Third Person's POV:

Two days. Two days until the next disappearance. And Shikamaru was getting more and more desperate. Tenten, Sakura, Sasuke, and Shikamaru had been investigating the seal for the past eleven hours without a break.

It was nearing four in the morning when they finally took a break. Sakura volunteered to go get food and Sasuke had decided that he needed 'fresh air' and went with her. Tenten took this chance to sleep. Plopping herself down in a chair she dozed off within minutes. Shikamaru was the only one who kept at it.

Dark circles lingered under his eyes, and he couldn't stop himself from yawning every few minutes. His eyelids were droopy from days without rest. However he refused to stop. He had to stop the disapearances and find Choji. He had to.

It had only been about ten minutes of time to himself when Shikamaru heard a knock at the window behind him. Turning around he was met with a pair of teal eyes he had recently found himself enjoying the sight of. Shaking off the thought, he opened the window to let Temari in.

Temari's feet landed on the wood floor with barely a sound. Noticing the sleeping kunoichi in the corner she kept her movements quiet. She held up a bag to the fatigued Nara who took it in confusion. Looking inside, he was met with the sight of a bento box. When he have her a questioning look she quickly looked away and muttered a quiet, "It's for you, pineapple."

He nodded his head in thanks to her before putting it down and turning back to his previous task.

"Oh no you dont." Temari whispered pulling a paper from his hands. "You need to eat." He narrowed his eyes at her in resistance, however she showed no signs of giving in. He instead gave up and dig into the bento box.

Shikamaru silently started eating while Temari took it upon herself to look over his work. That's when her eyes landed on the replica of the scroll. She picked it up, her eyes slowly looking over it. As she did her eyes widened.

"Sh-Shikamaru," she called out, all the confidence she previously had leaving her. "This is..."

"I know," the Nara agreed. "Not good."

The sandy blonde shook hear head and focused back on the scroll. "What did Tenten have to say about this?" Shikamaru shrugged, "What do you think. She told me what I already knew. That it was an incredibly advanced Jutsu and whoever sealed it in there must've been at least an S-Rank ninja. Not to mention the creator of the Jutsu." Shikamaru sighed and pushed his food around. "Like I mentioned before, there's very few shinobi with Tenten's skill set. However she did know of another kunoichi in the Kumogakure. We're going to head there tomorrow."

Temari set the scroll back down and huffed. "Guess I'll have to prepare for the trip-"

"No." Shikamaru said, cutting her off. "You're not coming."

Temari raised a brow at him. "Excuse me? Who are you to tell me what to do?"

"You're not coming." Shikamaru repeated firmly, shaking his head. A few seconds of silent passed before Shikamaru was roughly pushed up against a wall by his counterpart. The loud noise woke the kunoichi who was peacefully snoozing in the corner until a moment ago.

Tenten sat up swiftly, her eyes quickly landing on the two. "Temari? Shikamaru? What are you two doing?!" The two more or less ignored the brunette and stared each other down.

Temari growled. "Listen, Nara. I don't know if you've realized this. But this isn't about you. So you have no place to go and make this about yoursel-"

"I know that!" Shikamaru cut in. He stated back angrily into her teal eyes with his own brown ones. "You don't think I know that?! The only reason I'm working endlessly is to protect you!"

Temari's eyes widened, her facial expression changing from one of anger to one of surprise. Heat slowly rose to her cheeks. "Wha-what?" She stuttered, her grip slowly loosening. Shikamaru pushed her away and started towards the door.

"What- where are you going?!" Temari demanded.

"I'm need some air." He grunted before leaving and slamming the door shut behind him. The sandy blonde stared at the door blankly.

"A-ano..." Tenten spoke up from the corner. "I think I should go." The kunoichi quickly escaped through the window before Temari could protest. With that, she was left alone.

~Time skip sponsored by Bulbasor~

The next day Shikamaru stood at the front hates of Konoha, waiting for the rest of the team to show. He had purposely got there early as to avoid many people. He was still slightly angered about his little argument with Temari from the day before. If you could call it an argument.

