Shikamaru dragged his feet up the flight of stairs of the Hokage tower. He let out a yawn, his fingers running through his loose hair.

Yesterday, after he'd dropped Temari in front of the inn the Hokage had assigned the Kazekage and his Anbu, he then went home and found a note asking him to be at the Hokage tower today at eight.

He just wondered why it had to be so early though. He checked the time on his watch, and saw that it would be eight in a few minutes.

He let out another yawn, rubbing his face tiredly. Sleep had been hard to come by last night, his mind had refused to shutdown. He'd turned and tossed around in his bed the whole night, thinking. Until he felt the four walls of his room closing in on him.

Without thinking he'd put on a shirt, sweat pants, and left his apartment; next thing he knew he had walked all the way to the Nara estate. Except his walk had given him more questions than answers.

He'd made sure not to make any noise as he sneaked inside his old room.

He tried not to think about Naruto nor Temari. But mostly Naruto for obvious reasons.

Surprisingly he'd fallen asleep under five minutes, feeling much more at ease in his old room and around memories of his childhood.

Waking up had been a drag but he'd somehow managed it, his mother had taken one look at him, threw up her hands in the air in exasperation, before offering him breakfast without a word. She didn't ask him any questions but her pointed glare seemed to be more than enough to tell him of her displeasure of him.

Shikamaru sighed as he walked down the hallway of the tower, he wondered if he'd be able to focus at all at the meeting today. He assumed the Hokage had called him to discuss the whole thing with Suna and Temari. As Konoha's head tactician and ambassador, it was expected of him to think of some kind of solution. Except, he was as blank as a canvas. With so many things he had to think about, his brain felt overloaded. He could almost feel his brain cells frying, and that was saying a lot coming from him.

Ugh, he really hated expectations. He just knew his intelligence was going to be the death of him someday. Everyone wanted a piece of it.

Shikamaru grimaced taking his hairband out of his pockets; he was about to tie his hair with it when the band snapped out of his hand and dropped on the floor. Sighing he bent down to pick it up and...the next moment, he found himself kissing the floor. Hard.

"What the hell?" He groaned from the floor. There was a body on his back, straddling him

He heard a curse above him, the voice to whom he recognized immediately belonging to a blue-eyed blonde girl.

Why was it that she seemed to be wherever he was these days? If he didn't know better he'd have thought she was stalking him.

Blonde hair fell on his face as blue eyes peered down his own in concern. "Are you okay?"

"I will be as soon as you get off me," Shikamaru grunted.

"Right, sorry," Naruto quickly jumped off of him to stand several feet from him.

Shikamaru slowly stood up after making sure nothing was broken. He looked over at Naruto who was shifting uneasily, her shoulders tensed, but other than that she didn't seem to be in pain. "You're okay?"

Naruto looked at him incredulously, "You do realize I fell on you, right?"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "Yeah but you're the one that's-" pregnant, he wanted to say but clamped his mouth shut. It was just a suspicion, he didn't know that yet. He shook his head muttering, "Never mind."

Naruto hesitated before nodding, "Well, okay." She looked around them making sure nobody else was around, then leaned forward. "Listen, I'm sorry about yesterday. When I saw you and Temari, I didn't mean to be rude or anything like that. I was just dealing with some stuff and I was a little distracted and, well, I just don't want you to think I was being rude on purpose, because you and Temari are back together or whatever. Just so you know I wasn't trying to raise suspicions on us, but I'm sure I probably did and I-"

"I wasn't."

Naruto was visibly relieved at being cut off from her babbling, but she then frowned at him incomprehensibly when his words registered. "What?"

Shikamaru couldn't stop himself from smiling a little, "I wasn't thinking you did that on purpose for any reason. I understood you were... preoccupied. I'm sure Temari understood as well."

Naruto blinked, a little caught off guard by his smile, her stomach doing a strange sort of flip. "Hm, yeah... good, I mean," She cleared her throat pointing down the hallway, "Do you have an appointment with the Hokage as well?"

Shikamaru's eyebrow rose, "You too?" Now that he thought about it, it made sense to invite Naruto as well. She was a powerful key figure in politics because of her major role in saving the world, and she was going to be Hokage in the future.

Shikamaru studied her silently. She seemed to be better today. Her appearance at least looked less dishevelled unlike yesterday, her hair was tied neatly in a ponytail she wore a loose orange shirt and black shorts, her toes were wiggling agitatedly under her ninja sandals. She would have looked more like her normal self if it weren't for the bags under her eyes and the tired air around her. He felt a little guilty knowing he probably had a major part in her distress.

Shikamaru still wasn't sure how he felt about the idea of Naruto being pregnant, actually, he didn't even want to think about such a possibility. All he knew was that both of them weren't ready for such a responsibility; Naruto can barely look after herself, and he was still busy figuring out his own life.

Naruto looked down at her hands, her brow furrowing. "What if people find out about us?"

Shikamaru peered at Naruto carefully, "Will that be such a bad thing?"

"Yeah," Naruto gave him a funny look. "I thought that's what you wanted too, I mean you gave me a hard time the last time when I told Kakashi-sensei about us. Well, I sort of told him about us," She corrected.

Shikamaru didn't know what he wanted, and he realized that it was really a sad reality. "I don't know anymore."

Naruto frowned studying his expression properly. "Are you okay? You look tired."

Shikamaru grimaced, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Me? I'm just fine. You on the other hand," He raised his eyebrows at her giving her a once over, "Look like shit, are you okay?"

"Who, me? I'm feeling just peachy." She said it with a straight face.

They stared at each other for a moment, and then they were laughing. As stupid as the reason was, he was just glad that she could still laugh. Though he had to admit that it felt good for him as well.

After they were done, Shikamaru looked at Naruto in awe. Here he was standing in the middle of an empty hallway just a few steps away from the Hokage's office; where he was expected for a meeting (both of them were) and who knows how late he already was. Yet, all he felt was a growing affection for the girl standing in from of him and who he suspected might be pregnant with his baby. The thought of that was just so scary he could hardly breathe. But Naruto seemed to be the only one that was able to make him laugh at this moment, even when his life seems to spiral out of his control.

Naruto was looking at him too, her eyes going over every inch of his face which he felt like feathery touch, her lips set into a fond smile.

