Author's Note: Wedding chapter, finally! It is pretty long compared to the other chapters (14 pages!); that's why it took such a long time. I apologize for the delay!

There is one last chapter after this one. This chapter and chapter eight will be put up at the same time.

Thanks again to everyone who reviewed! You don't know how much it helped. Thank you so much.

Enjoy!

Day Before the Wedding: 8:00 AM.

Nara Household

"Yoshino."

Nara Yoshino turned around and fixed her husband with a terrible stare.

"What?"

Shikaku gulped slightly as he gripped his coffee mug. His wife was never a morning person.

"Do you…do you think it was right to sign up Shikamaru for the wedding?"

Yoshino planted one hand on her hip. "Are you questioning me, Shikaku?"

"Er, no…?" Shikaku's knuckles were white. He cleared his throat. "I was just asking because…"

"Because why?"

"Well…" Shikaku fidgeted slightly. "Shikamaru has been acting…strangely…lately."

"He always acts strangely," Yoshino replied, turning back to the sink. "He's unmotivated." She paused as she scrubbed at a dish with a washcloth.

"That's why I signed him up. I've always told him that he should participate in extracurricular activities."

Shikaku didn't bother telling his wife that getting married hardly counted as an extracurricular activity. Instead, he wisely decided to ignore the comment.

"No, not that kind of strange," her husband held up a Polaroid. "This kind of strange."

Yoshino dropped a dish.

"He didn't—"

"Uh-huh," Shikaku nodded. "This was taken a couple of days ago." He smiled sheepishly. "I followed them on their date."

"He used my curling iron," Yoshino said, aghast. "And…is that my lipstick? My good lipstick?"

Shikaku wore a grave expression.

"I have a feeling that he's trying to stop the wedding."

Yoshino pulled up a chair. "Does this mean…?"

"Yes," Shikaku said solemnly.

His wife furrowed her eyebrows. "But why didn't he tell us?"

"He does tend to keep to himself," remarked Shikaku. He sighed. "I hope the poor kid is okay."

Day Before the Wedding: 3:00 PM

Supply Closet

"Everyone here?" whispered Temari, holding up the candle.

"I think so," replied Shikamaru.

"Get me out of this bucket, you son of a bitch," shouted Hidan from the metal pail. "This is chafing my neck, seriously."

"Shut up," hissed Kankuro. He clucked his tongue. "Geez, you sure are temperamental for a monk."

Hidan scowled. "No fucking way."

"Everyone, settle down," Shino said in monotone. He was sitting on an overturned crate.

"You're not my mother," grumbled Kiba, crossing his arms. He was still miffed over being tied to a chair.

Sasuke ignored all of them, polishing his chokuto and trying to look brooding and mysterious. However, since everyone in the small room was arguing with each other, nobody was paying him any attention.

"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted, suddenly entering the small supply closet. "I didn't know you were here at the meeting!"

The Uchiha rolled his eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Naruto."

Jiraiya followed his pupil into the closet, closing the door behind him.

"Nice place you got here," he remarked thoughtfully. "This would be a great setting for the next Icha-Icha novel."

Temari raised one eyebrow, disgusted.

"In a supply closet?" she asked, appalled.

Jiraiya sniffed disdainfully. "It's called creativity, hon."

"Everyone, be quiet!" Chouji called. He popped open a bag of potato chips. "Shikamaru has something he wants to say."

"Thank you," his best friend said quietly.

All of the people in the closet immediately complied. There was an urgent tone to Shikamaru's voice.

"As you all know, the wedding is tomorrow," Shikamaru said solemnly, lacing his fingers together. He glanced around the room. Though his face was composed, his eyes were pleading.

"We need your help."

Night Before the Wedding. 8:00 PM

Toshi Restaurant

Temari and Shikamaru sat across from the Hokage and Kazekage. The restaurant had been rented out to their group for the night. It was eerily empty, Temari thought. Without the comfortable clinking of silverware and low chitchat, the atmosphere was tense, as if it was sucking in its breath.

Like it was waiting.

Tsunade rested her chin upon her hands.

"How are you two doing?" she asked, tilting her head to one side. "Excited?"

"Oh, of course," Temari said cheerfully. She looked at Shikamaru, who gave her a soft smile. "We're ecstatic."