'Speak of the devil.' Shikamaru thought. The very blonde who had been occupying his thoughts could be seen walking towards the front gates. Even from far away she was far too recognizable to Shikamaru. Her signature hair in its usual four ponytails. And even from this distance he could see her cold teal eyes, over analyzing everything they saw. When they found they're way to him they glowered and almost immediately turned away.

Shikamaru felt a pang in his chest but ignored it and decided to return her behavior full force. They waited for the rest of the group in silence after Temari arrived at the gates. Neither of them sparing the other even a glance. Both too stubborn to let the other win, whatever it was that was going on. When the rest of the group, which consisted of Tenten, Sakura, and Sasuke, is when Shikamaru finally spoke.

"We're all here then? Good, let's get going." Shikamaru turned and jumped into the nearest tree. With the rest of the group behind him, their journey began.

~~~

They had traveled for hours in the direction of Kumogakure. However it was at least a four day trip. They settled down when the sun had finally fallen beneath the horizon and the moon rose in its place. They set up camp in a small area void of trees. As they set up tents Shikamaru realized that in his haste to prepare he had forgotten his tent. Meaning they only had three because one person would have to be keeping watch at different points in the night.

This meant Shikamaru had to share. Of course Sasuke, the over protective Bayard had insisted on him and Sakura sharing a tent in the first place. Meaning he would have to share a tent with either Tenten or Temari. Or they would share and he would get his own. Preceding the second option he made his way over to Tenten.

"Hey, Tenten." The brunette, who had been sharpening a kunai, looked up at him. "Hey Shika, what's up?"

Shikamaru brought his hand to the back of his head and rubbed his neck sheepishly. "I forgot my tent, would you mind sharing with Temari and lending me yours? Please?"

Tenten looked at him, quite obviously confused. "Why would I be the one sharing with Temari? You're the one who has a kid with her." She paused before adding, "Well, in the future of course."

"She's still mad at me." Shikamaru said blankly.

Tenten shook her head and sighed, "You two are unbelievable. That's why you two didn't speak a word to each other this whole time? I was concerned... Anyway I wont be lending you my tent." She said crossing her arms.

Shikamaru was taken back, "Eh? Why not?"

Tenten scoffed. "Isn't that obvious? You two need to make up. So go apologize to her. Then you two share that tent and maybe your son won't evaporate from existence!"

The Nara's eyes widened, "What do you mean by that?"

The brunette rolled her eyes. "Didn't you think about that? If you two don't end up getting together soon, Shikadai could literally poof out of existence. Come on Shika, I thought you were the smart one."

Shikamaru's eyes widened. "I-... I didn't think of that.."

"Exactly!" Tenten exclaimed. "Now go make up with your girlfriend!"

Before he could deny her statement she had already pushed him over to where Temari had just finished setting up her tent. She murmured a "Good luck," before quickly escaping back to her tent.

Shikamaru sighed catching the blondes attention. She turned to him and settled her hands on her hips. She raised an eyebrow at him as if asking him what he wanted. He avoided eye contact by looking to the side.

"I uh," he looked back to her. "I forgot my tent." Temari seemed unphased. "Share with Tenten."

Shikamaru winced at bit at her tone. "She already declined when I asked. Also, Sasuke is taking the first watch and there's no way he would allow anybody other than him and maybe Ino to share a tent with Sakura. I had to ask you."

She clicked her tounge at him. "You can sleep on the ground can't you?"

Shikamaru hadn't been expecting that. "Temari please. Look, I'm sorry I raised my voice at you yesterday. And for walking out on you. And I did it out of selfishness and didn't consider what you wanted. I'm sorry."

Temari nodded, "Yes, you're right. What you said was out of pure selfishness." Shikamaru glowered at her words. "However," she added, "I will share my tent with you. This doesn't mean I accept your apology though."

Shikamaru couldn't help but chuckle a bit and think to himself, 'Tenten doesn't need to worry. Shikadai wont poor out of existence any time soon.'

~♤~

And we are back baby! This story is finally off hold! And this chapter is only like 1600 words. Welp. I suck.

I just didn't want to fit everything in this chapter ya know? Anywhooooo. To those people who actually read this story of mine(where y'all at?). It's finally back! Finally got out of that stump and I no longer have writer's block!

Thats all the announcements for not. As always if you enjoyed this chapter please remember tooooo

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