Shikamaru x Temari Distance (AU)

Part 14. Chapter 1.

Part 14. Chapter 1.

When Temari saw the beautiful calligraphic letters, she was surprised.

She knew it was coming. She knew it when the snow-white envelope that reeked of roses was waiting for her in the mails. She knew exactly what to anticipate as her trembling fingers were opening the envelope because she almost felt it under her skin. She also knew that she didn't want to open this letter. Yet she did, and she was shocked. So badly that her brain stopped functioning for a minute.

This is not really happening.

She sighed, nodding to herself.

- ... let's not come. It's fine, right?

- Yeah. He won't be expecting us, anyway. And even if he were, who cares?

She wondered who it was that invited her. Maybe Shiho wanted the satisfaction of seeing her in the audience seat. Just to show off that she has won. But she didn't. Temari knew she didn't.

- No. We'll be there.

- Temari... I don't understand. Seeing him get married is not a good sight to see. – said Kankuro, puzzled.

It can be. Especially when you know that he actually wants her to be me.

- I might not. I can't come if I get accepted to Yuki.

- Well then great. Let's hope you'll get accepted. – said Gaara, his eyes on the TV as Ted was bringing Robin the blue French horn.

***

Shikamaru's legs felt like cooked noodles, and it seemed like every bone in his body just forgot how to cooperate. His whole body was on vibrate mode, and his fingers were becoming whiter by the second.

When the door opened to reveal some of the men that were staring him down like they were ready to eat him for their breakfast, any trace of tenseness was wiped away. His facial expression changed into one that of waiting for his coffee to be made. It's boring but nothing to be mad about because It's quite obvious that the coffee would come out eventually.

- Evening, gentlemen. – he said, slightly bowing his head.

The man in the front that was easily twice his size looked at him, and the strange feeling of realizing he's about to become food filled inside his stomach yet again.

The big man stopped, looking at the boy in his chocolate brown suit with his legs crossed, as he just looked at him back with nothing such as an eyebrow twitch.

- It's quite nice to see you too, sir. How may I help you? – asked the boy, with a slight smile.

- I'm just wondering how a nose-picking brat like you got to fill such a work spot. Well, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised to know being no one but someone's son makes everything a little too easy.

Shikamaru gave him a full smile this time, looking at the man mockingly.

- Yes, actually, I'm glad you noticed it. Everything is a bit too easy for me. It must suck knowing you'd never get to feel that way.

It seemed to Shikamaru, something lit inside the man's eyes like a switch.

- You stupid little brat, think you can talk to people like this and get away with it, don't you? I'll make you regret having a mouth. – he said as he grabbed Shikamaru's collar.

- Hyou! You'll lose your chance if you touch him here. That's what he wants you to do! – yelled someone from behind.

Hyou stared into the boy's eyes, his blood boiling inside his head. He scoffed and let him go.

- Maybe the chief is dying because he's sick of being the father of a brat like you, don't you think?

Shikamaru's own blood started to boil under his skin, and his hands wanted to bash his head against the wall. But his brain told otherwise.

He fixed his collar and tie before he spoke.

- My father is the kind of man who'd have his own death as a part of his schedule. Everything has to be on his time, and no one else's. While you're right - you know how I'm easy to annoy people - he feels ready to leave it all to me. Perhaps he thinks I'm ready... don't you think? – he said, his voice calm and mocking.

Hyou looked at him dumbly for a while but just said "We're not done.", and continued on walking.

When the door swung closed, and everyone was out, Shikamaru let out a sigh, thinking of the various ways that could've gone seriously wrong.

He looked up at the ceiling with his head resting on the head of the chair. "Why?" he asked no one in particular.

He fished in his pocket for the silver lighter that his teacher had given him once. And he watched the flame go up, and down just at his thumb. He could easily turn on a fire as easily he could turn it off.

Like the flame, everything else was under his fingers, he told himself. If he needs something to happen, it'll happen. It always did. Why wouldn't it now?

And he was right.

***

A/N such a short chapter, yet it took so long to write!

hope you've enjoyed it, if you did, don't forget to VOTE.

and please share your thoughts on COMMENTS down below. in case you're wondering about the last part's title "The scorpion and the frog" it's a fable where a scorpion asks for a ride on a toad's back, and promises not to sting him. but he does it anyway, well because it's a scorpion, what'd you expect? the story is basically about that "surprising but also not surprising" feeling.