"She must have messed with his mind. I can't believe he chose her!" Ino rambled on as she played with the idea that the Sand Nin forced him to choose her so she wouldn't make Shikamaru's life troublesome, " I bet Shikamaru just went along with her idea so she wouldn't make a fuss."

"Shikamaru with Temari of the Sand? Their relationship will crumble before she gets a chance to make him fall in love with her," muttered Sakura as her Inner Sakura shouted that Shika was hers.

"Great idea. . . We'll force them apart. Make them angry at each other and they will eventually break up. Now we need to think of a plan," Ino applauded already happy once again as she thought of Shikamaru in her arms and all hers.

Shikamaru woke up the next morning and he soon discovered that one arm of his was trapped underneath a Sand Nin's back. His hand curled protectively around her waist as she rested her head and her warm hands on his chest along with one tanned leg thrown over his legs with the skirt rising high up on her thigh. Shikamaru soon become conscious of the fact that they had fallen asleep sideways on the couch with her shining fan lying flat across the floor.

It was a troublesome arrangement as her shapely curves pressed against his body as she peacefully slept. With his free arm that he soon removed from behind his head, Shikamaru played with the golden strands of her hair with his fingers and closed his eyes in complete relaxation until he heard her mumbling.

Nonsense words fell from her smooth pink lips and he smiled with each strange word that tumbled out. He even chuckled with a small snicker at one time. Which woke up the slumbering beauty.

"Huh? . . . What?" Temari mumbled in a sluggish low pitch lifting her head towards the sound and sleepily opening her eyes.

She blushed heavily as she saw Shikamaru's lazy eyes meet hers. She quickly rose up and attempted to get off him.

Shikamaru smiled and pulled her down for a quick kiss before letting go of her wrist. He had startled her and she grabbed her fan and hit him. He winced at the impact and quickly sat up and judged her ruffled appearance.

"Sheesh. . . You didn't have to hit so hard," he grumbled feeling not so great, "And you hit my sore head."

Sheepishly she grimaced at the thought that she had hit him where he had fallen earlier on. But Temari refused to give him pity by apologizing.

"You're fine, crybaby," She snapped, "Now get up and let's get moving."

"What about breakfast? I didn't get anything to eat yesterday because of the annoying events that happened," Shikamaru argued hearing his stomach make its normal hungry sounds.

"I'll fix a quick breakfast and then we leave," Temari said sighing already heading toward the kitchen.

"I wonder if she's even a good cook," Shikamaru muttered under his breath.

"I heard that," Temari snarled smacking him on the back with her metal fan at his insult.

"Ouch! Stopping hitting me, troublesome woman!" Shikamaru objected ducking as she aimed her fan at him. Missing by a few inches she glared at him and huffed back into the kitchen.

Definitely, not a morning person, Shikamaru thought as he stayed clear of the kitchen until the aroma of tantalizing scents overcame his fear. Cautiously, he entered the kitchen and his mouth watered as he caught the sight of a nicely cooked omelet cooked with Japanese peppers and seasoned chicken. He quickly seated himself and Temari handed him two wooden chopsticks and put his plate in front of him, while chowing down on hers with her own utensils. Two milk cartons stood side by side as they munched on their meal.

"Great breakfast. You would make my mother proud with you skills," complimented Shikamaru grabbing the empty plates and utensils and quickly washing them along with the objects she cooked with. He didn't want Temari to nag at him like his mom did, so he decided to do help with the cleaning. Besides she might have hit him with that fan of hers if he didn't help.

"Thanks. . . I've cooked for my brothers for years. At first, they despised my cooking, but I've learned," Temari explained before asking a curious question, "Where's your parents at? Shouldn't they have been back by now?"

"They probably had some troubles with the birthing process of the doe. It has been known to last longer than just one night. But not more than a day though." Shikamaru paused glancing at the clock high up on the wall, "Let's get going and this time without any complications."

Temari snickered and mocked, "Not ready to miss another day of cloud watching?"

" I don't think I'll ever be truly ready to miss a day of it." Shikamaru told her ignoring her sarcasm. She just smirked like a wolf and he rolled his eyes.

Temari stood up and pulled Shikamaru up by his collar. He brushed her hands away and she blushed.

"Lead the way," she said smacking him once just for a bit of fun. Shikamaru walked to the door and with a quick mind decided to go out the back door since it would be a lot more safer.

Shikamaru quickly stepped outside and with Temari following he followed along a hidden trail that led to one of his less known hillsides which was perfect for cloud watching.