I'm so sorry I couldn't update this earlier! I kept trying to work on it but things well.. (people) kept getting in the way. Apparently everyone wants to catch up lately! If I'm not working someones always taking up my time. Don't get me wrong I miss them dearly but I like to be alone at moments. Not to mention that half the times I'm with my bitter half :) Anyways here is the next chappie! I dont work until next weekend so I'll try my best to post up the next chapter before work gets in the way again. The first half of March is going to be busy! I've already had a glimpse of my schedule D:

Chrysant I'll be sure to put some TemaInoCho and Tema/Kotori moments in future chapters. :)

Thank you all for the reviews! They keep me motivated! :D

Shikamaru stands on Naruto's left; he's reviewing a scroll, the reason for Temari's visit. She stands in front of the Hokage, feet planted firmly on the floor, carrying the usual business aura. He stares at her intently, eyes never leaving her sight. Only once during the whole ordeal has she made visual contact with him; when she politely bowed her head as she entered the office.

He still remembers the words that slipped through his lips that night back in the Sand Village. The thoughts in his head were never meant to be said aloud. But he knows she heard him. The stillness in her voice told him so.

If there ever was a possibility it was long gone. Shikamaru had made his decision.

"Hmm…" Naruto scratches his chin as he reads the letter.

From afar he cannot see what is written.

"Do you need help?" He may be Hokage but he's still an idiot after all.

"No actually… I understand this perfectly." Naruto gleams proudly.

"Are you sure?" he's not so convinced.

The Hokage shoots him a glare that says 'I'm not a complete moron.'

"Gaara made sure to write it as simple as possible." The woman speaks.

Shikamaru shrugs in defeat, ignoring Naruto's childish act. The Hokage has just stuck his tongue out at him.

"I should have my letter ready by the evening. You can pick it up then Temari. How about you go visit around the village to kill some time? I can even lend you Shikamaru. You guys can catch up or something."

"Catch up? Tch. I just saw her two weeks ago." He mumbles.

"Zip it and do as I say!" Tsunade had rubbed off on Naruto a bit.

"Is six a good time?" Temari asks.

"Perfect!" Naruto exclaims giving her two thumbs up.

"I'll be back by then." She bows her head before heading towards the door, he follows.

"You don't have to guide me through the village. I know my way around." Temari speaks as they make their way down the corridor.

"It's troublesome but Hokage's orders."

Raising her shoulders nonchalantly she says, "Suit yourself."

He mimics her steps unintentionally. Sounds of sandals hitting the concrete echoes awkwardly.

"I didn't know you knew Kotori so well? Thought you two had only met that one time." he breaks the silence.

"You didn't ask." The golden haired woman lifts up one eye brow while her head shifts towards him. "I only see her when Ino takes care of her. Why?"

"Oh," he rubs the back of his neck. "Just curious. She drew you. It just caught me by surprise, that's all."

"She's feisty for her age." Temari smirks.

"Tch. Tell me about it."

Their laughter dismisses the edgy atmosphere that surrounded them like a cloud of smoke.

Much to his chagrin they've reached the stairs of terror. Going down than up though always seemed easier. Sticking his hands in his pockets he readies himself.

Halfway through they pass by Kakashi; he's reading Icha Icha Paradise. Not even bothering to look where he's going… If he were an ordinary person he'd worry but he knows better. His eyes wrinkle momentarily, it's hard to tell with his mask but those who have known him for long can already identify his smile. Air brushes through them as he continues on upwards.

"Tch. What's he so happy about?"

"It's probably that perverted book he's reading. Men..."

"Or it's probably because he's on his way to see Naruto. The idiot who took the job that he did not want."

"Hah! Why anyone wants the job is beyond me!"

"I agree." Shikamaru laughs in unison with the troublesome woman.

It's a strange feeling he can't fight off when he's with her. The comfortability the loud woman gave him. His father once mentioned that woman had their soft moments. They were rare, but they were there. Temari fell into that category of girls.

Shikamaru suddenly feels a sharp pang in his heart. The absence of his father had affected him greatly. This great loss was one of the causes for his inner turmoil. He was hell bent in staying away from Nara tradition. Marrying a troublesome woman.

"So where to?" he asks her.

"I want to train. Is Tenten in the Village?"

"No, but why do you want to train anways? You just traveled three days to get here. Aren't you tired troublesome woman?"

Temari crosses her arms arrogantly.

"Yea…Right…Forgot you don't know the definition of taking a break." he really should know better, the woman never ceased to amaze him.

