The clock was ticking and they were already waiting at the village gate and although Temari told him to leave a couple times before he was still there, staring at his boots. He was now certain that her marrying him was a completely random mistake that happened to both of them and it probably shouldn't get repeated. But he couldn't leave. He was feeling sick and sweaty. His stomach was full of butterflies. He couldn't leave, because subconsciously he loved her madly and knew he had to do something. Rethinking the pros and cons he calculated that it would be only fair if she knew that he was feeling something for her. Then It would be her decision to make and he wouldn't have to feel bad about anything she would decide. But he couldn't confess to her. This was absolutely impossible and made him clench his fists.

'Shikamaru, you can really go now. I won't be waiting here alone much longer.' Temari looked at him a bit worried. 'Unless there is something you need to talk to me about right now…'

'Listen Temari…I didn't come here for business.' He looked up at her and spoke in a serious voice.

'Well I can see that. You are being pretty lazy.' She smiled but then seemed to look right behind him with a mysterious face expression.

'I…I came because I really needed to talk to you about things that are important…are…wait. Are you even listening to me?' He turned around and spotted a slim, tall man with long dark hair heading towards them with a smirk on his face. 'Don't tell me…' Shikamaru unwillingly whispered out loud.

'Good morning sunshine.' The slender male spoke while he was looking Temari deep in the eyes and standing no further than a step away from her.

'Good morning Toshiro.' Temari smiled back at him. Shikamaru was feeling rather left out and his blood was boiling.

'Ready to go for our trip?' He pushed his hands in his pockets and didn't even seem to notice Shikamaru's presence.

'Sure…' Temari seemed to blush and that was more than enough for Shikamaru.

'Yeah, I won't be bothering anymore…' The ponytailed guy spoke up. 'Sorry to have taken your time.' Shikamaru mumbled being deeply touched by this disgrace.

'Oh right…' Temari looked at him with a puzzled face and then back at her company. 'Toshiro this is Shikamaru Nara from the Hidden Leaf Village.'

'Nice to meet you.' The slightly taller man looked straight into Shikamaru's eyes and woke the competing part in him.

'My pleasure.' He almost hissed. 'So you are the guy I heard about…'

'Oh really?' He laughed. 'I am feeling flattered.'

'Not quite what I expected.' Shikamaru crossed his arms.

'What does that mean?' Toshiro turned more towards him and gently frowned.

'I thought you'd be older. In the end I've heard that you're quite wealthy.'

'Oh I don't see how my fortune has anything to do with me as a person.' He swiped back his black, silk like hair. 'Well, I thought that it usually takes quite some time to earn all of it…' Shikamaru rose a brow.

'Well, that's true that I didn't earn it myself, but inherited from my father, but I don't see why this makes you judge me.' He put a rather nice smile on. 'In the end you are a heir of a good fortune and great responsibility as the head of the Nara clan yourself, at least from what I know. Shikamaru Nara, only son of Shikaku Nara.'

'How come you are so well informed about me?' Shikamaru hissed, now not hiding his resentment and deeply regretted he was so badly informed about his enemy. This guy was everything Shikamaru was afraid he would be. Tall, handsome, smooth and as it seemed, pretty clever.

'Shikamaru…' Temari rolled her eyes. 'Toshiro is an Anbu. It's his job to know things about people.'

'And I like to be informed who my Temari spends her time with.' Toshiro smiled sweetly giving Shikamaru shivers.

'I am not "your" Temari.' The blonde hissed at him.

' Don't hit me.' He laughed. 'Can we go now? It's quite something for me to have a day off and I'd rather not lose it on some silly chit-chat. Sorry Shikamaru.' He winked at him.

'Was there something you wanted to tell me, cry-baby?' She looked at him, almost as if she hoped for him to say something, but Shika only shook his head and hid his hands in his pockets.

'I'll see you around Temari.'

'See you later Nara.' She smiled and they both headed outside the village.

'Fuck.' Shikamaru cursed under his breath and felt a presence behind his back.

'Shikamaru-san…I am sorry to bother you…I've waited for you to be done with this conversation but now…Gaara-sama is asking for you.' Matsuri was looking at him shy.

'Of course he is. Time's up, pretty damn fast.' Shikamaru stretched.

'Shikamaru-san…' Matsuri spoke not moving although he already started walking towards the Kazekage's office. 'I think she doesn't like him that way…'

'What way?' Shikamaru kicked up some dust.

'The way she likes you.'

'Yeah, I think she likes him way better.'