A/N: Ah, I looked ahead to what I'm going to post this week, and it just seemed to mean to leave the story where it would have ended up if I only updated three times this week, and then with a 1.5 week break. So, I'm going to post this extra chapter today, and that way you won't be left in the middle of something. Of course, the definitive Shikamaru/Temari chapter will be the first one posted when I get back.

Gah, I'm getting to be a softie in my old age.

As for the upcoming wedding (which also won't be posted until I get back), Temari will end up going. Hopefully you all aren't disappointed in how it goes. But we have a few other things to get out of the way before we get to that...

Hope you enjoy!

Shikamaru reported for duty early the next morning, milling around the waiting room with the other jounin. Some played cards, some read, some just sat around talking. He went straight to a corner, scanning the room for familiar faces. After a moment he decided that it would be too much effort to actually find someone to talk to, so he rested his head against the wall and dozed. He had been working on developing a talent for falling asleep instantly anywhere, along with a talent for waking up immediately. The second part of the technique had been far more difficult to master. "Nara Shikamaru," the loudspeaker blared, and he pushed himself away from the wall, walking towards the assignment desk. "Hyuuga Hinata."

He arrived at the desk the same time as the petite woman, nodding as she gave him a small wave. The administrative-nin behind the desk handed them both a scroll once he confirmed their identities. "Okay, this is an A-ranked mission. You are to escort the man listed on that scroll to the location listed there. However, the client does not want the man to know that he's being escorted, so you'll have to go undercover. You'll be posing as a husband and wife in a caravan heading towards the location. The target will most likely abandon the caravan partway through the journey. Follow him and ensure he reaches his destination safely."

"And why does he need to be escorted? Why is this an A mission?" Shikamaru asked.

"Because he's the son of an important man and might be used as a hostage. There has been gang activity in the vicinity of his destination related to the conflicts of his own town. It's an A-rank because the gang is rumored to have a couple of missing-nin as members."

"Which is why there's only two of us," Hinata said.

"Correct," the administrator said. "That, and it'd be hard to pose as a married couple if there were four of you. Good luck." He shuffled some papers around on the desk, then called the next names.

Shikamaru sighed, stuffing the scroll into his pocket unread. "Whatta pain," he drawled.

"I think it will be kind of fun," Hinata said. "We can protect the whole caravan, too, if we need to."

"Bah," he grunted. She actually wanted to do extra work? What a bother. Well, at least it was Hinata. If he had to be paired with a girl, it might as well have been her. She was a lot easier to be around than most of her gender. She was quiet and undemanding, plus she was smart. He didn't think the mission would be very dangerous, though, since neither he nor Hinata possessed massive amounts of strength or stamina. Obviously stealth was what was needed.

"It says we have to leave immediately. If we go to Supply they'll have our equipment waiting for us there," she commented, finishing reading the scroll.

He couldn't even muster enough interest to reply, simply offering his arm to her and escorting her down to Supply. They passed Kiba on their way there, heading the opposite direction they were traveling in. He nodded at Shikamaru, then noticed Hinata on his arm. "Whaaa?" Kiba growled. "Oh, man!"

Hinata turned her head to watch Kiba storm down the hall. "First Naruto, now Shikamaru?" they heard the man mutter to himself.

"Is he okay?" she asked.

Shikamaru shrugged. "Yeah," he replied. Poor, impulsive Kiba. He was strong, but he wasn't quick on the uptake sometimes. Not as naïve as Naruto, but still not quick. Shikamaru admiredthe guy'sability to nap, however.

They received their costumes and luggage, changed, and immediately set out, Hinata still on his arm. "Do you think it will be difficult?" she asked him.

"Do you think Naruto will kill me for sleeping in the same room as you?" he returned.

Hinata blushed. "Oh, you're one of the most honorable guys I know. Naruto wouldn't care, anyway. He knows you wouldn't do anything."

"Yeah, nobody else thinks so, either," he sighed, surprised at how bitter he sounded.

It took them a full day to reach the town from which the caravan would depart. They managed to get seats in the same coach that their target was riding in, facing him the entire way. Their target was actually in rather high spirits, eager to talk for the duration of the trip. He told them about his family, his education, and the woman he was in love with. Shikamaru looked over at Hinata and noticed she was getting all dreamy-eyed from the romance of it. Well, he was bored. It might take a little effort to entertain himself, but he figured that was better than poking his eyes out with a kunai. "Oh, I know how you feel," he interrupted the target as the man was waxing poetic about his lady love. Reaching over, he squeezed Hinata's hands in his own and drew her near. "My wife is the loveliest person in the whole world, to me. One night we were on a lake. The moon was full, the stars were out, and the frogs were croaking on the lily pads. Her face glowed softly in the light, and as the boat rocked gently back and forth, I knew I had to have her as my wife."

Hinata gasped and turned beet red, which was exactly what he wanted. "Oh!" she said, covering her face with her hands.

"And then I asked her to marry me, and she agreed in a most passionate manner."

Hinata's face was almost purple. "You shouldn't say such things, dear!" she cried. "Still, it was a wonderful evening. You wouldn't know it to look at him, kind sir, but he is actually one of the most kind-hearted and romantic of men."

Shikamaru's mouth curled up at the corner, pleased that Hinata wasn't just letting him walk all over her. Her relationship with Naruto seemed to have really given her the confidence she needed. She continued to talk to the target until night fell and they had to make camp. The passengers poured out of the coaches and retrieved their luggage. Shikamaru waited until the target had chosen a spot on which to sleep for the night, then began to set up their tent nearby. Hinata had already built a fire to be shared with others and was busily cooking away. Dinner passed pleasantly, for Hinata was an excellent cook, not that he was shabby himself, when he had to either cook or starve. They retired into their tent and Shikamaru unrolled their blankets.

"You really are very sweet," she said to him, slipping out of her kimono to reveal the ninja garb beneath. He grunted, not really wanting to be labeled "sweet." "It sort of surprises me that you haven't had a girlfriend."

He snorted and flopped down on his bedroll. "Yeah, well, that's the way it goes."

"Why?"

"Girls don't like me. I guess I could ask someone out if I wanted to, but it seems like a lot of trouble. Relationships are messy."

Hinata nodded. "Yes, that's true. Some men don't bother with the relationship part, though."

"Yeah, well, I'm not like that."

He was startled to feel a hand on his shoulder. "I'm glad. You know, you're one of my favorites to go on missions with."

Her statement surprised him. He didn't think anyone but Chouji actually enjoyed his company. He just figured most people thought he was a boring sourpuss and left it at that. It had always simply been too much effort to change their minds. "Why?" he asked, not really believing her, although Hinata had no reason to lie.

"Because you're nice, and you're patient, and you're not moody. I always know I can count on you, and you're the smartest of us all. Most of the geniuses I know are only smart with one thing, but you're smart in all things."

He rolled over and sat up, meeting her milky eyes. She had worn colored contacts during the day, but he thought her more attractive with her natural irises. "Well, I'm not sure I agree with you, but thanks all the same," he said.

A smile broke out on her face, making her look radiant. For a moment he realized why Naruto was so in love with the young woman before him. "Shall I take the first watch?" she asked, moving to the tent flap.

"Sure," he replied. "Just call me if anything interesting happens."

"Will do," she whispered. "Sleep tight."

"No problem," he murmured, and soon was fast asleep.