(AN) Hi, everyone! This is my first Naruto fanfic because I normally write for Bleach, so I hope I captured all the characters correctly. I had to show a little love for my favorite couple in the series. Just to let you know, I answer all my reviews. If you are signed in, I'll PM you, and if you are a guest, I will post a response at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 1

It was a beautiful day out with plenty of clouds in the sky! Shikamaru took advantage of his day off as he lay on his back watching the fluffy pieces of heaven. His whole plan was to act like his life hasn't gone awry with all of this team leading and paperwork. Heavens knew what type of mission the Hokage would give him next.

After a few minutes, Shikamaru felt like something off for some reason. He stared at the clouds trying to figure out what exactly was missing about this abnormally quiet day. All of a sudden, it came to him. The loud, brash sand kunoichi that he was always escorting around the village was missing from his side, but she was back with her people in Sunagakure right now. A sigh escaped his lips, "Better enjoy it while I can." He said to himself.

Unfortunately, his carefully planned peace didn't last long as Sakura appeared before him about an hour later. "Hey, Shikamaru! Lady Tsunade wants to see you!" Shikamaru raised a raven eyebrow at the pink haired kunoichi, who was attempting not to smile. She knew what was in store for the raising shinobi.

"What a drag. The clouds were just getting good." Shikamaru mumbled in a bored voice before he got up to follow Sakura back to her mentor's office.

Shortly, the two arrived at the Hokage's office. "Lady Hokage." Shikamaru greeted the legendary sannin as she sat behind her desk looking smug, which unnerved the Nara heir. It was never a good thing when she had THAT look on her face.

"Shikamaru, thank you for being punctual unlike some other people…" Tsunade said as she glared at the room's latest arrive. Kakashi was sitting in the window with the latest Icha Icha novel on the in his hand looking at the trio. Sakura gave her former sensei a wave and quietly slipped out the door. She didn't want to see Tsunade madder than normal since Kakashi blotched their plan.

"Hello, Lady Hokage!" Kakashi offered her a crinkled one eyed smile.

"You're late!" Tsunade complained as she glared daggers at the man. He was supposed to be here before her two victims arrived, but like always, he was late as usual.

"I got lost on the path of life." The Copy Ninja replied causing Shikamaru wonder if the white-haired shinobi had a death wish. Tsunade was famous for her skills as well as her hot temperament.

Their decision was cut short when they hear a knock on the door. "Come in!" Tsunade called out. Seeing the new comer, Shikamaru just thought his day couldn't get worse… or better. It depended on the Sand kunoichi's mood.

Placing a bored look on his face, Shikamaru asked, "What are you doing here? I thought you'd be away for months this time."

A broad evil smile was crossed Tsunade's face as she watched one of the best shinobi squirm all because of a woman. Granted, the poor boy didn't know his feelings yet, but Tsunade loved playing matchmaker with people who refused to acknowledge their feelings for one another.

"Apparently, Lady Hokage believed that you needed my help for a mission, Nara. Why does it seem that I am always saving your ass? Or do you get into so much trouble because you miss me?" Temari provoked the annoyed genius.

If Temari was here aggravating him already, then this mission was going to be a dozy, Shikamaru determined. A loud, exasperated sigh escaped his lips. "Care to enlighten me why I need your help your help?" He asked the young blonde.

Before Temari could reply, Tsunade butted in, "Temari here is gracious enough to train you for a mission. Once you complete it, Choji, Temari, and you shall be on your way to the Land of Tea." Tsunade replied in an amused voice.

"Why would I ever want to be trained by her?" He asked as the blonde kunoichi just grinned at him, loving the Hokage's support. "Besides, where will Ino be? Why can't she 'train' me?" The raven-haired man asked concerned about their usual teammate.

"Not that it matters to you, but she and Sakura are needed at the hospital due to the flu outbreak." Tsunade stated as she leveled his glaze on the young man. "Do you have any other problem, Shikamaru?" The Hokage asked in a tone that was not to be argued with.

Swallowing a lump in his throat, Shikamaru replied, "No, ma'am."

