Disclaimer: I don't own anything
Shikamaru thanked his lucky star that he was alive. His bones were still intact. He physically was in one piece. Mentally he was still trying to recover but considering how things could have gone, this was a win. Shikamaru would wait until after the dinner to tell Temari about her brothers. He didn't want to make her any more nervous about meeting Jiraiya's wife.
Now he just had to make himself presentable.
After he found the will power to move.
His body felt like lead.
Shikamaru was able to find the energy to move when Gaara came out of the house sometime later and sprayed him with a hose.
More incentive to go home and jump in the shower.
Or maybe crawl into his tub and take a bath.
His legs were as strong as a jellyfish.
His shins still hurt.
But he could worry about that later! He had to prepare himself for his date. Hopefully his legs were fully functional by dinner time. The less attention he drew to himself the better. This night was about Temari.
"What are you wearing tonight? How fancy is the restaurant?"
But first Shikamaru needed more information about the dinner itself. Did he need to dust off his slacks and tie? Or would a polo and nice jeans be enough? Maybe he should shave….his stubble was starting to be noticeable.
Temari's response was quick.
"A dress. Dinner will be in a fairly nice restaurant." She sent a link for where they would be having dinner.
Slacks and his tie it was.
"What color is your dress?"
"Are you trying to match?"
"I thought girls liked that?" Shikamaru was happy he lived alone. No one was there to witness his embarrassment.
"You don't have to worry about that."
Shikamaru didn't have much of a wardrobe when it came to fancy outfits. The only reason he even owned ties was because of his mother. His father would laugh at him if he saw him. So black slacks matched with anything. He knew that much.
But what shirt would be best?
Shikamaru was currently in his bathroom, shirtless, trying to pick from his 3 nicest shirts. One was black, dark purple, and white.
If he wore white he might be mistaken for a waiter.
Black shirt with black pants might be a bit too much.
So purple?
Shikamaru shrugged. Purple it was.
He decided against the tie. He didn't want to fidget with it. Besides, ties were stupid.
Shikamaru was ready to go.
He headed out early to the restaurant. Shikamaru knew he wouldn't be waiting alone for long. Temari was sure to arrive early as well. Shikamaru stood by the entrance. He browsed through the menu in the meantime.
This place used fire on their desserts.
Neat.
"You really are my stalker aren't you?"
Shikamaru looked up from his phone. Temari was standing right in front of him.
In a purple dress.
She looked very amused.
Shikamaru put his phone away. He smiled. "Looks like the cameras I placed around your place finally came in handy."
Temari laughed.
"So that's how you get your kicks."
"Oh it's very fascinating watching your every move."
"Spoken like a true stalker."
"You look beautiful."
"You're looking sharp yourself."
Shikamaru tugged his collar. "I hate wearing this."
Temari swatted his hand away. "You'll wrinkle it."
"I doubt anyone would notice."
"Silk shirts like these it's very easy to spot."
"Speaking from experience?"
"I grew up with two brothers. Who do you think taught them how to dress?"
"I'm sure they hated that."
"Immensely."
"Great minds think alike! Look love! They are also matching."
"I have eyes Jiraiya. I can see that."
Temari and Shikamaru turned to see Jiraiya walking up to them with his wife.
"Temari so glad you could make it! Happy to see you have a date. Now! Tsunade my love, this is my new editor Temari. Temari, this is my darling wife Tsunade. Head doctor at Konoha General."
It seemed the author and doctor were matching in color as well. Their color of choice: dark red.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Tsunade shook Temari's hand. "I can finally put a face to the name."
"The pleasure is all mine. This is my date Shikamaru."
Shikamaru shook hands with both Jiraiya and Tsunade.
"Introductions have been said, let's go inside. I'm starving!"
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "I don't understand how you can work in a small space with him and not kill him."
Temari cracked a smile. "It's difficult sometimes."
"Hey! I'm a great coworker!"
Both ladies ignored him.
Tsunade linked arms with Temari and walked into the restaurant. Chatting away as they left the men behind. Jiraiya smacked Shikamaru on his back. Shikamaru grunted at the impact.
"We sure picked some fine women."
"Uh yea."
Both men followed the women into the restaurant. They were seated after verifying their reservation. Once at a table, they were given wine, and their menus. They browsed the menu and took occasional sips of the wine. Shikamaru didn't need much time to decide.
