Belong

Part 5: Temari

She wondered the village for hours, the people, the children, the beautifully constructed buildings. Indeed the Hidden Sand Village is beautiful village and Temari loved it, how could she not? She was born here, raised here became a Shinobi here. This is home for her. Despite all of this, she wanted nothing more than to leave and start over somewhere. She loves it here but so do her unpleasant memories and so because of that she also hates it. Constantly reminding her of those moments, making her relive those memories.

It's sad when a place you call home doesn't really feel like home anymore. Being in the Leaf felt weird for her at first. Sure, she'd been there before but that was before... Everything. Soon it didn't feel so weird anymore, she wished she'd have stayed longer but once her mission was  complete she had to return to the Sand immediately. She also wished someone else was assigned to be with her  at all times other than Shikamaru. It's only logical, considering she  hates laziness and lazy people, she believes nothing gets done if you keep complaining about 'what a drag' it is like Shikamaru does. It amazed her that she was able to keep her composure and survive being around Shikamaru.

"Hey. Temari!" Somebody calls out from a distance

"Huh?" She murmured

The dark haired female about Temari's age approaches from Temari's left

"How've you been?" Michiko asks

"I'm doing fine and you?" Temari responds as nicely as she can

Michiko is one of the two genuine friends of Temari, they were there for her during her painful times in the past, they understood her, they saw through the rude and cold girl she was and they still do now. Even though Temari sometimes lashes out on them, they still understand it's not entirely her fault.

"The back to back missions have been exhausting but besides that, I'm fine. Today is actually the only day I could make time to see you. I was on my way to see you now. I heard you were also out of the village for five days. You were in the Hidden Leaf Village?"

"Yeah, I was the one chosen to prep the Chūnin Exams"

"I assume it went well?"

"Yeah. It.. Wasn't bad" Temari stutters

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, of course I am" She says firmly.

Michiko(POV)

I wish she'd open up to me and Shizuka more, we understand her and we won't judge her at all. I know she knows we know that her talking about how she really feels is a sign of weakness which is also a mask she puts on for people who don't know her like we do. Like I do. Sometimes I wonder if she'll stay this way for the rest of her life but I'm hoping she won't. And I know someday she'll find peace, she'll finally let go of her past and move one. She doesn't have to forget it, she just needs to learn to forgive what happened and only then will she find happiness.

I try to tell her this all the time but every time I bring something like this up she shuts me out immediately.

"You sure? 'Cause you seem -"

"I'm fine. Really. You don't have to worry about me" She cuts me off

"You know, you don't have to hide from us... From me" I know she'll shut me out but I'll never give up on her no matter how much she does this. I think she knows it now too

"I'm not. Really, Michiko, I'm okay. Being in the Leaf did me some good" She states

I think so too but I think it did so a little.

"Maybe so but you still do this -"

"You know why. I know you're only looking out for me and greatful but it's okay, you don't have to worry about me all the time" She says followed by a smile but I can tell it's fake and forced

"Okay. I hope so" I say, responding in the same manner, but I'm not sure if she can tell whether I'm also fake smiling or not

Temari(POV)

Sometimes it's so hard to keep everything bottled inside I feel like I might explode but I can't ... I can't talk about it, I'd rather have it bottled in. No matter how much I want to talk to her or and Shizuka about it, I just can't. They've been with me at my worst, I know they won't hurt me if I talk openly to them, but I feel like exposing my true feelings will have me hurt again, I don't want to go through that again but they won't hurt me so why don't I just be open?

Maybe I don't know why but I'm certain one day they'll get tired of this, tired of me and eventually distance themselves from me. And it'll be  my fault. But who wouldn't leave? Who would put up with a person like me?

Sometimes I overhear some of their other friends advice them to stop being friends with me, to stay away. Some of these people are also Kunoichi of the Sand and sometimes we go on missions together. Some of them sometimes give me glares. Even when they don't, when we fight side by side no matter how well we fight together, I can sense their resentment towards me. I guess that's one of the reasons I'm rude or so they say I am.

"One day you'll get tired of this and give up, won't you?"

"Temari -"

"I won't blame you." I cut her off "I -"

"You know it wouldn't hurt if you stopped me from finishing what I'm trying to say and actually listen to me. Me and Shizuka will never abandon you.  We love you, you're our friend. We'll never leave you knowing you need us. We'll always be with you, support you and be there for you when you need us" The smile on her face makes me believe her even more.