A/N: Hi, sorry it's been more than a year since I have updated this story. Lots of things happened. Though half this chapter was actually just sitting all this time. I just have not been able to find time to complete it. Until now. Well I'm probably quite rusty but hope you still enjoy this chapter. :D Also hope everyone is taking care with the Covid virus around. Keep safe and stay healthy!

"Lucked out, huh?" Kankuro said with a despicably annoying grin.

Shikamaru swung around to see Kankuro leaning against the wall just by the exit of the arena.

"Were you watching everything or what? Haven't you heard of privacy." Shikamaru muttered under his breath, not really in the mood to talk. After Temari booted him out, he had been second guessing every single line he said to her.

He thought that the incident would pass quickly. Logic and common sense have always been Temari's weapons, so to speak. It was why they meshed together so well. So he thought that Temari would have seen things his way. However, perhaps, he had not taken all things into consideration.

The female psyche was truly complicated, he was beginning to realize.

"Not when it involves my crazy sister." A smirk curved his lips. He crossed the distance to Shikamaru and hooked his arm around Shikamaru's shoulder. "Would you like some advice?"

Wariness was evident on the ponytailed ninja's face. "Why not?" he asked reluctantly. He wasn't really expecting much considering this was Kankuro. A jokester in all things. But he might be turning desperate in this situation. He could really use the help.

"Any woman expects their partner to be on their knees after being caught in flagrante delicto."

Shikamaru raised his brow. "Don't use funny words on me."

"It means caught in the act. I thought you were a genius."

"Yes well, I can't be expected to know everything." He crossed his arms petulantly. "Besides you probably only know the term 'cause you've been there."

Kankuro snickered, noting Shikamaru's jab but feeling unaffected. "Don't assume. Well anyway, you should have been on your hands and knees begging for her forgiveness."

"Why? I thought it was her. Doesn't that count for anything?" Shikamaru said wearily.

Shaking his head as if Shikamaru was a child, Kankuro said with a bit of a patronizing tone, "It's simple. Look at it from her point of view, you caught your partner with someone else. Ignore the fact that the imposter looked like herself."

"It's impossible to ignore because that is a crucial fact that should be taken into account. It's logical," Shikamaru pointed out sensibly.

Kankuro tsked. "Who said relationships are logical?" In a swift manner, he pushed Shikamaru to the wall and brought down his fist on Shika's chest firmly.

Shikamaru froze, unsure where this was going but was trapped under an intense gaze. The sand sibling was so close that anyone in the vicinity would have questioned their circumstances. Or perhaps their sexuality.

In a deep, no-nonsense tone, the eldest Sand sibling proclaimed, "This is what you use. Not that organ you're famous for." Kankuro's dark eyes bore into his eyes with all the seriousness of a passionate advocate. His lips twitched not a single bit.

Then he withdrew his fist and straightened.

"Don't mess this up or I'll regret you ever meeting my sister."

0000000000

After Kankuro left, more like swept away dramatically, Shikamaru traipsed towards his room. He was subconsciously rubbing his chin in deep thought.

Until he felt a presence nearby. Raising his head, the sight of Gaara standing tall next to his bedroom door greeted him.

"Why am I not surprised?" Shikamaru murmured. "What's with these meddling brothers..."

Gaara raised his brow.

Raising his voice a notch, the leaf ninja spoke, "I suppose you're here to give me advice?"

"Yes." Gaara admitted almost immediately but then he shrugged his shoulders. "But I have thought of nothing to say."

Taken aback by the Kazekage's honesty, Shikamaru plainly replied, "Then why are you here?"

"I feel like I must say something on my sister's behalf."

"Your brother already did," Shikamaru deadpanned.

"Yes, I figured he must have. Did he make any sense?" Gaara questioned, cocking his head a little bit to the side.

The question caused a snicker to escape from Shikamaru's mouth. But then he straightened in thought as his mind replayed Kankuro's last few lines. "Surprisingly, he actually did," he admitted reluctantly.

A smile that could perhaps be called sly (if it belonged to anyone but the Kazekage) appeared on Gaara's face. "My brother can be useful when needed, I suppose."

Shikamaru smirked. "That's not a very Kazekage thing to say, Your Highness."

"Honesty is a noble asset in my position. And it was half a compliment, to say the least." The seemingly sly smile grew.

The lighthearted moment continued for a few more seconds until Gaara dropped the smile from his face. In a chilling instant, an icy feeling slid down Shikamaru's spine.

"Shikamaru. I rather like you. As a person, you see."

Shikamaru tipped his chin down slowly in a nod. He felt suddenly clammy and just a teeny bit wobbly.

Intense fire from the Kazekage's piercing eyes and the floating sand around him might just have something do with what he is currently feeling.