The waiter returned to take their orders. Afterwards the 2 couples were free to talk.
"So Temari how has your old workplace continued to function without you? Surely they're drowning." Tsunade started the conversation.
Temari shrugged. "I can't say. I haven't kept any tabs on the old place."
"What? Your saying none of your old contacts have reached out to you?"
"A few have."
"They like calling the office. A lot." Jiraiya commented.
Temari took a sip of wine to hide her red face. Shikamaru glanced at her. She hadn't mentioned that to him. Tsunade elbowed her husband.
"Stop being rude."
"They're just jealous I got her to work for my project before they had a chance to." Jiraiya rubbed his sore ribs.
"What about old coworkers?"
"Only one."
"That's because he also quit." Shikamaru spoke up.
"Sounds like you may upset the balance at their office." Tsunade chuckled.
"Possibly."
"You don't have to be so formal Temari. Trust me we're actually fun. Not like those soul sucking leeches you used to work for." Tsunade refilled her wine glass.
"Love this is just how she talks. I like her frankness."
"Until it comes to writing your chapters."
"Huh what chapters? I write?"
Both women gave him deadpanned looks. Shikamaru turned his head and coughed to hide his laughing.
"Temari just know that you have my full permission to throw him out a window. I know what kind of irritating idiot he can be."
"Noted. Thank you."
"Hey!"
This time Shikamaru did laugh.
Tsunade changed her target for her questions.
"How long have you known Temari?"
Shikamaru nearly choked on his spit. He wasn't expecting any attention.
"A long while now."
"Boyfriend?"
He froze. How was he supposed to answer that? He gulped. Suddenly the restaurant felt tiny and cramped.
Oh fuck.
"Uh-"
"Yes." Temari answered for him.
Shikamaru took a large gulp from his wine.
Tsunade laughed. She loved messing with others.
"Woah kid take it easy! We'll have to carry you home if you're not careful."
"I'm fine." Shikamaru managed to squeak out.
Luck was being kind that day. Their food arrived before Tsunade could torture him any further. They ate their meal and continued to have small talk. Once the food was gone they ordered some dessert.
Talk returned to Jiraiya's upcoming book.
"How did you get the idea of an adventure novel?" Shikamaru had asked.
"Funny enough I was sitting alone eating ramen. I was just eating, not a care in the world, and looked at my bowl. The idea just hit me!"
Both Temari and Shikamaru were stunned.
"Ramen? Really?"
Jiraiya grinned, "funny how inspiration can come from anywhere."
"Like bath houses."
Jiraiya laughed nervously. Very nervously. Shikamaru looked a bit confused. Temari quietly informed him what that meant. Shikamaru flushed red.
Oh god. This is who Temari was working for?
"Don't worry by boy. I don't go peeking at taken women."
That did not make him feel any better.
"Honestly sometimes I wonder why I married you." Tsunade shook her head.
"Because you love me?"
"No that's not it."
"I'm handsome!"
"No."
"I'm charming!"
"Definitely not that."
"I would be a poor fool if you didn't."
"Hmm maybe."
Shikamaru turned to Temari. "He's got an answer for everything."
"He likes to hear himself talk."
"Reminds me of a fox."
"A fox? How?"
Shikamaru shrugged. "Foxes are cunning. Sometimes deceptive. Cheshire grin."
Jiraiya and Temari made eye contact.
A fox….
Both hastily stood up.
"A fox! That's it!"
"We need to go."
Tsuande remained calm as both Jiraiya and Temari almost ran out of the restaurant. Shikamaru was very confused.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No. Inspiration hit like a car accident. Did you drive on your own?"
"Y-Yea."
"Good. Let me see your phone."
Shikamaru warily gave the busty woman his phone. She typed something down and returned it.
"Our home address. Meet us there."
Tsunade took the desserts to go and paid for dinner. Shikamaru tried to get his and Temari's covered but Tsunade ignored his attempt. He walked Tsunade to her car. Apparently Jiraiya took a ride in Temari's car.
Shikamaru's mind was still racing as he made the drive. His mind was going in circles. How did his small comment make them run away? When he arrived at Jiraiya and Tsunade's house he spotted Temari's car in their driveway. Tsunade was home as well.
Shikamaru knocked on the front door.
Tsunade let him, munching on her cheesecake.
"They're in the study. But we'll converse in the kitchen."
"Any reason why I'm here?" Shikamaru asked as he entered the house.
