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Shadowplay and Hurricanes	By : CosmicStorm14 Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 2912 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Naruto, including any of the characters, locations or themes in this fiction. I receive no money for publishing this fiction.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
There were fresh flowers on the grave again. Kurenai must have brought Marai down to visit her father earlier that day. Shikamaru took a seat on the grass beside his sensei and took the lighter from his pocket. No one ever asked him what he was doing here, or tried to disturb him when he visited. It was a good place to come to be alone because of that, and Asuma had always been a good listener. Shikamaru lit a cigarette for himself and another for his friend. He put the first to his lips and sat the second on the stone in front of him, next to the new flowers.
He used to speak out loud when he was here, as though Asuma could somehow hear him. But now his thoughts remained in his head. There was so much he wanted to say. He hadn't failed a mission in a long time, and Tsunade almost always chose him to lead the squads. I hope you would have been proud. Konoha was in a state of peace and the children of the village were growing up safe and strong. Relations between the other Hidden Villagers had never been better. The Nara clan were doing well and Shikamaru had taken the time to grow closer to his mother of late, taking an interest in her stories of when she and his father were young. He was growing up to be a strong and commanding heir to the clan, but had been thinking more and more of leaving the family home to find his own place.
The thought of Temari still came to him at night, or when he spent too much time alone. She had left a bitterness inside him, but surely it was only a matter of time before that was gone. She had obviously moved on from him already. It hadn't taken much asking around to discover that her horrible neighbour's assumptions were correct. And more, her seeing Kakashi seemed to be a recurrent thing, and who knows who else she might be sinking her claws into. What would Asuma have thought if Kurenai had started sleeping around as soon as he was gone? That was different, he knew… but being heavy of heart made him bitter of thought.
Perhaps it would settle his mind if he spoke to Temari again, to know exactly what she was up to. Nothing could be as bad as his imagination told him it was. They had met a few times in recent weeks but had not exchanged words. She had caught his eye on occasion with a look somewhere between hatred and pity, but he couldn't bring himself to speak to her, and she didn't make the effort with him. He wasn't about to make a fool of himself again. Perhaps it would be best to ask Ino or Sakura to speak to her on his behalf? Or drop the whole idea entirely. If he could be replaced so easily, he probably never meant that much to her in the first place. But that was alright. They both had their own lives to lead, and he was moving on now, too.
"I thought I'd find you here." He had heard Shiho approach and lit a second cigarette for himself. Asuma's cigarette had gone out now, spilling a little ash across the stone. He shifted to the side to give her room to sit next to him and put an arm across her shoulders when she did.
"Just filling an old friend in on the news."
"Are you telling him about me?" It was a brisk, clear day and her breath made clouds in the sharp air beside his smoke.
He kissed her on the forehead in answer. He would have gotten around to mentioning her if she hadn't interrupted. There was only so long he could spend fixated on the topic of Temari.
Shiho was a good fit for him. She was almost as clever as he was, just as kind as Ayame and not as dangerous as Temari. After hearing of Temari moving on, he had tried to throw all of his attentions at his work. But when Tsunade had placed him into a project alongside the Cypher core, Shiho had come into his life as a happy bonus. She had jumped at the chance to be with him from the first time he had suggested they see each other outside of a professional context. Although he had never exactly asked her out, she was hooked on the idea of being his girlfriend from the beginning and he hadn't protested. She had even been eager to enter into a physical relationship early on, and that kept him sane and satisfied. He still got a little carried away on occasion, being too rough with her or waking up next to her in a half-dream and thinking for a fraction of a second that she was someone else… But he was thankful that he had never called her by the wrong name, at least, and she eased some of his frustrations. Temari had moved on, and Shiho was proof that he had, too. Mostly. As far as anyone else had to know.
"Do you need me to help you get ready for tomorrow?" He was due to lead Rock Lee and TenTen and a pair of younger Chunin away for what would hopefully be a short mission to dispel some trouble on the border between the lands of Fire and Sound. They would leave tomorrow morning. He had already played through all possible traps they may be walking into and decided his best course of action should the worst happen based on the skills of his team and the information that the Hokage had given him on the enemies they would face. He considered himself perfectly well prepared, although he always left packing until the last minute. It would be good to get out of the Leaf Village again for a while.
