Author's Note: I'm not really sure where I got the idea to write this. But wherever I did, thank God! Because I was in the middle of writing the next chapter to one of my fics; and got a little writer's block. -_- So I...started reading some ShikaTema fics on here and...something clicked! ;)
Here we are now, this idea! It's probably not too good, but hey it was the best I could do...with writer's block.
Now then, there's probably OOC moments. Don't freak out if there is. And...this takes place along the Shippuden timeline, but I'm not sure when...
I'm not sure how long this fic will be...probably a few chapters; not a whole lot.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. ...If I did, well...ShikaTema would happen. :)
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One Troublesome Night:
Chapter One: The Beginning...
"Shikamaru, I have a mission for you." Tsunade said; attempting to hide her bottle of sake but failing quite epically.
Shikamaru Nara, tore his vision away from the window and looked at the woman as she said that.
"A mission? A solo one?"
Tsunade nodded; and grabbed a piece of paper. Grabbing the paper, she inconspicuously put it in front of the bottle as she quickly put it under the desk for later.
"Yes...you will be going to the Hidden Sand," Tsunade replied. "There, you will stay for two days upon arrival. All you will have to do is convince the Kazekage to help us counter the attacks from the Hidden Rocks by sending out some shinobi."
Shikamaru sighed as he heard all that. The Kazekage...the little brother of Temari, the 'troublesome' woman he secretly liked.
"Okay...but where will I stay?"
Tsunade blinked; but she didn't understand why she was shocked. Because she should have expected that kind of question.
"You will be staying at his home. It's all worked out."
Shikamaru's eyes widened as he heard the word "home". Because that was where he lived. With his older brother and sister.
...And this whole thing meant that he was in for quite a troublesome time. Gaara and Kankuro were so protective over Temari, and Temari was so...herself. This wasn't really going to be a fun mission, that's for sure!
"...I wouldn't normally say this, but what if I couldn't convince the Kazekage to do this?"
Tsunade rose an eyebrow and stared at him. She folded her hands on the desk and stared him down...straight in the eyes.
"Shikamaru, there is no doubt in my mind that he wouldn't. Besides, you are acting as if he's got a bone to pick with you!"
Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck and avoided looking her in those...serious...and questioning brown eyes. He then mumbled under his breath: "You have no idea."
"...Alright. I accept this mission. I'll leave as soon as possible."
Shikamaru then walked over to the door. Tsunade smirked slightly as he did. But she blinked as he turned around smirking as well.
"Lady hokage, you probably shouldn't drink on the job you know..."
And with that said. Shikamaru walked out the door. Tsunade meanwhile, cursed under her breath as she brought up the bottle of sake and threw it in rage out the window.
"OW! WHAT THE HELL JUST HIT ME IN THE HEAD?"
Tsunade flinched as she heard that. It sounded a lot like one of the council members...now she needs a new window and a hiding place...
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Shikamaru quickly packed a bag. He didn't really want to be the one on this mission, but he knew he had to. It wasn't like anyone else would have wanted to.
The reason behind not wanting to go on the mission was mainly because of Temari herself. He really did like her, a lot more then what he let on. All the times she would be in the village on a "mission", he didn't mind going with her everywhere. And somehow, he always got the feeling that she didn't even need a "guide".
After all, she pretty much knew the entire layout!
Though he really liked her, he knew he wouldn't actually be able to ever have her. Gaara and Kankuro lived to make sure that would never happen! And unknown to anybody else, Gaara did have a bone to pick with him: back last month, the three were in the village. And Shikamaru and Temari ended up eating at a little restaurant together.
The problem was, Temari had ditched Gaara and Kankuro all together without them knowing; resulting in extreme confusion. They searched all over the village for her because they knew they'd be in trouble if she disappeared.
And with Kankuro always thinking with his stomach, that led him and the Kazekage to the same restaurant. When they found them, well...all four where kicked out due to a bunch of gory violence that took place!
But Shikamaru shuddered at that memory. He didn't know why he let his thoughts drift to all that. Besides, now wasn't the time for a bunch of flash backs!
"I think that's everything. There shouldn't be anything else-"
"SHIKAMARU! GET YOUR BUTT DOWN HERE, INO'S HERE TO TALK TO YOU!"
Shikamaru flinched at that loud female voice. No mistake, that was his mother. Mumbling something about life being troublesome under his breath, Shikamaru grabbed the bag and left the room. He tried to hurry, since his poor ears couldn't take the woman's yelling.
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Downstairs in the Nara home, Ino rubbed her ears as she stepped into the house. Usually whenever she would come to the place, Shikaku would always answer the door; she figured because Yoshino threatened him to.
But having Yoshino answer the door was a little shocking. And the yelling didn't really help much. After this visit, Ino figured she'd have to get a hearing aid.
