Prior to the end of his visit to the flower shop, he had planned on waiting to start drinking until later. Until after he had gone to the library and looked through the archive of Suna periodicals. Plans are a funny thing like that. They can change so quickly.

He told himself, 'Perhaps this will be just as good. I can get a couple drinks, and even do so while still working the case.' He knew deep down that was was a lie. It was a way of justifying the numbing drinks he desperately needed as a distraction from the thoughts that followed him from the flower shop. This was a way of convincing himself that his drinking wasn't a problem, afterall, he was still working.

The atmosphere of The Sound was very different earlier in the day, in comparison to his usual evening stop for observation of Sasuke. The smoke haze not as thick, considerably less patrons, and an odd quiet without the piano and Temari's voice filling the air. Kankuro was behind the bar already, and really that's what mattered.

Kankuro quirked an eyebrow and came over as Shikamaru took his seat at the bar.

"You're here early." Kankuro's observation only earned a only earned a curt nod in response from Shikamaru.

"Start a tab for me. I'll take a scotch, and let's keep them coming." Kankuro stared briefly, before giving a slight shrug and heading off.

He returned, glass and bottle in hand. "I'm surprised to see you back so soon after talking with Temari last night."

"Tsch, troublesome woman."

Kankuro laughed as he poured. "You have no idea. Maybe don't tell her that though." Shikamaru raised his glass and downed the glass.

"I think you're supposed to drink that stuff, not shoot it." Kankuro added, though he filled the glass again.

After about his fifth (or maybe more, he wasn't really counting) glass, Shikamaru was feeling it. It had been awhile since he had actually gotten drunk. He had no idea how much time had passed, but more people filled in the place and Kankuro had left to help others at the bar. But the guy had been decent company, even if he hadn't given him any information Shikamaru could really use. Temari had entered at some point and was singing. He balanced his head on his hand as he leaned on the bar with his elbow. He continued drinking.

Sasuke came and left. 'No napkin for you tonight.' Shikamaru's drunk brain mused. Temari finished singing and spoke with Kankuro at the bar, before coming his way.

"I'm surprised to see you here tonight."

"Areee you? Huh." he continued to stare behind the bar and took another drink before continuing. "Do yooou always get your way?" watching her from the corner of his eye.

He saw Temari's eyebrows lift briefly. He surprised her with his question, with his slurring, or, maybe, both. "Kankuro mentioned you were… more chatty than usual, tonight."

He polished off his drink and signaled for Kankuro, but Temari rolled her eyes and shook her head "no" to Kankuro. Shikamaru was being cut off. He gave a low, short, bitter chuckle. "Sooo, that's a yes."

Temari didn't look amused, "Hardly."

"I find that hard to beeelieve. Come on, especially with how you look?" He turned to look at her and gestured with his hand. She looked like she was poured into, yet another dress. This one was shorter, just past knee length, but still had a slit. It cut low in the back and a thin strap held her top up. With her tall heels, he was sure she knew that the majority of guys would do anything she asked to rip that dress off of her. He liked the idea, but he prided himself that he was not one of the majority of guys. He wasn't buying what she was selling.

She ignored his question and gesture, and chose to sip the drink she held, instead.

"Sooo, you miss Suna?"

She looked off a little sadly and sighed, "Everyday."

"Then, why are you heeere?"

That brought her back and she scoffed, "Why are you here? Like I said, I don't always get my way. Things don't always go the way we want them to."

He hadn't expected the reminder, and he hated it. In his head he answered 'I'm here to forget.' but aloud he simply responded, "I'm here for a job."

"Looks like you're doing a real stand up one, too." she crossed her arms. "But who says I'm not? I don't come here every night to drink."

"You don't have a right to judge me." Talking with her was was sobering, and he didn't care for it.

"I didn't come over to do so, but you're disappointing. I hear all about what a genius Detective Nara is, only to meet a pathetic excuse for a man, instead."

"Look, I've got reasons. I've lost more than you know…" he seethed. This woman was worse than Ino. Worse than his mother. Just worse.

"Your partner, Asuma? Yeah, I heard. Guess what, I've lost people, too." She glared into his eyes and practically snarled, "The question is, what are you going to do about it?"

She didn't pull punches, and it felt like she had punched him right in the gut. Making things worse, he now felt completely sober and angry. He clenched his fists. He squeezed his eyes shut. It was all he could do.

When he opened his eyes, a pleased smirk had crossed her face. "You don't seem interested in taking my advice and minding your own business. And the more I hear, the more I think you could be helpful. We are both on the same side, so maybe we can help each other."

He was surprised by the offer, and it made him feel off balance (or maybe it was still the alcohol in his system). "What the hell do you mean by that?" He probed with a mixture of caution and annoyance.

She looked him over. "Talk to me when you're sober. I don't need a drunk." She turned and left. He watched her hips swaying as she walked away. He stopped himself from going after her and demanding answers. She had made it clear the conversation was over for now. He didn't need to cause a scene. What he needed to do was find out more about her and Kankuro, before he spoke with them, specifically her, again.

He closed out his tab with Kankuro. His head started spinning when he stood to leave the bar. He was decidedly less sober than he felt when he was talking to Temari, and he used the pay phone to call Choji for a ride home. He hadn't planned on drinking so much. He had planned on being able to drive himself home. But that's the funny thing about plans, they can change so quickly.


Author's note: In my head, Temari looks and often dresses a lot like Marilyn Monroe. Of course, she isn't and she has a totally different personality (obviously, she's Temari). Though I still think Marilyn Monroe was fierce in a number of ways, especially when reading some of her quotes.

I hope I'm capturing the characters well, and they aren't too OOC. Let me know what you think!