Well I just couldn't wait to write this, so I present to you, an Awkward Encounters Special, especially for Valentine's Day...Sweet Encounters! Yay!
I don't own Naruto D':

Spring was around the corner, but it was still cold outside. The snow had melted and flowers started budding. Shikamaru was casually walking throughout the village. He needed some time to himself. Everything seemed so stressful with the upcoming war. He walked past the flower shop and was greeted by Inoichi, who was arranging some flowers. "Hello there Shikamaru. Had any new missions lately?" he asked. "No, I've been helping get supplies ready. Just taking a break right now." He kicked the grond beneath his feet. Inoichi stood and put a hand on the boys' shoulder. "Don't look so down. The war will be over as fast as it will be started. We're leaf ninjas, we'll be okay. Plus it'll be an honor to fight beside the younger generation InoShikaCho trio," he smiled, trying to lighten the mood. Ino walked out carrying pots with flowers.

"Dad, I have more tulips," she said struggling. Shikamaru noticed and helped her with the pots. "Thanks Shika," she said huffing. "What are you doing here?" He set the pots down beside the flower bed. "Walking, taking a break from sorting supplies." "Well while on your break why don't you help bring out some more flowers? There's a lot," she said as she walked back inside. He sighed and followed after. He knew he couldn't get out of this without an injury...or a lot of nagging, and both were troublesome.

She led him into the back room. "The tulips go out front with the rest. The snowdrops go beside the impatiens in the main room. That's the right corner. These larkspurs near the jasmine. And the roses all go in the flower boxes in the middle of the room. Separate the colors, I have to add some baby's breath later. Getting them ready for Valentine's Day and all," she explained. Shikamaru nodded and proceeded to carry out the snowdrops. Ino took the larkspurs and they organized them.

The two continued organizing the flowers and Shikamaru started on the roses. It was quiet for a while. Ino brought out a bunch of baby's breath and helped Shikamaru with the rose display. "So, are you gonna get anyone roses this year?" she asked. He looked at her. "Why?" She looked back at him like he was stupid. "You didn't hear me earlier? Valentine's Day is tomorrow! The most flowers sold for the holiday are sold on the actual day. You're not getting anyone anything?" He sighed, wishing he could have avoided this question. He wanted to get someone something, but he was completely stupid when it came with women. A shocker, yes I know.

Ino nudged him with her elbow. "You know, the Sand Siblings are coming soon Shikamaru. Temari will be here," she said in a sing-song voice. "Ino..." "You could get her flowers and take her out on a romantic date. Dinner in the candlelight, with steak and lobster and champagne. Then finish it with star gazing and romantic music," she said day dreaming. "But then again, you would never go to the trouble of doing that for someone." Shikamaru rolled his eyes and continued the flower arranging. He knew that Ino knew about his secret crush on the sand shinobi, but he still didn't want to admit it, even to himself. He wanted to do something for her, but every time he thought about it his mind drew a blank.

They both soon finished up the flower arranging and Shikamaru continued his way out. Before Ino could notice though, he picked out a single red rose and dropped the money on the counter. "Oh hey there Shikamaru, done already? Oh who'd you get that for? A special someone?" Just then Shikamaru noticed a certain blonde kunoichi walking toward him. She wasn't supposed to be here for a day or two! "Hello there Nara, what're you doing here? Flirting with miss Ino?" she smirked. He shoved his right hand in his pocket. "Oh what do we have here?" she took the rose. "A rose. Who's this for?" He knew she was trying to agitate him, but he wouldn't let it get to him. And he wouldn't let his guard down. "It's uh...for my mom. From my dad. He's on a mission and he wanted me to pick it up for him while he's away. He'll be back tomorrow," he explained confidently.

The boy noticed a light go out in the kunoichi's eyes. Her face fell a bit, but not enough for anyone else to notice. "Temari! You're early!" Ino came over and hugged the girl. "You can help me separate flowers! There's tons more," she said excitedly while pulling the girl inside the shop with her. Inoichi looked at Shikamaru and chuckled. "She's gonna love it Shikamaru." The boy nodded and proceeded home.

"So where are we starting?" asked Temari. "We're putting these baby's breath in the rose assortments." "Alright." The girls started with their sorting. "So Temari what're you doing for tomorrow?" "You're funny. Nothing." Ino looked at her. "How could you stand to do nothing?" Temari looked at her. "Ino, you're pretty and outgoing. You could get any guy you want. I'm...I just want a guy who doesn't feel the need to treat me like a princess all the time, who could also be my best friend and who I could have an actual intelligent conversation with." Ino smiled. "It sounds like you described Shikamaru." Temari looked down, and added more baby's breath to her bouquet. "Maybe, but like that'd ever happen. I can't stand the guy half the time," she laughed. Ino simply rolled her eyes.