When her eyes noticed his hair she frowned. "Hold on," She dug into her pouch for a moment before smiling triumphantly and showing him a hairband, "I thought there was something different about you."

She then closed the distance between them. He arched his brow when he saw her reaching for his head, but lowered himself to give her more access.

"There," Naruto said when she was done. She took a step back to take a good look at him before nodding in satisfaction. "Now you look more like the lazy genius that I know."

Shikamaru snorted in amusement, lifting his hand to his head. She'd tied it just the way he would have himself. "Thank you," He said softly his throat tightening a little, it occurred to him that this was the first time anyone, except for his mother, had ever tied his hair. It was...nice.

Naruto smiled almost shyly, "What are friends for?"

That was when Shikamaru couldn't take it any longer. "I like you," He blurted out, he continued quickly before his brain could catch up to him and make him change his mind, "I really like you, Naruto, and not just as a friend."

Naruto gaped at him in shock taking a few steps away from him. Her expression quickly turned furious, she glared at him, "What the hell is wrong with you? H-how can you do this to me?"

Shikamaru blinked, taken aback. Out of all the reactions anger was not what he had expected. Okay, that was a lie, he did expect a little denial from her. "I'm not lying, I really like you." He said a little hesitantly, already regretting the past five seconds. He could feel the panic settling in as his mind caught up to what he'd just done. This was why he never did things on a whim without at least analysing them first.

Naruto shook her head furiously, her eyes looking wildly around them. "No you don't, you're lying," Naruto said firmly after her eyes landed on him again.

He took a step forward, "Naruto-"

"No." Naruto said forcefully stopping him in his tracks, "I don't know what you're trying to do, but I don't want any part of it."

Shikamaru's mouth opened and closed, he swallowed. "What do you mean?"

Naruto gave him an incredulous look, "Don't you realize what you're doing? We're seconds away from where your ex-girlfriend is sitting!" She whispered furiously, because otherwise she'd be screaming at him, and she didn't want anyone hearing them. "Do you have any idea of what I'm going through? And-and now you just drop this bomb on me now when I'm supposed to be around everyone and act fine!"

Shikamaru frowned, "I said you didn't have to-"

"What else can I do? You want people to call me a slut as well as a monster?" Her eyes widened, "This is your plan, isn't it? You want people to know I'm a slut that screwed my own friend's boyfriend."

Shikamaru's frown deepened stepping forward to hold Naruto by the shoulder. "Naruto you need to calm down, you're acting irrational."

Naruto slapped his hand, stepping further away from him. "You don't understand, everything I worked for could be gone, Shikamaru. Gone." She shook her head, her hand unconsciously travelled to her stomach clutching her shirt. When she looked up at him again, he saw her eyes had tears in them, "I can't face them now, I just can't."

Shikamaru was so shocked to see tears (because for the life of him he couldn't remember ever seeing Naruto cry) that the words registered too late. "Wait, Naruto don't-" He reached for her but it was too late, she vanished. Unlike yesterday, she did it without leaving any trace behind.

Shikamaru cursed, wondering what to do. He couldn't leave her like that, but he didn't know where to look for her because he doubted she went straight to her apartment. Not to mention the Hokage and the Kazekage were expecting him, if he wasted any more time he'd really get into trouble.

Shikamaru let out another string of curses.

This was all his fault, he shouldn't have confessed to her like that. Especially when he saw how stressed out she already was, she probably had less sleep than he did. He'd been too presumptuous in expressing his feelings so soon.

He mentally sneered at himself. Well, what did he expect? That Naruto would say yes to him and that they would ride into the sunset with their baby and live happily ever after?

Shikamaru froze as what he'd just thought occurred to him.

Their baby.

This meant that in his mind he'd already accepted the idea that Naruto was carrying his child. He no longer had doubt that Naruto was pregnant. Did he ever

Naruto was pregnant and scared.

The overwhelming feeling of protectiveness he felt at that moment was just as shocking as the revelation that he was going to be a dad. The most shocking thing was that he didn't mind the idea as much as he should have.

He didn't know how long he stood there staring at the ground, trying to make sense of his life, and the freak show it had become when he heard Temari's voice.

"Shikamaru?"

He looked up to see her standing in front of the office, a disapproving frown on her face.

"You're late," She looked behind him and her frown deepened, "Both of you."

Shikamaru startled and turned to look behind him, he saw Naruto standing down the hallway.

Naruto laughed sheepishly, "Sorry, I overslept a little." She lied smoothly, walking towards him with a mischievous smile. "I see I wasn't the only one, hm?"

Shikamaru stared at her a little dumbfounded. She sounded so different and more cheerful than just a few minutes ago, he almost thought he'd imagined the whole ordeal.

He was saved from having a whiplash by the Hokage's voice. Forget enemy, Naruto would be the death of him with her unpredictability. Seriously.

"Naruto and Shikamaru get your asses in here now, before I send you both to Kumo with my fist!" The Hokage grounded.

Shikamaru blanched slightly, because he knew for certain that was more like a promise than a threat.

Next to him, Naruto squeaked before rushing forward into the office. A moment later, he heard her apologize profusely with the promise of ramen to everyone.

Temari looked at him amusedly when he approached the office at a faster than normal pace. It may not seem like it at times, but Shikamaru enjoyed living. Especially with all his limbs attached.

"So this is how to motivate your lazy ass," She teased.

"Shut up," he grumbled walking past her in the office. "Troublesome."

He was just in time to witness Naruto throw herself at the Kazekage, only to have his sand block her just a few inches from him.

"Gaara," Naruto pouted, "I thought your sand would have liked me by now."

"It does like you, Naruto," The Kazekage said in amusement, "It just doesn't appreciate your tendency to bodily attack me."

Naruto frowned, "I was trying to hug you, not attack you."

"I believe it makes no difference to his sand, Naruto, you just need to stay away. Period." Temari said petting her shoulder lightly.

Shizune who was standing behind the Hokage let out a giggle.

"If you would please sit down, Naruto, and stop wasting any more of our time." The Hokage said in annoyance, she turned her glare in his direction. "You too Nara, I expected better from you."

Shikamaru muttered an apology, taking a seat on the only couch in the room.

