"Tem, wake up, wake up… please.." Temari's eyes slowly opened to meet her brother's. Holding her hands, Gaara finally released a deep sigh. He was called by his superior, about a No Sabaku that seems to be his sister. Since the deployment of Kankuro, Temari was the only one who could support him financially. As a neurosurgeon intern, Gaara was barely making ends meet. He needed to focus more on his studies and as the Big Sis, Temari was cooking meals every weekend for him and paying half of his rent. Although he did not accept at first, he finally agreed after a long talk with both Temari and Kankuro. They all needed to be successful and together you are stronger. But seeing Temari laying down on this hospital bed made him doubt his choice. Temari seemed slimmer than 4 months ago. They barely had time to see each other, Temari was only dropping food for Gaara on the weekend and he was usually asleep or in the hospital. With Christmas around the corner, he wanted to get at least half a day off, but the announcement of the typhoon ruined his plan and he will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas with his colleagues.

"How do you feel? We made an MRL and it's not broken but you will probably need to use crutches for a few days." recommended the young intern. "Gaara, how long was I asleep?" "Only 2 hours, but did you hear me correctly? I've got the crutches ready for you here. Is this your friend? He is waiting over there and I heard he dropped you off." questioned the youngest sibling. Temari raised her head toward the slim silhouette sitting outside in the corridor. He was Shikamaru, her classmate/colleague, or her "potential future" employer's son?

Temari joined the YN Law firm two weeks ago. When she arrived at Kono Private University as a scholarship foreign student, she had no intention of joining one of her classmate's family businesses, but Shikamaru's mom was the head of the 2nd largest law firm. The first law firm is a corrupted conglomerate that is known to be harsh with foreign law students. She was not friends with Shikamaru so she thought it would not be weird, she never informed him about her application and did not ask for a free pass. Even though she knew he was the son of Yoshino, she did not expect this lazy golden spoon-fed to be sitting on the board during the welcome session for all the newcomers (new lawyers, associate,s and interns). The session lasted more than 3 hours and Shikamaru had to stay awake which was the first time she saw him so eager to remain attentive. When he really wants it, he can be serious and reliable, she thought. Once all the talks were concluded a small drink and networking session was organized. She tried her best to avoid her classmate but he eventually found her in the crowd."So you will be joining us for this semester?" inquired the son of Yoshino. His voice was calm and rested. Shikamaru was wearing a black suit but no tie. Formal dressing suit him way better than those ugly t-shirts he was wearing at the University. "Nara, if I am here, is that not clear?" responded the top student before rolling her eyes. Shikamaru however smiled and Temari tried to keep her lips tight. She wanted to smile as well, she was being so sensitive about it but he only wanted to welcome her. She then heard the name of her classmate being called. "Yes Madam, I am coming!" quickly grumbled her classmate. "Mom is so tense during those events, she wants everything to be perfect. I will see you around No Sabaku." Shikamaru then turned toward his mother, releasing Temari from his intense gaze. Temari was as usual classy, and a little bit too sexy for the young Nara. He was only 20 years old and it was still hard for him to remove all of his fantasies from his mind, especially when he was getting close to the blonde girl. She was wearing a navy knee-length pencil skirt with a light pink blouse. The blouse was not see-through but knowing Temari's body shape, Shikamaru was already imaging the lines of her chest. He wanted to push her into his arms and fall into his bed. Shikamaru tried to dissipate those thoughts before he arrived in front of his mother.

"Do you know her? Is she your friend? A new friend? I have never seen her, I don't think I know her…" interrogated his mother upon his arrival next to her. "She is a classmate, Our class Representative, I guess yeah, she is also a friend."

"Temari, did you hear me? Is he your friend? I have never met him, I know all of your friends." After a few seconds, Temari finally realized that she had not replied yet to her brother's question. "He is a classmate, the Deputy Representative. Not really, we also work together at the law firm, he is like a coworker I guess."

Shikamaru suddenly felt the glance of Temari's brother who started walking toward him. Wearing his long white uniform, the young brother sat next to his sister's coworker and asked "So is it with you that Temari is celebrating Christmas?". "You mean this Christmas Eve? like the 24th?" Shikamaru was more than confused, he never mentioned that he will spend Christmas with Temari, especially those boring events full of shitty people, such a nightmare why would he drag someone else to share his pain. "Me and my brother are both working during Christmas eve. We were worried that our sister would spend Christmas alone, but she said she was invited to a Christmas party with some friends. I know her friends and they are just with their family so I thought you might be the friend she is talking about. Sorry for asking" Without a split of a second, the Nara's heir replied "Oh that, I would not call that a party but I'm glad Temari thinks of it as such. Yes, I asked her to join our celebration, it is more like a networking event, like anything we do anyway. Glad she is looking forward to it".

It was pure improvisation, Nara did not even know why he felt the need to cover for his new friend's lie. Nara's heir was an only child, although some of his friends had siblings he never really understood the dynamics of it. He just knew that siblings should care for each other, and if Temari did that, it was to not make them worry about her. But now, it was he who started to feel uncomfortable. You might even say he started to worry. Where would Temari spend Christmas, will she be alone? As much as he hated Christmas and any other celebration days, he would hate it more this year if he knew she would be alone.

"Thank you, Nara, I owe you one." Standing next to her bed, the only child just observed the blond girl laying still. "I asked when will you leave the hospital, and they said it should be as soon as you can. If you need a lift let me know, and I can drop you home. I mean your brothers are not available and I feel like you don't have many options other than your class Deputy Representative." Temari was not stupid, she clearly knew that Nara was her best option. The cost of the taxi from the hospital to her flat would cost her almost one day of work. She was living far from the center to reduce her living expenses. Always using public transport was fine with her, she even had a small lady bike for the short commute. But it was now almost midnight, staying would mean taking one bed. With potential floods and heavy rain tonight that is not really what she felt was best. She hated to admit it to herself, but Nara was tonight her best option. Not knowing what to say, she just remained quiet. Trying to find the courage to align those words "yes I would love your help", Temari started by raising her head toward him, moving the same occasion her back. She whispers an ouch and moans. "If you are ready we can go, I get it." She was thankful. Shikamaru was one of the few people apart from her brothers and her friend who understood her. She was not impolite or mean, she just had her own ego and she was trying to deal with it. Asking for help was not something she would do, even when she needed it the most.

After a few minutes, Shikamaru came back with all the paperwork for her release. He supported her and walked her to his car. His car was dark purple, it was another one. Temari knew although Shikamaru was more than wealthy he was never a show-off. That car was simple but so special and unique. Probably cost more than her two legs. Shikamaru helped Temari with her crutches and then got in the car. He switched on the heater and asked "Actually, I don't know where you live."