\\Shikamaru\\
Sasuke is stopped by Naruto who holds both his arms when he realises something is wrong.
Tema is being hugged by her friends, still in shock. I'm trying to stay calm so as not to scare her even more. But I understand Sasuke's side of the story, so I'm not outraged or surprised by his reaction. By now all our friends are out on the pitch with us and Sasuke is shouting at the top of his lungs.
- What are you thinking, you idiot! - he struggles in the blond's arms - Kiba and I told you to stay away, you have so many options and you went to fuck with her. I hate you! - he continues to insult me without getting an answer - Aren't you going to explain what's going on? You coward!
- Are you finished? - I ask calmly, but I couldn't describe the look Sasuke gives me - You're scaring her! - I say and point to Temari who has a sad look on her face behind him, she must never have seen this side of her friend.
He looks away and Tema locks her sad gaze on his in a silent plea for him to come to his senses and calm down.
- I'm sorry, I just want to protect you. - he says and Naruto releases him when he realises that he has calmed down. The brunette was about to put his hands on her face but Tema puts her hands in front of her body and shakes her head in denial. She looks too stunned to react, I wanted to hug her and tell her everything will be fine, but that would only make things worse.
- We're just having fun and getting to know each other. - I say and everyone looks at me - Neither of us means any harm to the other and we're just a way of spending time. She's good for me and I like to believe that I have the same effect on her. I know you want to protect her, but she's old enough to make her own decisions. And I thought you trusted me more, Sasuke.
He stood there pondering for a while until he turned to Kiba, who remained silent - Aren't you going to speak up about what's going on here?
- I kind of already knew. - once again Sasuke's face became indescribable - It wasn't that hard to figure out, I heard both sides and put the pieces together in my head. - Kiba explained.
- And how come you knew and I didn't? - Sasuke asks, now looking upset.
- Neither did I, because they didn't remember anything. But I have something called intelligence. It was harder than it sounds to hear them begging to know who it was and me having to keep my suspicions to myself. - Kiba defends his position.
- This shouldn't be a reason for all this spectacle, Sasuke. We don't have bad intentions, and you as a mutual friend should accept this and not hate it. - I say and get a look from Ino.
- He's right, anyone can go out with whoever they want and you're no one to judge. - she defended me - If my cousin makes Tema happy, who am I to break them up? It's going to be a good experience for both of them and that was necessary, Temari will learn that being with someone without commitment can be good and Shikamaru will learn that having a steady partner can also be good.
- I think you're right! - he sighs defeatedly -I'm just having a bit of a hard time. I'm sorry, Nara, but you're not exactly the kind of man I imagine for my friend.
- You're right! - Kiba cuts me off before I have a chance to start, leaving me confused as to which side he's on in this discussion - But now we have a party to go to, so I want to see everyone with a smile on their face and ready to dance! - he says and everyone agrees, dispelling the heavy atmosphere that was in the air.
- See you then! - we say goodbye to them and head for the changing room. The party is at the house of one of our team-mates, so we know our way around. I don't think tonight is going to be a night to enjoy with Tema, the opposite of what I wanted, but by tomorrow things should have calmed down and I can enjoy it without fear of being found out.
After the shower and without any further discussion, we left the sports bags at home and all went out wearing the team jacket in honour of the victory, this is my last season in the team, I'm going to do my best.
The house is large and has a spacious outdoor area at the back. As we didn't find the famous group in the living room, we headed there. As expected, everyone already has a drink in their hand and is chatting happily.
– So they don't even wait for us? - I say with false indignation and put my arm around Temari's waist, making her laugh.
– Of course not! – replies Ino – A party is nothing without drinks! – she says and Sai steals a sip of the drink she was holding, indignantly, she hits his hand and steals the glass back – Go get yours!
– Bring some to us too!- says Naruto.
– I don't have five hands.- Sai grumbles.
– I'm going with you! – Choji goes to his aid. Shortly after, they return with drinks for us and the conversation resumes.
