The field before her rippled in the breeze like ocean waves crashing against the shoreline. Flowers dancing among the tall grass and the low hum of cicadas echoed around her. The early morning humidity finally broke, some reprieve from the pressing heat of another Konoha summer. Temari had thought that nothing could compare to the blistering sun in Suna but, somehow, she found it unusual that small beads of sweat gathered at her temples. Using the back of her hand to wipe it away, she decided to indulge in a quick break beneath the umbrella-like cover of a weeping willow tree that towered above the winding path between her home and the village felt like a second one. Stepping to its trunk and crouching down, she pressed her hands against the cool bed of moss beside it, delicately bordered with small clovers littered with little, white flowers. A little rest couldn't hurt, she mused silently. Temari let her back sink against the forest floor and let out a sigh as she outstretched her hands towards the long, tender leaves that hung from the branches looming over her, slowly closing her eyes.
Before leaving Suna to support yet another year's chuunin exams in the Leaf, Gaara had requested for Temari to complete a few additional liaison duties in the nearby villages to help support his treaties and good standing with their leaders. It seemed even as Gaara's tenure as Kazekage endured, his pursuit of peace among the neighboring villages remained top priority. Though the travel was quite dull, Temari was always quick to take on her brother's orders and often found herself truly finding solace in her days alone on the road. A few scrolls delivered here, some gifts and civil duties there, and nearly an entire summer to spend in Konoha on a "vacation" of sorts.
Gaara had grown quite worried of her non-stop travels over the past several years and, while he was quite appreciative of her dedication to her village and to him, he had expressed some concerns and pressed Temari to take time off between her assignments. It's not like he treats Kankuro with kid gloves like this. Temari sighed at the thought, blowing a blonde strand of hair off her forehead. She frowned, realizing that she wasn't quite as alone as she had hoped to be, and began tapping her fingertips against the ground beneath her to get a sense of what entered her vicinity. Though her prowess was wind-style, she was able to learn quite a bit from Gaara's sand abilities and grounding techniques in identifying changes in her environment.
"You stare loudly," Temari's brow furrowed. She opened an eye ever so slightly to see the faint silhouette of a familiar figure leaning over her. His head tilted to the side slowly, much like a dog confused over a cat's meow.
"Letting someone sneak up on you like this? Someone's rusty." Shikamaru chided, rolling a toothpick from one corner of his mouth to the other as he straightened up.
"If you were an actual threat, perhaps I'd put up more of a fight." Temari retorted, closing her eye again and raising a hand lazily to gesture him away. He merely raised an eyebrow and pushed his hands into his pockets. The hum of cicadas filled the empty air between them for a moment before Temari continued. "Is there a reason you're lording over me?" Shikamaru's brow furrowed and he rolled his eyes, again rolling the toothpick across his lips.
"Tsunade's expecting you." He spoke flatly, fiddling with something in his pocket, "And lucky me, I've been assigned escort duty." Temari folded an arm over her face, letting out another loud sigh before rising to her feet. She noticed, for a moment, Shikamaru took a hand out of his pocket as if to offer it for assistance, but he seemed to think better of it and quickly forced it back into his vest.
"Alright, alright. Escort away." She gestured to the path ahead and the two fell into a synchronized pace, another long silence fell between them only punctuated by the occasional chirping of birds and insects, and the rhythmic thumping of their feet on the ground. Temari glanced up at Shikamaru for a moment, studying him. It had been a nearly a year since she had seen him last. Her duties as liaison had kept her away from Konoha for long stretches of time and whenever she managed to be in town, he was away on some S-rank mission or liaison duties. They were like two ships passing in the night, circumstance keeping them from sharing the same shores. He's taller than I remember, she thought for a moment, I wonder where he got that scar on his lip.
Shikamaru's gaze flickered over to meet her own in an instant, and she quickly averted her eyes to avoid him. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, suddenly acutely aware of how long she was looking at staring. If it bothered him, he didn't bring it mention it, and she wasn't about to press her luck to steal another glance.
- x -
"Temari-sama, excellent to see you. I trust Gaara is well." Tsunade said, standing as Temari entered her office followed by Shikamaru.
"No need for honorifics, Lady Tsunade," She held her hands up, feigning embarrassment. "He is well and sends his sincerest apologies for his planned absence from this year's exams. Conflicts with some other duties in the Land of Tea. I'm sure you understand." Tsunade nodded in reassurance before sitting back behind her desk.
"As always, Konoha is ever grateful for Suna's continued support with the chuunin exams." She began, clasping her hands together with a force that nearly surprised Temari. "I understand that you're in the village a bit early for some much needed time off before the exams begin.. I'm sure those days are few and far between, hm?"
"Practically a foreign concept. I'll use my time wisely, my Lady." Temari bowed her head and let out a small laugh.
"I'm sure you will." Tsunade smiled and winked to Shikamaru, who let out an audible groan before pressing his open hand across his face
"Leave me out of this, I beg you." Shikamaru pleaded, though his request was met with a soft jab from Temari's elbow. "What a drag," he murmured, rubbing his side.
