Ch. 2 the Nara's

Temari had never been on his house, every time she had to seek him out (in particular during boring meetings et cetera) he was founded laying asleep under some tree's shadow, on a bench looking at the clouds, some times at Choji's house… she had never met his mother, and this last didn't know too much about her. Yoshino had looked at him rather diffident the time he woke up early to check her out of the village, she had looked diffident every time she'd heard about the Sand's ambassador coming and he being put as her guide. Once he had heard her telling his father she didn't like the idea of some unworthy, weak and cute woman beside him all day. That day his father alas told her that Temari was three years older than him too, Yoshino was totally pissed, but somehow relieved by the fact that maybe she was someone mature and not some stupid fan girl.

But this was not the real problem. What he'd decided to avoid that morning was going to happen in moments: her mother meeting Temari, his parent meeting Temari… he couldn't help but feel frustrated: his clan held many tradition, women were considered precious and important, and taking one of those in his own house meant only… "I just hope she'd go unnoticed by the elders…or else we'll be screwed… I mainly…".

Why am I in this village? Why am I with him of all? Not like I can complain… he… his family… they are going to take me into their house, they're giving me a bed where to sleep, maybe even breakfast… after all I can't ask anything more… I won't bother them too much… now that I remember… I've already met his father, it was after the mission to retrieve the Uchiha brat… if I think that back then on my first chuunin exam I even referred him as pretty and awesome… he was so popular among all the girls… but then… better someone totally unknown like Shikamaru or Choji, then someone like him. Now I totally despise him… and to say I prefer Shikamaru to him… It's gross…".

They turned on the left and kept walking on the deserted street. Somewhere the clock struck 11. It was late and none of them had yet eaten. It was still snowing, on the streets there were by now 40 cm of snow, it was starting to get difficult to walk for the few normal non-shinobi people returning into their house after a day of work.

- you don't see this often in Suna… don't you?

- No… this is… breathtaking… even if it's not the first time I see this, the feelings are the same … hell, the first time I saw snow was when I was 3… I remember that day through photos and films… I was with… mom… in the village of snow… she was pregnant, Gaara was going to be born in some months… - she lowered her gaze.

"another Temari… I was wrong when I said she was not affected by her childhood… she had developed different personalities… the strong and stubborn one, and the daydreaming and fragile and pretty and everything I really like about her one…" he thought.

"now this is embarrassing… I can see him watching me from the corner of his eyes… does he think I'm going to attack him?" she was totally oblivious to what was in that very moment in his head. Another turn, this time on the right, and they were arrived at his house, well his parents' one. It was futile moving out of that house, which assured him meals and company, he had explained her. His house was built in an old-style, or better rebuilt after the destruction… Konoha had recovered well… "I wonder if it's so inside too…I mean… old-looking… would they have an inner garden? Cute! Sure… he came from a prosperous and rich family… I wonder if he will end up in some arranged marriage too… to increase their prestige…". He knocked reliving her from her reverie.

- dear please, go get the door, I'm busy right now…- said Yoshino carrying away in the small kitchen the dishes of their dinner for washing them up –and…- she paused on the frame door- if it's Shikamaru don't let him in!

- but…- Shikaku tried to help his son's cause, while getting up from their couch

- no buts. It's not like, just because he is 20, he can go in and out of this house like on an hotel!

- Jeez…. What a temper…

- You said something?

- Not at all miss!- and he ran toward the door, afraid of his wife's rage.

Opening the door he saw something he'd betted wouldn't ever happen. Shikamaru and a woman… a pretty one too… now that she was smiling he had to retrieve the pretty thing and say she was really a beauty… he really thought this day was never going to be… for this reason he betted on a drunk evening with Inoichi his son was gay, after the suggestion of a slight drunken Kazekage. "stupid bet…" he thought grimly. The woman introduced her politely all the while smiling. "my only solace is that after all he's not too stupid… look at the one he had chosen… I can see the reason…". Then it hit him. She had already met her… at the hospital… if he was not getting senile then he remembered her as a strong, confident and troublesome woman. He had asked his son many times what he thought about the female species, it was always a shrug, a scowl and a "troublesome". During the time, after he was assigned to be the escort and guide of the woman in front of him, his son changed his mind somehow, and so, one night during some game, when he asked him if he still thought the women troublesome ( he had noticed how Shiho acted around him, and wanted really to know if something was going on or not) Shikamaru simply stated that women couldn't help but be troublesome, however they were necessary, and some time able to be worth their loudness… he understood then that his son was not talking about the silent Shiho, and he never asked again about her… sure then he questioned him about the ambassador! And what he got? Not a scowl or a frown, but a smile. That totally scared him, maybe Yoshino's worrying was legitimate? Maybe no… after all she was just an ambassador… maybe she was there too as ambassador…and maybe on that bet he could still be on…

- dad stop staring at her like that… she's Temari of the sand, you know her already, she's going to be with us for some time, until in this heck of a village there will be a free room… now don't be troublesome and let us in…- inner Shikaku was crying out of joy, he had some hope for his bet!

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Yoshino stopped abruptly the washing up and looked suspicious "hm… this smell…" she started to walk toward the door as his husband had done minutes before "this smell is sure of…a…"

- a WOMAN?! What the fuck Shikamaru have you done to her? And why does she have all those bags with her? I swear if you got her pregnant…

- no mom… she's not pregnant… sure you're trouble…- SBAM

he turned facing Temari.

- why did you hit me for?

- You can't talk to your mother like that you know? Thanks God you have one! – she hit him again on his head – I'm sorry I had to hit him- she apologized herself to his parents- but impertinence is something I can't stand- she bowed apologizing again.

Yoshino was watching her bewildered. There was still someone who thought exactly like her about the good manners. Incredible. Maybe she had found a friend? Shikaku neared her and whispered into her ear what was really happening and the reason why she was there.

- I'm sorry ambassador… I apologize myself for my own rudeness. I just didn't know about the room matter. You can stay with us as long as you wish!

- Thank you very much for giving me some accommodation, at least for tonight… tomorrow I'll try to find some place where to stay, so I won't bother you and your family too much- she smiled – and I'm the one who have to apologize again for my behavior… I guess I shouldn't have taken your place…

- Hey! But this means I would have been hit the same!- Shikamaru interrupted.

- Of course!- the two women yelled at him at the same moment, a vein popping out of their foreheads… "they are so much alike" he thought looking at his father, who sighed like defeated.

They all retreated into the house. Shikaku directed himself in the kitchen. He was old now, retired… he had seen many things happening, his wife had always been with him, on the happy moments, and on the dark ones. Right now his beloved one was with Temari, showing her their guest room. He liked the girl. His beloved didn't like her, she probably already loved her. Now she was chatting with her friendly. His son entered the room, sat near him and sighed.

- why did you take her here?

- And why are you so mean?

- I'm not mean! It's just weird… you are the mean one usually with the others…

- She's not "other", she's a friend… she's just arrived here after a three day trip

- She's a jounin, she's supposed to be able to do such a trip… and… you've addressed as a "friend" in front of me just Ino. Is she this important?

- Old man… stop saying troublesome things…

- What did you say Shikamaru? Troublesome?- his mother was entering in the kitchen followed closely behind by Temari. She started to cook for them, when they were finished they went to sleep silently, both with their own thoughts about that day and the current situation.

I guess for a day 4chapters are enough. I hope I won't be too busy and upload something new the next week... stupid school duh...