He sat in the living room, flipping over a file bundle. Nothing much was on the news today

On his other hand, a half burnt cigarette huffed out smoke in between his sleek fingers. The white vapour swirled and left the room through the opened window.

"Hey," he looked up and saw her frowning face, her hands pulled at her t-shirt.

"How's Gaara?" He arched an eyebrow, as she sat down next to him.

"They are just fine in Suna," she smiled at him. "I told you to not smoke in the house, at least not in the living room."

"Sorry, I forgot." He dipped his head, allowing her to knock on his head mockingly.

"For a smart man like you, you're pretty troublesome." She spat in sarcastic glee, emerald eyes burning into his dark obsidian ones.

"I have a thing for trouble," he chuckled, as her face split in a wide grin.

He extinguished the dying cigarette on his ashtray, and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

She said nothing, as he snaked his other hand up her torso, and began to fondle her bare breasts beneath her t-shirt. His arm wrapped her closer; she could smell the spicy tobacco scent emitting from his lips and teeth.

She made him busy by teasingly entwining her tongue with his, her hand reaching down to his crotch, she could feel his manhood hardening under her playful, soft touch.

He could taste the alcohol in her breath – sweet, spicy – delicious, just like her.

"Why did you drink without me?" He said hastily between feverish kisses. "Don't tell me it was the wine…"

"It is, the one Neji bought from Kiri," Temari shot him a teasing smirk. "The man knows his wine."

Shikamaru said nothing as he buried his head onto her neck and began to peck kisses all across her lips, neck and collarbone.

His caresses and kisses caused Temari to start to moan in pleasure, her fingernails digging into his back, as his fingers began to probe in her nether region.

"Hah… we might wake the neighbours." she bit gently on his lips as she parted away from him. "Besides, you have a meeting –"

She was cut off by his enveloping lips, gently pressing onto her pink supple ones.

In a swift response, he swept her up with a smirk and cradled her; taking her into the room in his arms, he stripped her naked until there was nothing left but a seductive grin on her face.

Everything was simple, primal, and yet affectionate at the same time.

Only one thing was on their minds – each other.

Only one thing was important to them – each other.

Their scarred past, their broken selves completed one another.

He was hers. And she was his.

That was all that matters.

A year later, Nara Shikamaru married Sabuku no Temari, in a quiet ceremony held at the Nara Villas deep in the woods.

He would later say that no bride had ever looked so beautiful in his mind, and no one would ever will; while his wife would playfully smack him on the chest as he made that remark.

A few years later, a baby boy was born to the loving couple, his name was Shikadai.

Temari Nara was not pleased by the lack of resemblance from her son – apart from the same sparkling teal green eyes he possessed, he was a duplicate of his father.

Rumour has it they were trying to have another child, hopefully one that is more Temari than Shikamaru.

A lot has changed – Shikamaru no longer smokes in the house, he is now more of a leisure smoker now.

Temari had fully recovered from her abusive past – she bore the scars, but now she wore them like medals, proudly announcing that she was a survivor.

Both of them still shared a passion for spirits and drinks, although their habits have turned relatively mild compared to their younger days – Shikamaru has rekindled his love for Martinis and wine, although he still enjoyed a cup of fine scotch sometimes.

But one thing was for sure – they lived happily, as far as one could recall.

Author's note:

Here you are the Epilogue! Thank you going on the emotional and dramatic ride in ACP.

I cannot thank you guys more than enough for your love and support :D

You guys are awesome! I hope you enjoy this and my other stories 3

V.S.V xoxo