"Thank you, but I have everything prepared. We have to leave early tomorrow morning, so I should sleep alone tonight if you don't mind." He played with her hand, stroking her fingers to show enough affection that she wouldn't think he was avoiding her. She gave a little pout but then smiled to him.
"Whatever you think is best. And you know what they say: absence makes the heart grow fonder!"

"Ino? Can I talk to you?" He had been headed to find her at the Yamanaka Florist but bumped into her in town on the way.
"Sure, Shika. You need something for tomorrow?" She was always so eager to help him. Choji was his best friend, but he and Ino shared a strong bond too. They always had each other's backs. He just hoped she would understand in this case.
"No, no that's not it."
"Then what?" Looking at those bright smiling eyes, a flash of guilt struck him.
"I need a favour." He had judged this to be a good idea, despite her fiery nature, but now he was here he couldn't help but doubt himself.
"You're friends with Temari, right?"
"I am. Where are you going with this?"
"While I'm away, could you speak to her for me?"
Her eyes narrowed at him, suspicious. He and Choji had never been able to keep secrets from her and she had found out about what had happened when Temari had first come to the Leaf. Since then, he thought he had hidden his torment quite well. But Ino wasn't stupid, and he couldn't be sure of just how much she knew.
"Why can't you speak to her yourself?"
Because I don't trust myself around her. "That's the thing. I don't want her – or Shiho – to know that I care."
Ino put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes at him impatiently in the way he had anticipated.
"Shika-" she began to protest but he carried on.
"I just need to know what she's up to. You two hang out already anyway, right?"
"You want to know if she's sleeping with anyone, don't you?" Nope, nothing gets past Ino… He didn't need her to understand his reasons completely, he just needed this one favour. Even if it turned out that he never even entered Temari's head any more, he needed a solid answer to work with. All of these what ifs were driving him insane.
"I just need to know. I'm going crazy here, but she can't know that I care."
"OK, Shikamaru… let me get this straight. You want me to interrogate your ex-whatever-the-hell-she-was, to find out if she's seeing anyone new. Only she can't know I'm spying on her for you, and your new girl can't find out either."
It sounded awful coming from someone else's lips when it had made so much sense in his mind. "You're so good at getting into people's heads. Take her out somewhere. I can pay for your evening if you like. I thought girls talked about this stuff all the time?"
"She keeps her secrets to herself… she even kept you pretty quiet."
"Yeah…" she always was a mysterious one. He hated mystery. "She's not like other girls, I guess."
"And what exactly is wrong with other girls?"
Oh shit. He thought for sure he had awoken Ino's rage with that mistake, but when her eyes caught his, her face softened. She must have seen the torment behind his eyes and realised that she couldn't scorn him any more than he already scorned himself.
"Fine," she resigned. "I'll take her out. You're my friend and I hate to see you torn up like this. But she's my friend too, remember? I'm not going to betray her or anything."
"Thank you for this, Ino. I owe you one." A part of him wanted to wrap his arms around her and lift her into the air, but it only would have ended in fists to his head and kicks to his shins, so he patted a hand against her shoulder instead.
"Yeah you do. If you die out there tomorrow, I'm having all your stuff."

Temari had spent a number of afternoons and evenings with Ino and Sakura, enjoying female company while she had the chance. There were only a few more designated projects to complete before heading back to Suna. That was something to look forward to. The longest nights of the year were past, but Konoha was still very far from a Spring thaw. The relative heat of the Land of Wind would be most welcome.
Although there wasn't much that she had in common with the girls, they were not unpleasant company and helped her pass the time. It was clear that they were closer with each other than either of them were with her, but being something of a third wheel was tolerable enough. She was in the Leaf to work, not to socialise, and her travel pack and tessen were the only friends she needed. This time though, Ino had offered to see Temari alone. She claimed that Sakura was "busy". That shouldn't be suspicious, should it? Ino was her friend, there was no reason they shouldn't spend time alone together. Ino had invited Temari around to her place to prepare for their evening together, but Temari opted to meet her out instead. She would not be ungrateful or anti-social, but there was no need to drag the evening out longer than it had to be.
Ino has suggested they go to a bar which was unusual for her – she was usually more of a food person than a drink person – but Temari went along with it. A few extra public houses had popped up in Konoha in the last year or two. With the village in a state of peace, the villagers not only had more time to spend recreationally drunk, but also more money to indulge their habits. The one that Ino suggested they try was a small, smoky tavern.