Since the Hokage's office was no conference room, it was not designed with a round table in the middle where everyone sat to have a meeting. There were only two chairs across the Hokage's and a couch at the corner of the room, the rest of the room was filled with shelves carrying documents.

Everyone took their seats, Naruto took the second seat in front the desk next to Gaara, so it was inevitable that Temari shared the couch with him. But Shikamaru didn't mind, he still wondered what had prompted Naruto to return. Especially when just minutes before she'd been freaking out about facing everyone, and now he could hardly find a trace of worry in her mannerisms.

It was really baffling.

"Now that we're all seated," The Hokage said with one last glare at Naruto and Shikamaru, "We are here to discuss Suna. The Kazekage has asked us for help regarding Temari's situation. So we need to try and think of a suitable solution that would avoid forcing anyone's hand."

Next to him Temari shifted a little. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

"This is an unofficial meeting so discretion is required." The Hokage glanced around everyone and they all nodded in consent. She nodded, folding her hand on the desk. "As you all know what is happening in Suna and the financial situation- what is it Naruto?" The Hokage sighed impatiently.

Naruto who had her hand raised lowered it sheepishly, "I don't really know what's happening, I just know this meeting has something to do with the reason Shikamaru and Temari broke up."

Tsunade rounded on her assistant Shizune with a glare, "I thought I told you to brief her on what's going on and give it to her."

Shizune nodded calmly, no longer affected by the glare after so many years being subjected to it. "I went to your place and you weren't there, so I wrote all the details in a letter along with the time of the meeting and left it under your door." She said addressing Naruto.

Every eye turned to the whiskered blonde who flushed under the attention, she quickly rummage into her pouch and took out a folded letter. Her eyes skimmed over the letter for a moment before she let out an awkward laugh. "I must have missed that part."

Shizune looked at her dubiously, "You mean, you skipped it?"

Naruto didn't say anything and everyone in the room groaned, except for Gaara who seemed to find it amusing.

"I guess we just need to give her a brief explanation then," Gaara said with a little smile.

The Hokage agreed and asked Shizune to do the honour. With a resigned sigh, she did her best to give Naruto a short explanation of the problem.

"Those bastards," She growled, fists clenching on her lap. She wanted to say more, throw a fit, demand she go to the capital of Suna find that good for nothing Daimyo, and show him why shinobi should be feared. But she knew that all that would be useless, not to mention illegal. Plus she didn't think she had the energy to make that kind of scene, her mind could barely hold on to her sanity as it was.

Taking a deep breath, she glanced around the room. "So what are we going to do now?"

Everyone seemed surprised at the lack of outburst but no one said anything about it.

"Well, first I'd like to make it clear that they will not be any arranged wedding on my watch," Her eyes were so fierce and determined, leaving no doubt what a good leader she was, "If these two are to be married in the future it will be on their own volition and not because of some misguided sense of duty we've pushed onto them."

Gaara inclined his head slightly, "That is of course why we are here, so we could avoid further heartache for everyone."

The Hokage nodded in satisfaction. "As we know, these times of peace have been good for the population around the world, but it has also put a strain on our economy." She sighed crossing her arms on the desk, "Except for the random bandits, there haven't been any major troubles, which is good, except for the fact that we as ninja villages live off on the economy of completing missions."

Naruto hummed, "What about the chunin exams? It's in Suna this year right? Surely the resources that such a huge event could bring will be enough to shut down the council."

"Yeah, but the chunin exams is not for another eight months, by then I will probably already be shipped off to the capital or something," Temari said leaning back on the couch and crossing her arms.

"That's not going to happen," Shikamaru said next to her though his voice lacked the energy needed to convince anyone.

Naruto gave him an unreadable look, before turning to Temari with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry Temari, nobody is going to let some old geezer have you, you have my word."

Temari closed her eyes for a moment before opening, she smiled slightly. "Right, sorry, I'm just a little tense." She shook her head, "The chunin exams won't be enough though."

"Of course not," The Hokage said, she glanced at the Kazekage, "We need to think of other measures to counter this problem, probably with the other Kages present because this is occurring in all the hidden villages."

Gaara nodded slowly, "That is the best course of action, we need to find different ways to sustain the village financially with the exception of missions."

Naruto nodded, "Speaking of the other villages, why don't we start branching out our skills to them as well as in civilian villages."

Tsunade frowned, "Explain yourself."

Naruto bit her lip in thought, her gaze sweeping around the office for a moment. "Well I was thinking that instead of just waiting on missions coming into the village, we could offer our skills for labour work such as constructions or we could offer training in ninja arts to people willing to learn."

Shikamaru leaned forward in interest, his brow furrowing in thought. "You mean like teach civilians how to defend themselves?"

"Well, yeah, it beats just waiting around and doing nothing," Naruto shrugged, "That will just let the council think of ways to screw up with our lives."

"So you're saying instead of waiting for missions to come to us, we should go and find missions?" Temari asked dubiously. "That would be a waste of time and resources, imagine traveling a long distance only for the villagers to be uninterested in what we have to offer."

Shikamaru shook his head, "We don't necessarily have to go anywhere to advertise it, anyone coming to request a mission could be informed about the offer."

Temari still looked sceptical. "Still, teaching civilians how to be ninjas, that could take months maybe years and meanwhile the village will lose their ninjas for that amount of time. It's pointless."

Naruto felt a spark of annoyance shoot through her, Temari wasn't even considering her suggestion before writing it off completely.

Shikamaru too frowned at his ex-girlfriend, wondering why she was quick to dismiss any idea that could help them. "I, for one, think it's a good idea," Smiling faintly when he caught Naruto's surprise expression, he looked at the Hokage and then at the Kazekage. "Especially if we get the other hidden villages involved, we could offer to train their genin in some of our Technics and they could do the same with us. It will help the village financially and strengthen our alliance with the other villages. Like a trade."

Gaara nodded thoughtfully, "It is not a bad idea, especially for the next chunin exams this could be quite beneficial as it could attract many tourists all around the continent."

"Plus, I'm pretty sure once the Sand Daimyo sees we're all working together he will finally get his stick out of his ass and keep his creepy old nephew to himself," Naruto said enthusiastically, her earlier ire vanishing just as soon as it had come.

Gaara looked at Naruto with a little amusement shining in his emerald eyes, "Actually, the Damyo's nephew is only now turning twenty-three years old."

