Temari

I sipped my coffee, silently smirking. Inside I was punching myself in the stomach – what happened to me? Since when he's winning this game? Why can't I come up with some response to put him down? This is so frustrating. He never had that effect on me. Maybe it's because I haven't seen him very long. Did I forgot how to mock him? That is impossible.

- What have you been doing for the last 2 years? – Shikamaru stopped teasing and I was actually glad about that.

- Mostly I was helping Gaara with reconstructions and some organizational stuff. We did some statistics to find out our shinobis… Well they suck. We lost more fighters than any other nation, so we decided to do something about that. That something happened to be a ninja school.

- Are you planning to take the principal's position? – he smiled teasingly yet again.

- What if so? – It was in fact true.

- Nothing… I'm just afraid you won't get many students with such a scary principal… - he put on a concerned face.

My hand clenched around the cup of coffee I was holding but I decided that it was too good to waste. So I put my coffee on a table and in 3 seconds I was at the same side of the mini bar as Shikamaru was, with a kunai at his neck.

- Let's just hope my students will be a bit nicer than you, jerk. – I smiled back.

Our bodies were almost touching and this closeness made me feel uneasy, despite the fact that I felt damn good holding a kunai under his jaw. I always liked being in control. For once he shut up. He smiled, but didn't say anything.

- I was also planning to move out to a flat before this trip to Konoha was arranged. I wanted to leave a house we were living in for Kankurou and his girlfriend Rin. – I continued as I slowly walked around the mini bar back to my coffee. I took the cup ant decided to take a look around the apartment, while updating him on what has been going in Suna.

Mini bar separated a small kitchen and a living room. It was spacious and cozy, with a huge sofa in the middle and fluffy carpet that made you want to lay down. Little did I know of what we were about to do on it. Further, there were three doors, all open. The door straight led to bathroom and on the left and right were two rooms. I could guess which room belongs to Shikamaru by looking at a messy bed in the room on the right. All rooms had huge windows and were very bright. There was a big maple tree outside the window in the room on the left. I liked those deep green trees of Konoha. And this one made that room feel somewhat alive.

- How long did it take you to clean this place before taking me here? A week? – I smirked after I realized how clean it was everywhere. Way too clean.

Shikamaru didn't answer, only smiled somewhat shyly, and turned to the sink to wash a plate. I stared at him dumbfounded – something about him has really changed.

- Hey, it's 10 past 8 already. Tsunade will be in her office if you want to go check in. – He told me, after glancing to his watch.

- Yeah, sure, I need to do that.

I finished my coffee and picked up my fan and my bag, when Shikamaru stopped me:

- About that… I was planning to suggest you stay in my flat until you find your own place.

- Uhh. Why? – I raised an eyebrow. – I will stay in a hotel.

- Well prices of hotels these days are not very reasonable, and since I live alone and have another room – you can feel free to crash here.

- Oh. I thought you were afraid to be alone in the dark. – I winked, making him roll his eyes. – Naah, I think that would be too weird. Plus it's not a big village and I don't need any rumors about me flying around.

- Since when do you care what people think about you? – He looked genuinely surprised.

I had to stop for a minute to think of an answer. He was right, that was not very much like me. But staying in his place… I had to admit to myself it wouldn't be too strange after all. I have known Shikamaru for so many years, I felt quite comfortable alone with him. But I certainly did not expect for him to offer that. Kind of a big step, too. Making up my mind, I dropped a bag down, but said:

- I'm going to think about that until I check the prices though. I'm not sure you don't have some sneaky scheme behind this offer. – I narrowed my eyes.

- Yes, I have a suicide plan to sneak into your room tonight and end my life scattered in pieces in my guest room. – He said with a straight face, I smirked. I liked that he understands who he's inviting inside. I liked that he implies he has to be careful with me and I'm capable of hurting him if I want. Even all of that was a little play to make me feel better, I liked it and I liked him for it. I felt like I've heard a compliment.

- Let's go! – I said impatiently with my smirk still on my lips.

Yes, my lady. – he stepped aside to let me first through the door. As an answer he got a punch to the stomach with my elbow. His toned muscles surprised me.