Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters, but the story is mine.
Clouds slowly drifted by as the wind whistled through the trees. Shikamaru lay comfortably in the shade provided by the tree in his favorite resting spot. 'This day cannot get any better, no missions today just me and the clouds' he thought to himself. The lazy nin took a deep breath in and continued to enjoy the serenity his favorite pastime provided. All he heard was footsteps coming close to him as he blew out a sigh 'so much for my alone time' he though solemnly.
Chouji knew never to disturb his best friend right after he returned from a mission but he just couldn't resist, he had wanted to see Shikamaru's face when he found out he would be stuck with Temari for a couple of years. Before he knew it Shikamaru was already standing waiting to hear what the bigger nin had to say.
"What brings you by today Chouji? You know this is my day off right?" Nara asked calmly with his hands in his pocket.
"Well, erm…. Lady Tsunade said to come and get you. She said something about this mission being uber important and to get to her right on the double." Chouji replied smile playing on his face.
"What do you know Chouji? You know I hate surprises and I know that you can hardly keep secrets." The smaller male asked.
"Hey I told you that Ino forced me to tell her what I was hiding from her and you know that I can't keep anything from her. So it isn't my fault that your crush's name just seeped out of my lips."
"Yes it is. End of discussion let's go shall we?"
The two friends left the serene spot and headed through town listening to all of the hustle in the streets. Shikamaru's mind drifted back to simpler times; a time where team 10 had low ranking missions that seemed like child's play to him. All of those troublesome times listening to Ino fantasize about Sasuke. Those times are long gone now as well as the redundancy of being the rookie nine. Before he knew it his mind drifted back to the first time he fought Temari of the sand. He mind brought back the memory of her sandy blonde hair in its signature quad pigtails, her lovely emerald green eyes…. Wait what the heck, was he thinking lovely not a word to describe the overly abrasive loud Temari, whom can at times be even scarier than his mother. Chouji just watched as his buddy lost himself in his thoughts and laughed loud once Shikamaru ran right into his sensei's long time lover Kurenai.
"Kurenai sensei I'm so sorry… I lost myself in my thoughts and forgot to look where I was walking, terribly sorry." The younger nin stammered.
"No worries, now if I was expecting that would be a different story." She sweetly responded as she took her sons smaller hand in her own and walked towards Ichiraku.
"Chouji you better stop laughing, it wasn't that funny."
"Sure it was. You're just too serious to see the humor in it. Loosen up a bit Shikamaru!" Chouji said as he slapped Shikamaru on the back. "We're 21 you should know how to think and look where you're going at the same time"
"Shut up all ready, I was just lost in thoughts. It's not often I get to reminisce since joining ANBU."
"Well, Lady Tsunade isn't going to be happy you are late…" as Chouji spoke he noticed his friend had already taken to a sprint to the Hokage's office. 'Well isn't that a first.' Chouji thought to himself.
Shikamaru cursed himself for being late for the umpteenth time. 'I doubt she will let me get away with an excuse, oh well here we go' he thought as he opened the door. The door slowly squeaked open revealing an empty room. His eyes quickly searched the room, once his eyes fell upon the winged chair behind the Hokage's desk as if on cue it began to turn. Shikamaru braced himself for whatever may be on the other side of that chair. Slowly what was being revealed to him was shocking, long sandy blonde hair, shining emerald green eyes, pouty pink lips, luscious plump breasts, and never ending legs greeted the young nin's eyes.
"Lazy… is that a way to greet an old friend?" Temari asked quizzically. "Or maybe you have forgotten who I am after all it's been years."
"heh. I haven't forgotten. What brings you to the Leaf any ways? Your schools are set, we were relieved of chunin exams a while back, so what gives?" he eyed his crush as he walked around the office.
"I brought her here, On the grounds of keeping peace with the Village hidden in the Sand." Tsunade said matter of factly.
Shikamaru just rolled his eyes as his mind started to run scenarios the Hokage could place him in. He was not ready for what he was about to hear. Before Tsunade had a chance to tell him what his mission was him mouth hung open.
"Shikamaru Nara, I am relieving you of your ANBU duties for the time being. You are to show Temari a good time as well as a suitor in the village. We must have he courted so that we can insure the peace between Leaf and Sand. Garra agreed on this and put his sister up for offering. Close your mouth and let me tell you where she will be staying."
"Yes, m'lady" he said head bowed.
"Your father suggested she stay with you, since Garra trusts you to take good care of his sister."
Without a word he walked out of the room only to be followed by Temari. They ran into Chouji who just smiled at his friend giving him the thumbs up as he proceeded into the Hokage's office. The two love birds were surrounded by an awkward silence. Temari sneaked a peek at Shikamaru trying to judge what to say only to come up blank.
"Is something the matter you are looking at me funny?" Shikamaru stated
"Nothing is wrong, I was trying to kill the silence but you already did that."
"Either way, we are at my place. It's nothing fancy but I hope that its good enough for you."
Shikamaru opened up his house to her, and waited for the worse….. but it never came. It was his turn to glance at her. With a nod she walked into his sanctuary, kicked off her shoes and plopped herself on his couch aiming for some rest.
"Women never get the couch. You are to sleep in my room." Shikamaru said with a groan.
"You chauvinistic bastard, if I want to nap on the couch I will you will not control me. And if you are so set on controlling something here is the remote. "She chided.
"Whatever you want troublesome lady. "
Before she had a chance to shoot him a rude remark his soft warm lips were on hers. The kiss' intensity made her close her eyes , before she knew it the kiss was done and shikamaru fled into the bathroom.