Temari blinked. "What's that?"
"I never took you as a dumb blond, Temari."
She fumed. "I'm not!" she snapped. "But what the hell is that supposed to be?"
"A ring."
"And what kind of ring is it, exactly?" she asked, pushing a finger accusingly into his chest.
"A silver one."
"Smart-ass."
"Stubborn woman."
A moment passed and Temari stared at the ring. It glinted mockingly at her in the orange light of the sunset, speckled by shadows from the leaves on the tree towering above them. A small lavender crystal was set into it, and Temari entertained the idea of it being a real amethyst. She frowned. Where would he get that kind of money? She sighed. Why would he even bother getting her such a dainty piece of jewelry? She snatched the ring from him.
"So what does it mean if I put it on?" she asked, rolling it between her thumb and her index finger, scrutinizing its very existence.
Shikamaru shrugged. "What do you want it to mean?"
"Why do we have to dance around this? Man up and ask me," Temari commanded, thrusting the ring back into his hand.
"Troublesome..."
A moment passed, then another. Temari looked toward the sun on the horizon, watching as it seemed to sink faster and faster. When she looked back, Shikamaru was on one knee, holding out the suspicious ring.
"Temari, will you... promise me that you'll wait for me?"
She let it linger in the air, letting the words sink in. Suddenly she didn't know her answer. It was all too much for her to take in. Hearing the words, actually hearing them, was so different from merely knowing they were going to come. She smiled.
Taking a deep breath, letting that awfully warm tingly feeling wash over her, she nodded. "Why wouldn't I?"
Shikamaru grinned as she let him slip the ring onto her left ring finger.
"That wasn't so hard, was it?"
"I guess it's just because with questions, you're relying on the other person for success instead of yourself," Shikamaru shrugged. "But once it's over, it can feel pretty good."
"Oh shut up and kiss me."
And he did.
Author's Note: I haven't written anything for the Naruto fandom in what feels like ages! I hope I did this pairing justice. ShikaTema is my OTP for Naruto in any case, even though I don't care much for the show anymore. I guess I just like the characters in the show too much to completely give up writing for the fandom! Ahahhh...
In any case, I hope you enjoyed this drabble! Review if you wish :)