like the tone of Sakura's voice.
"What are you talking about?"
"At this rate I'm dumping the both of you!"
"What the fuck did I do?"
Sakura merely cracked her knuckles.
"I just asked a question. Don't kill me."
"I'm over you guys and your shit."
Temari stayed silent.
"I mean you guys don't even try to fake it. I would appreciate some effort."
"Tell him that."
Punch
"Bitch!"
"Now I'm gonna go to the bathroom. And when I come back, I expect your attitude to have done a 180."
Temari shot daggers out of her eyes. Her arm was on fire.
Sakura smiled sweetly and left.
Temari silently fumed. She never liked being lectured. It always made her feel like a child.
Stupid Sasuke.
A 'ding' redirected her attention to the phone near her person. She grabbed the black cased phone and saw a message from Sasuke. From the preview it read, "are you done pouting?"
Temari, still in an awful mood, didn't realize she held Sakura's phone.
Just seeing Sasuke's name made her blood burn. She didn't even read the full message.
Without thinking, and under the impression she held her personal phone, she sent out the message:
"No man, she's busy!"
Temari then slammed the phone face down onto the couch. She crossed her arms across her chest and huffed.
"Are you better now?" Sakura jumped back onto the couch.
Temari huffed again.
"You really are a baby. Do we need to do some meditation?"
It wasn't a terrible idea.
When Sakura noticed Temari's very subtle head nod, she clapped her hands.
"Alright I'll light my candle and you move the coffee table out the way."
Temari did as she was instructed while Sakura did her task. Once they were ready, Sakura began to guide them.
It was going really well and Temari could feel her soul calm down.
Just as Temari felt her inner peace, her zen, loud tire screeching. It sounded very close. And oddly enough, sounded angry.
Temari and Sakura glanced at each other before scurrying to the window. They couldn't see anything.
"Damn your hedges!"
"For the last time they're not mine, they belong to the apartment complex!"
"Damn your shitty apartment management!"
They stood on their tippy toes and craned their necks. Trying to catch a glimpse of whoever was pissed off outside. Of course they couldn't seem too nosy, otherwise they'd open the front door and step out. They had some dignity.
Their curiosity was answered when Sakura's front door flew open.
A very angry Sasuke marched right in. A wild look in his eyes.
Both Temari and Sakura were very confused. What was he doing here?
"What's wrong-"
"Where. Is. He." Sasuke snapped. He looked like he was ready to foam at the mouth.
"Who?" Sakura asked, completely bewildered.
Sasuke didn't seem to register her question. He angrily stomped deeper into the apartment. Opening, well more like slamming, doors open.
Sakura seemed to remember she lived there, and that Sasuke didn't pay a damn bill here. Who the hell did he think he was? Slamming doors against her walls. She quickly became livid.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Sasuke returned to the living. He stared down at his girlfriend. "You can't hide him."
"Who the hell are you talking about?" Sakura snapped.
"What the hell has gotten into you, Uchiha?" Temari questioned. She had never seen him so angry.
"This doesn't fucking concern you."
Temari recoiled at his tone. That might have hurt her feelings a bit.
Sakura almost slapped him across the face. "Do not talk to her like that. You're the one in the wrong. Not her."
Temari suddenly felt much better.
Sasuke returned his gaze down at Sakura. "Where is he?"
"For the love of….What in god's name are you talking about? Who are you talking about?"
"The guy. I know he's here."
Both Sakura and Temari shouted, "what guy?"
Sasuke fished out his phone from his pocket. He opened his messages and showed Sakura. "The guy who had the fucking nerve to text me from your phone."
Sakura read the message in confusion. "I didn't send that."
Temari blinked. Oh shit. Was that message...on Sakura's phone?
Now she felt silly.
Sakura also seemed to put 2 and 2 together and burst out laughing. Sasuke was not amused.
"This isn't funny Sakura."
Sakura only laughed harder. Temari turned away in embarrassment.
Sasuke's patience was diminishing. He was practically growling.
