It almost felt like a century, now that they were back at her penthouse apartment, Shikamaru leaned against the doorframe, staring at his beautiful girlfriend, who sat on the sofa with her back straight, the shadow of her figure flickered as she stared mindlessly at the television screen, aptly with their faces scrawled all over.

"Nara Shikamaru, young elite of Konoha has proposed to his movie star girlfriend Temari in front of reporters at the Suna airport, after a hasty vacation at the blonde bombshell's home country…"

The screen leapt into darkness as Temari pressed onto the remote control.

"Now what?"

Shikamaru asked, there was a hint of confusion and irritation in his voice. Temari turned and looked at him intently, her green eyes glittered as she sighed softly.

"I understand why you did that, Shikamaru, that's very sweet of you… but…" Temari walked up to him, almost like what she did at the airport earlier.

She wrapped her arms around him, her head against his shoulder.

"We're not ready, Shikamaru...I'm not ready."

Her soft whisper sent a painful shudder down his spine, as he closed his eyes and relived the roller coaster moment.

Will you marry me?

He tried to study her expression - there was definitely shock, she frowned slightly as she reached out with both hands, pressing against his shoulders as she urged him to stand up.

He could hear the shutters of the cameras, scribbling of pens as she pulled him into a close embrace, her head buried onto his shoulder.

I'm not ready.

He thought his heart stopped for a second, trying as hard as he could to mask his disappointment, he smiled.

He knew that this could happen, he just wished that it wouldn't happen.

"I really appreciate for what you've done for me," Temari stared at him, she slowly shook her head. "It's just that...it's just…"

Shikamaru looked down for a moment, he knew what was the right thing to do.

"It's alright, I'll wait."

Temari shuddered as Shikamaru's arm tightened around her.

"It's troublesome, but I'll wait."

She said nothing, he could feel that there was something she hid deep within her.

It did not matter, eventually she would tell him.

Eventually.

Shikamaru sat in his office, it has been a few weeks since his rather unpleasant visit in Suna.

He stared at the screen of his computer, ever since he proposed several initiatives and market directives, the sales of products have gone up and gained a larger market share.

Rasa was true to his word - he had bought one of their rival companies in Konoha and had launched a large scale campaign targeting products of Nara pharmaceuticals.

It was almost like a game of chess, except they were playing with money and the enemy was much stronger.

Shikamaru frowned, as he scrolled through the business news webpage.

"Mr Nara?" His secretary walked inside, the girl was probably the same age as he was, her eyes hidden beneath her swirling glasses. She gave a timid smile as she laid down the files on his table.

"Just call me Shikamaru, what else?" He was quite fixated at the screen, and did not bother to look up.

"A Mr. Sabuku has called," the name pulled his attention from the screen. He looked up and saw his secretary shuddered a little.

"Rasa?"

"No, he said his name is Sabuku no Gaara," the girl replied. "He wanted to meet you, as soon as possible he said."

"Is he in town?"

"Yes, he said he is in Konoha for business."
"Can you free up my afternoon?" Shikamaru stood up and reached for his coat.

"You mean right now?"

"Yes," he walked hastily out of the office. "You're the best."

He gave her a light pat on the shoulder before storming out of his office, virtually running.

The secretary sighed softly as she returned to her seat outside his cubicle and picked up the phone.

"Hello, this is Hisajima Shiho, Mr. Nara's secretary." She forced a small smile causing her lips to turn upwards. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Temari blinked for the last time, before the director's hand swung down.

"Action!" He shouted, as Temari sighed softly.

She observed as Sasuke approached, stoic and composed - she wondered if the man could play any other role.

She did as the script wanted her to, walking away from Sasuke.

"Cut!" The director folded his arms in great satisfaction. "That's a wrap."

Temari waved goodbye before heading to her trailer.

Tenten was already waiting for her when she walked in. Immediately, the brunette reached over and threw a bathrobe around her.

"Any news?" Tenten eyed the makeup artist and wardrobe assistants surrounding them.

"Nothing much," Temari noticed her glancing around, and smiled as the makeup artist gently removed her eyeliner.

"What's my schedule tomorrow?"

"You have a dinner meeting with Gaara-kun, that's all, I freed up your entire day."

"Great," she nodded at the two other women as they finished their jobs and left the trailer.

Temari's expression changed- her smile faded as she whipped out her own computer and swung her chair towards Tenten.

"Anything?"

"I've done as you're told," Tenten said. "And I've even managed to talk Neji into doing this."

"Neji, out of all people?" Temari did a little laugh. "You must be really...persuasive."