It was a pleasant evening of drink and conversation, but Temari soon felt as though Ino was pushing the conversation in a certain direction. Ino and Sakura were quite comfortable telling stories of their own encounters with men, but Temari had never shared her own. Tonight though, Ino seemed very eager for her to share. She's interrogating me.
After hearing of Shikamaru seeing other women, Temari had returned to Kakashi on a few occasions. She had grown accustomed to his ways and learned to enjoy his touch, and he had even ventured to let her ride him on his sofa once instead of taking her to bed. He still insisted on doing it in the dark but that was a boundary she respected. She was thankful for someone to keep her nights warm, and enjoyed his conversation, but there was no spark between them and she did not miss him when she slept alone. The urge had struck her a few times to look for something - for someone - more exciting and adventurous, longing to achieve the feeling that she had had with Shikamaru once more. But somehow she suspected that she might always be left disappointed, and she kept her urges to herself.
Although she had never openly spoken with Ino about her sex life, she didn't know exactly how much she may have heard from Shikamaru. It was hardly a secret that she had been seeing Kakashi, but Temari had never paid much attention to rumour and so had little idea what people might be saying about her, or how much Ino might know. When it seemed as though Ino was pushing a little too hard, Temari decided to turn the tables.
"How about your love life? You and Shikamaru, huh?" She gave her friend a playfully mocking elbow to the ribs and enjoyed Ino's look of utter revulsion at her comment.
"What? You've got to be kidding! No way!"
"Why, what's wrong with him?" She knew that there was nothing going on between Ino and her squadmate, but this was a fun game to play.
"Ugh! Where do I start? He's so…" she stopped mid-sentence and changed her angle. "I mean, I just don't feel that way about him. He's a great guy though, really. What exactly do you think of him?"
"Are you asking for you, or asking for him?"
"Why would I be asking for him?"
"Ino, I can see it in your face. You've been trying to get information out of me all evening. Did Shikamaru ask you to come here tonight?"
She gave a look as though she was insulted that Temari would ask such a thing, but didn't deny it. "I'm your friend, Temari!"
"And I'm yours. But that's not what I asked."
She gave in. "He just wants to know how you're getting on."
"You mean he wants to know who I'm getting on?" The drink was obviously beginning to get to Ino for her to be so loose of tongue, and she giggled at her friend's dirty wit. "That's kinda creepy and invasive but alright… I thought he was with Shiho now, anyway?"
"He is."
"So why does he care?" He thinks he can have who he wants and still keep tabs on my private life. She felt the wound that had been healing begin to open, and it angered her gut like a tormented beast.
"I don't know. He says you're not like other girls." She made a face as she spoke, mocking him.
"And what exactly does he think wrong with other girls?"
"I know, right? Idiot." The two were bonding over their mutual resentment for the Nara boy.
"Ino, let's forget about him. We're having out own girl's night tonight. You with me?" Ino was all too happy to get another round of drinks in and forget about the task she had so unfairly been set. But Temari was not so quick to forget. Shikamaru had sent Ino to interrogate her but had underestimated how difficult she was to manipulate. If anyone was going to be pulling the strings tonight, it would not be Shikamaru. She could not let him control her. The last time she had opened herself up for him, it had only amounted to salting her cheeks and reddening her eyes. But her walls were back in place now. She would not let him hurt her again.
He would be quizzing Ino as soon they next spoke, Temari was sure of it. So what kind of thoughts did she need to plant in his head? Of course he's free to go out with whoever he wants, first the ramen girl and now the woman from the cypher core… but to take what he wants from them and still think he can judge her for who she goes with? He chose not to be with her. She would show him that he had no right to think he could monitor her sex life. It was nothing to do with him now, and that was his choice. She should punish him for his insolence. Should she tell Ino that she really had been sleeping around? Would that hurt him? Or perhaps that she had been with Choji and make him sick with jealousy? No, they would both know that wasn't true. But Shikamaru had another best friend. There were three to a squad. What better way to spit his schemes back in his face than to corrupt his spy? Kakashi had been no challenge at all, but Ino? This might be an interesting evening after all. Revenge was so much more fun than hurt.
