Hello, and welcome to my very first multi-chapted ShikaTema fanfic. -bows- Thank you! This is was the one the start all of the other ShikaTema stories I have out there and my introduction into the Naruto fandom. This will be around a 10 chapter story and hopefully you will enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto.

Last Chance

-ShikaTema-

It was just the simple things he did that made all the difference. He was so different from any other man I’d every met. In fact, he was probably the only man besides my brothers that I’d actually bothered to get to know at that time.

Ever since I fought him that first time, I knew there was something different about him. Of course, I was arrogant and young back then, ruthlessly doing whatever I needed to do in order to win. I had to analyze every situation, every move, and every possibility that could happen in battle. That was me, and that was my life.

But he… he didn’t seem to care. The very idea was completely foreign to me. Power was everything and one could not fail in order to survive in my world. Yet he, he could look at things with a sense of peacefulness. Yet he could still he could do anything when he tried to.

To this day I don’t understand why he would just give up like that when he had the match in his hands. Naturally I was relieved, but also I strange sense of confusion took a hold of me. I would have never given in, for any reason if I was about to win.

At first, I tried to think of him as a wimp but I knew better. I knew he was better than me and it killed me inside. From then on, I tried my best to think even lighter on my feet that if someday he was fight me again, I would show him how much I improved.

Actually, I got my chance a lot quicker than I thought I would. I really hoped that I would impress him when I helped save his butt while he was out on that mission. What could be more impressive than a summoning anyway? In any case, I helped him out and I think he was actually glad to see me. But why did I make that stupid smile?

To this day I won’t understand why I did; all I can figure out is that I did smile for no apparent reason. When I saw the state he was in that hospital… It just hit me that he did have emotions and feelings just like any other person. He wasn’t totally immune to all of the world’s problems and really… that just made me respect him even more.

I know I was younger back then, but I’m so sure even now that I did actually like him but then as well… I thought about him a lot of missions and every chance I was in the Hidden Leaf Village, I always hoped for some time with him and if I saw him, I’d make him take me somewhere and entertain. Those were one of the happiness times in my life to be honest.

It was better than anything I had known in my childhood and for once I didn’t have to be strong and powerful and think every single thing through. I could just relax and enjoy things and just be with him and not worry. That was one of the best things about Shikamaru and that’s probably why I fell in love with him.

But now… I’ll never get to know if he ever loved me back or not.

P.O.V 3rd Person

“Lady Temari. We’ll be leaving soon.” A sand ninja announced to the blonde haired woman. The woman was alone in a dark room lit only by a lone candle which she seemed to be staring at blankly. The sand ninja’s voice had startled her, and instantly she took her fan out of it’s container to attack the unknown person behind her.

“Lady Temari, stop please!” The sand ninja pleaded, trying to get the blonde woman’s attention as the large fan began to approach the man’s head. He quickly tried to dodge the attack and would have been shamefully hit, but luckily Temari realized the person with her was not an enemy and terminated her attack. The sand ninja sighed in relief while Temari skillfully put her fan back using her great speed and quickly composed herself.

“My apologies Taki-san, I didn’t realize it was you.” Temari apologized formally to the sand ninja known as Taki, who appeared to still be much shaken from almost being attacked by Temari, who was known for being very aggressive.

“It’s all right Temari-sama.” Taki replied trying to hide the fact that he was still scared to be in her presence, but it all comes with the territory. “I just wanted to inform you that Gaara-sama and Taichi-sama are ready to leave when you are.” He explained and left the dark room, leaving Temari alone once again.

“All right… I guess it’s now or never.” Temari muttered to herself. She had many small things left to do before she could leave and that only annoyed her more because normally she would never had to do this. But this was a very special occasion. Her brother and the man known as Taichi were leaving for the Hidden Leaf Village today. Normally, this would be a happy time for her, but today things were different.

“Damn make-up crap. Why do girls need to use this stuff anyway?” She cursed as she was trying to apply powder to her face. To her, the only thing that powder did to a woman’s face was make it paler to show how weak they were. However, to the other people around her, it actually showed a more feminine side of her that was very welcome to any eye.

Next she added mascara and eye liner, which really brought out her teal eyes to their full potential. And for the big finale, she took out some lip gloss and slowly applied the shiny pink item to her lips. All in all, Temari did a very good job with the make-up and it appeared to be from a very experienced hand. Which was quiet surprising since Temari had only used it twice before. Of course, that was a whole separate story.

“And that’s as good as it’s gonna get.” Temari told no one in particular. But she felt like it was important to let that out in the open. She then retrieved her fan from where she’d placed it on the wall. She finished putting on her make-up and put it back in its pouch. After taking one last look around the room to make sure she was satisfied that she had everything she needed and headed out the door.

“There you are Temari-chan. You look very lovely.” Taichi complimented the blonde female as he kissed her hand. Temari looked away embarrassed and saw that Gaara had a small smirk on his usually emotionless face. After seeing Gaara with that smile on his face, Temari knew that she had to be kind, as hard as it would be, to Taichi.

“Hello Taichi. Shall we get going?” Temari suggested even though she had no desire to leave what so ever. Taichi smiled and offered his hand to Temari to get going along the road.

“Of course my darling fiancé, I’m ready to go.” He replied lovingly to his soon to be wife and they started off on their long journey to the Hidden Leaf Village along with Gaara. The purpose of the trip was to announce their engagement to their allies and since Temari did have a few friends there as well, Gaara felt like it would be alright to make the journey and announce it there as well, hoping it would help Temari to be happier with the idea of marriage. However, Temari could only think of one thing.

“What will Shikamaru think of me now…?”

I know that it could use some improving, but hopefully with time it will get better. Please review if you like. See you next time!