This is my first time trying out a fan fiction. I didn't know at first what I should really write about, until I decided to go along with a ShikaTema story. (I've always found them a sweet couple! 3) So I hope this story turns out alright, I really don't mind if this isn't well liked, just as long as I get a chance to improve my writing and have a ShikaTema story of my own, I hope some of you guys out there will like it! Again, this is my first time trying out something like this, and I hope it turns out well. Thanks!

(I don't own these characters, they all belong to Masashi Kishimoto!)

Just to help understand the story, I changed their setting to more of a modernized high school environment; I can't really recreate a story suited to their ninja story as they originally should be, but since this is just a love story between Shikamaru and Temari, I thought it'd be easier for me to just place them in high school so I wouldn't struggle to recreate the ninja world around them that is extremely hard to do, not to mention it's Kishimoto's story, not mine. This is purely fan fiction, based off my knowledge of the manga Naruto, I hope the characters appear realistic to what they are in the real story and if not, feel free to point this out and help me improve story if you plan to follow this story. Again, I'd appreciate any support and since I'm new to this website and fan fiction writing, I hope I don't disappoint anyone with a bad story line. Thanks again and I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 1: Transferred Sand Students

Shikamaru laid back against the grass, sighing in the wind as the warm rays of the sun bathed him in its golden streaks. He lazily opened his eyes again to watch the clouds roll across the blue sky, contently enjoying his solitude as he observed the clouds soar freely against the sky. He listened to the birds sing as they darted in and out of his sight, flying higher up to the clouds each time he saw them. "Must be nice … to be so close to the clouds …" Then he closed his eyes again, happily content with the quiet field he had resolved to rest in …

"HEY! SHIKAMARU! FINALLY FOUND YAH!" He sighed. He reopened his eyes to see Naruto grinning standing over him.

"What do you want Naruto? I just want some peace and quiet for once …"

Naruto laughed as Shikamaru got to his feet.

"We were looking for you of course! Sasuke is back from his trip to the Sand, I thought you'd be interested to greeting him, it's Sasuke after all." Shikamaru shrugged, yawning as he glanced back up at the clouds.

"Oh. He's back already? Nyeh, guess it wouldn't hurt to say hi …"

Naruto grinned and turned to shout back to the others approaching on the field.

"HEY GUYS! SHIKAMARU IS COMING WITH US! LET'S HURRY TO THE TRAIN STATION TO MEET SASUKE!"

Kiba wheezed as he reached the two at the top of the hill.

"Geez Naruto! You could've told me that earlier before I wasted my energy climbing this stupid hill … typical of Shikamaru to find such a reclusive place all to himself. I'm surprised Naruto even found you."

"NARUTOOOOO! SHIKAMARUUUUU! KIBAAAA! GET YOUR BUTTS DOWN HERE AND LET'S GO ALREADY!"

Ino waved at them from below, standing beside Sakura and Choji. Naruto and Kiba ran down the hill to meet up with the rest and Shikamaru gave the clouds one last longing look before turning to follow the others with a sigh.

"Geez … I wanted to spend just a little more time here … how troublesome."

They picked up Hinata and Neji along the way to the station, the group as lively as ever.

"Hey Sakura, I bet you're all happy to see Sasuke again!"

Sakura blushed and punched Naruto on the arm.

"S-Shut up idiot! Of course I am! Sasuke is our friend after all."

Ino smirked at Sakura before adding, "To you at least, now that Sasuke is back, I can have my chance to finally have a relationship with him! Hope you don't mind Sakura."

Sakura hissed at Ino and the two cursed at each other over Sasuke as Naruto laughed. Choji tried to break up the fight. Lee later found them and decided to tag along, bringing along Tenten who happened to be nearby. Kiba made small talk with Hinata and Neji as Lee elaborated on a story with Tenten who nodded appreciatively. Shikamaru stuck to the back of the group lagging behind, not wanting to become part of an annoying argument or anything with talking for that matter.

By the time they reached the station, Sasuke was already waiting for them.

"SASUKE!"

He turned to look at the group with mild surprise before smirking.

"The old gang is still together I see."

Sakura and Ino ran up to Sasuke to give him hugs, glaring at one another behind his back as Sasuke peeled them off him. Naruto and the rest of the gang warmly greeted him, asking him how the trip was. Shikamaru stayed back yawning, knowing it wasn't necessary to greet Sasuke himself. He looked over Sasuke's shoulder in surprise to see three others with him.