Temari remained quiet as she watched the exchange between the two. Shikamaru was in for a rude awakening if he didn't think that he'd have to work on the mission. Her training was going to be bothersome, like most things to the shinobi.

Watching from his perch, Kakashi thought about interrupting the trio, but he wanted to see how the scene played out. Two people who wouldn't admit their attraction to one another, combine with their explosive chemistry equaled with a story worthy of Jiraiya's next novel!

"Kakashi…" The Copy Ninja's attention went to the Hokage. She had an envelope in her hand. "Here are your mission details along with a side mission. I would like you to report your findings to me as soon as possible."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Kakashi grabbed the envelope and disappeared out of the window.

With Kakashi out of the way, Tsunade turned to face the two nin before her. "As for your mission, it's slightly unusual. Shikamaru, you, Choji, and Temari are going to the Land of Tea to provide an escort and date for a young noble. Our client is worried that his daughter will be kidnapped, but he does not want to alert her to the threat; therefore, he has asked us to provide our brightest shinobi for the job."

"You're kidding me, right, Lady Hokage? When did we get into the business of providing dates?" The genius asked, slightly confused as to why he had to be the date.

Ignoring his question, Tsunade continued, "Temari is taking point on the mission. You and Choji will answer to her since she is familiar with the life style as well as acquaintance of the client. She is going to teach you how to have a proper date with the noble and to polish up your skills as a gentleman. Besides, the mission will help you in prove your interactions with women. Think of it as an escort mission with a dash of fun!" The Hokage refrained from snickering at Shikamaru's annoyed face.

A small tick appeared on Shikamaru's forehead when he could tell the blonde Sand ninja was trying to hold in her laughter. "What is Choji's part in the mission?"

With a straight face, Tsunade told him, "Choji will be Temari's escort and body guard. But until then, you have to practice date Temari for this plan to work."

Shikamaru's brain cut off at the word 'date'. What irked him the most was how his body reacted to the idea of dating Temari. His heartbeat rapidly at the thought of getting stuck in close proximately with the sand ninja for a long amount of time. It wasn't unusual for them to be together, but dating, even fake dating, was a whole new aspect to their dynamic. . Didn't Tsunade had to know Temari would kill him if they were together without supervision?

'Besides, who would really want to date that troublesome woman?' Shikamaru asked himself as he set his glaze on the blonde nin talking to the Hokage at the moment. He heart began to return back to normal. Temari was strong, stubborn, and scary. What possessed him to always hang out with her was beyond his imagination. 'Maybe I am okay with spending time with her because she offers me a challenge… Nah! Women were too much work.'

Tsunade watched Shikamaru out of the corner of her eye as he argued with himself. She found it amusing that the genius was brought down by a woman, or he was at least confused as hell by her. H he couldn't have picked a better one to balance himself out.

'This is going to be a drag...' The genius thought to himself.

Grabbing a file off her desk, Tsunade handed the envelope to Temari. "Here are your mission details." Looking over at Shikamaru, she told Temari, "Make sure this one is presentable and semi-lively. He was the best one for the job given his looks and mind."

Shikamaru laughed at Tsunade's words. Without being narcissistic, he agreed with her. Naruto would probably make the girl want to kill, or at least yell at him. Kiba would be too forward. Lee would be bashful or competitive, plus let's not forget the terror that ensues if he accidentally drinks alcohol. Neij was a know-it-all. Shino hid in his pile of clothes, and he had bugs everywhere he went, which many females hated. Sai was oblivious to everything, but the job. Human interaction was not his strong suit. As for Choji, Shikamaru assumed that women would prefer his looks to one of his best friends, but he wasn't positive. His teammate had a wonderful heart, so it didn't matter.

Although, the one thing Shikamaru didn't understand though was the need to include Temari. Sure, Tsunade said that the sandy, blonde was familiar with the client, but what was the real reason she was included? It had to be important for Temari to leave her brothers and duties that the Kazekage and the council handed her recently.

Temari's voice broke through his inner thoughts. "Thank you, Lady Hokage! We won't let you down!" The Sand kunoichi promised as she slowly back away. She noticed Shikamaru staring at her so she grabbed his arm and dragged him into the hallway with her.

