Wanted to mention something before starting the chapter. I hadn't realized that the site was having some issues (not being able to see reviews). I got email notifications but assumed they posted on the site too. They did not. So I actually didn't see a few reviews for Chapter 8 before posting Chapter 9. Since not everyone is a member of the site and I'm thanking the guest reviews at the end of the chapters I missed one. So Guest who reviewed Chapter 8, I did not ignore you, I did not see your review! It's not a secret, my grammar is crap XD. I invite you to read (if you haven't already) my much older stories and cringe lol. But I do have to say I have improved A LOT since I first started posting back in 2012. Ok mini announcement over. Onward to the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything
Temari was not a coward. She was strong, confident, and a proud person.
Until it came down to emotions. Real emotions. Then she turned into a turtle. Hiding in her shell so no one would get close. She failed when she first met Tenten. Now she was her closest friend. Her family is an obvious exception. Now Temari found herself failing with Shikamaru also.
He had a weird way of worming himself into her life. She still didn't think their meeting was a coincidence but he also hadn't lied to her. She may hide some information about her personal life but Shikamaru for the most part was an open book.
It was scary for her.
Both Temari and Tenten took Gecko for her morning walk. Tenten had stayed the night to make sure Temari really was ok to go back to work. She had told Temari if she didn't look better she was gonna call in sick for her. Temari believed her. After her disaster of a meeting Temari thought she could push Shikamaru away again. She was not prepared for his bold actions the following day.
After the nice morning walk Temari headed into work. Her employees were stunned to find out she was arriving at the office at the same time as them. No one commented but everyone shared a look that said 'what the hell?'. Was the boss sick? She was never 'on time'.
Temari ignored them all. She also had not turned on her phone until she sat down at her desk. Her phone was off for practically 24 hours. She ignored every notification that wasn't work related. She put her phone on silent and continued her normal work day.
No one said anything. Everyone on floor 6 continued their normal day.
Lunchtime rolled around with no problems. Temari still hadn't come out of her office. She was in an email war with her bosses head assissent. Temari didn't blame the poor man for his awkward position. He was merely playing messenger between her and the old bats.
After a frustrating hour Temari's bosses informed her the project deadline was extended. By three days.
Temari angrily closed her email. No doubt they were showing her this 'kindness' after the meeting yesterday. They did this tactic often. Beat her down with words and threats only to show some act of 'niceness' to keep her from leaving.
Bastards.
Temari sighed. She would worry about her bosses another time. A more important matter was at hand. What should she have for lunch? As Temari opened a web page for restaurants near her, a knock interrupted her searching.
"Yes?"
Naruto poked his head in. "Receptionist called. She says you have a visitor waiting in the lobby."
"Just send them up."
Naruto closed the door and went to do just that. Temari didn't think anything of it. Her brothers were known to visit her from time to time. Usually they send a message to give her a heads up. Maybe it was something about the children?
Now Temari was worried something was wrong. She grabbed her phone and began to look through her messages. Oddly enough none were from her brothers. At least no message mentioned a visit.
Until she got to Shikamaru's messages.
The man had sent her a mountain of messages from last night. She also had quite a few missed calls from him. It seemed her canceling their lunch date really worried him. One message, that he sent from earlier that morning, jumped out at her.
"We will be having lunch today."
Did that mean…
Temari shot out of her chair. She walked briskly out of her office and toward the elevator. She caught it just in time. The doors just opened and one leg stretched out to make a step out of the elevator.
Temari in her haste thrust her hand out to push him back in. In doing so, she might have hit his face. More specially his nose.
Once both were inside Temari quickly smashed the 'close door' button.
"Damn it woman!"
The doors closed. Temari let out a sigh of relief. He wasn't able to come out of the elevator. No one saw him. Good. Her reputation is still intact.
"I'm happy to see you're alive."
Temari finally turned around. Shikamaru stood there rubbing his nose, hand holding some bags of takeout.
"Are you insane?"
"You didn't answer any of my messages. Your phone has been off! What else was I supposed to do?"
Temari was touched at his concern. She didn't stop to think about his feelings. In all honesty she put anyone and everything in the back of her mind when she was at work. Yesterday was just an emotionally draining day, she didn't think about anyone else.
Maybe she should have sent him a message that she was fine. She almost went a full day without talking to him. Before their first 'fight' they had talked everyday with no exception. She could understand where he was coming from.
Another heavy sigh. Temari was not a woman known to do this.
"I'm sorry."
Judging by Shikamaru's dumbfounded expression, Temari knew he didn't expect that to come out of her mouth.
"I was worried."
"I know."
