[ShikaTema] Serendipity

Chapter 23: Contemplate

The Hokage did say I have to be beside Temari at all times to ensure her safety. But when I came here, things had changed.

Well...

"...Probably not."

--

Traveling for straight three days from Konoha to Suna was really tiring, but there was no sign of tiredness seen on Shikamaru's face--because he wanted to protect the person who's really dear to him. Only a bit of excitement was drawn all over it, saying he wanted to see Temari as soon as possible.

Yet, that would definitely had to wait.

Kankuro was waiting for Shikamaru's arrival, getting pretty impatient because he was a few minutes late before the time given to him by the Kazekage. A small click of tongue was released by the puppeteer as soon as he'd seen the figure of the person his sister's in love with. "You're late-jaan," he said, annoyed facial expression was all over him. Without saying anything, he handed the black-haired male a piece of paper.

"..?" Without asking what it was for, he read it.

'Give this to Shikamaru. Help Gaara fix papers like what you did here before going there. He needs help because he still needs to meet the other kages, has to be finished as soon as possible,' she added. A signature of her name was written below, enough to be recognised by the chuunin. That was definitely her, Tsunade's, message.

"And now you get it, you gotta be up there and help Gaara. He assigned me to take care of the things around the quarters 's why I won't be there to help him. Once you finished doing your task, you can go find my sister. She's just doing her rounds."

"Yeah, thanks," cheaply replied the shinobi.

Kankuro vanished right before his eyes, doing his missions now.

Shikamaru shoved the small paper in his pocket and proceeded to the Kazekage's room. 'Troublesome...'

As soon as he reached the said place, Shikamaru knocked two times on the door, but didn't say anything to make Gaara notice it was him. Yet, as a shinobi, it was easy for the red hair to tell who was it on the other side of the door. "Come in," was what he said next.

"Greetings, Kazekage-sama," the shadow user said as polite as he could.

Only a nod was released by the other, allowing him to do what he needed to do in the quarters. It was pretty quiet, a complete dead air between him and Gaara. Shikamaru found this awkward since he felt like he was quiet because of his issue with Temari, thus decided not to talk so it wouldn't trigger and be discussed.

There were short glances released from the Nara, checking what Gaara was doing. Yet, at Shikamaru's fifth turn, he saw the Kazekage's hues on him which made him shudder in surprise. "..!" A gasp was also heard from him.

'He keeps turning here,' mumbled Gaara to himself. A blink followed before he decided to speak. "Are you looking for Temari?" That wasn't what Shikamaru had in mind, but it was close enough. Without waiting for his answer, the Kazekage began again. "She's downstairs. Temari had probably fallen asleep. You can go for her," he cleared.

As if a right timing, Shikamaru had his papers piled up--finished. He had sorted everything out, placed them on their respective cases and was about to ask the younger one if he has another set of duties to finish until Gaara told him that. With a face telling the youngster his appreciation, he bowed his head to show his respect for him and headed downstairs. Somehow, he had a feeling that he was excited to see her. Soon.

---

Though he was really excited to meet her, Shikamaru never bothered to hurry down. He was on his usual stature--hands in pockets, feet were walking rather slow. As soon as he turned to the left, he saw the blonde he was looking for--her head was resting on the arm of the sofa, her right arm was under her head as if that of a support. "...She's sleeping?" He asked and mumbled to himself like it wasn't obvious.

Shikamaru couldn't help but adore the view.

Despite the tough stature... She's actually...cute.

Then, he shook his head rather rapidly. What the hell am I thinking? After that, he mentally slapped himself for such thoughts he was having. Shikamaru sat beside Temari since it was vacant. It was pretty awkward because of the silence, his eyes spotting nothing but his girlfriend sleeping. There's no way I can wake her up. I mean, I can wake her up, but she seems pretty tired. Geez, should I really wake her up or- Whilst of being drowned in his own thoughts, he accidentally grabbed something from his right pocket.

"..?"

A piece of bread.

Was he stealing things from the store without him knowing?

The lad looked up at the ceiling. Wait, yeah. I did buy this since I was hungry; actually had forgotten that I still have this. His eyes remained on the food as if examining it. However, after a few seconds, he was able to deliver his hand--which was holding the bread--and began pushing it on her mouth slowly, as if tempting her to eat up.

Shikamaru had a hint that she was hungry. Thus, Temari's reaction assured him so.

The sandy blonde moaned a bit, shifting her body to the other side--that other side was where Shikamaru was sitting on. From there, he was able to see a full view of his woman. He couldn't help but flash a pale tint of red on his cheeks. Even so, he continued pushing the bread forward. Eat up. I know you're hungry. This time, a smirk was drawn on his lips. Eat.

The Kazekage's big sister slowly opened her mouth and began eating the bread as if sipping it like thirsty people for water. Since she ate it quickly and she didn't use her hands, the breadcrumbs spread on the side of her lips, which made Shikamaru let out a chuckle. Seemed to be pretty unusual.

"Mmm...," mumbled Temari, slowly had been awaken by the latter next to her. When she finally opened and looked upwards towards the slim male, a small smile was given to her by the shadow user.

"Good morning."

"Idiot," said Temari, returning the smile. "It's evening already."

"Ah-," that one comment made Shikamaru flinch, but when she smiled back, he just looked at her as if it that one smile completed his day already.