summer clouds - shikatema

how it's supposed to be

i looooooooooooooooove this chapter. so you probably will too.

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Four Konoha shinobi and one dog leapt from tree to tree, at a speed faster than any average person. They were heading back home.

I wonder if Temari's still in Konoha... I wouldn't be surprised if she's already gone back home. Oh well, I guess it can't be helped. She was bound to leave eventually. Shikamaru found himself lost in thought, mesmerized by the movement of the air around him.

What if she's still there when I get back? Should I go see her? Or is that weird... would she even want to see me? Maybe I should buy her something. No, that would be dumb. I don't even know what kind of thing she would appreciate. Flowers, maybe? Girls tend to like that sort of gift. But then again, Temari's different than most. She'd probably just scold me. He sighed heavily.

This is such a drag. Why am I even thinking of these annoying things?

Despite his beleaguering thoughts, Shikamaru let a small, giddy smile drift to his face as he thought of her. Sakura caught up behind him and glanced over at his expression.

"You've been smiling a lot more than usual. What's got you so happy?" The pink-haired girl asked. She was curious.

"Hm? Oh, it's nothing. I haven't noticed." He shook his head in denial.

"Alright..." Sakura responded, not believing him. He's not gonna tell me anything even if I pry. There's really no use in it.

"Hey, look!" Naruto's voice rang out through the wind. "Konoha's coming into view! I can see the Hokage's mansion!" His finger waved wildly about, pointed in the direction of the village.

"You say that as if you've never come back from a mission before," Sakura grunted.

"Yeah. What are you, a genin?" Kiba snarked, knowing full well that Naruto was still a genin despite all of his achievements.

"Not funny, Kiba! That's so unfair, ya know!"

"Whatever, genin!!"

Sakura and Shikamaru laughed in response to their heated conversation. "Still, it's good to be home. I can't wait to take a nap," Shikamaru said, yawning.

"Same here. I haven't gotten a good night's sleep in a while," the girl replied.

I really hope you're still there.

By the time they reached the gates of Konoha, the sun had already begun to approach the horizon, however subtle it seemed. Birds soared through the orange skies, singing a lighthearted tune.

Shikamaru wanted nothing more than to see if Temari was still in Konoha. He knew she was supposed to leave within a few days of her initial arrival, so there was really no way of telling.

--

So, shortly after they reported back to Kakashi, the boy quickly made his way back home to shower. Just in case Temari was indeed still there, he didn't want to visit right after a mission when he was all scuffed. It would be sloppy presentation.

Shikamaru lathered his body in cinnamon-oak soap, soaking his sore muscles and stinging the small scrapes and bruises he'd attained while on the mission. An ever-thin layer of sweat and grime was washed down the drain.

It took him all of ten minutes to step out of the shower, dry off, brush his teeth, get dressed into pants, fishnets, and a jacket, then pull up his hair. Shikamaru looked in the mirror, feeling nervous for a reason he didn't understand.