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Shikamaru was not sure what prompted Temari to kiss him at that moment. Before he could react, Temari pulled away.
"That wasn't appropriate."
"Huh?"
"Anyone could walk in at any moment. This is not a reputation I want to have."
Shikamaru regained the use of his brain.
"Using your boss's empty office to make out with strangers?"
"Exactly."
Shikamaru was just glad it wasn't something he did. Or in the case of the kiss, what he didn't do. Temari seemed otherwise normal to him.
"I should head out then."
Temari frowned. "I didn't say you had to leave. I doubt Jiraiya is making an appearance today."
"It's not that. I have to take care of some errands today."
"I see."
"Don't worry we'll meet up for dinner."
"We are?" Temari was genuinely confused.
"Are you busy? Sorry I shouldn't have assumed." Shikamaru tried to hide the disappointment in his voice.
"I have dinner plans with Jiraiya and his wife tonight."
"Is this a special occasion?"
"Tsunade wants to meet me properly. No doubt Jiraiya is exaggerating about my skills."
"I doubt he's far from the truth."
"Would you like to accompany me tonight?"
Both adults flushed at the question.
"L-Like a date?"
"I suppose you could call it that."
"Yes!"
Both adults slightly jumped at Shikamaru's outburst.
"Er I mean," Shikamaru coughed to control his emotions. "I would love to go."
"Good. I'll text you the address. We can meet there at 8pm."
Shikamaru was disappointed they wouldn't leave together for dinner but he understood. He didn't want to push his luck. In a bold move, Shikamaru kisses Temari goodbye and runs out of the office. Temari was left stunned behind the desk.
Shikamaru never liked physical activity. But in that moment he had to separate himself from her. If he didn't, then he wouldn't have the strength to do what he had planned. Confront Temari's brothers.
He was very aware they could kill him this time. That didn't bother him. Temari showed him that she still had feelings for him. If the kiss wasn't proof enough, then the dinner date was the nail in the coffin. If Temari didn't want to work something out, she wouldn't have mentioned dinner. Or at the very least she wouldn't have invited him.
He needed to patch things up with her brothers. Even if they never speak to him again, he needed to make the effort. He wanted to show her brothers that he's remorseful for what he did. Show them that he loves Temari. He needs to be with her.
If they still don't accept him, he could live with that. So long as he gets to keep Temari in his life. If Temari found out what he was going to do, she would tie him up. This was something he needed to do. Not just for Temari but for himself.
He is a man after all.
Shikamaru figured the only way to save his body from bodily harm was to go to Gaara and Kankuro houses directly. Surely they wouldn't beat him black and blue with children around? Right?
He had to make that gamble.
Seeing how Shikamaru didn't know where Kankuro or Gaara lived he went with option B.
Asking Tenten for help. He sent her a text message.
"I know you don't want to hear from me but I need your help. Could you tell me where Kankuro and Gaara live?"
He was not mentally prepared for Tenten calling him.
"Why should I help you?"
"Because I'm an idiot."
"I wouldn't use that word."
"You would use more colorful words."
"Yup! So I'll ask again, why should I help you?"
"Because I love Temari. I need to make this right by apologizing to her brothers. I can't make another attempt to get her back in my life until I do this."
Tenten stayed silent.
"You do know Gaara might actually take out your kidney this time."
"I'm kinda hoping his murderous rage has calmed down some."
Tenten laughed loudly. "Fat chance dude. If anything it's gotten worse. Temari still isn't talking to them. They blame you obviously."
"Of course."
"I pity and admire your stupidity right now."
"Thanks."
"If I don't hear back from you in an hour I'll assume they killed you. Just know Temari will be sad if that happens."
"I don't plan on dying."
"Plans don't always work out how we want them too."
"Touché."
Tenten ended the phone call. She sent a text message with both brother's home addresses. Followed by another message that read "I still don't like you but this is for Temari". Shikamaru thanked her and set out to make amends.
He chose the lesser of two evils first.
He visited Kankuro's home.
Arriving Shikamaru was sweating bullets. He took some time to calm his nerves. He took a lot of deep breaths. Mentally went over what he would say. When he felt he was ready, he stepped out of his car. His legs felt like they couldn't support his weight.
