A/N: Thanks to all who read this. Special thanks to all who review.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or anyone/thing mentioned in this story.

Chapter: 4

The next morning he walked her to the gates after a small breakfast.

"So the next time I see you will be in two weeks right?"

"Yeah, I'll be coming and going pretty frequently until the Chunin Exams." She paused for a moment, "speaking of exams, you might want to think about becoming a Jonin soon. You don't want a girl like Moegi to surpass you, do you?" She laughed, "see ya!"

"Be safe troublesome woman!" He called to her back. After a few minutes, he turned around and went to give his report to the Hokage.

"Temari-san left the village approximately twenty minutes ago."

Tsunade raised her eyes from her paperwork to look at the Chunin and asked, "How was she feeling?"

Shikamaru cocked an eyebrow. "Bossy and troublesome as ever, so I'd say she was doing just fine Hokage-sama."

Tsunade then asked if he'd be willing to continue as her escort. He replied that he'd manage somehow, even if it added a troublesome amount to his workload.

"Afterall," he finished. "It's only right that I set an example for my students about the importance of strong relations between our villages."

The Hokage raised her eyebrows and wondered how long he'd rehearsed that.

o-o-o

Two weeks later Shikamaru was once again in the Hokage's office.

"The Suna Ambassador will be arriving this afternoon. I want you to escort her straight to the Chunin Council's Chambers. Bring some paper of your own since you're needed there too. No falling asleep," she smiled as the Chunin scratched the back of his head. "Afterwards, your mother sends an invitation to the Ambassador to have dinner at your house." Tsunade paused and her smile grew bigger. "She also said for you to wash your face so your family name won't be disgraced and that she's already picked up the daffodils. Daffodils? The flower of hope? What are you hoping for Shikamaru-kun?"

The Chunin's face wore a mortified expression. He saw that The Hokage and Shizune were waiting for an answer. He rolled his eyes.

"My mother likes to make a good impression, that's all. Am I dismissed?"

Tsunade motioned him to the door. If she opened her mouth to speak she wouldn't be able to stop herself from laughing.

"Damn troublesome woman." Shikamaru muttered through gritted teeth. His mother-not the Hokage. He shuddered at the grief he'd gotten over those stupid flowers.

Since Mrs. Yamanaka is the one who gave Ino the gene for gossip, word had spread like wildfire among his friends about the floral atrocity he'd gotten for Temari. The looks. The whispers. The god-awful giggling!

The dingbat duo of Ino and Sakura was the worst.

"Shiki-kun, have you sent your sweetie a flower?"

"Oi Shikamaru, how big do you want the next arrangement?"

Asuma-sensei tried, but wasn't much better. He'd broached the topic of Temari over a game of Shogi. But when Shikamaru started talking about diplomatic relations he laughed so hard that he'd upset the game. Shikamaru smirked at the memory. That wasn't so bad though, he'd actually been winning that time.

Chouji was the only one who didn't tease him about the flowers or Temari. That was partly because they were best friends, and partly because Shikamaru didn't tease him about having feelings for Ino. So they'd sit in his favorite spot munching chips and staring at clouds.

"Shikamaru, do you see how that one over there kinda looks like an hour glass?"

o-o-o

Since she'd arrived in Suna, her thoughts kept straying to Konoha. Odd really being as it was usually the other way around. The part that really bothered her was that it wasn't just Konoha she was thinking about. It was the bum in Konoha.

She liked to think her brothers didn't notice. Gaara, as Kazekage had a million other things to think about. Kankurou? Locked in his room working on his puppets she doubted he'd notice if she started wearing kabuki make up, let alone that she was slightly distracted.

They did notice. Gaara even sent a letter to the Hokage asking if his sister had run into any problems while in Konoha. Tsunade repled that Temari was probably just working on ways to maintain strong diplomatic relations between the villages. He didn't completely understand the reply, but as there didn't seem to be anything physically wrong with her, he let the matter rest. For now anyways.