Sorry for the delay, I've been so busy with school. On the bright side I have one week & a half left for vacations to start which means I'll have more free time considering I don't work. Which means I'll be able to write more :D Sorry if this chapter is shorter than the last three. I found myself stumped and didn't know what to write anymore. Don't worry I only meant about this chapter not the story. I have each chapter planned in my head from start to finish :D By the way any of you all read the Shika/Tema story "Shadowbox"? I find myself really into it at the moment, you guys should really check it out :P

Well read & review! Thanks so much for the one's you all have left me it makes me happy that so many are reading my story. When I first started I never expected to get such results :D SO THANK YOU!

Small specks of snow covered Temari's hoodie that kept her hair covered while she made her way to the Hokage's tower. She was to meet up with Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza, to help them gather information about three rogue nins that were creating chaos among other lands. Theirs was to come into their radar soon seeing as they had already done their way with two, nothing harmful atleast but still very problematic.

She walked as quickly as she could dodging people rudely unintentionally, she just wanted to get away from the snow as soon as possible. That white ice that covered the village, she did not like it. It got stuck everywhere, her shoes, face, arms. She hated it. Not only that but it was freezing. Usually when the weather drops at the Sand Village many stay in, all trainings and missions are started early when its still fresh. She could manage a few minutes outside if necessary but living with it for a few weeks, it would be, oh hell she thought, troublesome. Seriously, she hated the snow.

Kotori seemed to love it though as she had forced Temari to take her out to the big backyard behind their house to make a snowman. How could she say no to that little girl? Other than the times Kotori dragged her outside she avoided being in the outdoors as much as possible. These were the times she was grateful to receive paper work. Like today, as she had finally reached the doors of the Fifth's tower, rushing inside to feel the warmth of the heater.

Being around the former Ino-Shika-Cho group was new to her, she was only used to her father-in-law, and the current team that her husband was in. Choza was exactly like Choji, and Inoichi was not even close to being as the same as the gossiping Ino, but like Shikaku they were far more wiser. Their company turned out to be quite entertaining. They were only an hour in when Shikamaru came in looking a little rushed.

"Hey, I found you. Tsunade told me you'd be around here somewhere."

Temari turned her face around to face him, raising her eyebrows silently questioning him as to why he was looking for her. Shikamaru scratched his head as everyone began to stare at him now, awkwardly he took a seat next to Temari facing her while she sat facing both Choza and Inoichi, Shikaku at the edge corner of the table.

"Umm.. I just came to tell you that I got called out for a last minute mission with my team so I probably won't be home for dinner."

"Okay." she said to him, silently amused at his behavior.

Lately for everything he'd act hesitant, almost as if he was waiting for something, but what she did not know. She didn't understand him, it was him who told her to be more comfortable around him, yet after they hugged he was the one that was acting weird. It wasn't like she was mad about it, in fact it had made her feel better.

"Yeah.. Just came to tell you that."

"O-kay." Temari said slowly this time sustaining a smile to his weird behavior.

It was then that three childish voices were heard making their way to the room they resided in.

"Hey sensei what are you doing that's taking so long we've gotta go!" Aoi screamed as the three showed up in the doorway.

"Troublesome kids." Shikamaru muttered.

"Aoi! Shikamaru sensei came to say goodbye to his wife! Let him be!" Riko said as she grabbed her team partner from his collared shirt.

"I'm very sorry. We'll be waiting outside sensei." with that Riko dragged Aoi outside only to be followed by a silent Tai.

All that was heard was Aoi's echoed screams fainting away as they got farther.

"Hurry up sensei! You live with her! We're only gona be gone for a few hours!"

"I gotta go." Shikamaru groaned as he got up.

Temari softly laughed at the scene, she got back to her work.

"Goodbye Shikamaru." she said to him but did not look up.

He squeezed her shoulder as he bid goodbye to his father and the other two. Hiding it well, she kept in the shock of his hand on her. It gave her a flashback to that New Year's day. Remembering what that had felt like, how long ago had it been, two weeks. Yet it felt like a long distant memory, she could still feel the warmth of his embrace, and the loud thumping of his heart while she had rested her head on his chest. She was brought back to reality by a loud chuckle, it was Inoichi.

"You truly are like Yoshino." he had told her, his laughter only increasing.

"Told you." Shikaku said to him as the other two had joined in on Inoichi's laughing.

"Is that bad?" Temari asked confused at their statements, she seemed to get that a lot. She didn't mind though, she was quite fond of Yoshino after all.

