Author's Note: Sorry for the late update! I was working on a few other things...oh, and life interfered too. -.-

Anyway, it's a new chapter. I kind of...couldn't think of much to happen. But I can say this: it's going to be kind of awkward!

Where we left off...WILL Temari confess to Shikamaru? Or will he beat her to it? Did Matsuri actually get a concussion like Temari hoped? Will there be ANY confessions even in this chapter? What's currently up with Kankuro and Gaara? And WILL I ever stop typing these useless questions?

...Okay...that last one didn't matter. -_-' Let's just get to the chapter already...

XXXXX

One Troublesome Night:

Chapter Seven: The Extremely Awkward Chapter!

0

SHIKAMARU'S POV:

Well I honestly have no idea how I'm going to do this. I have no problem admitting that, really. And I've been racking my brain for about five minutes; trying to think of some way to work this out.

I figure: I might as well get this over with. It is very troublesome. With Temari being Temari, I'll really have to think of some way to confess.

...But I got a feeling she'll just see through it all. Doesn't that always happen? Oh, it's happened several times, and it's way too troublesome to name them off. And plus, they have no use whatsoever to this fic's plot; and they will be skipped.

My eyes widening slightly, I quickly glanced around to make sure I didn't cause some misfortune to happen. I heard a rumor that breaking the forth wall...leads to misfortune for the characters; luckily I was able to sidestep that one.

Inwardly sighing with relief, I went back to thinking about what to do. Temari was still in the living room, probably getting her shoes or something like that. So this gives me a chance to sort out what to do.

After all, my mission is a two-day one. I have to somehow confess to Temari during that time; keeping it to myself is troublesome. And I'm sick of Ino's nosy hinting, Naruto's coaxing, Chouji's 'advice', and mom's not-so-subtle coaxing.

But my real mission is kind of getting in the way of that. Lady Tsunade shouldn't chosen me to do this; why can't that troublesome woman understand that Gaara and Kankuro pretty much hate my guts now? Gaara is like a living brick wall pretty much; he's always...there. ...In my way.

"I'm back."

By the sound of that voice, Temari must have entered the room. I looked over at her; she had on her sandals and her fan was attached to it's holder on her back. It was like her to carry that fan around; she always seems to do that. Even when there's no chance of a fight breaking out wherever she's at.

bet she also takes that fan with her at formal occasions too. Wow, now I have a very awkward image in my head of a formal party breaking out into a fight and Temari attacking some shinobi with her fan, wearing a beautiful emerald green dress!

"Hey, why are you staring off into space like that?" Temari asked me as she tilted her head. "Are you even awake?"

Temari took a step closer to me and she furrowed her eyebrows together and brought her hand up; she clenched into a fist and shook it slightly in the air. I think she was either pissed off or trying to mimic Sakura the day she found out about Sasuke and Sai being in a homosexual relationship...

"Kankuro! That idiot, I bet he did something to him!" Temari hissed. "Him and his hate towards Shikamaru! Why can't he just suck it up like man and move on ALREADY?"

"No wait! He didn't do anything to me...yet." I quickly mentioned; I was too caught up in that image of Temari actually wearing a dress.

Temari luckily stopped her crazy moment. And she sighed; obviously relived by that. Of course, wouldn't you be relived upon realizing that your very weird brother didn't do something equally weird to a shinobi from another that village?

"Good. Anyway...let's get going." Temari mentioned; obviously changing the awkward subject. "We should get going; I hate staying inside too long. And you probably could use a break away from your pure impossible mission."

I'm guessing that Temari hoped I didn't hear the last part. But I did. And actually; what she said about the mission couldn't have been more SPOT-ON. It will be impossible; convincing Gaara to help the Leaf out (because he can't stand me and it shows).

If only she knew the half of it though! It's also going to be impossible trying to think of a way to confess to her...and I am a very boring guy with way too much time on his hands. Maybe if I keep that in mind, I can actually think of a good way to do this.

