Ino came up to them and abruptly tore Temari away, "Sorry Shika, there is someone she absolutely needs to meet!", Ino screeched excitedly as she yanked the girl off of the boy.

"Ino wait-!", Temari winced a sheepishly apologetic smile as Shikamaru stood there stunned as he watched his 'date' get torn away from him. He ran a hand down his face to wash away the feelings he wasn't supposed to be having and made his way back to his place where he and Choji's safe spot was, against a counter next to the drinks he'd definitely be needing more of.

"You got out of Ino's grasp quickly.", Shikamaru joked as he saw his friend already holding down their spots.

Choji laughed, "Yeah, as soon as she saw him walk in she released me easily."

Shikamaru lifted his head to scan for the two girls to see exactly who it was and scowled, "Man not him again. Why do we invite him?", he grumbled as he refilled his cup.

"Because he brings us unlimited alcohol", Choji laughed.

Shikamaru raised his eyebrow with a nod to the side like Choji had a fair point, then turned around to watch the girls interact. Temari seemed like she was enjoying talking to the guy this time around. The guy put his hand on Temari's elbow and whispered something which made her laugh even more.

Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and took a long sip of his drink, "Hey, Shikamaru!", a sweet blond from his chemistry class made herself present.

"Hey.", he lamely replied, focusing on distracting himself with his drink.

The girl blabbered on and on, trying to start a conversation with Shikamaru who would reply politely enough, but not give her much to go off of. His mind was stuck on the girl he had been with all night beforehand.

"Man, what a drag.", he muttered to himself.

"What was that?", the girl perkily responded, finally getting a somewhat familiar response out of him.

Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck and placed his drink down, "I, excuse me, I'm just going to go out for a smoke."

Shikamaru left the blonde with Choji who seemingly was hitting it off the second Shikamaru left. He smiled at his friend then pulled the cigarette he had on display from his ear. It had some fake blood on it and he smiled down fondly remembering his time with Temari. He looked up briefly catching a glimpse of the girl who caught his eye at that second. Shikamaru gave her a smile and a two-finger salute as he walked out the door.

Temari leaned over Ino, quickly excusing herself, then rushed to the door to follow the boy.

Temari opened the door and closed it swiftly behind her to stand in the hallway, finding it wasn't that hard to catch up with the boy. Shikamaru turned around surprised at the sudden company.

"Where are you going?", She asked promptly.

Shikamaru lifted his cigarette in indication, "Out for a bit? It's kind of getting overwhelming in there."

Temari put her hands behind her back and caught up to him, standing right in front of him, she smiled up at him, "Do you mind if I keep you company?"

Shikamaru blinked in surprise but then shook his head, "No I don't mind at all, but are you sure you wouldn't rather be back inside with Ino. You seemed like you were having fun.", he commented as he began to walk down the hall with her following in step.

Temari tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "Like you said, it's getting a little overwhelming in there. I don't even remember half the people Ino introduced me to.", she confessed sheepishly.

Shikamaru felt an automatic weight be lifted off of him for some reason.

"You didn't seem to be socializing much for this being your party. Well... except for that one girl who seemed to really like you.", She said a little insecure.

"Like me?", Shikamaru asked as he pushed open the door to the roof access, "Nah, we just have chemistry class together. I honestly don't remember what she was saying."

Temari hit the side of his arm, "You idiot! All the signs were there. She was trying too hard for your attention."

Shikamaru scoffed, "Well, I don't see her like that. Her attempts were going to waste. She seemed to be getting along with Choji when I left. Maybe she can put that towards him.", he shrugged as he took his spot next to the edge of the roof and sat down. Pulling out his lighter to light his cigarette.

Temari rolled her eyes and sat next to him, "Are we even allowed up here?"

Shikamaru chuckled, "As long as we don't get caught."

Temari eyed him curiously and he raised an eyebrow. She let out a light chuckle of her own, "You know? You're kind of a bad boy for being at the top of your classes."

Shikamaru scoffed, "I am not a bad boy. I just don't give a damn."

Temari swayed into his shoulder, "That's the same thing, idiot. At least you give a damn about something."

Shikamaru lazily shoved a hand in his pocket, "What do you think I care about exactly?"

Temari watched as people rushed in out of the dorms happily below them, "I'm guessing you care about your classes, your grades, your education, your future, everything of that sort since you try so hard."

Shikamaru let out a hefty laugh, "Me trying hard? That's a new one to hear."

Temari raised an eyebrow, "Try some then. Not all of us can be natural geniuses you know."

Shikamaru noticed her mood shift, "You cut yourself too short. You're smarter than most people I know. That's a plus."

"A plus?"

Shikamaru tensed and cleared his throat, "I-I mean... let's put it this way. I only have room for one ditsy blond in my life, and that's Ino. Not to mention she would never give her spot up.", he chuckled, "But you... you're different. It's nice having someone to talk to that's not... well-"

"A complete idiot?", Temari laughed at his harsh indication that he wasn't willing to finish.

Shikamaru flicked his cigarette and smirked, "You're just easy to talk to and be around.", he scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief, "We've only been around each other for one night and I think you might actually be the one person I can fully get along with."

