Love is such a drag! (Shikamaru x Temari)

Chapter 7:

Temari's POV
I woke up and let out a frustrated sigh. Today was training day. Normally, I would enjoy it. But not today. Today my body was sore and it was painful to even stand up. My muscles felt numb and I was drained of energy. But that was something no one could know. I tried to stand up, but ended up kneeling in a strange and very uncomfortable position.
-" Ugh, you have to be kidding me."- I muttered in exasperation. I tried to stand up once more, and then somehow managed to limp towards the bathroom to take my morning shower. When I finished, I got dressed and did my hair as usual... Only less tight, for I couldn't raise my arms to tie it properly. I got my fan, which felt heavier than usual, and decided to go to the hotel's restaurant for a change. Not that I particularly wanted to try it, I just didn't want to walk more than necessary. I knew that the drug was the one that was making me so weak. Its effects hadn't completely washed off and they were acting on me. I sat down on the nearest table and a waiter came to greet me.
-" Good morning miss. Have you decided on your breakfast?"- He asked politely.
-" Eh... Yeah. Bring me scrambled eggs."- I said, not caring if I sounded rude.
-" Right away."- He said and left in a hurry. I sighed loudly and closed my eyes. A few minutes passed and I felt a tap on my shoulder. I opened one eye and saw a confused Shikamaru looking at me.
-" What are you doing?"- He asked.
-" What does it look like I'm doing Baka? I'm waiting for my breakfast."- I said.
-" You do know we're supposed to be at the training grounds in ten minutes right?"- He asked.
-" I'm a fast eater."- I said. He glared at me disapprovingly. -" I'm sorry okay? I slept in."- I said. He raised a quizzical eyebrow.
-" You slept in?"- He asked.
-" What, so now you get to sleep in but I don't lazy ass?"- I asked annoyed.
-" No. It's just... Weird. You never sleep in. Is everything alright?"- He asked. A pause.
-" Yeah."- I lied. My eggs arrived. I ate as quickly as I could, trying not to show the pain I felt each time my jaw closed to chew. Unfortunately Shikamaru, the village genius, noticed.
-" Are you gonna tell me what's wrong? Or should we just pretend you're acting perfectly fine?"- He asked, a dangerous tone at the edge of his voice. I exhaled in exasperation.
-" I don't feel too well. I think I might have a cold."- I lied. Now please leave it alone.
-" Seriously? You wanna get checked up by Sakura? I could take you."- He offered. Oh no.
-" What about training?"- I asked.
-" We could just arrive late."- He said. Oh shit.
-" I don't think that's a good idea. I don't feel that ill anyway."- I said, forcing a smile. He raised an eyebrow.
-" Are you sure? It's not that big of a deal. I mean, it's just training. And we could train after they check you up and determine if there's something wrong with you."- He said. Haha. NO.
-" I'm fine. Let's just get going."- I said and stood up. Shikamaru sighed and we left the building.
A few minutes later, we arrived at the training fields. And when I saw our training partners, I started to wish I had taken up on the offer of ditching. The first one was Choji, whom I had expected all along. I didn't mind him training with us. In fact, I thought he was a good training partner. It was the other person the one who I had little to no desire to train with. Haruka stood with an innocent smile and a pair of repulsing and yet adorable blue eyes which made a beautiful contrast with her minty-green hair and copper skin.
-" Yo, Shikamaru! What's up Temari?"- Choji greeted with a warm smile.
-" Temari San! How are you? Oh, and hi Shikamaru Kun."- Haruka said, looking at Shikamaru with far more affection than she should have. I furrowed my eyebrows.
-" Hi Choji! It's nice to see you again."- I said and completely dismissed Haruka.
-" What's up Choji? Haruka, nice to see you."- Shikamaru said.
-" Should we begin?"- Choji asked, readying himself. Shikamaru looked and me before agreeing. We took our fighting stances, which proved to be very painful, and the battle began. Haruka seemed unsure. Hm. Whatever. Not my problem. Shikamaru ran to the left and motioned me to move to the right in order to somehow corner them. But I couldn't run. I could barely walk! I walked as fast as I could, which was very slow, and Shikamaru frowned and came to a stop. Choji, who watched me closely, stopped as well. Haruka however seemed oblivious of my pained state and made a move. She clumsily ran towards me and tried to land a punch. Thankfully, I dodged. Getting hit was the last thing I needed. She frowned and tried to kick my side, but even with side effects of the drug it was easy for me to dodge her weak attacks. I almost wanted to laugh at her. Shikamaru approached, scratching his head and looking at Haruka with pity.
-" Uh... Haruka chan? We'll take a momentary break."- He said gently. Haruka chan? Since when did he speak to her with such care? Haruka sighed.
-" Thank God! Temari San is too strong! Even with my abilities she was fighting forcefully! You're a tough opponent Temari San. I hope you're not too tired from fighting against me."- She said, fixing her hair. Shikamaru and I sweat dropped.
-" I'll survive."- I said. Choji walked towards us with his hands on his hips.
-" Temari, are you okay? You seemed sloppy..."- He said.
-" Tch. I'm fine. Let's keep going."- I said. Shikamaru stepped in front of me.
-" You're not fine. You were practically limping Temari. I think you should get checked up."- He said.
-" I don't think that's a good idea."- I said, taking one step back.
-" I agree with Shikamaru. I needed to leave early today anyway, so we could just train some other time."- Choji said. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow.
-" Why did you need to leave early?"- He asked. Choji looked down and started fumbling his shirt.
-" I have some business with Naruto I need to take care of."- He said. I knew Shikamaru was curious, but he didn't make any more questions. He looked back at me.
-" Let's get going"- He said.
-" But..."-
-" No buts. Come on."- He said and started to drag me to the hospital.