"We don't mean it in a bad way, its just my wife usually when I leave for a mission no matter how small, I get a hug and a kiss from her. When Shikaku would leave for a mission, he'd only get a smack on the head, a comment on when he'd get home he'd have to do some chore, or a glare." Choza had answered her this time seeming to laugh at Shikaku's poor luck.

"We were never affectionate around people even when were dating." her father-in-law said with a shrug.

"Or ever." Inoichi said as both him and his partner that were next to him burst out in laughter again.

"She has her moments, I married her for a reason after all." Shikaku said with a grin on his face, the same grin the lazy slacker had inherited. Both his long time ninja partners looked pensively at each other as if mentally agreeing that he must have had his reasons.

"I'm not used to being affectionate." Temari whispered mostly to herself though.

It was true, it took a long time for her brothers and her to be as close as they were now.

"Hey, you two kind of skipped a few rules that usually come before marriage. I'm assuming its only natural."

He'd sounded as if he was trying to reassure her, giving her a small smile. Temari didn't feel any better. Was she really neglecting Shikamaru that much? She'd never dated in her life, what was expected of her she did not know. Yet being fake did not suit her well, which was why she never did anything she felt uncomfortable with.

"Or it could have something to do with my messed up childhood."

She had accidentally spoke it instead of just saying it in her mind. It made the atmosphere a bit more awkward.

"Well I don't know why Shikamaru complains that your so troublesome. Your definitely not like most girls, and especially not like my daughter. All she does is talk gossip and clothes with my wife." Inoichi interrupted the awkwardness in the room.

Temari raised her eyebrows as soon as she heard the usual complain that he always made about her, troublesome.

"He's paying for that one when he get's home isn't he?" Shikaku asked her with a smirk on his face.

"Oh yes he is." She answered him with an evil smile, all four of them erupted in laughter.

All awkward atmosphere gone as they finished their work with a more lighter mood.

Shikamaru was starting to get impatient and that was a rare sight. He'd try to throw hints at Temari, but nothing. It was unlike him, usually he'd have things planned out ahead but that didn't even seem to work either. The feel of her in his arms, he could still feel it. She'd never been so willing to hug anybody else but her brothers, he thought that might have broken down at least one wall. Guess he was wrong.

Her arms around him, he yearned for them. Shikamaru thought about just hugging her out of the blue, but that troublesome woman would want an explanation as to why he was hugging her in the first place. Apparently hugs are only for special occasions. Couldn't he just hug her when he felt like it? Which was all the time. No, Temari was never one to show affection so she wouldn't understand the concept, and if she did she might budge away. He certainly didn't want that.

The lazy genius began strategizing in his head any possible way that he'd get Temari in his arms again. He did start to notice that she was indeed getting comfortable around him, letting lose. That was a start. The bed at their home was much smaller then the one she owned, which meant there was less space for her to move around but that didn't seem to bother her as they slept much closer together. By now he knew every detail of her face. He never noticed how she had a few small and really light freckles on her cheeks, and how her hair shined in gold as the sun came up.

The team of his genins interrupted his daydreaming, they were yelling at him, well mostly Aoi, he grumbled at their loudness. He had until they returned to the Leaf Village and that would only take a few hours. He'd think of something then, he thought as he jogged towards his team.

Both Shikamaru and Temari stomped their way through the feet of snow that was covering their path towards their home. It felt like eternity but they finally managed to make their way through. They had to hold on to each other as to not fall. Shikamaru had suggested twice that they go back to his parents and just stay there. But Temari being stubborn as always said no, if she could manage through sandstorms, she could manage through snow. Stomping her way up the stairs she triumphed over her accomplishment, Shikamaru right behind her muttering a 'stubborn woman'. She gave him a cold glare as she rummaged through her clothing looking for her keys.

Once they entered they noticed that the house was unusually cold. Temari wasn't sure if it was colder inside or outside anymore. Shikamaru walked right past her to check the thermostat. She saw him flick it then heard him grumble, that was not good.

"What's wrong with it?" She asked him.

"It's broken." Temari frowned at that.

"We can go back and stay at my parents. I'm sure they won't mind." Temari's frown only grew deeper as Shikamaru said that.

"No."

"Huh?"

"You can go if you want to but I'm not going outside anymore." with that she made her way to their bathroom.

When she returned to their room, after putting on a pair of warm pajamas she saw Shikamaru climbing into bed.

"I thought u left?"

"I'm not gona leave you here alone. Mom will scold me if I do."