Naruto waved her hand dismissively, "and I'm nineteen so that makes him ancient in my eyes."

Shizune giggled lightly, "Anyone older than you is ancient in your eyes, Naruto."

"That is so not true." Naruto protested but then she sent a sly look to the Hokage, "Only the really really ancient ones."

The office seemed to have dropped in degrees, Naruto laughed nervously.

"But of course age doesn't matter when it comes to beauty," Naruto quickly backtracked, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, "You could be nearing sixty and still look fantastically young like... like a princess."

Shikamaru groaned sinking on the couch, next to him Temari snorted.

"What an idiot," She muttered exasperatedly.

Shikamaru would have agreed with her any other time, but right now he was more worried about what the Hokage would do to Naruto. Hopefully the Hokage won't hurt her too much, Shikamaru still needed to talk to her.

"Naruto," The Hokage grounded through gritted teeth, "Get out."

Naruto blinked a little disoriented, expecting to be flying out the window already. "I-what?"

"I want you to go stand outside and wait until the meeting is over."

Naruto weighed the pros and cons of arguing but decided it wasn't worth the pain. Plus, she needed a little moment to herself. Pretending to be fine was really exhausting, all she wanted to do was to go home and sleep for a week.

"Fine," She mumbled, making sure to drag her feet on her way out, closing the door behind her.

The Hokage pinched her nose and muttering under her breath about insolent brats, she then let out a curse that was in no way allowed to be uttered around children.

"Hokage-sama!" Shizune hissed, scandalized.

Tsunade shook her head, focusing back on the important issue at hand. "Naruto's idea is a good one but it doesn't guarantee any progress on your situation." She said looking at the two youths sitting together and whose future is being toyed with by people with power. She frowned knowing her next words might discourage them further. "I could try to get the council on board with the idea, talk to the other Kages and convince them but it will be months or maybe years before we see any real progress on this. I don't know if Suna's council will be willing to wait until then..."

Temari's expression seemed unaffected, but Shikamaru could feel the disappointment and frustration radiating off her.

He frowned thoughtfully, "We have to at least try. Naruto's idea need a little more thinking and planning but I really think it could work in the long run. As for Suna's council," He looked over at Gaara, "I'm sure Kazekage-sama can handle them."

Gaara inclined his head, "Nara-san is right, we should at least try before giving up. I will do my best to appease the council on my end."

Tsunade's expression was unreadable but she nodded curtly. "Well, that's it then. I will talk it over with the council and see what they think in case they have other suggestions," She said a little wryly, standing up, "I will keep you updated."

Gaara stood up inclining his head respectfully. "I would really appreciate it."

The Hokage then grinned, "You're leaving tomorrow aren't you? How about we meet up for a drink before you leave tomorrow?"

Gaara blinked slowly, "I don't think that would be wise, Hokage-sama."

"Nonsense," She said waving her hand dismissively, "I think it would be fun."

"Please don't try to corrupt our ally's leader," Shizune groaned, moving to stand next to the Hokage now that the meeting has come to an end.

Shikamaru and Temari exchanged exasperated looks as they stood up as well to leave, already used to this particular scene.

"Come on," The Hokage insisted with a suggestive wink, "Surely even you would like to loosen up sometimes, what better place than doing it here in Konoha? We don't judge."

"I appreciate the offer, Hokage-sama but I must respectfully decline." Was the bland reply.

Shikamaru was the first to walk out of the office, he caught Naruto leaning against the wall and staring at the floor.

She looked up at him and his heart broke at the unguarded expression she'd let slip for a moment. She blinked repeatedly before straightening up her cheerful mask slipping in place.

"Good, you guys are done," She said sounding relieved, "I was starting to get bored out here."

Shikamaru stopped in front of her, studying her for a moment. "You were barely here for five minutes," He finally said shrugging, if Naruto was going to act all rainbow and candies then he would play along.

Temari came to stand next to him. She gave Naruto a smirk, "You really have a death wish, don't you?"

Naruto smiled innocently, her eyes fluttering. "I have no idea what you mean."

Temari snorted shaking her head; just then Gaara came out followed by Shizune who greeted them goodbye before walking to do whatever she does when she was not around the Hokage.

Gaara looked at Naruto with a hint of amusement. "Naruto, glad to see you haven't changed."

Naruto smiled, "I'm glad to see you." She pursed her lips thoughtfully. "You guys are here for another day, right? We should catch up over ramen, my treat."

The red head's lips tugged up a little, "Sure, that would be nice."

Shikamaru tried not to look incredulously at the blonde in front of him. Especially when it was the same girl that had been freaking out earlier about being in the same room with the sand siblings, and now she was inviting them to eat?

He watched a little perplexed as Naruto greeted both siblings goodbye with a huge grin.

"Shikamaru, are you coming?" Temari asked looking at him with a raised brow, he detected a hint of hope in her tone.

Shikamaru grimaced, "Could you please go ahead? I'd like to ask Naruto something for a bit."

Temari frowned but nodded, quickly turning to catch up with her brother.

"I'm sorry." Naruto blurted out.

Shikamaru's brow lifted, "For what?"

Naruto looked away in embarrassment, she rubbed her hand on her arm. Her posture was one of fragility, yet he knew the amount of strength she possessed could only be rivalled by a few.

"For earlier, I totally overreacted," She met his eyes, "It's just hard to process everything at the same time."

"There's nothing to apologize for," He said frowning a little, if this continued he'd get whiplash from Naruto's change of mood. Troublesome.

Shikamaru understood where she was coming from though, and felt guilty for the trouble he seemed to be causing her. His sudden confession to her was so out of character for him, and he felt a little embarrassed about it, to be honest.

"I'm sorry I was out of line," He said bowing a little, "You probably have so much on your plate already." He said studying her for any reaction.

Naruto caught his gaze for a second, he watched the colour rise on her cheeks. She cleared her throat, "Hm, no biggy," she said before stepping around him. "So, I think the Hokage must be expecting me now."

"Naruto."

Shikamaru stopped her before she could go any further. He lifted a hand to touch her but thought better of it, aware of their surroundings this time.

Naruto on her part refused to turn around, afraid he'd be able to see right through her. Her shoulders were tense, hell, her whole body was on flight mode. Standing close to him made all her senses skyrocket in every direction. She was wary to be alone with him, afraid her body would betray her. It didn't help that the turtleneck top he wore under his jounin vest made him look really appealing.