As usual, nothing very relevant is discussed. Sometimes I get some looks from Sasuke who still hasn't comprehended the situation with me and Tema, but I ignore them. We are all lighter with the alcohol mixing with our blood and when the opening phrases of a song known to everyone plays, we know exactly what is going to happen.
And then NE-YO's voice says the famous phrase "Grabe somebody sexy tell them hey" and I pull Temari onto the dance floor, taking her by surprise.
– Hey, Give me everything tonight! - I sing along with the song for only her to hear and I get a smile when she realizes what I mean. We're dancing very close and, even without being aware of it, she drives me crazy.
– We might not get tomorrow, let's do it tonight! – she sings the lyrics together with the original voice. I can't help myself and kiss her in the middle of the track.
– After this we really have to do it tonight. - when I see a confirmation from her, a huge smile appears on my face.
I look around and see that everyone had the same idea as me, a bunch of lovers is what they are. With the exception of Kiba who disappeared as usual.
When the song ends we all continue dancing to the melodies that followed, these moments together make me really happy, this is my last year at university, in a few months I will be working in a multinational and, unfortunately, I know how It's difficult to maintain friendships when everyone goes their own way, but at these parties I forget that and enjoy every second. It may not seem like it, but this is the best version of me and I'm going to enjoy it while I can.
By eleven o'clock at night, half of them had already gone home and while my princess dances happily with her friends, I reach the maximum of my self-control. She dances so well that I can't look away, she turns her body and smiles at me, I give her a look that makes her understand my intentions. She says goodbye to them and comes towards me.
– Shall we go to my house, handsome? – she asks too cheerfully.
– I love it when you drink, you become even sexier. - I say and grab her waist – Come on, princess. - I say in her ear and we head to her house. Along the way she explains that Tenten went with Neji and that we will have the house to ourselves. Perfect!
She locks the front door and grabs me in a needy kiss, flustered, she takes off our coats and throws them somewhere in the room.
We headed towards the room ready for another magical night.
I wake up early to a voice saying something indecipherable in a low voice. I slowly open my eyes and feel the soft morning light hit my eyes, Tema is sitting next to me, still under the blankets, on a call with someone.
I don't know if I'm still half asleep, but I don't understand a single word she says. A few minutes later she hangs up the call and smiles at me.
- Good morning! Sorry to wake you up, my mom sometimes forgets about the time zone difference. - she says and turns to look at me after putting her cell phone on the dresser on her side of the bed.
– Good morning! – I reply, still drowsy – Does your mother live far away?
– Yes, she is still in the UAE. Can we not talk about this? - she asks sadly.
– Of course, sorry! – I respond and kiss her forehead, pulling her towards me – And what were they saying? I didn't catch a single word.
– It was Arabic, my mother isn't very fluent in English, but she gets by, and I need to train the language, after all these years here it's easy to forget.- she says after laughing at my confusion.
– So the girl is bilingual. - I say in a fun way when I start to wake up.
You should already know that, I am full of qualities!- she says proudly.
– I see. What time is it? - I ask.
– It's only eight o'clock yet. I'm going to get up, Tsuki will already be waiting for me to feed him. - She sits down and starts to get out of bed.
– I'll go with you. But let's take a shower first. - I say and hug her from the back.
– Okay, but just a shower, nothing more. - she says and turns to look at me.
– I promise. - I say and roll my eyes.
Showered and properly dressed, we headed downstairs. As soon as we opened the bedroom door, the cat meowed at Tema and she stroked its head.
I can admire from afar the natural way she fills the cat's bowl without stepping on it even though he follows her everywhere, impatiently waiting for the food. When she finally puts the food down on the floor there is silence.
– Do you want something specific for breakfast? – she asks and heads to the fridge.
– Whatever you want, as long as it fills my stomach, I like everything! And you must be a great cook. - I say and sit down in one of the chairs at the kitchen table.
– I can make somethings, I'm not the best in the world, but I can survive. Maybe an avocado and fried egg toast? - she asks and I nod.
I decide to make myself useful and start searching the cupboards for plates, cutlery and glasses. Temari looks suspicious but says nothing. When I finally find the plates I place them on the tablecloth, the glasses go next, but the cutlery is nowhere to be found.
