nicole kaiwo @nicolekaiwo - Tumblr Blog

Hi! I just found your Shika/tema fic speak now and I’m loving it so much. I wish they would just both talk to each other about their feelings already 😭

Do you think we could get spoilers or sneak peek on what happens next 👀

Hi Anon!

Thank you for your message, and thank you for reading my fic <3 I'm overjoyed to hear that you liked it🥹

Chapter 4 is quite a challenge. I decided to post it in parts here on Tumblr. But to be honest, I'm not sure the private links are working as I intended them to work. So, if you have any problems opening them, please let me know.

Otherwise, here are some little spoilers for what will happen in the parts of Ch.4 and a small foretaste of Ch5. and 6. And further down, some very short sneak peeks from Ch.4 and the next fic that will be mainly from Shikamaru's POV.

(You were all very patient with me, so I try to make it long but still not tell everything)

Ch.4

Part I - posted

Part II - posted

Part III - Temari age 11, focus on her relationship with Gaara

Part IV - the whole Chunin Exam

Part V - Temari's fight with Tayuya, the hospital scene, and then staying in Konoha to teach in the academy. Temari meets Shikamaru's cousins.

Part VI - the lives of the Sand Siblings after Rasa's death. Then the Sunagakure Support Mission

Part VII - Naruto left the village to train with Jiraiya. Temari is 17. Sunagakure has no new Kazekage yet, but Gaara is a strong candidate. Suna has financial problems as other villages don't want to do business with them after the attack on the Leaf. They try to find a solution. The council is manipulating as usual. The truth about the Time Kuniochi and what really happened during the Third Shinobi War.

Part VIII - back to the current timeline. Temari has a conversation with Yoshino and leaves the Nara residence in a huff. She still doesn't know where the wedding is taking place. She must decide what to do next.

Part IX - Temari walks past the Yamanaka Flower Shop, and that brings her back to her last conversation with Ino.

Part X - Temari has a meeting with Moegi and Shiho. She finally finds out at which temple and when Shikamaru's wedding will take place.

Ch. 5 - it's basically a 'sister' of Ch.4. Temari is on her way from Konoha to the Fire Land capital. And during her journey, we will get flashbacks of her most important moments with Shikamaru. From Gaara becoming the Kazekage, organizing their first Chunin exam, the events of Shippuden through the Fourth War, and everything that happened between them up to the beginning of this fic. I will also send them on a mission where I will include a scene like this iconic Haleb moment from PLL:

Only with reverse roles. And with misunderstandings. (Btw. I think that Hanna and Caleb have the same energy as Temari and Shikamaru xD)

Ch.6 - Temari finally arrives in the temple right in time to see Akari drink her sake.

----------

Here are the sneak peeks:

Another three months passed, which were spent preparing for this mission. Temari almost accepted the necessity of these actions. But just two days before they were supposed to leave for the exam in Konoha, her father summoned her. And only her.

"I must say, I was expecting more of you," he said, without even looking up at her from the documents on his desk.

Her whole body tensed up. She had just entered his office, and the first thing Rasa told her was that she had failed him. Temari had no idea what he was even referring to. To the fact that she was born a girl, incompatible with the sand demon, or to some recent offense?

"Baki promised me that you will be an extraordinary shinobi. And yet. You'll be sixteen in two months, and you're still just a Genin."

She wanted to tell him that it was his fault she hadn't become a Chunin yet, because he had forbidden her from participating in previous exams. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she knew they wouldn't change anything. Rasa would just tell her it was a lame excuse and that she should have tried harder. So she stood there in silence, sensing that this wasn’t the end of this conversation.

"I expect you to prove yourself in this exam, even though it's just a cover. You have to win all your fights, losing is not an option. After everything, there should be no doubt that you deserve the rank of Chunin. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Lord Kazekage." Temari intended to do exactly that anyway.

Her father still did not look at her, too focused on his files. She took this as a signal to leave.

"One more thing," Rasa finally graced Temari with a glance. "The Time Kunoichi has a son. A rookie Genin."

Rasa threw one of his files to her. Temari catched it, opened it and looked inside. At the very top was a name: Nara Shikamaru.

"What a stupid long name."

The file contained a photo of a boy, along with a description of him and his abilities.

"Konoha still hasn't chosen its participants. And while it's true that they haven't sent any rookie over the past five years, reports from our spies indicate that there is a high probability that he will also take part in this Chunin Exam."

Temari took a better look at the picture. He had dark hair tied up in a high ponytail, round cheeks, a slightly too-long nose, ear piercings, dark circles under his eyes, and an incredibly stupid-looking face. But even though his eyebrows were furrowed, there was something kind in his brown eyes. Anyway, he was just a kid.

"If that turns out to be true..."

Temari had a bad feeling hearing this.

"...I want you to kill him."

----------

Just one day before the final, Baki suddenly started banging on their door. Gaara had disappeared somewhere. They split up to look for him.

It was already getting dark when Temari turned into an alley behind a restaurant, but it turned out to be a dead end. She was about to turn back when suddenly one of the back doors opened and two figures stepped outside. Temari hid behind an empty box to assess the situation first.

