Outside the office, Shikamaru looked at Temari. "So, you're coming to the Leaf with me?"
"It's work, I can't say no," she said, acting cool, but her red ears gave her away.
"Get ready then," Shikamaru whispered in her ear. "No passing out like last night."
"You!" Temari stomped, but held back a punch, mindful of where they were.
Shikamaru laughed and walked ahead. "Come on, we've got prep to do."
"When are we leaving?" he asked on the way back.
"Soon as possible," Temari said, sorting papers and avoiding his eyes. "It's work, no delays."
"Packing tonight, then?"
"Yeah…"
"I'll help," he said with a mischievous grin.
"No need! I can…" Temari waved him off, then stopped, realizing it sounded wrong. "I mean, you don't need to bother."
Shikamaru stopped and faced her. "What, not even calling me 'you' now?"
"It's not… I just…" She fumbled for words.
"I'm not mad," he said, touching her shoulders. "I just want you to know, in public or private, you're special to me."
His words melted her guard. She looked into his eyes, seeing warmth and care. "Got it…" she said softly.
"Let's start packing," he said, pulling her toward her place. "While it's still light."
"Wait!" She pulled back. "Won't people notice? If someone sees…"
"Let them," Shikamaru shrugged. "We'll face it eventually. Besides…"
He leaned close, whispering, "I want to get you home and check if last night's 'marks' are healing."
"Shikamaru!" She blushed, half-angry, half-aroused.
"Kidding," he said, turning serious. "I know you need space now. But when I get the chance, you're in for it."
"You're so bad…" Temari muttered, her blush spreading.
"Thanks for the compliment," Shikamaru said, pulling her toward her place.
The setting sun cast long shadows, blending theirs together. No one noticed their hands quietly clasped.
Back at her place, Shikamaru barged into her room, helping pack. "This comes," he said, grabbing a white ninja outfit. "And this…"
"Wait! That's…" Temari lunged, but too late. Shikamaru held her torn mesh shirt from last night.
"You kept this," he teased.
"Put it down!" Her face burned. "Who'd keep that trash!"
"Really?" He sniffed it playfully. "Thought you'd save it as a memory."
"You creep!" Temari stomped.
"Fine, no more," Shikamaru said, packing seriously. "Bring enough essentials. You might stay in the Leaf a while."
"Why so long?" she asked, wary.
"Work," he said, not looking up. "The Five Village Summit won't wrap up fast."
"Why the Leaf?"
"The Raikage called it, and the Leaf's neutral ground," he explained. "Plus…"
He looked at her. "Don't you want to see the Leaf?"
"Just curious," Temari said, turning away.
"Oh?" He stepped behind her, arms around her waist. "What about your promise from last night?"
"What… promise?" she asked.
"You said next time in the Leaf, I can do whatever," he whispered.
"You!" She squirmed. "We're leaving soon!"
"No one's here," he said. "Besides, you wouldn't break a promise, right? The Sand princess keeps her word."
"Depends on you…" she said stubbornly, but her body softened in his arms.
"Is that so?" His hands wandered. "Want me to show you my effort now?"
"No… not now…" She pushed back, breathing hard. "In the Leaf… you can do anything…"
"You said it," he said, kissing her neck. "No regrets."
"You… always picking on me…" she pouted.
"Because it's fun," he grinned. "And you like it, don't you?"
"Jerk! Let go!" Temari tried to break free, but he held tighter.
"Shy now?" he laughed. "You held it together in front of Gaara, but not me?"
"It's not… ugh…" He kissed her, cutting her off.
After a moment, Shikamaru pulled back. "Hurry up. We need to leave, or the Sand will worry."
"As if you care about them," Temari said, sulky.
"Not the point," he said, fixing her hair. "I don't want them interrupting our time."
Her face reddened again. She packed, hearing his low chuckle behind her.
"You annoying guy…" she muttered.
"Annoying?" Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Then why're you smiling while packing?"
"I'm not!"
"No?" He pointed at a mirror. "Check it out."
Temari glanced and saw her faint smile. "You're too much!" she yelled.
"That's just you," Shikamaru said, unfazed. "A proud princess won by a man. Why hide it?"
"Enough!" She threw a pillow at him. "Get ready to go!"
"Yes, Princess," he said, catching it and heading out. "I'll tell the others and be back."
Watching him leave, Temari sighed, her lips curling up. This man always stirred her emotions, but that pull made her want to follow him to the Leaf.
"Ready?" Shikamaru asked, returning to find Temari by the bed.
"Been ready," she said, standing and brushing her skirt.
"Let's go," he said, handing her a bag. "This has our IDs and important papers."
"Sand diplomat?" Temari checked, surprised.
"Right," Shikamaru nodded, "Tsunade planned this. Besides the Five Village Summit, you'll help manage Leaf and Sand relations."
"So… I'm part of it?" Temari asked.
"Of course," he said, taking her hand. "You're a key partner. Plus…" he lowered his voice, "having you with me feels right."
Temari smiled. "What if I talk to other villages' ninjas? Jealous?"
"Definitely," Shikamaru said instantly. "You're mine. I won't let anyone else look at you like that."
"So bossy," she teased.
"It's how I am," he said, leading her outside. "Like you'd never betray Gaara, I'll never let you go."
They walked through busy streets to the village gate. A few ninjas waited, including a Leaf messenger.
"Lord Shikamaru, the carriage is ready," the ninja said respectfully.
"Good," Shikamaru said, turning to Temari. "Ready to hit the road, partner?"
"Anytime," Temari said, standing tall. "Let's get this mission done."
"With your skills, it'll be fine," he said, winking. "Just don't tire yourself out."
"You…" Temari shook her head, hiding a smile.
In the carriage, Shikamaru held her hand gently. "Don't worry, I won't let you work too hard this time."
"You'd better not," she warned playfully. "Or back in the Leaf, I'll deal with you first."
"Whatever you want," he whispered in her ear. "Anything to keep my princess happy."
The carriage rolled out of the Sand Village, heading toward the Leaf.
Afternoon sun bathed the Leaf Village streets, filled with the smell of fresh grilled meat. Choji stood outside the Hokage's office, wiping sweat from his brow.
The village, fresh from the Fourth Great Ninja War, still felt weary, but people's faces glowed with hope. "Didn't expect to be the new welcome officer so soon," Choji said, fixing his messy clothes and flashing his warm grin.
As the new Akimichi clan leader, this role was both an honor and a challenge. Footsteps approached. A group of Cloud ninjas appeared, led by the towering Fourth Raikage, A. Beside him was a tall woman, Karui.
Her reddish-brown hair swayed in the breeze, her dark skin striking in her Cloud ninja outfit. Karui glanced at Choji, raising an eyebrow when she saw him. Despite jokes about his size, Choji's kind face and steady vibe put people at ease.
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