Sorry for the delay, guys. I meant to update every week but last week was full of events that I was unable to find time to write.
I would like to thank the additional people who favorited and followed this story! That really warms my heart!
And of course special thanks to reviewers: iamsuchadonut, spilihp17, Guest 1, Guest 2, Lock on Lockon, fanofthisfiction, QveenLo, Sabaku no Sandra, Rose-aki, shikamaru-is-bae, Bruxinhah ShikaTaty, BeNICEeatRICExx, Acru9837, and Temamaru. Hugs to you all! :)
Before Shikamaru went home, he found his feet took him on a detour. An array of memorial stones faced him and he made a beeline for his father's.
"Hey, old man. How's it going over there?" Shikamaru dropped and sat indian style in front of his father's stone. A breeze whistled by, rustling the leaves on the nearby trees. His eyes closed for a moment as if hearing his father's message through the wind.
"Dad, I think Temari is in trouble. But for some reason, she won't confide in me." He placed his hands behind him to prop himself up and leaned back. His body instinctively shifted towards the sky and his dark eyes glued to the familiar vision. The clouds appeared to glow an unbelievable white and its background a brilliant blue. But even that failed to cheer up his spirits.
"I really need some fatherly advice right about now. 'Cause you were right that time, y'know. 'Bout how the toughest of women can have a gentle smile." His gaze dropped back down to the stone as the memory of that conversation played in his head. Back then, it was inconceivable that he would marry someone like his scary mother. But both his father and fate easily proved him wrong. The first time he witnessed the unrestrained, wildly stunning smile that Temari flashed at him was certainly a catalyst to his fall. But what a fall it was.
"Yeah, your lazy ass son fell for a troublesome woman. Like that's a surprise to you. Bet you saw that one coming a mile away." From far away, a series of wind chimes rang, not unlike the sound of laughter. If he strained his ears, perhaps he might actually hear the distant echoes of his father's rough laughter. But that was some wishful thinking that he could not indulge in at present time no matter how much he desired it.
Shifting himself so that he could place his hands on top of the curve of the stone as if it could somehow transmit strength from the soul of his father, he said grimly, "What's important now is protecting that smile. Guide me, dad."
0000000000
Shikamaru almost finished stuffing his travelling bag when his mother peeked in.
"Where are you going, son?" Yoshino asked curiously.
"Suna." He continued to pack, avoiding looking at his mother.
"For how long exactly?" Yoshino's motherly instincts started tingling. That pointed avoidance was quite telling. She held herself back from interrogating her child, wishing that he would come to her on her own.
"Not sure." Then he said under his breath, "As long as it takes."
"Did something happen between you and Temari?" Yoshino asked, worry coloring her tone. She could not help herself from asking, knowing from experience that Shikamaru got rarely bothered by anything serious.
"No, nothing," he said too quickly. He almost hit himself for being too obvious. He looked out of the corner of his eyes to gauge his mother's reaction.
Yoshino paused, considering calling him out on his lie but decided against it. "Hmm, okay. I'll just prepare dinner."
He wanted to heave a sigh of relief but something clawed at his insides and would not let him be. As his mother was turning away, he called out, "Mom, wait."
"Yes?"
He visibly hesitated. This was his mother, for goodness sake. Approaching her with this topic would of course make him uncomfortable. "What do you do when someone you've known for a long time suddenly acts as if they don't care about you but you know for a fact they still do?"
It was like dawn came to his mother's face. From a look of realization to a thoughtful expression, Yoshino came into the room and sunk onto his bed. "That's quite a mouthful. Did Temari reject you?"
"Mom, please." He was starting to regret this. Discomfort and embarrassment made him squirm. He did not ever think that he would have this type of discussion with his mother.
Taking pity on her son, she replied, "Well of course I'd try my best to find out the reason. I'd be relentless. I'd chase them until everything's solved between us. I would do everything especially if it's for the one I love. I know it sounds cheesy but that's how it is. I don't think I could have been as happy as I was if it were not for Shikaku."
"Hmm." Shikamaru's expression remained carefully blank though it softened a bit at the mention of his father.
