warmth

The Chuunin Exams are held to see the potential of Shinobi and appoint those who are worthy as team leaders. And this year, Konoha decided to hold a joint Chuunin exam by co-hosting it with Sunagakure. With the distribution of the first phase of the Chuunin exam will be held in Konoha and the second phase of the Chuunin exam will be held in Sunagakure.

Temari and Shikamaru stood before a group of shinobi who had passed the first stage of the Chuunin exam designed by Shikamaru. Next, the exam will be continued with the second round which will be held in Sunagakure, with Temari as the leader of the exam.

The participants seemed anxiously waiting for the next announcement. Temari looked at the participants, trying to count their number. It seems that there are still too many participants who pass.

"I'm Temari from Sunagakure. I'm the one in charge of the second round of this exam. Too many teams have passed the first round, so we'll reduce the number again," Temari said, glaring at Shikamaru.

Shikamaru could only shrug his shoulders. He himself also didn't think that there would be this many shinobi who pass. He was quite confident with the test he was planning, until Neji messed everything up and made almost all the teams qualify for the second round.

"Hey, what do you mean reduced again?" asked a shinobi from Sunagakure.

As soon as a commotion broke out, all the participants looked worried and whispered to one another. Temari stamped her Tessen to calm the participants.

"First, the second round is a battle between teams. Any team that doesn't have full members will be disqualified!"

"What?!"

"You must be kidding!"

" How could that be?!"

Temari ignored the protests that came from the participants.

"Besides, the second round will be held in Suna village. We will meet at the entrance of the demon desert. It will take 3 days to reach that place."

Temari turned to one of the Jounin and gestured. The jounin released the messenger bird towards the village of Suna.

"Messenger eagles have been sent to Suna with these instructions. Only 30 teams will be accepted, the rest will be disqualified."

The participants looked at each other anxiously. Only 30 teams, meaning many of them will fall.

"Finally, in the first round fighting is forbidden. But in the second round you can fight as you please. That's it!" Temari said.

Hearing Temari's statement, Neji immediately asked Lee and Ten Ten to move, he understood that Temari's 'that's all' was an indirect signal that the second half had started.

"He quickly grasped the situation," said Shikamaru with a smile.

"What's wrong? You guys still want to relax? You've been disbanded!"

The participants were still looking at each other in confusion, until one of them finally realized.

"I see! The race test has started!"

Hearing that panic occurred, all the shinobi immediately ran away from the place.

"Can't youat leat say that they can go ar its start now?" Shikamaru asked the girl next to him.

"This is the Chuunin exam not at the Academy," Temari said casually.

"This is troublesome ... next year we should just use the usual type of exam," complained the young man.

"Stop complaining, lazy boy. Now we have to move. Indeed Gaara and the others will welcome them there. But we also have to move quickly and get there to open the second round of exams," Temari said and left the place. Shikamaru walked after her.

After tidying up a few things, Shikamaru and Temari walked towards the Hokage's office. There was waiting for the Hokage, Tsunade and some Konoha Jounin who would help oversee the implementation. Asuma, Kurenai, and Guy will go with Shikamaru and Temari to Sunagakure.

"Well, for the representatives of Konoha I entrust the three of you. Asuma, Kurenai, and Guy, you will help Shikamaru and Temari to oversee the conduct of the second round of the Chuunin exams. And Temari, I entrust you to lead this team towards Suna. I trust you better understand the route to be followed," said Tsunade.

"Okay, Hokage-sama," Temari said.

A moment later, they had already gathered in front of Aun's gate. Everyone except Shikamaru. Unlike usual, that day Shikamaru was late. Since 10 minutes ago Temari was busy pacing in front of the gate. She holds back her anger.' Just watch out if we're late because of that crybaby, I won't forgive him!' Temari thought.

Finally, after waiting for some time, the pineapple youth appeared with a lazy look without feeling guilty. And that made Temari even more angry.

"Hey you kid! Where have you been?! Just watch out if we're late because of you!" said Temari.

"Calm down a bit, troublesome woman. I've been scolded by mom at home and now I have to hear your nagging again," complained Shikamaru.

" What are you saying?!" Temari gets ready to reach for the fan.

"I'm just kidding! Calm down Temari," said Shikamaru a little scared.

While the other three Shinobi who saw the incident just smiled.

