Ino and Sai had prior obligations and needed to head back to Konoha. And Kakashi left with them. Instead of the typical day and a half commute to Ame, it only takes 4 hours.

But Temari, Shikamaru and Kankuro had to go to Suna which was one and a half day commute from Ame. By Time they arrived, it was pitch black outside. The cold night was slowly becoming freezing, so Kankuro went straight to his house planning on reporting to Gaara in the morning.

Temari waved to her brother and dragged Shikamaru back to her apartment. While even this Temperature was too cold for Temari's liking, she was able to bear it. But Shikamaru was completely different. Temari looked over to him and could see his body visibly shaking.

"Can't handle the weather?" Temari gloated as she threw a condescending grin in his direction.

"HaHa" Shikamaru said sarcastically before rolling his eyes before crossing his arms and rubbing his shoulders. "This cold is completely different than what get in Konoha." Shikamaru couldn't keep himself warm anymore and the coldness was coming out in his voice which shivered with every word that came out; but knew he was seconds away from a hot shower and a warm bed.

"Quit complaining" Temari took out the keys to her apartment and quickly opened the door so Shikamaru could hurry and heat up. But even the hallway was freezing.

"You haven't been in your apartment for months, I hope it isn't freezing like this-" Shikamaru thought that hot days would balance it out but to his surprise when Temari opened the door to her apartment it was even colder.

"You know Suna buildings are built to keep heat out and cool air in. And this is one of the best buildings for it." Temari told her as she dropped her fan by the door before shutting and locking it.

"I know now." Shikamaru watched as Tamari turned on the heat. "They can't find a way to do the opposite at night?" Shikamaru took off his shoes and Jacket and hung it on the hook that Temari had placed next to her door.

"Well it's harder to cool down without electricity. But with it being cold all you need are blankets to warm you up essentially." Temari could see Shikamaru shivering and knew to place a lot of blankets on her bed before he had gotten out the shower. "Now hurry and use the shower in my room"

"I'll use the other one Tem, it's no problem for me" Shikamaru knew how much she valued a good bath and allowing her to feel comfort in her home was one of the few things that he could give her after a long trip.

"Alright" Temari waved him off as she walked in her room. "I'll try to be quick so I can get dinner started"

"Take your time Tem, I know where everything is at to cook" Shikamaru watched as a slight smile appeard on her face before she was completely out of his sight. He then went and took his shower which was faster than hers. And he anticipated that. So he sat at her kitchen table and pulled out his laptop to check some emails before he began cooking.

KakashiH.

So I know your currently traveling but this is urgent. Suna can not move on with the project. Gaara wanted to meet with me in person but at the moment I have to travel to Kirigakure.

I told Gaara you can handle it until I get back.

Thanks

ShikamaruNara.

No problem.

Shikamaru can just picture the smug look on Kakashi's face as he was sending him that email. But he knew if Kakashi wanted him to handle something he thought it was the best idea. So he closed his laptop and went over to Temari's fridge to look for some food.

'She hasn't been home for a couple months so there can't be much in here' Shikamaru sighed as he noticed a lone package of beef cubes in the freezer before looking in the fridge where there was just bottles of waters and a pack of curry cubes.

So after finding rice in her cabinet, a simple meal of curry and rice was the plan. As Shikamaru was plating the meals he could overhear Temari on the phone.

'It's a huge black diamond Gaara. I was the happiest I've ever been.'

'...'

'Thank you...and you don't have to tell me, I already know what's happening with Suna. I'll be there to talk about it tomorrow'

'...'

'Goodnight'

Shikamaru wish he could hear the entire conversation but he filled in the pieces to the best of his ability. He knew Temari was worried about Suna, and as her fiancé he is going to everything in his power to ensure her happiness.

So after they ate and said good night, Shikamaru spent all night in the living room writing out a paper to help Suna so they don't have to go into debt for this train.


It was 6 in the morning and Gaara had called an urgent meeting with Shikamaru, Temari, and Kankuro. Temari had never seen Gaara so flustered. His cheeks were bright red, he was avoiding eye contact with everyone and his voice was shaky.

Temari knew back then that this version of Gaara never would've existed. He would've instantly snapped and his anger wasn't something to be played with. But this nervous wreck wasn't the best either.

"Somehow Temari, you know the problems that Suna's facing. Me and Kankuro chose not to tell you because of the anticipated proposal. And your happiness is our priority and we didn't want to ruin the moment. But it seems that we can't hide anything from you." Gaara chuckled a bit and Temari was taken a back for a second but this genuine smile could only put a smile on her face.

"Well, Shikamaru has come up with a plan." Shikamaru handed Gaara the plan that he wrote early this morning and instantly the nervousness that Gaara had just went away. "I think it could really work." Temari reasurred both her brothers as they read each page carefully.

"The train will have to be postponed for about a month and some debt will be accumulated because of the price of materials and building cost" Shikamaru explained to them. "But in six months the fans will generate 10 times the amount of money than it took to build them. This is how you'll pay for the train."

"Thank you Shikamaru, I truly appreciate everything you're doing for Suna"

A cheeky grin couldn't help but to come on Gaara's face. Shikamaru was Kakashi's right hand man and the man his sister chose to love, so he didn't need a second opinion on the matter. If Temari believed in it so did he and immediately he signed the paper work to get the plan started