Kankuro could barely keep up with Shikamaru. For a lazy ninja that strategized before he even made a move in a battle, he was insanely quick and built up a lot of endurance. As for Kankuro, he was running on low energy going into the village. That was about a day ago, and they hadn't stopped to rest since. It almost brought a smile to Kankuro's face as he realized that Shikamaru and Temari's feelings were mutual. That was except for the fact that he was barely conscious and his legs burned from the constant motion that had lasted days now.

And yet, Shikamaru never looked back and never stopped moving. It was as if he had prepared for this. Kankuro was sure that he hadn't, but the thought must have struck his mind once or twice. Kankuro almost felt bad for the kid because for one, he had fallen in love with Temari and two, he was feeling trapped at the moment. Temari was almost gone and out of his reach. Or at least he thought it was going to be that way.

Shikamaru suddenly stopped and stood on a thick branch. He turned around to face Kankuro. Kankuro had to admit that Shikamaru was no longer a scrawny kid anymore. He actually had the strength to protect someone, specifically his sister. Not that that was a problem to begin with.

"Kankuro, you need to rest. I know that you have to be tired by now. I can get there faster without you dragging me down." He stated it as a demand more so than a fact. It was the tone in his voice, a demanding tone. Kankuro smirked secretly. The kid might just survive her wrath after all.

"Fine. Just get to her, and make her she stays alive for one more day after your arrival. I want to see her one last time." Kankuro honestly hated lying, but Gaara's plan had to work. It was a great plan in all reality, and Kankuro couldn't mess it up.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure that there is a way to see her more than just one time." Shikamaru smiled nervously as he turned and darted off . He quickly moved out of Kankuro's sight.

Temari had brought a few guys over to meet them, but Kankuro disliked all of them. They were not going to be there for her when she actually needed them. They were nothing more than her play toys. She would dispose of them when she got bored or felt like things could get serious.

Shikamaru was about to head out on a mission and dropped it for her. The Hokage knew of the plan somehow, which was all part of Gaara's mysteries, so getting her to agree was easy. Though, if she had said no, Kankuro knew that Shikamaru would have disobeyed anyways. Kankuro actually liked this guy. Nara Shikamaru had his approval. "Kid, I hope you get Gaara's approval. He is the Kazekage after all." He smiled as he headed to a place that he could rest at before he headed back home to see the aftermath of Gaara's plan.

Shikamaru knew that he was extremely lazy. He hated doing anything that required any amount of actual energy or concentration (that is, except for shoji.). And yet, he found himself sprinting as fast as he could to Suna. He knew that it is supposed to be a three-day journey, but he didn't stop to rest. Shikamaru loved his rest.

He flashed a small smirk as he saw the gates of Suna, but the smirk quickly dispersed as he entered the village, without stopping to check in. And yet, no one stopped him. Somehow, Shikamaru knew the quickest way to learn about Suna and exactly where Temari was: the Kazekage.

Gaara scared the crap out of Shikamaru. He knew that no matter how smart he was, he could probably never defeat Gaara in a battle, which he would be dumb to get in to begin with. Though, Shikamaru could only imagine how busy Gaara was, he knew that Temari meant something to the Kazekage as well. He only had two people in his family left, and to lose one would be absolutely devastating. It would be devastating to Shikamaru too. To never see her beautiful eyes twinkle at him or hear an insult that was specifically to him. To never kiss those lips again. It would be horrible to leave without her, and he knew it. That's why he was still sprinting after two days of no sleep and non-stop sprinting.

He knew where the Kazekage's office was from Temari's desciption of Suna. He darted up the sand-covered steps, and he approached the famous study room. He opened the doors to see a calm Gaara sitting in a chair. "Hello Shikamaru, please sit down."

Under any other circumstance, Shikamaru would have got the message. From it was any other person, he would have relaxed. But it was the troublesome woman, and his calm demeanor had been demolished by his emotions.

You did go through emotional training, didn't you?

"Sit down! Do you realize that your sister, your older sister, that worries about you constantly, is dying!" He stood helplessly in front of Gaara, hoping that he wouldn't be dead today.

Gaara simply propped his elbows on the desk. "So, you really do love her, don't you?"

Shikamaru was a genius, but he hated his feelings because they got in the way of his bliss. He hated them because he knew that they were always right. He hated him now because he couldn't deny them. Because he had to admit that he loved her. He sighed before his answer because what else could he do? "Yes, I love her. I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

Gaara actually smiled this time. He never smiled. "That's good then. She'll be happy to see you when she gets back from her latest mission. She'll be here by tomorrow." And with that, Gaara stood up. "I've made arrangements for you to sleep nearby. You will be staying, correct?" Gaara placed his hand on Shikamaru's shoulder. Shikamaru was stunned because he figured that it would be cold and lifeless, when now it was warm and comforting. "Sorry, but it was the only way to make sure you got here before she did."

Shikamaru shook his head. It made sense now that he thought about it. He knew that following feelings was not his first choice of action. It was her fault. It was all of her fault. Plus, he was outsmarted. "Is she alright?" He was shocked that all of the things he could have said, he chose those.

"She is fine. It was a very routine mission." Gaara showed Shikamaru to the door. "Enjoy Suna while you can. I suppose you haven't been her much."

Shikamaru sighed with relief. His main reason to be here wasn't even here. He quickly opened the door, but he decided to shut it slowly to talk to Gaara. "It's because I had enough of Suna with me to last a lifetime." He walked out of the building longing for Temari's arrival to be early. Very early.

He didn't know it but by his last words, he had sealed Gaara's approval. If Temari wanted to be with Shikamaru, nothing stood in her way.