She pursed her lips tightly as if not to retort back, she was already angry because she felt like she was living in an igloo. Temari was in no mood for arguing that night, it might not end so pretty. He laid there comfortably right smacked in the middle of the bed, hands behind his back, that apathetic face never leaving his features. Cautiously, she made her way towards the left side of the bed, trying hard to contain herself from wiping the bored expression off his face. She was angry, it had been a really long day.

"Move you jerk."

Raising his arms up to stretch he gave a big yawn, ignoring Temari's words. That only made her angrier. He was starting to get comfortable as he left his sitting position to lay down, still plastered in the middle of the bed. Finally she had had it with his behavior and was about to scream her lungs out, that was until he spoke.

"Come here."

"W-What?" his words caught her by surprise.

"I said come here."

He had removed half way and had it facing up, the cover that was keeping him warm, one of his hands stretched out towards her.

"What for?" She whispered, still standing stiffly, too shocked to move her legs.

"Body heat."

"I don't think it'll work that way."

"Well if you want to do it that way." he said to her as he started to unbutton his flannel pajama top.

"I didn't mean it that way you pervert!"

Without noticing she had made her way to the bed just to smack his hand away from unbuttoning another button. His chest erupted with a small laughter, Temari too engrossed at the child-like nature.

"Stop being so troublesome. We're both tired and cold. Just come." his smile never left his face.

She felt entranced by his kind features, the ones that made her feel at home. She took his extended hand as she made her way towards him. With a quick force he pulled her towards him. It took a few seconds for her brain to start functioning again, but when it did she realized she was being covered with the blankets that Shikamaru had been covered by before. Temari had both Shikamaru's arms around her, one behind her back, the other over her waist, encircling her close to him. His body facing hers and vise versa. Shikamaru had his forehead against hers, nuzzling in between her hair. The only thing that wasn't touching was their legs but only by a few inches.

"Goodnight." he told her softly, she swore she could almost hear the same affection that both her brothers used with their own wives.

Immediately his breathing was steady, he was asleep. Of course the lazy jerk could fall asleep in a matter of seconds. She didn't know what to think of the situation. If she questioned him he'd only give her a long winded explanation that even to her would make no sense. What could she do? The only thing she could. Embrace it, she gave a mental shrug, one because she was actually starting to feel warm. Shikamaru she had noticed always gave off a lot of heat. Maybe it was because he was a boy? She did not know, but Kankuro was the same way. Second was because being near him, didn't feel so wrong anymore and she wondered why. Could be because she was already used to him, they were married after all. Temari spent a few more minutes trying to make excuses as to why what they were doing wasn't so wrong. Slowly, her eyes began to close and she managed fall into a peaceful slumber.

Shikamaru felt a tug that morning, it was Temari trying to intertwine her arms from him. They were no longer in the position they had fallen asleep in. Shikamaru's back was facing the bed now, Temari's face was on his chest. She tried moving away again, he only held her tighter not wanting to let her go. His plan to keep each other warm indeed had worked, the breeze of the cold could be felt but it was bearable if they stayed close together. Which he was planning on doing, it was after all their day off, all he wanted was to stay in bed exhausted from his previous mission. Apparently Temari did not.

"Stop moving you troublesome woman."

His wife was starting to ball her hands into his undershirt putting a great force too.

"Shikamaru let me go." her voice sounded threatening.

"What for? It's barely 7." the grogginess never left his voice.

"Shikamaru."

"Temari."

The next thing he felt were nails digging into his shirt and through his skin, his arms automatically let her go.

"What's the matter with you, you hostile woman.!" his retort was low but there was a tinge of anger in it.

"Well you wouldn't let me go!"

"I was warm and comfortable." he went back to his bored expressions rubbing his chest to get rid of the pain.

"What is it woman?"

"I have to pee!" with that she left the bed but the amusement in her face never left.

Shikamaru propped himself up, might as well, knowing Temari she wasn't going back to sleep. She could sleep only five hours and manage the whole day. Unlike him, he could sleep all day if he had the chance. A smirk broke out through his face as he thought, mission successful. The heater was purposely broken by yours truly, and knowing Temari's stubbornness no matter how much he insisted on going to his parents she wouldn't. Meanwhile there was snow Temari did not want to be outside, that and she was too proud to admit any kind of defeat. Like the way she determinedly made her way through the mount of snow that covered their way home.

He'd have to get it fixed, thankfully the sun had come out, the wind was still cold, but the snow had diminished to a few inches. Knowing Temari he'd have to go look for someone to repair it that day, he'd gotten what he wanted accomplished though. She seemed to go with the flow much easier by now, and thought that getting her to do that at night might not be so bothersome after all.