Playing the part of Ino's friend was not a difficult task at all. She did truly enjoy the Yamanaka girl's company and took an interest in her training and missions and stories of her family. But tonight, Temari was keen to flatter the girl directly, reinforcing the bond between them. She complimented the girl's hair and style, making her feel important by asking for help with such things, and thanking her for her advice by claiming how good a friend she was. Ino was not the only one who could manipulate a conversation. She made moves to get closer to her so slowly and naturally that it didn't seem like Ino had noticed that she was intermittently holding the girl's hand, or touching her hair, or putting an arm around her waist. She chose her moments carefully to push things in the direction that she wanted.
"Have you ever been with a girl, Ino?" She kept her distance from her friend now, hoping that she wouldn't be coming on too strong. If she frightened her off this early, it wouldn't work.
"You mean… have I kissed a girl? In games and stuff, yeah."
"No, I meant in a romantic way. When no one dared you to do it. Have you ever just thought a girl was hot and wanted to kiss her?"
"Not really… what are you saying?"
"I just think a body like yours is wasted on men." She watched her friend wrinkle her nose, her bright blue eyes wide with false modesty. If Ino had one weakness, it was flattery.
"But I like men!"
"And I'm sure they like you… but no one appreciates a woman like another woman does. No one can pleasure a woman like a woman can. Have you never even been tempted to try it?"
"Hold on, Temari. Anyone would think you're coming on to me right now."
Temari shrugged. "I was just curious." The seed was planted in her friend's mind, but this was enough for now. She changed the subject and they continued their evening.
They visited another two bars. In the first, they talked about making the most of their free time, and how good it feels to be young, and their life goals. Nothing particularly sexual came up, but Temari was monitoring the flow of the conversation carefully. She was speaking about having to explore the world as much as possible before suffering an early death, or worse – becoming a housewife!
"What is it they say? You regret the things you don't do…?" She knew very well how the saying went, but wanted Ino to hear the sentiment from her own mouth.
"… more than the things you do do!" Ino finished.
The last bar was close to Ino's home and they happened to have a live band playing. Some of the guests were swinging their drinks in the air, singing along, while others were dancing. Perfect. It was polite to have at least one drink here, but Temari was quick to invite Ino to dance as soon as they were done. Most of the dancers were buxom older women, most of the onlookers weathered older men. They looked like the type of men who would appreciate getting to watch some young flesh and she needed Ino to feel attractive. She led her friend by the hand up to near where the band were playing and turned to dance with her. The men hooted, the women clapped to dance with the younger girls, and Ino seemed to be enjoying herself. She likes the attention.
"You're a really good dancer!" Temari called to her friend. The music was loud here, so she had to come close and speak into Ino's ear so she would be able to hear. "I love the way your body moves!" She put her hands on the girl's hips. It was a risk, and Ino caught her with a questioning glance at first but as soon as the men watching began to whistle to them, she threw her head back to laugh. She smiled so warmly into Temari's eyes that she almost thought she might move to kiss her, but it didn't happen. Not yet. She was clearly very comfortable being in close physical contact with Temari, but was that the drink acting? Temari would do nothing that Ino didn't want, and was careful not to fill her too full of wine that she might do anything she would regret. But the more they played together, the more she forgot about her scheme and began to appreciate Ino for what she was. Not a pawn in their little game, but a woman. Those bright blue eyes, that fiery laugh, the soft skin of her midriff just showing above her skirts, the way her breasts filled out her clothes and those long, feminine, dangerous fingers…
When the song ended, they took their seats again where it was quieter.
"Wow, I'm so tired…" Temari lied. "You know what I would love? To finish the evening with a pot of tea. But where would we find any this late at night?"
"Hey, I don't live far from here!"
"Really? I had no idea! What are you saying? That we go…?" She wanted Ino to think it had been her idea.
"We could go back to mine for tea!"
"Great idea, Ino! You are such a good friend!"
They walked arm in arm, huddled against the cold, and ran the last stretch of the road to Ino's place. It was warm inside, and Ino brewed a pot in her little kitchen while Temari made herself comfortable. They settled in Ino's room, each sat cross-legged on her bed. Temari was her guest here and was considering how to figure out exactly how much Ino wanted. But the flowergirl sat close enough to her that their knees brushed and was giving her a curious look that wasn't entirely innocent.
"So Ino, what's the real reason you invited me back to your place, huh? Anyone would think you're the one hitting on me now!"
"Oh no! It's not like that!" She wrinkled her nose as she smiled again, in a way that implied it was exactly like that. Temari wondered if she would have reacted in the same manner if it had been a man who was flirting with her right now.
"Really? You don't like my body or what?" She played.