"...Ino, would you like something to eat? It could be a while before Shikamaru gets down here." Yoshino asked as she put on a sweet smile.
Ino laughed nervously and continued to rub her ears.
"That's okay. I won't be here long." Ino replied.
Yoshino shook her head.
"Suit yourself."
Yoshino then walked into the kitchen. All while shaking in her head; apparently having no faith in Shikamaru actually coming down fast. Ino meanwhile, took a seat in a nearby chair. She yawned slightly and ran her fingers through her hair as she waited.
Finally after about five minutes, Shikamaru walked into the living room. Ino smirked as soon as she saw him. Getting up from the chair and stretching her arms, she walked up to him.
"You're finally here. Good!"
Shikamaru looked at his teammate in confusion. Now to him, she always was up to something. But today, she seemed to have a knowing smirk on her face and a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Ino, what are you doing here?" Shikamaru asked.
Ino scratched her cheek, still smirking.
"Weeeell...I heard from Lady Tsunade about your mission. I just wanted to say: good luck with that."
Shikamaru blinked and stared at her. He wasn't catching on to that.
"What...?"
Ino laughed and put her arms behind her neck.
"Shikamaru, you are going to be in the same house as Temari plus her brothers." Ino explained. "With that being said, the latter will go out of their way to make sure nothing happens between you and Temari."
Shikamaru blinked and then rolled his eyes as she said that. She frowned immediately and furrowed her eyebrows together as she noticed that.
"Well they don't have to worry, nothing will happen between me and Temari. Why are you bringing this up?"
Ino grinned quite evilly. And if it didn't break the forth wall, horror movie music would have played from nowhere at that moment.
"The reason why you accepted this mission, was so you could see Temari. And you know what? This is your chance to get her! Shikamaru, play those cards right and you'll finally be able to have her!"
Shikamaru's eyes widened. Ino noticed that; and only grinned more. Placing her hands on her hips at the same time.
"What makes you think I-"
"PLEASE! I know these kind of things! And you may try to hide it, but we all know that you like Temari! And as your friend: it's my job to give you a push in the right direction!"
Shikamaru sighed and looked away, blushing very slightly as he realized Ino was kind of right.
But there was no way he could just come out and tell Temari he liked her. Since she's so 'troublesome' she would tease him about that forever. Even if she did feel the same and they got together, she would still tease him forever.
So this wasn't really a win-win situation!
All was silent for several minutes. Then Ino's face fell as she stared at the ground; hoping she didn't say anything wrong. The last thing she wanted was to say something wrong and have him upset with her.
"This is kind of troublesome...but you're right, Ino," Shikamaru mentioned. Ino blinked as he went on. "I do like Temari. I actually do want to tell her that, but I can't. I'm just...not that kind of guy."
Ino scowled and threw her arms in the air.
"WELL DO SOMETHING! If you really like Temari-like I know you do- then on this mission, it's your chance to finally tell the poor girl!" Ino shouted.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes at her shouting and walked over to the door; secretly smiling though.
"I will, Ino." Shikamaru replied. Ino smiled and looked over at him. "I now have goal on top of this mission: tell Temari how I feel."
Ino giggled and gave him a peace sign as she winked.
"Well, remember that I'm behind that! If I didn't come by to...'motivate' you, you still would be in this awful predicament!" Ino called out.
Shikamaru smiled again and rolled his eyes as he stepped out of the door. Turning around to look at Ino, he sighed.
"Tell my mom and dad I'm gone for the mission."
Ino waved her hand dismissively.
"Of course!" Ino replied.
Shikamaru then closed the door and left the house for the mission, meanwhile Ino twirled slightly as she walked into their kitchen. She felt pretty darn proud of herself! She just provided some motivation for her lazy friend!
...In that sense, it really is a huge accomplishment!
"Oh, Ino. Did Shikamaru finally drag himself down?" Yoshino asked as she set down her bowl that contained a rice dish.
Ino nodded as she fully entered the kitchen. Leaning against the wall, she smirked in memory.
"He left for the mission. And if you're going to have a future daughter-in law!" Ino mentioned.
The last part stunned poor Yoshino. Her eyes widened and she started choking on the bite of rice she put in her mouth. Now losing her breath and dropping her bowl of rice, Ino gasped.
"ACK! I KNOW IT'S SHOCKING, BUT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO CHOKE ON YOUR FOOD!" Ino shouted frantically. "DON'T WORRY, I'LL HELP YOU!"
Ino then dashed over to the woman and frantically did the Heimlich maneuver on the woman. After a few seconds, Shikaku randomly walked into the kitchen after hearing all the gagging noises and stared in shock at the scene.
"What the-"
"BREATH! DON'T DIE! NOT WHEN YOUR ONLY SON IS ABOUT TO FINALLY GET A GIRL WHO WILL PROBABLY END UP BEING YOUR FUTURE DAUGHTER-IN LAW! BREEEATH!"