"Hey guys, why are they here?"

The rest of the gang looked to where Shikamaru pointed and Naruto yelled, "AHH! Gaara!" Gaara and his brother Kankuro and his sister Temari stepped up to stand beside Sasuke, instantly greetings were shared and smiles exchanged.

"Gaara! It's been so long!"

Gaara nodded with a small hint of a smile on his face.

"Yes, it has been, Naruto. It's nice to see you again."

Kiba grinned at Kankuro.

"Sure has been a long time hasn't it puppet man?"

Kankuro smirked.

"Sure has, how's your dog?"

Akamaru barked in Kankuro's face and panted.

"Yeah, yeah, I remember seeing you."

Hinata greeted Temari kindly.

"H-hello Temari. It's n-nice to meet you again …"

Temari gave her a grin.

"Thanks."

Choji looked at her thoughtfully as he stuffed his face with chips.

"Hmm. You look different than last time. Did you lose weight or something?"

Temari laughed.

"To hear that coming from you, I don't think so. I haven't changed a bit."

Temari shot a look at Shikamaru with a grin.

"I bet the same goes for Shikamaru."

Shikamaru sighed, scratching the back of his head tiredly.

'Oh boy, her again. How troublesome ...'

But Shikamaru had to agree with Choji; since the past there years seeing her and the others, she did seem a bit different. Maybe she grew taller? Or maybe because her hair grew longer. Who knows, Shikamaru wasn't concerned with her appearances anyway. So why did he bother?

"Long time seeing you lazy bum."

Shikamaru faced Temari awkwardly as she smirked in his face.

"How have you been doing these past three years? Watching clouds?"

Shikamaru sighed. Geez was she annoying sometimes.

"Why do you always ask questions that answer themselves?"

Temari grinned wider.

"Because they annoy you."

Shikamaru shook his head, he didn't want to put in any effort to think of something smart to throw back at her, what was the point anyway?

Naruto thoughtfully looked at Gaara while asking, "Say Gaara, why the sudden visit?"

Gaara looked at his brother and sister before answering mildly, "We came over because there has been a school transfer."

Naruto and the others fell silent. Then in unison; "EH?"

Kankuro explained the reason.

"Our school is going through some remodeling and it's going to take a while. So they sent out the Sand students to choose a school to stay in until it's done. Lucky for us, this just happened to be a chance where we can switch schools permanently."

Tenten whistled.

"Just like that? Nobody would care if you switched schools?"

Temari shrugged with a smug look on her face.

"No one stopped us from coming here. I doubt they'd care less if we decided to stay in Konoha city."

Shikamaru looked up at the sky.

'Oh brother, this might get meddlesome…'

Sakura thoughtfully contemplated the idea of them transferring.

"Huh, but why would you want to come to Konoha? Aren't there other schools in the Sand?"

Kankuro patted Gaara on the back heartily.

"Well, Gaara here wanted to be with Naruto and the others and suggested we came here. It's not a bad idea after all; we're all friends aren't we?"

Naruto grinned.

"Of course! This'll be awesome! Gaara, you're going to love our school!"

Sakura and Ino shrugged to one another.

"We have nothing against it."

Lee pumped his fist in the air, "Being joined by our fellow Sand students will strengthen our friendships! This will increase the power of our youth!"

Neji shook his head at Lee's enthusiasm.

"You say that to about almost everything Lee…"

Hinata smiled shyly.

"I-I don't mind. They're o-our f-friends …"

Sasuke shrugged at the rest.

"I had no problem with them tagging along; at least they're not leeches or anything."

Choji simply devoured his chips as Kiba thought it over.

"So you guys will be transfer students? Eesh, let me give you a heads up then – the rest of the kids at our school are going to take an interest in you. Try not to get on their bad side or they may start picking on you – annoying as they are."

Temari snorted.

"Just let them try; they can't do anything to us."

Shikamaru groaned to himself.

'Transferring to our school? Great. That means that hot head Temari is going to be around more often. This is going to be such a drag …'

Temari woke up early the next day to rough banging on her door. Temari groaned tiredly, rolling in her bed to look at the clock. She shouted to Kankuro groggily.

