Shikamaru was very bewildered. First he got sent on a mission involuntarily, and now Gaara was acting weird.

'This is so troublesome.' he thought.

As he walked towards the mansion, Shikamaru began to wonder if there was some grand scheme behind it all. It isn't everyday a ninja finds himself the center of attention, quite the opposite. For the past week everybody seemed to know something he wasn't aware of. From the constant winks the female ninjas gave him, to the thumbs up from the male ninja, Shikamaru knew something was up.

'What is Tsunade up to? I may be a ninja, but I'm no pawn.' Shikamaru stepped onto the foyer of the mansion. 'Well if she won't give me a clue perhaps Gaara will.'

Shikamaru knocked on the door and was immediately greeted by a servant. She showed him into the house and, after a quick inquiry, she told him his room was on the third floor and that the bathroom was to his immediate right.

"Thank you."

"Your welcome." replied the servant.

Shikamaru washed his hands and took off his sandals. He tipped them over and shook them.

'Damn sand.' he thought as he poured a pyramid out of his sandals.

He quickly made his way to the room and removed his jonin vest. Shikamaru then stripped to his underwear and grabbed a towel that was on his bed. A nice quiet bath was something he had been dying for. He walked downstairs and filled up the Jacuzzi with hot water. After a few seconds of thought, he added the bubble soap.

'Ahh! Finally this trip is worth something.'

The room became damp and a thick fog soon encompassed it. Shikamaru didn't mind the steam and slowly drifted into a kind of slumber. He awoke to hear someone splashing at the opposite end of the Jacuzzi. In his semi-dazed state he decided to ignore it.

"Ah! It's nice to have a nice bath. Especially after the hell I went through with Kankuro. Gaara sure hates it when we set him up on dates."

At this Shikamaru regained clear thought. He recognized the voice immediately.

'Oh fuck! It's Temari. I was so absorbed in this bath I forgot that I'm in here naked!'

He heard her moving closer to where he was. Deciding to take a chance Shikamaru jumped out of the bath and ran for his towel. Unfortunately, in his haste he didn't notice a bar of soap lying on the floor. He slipped and fell flat on his back. The noise had the effect of alerting Temari who got out to see what happened. She was surprised to find a very "exposed" Shikamaru. So surprised that she forgot about her own bareness. They both stared for a few seconds before Shikamaru realized his predicament.

"So…um…admiring the view?"

"Ahhhhh!" screamed Temari jumping back into the bath. "You pervert!"

'She calls me a pervert! She was the one enjoying the show.'

Shikamaru decided to use this chance to escape. He didn't stop until he had reached his room. But try as hard as he might, he couldn't get the picture of the nude Temari out of his head.

'Yep this is definitley going to be an awkward stay'

Meanwhile, at his office Gaara heard a knock on his door.

"Come in." he said.

"I recommended that Temari take a bath, as per your instructions." said Kankuro as he shut the door behind him.

"Good. Now all that's left is the dinner."

Back at the mansion Shikamaru heard a knock on his door.

"Come in." By this time he had dressed in fresh clothes and had succeeded in calming his mind. He was surprised to see Temari at the door.

"Come for another peep show?" asked Shikamaru.

"Heck no! I came here to do this." Temari slapped him hard on the face.

"Ow! Damn it, woman! As if I'm the one responsible! You jumped out at me!"

"What? How was I supposed to know you were naked!"

"I don't know! You should have asked!" said Shikamaru. "Besides, don't think I didn't see where you were staring."

"What? That's a lie!" screamed Temari.

"Oh really. Then how did you know I was naked?"

'Damn, he's good.' thought Temari. In truth she had been a bit "curious". The mere thought of him naked made her blush profusely.

"I…oh screw you Shikamaru! Anyway why are you here?"

"I'm here on some mission. The details of which I am unaware of."

"You're useless Shikamaru."

"That's not true!" he said.

"Oh yeah, then what can you do?"

Shikamaru suddenly got very close to her ear and whispered, in a mocking tone.

"Everything, but I don't kiss on the mouth." And before she had a chance to respond he poofed out of the room.

'What was that all about?' she wondered.

Shikamaru jumped from building to building trying to figure out what his mission was about. He knew that what had happened in the Jacuzzi with Temari was no accident. Someone was toying with him.

'It's time I got some answers. And I think Kankuro might shed some light on this.'

He found Kankuro in a bar drinking heavily. Shikamaru walked into the small establishment and sat down next to Kankuro.

"Hey there!" said Kankuro, "Long time no see!"

"Yeah…anyway Kankuro, you wouldn't happen to know what Gaara is up to, would you?"

"Well he's kinda–"Kankuro suddenly collapsed on his back, drunk as a skunk.

'Damn, guess I'll have to ask the big man himself.' Shikamaru jumped onto the roof of the bar and made his way to Gaara's office.

When he was gone Kankuro got up and dusted himself off.

'Whew, that was close! I hope Gaara can convince him.' he thought 'Him and Temari both.'

Shikamaru soon reached Gaara's office and made his way to the top of the stairs. Without bothering to knock, he burst into the door.

"I think I deserve an explanation." he said.

Gaara turned around and met Shikamaru's eyes with his steely gaze.

"An explanation?"

"Don't pretend you don't know Gaara-sama." said Shikamaru. "I know this is no ordinary mission."

"Ah, I see. Well then I suppose there's no point in hiding the truth. I'll tell you at dinner. Be sure to wear something nice."

"Why then?"

"Because I feel like it." said Gaara without a drop of sarcasm.

'Damn you Gaara! What are you up to?'

"Fine." said Shikamaru, giving up. "At dinner."

Shikamaru opened the door and was about to walk out when Gaara interrupted.

"Oh and Shikamaru. Never walk into my door without knocking." Gaara didn't need to say what the consequences of repeating that action would be.

"Yes Gaara-sama." said Shikamaru. He closed the door behind him. Gaara smiled.

'Now all the pieces have fallen into place.'