Decisions

The day love is found is a blessed day indeed

She was twenty.

He was seventeen.

They loved each other.

It was a strange thought to Temari, strange, but ultimately very comforting. They had played around with each other for years, a game where neither was willing to commit, looks, touches, brushes, nothing and everything hinged on it. Neither wanted to lose, neither knew how to win.

Naturally Shikamaru was the one to figure it out, despite being a clueless and lazy boy.

They had been lying in their spot, the place on Nara land that Shikamaru spent his time being lazy watching the clouds. It was also, unofficially, where he would always wait for Temari when he heard she was in Konoha for one reason or the other.

They had a very well worn routine, she would find him, berate him for his laziness, and he would agree with everything she said until she would finally lie down annoyed to no end.

This time was different. Instead of staring at the clouds and ignoring her, he looked directly at her with a considering light in his eyes. It threw her off track, and she trailed of after a while feeling awkward. Forcing the feeling away, she lay down next to him.

Nothing was said, he simply shifted his view back to the clouds and they were silent for a time.

"Temari, what would you do if I kissed you?"

That had been a shock. He his eyes where still fixated on the clouds, his face expressionless.

Hers was flaming.

She immediately sat up for a moment trying to hide her face, before standing and taking a few steps down the hill

Despite being a hardened kunoichi, she was essentially Sand royalty, and as a result despite outward appearances she had been brought up as lady. Many of the rules that she had been taught she had abandoned early as a nin but some things where too deeply ingrained for her to truly forget.

Taking a deep breath and fighting down her blush. She turned around to answer him.

His eyes met hers and there was something in them that stopped her for a moment. The Nara Shikamaru she was used to was a lazy bum who never took things seriously except in life or death situations. The Nara Shikamaru she knew would never have gotten up from his favorite cloud watching spot unless forced to. The Nara Shikamaru she knew would not have been standing two feet away from her, his head tilted down to meet her eyes with the serious look of his own.

"I- I would have to kill you."

She cursed her nervousness and forcefully pushed it back, forcing her eyes to meet his.

He gave her that curious half smile, one that neither boasted confidence, nor showed fear.

"Then at least there won't be any regrets."

With that in one smooth movement he stepped forward leaned in and captured her lips.

It was a chaste kiss, lips and nothing more. However it was enough to make her trembling hands feel week as they slowly gripped her vest. His arms snaked around her pulling her closer.

And as the shock wore off he was gone. His back turned he began to walk away from her eyes on the clouds.

'No regrets right? I wonder how she's going to ki-'

Temari was slightly stunned, she stood in place for a moment unfocused, before she realized what had happened. Closing her eyes, and calming her rising temper she spoke.

"Are you a man, Nara?"

That stopped him.

He turned.

She stood there the evening breeze blowing softly through her hair the sun; setting to the west shining its last rays giving her figure an ethereal glow. She opened her eyes, meeting his.

"If you are, stop running away, I won't accept anything less."

There was a silence as they stood there apart considering what their next move would be.

Finally with a sigh of a man who new his doom was sealed he walked forward and offered his hand, understanding this once, he was simply the heir to his clan, while she was royalty of her village.

"My apologies for my rudeness; there is a Midsummer Eve festival tonight, would you allow me to take you?"

She was silent for a moment, before taking his hand and pulling him forward into a kiss that was deep, lingering, best of all reciprocated.

They both understood the realities and consequences of their actions. Of his question and her answer.

As they broke apart she leaned on his chest lightly, wondering when he had gotten so much taller than her.

"You're mine, Nara Shikamaru," she said softly, drawing her fingernails across his cheek sensually, "don't ever forget that."

He smiled softly before replying with a simple "Aa".

Lying down with her head on his stomach she looked at the stars and silently prayed for the future before she fell asleep on the hill to the soothing sounds of Shikamarus steady breathing.

fin

Authors Notes: Gah! Sorry sorry sorry sorry for not updating sooner, please don't hurt me! I'm a uni student now with evil teachers who think more work means smarter students. In any case I hope you like it, I know they seem a bit out of character but I'm working under the assumption that everyone a little different around those they love (I know I am). To all six of my reviewers, much thanks for your comments, those were the only things that keep me mulling over those too and trying to come up with more oneshots.

Until next time!

Edit: Maa, so many mistakes, my apologies to all of you for releasing something without proper proofing. Also my thanks to Das Leech and Azamiko for pointing out my errors and not flaming me senseless, its people like you that make me enjoy writing!