Anyway, we both walked towards the door and left. And I swear, I could have sworn the image of Temari wearing that emerald colored dress flashed through my mind again briefly as I (it was briefly, I'm serious!) glanced at her teal eyes.

...Oh god, this is going to be even more troublesome then I thought...

XXXXX

MATSURI'S POV:

I groaned and barely lifted my face up above the ground. I was in so much...unbelievable pain as I lied there in that sand. Temari really push me hard! She was so damn mean to me! And if I wasn't in severe pain from the fall, I would have probably cried a river of anime tears and totally cover the village with water! The village would then be: The Village Hidden In The Underwater Desert!

...Wow. I actually facepalmed at that moment. HOW could I have been so random and awkward at the same time?

"...Okay, maybe I'm just that crazy." I said to myself as I sat up. I spit out a mouthful of sand and crossed my arms over my chest. "But at least I don't overdo things! Oh wait...I already do that."

Anyway, anyway, I looked up at the force and noticed Shikamaru and Temari walk down it. As they walked passed me, Temari glanced at me from the corner of those damned teal eyes and kicked sand in my FACE!
MY FACE! SHE TOTALLY KICKED SAND IN MY FREAKIN' FACE! I CAN'T BELIEVE HER; I THOUGHT SHE REALLY LOVED ME LIKE A SISTER!

At this point, I started randomly crying anime tears as I collapsed into the sand. ...Oh well, at least I didn't get a terrible concussion!

XXXXX

TEMARI'S POV:

Ahh...there really is nothing like getting out of the house. Even if you're just walking through some dull sandy streets and a depressing looking village! Wait a minute...the village really DOES look depressing from this angle!

I quickly turned to the left and my eyes widened. HOW COME I NEVER NOTICED THIS VILLAGE WAS DEPRESSING?

...Ah forget it.

"So what do you wanna do?" I asked coolly; quickly walking back over to Shikamaru's side and acting like myself again. "There isn't much of course; but at least it's simple."

Shikamaru glanced at me, ahead, and then a building. Putting in hands in his pockets (that's surprisingly cute and nonchalant at time same time...) he shrugged his shoulders. That's so typical; I rolled my eyes as I realized that suddenly. But I still couldn't help but look away at a random building and smirk.

"I dunno. Anywhere is fine." He replied. Well, he was a little late with the reply, but I was completely expecting that.

"Well...you're really not making this easy, are you?" I teased suddenly.

Oh, it was very much worth teasing at that point. I could have sworn that I noticed him smile a little; I'm very good at quickly reading him. Still...the silence after that was kind of intimidating; I didn't know what to expect.

"It's hard for things to be simple with you around."

I actually was kind of taken by surprise when I just heard that. I'm guessing that he didn't know I heard it, because he said in kind of a low tone. I have to admit though...I inwardly laughed a little bit, but smirked (to replace a big, stupid grin) and blushed very slightly.

The rest of the walk was a little bit silent. I didn't like that; but I went along anyway. We eventually walked past a small restaurant after about ten minutes. I realized that that was my favorite restaurant; the food there is very good! I was able to sneakily convince him that we should stop there and get an early supper.

He agreed and we went inside to eat. But I will admit, the meal was actually a little too quiet for my liking. I could tell there was obviously something on his mind...but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. And taking a sip of water, I noticed he was staring at me slightly...almost like he was analyzing me or something.

Well...we obviously both had something on our minds. I don't know about Shikamaru, but I was wondering how the hell I could even confess to him.

Ugh...this was going to much more harder than I thought!

XXXXX

NORMAL POV (IN THE LEAF):

In the Leaf, Ino Yamanka yawned and placed her hands on her lap as she swung her legs back and forth in a hypnotizing fashion while she sat alone on a bench. The air felt cool and nice; while a breeze blew through the area and played her long locks of hair.

"I wonder how Shikamaru's doing...he's been gone for three days." Ino said aloud. "I hope that rare motivation I gave him hasn't worn yet!"

