I'm trying my best not to make Shikamaru as OOC as possible. I'm sure he wouldn't be this mean, even to his own girlfriend :/ But oh, i need it for the drama... I hope the way I'm writing Shikamaru doesn't frustrate you guys. We still have a long way to go. I have so much planned!

On another note, you all can stop worrying about Fuyumi getting herself pregnant. The idea had never occured to me actually and now that it has it doesn't catch my attention anyways. I've read many stories about Shikamaru's girlfriends being all psycho jealous, after a certain extent it starts to annoy me. Which is why i made an OC, I usually see Ino play the part of the jealous gf and although she's not my favorite i don't particularly dislike her either. Fuyumi is exactly what Shikamaru "wanted", someone who's not troublesome at all. Complete opposite of Temari.

Anyways thanks so much for the reviews you guys! Every one of them is greatly appreciated! :D

During Temari's stay at the Fire Lord's village she has spent her entire days with Ryota. They have late night dinners that extend longer as they days go by. The entity of his company has given her comfort through their late night talks. A few glasses of wine also help.

Disinterestedly she gazes at the buildings that peak out from the trees across a branch she is sitting on. The sky has a dark color that makes the stars look like they glisten in silver diamonds.

Loud rustling leaves catch her attention, it doesn't sound too far off from where she sits. There, only few inches away is a squirrel hiding away its nuts inside a whole of the tree she resides in. Temari silently watches as the squirrel stores its food away. Quickly, after it's done the squirrel brushes past her back swiftly, the small wind it creates as it scatters off gives her shivers. Playfully she dangles her legs while she waits for Ryota; they've agreed to meet alone for a change. Plus, the less scandalous eyes around them the better. Although it might already be too late, they were the talk of the town, and every time she met the Fire Lord there was a sparkle in his eyes.

Before she can let out another huff of annoyance for waiting an extra fifteen minutes than the time they had set she feels the warmth of the body that sits next to her.

"You're late." She states the obvious.

A raspy chuckle escapes his throat before explaining. "I apologize. My mother was giving me an inquisition."

Temari sighs, "Yeah, apparently we're the talk of the town."

"You should be used to the attention." Charmingly he teases her.

"Doesn't mean I like it." Temari retorts fold her arms.

"Agreed."

"I bet she wouldn't like me." She grins evilly.

Amongst the ninjas she was admired by many, but when it came down to being fit as a trophy wife she wouldn't make the cut. Honestly she didn't care though, she wasn't meant to be a home maker, and she couldn't see herself as a mother either. Even if she did once regard as admittedly having feelings for the Shadow idiot, it did not mean she pictured herself married to him. Maybe it was because the friendship never really went beyond that and she stuck to reality. She never daydreamed about the future and instead concentrated on the now.

"Well then maybe you two should meet." There's mischief in his eyes.

Temari gives a hearty laugh, "Why would you want that? Do you want to be disowned?" she continues. "Besides, what would we tell her? We hardly know each other. Although, I'm sure the people in your village have over exaggerated what they've merely seen. I would know." Grumbling the last part, she really did.

Ryota shrugs. "I told mother the same. Told her we were getting acquainted for the sake of the treaties of course." Playfully he smiles at her.

"Ha! If only keeping the peace were that easy." An amused Temari smiles at him widely.

Temari, as the days pass by is able to tune out the turmoil in her heart by listening to this man. They're late night talk spreads to midnight, neither of them noticing the time.

Temari closes her Inn's door but not before looking right to left, making sure no one has followed Ryota on his way to her place. She was sure inviting him over might be a bad idea, especially if they saw him enter her room. The lecture about being unethical she'd receive if anyone ever found out. Of course though being a master at keeping her relations a secret she learned a thing or two. Not to mention that Ryota being an exceptional ninja helped.

"Okay. You're sure nobody saw you?"

"I'm more than positive." Ryota beams at her and hands her a bottle of wine wrapped in a brown paper bag. "Sorry, I couldn't find anything stronger back home."

"It'll do." Temari takes it and extends her arm towards the couch. "Please, sit. I'll get us some glasses."

