#temashika

@angel-b-torture

If you want me

“You know, Shikadai,” Shikamaru snapped a shogi piece on the board, “There was one time I almost lost your mom.”

The junior Nara lifted his brow at his father, “When?”

Shikamaru’s mind played in recollection as he spoke. A slight pain, though no longer a bother, still pierced him like a needle prick.

He had called for a clan meeting to announce his decision to marry Temari of Sunagakure.

Genuflexed beside him on the tatami floor, Temari was the epitome of resilience, devotion and strength - an unrivaled complement to the young head of Nara clan.

But the clan elders were unable to accept.

Different upbringing. Different culture. Different mindset. Most importantly, different bloodline.

A foreign woman. An alien.

Affronted, scorned, insulted, as if the union was a contamination to the clan. They said these in silence, but Temari heard it, roaring like a black blizzard. Her dignity and pride incised and bled, and she found herself standing at the massive gate of Konohagakure, wanting to leave it all behind.

“Temari! Where are you going?!” A voice called out, stern enough to hold her back.

Her reply raspy, “Home. I’m leaving.”

“What about us?”

“US?” Temari pivoted back to face him. Shikamaru was stunned, noticing the pearls of tears that hung from the corners of her teal eyes. “YOU DIDN’T EVEN SAY ANYTHING TO SAVE US!”

He felt the ghost of the thirteen-year-old crybaby entering him. “I was…”

“You were what??”

“I was thinking!”

“Thinking about what?!”

“TEMARI! THERE’S SO MANY THINGS TO CONSIDER! I HAVE TO THINK THIS THROUGH!”

“SHIKAMARU!”

His right cheek suddenly bloomed red, as fiery as the dusk sky. Touching the skin, tender and mildly swollen, the lightning slap was just the system reboot he needed.

“If you want me, show me.”

Seeing the pool of tears spilling from her eyes, he was reminded again why he decided to marry this woman.

The deepest kiss landed on her quivering lips.

The decision was not derived from his mind’s calculations or analysis. This was one of those times, where his heart overruled with no margin of error.

Temari dived into his brown eyes with words loud but unspoken.

“If you need me, tell me.”

Her gaze dwelled in his soul, killing his coward self and awakening the sleeping braveheart.

“I need you, Temari,” he declared, sharing her breath, “I need you, now and forever.”

“If you have me, show me off.”

Clutching her hand, they marched back to the house of elders. Entering the Nara clan estate, eyes sharp on them, whispers stung, but they ignored them. They made the choice to.

Us against the world.

“If I’m worth it, fight for me.”

In front of the elders, he held on to the hand he had sworn to hold for the rest of his life. Glancing briefly at his future wife, he affirmed.

“I’m the head of Nara clan, Nara Shikamaru, and I hereby announce that I'm taking Temari of Sunagakure as my wife. She is a powerful, formidable and respectable shinobi in her own right. She is nothing short of perfect, and I see nothing wrong for her to be a part of our clan where she can lead us to greatness and prosperity.”

Her face beamed, so bright that it blinded everyone in the room. Her hand tightened on the man who would soon be her husband, as she watched him deliver his resolve, “You can say whatever you want: My decision is FINAL.”

Shikadai smirked, “It’s troublesome, Oyaji, but it’s good to say it sometimes.” His eyes scrutinized the board with a frown, hand reaching out to a piece when her voice paused his movement.

“Wait.”

Temari peeked over her son’s shoulder, lifted up another piece before lowering it gracefully till it settled with a click.

“Checkmate.”

“I didn’t see that!” Shikadai’s eyes widened, “Mom, that’s brilliant! We won!”

Lifting her eyes at Shikamaru, silently proclaiming her victory, Temari grinned - it was the same sheepish grin she had when she came to his rescue and wiped out the whole forest to defeat Tayuya.

“Can you help me to prepare the dinner table, Shikadai?” Temari said with her motherly tone, uniquely bold but gentle. Shikadai, being the good child, nodded and hopped off, elated from the win.

“Our son’s right, you know.” She murmured, “It’s good to say it sometimes.”

The shogi board shifted away, as knees shuffled towards her in solemn haste until he was close enough to cage her in his embrace. Their foreheads met.

He almost never needed to say it, because she could always hear his soul heralding his love for her.

Still. It’s good to say it sometimes.

“If you want me, show me.”

