A/N: Merry Christmas, everyone! Consider this my gift to you: two chapters in one day, not to mention ShikaTema date night. I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

They'd been on three dates, and he was sure Temari was getting impatient. They'd done nothing but talk about work and part with awkward hugs goodbye. She'd suspended her plans to return to Suna for the time being, claiming she had some unfinished business she'd forgotten about, but Shikamaru was smart enough to gather it was a double entendre. Women, he thought to himself. They're an enigma. Right, Dad?

Tonight would mark one month since that unextraordinary first date. Hardly an occasion to celebrate, but perhaps it was time he got serious about his feelings for her. He'd need to deal with them sooner or later. But he of all people knew how bad he was with romance, and Temari wasn't an easy person to impress. Relationships were nothing but troublesome. So why did he want one?

He imagined what his father might say to him. "Temari, huh?" he could hear his old man smirk while playing shogi. "Isn't she older than you?"

"Only by three years or so," Shikamaru would reply, moving his piece and checking his father.

"Well, good luck, son," his dad would say, deep in thought over his next move. "I mean, good for you." With one swift switch, he would sit up and smile. "Checkmate."

I can't believe even in my head I lose to him, Shikamaru muttered quietly. What about Asuma-sensei? He somehow managed to woo Kurenai, even after years of platonic friendship. Maybe he knew something about the female kind.

"I don't know what to tell you, Shikamaru," he shrugged in Shikamaru's psyche. "Just stop being so damn lazy. It doesn't help you in battle and it definitely won't help you with Temari."

"How did you know I was talking about Temari?" Shikamaru asked defensively.

"Please, you two are so obvious," he chuckled.

"Like you and Kurenai-sensei?"

Asuma's eyes widened and his cheeks flushed at the mention of her name. "W-what are you talking ab-"

"Checkmate." Shikamaru grinned, moving his piece into its final resting place.

At least I'd never lose to Asuma-sensei, Shikamaru smiled to himself.

Maybe they were both as clueless about women as he was.

He looked at the time. Three already? I better get a move on if I want to think of something nice for Temari.

He hated resorting to this, but it seemed like he had no choice. He picked up the phone and dialled.

"Ino? It's Shikamaru. I need your help."

It was half-seven as they'd agreed, and he stood outside her hotel room nervously. He hid two presents for her behind his back: one wrapped in paper, the other in a box.

The door opened and Temari appeared. It was still odd seeing her in anything but the largely purple attire she often wore with a giant fan on her back. But tonight, she'd chosen a simple black dress and denim jacket with her standard sandals. Her hair was in two ponytails, spiky in much the same way as his, but parted to the right. She was always beautiful, but especially so in this very moment.

"Hey, Nara! Helloooo?" She waved a hand in front of his awe-struck gaze.

He snapped out of it. "Sorry," he mumbled, embarrassed. "These are for you," he said, producing two gifts and eagerly awaiting her reaction.

"What are these…flowers? Chocolates? How cheesy and unoriginal of you," she teased.

Exactly as he expected. He smirked and said, "Look a little closer."

She examined the two items as he handed them to her. Her eyes instantly softened and a smile slowly crept across her face, not that she would ever let him have the satisfaction of seeing it.

"Cacti," she murmured. "Just like the ones I keep at home in Suna."

He nodded, still unsure whether she was pleased or not. "And I believe these are your favourite dumplings. But if not, I'll buy you something else on the w-"

"They're perfect," she interrupted him. "I can't believe you remembered these small details. Thank you, Shikamaru." She placed them on her desk and then returned to the doorway.

He breathed an internal sigh of relief. Moreover, she had addressed him by his first name, which only happened on very rare, serious occasions. Right on cue, Ino checked in. Shikamaru! Her voice rang in his head. How did it go? Did she like them?

He hated that she could use her Mind Transfer jutsu to pop into his thoughts whenever she pleased. But nonetheless, he was grateful to her.

I think so. Thanks, Ino. It definitely wouldn't have gone down so well if I'd stuck with the original flowers-and-chocolate plan.

I knew it! she replied. I'll let you get back to your date. Remember, be a gentleman!

With that, her presence disappeared. He opened his eyes to see a confused Temari.

"Are you okay, Nara? You kinda…zoned out. It was starting to spook me."

"Yeah, I'm fine," he smiled. "Ready to go?"

As their date neared its end, Shikamaru felt frustrated with himself. Once again, he'd chickened out and just talked about work. Was it really a date if they did the same thing here as they did at meetings? It was only a matter of time before she'd get bored and move onto someone else. She was a strong and stunning kunoichi, who wouldn't want a chance with her?

"This was nice," Temari said when they got to her door. Then she added, "It always is."

Just tell her already. "I'm sorry our conversations aren't very interesting. I'm not all that good with feelings, and…"

"Shikamaru, I get it. I know you, and I don't mind. We'll go at whatever pace you're comfortable with. We're just testing the waters, who knows what'll happen?"

He was amazed at her insight; and he realised just how lucky he was to have her in his life. He wanted to commit; he couldn't stand the thought of another man flirting with her. Perhaps women weren't as bad as he once thought. Perhaps he could envision a life shared with someone special. Perhaps his father was right after all. "Sometimes women are kind to the men they love."

"It's okay if you don't want a girlfriend."

The mention of the word was so foreign and uncomfortable; something he had never envisioned for himself, as that implied commitment of some sort. The Infinite Tsukuyomi had proven his greatest dream was to avoid the m-word altogether…and yet in that very dream, Temari was next to him, agreeing nonchalantly. He had no idea what to make of that.

So instead, he smiled at her. "Thanks for understanding, Temari."

"What are friends for?" she winked as she unlocked her door and went inside. "I'll see you later, Nara."