Chapter 10

She woke in a room that she recognized as his. She stood and the memories of the night before came flooding back to her. She walked out into the living room and saw him sprawled out on the couch snoring. She couldn't help but laugh. He looked so young when he slept even though in real life he looked older than his years. She walked around to the side of the couch and kneeled down next to his head. She knew she should wake him but she didn't want to. He just looked so cute and innocent. She got up again and walked to the kitchen and put a pot of coffee on. She placed her hands on the counter and became lost in her thoughts.

What if it isn't his? I want to believe it is but what if it's not? What will we do then? Does anyone know yet? I told Gaara to keep it a secret but he may have told the Hokage and then she may have told her jounin and then they may have told the chunnin and now the genin probably know.

Okay Temari you are blowing this way out of proportion. No one knows yet. You just need to figure out when you are going to tell everyone. And Shikamaru has come a long way from the genin I fought at the chunnin exams. He is stronger now. Older, smarter, although I don't know how that is possible. He is the smartest person I know. How else would he have escaped that place. We are both Jounin now. We can handle this.

She then felt arms wrap around her waist, pulling her back to reality. "The coffee smells good…" He mumbled in her ear.

"I'm sorry did I wake you up?" She replied in a mocking tone.

"Yes you troublesome woman…but…" He yawned the biggest yawn she had ever heard. "I have to talk to the Hokage today anyway. If I was too late I would have to make up an excuse. That would be even more troublesome."

"Shikamaru?"

"Yes?"

"What if…well…"

"What if it isn't mine?"

"Yes…"

"Then I will love it no less because it will come out of my wife."

"Huh?" His arms fell from her waist and fumbled for something in his pocket. She turned around only to see him on one knee in front of her. She knew what was coming. It is what she had been waiting for but thought would never happen.

"Temari…will you marry me?" He flipped the top of the box up revealing a ring with a diamond in the center and dark blue stones embedded in the handle. She stared at it for several seconds without saying anything. Finally he became way too nervous and had to say something. "Uh…Temari…this is where you usually say something."

"Oh…of course I will Shikamaru!" He stood and placed the ring on her finger. She jumped into his arms and he spun her around a few times before setting her down. "Does anyone know?"

"About what? The pregnancy or me proposing?"

"Both."

"Well Naruto unfortunately saw me when I was buying the ring but I told him if he didn't keep it a secret, I would strangle him with my jutsu so I don't think he told anyone. And Ino and Sakura know about the pregnancy because I asked Sakura to follow me in case you hurt yourself. And then Ino followed me because she was concerned about how worked up I was. They both promised not to tell anyone though."

"Oh alright."

"I have to go talk to the Hokage. Do you want to come and we can get something to eat afterwards. Unfortunately we kind of missed breakfast but we can get lunch once I'm done."

"Okay." She turned the coffee pot off and followed him out the door. They walked down the main street hand in hand, the ring sparkling in the sunlight. They ran into Naruto who saw the ring immediately.

"So you finally proposed…"

"Finally? Shikamaru what does he mean by finally?"

"I've sort of had the ring for a while."

"How long is a while?"

"Um…."

"He's had it for like two months and I kept the secret that whole time! I didn't tell one person!"

"Great Naruto. Keep it a little longer alright. We want to be the ones to tell people. And my threat still stands. Now if you will excuse us we have to go talk to the Hokage."

"Okay see you later!" He ran off and Shikamaru sighed.

"You've had it for two months? Why didn't you propose sooner?"

"Well I either got nervous and choked or you said something."

"Like what?"

"Like the first time right when I was about to propose to you, you said 'I just want to be in a relationship for a while. Nothing fast.' Then the next time you said 'I'm glad we are taking this slow.' Then next time I just choked. And the next time we were talking about our life plans and you said 'I want to get married later on.' Then the next time I got too nervous again and changed the subject. Then I gave up for a while and then tried again this morning."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you tried that many times."

"It's no big deal I'm just glad I finally did it."

"So am I." She leaned in and kissed him lightly before pulling away and continuing their walk to the Hokage's office. When they arrived, she sat on the bench outside and he knocked on the door.

"Come in." He opened it and walked in. He bowed slightly.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes. It is about Temari."

"What about Temari?"

"The Kazekage contacted me and asked me to do a medical checkup on her. He would not explain why but I did not argue. I approached her about it and she refused. She is hiding something and I need to know what."

"She will kill me."

"Shikamaru, your loyalty lies with both of us but your greater loyalty lies with me."

"No I believe my greater loyalty lies with her."

"Why is that?"

"She put her trust in me."

"So have I."

"I apologize but I can not tell you until she is ready." He turned and began to exit but he stopped. "Why don't you ask Sakura? I'm sure she will tell you." He left the room and as he shut the door, he heard a piece of wood snap in half. He could only assume it was her desk. He sighed. "Are you ready?"

"You didn't have to do that you know."

"Do what?"

"Talk back to the Hokage and get in trouble just to protect me."

"She'll cool off eventually."

One Day Later

"Shikamaru…I am going to go to the store alright?"

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No I'll be fine."

"Alright I will see you later then. I promised Chouji I would buy him Barbeque anyway." She turned and walked towards the store as he turned the opposite way towards Chouji's house.

She saw a stand with fresh fruit and remembered that Shikamaru loved apples. She was reaching for one when a hand grabbed hers.

"What is this?"

"Ino let go of my hand."

"An engagement ring! Since when?"

"Yesterday. Now let go of me."

"You two have to come with all of us tonight and celebrate."

"When you say all of 'us' you mean…"

"Me, Sakura, Naruto, Hinata, Chouji, Neji TenTen and Kiba. We are all going to dinner tonight at Ichiraku's."

"I'll talk to Shikamaru about it."

"Great!" Ino ran off and she let out a sigh. God…Shikamaru must be rubbing off on me…

Later that day…

"Hey Shikamaru."

"Hey what's the matter?"

"Nothings the matter."

"Temari…"

"Fine…it's just that…well…" She turned to look in the mirror. "I'm fat." He laughed and she turned to hit him but he just pulled her into an embrace.

"You are not fat. You're pregnant. Troublesome woman."

"But…I don't look good."

"You look beautiful. Now we have to go or else we will be late."

"Fine." He grabbed her hand and they left the apartment together. He began to poke her sides and she began to laugh.

"Hey that tickles."

"I know."

"No more tickling."

"What are you going to do to me if I don't stop?" He poked her side again. "Huh? What are you going to do?" She squirmed under his touch.

"Stop it!"

"No."

"Shikamaru stop it now! Please!"

"Since you asked nicely." He stopped poking her sides as they reached Ichiraku's.

"There are the two lovebirds!" They hear as soon as they enter the shop. They both sigh.

"Whoa that was cool! You two were like completely synchronized!"

"Shut it Naruto. I thought I told you not to tell anyone."

"I didn't."

"What?"

"Ino did."

"So now everyone knows?"

"Yep including Kakashi, Ero-sennin, Tsunade, Asuma, Kurenai, your parents and Anko."

"Great…"

"Cheer up! After all this is a party for you!"

"Naruto take this money and go stuff yourself. Stop bugging them!"

"Thanks Sakura!" He ran over to the bar and began ordering.

"Yes thank you Sakura."

"No problem and Congratulations."

"Thank you." It continued in this manner until everyone had said their congratulations. Then everyone sat down and ate some ramen while Naruto chatted in between bites. After Temari had finished eating, Shikamaru looked over at her.

"You want to get out of here? You look tired?"

"I am a little."

"Well let's go then." He took her hand and walked her out. But he wasn't ready to go home just yet.