Shikamaru placed his hand over Temari's. She smiled shyly.

"I can't wait," Shikamaru said, giving her hand a squeeze.

Gaara was impassive.

Wedding Day. Noon.

Dressing Room.

"Are you nervous, Temari?" Nara Yoshino asked.

It was the day of the wedding. Temari's hands fidgeted, the thick silk of her kimono hiding their quaking. She glanced at the clock.

Tick…tock…

The hands chased each other, down and around. Circling. Cat and mouse.

She had explained everything to Shikamaru last night. They had come up with a plan.

But they hadn't mentioned anything from their past. What had happened seven years ago. It was all left in the back of the closet, shoved under a pile of old coats.

But until they relived it, it would be there. Following them. Just like the hands of a clock.

Tick…tock…

She squeezed her eyes shut.

"Temari?"

She looked up. Smiled.

"Yes."

Wedding Day. 4:07 PM.

Wedding Hall.

Temari smiled nervously at Shikamaru as the priest cleared his throat. As he opened his mouth to speak, a large commotion was heard over by the wedding cake.

There was a multitude of gasps resonated throughout the room. Jiraiya, who had apparently crashed through the cake, was staggering around, clutching a large bottle of sake. It was half-empty.

"Woo, this is good stuff," he chortled, taking a large swig. He ambled towards Tsunade, who was sitting closest to the wedding cake. Large chunks of frosting dropped off the front of his shirt.

"Jiraiya!" Tsunade gasped. Her expression quickly turned to anger. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I'm here for the party," Jiraiya slurred. He held out the sake bottle. An offering. "Hey hon. Want some? It's the finest."

Tsunade gulped. She had to resist.

Oh, but it looked so good…

No. She was the Hokage. This was a very important wedding. She, under no circumstances, could drink.

But…

Tsunade's arm slowly extended, when there was a sudden crash.

Night Before the Wedding. 8:05.

Supply Closet.

"Shino," Shikamaru stared at the stoic nin, "you're going to have two jobs. Your first duty is to pretend to be the priest."

He nodded.

"And then after Phase II, come back to the supply closet and help Hidan."

Shino nodded again.

"Jiraiya," Temari said carefully, "you're going to be our distraction."

"Me? A distraction?" Jiraiya said doubtfully. "What do you want me to do?"

"We need you to distract Tsunade so Phase II can commence," she replied. "What's something that Tsunade can't resist?"

Jiraiya chuckled, shaking his head. "You don't know Tsunade, do you?"

Temari gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"

The toad Sannin grinned.

"One word, honey. Sake."

Wedding Day. 4:08 PM.

Wedding Hall.

"Oh my god!" one of the guests screamed. A black cloud of smoke drifted at the altar. "The priest has been kidnapped!"

Tsunade and Gaara glanced at each other.

This was not good.

"Attention, people of Konoha and Sunagakure," a booming voice sounded overhead. The guests ignored it, scrambling around and shrieking, searching for an exit.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

Startled, everyone froze.

"Listen up, heathens. My group of S-class missing nin will kill the priest if you don't give in to our demands. I'm not kidding you, seriously."

Sasuke had suddenly gotten up, unsheathing his chokuto.

"How dare you intrude on this arrangement," he spoke impassively, an edge in his voice. "Show yourself so I can kill you!"

"Sasuke," Naruto shouted from across the room. "Are you out of your mind, idiot?! We don't know who these people are."

The Uchiha ignored him, glancing around with narrowed eyes, searching for the source of the voice.

"I will kill you," he muttered.

The voice burst out into laughter. "That's what she said, buddy. Go to hell."

There were screams as the room was suddenly filled with a curling cloud of gray smoke, thick and heavy, pressing into everyone's shoulders. The room was in total chaos—guests tripping over one another, muffled shouting, chairs being overturned in an effort to leave. Unfortunately, the doors were barred shut from the outside.

They were trapped.

Almost as quickly as the smoke appeared, it was gone. Tsunade gasped.

"Where's Sasuke and Naruto?" she demanded. "They were right here a moment ago!"

"My group has taken them in," a deep, male voice said. "Let this be a warning. If this wedding continues, we will not be afraid to attack Konoha."

