A/N: There is a spoiler from the manga. And the age of the main two characters is nineteen. Things from Naruto are all out of order. There's no technically time frame. Just read the story and I guess you'll understand. Oh yeah, I don't own Naruto. And at this point, I don't want to because of all the damned fillers that are going on. Geez, they make me so angry.

Hokage - Leaf

Kazekage - Wind (we mainly identify with Sand)

Mizukage - Water

Raikage - Lighting

Tsuchikage - Earth

So what if they were from different villages? That shouldn't stop them from feeling the way they do about each other. Ever since the chuunin exam and the failed mission of bringing back Sasuke to Konoha, the two constantly traveled just to see each other.

His parents didn't mind it so much. Their son has always been lazy and did what he wanted. But with that, he was a natural genius. A loner at times but accepts helps when it's offered. His father didn't think he would find interest in girls, considering his son would think they were "very troublesome."

Her brothers didn't mind so much either. Well that's a lie. The older one of the two brothers would cause hell every time she left to go see her boyfriend. As for the youngest one, he didn't seem to care. Since she was the closest one to him out of the two, he felt as if he were losing his sister. He knew he couldn't be selfish. But then, he knew he couldn't keep her to himself forever. After all, she was the one who showed him what love was.

As for their family, there wasn't much trouble that aroused. The only problem was having the two countries find out. It was against the law to see, nonetheless date, someone outside of the village. It didn't mean someone had to stay within their clan that would be down right disgusting but outside of the village was intolerable. No one really knew why this certain law was set, but laws were meant to be carried out and followed. The only one who could change the laws would be the Kages of each country coming together. But that would require their council meeting at one place and at one time. And currently at the time, no one could leave their respected country because of outside threats, namely Orochimaru. Only the fire, water, and earth countries forbade relationships outside of their villages. The other two approved of relationships outside of their own.

"This is so troublesome. Why does my village have to cause problems?"
"Like I said before, you could always move to my village."
"And like I've said before, I just can't abandon my friends, family, and country after all they've done for me. Besides, your brother isn't too fond of me."
"He'll get over it. He knows I'm going to be with you, no matter what he tries to do to stop me."

The couple sat in one of the trees on the borderline of the village Konoha. Once again, they were debating their situation; Konoha disapproving of his relationship with the kunoichi from the Sand village.

"Shikamaru, what are we going to do? I know you don't want to leave your country and I don't want to leave mine. But we can't keep hiding like this. Your Kage is going to find out and…"
"Temari please, I don't want to hear the same story over and over again. I know what's going on and I am trying to think of a way to deal with it."

Same conversation, same song. Temari, even for her tough exterior, was in a slight panic. She even told her Kazekage about her situation and he suggested them not staying together because of the treaty with Konoha. She even asked her brothers. Kankuro disapproved as usual, and Gaara didn't care what she did as long as she didn't go off and forget about him.

"Temari. I want you to be happy. Ever since I fought that Naruto character, I've changed. I didn't understand I was just a puppet being used. And after the fight was all over, you were the only one who took care of me. Kankuro didn't do too much, but he did minimal stuff for me, I guess. Temari. If love is what you're after, then go after it. Just… just… don't forget about me."
"Gaara, there's no possible way I could forget about you. You are part of the family. Remember that."

She thought back on one of the conversations her and Gaara had recently. She always thought of him as a younger brother and took care of him as such. But he was right, after the fight with Uzumaki Naruto, he changed for the better. He even opened up a bit more than usual. She helped Gaara find happiness, so Gaara wanted her to find her own happiness. That happiness just happened to be with Shikamaru.

"I think I got it," Shikamaru broke the silence, getting up from his 'thinking' stance.
"Hmm?"
"I don't care what happens. I am going to the Hokage and demand a council of the Kages to come together and change this stupid law. It's so stupid; it's pissing me off and giving me a headache."
"Shikamaru. Calm down. I'll go with you."
"Alright then. Just follow my lead and we'll be fine."

The two proceeded to walk through the village of Konoha. Shikamaru took her hand to reassure her everything would be all right. Temari gave off a weak smile to him and continued to walk next to him. As expected, there were whispers wherever they walked.

"That's Shikamaru of the Nara clan."
"Isn't the girl he's with from the Sand village?"
"I think so. Look at her forehead protector she has around her neck."
"What is he trying to accomplish? He'll get into a lot of trouble if he walks around with her like that."