"Ugh, KANKURO! Open the damn door …"

The banging continued and Temari didn't hear Kankuro getting the door. Irritably Temari rose from her bedroom and mumbled bitterly as she headed down the hall to the door. The person wouldn't stop banging on the damn door.

"STOP BANGING DAMMIT! I'M COMING, I'M COMING!"

The banging stopped as Temari worked the locks apart, opening the door while rubbing her tired eyes.

"God, now who is it?"

Ino waved at her happily with Sakura and Hinata behind her.

"Hi! We thought we could walk with you to school."

Temari blinked twice before comprehending her offer.

"Huh? Walk together? Uh, hold on a second … let me wake up my brothers …"

Sakura piped up.

"Oh, we saw them on the way here, they wanted us to tell you that they already left and that you needed to wake up or else you'd be late."

Temari frowned.

'Geesh, it's so typical of them to let me sleep in. I'm not surprised Kankuro decided to ditch me, but Gaara, I thought he was at least considerate.'

"Oh did they now? Great …"

Temari grumbled to herself before inching the door shut.

"Hold on then, let me just get ready then."

After dressing appropriately, Temari joined the other girls on the walk to school. As suspected, Ino and Sakura talked nonstop about … GIRLISH junk, so Temari stuck behind to at least get acquainted with Hinata, who she liked better since she wasn't very girly.

"So what's this school like? Is it any better than ours?"
Hinata shyly shrugged, offering Temari her kindest smile.

"I-I don't think it's any better. Y-Your school is a pre-prestigious one, isn't it?"

Temari shrugged back.

"Everyone calls it that, but to me, a school is a school – full of lousy teachings over who cares what."

Hinata laughed quietly.

"O-oh I'm sure school can't be all t-that bad. I e-enjoy school m-most of the time."

Temari looked at Hinata not at all surprised.

"I'm not surprised. You're a Hyuuga, aren't you guys smart anyway? It wouldn't surprise me that you actually LIKE school."

Sakura turned walking backwards as she jumped in the conversation.

"Yeah, Hinata is really kind of odd. She's always liked the school. Personally, I don't enjoy it too much. But I really like medical terminology, at least THAT is interesting and worth learning about."

Ino laughed over her shoulder.

"Ha! For once, Sakura is right. Nothing in the school is that fun at all. But you gotta admit; all the drama that goes on at school is SO TOTALLY worth hearing about."

Temari frowned to herself as she heard that tidbit.

'Drama? Oh good lord, I hate schools like that … so typical of a high school.'

Temari shook her head; she could already tell that she might not like the school at all.

When they reached the school, Temari was a bit impressed by the size of the school buildings; though her old school was far better known for its educational programs, it was always a much smaller school than most. It almost didn't surprise Temari that Konoha city's high school was bigger; she doubted the teaching programs were any better.

Temari eventually had to leave the girls to report to the office, she still needed to know her schedule and her locker number…

Temari walked around the school aimlessly for a while, frowning to herself as she stopped for the fifth time in the middle of the hall.

"Wait … I was here before-"

The bell rang. Everyone was probably in their first classes by now.

"Damn it! Where's the freaking office when you need it?! Stupid … confusing school."

Temari turned to walk the other way in hopes of retracing her steps when someone called out to her.

"Hey! What are you doing out of class?"

Temari froze and sighed.

'If I get in trouble at my first day in this new school … ugh, I should've asked the girls where the office was in the very beginning.'

Temari turned around to explain when she blinked in surprise at who it was.

Shikamaru looked at her in surprise.

"Huh? Temari? What are you doing out here? You should be in class by now."

Temari crossed her arms and bitterly replied, "I know. I heard the bell."

Shikamaru raised his eyebrows at her.

"Aaaand? I hate to point it out, but you're not inside a classroom."

Temari kept silent. If she told him why, she'd break her own pride … getting lost while finding an office? How embarrassing…

Shikamaru crossed his arms as he waited for a reply.

"Well?"

Temari hissed through clenched teeth.

"I … got lost trying to find the office."

Silence. Then Shikamaru hid a smile behind his hand, a slight tremor in his shoulders as he suppressed his laughter.

"Ah, so that's why … I see."

Temari growled at him angrily, "Don't laugh. I can tell you're laughing."
Shikamaru grinned behind his hand, his eyes looking off to the side.

"No I'm not."

Temari blushed angrily, God was she so embarrassed right now!

