A/N: Another short chapter, sorry. Writing short chapters is the only way I can manage to update three times a week, so that's another reason, if you care. Thanks for all the feedback, everyone! I'm glad I can entertain you, and that some of you really seem to like this fic! I'm pleased that the majority of you think I'm keeping everyone relatively in character. Since they're older, that's sort of difficult for me to do, sometimes, because I'm not entirely sure how their characters would have reacted and changed to deal with things as they grew up. Oh well.

Anyhow, someone asked why I hadn't made mention of Kakashi- did I forget to mention him during the festival chapters? I could have sworn I did, but maybe I forgot.... Sorry about that! I love Kakashi, but he doesn't really fit into the story anywhere, mostly because I don't figure Shikamaru has much contact with him. Kurenai is mentioned only because she's now connected to Asuma, who Shikamaru would know and probably care about. Anyway, sorry for the oversight. I can't promise he'll pop up later, though.

Oh, and Shino was originally in Kankuro's place in this chapter, because I thought it'd be sorta cute if Shino had a thing for Temari, then realized it was too forced, and switched them out. Dang it, I really like Temari, and this chapter was sort of difficult to write for that reason. But, hopefully you'll agree with me that they're both better off following their respective dreams...

Okay, now these notes are too long, so I'll go. Enjoy!

The next day his mind was made up. He was feeling much better, so he gathered his belongings and left his room before anyone could stop by and see him. Being who he was, it didn't take him long to find Temari's room, and he quietly entered. She was lying on the bed, pale with dark circles under her eyes, and he was slightly annoyed to find she wasn't alone. Well, he would say what he came to say, regardless of an audience. It was only Kankuro, after all.

She had been smiling at her brother just a moment before, but her expression tightened when she saw him and became a grimace. "Hey," she said, faking a grin. "Good thing I saved your butt again."

He ambled over to her bedside, greeting Kankuro with a nod. Swallowing, he took her hand. "You don't have to pretend," he grumbled, voice hoarse. He could feel emotions he'd rather ignore building in his chest. "It's okay if it hurts. You're not weak."

"It doesn't hurt," she said with a scowl, but he knew she was lying. He could see it in her eyes.

"You don't have to leave me. We don't have to stop."

"What, is it so troublesome to find another woman, or just troublesome to be alone?" she commented snidely.

"You almost died protecting me, Temari. I know you love me. I think I might love you, too."

Kankuro stood. "I'll go now," he said. "Temari, I'll be back." Walking past Shikamaru, he put his hand on the other man's shoulder. "Whatever happens, it's fine," he murmured, then was gone.

Shikamaru rubbed his face with his palms and shuffled over to the chair Kankuro had vacated. "Dammit, now I'm even getting pep talks from your brother," he growled.

"So what?" Temari said, but Shikamaru could guess that she had been worried about Kankuro as well. Temari had an enormous sense of responsibility. He had heard rumors that she might be next in line for Kazekage.

"It bugs me to get encouragement from people stronger than me, which seems like just about everybody, lately."

"Oh, don't be such a crab. I have to save his ass, too."

Shikamaru snorted, smirking, then let his face become serious once more. He carefully look her hand, half expecting her to try and smack him, and gave it a gentle squeeze. "This doesn't have to happen," he whispered. "Things don't have to change."

"I don't love you," she said, but her eyes were beginning to fill with tears. "Ninja don't feel anything."

"Sometimes it's more trouble to suppress your feelings," he murmured.

"Don't look at me," she sniffled, wiping at her eyes with her free hand. "I don't have feelings."

"Yes, you do. I'm the only man you've ever loved. I know you love your brothers, too, and your country."

She looked up at him, and to his surprise there was no weakness in her tears. "But it doesn't matter. You don't love me, not like that. Your heart was taken a long time ago, and you don't even know it."

He had nothing to say to that. Temari was dear to him, but he could live on if something happened to her. He didn't want her to leave him, but he knew it would be okay. It just hurt like hell.

"See?" she said, voice cracking. "We want different things, anyway. I won't ever be your wife. That's not what I want. I want power, I want excitement. I don't want to sit and watch the clouds go by."

"Then I'll do what you want. That's all I've been doing anyway."

"And it's gone on too long. It's not your natural state, and we both know it. This is more than we bargained for, so we have to get back on track."

He snorted a laugh. "I don't have a track, and you know it. That's why I've been using yours."

