AN: As you guys have probably noticed, this story has changed. It's still following the old storyline though. Except there's a lot more detail.
Who's going to be the Ho/Rokukage after the war ends? I'm continuing this story with Tsunade as the Hokage as of now. When the Kage is finalized I'll change it... But I'm guessing that since Shikaku is [:'(] dead, and since he was advisor to Tsunade, Shikamaru will be the advisor. Won't he be the Jounin Commander as well? And after the war I'm sure Naruto and Sasuke will be Jounin Rank despite they're still Genin.
Gaara had coincidently forgotten to tell Temari something very important. As the group of five was travelling to Konoha (in record time, two days), he decided to keep it to himself. When he read through the signed written agreement on Temari's marriage again, he noticed that there was one very tiny paragraph. ['Clause 51. If Temari does not find suited husband by August 23rd, her 21st birthday, who is approved by the Council, she will marry the head of the Chizoku Clan.] That meant that once they reached Konoha, they had seven days to convince and plan a wedding. Shikamaru would also have to go to Suna and be 'approved' by the Council. Gaara wasn't worried though.
Temari was. She maintained a calm exterior but the people travelling with her knew her for a long time. Inside her pretty little head, Inner Temari was waging a war with her. Temari really did not want to get married at the age of 21, she was still so young! Although as a shinobi, especially after a war, it was a miracle that she had lived till the age of 21. In Suna, 21 was the coming of age for women. Men reached it at 16. The five year gap was created by one of the first Kazekages, he was the most sexist of the patriarchal bunch that ruled Suna before her father. Her father was many things, but he wasn't sexist. Besides, she had a different opinion of her father now. Temari had no qualms about getting married. But not so early! She still wanted to travel and finish more missions. She had to take care of her brothers and save more money. Marrying at such a young age meant that she would have to devote herself to her children and husband. The Council was very clear; they wanted her to have kids ASAP. She was not ready for kids; there were too many things that could go wrong. She knew all about it. What happened to her mother could happen to her. But that's a story for another time. Right now she had to battle Inner Temari.
Inner Temari had been taunting her since she left the Council room. Who knew her better than herself? It had taken only a split second to say Shikamaru's name. Inner Temari had put in a few… Explicit thoughts about the lazy crybaby into her head. She hadn't seen him in over a year. Before the war, they saw each other every few months and he always grew a bit taller every time. During the war, they were beside each other every single moment until he was sent to Darui's division. Temari was terribly worried about him, but she couldn't risk being distracted, if not she'd be killed. Inner Temari did all the worrying for her. She was quite annoying actually. While Inner Sakura was a hardcore badass, Inner Temari was more of the feminine, swooning side that people had never seen before. When the battles subsided and the small, short victories were claimed by the Fourth Division, Inner Temari wouldn't mind putting a blush worthy thought into Temari's head. A few of them were along the lines of what the shadow nin could do with those shadow hands he created with his jutsu. Oh yes, Temari blushed quite a lot when the battles were over. Her comrades thought that she was turning red due to the intensity of battle. They were wrong.
Inner Temari had not been silent when the reincarnated Daimaru had confessed to her rather passionately, in front of the whole Fourth Division with Matsuri and Yukata swooning behind her. She had been curt and to the point when she said that she wouldn't date him, even if he was alive. Inner Temari had proceeded to yell "Only Shikamaru you little twerp!" after Temari had done the aforementioned. Matsuri and Yukata had basically divulged Inner Temari's thoughts when they announced that Temari liked 'an intelligent shinobi'. Who, in her age group, was more intelligent than the lazy ass? Gossip spread, especially with all those shinobi gathered together. Everyone had seen the way that both of them fought, it was as if they could read each other's minds.
Not to mention that that's exactly what Inoichi was doing at that point of time. Besides relaying important messages and warnings to the battling shinobi and communicating Shikaku's strategies, he was having a hell of a time reading the mind of the blonde Suna shinobi. He wasn't doing anything wrong; the Fourth Division was in trouble when Torune showed up with his frightening Aburame Clan jutsu. It was Inoichi's job to listen in on the effective leader's thoughts since Gaara and Shikamaru were elsewhere. He needed to know everything so that Shikaku could formulate a fitting strategy. Or maybe he should have just connected her to darling Shikamaru since she had such…. Shocking thoughts about him? Needless to say, Inoichi relayed everything to Shikaku; from the love confession by Daimaru to Matsuri and Yukata's statement about an intelligent shinobi. Shikaku had been right; Shikamaru was going to marry the bossy woman.
