Temari, You're a Good Girl, But

"Huh?"

Temari was stunned, tears welling up in her eyes, but when she looked up, she found herself pinned to the sofa.

She instinctively tried to struggle, but found herself in a moment of embarrassment and panic, and in her confusion, she made the opposite movement, her legs seemingly hooking Naruto's waist.

Perhaps the gesture was too provocative, for Temari's face turned completely red in an instant.

Naruto didn't seem to find anything wrong with it. He leisurely lifted her up and held her in a more comfortable position. He leaned back and closed his eyes comfortably.

Although Temari cried heartily just now, Naruto knew that her tears meant she wasn't as stubborn as she seemed. It meant she had grievances, and if she had grievances, things would be easier to handle; at least they could talk.

His biggest fear was that Temari do something rash, turning love into hate, which would be troublesome.

Temari's crying relieved Naruto, and his tone softened. He pulled her into his arms and skillfully kissed her earlobe.

I started to coax and soothe her in a low voice over and over again.

This soothing tactic was more effective than any words, and Temari stopped sobbing after a short while.

"Really?" Temari's voice still trembled with tears.

"Why would I lie to you?" Naruto didn't even need to prepare his words. "Of course I've liked you for a long time. Given the situation back then, who wouldn't be moved?"

Upon hearing this, Temari paused for a second, then suddenly remembered something from the past and blushed. For a moment, she didn't know how to answer, and her toes curled up in embarrassment.

"Then why do you keep avoiding me, like you're running from a disaster?" Temari asked.

"I was young then and afraid of making mistakes." Naruto rarely spoke the truth. It's up to Temari to interpret it; it doesn't matter how you look at it.

Temari smiled happily upon hearing this, but it remains unknown who made the mistake.

The two whispered to each other for a while, and an air of affection filled the room. Temari hesitated for a moment, then whispered that she wanted to take a bath first and asked him to wait a while.

Naruto thought for a moment, but didn't agree to her request; there was still something he hadn't confirmed. However, he didn't say he had anything to say, but instead hooked his arm around hers and said they should talk for a while longer.

This was the second time Temari had been this close to Naruto. Their bodies were so close that she was almost in a daze, and they couldn't really have a proper conversation. In the end, the topics they could talk about were limited.

There was still some left, but she was too embarrassed to say. The two chatted for a while longer, with Naruto answering casually while his hand wandered over her waist, until he heard a question, at which point his eyes changed.

"How much do you like me?" Temari asked hesitantly.

"Third."

"What?" She was stunned.

"You're third in my heart, there are two others ahead of you." Naruto held up three fingers, saying this without feeling guilty or blushing, his expression unchanged.

Tsunade once said to Shizune with a sigh, "If Naruto could put the energy he spends on women into serious matters, he would be fully capable of being a qualified Hokage."

In terms of shamelessness alone, the cunning nobles in the Capital City of the Land of Fire are no match for him.

As soon as Naruto finished speaking, Temari's face turned deathly pale. The naive young girl had never heard such a shameless statement before. Yet, Naruto remained completely serious, showing no sign of finding his words outrageous.

She opened her mouth silently, as if she wanted to say something, but no sound came out.

"I was supposed to get married, but it was delayed because of the war," Naruto said slowly, subtly removing his hand from her waist.

This was also why he had insisted on Temari earlier; he was waiting for her, hoping Temari ask that question herself. After all, every woman asks that question, especially when feelings are running high, with tender eyes: "How much do you love me? How much do you like me?" and so on.

There are only a few common answers. I've already taken my pants off and you're asking me this? We'll talk about it later. Of course, I like you the most!

They're so hasty and careless that they don't think things through, and they can't digest what they eat.

Naruto may be a jerk, but he's not stupid. The most important people to him are Hinata and Ino; it doesn't matter who else is involved. As for the third and fourth, it's a matter of mutual consent; whoever it is, it's their choice.

He wouldn't lie to people; he might like it a little, but he certainly doesn't love it much.

More importantly, he clearly used a little trick. He didn't bring it up himself, but waited until Temari asked that question before casually saying it, which made him seem honest.

He didn't care what Temari thought, since he hadn't done anything out of line so far, and he had even pulled his hand away from his waist, slowly creating some distance between them.

