He never imagined that one day, he would find himself sitting across the table with Hyuga Neji as friends, or rather, allies.

Numerous documents scattered across the long table of one of the conference rooms in the Nara corporation office. To put people off track, Neji had the documents sent to Tenten's apartment and had her delivered them. Shikamaru was surprised when the brunette showed up with two suitcases full of paper and binder folders at the reception of his office.

"I discovered a pattern," said Neji, as Shikamaru studied the accounting reports that Neji laid all over the large conference room table. "My uncle has a hand in funding the Sabuku investment in your rival company, more interestingly, he visits Suna on a quarterly basis even though Hyuga has little to none business initiatives there."

"Interesting," said Shikamaru in reply. "Do they know each other?"

"Well," Neji shut one of the heavy binders, a muted thump as the hardcover hit the documents inside. "I think they do, far too well."

Shikamaru arched an eyebrow, he put the accounting report in his hand aside. "Are you trying to tell me something?"

Neji pressed onto the bridge of his nose and lowered his head. Shikamaru bit onto his lip, he had a feeling that he was not going to like this.

"Did Temari tell you anything about her father's particular arrangement he had in mind?" Neji sighed softly as he released his nose. "Well, my uncle had the same idea."

"So you're the guy," Shikamaru chuckled softly. "What a small world."

"Yeah," he said. "I went along with the idea since y'know, Temari's a very attractive woman."
"I know." Shikamaru chuckled softly. "Anyway, Gaara's going to be helping us as well."

"How'd you manage to get him to help?"

"He loves his sister," Shikamaru smiled. "He had Kankuro came over to drop off stuff at Temari's place, she had them sent over this morning."

"What did he send?"
"A flash drive," said Shikamaru. "I haven't checked it yet, she just dropped it off an hour ago."

Shikamaru took out the small red drive and tucked it into his computer, he quickly scroll and skimmed through everything, his frown deepening as he did.

"Anything?"

"It's everything," Shikamaru's gaze was fixed upon the screen, his amazement unconcealed in his voice, almost shaking. "This...this is crazy," he said. "These are evidence of dealings of Rasa and your uncle, turns out they are business partners."

"And?" Neji raced to his side and glanced at the screen. "Wait, I've never heard of this company."

"Exactly," said Shikamaru as he continued to scroll through. "This is not just evidence of dealings, but illegal dealings - tax evasion, violation of trading regulations, you name it."

Neji sat down, his mind blown expression scrawled across his face. "This is serious."
"Yes, we could be putting them behind bars if we do this right."

Neji placed his hands on his face. "Wow."

Shikamaru turned around and looked at him. "Gaara wants to finish this, once and for all."

"Yes, I could tell." Neji said, putting his hands on his knees. "This could be one of the biggest scandal in recent years."

Shikamaru closed his eyes for a brief moment, he fished around his pocket and pulled out a packet of cigarettes.

"You smoke?" He asked Neji, offering him the box.

"No, but can you smoke indoors?" He pointed to the smoke detector and sprinklers on the ceiling.

"Tch," he shoved the pack back into his pocket. "I need to talk to Temari about this first."

"Yeah, I need to think it over as well." Neji stood up. "Let's pack up and go home, it's almost eight now."

Shikamaru took a brief look at the clock hanging on the conference room wall. "God, I didn't know."

"It's alright," said Neji as he put his suit jacket back on. The two of them stacked the documents and locked them in Shikamaru's office.

As they walked out and waited at the elevator lobby, Shikamaru sighed softly.

"I never guessed that we'll be working together," said Shikamaru, smiling as he did. "Only a few months, hell, weeks ago, we're still trying to tear each other's throats out."

"I prefer a fair competition," Neji smiled at him. "Besides, our interests are aligned at the moment, so."

Shikamaru chuckled softly. He bid Neji goodbye before heading to Temari's place.

The security guard greeted him as he entered the elevator. As he stood alone, he closed his eyes and leaned against the walls. The elevator ride seemed to take forever, as he exited, Temari was already waiting for him at her door.

She stared at him and smiled. "You're late," she said.

"Sorry, work." He walked up to her and enveloped her in his arms. Temari buried her face into his shoulder as she heard him sigh softly.

"So, what do you think?"

"I guessed you've read what your brother sent to us."

"Uh huh," Temari held Shikamaru's hand as they sat down on the sofa. "Some serious stuff."

Shikamaru arched an eyebrow. "How thorough did you go through the files?"

"Thorough enough to know that my dad will get at least ten years in prison," she smiled and shook her head.

"Impressive." Shikamaru said. "That's quite a lot of things to go through in two hours."

"Oh I didn't tell you?" Temari chuckled softly. "I went to law school, my father wanted me to be a lawyer, I only dropped out near the end of the last semester so I practically have learned everything."
Shikamaru felt his jaw dropped, he shook his head in amazement. "Beauty and brains, what kind of goddess are you?"

"Shut up," she punched him playfully. "Anyway, about my father."
"Yeah," he scratched the back of his head with his free hand. "Are you sure you wanna do this?"

Temari bit onto her lip, frowning as she looked down onto the ground. "Well, he had his chance."

"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure." Temari sighed softly. "My father's the type that won't shed a tear until he sees his own grave."

Shikamaru blinked slowly. "Well, then that's it." He sighed softly as he squeezed Temari's hand gently. "If Neji agrees, I'll leak the leads to both the media in Konoha and Suna tomorrow."

Temari turned and snuggled against his chest. "Mmhm." She uttered a soft sound.

"Oh, and another thing."

"Hmm?"

"Tch, nevermind," Shikamaru shrugged and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "That can wait."

Temari stared at him for a brief second, before straddling over him and pressed a kiss onto his lips. He let her took the initiative as she entwined her tongue around his, his hands moving across her back and caressing her.

She took a deep breath as she broke away, Shikamaru wanted more but he remained still, a sly smirk hanging on his face.

"Are you going leave me hanging there just like that?"

Temari leaned forward and touched her forehead against his. She said nothing as she slid down and leaned her head against his chest. "I'm tired, Shika."

Shikamaru sighed softly. "Alright," he gently slid his hand beneath her knees and held her up. Temari's arms clung to him instinctively, she was slightly startled as he stood up.
"Wha-what're you doing?"

"Taking you to bed," he paused and smiled. "So that we can get some better sleep."

Temari hid her blushing face from his playful gaze. "Stupid," she muttered as he walked towards her bedroom.

Perhaps this was the last good night of sleep for some while, perhaps it will be the first.

For tomorrow, it's going to be a gamble.

Perhaps the biggest gamble in his life.

Shikamaru laid awake, as Temari slept soundly in his arms. As he stared at her face, her statue-like nose and petal-like lips, her closed eyes and arch-like brows, how she held his hand in hers even when she was asleep, he smiled.

He never liked gambling - but like what they said, if you go into the tiger's den, you'll never get the tiger cub.

For Temari, everything was worth it.

Author's note:

A short update, I hope you would enjoy this ... hopefully nothing bad will happen to our favourite couple ... hopefully

Anyways, thanks for the support x

V.S.V