'Excuse me, I am looking for miss Sabaku.' Shikamaru spoke in a hushed voice to the receptionist at the hotel lobby. 'We were having an appointment half an hour ago and there is no sign of her.'
'I am sorry mister Nara, miss Sabaku already checked out in the early morning hours.' The male looked at him with pity.
'Are you sure?' He mumbled barely hearable.
'Absolutely, sir.'

...

'What the hell?' He thought to himself kicking some dust into the air walking past the hotel entrance. They weren't really set up for the morning but he assumed it would be like always. He would pick her up, walk her to the Hokage's office and later on pick her up, eat dinner together and depending on how much had to be done they would do something together or separately. She never left without saying goodbye. Something was odd and wrong. She was gone. Shikamaru looked down and frowned. Wasn't this what he wanted? Everything would be different now. He screw everything up by just being mean and ignoring her for once. Perfect. Temari Sabaku would soon turn into some important Suna wife, he would fight in the war, loose his beloved once, probably see her fighting but this time it would be different. They wouldn't be this close friends. They wouldn't be a thing. Who would comfort him this time? There was a huge empty hole that seemed impossible to fill in. She was a huge piece of his life story. She's kicked his ass, saved his ass, supported it and cheered his sorry-ass up. She wasn't always there but when she came she seemed to understand all he was going through. She never let him drown in self pity or grieve. She was so endlessly strong and adamant like a rock, his anchor.
Shikamaru looked up and found his father staring at him from a intown-bridge.
'Hi dad.' He put a fake smile on.
'What's up shiny face? Where did that new enthusiasm go?' He jumped up to land next to his son.
'Ah I am just…confused.' He laughed.
'What's up buddy?' He mussed the boy's hair.
'It's hard to explain.'
'Why don't you try?'
'You're going to think I'm insane.'
'Try me youngster.' Shikaku smiled with that bright, big, calm dad-smile.
'On your own risk.' Shikamaru sighed, put a very serious face on and looked his father straight into his eyes. 'I am not from this time. I mean I have traveled back time. I lived 15 years into the future and everything was completely different.'
'That's a good reason to be confused then.' Shikaku laughed.
'That is not my problem. I am super excited and grateful I am able to be here once more…to talk to you.' Shikamaru looked down.
'Sounds like you don't have the possibility in future…' Shikaku frowned. 'Come on. Let's make us some tea and you'll tell me all about the times you came from.'

...

'So basically here we are now. I was hiding in that shed wishing I never married her and later on got rolled over by a bunch of watermelons and woke up here. I could actually be dead…Maybe this is just some weird after death vision of mine.' Shikamaru shrug his shoulders finishing an unbelievable long story of the future, which took his father 3 cups of tea.
'I am glad your mom is ok.' Shikaku smiled.
'So you don't think I am out of my mind?'
'I don't know Shikamaru, but all that you said, all those details. It is very likely to be true, although I have no clue how this could be possible.'
'I stopped trying to understand this.' He shook his head and took a sip of his cold tea. 'But what should I do dad?'
'Do? With what?'
'My marriage, or rather my not to happen marriage.'
'Isn't this simple Shikamaru?' The older man leaned back. 'She seems to make you really happy and miserable at the same time. This seems like a really good marriage to me. I mean of course you have your ups and downs but this is just normal. You seemed overworked but don't you appreciate what you have ? Are you sure you want to screw all of it? Even consider losing my only grandchild?'
'I don't know dad. I am not so sure anymore. But what should I do. She is just about to get engaged anyway.'
'About to get engaged, do you hear yourself? This is about as reliable as a paper wall. If you really want this girl there is literally nothing stopping you from getting her apart from yourself.' He scratched his beard. 'Listen up youngster… ' He smiled. 'It's weird to think that you might actually be only a couple of years younger than me now…anyway. Listen up. This woman is standing by your side, she gave you a son, she is strong, independent and a classy housewife too. She is actually managing most of the housework while you are working your ass off at Naruto's side. While you are absent she feeds, dresses and looks after your only offspring. I am not saying that all of it is only her merit but rethink this. You owe her a lot and maybe, but only maybe, you should close your eyes on her being a bit bitchy from time to time. Treat her right and she'll be sweet as honey. I know that Shikamaru.' His elder man looked up at the ceiling. 'I know you are smart Shika, I know you'll come up with a win back plan. Just take a step back and start appreciating all the small things.' He looked back the boy. 'I'll be dead in a couple of years, you never know when it's going to get you. Maybe times got safer but still…Take care and be kind.'
'Dad…' Shikamaru had tears in his eyes.
'Don't cry over me. You know it's just fine without me.' He winked. 'But there is one thing you could do for your old man, will ya?'
'What is it?'
'Make yourself a baby girl too.' He laughed. 'I always wanted a granddaughter too!'
'Dad…'Shika laughed although a hot tear ran down his cheek.