Sakura managed to calm down enough to point at Temari. "There's the guy." She erupted into a fit of giggles.
Sasuke furrowed his brows in confusion. "What?"
"I didn't realize it was Sakura's phone. I just saw your name pop up and got annoyed. So I sent the message under the impression it was my phone. A simple misunderstanding."
Sasuke could only stare. Sakura continued to giggle. Temari refused to look either person in the eye.
Sasuke sighed heavily. "You're an idiot."
"Listen-"
"I think it's hilarious."
Temari and Sasuke gave Sakura an annoyed look. She finally stopped giggling. Although her eyes were shining as if laughing on their own.
"Sasuke, I would never go behind your back like that."
He suddenly felt foolish. The tips of his ears burned red.
"I'm sorry. I just reacted."
"We need to work on that." Sakura gestured to both people occupying her living room.
Temari and Sasuke grumbled under their breath.
"Now I think this is-"
"Sasuke, I'm here for backup! Where's the bastard?" Naruto suddenly appeared at the doorway.
"False alarm."
"Oh man! I never get to see the fun stuff!" Naruto complained loudly.
"Blame the brute."
Temari bristled at the comment. "You fucking jerk."
"Learn to see."
Temari, in the heat of the moment, flung a couch cushion at Sasuke's head. He ducked and a hung picture frame fell. The glass shattering.
It was Sakura's prized photo of her mentor Tsunade.
Silence.
Naruto's face paled. He was about to witness two murders. Both Temari and Sasuke started shouting at each other while trying to explain to Sakura why it was the other person's fault her picture frame broke.
Sakura did the only logical thing a person would do at that moment.
She threw everyone out of her apartment. Physically hurled them out. Like throwing out the trash.
Naruto, Temari, and Sasuke held various bruises on their person from being tossed out. A mild concussion. Winded. Hurt feelings. Murderous rage (except Naruto) at the person next to them.
Before Temari and Sasuke could start another angry shouting match, Sakura calmly opened her front door and stared down at the pile of limbs.
"We're done. I'm breaking up with you two." She then slammed her door shut. Shaking the foundation of the building.
Suddenly Temari and Sasuke had no more words to share.
Sakura kept to her word about the breakup. She refused to speak to either one. She didn't answer messages, phone calls, or their begging from the door.
Temari was at a loss. She hardly found herself in a dilemma. She was smart. She solved problems.
Sasuke Uchiha just made everything worse.
Temari really didn't know what else to do. She resorted to trying to buy her way back into Sakura's life. She returned to the bookstore, where Sakura loved to find her sappy books, and marched her way to the help desk.
This is how Shikamaru's afternoon was interrupted. He was in the process of drifting off into a nice snooze when he heard someone clear their throat.
He yawned and opened his tired eyes. He recognized the pretty face.
"Can I help you?"
"I need to know if you guys have the next book in this series." Temari held her phone up showing a picture of the book series Sakura was reading.
Shikamaru blinked slowly. How troublesome, now he had to do work. He turned to his computer and typed.
He turned back to Temari. "Sorry it's not out for another month."
"Son of a bitch."
Shikamaru continued to look bored. "Anything else?"
Temari didn't respond. She was fuming internally. Now what was she supposed to do?
Shikamaru sighed. He really shouldn't be getting involved. But he also didn't like seeing a girl in trouble.
"Did you do something to upset Sakura?"
Temari gave him a funny look. She still didn't respond.
"I was here the last time you guys came in. You know, falling over each other, disrupting the peace."
"I wasn't aware you were friendly with Sakura."
Shikamaru raised a brow. "Do you know everything about her?"
"Fair point."
"I'm guessing you and her boyfriend finally caused her to snap."
Temari glared at him.
"Looks like a yes to me."
"Yea well…..can you help me or not?" Temari snapped.
"I already did. Unless you need something else?"
Temari was trying really hard not to strangle this guy. She took a deep breath. Do not kill him. He could be useful.
"You know what Sakura reads. What can you recommend as a gift?"
