Shizune sank into the chair near Tsunade's desk. She would rather it have been her own bed, but she had finally gotten Tsunade to do some paperwork in the last few hours and
she be damned if she would lose this opportunity. Still, the day had been long and her feet were way beyond swollen. Taking a deep breath, she struck up a conversation with
Tsunade.
"Lady Hokage?"
Tsunade glanced up to acknowledge her question.
"About Shikamaru and Temari, how is them being married for two weeks going to bring long-term peace between the Sand and Leaf Villages?" Shizune knew about the will and
plot behind the wedding, but she couldn't understand the short time provision. Placing her pen to the side, thankful for the break, Tsunade looked at Shizune and asked. "Isn't it
obvious?"
Confused Shizune asked, "No, what do you mean?"
"Once those two are married, they're stuck with each other. The Kazekage and I decided it was in the interest of both villages to keep that part of the agreement from them."
Leaning back in her chair she surveyed the many papers on her desk and decided it could wait till morning. Rising she signaled Shizune to the door and they left the building.
The past couple of days had gone by relatively uneventful, mostly because Shikamaru and Temari did not see each other. Shikamaru was off on a small mission outside the
village, and Temari had spent her free days trying to understand the environment in which she was moving. She wanted to know how life flowed here, what was considered a
normal day, and who went where and did what in the village. Today she had hiked to the top of the past Hokage's cliff faces, there was nothing like this in the sand, but then
again there weren't any mountains. She really couldn't compare the two. The air here, she found was much more humid, when applying her usual balm, her skin had become
thick and clammy. Temari had also evaluated Shikamaru and decided that she would put in more effort to try to understand him. She would act as a guest should in the home of
another. Temari would have to give him his bed back, remove all those silly decorations, and lastly be more cordial, after all neither of them chose to be in this situation. He was
more than likely just as shocked as she was. With those decisions she had re-evaluated the times she'd had with Shikamaru. All the times he had escorted her around the village,
the Chunin Exams, and how they had collaborated when necessary. As far as she was concerned this marriage could work, after all they were not enemies and she was a firm
believer that marriages weren't based solely off of love, although it was a beneficial bonding agent. In her eyes, it was a two pieces, the first being partnership, an agreement to
always be there, to support. The second is to challenge to keep the other moving forward, giving them new angles and arguments. Love was extra motivation, the reason to
support and push. Temari was sure that she and Shikamaru could work out such a situation. Around sunset, Temari had seen enough of the village today and was ready to turn
in. By the time Temari got back to the apartment she was drained, but relaxed. She restored his house to its original blandness and she had decided to go to the hot springs. Her
body had developed a new type of ache, the kind you get in the thigh and calf. When the water had pulled away the last pieces of tension she had decided to return to the
apartment. Unlocking the door and pushing it open Temari was surprised to find Shikamaru sleeping on the couch.
Shikamaru was awake. To be honest he hadn't been sleeping, just too lazy to lift his lids. He had expected more of Temari's surprises when he had returned to town, but was
shocked that his house had been set back in order. He could almost forget that she was in his house, with the exception of the giant glaring fan in the corner. When she had let
herself in and poked him, he hadn't wanted to waste the energy opening his eyes or moving. He had chosen to stay "asleep", and wait until she was safely in the bedroom.
Turning on the light and walking over to the couch Temari poked Shikamaru. When he didn't respond, Temari spoke, "Shikamaru!" Every muscle in his body protested moving,
but he rose up to a sitting position. With half open lids, he looked at the troublesome woman. Having gotten his partial attention she began
"I apologize for waking you, but what I have to say cannot wait until tomorrow." When he made no move to speak she continued. "I realize that situation is as shocking to you as
it is to me, I feel that we must work together in this if we are to succeed. You and I are friends," At Shikamaru's raised eyebrow, she added, "of sorts. I have come to the
conclusion that our relationship should not change because we are to be married. With that being said I will act accordingly, starting with you getting your room and home back."
With a sigh Temari said, "I don't know what came over me, it's not like you would be excited to be married to me."
"Temari…" Shikamaru started and stopped. She looked at him with interest, her head slightly inclined . What was he supposed to say, that he had been to some extent happy
that she was his chosen bride, he had always wanted to get to know her more. There was no way in hell he was saying that. Temari would think he was either a) creepy or b)
some sap. Liking neither options he said, "we'll switch rooms tomorrow I'm already comfortable here." Resuming his former position he shut his eyes. When she had turned off
the light and went into the bedroom, Shikamaru opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. He had never thought of Temari romantically, or in any case more than an
acquaintance. Why were these thoughts making themselves known now all of a sudden? But he knew the answer. Because she had constantly seemed off limits and out of his
reach. Now that there was a true chance to make something out of their relationship, his mindset was changing. Her little speech tonight had not helped to lessen those surfacing
feelings. Sighing, he had to acknowledge Ino's comment earlier in the week about him hanging on to this one. Truthfully none of the other girls in his village had ever caught his
eye. He also had to accept the fact that he was not opposed to courting Temari. Since denial took too much energy, he would have to openly court her. Shikamaru's advantage
was that she would think he was putting on a show for Tsunade. With that weight off his mind he got back to the business of sleeping.