She couldn't keep control of all of the emotions she felt, each fighting for dominance. The sooner she got away from him the better she would be able to calm herself. And her hormones.

"Naruto, come on," Shikamaru said sighing, he was tired of the cat and mouse game they've been playing with each other. "We need to talk."

Naruto tensed further before slumping with a sigh. She turned around, her expression resigned. "Alright, when?"

Shikamaru didn't show it but he felt relieved. They really needed to sort out things between them and maybe then he would finally figure what to do with himself.

If it was up to him he'd want to go now but he doubted Naruto would agree to it so instead he suggested, "How about tonight?"

Naruto tilted her head to the side, her brow furrowing. "Won't you, uh, want to spend time with Temari?" She shifted uncomfortably.

"I would rather settle things between us first," He'd like to know where he stood with Naruto first before making any kind of decisions regarding Temari. I'd like to talk about us, he wanted to say but he didn't want to freak her out again.

"I don't know if it's a good idea."

Shikamaru decided to try a different tactic. "Come on, or are you scared you won't be able to control yourself if we're alone together?" He challenged her with a raised brow.

Naruto sputtered, "What?"

Shikamaru nodded smugly, crossing his arms. "That must be it, isn't it? You're afraid that you won't be able to resist temptation as soon as we're behind closed doors."

Naruto's face reddened, "I-what-" she stuttered.

Shikamaru sighed in mock-disappointment, "Sometimes it is such a drag to be this handsome and sexy, but it is what it is." He gave Naruto a sidelong glance, "But I understand your worries, I, for one, don't want to put you on a spot where you will have to pounce on me because you can't control yourself."

Naruto gaped at him for a moment before giving in to her urges to laugh. "You are such an idiot."

Shikamaru grinned, "Learned from the best."

"Sure you have," Naruto looked at him with amusement. She could feel herself involuntarily relax.

Shikamaru noticed it and his grin widened. He inwardly patted himself for the small victory.

"So what have you decided?" Shikamaru pushed, "Are you going run away because you can't stand being alone with Mr. Tall Dark And Hansome? Or you're going to accept my challenge?"

Naruto looked at him dubiously, "You're not even that tall or dark for that matter."

Shikamaru shrugged, "That's not an answer."

Naruto bit her lower lip in hesitation before letting out a huff. "Fine." She let out another laugh.

Shikamaru refrained from sighing explosively in relief. "Cool." He said casually, but because he couldn't help himself in front of Naruto, his lips stretched into a wide smile.

Naruto blushed, though she was also smiling. "R-right, I will see you tonight at my place?"

"Yeah," Shikamaru said still smiling.

Naruto bit her lip, that smile was enough to jump him right here. What the hell was wrong with her?

They stared at each other for a moment longer before Shikamaru nodded behind him.

"Well, I'll be leaving."

"Right," Naruto said softly, she pinched her thigh just stop herself from inviting him to her place now. "Me too."

Together they turned around to their respective direction.

Shikamaru to his ex-girlfriend whom he had no idea how to act around anymore.

And Naruto to face Konoha's dragon-oops- Hokage.

Upon entering the office she expected to immediately be hit with something, but all the Hokage did was motion for the seat in front of her. The one She'd been sitting in before she'd been thrown out.

Naruto nervously sat down, immediately her body was on high alert. Her leg started bouncing under the desk.

The Hokage raised an eyebrow. "Something the matter?"

Naruto shook her head before letting out a nervous laugh. "Ah, Hokage-sama do you need help with something? As you can see I have nothing better to do, all day, every day for the past month, oh, make that two months!" she leaned against the chair in frustration.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, her hand reached out to Naruto making her flinch, but all she did was flick Naruto's forehead softly. Well, as softly as someone that could punch through walls can accomplish.

"If you're going to suck up to someone at least try to be less sarcastic about it." She said with a snort.

Naruto pouted, rubbing her forehead with her hand.

"You did good today, brat," Tsunade said leaning back on her chair and regarding the girl in front of her. "You didn't blow up during the meeting, that was mature of you." The blue-eyed girl probably realized it would be insensitive towards the Sand girl and Shikamaru that were sitting right there.

Naruto grinned in a smug manner, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "I bet you all expected me to stomp out of here, use one of the toads to teleport myself inside the pond of the Sand Daimyo's courtyard; disguise myself as one of the maids, wait for the right time when he's alone before entering his court Chambers in secret, and when he least expects...BAM!" She hit the palm of her hand with her fist, her eyes full of mischief, "Make sure his manhood is no longer in the market, not that anyone would want such a wrinkly old coot anyways." Naruto shivered in distaste.

Tsunade's expression remained unamused. So much for growing up, she thought exasperatedly, the girl was still an idiot. "I guess we should all be glad you restrained yourself from causing a nation war then." She said dryly.

Naruto nodded sagely, "Small blessings and all that."

Tsunade shook her head exasperatedly but didn't say anything. Silence quickly descended upon them.

Naruto tried not to fidget under the gaze of one of the few people that could read her like a book. She forced herself not to touch her stomach when the Hokage's gaze travelled past there, just to make sure a bump hadn't mysteriously popped out. She cleared her voice, waving her hand to the door, "Will they be okay though? I can't imagine what they must be going through." She said referring to Shikamaru and Temari partly out of concern for them but another part so she can avoid any topic regarding herself.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, apparently seeing through her. "Those two will be just fine, it's you I'm worried about."

Naruto straightened, "M-me? Why?" She silently prayed that the sweat gathering on her forehead was not visible to the keen eyes of the Hokage.

Tsunade's eyes narrowed, "You've been too quiet lately, it's making me on edge."

Naruto grinned nervously, "Isn't it a good thing that I'm not wreaking havoc on the village? I mean you always said I should grow up and set a good example after all."

"Yeah, but the fact that you've decided to follow my advice now is worrying me," Piercing brown eyes pinned Naruto's blue ones in place, "Out with it, what are you up to?"

Naruto laughed nervously, not at all relieved that Tsunade did not know anything, yet. This just meant she was on to Naruto; a suspicious Hokage is not one she wanted to deal with right now on top of everything else. "I've just been busy with my seals, since I'm not allowed on missions anymore," She finished with an accusatory tone, hoping it will throw the Hokage off her scent.

