A ShikaTema Fanfiction Story

A/N~ Alright. well, this is my first fanfic story. don't be so rough on me. i know some of the grammar is incorrect, and yeahh. bahahaha. alright. well, enjoyy!

I. OWN. NOTHING. Everything belongs to Masashi-Sempai. bahahahahaha.

My eyes were fixed on the forest trail in front of us. My hair moved with the wind. My feet barely touching the tree branches as we flew. Gaara and Kankuro traveling on either sides of me.

"Hey sis.. sis.. Temari!" Kankuro yelled, finally gaining my attention. I scowled at him.

"What the hell do you want?" I said, annoyed.

He sighed, and closed his eyes.

"I was gonna ask if you were fine..?" He said, opening his eyes.

I was a little surprised by his question. I didn't know what to answer. My eyes fixated in front of me again. I felt my face stiffen.

"So are you? What's up? You look troubled.."

Great. Now besides annoying and stupid, Kankuro was way too observant.

"I'm fine. What makes you think I'm not?"

I was far too distracted to actually pay attention to what my answer had been.

"Well, like I already said, you look troubled.. Like something's bothering you,"

He turned his eyes from my face to the trail.

I sighed quietly, but said nothing. I couldn't think of a coherent response.

Gaara looked at me. I could feel his stare on my face.

"What's got you worried, Temari?" He asked suddenly.

I looked at him. He was, in fact, staring at me.

I sighed again, a little more loudly this time.

"It's nothing. Really guys. There's nothing wrong."

Gaara looked into my eyes for about 5 seconds, before nodding once, and turning away.

They didn't buy it, but they didn't ask again.

After traveling for more than 2 hours nonstop, in peace, Kankuro broke the silence.

"Are we almost there?" He whined.

Gaara didn't even look at him. He just kept moving forward. I ignored him too.

"ARE WE OR NOT?" Kankuro said. Loudly.

"Shut up, dammit!" I said, irritated.

Gaara just sighed, Then he said, "We are, in fact, very close. A few more minutes, and we'll be at the front gate.." he trailed off.

My stomach suddenly felt full.. of butterflies.

But why?

I felt uneasy, and looked down.

Only a few more minutes, and I would be with him.. I sighed. It had been 1 year.. 1 whole year since I had last seen him.. Been with him.. Heard him..

What the hell is wrong with me? Why is he the first person I instantly thought of?

I closed my eyes, trying to clear my head. I reopened when I was completely concentrated on the trail before me, after a few minutes.

Gaara spoke next. "We're here," He said.

I looked up to see the gate, about 2 miles from where we were. Getting closer. We slowed down, to walking. There was that feeling again.. my stomach was fluttering. My head full of him..

Then, there he was, right in front of us. His expression bored as hell, looking down.

I felt my cheeks getting hot. I looked down to my feet, thinking that he had probably already hooked up with someone else.

Why am I thinking this?

Still denying it, huh.

Shut the hell up... I don't know what your talking about..

Do too. And you know it too..

shut up.

To tell the truth, I hadn't slept in weeks, due to some guard duty missions that took all day. I was exhausted.. I felt a little dizzy..

We were to the gate now.

Shikamaru looked directly into my eyes, for just a few seconds, then looked away.

I felt my heart sink.

Why?

I lowered my stare again, playing with the dirt.

"Well. It's been a long time, hasn't it, Shikamaru." said Kankuro, smirking.

Shika narrowed his eyes, smirking back.

"It sure has." he said. The sound of his voice.. it struck me hard.. I took a deep breath, and looked up.

He was looking at me. His eyes were soft. I felt the inevitable blush invade my cheeks. At the sight of it, he smiled. I couldn't help but smile back. I bit my lip then, and looked down, embarrassed.

What's going on?

Gaara spoke this time, looking at me.

"Temari, I would like you to go with Shikamaru around the village, like you always did. Kankuro and I will go talk to Lady Hokage. Look for us at the inn."

I looked at him, and nodded once. Then I looked at Shikamaru. He looked quite pleased.

I spoke then. "So.. Are you ready to go, Lazy-ass?"

I smirked, and so did he.

He shook his head, and closed his eyes, as he crossed his arms around his chest.

"There's the Temari I know and love." he said, sarcastically. He opened his eyes again. His eyes were.. so soft.. as if he had meant what he had just said. He smirked, and I returned the gesture.

"Alright then. Shall we go?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

He nodded, and we walked away.

You're finally alone with him! After all, it was bound to happen sometime..

Shut the hell up, and go bug someone else. You're starting to get annoying..

You do realize that by calling me annoying, your calling yourself annoying, right? I am your inner after all...

Shut your trap.

Okay, okay.. fine.. but you have to-

"So.. it's been what.. a year?"

