When Ino reached the landing she wished she had been crying for real. Temari had been waiting.

"You put on a pretty good show," she commented, as if they were chatting about the weather. "I especially liked the part where you pretended to rein in your tears and cried only when you were in the corridor. Too bad it didn't work."

"Then I'll just have to find something else that does, won't I?" snapped Ino. She glared at the composed kunoichi lounging against a pillar – she was lounging Shikamaru's lounge, the patented I'm not interested and this isn't interesting lounge. Ino's temper flared again. "What do you have up your sleeve, Temari?"

"No sleeves at the moment." Temari straightened and faced Ino. There was a hard glint in her eyes. "Today is a special day, so I'm giving you a friendly warning. I know what you've been trying to do for the past few months. I know I can't stop you from interacting with Shikamaru, and I'm not fool enough to try breaking up your team. But you will never try to seduce him again, and you will never try to come between us again. If you try anything funny, you will regret the day I was born."

"I'm not afraid of you." That was the truth, Ino realized; she was aware of the Suna jounin's abilities but she was now riding a wave of adrenaline and not afraid of anything or anyone.

Temari cocked her head. "I can teach you how."

"Go ahead and threaten me. That's about all you can do," Ino stepped closer, and sneered, "cradle snatcher."

"You don't know who you're up against," Temari narrowed the gap.

Ino's mouth twisted into a smile. "I know I'm up against a hag who can't get any from her own village and had to come dig from ours."

"Fine way to talk. You can't even have the man you've known for years." The glint became diamond-hard and fiery cold.

"Slut."

"Sticks and stones, Ino. I know better ways to hurt people."

The two females glared at each other, daring the next move. Temari suddenly broke into a faux-friendly smile.. "Like I said. Today is a special day. Before I have to hurt you, back off."

"Make me." The retort escaped before Ino could rein it in, but it was worth it to see the flash across that imperturbable face -

Ino smashed into the wall, just hard enough to hurt her shoulder. Temari had backhanded the chuunin with snake speed. As she prepared to retaliate, she realized Temari's manicured nails were right before her own eyes. One more inch and Ino would have blinded herself. She leaned against the wall, trying to support herself, but slid to the ground. Temari stepped back.

"Ino. Heed the friendly warning. You really won't like me when I'm unfriendly."

Ino breathed shallowly as Temari, still wearing Shikamaru's jacket, walked past the sprawled Ino and took the stairs up to the balcony.

-----

When he was sure she had left, Shikamaru sat down heavily. The sobs and the running steps were probably put on, but it hurt him nonetheless. Although he'd been firm and almost callous throughout, the argument took more out of him than Ino realized. Chouji probably wouldn't have liked his attitude either; as far as Ino was concerned, Chouji preferred to take the soft approach.

But they had been cruel to be kind. It had been necessary.

"Chouji's so gonna beat me up later." He tossed his head back to observe the star-spangled sky.

The door opened, golden light spilling out on the darkened balcony.

"Hey," a gentle feminine voice shook him out of his thoughts Shikamaru saw Temari approaching. She sat down next to him and said, "I heard some of it. Ino's really upset."

He sighed shakily and put an arm about her shoulders. She relaxed into his embrace, offering her comfort to him. Then she locked her arms about his neck and moved closer to kiss him.

Shikamaru moved away, still with his arm about her shoulders. He looked into her eyes and smiled sadly.

"No, Ino. I'm sorry I had to be harsh, but I will not kiss you, even if you're in Temari's body. Get out now or I will thrash you, woman or not," Shikamaru said, pulling away. The smile faded. There was no hint of humor in his face or tone.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You, Ino, are in my girlfriend's body. Get out of her face or. I. Will. Be. Very. Angry."

Temari shook her head with a laugh. "You're messed up; the fight must have been terrible."

"Get out now, Ino. I mean it."

There was a moment's pause. 'Temari' got to her feet. "You bastard, Shikamaru. I don't know what I'm gonna do to you and your bitch, but right now jumping down seems to be a damn good idea."

"Don't even think about it."

The two stared at each other. Shikamaru still sat on the ground, 'Temari' was breathing hard in anger.

"Fine. Release the damn shadow bind already."

"Not until you return to your own body." Shikamaru formed the seals for Ino to break her hold on Temari's mind. He dashed forward to catch the falling body, and was relieved to see his girlfriend looking up at him. He caught the fading sound of heels pounding down the stairs, and imagined he heard a sob. Ino wouldn't really hurt Temari, but she would be very unpleasant for the next two to three months.

"Hey Nara." Temari dusted herself off.

"Hey Temari." Shikamaru offered an arm. "I've an engagement announcement to make to Kakashi-sama and Gaara-sama. Want to come along?"