...To stop being afraid - she admitted that to herself at that second meeting. Her aunt managed to put Kankuro in a private school and cover up the story of Temari's rape and beating up. She convinced her niece that it would be better for everyone: she wouldn't have to go through humiliating procedures with the police, she wouldn't get finger-pointed and maybe even victim-blaming, and her brother - the school was strict enough to be a punishment.

Temari didn't believe any kind of school is able to fix what had happened. And for the last few months she quite often woke up in the bed with a guy she had just met. She thought she wouldn't be attractive to Kankuro this way. Or maybe she was counting on one of them to protect her from him. Still, she was extremely afraid. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to bear his presence when he returned, that she's gonna be weak again, that her relatives will take his side again. Wouldn't be a first time: her aunt had decided that it was no big deal. By her standards, Kankuro had been quite courteous to Temari the whole time, except for the last. And Gaara was so attached to his older brother that he never forgave his sister for exiling him. She didn't feel safe in her own family.

So she found a psychologist. And she recommended to her to meet up with Naruto.

When they first met, she flirted desperately, being sure the surrogate partner is some sort of sex instructor. When Naruto gently explained that his job was to help Temari build a relationship in which she would be comfortable, trusting and relaxed - she even got upset. She wanted to hook up with him as soon as possible. To shut down the voice of fear that kept saying: "No one wants you except your brother. He's the only one who's really close to you. The only one who knows you. How to make you feel good. And how to hurt you. And when he comes back and finds out what you've been doing... Be prepared for a lot of pain."

Today's meeting, Naruto explained to her, should help her define body boundaries. Last time he'd given her an assignment: before agreeing to anything offered, Temari's got to feel whether she really wanted it or not. Also, to voice out her feelings and desires. This turned out to be more difficult than she had imagined. When Temari announced to her aunt she's gonna live separately from her aunt next week, she didn't expect a hell lot of criticism and scolding. After hearing about the part-time job she planned to use to pay for her apartment, her aunt began to slander her about the studies. She ignored her niece's arguments that working part-time will help: Temari went to school with an art degree and got a job at a design agency. She's found an apartment, a tiny studio, and it's gonna cost nearly nothing, cause she promised to keep an eye on the owner's cat: the woman went on a business trip for an indefinite period of time.

When Temari realized that leaving under her aunt's nest would be the final break with her family, she almost gave up on everything. Especially when Gaara, who seemed to realize that he was now losing his sister as well, for the first time in three years hugged her tightly and did not want to let her go. But remembering Naruto's words at the previous meeting, "Do you want to keep being afraid? Or to know that you're in control of your own life?" - she packed her things and moved out.

-So, are you ready?

-Yep, - Temari nodded. They stood opposite each other in the underwear. Gently, Naruto touched her shoulder and stroked her arm to the fingers. Trying to breathe deeply, Temari concentrated on sensations.

She felt his fingertips touch collarbones, slide down her neck, touch the cheek. Gently tucking a curl behind her ear...

When they straddled her buttocks, the breath flow halted for a split second. She tried to regain it, exhaling deeper. It didn't seem right to her that it happened so quickly, but she kept following the movements.

-Temari! - Naruto's voice sounded harsh and menacing, bringing her back to reality. - You promised me that you would tell me if you didn't like something. I can see how you shrink back. But the other person might not understand that. Tell me, what do you want now?

-I'm sorry, I... I want you to take your hands off my ass.

-Okay. Now it's your turn.

Temari's palms traced the outline of Naruto's shoulders, over his neck, slipped into the hair. The stiff ones, sticking out in a herringbone, they tickled thin skin. Uzumaki closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth and the caressing motions.

When his thumbs slid down to his cheekbones, he grimaced.

-Temari, I don't like having my face touched by fingers. - The girl's eyebrows furrowed. - It's not because I don't like you, I just don't like that kind of touching.

She seemed to understand. And started to observe very attentively. She took her hands away, feeling Naruto's muscles contract as she put them around his waist. Squeezed his buttocks harder as she heard a rasp breath.

Step by step, they touched each other. Exploring, studying bodies, watching closely.

-You're amazing, Temari, learning at a moment's notice.

"Kso!" - he should have caught the moment when her breathing quickened. But her movements were too cautious and affectionate and Naruto got too relaxed to give a notice.

-Temari, wait! - No effect. - Temari, stop!

She gave him such a lewd look that anyone else probably wouldn't have been able to resist. But Naruto wasn't anyone. Exhaling sharply, he tried to free himself gingerly from her grasp.

Failing, Uzumaki put his palms forward, placing one on the girl's forehead. The other touched her solar plexus. Fingertips poked at the sensitive spot.

Sabaku shuddered.

-Temari! - Oh, the way she glared at him - as if he'd taken a piece of delicious chocolate out of her mouth.

-What now?! You told me to declare my desires. I declare: I want you!

"Fuck!" - Naruto was starting to get angry too. At himself first and foremost. He didn't watch out, didn't warn her, let himself go too much.

-We're standing here and nearly jerking each other off, and you say stop? - said the girl irritably.

Grabbing her by the shoulders, Uzumaki looked into her darkened blue eyes.

-What do you want? Really? - He rudely interrupted the attempt to answer. - To keep fucking everyone? Being afraid your brother's gonna show up on your doorstep and you wouldn't be able to say no? Huh? Temari?

Tears showed in the corners of her eyes. Naruto was sorry he had to be rude, but sobering up the girl up was necessary.

-Temari, please, understand - sex is the easiest thing you can give. And do you get what you want in return? My desire is to interact with you as a person to person. I want you to listen to yourself, not give in every time, not fall for flattery and stupid pick up tricks. I want you to respect yourself, your body! You're so beautiful! So smart! It's amazing to be with you, to chat with you, you've got an amazing sense of humor. Even keeping silence is bearable with you and this doesn't happen with any person I've met!

Uzumaki was breathing heavily. He let himself go. It had been a long time since he had been this emotional with his customers. But he really wanted this girl to understand her value, what she really is.

-Remember, Temari, I'm not telling you this because I'm in love with you or want to sleep with you. You're a person to me who hasn't given up, who's fighting for herself. And I'm willing to help. But only if you learn to separate, to distinguish between a desire of sex and real intimacy.

His shoulder became wet. Pressed against him, Temari sobbed. So bitterly, as if she had lost something important.

Naruto stood with his hands down. He didn't make a move to comfort her. He could feel his and her hearts beating - intermittent, rumbling, reverberating in his chest. The rhythm helped him calm down.

Before he could say anything, Temari pulled away.

-Can you just lie next to me and hold my hand? - Wiping away the rest of her tears, she said hoarsely. He nodded silently.

-Tell me you're here, that you're with me. - She asked him. Naruto turned to her on the big soft bed, moved closer to her ear.

-I'm here. I'm right here. I'm with you. I'm here for you. - He repeated over and over like a chant. He watched the girl's face lighten, soften. He didn't miss the moment her eyes glazed over and her features hardened again.

-Kankuro's coming back in a month.