"You two are dismissed for now. Temari, I'll have some scrolls for you in preparation for this year's proctoring tasks delivered to your accommodations in the coming weeks. Shikamaru, please escort Temari to where she'll be staying."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade". The two said in unison, met with a soft smile from Tsunade before they made their leave.
- x -
The village streets echoed with the shuttering of shop windows, childrens' laughter followed by mothers calling them in for supper. Dazzling red and gold streaks arching over the skyline as the sun set slowly over the horizon. Deep purple clouds rolling in the distance over the hills. Temari felt almost delighted by the sights and sounds, Suna was much less lively in the evening in the summer. The heat and sandstorms typically kept most inside this time of year.
"So," Temari began, clearing her throat. "Any missions coming up?"
"Not really, summer's been quiet." Shikamaru shrugged, placing another toothpick in his mouth.
"Just how you like it, I'm sure." Temari chided, smiling softly though not looking at him. He merely hummed in agreement. He seemed more closed off than usual, but his extroversion tended to ebb and flow regardless of who he spoke with. As they got older, his affinity for mincing words waned - though she could hardly say he was much of a talker when they were kids, either.
They arrived at Temari's loft just as the sun fell from the sky. The key Tsunade handed her unlocked the door with a dull thud. The door was quite heavy to open, or perhaps heavy to Temari after her travels these past few weeks. She struggled for a moment before realizing that Shikamaru's hand held it ajar for her, his forearm pressed against the top edge of the door. She mumbled a thanks under her breath and slipped under his arm and through the doorway.
Stepping inside, she watched for the briefest of moments the way the moonlight made the dust in the air sparkle. Temari imagined that no one had been in this loft since the last time she visited some months ago, the air still smelled faintly of the spiced tea blend she brought from Suna. Dropping her bags near the first bedroom door, she turned to look at the silhouette in her doorway now holding it ajar with his right side, hands in his pockets. She could just barely see his eyes staring a hole through her.
"Tea?" Temari asked gently. Shikamaru made no motion or sound to accept, but stepped out of his shoes in one smooth motion as he passed over the entryway and let the door shut behind him. She gestured to the small table in the kitchen as she made quick work of lighting the stovetop to brew. Watching him from the corner of her eye, she noticed he used the lighter in his pocket to ignite the two candles placed on the table - already partially melted from her last visit. Temari realized that must have been what he was fiddling with.
"No sugar," Shikamaru finally spoke, his low voice just barely above a whisper.
"I remember," Temari replied, her voice just as soft. Gently placing the tea cup before him and handing him a spoon, knowing he liked to stir the tea regardless.
The pair sat again in silence, the blonde watching her own reflection in the tea ripple as she blew on it softly to cool it down. Her gaze flickered up to his and, if not for the faint light of the candles between them, she could have sworn Shikamaru blushed as her eyes met his. He looked away quickly, his hand grasping the fabric of his pants on his thigh as he absent-mindedly stirred.
"Tea is best had warm, don't you think?" She asked, taking another small sip and raising an eyebrow as she tried to stifle a giggle. His brow furrowed, but he took a long swig before placing the empty cup back on the table. "Attaboy."
"You're a pain." He asserted, crossing his arms but holding back the corner of his lips from forming a smile - she could have sworn she saw another blush pass over his cheeks. Shikamaru stood up abruptly, pushing his hands back in his pocket. Temari wondered if it was a force of habit or to self-sooth. "I should get going."
"Need an escort back?" Temari let herself giggle this time, "It is getting late."
Shikamaru merely rolled his eyes and threw his head back, letting out another groan.
"Look," He started, wringing a hand around the back of his neck, "Choji and I are meeting up tomorrow morning for breakfast. Lady Tsunade would kill me if I didn't host the liaison and dignitary of our closest ally. Would you want-"
Temari waved him off, crossing an arm across her lap, her other hand loosely fiddling with the handle of her teacup. "Don't feel like you need to put yourself out for me, I'll find my way."
"Don't be like that, it's-" Shikamaru paused, realizing his tone was harsher than he had intended. He sucked in air between his teeth, whistling slightly. "You aren't putting me out. I'm asking you if you'd like to join us."
"I don't want to be a third wheel," She looked down at her nearly empty cup. "It's really alright, I have somewhere to be, anyway."
"Suit yourself, I'll see you when I see you." He made his leave, tossing a hand up behind him as he made his exit. Temari watched the door long after he left, analyzing the interaction much more than she normally would. She was quite sure why she felt something odd between them, half-hearted jabs and comfortable silence was the norm between them, but whatever this was..
Weird. This feels.. weird, she thought as she finally rose to her feet, eyes glued to the door. I wonder if he's seeing someone.
Temari's hand flew to her forehead with an audible smack, finally averting her gaze from the door. Why would I even think about that?
She blew out the candles and resigned herself to some long deserved rest. Why would I even care?