Temari and Shikamaru ignored the conversations and the side comments from the villagers. When they reached the residential place of the Hokage, the two were stopped by Shizune.

"Nara Shikamaru. Sabaku no Temari. What are you doing here?"
"Shizune-san. I need to speak to Tsunade-sama. It is important business and it needs to be solved now."
"She's swamped with work. I can't allow you to see her."
"I will see her. Shizune-san, please, let us though."
"I will inquire with her."

Shizune left to travel up the stairwell to Tsunade's office. Temari and Shikamaru looked at each other.

"There's nothing to be afraid of. You were shaking the whole time walking here," Shikamaru comforted her by placing a hand on her cheek.
"Shaking? Is there's something wrong with your eyes Nara Shikamaru? I have nothing to fear." Temari snapped her head to look away from him.

Without notice, Shikamaru pulled her into a tight embrace.

"You can't fool yourself or me. Temari, I know you're scared of what might happen. I don't want to admit it, but I am too. Listen to me, it'll work out. Trust me."

Shikamaru pulled away from her and stared at her. Temari nodded her head in response and looked over to Shizune, who was now in front of them.

"Go upstairs to the office. Please don't take long. She has a lot of work to do."
"Thank you," the couple replied and Temari politely bowed.

The two walked up the stairs, hand in hand. Shikamaru was confident in his plan and Temari believed him. His plans always seem to work, well for the most part anyway.

Shikamaru knocked on the large wooden door and waited for a response before entering.

"Come in."

The two entered.

"Ah. Shikamaru and Temari. I hear you both have business with me."
"Yes," Shikamaru replied while shutting the door and approached the front of her desk. Temari followed suite. "This is important."
"Then tell me."
"Well as you know, in the Konoha laws, it states that it is forbidden for relationships to develop between two who are not of the same village. Correct?"
"Correct."
"Can I ask why it's only valid in three countries and not all five?"
"That I do not know. What are you getting at Shikamaru?"
"Well, as you might have heard from the villagers or have seen right now, Temari and I are together. We don't plan on parting ways because of this law. I would like to request the council of Kages to get together and change this law. I feel dating a person outside of one's country should either be accepted or banned."
"Shikamaru!" Temari exclaimed, but he ignored her.
"It's not right that it's only accepted within two out of five countries. An issue like this should be agreement with all the countries and not some."
"You present a good case Nara. But as you know, we can't have a council considering the situation that's currently going on."
"This might we true, but can't you contact each other come to a consensus that way?"
"I suppose. I'll look into it. You're dismissed."
"Thank you Hokage-sama."
"Shikamaru. If you like, I will give you permission to stay in the Sand village until the case is over. I rather you two not bring too much attention to yourselves."
Thank you."

As Shikamaru left the room, Temari followed, but was confused as ever. This was Shikamaru's plan? What if it's banned throughout all of the countries? What would happen to their relationship then?"

"Shikamaru!" Temari yelled at him when they reached the outside of the building.
"What?"
"How could you say something like that? What if dating outside of one's own country is banned through the whole land? Did you even think this through? I can't believe…"
"Temari, be quiet. We'll talk about this later. I rather not stay out in the open like this and you're giving me a headache."
"I'm going back to my village. Since the Hokage allowed it, you can come to the house. Come whenever you like. Better yet, don't come at all. I don't want to see you!"

After her statement, Temari stormed away.

"Tch… I ticked her off," Shikamaru said to himself while scratching the back of his head, "…women are so troublesome."

Shikamaru reported back to his house and told his parents about what he had done earlier in the day.

"Are you sure what you did was right?" His mother questioned.
"There's nothing else I could do. But I will go to Temari's place for a while as the Hokage requested. I just wanted to fill the both of you in what's going on. I trust it that either she or you two will inform me of the verdict?"
"We will. Go to her son," his father replied.
"I'm off."
"Have a safe trip. And keep in contact with us alright?" The female Nara told him.

Shikamaru just waved his hand behind him as we walked out the door with his belongings.

"That Shikamaru. I can't believe he would do something like that. What the hell was he thinking?"

Temari contemplated the issue while lying in her bed. She had already informed her brothers Shikamaru might be coming. Most of the time, Shikamaru never listened to her, so she knew he would be coming, even though she demanded him not to come. As expected, Kankuro was enraged by the idea and left the house. Gaara on the other hand was happy to see his sister, and didn't mind Shikamaru coming over. Temari explained what happened that day to Gaara. Kankuro failed to listen to anything his sister said concerning Shikamaru.

