Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Boruto or its characters. This is a fan fiction written by me for fun. No profit is being made. Naruto, Boruto and its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto.

Chapter 1:

Nothing about the day seemed any different from others on average. If anything, it was a bit too average. Things were peaceful, shinobi were still getting missions but nothing too dangerous, everyone was going about their business while making small talk. Nothing out of the ordinary was taking place, which was a huge relief, even to Naruto.

It was just a month ago when he and Hinata got married and was thankful to have a day of normalcy. Between marriage and his studies, it came as no surprise that he wanted a taste of nostalgia.

Walking beside Shikamaru along the riverbank was just what he needed. It felt just like when they were kids, chatting as they walked. It had recently rained, the smell of damp grass lingering in the air. The narrow river sparkled in the sunlight, making Naruto's eyes water.

Just like when they were kids, they chatted about different topics, including recent activities. Shikamaru didn't ask how married life was treating Naruto, though the blond ninja decided to bring up the subject anyway and not in regards to himself.

"So, how was your date?"

Shikamaru flinched at the question. "Fine, I guess." Shikamaru kept his hands in his pockets.

"How are things going between you guys?" Naruto asked, genuinely curious. "She's over here a lot."

"We do business together."

"Is that what they're calling it now?"

Shikamaru grimaced. "Not that. Shinobi business. We both oversee the Chunin Exams and things like that."

"I'm teasing." Naruto gave Shikamaru a sly grin. "So… have you two kissed yet?"

"Can we talk about something else?"

"How about that suit you wore at my wedding?"

"What was wrong with it?"

"Nothing. You looked good in it. Temari seemed to think so, too. Her face was red a lot."

"That had nothing to do with it," Shikamaru told him. "She felt out of place, that's all. Can't blame her. I kinda did, too."

"Why?"

"I don't do parties that much. It's a pain. Getting all dressed up is troublesome, too. You know how long it takes to get in a suit."

"You had fun, though, didn't you?"

"Of course. The wedding was great. Hinata and you both looked really happy. We all had a great time."

"You and Temari?"

Shikamaru gave a short scoff and looked the other way. "She had fun. And it was fun seeing her like that." He truly enjoyed seeing Temari in social situations, since most of the time they saw each other, it was on business. Seeing how she acted outside of battle and meetings was always a pleasant sight.

"She go back to the Sand yet?"

He nodded. "We met up this morning and then she headed out."

"A lunch date or a breakfast date? Do people have those?"

Shikamaru sighed wearily. "It was a date. That's enough. People don't have to make anything out of it."

"Is it just me or are you more agitated than usual?"

Shikamaru looked to the side. "I'm not agitated."

"Seems like it."

"I'm just meeting Choji in a few minutes and I don't want to be late."

"Oh, alright." Naruto looked at his watch. "I better get going, too. Hey, since Temari went back to the Sand, you probably have more time to hang out. You know, before your next date together."

Shikamaru looked at him briefly then faced the other way again and groaned in annoyance. "What's with this fascination about me going out on dates? Does everyone have to bring it up?"


"So, how was your date?" Choji asked.

"Really?" Shikamaru asked with a groan. He was sitting across from Choji at a barbeque restaurant and had hoped this wouldn't be the first question he was asked.

"Things are getting pretty serious between the two of you, aren't they?" Choji asked with his mouth full of rib meat. "She's over here a lot."

Shikamaru sat back in the booth, lightly drumming his index finger on the tabletop. "I want her to like it here. So far, I think she does. I'm showing her all around the village and she seems to enjoy it. She smiles a lot. She even asked if I could take her to a couple places she was interested in."

"Oh-ho…" Choji said with a sly grin. "Is another wedding around the corner?"

Biting his lip, Shikamaru avoided looking at his friend when he answered. "It's not quite like that. I mean, there aren't any plans. It's just… if she were… to move…"

Choji stopped eating, his brow raised. A smile soon curled its way onto his face. "She said 'yes', didn't she? You popped the question and now you're stuck."

