\\Shikamaru\\

The rest of the week went by in a constant state of nervousness, I wanted to grab Temari every time I saw her, but I know she needs space.

I spent my dance classes looking at her discreetly, so I was always stepping on poor Ino's toes. It's just that Tema has a pull on me, she's intoxicating, I can't look away.

- Pay attention, the recording is about to start and I'd appreciate it if I didn't get stepped on! - says Ino next to me with a not-so-happy face, poor thing I think her feet must be sore from being stepped on so much.

Karui does the counting and the music starts, she asked us to record the lesson because the result was better than she thought it would be, she even complimented me even though I'm super clumsy.

I followed the choreography, this time trying to keep my focus on my partner and not on Sasuke's partner and her beautiful blonde hair that shines when she twirls. My gaze only fell on her when it came to the solos, each pair had a few seconds to perform, and when Uchiha lifted her into the air and she grinned from ear to ear, my heart leapt into my chest. Damn, I miss making her happy.

- Perfect! - Karui says happily - We don't even need to do it again!

- Finally free of the bet! - Chouji says relieved and we all agree.

- I don't know why I'm so happy, you guys were amazing, you should come more often! - says Sakura.

- I kind of liked it! - Naruto admits.

- With a pair like me, you couldn't help but love it! - Hinata said and kissed him, an act that met with mixed responses, both rolling their eyes and sighing at the cuteness of the couple.

Most people had already left and I needed all the courage in the world to speak to Tema before she left - Princess - I whisper to get her attention and she stops and looks at me attentively - Do you want to, uh, go out for dinner tonight? - I ask nervously.

- Just dinner? - she asks suspiciously.

- If that's all you want! - I say and wink, regaining my pride and naturalness. The weak laugh she gives me fills my chest with hope.

- What time will you pick me up? - she asks and my happiness threatens to tear my soul apart.

- Eight, is that okay?

- Eight is perfect, I'll be waiting to see where you take me. - she says and kisses the corner of my mouth.

One of these days this woman is going to kill me. It's not enough the effort I make for her, I also have to look like a teenager in love.

My God, am I in love? That's impossible! Especially after what happened.

My feet take me home on autopilot while my head stresses over the possibility. I climb the stairs to my room for a shower, I need a cold shower to see if I can forget these crazy things. I don't understand what I want, I can't fall in love. Where does this mysterious feeling come from?

I put on my best clothes and keep myself as presentable as possible, I put on the perfume that I know is her favourite and I choose the jacket that, in her words, makes me look like a badboy.

I don't know if I'm ready for this dinner and all that it entails, but I do know that I must try and win her back no matter what it takes.

When I arrive at her house, it takes me a few seconds to pull myself together before I ring the doorbell. The door opens so quickly that hope flares up in my chest at the image of her anxiously awaiting my arrival behind the door. Her face is adorned with the calm smile that I love and she's wearing a light outfit that fits her body too well.

I can't help but sigh before muttering a 'Wow' that makes her laugh.

- Thank you! You don't look so bad yourself! - she says and winks at me. Without waiting any longer, she closes the door and gets on the motorbike. Still at a loss for words, I just follow her and get on the wheel.

I really missed having her arms around me, no matter the context.

I take her back to the vegetarian restaurant she liked so much. This way, if things don't go as expected at least we'll be well fed, even I have to admit that the food here is divine, even for a meat lover.

- I'm glad you're good at picking up tips, I love the food here! - she says and hands me my helmet.

- Then I've chosen well. - I say with a slight smile on my face.

We enter and are directed to a table by the window. Neither of us speaks as we look at the menus. Sometimes I feel her gaze on me and I stop myself from looking at her too, that would only make the moment even stranger.

- Have you chosen? - the waiter asks.

- Yes, I'll have burger number 1 and a water! - I say simply.

- I'll have salad number 3 and a water too. - Tema informs him and our gazes connect for the first time since we sat down.

- So did you enjoy your dance classes? - she asks me.