"Temari, you have a great body, you're gorgeous."
"So are you! Why don't we have a girls night in? If you don't mind me staying over? It's already so late…"
Ino was happy to let her friend stay the night. She didn't have any spare beds to offer but that wasn't a problem. Girls were allowed to share. When they had finished their tea, Ino turned the lights down and moved to find her nightclothes. Temari had none, so she folded her own clothes into a pile on the floor and helped herself to Ino's bed, naked. When Ino joined her in pants and a short nightgown, she caught a glimpse of her guest's naked body for the first time when she peeled back the blanket. Ino blushed, but Temari was not embarrassed. They settled next to each other in the bed, each on their side, their faces close.
"Will you keep my secret, Ino?" She taunted her. "I've always thought you were the best looking girl in the Leaf Village."
Ino didn't really seem to know what to do with this information, but held a cautious smile. Temari carried on.
"We could explore tonight, if you wanted to. Just play around, you know?"
"I'm not sure…" She spoke in a tone that suggested she was, in fact, entirely sure, but Temari would not push her. This had to be Ino's decision.
"We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. But I could show you how a woman can touch you better than any man ever could. You can see whatever you want to see of me. You can do whatever you want with me tonight."
She let the information settle in her friend's intoxicated mind. She could feel the cool sheets of Ino's bed against her naked skin. The air was full of floral scents and feminine perfumes, mixed with just a hint of the drink on Ino's breath. She heard her moving slowly underneath the sheets, and Ino brushed one foot to hers and put her fingertips gingerly to the skin of her chest. Temari was broader of hip and fuller of bust than Ino but she considered Ino to have better skin and a prettier face than her own. They weren't a bad combination. And it had been so long since she had been with another woman.
"Girls are really fucking hot, aren't we?" That was a yes.
She kissed her tentatively through smiling lips, letting Ino set the pace. He lips seemed quite reserved at first but as soon as she had a taste of Temari's tongue, her laughter began to slip through and it was clear she was allowing herself to enjoy it. Temari put a hand to the side of her face and ran her fingers through her soft blonde hair and Ino shivered even at that. She moved an arm upwards and let her fingertips hang in the air for a moment, an inch away from Temari's breasts.
"Can I…?" There was a tremble of excitement as she spoke, her mouth in a wide grin like a child waiting to unwrap a present. She put her hand to her friend's breast and squeezed it gently in her palm. Temari didn't want to rush her and let her fondle her breasts for as long as she wanted, but Ino soon opted to speed things up herself. Without asking, she put her mouth to her nipple sucked against it, wet and warm. Her hands began to venture over waist and hip, so Temari did the same. Ino was still wearing her nightgown but it hung loose enough that she could easily slip her hands underneath and enjoy the girl's plump young breasts and beautifully soft skin.
Ino was laughing again now, excited for their play, and Temari tickled her fingers against the girl's sides and nibbled at her ear, rolling her over in the bed and letting her thighs entwine with her own. It was good to keep things fun, and easy. She's only using me to experiment, she knew, but this evening could be a big deal for her. She wanted to give a good impression. But as it turned out, Ino didn't seem to need too much convincing. A hand brushed between Temari's legs, a fingertip turning circles around her inner thigh. A small giggle in the darkness, and Ino held her breath as her fingers found her guest's labia. Her touch was soft at first, as though the creature might have bitten her, just skimming over her folds. Temari kissed her again on the mouth, and in their heat under the blankets, Ino put a finger inside her friend and felt her warmth and wetness. She pulled out just enough to push some of that wetness across her labia, over her clitoris, before entering again.
Ino's head dipped under the covers. She's even more adventurous than I expected. She knew Ino had never done this before, but of course the Yamanaka girl was familiar enough with her own body that her inexperience didn't particularly matter. Even her tongue feels somehow feminine.
Of course, Temari was eager to return the favour. It had been years since she had last been with a woman and her tongue needed the exercise. She slid Ino's pants and gown from her body and cast them to the floor. They traded places and Temari began by kissing against the girl's inner thighs and squeezing at her flesh. He lips sat against Ino's groin while her fingers played inside her little pink cave. The high-pitched moans that she was making were like poetry. I wonder who she's pretending that I am? At last, her mouth found its place and she flicked her slippery tongue over and around at Ino's clitoris until her hips were writhing under her touch.