Choji's POV
When Temari and Shikamaru were out of sight I smirked. I looked at Haruka.
-" Haruka chan, I have to go now but I'll see you later okay?"- I asked. She nodded and smiled. I rushed to the Hyūga compound and knocked. Hinata opened he door with a smile.
-" Oh, Choji Kun! You're here! I'm glad you could make it a bit earlier. Please come in. Everyone's waiting for you."- She said.
-" Arigatou Hinata Chan."- I said and entered. I found a table in the backyard and Naruto, Neji, Ten Ten, Sai and Kakashi Sensei were expecting me. Hinata and I joined them at the table.
-" What's going on Choji? And why did you only call for us and not for the rest of our friends?"- Neji asked. Naruto and I exchanged a glance. He smiled and looked back at the very confused ninja.
-" A few days ago Choji and I met at Ichiraku's, and we started discussing Temari's arrival. As you all know, Shikamaru is acting as Temari's bodyguard..."- He began, but got interrupted by Sai.
-" Where is this going Naruto Kun? I need to get ready to meet up with Ino."- He anxiously said. I raised an eyebrow.
-" Ino? Since when do you hang out with Ino?"- I asked. Sai remained expressionless, but couldn't hide a small blush creeping up his face.
-" That's not important right now. Jut tell us why we're here."- Kakashi Sensei pleaded. I nodded.
-" I'll just get to the point. We all know Shikamaru likes Temari, right?"- I asked. The group nodded. -" Well, Naruto and I want to give him the courage to ask her out."- I said, which earned me a bunch of smiles and excited sighs from my friends.
-" However, we need to know if Temari likes him back first. After all, we don't want Shikamaru to embarrass himself do we?"- Naruto asked. All the males shook their heads, but Ten Ten and Hinata smiled at each other.
-" What is it Ten Ten?"- I asked. She smirked.
-" Well, I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that question."- She said. The rest of us, in exception of Hinata, widened our eyes. Hinata chuckled.
-" Well, here's what happened. Sakura, Ino, Ten Ten and myself helped Temari with a project meant to make Shikamaru jealous. So if she did that, I'm pretty sure she also likes him. I don't know how much though, especially after the dispute they had a few days ago."- She said.
-" That's amazing information love. Thank you."- Naruto said and kissed Hinata's cheek, which made her blush madly and made Neji throw him a death glare.
-" It is. Now we can proceed with the plan. We mustn't forget that both Shikamaru and Temari are brilliant, and they wouldn't ask or like to be asked out in the wrong place and in the wrong circumstances. We need to think of a way to make Shikamaru say the words and Temari accept them."- I said.
-" Another important factor that I have noticed is that we must help Shikamaru admit it to himself. This will be hard, for he is very proud and stubborn."- Neji observed. I nodded.
-" So, do you have something in mind?"- Kakashi Sensei asked. I sweat dropped.
-" I was hoping you'd think of something."- I said and chuckled nervously. My friends face palmed.
-" Let's not worry about that now. We have plenty of time."- Sai said. We all nodded and left.

Shikamaru's POV
I walked Temari to the hospital and Sakura received us immediately.
-" Guys! How can I help you?"- She asked.
-" Well, Temari has been feeling ill all day. So I was wondering, would you mind running a blood test?"- I asked. Sakura nodded.
-" Have you eaten anything today?"- She asked. Temari nodded. Sakura sighed.
-" I'll see what I can do."- She said and took Temari's blood. She got out of the room with the sample and Temari sighed.
-" It really wasn't necessary you know?"- She asked.
-" I hope not. But we better make sure."- I said. Sakura came back in.
-" Your results should be ready in a couple of hours. Come back then."- She said.

Temari and I waited and a few hours later we returned. Sakura greeted us with a strange expression.
-" So, what happened?"- I asked.
-" Well, she's not sick. However, there's a strange toxin inside her body. I've never seen anything like it before, but it seems to be fading out on its own so she should be fine."- She said. I furrowed my eyebrows.
-"A toxin?"- I asked. Sakura nodded.
-" Yes. Or as many people would call it, a drug."- A drug?!? Why was there a drug in Temari's body? Why was she avoiding my questions? She seemed reluctant to come, which leads me to believe she already knew what was wrong. Why didn't she tell me? Did she not trust me? Temari, what's going on?!?

Hey my Otakus! I'm back! Yay! So, how did you like this chapter? What will Temari say now that Shikamaru found out about the drug? What will Choji and the rest of the gang plan to bring Shikamaru and Temari together? Keep reading to find out!