Belong

Part 4: Never Again

She may not have gone in detail but at least she said something. He never imagined Temari would go through something like that. And judging by the sad look in her eyes when she said all that, it must've been hell for her. But that look disappeared almost instantly after he said what he said and was replaced by a rather... Annoyed one? Angry? Even though it was like she was trying to hide it, he could see it and he couldn't help but wonder what it was all about. Could he have said something wrong? He wanted to ask her but quickly decided against it. He didn't want to get her riled up. It may be slowly but at least she's opening up, he thought. Surely with time she'll tell him everything and hopefully answer all the questions he had about her.

"You doing okay?" He asks.

"Huh?... Yeah, I'm fine." She responds and gets on her feet. "I need to do something. I guess I'll see you later. I..." And she stops at mid-sentence

"You what?" He asks her.

She couldn't really bring herself to say it, not that she was the type to say it in the first place. He knew it, she didn't need to say it neither did he.

"Nothing." She says, forcing a smile on her face. "Bye." And she walks off leaving a confused Shikamaru standing all by himself.

Something was definitely off about her, he just knew it. Their relationship had been going well up until now, so what happened? What went wrong? And why is she shutting him out? He asked himself. He hated feeling this way, it was like having a key in his hand but unable to actually unlock the door. All he had to do was ask but he just couldn't. What a drag, he thought. She's so frustrating, so confusing and so closed off. But she loved her anyway, despite being a real drag sometimes.

"Hopefully tomorrow, she'll..."

The next day it was all the same, sleeping on it would've probably helped but it didn't. She still had the thoughts swirling in her head.

She had progressed really well and the Leaf almost felt like her second home. The dark memories no longer haunted her as much as they did before. Nor did she feel the negative emotions anymore, even the stings of pain she felt in her heart were almost gone. But she couldn't hide from the fear of going through what she did again.

But it was because she thought with her heart she ended being hurt. She ended up losing her old self and turning into the person she is today. And it's the very reason she has this pain in her heart even though she's trying hard to be free of it. She loved Shikamaru, but it was the same kind love she suffered the way she did, is. Was he  worth it? Was he really worth the heartache? No!  She refused to suffer again, not like that. Not ever! So what then? She questioned. Will she call things off with him?  Just like that, just because she was afraid things will end badly? No, she couldn't do. She couldn't do that to him but then again, what about her?

Taking a walk didn't seem to help take her mind off the thoughts.

"Temari, hey." A familiar voice calls out. "It's been a while. You remember me, right. How've you been?

"Excuse me? Of course I remember you!" She responds, annoyed by her question.

"Alright, I'm sorry. I guess I should get used to you." She says apologetically.

"What does that mean?" She says shooting glares at her.

"I didn't mean anything bad by it. I'm just saying since you and Shikamaru are together, i should get used to seeing you." Ino responds.

"He... told you?"

"Of course he did. Me and Shikamaru are close friends remember? Even Choji knows. You don't mind if I walk with you, right?"

"No." Temari says almost like a murmur.

"I have to say, i never thought you and Shikamaru would end up together. I mean judging by the kind of person you were during the Chunin Exams, you didn't seem like the ideal girl for him then there was the mission to the Hidden Tree village... But, i guess people change. Even now I don't really know you beyond your looks yet but I'm glad Shikamaru found somebody, he's never been happier."

"He.. Is?"

"Yeah. You have no idea how much you mean to him."

---------

"I should be going then."

"Don't be late." His sensei instructs. "I'll tell the others"

"Right." Shikamaru responds and takes off.

He didn't have to think twice about going to see her. Today had been hectic helping out Asuma with some errands and even learned of the dangerous mission he and his team are to embark on. He just wanted to see her and longing to have her in his arms and her soft lips against his.

It didn't take him too long. He knocked, after a moment there she was, the blond he'd been waiting desperately to set his eyes on.

"Can I come in?" He asks, putting on his usual smile.

"Come in. I was just dishing up." She says.

He could see face she was wearing even though she tried to hide it. But he just ignored it.

"What're you doing?" She asks, you obviously surprised by him wrapping his arms around her waist from behind and resting his head on hers almost like a pillow. "Shikamaru?"

"Don't say anything. I just want..." He murmurs.

"Shikamaru..." She says while attempting to escape the hold of his arms. After a few seconds of struggle, she succeeds or rather he let her go. "What's wrong with you?"

"I can't hold my girlfriend now?" He asks, still wearing his smile.

"No, but you -" And she's cut off by Shikamaru's finger on her lips and without any second to waste, he drew nearer to her and lightly pressed his lips against hers.

"Shikamaru" Temari utters in between the breaths "Shikamaru..."

But he just ignored her and continued his assault. He travelled his hand down to the end of her clothing but that was quickly thwarted by Temari pushing him away and giving him her usual glares.

"Stop!" She spat firmly.

"Is something wrong?" Shikamaru asks.

"Just stop." This time her voice was almost to somewhat cracking.