"I didn't want to be bored."
Shikamaru followed Tsunade into the kitchen. He took a seat at the table while Tsunade leaned against a counter. She gestured to the containers from the restaurant. "Grab your dessert." She continued to eat her cheesecake.
Shikamaru shuffled through the boxes before finding his box. Both adults silently ate their desserts. Shikamaru glanced around their home. It was very modest for a successful author and doctor.
"You're not really her boyfriend are you?"
Shikamaru shifted his eyes back to his host. Her honey colored eyes pierced his soul.
"Not exactly."
"Trying to win her back?"
"Trying."
A shout of glee was heard.
"Temari must have let him write in the water walking." Tsunade held a gentle smile on her lips.
"Do they do this often?"
"No. My husband runs from her. But when he gets writing, he bombards her. It's comical."
Shikamaru smiled.
"You must really love her."
"I do."
Tsunade changed the topic and asked more about Shikamaru's personal life. Shikamaru indulged the nosy woman. They ate their dessert and talked for hours. It turns out his father was well acquainted with the doctor. She even knew his mother.
Small world.
"In the old days we used deer antlers for medicine."
"I don't see how antlers have medical properties."
"Neither do rhinoceros horns or Elephant tusks yet people believe. Placebo effect is a hell of a thing."
"Anything to make one feel better."
Jiraiya and Temari soon joined their partners in the kitchen. They look tired but happy.
"How many chapters?" Tsunade asked.
"Not really chapters yet. We still have to figure that part out." Temari sighed.
"We got a lot done." Jiraiya beamed. He was very proud. "If I had to guess we're at the climax."
"You wrote that much?" Shikamaru was in awe
"You only had 5 chapters before. You're half way done now?" Tsunade was also impressed.
"How long have we've been gone?" Temari and Jiraiya looked at each other.
"That's not important. You two need sleep. You'll be very busy at the office." Tsunade waved away their question. Tsunade looked at Temari. "You have the difficult task of making sense of all his nonsense."
"It's brilliant work!" Jiraiya defended himself.
"It really is. I have very high hopes for this book." Temari supported his statement.
Jiraiya was practically beaming with pride. He squished Temari in a giant hug. She was not amused. Neither was Tsunade or Shikamaru.
"Unhand her you idiot. If you kill her you won't get the book out."
"But I love this woman! She understands my vision!" Jiraiya pouted.
"Let go. Now."
Jiraiya continued to pout but did as his wife asked.
"We should be going now." Shikamaru stood from his seat. Temari felt fatigued at this sudden burst of work. She agreed. Tsunade shooed her husband off to bed. She walked their guests out.
"Temari I want to thank you."
"What on earth for?"
"Jiraiya hasn't been this happy about a book in a long while. Thank you for bringing out his smile."
Temari couldn't form a response. She could only stare. Shikamaru thanked Tsunade for their hospitality. He guided Temari back to her car.
"I think she likes you."
"I haven't done anything."
"She's grateful. I could see what she was talking about."
Temari furrowed her brows. "Jiraiya is a talented author. That's a fact. I'm only bringing out what's already there."
"You're too modest. Give yourself some credit."
"I'll do that when the book does well."
Shikamaru pulled her into a hug.
"It's going to do great."
Temari awkwardly returned the hug. "Thank you."
Shikamaru figured this was the only good timing he had. "I spoke to your brothers today."
Temari pushed him back. She started frantically patting him down.
"What are you doing?" Shikamaru stared in confusion.
"You clearly have stitches somewhere. No way they leave you unharmed."
Shikamaru almost laughed out loud.
"I promise you I'm not hurt."
Temari eyed him warily.
"Ok my shins hurt a bit. But I have all my organs in place."
Temari searched his eyes for any lies. She did not see any.
"They still hate me. I expected that much. But we did reach an understanding. Things are….ok."
"R-Really?"
"Yes."
Temari hugged him. Hard. Both fell to the ground.
Shikamaru was getting too friendly with concrete. He didn't mind though. He would continue to fall onto hard pavement.
Only for her.
So uh hi guys. I did not mean to go a whole month with no chapter. My mini break really helped my mental health. Work is still kicking my ass. But the story is almost at a close. I would guess maybe 2 chapters left. Maybe 3. The point is, the end is near and I'm so glad I got back into writing. Thanks everyone for following this story! I promise not to take another month off haha
Thank you:
V