Her tears abated somewhat, a brief smile flickering across her face. "Well, it's time to grow up, you lazy bastard. Take a good look at yourself. You know you can be with a woman, so go out there and get one you want. I promise it'll be less troublesome to get the right one than to let others drag you around your whole life."

"It doesn't sound less troublesome."

"Fine. Then it'll be worth the trouble."

He studied her for a long time, memorizing her coarse, dirty-blonde hair and her dark blue eyes. "You're not going to change your mind, are you."

"No."

He sighed. "You're stronger than I am."

Her smile appeared again. "I know."

Standing, he gave her hand a quick kiss. "I'll always be your friend. I don't want this to be the last time I ever see you. Besides, who's going to save me all the time if you're not around?"

"That Ino girl seems capable," she grinned.

"Ugh. I'm outta here. Feel better, and give my regards to your brothers."

"I will. Goodbye, Shikamaru."

"Goodbye, Temari," he said, and quickly left the room before he lost his composure. Kankuro was in the hallway, leaning against the wall. "That's it," he mumbled. "See you later. "

Kankuro nodded. "See you," he said, and disappeared inside the room.

Thrusting his hands deep in his pockets, Shikamaru decided that a nice, long vacation would be in order. He didn't care if he didn't get paid- the post-war missions would be terrible, and he had a lot on his mind. There was something he had to do first, however.

Making his way down to the hospital gift shop, he pulled his wallet out and chose a bouquet of red tulips. The flowers all came from the Yamanaka's, anyway, so he didn't feel disloyal by not buying directly from his family's friends. "You must know a lot about flowers," the clerk said. "The Yamanakas take great pride in the vibrancy of their tulips."

"Great," he grumbled, handing her the money.

"Red tulips signify love."

Shikamaru cringed inwardly. He sure had a problem with picking flowers. Well, let Ino read into it what she would. Taking the bouquet, he went to her room and slowly pushed open the door. She was asleep, but Naomi was there, Chouji snoring in a chair next to her, holding the baby, who was also asleep. Naomi's eyes widened when she saw him, and she moved to greet him, but he simply shook his head and held a finger to his lips. Placing the bouquet on the stand next to Ino's bed, he fled the hospital and went to watch the clouds.

He filed for vacation, didn't bother waiting for approval, and spent the next two weeks either shut up in his apartment or watching the clouds. Chouji stopped by, as did others, but he wasn't speaking to anyone. They were sure to be upset with him, but he simply didn't care. He was startled by the depth of the wounds left by being dumped by Temari, and the only way he knew to make them stop hurting was to poke and prod them until they went numb. Dwelling on the fact that she was no longer in his life was painful, but he was able to come to terms with it. One morning he woke up, rolled over, and peered out at the sky. It was an alarmingly beautiful blue, and his first thought was of Ino's eyes. He knew he was starting to heal. It was time.

He rose, showered, and dressed, actually taking the time to look nice, or at least nicer than usual. As he got older he found that it was far easier to do troublesome things. It was just something adults did. Only children had the luxury of being so lazy. As an adult, he found it would be far more troublesome to never make an effort. Not that he made an effort very often, otherwise it wouldn't count so much when he did. As he dressed, something on a dusty bookshelf caught his eye. It was a jewelry box, and it held the lapis lazuli earrings he had bought for Ino when they were teenagers. He had purchased them to match the bracelet he had given her at the festival all those years ago. The magic of that night swirled up inside of him, making his head feel light, and he remembered the sweet pressure of Ino's lips against his. Something stirred in his chest, and he snatched up the earrings and shoved them in his pocket.

His destination was decided before he even locked up his apartment, which left him ample time to think about the past and what he learned from his time with Temari. He didn't know how things would go when he got where he was going, but that was a chance he'd have to take. The flower shop loomed in sight, and he hoped his luck would hold.

It did. He pushed open the door to the shop and saw Ino standing behind the counter, mouth dropping open as she saw him. Without hesitation he walked up to the counter, slid the earring box over to her, and looked her in the eyes. "I'm sorry for ignoring you these past couple of weeks," he said.

She ignored his words, simply glaring at him, and opened the box. "They're lovely!" she squealed, immediately trying the earrings on. "They match that bracelet you bought me!"

"You still have that?"

"Of course! That was the best night of my life!"

He caught her gaze and held it, entranced by her blue eyes as his heart hammered in his chest. She was more beautiful than he remembered, somehow. "Then how about we try for another?"

Her cheeks stained pink. "Okay," she murmured.

"I'll pick you up at seven. We're going out to dinner," he said, and left the shop, leaving a dumbfounded Ino behind.