ShikaTema-To Begin Again- 7

To Begin Again, Chapter 7

Temari waved her fan with little strength, realizing the more energy she used could make her weaker if this man was just toying with her. She cursed under her breath as she realized she’d been dealing with many people like that recently. However the sudden blast of wind that should have cut the man’s skin open at the very least, did nothing to him, as he had taken the measures to retreat a safe distance away from her. She cursed again, straightening her fan out and holding it in front of her.

“Well, as it would seem, you are quite powerful…” The man said leeringly. “I coulda gotten killed by that little trick… Good thing that our employer told us a few pointers ‘bout you.”

“Oh yeah?” Temari asked, looking to goad him into coming closer. “What else did he say about me? That you were likely to die, but oh, I guess you weren’t important enough for that were you? You just do the job and get paid in what, food?” The man’s face contorted rather nastily and he jumped a bit closer to her, sneering.

“You don’t know what you’re talkin’ about girl.” He said angrily. “I don’t see why the guy wants you anyway, you’re too much trouble to go through.” Temari was startled with a double attack of information.

“..Women are so troublesome…” Shikamaru’s voice echoed in her mind. The reference was imperfect, but it still sent a pang through her that had nothing to do with worry… Whoever had Shikamaru… He was after her? This didn’t sound good. Temari’s brow furrowed. She had to get away and help Shikamaru, and fast.

Had the others gotten to him already? Had he been saved and they were headed back to Konoha because of his injuries? Was this other man dead? Did he get away? She didn’t know.

“Doesn’t matter…” Temari said under her breath. She turned her gaze to the rather angry looking man before her. “I will not let you stand in the way.” She raised her fan again, this time, she made a hand sign as well.

“KIRI KIRI MAI!”
--
Sakura’s fist pounded into the man in front of Ino’s face, and sent him hurdling into the nearest oak tree. Hinata stood, Byakugan still activated, on a tree limb right in front of Ino. Without any further ado, she performed the one-hundred and twenty palms jutsu, sending the other two men into the ground with audible cracks. Both girls smiled at Ino, and held their stances before the man who had gone into the oak tree, as he cracked his neck and advanced at them.

“No, no…” Ino said smiling. “Let me handle this one.” Ino smiled and held up her hands in a familiar, yet different hand sign. She smiled.

“The man before her became very still. His body seemed to twitch. Then, he began to foam at the mouth, his body convulsing rapidly, and he twisted, falling to the ground with a rather sickening crunch. Ino collapsed into Sakura and Hinata’s arms, smiling. She looked around however, and It transformed into a frown.

“But, if you guys are here… Where is Temari?” Ino asked.

“Oh, just taking care of some last minute business.” A voice said behind them. All three turned around and saw the sand kunoichi, smiling triumphantly behind them. Her fan was hitched over her shoulder.

“Well, lets go save the men from distress eh?”

--
“Now YOU will ALL DIE!!!” the man screamed, heading for Choji and Kiba, who were carefully pulling away the unconscious Shikamaru. Naruto and Neji jumped in front of him, blocking his incoming attack, and then being thrown unceremoniously into the nearest wall.

“I haven’t come this far-“  He screeched, running at Shikamaru’s unconscious form again, “To be thwarted by a bunch of Konoha brats! I will have Temari to myself!”

“You are one sick man” The man stopped in his tracks, turning at the sound of new voices. His eyes widened in surprise.

“I suggest you lower your defenses, we wouldn’t want things to get too messy.” Sakura said, tightening her glove. Hinata nodded in agreement, quickly melding her body into the Hyuuga stance. Naruto and Neji stirred from the cracked wall and joined the females in surrounding him.

“Took you long enough.” Naruto said teasingly, gently punching Hinata on the shoulder, who proceeded to blush furiously.

“Well, we didn’t think we’d need to save a bunch of boys like they were a bunch of girls.” Sakura said, equally as playful. Naruto’s expression contorted to a pout.

“Sakura…” He said sheepishly. She smiled, then turned her attention to the man before them, who was looking at each in turn, looking for a weakness. Temari had run over to see if Shikamaru was alright, while Ino had joined the circle. Temari looked him over and pulled out a package of bandages.

“Here, this should help until he’s back in Konoha.” Choji nodded and immeadiatly began bandaging his best friend.

Temari stood up and joined the circle. The man, who had been rotating to observe his adversaries, came to  a complete stop in front of her. Temari’s eyes widened.

“You!!” She said in surprise. He smiled.

“Ah, and it be fate that decided you remember me…” He said, smiling crazily. Temari backed up slightly.

“Ugh, you’re that guy that used to follow me around when I was four asking me when I wanted to marry you!” Temari said in shock, seeming quite appalled. “Shouldn’t you be…I don’t know… in Suna’s mental care facility? With a restraining order?”

“But My sweet,” He said taking a step towards her. “Don’t they tell you anything? I was let out for good behavior… but you needn’t worry, I still love you very much and planned things right where I left off, once  I complete my last deed, I shall sweep you off your feet like I promised an-“

“Did your mother drop you on your head when you were a child?” Ino asked dumbstruck. “What Looney would want to marry a girl that young? No offense Temari, I’m sure you had all the boys eating out of your powdered child tyrant hands…”

“Ha ha.” Temari replied dryly. Ino smiled at the man’s obvious displeasure.

“Look, lets just get this over with.” Naruto said impatiently. “I have a date with a lovely lady and a bowl of ramen.” Everyone looked at him, eyebrows raised.

“What?” He asked. Hinata blushed even further red, and was determinably holding her stance with devoted concentration.

Temari stood up and came closer. “This has got to end. You are not going to marry me.”

“I will!! You’re just brainwashed by that filthy Konoha ninja!”

“Don’t you call him filthy-“

“You will be mine Temari!! You will not be his-“

“I don’t think the lady wants you.” Said a quiet voice behind Temari. “So I think you’d better get over your delusion right now… Cause I got news for you…” Shikamaru limped over to stand next to the surprised suna kunoichi. “Temari is whomever she pleases.”