Shikamaru closed his eyes as he thought. He opened his eyes and turned back to the computer. After typing and clicking on the mouse, he gestured Temari to come closer.
She moved in closer to the desk. Shikamaru turned his body, facing away from the computer screen so Temari could have a better view.
"This book is a spin off. It's about a character from the first book."
Temari read the summary of the book. "This sounds absolutely stupid….she'll love it."
"I can show you where it is and then you can take it to the register."
"Can't you charge me out here?"
Shikamaru lazily pointed to the sign 'help desk'. "No."
"You are mildly infuriating."
Shikamaru shrugged his shoulders.
"Hurry up and show me. I still have more groveling to do."
Shikamaru tried to hold back his chuckle. It came out as a snort. He had the decency to look embarrassed at his slip up. Temari bumped shoulders when he had left the safety of his desk. Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck mumbling, "troublesome," under his breath.
It was a short walk to the romance section. Shikamaru browsed the shelves and found the book they were looking for. He grabbed the book and handed it over. Temari felt some relief lift from her shoulders.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Shikamaru found himself staring. He knew he was being a creep. She just didn't seem to be the type of person who said these words often. Shikamaru swallowed a lump that was forming in his throat.
"Can I tell you something?"
"Sure."
"I don't think this is the best way to apologize."
Temari was annoyed but curious. "Why not?"
"The problem is your relationship with the boyfriend. As long as you two continue to try and kill each other, Sakura is never going to be happy."
Just the mere mention of Sasuke sent her blood in a frenzy.
Temari had to calm herself.
This stranger was just making an observation.
Maybe she did need help.
"I see your point. But I'm still buying this."
"Good luck."
Temari purchased the book and went home.
Shikamaru returned to his desk. He rested his head on his arms and closed his eyes. Maybe now he could catch a few minutes of rest.
Loud throat clearing.
Shikamaru cursed under his breath. He slowly lifted his head and made eye contact with the next customer. He wasn't at all surprised to see Sakura's boyfriend. Sasuke looked very embarrassed, his face was pink.
Before he could ask his question, Shikamaru beat him to it.
"We don't have the next book in the series for another month."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes and glared.
"What?"
Shikamaru sighed. "Sakura's friend was here earlier. She asked the same question."
Sasuke felt his face twitch in irritation.
"I think the better gift Sakura will appreciate is you two getting along."
Sasuke glowered at him.
"Just my advice."
"I didn't ask for it." Sasuke stormed off.
Shikamaru yawned. Man what a tiresome day.
Shikamaru continued to show up to work and did the least amount of work possible. Occasionally his mind wandered. Did that pretty girl and the boyfriend make up with Sakura? Would Sakura accept their apology? Would the next time he sees Sakura, would she be sad? Angry? Relieved?
He eventually got his answer. It came when the next book in Sakura's favorite series was released. She was alone when she purchased the book. Yet she seemed normal.
"Thank you so much."
"No problem Sakura. Enjoy the book. I'll see you around."
Sakura gently shook her head. "No. I really mean it. Thank you."
Now Shikamaru was confused. What had he done? The look on his face must have reflected his thought.
"Your advice was very helpful to the two dummies in my life."
Ah. That made sense.
"I'm glad I could help."
"I would like to thank you properly. What can I do for you?"
An image of the pretty girl flashed in his mind. Shikamaru tried his darn best to appear unbothered and bored. Cool.
"...your friend…"
Sakura's eyes lit up. "Sunday's we usually go out for breakfast. Normally it's just me and Temari. But this Sunday they both promised we could go out and be civilized adults. You should come!"
"Lunch?"
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Here's my piece of advice. Stop being so damn lazy. Breakfast. Sunday. I'll text you the details later."
"It's a date."
I have decided this will be where I post one-shots for the plot bunnies that appear in my brain. These stories will not be anything serious. They are meant to be light and funny. So it'll be my dumping ground for completely random stories. I already have another idea brewing. You can thank YouTube for this idea and the next.
Thank you guys for taking the time to read. As always I appreciate you guys! Until next time :)
