A/N: I probably sound like a broken record right now, but sorry for the lack of updates - exam season is here so I've been focusing on putting out shorter/one-shot content where I can, as I want to be able to give this story my full attention when I come back to it. As you may know, most of the story was written a loooong time ago, but it's in a long document that I've been very lazy at uploading chapter-by-chapter to my Doc Manager. That and I'm also making adjustments as I go along to fit new ideas I'm weaving into the plot. Bear with me!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
He'd chosen to accompany her on her return to Suna that evening. Prior to this, they'd stopped by the Hokage's office to brief him on the plan. He'd been less-than-impressed at the last-minute nature of Shikamaru's three day trip, but had otherwise given them the green light.
"Let me get this straight," Kakashi had said after an agonising minute of deliberation, during which Shikamaru and Temari had exchanged nervous looks and silently communicated their apprehension over the Hokage's silence. "You're faking an engagement?"
"Yes, Lord Sixth," Shikamaru nodded. "And we need your help to do it."
"For the last time, Shikamaru, you can drop the 'Lord'," Kakashi muttered.
"You haven't said that to me as of late."
"That's because I was saying it so often to everyone that I had no energy left to stop people anymore."
"With all due respect, Kakashi-sensei, can we get back to the issue at hand?"
"Right, right," he replied. "Honestly, I don't know how comfortable I am with lying to the Sunan council. They already don't trust me as it is."
"That's not true, Lord Hokage," Temari interjected. "It's Shikamaru and I that they don't trust. Hence why we need both you and Gaara on board for our plan to work."
"I see. What do you need me to do?"
"I'm requesting a week's leave so that I can travel to Sunagakure with Temari this evening. We intend to run our strategy past the Kazekage and then meet with the elders to announce our 'engagement'."
"I'm afraid I can't just let you take a week off out of the blue, Shikamaru," Kakashi responded.
"But Lord Sixth-"
"...there may, however, be a D-rank mission I can send you on that would require travelling to the Land of Wind," he finished, grinning at the two of them. "Let me see what I can do." He shuffled through some manila folders sitting on his desk and pulled one out, lying it flat in front of him. "How convenient - there are some important documents that need transporting to the Kazekage immediately, and their confidential nature means I can't entrust them to a messenger summons or the postal service. How would you like to take on the task, Shikamaru?"
"It would be my pleasure, Lord Sixth," Shikamaru smirked.
"Very well," Kakashi said nonchalantly, dipping his brush in ink, signing and dating the document before him. "You may leave tonight for a prompt arrival in three days' time. Don't be late, now."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Temari replied on her companion's behalf. "We're sorry to cause you so much trouble on such short notice."
"It's no problem. I'm counting on the success of your strategy, Shikamaru," Kakashi nodded towards him. "As I've said from the beginning, we're all rooting for you two."
"We won't let you down," Shikamaru said affirmatively.
When they finally arrived in Suna, Kankuro and Gaara were already waiting for Temari to join them for dinner.
"Surprise," she half-smiled as her brothers noticed the extra person sitting down at their table.
"I'm getting an overwhelming sense of déjà vu," Kankuro murmured, arms folded sternly across his chest.
"Don't tell me," Gaara began, eyeing the dynamic between the couple opposite him. "You two are back together?"
"Yes," Shikamaru confirmed, just as Temari said, "Not quite."
They looked at each other, bemused at their conflicting responses.
"Gaara, you know I could never do that to you," Temari explained. "That said, Shikamaru has a plan."
"I'm listening," her youngest brother said plainly.
Shikamaru cleared his throat, steeling himself to recall their solution without faltering. "Both of us agreed that we didn't want to put you in the position you had suggested, Lord Kazekage," he clarified. "We realised that if we could offer the Suna Council the security they so desire, they would be much more likely to accept our relationship as well as give you more freedom regarding your personal life. Therefore, we will be announcing our engagement to them at the domestic affairs meeting tomorrow."
"You're ENGAGED?!" Kankuro exclaimed, choking on his water. "Nara, I swear to God, I will kill you-"
"Nice going, genius," Temari rolled her eyes. "You forgot to mention the part where the engagement is just a façade. Way to jump the gun."
"Calm down, Kankuro," Gaara said. "He knows that if he actually planned on marrying our sister, he would have to ask for our blessing first. Isn't that right, Shikamaru?"
"Absolutely," he said quickly, eyes darting to the sister in question. She merely chuckled at the fear that had suddenly appeared on his face.
"I don't see how the so-called 'engagement' solves our previous problem," Gaara continued.
"The engagement would assure them of our commitment to one another," Shikamaru elaborated, trying his best to maintain an even and steady voice. "It would also signify the commitment between Konohagakure and Sunagakure. Furthermore, we would explain our plans to have any hypothetical children adopt dual-citizenship. They would - hypothetically - split their time equally between the two villages. Therefore, the council shouldn't have any qualms about our - hypothetical - children having a claim to the Kazekage throne, as they would have equal rights as a citizen of both Konoha and Suna."