"You hungry?"

She asked him as she came out of the bathroom looking refreshed.

"Sure." he replied.

He made his way to the restroom but as he did Temari screamed from far away.

"Shikamaru I want that heater fixed by tonight!"

"Troublesome." he muttered to himself.

By the time afternoon came he finally found an old man who went to fix it. He had told them that there was a wire chipped off. Probably rats he suggested. Shikamaru knew better.

That night their house was warm again, they were even wearing short sleeves. Temari got in to bed first followed by Shikamaru. She was starting to get herself comfortable when he pulled her towards him, again.

"What are you doing?" her voice sounded confused.

"Keeping warm." he told her nonchalantly.

"The heater's already fixed."

"I'm still cold."

Temari was sitting up by then, Shikamaru still laying down facing her though. She leaned on her arm as she looked at him with a questioning look. He reached out for her hand, the one that was placed on her lap and placed his in top of hers. Rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, then slowly his fingers began to play with her own. That was enough to dumbfound her, he took that to his advantage by pulling her towards him again. Gracefully he placed one arm around her back to hold her waist. Her cheek on his chest, he put her hand over his heart, never letting go of it keeping his own on top of hers. Not once did she fight through it this time. He put his chin on the top of her head, feeling a tickle as her hair touched it.

"Go to sleep, troublesome woman."

The girl under his arms relaxed, the tenseness in her body no longer there. Shikamaru stayed up until he was positive that she had fallen asleep. It didn't take long for that and soon he joined her as well.

Afterwards he no longer had to fight it out because Temari stopped questioning it. Sometimes she was even the one who would willingly cling to him at night, he always received it with open arms. That was enough for her to let him touch her without moving away. By now Shikamaru had gone straight to the grain. At least only while they were in their home. He could place his hands on her shoulders without her shrugging them off, take her hand in his whenever he would guide her, and sometimes if he got lucky he could take hold of her waist to move her from one place to another. He himself was never for showing affection in front of people and he was grateful that Temari was nothing like that either. Living together like this made the atmosphere more relaxed and even both seemed to be in lighter moods. Something that a lot of people seemed to take note of especially his mother. They weren't teased though, after all they were married and it was only natural. Well that and Temari would probably beat them up, yes most of the village feared her, even Tsunade.

It was 5 a.m. and Temari was combing her hair into those four famous ponytails. She had a mission with none other than Shikamaru's three genins. A simple escort mission to a group of business men. According to her lazy husband though, his team kept asking him questions on Temari's strength as a ninja. If her attitude was as fierce as her fighting, they'd have to becareful not to piss her off. The three were still scared of her but managed to get along by now. She placed both hands on the bathroom counter and smiled wickedly, oh this was going to be fun, she thought. Hoping that a group of rogue nin would show up their way to scare them just a little bit more.

With a click from her fan as she set it on her back she walked out the bedroom. Shikamaru was too knocked out to notice. Temari remembered the past two weeks, as she made her way outside. It was how close they had become and she didn't mean it they way they once were. For the record he had started it, and she only gave into him. After months of fighting off her husband, because yes that's what he was, husband, she finally gave in. The man was too persistent, which was odd considering his nature to give up easily. But the thing was that she stopped caring. It wasn't as if people could talk about it, they were married, it wasn't like back when they were younger when rumors of them had started. She was also sure that others had noticed, how sometimes their touches would linger. They still made her feel giddy but the good kind. Deciding that she'd go with the flow of things, it wasn't so bad anyways. Especially at nights, she slept easier now.

She made her way to the Hokage's building before she had to meet up with those three kids. Tsunade had ordered her to pick up some papers before their departure. The Hokage building was open at every hour, not that she was there at all times. Shizune greeted her and handed her the papers that she needed, bowing her head she left. The three genin, being on a mission with them was something she was kind of looking forward to and at the same time dreading it. She was sure that they might spill something about Shikamaru, most likely Aoi, and at the same time it was going to be filled with loudness. That didn't sound much like fun, it was the same reason she avoided spending too much time with Ino.

As she made her way she noticed that apart from the three twelve-year olds standing by the stall that Izumo and Kotetsu were, there was an extra person. A man, with a spiky pony tail and a sleepy look all over his face. Temari was slowly pacing towards them surprised that Shikamaru was there. Thinking that she was sure he was unconscious when she left as she handed the two guards the permission to leave. They stamped them and gave them their official permission.

