Disclaimer: Miyori doesn't own Naruto or any of the characters used in the story.

A/N: In the middle of writing A Leaf Amidst the Sand I was struck with inspiration for a sequel. I didn't want to bring this out until I finished my other story, but I went ahead and started writing it. This is a series of one-shots between Shikamaru and Temari, taking place a few months after A Leaf Amidst the Sand. The format of this one is a bit unlike A Leaf Amidst the Sand, but I thought I'd try something a little different. This one-shot collection allows me a bit more freedom with the storyline so I'm going to give it a go and see it it's successful. I really did enjoy writing about them, and I just couldn't put them away after I finished my first story. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, so I hope everyone likes this as much as they like A Leaf Amidst the Sand. Read and review everyone!

Chapter 1

Boredom

Temari sighed and paced aimlessly around the apartment she and Shikamaru shared. She had come to an undeniable fact. Sabaku no Temari was bored. She was alone on the house while Shikamaru was gone on a two week mission.

Although, she had managed to keep herself busy with work at the Kazekage's office during the day, it was lonely without him, especially at night. She missed the feel of his smooth, muscular chest against her skin. The large bed seemed to engulf her as soon as she'd entered it. Temari longed for his scent and the feeling of his strong arms wrapped around her when they slept.

She sighed and shook her head. It was unlike her to go around brooding over something as trivial as this. Temari walked over to the calendar on the refrigerator and crossed off another day. Shikamaru would be home in three days. She wouldn't have minded his absence as much if she had something to do. The lack of activity was eating away at her.

Oi...I need to get out of this house!

Suddenly feeling energized. She marched back to the bedroom and changed out of her boxers and t-shirt. She was determined to rid herself of thoughts of her dark haired lover.

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Temari had been casually roaming in and out of shops in the town. The warm summer breeze that gently wafted throughout the streets was perfumed with the scent of cactus flowers. So far, she hadn't seen anything that had particularly struck out to her until she came across a painting displayed in a shop window.

It wasn't what one would call a masterpiece, but its simplicity made it beautiful. An undisturbed field of orange and green flowers contrasted against the baby blue sky. Her eyes leisurely roamed over the gentle field and broad tree that seemed to be frozen in time on the canvas.

"Interested in the painting miss?"

Temari looked up and found herself looking into the eyes of a kind old man.

"Oh Temari-sama. I didn't realize it was you." The older man said warmly.

She smiled at the man and nodded her head. "I really do like his painting."

"Oh yes. Most people don't give it the time of day because it's so simple, but that's what makes it so nice."

After studying for a few more minutes, Temari decided she would buy it. She liked it, and of course Shikamaru would appreciate it too. Quickly retrieving her wallet, she paid on older man.

"Ne, is it ok if I come back later and pick this up? I still want to shop some and it would be kind of troublesome to have to carry this around." She asked the older man.

"Troublesome" She remarked to herself as she realized she'd absentmindedly used one of Shikamaru's common statements. "Tch, that man is rubbing off on me."

"Oh of course, come back anytime before I close at 8 tonight. I'll happily keep it for you."

"Heh, arigatou!" Temari said with a wave while making her way towards the door.

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The bright summer sky had faded to dusk as Temari finished her outing. She realized she was very close to the Kazekage office.

Guess I should stop by there.

Temari dashed over and pushed aside the large wooden doors. A rush of cool air greeted her as she entered the usually bustling office.

Kana, Gaara's secretary was sitting at a circular desk in the main office. She waved and made a motion to Gaara's office.

Kana nodded her head and smiled.

Temari smiled back appreciatively. She was still getting used to Gaara being Kazekage. Not that he was a bad leader, oh no not at all. She smirked at the thought of her younger brother taking on such a high ranking position. Despite what she led him to think, Temari would always think of him as her baby brother.

She knocked on his thick, oak door and waited or his reply.

"Come in." She heard his calm voice say through the door.

The door creaked slightly as Temari pushed it open. She walked in and firmly closed it behind her.

"Oh, it's you." Gaara said quietly.

"Mhmm. Thought I'd come pay you a visit. You know, just to make sure you were behaving." Temari said teasingly.