This slap made Temari even more uncomfortable, and she was completely stunned.

She was mentally prepared, knowing that Naruto couldn't possibly be without someone he liked, but she hadn't wanted to think about it before. Perhaps it was because she hadn't had the chance to get closer to him, and therefore hadn't thought about it that much.

She had only asked that question casually, and normally she wouldn't have taken it to heart even if Naruto had told a lie, given the atmosphere.

Temari never expected Naruto to say something like that, leaving her stunned. Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, she thought, "Then why did he say he liked me? Was it all a lie?"

Even if it's a lie, couldn't it be done more thoroughly? Now she's stuck in this awkward situation, unable to cry at all, forcibly holding it back.

"Well, there's only one," Temari said hesitantly, still clinging to a sliver of hope.

"No, it's two." Naruto frowned, clicked his tongue, and leaned back on the sofa. "I plan to marry two, but both sets of parents disagree."

"Huh?" Temari didn't understand, but she was greatly shocked.

"Normally, couples choose one partner, right? It seems like Konohagakure does too." She didn't know what to say, and almost gave up struggling, wondering what she was even saying.

What does all this have to do with me? I'm already in this state, can't I leave with some dignity?

She wanted to wipe away her tears, then get up and smile, saying she was tired and wanted to go home to rest. She thought, "I'll go home, take a shower, and get some sleep; maybe I'll feel better tomorrow."

But she just couldn't do it. She was so close! Are you kidding me? She was so close! She'd waited so long, she was almost there!

Her mind went blank, and she stammered, not even knowing what she was saying. The dry conversation and awkward scene made every second agonizing.

There was a moment when she wanted to get up and leave, but a voice in her heart kept telling her to wait, to wait a little longer, perhaps he had something he couldn't say, or perhaps there would be another turning point.

Temari knew she was being cowardly, but she still held back.

"I know, that's why I don't plan to stay in Konohagakure anymore." Naruto said matter-of-factly. "I heard that you can get married twice in the Land of Snow and the Land of Rain."

Nonsense, those two places belong to him, so whatever he says goes.

Temari was a little confused by this, wondering if these two areas were like that. She had never heard of them before, but she didn't dwell on this unimportant detail.

"Two, twice," Temari heard the quantifier repeatedly, and she couldn't help but feel a little disheartened.

"It's already twice, why not consider a third time?" she asked, as if possessed.

"Because," he said with a rare Qingming Festival in his eyes, "I wouldn't have made it this far without them, and no one else can replace them."

"And they're pregnant, so I'm about to become a father too."

After saying that, Naruto stopped talking.

Silence fell again. Temari bit her lower lip, seemingly lost in thought, while Naruto leaned back on the sofa, staring blankly in one direction.

He was waiting, waiting for Temari's choice.

No matter what Temari chooses, Naruto might not gain anything, but he'll never lose anything. In matters of love, whoever takes the initiative is always the one who's subservient, while those who are favored always take it for granted.

If Naruto had simply let the details slide today, there probably wouldn't have been any trouble. He could have easily covered it up later with some effort.

Even if problems arise, they will most likely be forgiven.

But he didn't want so many lies; the more lies there were, the thinner the relationship would become. One lie after another could only be covered up with more lies, until finally the truth would crumble and everything would be destroyed.

To reiterate, although he's a scumbag and deserves to die, he's not stupid.

He knew exactly what he should and shouldn't do, what he should and shouldn't say. He wouldn't mention the Uzumaki Ten Maidens, because it had nothing to do with Temari.

Sakura is a good younger sister, Kazahana Koyuki are just casual acquaintances, ordinary friends. She took the initiative, and there was nothing I could do; the atmosphere was right, so I don't remember.

Time slipped away quietly, Naruto's index finger dangled on the edge of the sofa, slightly raised before rhythmically tapping it slowly to kill time.

"You," Temari pursed her lips and broke the silence.

"Everything you said just now was true. I like you, but we're not a good match," Naruto interrupted her. "You're a good girl, and I'm happy to know you."

"It's good for you to go back and rest first. Let's both calm down for a while. I can treat you like a younger sister."