She kissed her way up Ino's soft, delicately feminine body until she was lying beside her again.
"Come with me?" She offered.
"You first."
It didn't take long. Temari touched herself with Ino inside her until she came, then let Ino bring herself to orgasm against her. She hid her face in Temari's chest as she got closer in an endearing manner and didn't look up again until her spasms had finally subsided. The release seemed to sober her immediately. She began to look a little flustered and lost, despite Temari giving her a warm smile and reassuring touch.
"I'm so thirsty!" Ino broke away, sitting up on the edge of the bed and covering herself in her nightclothes as quickly as she was able. You're not regretting this already, are you? She stumbled across the room for water and faced the wall, her back to Temari, as she drank. The girl was shrouded in shadow, but Temari thought she saw her friend shivering.
"Do you want me to leave?" Temari offered, reaching through the dark for clothing to cover her nakedness.
"I need to think through some stuff." She spoke to the wall, her words solemn.
Maybe this evening hadn't been fair on her. A quiver of guilt crept up her spine. It wasn't Ino she had meant to hurt. She would give the girl some space to get her head straight. It was cold outside, but the walk home as not so far. It would be much more comfortable to sleep in her own bed. She was almost dressed and ready to leave when Ino spoke again.
"What am I going to tell Shikamaru?"
Temari couldn't help but let a malicious grin embrace her lips. "Tell him he's missing out."

Shikamaru's mission had taken two days longer than expected. The unrest that Tsunade had warned them of turned out to only have been a fraction of the issue there, the enemies they had prepared for just minions for a greater organisation. Lee and TenTen had assured him that it was his own quick thinking and brave command that meant they had all made it out alive, but he was just thankful for their own skills and comradery. Shiho had been so excited to see him home safely that he had barely had any time to himself since he had been back. The little celebration that the other young Shinobi had put on to celebrate their return should have been the last thing he wanted, but there was one reason that he decided to attend.
Shiho had kept him up most of the night he had returned. Absence makes the heart grow fonder she had said before he left… she had clearly missed him and been enamoured by his show of courage and he had not tried to discourage her advances, tired from travel though he was. Such a mission was good for keeping his mind off women but when the danger was over and they were headed home, his mind was more interested in discovering what Ino had found out about Temari than in seeing Shiho again. Still, their night together was enjoyable. They had taken a break at one point when he had accidentally hurt her with his teeth, but he blamed it on the built-up passion from not having had a release in a few days and she had forgiven him.
They slept in late the next day, but that afternoon he had made a point of tracking Ino down. She had avoided his gaze and shuffled over her words but explained that Temari was indeed seeing Kakashi as a casual arrangement, and that he had not been her only partner. He had had to push her for another name, frightened by the regret on her face, but Ino could hold no secrets from him. She admitted their encounter to him. It was a shock, admittedly, but he told her not to apologise. Truth be told, the tale didn't sink in right away and he had spent a moment light-headed, not sure whether to be aroused, enraged, or disappointed. Why did gut instincts always have to be so far detached from logical opinions? I bet she's enjoying this, he decided. She's been lusting to draw blood from my pride again since the last time, just waiting for some provocation. But could that be a good thing? The opposite of affection is indifference, not hatred. If she felt the need to hurt him, at least that meant she still cared.
Temari had acknowledged him at the beginning of the celebratory evening the day after his return. He had arrived with Shiho clutched to his arm, and everyone had come over in congratulations and well wishes. She had nodded a subtle smile to him then. He had wanted to go to her, but restrained himself for Shiho's sake. It was a nice atmosphere, the hall flickering with low lamp light, the air full of the smell of warm spiced sake and they had even arranged for some live music. But all Shikamaru could do was wait for it to be over. Or at least, wait for Shiho to get tired enough to leave. He danced and spoke with her for a few hours but others were asking for his company as well, and she was not suspicious of his reasons when he opted to stay a little longer after she retired home.
The blonde from the Sand was sat with Kiba and was playing with Akimaru. The big hound had his head in her lap while she fluffed her hands through his ears and blew little kisses towards his wet nose. Kiba laughed at their play and it looked as though she was asking him endless questions about the dog, enjoying both of their company. Shikamaru couldn't wait any longer. His hands hidden in his pockets, his eyes to the floor, and he went to her.
"Temari?" She looked at him as though she had just seen a ghost before she regained her composure. "Can I talk to you?"