Reaching the door, Shikamaru braced for impact. He rang the doorbell.
He could hear excited giggles of Izumi asking who was at the door.
Kankuro's face fell when he opened the door.
"What do you want?"
Shikamaru gulped. "I-I came to speak to you."
Izumi squeezed her way in front of her dad.
"Hi Silly Man! Where have you been?"
"Izumi sweetie please go watch tv. This is grown up talk."
"I don't wanna!" She wrapped her arms around Shikamaru's leg. She squeezed tightly like a leech sucking blood.
Shikamaru would have been touched if it weren't for Kankuro's worsening scowl.
"Hey kiddo, I really need to talk with your dad. Maybe next time I can take you guys to an arcade."
"Promise?" Izumi pouted up at him.
"Izumi, inside. Now." Kankuro's tone firm.
Shikamaru patted her gently on the head. Izumi looked between both adults. Sensing her father's bad mood, Izumi went inside. She waved goodbye to Shikamaru.
"Do not make promises to my daughter that you cannot keep." Kankuro snapped once Izumi was out of earshot.
"I am a man of my word."
"Ha! The fuck you are."
"Look I came here-"
"I don't give a single shit why you came. Ring my doorbell again and we will have problems."
"I'm sorry!" Shikamaru blurted out before Kankuro could shut his door.
That small sentence was enough to stop Kankuro in his tracks.
"I don't expect forgiveness from you. I don't even deserve Temari's forgiveness. But I love her. She, for some strange reason, likes me back. I can't say for sure where our relationship will go...I just know that I can't lose her again."
"Is that supposed to make my heart feel fuzzy?"
"No. It just means if I'm going to be back in Temari's life, I want to make an attempt to close the gap."
"The gap is a fucking crater."
"As it should be."
Kankuro studied Shikamaru for a moment. "You're weird as shit."
"Not the first time I've heard that."
"Is your stupid ass gonna try and talk with Gaara?"
"Yes."
"Are you trying to die? I thought you wanted to be with Temari?"
"I do."
"Then why in god's name are you trying to lose your head? Trust me Shukaku, it's better for Temari and him to talk things through. You'll just end up in the hospital."
"I have to do this."
"You are out of your goddamn mind."
"Thanks to your sister. I mean that in a good way."
"Nah she's crazy too."
"Look Kankuro, I'm not good with this kind of stuff." Shikamaru shuffled his feet awkwardly. "If Temari does take me back...I just want us to be able to have small talk. Stand in the same room without causing Temari any pain."
"What if I wanted to make you my slave for me to agree?"
"With reasonable demands we could make something work."
Kankuro started laughing.
"You poor bastard. You fell fucking hard."
Shikamaru blushed. He mumbled "well I love her."
"Do whatever you want. I don't give a shit anymore."
Shikamaru was stunned.
"T-That's it?"
"Whatever gets Temari talking to me again. I don't like being yelled at by her but it's better than the silent treatment. Tell her we're good and if she talks to me again, we won't have problems."
"You could have said something."
"What?"
"About Temari talking to you. If you mentioned that earlier, I could have saved myself some embarrassment."
"That's no fun Shukaku."
"My name-"
"Is Shukaku."
"Uh sure."
"Good. Now get the fuck off my property."
Kankuro shut his door.
Shikamaru felt good about his talk with Kankuro. He needed the small boost of confidence before making his way to the lion's den. His drive to Gaara's house was much more tense. Shikamaru was no fool. He knew Kankuro had sent word to Gaara about his visit. There is a good chance Gaara is sharpening a knife to gut him.
His knees felt like jelly.
He needed much more time to calm his nerves.
He stared into his car mirror to practice his speech.
He was stuttering.
He felt light headed.
He was pretty sure sweat was pooling at the bottom of his shoes.
Was he having a heart attack? His heart felt ready to leap out his chest.
A tap on his window caused Shikamaru to jump in his seat and shout in fear. Shikamaru was pretty sure his soul just left his body.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you."
Shikamaru was never more relieved to see Matsuri in his life. He stepped out of his car.
"N-No it's ok. I must look suspicious just sitting in my car. Talking to myself. I promise I'm not doing anything weird."
