To say their journey was side tracked was an understatement. But after some intense kissing and a little more foreplay, Shikamaru gained enough sense to tell Temari lay off with the dominatrix stuff, or they'd never run into the fourth division.

It was a pleasant but silent walk; Shikamaru smirking to himself with his hands stuffed in his pockets. Temari was a bit embarrassed with her rash action; The one moment had she not wanted to push him away? The next, she was on top of him..

With a sheepish tongue she managed to ask, "So, that was..?"

"Mind blowing?" he teased.

Temari rolled her eyes at him, "I mean, was that war talking, delusion, or..?"

"No," he shrugged.

"Then..?"

"What do you want it to be, Temari?" Shikamaru questioned, his dark eyes a fiery pool of danger.

Temari hung her head to escape his gaze, but let her hand bump his a few times before she finally made the swift hook and let her hand rest in his. Shikamaru smiled, leaning to whisper in her ear, "I'm too lazy to play with your heart on purpose, you know."

Temari smirked, confidence regaining in her, "Dumb ass Shinobi," She snickered, "How'd I fall for a loser like you?"

"Oh, you already fell?" Shikamaru let his mischeivious side show, "How long have you been waiting for that kiss, Tem?"

Temari punched his arm hard, but gave a smile as he winced, rubbing it, "You should know, genius."

Their playful banter continued for some time, hands casually intertwining once more as they walked along. Shikamaru kept the smirk on his lips; There was something oddly gratifying of standing up and pulling her in the way he had. He liked being the assertive one – but it wasn't so bad when Temari got wound up and took over, either.

A scary thought entered his mind as they finally met up with the fourth division; She was the Kazekage's sister. Gaara – as generally friendly as he had become – was scary as hell. She was a Suna Kunoichi, he was a Konoha Shinobi. How would they make it.. work?

"Temari," Gaara smiled, a small sigh escaping, "I never doubted you, of course-"

"Thank Shikamaru," Temari smiled, "I'm not sure that I believe he's a genius – he definitely pulled some dumb moves – but, a few people, including me, owe their lives to him at this point."

"Thank you, Shikamaru," Gaara bowed slightly, "I hear things have been amiss."

"Kankuro changed position – he had to, his medical nin were needed to treat the few survivors of division five. They were decimated, Gaara." Temari bowed her head.

"I've heard," Gaara sighed, "How can we defeat an army which just keeps growing? Lives are at risk here. Who are we to play with fate?"

"You know why we're fighting," Temari walked to stand at his side, "If we give up, Naruto and Killer Bee will be killed, their beasts taken and used by the Akatsuki to kill us all."

"Of course," Gaara nodded, "If we don't do the job for them, of course."

"What?" Temari was confused.

Shikamaru's fists clenched, "Why didn't I see it? It's-"

"Fool proof," Gaara hissed.

"Good thing I'm no fool," Shikamaru's fists clenched tighter at his sides.

"I don't understand-" Temari looked from her brother to her… boyfriend? Could she call him that?

"What's their goal? Mass destruction, mass annihilation. We won't give them Naruto and Killer Bee to do that. But they never expected that; They're going to pull us into a war we can never win, until what's left of us – a small, small percentage of those who'd have fought the war for years – give in, and they kill them off after. It's nearly seamless!" Shikamaru felt his blood boil, "But it has to have its seams. We'll just have to find them and split them ourselves!"

"Easy, Shikamaru," Gaara warned, "We can't act hastily. More lives will be the expense if we do."

"The longer this war drags on, the more lives end!" Shikamaru began to pace, "Think, Shikamaru-"

Gaara grabbed his shoulder roughly, "Before people notice, smile and calm yourself."

Shikamaru froze, blood running cold in his veins. Glancing side to side, he smiled, "Got it. By the way, while we're faking it, it's a good time to tell you I'm dating your sister."

"You're-" Gaara's light teal eyes bulged, but he was caught by Shikamaru,

"Don't forget – smile," Shikamaru gave him a cheery look. With a sigh of relief, he shrugged, "That was easier to get off my chest than I thought."

Gaara's brows, if he had them, would have knit together, "Shikamaru, we will have this conversation-"

"I've already thought it through in my head," Shikamaru groaned as he recited the phrases, "I don't plan to hurt her; I promise to uphold the keeping her safe promise; Yes that means killing myself if I hurt her-" Shikamaru mused how only Gaara would pose in conversation 'if you hurt her, keeping that promise means killing yourself' but still, he included this idea, "And of course, I understand your concerns, but you have no worry. You should know me some."

Temari glanced between the two of them, "Did you just- and then, have the entire- and-" Temari sighed, "He's right you know, Gaara. I can handle myself."

"Still my sister," Gaara looked away from the two of them, "Don't screw up, Nara. You know your fate if you do."

Shikamaru nodded, "Dying would be such a drag…"

Temari rolled her eyes at both of them, "We need to get him checked out at a med hut, I sort of inadvertently round house kicked his sternum to shreds. Come on, you lazy ass Shinobi.."