She'd been off missions for a while now and everyone knew Naruto hated staying in the village with nothing to do for a long period of time. She tended to make everyone else miserable with her.

Tsunade watched her for a moment before grimacing, "You know I'm not doing it to punish you, gaki."At Naruto's dubious look she relented, "At first it was to punish you, but now I need to keep you in the village, for now."

Naruto frowned incomprehensibly, "I don't understand, why?" She studied the Hokage's guilty expression before tensing slightly, her gut sinking. "Is the council trying to stir something with my name?"

Tsunade sighed rubbing her forehead, wishing she could just ditch all the paperwork and go loosen up in a bar or something, but she was in no mood for Shizune's ranting either. She looked at Naruto in front of her, despite the fact she was trying hard to hide it, Tsunade could see the exhaustion on the teenager's face.

"The council is always stirring up shit with your name, they think you're not fit to be Hokage candidate," She lifted her hand stopping Naruto's outburst before it even began, "I know they're wrong and biased, and I know you're going to prove them your worth. Which is why I need you to stay out of any trouble for a while, no need to give them a reason to vote you out before it's even time for me to retire."

Naruto sat there frozen, her head felt dizzy for a moment. She could already see all her dreams and aspirations flushing away at the simple word "trouble". Could I take a rain check on that? She wanted to joke but doubted the Hokage would appreciate the humor in her situation, Naruto herself hated her current situation. Being pregnant at eighteen with no official boyfriend is considered trouble, especially when the father happened to be Temari's ex, who is Suna's ambassador in Konoha and whose brother is the Kazekage.

Naruto was royally fucked.

It didn't matter that Shikamaru and Temari were broken up when he and Naruto were fooling around. The council will place fault in her and so will probably the majority of the village after they find out. People just started accepting her after so many years of being hated and ridiculed, this mess is sure to put her back right where she started. Alone.

"Naruto? Are you okay?"

Naruto lifted her eyes to meet those of the Hokage's concerning gaze. Her throat had dried up but she forced herself to ask the one question she'd always asked herself, "For how long?"

Tsunade frowned, not understanding her. "How long what?"

"For how long do I have to prove myself to people?" She asked through gritted teeth, her muscles feeling taut she dug her nails hard on her thighs.

Brown eyes looked at her sadly, "I don't know, gaki," She said with a shake of her head, "I'm sorry."

Naruto just nodded dumbly having expected that response. She shook her head taking a deep breath, she was smiling the next time she caught the Hokage's gaze again, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Well, I guess I will keep trying as long as I have to."

Tsunade studied the girl in front of her, the stubborn glint in her eyes proof that she would stop at nothing to reach her goals, then nodded in approval. "Good, as long as you keep out of trouble I'm sure everything will be fine." She made a shooing motion with her hand, her gaze returning to the papers in front of her. "Now get out so I can finish this headache."

Naruto smiled a little more genially. "We both know deep down you enjoy this job." She teased forcing herself to stand up.

Tsunade just snorted but didn't lift her head, not until Naruto was almost at the door. "Naruto."

Naruto turned around with a raised brow.

Tsunade tapped her fingers on the desk thoughtfully before a soft smile appeared on her lips, surprising Naruto. "I believe in you and so do all your friends."

Naruto's eyes widened, her throat constricted a little as she fought tearing up. With a grateful nod, she quickly left the office.

Tsunade only shook her head fondly before focusing her attention back on her work.

Temari was taking a stroll around the village of Konoha, after dropping her brother to the inn and making sure their Anbu weren't slacking in their watch duty. She knew her brother was more than capable of taking care of himself, but as an older sister she was justified in being overprotective of her brothers. It made her feel at ease knowing they were safe.

She walked through the bustling market, not particularly interested in buying anything. To be honest, she felt uncomfortable staying in that inn waiting for Shikamaru there. It was a reminder that things were different between them.

After they started dating, she hadn't needed a room to stay. Shikamaru's room being available to her immediately. Even before he'd moved to his apartment, she'd always stayed over at the Nara estate.

Temari swallowed, remembering when she used to let Shikamaru sneak into his own room after his parents went to sleep; she remembered their awkward fumbling in the dark as they tried to take each other out of their respective clothing. The hungry kisses exchanged between them amidst muffled laughter, careful not to make too much noise.

She missed those times.

Actually, she missed him. Period.

Not for the first time, Temari cursed the Kazekage's advisors that occupied the seat of the council. She wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for them. But then again she only had herself to blame for all that had happened with Shikamaru, she should have been honest with him.

She mentally shook herself from her thoughts, no use crying over spilled milk.

She tried not to think too hard about the awkwardness that was evident between them, preferring to instead be positive about it. They just needed time before things could get back to the way they were.

Maybe.

Temari just felt like something was different about Shikamaru, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Or maybe she was just being paranoid.

"Positive thoughts," Temari reminded herself softly.

She needed to put the thought that she was slowly losing Shikamaru out of her mind. Instead, she focused her attention around her.

Temari would never get used to how different Konoha was to Suna in everything such as: people, food, and buildings. Hell, even the air smelled different compared to Suna. This was unsurprising as Suna was situated in a different land, but Temari was so used to her own dry and windy country, that stepping in Konoha always felt like stepping in a different dimension altogether.

"Ouch, I'm sorry!"

Temari watched in amusement at the little girl about five years that had ran into her legs. "Just be careful next time, okay?" Temari said smiling gently.

The girl nodded vigorously, "Okay, bye!" Then promptly ran after whoever she'd been chasing without a backward glance.

Temari shook her head in exasperation, resuming her walk. Another thing about Konoha, its inhabitants were always so carefree. Whereas in Suna people tended to be reserved and quiet, Konoha was full of life. There was always something happening somewhere.

As if to prove her point, she heard a loud shriek coming from the inside of a shop she was passing.

"No freaking way!"

"Yes way."

"Ino, how could you?"

Temari blinked as she recognised the two girls talking. She looked around her in surprise, only now realizing she'd made it to the Yamanaka's flower shop. She squinted through the glass and saw Ino wearing an apron and holding a garden watering bucket; she had on a smug expression on her doll-like face. Next to her, stood Sakura with a mixture of shock and amusement expression. They both seemed unaware of their surroundings as they engaged in what sounded like gossip.

