Look at me

Shikamaru/Temari

Like my father

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters.

A/N

March is a time of many, many birthdays in my community, including my own :)
So as this week was my birthday as well as many of my friends, it seems appropriate to put up this story.

This is the beginning of a series of one shots. It's a first, yet different step to creating longer stories in the future. Funnily enough though, this was one of the last chapters of this story that I wrote.

Yes I know it says Naruto/Hinata, but it is Shikamaru/Temari...It's all planned, so don't worry, that pair will come soon enough :)

"Must I hold your arm?" she asked, irritated.

"Would you rather be holding my hand?" he replied.

"How about none of the above?"

Shikamaru chuckled. "We're meant to be coming here as a couple. Just bear with it for another minute."

"I feel so girly doing this," Temari grumbled.

"Don't worry. I don't think you are."

She let him go. "Are you saying that I'm not feminine, Nara?"

"Jeez woman, make up your mind."

He continued walking and found himself a seat.

Slowly, she followed him.

Temari stood behind her chair. "I thought you were meant to be the gentleman. Aren't you going to pull out my chair?"

Shikamaru yawned. "Apparently you don't know me as much as I thought you did.

Rolling her eyes, Temari sat down.

She looked around. "There are so many people here."

Shikamaru wasn't bothered to scan the room. "Hinata is a Hyuga. You'd expect that. Don't worry, there are still people we know here."

"Like Naruto, who's finally arrived," Temari said, watching the entrance. She looked at the blonde, smirking. "He forgot his present, typical Naruto."

Shikamaru chuckled. "He didn't forget it, he just brought something different along."

She looked back at the one seated beside her, puzzled.

Shikamaru smiled. "Don't worry." He looked at Naruto casually walk in on a conversation Hinata was engaged in. "Looks like he'll be taking my advice."

"That doesn't sound too good," Temari said teasingly.

"Haha," Shikamaru said sarcastically.

The rest of the night started to bore the two of them, and apart from a slight interruption from Sakura, and Naruto leaving for the balcony with the birthday girl, the night had gone by too smoothly.

"This is getting boring," Temari said after a while.

"What do you suppose we do then?"

She thought about it for a moment. "We go dance."

"No."

She looked at him. "Yes, we are going to go and dance. I haven't done any in far too long a time."

"I'd rather start smoking again than do that, you troublesome woman."

Temari sighed. "Well whether or not you like it, lazy ass, you're going to dance with me."

It was then that Kurenai decided to cut into the conversation. "Shikamaru, be a gentleman and dance with the lady. Even just this once, alright?"

Shikamaru sighed. "Alright."

Temari smiled. "And while your being a gentleman, Nara, get us ladies some drinks."

He got up. "As if dancing wasn't enough, she wants me to be a waiter as well."

Walking over to the bar, he bumped into Chouji.

"Haven't spoken to you all night, Shikamaru," the large ninja said, grinning.

Shikamaru smiled back. "Yeah. How's your night going?"

Chouji glanced back at his table, looking at Ino. "I'm not too sure. Without you around It feels a lot more awkward between the two of us. You got any advice?"

Shikamaru picked up his drinks. "Just be yourself, with a little more table manners." Smirking, he began to walk back to his table.

Chouji smiled. "Thanks. Oh by the way, how's your night going?"

Shikamaru looked over his shoulder. "It's been a pain in the ass."

When Shikamaru arrived at his table, he noticed that the girls had just finished a conversation.

"Here."

Temari looked at Kurenai. "Who says I'm not enjoying it now?"

Shikamaru looked at her, confused. He sat back down anyway.

Then the music began.

"Now, Shikamaru," the blonde said.

Shikamaru sighed. "Fine."

She dragged him off to the front. "Look at me," he said softly, the music helping to cloak his voice. "I'm just like my father. Getting dragged by one scary woman."

"You say something?" Temari asked.

Shikamaru smirked, taking his hands and holding her hips. They began to dance.

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

End.