Shikamaru interrupted my inner, thus breaking the silence.

"Uhh.. yeah.. I think.. I haven't really kept track.." I trailed off.. getting more and more nervous.. I just wish I could know why.. I kept playing with my hands.

"Hmm.. Are.. you okay, Temari? You're not being your usual spunky self.. ordering me around, and you know, being bossy.." he said, his voice gaining a little concern.

I looked at him, surprised he had noticed, and that he hadn't been lazy enough to just let the subject slip.. Maybe he did care after all.. What the hell am I saying? This is Shikamaru we're talking about..

"Temari.. now your blushing.. what's the matter?" He asked, definitely worried.

"I.. umm.. No.. it's nothing.. just a tired.." I said.. then.. I realized it wasn't a lie.. I was, in fact, tired. VERY tired.

"Hmm. You look like you could use sleep.. You look exhausted.." He murmured after awhile.

I looked at him. A scowl illuminated my features.

"Thanks for kindly saying I look like crap."

He smirked, then, his face was serious again.

"No, I'm serious. Maybe you should take a day off or something.. have you been sleeping lately?" He asked suddenly.

His strange, worried behavior was.. well strange. He was always too lazy to even care of the world around him. He never really payed attention to anything or anyone.. let alone me.. Ugh!

I sighed.. I was about to tell him I was fine, but decided to just get on with it.

I closed my eyes as I walked by him.

"No.. I've been too busy with some Guard Duty missions.. They take all day, so I haven't slept in weeks.." I admitted.

He frowned, looking forward.

"You shouldn't push yourself so hard. You need your rest. It's an essential part of being a Shinobi, in your case, a Kunoichi.." He trailed off.

Was this the Shikamaru Nara I knew? The lazy ass who wouldn't give a damn shit if the world was coming down on him? Hmm..

Maybe he really does care about you! Have you ever considered that? Maybe.. there's a little more than just a partnership between you two..

Shut up.. This is Shikamaru we're talking about, remember? He doesn't care about anyone but himself. Besides, why would I care if he did in fact, care about me?

Don't be such a pessimist! We don't know this yet. And you know the answer to that question..

...shut up... you don't know what your talking about.. and no.. I don't

Do too. Just admit it!

I SAID SHUT UP, DAMMIT!

FINE! Do whatever you want!

Just.. shut up... go away.

Fine..

"Hey.. Temari.. Are you listening to me?" He said. He sounded annoyed.

I looked at him, and smirked.

"Since when do YOU care about me, and my sleeping patterns?"

I questioned, raising one eyebrow.

At first, his expression was.. blank.. then.. he looked away, scratching his neck.

"Uhh.. just.. you know.. well.. I haven't seen you in awhile.. and.. well.."

I laughed as I saw him wreck his brain for a coherent answer to give me.

"What is it, Nara? Just spill it.."

He sighed, and closed his eyes, frowning.

"Woman are such a drag..."

I sighed too, rolling my eyes.

"You haven't changed much, have you.."

I said.. my voice almost sounded sad.. and he noticed.

What is wrong with me?

He looked at me sideways, and smiled.

"No.. not completely. Just a little."

I frowned.

"Oh?"

He sighed again. Then, he let out a stiffed laugh.

"Never mind.. but you haven't changed much either.."

We walked around the whole village, talking about the few different changes that had happened since my last visit. It was finally time for lunch, and, surprisingly, he offered to pay.

You know, he's being awfully nice today.. maybe he likes you.

Shut the hell up.. you-WE don't know that.. besides, what would that matter?

Well, it would matter a whole lot! You should ask him about it..

Are you insane? I'm not telling him anything if he doesn't bring it up himself.

Gosh, your stubborn! Just take the chance! You'll never know what the outcome will be if you don't risk yourself, and make a little bet...

Stop insisting, and shut up.

NO! NEVER. Not unless you do the right thing, and tell him what you really feel for him. It's better to get hurt by rejection, rather than by keeping your feelings to yourself.

I don't know what you talking about, but I'm sure whatever it is, totally crazy, and wrong.

Don't pretend to not know what I'm talking about. I thought you'd be smarter than this..

You do realize you just called yourself stupid..

Hmm.. Touche

I finished my last of my Miso soup. He had already finished, and was staring out of the little restaurant, looking at the clouds in the sky. His face deep in though.

He had picked a small restaurant for our lunch break. We were sitting to the left of the counter, facing the Hokage Tower.

I realized how peaceful he looked while staring at the clouds. I studied his face, remembering every single detail. His eyes, his cheeks, his forehead, his lips...

I started getting real worried, I mean, seriously! What is wrong with me?

I sighed, and bit my lip. He turned to look at me.

