Thanks to tsukiryu16 this chapter was written. Thanks for being so nice, but also reviewing. I needed something else to focus on for a while.

Tsunade couldn't help herself she was enjoying this immensely. She had just filled him in on the situation. Shikamaru's eyes had nearly popped out of his head when he read

thewedding invitation, he had demanded that Tsunade reconsider immediately.

Shikamaru had been alternating between standing, sitting, and pacing. Currently he was sitting and as calm as possible in this situation, was asking questions trying to find

anyexcuse to get out of what was most definitely hell.

"Lady Hokage you can't be serious, she's not even from our village! How in the world are you going to get people to believe that we are truly getting married?"

"I assure you people will believe it. First, I was not aware of your affections until the recent year and," Looking at Temari she spoke. "you came to me one day and confessed

ofyour secret romance with one of the ninjas under my command."

Temari couldn't believe the levels Tsunade had gone through to make sure they were successfully hitched to each other. She had enjoyed Shikamaru getting tortured earlier in

the conversation, but was none to pleased that she was being shown off in the story as the weak of the two in love. If she was going to be in this, she'd be damned If

everyone would think she was one those swooning woman. Her mouth fell open at Tsunade's next words.

"At first you wouldn't tell me, but I was clever and decided to replace Shikamaru as your guard and give you Naruto for one of you trips to Kanoha."

Temari remembered that day. She had been followed her ENTIRE trip by that annoying loud mouth ninja. She had been ready to stab her eyes out with her own kunai; he had

asked so many questions, ninja "info". Temari had decided it was better for both of their safety if she had just given him the cold shoulder and had not spoken to him often.

Shehad completed her business quickly, not taking her usual two or three day tour and room. At the time, Shikamaru had been more than happy to give his troublesome

duties over to Naruto for a day. Now, he was regretting it.

"You can't seriously be planning to use that against me." Temari said in disbelief. "Any sane ninja would have done the same."

"In a regular situation, but it fits seamlessly with my flawless love story." Completely enjoying herself, Tsunade continued her cover story.

"The true reason you left was because Shikamaru was not your guard and since you couldn't see him you finished your business quickly. This I'm sure will get taken out of

context even more once Naruto gets wind of this. As we speak the other ninjas are being briefed on the situation."

She rose out of her chair and headed to the door, she stopped near Temari. "I'll be taking your Sand Village headband. Your brother requested it be returned at once."

Temari would not crumble she was a rock in the desert and nothing would crack her. With forced numb hands she removed her home symbol from her person. She had never

realized how much this little piece of fabric and metal had meant to her before this moment. Temari had always saw the band as a duty, something that would always be

there.

Breathing slowly she placed it in Tsunade's hand.

"Temari you are now a Leaf Village citizen. You can wear the Leaf band from here on out. In the coming days we will be welcoming you officially. You may wait outside until

Shikamaru is released. We have to keep up appearances. It won't do for you to go solo."

After Temari had left and shut the door firmly behind her Tsunade made eye contact with Shikamaru, she gave him a pointed look. "You are to be on your best behavior. The

Leaf's Lazy ninja is going to have more responsibilities than just cloud watching. You will make an effort to make her feel at home here. She has basically been kicked out of

her village and whether she says it or not she will need an ally. Do you understand what I'm saying? You already know she is stubborn and mean as a snake when cornered,

you must approach this carefully. Not to mention your mother has been notified of your "secret" romance." Reaching into her pocket she pulled out a small bundle of cash and

handed it to Shikamaru. "It's just enough to get enough food for the month, Temari clothes and other things she wants to add to your home. Use it wisely. You are

dismissed."

Temari had been sitting outside of Tsunade's office for 15 minutes when the door opened and Tsunade walked off down the hall. She had waited another 5 for Shikamaru to

come out, before she decided she was going to find food. This morning's conversation had drained her and she was starving. Besides Tsunade had said it wouldn't do for her

to go out by herself, but there was no law against it. Deciding she would go find food, she left a note that simply stated her purpose.

Long after Tsunade had left Shikamaru was still sitting in the chair. He had been trying to strategize on what to do about the woman outside the door. So far he had decided

that he would do as Tsunade had instructed with the money. But even that was a problem. Should he give her the money directly or hold on to it and pay for everything

himself?

Wasn't that other men did as a way to "provide" for their families? But what if she was a woman who didn't want a man to tell her what to do or support her. I just won't tell

her I have it. He knew that his bed was a goner, he and couch where going to become fast friends. I will have to approach this as a dating relationship, learn as much as I can

and make it to the end. His mind made up he went out the door. And of course she wasn't where Tsunade had asked her to stay. There was a note in one of the seats, reading

it he found that it wasn't very helpful.

Shikamaru-

Went to get something to eat.

- Temari

Sitting down Shikamaru decided this was going to be a more than troublesome month.