Note from the Author: For Unmotivated Genius, because I love my reviewers!

And for everyone who watches the anime and doesn't read the manga: Oh, my God! Episode 216 – Can we say "ShikaTema goodness in the near future!"?

Unmotivated Genius: Just for you – another ShikaTema here. There are four pairings that I absolutely refuse to write – ShikaIno is one of them. Thank you for the lovely review.

Naash: Ah, yes – so cheesy. I just could not bring myself not to write that cheese.

Dr. Hairspray: I love flowers:coo:

Invader-Nehima: I love being back on FF dot net and seeing all these people reviewing that I loved to get reviews from. It makes me feel great. Thanks, hun.

Neverfall: I'm currently writing a LeeSaku AU and … I'm being so mean to Sakura. And it's completely unintentional – it's like it's in my blood to be mean to her. -.- Thanks for the review!

Shikamaru's Hot Honey: It's up there on my favorite pairings list – number three, actually – behind NejiHina and NaruSasu. :giggles: Thank you for the review.

Woodrokiro: Thank you very much, dearie. And yes – I am a slightly obsessive Sims fan. Also, the Sims inspired my last ShikaTema drabble because Temari set the stove on fire in my Sims game. -.-

Ravensbff: Yes, he doesn't seem the type to care about much, does he?

Puffi the Insane: Okay, wow. You're a spaz.

Awake

This was Shikamaru's favorite kind of morning.

He awoke early, to a cool room that spoke nicely to his face but didn't affect the rest of his body, which was burrowed beneath layers of blankets that protected him. An overcast sky filtered through the blinds, painting the dark places into shadow and illuminating the bright places in pale blue.

It was the kind of morning when he felt no real need for further sleep, his ever-tired psyche for once sated, but he had no incentive to leave his lovely cocoon. A morning like this deserved a great day to follow, and he couldn't always count on it happening the way it should.

Now a morning like this was nearly perfect. It had one major flaw: Shikamaru had to experience it alone. Of course, when he sighed and snuggled deeper into his shell of comforters and sheets, Temari cuddled close against him, reminding him she was there, and smiled groggily at him, eyelids hooded with sleep. "Good morning." She whispered.

He kissed her gently. "Yeah, it is."