A new chapter, finally. I'm sorry I kept you waiting again. My inspiration keeps disappearing, and most of my ideas are for later in the story. I have to figure out a way to get there. Or maybe I'm just not good at writing ShikaTema. Anyway. A new chapter, and some progress.

"Hiding again, are you?"

Shikamaru didn't get up this time. He stayed in the same position as before, he half lay on the ground, leaning against the tree with his arms folded behind his head.

"I'm not hiding," he said and continued looking in front of him. "I'm watching the clouds."

"Watching the clouds, huh?" she said and looked at the sky. It was clear with only a couple of white fluffy clouds.

"Yeah, it helps me think."

"Watching the clouds helps you think?" she asked and the amusement in her voice made him turne his head in her direction .

"Yeah, so? Are you going to repeat everything I say?"

"If repeating everything you say ticks you off, sure."

"What a drag," Shikamaru muttered.

The woman looked over her shoulder.

"Saved by your girlfriend again," she said and turned back to him.

"She's not my girlfriend," Shikamaru said and got up on his feet, and put hs hands in the pockets of his jeans.

"She's a girl and she's your friend, right? Girlfriend," she said with an arched eyebrow and an amused smirk.

Shikamaru sighed and dug his hands deeper into the pockets.

"What a drag," he muttered again and started walkimg towards Ino.

"See you around. Shikamaru."

"Hey, that's not fair," he said and turned around."You know my name but I don't know yours."

She was quiet for a while, as if she was considering wether to tell him or not.

"It's Temari."

"Temari."

He turned around again and walked up to Ino who was waiting for him.

"Her again?" Ino asked.

"Yeah."

"Are you friends now?" Ino asked and looked over her shoulder and then at Shikamaru.

"No, we're not," he answered. He looked over his shoulder and saw her leaning against the tree, facing his direction. She raised her coffee mug in a silent goodbye and a teasing smile touched her lips before she drank the coffee.

Temari drank the last of her coffee and watched Shikamaru and his friend walk back to work. It was the second time she met him here. It was just a coincidence though. She liked taking a stroll through the park on her lunch break, and when she noticed his feet sticking out from behind the tree she thought she'd mess a little with him again. Temari. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but she liked the way he had said her name.

She picked up her phone and checked the time. Lunch break was over. She better head back. It was a lot more customers than when she left, so she quickly got behind the counter and started preparing the orders. The other girls seemed relieved to see her back.

She was exhausted when her shift was over. She changed into her own clothes, hung her bag over her shoulder and walked through the coffee shop. When she reached the door she saw someone familiar in the corner of her eye.

"Wow, twice in the same day.. You're not stalking me, are you"

"Just coffee", Shikamaru said and raised his takeaway mug filled with coffee. "Busy day at work."

"Tell me about it. I've never seen so many people here before."

They walked outside, and they just happened to continue walking down the street together. They walked in silence, Shikamaru sipping his coffee.

"How's your brother's exhibition?" he asked after a while.

"It's going really well," Temari said, surprised he remembered. "He's sold several of his sculptures, and people are interested in seeing more of his art."

"That's great."

They fell into silence again. A silence that was abruptly interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Hey, Shikamaru! Nice to see you!"

"Naruto! Long time no see. How are you?" Shikamaru said and shared a quick hug with his friend.

"Busy, busy.. I don't know what I would do withouth Hinata."

"How is she?

"She's great. We're only here for the weekend, but we have to gather the gang and catch up." Naruto became quiet and looked at them. "Did I interrupt something? Are you guys on a date or something?"

Shikamaru and Temari quickly looked at each other and then at Naruto.

"What?! No!" they exclaimed in unison.

"Why would I wanna be on a date with him?" Temari added.

"We're just walking in the same direction."

"Right. Sorry," Naruto said and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Well, anyway. Let's meet this weekend. I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, see ypu later," Shikamaru said and saw his friend disappear.

He glanced at Temari but wasn't sure what to say.

"That was weird," he managed.

"Yeah," was all she said. That was weird. Did it really look like they were on a date? No thanks.

"Well, I'm gonna turn here," Shikamaru said and pointed to his right.

Temari gave him a quick way without looking at him and continued walking down the street.

What a drag, Shikamaru thought as he crossed the street.

A short update, but at least it's an update. I won't say snything about the next chapter, but hopefully it won't take 2,5 months.