This is my first Shikatema and multi-chapter fic ^_^ I hope you like it. I will try to update as often as possible and would even like ideas on where you want this story to go. I have ideas myself but I would love to know what you think ^_^
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of it's characters (sadly :'(), I also do not own the names of places and such in the show the story however is my idea of how I would like a filler episode to go :P
Shikamaru's P.O.V.
Women! They're so troublesome. They take forever to get ready. They boss you around and they are generally confusing in everyway.
"Ugh, what's taking her so long?" I said pushing my hand through my hair. I'd been waiting outside Temari's apartment for 20 minutes, I had been up since 6 o'clock and got here at 7, a time SHE told me to be ready by!
I decided to go up to the door again and knock, "in a minute!" She shouted through the door.
"Come on Temari! I've been waiting 20 minutes the Hokage's got a mission for both of us and it'll be my ass if we're late." I replied rubbing my eyes.
'What a drag' I thought to myself when suddenly the door opened. And there she was in a midnight blue kimono with small silver stars and crescent moons patterned all around it and a red ribbon surrounding her waist. Her hair was in her usual 4 pigtails and had 4 red ribbons tying them. This is a little embarrassing but my mouth kinda gaped open, she looked amazing. Her fan was strapped to her back and she saw my facial expression and smirked.
"Like what you see?" She asked and laughed as I quickly gathered myself and looked away.
"You look pretty that's all" I said shyly trying to suppress the warm feeling going to my cheeks. I looked at her sideways and noticed her blush then change into her same sarcastic manner.
"I know I do, that's why I took so long, anyway what do you mean we have a mission? The Chunin exams are just finished." She said looking confused.
"I don't know." I sighed, "Izumo and Kotetsu came over to my house and said the Hokage wanted to see us for a mission." I explained sounding bored, "but we really should go now because I really don't wanna face her wrath for being late, she's even scarier than my mom." I said laughing nervously.
Temari relaxed a little and locked the door to her apartment and smiling shyly she said, "okay let's go but I want dumplings first, since it's on the way. I'll get them to take out so you wont get in trouble."
We arrived at the Hokage Tower after Temari ate her dumplings on the walk.
"WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG SHIKAMARU?!" Came Lady Tsunade's booming voice.
'Ugh women are such a drag' I though to myself exasperated. (We were only a few minutes late) "I'm sorry Lady Tsunade, I slept in and got held up," I lied smoothly. Temari glanced at me gratefully.
"You are so lazy Shikamaru! Go to bed earlier or get up earlier, but that doesn't matter now. I have an urgent 'A' rank mission that only you two can do. The Kazekage has agreed to let Temari partake in this mission as long as you are with her." She said the last past a little slyly, too slyly for my liking.
"Why would he only allow Temari to go if I was going?" I asked curiously and a little confused.
Lady Tsunade's expression turned a little sly but quickly went serious when she said, "Temari is the Kazekage's sister, therefore, he wants to make sure she is safe. He believes you will protect her with your life and that you are the smartest person who can."
I considered this for a second then said, "It's true that I would protect Temari with my life, like I would any comrade and sometimes my strategies do help gain advantage over enemies, but I'm not a close-combat type and I'm no where near as strong as Neji or even Naruto, why not ask someone else to go in my place or even someone else to join us?" I asked honestly.
"Shikamaru! I cannot spare anymore manpower and you are strong, have more confidence, besides you were personally requested by the Kazekage to join Temari!" She shouted again, I was about to protest before Temari turned to me angrily.
"Do you think I am weak Shikamaru?! Remember who saved your ass?! I'm stronger than you think! Do NOT underestimate me!" Temari shouted then turned her head from me offended.
'I just can't win against women. What a drag' I thought to myself. "No Temari, you are far stronger than me, I can admit that, okay what's the mission." I said, quickly trying to change the subject.
"Your mission is to go to the Land of Rice Patties and protect and provide strategies for the small village there. They have strong men but don't know how to plan a good defence or attack since their leader was killed a few days ago. A group of deadly armed bandits are trying to take over the village and they have sent for our help. You have 2 hours to gather any supplies you will need for 2 weeks and prepare yourselves for this task. Shikamaru and Temari, I'm counting on you both. The bandits have threatened to kill the women and children of the village if they keep trying to defend their home." Tsunade said calmly although her eyes showed worry.
"Okay Lady Tsunade, we'll do our best!" Temari said confidently.
I was walking out of the room when I hear Lady Tsunade say, "Please be careful you two, there may be something more going on that we haven't been told, if you desperately need back-up, summon your wolves Shikamaru and send 1 to me. I'll give you all the back-up I can."
I turned to her and smiled gratefully, "thanks m'lady." I said walking out with Temari. We didn't speak, I think she was still mad at me for 'doubting her.'
I walked her to her apartment she was about to walk in, "I'm sorry Temari, I wasn't underestimating you, I was underestimating myself. I didn't mean to insult you I'm just worried that if I need to, I wont be able to protect you." I said honestly to her back.
She turned around and her face looked shocked, "Shikamaru, I may be stronger than you but you were able to defeat me at the Chunin exams by thinking up strategies alone. Now you have become stonger and even your strategies are better, I think you would be able to protect me. Not that you'll need to, I'll probably be the one protecting you." She said jokingly, smiling like she was never angry with me.
Don't get me wrong I was grateful but women confuse me to no end. "Are we okay then?" I asked smiling hopefully, I didn't really want to be going on a mission for so long with Temari if she was going to be in a mood with me the whole time.
"We always are," she said, smiling shyly and then she turned into her apartment and left while I turned and headed home smiling like an idiot.
Dad was home when I got there, I walked into the kitchen to ask him something. "Dad do you have any spare medical supplies?"
Dad looked at me confused, "um, yes we do. Why do you ask?" He replied.
I looked at him, my face showing relief, "I have a mission to help and protect a village for two weeks and the medical supplies are just a precaution."
His face turned into shock, "Already? The Chunin exams are just over," I was reminded of Temari as he said that and quickly tried to remove the images of how good she looked this morning.
"I also need food pills in case my chakra runs out and I need a back-up plan," I said a little worriedly, "the Hokage said she needs a strategist and she and the Kazekage have decided that Temari would go on the mission. Also, the Kazekage will only allow her to go on the mission if I am with her." I said calmly and then Dad gave me his 'knowing' look.
"And you need the medical supplies in case she gets hurt," he concluded smirking and sipping his tea. I have never asked for medical supplies directly from Dad for a mission before, our medical supplies are the best in the village, he must be loving this.
"No Dad, it's in case either of us are hurt and our families medical supplies are the best and a medic wont be joining our team. I also just have under 2 hours to get everything packed and ready." I said sternly hoping he wouldn't hear the embarrassment in my voice or see the blood rushing to my cheeks.
"I believe you" he said sarcastically and went to get the things I needed, handed them to me and walked away.
I went into my room, packed my things, a map of the area, a Shogi board and pieces (just in case), and my weapons. I walked into the kitchen and prepared a meal for myself, while also packing food supplies into my pack. I ate in silence and heaved on my pack, said goodbye to my Mom and Dad and began walking to the gates to meet Temari. Who, knowing her, will most likely be late.
A.N. And so concludes my first chapter, let me know what you think, I hope it's okay =3 I have a lot of coursework to do within the next few weeks so wont be able to update (boo!) but I promise you I will try my best to get it done and update quickly. Read and Review please it would make my day and also let me know whether to continue or not. P.S. I chose the Land of Rice Patties only because I like the name lol I don't know why I do but I always have. ^_^