They walked quietly together, neither saying much. Both were concentrating with uncommon interest on their feet.
Lunch had been more than a little awkward as both of them were feeling quite nervous all of a sudden.
It definitely wasn't the first time that they had shared a meal together and the food was actually really good.
But their normally witty banter evaporated.
Instead, an uncomfortable silence had reigned during most of the meal.
And despite the good food, they were full more from butterflies in their stomachs than the food.
But neither one was going to admit that.
When finally the bill had been presented to the couple, Shikamaru quickly grabbed it.
"Here let me get that. A man should never allow a woman to pay for his meal."
"What? You think paying for lunch makes you a man, now? Think again Shikamaru."
She wasn't really angry at him. She was just frustrated at how things were turning out just couldn't take it any longer.
And now she was frustrated at herself for letting her frustration get the best of her.
But she couldn't help herself. She had always pushed him to be more. And this was no different.
She wanted him to take charge.
"Why don't you try being a real man for a change instead of such a big crybaby? And when are you going to cut it with all this man and woman crap?"
"Ah-h-h, Temari?", he asked, slightly confused.
She just looked at him and seeing that he clearly wasn't getting it, stomped off.
He quickly paid the bill and hurried after her.
"Temari", he called.
But she just kept walking, ignoring him.
"Temari", he called again, chasing after.
When she still didn't turn to him, he grabbed her hand in desperation.
She turned and was about to hit him when Naruto showed up with Hinata, Lee and Ten Ten.
Naruto looked at them for a second, noticing their hands.
"So... are you two going out or what?"
They pull back their hands and stare at each other for a bit.
"Not even close idiot"
"You've got to be joking...like I would ever, even."
Naruto was about to let it go when he realised something. "HEY! You two said that to fob me off once... Man, that was a long time ago", he said.
"Naruto you idiot", Ten Ten said loudly. "Of course they are, they're even holding hands!"
"Yes, you really shouldn't waste the power of youth my friends!" Lee agrees enthusiastically. "Ten Ten, my darling, are these two really going out?"
"Lee, you big dumbie. When the village idiot", Ten Ten says pointing at Naruto, "knows you have feelings for each other, you have feelings for each other!"
"Believe it!" Naruto yells loudly. Then realising he had just been called an idiot by Ten Ten, he loudly protests, "Heyyy! Your boyfriend couldn't work it out either, Ten Ten. Does that make him an idiot too?"
Ten Ten and Lee responded by both hitting him on the head. "Lee may be an idiot too, Naruto but he's my idiot!"
But when Temari didn't hit him too, Naruto piped up, "well, aren't you going to say the same thing about Shikamaru?"
"Yeah, you're always calling him an idiot!", Ten Ten agreed.
"Uh-uh, Naruto, perhaps calling Shikamaru isn't the smartest thing to do. She obviously cares for him so she might hit you!", Hinata said timidly.
"Firstly, Shikamaru here is a genius", Temari replied, hitting Naruto with her tessen. As he fell heavily, she turned to face Ten Ten and Hinata.
The latter wisely backed away out of range, "and he's my idiot!" Ten Ten said in her best Temari voice.
Everyone laughed out loud except for Temari and Hinata. The former glared at Ten Ten and the latter giggled nervously behind her hand.
"What are you laughing at you idiot?!", Temari turned to Shikamaru.
Shikamaru just shrugged. "Troublesome woman."
She glared at him as Ten Ten stepped in. "Now now, we don't want to see a lovers' tiff over something so insignificant you know."
Which lead to Naruto, who was being helped up by Hinata to chip in again, "No, we just want to see them kiss!"
"You're all idiots!", Temari exclaimed in exasperation as she felt her face heat up. Then looking at Shikamaru, "Especially you!"
Everyone laughed aloud again.
"Now come along. We're leaving!", she said aloud as she walked away from them.
They all turned to look at Shikamaru who had his hands in his pockets.
Temari turned around when she realised he hadn't moved yet. "Well, are you coming, baka?"
They laughed again.
"You can do it Shikamaru!", Hinata called encouragingly.
"Yeah, go Shikamaru", Naruto piped in.
"Yes my friend, as Guy Sensei would say...this is what the power of youth is about, Shikamaru. The lotus of Konoha blooms twice but the desert wildflower only once. She may be rough on the outside but inside she still needs care and watering!", Lee exclaimed.
Everyone stared at him.
Ten Ten joined in with,"Yeah, go water that wildflower!"
And they all laughed again.
Temari stiffened noticeably and then turned back to Lee menacingly. "Lee, if you even think of me as rough, I will deliver you to the desert with one blow of my fan."
"You better calm her down Shikamaru. Lee wouldn't enjoy that too much", Hinata said to Shikamaru.
"Yeah, show her who wears the hakama in your relationship!", Ten Ten yelled excitedly.
She was going to say more until Temari turned in her direction.
When no one else was game to add anything else, Temari turned expectantly to Shikamaru.
"What a drag." Shikamaru hurried to catch up to the Sand Ninja and the rest of the group watched on as Temari lead the Shadow Ninja away.