As she rummages through her kitchen the fading sun lights her way towards two cups. Perfect. It must be a sign she really should drink tonight. And although it may look wrong considering she invited over a man she hardly knew over she was in need of company. His company in particular. Originally he had offered to take her out to dinner but she refused. Being gawked at during an entire meal could get annoying. Surprisingly he'd agreed to her proposition. He was a man after all; she supposed tonight she'd find out what Ryota really wanted from her. From past experience men usually only wanted one thing from her…

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I just don't feel like being stared at like some museum artifact or something."

Ryota takes her cups as she sits down and begins to pour wine in them before handing one back to her. "I understand."

"Thanks." Temari downs it like water and begins serving herself another.

"Shouldn't you slow down? You leave tomorrow morning. You'll get dehydrated."

"I've done it before."

"Impressive." Ryota laughs entertainingly by her boldness.

"So tell me, how was life as one of the twelve guards?"

"Well I'm sure it's no different than your guard duties protecting the Kazekage. My uncle tries not to travel too much unless needed but when he does it's like he attracts his enemies like the light that attracts the moths."

Here, here, she thinks.

"Do you have any specialties?" she's sure there's no need to tell him hers, her scary reputation wasn't earned by laying low after all.

"I have two actually." Ryota sheepishly rubs the back of his head not looking at her, "I tried not using them unless necessary though, it'd give me away. Mostly stuck to one on one combat."

"What are your elements?"

"You're a curious one aren't you?" he grins.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Disinterestedly she turns her attention on her third cup of wine.

"Reverse psychology. You're good."

"I'm sure you're not that easy to crack."

"No, I'm not. I guess you just have that power over me, use it wisely."

Completely drawn by the man in front of her she meets his eyes, and gets into a more comfortable position. She leans her back on the edge of the couch, her elbows relaxed on armrests. The fire lord's nephew has not moved from the same spot since he arrived. Only his head is tilted, facing her while he sits up straight, legs spread apart, his hands holding his still first drink in the middle. Feet separate them from each other; she's still not sure how this night is going to end.

"I can control wind and fire."

"The wind huh? Another thing we have in common."

They clank their cups as he finally helps himself to a second serving, her going on her fourth. Temari easily relaxes as the alcohol travels through her system but she is nowhere near tipsy, she's not stupid. Their conversation takes an animated toll as they recall encounters with former enemies. The actions of their past fights intrigue each other as they go into detail explaining their next move. Afterwards they linger into a different topic as they laugh in tears as they remember missions with rookie ninjas.

Ryota finally relaxes himself as he lies back on the sofa, "And this is why I don't drink. I've only had half of what you've had and I'm already losing feeling on my nose. I'm such a disappointment." He laughs at himself, Temari joins him.

"It takes years of practice." She says with pride.

"Do you feel it yet?"

"Completely sober," she says playfully, "it takes more than wine to do the trick."

"Um… but you should probably stop or you might have trouble getting back home." She says as she gets close and takes away the cup from his hands so that she can place it on the table in front of them.

"Good thinking."

They play a staring contest, mirth all over their faces.

"I have an idea." He takes a hold of her wrist.

"Really?" raising an eye brow, where is he going with this?

Happily than she's ever seen him he suggests something she was not expecting, "We should dance."

"What!? There's no music!" Temari bursts in giggles; okay maybe it was hitting her.

"We don't need any."

The man a foot taller than her raises up and reaches down his hands for her. The alcohol's really set him loose.

"You're insane." She shakes her head, smiling, taking his hands as they make their way towards the small empty area in her living room. "Okay, now what?"

One of her hand is on his shoulder, the other entwined with his own, while his other holds her by the waist.

"Now, we dance. Left and right." He keeps repeating the last sentence until they reach a rhythm of their own.

"Um… You like to dance?" she asks, remembering that night at the ball.

"I do…" his eyes flicker with a sadness that goes unnoticed, but she's sure he's too influenced to even notice himself.

"Why?" she questions him, her voice soft as his answer.

"It reminds me of the good days…"

How so? She wants to ask more than anything but knows better. There is an agony that seeps through his features that silences her with sympathy. Temari does not know what haunts this man but suspects she's not the only one that's suffering. The apartment becomes quiet, almost depressing. They spend their rest of the night dancing in silence, finding the comfort in each others simple company.