The night was getting on and everyone was starting to get a little tipsy, to say the least. But everyone was still having fun and that was the important thing.

Shikamaru had simply given up on avoiding people he knew who wanted to "ask him a question" about Temari. Because he had worked out, somehow over the course of the night, there must have been a running bet on either who could make him snap first. Either that or someone had put them all up to asking him about his ideas on marriage.

Because it seemed to him that every second sentence that came out of people's mouths involved a combination of "Temari", "marriage" and "when".

So while he sat and sulked for a bit at the bar nursing a drink, Temari was having her fun on the dancefloor, dancing in a rather hilarious way. Hilarious to Shikamaru at least. She was so cute when she danced. Especially after a little alcohol. Especially when she was out of beat. Her explanation had been that she wasn't used to following anyone else's lead. Even with such a subtle hint, most people understood not to ask her anything further. So Temari found herself dancing along by herself when Shikamaru had gone off to find some privacy.

She was still dancing by herself when she noticed him watching.

"Hey, you! Nara!", she said a little too loudly. Everyone turned to look at Shikamaru. He tried to ignore it but Temari didn't seem to care. "I see you, crybaby! Don't try to pretend!"

When he tried to slink into his chair, she began to make her way over to him as the crowds parted.

Temari walked right up to Shikamaru, poking him in the chest none too gently. "Thas right, I'm talking to you, lazybones!"

Shikamaru tried to shut her up by drawing her into an embrace. And also because she was looking slightly unsteady on her feet. "Just keep it down a little bit eh! I'm sure they can almost hear you back at the Sand Village ok!"

She tried to fight him off for a moment but in her alcohol affected state, she eventually gave up. She rested her head against him, letting him hold her up.

Shikamaru was glad to finally have the Sand ninja quieten down and began to try to calm her down some more by stroking her hair. It felt so nice, he decided to simply hold Temari. And even nicer when she was quiet. He had quickly discovered over the past few days that the best way to do that was to kiss her. He no longer cared if people were watching. He didn't care who it was, even though he knew Gaara was watching him intently with his normally calculating gaze.

So he brought her head up to his and in full view of the crowds, proceeded to give her a long warm kiss. Some of the spectators cheered but he stopped noticing as Temari began to return his rather public display of affection.

"Have I told you lately that you are a very good kisser?", Temari demanded. That drew some giggles and laughter, which quickly died down when Shikamaru glared at them.

"Yes, you have, troublesome woman!", he said softly, trying to placate her.

She looked at him for another moment, before adding, "well, have I told you that I love you despite you being such a lazy, good for nothing crybaby?"

She tried to give him her sternest look but it didn't work.

"Which bit?", he teased. "That I'm lazy? Or that I'm good for nothing? Or that you love me?"

He brought his lips to hers and gave her another long kiss.

"Well! We already know you're lazy and a crybaby!", Temari replied, giving his buttocks a slap.

"What a pain!", he said affectionately, looking into her eyes.

She looked back at him for a moment and his heart melted. Suddenly, all he could see were those eyes. He felt herself drawn in.

But before he could say anything, Temari exclaimed, "now come dance with me. It is your duty as my official escort and as a man!"

That drew some more laughter.

"What a drag!", muttered. More laughter.

She walked back out to the dancefloor, leaving him sitting at the bar. All eyes fell on the Shadow ninja, curious to see what he would do next.

"Well, you coming or not?". she demanded loudly, leaving him no choice.

He began to follow but stopped suddenly as he felt his mind expanding as an idea came to him. There was more than one way to skin a cat.

He smirked to himself as he continued to approach the waiting kunoichi. All eyes were on him and he knew it. But that was ok.

He had eyes only for her.

And at least this would shut them all up.

As he got near and Temari held a hand out for him, Shikamaru stopped. He took her hand and dropped to one knee.

Everyone seemed to let out a collective gasp as Temari suddenly sobered up.

"Shikamaru, what are you-"

But he took a firm hold of her hand and looking deep into her eyes, spoke calmly but firmly, "Temari no Sabaku, I have loved you for a long time. And I will love you for a lot longer still. Even though you may be the most troublesome woman I have ever met, I know that I am not going to find anyone else that can make me feel the way I do." He paused.

"Will you marry me?"

By this stage, not a sound could be heard in the place except for Shikamaru's voice. All eyes turned to an astonished Temari whose face was rather red.

Shikamaru waited on bended knee.

"Well, aren't you supposed to have a ring and all that when you propose to a lady?", Temari demanded, trying to act normal.

Truth be told, her heart was pounding furiously in her chest at the sight of Shikamaru on one knee.

"I promise, I'll get you the shiniest, most expensive ring when the time comes", he pleaded. "But you have to say yes first!"

"So you have no ring, and we've been dating how many days now?", she replied, not ready to let him off the hook for embarrassing her in front of all these people. Including her brothers who she noticed were watching with smirks on their faces. "How do I know you're not going to decide it's too troublesome to go through with this and just give up?"

"No, you're right. I don't have a ring because I didn't plan for this to happen. Just like I had never planned on falling head over heels for that obnoxious little girl from the Sand Village all those years ago. But you know what? That was the best thing that's ever happened to me. And I'd have to be the world's biggest idiot to let her get away!"

He stopped as Temari's gaze softened, eyes watering with emotion as it all just hit her. The fact he was down on one knee. And his words.

"Plus it'd be too troublesome to find someone else now", he added lamely.

This drew another laugh from the crowd and Temari squeezed his hand dangerously.

"So, will you marry me?", he asked again. "Or do you want me to make you cry in front of everybody?", he added more softly and playfully.

"Well, if I'm going to become Mrs Crybaby", Temari began as she squeezed his hand more gently, "I guess it's actually fitting."

"So is that a yes then?", Shikamaru asked, giving her a smirk.

"Yes, that's a yes, you silly baka!", she exclaimed, giving him a big smile as she pulled him to his feet.

The crowd clapped and cheered as the two kissed, but the two ninja at the centre of it all didn't even notice.