Temari eyed him curiously, "What about Choji?"

Shikamaru inhaled, "Choji is my best friend, but we have our differences. Same with Ino. Ino and I definitely have our differences, but with you... I don't know, forget it."

Temari nudged him, "Come on, tell me.", she said, giving him a gentle smile.

"Nah I don't want to get all sappy. I did just meet you and all.", he smirked.

Temari giggled which made Shikamaru's insides flutter, so he took a deep inhale to numb the feeling.

"Please? I'll do anything to hear the rest of that sentence."

"You just like compliments. Maybe I was wrong, you are like every other girl.", He joked.

She hit his shoulder jokingly, "No I'm not, Nara. I just like to hear people's opinions of me."

Shikamaru laughed and was caught by her teal eyes that reeled him in with her winning smile. He turned fully towards her determined, tucking his leg underneath his other and sitting up straight. Temari looked at him wide eyed, but took the challenge and did the same so they were facing directly towards each other.

"I'll tell you my first impressions of you, if you tell me yours of me."

Temari held out a confident hand, "Deal?"

Shikamaru laughed and took her hand, sending an electric feeling shock through his fingertips as their spark connected, "Deal."

They let their hands fall, but never broke their hold as it rested in the space between them.

Shikamaru took an inhale and exhaled quickly after, "I thought you were a pretentious, all-knowing, goody two shoes, who only cared about her image. I thought you were a snob and only wanted to be top of our classes because it made you better than everyone."

Temari gasped, "That's not true."

Shikamaru shrugged and took another inhale, "You asked for my first impression"

Temari narrowed her fire filled eyes, "Fine, you know what I thought about you?"

"Hm?", he hummed in amusement, enjoying her competitive side seeping out.

"I thought you were a lazy ass who would admit to nothing and had nothing going for him. I thought you were a slob and unappealing because of your lazy attitude."

Shikamaru brought his finger to tap his chin, "You thought I was unappealing? hmm."

Temari smirked, "key word 'thought'."

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow leaning closer to her teasingly, "That means past tense. So you think I'm appealing now?", he said with a Cheshire grin.

She snickered and pushed his face back, "Shut it, Nara. I'm not telling you what I think of you now. It's supposed to be your turn. We had a deal."

Shikamaru backed away with a smile to himself as he watched the bud of his cigarette smash into the concrete they were sitting on as he put it out. He chuckled to himself and shook his head.

Temari eyed him curiously, "What are you laughing about, Nara?"

He barely lifted his gaze to her with a smirk, "It's Shikamaru.", he corrected smugly.

Temari rolled her eyes, "Tell me already."

Shikamaru straightened up his posture and scooted slightly closer to her, "Women are so demanding."

Temari huffed and waited for a response, and Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "Alright, alright. What I think about you now?"

Temari nodded eagerly in affirmation for him to hurry.

He brought his hand back to his chin and sized her up and down, he narrowed his eyes in concentration and had a down turn on his lips.

Temari laughed and bit her lip, pushing his shoulder playfully, "Hurry up already. Have you not thought about it?"

He smiled watching her bite her lip that he wished he could taste, "I have. I just wanted to size you up to make you uncomfortable."

Temari laughed rolling her eyes, "I hate you, Nara."

Shikamaru leaned back with a huge grin, "It's-"

Temari pointed at him, cutting him off, "I don't care what it is! Now tell me!"

Shikamaru held up a hand in defense, "Alright. What I think of you is-"

The door to the roof flung open and Choji appeared. Shikamaru peaked over his shoulder to see his friend as Temari leaned to look behind him as well, "Hey, Shikamaru. Sorry to interrupt. We popped a fuse, can you work your magic again?"

Shikamaru sighed, dropping his head and looked up at Temari playfully, "Looks like I got out of this one.", he winked.

Shikamaru got up and realized he was still holding her hand and took his back sheepishly with a blush rising to his ears, "Uh, sorry.", he said as he slipped his hand out of hers.

She blushed in realization as well and shoved her hand into her lap, covering it with her other hand as she watched the boy walk over to the entrance of the roof. He hopped up another part of the roof easily as if he was in really good shape and he pulled out a small metal piece that fit inside the lock to the power box. He wiggled it a couple times and Temari grew curious at what he was doing. She walked over to where he was and easily climbed the small extension of the roof to hover over his shoulder to watch him.

Shikamaru jumped a little when he sensed her over his shoulder, but felt a smile grow when he saw her interested. He easily undid the lock and flung open the door. Flipped the switches a couple times and hit one last button to ensure the power wouldn't go out.

Temari looked at him amazed as he locked the lock back up and he turned to her curiously, "What?", was all he asked as he snapped the lock shut with a click.

"Teach me that.", Temari demanded instead of requesting.

"How to pick locks?", he asked, taken back.

She nodded confidently, "Yeah."

He looked at the lock and grabbed her small hands in his, "Take something small and sturdy, like so.", he explained, holding up his metal object and placed it in her hand, "Then you put it in this area of the key opening,", he said as he guided her hand into the lock and stopped mid-explanation.

She looked at him worried, "What is it?"