Back to the present, the group of five entered Konoha's gate and went straight to the Hokage' makeshift office. It was good to see Tsunade hastily hide a bottle of Sake and wipe her chin as the Suna group walked in. She had recovered well from her injuries. There was one issue though; the Suna Embassy had not been rebuilt yet. Thus, the group had to stay somewhere else for their stay in Konoha. It was quite embarrassing for Tsunade, but their sudden visit was unexpected. She summoned her loyal, faithful, trusted advisor to come to her rescue and 'advise' her of course. It took the Anbu twenty minutes to find the lazy shinobi. After fifteen minutes, an Anbu materialised in the office and silently whispered to Tsunade that "Shikamaru Nara cannot be found." Temari smirked to herself. The Nara Clan was talented in stealth and hiding, he was obviously hiding somewhere in the shadows, Tsunade had stated in a matter of fact tone. That's when Temari stood up and suggested his cloud watching spot to the Hokage. Shikamaru would undoubtedly murder her for letting out such secret but she didn't want to waste any more time. It had been a year since she had seen him; Inner Temari was driving her crazy. Every small thing reminded Inner Temari of him. Oh! Look at that shadow! Oh! Look at that pineapple! Oh! Look at that cigarette on the floor! Temari was going mad. Five minutes after Temari had revealed his 'secret' spot, a knock was heard on the door. The crybaby walked in, slouching, his hands in his pockets and a cigarette between his lips. The sickening stench of smoke filled Temari's nose and made her cringe in apprehension. She stared him, it had been a year after all. In one year, the lazy ass had changes quite a lot.
Shikamaru's eyes widened when they fell on Temari. He took her in, every detail; from her four blonde pigtails to the short skirt that covered not ever half of her thighs. He stopped at her teal orbs for a moment and he continued down her face, and then gazed momentarily at her pink lips that were frowning. Kankurou let out a cough. He broke out of his reverie and bowed.
"You called Tsunade sama?" drawled Shikamaru after bowing to the group of five. Baki bowed back. Usually, Gaara as the Kazekage would bow, but he considered Shikamaru a friend so didn't. It was obvious that Shikamaru was bowing just for the sake of it, so that he wouldn't receive an earful from Tsunade.
"The Suna Embassy has not been reconstructed fully yet. Make arrangements for their stay," said Tsunade crisply, without any complaint from Shikamaru.
"Hai, Tsunade sama," replied Shikamaru and started towards the door, gesturing to the group to follow him.
Gaara was the first to stand up. "I will be back to discuss the nature of this visit Tsunade sama." Temari cringed. Once all of them were out of the office, Temari caught up with Shikamaru. She stepped in front of him and stared at him. What would she do, she was seeing him after a year after all. "Kiss him!" screamed Inner Temari. 'Maybe I should…' thought Temari. She noticed that Shikamaru's hazel eyes were bearing into her teal ones, making her just a bit conscious than usual. After today evening, they were probably going to be engaged. She averted her eyes, avoiding his gaze and observed his face. There were two new, fresh scars in the same loci as his father had. 'Are they self inflicted?' she mused. She noticed how tired his eyes looked, how they drooped and how there were new wrinkles on his forehead. They gave off the aura of old age; his shoulders were sagging as if he was carrying a huge burden. Temari's features softened at these observations. No doubt Shikamaru wasn't sleeping properly, moreover, her was smoking again.
Temari pursed her lips and moved closer to Shikamaru. He continued to stare intently at her, not flinching at her movement. She brought two fingers up to his mouth and snatched the cigarette between his lips, put it to her mouth and inhaled. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, yet did not flinch. She then proceeded to throw the cigarette to the ground and stamped on it with both her feet. "Smoking is a bad habit crybaby!" she hit him on the head as she said that. Shikamaru smirked a bit and said "hypocrite."
"Where are you taking us?" Temari asked while smiling to herself. "Hell Yeah!" shouted Inner Temari.
"Dango shop. Your favourite food is dango right." Shikamaru said it more as a statement rather than a question. Temari stopped and stared him. She'd mention it to him only once, right before the final battle begun. Shikamaru had returned to the Fourth Division and had weaselled out of Temari's shocking, bone crushing embrace. (She wasn't able to control herself. Inner Temari took over for just a second before letting go.) As they were running towards the final battle with Madara and Tobi, (at that time, his identity hadn't been revealed) the both of them had joked about eating their favourite dished again. Temari mentioned that she wanted to see Yoshino and have her cooking again. How the crybaby remembered such a small detail was beyond her. Inner Temari decided to enter her thoughts at that very moment. "You also remember that his favourite food is sukonbu and mackerel. He also offhandedly said that he wouldn't mind you cooking for him. You also thought at that point of time, that you wouldn't mind cooking for him. Just tell him that you lurvee him Temari!" She vigorously shook her head and continued walking; catching up to Shikamaru's slow pace.
"What are we going to do about living arrangements? Sorry for being such a bother," started Temari. Shikamaru raised a hand to silence her.
"You are the easiest. You'll be living with me. My mother is going to jump for joy when she sees you. She won't stop asking about you," he lazily replied. Temari grinned. The six of them settled into the Dango shop and ordered, Temari ordering two plates of dango all to herself. She happily attacked them when they arrived.
"Hey Temari, can I have one?" asked Kankurou unknowingly. Temari looked at him with a crazy glint in her eye.
