Passion Fruit

“Shikamaru! Your face is flushed; would you like to explain why?” Gaara said with pure intent to incriminate. Shikamaru and Temari had arrived to the makeshift camp hand in hand.

“Shikamaru’s not here right now…leave a message.” He said to Gaara, in order to avoid his question. Temari dug through her bag looking for her dry clothes and Shikamaru’s clothes. She slipped away into the trees, stripped her bikini and changed. The evening air was beginning to cool so she bundled up in long sleeves and pants. She patted Shikamaru’s chest as he changed into his dry clothes. Temari sat beside Kankuro. She noticed that they had somehow managed to get a fire started. She figured someone had gone all out with the jutsus so she didn’t even ask how it was accomplished. After Shikamaru had changed, he sat behind Temari and pulled her onto his lap. The sun was beginning to dip low into the sky. The fire had been crackling for a good while; it was Kiba and Chouji’s job to continue feeding it.

The eight friends still had all the time in the world to stay there and pass most of the night away. Of course, Temari was beginning to anticipate the disappointment of Shikmaru going back home later that night. She knew that he wasn’t looking forward to it as well, but neither of them wanted to dwell on it; instead they wished to savor their time together.

“Chouji, you first what’s the one thing you’ve done that you regret.” Kiba asked. Chouji thought a moment.

“There was a time when I was little and I didn’t share my chips with my cousin. I know that sounds pretty lame; but I felt guilty about that.” Kiba laughed.

“I guess that’s fair enough. Okay, Gaara, you next.”

“My biggest regret, is shutting a lot of people out of my life who could have been my friends. There was a time when I wouldn’t let anyone get near me for any reason, and I look back on that and think of all the people I’ve pushed away.” Gaara felt slightly ashamed.

“Yeah, but Gaara, look at all the people you have in your life now.” Temari said.

“You’re right, but I still look back and think of how many people I’ve stepped on or shut out, you know? That’s my biggest regret.” Gaara looked at Kankuro.

“Hmmm…my biggest regret? I would have to say it’s not being very nice to Temari when we were kids. I was pretty mean to her. I used to pull her hair and take her stuff, and hit her, and overall just mean. Seeing as now, how we live together and all, I feel really bad for being so cruel. That might also explain her aggressiveness.” Temari smiled. She thought that was quite sincere of her brother. Temari was next.

“My biggest regret…”she paused and turned around to face Shikamaru, “is having been with you for nearly a year and never saying I love you. I do, love you I just have a hard time saying those words.” Temari was rarely that serious, but she meant it. Shikamaru looked at her all smiles. He had waited a long time for her to say that.

“I love you too, Temari.” He said. He kissed her neck.

“Alright, my biggest regret is not being with Chouji on his 15th birthday. He didn’t have anyone around and I was away training with a chuunin team. I will never forget how I left my best friend alone on his birthday. I’m sorry Chouji.”

“It’s okay, Shikamaru. You’re still my best friend.”

“Sakura? Your turn.”

“I regret not being close with my mother, I wish I had that.” Sakura shifted her focus to Ino.

“I regret being pissy at Sakura for a few years. We’re best friends and for a while I threw that away. Sakura smiled at Ino. Kiba was last to share.

“My biggest regret is not always trying my hardest. Sometimes, I don’t and I feel like I let others down when that happens.” It was refreshing to see how much everyone had grown through the years. Differences had been resolved and new bonds had been formed. By well into nightfall, it was time to extinguish the fire and head back to town. Shikamaru insisted on traveling back alone with Temari.

“I wish you didn’t have to go home tonight, I wish you were coming home with me.” She said her voice defeated.

“Yeah, me too you have no idea.” He replied.

“I’m glad you spent the night with me.” She said all smiles.

“You know that I would anytime.” The walk back to town happened too quickly. Before they knew it, the sand trio’s house was in the distance.

“Listen, I’ll go back home alone, you stay here. You have no business being out after dark alone. I love you Temari.” Shikamaru wrapped her up and kissed her like crazy.

“I love you too.” She whispered. Temari watched him unwillingly leave her and return to his home. However, with a sparkle in her big green eyes, she couldn’t help but feel excited for the next weekend, when the possibility of another visit came. After all, it was another chance for her and Shikamaru to keep her brothers up half the night.