A/N: The Konoha gang walk into a bar...

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

"Friends? That's bullshit, I tell you."

The guys were all at the bar again on a Friday night. The girls had joined them as well, and they sat in a large booth with cocktails and mixers strewn over the table.

"I never thought I'd say this, but I'm with Kiba on this one," Ino added. "I don't understand. You two had dinner together. I was certain you were going to get back together that night."

"She made it pretty clear she just wanted to leave it at friendship. She went back to Suna the next day, after all," Shikamaru explained.

"Ouch," Naruto responded. "Friendzoned. That's never fun." His eyes flicked to Sakura jokingly. Meanwhile, Hinata looked shyly after him.

"What an idiot," Shino muttered under his breath.

"If that's what she wants, then I'm fine with that," Shikamaru insisted. "It might even be good for me."

"She's good for you, Shikamaru," Choji reminded him. "I've never seen you more engaged and interested in life than when you're around Temari. So I can't believe you're just letting it be."

"Well, we parted on good terms this time," he elaborated. "I felt as though I'd broken through a wall. These last few weeks…it's like I've been able to just live properly again."

"You're lying to yourself," Ino said bluntly.

"Temari's probably lying to herself, too," Tenten added.

"Come on, guys," Lee interjected. "The man's just rediscovered his youth. Why are you all trying to spoil that?"

"Because this is just a waste of time," Kiba barked. "They clearly both still love each other. What's the use in stalling?"

"Kiba," Shino hissed. "That's enough."

"He has a point, Shikamaru," Sai suggested. "The more you put it off, the harder it will be in the end. At least, that's what all the books point to."

Shikamaru rolled his eyes at the entire table. "It's been a month and a half since we last saw or spoke to each other. Why is this still the main topic of conversation here?"

"Please," Ino snorted. "You two are gonna remain Konoha's hottest gossip until Naruto starts dating someone."

Hinata nearly choked on her drink. Naruto looked at her, puzzled.

Sakura laughed. "Sorry, Shikamaru, but when Ino's right, she's right."

"You can't tell me you're totally fine sitting here and minding your own business, while she's in Suna probably hooking up with other gu-"

"Will you just shut up for once, Kiba?!" Tenten snapped at him. "Talk about speaking out of turn."

Choji looked at his best friend sympathetically. "We're not saying you should fly to her tonight on one of Sai's ink birds and propose," he began. "But keep an open mind, okay? It's getting cooler over there now that September's here. Maybe you should ask Kakashi-sensei to send you on a mission to Suna, and visit her while you're at it."

"I don't know…"

"Come on, Shikamaru!" Naruto insisted. "You guys were meant to be. I called it years ago; back when you pretended you were merely 'work colleagues', organising the Chunin Exams…"

"We were!"

"Whatever," Naruto chuckled. "Even though you two were in denial, I was rooting for you."

"Shikamaru-kun," Hinata spoke for what seemed to be the first time in the entire evening. "Temari-san has great admiration and respect for you. From what I've seen, you're one of the few people she truly cares about. When the timing is right, I think she will come back."

Shikamaru smiled at his friends' words of support and encouragement. He hadn't expected them to be so invested in this matter, but if it was this important to them, maybe he had some things to think about.