Temari leaned on her apartment balcony, feeling the nostalgic air of Konoha. It's been five years since some things happened in this place, she almost forgot all of it and moved on with the silly bet. But one thing that never changed, is his face in her mind. She met a lot of men during her college and had relationships with them, having a commitment seems to be more of a responsibility for her. She did love them but something's lacking…..missing, that she wished they could fill.

The company asked her to attend some business meetings in Konoha multiple times but she always declined. This time she accepts it, she wanted to prove and convince herself that she moved on from everything, from him. It was Friday morning when she decided to grab a coffee from a shop, she accidentally saw Ino and Sakura, they chat a little and invited her to attend the engagement party. They have been a good friend to her when they were in high school and could not decline their invitation, so she agreed. She's ready to face anyone that night.

Temari prepared her milk and floral bath, she wanted to be pampered after multiple stressful business meetings. She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of the water when his face always appeared in her mind.

Fuck! Not tonight

She grabbed her white and lilac sundress for tonight's event. It's already 5:50 pm and her feet are still not ready to go, she sighs and shakes all the pressure she was feeling. Once she got all her courage, she requested a cab and head her way to the party.

Shikamaru arrived early at the event at around 5:30 pm, not his usual. He meets with Ino and Sai who helped Sakura and Sasuke decorate the place, then meets with Naruto, then Shino, and the rest of the people. The party started at exactly 6 pm, the couple had a little speech then proceeded to eat and party. While waiting, he grabbed some drinks to relieve his tension. He glanced at the clock and it was already 6:45 pm, she was still not there. He walked outside, to their garden to clear his mind when he saw her enter the house. His heart skipped a beat and his breath becomes swallow, almost gasping for air. Her face was more mature now, Ino was right she was glowing. His feet become numb for a moment when he saw her meeting with the others inside.

Temari glanced and smiled at him, Shikamaru smiled back but an awkward one. He waited for his perfect time to approach her, a lot of people wanted to talk to her, asking her about her life since she left Konoha five years ago. One time he saw Kiba talking to Temari then he left, after their conversation he saw her walking to the house porch. Shikamaru immediately went inside and lead his way to the porch.

Temari leaned to the wooden fence of the porch and Shikamaru stand beside her and leaned his back to the wooden fence.

"You're looking good, you've changed" she said without looking at him

"I am?" He smiled while his eyes explored every inch of her

"Yeah, you've got big. It suits you" She faced him with a smile

His heart was now running in laps after seeing her smile again.

"You too, you're looking good. Uhm attractively good actually" He scratched the back of his head, he could feel the flush swarming his face.

Temari laughed and Shikamaru was surprised by her reaction

"Why? Why are you laughing?" he asked

"This is not so us five years ago, remember how you bully me back then? And now you're complimenting me?"

"What is us five years ago?" his eyes were focused on her, waiting for every word she will say. Their eyes meet and Temari was startled.

"How's work?" She moved her gaze away from him

There was a pause before he answered "Good, all good. And you?"

"Good too, busy but good"

"I saw Kiba approach you"

"Yeah, he said sorry about the bet and I said it's okay, it's nothing to me now" she said while flipping her hands

"Better, you deserved it they should apologize"

"And he said, you have no idea about the bet. I'm sorry about the last time" she said in a low voice while clearing her throat.

"Did you mean what you said last time?"

"Which one?" she looked to the ground, hiding all her emotions. She knows what he's talking about.

"That you wished you never met me?" his voice was full of sadness.

"What answer do you want me to give you?"

"The truth"

She breathed out before answering "I lied, I didn't mean it. I'm just angry and I'm sorry"

Shikamaru smiled, the pain he had for five years was now gone. He felt relieved.

"Do you want to grab some lunch tomorrow?" He fixed his position

"I'm leaving Konoha tomorrow at noon"

"Tomorrow? That fast? Can you like to extend your stay here for a day or two?"

"I can't I have some things to do in Suna"

"That's too fast"

"I've been here for three days. I cannot stay a little longer"

"Then let's have breakfast together then"

"Why? Why are you doing this Shikamaru?" Her voice quivers as she squeezed her eyes shut

"You know what I want Temari. I want to spend my time with you every hour, every minute, every second. I don't want to waste my chance now that you're here"

"You can't. Please Shikamaru don't do this, you cannot" she said in her pleading voice

Shikamaru saw tears forming in her eyes and Temari was trying to hide them.

"Why are you saying I cannot? I Can! We can! Please don't make this hard for me, for you, for us! I know you want it too. I can feel it!" His voice becomes louder, releasing all the voices he kept from his heart.

She positions herself in front of him, to have a good view. Her eyes were now red and tears were forming in the corners of her eyes.

"I'm already engaged" She raised her hand and a diamond ring sparkles on her finger.