It was normal for them to hang out a lot, they were dating after all. It was also normal that when they walked alone their fingers would intertwine but what Shikamaru was unsure about being normal was when they should kiss.

For some reason their relationship always moved two step forth when they were together but when he returned to Konoha or she returned to Suna it was like taking a step back again. He couldn't explain it, and there were only a few amounts of things that Nara Shikamaru couldn't explain.

Another was the thought process of a woman. In particular the blond woman walking next to him, gently holding his hand seemingly content with the silence that can occur between two people who know each other well.

It wasn't like he himself didn't want to kiss her. He really did. Knowing her though making a move to soon could end up causing him a few fractured ribs and Shikamaru preferred his body without any injuries. Well, it wasn't like she had told him off or anything. Actually he had anticipated her to make the first move but when she continued to not do that he had become nervous. What did she want and expect from him? Troublesome woman.

He tried to glare at her but failed as he instead started to appreciate how pretty she looked today.

It was a warm day in spring and they were walking in one of the most beautiful parts of the Nara forest. Deer were eating grass between the trees, completely comfortable with the two humans as they were with the animals, though the first time he had brought Temari here she had been frightened.

To Shikamaru's astonishment, as he had never thought anything could really scare her, she had kept an iron grip on his arm the first hour they were there. She had later explained it had something to do with the way the deer had walked so close to them and that it seemed like they had observed them, more consciously than normal animals would. But slowly she had gotten used to these animals keeping watch over them as they strolled among the trees. And now, like today, she didn't seem to notice them at all no matter how close they got.

One of the things that fascinated him about Temari was her complexity, and his inability to know what she was thinking was mysterious. He had gotten better at it during their time together but she could still come up with something so unpredictable that he would never have anticipated them.

He tried though. He always tried to work out what she would want in order for him to get it to her. He wanted her to be happy, especially if he in time would marry her, and that he could predict he would.

Once he had wanted a simple life, simple wife, children and work and to die without any trouble coming his way. Then he fell in love with Temari and threw away all of his previous plans for the future. The 'if' about marriage was up to her. Again, he felt like she liked him back. She was with him right now after all, but for some reason he didn't feel certain and thus held back his feelings observing her.

Returning to the present Shikamaru suddenly sensed that she was looking at him and he turned his focus to her. Temari had a smirk on her face and she was inspecting him as he had been walking lost in thoughts for a while now.

"Are you okay?" She asked gently stopping to take his both hands in hers. She had a specific look to her face. She seemed determined... Shikamaru had seen many expressions on his girlfriend's face but he had yet to guess right every time. But… maybe this was the time…

"Yes… You know… Just thinking about… things…" Way to sound clever!

"Aha? Things like…" she teased him. "Things like about us?"

Shikamaru blushed. He only did that with her, but for some reason her teasing always succeeded with this reaction. He shrugged.

"Yeah, you know…" Nodding she leaned closer. He swallowed. He would never be ready for a first kiss, but at least the setting was perfect.

"Mhm…" she murmured to him, smiles in her eyes. He saw how her lips puckered a little and he readied himself for the kiss.

But instead of soft lips against his he felt a long wet object molest his skin.

A deer had for some reason or other chosen to participate by placing a big sloppy lick across Shikamaru's face. Temari lost it. Shikamaru stood shocked.

"BWAHAHAHA!" Temari couldn't hold her laughter in. "You should see yourself! HAHAAHA! Your face… Oh kami…" she hiccupped, her body still trembling with laughter. Shikamaru growled in displeasure trying to wipe his face clean.

"Troublesome woman. It's not funny." But she just kept laughing so hard she had to lean against a tree to keep her balance. Then an idea, or revenge plot popped up in his mind and he sneaked closer to her.

Temari was too occupied to see the incoming danger and it was too late when she felt his hand on her waist. Shocked she looked into her boyfriend's eyes as he held her and smirked. Her eyes widened.

"Oh no…" But yes. He placed his deer saliva lips on hers quickly and then let go taking several steps back. He knew; he had to run for his life now.

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Well, maybe this kiss wasn't super romantic, but I'll make sure they get their fair share of those later… or perhaps next chapter? (^-^)