Ino sighed and opened her bright blue eyes and stared at the grass beneath her feet.

"He's going to need a TON of motivation if he's going to finally try and confess to Temari. With luck; he can and they'll FINALLY get together and end the suspense that's really driving me INSANE!"

Ino brought her hand up to her chin; her arm resting on her leg, and rested her head on it.

"Now since I'M over him...I'll have to look for someone else." Ino mumbled to herself. She sighed and furrowed her eyebrows together. "Both Sasuke AND Sai are taken...by each other, Chouji isn't appealing to me, apparently from Sakura: Kiba has something going on with Hinata, Shino and Neji freak me out, Naruto's pining over Gaara from afar, and I'm not gay; so the girls are all out..."

Ino groaned and leaned back against the bench. She clenched her hands into fists and stared up at the very blue and clear sky, a grin somehow forming on her face.

"Maybe Lee is free tonight..."

XXXXX

SHIKAMARU'S POV (IN THE SAND):

I haven't really been paying attention to the time. But I have noticed that it's getting a little late; probably around 4:00.

Me and Temari have been out for a little while. That's fine with me; but Gaara and Kankuro are probably paranoid and think I put handcuffs on Temari and raped her in an alley or something...

"Wow, time passed so quickly." Temari mentioned as she looked over at me. "I'm getting a little tired."

"Maybe we should stop walking then. I think I see a bench over there." I pointed out as I glanced over at a bench that was to the side of the village streets.

"Okay then." Temari replied; smirking slightly.

We both then walked over to the mentioned bench. I was actually kind of tired too; I had a really troublesome day in this village after all.

We both sat down at the bench. Temari placed her fan on the side and smiled as she stretched her legs and glanced up over at the setting sun.

I couldn't help but look over at Temari while she did that. Weirdly, in the setting sun...she actually seemed beautiful. Well, she already seemed that way to begin with; but it's way too troublesome to go back and think about that. The setting sun seemed to make her hair look more golden...and did her teal eyes just sparkle briefly?

Oh shit, I can't remember my strategy I was going to use to confess...what can I do now? This would be a good chance to do it, but it's too troublesome to think of a confession right on the spot!

In my thoughts, I didn't notice Temari glancing at me with a frown right there on her face. Silence once again overcame us and she suddenly sighed deeply out loud.

"There's something on your mind..."

I blinked and looked over at her. I was a little surprised at what she just said. How did she even know that? Is she just that much of a pain? Ah...probably.

"How do you-"

"Maybe I can read you easily...or maybe not. But there's..." She seemed to be a little hesitant and looked away slightly before scratching her cheek a little bit. "...There's actually something on my mind too."

I was a little shocked for a moment there. I wondered...could she have been-wait, I can't assume that! It's too sudden! If I could facepalm myself without awkwardly ruining the moment, I would do that at this point...to clear these thoughts.

"What is it?" I asked suddenly; damn, I wish I could have taken that back.

XXXXX

NORMAL POV:

Temari was a little hesitant at that point. She shifted in her seat briefly and rested her head on her arm; against the bench's arm. Meanwhile, Shikamaru just stared at her in confusion.

The both of them pretty much had the same thoughts going at that point. The big question going through their minds that same time in sync was: Should I?

"Well...it's...see..." Temari furrowed her eyebrows together, angry at herself, and sighed. "...It doesn't matter; it's not important anyway."

"...Oh."

The two then continued to sit there for several seconds in silence. Shikamaru wasn't convinced that whatever she was thinking about wasn't important. It would have been a really good chance to confess to her; IF he hadn't ruined it by asking what was on her mind.

And at that point, the two of them just wanted to facepalm themselves. Shikamaru was annoyed with himself, and Temari was angry with herself.

But strangely, the moment wasn't all that tense like earlier. Temari turned slightly to face Shikamaru, and he glanced at her.

One was about to say something, but suddenly a good-sized wave of sand suddenly flew towards them.

"AH! WHAT THE HELL!" Temari shouted suddenly as she noticed the sand.

