"I can stop anytime I want to." My intention was never to purposely write a fluffy story because neither Shikamaru nor Temari appear to be purposely fluffy people. It's more about depicting the type of relationship I could see them having and all the things that come with it. Watch them grapple with reality and either sink or swim. Popular or not, it's all mine. I don't own Naruto.

Summary: It isn't the gift that matters. It's the thought behind it.

**Spoilers for Season 6 Finale!*** A look at the days following the fateful events of the finale. What state is Jax in? Will he live up to the promises he made for his family? Will he find out who was behind the life-changing events? Story continued in "One Step".

And then he realizes that he may never again see this girl, this fascinating woman who's simultaneously changing his opinion about all kunoichi as well as rapidly finding her way through the maze of walls that he's strategically placed around his heart. - Set in Shippuden right after Asuma's death. ShikaXTema Pairing

AU: Temari is persuaded to see a psychologist to help her cope with her brothers, her peers, and her past. Shikamaru handles his grief poorly and is forced into counselling. With good old doctor/patient confidentiality, neither has to know that the other is a different kind of messed up. T for language

Temari is troublesome at the best of times...but for the doctor treating her, it really isn't very safe. That's where Shikamaru comes in. "Does she need to be held down, doctor?" ShikaTema

"The symphony of reverberations seamlessly morphs into an atrocious melody; one of sorrow and anguish, it's jagged sounds saturating the now barren landscape with a ominous quality" Through all that, a promise was made on the battlefield. Will it be kept?

Summary: I don't want to watch Temari's back for the rest of the journey.

Shikamaru and Temari have been through so much together, know so much about each other but they've never actually known what goes on inside the others brilliant mind. They set out on another mundane mission, but this time, is it possible someone speaks their mind? ShikaTema 3 Oneshot. Read and Review :)

Temari is probably the only girl her age without piercings but someone is going to change that. The good stuff's at the back. Originally meant to be a one-shot but I got carried away (I tried). ShikaTema. Please excuse the occasional OOC-ness.

Shikamaru stares blankly at the letter that he found shoved under his front door. Throwing it carelessly on the floor, he numbly walks out of his room. Cloud watching. He needs to spend a good six hours cloud watching, screw work. That and a smoke.

There weren't many things that phased the Wind Witch of Sunagakure. 25-1 odds? Meh. Red-headed chicks that are in an alliance with a pedo half-snake dude who also happened to give said red-head creepier powers? Yawn. But this. This was something else entirely.

Rukia never knew that she would one day follow in her sister's footsteps. IchiRuki

One Shot/Song Fic. Jacob tries and does everything in his power to get Bella to stay but she's determined to marry Edward. Can he convince her to stay, even if it's for one night? A Jacob Black Story. Please Enjoy:)

A sinister presence that is linked to the Akatsuki begins to stir unrest in Suna. Shikamaru is chosen by both nations to lead a team to aid their allies. However, when their plan involves sending a certain Sand kunoichi into the heart of the enemy ranks, will both shinobi be able to reconcile their emotions before it's too late? ShikaTema Spoilers through Hidan/Kakuzu Arc

One Shot. Have you ever missed or loved someone that you can't have because of fear; Because you are running away from what your heart wants? Fiona writes her letter to Imogen, fifteen years later.

Summary: Just Shikamaru strategizing to get away from danger.

Just a little drabble in which Shikamaru discovers surprising new perks to playing dead.

She's gone. I know that she is. And I'm not trying to fool myself. I know she's dead. But... I can see her, I can touch her, I can feel her. And I don't want it to go away... I don't want to forget. ShikaTema. Rated M. Dark/Tragedy

There is an old saying in the Nara family: Don't walk with the shadows for too long, or you'll become one.