#shikatemamonth

Promised

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Temari took a deep breath waiting for her fiancé.

It was still such a foreign concept. She should have been anticipating this day. Arranged marriages were just what their family had done for generations. Marriages were business arrangements solely done to garner more wealth and influence. It had been the case for her parents. The respect and love had come eventually. Still, as much as she knew that it was going to happen she wasn’t prepared for reality. 

After the deals were made and contracts were signed her father was strangely vague about who her betrothed was. He just assured her that he was from a good family and this was the best scenario for her and their family.  She wasn’t allowed to be a part of any of the proceedings. Her father and brothers were her representatives. Temari just accepted her fate and hoped that her family had done their best for her.  Her father was a lot of things and being a shrewd and calculated businessman was one of them. She wasn’t going to be married off to a family that wasn’t worthy of her.  In the end, whoever she did marry had to be enough in the eyes of her father and that was a tall order. 

Temari took another deep breath before sipping her tea. Her…fiancé had asked that their first meeting occur at his home without any chaperones. It was a bit unorthodox but her father had agreed and so she’d made her way from Suna to Konoha. She’d been there so many times that she could name all the roads and buildings they passed.  She pushed aside certain memories that the scenery attempted to invoke. When at one time this place had been like a second home it was now just haunting scenes from her past.  She’d avoided returning there for years now but her destiny couldn’t be put off any longer.  They drove past the city to a beautiful neighborhood with large homes and the grandest one of them all was the one they’d pulled up to.

She was quickly ushered inside and everyone that she met welcomed her kindly. Excited at her presence there. There was something oddly familiar and comforting about this place even though she was sure she’d never been there. Upon coming to the room she was asked to wait in she was surprised to see a table filled with her favorite tea and snacks. Her future husband had done his research. 

Temari tried to relax in the gorgeous room. It had a wonderful view of the gardens.  Warm and inviting it was easy to pretend she was in a different place instead of her fiancés home. Now her home. 

At least her cage would be a beautiful one. 

When she heard the door open her breath caught. The air in the room had shifted. This was it. 

He took the chair across from her to sit and silently stare. 

Temari’s eyes widened as she tried to maintain her composure.  This was a turn of events. Once Temari got her wits about she spoke,  “I can’t say I’m not surprised.”

The arrogant yet handsome grin that crossed his face sent a bolt of electricity through her. Years later he still affected her like no one else. 

“You shouldn’t be.”

He leaned forward placing his chin on steepled fingers to bring them closer together.  He seemed annoyed by the space between them.  Temari wondered if from this distance he could hear how loudly her heart was beating. 

She leaned further away from him.  “You’re right.  Given our families' shared histories I should have figured that my father would want to make our alliance stronger.  What better way than a marriage?”  

The Naras were one of the most powerful and prolific political families across the five nations.  Her family had been there from their early ascent into power.  Providing money and clout.  The Naras in turn ensured that her family had exclusive control over the production and distribution of military arms and weapons.  A marriage between their two families would only tighten the stranglehold and influence that they had in Suna, Konoha, and across the other nations. The press would have a field day once news of their engagement broke.

Shikamaru noticeably clenched and unclenched his fist. “Do you believe that this is about something as frivolous as money, power, and political influence?  I could give a fuck about all of that Temari. I have all of that. All I care about is you.”

Temari was sure her gasp of shock was audible.  It had been years since they’d seen one another face to face.  She only knew what the rest of the world did. He’d made a name for himself while expanding the Nara name and influence.  The Genius Nara.  He was known far and wide for his political skill and was on his way to being second in command for the Konoha government. How he was doing personally was only garnered through information from his mother. Also, from shamefully stalking a rarely used social media account.  It hurt that after having become so close it was nothing but silence for years. As far as she knew the person sitting across from her was a stranger.  

No, her fiancé.

Nara Shikamaru had grown up. He was finally taller than her with lean muscles encased by a well-fitting expensive suit. His hair was still in that familiar style but it suited him well. Where at one time he’d been awkward and lanky he now sat in front of her confident and handsome.  

Despite knowing very little about his current life she did know that Shikamaru was considered one of the most eligible bachelors. Handsome, rich, powerful, and from a storied family.  He would be quite the catch.   Despite his status, he was never seen with another woman. No one had ever been found to be associated with him. Women would kill for the chance to be in her position but it seemed like all he wanted was her. 

Shikamaru stared at her deeply.  Those eyes she’d known so well set on her sure and steady.  His heavy gaze left her speechless. 

“You sealed your fate that night you kissed me. From that second you were mine.”