"What are you doing here?"

"It's starting to snow again."

He said to her as he raised up her cloak, they were walking away from the earshot of the five. They were having an animatedly conversation, Aoi seemed up considering the time. Yes, it had started to snow as she had noticed on her way to the Hokage's building. She didn't have much time though and decided it was too late to go back and get her cloak. Timing was important when on a mission, even one minute off something could go wrong. Taking out her hand to reach for the cloak, he smiled at her and shook his head. Wasn't it for her, she thought. He draped it over her, pulled the hoodie up to cover her head, and started to tie it up from her neck. She could feel his cold breath as he hovered over her, yet it gave her a warm feeling. His fingers swiftly touched her neck as he tied the strings feeling a strange flutter in her stomach. It made her feel like a child.

Temari wasn't sure anymore if their small crowd was purposefully ignoring them, or really were into their conversation. Whatever it was she was grateful. Her face felt hot and warm, she didn't know if it was because of the cold hitting her face, or Shikamaru's face being inches away from hers. The smile on his face never faltering and never does the soft expression on his face as he doted on her. He made sure that the cloak was covering her from head to toe, rubbing his hands over her shoulders.

"Becareful, okay?"

A nod was all she could give him. This man always managed to surprise her, but what he did next left her even more speechless. Without restraining she saw him as he bent down, and gave her a small soft peck on her forehead. She gave a small gasp and her eyes widened.

"Temari-sensei! We're all set!" Riko waved at her.

She was brought out of her bewilderment as she turned to see the three genins bright eyed and bushy tailed ready for their mission.

"I'll see you in a few days." she told him softly, scanning his eyes for some explanation but all she found was mirth in them as he nodded his head at her.

Hurriedly she made her way to them and they were off. While making their way through the trees she could hear Aoi and Riko having a conversation about their recent training. She took a lead ahead of them, tuning out their talk as she kept thinking about what Shikamaru had just done.

The Nara bid goodbye to both Kotetsu and Izumo, he placed his hands behind his head and made his way back home. He was sure he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep, might as well go help out his dad with the deer herd. Deciding on picking up Kotori two hours later, since Temari was gone he had to have someone keep him company. Shikaku was surprised to see his son up so early, he only replied to his father that he went to see off Temari for a mission. That earned him a broad smile from him, Shikamaru only rolled his eyes but inwardly was just as amused as him. How could he forget her expression and how rosy her cheeks had gotten. His plan seemed to be working out well.

Once he was done and more people were out on the streets he went to pick up Kotori. Of course the child first thing she asked for was Temari. Gaining a pout and a little sad face when he told her she was away on a mission. He carried her up and reassured Kurenai that he'd bring her back in the evening.

"Uncle Shikamawu?"

"What is it Kotori?"

"Why are you so happy?"

"What? What do you mean?" he answered back with a laugh.

"Uncle Shikamawu always looks sweepy but you keep smiling.!" she said to him as she played with his face.

Was he? He hadn't noticed but he had his reasons for it.

"That's because I am happy."

"Why?"

"Temari makes me happy."

"Why?"

The constant 'why's' of the little girl always amused him.

"Because I love your Auntie Temari."

"I love her too!" she said with a big smile on her face.

That was something he was already aware of. Nothing felt better than sharing a good day with his favorite little girl that he considered to be his niece even if not by blood.

"You hungry Kotori?"

"Yes!"

"What do you want to eat?"

"Candy." Her answer made him laugh.

"You can't eat candy right now it's too early but I'll buy you some later okay?"

Kotori pouted again.

"How about some pancakes?"

He saw her ponder it for a few seconds until her smile came back.

"Okay!"

In spite of being a child Kotori was easy to convince, especially if Temari was around. He only wished Temari was that obedient, but then thought that if she had turned out to be quite submissive, then his life would have been dull. He once had a plan, to marry a woman that was not so pretty and not so ugly. Most importantly that was not troublesome at all. His wife fit none of that criteria. Temari was beyond beautiful, knowing fully well that she had her admirers back home, feeling grateful that she never paid attention to any of them. Above all else though, she was the most troublesome woman he had ever met, even more so than his mother, and that was saying a lot. His future plan was ruined the moment she saved him from the sound nin, as she beat her to a pulp, and turned around only to give him a wide smile. Something he wasn't thought possible coming from such a cold woman. He was just one of the lucky few who were able to see it. Since that day she had grown a soft spot in his heart, slowly developing into the love that he felt for her now.