Knowing that her son was absorbing every word she was saying, she continued, "Whatever happened, Temari loves you. And she needs you as much as you do her. If she's not herself right now, then all the more that she needs you by her side now. Whatever obstacle she is facing, it is best that you face it together so you have a better fighting chance. If you don't, then it might become the greatest regret of your life. Okay, dear? Oh, I need to start cooking."
Yoshino was almost out of the door when Shikamaru said, "Mom... thanks."
With a soft expression and an even softer tone of voice, Yoshino uttered, "Good luck, son."
0000000000
He was making his way towards the gates when a shrill voice rang out, "Shikamaru! Wait!"
A blonde grabbed him by the shoulders and jerked him around to face her. She shouted into his face, making him want to cover his ears, "Your mother said Temari dumped you!"
He almost face-faulted. "Thanks a lot, mother," he muttered.
"So are you going to Suna now? Are you going to win her back? Oh my goodness, that is so romantic! I never thought I'd see the day that Shikamaru would do something so romantic!" Stars danced in Ino's eyes as she jumped up and down in excitement.
The other boy who came with Ino grinned. Chouji quipped, "I can't believe it myself. He's actually going to do something so troublesome for a girl."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes at his childhood friends. But he could not help the blush that overcame his cheeks. Turning his face away, he said, "Tch. If you guys can't say anything helpful, I'm leaving."
"Wait, why did she dump you?" Ino suddenly asked with concern. Chouji's grin fell.
Shikamaru sighed, having expected the question. He said simply, "She said she was just using me."
Ino's eyes rounded incredulously and she squeaked, "That's ridiculous! She was obviously lying."
Shikamaru smiled a bit at that. Also he remembered how he uncovered Temari's falsehood and had to resist a full blown grin. Nodding, he said, "Yeah. That's why I'm going to Suna to find out the real reason."
"Shikamaru, you can do it! I'm sure you'll be able to wear her down easy! She won't be able to resist!" Ino exclaimed, gripping his shoulders hard.
"Yeah. I'm sure you can win her back in no time, buddy," Chouji said with an encouraging smile.
"Something tells me it won't be that easy," Shikamaru murmured.
"Why?" Ino asked, worry knitting her brows.
"Just a hunch. Anyway, I have to be going."
"Sure you don't want us to come with you?" Chouji asked, equally worried.
Shikamaru shook his head. "No, you guys are needed here. But thanks guys, really."
Both Ino and Chouji beamed. Shikamaru shot them an appreciative glance before turning away.
As he started to head towards the gates once more, another ear-splitting voice called out to him, "Shikamaru, wait for me! I need to tell you something!"
Shikamaru turned to see another blonde friend of his run up to him. "Naruto, what is it? Something the matter?"
"Gaara said to check up on you," Naruto huffed out.
"You're in contact with Gaara? And why would he say that?"
"Well, Gaara and I exchange letters every now and then since he considers me his first real friend and all and also to stay updated with his sister's health when she's over here. But never mind that now. What you need to know is that the Suna council is threatening to dissolve your engagement!" Naruto hissed furiously.
"What?!" came from Ino's and Chouji's appalled faces. Clearly they never entertained such a scenario to happen. They both turned to look at Shikamaru's reaction. He was strangely nonresponsive.
"Shikamaru! Didn't you hear what Naruto said? The Suna council doesn't want you and Temari to get together! This is horrible!" Ino said, an upset expression on her face.
"I thought it would be something like that," Shikamaru murmured. He already knew there was that possibility. But now that it was confirmed, his mind started devising hundreds of strategies and tactics at lightning speed and in the case of multitude of contingencies.
"Oh," Ino said as she exchanged anxious looks with Chouji.
"And he's afraid that Temari might have said something to you to keep you from knowing. Did she?" Naruto said with wide eyes. Ino and Chouji waited for his answer intently even though they already knew the answer to that question.
"Gaara knows his sister well." At the thought that Temari was bearing the entire burden on herself, his chest constricted almost painfully. "Troublesome woman," Shikamaru whispered. "Wait for me."