"Stand back." Jiraiya staggered up, waving around his bottle of sake. "I will protect this wedding if it's the last thing I do!"

Everyone stared at him.

"I'm a Sannin," he said thickly.

"Jiraiya, you're drunk," Tsunade hissed. "You can't expect to go and fight. I'll go. I'm a Sannin too."

"Wait." The Kazekage was calm. "You're the Hokage. We cannot risk losing you. Let Jiraiya go."

"You're kidding," she said, raising her eyebrows.

"I never kid," Gaara replied.

Night Before the Wedding. 8:09 PM.

Supply Closet.

"Hidan," Shikamaru said, "you're going to be the ringleader of a cult. Shino, after he is supposedly abducted, will return here to assist you."

"And why should I help you?" Hidan spat. "You cut off my head."

"Well, if you don't help…" Temari broke in, smiling evilly. "…I guess I'll just have to throw you into the sewage system."

"You are one crazy bitch," the missing-nin said admiringly. He glanced at Shikamaru, his features twisted in a grin. "I'm jealous, seriously."

Shikamaru regarded him stiffly, choosing the moment to illustrate the next step of their plan.

"Sasuke will be the first victim," he said, glancing at the Uchiha. "You'll threaten to attack and—"

Sasuke glared at him. "Me? A victim? I think not." He crossed his arms. "Uchihas are never victims."

"Oh, lighten up, Sasuke," Naruto said.

"You're going to be victim too," Shikamaru said. "Once phase one is complete, Jiraiya will have to be taken in as well. This will convince everyone that this group is powerful and—"

"WHAT?!" Naruto exploded. "Uzumaki Naruto is nobody's victim!" He puffed out his chest. "I'm the next Hokage!"

Sasuke smirked. "Idiot."

"You—"

Jiraiya held up his hand. "Hey, let's hear what Shikamaru has to say."

Shikamaru gave him an appreciative nod. "Kiba, you'll work with all of the special effects. Think you can handle it?"

Kiba beamed. "Are you kidding me? I'm great with special effects."

"Good," Shikamaru replied. "Chouji, you're going to have to attend the wedding. You're the best man, and it would look too suspicious if you weren't there."

"Fine by me," shrugged Chouji, through a mouth full of potato chips.

"What about me?" Kankuro asked, crossing his arms. "I want a job too."

"You…" Temari's voice trailed off. She looked at Shikamaru. "Does he have one?"

"Er," Shikamaru glanced at Kankuro. "I think we have all of our jobs covered. Sorry Kankuro."

"Screw this," Kankuro said huffily. "I'm leaving."

Wedding Day. 4:10 PM.

Wedding Hall.

Jiraiya stood atop a table, waving his bottle of sake up in the air.

"Come and get me!" his words slurred together.

There was laughter.

"You're shitting me," the voice said, delighted. "An old drunk man? This is just too rich."

"I'm the Toad Hermit—" Jiraiya began to protest. He was interrupted by a sudden cloud of black smoke.

He was gone.

"Jiraiya!" Tsunade exclaimed. She turned to Gaara, her eyes hard. "I'm going."

"No," Shikamaru stepped forward. "Hokage-sama. This is my wedding. I'll go."

He was interrupted by a large explosion off the east side of the room. Large pieces of plaster began raining down, falling through the thick shrouds of smoke seeping in.

"Everyone down!" Shikamaru shouted, crouching. Temari was across from him, staring into his eyes. She leaned in, her breath warm against his ear.

"What's happening?"

He turned his head, meeting her gaze. I don't know, he mouthed.

This wasn't good.

This is wasn't going according to plan.

They could only watch as their perfect plan began to crumble all around them.

Wedding Day. 4:11 PM. Supply Closet.

Supply Closet.

"Shit," Kiba hissed. "The radio signal's getting scrambled."

Hidan grumbled. "Well fix it then, dog boy."

"It isn't so simple," Shino said calmly. "We bugged the room before the ceremony started. If the chakra-radio signals they're sending are scrambled, then that means that the problems lies within that room. We'd have to go into the room and fix it, and that's something we can't do."

Hidan rolled his eyes.

"Well, what could be the problem?" Kiba asked Shino.

"There could be many problems," replied Shino. "Someone could have accidentally killed my bugs—"

"Ha!" Hidan chuckled.

