Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto... or Kiba, so sad :(

Her Troublesome Ways

Chapter 4

For the first time in his life, Shikamaru actually listened to the lessons. He didn't sleep or look at the clouds. Maybe because everytime he does, his 'mentor' throw a chalk or eraser at him. So now he has to listen even though horticulture is not a real subject at all.

"Now tell me," Temari looked around, "ponytail guy" She pointed at Shikamaru. What is wrong with her?"What's the study of flowers called?"

"Dunno?" He shrugged. "Can I take a seat now?"

"Nope. You'll stay standing until you remember what is it." She glared at him. There is something really wrong with this gi - woman.

"Oh! Temari-sensei!" Naruto raised his hand. "I have a question!"

"It's Temari. No need the sensei." She looked at Naruto. "Yes?"

"How old are you? You don't look 30."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm 20."

"So you're not a teacher? And you're not 30?" A random guy on the front asked.

"No. Mentor." She said, pissed. Too many people were asking her questions. It's annoying.

"Can I date you then?" The guy asked.

Ooohs were heard from the class. Shikamaru looked at Temari while she closed her eyes and tried to breathe calmly. Heh. She was clearly pissed. "No."

"Awwh. You're pretty, too." The guy smirked.

She ignored him and went back to the lesson while Shikamaru still stood there. He sighed. Troublesome."Shikamaru, you may seat down." Temari said while facing the blackboard.

He looked up shocked she let him sit. "I thought - " He stammered.

Temari turned around. "Do you wanna sit or not?"

He sat down, still processing what happened. Hmm. Maybe she was just being nice? Shikamaru chuckled. Maybe she's not that bad after all.


The end of school came by really fast. Maybe because Shikamaru never really listened to the lessons. It was troublesome, really. As he waited for Naruto and Kiba to get out of their detention, he spotted Temari carrying her books and jacket leaving the teacher's room or office or whatever you wanna call it.

"You heading home, sensei?" Shikamaru tried to ask her nicely. He still haven't forgotten about the lighter.

"Temari. And yes." She replied simply.

"Can I get my lighter back now?" He looked down, hiding the embarrassment on his face as he imagined how he's going to look when he kneel down in front of her.

"Tough luck, kid." She continued walking smirking as she passed by him.

"Oh come on, man!" He shouted. "I'll do anything!" Shikamaru knelt down in front of her. "Please!" Ugh. I hate this. But I need to get Asuma's lighter back. Let's just say that this is for him. Yeah. For Asuma. GAH. My prides all gone now.

Her face displayed shock when she realized he was serious about getting the lighter back. It was something important to him and she felt bad for even confiscating it, but Temari wasn't a girl who shows others her emotion. She was from Suna for God's sake! How can she pity this guy? It was his fault anyways. He needed to be disciplined. Ugh fuck this.

"Get up, stupid." She sighed as soon as he got on his feet. "Why is this so important to you?"

He loked away as if trying to hide something. "It's my sensei's. He died almost 2 years ago from a shooting that happened at my neighborhood." Even Shikamaru doesn't know why he's telling this girl about Asuma. First, she's a stranger. Second, she's troublesome. Third, she's a ... VERY cocky woman. "That's the only thing I have to remember him by."

Temari's face dropped. She felt horrible. She turned around and continued walking. "Next time, when you think about smoking," She faced Shikamaru again. "Do it in a safer place. Where nobody will see you, alright?"

Shikamaru nodded, slightly.

"Here, catch." She threw the lighter at him.

He caught it and thanked her. She just smiled before walking away. "Oh, by the way Shikamaru."

He looked up, "Yeah?"

"Everytime you go up, can you help me with the garden?"

Shikamaru scratched his head. He can say no, since the work itself is too troublesome. Plus, he got what he wanted. As if she can ever get it back again. But something just pushed him to say yes.It's either his brain, guts or whatever. He doesn't know. So Shikamaru just nodded and said, "Sure."

Temari smiled. She herself doesn't know why she asked him for help. One person can normally do the work. But something pushed her to ask him. She doesn't know. Oh well. She said to herself. I can finish it fast if somebody's helping me.

Shikamaru was about to lean on the wall again when Kiba and Naruto burst out.

"Fuckers." Kiba mumbled.

Naruto just pouted. He turned to look at Shikamaru, "Where's Choji?"

"He went on ahead. Reserving the tables for us while you guys were on detention. Sakura and Ino went to go check out some new clothing company that opened today. They'll be there around 4, I guess."

"So you end up inviting, Ino too!" Kiba smirked. "I knew you have something going on."

"No. Sakura invited her." Shikamaru corrected.

"Excuse me," A tiny voice squeaked.

They all look at the direction in came from, Hinata Hyuga was there, carrying some paperworks. She's that prodigy's cousin, Neji. Her hair was so black that it was almost blue and he eyes was so light it was almost white. She's pretty, but she was too shy.

"Hinata!" Kiba greeted her. "What are you doing here? You wanna come with us?"

"Uhm," She blushed, looking away.

"We're going to go eat! Finish your work! I'll wait for you." Kiba said. "Wait, I'll just help you." He took half - well more than half - of the paperwork and carried it to Hinata's classroom.


On the way to the barbecue place, Shikamaru spotted Temari driving away.

Without thinking about it, he waved goodbye. He didn't even know if she saw or not but he still did.

Temari blinked and she smiled.

He really is something.

Shikamaru continued walking and scratched his head, realization struck. Hn. Troublesome.


Author's Note:

So this was kinda OOC, I guess for Shikamaru.

I know he would think that's it's too troublesome to get on his knees so he can just get his lighter back.

But it's Asuma's lighter, right? LOL. So it's really important for him.

Tell me if it's bad! LOL. Or tell me if you do not want the characters to be OOC, anymore.

... I'm not sure if they are OOC from the first place or not but yeah.

R&R! I'll promise it'll get better. PROMISE!

On the other hand, I can actually see this in a Konoha setting kind of thing.

So Idk if I should change it or not. Cause that'll be too... well, troublesome.

REVIEW, people! And I will love you forever. No kidding.

(I smile, :D everytime I see positive comments!)