"I had to!" Ino was saying expression completely affront, "The girl was bound to get hurt otherwise."

"So what? You think by intervening you didn't hurt her?" Sakura said sceptical.

"Nah, what I did was remove the band-aid so fast she barely felt the sting." Was the self-satisfied reply.

"Ugh." Sakura groaned hitting forehead with her hand and shaking her head, that's when she noticed they had an audience.

Ino too seemed to notice their visitor and her eyes widened. "Temari! How long have you been here?"

Temari looked between the two of them in amusement as she walked further into the shop. Though she felt a little wary about their reactions towards her. She knew by now that they must know about the break-up and the circumstances behind it, they probably blamed her for it. "Not that long."

"Fortunately for you," Sakura said dryly giving Ino the stink eye. "Ino here has ruined another girl's relationship."

Ino huffed rolling her eyes skyward. "How many times must I tell you it wasn't a relationship, they only went on one date!"

"That's not for you to decide!" Sakura threw up her hands in the air in exasperation, "let them make their own choices."

"I had to put the girl out of her misery." Ino argued, scowling a little, "the girl was wasting so much of her time, thinking of him and making plans for their future after only one date with him while he was busy dating half the girls in the village, someone had to show her what a jackass he is."

Sakura let out a long-suffering sigh. "I give up on you."

"Aw don't be like that Sakura-chan, you know you love me." Ino cooed giving Sakura a one-arm hug. "I just feel responsible for these girls, I want them to see the true colours of the ones they devote their time to."

Temari hummed thoughtfully, "So basically you're here to help girls lose faith in men and love." She looked at the platinum blonde in amusement, "Haven't you thought to let the girls make their own mistakes, so that they can learn which guys to avoid next time? By butting in, you're actually hindering their growth and turning them into bitter human beings."

Ino paused, "Well, when you put that way."

Sakura snorted shaking her head once again. She turned to Temari with a smile. "So Temari when did you arrive?" She asked as Ino returned to watering the flowers. "I thought there was a buzz in the village, now I know you were the reason."

Temari snorted, rolling her eyes. "Please. My brother is the famous one. The "buzz" you're hearing are probably girls who are hoping to get a glimpse of him while he's in the village."

"Nah this time it's really you," Ino said from where she was studying a particular flower, "You've been quite the famous girl since you broke things off with-" She cut herself off at the sharp pain on her side, she glared at the offender.

Sakura glared back at her, before turning to Temari with an apologetic smile.

"So everyone knows then?" Temari asked her expression unreadable.

Sakura nodded slowly, "kind of hard not to, you guys were kind of like the power couple of the village."

Ino shifted guiltily for a second before letting out a sigh. "Anyways, people got over it but I'm sure now that you're here there's going to be all sort of speculation going around."

"I see." Was all Temari said.

"Okay!" Sakura said a little too loudly, "Who's ready for some food?"

Ino looked dubiously at her, but nodded. "Sounds good, let me just put these away." She said, indicating to the watering bucket and her apron.

Temari hesitated a little, "Shikamaru and I were to meet up..." She cut herself off, realizing that if Shikamaru had wanted, he would have found her long ago. She tried not to feel discouraged by the thought, smiling at the two girls. "Never mind I'm sure he'll find us." Shikamaru may have just been held up by something.

Ino bit her lips as she removed her apron. She quickly walked to the counter, letting one of her cousins who had volunteered today know she was going out for a bit.

Sakura and Temari were engaged in a conversation about Suna's medical state when Ino returned. Together they left the shop.

Ino did her best to join in on the conversation, even though she really didn't feel like it. Watching Temari, she could tell the girl still had feelings for Shikamaru. Walking next to her while knowing what Ino knew, it just felt plain wrong.

They arrived at Ino's favorite teashop a few minutes later.

"You should try the desserts here," Sakura gushed taking a seat in one of the booths located at the corner, "They just opened last month and Ino and I haven't missed a day without coming here."

Ino sliding in after her, nodding her head. "We are totally addicted."

"I have to agree," Temari said, already perusing the menu across from them, "I was here yesterday, and I have to say it's already one of my favorite places."

Sakura looked up from her menu in surprise, "You've been here before?"

"Yeah, Shikamaru brought me here yesterday," Temari said, in the corner of her eye she saw the two girls exchange a glance.

She let out a resigned sigh, looking up at the two kunoichi with a raised brow. "We might as well get it out of the way."

Sakura smiled apologetically at her. "Sorry, we weren't trying to be indiscreet about this."

Temari shrugged. "Shikamaru is your friend, it's understandable that you would have concerns." Her lips tugged down in a frown. "It's my fault that things have come to this point. I didn't handle things the way I should have, and I'm ready to take responsibility for it."

Sakura shook her head, "Of course we're not placing the blame on you. We're just worried about the two of you, right, Ino?"

There was a moment of deliberate silence before Ino nodded curtly. "Right."

Temari raised an eyebrow. "If you have something you'd like to say to me, don't hold back." She was ready to take whatever blame the platinum blonde would dish out. This was the bed she made, so she would lie in it as well. Though, she just hoped she hadn't lost Ino as a friend.

Ino, from her side, was struggling a bit with herself. A part of her, the feminist part, was telling her to take Temari's side and tell her about everything regarding Shikamaru, but then she would need to pack her stuff and request a mission out of the village for a month. Because not even she would want to witness the drama that would ensue.

Another part of her, the more objective part, realized that it was none of her business. Shikamaru was smart and old enough to figure his own life out. Butting in will only hurt everyone involved.

Plus, it was not her secret to tell.

They waited as the waitress came to take their order and left, before anyone spoke.

Ino sighed, crossing her arms on the table. "To be honest, when I found out the reason why you both broke I was pretty angry. I was especially mad that Shikamaru let you go without much effort. Last time I saw you, you were really upset, and only an asshole would let his girlfriend leave in that condition."

Sakura snorted, "She wouldn't stop being on Shikamaru's case. I'm surprised he didn't just pack his stuff and leave the village trying to escape you." She giggled when Ino gave her a mild glare.

