Untold

<This story may contain some small spoilers but I hope you'll enjoy reading>

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After naming Kakashi temporarily the new Hokage, Temari, Gaara and Kankuro are heading for Suna to plan their following steps. They travel in silence, each one of them focused on their own thoughts. Temari was still surprised about Gaara's conversation with Uchiha Sasuke and his loyalty towards Naruto. It is not the first time that she was amazed at how much her little brother has changed in the last three years – unlike herself.
For a while now there has been something bothering her. But she has not been able to figure out what it was. She just felt a certain restlessness and uneasiness that made her angry because she could find neither a solution nor the source of it all. She noticed, that as a result of this confusion, she often can not concentrate on a subject or is spaced out completely, which is both irritating and annoying for herself as for the people around her. When that happens, Temari becomes very short tempered and has the need to distance herself, especially from her brothers. Even now, when she knows that her focus should be on her duty, she is not able to shake these awkward feelings that are steadily following her.
Temari takes a deep breath and tries to clear her head as they constantly approach their village.

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"I wonder if Sakura and the others are fine."
"Don't worry so much Shikamaru. They wouldn't do something reckless."
Shikamaru looks at Choji in disbelieve.
"Have you forgotten who we're talking about? I bet at least Naruto will do something really stupid." He scratches his head, while the two of them walk towards the new building of the Hokage, where Shikamaru is expected.
"I just hope that this mess doesn't get any more troublesome as it already has."
"Yeah, hope so!"
They enter the building to face an impenetrable crowd. Since the incident with Pein and with Tsunade still unconscious, the citizen of Konoha became more and more nervous, so Shikamaru was not really astonished to see them gathering here to get as much information they could. He understood why they were unsure and he himself did not know what to think of the situation they were now in either. That is why Shikamaru decided to deal with one problem after another. It would not help anyone if he looses his head, while dealing with all of his worries.
For now he wants to find out what the elders called him for. They tried to make a way through the crowd, which happened to be much more difficult than they thought. A few minutes and some bruises later they actually reached the room they looked for. Shikamaru opened the door and stopped suddenly. He was surprised to see that besides the elders and some other shinobi there was standing Temari. Everyone turned at the sound of the door and Shikamaru's and Temari's eyes met. She nodded slightly and immediately faced the elders again, as did everyone else. Shikamaru assumed that she arrived a short while ago, for she was still completely armoured and wore her travelling suit.
"Shall we now hear what there is of such great importance?"
"Of course!" She hands over a note that was attached to her belt and awaits patiently the reaction to its contents. Shikamaru scrutinizes her. Temari seemed kind of different than the last time they have seen each other. It was not exactly her appearance, just a random sensation that he got from her. She had a tired look and stood very stiff, as if she wanted to restrain herself. He wanted to catch her attention again, so he could at least try to read what was in her mind. Not that it would have been easy for him to read her, in fact it was the exact opposite, but he could not help but trying it.
Although knowing Temari for more than three years, she was still a special riddle to him. While working together or when he guided her they never talked about anything personal. And yet, he sometimes had the impression that she … wait, where did these thoughts come from? His heartbeat went faster, when she suddenly glimpsed at him.
Shikamaru forced himself to turn his attention to the elders. This was definitely not the time for something like that.
"Hey, 's everything fine?" Choji whispered.
"Huh? Oh, yeah…fine."

