A/N: Wow, I should leave you all hanging for a week more often! Heh heh. I got some really spectacular reviews while I was gone. Thank you so much! I deeply appreciate the feedback.

Well, obviously I'm back from the wedding/honeymoon business, and this story will proceed as planned.

Warning: This chapter is basically one long, racy scene between Temari and Shikamaru. I, personally, don't think it's graphic sex (nothing you wouldn't see on cable TV). However, it's probably higher than a PG-13, but definitely not an R, so consider yourself warned if this sort of thing makes you uncomfortable. You really won't miss anything (except the entertainment value of an awkward Shikamaru) if you skip this chapter and move on to the next.

A rustling at the tent flap woke him, proving to him more than anything else how on edge he was. "Hinata?" he asked groggily.

"No," he heard someone whisper, and suddenly he was pushed back onto the ground, fierce, hot lips against his. He shuddered as his mouth was pried open and taken in a deep kiss, his body temperature immediately rising. Hands ran lightly over his chest, a soft, warm body pressed against him. A slightly spicy sent filled his nostrils as the hands explored his body, and in his half-awake state he began to moan.

"Hush," the voice whispered again. "I'll take my reward for saving you now."

Shikamaru could do nothing but pant as slightly rough fingertips caressed the flesh over his ribs. "Temari?" he finally managed to croak, suddenly embarrassed over how little control he had over his body's expression of arousal.

"Yes," she murmured. "Do you want me stop?"

He twitched with pleasure as her soft mouth drew a line down his throat and onto his chest, unable to answer. His senses were brimming with her soft skin and gentle curves, her strong muscles moving beneath it all. Her bare flesh filled his hands as he touched her, suddenly hungry to explore. She groaned and pressed against him harder, then was suddenly astride him.

Shikamaru was fairly certain he cried out as she did what she wanted, and he was aware of little else as his head spun with the feeling of so much naked woman pressed against him. When she started to move he thought his head would explode. He wasn't even conscious of when he started to move with her, his brain filled with electric pleasure. The feelings of heat, of bare skin, of scent and motion were too much for him, and he almost lost control. At the last moment, however, he remembered all the stories of women upset that they didn't get theirs, and he was determined not to be a lousy lover. Even Shikamaru had his pride.

His hands found their way to her hips, clamping down on them and doing his best. He wasn't sure what she wanted, or even if what he was doing was correct, but he had to do something. It was becoming increasingly difficult to master his own body, however, and he was certain he was going to lose it at any moment. Temari made a noise and started to shudder, and it didn't take him long to follow her, collapsing onto his blankets, covered in sweat. She curled against his chest, her slightly wiry hair in his face, and he could feel the beating of her heart between her ample breasts. Little gasping breaths issued forth from her, and finally she sighed and sat up, her thighs still on either side of his narrow hips. He couldn't see the expression on her face, but he would have bet money she was smiling. His hands gripped her knees and he groaned, unable to form words. Pleasure mixed with bafflement washed over him, a condition that only worsened as she moved away from him. He heard the rustle of fabric and she left the tent, coming back a few moments later. He barely noticed, because he was having trouble remembering his name, he was so filled with bliss.

Temari shed her clothes once more and tucked herself into his side, resting her head on his shoulder. "You were a virgin, weren't you?" she whispered.

He felt his face turn red and was glad the tent was completely dark. "That bad, eh?" he replied acidly.

Her warm chuckle filled the hot tent. "No, quite the opposite. I should have known a genius would have been good for something."

"Temari," he began, "I wasn't prepared, what if-"

She cut him off. "It's fine," she said. "There won't be little Temari Naras running round. I applied the proper jutsu before I came in."

"Ah," was all he had the energy to say.

"I hope you didn't mind," she purred, pressing her soft body against him, and the feeling was delicious. He barely knew her, and yet he felt almost as close to her as he did his best friends. Her curves, her skin, her smells, and her textures were incredible to him.

"No," he breathed.

"Mind if I stay?"

"No."

"Good night," she murmured, taking his earlobe between her teeth for a moment, then kissing him on the cheek. He turned his head and clumsily tried to catch her lips until she laughed and kissed him on the mouth. As she snuggled into his side, her arm draped across his chest and her thigh resting on his, a comfortable, pleasant feeling descended upon him and he embarked upon a wonderful night of dreamless sleep.