A/N: I came up with the idea that Kurenai would want Shikamaru to be happy and play a bit matchmaker. Mirai is unknowingly taking after her mother. I don't want to give away everything, so I just hope all of you like it :)

Temari and Shikamaru were once again preparing the Chunin Exams and on their way to a few possible locations for the field test.

"This is so troublesome, running around and searching for suitable places."

"As if you would be 'running around' lazy ass." Temari countered.

"Troublesome woman."

"You already said that a few times today."

"Doesn't make it less true." Shikamaru smirked.

"I will tell you what is true. You are-"

"Shikamaruuu." A loud scream interrupted Temari's upcoming insult.

Both shinobis turned around and Shikamaru's expression changed to a honest smile. He crunched down to catch the three year old child running to him in his arms.

"Mirai what are you doing here?" Shikamaru asked smiling and stood up with the child securely in his arms.

"I helped mama food shopping." She said proudly.

"And where is Kurenai?"

"When I saw you I ran away, but she must be here somewhere." Mirai made a thoughtful face.

"You can't just run away like that. Your mama is surely worried about you."

"I am sorry I was just so happy to see you." The little girl looked guilty.

"It's alright." Shikamaru ruffled the child's dark hair. "Let's search for Kurenai together."

Just then said kunoichi emerged from the crowd of people around them.

"Mirai there you are."

Shikamaru let the little girl down who ran up to her mother. Together mother and daughter went over to the two shinobis.

"Shikamaru it's good to see you." Then Kurenai's eyes turned to Temari. "It's a pleasure to meet the sister of the Kazekage." She bowed lightly.

Temari who had previously been ignored by Mirai and Shikamaru smiled politely and bowed as well. "Please call me Temari."

Now Mirai seemed to realize for the first time that someone stood next to Shikamaru. The shadow user felt something pull on his trouser leg. Looking down he saw the little girl watching him with thoughtful eyes.

"Who is that pretty lady?"

"This is Temari a friend of mine and also the princess of Suna."

The blonde kunoichi was shocked for a moment. No one ever called her that. It may be true somehow, but she didn't feel like a princess at all. She was a kunoichi and not some helpless princess. Was he mocking her? She was about to give the lazy shinobi a piece of her mind when she saw his honest smile. Every time he looked at her that way her heart did funny things and her anger disappeared. This time was no exception. Maybe he just wanted to explain it simply to Mirai and princess was easier than 'sister of the Kazekage' or maybe he really thought of her as princess. Temari shock her head to fight the upcoming blush. No that was impossible, all he saw in her was a troublesome woman.

Realizing that Mirai was still facing her curiously Temari smiled at her and knelt down to her eye level.

"Hello nice to meet you."

She could feel Shikamaru watching her closely. What was he looking for? How bad she was with children? Sure she had taken care of her brothers when they were little, but this was completely different. She never had a mother as role model and she doubted that she had natural mother instincts. Was he just protective of Mirai or was this some sort of test?

When the little girl smiled at her she stood up to face Shikamaru, who looked softly at her. If this was a test she seemed to have passed it.

"I would like to invite you two to dinner when you are done with your work. What do you think?" Kurenai suggested suddenly.

"Yes, please please Shikamaru." Mirai was already pulling wildly at his trouser leg.

The shadow user looked at Temari as if asking her if it was alright for her. She nodded and that was all the confirmation he needed.

"Thanks for the invitation, we would love to."

Kurenai had seen the silent exchange between them and smiled. There was something special between these two and maybe later at dinner she could help them see it.

After a quick goodbye Shikamaru and Temari left. They were quite the whole way to the next location, both deep in thoughts.

A few hours later they were finally done.

"Before we go to Kurenai I have to drop by Ino."

Temari nodded in understanding, so they were a couple now. She shouldn't be surprised, after all Ino and him were in the same team and they knew each other since they were little. However if she had known it all along why did her heart hurt so much? The realization was like a kunai went straight into her heart. Angry at herself for feeling like this she shock her head and focused on the flower shop in front of her.

"Hello Shikamaru." Ino greeted him with a smile, but when her eyes landed on Temari it turned into a light grin. "Don't say anything, you want to buy red roses for her."

Shikamaru and Temari couldn't help but blush at Ino's words. Temari could have slapped herself in this moment for thinking the two teammates were a couple, it was obvious that there was only friendship between them. What had gotten into her to think that in the first place? Was is jealousy? However to be jealous you had to be in l-. She stopped her thoughts right there and instead focus on the conversation between the two friends.

"No, I need flowers for Kurenai."

At that Ino's grin dropped and a sad look replaced it. "How is she doing?"

"She is brave and the best mother Mirai could wish for."

Ino only nodded and gave Shikamaru a beautiful bouquet of flowers. After he paid he left with Temari for Kurenai's house. It took only a short knock and the kunoichi opened the front door.

A/N: Please review and tell me what you think :)