"Never mind…." said Kankurou, quite afraid to ask again. Temari continued to happily eat her dango that Shikamaru was paying for.
"Living arrangements…" came Gaara's calm voice. Temari jabbed Shikamaru in the side.
"Mmm… Yes. Temari will stay with the Nara Clan," he started while noticing that all four companions broke into grins at that statement. Gaara even had a tiny smirk on his face. Shikamaru glanced at Temari and saw her cheeks had a tinge of red to it, unnoticeable to a bystander but not to him. He decided to ignore the strange behaviour. "Kankurou can stay with Kiba, Gaara with Naruto, Matsuri with Sakura and Baki." Shikamaru was cut off by Kankurou.
"Baki sensei can stay with Gai! Mm kay?" he said while maintaining a straight face, knowing that he was sending hid old sensei to a possible nightmare due to Gai's youthful personality.
After dropping everyone off to their specific destinations, Temari was alone with Shikamaru for the first time in a year. Usually, they would always be bickering or Temari would be on the verge of pummelling Shikamaru, instead there was a unnatural deafening silence between the two. This silence was jus unbearable, even Inner Temari was silent. When the two reached Shikamaru's house, Temari was thoroughly grateful to the Gods.
"I'm home Okaa san," said Shikamaru while taking of his shoes. Temari followed and stayed behind him as he entered.
"Shikamaru! Where have you been? The Anbu came looking for you a while back! You haven't even cleaned your room!" hollered Yoshino from the kitchen. Temari smiled at the sound of her voice. Shikamaru sighed.
"Kaa chan! I'm going to be 18 in a few months. We have a guest!" he replied, almost instantly.
Yoshino came bustling out of the kitchen and broke into a glowing grin when she saw Temari.
"Temari! Welcome! How are you? Should I make you some dango?" asked Yoshino while pinching her cheeks. Temari glanced at Shikamaru, who shrugged and walked into the kitchen.
"Konnichiwa, Yoshino san. How are you? Shikamaru already treated me to some dango," she replied.
"He did? How nice of him! And drop the honorific Temari! You know I think of you like a daughter," stated Yoshino while entering the kitchen. Temari smiled guiltily at the last line. What type of daughter did not see her 'mother' for such a long time? Shikamaru was standing in front of the stove, his hand holding a lid above his head while staring down at the cooking mackerel. "Shikamaru Nara! Wash your hands and wait till dinner for food!" Yoshino yelled as she smacked Shikamaru across his face.
"Hai, hai," Shikamaru drawled as he walked out, yawning. "One hai is enough! Take the rubbish out!" Yoshino screamed. Temari laughed as she washed her hands in the sink. She heard a door slam shut. "That boy. He doesn't even come down for dinner anymore," Yoshino retorted sharply while turning up the heat on the mackerel.
"Why doesn't he come down for dinner?" asked Temari curiously. She started to cut the half done onions that were on the chopping board.
"He stays up all night reading his father's scrolls. Shikaku wrote many scrolls on different subjects. Right now Shikamaru is reading one on medicine," replied Yoshino. 'So he's putting effort into something now?' Temari thought to herself.
"He wants to be strong, stronger than his father," Yoshino muttered.
"He was already strong. Now if he's putting in extra effort, I'm sure he'll surpass Shikaku san," whispered Temari. Yoshino sighed.
"You know Temari, you don't have to call him Shikaku wouldn't stop talking about you after he returned from the last Gokage meeting." Temari smiled ruefully. She remembered speaking to Shikaku then. It was spellbinding to watch Shikaku formulate a strategy in mere seconds. The funniest thing was, Shikamaru was a lot like his father. Yes, Shikaku's features were much more sharper, he didn't slouch as much as Shikamaru; however, once in a while if you were paying close attention, you would notice him staring at the clouds. Only for a split second though. Yoshino took the chopping board from Temari and added the onions to the mackerel. The chopped onions sizzled in the heat.
"How is Shikamaru... with everything?" Temari asked hesitantly. Yoshino was silent for a while before replying.
"He's changed. He's not the same. Shikaku's death has affected him terribly… He doesn't sleep for days sometimes."
"I'm going up to give this plate to Shikamaru. After that, I'll come down and make your favourite kenchin- jiru," Yoshino said, choosing to forget what they had been talking about moments back. Temari looked up and saw Yoshino removing her apron.
"No no. I'll take it up. Why don't you relax in the living room? There's no need to trouble yourself Yoshino. I'm already full from the dango," Temari replied. Yoshino smiled at her.
"Thank you dear. You know his room don't you?" She paused for a moment, as if she had suddenly remembered something. "Oh! I just received a message from the Yamanaka family, so I'll go visit them for a short while. Thank you for being such a dear, Temari." Yoshino stated and exited the kitchen. Temari heard the front door close and headed up the stairs, towards Shikamaru's room. They were alone, in a house; a house that Yoshino had called 'home' for both of them. Was Gaara meeting with the Hokage right now?