Matsuri chuckled. "Don't worry about that. I know why you're here."
Shikamaru tensed. "Is he home?"
"Yes. But he's not in the best mood."
"Is it because Temari isn't talking to him?"
"Mostly that but also some feelings of guilt."
"Is this an ok time? I don't want to impose."
"There won't be a right time for something like this."
Shikamaru sighed. "I know."
Matsuri smiled gently. "For what it's worth, I've forgiven you."
Shikamaru swallowed a lump in his throat. "Thank you."
Matsuri gestured to Shikamaru to follow her. He did. He felt faint again.
Matsuri entered her home but Shikamaru remained outside by the doorway.
"Please come in."
"I would rather talk outside."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded.
Matsuri went to retrieve Gaara. Shikamaru tried to swallow another lump in his throat. When that didn't work he cleared his throat. When that didn't work he coughed a bit. When that didn't-
"If you spit I will kick you."
Shikamaru began to choke on his saliva.
Gaara stepped out of his home and shut the front door. Once Shikamaru regained the ability to breath, he spoke.
"I came-"
"I don't care why you came. Get the fuck away from my house and family."
Well he should have expected that type of response.
"Just hear me out-"
"Fuck you, you cowardice snake."
That hurt him.
"I'm-"
"Don't you dare apologize to me. I don't want it."
"I'm still sorry."
Gaara clenched his teeth.
"Leave. Now."
"Nothing I say will make any of this right."
"Then fucking go home."
"I love her."
That was the absolute worst thing to say. Gaara got a wild look in his eyes. He tackled Shikamaru.
Shikamaru groaned at the hard impact his back made with the ground. Surely another bruise would be forming. He shut his eyes and his entire body tensed up. He tried to mentally prepare for the beating coming his way.
It never did.
He just felt Gaara's weight and shaking. A lot of shaking.
After his initial fear, Shikamaru eased his eyes open. Gaara was still on top of him. His breathing ragged. He was shaking hard.
"You do not hurt the ones you love."
"I never wanted to hurt her."
"But you did!"
"I was going to tell her everything. I swear. My feelings for her are true!"
Gaara remained silent. His heavy breathing was the only sound between the two of them.
"I just want Temari to be happy."
Gaara punched the space next to Shikamaru's head. Shikamaru flinched at the closeness.
"I will never forgive you for hurting her."
"I don't expect you to. I just want us to be in the same space and not cause her pain."
Gaara grabbed a fist full of Shikamaru's shirt. He pulled him up. Hard.
Nose to nose.
"If you make her cry again, I will kill you."
"C-Could you make sure I've given my parents a grandkid? Before killing me?"
Ultimate death glare.
"N-Nevermind."
Gaara released his tight grip. Shikamaru plopped back down with an 'oof'.
"I'm doing this for my sister. Not for your pathetic excuse of an apology."
"You didn't want my apology."
Gaara had gotten off Shikamaru and stood up. He kicked Shikamaru's shin for that comment.
"I'm sorry."
"Shut up."
Shikamaru sat up and nursed his aching shin. Hissing in pain. That too would leave a bruise.
"You're an idiot."
"I know."
"I expect a very nice dinner at the best restaurant in town."
Shikamaru looked up at Gaara in confusion. "Why?"
"I will be treating my wife for date night. On your dime. You will babysit my children."
"Um ok?"
"Anything my children ask for on that night, you will buy them."
"What if they want a pony?"
A swift kick to his other shin.
Shikamaru cried.
"You are not just dating my sister. You date the family. We are a package deal."
"I'm ok with that." Shikamaru held tears in his eyes as he cradled his other shin. He was going to be a walking bruise.
"Good. Now, get the fuck off my property."
Gaara slammed his door shut.
Shikamaru collapsed back onto the ground. At least he was still alive.
I had a burst of inspiration out of nowhere. Neat! This will be my last update for the next week or so. I will be taking some time off work. I haven't really taken a break since this whole pandemic started. Wanted to write one more chapter before I leave you guys haha. Thank you everyone for your kind words! We're almost to 200 reviews! That's crazy! I really appreciate you guys for taking the time to read my silly ideas.
Thank you:
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