Shikamaru noticed it too. And they both quickly jumped backwards off the bench and stared in shock as the sand just hit against the bench.

"DAMN! YOU MISSED HIM!"

"He was too fast..."

Temari heard those voices and she scowled as she realized who they were: Gaara and Kankuro.

Temari and Shikamaru then looked over towards the street, and they saw Kankuro and Gaara. At that point, Temari wanted to kill the two of them for that.

"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Temari shouted at them. "YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO TRY AND KILL US!"

"WELL YOU'VE BEEN GONE SO LONG!" Kankuro shouted back.

Kankuro actually realized that they all probably looked like idiots: standing there from a distance and shouting at each other. He quickly made some crazy gesture to Gaara (that he barely understood) and they both walked over to where they were at.

"Kankuro was getting paranoid; he kept thinking that you put handcuffs on Temari and raped her in an alley or something like that..." Gaara mentioned.

Shikamaru sighed, and Temari just scowled even more at them.

"That's so stupid! Kankuro, that wouldn't ever happen!" Temari yelled.

"Well with HIM," Kankuro paused and pointed indignantly at Shikamaru; Shikamaru just rolled his eyes. "Anything could happen!"

Temari clenched her hands very tightly into fists; veins now forming on them. And an angry vein actually appeared on her head (anime-style) and she reached over and grabbed her fan; opening it and holding it out threateningly.

"You're dead..." Shikamaru muttered, actually kind of glad.

Gaara backed up and glanced away.

"For the record: Kankuro was the one who was paranoid. I was just caught up in the mix." Gaara mentioned.

With that said, Temari smiled slightly at him. But she went back to scowling at Kankuro very quickly. And at a very alarming speed, she charged at him; he gasped and took off running. Because he was very defenseless without his puppets.

As Shikamaru and Gaara stood there staring blankly, Temari chased Kankuro down the village streets, over the rooftops, and even way out into the desert.

"...What do we do know?" Shikamaru suddenly asked lazily.

"Well...they could be a while. Let's just go back to the house." Gaara replied.

Shikamaru sighed and suddenly questioned himself why he always got the really crazy missions. The two started walking back to the house as they heard Kankuro's distant screams.

"So is this an everyday occurrence?" Shikamaru asked.

"Pretty much." Gaara replied knowingly.

Suddenly thinking about it, Shikamaru decided to ask for Gaara's help to help the village. He didn't know why it suddenly came to them as they walked away, but it did.

"Hey, will you just set everything aside and help the Leaf counter those attacks?" Shikamaru suddenly asked; getting pretty desperate.

And then more silence overcame them. Gaara just stared straight ahead, his blue/green eyes briefly appearing to have a look of interest in them. But Shikamaru shrugged that feeling off.

"...No."

Shikamaru just blankly stared at him and sighed as he put his arms behind his head. This was going to be a completely troublesome mission; that was for sure.

And then as the sun started to completely set, Shikamaru and Gaara seemingly walked into it as they went back to the house.

Oh, and Kankuro's many distant screams from the desert made several windows on buildings crack. They also made Matsuri fall into her bathtub and break her nose, Miho trip over a sand dune, Baki to fall out of a window he was standing by, and many old guys on the council to fall to the floor's of their homes.

Gaara inwardly flinched when he realized that there was going to be a whole lot of complaints about Kankuro's screams and that there needs to be a much bigger hospital, and that a whole lot of windows would need to be replaced...

Continued.

XXXXX

So nobody confessed. T_T

Well...I kind of already knew that. ;) After all, that won't come for just a little bit longer. I hope this chapter was fine...despite the random awkward moments that was probably there.

If there's OOC moments...I can't help that. -_- Oh, and the part with Temari attacking Kankuro for ruining the moment was written on a whim. That's why it probably seems rushed...

Well let me know how this chapter turned out! And stick around for the next chapter. I'm not sure when the next update will be...hopefully soon!

Read and review~