"INO! WHAT IS GOING ON?"
Ino looked over at Shikaku as she frantically tried to save Yoshino. Finally, the rice shot out of her throat and she coughed and gasped for air as Ino let go.
"Are you okay?" Ino asked with worry in her tone as she grabbed her shoulders.
Yoshino started breathing again and nodded as she stumbled back to the counter.
Shikaku ran/walked over to the scene and stared at the two, still in shock. But mostly from what he heard from Ino.
"Oh, I didn't know you were home too!" Ino said as she looked over.
Shikaku blinked.
"...Yeah. What's going on?"
Ino smiled and rubbed the back of her neck. She noticed Shikaku reach over to get a glass of water and quickly stopped him.
"You probably shouldn't drink anything when you hear this. Shikamaru just left for the Sand on a mission. And I coaxed him to confess his feelings to Temari...hopefully he'll get her. And two can finally move 'em out of the house!"
"...But he's only fifteen-almost sixteen."
Ino smirked.
"That's what makes it interesting!"
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Shikamaru walked through the village gates. At that point, he was pretty much out of the village. Though he didn't have much motivation, he did have little bit buried down somewhere.
He knew he shouldn't have been thinking this way, but the main mission didn't really matter much to him. After all, for a long time; he had thought about the Sand kunoichi a lot...always willing to guide her around, despite the fact that she was usually in control...
He couldn't really put it into words, but there was something about Temari. Just something...that he really liked. Heck, maybe even loved!
...Well he kind of put aside loved. He couldn't really bring himself to think like that. ...But when he did think about that, his heart fluttered.
Shikamaru sighed as he put his hand over his face; feeling his heart flutter as he thought about loving Temari.
"...This is going to be the most troublesome mission I've ever went on. I just know it..."
With that being said, Shikamaru smirked slightly. Actually, he kind of wanted it to be 'troublesome'! Because it always seemed like the troublesome missions always had good turn-outs!
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Meanwhile In The Hidden Sand...
Temari, the oldest of the Sand Siblings trio entered the home that she shared with her brothers. She took off her shoes and then walked into the living room. Gaara was doing work and Kankuro was God-knows-where. So she really wasn't sure what to do at that point.
Wandering over to the couch, she lied down and lazily stared at the ceiling. She just was at Gaara's office and he mentioned how a Leaf ninja was coming to the Sand on a mission. She decided to make the most of the chance and tease that it could be Shikamaru.
...But the joke was on her.
Because Gaara mentioned that she just hoped it was him because she likes him. And seriously, who knew that the youngest sibling even knew how to backfire teasing? Let alone actually tease somebody in a twisted way!
Now, Temari accepted this quite a while ago; she actually loved him. But she never actually intended to tell him. From past relationships, she knew it would be awkward for her to say that to him. And she wasn't really the best at confessing anyway. Hell, even Kankuro confessed to some girl and she accepted!
Now that really says something! Temari shuddered slightly as she remembered that. Because that girl was so cute...and Kankuro was just so...himself. Which wasn't anywhere near attractive...
"Yo sis, what are you doing?"
Temari blinked and then looked up; Kankuro was standing over the couch's right arm and was leaning over looking right into her eyes.
"AH! KANKURO!"
Temari scoffed and jumped off the couch; landing perfectly as she straightened her hair.
"What...?" Kankuro asked.
Temari scowled.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack! What was the point of sneaking up on me anyway?"
Kankuro shrugged his shoulders and sat down on the couch.
"...Well, my life is very boring; Miho dumped me earlier..." Kankuro replied; sighing as he finished it out.
Temari rolled her eyes and walked over, sitting down next to him.
"What made you think Miho would even stay with you long, Kankuro?" Temari asked, putting her arm around his shoulder. "The poor girl...she was so cute. I actually felt sorry for her the night you brought her over for dinner."
Kankuro scowled and turned around to look at her. Temari was smirking slightly and rubbing her chin sagely.
"Thanks Temari, that really cheered me up." Kankuro said in a really low monotone.
Temari snickered and wiped tears of laughter from her eyes.
"Sure Kankuro, glad to help." Temari snickered out. "Now then, let's go raid Gaara's secret food cabinet before he gets home; what do you say?"
Kankuro suddenly smirked and jumped up from the couch; Temari sighed as he did so.
"You read my mind!"
Continued.
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Um...yeah, I REALLY don't get it myself. -_-
If the first chapter didn't make sense, the next chapter will. However...I intended for this fic not to make too much sense anyway. So...
Most of the chapters will be a little short; not as short as the first though.
Next update? Good question...I'd say hopefully Friday or tomorrow at the earliest. . .
R&R (Read and review now)!