"I mean you cancel lunch. Ok fine. Work meetings dragged on. But then you didn't say anything after that. When you didn't answer the phone I got concerned."
"I rather not talk about that."
"Are you sure you're ok?"
Arriving back on the ground level, they stepped off the elevator. Temari was not going to have this conversation out in the open. They needed somewhere private.
That's how they ended up sitting in her car eating sandwiches.
"I assure you I'm fine."
Of course Shikamaru didn't believe her. He was mid chew so he couldn't express himself with words but his face was enough.
"I was not alone if that's what you're asking."
It wasn't but now he needed more details.
"Where you with your brothers?"
"No."
Silence.
"Uh who were you with?"
"A friend."
More silence.
"A girlfriend?"
Temari gave him a funny look. "Yes."
"How am I supposed to know? You're not expressing yourself again!"
Not how she pictured her lunch to go. Her day for the most part was going well. She just wanted a quiet lunch. Damn her inability to express herself!
"Look I don't like talking about work."
"I mean you can complain to me about work. I am your boyfriend."
Temari almost dropped her sandwich. Her what?
Shikamaru didn't see the big deal. Geez didn't most girls complain to their boyfriends about this kind of stuff? Why couldn't she see that he was there for her?
"I'm sorry, your what?"
"You heard me. No use in repeating myself." Shikamaru took another bite of his sandwich.
"W-When was this decided?"
Shikamaru shrugged. "Natural progression of a relationship."
Temari flushed red. She was not aware of this development.
"So your fine with having sex me but can't call me your boyfriend? This should be the easy part."
No it was not!
"Who else have you told about this?" Temari was afraid to hear the answer to that.
"Just my boss."
Ok that wasn't bad.
"My parents too."
The way he said it was so nonchalant. Temari wanted to hit his face again!
"Why?"
"I don't see the harm. We've been talking for months now and going on dates. We are dating."
Temari could already see Tenten laughing at her. She could hear what Tenten would say. Tenten was going to absolutely love this news.
"Temari I really like you. Please stop trying to push me away."
Pure sincerity in his voice had Temari's heart fluttering. This only happened when he was around. Maybe she was sick. She should make a doctors appointment.
"If the title makes you that uncomfortable then I won't use it."
He was always trying to please her.
"I-It's fine."
"Are you sure?"
Temari refused to make eye contact. She knew her face could rival Hinata's at that moment.
"Shikamaru it's fine. It doesn't bother me."
"That's good. But I'd believe you more if you look me in the eyes."
He really knew how to push her buttons.
She turned in her seat to look him straight in the eyes.
"It's fine-"
A kiss interrupted her heated response.
"How much longer do you have for lunch?"
In a daze Temari glanced at the time on her phone.
"About 20 minutes."
"Perfect."
A very heated make out session ensued for the last half of her lunch. Not that she was complaining or anything. Shikamaru certainly wasn't upset. They went their separate ways after her lunch.
Temari took a moment to compose herself before she entered the elevator. She didn't need her employees knowing she was in a good mood. They would ask ridiculous favors. But maybe she would show a little kindness. It was Wednesday, middle of the week, it would serve as a small reward.
Arriving on the 6th floor Temari stepped out and stood where everyone could hear her.
"Once you finish your work for the day you may go home."
Absolute stunned silence.
"That doesn't mean you can half ass the work. I still expect the same quality as normal." With that final sentence Temari returned to her office. She smirked to herself once she shut the door. She could hear her employees causing a fuss at her announcement.
It was really fun messing with them.
Temari stayed in her office a little longer to respond to some emails. Once she saw the clock read 2:35pm she called it a day. Today seemed like a nice day to hangout with Tenten. Grabbing her belongings, Temari stepped out of her office and into the elevator. She could hear the mouths of her employees hit the floor as she left for the day early.
The first time she took the day off early was for Gecko's surgery. No one batted an eye. She let the floor know she would be in the office only a few hours. But today? No warning. Letting them off early if they could finish their work. What. The. Holy. Hell?
Shikamaru found his phone blowing up. Taking a look it was the group chat. What was wrong now?
"Dude I think she's cheating on you." Kiba
Shikamaru almost had a heart attack when he saw that message. Why would he think that?
"She went out for lunch! In a hurry! Her speed was most impressive!" Lee
"She came back and let us off early!" Sakura
"She has left the building!" Ino
"Maybe she had an appointment?" Hinata
"Doubtful. I'm with Kiba. She's seeing someone else." Sasuke
Naruto's message was just a bunch of random letters in a long sentence.
Shikamaru just laughed to himself. He felt smug knowing she left her in a gracious mood.
"Guys relax. I saw her for lunch."