- Even though I destroyed my cousin's feet, it was better than I thought it would be! - she laughs, giving me the boost I need to carry on - And although I thought you'd be a better companion and more pleasing to the eye, I'm glad Uchiha dances better than I do and that your feet remained intact.

- You're right about that. - she looks stunning in the light of the restaurant and I can't help but smile in love.

- I think we both know we're going to need to talk! - I say and she hesitantly agrees - We'd better eat first, then we'll talk! My place or yours?

- It could be yours, I think Ten was going to take Neji to the house today. - she says and I nod in agreement.

- Then let's enjoy this beautiful dinner! - I say as I see our food coming our way.

Whilst appreciating that work of art, we tried to strike up a conversation and, despite the awkwardness, we managed to keep it going, the dessert made her feel lighter and happier, chocolate always does.

- Well, I think it's time to go. - I say when they give me back the card I used to pay.

- Yes, it's better! - she says simply and her smile gets a little smaller with the recent return of her nervousness. I should try to calm her down, but I'm just as nervous as she is.

We drive in silence to my house. In my head I try to think of all the possibilities for conversation, unfortunately, each one is worse than the last. With the motorbike already in the garage, we make our way through the silent house to my bedroom. When the door closes, neither of us knows where to start.

- I'm sorry I reacted like that. - she says sadly, and my heart squeezes.

- No, I'm the one who has to apologise! I'm an idiot and I don't deserve you!

- You're not an idiot. I would have loved to have you if we'd met under different circumstances. I never thought I'd be this attracted to you, but here we are. - she says.

- I say the same.

- The point is - she cuts me off - If I hadn't had the relationship I've had, maybe I'd be ready to go ahead with this, but I know you're not either, so I think it's best if we leave it at that.

- I feel like I owe you an explanation as to why I'm like this!

- You don't have to, I don't want to force you, you must also judge me for I stayed so long with a boyfriend who treated me so badly, I know behind my back everyone judges!- she says sadly.

- Of course I'm not judging you, I've realised your side from the start, the one who deserves to be judged is him! - I say angry - And thank you for giving me time, I don't think I'm ready to talk about my past. - I finish calmer.

- I'll wait for you as long as you need me! - she puts her hand on my cheek and I surrender to her touch, I miss her so much.

- 'Let's forget about this week, please! - I plead - I can't bear not seeing you!

- As much as I try to lie to myself, I've spent the whole week waiting for you to come to me. - she says closer, and I wrap my arms around her waist as she puts her arms around my neck.

- I want that, your light, your smile. Let's cross that wall that separates us for one night. Come back to me! - I beg her.

- I never left - she admits it and kisses me fiercely - We both knew it was going to be more than a conversation - she doesn't give me time to think and kisses me again.

When the dots come together in my head, I pull her onto the bed and fall on top of her.

- God help me, this week without seeing you won't last long! - I say as our clothes fly across the room.

- So that makes two of us! - she says, her voice already slurred as she looks down at my bare chest.

True to our words, we didn't even last five minutes of action and we were a panting mass in bed after one of the best and fastest orgasms of our lives.

- If it's going to be like this, I think we should spend a few days apart more often. It was incredible! - she says smiling.

- I hope you're ready for round two! - I say and climb back onto her with a wicked smile on my face. This is going to be a great night.

The next morning I wake up to one hell of a fright. Two loud knocks on the door and Sasuke's unauthorised entry.

- Wakey wakey! Game day, practice time...AAAAAHHHH- he's interrupted by his own scream, followed by Tema's as she tries to hide her naked body with the sheets.

- You don't know how to wait for an answer before going in! - I say, sitting up to try and keep Shivani out of his sight.

- Don't you know how to lock the door? - he says angrily.

- We were just going to have a chat! - I reply.

- From the state of you, I'd say you've done a lot more than talk! But it doesn't matter, you really have to get up to go to the meeting and training. - he says as he leaves the room and closes the door.

- I think my soul has left my body! - she says with her hand on her chest.

- A great way to wake up! - I say ironically.

- You've been spending a lot of time with your cousin, Mr Irony. - she laughs.