Shikamaru let out a small chuckle, "I shouldn't be teaching you this. You might break into my dorm and never leave me alone."

Temari laughed, "I can't promise you I won't do that."

"Great.", he tried to act sarcastic, but the thought of it kind of excited him, "Then you have to wait until you feel it press against this", he said as the metal thing slide into something else, "and the voila, you're a real criminal.", he joked as he pulled the lock down and opened it.

Temari looked excited, and pushed the lock closed again to try for herself and got it simple on her first try, "Wow, I can't wait to break into your dorm."

Shikamaru sighed and helped them off the other roof, "Luckily for me, that locks different."

"But can you pick it?", Temari added in question.

"I can pick almost every lock.", he confirmed nonchalantly.

Temari grinned confidently, "Then I don't see why I can't figure it out?"

Shikamaru laughed and caught her by the waist as she jumped down and she landed really close to his face. Shikamaru got lost in her teal eyes as she got lost in his dark mysterious ones.

He cleared his throat, "W-we should get back to the party.", he whispered between their closeness as their gravitational pull was tempting them closer to one another.

Temari gulped as she could feel his breath on her lips, "Y-yeah, Ino is probably looking for me."

Shikamaru didn't care about what she said, they both closed their eyes and his hands pressed slightly against her waist pulling her closer. Right before their lips touched the roof door flung open and the two abruptly pushed each other away.

"There you are!", Ino announced, "I thought Shikamaru murdered you."

Temari rolled her eyes and tried to help hold her loud tipsy friend up, "We were just getting some fresh air and fixing the power outage."

Ino swayed more into Temari, "The party! You have to come back, I miss you."

Temari sighed with a smile, "I'm coming.", she gave Shikamaru I look, "You two, right?"

Shikamaru nodded slowly as he rubbed his arm sheepishly, "Uh yeah, right behind you two."

As they helped Ino down the steps, back to the floor of the party, Ino started babbling, "How did she even get up that far by herself?", Temari wondered out loud in surprise of her roommate's abilities.

Shikamaru laughed, "You'd be surprised what she can accomplish."

"Shikamaru, you're so handsome.", Ino cooed, squishing her friend's cheeks harshly in her hands, "I don't know why Temari doesn't see it."

Temari looked at Ino in question, "Ino, what do you mean? I never said Shikamaru wasn't handsome."

Ino looked at her sluggishly and narrowed her eyes, "Oh hey Temari, how did the date with Shikamaru go? I told you, you two were perfect for each other. You two were inseparable aaall night."

Temari gulped with a deep blush taking over her face and Shikamaru's face burned too.

Finally, as they reached the door they opened it to the loud party and Ino perked up, sobering herself up so she could walk on her own and joined the party excitedly again.

Temari eyed the woman in amazement, "Was she not able to hold herself stable two seconds ago?", she asked as she was about to step back into the party she was pulled back and the door closed shut in front of her, Shikamaru leaned on the door frame with arms crossed as he looked at her smugly, "I thought you said I was an unappealing good for nothing, lazy ass, nobody?"

Temari crossed her arms, "I said I used to think that."

Shikamaru sunk closer to her face teasingly, "You think I'm handsome"

Temari's face grew red and her fist balled to her side, "Shut it, Nara. You're getting full of yourself."

Shikamaru laughed and opened the door again, "Well... for the record. You're not bad looking yourself.", he said with a smirk as he entered the party.

Temari felt her legs go weak for some odd reason and she had to take a deep breath to regain her composure.

The guy she met before she left with Shikamaru quickly slung his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close, "Hey good looking, I missed you. Where have you been?"

Temari looked up at the guy wide eyed and then searched the room for Shikamaru once more. She caught his eye as he looked behind him and he looked a little hurt seeing her with someone else. Temari looked back to the guy and tried to push him off, "Excuse me please, I have somewhere I need to be.", But the man's grip grew tighter on her, "Woah, little lady. Spend some time with me.", he said as he made some kiss faces at her.

Temari eyed him unamused and looked back at Shikamaru who's attention was now fully on her. He gave her a look and placed his new cup down, but Temari held up a stiff hand saying, 'Stay there'.

He eyed her reluctantly, but respected her request,ready to come if she needed.

Temari pushed him off one more time, "No, thank you. Now if you'll excuse me.", She tried to be polite, but the guys yanked her by the wrist and pulled her back which gave her the momentum she needed to ball her fist and plow it straight through the man's face.

The man went flying to the ground, holding his nose as it bled. Temari straightened out her shirt that rode up and brushed her hair out of her face. She cleared her throat and stood up straight, " I said, no thank you. Now if you'll excuse me this time.", She repeated easily as she made her way back to Shikamaru.

His eyes wide and his mouth open, Temari walked up to him curiously and pushed his chin up to close his mouth for him and easily reached over the counter to grab herself another drink. Shikamaru watched the tiny girl grab her drink and prop herself to sit on the counter next to him, acting as if nothing happened. He blinked at her and she raised an eyebrow.

Temari took a sip, "What?"

He chuckled and leaned back on the counter, "Remind me to never anger you.", he said as he laughed into his drink shaking his head in disbelief.