Temari looked down at the table before lifting her eyes to meet those of the platinum-haired, feeling more than touched and a little guilty. She let out a sigh, "That day, Shikamaru and I...we were both upset, but it was mostly my fault. I lied to him."

Ino frowned, " Yeah, but it wasn't your fault. You were just...desperate. Anyone in your situation would have done the same."

Temari looked dubious. "You would trick your boyfriend into marrying you on a false pretense?"

Ino rolled her cornflower blue eyes, "We all know that wasn't your intention. Plus, you didn't really lie, right?"

"It doesn't matter that I was half-truthful. My intention was purely selfish and dishonest. Because I couldn't get my way, I broke things off with the man I love in order to hurt him like I was hurting." Temari said through gritted teeth. She shook her head, forcing herself to calm down, "I just wish that day never happened." She said, feeling a little drained.

Ino and Sakura exchanged surprised expression.

Sakura patted her hand in sympathy. "Shikamaru is a smart guy, he will come around. You both love each other, I'm sure you'll both work through this bump in the road in no time."

Temari gave a tight smile but otherwise didn't say anything.

Ino bit her tongue hard, somehow doubting that what Shikamaru and Temari were facing was just a "bump in the road". More like a huge rock blocking their path which they will need to plow through, she thought a little wryly, remembering Shikamaru's unapologetic attitude when he'd confronted her at the Akimichi residence.

Ino inwardly sighed, not for the first time cursing her lazy friend for putting her in this situation. This should be the last time she ever involved herself in his business. Ever.

She hated hiding things from her friends.

But Ino knew that this was one of those cases where she needed to standby and watch from the sidelines. She just hoped Shikamaru got his head out of his ass soon and figure out what he wanted.

Though, it didn't mean she wasn't still mad at him.

.

.

"So?"

Ino gave her best friend a sideways glance. "So what?"

Sakura raised an eyebrow as they walked down the street of Konoha. It was midday, they'd just dropped Temari to the inn she was staying at despite the older girl's protests. "You've been too quiet about this, what's going on in your mind?"

Ino frowned, not liking that Sakura knew her too well, a girl needed to remain mysterious sometimes.

As if reading her mind, Sakura's arms went on her hips. Her eyes narrowed, "Out with it, Ino."

"I don't have anything to say about it." Ino protested weakly.

"You always have something to say about everything," Sakura said with an eye roll, she patted her friend's shoulder lightly, "which is why when you don't say anything, I worry."

Ino let out a wry smile, "I'm that bad uh?"

"Worst," Sakura snorted, before showing her hands up in a placating manner when blue eyes glared at her, "Kidding."

Ino just huffed, before slowing her pace down. "I don't know, I feel like this whole thing is a train wreck bound to happen."

Sakura frowned, "why, because of the council?"

"Yeah, kind of," Ino shrugged, "If Gaara is here then things must be really serious."

Sakura nodded, frowning a little in worry. "Do you think they really are going to be forced to marry?"

"I hope not, for both their sakes," Ino sighed, lifting her head up to the sky, she caught sight of the clouds, reminding her further of her lazy friend. As if he wasn't already occupying the majority of her thoughts, she thought with a sulk. She glanced at her pink-haired friend. "What did the Hokage tell you when you asked her?"

Sakura shrugged, "not much, she is trying to keep it on a down-low in case our own council get a whiff of it and aggravate the issue. I think she doesn't want them getting their own ideas that would force Shikamaru's hand somehow." She then shook her head, "I don't get it, why doesn't Shikamaru just marry the girl? Would it really make a difference if he married now instead of a few years later?"

Ino hesitated, if it had been a few days ago, she'd have shared Sakura's sentiments on the issue, but these past days she'd been thinking a lot. She'd been trying to put herself in Shikamaru's shoes for once, to figure out what he was thinking since she couldn't use her mind jutsu on him.

"I guess he doesn't want that choice to be taken away from him." She said after a while, "it would be different if he were the one proposing, but now it would be like he was marrying Temari only because he was being pushed to do it."

"I guess that makes sense," Sakura nodded thoughtfully, "but I'm sure once he gets used to the idea it won't make a difference if he really loves her. Remember when we kept hoarding him to date Temari, because we could see how much he liked her?"

Ino blinked, then frowned. "I don't...remember that."

The medic-nin rolled her eyes, "It was then your idea, to "nudge" the two ninjas together because none of them would make a move. Shikamaru was mad at you for some time after, but a month later after his trip to Suna he returned with the news that he and Temari were official."

Ino froze in the middle of the road, her expression horrified. "You mean I was the one that forced Shikamaru to start dating Temari?"

Sakura frowned, "what? No! All I'm saying is that, despite the fact that it was obvious that he liked Temari a little pushing was what he needed to make a move, so maybe he just needs a little push for this as well to- Ino are you okay? You're blocking the road."

Ino let herself be steered aside to let a merchant pass with his caravan. Inside, she was feeling a little sick at the realization that everything that was happening was probably because she'd unknowingly started some kind of chain reaction. To think that Shikamaru had only started dating Temari after she had forced the idea into his head. What does that mean for everyone? Did Shikamaru only put up with it for so long because he didn't feel like he had a choice?

No, no, Shikamaru had a choice, he could have broken things off earlier if he wanted to. But knowing him, he probably felt some kind of responsibility towards everyone. For some reason he liked to take responsibilities that he didn't even want on his shoulders all for himself, without knowing that he was allowed to share the burden. In a way, he was a little bit similar to Naru-

Crap.

So that's how it is, Ino thought, shaking her head wryly. "Idiots," she muttered under her breath as everything clicked in her head.

Sakura frowned in confusion, "Who is?"

"Everyone. We're all idiots." She grumbled exasperatedly, quickening her pace as she just remembered that she still needed to do a couple of things at the flower shop. "Hurry up, forehead, you promised you will help me close today."

Sakura watched her friend's back in bewilderment. Before shaking her head in exasperation, following after her. Sometimes, it was healthy for one's mind not to ask what her friend was always concocting in her brain.

Hello, everyone, I hope you all staying and healthy! Here's a new update I hope you all enjoy.

I want to thank you all for the supports in the form of reviews, follows, and favorites. It's really appreciated.

I did my best with the editing, but I may have missed a few. I apologize for it.

Constructive criticisms are welcomed, I may not answer sometimes but I do take notes.