Motivation

by Original Blue

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

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O is for Obedience, or lack thereof.

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So far, this day had gone from bad to worse.

Shikamaru had been expecting some light rain, a little shougi, and dinner with his parents.

What he got was rain so heavy it was nearly snow, a long uncomfortable meal as his mother actively hid something from him, and finding a sleepy Temari in his old room dressed in a pair of his boxers and a Nara Clan t-shirt three sizes too big.

After the mortified Suna girl had been dragged downstairs by Yoshino in full Mother mode, they'd had a "discussion" about where Temari was going to stay. It was less a discussion than long-winded playful banter between Yoshino and Shikaku, who gave their verdict and then quietly excused themselves for bed at six o'clock in the evening.

There had been no room for argument. There was no arguing with a Mother.

Which was why Shikamaru was walking back towards his house and holding an umbrella for Temari, who was looking pointedly away from him.

Shikaku had been adamant that it was not seemly for a young lady to sleep in Shikamaru's old room unless she was being considered as a possible bride for Shikamaru. Both Temari and Shikamaru replied hotly that she was not.

"Then," Yoshino cut in innocently, "Temari should go to Shikamaru's apartment since there's a guest room, or Ino could let her sleep over tonight."

Shikamaru had gaped at his mother, wondering vaguely if maybe his intelligence wasn't only from his father. In the end, they'd been handed jackets and almost pushed out the door into the drizzle that persisted over Konoha.

"This is my apartment," Shikamaru said, pulling his keys out of one pocket. The gate opened, Temari crept past, and Shika shut it tightly, leaning the umbrella inside to dry.

There was a slight click at each step they took walking down the dim hallway. "Ino's room is over there," he said, gesturing noncommittally towards a cheerily painted door with yellow butterflies on it. Temari, huddled in her huge green Nara coat and scarf, nodded her thanks, already feeling the cold seeping into her bones.

...

It was official: she never wanted to come to Konoha again.

Even as she walked to fluorescent purple door she shuddered with cold. She knocked brazenly, sick of the weather. She heard Shikamaru sigh behind her and wondered if he was trying to be courteous by seeing her in or if he needed to talk to his teammate. Either way, she would say nothing.

As much as she liked his mother and appreciated his help, he was still the same irritating, good-for-nothing Shikamaru who had beaten her in the Chunin Exams without even trying very hard. And he'd forfeited to let her win. Every time she saw him she was reminded of her arm involuntarily rising and her mouth shaping the words he spoke. He made her so mad!

"Um, Temari? What are you doing here?"

Remembering where she was, the blonde kunoichi smiled at the female component of the famous trio. Ino was dressed in a pretty skirt and a tank top, although her makeup and normally impeccable hair looked mussed. In fact, it looked like-

"Ino?" Akimichi Choji walked into view in Ino's apartment, shirtless and heavily muscled. "Oh, hey guys."

Temari let herself stare for a moment. Ino definitely had a right to be mussed if she and Choji had been doing what Temari thought they'd been doing.

From somewhere behind her, Temari heard the sound of someone choking on a cigarette and turned to Shikamaru. He spat out the remains and glared at his teammates. They both flushed.

"Ino, I was going to ask if Temari could stay over for tonight. Mom's orders-"

Ino nodded sympathetically; she knew Yoshino could do Mother at the drop of a hat, or in this case at the drop of an eligible kunoichi.

"-but I see you're already occupied."

Ino cringed, and Choji put a hand on her shoulder, meeting Shika's accusatory gaze steadily. The look he returned said clearly If you make her cry, I will hurt you, best friends or not.

Finally, Shika nodded reluctantly. "Okay, so Ino's place is off limits. Choji, can she stay in your apartment?" The Akimichi heir shook his head sheepishly. "Sorry, but the place is a total mess. I was repairing some armor in the living room and things got out of hand. That's why I came to Ino's in the first place, to get some polish, and then-"

Shika cut him off with a hand. "Choji, I don't think we need the details. What we really need to figure out is where Temari's going to stay tonight."

Ino glared at him. "You're such an idiot! So quick to push her on your friends, no offense Temari, but unwilling to have her at your house. You have a guest room too, Lazyass, and you're the only one who remembers to change the sheets."

"Only because my mom forces me to," Shika replied resignedly, "Yeah, I guess she'll have to stay with me." He sighed and pulled a fresh cigarette out of his pocket. "What a drag."

Ino and Choji grinned, bidding the pair goodnight before firmly shutting the door.

Temari glanced at Shika as he took a long drag. "I thought you quit smoking."

His eyes flickered towards hers. "I smoke occasionally." Wet drops splashed on his hand as he opened his plain door, and she almost didn't catch his slight grimace. "Usually when it rains."

...

Inside his apartment was nothing like she'd imagined; the design was simplistic and reserved, everything made with a purpose. It was neat, although Temari supposed that was more to do with his mother's effect on him than an affinity for housework and cleanliness. In fact, it had glaring similarities to her own, but she didn't want to dwell on that.

She shrugged off the loose green raincoat and hung it next to the door. Glancing at Shika, she saw him drop his jacket in a laundry basket and slouch into the kitchen. Uncertainly taking a seat on one of the large squishy armchairs, she hoped he would point out the guest room on his return.

She didn't have to wait long; Shika emerged holding two bowls of steaming soup.

Temari had never been happier to see food as her stomach chose to remind her that, despite her best intentions, she'd never gotten around to eating at the Naras'. The two large bowls were set on the table in front of her. She stared unabashedly.

"They're both for you. Go ahead and eat – I'm going to finish this cigarette." He walked towards the glass sliding door behind the dining room table.

For a moment Temari watched him step into the misting rain; was this really the lazy teacher who had easily beaten her nearly eight years ago?

Then she turned her attention to the food; like it or not, in a choice between this stew and watching Shikamaru smoke, the rich, filling food won hands down.

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O is for Obedience, or lack thereof.

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