I didn't have internet for a few days, but here's the next story. Even though it took me a bit. Thanks for reading, it really helps.

When Shikamaru left with Temari, his mind started thinking about the future. When Temari glanced at him, he sighed at the fact he had such a large brain. He always caught himself thinking about problematic things.

"C'mon, we have to find Naruto, or we'll be getting nowhere," Temari soothed, feeling as if she had to smooth things down so that he would be ready when called for.

"I wish Choji was here. He would be a big help, but unluckily for me he's off on some mission. It seems everyone's off on some sort of mission," Shikamaru remarked off the subject they were supposed to be on.

"Hey guys!" Naruto shouted out of nowhere. They searched around for his voice and found him on top of one of the rooftops. Shikamaru jumped upwards, with Temari following.

"Let's find some sort of location to start plotting, after all we don't want the target to listen in on us," Shikamaru ordered watching as Naruto grumbled about how his plan would have worked perfectly. Shikamaru closed his eyes and knew this day was never going to end.

"Is there not somewhere, that he tries to avoid? That place would be our safest bet," Temari questioned in a bored monotone voice, " We can talk there and know we won't be bothered."

"I know the safest place!"

"It better not be Ichiraku," Shikamaru mumbled, knowing how Naruto was obsessed with that place.

"I heard that! Anyways, I was thinking about the hospital, since Sakura is always complaining on how it's so hard to keep Kakashi in there when he's injured," Suggested Naruto excitedly, "There's no way, he'd want to enter or otherwise Baa-Chan or Sakura will make him take his physical exam."

Shuddering, Shikamaru couldn't blame Kakashi for avoiding that place. The place always smelled sterile and hygienic with a hint of blood along with giving the feeling of death and failure. Temari's eyes softened and even though she wanted to comfort him, she knew that one had to show no emotion as a ninja. How she loathed that rule.

"Let's go," said Temari as she turned toward the hospital. They all followed behind her and it wasn't long before they arrived. They entered, and knew instantly that something must have happened.

"Have you checked her vitals?"

"She's unconscious but everything is in working condition."

"l wouldn't want to be in her position."

"Get back to work! You too!" a stern but familiar voice ordered as the nurses and medics scrambled to fulfill Sakura's orders. Pink hair tied up, in order to properly take care of patients, Sakura looked toward the trio and looked at them.

"Have you three heard about it already? She has multiple slices located on her, but the most dangerous ones are located on her waist and quite close to some needed tissues and arteries," Sakura explained. When she glanced at there confused expressions, she realized they didn't know yet. Her gaze dropped to the ground. It always hurt, when one learned that a teammate was almost close to death.

"Ino was allowed to head after Kankuro, but was delayed by some bandits. It should have been an easy task, but one of the bandits was actually an expert swordsman," Sakura sighed and kept her gaze on the floor and scooted her sandal across the floor, "Being that she wasn't properly prepared, she couldn't slow down her blood loss. Luckily Kankuro arrived and assisted with help and got her back in time."

There was no sound. All was silent as the three waited outside. Somehow Kankuro had been allowed inside, even thought the others had no clue on to how he got that to happen. Maybe it was simple meditation.

Shikamaru sat on the bench, with Temari's warm arms latched around his waist as she laid her down on his lap and stared toward the door. She didn't know what to think, but Temari felt guilty about the fact that she was glad it hadn't been Shikamaru in surgery. Was there some hidden spark between Shikamaru and her?

She turned her head away and watched as Shikamaru's eyes darkened as he changed the direction of his gaze towards her. He looked as if he was in some sort of pain, and she smiled softly at him. It had to be just an act; just pretend.

They weren't really a couple, but her heart told her otherwise. Was this what they called it? Temari reasoned with herself saying, it couldn't be it, but it was. Terrifying thoughts rushed into her mind, and she knew she was falling hard for him. Love. . . Did that word mean so much, that one would do anything to have it? Temari buried her face into Shikamaru's stomach and she felt the slightest of touches as a hand brushed through the soft silky strands of her hair. She was tough in so many ways but she did not know anything about the emotional side of things. Was she in love with Nara Shikamaru and was he in love with her? She did not know. . .And with that thought her breathing slowed and she slept.

Shikamaru glanced over at Naruto for a few moments, as he squirmed in his seat. It seemed that Naruto wasn't quite cut out for this sort of thing. He was way too impatient and that wasn't always a good thing. Lazy eyes, moved back to Temari's golden hair, and he wondered why he had such strong feelings for her. Was it possible he was in love with her? He supposed it might be, and he chuckled to himself. It was just as his dad had told him.

"Even the hardest of women will show a sweet side to the man they love. How astute. I guess my life is gonna be such a hassle," He whispered softly, "I guess my plan going to go sharply awry. I guess it's not that much of a problem, just unexpected."

Shikamaru admitted to himself that he loved Temari. He shrugged and then watched as , after hours of waiting, Sakura stepped out exhausted looking. Temari rose from her position and sat up, placing her hands on her knees and leaning forward.

"What's going on?" Naruto asked loudly with concern, "Is Ino going to be all right?"

Ino was one of the rookie nine, and Naruto felt sort of sad. He hoped she would be okay, otherwise he would be visiting the grave of someone around his age.

"She's out of the danger zone, but we're not allowing visitors yet at this time," She paused with a loud conceding breath and but she quickly picked up speed when Naruto opened his mouth to complain about Kankuro, "Except for Kankuro, who's just seems to be to intimidating to the staff members. And the fact he's so stubborn to stay inside."

Sakura smiled at them, and they sighed with ease, and tried to get rid of their stiff muscles. Sakura wasn't all that tired physically, but emotionally she was. But she cheered up fast when she realized today was one of those annoying but hopeful days. It should take her mind off things.

"Why did your mood change?" Naruto questioned, his hands twitching with boredom.

"Because, today's the day that Kakashi is supposed to take his twice a year physical exam. Normally for most it's once, but Kakashi usually escapes before we finish so we make him come twice a year as his punishment," Sakura said joyfully, already hoping to get that mask off his face. It was still exciting and she almost jumped for joy, "I'll get to see his face before you, Naruto!"