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Temari was checking every tent, one by one, to get a glimpse of a certain Nara. Her position didn't give her enough time to check on him, she just knew he was alive and recovering from the near-death experience. After all that happened, and the war was won, she gathered her troop, inspecting everyone. The amount of people they lost, the one's on a life-threatening situation, those who would need immediate assistance, who were heavily injured, who could help with the ration of necessities; she had her hands full. But in those times, Shikamaru has been on the back of her mind. She almost lost her partner.
"Ino." She called, after seeing her blonde friend who was busy attending to the injured.
"Temari." Ino turned around, giving her a somehow exhausted smile. The bags under her eyes speak for herself. "How are your division?"
"I just came back from checking if we have enough supplies that can last for a few more days. We have gathered those who survived. There are still some who needs medical assistance, while others must rest and regain their lost chakra. Those who can help was out, identifying the bodies of the people who died fighting. But above all, everyone is trying to cope up with the loss."
The last words hit harder at their reality. There were a lot of people who had sacrificed their life to achieve their goal of bringing peace into the world. Ino's father, Inoichi, was one of them. Temari knew how painful it was for Ino to keep on moving, to keep on helping at the same time grieving at the loss of her father.
"Ino, your father..." She was unsure if it was okay for her to talk about it.
"My father died protecting all of us. His death wasn't pointless as we have won the fight. And I will do everything to keep the peace so that the new generation will never experience the war we had gone through." The determination in Ino's eyes made Temari hopeful for the future.
"By the way, Shikamaru is in the east side."
Temari was baffled by what Ino said, as she didn't particularly ask about Shikamaru but she somehow knew. Could she have read her mind? After all it is what her jutsu.
"Come with me. I am about to check on him, if he is recovering fine. " Ino passed her, leading the way. "And I did not read your mind, it's just obvious."
"I would just take a look at your camp as it was on the way, but how---"
"Temari-san." Matsuri appeared before them, catching her breath. She looked like she ran a mile to meet her.
"I'm sorry, I know you're going to Shikamaru-san but we need you at the camp. Something happened and we need you there."
It puzzled her that everyone seemed to know that she was going to visit Shikamaru.
"What exactly happened? Tell me more about it." She was about to run but faced her friend first. "Ino, I'll come back later." She said before disappearing into the crowd.
"Ino, I am okay. I can handle myself."
Hearing the same sentence for a couple of times already, Temari opened the tent, startling its occupant.
"How about you stop being troublesome and listen to your medic." She stated.
"Temari, finally! You're here." The blonde woman squeaked.
"What happened? Ino told me about earlier." Shikamaru queried, taking a glance at her, inspecting for any apparent wound.
"There was just a little commotion but nothing to be worried about."
Shikamaru sighed of relief and sat straight, his back leaning at the wall behind.
"Since you're here already, can you keep an eye on him? He keeps on trying to sneak out when he certainly, definitely, needs to rest more." Ino narrowed her eyes on Shikamaru, which he replied with a "what?".
"Well, you heard her clear. Don't worry Ino, I can stay here for a moment, as Gaara is in the Division. I told them to quickly notify me if something happens."
"Thanks, Temari. I know he'll only listen to you."
They heard Shikamaru mumbling beneath his breath, but both decided to ignore him.
"Go get that sleep you so much need, Ino. I can handle him."
"Then, I'll be taking my leave." She smiled at Temari then to Shikamaru. "Take your time." She said, winking at him before finally closing the tent.
The two were silent as their loud friend leave. Only the sound of their breath can be heard. Both wordlessly inspecting each other. Temari noticed how weak Shikamaru's chakra was, his pale skin and his uneven breath. Shikamaru can tell that she has not gotten a proper rest; her tired eyes and the way her body leaned against the table tells much. He observed her a little more before speaking.
"I'm glad you're safe."
Temari smiled genuinely at him.
"I'm glad you're alive."
Staring at each other's eyes, both were thankful that they have come out alive. Now, spending even a small amount of time together before coming back to the life outside that tent.
"There is still a space in this bed, you can sit beside me of you want?"
Temari tread softly, keeping the air between them light and comforting. She sat beside him, -their shoulders touching- mirroring his position.