"—Or somehow, they were covered with a large amount of lead—"

"That's unlikely," Kiba interrupted.

"Or, someone is using a jutsu," Shino continued. "We didn't plant that many bugs, and their chakra can be easily overridden."

Naruto, who had been examining the radio equipment, looked up and frowned. "Jiraiya-sensei. Did you notice anything strange happening?"

Jiraiya shook his head.

"I was busy acting drunk," he said, "but no, I didn't see any irregularities."

Shino closed his eyes. "Something's going on. But without my chakra bugs, we can't hear what's going on. And we can't relay any signals there either. Audio and special effects are shot."

Kiba raised his eyebrows. "Sounds like we're screwed."

Jiraiya sucked in his lip.

"I could return," he said, "but then that would confirm to the Kages that there is no cult and they aren't under attack. Then there would be no reason to stop the wedding."

Sasuke suddenly spoke. "But they are under attack, but by a different organization. Most likely a legitimate one."

From his metal pail, Hidan suddenly spoke. "Hey. Bug-boy. How far can your bugs travel without a host?"

Shino pushed up his glasses. "I'd say about fifty meters."

"No good," Jiraiya remarked. "The wedding hall is about one hundred meters away."

"Fuck." Hidan squinted. He glanced up at Shino. "But what about a bunshin? Can that act as their host, Bug Boy?"

Shino tapped at his lip. "Yes, I suppose…"

"Then do it, godammit," Hidan barked. "The sooner this is over, the sooner I can get out of this pail."

Wedding Day. 4:12 PM.

Wedding Hall.

The smoke had nearly cleared. The entire east wall, along with a good-sized portion of the ceiling, were completely blown out.

A dark figure suddenly stepped in.

Shikamaru made a startled noise in his throat.

The man was dressed in all black. His face was hidden behind a black mask. Shikamaru noted that he wasn't wearing a hitai-ate.

A metallic-sounding voice came from the man.

"This wedding shall stop," he stated in a cool tone. "If these two are married, I will order my cult to kill all of those captured."

"Are you part of the same organi—" Gaara began, but was cut off.

"No."

"Then why…?"

"I am part of a rival faction," the man replied. "We have captured them and their captives." He glanced lazily at Tsunade. "That's right. Even the drunk Sannin."

Shikamaru clasped his hands together.

"Kage nui!"

There was a loud scream, then a sudden flash of metal.

Temari, Shikamaru thought faintly, as he suddenly sank into unconsciousness.

Wedding Day. 4:17.

Supply Closet.

"What's that noise?" Sasuke said under his breath, snapping his head in the direction of the door. Shino looked up, startled. He was about to perform kage bunshin so they could see what was going on.

"Fuck," Hidan hissed.

The door slowly opened—

—And in entered a masked man dressed all in black.

With an unconscious Shikamaru slung over his shoulder.

Kiba shouted and jumped back. Bugs began flowing from Shino's sleeves, as Sasuke leaped to his feet and assumed an offensive stance. Jiraiya waved around his bottle of sake menacingly. Hidan began screaming expletives from his bucket.

"Calm down," the man ordered. With his free hand, he pulled off his mask.

It was Nara Shikaku.

"What the fuck," Hidan said bluntly.

"I second that," Kiba called. Akamaru, who had been napping in a corner, let out a melancholy howl.

"Listen," Shikaku said quietly. "I know that Shikamaru is trying to end this wedding, and…"—here his voice faltered—"…now that I know his reason, I'm going to help him out."

"His reason?" Sasuke stated emotionlessly. "What is it?"

"Well…" Shikaku looked down at the comatose form of his son. "I followed him a couple of days ago and…"

They watched him expectantly.

"Shikamaru…" Shikaku looked up at the ceiling, searching for the best way to put it. He swallowed. "He…he's a woman inside."

He was met with an array of dumbfounded looks. Naruto was confused.

"He…doesn't like women," Shikaku clarified. "That's why I've never seen him on a date, that's why he refuses to marry that lovely young woman—"

Shikamaru suddenly sat up and stared at his father straight in the eyes.

"Excuse me?"

"It's all right, son," Shikaku said, pulling his son into an embrace. "I know…well, I think I know how you're feeling, and, well…we'll get you through this."