He reached out and patted Temari on the shoulder, his voice softening as he spoke with a smile.

"Is it okay if things remain the same as before for now?"

Same as before? Temari's mind was filled with this question. Her heart felt like it had been struck hard, and her face turned pale instantly.

I've tried so hard to endure it, and six years have passed. If things are still the same as before, then what's the point of all that I've done all these years?

As she thought about it, she felt even more distressed, as if a stone was stuck in her throat. Only when tears blurred her vision did she hurriedly reach out to wipe them away.

Naruto had already reached out to wipe away her tears and added a sentence.

"I'll take you back."

"No." She lowered her head.

"What?" Naruto didn't hear clearly, but he saw Temari's mouth move slightly.

The next moment, Temari threw herself into his arms, trembling all over, and burst into tears. This was the second time she had cried today.

Each cry was more painful than the last, yet she couldn't blame Naruto. His words made her suddenly realize that she hadn't been the one by his side during those six years of absence.

That's just how it is. Konohagakure and Sand are two separate villages, and even if they become allies, she can't visit them frequently.

"No!" she cried. "I don't want to go back. I've always loved you and waited for so many years. I don't want to regret it later."

"Stop messing around." Naruto gently pushed her away, but couldn't. Temari held onto him tightly and wouldn't let go, so he only gave her a token push.

"I'm not making a fuss!" Temari looked up at him, her eyes red, and said, "I want to have one child for you too, no! Five!"

"Don't be stubborn. You're the eldest princess of Sand. This isn't something you can decide for yourself," Naruto said gently. "It's okay, we can still be friends."

"I don't want to be friends!" Temari shook her head desperately, her face streaked with tears, and hurriedly kissed Naruto's earlobe, her hot breath surging.

"You really don't regret it?" Naruto straightened her shoulders, tilted his head, and asked with a smile.

"No regrets!" Temari smiled again before her tears had even dried.

Mmm!

Naruto leaned closer, kissed Temari's lips tenderly for a while, and then looked up and said seriously.

"You'll have no official status if you follow me. It's not too late for you to regret it now."

Temari didn't say anything, but simply returned the kiss deeply, as if she wanted to give herself completely to him. A quarter of an hour later, Temari, her face flushed, ran into the bathroom.

"I'm going to take a shower," she whispered, leaning against the bathroom door.

"Okay," Naruto said lazily, a smile on his face.

"Stop laughing! Don't laugh!" Temari's face was flushed, and she was a little angry. "I've read the book, isn't this a normal thing?"

"Yes, yes, whatever you say goes." Naruto couldn't help but laugh again, then realized something and asked, "What book are you reading?"

"It's just that kind of book, what's there to ask?" Temari somewhat guiltily, her voice trailing off. "Doesn't everyone read it?"

Naruto's eyelids twitched involuntarily, and he asked.

"Could it be Make-Out Paradise?"

Bang! The bathroom door slammed shut!

Inside the bathroom, Temari leaned against the door, then slumped weakly to the floor. Her face was flushed, and she let out a long sigh, then suddenly smiled.

After making the decision, I felt much more relaxed.

Whether the outcome is good or bad, it doesn't matter anymore. A long and happy marriage is too far away; she only wants a moment of pleasure. Even a fleeting moment of joy is better than a lifetime of dignity.

Night falls.

Temari's eyelids were heavy, and a few strands of hair on her forehead were stuck together. She had no idea what time it was; she had completely lost track of time.

"Is it dawn yet?" she asked softly.

"Yeah, it'll be quick," Naruto replied. "You should get some rest. Hmm, you probably really need to rest for a few days this time."

"It's all your fault."

"You seem quite serious, and not wanting you to think I'm being perfunctory, I had to be even more serious. Who knew you..."

Naruto stopped halfway through his sentence, saving her face.

"Don't tell!"

Temari blushed again, thinking to herself that this night was far too long, and her emotions had fluctuated many times. She had cried two or three times already, and her tears were almost all gone.

She thought to herself, "They were all shed for him."

In her drowsy state, she heard Naruto seem to speak again, and she forced herself to stay awake and listen for a while.

"When you wake up, do me a favor."

"Okay, whatever you say." She closed her eyes and murmured, "So sleepy~"