The cold air hitting their bodies, Shikamaru shared the blanket with her which she accepted gladly.
"I thought I was going to die at that moment, that I'll be meeting dad in the afterlife." He spoke first.
"Your father died fighting for everyone. A hero, indeed." Temari commented. She had met Shikaku a few times before, and he was one of the General she admires; for his wit and calm demeanor. "I think he wouldn't want you dying at a young age."
"Hmmm." He hummed. "Naruto helped me to be alive. And I thought, "Ah, I still need to be here. I have to help Naruto until he becomes the Hokage, I can't die yet." He chuckled.
Temari listened to him intently as she knew there were more that he would like to say.
"Then after all that, I was here for almost 24 hours already, still recovering." He coughed which alerted Temari. She moved to face him, and lightly rubbed his back. A few more coughs before he stopped.
"I'm fine, don't worry."
"Who says I'm worried?" She retorted. Shikamaru smiled, missing her brashness these past days. But he knew that behind that rough attitude is a soft Temari. She hides her gentle side through her harsh words, yet her actions say otherwise.
"Okay, okay." Temari can be gentle but not gentle at the same time.
"As I was saying, that were my thoughts, but when I lie here, thinking of what had happened, I realized something." From his side, he can see her still listening at him, so he continued. "I thought I'll be joining my father, then Chouji and Ino was there beside me before I die. I also feel sorry for my mother, she will lose her husband and child on the same day." He paused and stared at Temari. "Then, there was you." His eyes has gone soft, looking at the woman in front of him.
Temari stared back at him. "What do you mean?"
"In the Infinite Tsukuyomi, my parents, Asuma and Kurenai with Mirai were there. I thought it really made sense, being it my deepest desire; to see my father and Sensei with their family.” He smiled longingly. “Then there was you, Temari."
Temari was getting confused more and more. Does he mean that she was at his dream? That she was, somehow, somewhere in his heart? That maybe, just maybe, she has a tiny spot there?
"What are you getting at, Shikamaru?"
"That in my life and the future ahead, I want you to be there. I want to be with you. I want to spend the remaining days of my life with you. Only if you allow me to."
Temari was speechless at his confession. She kept on staring at him as her heart went wild.
"I didn't know that all the things we have done before -bickering at the smallest thing, the sleepless night due to paperworks, the silence around us as we rest from training together, the dango we always get on an early morning every time you came to Konoha, the nap at the hill after a tiring day, and the stories we share- were special not until I almost died. It was the small things that helped us grow and be where we are right now. Maybe the feelings were always there all along. I was not able to ponder about it as the events continue to happen, from the Akatsuki’s attack until the war." Shikamaru took a risk and held her hand. It calmed him when she didn't try to move away but stared into their hands then back to him. "But then I had to stay here and from time to time I think of you. If you are okay, if you are alive. And it would be my greatest regret if I wasn't able to tell you how much you mean to me."
"Shikamaru, ---"
"Oi, Temari." Kankuro suddenly appeared, entering the tent unannounced. The two turned their heads quickly, too quick their neck could have snapped.
"Oh." Kankuro uttered. "Did I interrupt something?" He wiggled his eyebrows that caused Temari to roll her eyes.
"What do you need?" She said, taking her hand back.
Shikamaru just sat there, looking at Kankuro blanky. Her brother could have come a little later, or maybe never, but he just had to, he just had to come at that exact moment.
"Well, Gaara is looking for us. But if you are busy, you know, if you guys need a private time or anything, I can just excuse you."
Temari stood, not looking back.
"I'm coming."
"Oh. Sorry, Shikamaru. I didn't know. Maybe next time you can put a signage saying "do not disturb" or something, yeah?"
"Shut up, Kankuro!" Temari snarled, pushing her brother out.
"Hey, Nara. I'm really sorry but I'll be taking my sister with me. Just continue next time, okay?" Kankuro shouted from outside.
Shikamaru was still shocked at what had happened. He was processing the events from the time Temari sat beside him until Kankuro appeared out of nowhere while Temari was standing still, not yet taking a step out as he stared at her back.
She didn't turn around but spoke, "Then get well soon." She paused. "And make that dream into a reality." She continued, and left Shikamaru with his heart pounding loudly from his chest.