Quite a bit of time had passed since Shikamaru acquired his guest. The winter epidemic had died down, and the weather was finally starting to warm up again...but just barely. Temari had had multiple hospital visits before her brace was finally removed the last time, Sakura declaring her fit to train.

Now, it wasn't that the Sand Princess couldn't stay with someone else, or that Konoha wouldn't provide her with a room, but as Shikamaru put it, it would be "too troublesome" to adjust after she left, and the sheets would probably adorn the couch for another six weeks after she was gone, anyways. So, She continued to live with Shikamaru.

There was one difference, however. Partway into her stay, Shika decided that it would only be courteous for him to give the lady his room. So, he had boxed up a few personal posessions while she was still resting from her injuries, and was now living on his couch. Demeaning, but proper. Of course, Temari had objected, but Shikamaru had logically stated that his chiropractic mattress would be better for her healing body, besides being more comfortable. Now that she was healthy, they decided to go out for dinner to celebrate.

"Hey, Shikamaru!" Ino called, walking up the street. "Haven't seen you around much, lately. Whatcha been up to?"

"Caring for an invalid," He replied nonchalantly, tilting his head towards Temari, who walked beside him. She was close enough that she could have been clinging to his arm, but, being the strong kunoichi that she was, even in such a vulnerable state, she daren't.

Ino fluttered her eyelashes seductively. "Ooooh. I heard that she was in town. Pray tell, is there something going on between the two of you?"

Shikamaru scoffed at the sarcastic innocence in her voice. "Yeah, I give her room and board and she washes my socks."

Ino made a face. "Well, I've got to go meet Sakura. But, if you guys ever need anything...or want to talk...well...you know where to find me." She winked and gave them a little wave, before turning down a side street and darting off, no doubt to spread rumors about Shikamaru's company.

"Just where are you taking me, anyways?" Temari asked as the lights dimmed around Konoha. People lit lanterns in the streets as the sun slipped further down. Shikamaru started to look irritated.

"c'mon, this is getting us nowhere." He lifted Temari, bridal style, being extremely cautious with her ribs, and bolted like the arse-kicking ninja he was for their destination.

He got there just in time, too. He had reserved high-priced spots in a restaurant overlooking one of Konohagakure's key sunset spots. As they sat at a table for two in the candlelit environment, gazing out over the last beams of light, Shikamaru thanked the coming darkness for obscuring his flushed face when he heard her whisper appreciatively, "Not too shabby, Nara."

Well, they enjoyed that fancy shmancy joint for a good two hours before turning out. The servers were amazed at how much one slightly emaciated blonde woman could eat in one sitting! (Shikamaru's wallet was, too.) Finally on the streets again, they found themselves nabbed by a couple of familiar shinobi to a social gathering initiated by Ino's rumors.

"So are you guys going together?" Kiba asked, sipping punch.

"Nah, it's just a partnership till some royal servants come to fetch their princess."

Temari smacked Shika.

"Ow!"

"My brothers are NOT royal servants, and they are quite busy, for your information. I could go home by myself anytime I like."

"Then why are you still sleeping in my bed?" Shikamaru retorted.

Kiba sprayed punch everywhere and doubled over, coughing.

"It's THAT kind of partnership, then?"

Temari went red in the face as several heads turned, attracted by the boys' raised voices.

Contrarily, Shikamaru nonchalantly draped an arm over Temari's shoulders and smirked.

"You're just jealous you don't have a pretty girl in your apartment."

Temari smacked him again.

"Wait...did you just call me pretty?"

"Not directly, no."

"You guys gross me out, but...still, good touch, Shikamaru." She turned to Kiba, who cringed.

"We are NOT doing anything that involves the activities you have implied, dog boy," Temari said, firmly.

"Alright, already!" Kiba hurried away, not wanting to earn a smack on the head as well.

After a bit some of the girls sidled up, deciding it was time to steal Temari away.

"Come on, Tema, why don't you come chill with us? Leave your shadow here, though." Temari blinked.

"Oh...right. We're just together all the time so I didn't even realize it. Of course I'll hang out with you guys!" The girls proceeded to drag her away without further ado, complimenting her choices in the thrift shop outfit she'd thrown together and begging her for her opinion about the latest hot gossip, on which she had no take whatsoever. Before they'd completely pulled her out of earshot, Temari glanced back and was taken aback by the look of annoyance on Shikamaru's face! He rolled his eyes before lazily turning to face the guys, leaning against the Yamanakas' countertop, smooth and worn with age.

She was snapped out of her reverie when the girls dragged her through a set of doors into one of the inner rooms, where locks were turned and the bubbly conversation came to a halt. Sakura, Ino, and their gang of curious kunoichi were ready to get down to business.

"So Shikamaru DOES like blondes," Ino confirmed, a note of malice on her tongue.

Temari gulped, feeling like a prisoner at an interrogation, and braced herself for the oncoming barage of questions.

finally I made a long chapter. Sorry about my lack of updates and all that. Life has this funny way of being more important than your account. fond regards to my faithful reviewers; Kira-sama