- That's funny! - I say and hug her to kiss her neck - Let's get dressed and I'll take you home before I go to the meeting.

I continue my morning after taking her home and head to the pitch to attend the team meeting. I listen to the coach and Uzumaki as usual, this team isn't the best so the game should be easy. Which is great because my mind is already on holiday, and after tonight I can go with a clear conscience.

The training that followed was also routine, run here, pass there, and so on. I love this sport and wouldn't swap it for anything, not even Karui's dance classes.

In the changing room, trivialities were discussed and, of course, Uchiha had to comment on today's events earlier.

- You must have had an incredible view! - says Deidara with a smug look that made me sick to my stomach.

- I thought we'd sorted this topic out after the party. - I say in Tema's defence - She can't even be in your dreams.

- You're going to defend your girlfriend, are you? I thought Shikamaru Nara didn't date.

- If it's you, I'll protect her tooth and nail. And she's not my girlfriend.

Suddenly a strong atmosphere was felt throughout the room as silence fell, I think I left Deidara without an answer.

We were released from the tension when Graham, one of my colleagues, recounted another of his adventures and the subject was soon forgotten.

The day goes on and soon it's game time, my stomach is already full of food to give me the energy I need and my muscles are already warmed up and ready for action.

As we entered the pitch, we heard the screams of the crowd and my gaze wandered round the seats until it stopped on my princess. She's next to my cousin, who's shouting at Sai, who's throwing kisses at her.

She and I just smile at each other and my heart is happy with the knowledge that she's rooting for me to help her win.

Fortunately, the first half was easy and we're winning with a reasonable lead. My body is already covered in sweat from the intensive running and the beatings I've already taken from my opponents. So I drink my bottle of water in record time and return to the pitch for the second half.

As expected, when the final whistle blew the game was ours. Another victory for our house.

We take a quick shower after the celebration, after all, we have a party to go to, and not for another three weeks when we have our next game.

It was after ten o'clock when we arrived at our colleague's house, where the celebration was to take place, and the girls were already waiting for us. Kiba was visiting his family in China and had an early flight this morning.

We danced, drank and partied like young adults should, I hope my dad is proud that I'm following his advice because, even though I have a flight tomorrow, I'm here living the unconscious adult life while I can.

I need to enjoy this last night with Tema, so I take us to her place for another incredible evening, unfortunately it doesn't last as long as I wanted because we're both compromised by alcohol and I need to get home to get as much rest as I can before the flight.

My gaze meets the excited one of Mirai, my younger sister, who, as soon as she sees me, jumps up from her seat and runs towards me for one of her tight hugs. I release my bags to hug her too. My mum waits for my hug near the benches and I go towards her to miss her.

- How are you, my son? - she asks with her motherly affection and her soft hands on my face.

- I'm fine Mum! And how are you holding up? - I ask and hold her hand.

- I'm getting better and better! - she smiles.

- That's what I wanted to hear! - I smile back.

- Big brother, we have so much to talk about! - I'm pulled back by my sister who jumps on my shoulders.

- I'm ready to hear everything you have to say! - I take her off my shoulders and sit down in the seat next to my mum.

Even though I've spent the last hour sitting on a plane to meet them, I feel like I need to sit down or I'll get a tackle from Mirai, I suffered enough yesterday at the game.

- I think you've got me all wrong. According to my sources, you're the one who has a lot to tell us! - my mum and I look at her suspiciously until the little lamp lights up above my head.

- Ino doesn't know how to be quiet, does she? - I ask more to myself than to her, because even with her positive nod, I already knew the answer.

This is going to be the longest 12 hours of my life. Yes, it doesn't look like it, but Japan is a long way from the United States of America, I have a lot of ocean to cross. I hope they sleep a lot, talking about my personal life is not my favourite pastime, especially now that it involves Temari and probably a lot of questions about my relationship with her.

Illegal racing of any kind generates consequences that can lead to the death of innocents or serious injuries that will impact the rest of your life. If you support any story that glorifies this issue, you can stop reading mine.

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Kisses❤