Belong

Part 7: Here Again

The sun light beamed through the window as she slowly opened her eyes. No sounds of the slightly blowing winds outside, clearly she wasn't in the Sand. She got up, looked around her room and questioned where she was. She smiled, knowing it wasn't the first time she questioned where she was. She remembered it was at his place this happened and so her mind drifted off to the lazy but charming young man she was with all day everyday the last time she was here. She looked at the door some how hoping he'd appear like he did last time and told her to join him for breakfast.

"Why am i thinking about him?"

With that question she immediately shoved the thought away and was reminded about the shop that sells her favourite food. So she decided, that's what she'll have for breakfast. It hadn't been that long since she's been here but she could feel something was different.

She still couldn't help but feel like an outsider, walking among the Leaf citizens as if she's one of them. She felt out of place, she could feel some of them glaring, some just starring at her asking themselves who she is and what she was doing here. Is it because she's not in her usual attire with a headband tied to her forehead that indicates she's a Sand shinobi? The anxiety only kept on rising until she realized she's only imagining things. A little kid on the ground in front her ripped her out of her thoughts.

"Are you okay?" She asked him as she helped  him get up.

"Kenji!"  A young lady called out running towards them.

"Is this your child?" Temari asks

"No, it's my little brother. He always disappears every time I go out with him. I hope he didn't cause you any trouble."

"No, he just tripped and fell on the ground in front of me. I was helping him up."

"Thank you so much. And you. I told you not to run around on your own."

"You never let me have any fun!!" The kid shoots back.

"Say 'Thank you' and let's go."

"Thanks." The kid says.

Some how the kid reminded her of her two brothers and how she's left them alone. Even though Kankuro gave her the green light and Gaara told her he understands before she left, she still couldn't help but feel worried. After all they're her only family she's got, without them she has nothing.

Her stomach cried out and making her realize she was so distracted that she forgot she's not sure where she was going. She knew what the shop looked like but she'd forgotten where it was exactly. How could she forget such a place, she thought. Pretty soon she started feeling like an idiot, walking around and not knowing where she was going. Asking for directions would be futile considering she also forgot what the name of the shop was.

"Temari?"

So distracted that she didn't realise she was passing by Shikamaru's place.

"Shikamaru." She respond in kind. Both taken by surprise by each other's appearance.

"What're you doing here?" Shikamaru asks

"Oh... I... Uh.."

"Hm?"

"Just taking a walk." She lies

"Taking a walk?"

"What? Can't somebody take a morning walk here?" She spits. obviously a little irritated by his reaction.

"Of course not. I meant what're you doing in the Leaf?"

"I'm staying here for a little while."

"That explains why you're dressed like that. Come on, don't let me stop you from where you were going. How long have you been staying here?"

"Since yesterday evening."

"Are you on a mission again."

"No. Not really." She states.

"So what are you doing here?"

"That's none of your business."

"Why did I even ask?"

"Relax. I didn't mean to offend you."

"Sorry. I'm just a little irritated right now." She states and followed by the growling of her stomach.

"You haven't eaten."

"Good to see you still have your observation skills Mr. Obvious."

"What a drag. Look, I was heading out to eat myself, so why don't you... Join me?"

"Huh. You sure about that? I thought being around me was a drag."

Why not? She thought. She might as well just agree to his offer considering how hungry she was.

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Unravel-ken: Next chapter is the longest so far.