"I don't mind him staying over. Just don't ignore me," Gaara told his sister.
"Gaara, I am not going to ignore you. If you need me, let me know."

Three days later, Shikamaru arrived in the sand village. First he reported to the Kazekage of the village to inform him of his Hokage's decision. The higher power told him he had already heard word of the situation and wished him luck. The Kazekage handed directions to the house of Temari to Shikamaru. The Konoha native bowed to thank him and headed off to his destination.

Shikamaru rang the doorbell of the house and Kankuro happened to return home just in time to answer the door.

"It's you. I swear if you ever lay a hand on my sister…" "Kankuro! Stop it! If you're going to sit here and be a pain the ass, then go somewhere else. Stay at your sensei's house or something. Or if you're going to stay here, don't throw a flip shit tantrum all right?" Temari scolded her younger brother while walking down the stairs. "You know what Temari? After all I've done for you; you still treat me like shit. You know what? Fuck you, fuck your relationship. I hope the Kazekage and even all the Kages disapprove and it's banned everywhere you go."
"Sabaku…" Hissed a very angry voice as sand started to cover the floor and place itself around Kankuro's ankles.
"Gaara… don't." He listened to his sister and recalled the sand back to his side. "I'm leaving." Kankuro pushed his way past Shikamaru and left the house.
"Sorry about that Shikamaru. Gaara, thank you."
"…"
"Well that was a nice warm welcome," Shikamaru laughed half-heartedly.
"Gaara, go upstairs for now. I'll prepare dinner in a bit."
"All right," Gaara replied and made his way back up the stairs.

Just the couple was left in the walkway of the house.

"Let's move into the kitchen to talk," Temari proposed and Shikamaru followed her.

After they sat down, she stared at him.

"I thought I told you not to come."
"I never listen to you. And besides, word has gotten around Konoha about what I've done. I can't stay there for the time being. I mean, I can go back if you really want me to."
"No, Shikamaru, don't go back, especially if things are that bad in Konoha now. Well, I really didn't mean it when I told you not to come. I was just angry at what you said that day. But I thought about it, and maybe you're not as stupid as I think you are."
"Thanks. I think."
"Well I do need to prepare dinner for Gaara. You're welcome to go into the living room and relax."
"I think I'll just stay here and watch you cook."

Watching Temari cook was just what Shikamaru did. Seeing her multitask with making food was a sight for him. Not even his mother could try and prepare more than two different dishes at once. He was watching Temari prepare four different types of meals. Cooking was definitely troublesome, but the girl he wanted to be with, wasn't.

"Gaara. You can come down. Dinner is finished," Temari called up the stairs.
"That's amazing," Shikamaru gasped.

Temari had prepared four different plates of foods. One for herself, Gaara, Shikamaru, and Kankuro; well if he were to come back. Shikamaru couldn't believe she made four separate things at the same time in the matter of two hours. He didn't think the family of three had such different tastes. He was accustomed to whatever his mother cooked he had to eat. No if, ands, or buts about it. But Temari was able to prepare different foods to each person's liking. Even his own.

"I am going to get Gaara. You can start eating if you want."
"Don't bother Temari. I am right here."
"Oh Gaara. Well you know which plate is yours. You can eat down here with us or wherever you wish to eat."
"I'll eat with you."

The three ate dinner together. Shikamaru wasn't feeling quite conformable in front of Temari's younger brother. He did almost destroy Shikamaru's village. But he figured he should act like part of the family, since he might become a part of it sometime in the future.

"You guys are so quiet it's making me feel uncomfortable."
"Sorry Temari. It's probably weird for him to be around me."
"No, it's not that at all."
"I did destroy a part of your village."
"That may be true but…"
"Boys, let's not dwell on the past okay."

Dinner had ended and Gaara had returned to his room. Temari and Shikamaru were left alone to talk among themselves. They moved to the roof of the house. There they lay next to each other, staring at the stars and scarce clouds.

"Sorry. I know it must have been weird to sit in the same room as my brother."
"Yeah. Just a little."

Temari moved closer to him to place her head on his shoulder. In reaction, he placed an arm around her waist.

"Everything will all right. Right?" Temari needed some reassurance.
"Yeah. Everything will. And if not, we'll just have to run away."
"Run away? What? The great Nara Shikamaru running away?"
"Yeah. To somewhere where we can be us. Without no one to look down at us…"
"That's a great thought. We do need to find happiness somewhere."
"Just us."
"Just us."