"Well you can just drop me off at the training grounds. Or I can go by myself it doesn't matter."

She marches down the road that leads to the woods, he follows.

"So troublesome... I'll train with you."

"What did you just say?"

"Tch. I'll train with you."

"You? Train willingly?"

"Yeah. Been stuck in the office for weeks. Walking to your Village and back left me sore. I'm losing it."

"Alright then. I'd love to kick your ass." She gives him that frightening smile that surprisingly soothes him.

"Oh? Is that so?" he smirks turning his body to face hers before taking his long strides down the row of large trees. Their usual game has begun once again.

He takes her to the area Asuma used to take his team. It's been so long… Since he died Shikamaru has not stepped a foot in his old training grounds. In fact he ended up there without realizing it. His mind was really somewhere else that day…

"You ready?" Temari's in a stance, her fan resting on a tree.

"Huh?"

"Get ready you ass!"

"Oi woman why did you put your fan away!?"

"Because when I said I wanted to train I obviously meant in physical combat! Why do you think I wanted Tenten!?"

"Like I can read your mind." He mumbles.

"Shikamaru!"

"Ugh! Temari you specialize in long-range combat why do you want to do physical training?"

"Revolving yourself around your weapon won't do you any good if you can't use it! Aren't you the one that comes up with over two-hundred possibilities!? You have to think outside the box Shikamaru!"

"Fine! So troublesome." he complains.

"Get in position." Yelling like a banshee already…

He's aware of the ass beating that awaits him.

Temari of course being the impulsive psycho shoots out the first hit. At the beginning he only blocks her with his arms but it's only pissing her off for not trying. Unless it was a real fight he wasn't fond of the thought of hurting a woman, no matter how exasperating they may be.

He's not used to such brutal force in his body. His shadows do all the work for him. Bruises will surely appear the next day on his skin. Temari was never one to go lightly. She did everything with all the strength she could muster.

Eventually Temari gives a kick that brings him down to his knees. Circling her arm around his throat from his back he catches a glimpse of her evil grin, she wants him to admit defeat. That was not going to happen. She always managed to turn his lethargic attitude into a competitive one.

Reaching back he holds onto her waist and forces his other arm through her looped one to break her grip. Their roles are now reversed but instead his arm links around her collar bones.

He feels the tightness of her stomach as she breaths heavily, he's positive she's angry. Temari puffs her chest in irritation and as she does so her breasts touch his arm. The feeling travels from his chest all the way down to the pit of his stomach. The grasp on her hipbone grows tighter. There is a fire that radiates as their fully clothed bodies touch, his front to her back. Letting out a long sigh that he did not know he was even holding in, his head leans down, lips centimeters away from her ear.

The fight is long from over as she makes her escape. Serenely the smacks of their skins obscure the pull that their bodies contract like a magnet. Brushing each other lightly in areas that light up a fire. Teal meets brown, his dejection projected through his pupils. He doesn't feel like his body is fighting Temari, it's more that his brain is trying to push her away with every hit that he takes as their now sweaty skin tugs off as they make contact.

She jumps a few feet away from him, signaling to end the fight. Their panting heavily.

"What's wrong? Why did you stop?" he asks.

"The suns about to set. We've been at it for about three hours I'm guessing." Temari points to the now turning orange orb.

He wonders if that's really it or if she managed to see the struggle his mind was having. She had her ways of understanding him like no one else could.

Regardless he nods in accordance. "Do you really need me to take you back? I need to go see Fuyumi."

"No that's fine."

He watches her back as she places her fan back to where it belongs. Shikamaru needs to see her face, he needs to know if she understands the message that he has been trying to convey. So far her voice sounds noncaring.

She turns around, smiling warmly: Message delivered. "Alright. Well I'll be seeing you then."

"Wait. Are you sure Naruto understood that letter?"

"Don't worry it's just an outline. He won't be in charge of the marketing negotiations."

"Good." Shikamaru eases at knowing this. "I guess that saves me the trouble."

"Yeah." Temari chuckles.

"Guess I'll see you tomorrow than?"

"Nope."

"What do you mean?"

"I leave tomorrow before dawn. Like I said Naruto isn't in charge of this negotiation. They'll be awaiting my arrival."

"Isn't that a drastic short time between travels?"

"Not really. I'll still be in the Land of Fire."

Relaxation would never come for Shikamaru…

"The Fire Lord is expecting me. Actually he asked for me specifically."