"Look at Asuma, they are so cute," said Kurenai with a small laugh.

"Temari huh? If she seems to be able to be a suitable partner for someone like Shikamaru," said Asuma.

Asuma had seen the girl's abilities in the Chuunin exams, and he admitted that Temari was also a great strategist, even though her abilities were still below Shikamaru's. They then left for Suna. And what Temari feared happened. Because they left late, when they reached the border of the Suna area, it was already night.

"It's all because of you, kid!" Temari hissed, she sighed "We'd better stop here."

"Hmm?" all the Shinobs looked at her in confusion.

"The temperature in the desert changes drastically at night. We could freeze to death if we force ourselves to move. We should rest, there is a cave nearby," Temari explained as she led the way to the cave. When they got there, they lit a fire and sat down to rest. Temari heated t water with tea leaf, and brewed it then poured the tea and gave it to Asuma, Kurenai, Guy, and Shikamaru. Then poured herself a glass.

She inhaled the aroma of the tea and smiled. The aroma of tea always calms her down.

"You don't drink? Don't worry, I didn't put poison in it," said Temari who saw Shikamaru just looking at the tea in front of him.

"I don't know, I don't think I'm thirsty," Shikamaru replied casually.

"Drink if you don't want to be dehydrated. In a desert like this you have to drink, thirsty or not. Because many Shinobi died because they didn't realize they were dehydrated. Plus, tea can help keep you warm," said Temari as she took a sip of the tea in her hand.

Shikamaru raised his glass and started drinking the tea. It turned out that Temari's words were true, after drinking it, Shikamaru's body felt warmer. He looked at Temari.

" WHAT?!" Temari was annoyed that Shikamaru kept looking at her.

"No, I was just thinking. I didn't think you could be this considerate too," Shikamaru said.

"Huh? Don't get me wrong, kid! I didn't do it because I wanted to, I just didn't want to bother carrying your corpse into Suna," Temari laughed and made Shikamaru scowl in annoyance.

"They're really cute..." Kurenai laughed while watching Shikamaru and Temari.

She thought the two shinobi were very cute. Shikamaru who always said everything was troublesome but still followed Temari's wishes and Temari who was always rude even though she really cared about the people around her, especially Shikamaru. 'They are a great couple, but it seems like it will take a long time for both of them to realize their feelings' Kurenai thought.

"You guys go to sleep, I'll keep watch with the spirit of youth!" Guy shouted excitedly.

They laughed and decided to take a break, of course after forcing Guy to share shifts with them so Guy could rest too.

Asuma and Kurenai sat by the bonfire while Temaru sat across from them, a bit away from the bonfire. Either because of the cold air or maybe fatigue, the girl fell asleep. But it looks like her hands are tightly gripping her body, it seems that she feels a little cold. Realizing this Asuma threw a blanket at Shikamaru while directing his gaze towards Temari, signaling the young man to cover Temari. Then Asuma returned to busy with his luggage.

Shikamaru looked at the blanket in his hands in confusion. He didn't bring a blanket because he didn't expect the trip to the desert to be this cold. To be honest, he was feeling quite cold now, and this blanket was enough for two. He decided to carry out his crazy idea, he knew that maybe tomorrow he would be flown by this Suna girl, but that's better than freezing to death right?

He took a seat next to Temari and then covered the girl's body and his body with the blanket Asuma gave him. Perhaps due to exhaustion, in an instant Shikamaru also fell asleep. Temari seemed to be moving, looking for a comfortable position, her head was now resting on Shikamaru's shoulder and Shikamaru's head was resting on Temari's head. They both seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

Kurenai stifled a laugh at the rare sight before her. Before long, Asuma approached Kurenai carrying 2 blankets. One for him and the other he planned to give to Shikamaru. Since then he has been busy unpacking his belongings. Due to stuffing it in a mess in a bag, he had to take everything out before he found the blanket. But before he could call Shikamaru, Kurenai withdrew his hand, pointing at Shikamaru and Temari who fell asleep.

Asuma smirked. Looks like the blanket isn't needed now.

Shikamaru and Temari felt very warm that night. Nobody knows, maybe it's because of the tea they drink, or the blanket they're wearing, or maybe it's because they're sleeping side by side like this?

Only Shikamaru and Temari knew the answer.