– They're here in this drawer. - Tema reads my mind and points his head to the drawer in front of her. She moves to the side, without taking her attention away from the stove, leaving me glued to her side.
– The universe is on my side! He loves seeing us together. - I say and take what I need.
– Go finish the job! – she says without giving me change.
With the food done, we continued with the meal and the same dishes as always. I love these moments, with each passing day I get to know her better and now that we are not a secret I will be able to take her wherever I want.
What have I become? I'm planning dates! I mentally scold myself and pay attention again to what the woman in front of me is saying.
– I think you should watch a Bollywood film, you would like it. - she says with a smile.
– No thanks, I'll leave that to you! - I say without even thinking about it.
– You wouldn't do that for me? – she asks with a face that is impossible to deny.
– Okay, but just one. - I say, giving up.
– Yay, I know what we're going to do in the morning. – she says very happily.
With the table set and dishes washed, we head to the sofa, Temari covers our legs and Tsuki climbs to her side, receiving affection again. This cat gets more attention than me.
– And when will Tenten arrive? - I ask when she starts searching for a film.
– If Naji is anything like her, she won't be home before noon. I've seen her sleeping until three in the afternoon. - she says and finally finds what she's looking for.
– I like sleeping, but not that much either. If I fall asleep in the middle of the film, don't be upset "girl, my mother lives on the other side of the world". - I say and receive a slap on my arm that makes me laugh.
Tema presses the button and the movie starts playing. I hope this has subtitles otherwise I won't understand anything.
The film is very good, I find myself with an arm around Tema's shoulders and my eyes fixed on the screen. The two hours fly by and I feel my heart breaking in two at the end.
Death. The character I liked so much is gone. Death. Hurt so much. Death. It's inevitable. Death. It appears when you least expect it. Death. It made me what I am today. Death. It destroyed me inside.
– Are you crying? - Temari asks amusedly, but frowns when she sees me wiping away a solitary tear.
– Of course not. - I respond with my toughest face.
– You don't need to hide that from me, I cried like a baby the first time I saw this film. - she tells me with a smile that conveyed sincerity.
– I liked that character. - I admit sadly.
– Me too, but unfortunately death strikes when we least expect it. – She tries to comfort me with a good caress on my arm.
– I know. - I say and let myself be hugged, returning the affection.
We walk away for a bit and decide to watch something before lunch, at which point I will leave. We remain on the couch when the front door opens revealing a smiling Tenten.
– Someone had a good night! – Tema says provocatively.
– You can bet! I finally had my sweet, sweet, sweet dessert! – she says and I frown my eyebrows when I finally understand what she's referring to – Don't look at me like that you lovey-dovey, I know you also got what you wanted! – she replies and sits on the sofa next to me.
– Well, you won't have to put up with me for long, I'm already leaving. – I say and get up, but not without giving Temari a quick kiss – See you later, princess! Goodbye Ten! - I head to my coat lying on the armchair and head out the door.
I calmly walk home, but stop at the bakery on the way to buy some donuts for me and the boys. With them purchased, I follow my well-trodden route. When I open the door I smell the food being cooked and see Sasuke near the stove wearing his precious kitchen apron.
– I brought donuts! - I say putting the box on the table and I get a smile from him.
– If this is an apology, you can consider yourself excused! – he says happily.
– If I remember correctly, if anyone owes an apology, it's you! – I reply.
- You're right. Sorry, I didn't react well to the situation yesterday! - he admits.
– It's okay! – I tell him and know that the matter has already been resolved between us. I help him by setting the table for both of us, apparently no one else is home. We were about to start eating when Kiba walks in the door.
– I didn't make lunch for you, I thought...- Sasuke would explain if he hadn't been interrupted.
– I think I'm in trouble! Your cousin is going to kill me and tell everyone! - he says worrying us - And how will she react! - he puts his hands on his head and leaves us confused as to who he is referring to.
– Calm down, explain to us what happened? – I demand impatiently.
- Well...