Shikamaru groaned as he thought of more than one way to avoid getting up this morning.

For one, it was a Saturday.
Second, it was really the only day he could count on having off.
Third, he was pretty sure that his wife, Keena, was spending the day with her mother in the next postal village.

At the latter thought, his eyes flickered open, his vision blocked by his pillow. A day without his wife. That was pretty rare, since they were still newly-weds. Relief spread over him as he realized he could sleep in, without being bothered by one particularly troublesome woman.

He supported himself with his elbows as he half sat up in bed. There were still drawers half opened and clothes strewn on the floor. She must've been really behind on time to leave this mess. He was glad he hadn't been awake to hear her frantic grumbling.

With a sigh, he heaved himself from the warmth of the covers, and shuffled groggily into their miniature kitchen.

He came to a stop when he spotted a pink piece of notebook paper taped to the refrigerator door. It was impossible to miss.

He blinked and rubbed his eyes, before peering down at the note curiously.

'Shikamaru, please do some cleaning while I'm gone! I don't want you lounging around, so I've left a list of things to keep you busy.'

He didn't like the sound of this. He debated retreating back into his warm, cozy blankets..

'For starters, you could mop up the floor. I know that the whole house needs some dusting done, laundry has been adding up, and the refrigerator is running low. And while you're at it please have the rooms picked up. I'll be home hopefully before midnight.'

Love you, Keena'

Shikamaru groaned aloud, and leaned back against the counter. It was his Saturday and that troublesome woman was going to ruin it all by having him, a grown man, play maid for a day.

His acute mind immediately wandered away from the unappealing note, and began to dream of his pillow and the shogi board he hadn't been able to play in a while..

One last glance at the page, and he was already heading back to his room, their room, which he would have to share with a more than irritated wife when the time comes. But even the fear of that was not enough to keep Shikamaru motivated enough to clean on this particular day.

Before he had any second thoughts, he was already in bed.

---

Shikamaru awoke for the second time that day. But this time there was no more sunlight shining throught the slats of the blinds.

This time there was only the eerie glow of moonlight.

It took his bleary eyes a few seconds to connect the dots. His eyes flashed to the alarm clock at his side, and he immediately grimaced at what he saw.

He stepped once more out of his soft sanctuary, and into the kitchen to grab a bite to eat. As he took a tired mouth-full of leftovers, his eyes scanned over her note once more.

It was when he spotted the very last line, written in red ink that he knew hadn't been there before, his eyes widened in shock, and then in fear.

'P.S. If you do a good job, you might get a reward tonight..'

A.. reward..

Shikamaru cursed under his breath, and threw out the cold food, his mind going a mile a minute.

The store had to be open still.. Ten fifty-five.. That's just enough time, right??

He calculated his surroundings and found the whole kitchen a mess, not to mention the even smaller living space, bathroom, and bedroom...

Shikamaru groaned in agitation and defeat as he picked up his wallet and raced out the door, in a desperate attempt to save his life and his Saturday.

Perhaps he'd found his motivation?

*A.N. I find this one to be quite slow-going. I tried my best to re do it, but to no avail. I think reviews are just the thing I need.. *pwease?*