"Like I'd let you so much as touch my sister after this stunt..." Kankuro grumbled under his breath.
"Do you really think they'll believe you'd keep moving your children back and forth between villages?" Gaara questioned.
"Hypothetical children," Kankuro emphasised. "Essentially non-existent."
"They don't have to," Temari answered, ignoring Kankuro's disgruntlement. "We've sifted through the fine print, and there's little they can say or do to justify any opposition. If they really needed more proof that the potential heir would be legitimate, loyal to Suna and accepted by the people, we would promise to have the child born here."
"Hypothetical child."
"Get over it, Kankuro!" Temari snapped. "So Shikamaru omitted a major detail, it doesn't change the fact that we're together in real life regardless. One day, when we do get engaged, you'll be the first to know. Okay?"
He recoiled in his seat and mumbled something incomprehensible.
"I see," Gaara nodded. "You've thought this through."
"You were our biggest consideration," Temari insisted. "We're almost certain that if we propose the above to them, they'll lay off you, safe in the knowledge that a suitable, Sunan heir is on the cards. Combined with this, our imminent 'marriage' will assure peace between the villages, rather than driving us to separation and war."
"It's thoughtful," he mused. "This was Nara's thinking?"
Shikamaru gulped. "That's right, Lord Kazekage."
Gaara laughed. "I know you're a little intimidated right now, Shikamaru, but you don't need to be so formal all of a sudden."
"Right. So you'll help us?" he posed hopefully.
"Of course," the redhead smiled. Then he added, rather playfully, "After all, for the sake of appearances, we are going to be family soon, aren't we?"
"Lord Kazekage, what's the Nara boy doing here?"
The 'Nara boy'? Shikamaru sighed internally. They dislike me enough to demote me to 'Nara boy'?!
"He has an announcement to make."
All eyes were on him. Slowly, Shikamaru rose from the table and closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.
"Members of the Council of Sunagakure, I am here today to inform you that I have asked for Lady Temari's hand in marriage."
Eyes widened around the room.
"Lady Temari, is this true?" One member asked. She was visibly uncomfortable sitting next to Shikamaru, who was on his feet.
She nodded. "I accepted his proposal yesterday."
A few hushed gasps were heard here and there. Muttering began between some of the members.
"Lady Temari, are you sure this is what you want? We, as the Council, have spent the last few months tirelessly looking into potential suitors for you. There are still many options available that we would like you to consider. We have your best interests at heart."
"I've made my decision," Temari replied flatly. "Both the Kazekage and the Hokage have agreed to our plans."
"Artifice!" one of the members shouted. "Lady Temari, I should hope you haven't forgotten the serious discussion we had with you a few months ago. Do you understand the consequences of your actions? Lord Kazekage, how could you agree to this-'
"Shikamaru is an important figure in Konoha; he is officially taking over Kazekage's Temari hails from the Kazekage bloodline. Their union is key to maintaining Konoha-Suna relations."
"Exactly, Lord Kazekage. She hails from the Kazekage bloodline, therefore any children she and Shikamaru Nara have-"
"...will be citizens of both Suna and Konoha."
They couldn't believe it. They had walked out of the meeting having achieved something, together.
They were together.
Of course, it took a very calm and patient Shikamaru to iron out all the details for the Council, answer their every question and cover every loophole; and with Temari standing her ground with her usual independence and tenacity, they made for a wall of logic and force that couldn't be broken by whatever stones they had to throw at them. They were still gritting their teeth at some of the old-fashioned thinking and the occasional sexist comment, but they had reminded each other beforehand to keep the common goal in sight.
As they walked out of the building, Shikamaru's hand found hers.
"Hey," he grinned.
"Hey yourself," she said softly. "Thanks for, you know, being a genius and everything."
"Is that all I am to you?" he chuckled. "Just a giant brain for you to take advantage of and boss around?"
She punched him lightly on the shoulder. "If you really were a giant brain, you'd know not to push it."
"Did I mention how much I love you?"
"As one would expect from a fiancé," she smirked.
"Don't even get me started."
"THERE'S my favourite pretending-to-be-newly-engaged couple!" a booming voice resounded behind them.
They soon felt Kankuro's sweaty palms on their shoulders.
"Nice to see you too, Kankuro."
"How'd it go?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Shikamaru said quizzically, holding up his and Temari's interlinked hands for him to see.
"Wonderful, wonderful. So, when's the wedding?"
"We're not actually engaged, Kankuro."
"Oh, sure, but if you tell them you are, they're gonna expect some planning, aren't they? You can't just leave them hanging for years on end."
They looked at each other apprehensively. "We'll figure something out," Shikamaru said quickly.
"Well, let's celebrate!" Kankuro exclaimed, giving them both a push towards their usual restaurant. "I'll grab Gaara."
"He's probably busy-"
"His sister is finally allowed to be with the person she loves and he doesn't have to go along with some ridiculous arranged marriage anymore. He can find some spare time."
Temari blushed. She looked at Shikamaru with a hope in her eyes that she hadn't fully realised until just now.
"You're right. Let's celebrate."