"You done yet?" he said, his eyes softer than ever.

I looked at him, and nodded. I didn't trust my voice enough to talk at the moment. He just smiled, and stood up. I stood up too.

We kept walking around the village again. This time, just for something to do. I knew Gaara wasn't done talking with Lady Tsunade yet, and wouldn't be free for a while, so I decided to spend my time with Shikamaru.

We were now sitting down in front of the academy, where the young Genins trained.

I smiled at the sight, Shikamaru following my gesture.

"I wish my life would be as easy as theirs, not worrying about anything.. not yet.. their lives are so simple.. I can say I'm jealous.."

I admitted, with a laugh.

"I guess.. in a sense, you are right.. they're simple-minded.. don't over-think stuff like we do.. don't take things seriously.. But.. why would you be jealous?" He asked, looking at me this time

"It's just.. nothing.. I miss life the way it used to be.. so simple.. back then.."

Not that back then.. you're just referring to when you didn't even know he existed..

SHUT. THE. HELL. UP.

Shutting..

"Yeah. I see your point.."

"Yeah.. You don't have to worry about anything, except yourself.

Life is games and fun. No drama." I said. My voice sounded sad, even to me. I smiled faintly.

"Heh. You got that right.."

I looked down.. Why can't I just look at him directly? What's the meaning of these strange feelings?

It's called love, girl.

Shut the hell up, dammit! You seriously have no idea what your talking about, so shut your fucking trap!

Geez! calm down! O: I was just saying..

Shut the hell up. Don't even say anything..

Just tell him..

Shut up..

I'm serious.

So am I.

But you have to confront your fears, and let yourself open up to love! It's a wonderful feeling..

And how would you know? Your only an inner.

...Just do it, dammit.

No. Shut up.

Not unless you tell him.

If I think about my feelings, will you leave me alone?

Hmm.. maybe.. I'll be watching you..

You creep me out..

You creep yourself out..

Heh.. Touche.

"So.. What do you want to do next?" He said, looking straight forward. I looked at him.. he was blushing faintly.

I raised an eyebrow. Then, collected my thoughts to give him a good answer.

"Umm.. I dunno.. we've been through the whole village. Maybe it's time I go back to the Inn.. you know, check in with Gaara.."

I was looking at him out of the corner of my eye. His expression looked slightly disappointed. Could it be? Did he actually want to spend some quality time with me? Geez.. Maybe I

Aww.. he loves you!

STOP. FUCKING. INSISTING. WITH. THE. FUCKING. LOVE. I told you, to shut up, didn't I?

You know what? I think he does.

You know what? Leave me alone.

Sucky comeback.

I don't give a damn..

"Hm. Ok.. I'll walk you to the Inn," he said, standing up.

I was perplexed, and just stared at him like an idiot. Maybe this was a clone.. maybe this wasn't Shikamaru after all...

That's just what you want to believe. Stop ignoring what's right in front of you.

I'm not ignoring anything. Shut up.

"You coming?" he asked. His hands behind the back of his neck.

"Uhh.. Yeah.." I stood up. Then decided to find out what was with him lately. "But.. since when do you want to walk me to the Inn?" I asked carefully.

"Uhh.." His face was blank. He scratched his neck, looking sideways. A frown on his face. "Well, like I already said, I hadn't seen you in an a long time.. just being nice I guess."

I frowned as well. That thought hadn't occurred to me. But then I realized something. "Being nice, to me, isn't really one of your charming traits.." I said, a little sarcastically, raising an eyebrow, looking at him.

He smirked. "Geez.. I try to be nice to you, and this is how I get payed?" he looked at me with his lazy expression, though there was a hint of a smile on his features.

"I'm sorry. I guess I'm just not used to you being nice to me.." I admitted. "In any case.. I better get going.."

He nodded once, and we walked away from the restaurant.

I was nervous again. Walking by him.. and not saying anything..

Say something, dammit! don't let the conversation die!

Shut up..

How hard is it to actually come up with a topic to keep him talking? Break the silence!

Stop talking to me!

You mean think. I'm technically not talking to you.

Oh gosh.. Just.. shut up!

We were to the Inn by now. He walked me up to the door.

"Well, I guess this is it... Thanks for lunch, and, well, you know for... everything.." I trailed off, biting my lip, and looking at the dirt.

"Uhh, yeah.. no problem.." he said, turning to look at the sky.

I looked at him, and smiled softly.

"And you say you haven't changed much.." I said.

He looked at me, raising one brow. "What do you mean by that?"

I closed my eyes. My smile still on my face.

Why am I smiling at him? What is the matter with me?

A/N~ Well, this is chapter 1.. hope you liked it. (: Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review(:

~AliceOtaku