A/N: This chapter goes back more towards the original style of this story, which means no real dialogue and mostly inner Shikamaru-isms.

Another round of applause to all of those who reviewed, followed, and added to favorites. ^_^ I love reading all of your comments and reviews, they always make my day!

Dear Journal:

It's been a week since my talk with Temari, and since taking care of the stupid 'admirer' fiasco at last, I've finally been able to settle down to some semblance of normalcy.

Well, normal for me, anyway.

It took a little while to convince the others to back off and leave well enough alone, but of course they didn't.

I even had to find new and inventive places to hide my journal so they wouldn't read it and find out. So far it's worked for everyone but my Dad (whom I found laughing his ass off reading it yesterday).

Eventually, Temari really did tell Naruto and Kiba some story about a butcher that liked her, which led to a very...interesting confrontation in the market district in town.

There was a formal apology, and I think Lady Tsunade has had at least half of my friends (and Kankuro) working 'community service' down at the poor man's shop.

I'm told Gaara found the thought of a butcher attempting to court his sister laughable and left the guy alone, and simply assumes the 'real' admirer gave up on account of being terrified of him. Temari finds this hilarious.

I think Sai's probably the only one who worked it out for himself, but he hasn't said anything yet, and neither has Kakashi or Yamato (the latter probably at the former's bequest, but whatever). He also hasn't seemed too angry with me sicking Gaara on him, but then again he never actually saw the guy in his murderous mood, so that might be a contributing factor.

Dad grumbled about losing money on that stupid bet between the jonin and chunin, but I say it serves him right for betting against me.

Ah, right, but back to the reason I was writing to begin with.

Temari met me this afternoon to tell me that her brothers were going to be going back to Suna, and that she would be accompanying them.

In all that had been happening over the last week, I'd kind-of forgotten what Gaara and Kankuro had said about her leaving them and storming off here in what I now perceive was likely emotional blackmail on her part. There wasn't likely going to be a better time to bring it up, so I went ahead and mentioned it.

At first she was annoyed, but when I pointed out how gracious I was being about her ploy with the admirer, she caved.

I wasn't surprised to hear that she was indeed trying to prove a point. I was surprised to hear that the point wasn't only to her brothers, but to Mom.

Because Temari, the frightening kunochi of Suna, is terrified of my mother. That's right. My mother.

Apparently, Mom doesn't like her, and let the fact be known (in what Temari tells me was very serious and fear-inducing language) when Temari visited me in the hospital before.

It seems Mom blames her for what happened. Not that she's really wrong, but still.

How troublesome.

I'm going to have to talk to her now. NOT a conversation I'm looking forward to.

Still, I found it kind of funny. Of course Temari doesn't, but what can I say?

If I have to stay on my toes with her crazy over-protective brothers, then she can handle my angry over-protective mother.

Besides - and this is the most cheerful thought of all - it turns out Mom also met up with the Kazekage during his trip here.

She makes Gaara nervous.

I think I finally found my ace in the hole.

Happily yours,

Shikamaru

Dear Shikamaru,

Mama's boy.

- Your father

A/N: And that's that. ;) Hopefully this left a nice (and hopefully less dramatic, yet no less complicated) future for Shikamaru and his never-ending girlfriend problems.

I admit I originally intended this to be the last chapter, but while writing it I ended up having more than a little fun with what was supposed to at the bottom of this entry, and ended up making it into a whole other chapter. It could be considered a 'bonus chapter' of sorts, and I'll try to have it up within a week or so, as soon as I've found time to post it once I'm done editing it.

Thanks for reading! ^_^ Reviews are both loved and appreciated, as well as excellent reminders to get my butt in gear and update. ;)