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After the elders read the note that the Kazekage sent them they discussed what would be the best thing to do to prevent a possible war. In the end the decision was made that they would wait until there will be news from Kakashi or the others.
Temari did not expect anything else. She knew that her being here was utter pointless. Gaara just did not want her to be near him, that she was aware of. And maybe she was too distracted and maybe she almost burnt Gaara's coat. But there was no reason in sending her away with that pitifully illogical excuse of a message.
And then there was him. Why she suddenly asked for his presence when she stood before the elders of Konoha was a mystery, even for her. At first she thought it would be relieving to have Shikamaru near, but after he actually opened the door, she realized how much she really longed for his sight. It was surprisingly hard for her to hold herself back from looking at him.
What was going on with her? Since when did the sight of this 'cry baby' started to give her goose bumps and sweaty hands? This is absolutely ridiculous, she thought and hated herself for these unreasonable feelings.
When she could no longer resist she shortly risked a glance in his direction, where she found him staring at her thoughtfully.
Her relieve when the elders finally started speaking was incomparable. One more minute and Temari would have lost her calmness. Right after they made their decision she left the room as fast as possible, without paying attention to Shikamaru who was about to talk to her. She could not explain why, but she had the pressing need to run away, which was very strange, because she usually was not someone who got frightened so easily. Hopefully he could not catch up with her in the crowd or ,what is more likely, he decides that it is too much of a drag to follow her, so she had enough time to pull herself together.
Nonetheless she was somewhat disappointed as she watched out for him before entering the inn.

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This troublesome woman was unbelievable. Not only did she dare to completely stump him with this stupid glance of hers, but she also rudely ignored him when he was just about to greet her. Shikamaru was not able to understand why this simple act had such an puzzling impact on him.
"Shikamaru?"
But it was the first time Temari did something of that kind. Perhaps…
"Shikamaru, are you listening?"
"What?" Choji shook his head.
"You know, why don't go talk to her!"
"What? What do you mean?"
Without another word Choji turned around and left a speechless Shikamaru behind. As if he would make a fool of himself and follow her when she apparently did not even consider him being worth of her lowest attention. He almost went after Choji when he noticed Kurenai talking to a merchant at the end of the road.
"Oh, what a pain!"

At the in, where Temari used to take a room, Shikamaru was told that she left a few minutes ago. It seemed that she decided to travel back to Suna immediately instead of taking a Rest for at least one night.
"Damn!"

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Before she knew it Temari was on the road, running in full speed through the forest. This was not a solution but she did not care. How could she possibly stay in Konoha without being able to shut down her stupid feelings and wishes which will and can not come true. She feels a tear dropping from her cheek and wipes it away angrily.
"Temari!" She stopped her run and turned around in shock. There he was approaching her determined. Her body did not obey her, so she had no choice but to wait. As soon as he came to a stop she lowered her eyes. She really could not recognize herself anymore.
Shikamaru took a deep breath.
"Why did you leave so sudden?"
"That's none of your business, cr…you should go back!"
"Why?"
She still evades his eyes and refuses him an answer.
"Have I offended you somehow?"
"No, of course not." She said slightly.
"Than what is your problem?"
"Why did you follow me?"
"I-I…" He blushed which confused her even more.
"Temari…"
"No, please…just," she closed her eyes. "Listen Shikamaru, it would be better for both of us if I didn't come here anymore. There are some…difficulties that I can not ignore and which sooner or later will disturb our duties. I'm sure you will understand…" She turned her back on him and implied a farewell before she continued her way.

After a few steps her movements suddenly stopped. When she realizes what Shikamaru did, she whispers: "That's not fair."
"I know."
"Why can't yo…"
"Enough! It's my turn to do the talking." He stepped a bit closer still facing her back.
"You are without a doubt the most troublesome, stubborn and fearsome woman I've ever had the bad luck to meet. Whenever you come here you make me feel exhausted, ashamed of myself, furious…" he sighed. "But when you're not around it's even worse." He said softly. "It's really irritating and disconcerting because I always catch myself looking out for you, wondering when will be the next time that I will finally be able to see your face again." Shikamaru laughed. "I even miss your annoying attitude."
When he released Temari from his technique she remained quiet. He seizes her arm to make her look him in the eyes and was shocked to see her blushing face covered in tears with a big smile.
"Look what you have done. You made me a crybaby too."
Shikamaru reached out for her cheek to dry her tears gently.
"Guess my old man was right after all."
"About what?"
"Nothing." He said with a light smile before he leaned forward to kiss her.

The End