He stared as the door slowly opened.

Temari stood in front of him, dressed in an oversized t-shirt, her face was visibly ruddy; a familiar scent crept its way into his nostrils.

"You have been drinking?" Shikamaru arched an eyebrow.

Temari grinned at him. "I've just started my first cup of wine, come on in."

He walked into her apartment, staring at her long, toned legs as they moved further away from him.

"Come on," she scowled with a smile on her face, out of nowhere she pulled out an empty wine glass, and began to pour red wine into the cup.

"Troublesome," he muttered with a smirk as he sat down next to her, taking the half-full wine glass in his hand.

"So, did my little brother scare you?" Temari raised an eyebrow and took a sip from her wine.

"Gaara is quite talkative, didn't expect that," he chuckled.

Temari smiled at him. "I bet he told you a lot of stuff."

"He did," Shikamaru stared at her hand – her fingers were long and delicate, the soft skin radiated under the lights of her living room.

"Oi." Temari nudged him with her elbow. "Keep the conversation going."

He grinned at her for a second, which slowly faded back into a smile.

"You free tomorrow?"

"…Yeah I suppose," she arched an eyebrow, with a confused look on her face.

"I want to go somewhere," he said. "With you."

"Like a date?" Temari smirked.

"Yeah, something like that." He shrugged, his arm casually slinging over and rested on the sofa behind her back.

"How troublesome," she shrugged and smiled at him. "But I guess I don't have anything better to do."

He flashed her a grin and took a sip from his glass of wine, only to realize that it was nearly empty.

"Aren't you going to pour me another cup?" He waved the glass in front of her face, smiling at her.

She smirked, putting her palm over his glass and shook her head.

"I know what you are like after you're drunk," she grinned at him, the pink hue on her face made her looked even more feminine than she was. "We drunk fucked, remember?" She ended her statement with a hearty laugh.

Shikamaru turned his gaze on her and stared deep into her emerald like green eyes.

"You know."

"Know what?"

"I'd fuck you sober," he smirked. "Any time of the day."

Temari's face turned redder than it already was. "Dr-drunk already huh?" She laughed rigidly, and took the bottle in her hand. "Here have some more."

Shikamaru stopped her hand mid-air, with a gentle grasp on her wrist.

"I mean it." He took the bottle away from her and put it down on the coffee table. "Not only that I'd fuck you sober, I can't think of anyone else to make love to," he said, his gaze was calm and affirming, gentle yet passionate.

Temari looked down at her thighs, embarrassedly, she bit on her lip. She felt like her face, no, her whole body was burning – must be the alcohol.

He gently broke her rigid form, pulling her closer to him.

He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, nearly jumping out. He could feel her wine-scented breath, her jasmine-scented fragrance filling his nostrils.

He took a gulp and cupped her face with his hand; she did not flinch as he slowly raised her head, facing her directly.

"Is it okay if I do this?" He asked, arching an eyebrow, he could feel his own face burning, like the face he was touching.

"You are ruining the moment," said Temari, frowning and sighing lightly.

He muttered with a smile on his face. "How troublesome."

He leaned forward and pressed his lips on her soft, supple ones, his tongue slowly brushed pass his teeth and hers, entwining with her tongue.

Temari raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck; he felt that and pulled her closer with his other hand on her waist. The scent of spicy tobacco in his breath, it was almost addictive, her tongue tied tightly with his.

They broke the kiss as they gasped for breath; he took the opportunity to pull her close, his head resting on her shoulder.

"I made your brother a promise," he said with a soft sigh.

"Yeah?"

"I said I would use a lifetime to learn about you, to care for you…" He lifted his head to look her straight in the eye.

Temari seemed unfazed, she stared back at him with a gentle smile.

"And?"

"I think I am in love with you." He said softly, and then he shrugged. "Man I am really bad at being romantic."

Temari laughed, something about this particular laugh made him feel like he was listening to wind chimes – it was pleasing to the ear, almost too cheerful for Temari.

As she stopped laughing, Shikamaru smiled and leaned towards her again.

As they exchanged feverish kisses, his hands began to explore her body, caressing her curvy, well-toned body; he could feel her hands running all over his chest and abdomen as well. He lowered her onto the sofa and hovered over her.

But just as he began to pull her t-shirt up, she jolted and grabbed him by the wrist.

"No," she said softly. "I…I am not comfortable with this." The look in Temari's brilliant eyes made him uncomfortable as well. She was not angry, she was not sad … she was worried, frightened even.

Shikamaru's hand left her t-shirt, and he helped her up, his arm slung across her shoulder. "It's okay. We don't have to rush anything."

Temari leaned onto his shoulder, her blonde hair against his neck.

"I am sorry." She said softly. "I don't want to ruin it… "

His embrace around her tightened a little; turning around, he pressed his lips gently against her forehead.

"It's okay," he said softly. "Rushing is troublesome anyways."

She turned around swiftly and wrapped her arms around his neck, startling him.

He flinched at first; with a light sigh and a smile on his face, he wrapped his arms around her body.

"Thank you Shikamaru." She said softly into his ear.


"If you want me to go, I will come pick you up tomorrow at twelve." He said with a reassuring pat on her back.

"You can stay," she smiled. "If you want to."

"Well, I am too lazy to budge," he replied and yawned. "Let's go to bed, I am tired."

Temari knocked him lightly on the forehead. "Lazy ass. There's a blue toothbrush for you"

She walked into the bathroom with a grin, which he followed her.

The two took their toothbrushes and began brushing their teeth.

He gargled and spat out the water into the sink. "What about Gaara? Wouldn't he mind I stay here?"

"Gaara has his own apartment, actually he lives upstairs." Temari said, wiping her face with a towel.

They went into her bedroom; she lied down and he did the same next to her.

Gently, he wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Wouldn't you be upset?" Temari said, not turning around to look at him. "I mean…"

"Nah," he replied. "We have all the time in the world."

"Hmph." She smiled.

"By the way," then she said. "Do you remember what happened that night when we first met?"

"Partly, why?" He arched an eyebrow as the woman in his arms turned around and looked at him.

"You don't remember." Temari smirked. "It's okay, because I do."

"Tell me then," he said, arching an eyebrow.

"Hmph." Temari closed her eyes.


Their sweat-covered bodies were side by side after passionate sex, he had rolled off her after pressing his lips on her, as if he was sealing the deal.

Temari was panting, as she pulled the blanket over her body.

Just before she fell asleep, he could feel his lips next to her ear, his minty breath filling her nostrils.

"I love you." He said.

Be it the drunk words of a man, no woman would be able to resist these words from a man she just had sex with.

Not to mention, Temari felt the authenticity of his emotions.

She pressed a quick kiss on his cheek as she turned around and fell asleep.

Before she turned her back on him, she thought she saw a smile on the man's face.

"That probably wasn't directed to me at that time," said Temari with an exaggerated sigh.

"Come on," Shikamaru stroked her cheek. "We have a hell of a date tomorrow."

"Surprise me, Nara."

"Just sleep," he closed his eyes and leaned closer.

Temari heard his soft whisper as she closed her eyes.

I love you.

It appeared that Sabuku no Temari had found a new form of solace, in the dark.

With Nara Shikamaru.


Author's note:

Another chapter!

Dear captindonavin, come on I am not that bad! I want to see them happy too just not that directly :p

I hope you guys enjoy the new chapter!

Thanks for the love guys xoxo

V.S.V