Assassination Wedding
"Shikamaru, Temari, you're getting married!" said Tsunade, while trying to hold in her laughter.
"What?" screamed the duo in obvious surprise. After a great pause, Shikamaru decided to break the silence.
"You must be joking Hokage-sama!" he said.
"No Shikamaru I'm...hahahahmph…quite serious." said Tsunade as her smile grew larger.
"But I thought this was supposed to be an S ranked mission!"
"It is Shikamaru, but let me explain first. You two have obviously noted that you have performed many important missions over the past years."
"Well yes but–" Tsunade cut off Shikamaru before he could finish.
"As such you have made enemies in almost every single country. The various feudal lords, for some reason, have become so angry that they wish to send assassins to kill you."
She eyed the pair with a smirk before continuing.
"Obviously your skill would be a match for them but I fear that they may get lucky. So what I've decided to do is to pretend you two are getting married. The assassins will doubtlessly take this huge chance to kill you both. During the ceremony you two will eliminate the assassins."
"But Tsuande-sama wouldn't the Anbu be better equipped for this?" asked Temari.
"Unfortunately the feudal lords have many spies so I think it would be best if you two act alone. I will personally notify the Council and Gaara-sama of this marriage. However neither your friends nor your family must know the truth. If they do it may jeopardize the mission."
"Only one more question Tsunade-sama. When will the "wedding" be held?" asked Shikamaru.
"In a week." said Tsunade, smiling. "That's all you're dismissed."
Shikamaru and Temari both left the office and walked outside. On his way down the staircase, Shikamaru contemplated the news.
'Temari and me are getting married! No baka it's just a mission!' But still, perhaps to Shikamaru it was more than that.
"Oi Temari what do you think of our new assignment?"
"I would have to say it's very troublesome." No sooner had the words escaped her lips than she wondered why she'd said them.
"I couldn't agree with you more Temari. Just picture us together, a married couple!"
"Hahaha, yeah that would never happen!"
'But maybe it could.' thought Temari. She didn't want to admit it but she had grown to like Shikamaru during all the time they had spent together. It had been growing increasingly difficult to be around him. And now, she could hardly keep herself from blushing.
"Temari are you okay?" asked Shikamaru, putting his hand on Temari's cheek.
"…Your face is all red." He finished, with a concerned look in his eyes.
"Oh I'm f-fine Shikamaru." said Temari, 'Not really.'
'Hmm, what an unexpected development. This is going to be interesting…' Shikamaru thought, as they walked further down the street.