What the duo didn't notice was the Copy-Ninja following them from the roof as the wall. He was scribbling down notes for the Hokage. Kakashi was tasked with following them, keeping them out of trouble, but most importantly, reporting the romance to Tsunade. She would have his head if he defied her orders. Kakashi quickly jumped along the roof tops following the couple.

Without even asking where they were going, Shikamaru followed Temari throughout the village until they reached their usual cloud watching spot. He assumed she wanted this area for privacy, as well as to possibly get him to let his guard down. He never knew what was going through that troublesome woman's head, but he did want to know what went through the Hokage's for giving them such an unusual mission.

Surprising Shikamaru, Temari said, "I know you want to ask, so go ahead." She sat down underneath the large tree they generally used as a back prop.

"Explain in more detail why the Hokage picked you." It was a demand rather than a question. Now was the time for him to get his answer rather than when they were training. It was always better to be prepared for any type of surprise.

"When you say stuff like that it seems that you don't like working with me, Crybaby." The blonde teased. A slight blush crept up Shikamaru's face.

"Why do I also get stuck with you?" Shikamaru murmured in a low voice, but Temari still hear it.

"Do you have issues taking orders from a woman, Nara?" She asked in a threatening voice. The last thing he needed her to do was blow up at him.

"No. You saved my ass plenty of times to throw that excuse out the window." A smirk crossed Temari's face because she knew he was right.

"Good." They remained silent for almost an hour after their little confrontation.

"Are you ever going to tell me why you were chosen by the Hokage?" He asked.

"Since you asked so nicely this time, I guess I will." Shikamaru looked away from Temari's teasing emerald glaze. "Lady Tsunade told you that I was acquainted with the client, but she failed to mention my extreme usefulness in all this. I grew up as the Kazekage's daughter, and now, I'm the sister of one. You don't ever really know how many meeting or social events that elders will make you go to until you are in a position of power…A pawn to be manipulated." She almost spat out.

"Ah, I understand now. You are going to teach me what is expected on those many dates that you hate." He gave Temari a knowing look.

"Don't even start, Nara. You don't realize how many of them I have tried to get out of and failed unless I was about to be sent on a mission."

"Were they that bad?" He asked suspiciously. "When you're not a girlie girl, who speaks her mind, it's a nightmare. Sometimes you just have to grin and bear it while others something very convenient happens that gets you called away." Temari said with a laugh.

"Gaara and Kankuro must hate saving their older sister from dates." Shikamaru said with a laugh. He looked up at the sky to see a familiar puppet.

"Nah, we all take turns returning the favor. The elders just want to get us all settle down, and we aren't even twenty yet." A strange look crossed Temari's face, but it vanished before the genius could figure out what it meant.

Deciding a distraction was in order, Shikamaru said, "Hey, Temari, look up there!"

"What am I looking for? I don't see anything." The Sand kunoichi squinted her eyes as she tried to see what Shikamaru trying to point out.

"Awe, come on. You can't see it?" He asked, teasing her for a change.

"Shikamaru…" Temari growled at the shadow user.

"Fine, you, troublesome woman!" Without thinking he turned her head with his left hand, pointed her in the right direction, and showed her where he was looking at with his right hand.

"Oh! I see it! It looks like my Great Sickle Weasel Release!" Temari exclaimed as she turned to smile at Shikamaru, only to notice that they were just about nose to nose. She turned away quickly to hide her blush.

"Sorry…" He mumbled as they both refused to look at one another. Silence awkwardness ensured for a few moments. "So… When are we going to start this mission prepping?" Shikamaru asked.

"How about tonight? You, Choji, and I can go out to dinner and discuss the details. Then, tomorrow we can begin your training! You're a smart man, Nara, but I'll need about a week to whip you in shape!" Temari told him with a grin.

"Fine. Whatever." He scoffed at her.

To his surprise, Temari rose from her set. "Well, I better go get everything prepared! See you later, Crybaby!"

The shadow shinobi stared at the Sand kunoichi's retreating form. "What the hell did Lady Tsunade get me into?" He asked as he resumed his cloud watching position. He needed a relaxing evening before the trying week ahead.

I hope you enjoy the story.

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