"However, if you do not resolve your issue with my sister posthaste, you will find out what happens to the objects that no longer become of use to this state. I promise you with all the power that I hold."

The grains of sand slid and caressed from the tips of his fingers, to the inside of his arms , the crook of his elbow, and to the length of his shoulders. He felt his breath shorten as the particles brushed against his neck.

"Do we have an understanding?" the Kazekage said in a casual tone. However the austerity that his face and body exuded was anything but.

The leaf ninja did not even dare to swallow his saliva but resolved to reply just as casually, "I believe we do."

"Wonderful," Gaara intoned with an uncharacteristic beam. "Nara Shikamaru, I bid you a good night."

As the Kazekage strode back to his room, the grains of sand grazed his limbs before sweeping away to follow its master.

Shikamaru's back hit the wall as he glared towards the hallway Gaara just passed through.

"Bloody brothers."

"The final tournament will be a traditional one-on-one battle between Captain Takashi and Nara Shikamaru of the Hidden Village of the Leaf," Chiyo's voice rang with authority across the grand hall.

The room was filled to the brim. Representatives from each clan covered majority of the surface area of the grand room. Chiyose had made sure that everyone in the village was made witness to this occasion.

Murmurs filled the room. Everyone knew Shikamaru had the advantage being one of the heroes of the war.

Flashback

"Chiyose-san, allow the last round to be a traditional battle between men," Takeshi stated in a serious tone. His eyes did not blink.

Chiyo could hardly believe what she was hearing. Nara Shikamaru was a well known Leaf Shinobi. Did he really think he stood a chance? "Takeshi-san, I do not believe that is a wise idea. I already have the last round prepared. An obstacle course through the sand! It is perfect for you!"

"No... It has to be in battle. It is where his strength lies. Otherwise, I'll appear to have taken the easy way out." Fire burned in Takeshi's pupils. As if something possessed his whole being.

"...you have a point there," Chiyo reflected, musing. "But what if you lose? And there is a huge chance you will lose. He is not just any ninja as you well know."

A smirk slithered across his face. "That's if he even arrives at the arena."

Chiyo paused and a sly smile appeared. "I knew you weren't stupid."

Takeshi scoffed. "Just make sure the topic is announced beforehand so everyone knows. Or else all our efforts will have gone to waste."

Flashback ends

Chiyo sighed inwardly. Despite that promising conversation, she knew the crowd may not take it well.

Shikamaru straightened in his seat, suspicion filling his mind. What were they up to? Takeshi is surely their strongest fighter among their locals but he was not even known in other villages. He had not even know much of the man before this whole fiasco came up.

"That's not fair!" One of the women yelled.

"Yeah what are you thinking!"

"His opponent is Nara Shikamaru!"

The protests continued shooting from every corner of the room. Frustrated screams and growls mixed in with all the ruckus.

The council and soldiers surrounding the room tried to control the crowd but were unable to tame the crowd.

Until Takeshi rose from his seat and strode towards the front.

Everyone quieted to hear his words.

"Friends, I very much appreciate your concern. However, do you not believe in me? Yes, my opponent is a well known fighter. But it has been years since the war. He has been laying low since. As an adviser, may I add. I have been training every day of my life to this very day. Besides our Kazekage and his beloved siblings, I am Suna's top fighter, am I not? Or do you not believe in my skills? My years of experience?"

Takeshi's bearing was the definition of military precision. His unyielding stare bore into everyone present at the hall.

Silence reigned. But slowly, heads were nodding. Cocky grins were appearing. Cheers started, chanting Takeshi's name.

In the midst of all the noise, Shikamaru, whose bearing was the complete opposite, watched with seeming indifference.

Takeshi walked towards Shikamaru and extended his hand. Shikamaru looked down at his hand then at his face, and reluctantly shook his hand with minimal enthusiasm. But Takeshi was having none of it, he squeezed Shikamaru's hand to the point of extreme discomfort.

If Shikamaru had not anticipated it, he would have winced. Rather, he coolly returned Takeshi's stare and matched his grip.

This made the crowd go even wilder.

The eye contact did not waver for a good long minute. Then Takeshi's face instantly turned into a sinister smirk.

"Nara Shikamaru, may the best ninja win."

"...sure."

Shikamaru noticed Takeshi's eyes shift over to a figure at the side. He turned to look as well.

Temari.

Takeshi's smirk grew. Shikamaru intentionally tightened his grip. Takeshi faced him again with a knowing, smug look.

"I bet she's a tigress in bed."

Shikamaru snapped. He lunged but someone grabbed him from behind and placed another arm on a chuckling Takeshi.

Kankuro muttered, "Not the best place, man. Don't let him rile you up."

Shikamaru exhaled and turned to leave.

As he passed the Kazekage, Gaara advised, "Be vigilant."

The leaf ninja gave a curt nod and walked out.