Shikamaru kicked at a loose stone. He stood at the gates to Konoha, grumbling to himself. Stupid Naruto – big stupid idiot. This dynamite stick won't explode right? Well of course, if its lit, the stupid fuc-

"Shikamaru? What happened to you?"

He turned around to see Temari, standing at the gates. She was dressed in her usual white blouse and skirt, carrying her tessen and her travel pack.

"Went on a mission with Naruto. Unintended explosion. But don't worry about it. It was a good run," Shikamaru said coolly – as if he wasn't tired, aching and badly injured all over.

Temari eyed him up and down. She could tell when he was putting up a bravado to look cool. "Is this your first time you've worn a sling?" she asked, noticing how he twitched his neck.

"Yeah, it's not my favourite accessory," he joked. He rubbed the back of his neck, heavy from the arm sling.

And Temari had run enough missions to know when someone needed rest, so she pinched his non-bandaged cheek and teasingly said, "Alright, jonin. Let's get you home. I bet your mom is missing you so much."

Shikamaru pulled his face away, trying to look annoyed – as if he didn't thoroughly enjoy her teasing. "Actually, she's away on a trip with the other moms. She'll be away all weekend," Shikamaru told her as a matter-of-fact.

"So nobody's home to take care of you, cry baby?" Temari playfully mocked.

"I guess not," he shrugged," I'll have the house to myself entirely."

"Bad time to lose the hand," Temari joked.

Shikamaru shook his head trying not to laugh. Defeated, he looked up at her and told her he's here to escort her to her inn – as usual. It was his a part of his job – as she knew. He shifted in his posture. His backpack was starting to feel heavy on his other arm - just like the turtleneck he was wearing, his mission backpack was damaged in the explosion. Now the strap was thinner than it used to be. It cut into his shoulder, the fabric itself fraying.

"You seem to be really hurting, Shikamaru. Maybe I should escort you home instead," Temari said sincerely.

"Are you asking me out on a date, Temari of the Sand?" Shikamaru asked her cheekily.

"Is it your idea of a date when a girl does your job for you and takes you back to your own house?" Temari suggested.

"It's a dream come true, actually," Shikamaru shot back.