She looked to Kiba who excused her with a gesture of his hand, and gave Akimaru a scratch behind the ear as she stood up to follow him. He led her to a quiet corner, where they could hear each other over the music and wouldn't be followed.
"What's the matter, Shikamaru?" Her usual confident smirk was on her face, except her eyes couldn't settle on where they wanted to be and flicked around the hall. "You going to tell me you're more of a cat person?"
He didn't even know where to start. Everything usually came to him so quickly, he could always decide the right course of action even in the most dangerous of environments. He had proved that time and time again. But Temari left him lost, his head a mess, his tongue mute. She looked to him for an answer he couldn't give.
"Well," she sighed, "this has been a fun chat."
She turned to leave but his words drew her back. "Ino told me about you two." Really, Shikamaru? Was that really that honestly the best opener you could have come up with here?
She looked to her feet with a flicker of a smile on her mouth, then raised her head defiantly, crossing her arms in the way that pushed her breasts together.
"And why is that any business of yours?"
He was invested now. He had to press on. Even if she beat him for it, he had to say this now.
"I wish you wouldn't see people from the Leaf."
"Excuse me?" Her tone was not as aggressive as he might have anticipated.
"I know I can't dictate how you behave, it's your life…"
"Damn right it is."
He pressed on. "Anyone from the Sand is fine. If I don't know them, I don't have to picture it. But please don't get with my friends. I can't…" he stumbled. "I can't deal with that."
"So if you know them, you're somehow forced to imagine it? I wonder what your girlfriend would think of you picturing me fucking other people. Do you picture it when you're inside her?"
"No, I…" It had seemed like such a reasonable request before he had shared it. "I shouldn't have said anything. Forget it."
"Did you really expect me to agree to this?"
He shrugged. Honestly, he hadn't known what to expect. "I just needed to talk to you. You've been so closed off with me lately."
"Closed off? I thought you of all people would know the benefits of playing your cards close to your chest."
"In battle, yes, but not between us." The words came through an exasperated sigh. "I am not your enemy, Temari."
"And I am not your property. You gave up the right to tell me who to be with when you chose her. You can't ask me to be faithful to someone who isn't even my boyfriend."
"It's not possessive to wish you wouldn't sleep around. You deserve better than that." He had meant it as a kindness, but hatred flared in her eyes.
"Was that pity? Are you pitying me right now? Because you're in a relationship again already and I'm not? That's my choice."
"I wish you'd choose differently." Perhaps if he'd known that Kakashi cared for her it wouldn't have made his jealousy any easier, but at least he'd know that she was being looked after and not throwing her body away like she was.
"It's certainly no worse than what you're doing."
"What is it you think I'm doing?"
"You're a serial monogamist, Shikamaru. At least I'm honest about the fact that what I do means nothing. You're going around pretending to actually like these girls to get laid. At least I'm not breaking anyone's heart."
Wasn't she? Shiho was a good person, how dare she accuse him of using her for sex. She had no idea. These petty arguments were a drag at the best of times but now he was tired and bitter. He didn't want to fight any more.
"Forget it. It's none of my business, I don't care. I've got something better than that now. Someone better than you."
That one must have hurt her, but she swallowed any retort that might have had. Were her eyes glistening wet, or was it just the lamp light? He caught a fraction of the slow acoustic music from across the room, muffled at the distance and half drowned in chatter.
"Are we finished here?" She said at last.
No. She looked impatiently back into the room as though she couldn't wait to get away from him, but neither of them moved. Having her here now, so close to him where he couldn't touch her. How much he wanted to take her in his arms and run away with her and put all of this mess behind them. A disgusting thought crossed his mind. A wiser man might have suppressed it, but just being around Temari made Shikamaru impulsive and reckless.
"Would you have me back if I left her?"
She caught his eye then. Her eyes were wet and she silently pleaded with him not to make her answer that question.
"I'm going home soon."
How could he have forgotten? But it wasn't a no.
"Can I hug you?"
Everything inside her wanted him close to her body, but she could see how it would play out. She would smell the scent of him, feel the warmth of his skin, feel safe in his strong arms. She would wrap her arms around him and never let him go. That wouldn't do. The whole reason they were in this mess was because they had no self-control around each other.
"No, Shikamaru," she sighed. She folded her arms across her body, but it was not a display of strength or anger as it usually was. She was protecting herself from him. "No, you can't."
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Shadowplay and Hurricanes