"Dad," Shikamaru said, irritated. "That's not it."

"Denial." Shikaku shook his head. "It's okay, son. You don't have to hide it any longer…"

Shikamaru sighed exasperatedly as his father patted him on the back.

Wedding Day. 4:20.

Wedding Hall.

Temari scrambled to Chouji's side.

"Chouji," she whispered. "What do we do?"

Shikamaru's jutsu had backfired. The masked man had somehow countered the jutsu and incapacitated him. After quickly performing a kage bunshin, his clone had disappeared with Shikamaru over his shoulder, leaving behind a puff of gray smoke.

Chouji shook his head. "Nothing."

Temari glared at him. "What do you mean, 'nothing'? We can't just—"

"No," Chouji hissed. He looked up at the man. "That's Shikaku." His voiced dropped to a nearly inaudible hiss. "Nara Shikaku."

"What?" Temari whispered. "How do you know?"

"I've trained with the Naras long enough to recognize him," Chouji replied.

"But…" Temari turned her head. "Shikaku's right there, see? Behind the piano, next to Yoshino."

Chouji shook his head.

"The masked one is a bunshin." He smiled faintly. "The one next to Yoshino is real."

Temari's eyes widened.

"So they have a plan," she said quietly. "Hopefully."

Wedding Day. 4:35.

Supply Closet.

Shikamaru finished smearing the last of the deer's blood across his cheek.

"Are we ready?"

Jiraiya, Sasuke, and Naruto nodded. Their clothes were torn and bloodstained. They had scratched up their faces applied deer's blood to their clothing, from a small pouch Shikaku had provided. They looked like that had just participated in a dangerous brawl.

"Do you all understand the plan?" Shikaku said. "You're all going to go in, kill my bunshin, and say that you fended off your capturers." He sucked in his breath. "But…one of you has to be badly injured."

"What?" Naruto asked, eyes wide. "You never said anything about that! Why?"

"So then the Kages are under the impression that the enemy they're dealing with is dangerous," Shikamaru answered. He looked up a t his father. "I'll do it."

"You're a brave kid," Shikaku said softly. He held out a small leather pouch. "Here. Herbs to numb the pain. It'll also prevent you from fainting from blood loss."

Hidan glanced at Shikamaru, obviously jealous.

Shikamaru took it and gingerly shoved the wad in his mouth. He took out a kunai and after a moment, decisively swiped the metal across his side. Dark red blood bloomed from his clothing. He winced.

"Let's go," he said, flinching. Naruto came forward and supported his sagging form. "What are you going to do, Dad?"

Shikaku smiled.

"I'm a bunshin."

And with that, his father vanished.

Wedding Day. 4:45.

Wedding Hall.

Temari glanced at the masked man, who guarded the opening very carefully. He twirled a kunai in one hand.

"Chouji," she whispered. "I have a plan. Cover me."

"What?" Chouji said, but Temari had already pulled him to his feet.

"You!" Temari called out, her voice indignant. "What the hell are you doing at my wedding?!"

Chouji gaped at her.

The masked man turned in her direction. "So would you like to join your friends?"

Temari pulled a kunai from her sleeve and held it up.

"I'm not going to," she stated firmly. "Prepare to die."

The masked man chuckled. "I can alert my associates and order them to murder your friends, blondie."

Gaara stood up. "Temari. Stand back."

"If either of the kages attempt to fight," the masked nin said, "I will call for the immediate execution of your friends. Including the Sannin."

Tsunade shook her head. "Jiraiya can fight back," she said confidently.

"No," the nin's lip curled. "He's too drunk to do anything. He's passed out right now."

"Shit," Tsunade chewed her lip. "We're trapped. We can't fight back or he'll kill them."

Without warning, Temari ran forward, the fabric of her kimono rustling around her legs. She could hear shouts behind her, people yelling at her to stop.

She was only a few feet in front of him. She leapt in the air, her grip tightening on her kunai. The nin grabbed her by the wrist, flinging her to the ground.

"Shikaku," she said under her breath, as he gripped her arm. "Wound me. I have a plan."

The man looked surprised, letting her arm go. She glared at him.

"Do it."

And then she felt the kunai slash painfully across her shoulder.

Wedding Day. 4:48.