Gaara rolled his eyes. Temari still treated him like a child sometimes. He thought it to be rather annoying.

"What brings you here?" The red head asked.

"Nothing really. I just decided to get out of the house."

Gaara nodded while glancing at some paperwork on his desk.

She must be bored.

She leaned on the corner of his cherry colored wooden desk and sighed. "Oi, want to spar?"

Yeah...she is bored.

"Spar?" Gaara repeated the word in a distant tone. "Sorry, I still have work to do here. Can't Kankuro spar with your or something?" Gaara replied uninterestedly.

"Meh, I don't know where he is."

"Mmmm..." Gaara murmured softly.

Temari sighed again and meandered around her brother's office.

"Can I help you with something?" Gaara said as he glanced up.

"Hmm? No...I was just looking around."

Gaara placed his chin in his palm. He knew exactly why his sister was acting like this. The now absent Shikamaru had left his beloved sister rather bored.

He had known sending him off on a two-week mission had been pushing it, but he never expected Temari to be this bored. At first the thought of his sister with a man grated at his nerves. He had nothing against Shikamaru, but initially Gaara grappled with the thought of his sister and him. But after watching the two together for some time, Gaara realized she had fallen for Shikamaru. She had fallen and fallen hard. It would be unreasonable to send Shikamaru away, and he wasn't one to hurt his sister intentionally. So, Gaara let Shikamaru and Temari's relationship continue.

Once Shikamaru had made his intentions with Temari clear, both brothers had invited Shikamaru into Gaara's office for a chat. Gaara and Kankuro didn't object to Shikamaru, but they had shown him what could possibly become of him if he didn't have Temari's best interest in mind.

Following that, things were fine. After the initial awkwardness of seeing Temari and Shikamaru together, Gaara eventually became accustomed to it. The only thing he personally found somewhat disturbing were the occasional appearances of certain red marks on Temari's neck and chest.

Gaara wasn't stupid. He was well aware of how they got there. He was also well aware of who put them on her. The thought of his sister and Shikamaru and their "activities" made him shudder. He didn't mind if Kankurou brought women home, but the thought of Shikamaru doing something like that to his sister was something he banished to the farthest corner of his mind. Some things were better left unthought.

Temari's voice brought his attention back.

"Ne, I'm going to go home. It's getting dark, and I still have to pick something up on the way home."

"Hmm, ok."

"Say hi to Kankurou for me."

He nodded and waved a goodbye.

Temari left the office and walked back to the shop to pick up her painting. The small, starry droplets in the sky coolly twinkled against their darkened backdrop while a fresh wind swept across her face and tousled her hair. She greeted the man and thanked him for keeping her painting before leaving for her apartment.

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Temari curled up in the bed with the progress reports of the chuunis she trained. She had eaten, taken a shower, and prepared for bed. Glancing at the clock she realized it was still early. The thin, elongated hour needle was stiffly positioned above the number ten.

The paperwork she brought with her suddenly became uninteresting. She casually tossed it on the floor next to the bed. That would be dealt with tomorrow. She pulled a pillow up to her chest and smirked to herself. It smelled like Shikamaru.

Temari didn't know how or even when she began falling for him. To her, it just seemed natural. Sure he was lazy. Yes, he could be too laid back for her at times. Of course he said 'troublesome' excessively, but that didn't matter. Those were all things she loved about him. She never expected Shikamaru to be the man that would find her aggression and sometimes rough behavior attractive.

Not to mention he was the only man to defeat her in battle...ever. With the exception of her brothers, Temari was undefeated. That was until one fateful day several years ago at the chuunin exams. Temari huffed to herself. One of these days, she would get even with him.

Temari crawled out of the soft bed and clicked the lights off. Curling up under the sheets, she made a face into the pillow. The usually comfortable mattress felt stiff and unnecessarily large to her. She reached for the pillow and held it close to her chest. His scent engulfed her again.

Only three more days...

Thoughts of her and Shikamaru playfully fighting in the bed filled her mind until she eventually drifted off to sleep, while silently hoping those three days would pass quickly.