"A-anyway! How come YOU'RE out of class Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru lifted his arm band for her to see.

"I'm the part of the Student Patrol. I maintain the halls and make sure every student is where they should be. It's a pain in the butt to do, but I was elected by the school to do it, plus the student president would kill me if I didn't do my job so, yeah. That's why I'm excused for the first five minutes of every class so I can do patrolling."

Shikamaru slipped his hands back in his pocket before grinning.

"Anyway, enough talking. Let's get you to the office."

Temari shook her head.
"You don't have to take me, just give me the directions to the office and I can take it from there-"

Shikamaru shook his head.

"Ah, no can do. I have to escort you there personally to make sure you weren't lying to me about trying to find the office. For all I know, you could've been trying to play hooky."

Temari gave him a withering look.

"You really think I'd be that kind of a person? Sure I hate school, but that wouldn't mean I'd resort to playing hooky."

Shikamaru shrugged as his hands went up in surrender.

"Hey, just doing my job. I have to make sure you're not breaking any rules, and you never know, maybe you're a rule breaker."

Temari muttered under her breath, "This is ridiculous …"

"Now stop complaining and follow me already. Talking isn't going to get you anywhere."

Reluctantly she followed Shikamaru, walking side by side with him as they walked down the hall. Shikamaru glanced at her sideways before smiling and looking back ahead.

"Troublesome woman …"

Temari glared at him.

"Hey!"

When Shikamaru led her to the office he handed her a map.

"Here, just in case you get LOST again."

Temari snatched it out of his hand rudely before stuffing it in her back pocket none too kindly.

"Thank you very much SIR."

Shikamaru shook his head with a sigh, walking off as he muttered to himself, "Rude as always …"

Temari watched Shikamaru turn around the corner and disappear from view. Temari entered the office with a shake of her head.

"Hot shot, he thinks he's sooo smart…"

The accountant looked up from her computer as Temari entered the office, a quizzical expression on her face.

"Who, what the … oh! You must be the other transfer student, am I right?"

Temari nodded and the office lady pulled out a copy of her schedule, a student ID, and her locker combination.

"Your brothers were here earlier and told me you were coming late. But don't worry; we're pretty lenient with newcomers when it comes down to attendance. Just make sure you get to school more on time though."

Temari grumbled to herself as she took her things before leaving the office.

"If only my brothers woke me up on time … geesh."

Temari then walked off to her first class of the day while pocketing her ID and locker combination. Her day was so totally off to a good start – NOT.

Temari thought she'd die in her first two classes. She was stuck with Ino and Sakura who talked nonstop to her, comparing their schedules and squealing how the majority of the classes matched theirs. 'Great. More girly crap …'

When she was introduced to the class, the boys looked at her either with mild interest or sleazy smiles. The girls would point out her hair and clothes before muttering how she lacked taste in fashion; other girls simply took one look at her before turning back around not really caring.

However they were mostly intrigued by her because apparently by Ino's terms, Ino and Sakura were considered 'popular girls' and for Temari to be hanging out with them, would immediately tag her as one … that is if the school judged her worthy enough. Temari sighed. She hated how it always worked that way.

The classes dragged one after another, the teachers seeming to share the same droning voices as they rambled on about mindless topics of which Temari didn't care about.

When lunch break came around, Temari was relieved. At least for a few minutes, she wouldn't have to listen to the teachers drone and Ino and Sakura giggle about some girly gossip.

While following Ino and Sakura to the lunch room, she heard loud squealing from one end of the hall and Temari turned to look.

Sasuke and Naruto, accompanied by Kiba, Neji, and Shikamaru, traveled down the hall in a group, occasionally stopping to peel off a fan girl.

Temari turned back to Sakura and Ino while jabbing a thumb behind her.

"Let me guess. They're labeled 'popular boys'."

Ino nodded with a stupid love struck smile.

"Of course! Sasuke is so hot and amazing, how could he NOT be popular?"

Sakura shook her head with her hands out in exasperation however, "Though how Naruto got mixed in with that group, we have no idea. He's not that good-looking nor is he very smart. He's a total idiot. But I guess he makes up for his major flaws with his superiority in fighting. He's always been a bit of a brawler."

Ino chirpily added after Sakura finished.

"And Kiba is well liked because the girls love his dog. He's always been nicer to the girls than the others, though Naruto enjoys his fans more than any of them."