With that he muted the group chat and put his phone down. He would let his friends lose their minds. A small payback for all the screaming they did last time. So she left work early. Shikamaru wondered if that meant he could see her again. Would that be too clingy?
He decided to ask her anyway.
"Heard you left work early. Can we see each other again?"
Her response was quick.
"Spending a little time with a friend. I can meet you for dinner."
Alright so his semi clingy nature wasn't scaring her away.
"Cool! Just let me know what time and where."
"Talk to you soon."
Shikamaru did what any normal guy would do in preparation for a date. He played video games and took a nap. Afterwards he took a shower and put on his pajama pants. He still hadn't heard back from Temari so he didn't know whether to dress up or down.
He wasn't worried. It would take him 5 minutes to get dressed once she called. He just didn't know what to do in the meantime. Should he play more video games? Watch some TV? Clean up his apartment?
He went with watching some TV.
Shikamaru was in the middle of murder series when he doorbell rang.
Not expecting any company, Shikamaru prayed it wasn't his friends. Last time they were here it did not end well for him. Were they getting back at him for ignoring them all day? Why did they always seem to catch him half naked? Maybe he should move...
He opened his front door and braced for impact.
"Why do you look like you're in pain?"
Shikamaru almost laughed in relief. Not his friends!
"I appreciate the view."
"Thanks," Shikamaru blushed a bit. "I kinda thought it was my friends. I didn't expect to see you here." He stepped aside to let her in.
"See this as a continuation of my apology."
"I like your apologies."
Temari smiled. She took a seat on his couch. "So what's for dinner?"
Sneaky woman.
Shikamaru walked out of his living room and into his kitchen. His apartment wasn't very big, by choice. He opened his fridge. He secretly thanked his mother for forcing him to learn cooking.
"Do you like vegetable stir fry?"
"You are the chief. I will eat whatever you prepare."
"Get comfy I'll let you know when it's ready."
"Done."
Shikamaru chuckled.
As he busied himself with cooking, he still talked, made small talk. A nice perk to a small living space. He didn't have to shout and she was within eyesight.
"What made you decide to have a short day?"
"To annoy my bosses."
Shikamaru knew to ask no more questions about that subject. He moved onto something safer.
"You think the best friend killed him?"
"No. Easy to frame though."
"Who do you think did it?"
"Torn between his mother and the pool boy."
She came to the same conclusion as he did.
"Maybe they did it together."
"Would make for a more interesting story."
They continued to talk as Shikamaru prepared their dinner. Once the food was done he placed their portions onto his best looking plates. Served with cold beer their dinner smelled and looked delicious.
Temari certainly held no complaints after the first bite. She drove in. She didn't eat home cooked meals often. Shikamaru ate his meal at a more leisure place. Watching a murder show, speculating who the murderer was, and eating good food with his woman. Shikamaru couldn't ask for a better night.
Well one thing could make it better.
"You should stay the night."
"I would have to go out my way to get ready for work tomorrow."
Shikamaru began to clear away their mess. Temari assisted.
"You could leave some of your stuff here. For next time."
"Bold assumption there would be a next time."
"So you're saying there is a this time."
Temari shook her head. Her lips curving a tiny bit in a very small smile. Shikamaru didn't wait for her response. He went in for the kill.
"Just see it as an extension of your apology."
"Oh? Using my words against me now."
"It's just a thought."
Dishes were cleaned and put away. Trash thrown away and the beer bottles put in the recycling. The couple returned to the couch to continue watching the murder series. No more comments were made about the sleepover. As the night dragged on, Shikamaru was a bit worried he was forcing her to stay longer than she should.
"Hey do you want to turn in? It's late."
"Past your bedtime?" Temari teased.
"Don't you mean your bedtime?"
Temari laughed. "This would be an early night for me."
"Do you sleep?"
"5 hours on a good day."
"How do you function?" He couldn't imagine sleeping so little. Sleeping was basically a hobby for him.
"Some days are better than others." She made no move to stand up, much less leave his apartment. A small flicker of hope filled his chest.
"So you're staying?"
"You asked me to."
"I didn't think you would…"
"I can leave." Temari poked his chest.
Shikamaru grabbed her hand. "Too late. You've already said yes."
Temari didn't argue as she was taken to the bedroom. Sneaky woman indeed.
Sad news guys. It's happened. I've hit writer's block. The last bit of this chapter took me forever to get out. *cries* I give myself credit for going this long with strong/good motivation. *sigh* Well I'll try my best to eat the next chapter out soon but I make no promises. Thank you to everyone for reading! Let me know your thoughts!
Thank you:
Guest