"He likes a challenge," Tenten said coyly. "Anyway, he said he should be able to dug up something - if it can help unseat his uncle as chairman, he'd be happy to help."

"These are dangerous waters we are treading," Temari said gloomily. "The quicker we deal with this, the better."

"It's strange to be in a real-life drama," Tenten shuddered a little as she said in a hushed voice.

"Trust me, Tenten," Temari sighed softly as she looked into mirror, staring at herself as she smiled. "I've been in one ever since I was born, and hopefully, this will be a happy ending for all of us."

Temari looked at her face and thought she saw someone else, someone she had not seen for a very, very long time; her heart felt a slight stung.

She has not been on her mind, not consciously at least, for a very, very long time.

Shikamaru headed to their meeting place - it was a quaint cafe, located at the business district; aptly named the Spot. This was the place where important businessmen from all the skyscrapers came to take a break, and this place was where her brother had chose for them to meet.

Punctually, he sat down at the same table that Gaara had told him to.

The second last table at the back of the cafe, with a vase of red and purple flowers. No pepper bottle, just salt.

He did, and almost as soon as he settled down, the red-haired man walked inside from the glass door, his hawk-like gaze rest upon him as he nodded.

Gaara sat down opposite him, as Shikamaru sat up straight, his tied up hair brushing against the wall.

"It's nice for you to meet me, Shikamaru." Gaara said. "Would you like a coffee?"

"An espresso would be nice," he replied, not attempting to smile at this stoic man before him.

Gaara nodded, and stood up. He walked towards the counter and ordered two espressos before sitting back down again. Shikamaru took the brief opportunity to study him.

Out of her two brothers, Gaara seemed to resemble Temari's features; their eyes were a similar shade of green, his nose was straight and his lips was pursed together.

The two men remained silent as they waited for their coffees to arrive.

As the barista laid down two porcelain cups, Gaara reached over and took one, taking a sip. He put the cup back down afterwards.

"You've caused quite a commotion at the airport." Gaara said, without any emotion in his voice. "My father was quite...upset with your engagement with my sister, to say the least."

Shikamaru laughed dryly. "You would know that better than me, I suppose."

"She said no?"

"Yes she did." Shikamaru sipped his coffee, the bitterness burned his tongue as it slipped down. "She just said yes on camera so that it wouldn't make me look like a fool."

"Hmph," Gaara took another sip from his coffee. "My father doesn't know his daughter well enough to know that, for a fact."

"I doubt that he knows her on any level."

Gaara did not make a direct response to that comment.

"I admire you for what you're doing, Shikamaru." Gaara blinked. "For someone who is not your own blood."

Shikamaru shook his head and laughed. "Have you ever been in love?"

"Love?" Gaara reached up and brushed his forehead with a tip of his finger. Shikamaru could tell that there must be where the tattoo was, beneath layers of foundation.

"Your love for your sister, from both you and your brothers, it is by blood," said Shikamaru, sighing softly as he put down his cup. "But that is not certain, you can see your father, as an example."

Gaara stared at him blankly as Shikamaru sighed softly.
"With your sister, it is different - I have never felt something like this before, but I just want to protect her, from all the terrible things that she had to suffer, and to shield her from anything that wants to harm her. It's natural for me, just as it's natural for you."

"What if one day, Temari said she was going to leave you?"

The brunette man paused for a brief moment and shook his head.

"I couldn't imagine, but if she did," he sighed softly. "It's troublesome but I'd still have a soft spot for her, always."

Gaara nodded and sipped from his coffee again.

"I speak for my brother and myself," Gaara cleared his throat as he put down an empty coffee cup. "Thank you for everything that you have done for Temari."

"You don't have to."

"In return, we will assist you with your plan," Gaara blinked and stood up. "By all means necessary." .

Just before he turned around, the red-haired man stared straight into his eyes, as if his pale green eyes pierced his soul.

"We can help with most of it, but there's one thing that perhaps only you could achieve."

"What do you mean?"

"Apart from our father, there has always been one thing on her mind." He said, almost mindlessly. "For the sake of your happiness, and for the sake of Temari's - find her."

Gaara walked outside, and stepped into a black limousine.

Shikamaru stared at the residue of his dark beverage, as he fell into a deep abyss of thought.

To add to the complication of his chess game, not only did he have to take on the foreign corporate giant, he has yet to find his winning piece.

Yet.

Author's note:

Hi! It's been a while, but I've finally taken some time to write up the newest chapter! I hope you enjoy this xox

Will try to update ASAP, thanks for reading and supporting my story as always!

V.S.V