"I’m so sorry, Yoshi. I've lost track of time. Is it really time for dinner already?"

"That's not why I'm here, you good-for-nothing old man."

Temari was about to leave her hiding place and move on. She didn’t have time to eavesdrop on a marital spat. But then she caught sight of the woman’s face and recognized her. It was her. The Time Kunoichi.

"No? Then why are you here?"

"You need to talk with him! You need to tell him that he has to withdraw from the exam."

----------

"You don’t have any cousins?"

"No. My uncle Yashamaru never got married and Rasa was an only child. Well, actually, my grandfather apparently had many illegitimate children, but Rasa killed all of them."

"Your Dad sounds like a lovely guy."

----------

The rice spoon pressed against her neck disappeared, and Temari could finally turn her head around. In her left arm, Yoshino was holding a little girl with red irises and jet-black hair. She was wearing pink sleepers with a little flame on it.

----------

"Wait, why are you here? Why aren’t you at the wedding?"

"Oh, I can assure you that I won’t miss my son’s wedding. I will be there." Yoshino smiled at her with the same cruel smile that she had two years ago. "On time."

----------

Temari was well aware that Yoshino Nara didn't like her. Heck! The woman probably hated her guts! And she couldn’t really blame her for that. Setting aside their complicated past, Temari had just broken into her house after all…

But why did she have to make her job harder? Why the mockery? The schadenfreude?

"’I’m telling you this for your own good…’"

"My own good, he?"

"My ass!"

Temari was operating on autopilot, moving from street to street, not playing any attention to her surroundings. In her head she still replayed the conversation from just before.

Jeopardizing everything? Damn it! She just wanted to carry out her mission! That’s it! Just a simple delivering a message mission. Nothing more.

Uninvited for a reason? What possible reason could this be? And who decided that? The bride? Shikamaru’s mother? Shikamaru?

Temari stopped in mid-step.

Her chest.

Her chest!

It was just so…so…

Empty.

----------

From her current position, Temari had three options

She could take the first right: That would bring her to the Suna Embassy building. But she had no real reason to go there. She won't just sit around waiting and hoping that Shikamaru and Kakashi will actually be back before Monday. Also, it was on that very street where she had her last argument with Shikamaru. Or whatever that was. She could still hear his voice in her head, from that night. "Yes, Temari. We are still friends."

----------

Why didn’t she think of that sooner? Baki was the ambassador in Iwagakure. They could switch! He would agree, Temari knew that. Baki would just ask if she was sure and then agree. It was so simple!

She could also find someone to replace her for the Chunin exams organization. Temari had already thought about it before. Somehow, that task had lost its former appeal. Now it was just boring.

If she does that—if she really hands over her proctor duties and swaps places with Baki—she’ll have practically no reason to visit Konoha again.

----------

"Welcome!" Ino’s cheerful voice rang out almost at the same moment as the bell above the front door. "What can I- Oh. Temari."

Temari decided not to feel offended by the look of disappointment that crossed Ino’s face when she realized it was just her. Although, she had hoped for at least a little enthusiasm. After all, they hadn’t seen each other since Ino gave her Shikamaru’s address and flower for his mother. And that was almost five months ago (the longest gap between her visits to Konoha so far).

"I’m also happy to see you!" Temari walked up to the counter and leaned against it. "How are you, Ino?"

"Umm... good." Ino grabbed the watering can, "Excuse me for a moment. I will be right back."

"Okay…" That was a bit strange, even by Ino's standards.

----------

"Well… It may sound stupid. But I have a feeling that Shikamaru is avoiding me. Intentionally. It’s probably just my paranoia, but as I’m here, I wanted to ask, if maybe you know something. Is he angry at me or in general? Maybe he is still mourning his father?"

"Of course he is mourning his father! Shikaku was a great man, I want you to know! A respected and good man!"

"Okay…"

"He heard you."

"Shikaku?"

"No! Shikamaru! He heard you talking about him with your brothers during your last stay in Konoha. He heard everything."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Oh."

----------

"Did you mean what you said, Temari?"

"Yes."

"I see." Ino moved to the shop door and opened it. "Then I’m sorry, but could you please go now?"

"Why?"

"Because I liked you, you know? Not at first, of course. But with time, I truly started to like you, Temari. I considered you a friend. But Shikamaru is my brother by everything except blood, I love him and you… I really did misjudge you. So, could you please leave? I just really don’t want to see you right now."

"I also thought that you were my friend. And I thought you would understand. I guess we both misjudged each other. Goodbye, Ino."

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And here a sneak peek from the next fic:

Chapter 1: Well you know what they say

It was her birthday.

A cool summer rain drizzled down on his face. A few drops landed on his cigarette, but as long as it didn't go out, he didn't care.

The clouds were barely visible. Just a few more minutes and the sun would disappear behind the horizon until it rose again tomorrow morning.

He should go inside.

He should have said something to her today.

He didn't do either one.

Breathing felt strangely difficult. And this time, smoking couldn't be blamed for it.

What… a… drag…

After all this time, he shouldn't feel that way anymore.

After twenty-two months and one day.

A true definition of a troublesome woman.