His lips sealed hers. Always yearning, always needy.

“I love you, Nara Temari.”

Cupping his cheeks, she kissed him back with a love quiet but fiercely loyal.

Anyone interested in brainstorming about Omegaverse rules?

I'm writing one for the Naruto fandom and I want some feedbacks on the ideas I have and all. The ships are a bit complicated (and involves cheating, while not glorifying it at all) , but we have: Naruto/Sasuke, Naruto/Hinata, Sasuke/Sakura, Naruto/Gaara, Temari/Shikamaru (for now, my brain is still figuring things out XD)

Romeo and Juliet vibes but it’s Shikatema?

Until, however, in the first June he spent living with Temari. It was one of the first times she had experienced a true rainy season, living in a desert limited that. She had spent the whole day sitting on the porch, staring into the dark clouds as the rain poured.

Shikamaru watched from the window, seeing her hold out her hand and feeling the droplets on her fingers. If he squinted, he could see the soft smile on her face that usually came when she was remembering something special.

The cold breeze had goosebumps all over Shikamaru's arms, even with his layering of clothes. Despite that, he took a leap of faith and opened the backdoor, sitting at Temari's side.

He waited patiently, knowing Temari would speak up soon. He didn't want to try speaking with his chattering teeth. He truly hated the cold.

"When they were kids... Kankuro and Gaara used to stare at the rain whenever it came... they were so fascinated by it, it soothed them when nothing else could."

Shikamaru let out a small laugh. Temari's memories of those two were always so innocent and sweet, a perk of being an older sister. She saw the good, the bad, and then the beauty of them both throughout their lives. Now that they were together, he could see it too.

They sat in a comfortable silence, small speckles of rain attacking Shikamaru's feet as it came down. It wasn't too hard, not enough to block the view of the trees, but it was hard enough to make puddles ans mud.

"I remember... just before the one tails took over Gaara's mind... I took them outside. They were so happy, feeling the rain on their skin for the first time. I sat undercover, until Kankuro came and pulled me out. We danced until the rain stopped."

Her eyes sunk slightly, her dearest memories were sometimes painful. Knowing how grown her brothers are, and that she'll never get to experience that again as they drift off onto their own lives. But her smile persisted.

Shikamaru gently grabbed her hand, staring out into the forest with her as another silence settled in. He ran his thumb over her knuckles, leaning onto her shoulder as he sunk into his own thoughts.

Dancing wasn't something he'd ever do, willingly going into the pouring rain wasn't something he'd do either. And yet...

Shikamaru stood up suddenly, discarding the blanket draped around his body and pulling Temari up. He stepped out into the weather, tensing at the feeling of rain drenching his clothes. Temari followed, her eyes wide and her brows furrowed in confusion. Shikamaru pulled her out further.

Blades of grass stuck to his feet, the ground sinking slightly when he took a step. He felt his toes slowly going numb when the wind picked up.

When they had ample space, Shikamaru pulled Temari into a hug, resting his head on her shoulder as he adjusted to the new feelings. His clothes clung to his body tightly, sticking to Temari's as she returned the hug and pulled him closer.

Bare foot on wet grass.

Tight clothes on wet skin.

A soft kiss pressed to wet hair.

Temari smiled, gently rocking her body and his to simulate a dance. Shikamaru relaxed with the movement, leaning into her to sap up the rest of the warmth in her skin. Her body held heat much better than his did.

Her hands slowly pulled his arms off, entwining their fingers and moving to a more pronounced movement. It wasn't too much, barely a waltz. Temari wasn't a dancer either, it seemed.

Shikamaru moved with her, tripping over his own feet while keeping their eyes locked. Temari smiled wider at his gaze, her bangs laying flat and sticking to her forehead, almost hiding her eyebrows furrowing. Her face was always so expressive.

A heat rose to Shikamaru's face, making the rain more bareable. They slowly spun together, Temari raising his arm and letting him twirl before pulling him close to dip him. Shikamaru gripped her shoulders tightly at the unexpected move, yelping when she pulled him up and lifted him, spinning around while errupting with laughter.

When Shikamaru's feet met the ground again, he joined her, holding onto her arms to support himself.

Temari pressed a kiss to his lips, all of her joy melting into it. Shikamaru reciprocated insantly.

Maybe dancing in the rain wasn't that bad afterall