Sakura held up a finger as if to make a point.

"Un-doubtfully. That idiot has never had a fan girl before; naturally he'd relish every single one of them. As for Neji, his solitary personality and firm speech has gotten him to be well liked among most of the practical girls. Not to mention he's the student president and has some influence over school changes and rules. "

Sakura and Ino looked at one another with another self knowing smile.
"And we ALL KNOW why Shikamaru is so popular."

Temari frowned.
"I always thought he was a lazy bum. What brought on this change?"

Ino gave her a funny look.

"Um, hello~?! Shikamaru is crazily smart! Who else in this school has an IQ over 200? Shikamaru is idolized for his brains and for being exceptionally good-looking to most girls, not to mention after his popularity soared, they even started loving his bored and lazy attitude. Funny how we girls see things over time."

Temari rolled her eyes. Please! Of all things, the girls loved him for being infamously lazy? Ridiculous.

Sakura nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, he's seriously earned his way up to the top. But because of that, even Choji and Lee are being recognized. I guess if you're a friend of the hottest and admired five, you're likely to be liked as well."

Ino nodded.

"Yup. Last I heard this rumor; some girl is in love with Lee!"

Sakura gasped.

"No way! Tell me more; I've got to hear this …"

Temari lagged behind the two girls as they began their usual routine of gossip, her squeals making Temari's ears sore.

"Hey Temari!"

Temari glanced behind her to find Kiba calling out to her as the group of boys drew closer to Temari, Sakura, and Ino; the fan girls giving a glare at Temari for drawing their attention away from them.

"Do you like the school so far?"

Temari gave a glare to the girls until they looked away.

"Not as much as I thought."

Naruto laughed.

"It gets better over time, trust me. It'll grow on you."

Temari tsked, not really seeing how she'd ever get used to such a cliché school full of fan girls and popularity.

Temari casted a wary glance at Shikamaru who gave her a smirk.

"Didn't get lost again hopefully?"

Temari felt the embarrassment resurface, making her blush angrily.

"Shut up! I didn't get lost again!"

Shikamaru snickered, teasing her with his smile.

"Oh good. It would suck if I had to keep taking you to your classes every day until you finally memorize the school's layout."

Temari grabbed him by the front of his jacket and hissed, "Keep talking and I'll-"

"Shikamaru! Who is the new girl? Is she your girlfriend or something?"

Temari turned to glare at the fan girl who piped out.

"W-WHAT?! EXCUSE ME BUT I AM NOT-"

Shikamaru shook his head quickly, a blush creeping on his face.

"Oh God, no, no, it's nothing like that."

Kiba snickered.

"Just watch, I bet sometime this year you two will hook up."

The fan girls frowned as Temari yelled at him loudly, "SHUT UP!"

Naruto elbowed Neji with a snigger.

"She's in total denial."

Temari shoved Shikamaru back as she headed straight towards Naruto angrily, "Why I'll wring your neck until you choke and-"

Sakura and Ino hurriedly came back to Temari hooking their arms over hers and apologetically nodded to the boys.

"Sorry! Sorry! Temari is just cranky! She didn't have such a good start at school so just ignore her ramblings – she's just grumpy, that's all."

Kiba grinned again.

"Or she's just trying to hide the fact she-"

Temari lashed out menacingly with her feet, clipping him just barely on the chin.

"GOD, I WILL SO MURDER YOU GUYS-"

"Bye!"

And with that, Sakura and Ino dragged Temari the best they could down to the cafeteria, the fan girls murmuring to one another as Naruto and Kiba laughed. Neji and Sasuke shook their heads, uninterested in the situation as Shikamaru simply tried to hide his blush.

I wanted to start off the chapter kind of subtly since it'd be weird to have Shikamaru and Temari have a ShikaTema moment right off the bat. (Unless you consider the parts where she sort of bickers with him a ShikaTema moment, then there you go. :3 ) I hope the story is alright and that it's not to bland. (Sorry if I come off as a very 'hopeful' person - especially if you find this annoying - considering I've used the word 'hope' like a bajillion times in my notes.)

I'm not quite sure what reviews are yet, but from looking a few other stories on the website, I'm going to assume that reviews are good. So, if I get at least a few reviews (one review might just be enough) I'll continue the story. But then again, I might continue it regardless of reviews or not. Oh well, I'll just have to wait and see.