Shikamaru's POV

" What's the meaning of this Shikamaru ?! " Naruto bellowed as I stood in front of him in the Hokage's office . " You know .. Shiho and her rambles .." I responded . A tick mark formed on Naruto's forehead . 

" The hell with that ! How could you do that to Temari ?! " . I let out a sigh . Naruto is a good , carefree person , but he is also a person who did not stand cheaters . 

" I had my own reasons ," I spoke sternly . Of course , the reasons were simple . Temari is the Kazekage's daughter , and marrying her would boost my reputation . It ultimately earned me the role as the Hokage's advisor. " If you think I chose you as my advisor because you're the Kazekage's son in law , you've mistaken Shikamaru ! ".

A scowl formed on my face. " Hey .. I know you are the Hokage.. But I have my own personal life , and it has nothing to do with you ,".

" I understand that , but rumours are bound to spread . Fine , you have your own life right ? Well , I'd like to see all the rumours put to an end by the end of this week . Dismissed ,".

I winced as I walked out of the room . I felt as if a huge boulder was strapped across my back . Naruto's word brought an odd feeling to me . 

They made me re think . True , I had hidden reasons when I courted Temari . She is a bit on the hard headed and annoying side , but I started to like her - and as if on cue , Shiho bugs in . 

I met Shiho three years ago - much longer than I knew Temari . But I always had a certain doubt to her . 

* RING * 

I froze slightly at the ring of my phone . I swiftly took it out from my blazer pocket . The name on the screen read Gaara . 

He probably knows nothing , and possibly just wanted to know about any news . 
" Hello ? " I spoke after I tapped the green symbol . " It's me , Gaara , " I heard Gaara bellow on the other side . 

" Oh hey Gaara .." I answered awkwardly . " How is it in Konoha ? Having a nice time with your future bride ? " .

A shiver ran down my spine at the tone of Gaara's voice . It was low , but venomous.

" W..what are you talking about ? " . It was unlike of me to stutter , but somehow , I just did . 

" Huh ! It's all over the media ! Everyone in the Five Great Countries know that you cheated on my sister ! " Gaara bellowed . 

I let out a sigh . How am I supposed to answer to that ? 

" I'm sorry Gaara , but I gotta go .." I spoke swiftly .  
" I don't care about you , but at least think about the woman you want to divorce and the child she is carrying ,".

I froze abruptly . Temari is ... Pregnant ? 
" What ?! " I burst . However ,there was no response from Gaara . All I heard was silence . 

At the moment , there was nothing I wanted more that to be with Temari . I betrayed her . Being in the fashion industry , Temari could have easily cheated on me with some guy , but she chose not to . 

My heart sank deeply into the sea of misery .
 " Oh ... Temari .." .. I am such a terrible person.

(Name)'s POV

" Temari-san . Please calm down .." I spoke out of concern at the sobbing Temari . 
" W..what is going to happen to me ?! What is going to happen to the child ?! " she bellowed . " I might as well abort it ..".

My eyes widened . " Don't you ever think about doing that ! That child is a living thing ! Aborting it would be the same as killing a living person ! " I blurted . 

Temari's cries grew louder . I rubbed my forehead . It is becoming my habit to shout to depressed people . " Temari-san .. Every will be okay . Don't worry .." I soothed as I took her hand in mine . 

Her sobs slowed down . Temari hiccuped occasionally , but I could see that her tears had stopped flowing . We were in Temari's bedroom , which was painted in a dark tawny colour . I let out a sigh . Don't the people in this house ever heard of neon ? I keep seeing boring dull colours everyday . 
But then again , I'm just a personal nurse - I have no say in what the mansion should look like . 

I led Temari to her bed - I could see that she was exhausted due to the pregnancy and the sudden news. 

" I think you should get some sleep for now Temari-san . You need a lot of rest ," I insisted as I tucked Temari into a duvet . Temari nodded slightly .

I turned off the lights and left the room , searching for Gaara . 

"I don't care about you , but at least think about the woman you want to divorce and the child she is carrying ," Gaara's voice rang . It was cold and serious , unlike the gentle and playful voice he used when he talks to me . 

The person on line must be Shikamaru . I let out a sigh as I leaned on the staircase . I deeply sympathied Temari - she was betrayed when she was supposed to be pampered . 

" (Name) ? " Gaara called out , looking around . His eyes landed on my leaning figure . " Don't do that . You might slip ," he voiced , a frown dipping his forehead .

A smile graced my lips . Those words shows that he cares . I walked down the stairs , heading towards Gaara . " What did Shikamaru say ? " I spoke . 

" He sounds like he doesn't care and wants nothing to do with the child .." Gaara spat . I raised an eyebrow . 

" He sounds like that . But he didn't say that ," I rebuked . " What are you trying to say , (Name) ? " he insisted . 

" We don't know what is going on there . We don't know what they both think about this matter . I think its better if we stay out of this Gaara .." I lined my words carefully . 

" But .. It's my sister's marriage at stake .." Gaara gushed . Concern filled his voice . 

" I understand that . I know what you are feeling right now . Rather than picking a fight with Shikamaru , I think its better if you support Temari . You are her brother . I'm sure that you understand her better than I ever will ," I smiled . 

Gaara inched towards me and softly caressed my cheek . He wrapped his arms around my shoulders ,thus pulling me into his arms . Gaara gently pecked my lips and held me in his arms for a short moment . He buried his face into my hair and whispered , ' I love you ,' . 

A small smile spread across my lips . " Gaara ..." I cooed . I just wanted to be in his arms all day . I eventually forgot the reason I am here in the first place . To heal Gaara .
" I have a good reason for loving you . You are a beautiful person , inside out . You changed me .. You brought me out of my shell .. You healed me .. I love you so much . Too much to be uttered by words (Name) ..".

My heart raced wildly . Red spread across my cheeks as tears slowly pricked my eyes . I never felt so loved . Within seconds , hot tears were flowing down my cheeks . I wrapped my arms around Gaara's body , enveloping his into a tight embrace . 

" I love you too Gaara . Oh Gaara ..." I whined as Gaara returned my embrace . " If something were to happen to you ," I spoke suddenly . Gaara's eyes looked straight into mine , as if piercing my soul . 

" I would gladly offer my life to save you ," . Gaara frowned . " Nothing will happen to me (Name) . I'll be with you , always . You must also promise me (Name) . That you will never ever leave me ," he voiced sternly. My smile grew wider and more tears escaped my eyes . " I'd never leave you .. ".

Third Person POV

The silver coloured car sped through the deserted Konoha-Suna highway. The water had rose up to one's ankle , but the car was still able to thrive as a result  of being designed as an extreme vehicle . 

" Temari .. Forgive me .. Please .." Shikamaru muttered as he drove his car swifter . Images of Temari filled his mind . He could almost hear Temari's sobs . 

It was late night - 11:24 pm . Simply saying Shikamaru did not care about the time . He just wanted to reconcile with Temari . 
After all , Konoha and Suna are not far away . His right hand fingered with a small photo of Temari .

Shikamaru stared into the photo , letting some tears drop . He did not focus on his driving , and let himself drown in his own fantasies . 

* HONK *

Shikamaru felt as if he just woke up from a trance . He quickly focused on his driving . His jaw hung loose when he saw the unfolding event in front of him . 

A truck was right in front of Shikamaru's car . He tried to get out of the way , however it was too late to do anything . 

' No .. I can't die yet . I must apologise to Temari . I must make her happy again ,'.

Tears ran down Shikamaru's face as he held the photo of Temari close to his heart and braced for the impact .