Why can't he just stop caring once and for all?

Sometimes he manages to do it. Sometimes he doesn't think about her at all. Sometimes life is just okay. Sometimes.

But far too rarely.

It would be easier if he hated her. He should hate her. And on some days he did.

She was a fierce woman. Selfish. Cruel. He knew that from the beginning and still fell. Into a trap. Into a snare. In love with her.

Foolish.

"Come inside, Shikamaru!"

Yoshino stood by the sliding doors leading to the veranda with her arms crossed and a scowling expression on her face.

Not that he couldn't actually see her from his position. But he was sure that this was exactly how she looked. This situation had happened countless times before.

He took another drag on his cigarette.

Shikamaru was sitting on the grass, with his elbows resting on the step leading up to the veranda. His mother had forbidden him to smoke inside the house, including the veranda. And this spot was the closest to his house, while technically already being considered part of the garden.

He stubbed out his cigarette in the already overflowing ashtray and quickly lit another one.

He deliberately ignored his mother.

He knew every possible outcome of this encounter. Not just in theory. And only by remaining ignorant could he enjoy another moment—albeit a very brief one—of peace.

"Did you hear what I said?"

Gosh, sometimes he miss- No.

No, he didn’t miss the time when Yoshino had a nervous breakdown. No matter how nagging his mother could be at times, it was definitely better than those two weeks of complete silence following Shikaku’s death.

A silent Yoshino was… scary.

So scary that he would choose to go through the war for a second time rather than endure two weeks of her silence again.

This helplessness. It was the worst part of it.

Shikamaru was useless. So useless.

Who would have thought that Shiho's incense sticks would help? But as soon as they lit them, his mother started to feel better. She even smiled at him for a moment.

"Shikamaru!"

Her voice was louder now. His moment of peace was undoubtedly coming to an end. One more drag.

"What is it, Mom?"

"It's pouring rain! Come inside. Now."

He sighed. Shikamaru slowly got up from the ground and started climbing the stairs.

"What are you doing? You know you're not allowed to smoke inside."

Shikamaru closed his eyes and slowly exhaled through his nose. Standing on the steps, he put the cigarette back in his mouth.

"Very mature."

He took one last drag and stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray. Reluctantly, he climbed the steps to the veranda, walked past his mother, and entered the living room, where he immediately stretched out on the sofa.

"How was the Shinobi Union meeting?"

"Why can’t Mom just leave me alone?"

"It was fine. Tiring."

Yoshino sat on the back of the sofa right above his head. "Nothing unusual happened?"

This question was a bit unusual. It went beyond the usual script.

Shikamaru looked at her intently. "No. Why?"

"You're grumpy."

"Nothing new."

"You sat in the rain, lighting one cigarette after another."

"It’s called relaxing."

"And this," she waved her index finger in front of his face, "is called lying. And you shouldn't lie to your own mother."

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, making a faint sound.

"Nothing happened today?" Yoshino's voice took on an uncharacteristically tender tone. "Really?"

"Nothing."

And that’s the problem.

Nothing.

He couldn't even wish her a happy birthday. He wanted to. She was standing there, at the entrance to the Hokage Tower, and for a moment, he thought she was waiting for him.

"Idiot."

The moment Temari saw him, she immediately looked down. Everything about her demeanor told him she didn't want him to talk to her. So he left, saying nothing.

Again.

Avoiding confrontation was the easiest option. No doubt about it. But sometimes…

Sometimes…

Eh.

What a drag.

"Well, I’m afraid we have a problem."

Shikamaru rubbed his eyes with his fingers. "What kind of problem?"

Surprisingly, he was actually pleased to hear that. Most of the problems his mother brought to him were simple. Annoying, but simple. Fixing a leaky roof or building a new feeder for the deer was easy. And this kind of work allowed his mind to relax.

Sometimes he even liked the problems at work. They were more complex, of course.

"The clan elders are angry."

"What have you done this time?"

Yoshino smacked him on the head. "They are angry at you."

That was new.

"Why?"

The clan elders never had a problem with him. Both factions have been satisfied with him as the clan head so far.

[...]

"No. Shikamaru, this is serious. They are very angry with you. Even Enchū feels offended. The Naras can be very proud. Till now, they treated you with kid gloves. But you messed up. They want to meet with you, and they already proposed a date. You will not like it."

"When?"

"In four weeks and two days."

"That’s right after the next Shinobi Union meeting. I will barely be back in Konoha."

"I know. I told you you would not like it. I’m aware that you will be tired after the trip from the Land of the Iron. We can request to postpone the meeting now. But I would honestly not recommend it. If you think you will be able to do it, then do it. If not, let's request a new date as soon as possible."

"No," Shikamaru sighed. "Let’s stay by the proposed date then."

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That's it for now! I hope it's some kind of compensation for my long posting pause. 🙏

I'm still not giving up this fic. Currently, after work, I sometimes don't even have enough energy to eat and just go straight to bed. But whenever I can, I try to work on the fic. In my head, I have written it already at least 3 times 🤣

But slowly (very slowly) I think I will finish it.

(You guys have no idea how much I want to write the scene in the temple!! XD)

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