Wedding Hall.

Gaara was up on his feet. His sister had crumpled to the ground, blood running from her shoulder. He narrowed his eyes. He didn't have his gourd of sand. And they were surrounded by concrete. Taijutsu and genjutsu were out of the question. Gaara looked around frantically. There had to be a potted plant somewhere.

"Forget it," the masked man called out. "If either of you try to attack me, I'll call for the execution." He held up a small device. It was a tiny microphone. "I'll do it."

Tsunade growled angrily. She hoped that Naruto and Sasuke had been able to overpower his associates. But then again, they didn't know how many members there were. Konoha could be surrounded for all they knew.

All of a sudden, there was a loud noise.

A large glass exploded over the nin's head. He disappeared in a puff of smoke.

A bunshin!

Behind him stood Jiraiya, looking proud as he waved the broken sake bottle in the air.

Wedding Day. 4:50.

Wedding Hall.

Shikamaru stumbled forward. He was bleeding profusely from his abdomen.

"We overpowered them," he said weakly. "But all of them escaped into the forest. They're probably gone already."

Yoshino and the real Shikaku ran forward. "Shikamaru!"

Naruto and Sasuke stepped in behind him, covered in blood and battle-weary. They showed signs of fatigue.

Tsunade stepped forward. "So everyone's gone?"

"Yes," Shikamaru said. "They're gone. The…wedding can continue."

"No!" gasped Yoshino. She glared at the Hokage. "Hokage-sama, my son is injured. I am in no way allowing him to get married in this condition."

Something white and red caught Shikamaru's eye. His eyes widened.

"Temari?"

She was crouched on the ground, one hand clamped over her shoulder. She gave him a victorious smile.

Gaara stepped forward, standing protectively in front of his sister.

"This wedding shall not commence," he said firmly. "There is a high chance that those two groups may come back." He looked apologetically at his sister. "And my sister is…injured." Gaara lowered his voice. "I have to attend to her needs."

"Yes," the Hokage said decisively. "This wedding…is cancelled."

Wedding Day. 7:17 PM.

Lotus Hill.

Temari and Shikamaru, their wounds freshly bandaged, were sitting outside atop a large hill overlooking the remnants of their wedding ceremony. The sun was sinking behind the Hokage mountain in the distance, folding into a warm cusp of light. Overhead, the sky was heavily streaked with brilliant orange, vivid vermilions. Crashing together in abrupt, unexpected waves.

It was chaotic, Temari thought, gazing into its depths. But beautiful at the same time.

Shikamaru suddenly spoke, causing her to turn towards him.

"Temari," he said, staring into the sky, "I just want to know. Why did you leave for all of those years? Why didn't you tell me?"

She gave a short, bitter laugh.

"Sunagakure," she said quietly, "was dealing with a conflict with the Leaf Village. They wanted me to return immediately so I could become one of their security officials. So I could protect the Kazekage." She turned her head towards Shikamaru, gaze unwavering. "I had to leave and quit my job as a liaison as soon as I received the message. I didn't get a chance to say goodbye."

She lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry, Shikamaru."

He gave her one of his smiles, one those smiles that Temari had dreamed about those seven years. He shook his head. "Don't be."

They turned back to the clouds, heads tilted skyward. Royal blues, darkening with every fevered sweep of the brush, smeared over the bright expanse above. Light was waning now, deepening into a something tranquil.

It was in this half-light that their hands met, fingers lacing together. Temari smiled.

They could start from where they left off those seven years ago.

Or forge something entirely new, building something deeper than what they had previously had.

"Hey," Shikamaru said suddenly. "Do you want to go to Ichiraku Ramen?"

"Like a date?" Temari asked, laughing. She grinned at him playfully. "As long as you don't act like an idiot."

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, his face threatening to break out into a smile. "As long as you don't act overly nice."

She laughed. "I promise. It's a date." Temari gave him a genuine smile, squeezing his hand.

He met her eyes. "A real one."

Hand in hand, they made their way down the hill.

A/N: ShikaTema is love. I wish I could have written more fluff, but after just resolving their conflict, I thought it seemed too soon for much more.

This was going to be the last chapter, but there is an epilogue next chapter. It ties everything together and…there's a twist!

Reviews would be very much appreciated!