When the girls had finished they had a cup of tea and chatted. "So when do you start helping with stock?" asked Ino. Temari looked down at her tea. "The day after tomorrow. Since we're early and everything. I can't believe this war is happening so fast." "Yeah...it is. I'll be honest, I'm afraid." "Me too..." There was a pause. "Well Ino, I have to go. I'll see you the day after tomorrow right?" She handed Ino the cup. "Yeah, see ya Temari!" The blonde kunoichi wove as she ran out the door.

This was the first time in a long time that she actually cried. She was afraid, terrified. She knew this war was around the corner and it scared her to think what's going to happen after. What friends won't she see anymore? Will she be okay? Her brothers? Her best friends?...Shikamaru? It was all becoming a reality as she stood in the streets of their allied village. In just two days she would start helping them prepare for this tragedy that's going to happen. It hadn't affected her this way before. Why now? She was frustrated. She hated her guard being down like this. She started running. Running away from her fears.

Shikamaru stood in his kitchen, staring at the single red rose he put in a vase on the counter. He didn't know how to give it to her. Why was it that he was the most intelligent person in the Fire Country but when it came to girls he was hopeless? The boy sighed and as he did he heard a knock at his door. "Troublesome...I was about to make dinner." He answered the door and saw Temari standing there. Her face was a little red. "Are you okay Temari?" he asked. She brushed past him and sat at his table in the kitchen. "I've always said 'Sacrifice is an inevitable part of missions,' so why can't I accept the fact that I'm going to lose people I truly care about?" He was surprised at first, then closed the door, turned and sat across from her at the table. "Temari..." She looked at him. "We shouldn't be thinking about this. We're not planning on dying. But we do risk out lives and ultimately sacrifice ourselves for our village. For the people, the "king," so we can't keep our minds on the fact that we may lose friends or family. But if we do, we know that they died sacrificing their lives for everyone else and for the future of our villages. We're the leaf, and you're the sand. We're strong. We'll get through this." She sat back in the chair and he stood.

"Are you staying for dinner? I'm making mackerel and kenchin soup." She smiled. "You cook? I'd think you of all people would be making me cook." "If you insist," he said, handing her a pan. She stood and hit him with her fan. "Funny. How about you cook and I sit here in your living room and watch a movie, hm? I think it sounds like a wonderful idea." She walked into the living room, which was connected to the kitchen and flicked it on. He rolled his eyes and started cooking the meal.

When the meal was finished he set the table and Temari walked over. "Now I know what you troublesome women have to go through every night now," he said as he set the food on the table. She looked at him confused. "You never cooked before?" "No, I usually eat at my parent's house because I'm too lazy to cook. I can cook, I choose not to." She smirked. "So should I feel special?" He started smiled and started eating.

When they were done they both set their dishes in the sink and had agreed to watch a movie. A nice relaxing night after hard work and travel. Temari found it relaxing to spend an evening with her guy friends rather than her girl friends. They were just too girly sometimes. While she ran off to the restroom, Shikamaru noticed the flower on the counter and the note attached that he had wanted to give to her, but just didn't know how. For the meantime, he moved the rose to the end table beside the couch so he wouldn't forget. If it was near him, he could concentrate on what he was going to say while also watching the movie. He was struggling to hide the tag when Temari walked back in the room.

"Why did you move that there? Isn't it for your mom?" She knew he was up to something. He looked a little stressed. "Yeah, but I moved it here so that when I wake up I'll remember it when I go over tomorrow. I'll probably end up sleeping out here tonight, which is why." She nodded and looked at him skeptically, then proceeded to take her seat on the couch. She popped in a random horror movie and Shikamaru also took his seat.

Sometime throughout the movie they had both fallen asleep. Shikamaru awoke and noticed the title screen playing repeatedly. He reached on the table for the remote but was startled when he felt someone on top of him. Temari was asleep on his chest. He looked down at her. She looked so peaceful, and ten times less troublesome. This was his perfect chance. He reached carefully and slowly above his head to the end table and grabbed the rose with the note attached, and he slipped it between her fingers while she was sleeping. Perfect. The boy smiled and drifted off to sleep again.

Temari awoke that morning. She felt a prick to her finger and stuck it in her mouth. There in her hand was a rose. One little thorn was forgotten. A note was attached. She was surprised and blushed slightly.

With this single rose,

I show my love for only you.

Happy Valentine's Day

Her heart quickened and her breath caught in her throat. She realized then that she had fallen asleep on top of him. So was last night set up? She smiled, and then felt arms around her. "Happy Valentine's Day," he whispered, and then kissed her behind her ear. She blushed. She hated how he secretly made her feel. "Temari." She looked at him and smiled, and then kissed him softly on the lips. "Happy Valentine's Day Shika.

I am very pleased with this chapter ^^ I couldn't wait to write it so I HAD to today, even though it took me all day...since I kept getting distracted.. ^^; But let me know what you think, and if it's good I'm planning on making a series of Sweet Encounters. I hope you enjoyed :D Now I'm off to think up more ideas! Whoooooosh!