Shikamaru's cheeks flashed bright red. "It's not that. Not exactly," he stuttered defensively. "It's just that if we were… with her being all the way in the Sand, one of us is going to have to move. That's why it's so important she likes it here."

"I don't think you have anything to worry about," Choji assured him. "She seems to like it here. At least well enough to keep stopping by instead of her insisting you go over to her place. Even before you two started seeing each other, she was over here a lot. Talks about all the stuff the Leaf has that the Sand doesn't. Plus, our villages are on good terms. Better than ever, in fact. We get a lot of exports from them. If she's ever feeling homesick, just bring her by one of the bakeries that sells those Sand cakes."

"Not everything is about food, Choji."

"They say the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but girls are no different. You see their faces light up when you give them sweets or treat them to dinner."

"That's for sure," Shikamaru said, a small grin pulling at his lips. "Then they complain about their figure. Even Ino, talking about how she's trying to watch her weight as she's stuffing chocolate into her mouth." Then he sighed. "Not that Temari has a huge sweet tooth. She goes for them, but she doesn't like things that are too sweet, like me."

"It's sweet that you know that," Choji remarked. "I know she likes those cookies you get for her sometimes."

"Yeah, that you remember." Choji always seemed to remember things in great detail when it came to food. A girl's favorite color was something he would forget, but her favorite dish he would always remember.

"Well, that's what I would do. Take her to all the different restaurants we have here, treat her to food she can't get at the Sand and that'll make an impression on her."

"And her waistline," Shikamaru mumbled.

"Not that it really matters," Choji went on. "It's not like you're going over to the Sand."

Shikamaru did not answer.

"Wait. You're not seriously considering it, are you?" Choji asked, getting worried.

"That's why it's so important for her to like it here," Shikamaru said, hunching over the table. "I've been to the Sand. It's not a place I'd want to live. I mean, she's used to it. She grew up there. I'd have to acclimate. The heat and the sand and the storms and did I mention the sand? It's literally everywhere."

"I'm pretty sure that's how the village got its name."

"You know what I mean. The point is, I don't want to move to the Sand, so it's important she like the Leaf so she'd be willing to move here."

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. She'll probably love living here. And if she gives you a hard time, just tell her why you can't live there. It's an obvious decision. You got more opportunities here. You're training to be advisor. All your friends and family are here. You're needed here."

"And what about her? She has her own life in the Sand. Her family's there, too. Her brother might be guarding Gaara, but it's not like she doesn't want to be around him, too. She's needed there. She even trains shinobi and leads some squads on missions. I can't tell her to give that up just because it's more convenient for me." Shikamaru sighed heavily and looked into the distance. "I don't want her resenting me for it."

"Have you tried talking to her about this?" Choji asked. "You might be making this more complicated than it is. What if she wants to move here and you're worried over nothing?"

"It's foolish to go in without a plan," Shikamaru answered. "I've got to weigh all the pros and cons before I even bring it up to her so I have an informative argument and we can sort something out."

"Worst case, you guys can do the long-distance thing."

Shikamaru scoffed. "What kind of marriage is that? I want us to be able to see each other more than we are now."

Again, Choji's face wrinkled into a sly smirk. "You can't get enough of each other, can you? That's why you popped the question."

"Don't tell Ino any of this," Shikamaru warned Choji. "I'm still working things out. I don't need her jumping in telling everyone and freaking out over it. You know Ino will make a big deal out of this."

"I promise I won't tell Ino you're planning on tying the knot. But you know she's going to figure out something's up. I mean, I could tell you were nervous about something. She's bound to pick up on it."

"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. In the meantime, don't say anything to Ino." Shikamaru was embarrassed enough as it was. He didn't need Ino to start squealing in his face and volunteering to plan their wedding for them. Or spread the word before he and Temari had figured out what they were going to do. The last thing he wanted was for Ino to scare Temari off.

The whole marriage prospect was probably overwhelming for Temari as it was. Pressuring her to move and give up what she attained in the Sand Village only added to the stress. One wrong word from Ino and Temari might call the whole thing off, which frightened Shikamaru.

Whatever he was going to do, he had to make sure Temari was happy. That was what he wanted.