Hey guys. Thanks for voting on the poll. As per your votes; I'll be heading in the direction of Plot 2 for this story.

Here's chapter 3 revealing mystery character #1; and with a fresh dose of pickup lines for your utilization.

Enjoy!

Unlocking the door he let her into the house before bringing their bags in. As she observed the living room he made his way to the kitchen which was attached to the living room. Returning back with a bottle of water he saw her observing a painting.

'Like it?'

Turning behind she smiled at him. 'Yeah it's really beautiful; you can feel the emotions the artist is trying to convey through his piece.'

'The curator said something like that too; though I don't get it. The artist is supposed to be really famous though; people would supposedly kill for one of his original works.'

'Sai right?'

'Yeah. Know him?'

'I've seen a few of his works. Nice guy, pretty down to earth.'

'Had an interview with him?'

'Yeah like a year ago. I must say your place is well kept; I'm impressed.'

'Well you'll have to thank the help for that. You really don't have to look for a place of your own you know. There are more than enough rooms here if privacy and space of your own is what you want.'

'I know. It's just that I'd prefer to have a place of my own over here. Besides once we get married I'll be moving in to this house anyways.'

'Temari Hyuga; it does have a nice ring to it.' He said as he smiled at her. 'Have you found any good apartments yet? If you want I could just ask my secretary to find you a good apartment that isn't too far away from here, would save you the hassle.'

'I actually have an inspection today; it's this apartment complex in the Senju district. I heard it's a good area with a decent crowd.'

'Oh yeah that's a great area, it's one of the posh localities and it isn't too far away from here. It's like a twenty minute drive. Want me to come with you? Let me know the time of the meeting and I'll see if I'm free around then.'

'No you really don't need to bother; I anyways got Tenten roped in to accompany me. You take rest; you just got back from Iwa as it is.'

Walking up to her he placed a kiss on her forehead. 'That's good then. Anyways; I'm going to go and take a shower. And seriously relax, make yourself at home. There's some food on the stove, I asked the chef to come in and prepare something for lunch, so eat it if you're hungry. Ask if you need anything else.'

'Don't worry about me Neji; I'm alright. I need to get changed and head out soon as it is; I told Ten I'd meet her in an hour for lunch before we go look at the apartment.'

'Okay, have fun.' He said before heading upstairs to his room.

. .

It's been a long time since I've met the bugger. He's been so busy these days running his restaurant that he doesn't even have time to attend his best friend's birthday. His thoughts were broken by a loud voice besides him.

'Man; I'm so hungry I could eat a whole cow. Thank god you and Ino are such close friends with the restaurant owner, he serves barbeque beef, I can actually satisfy my hunger.' Naruto said as he laughed at his ingenious sense of humor. 'It'll be good to meet him; it's been at least a month since I've seen him.'

Entering the café they made their way to the hostess.

'Good Morning. Table for two?'

'No; I'm here to register a complaint actually.' Shikamaru said as Naruto stared at him. 'You see I need to speak with your chef; he keeps forgetting to meet his best friends. Does he not remember it was I who endured his horrid cooking when he just started?'

'I'll tell Choji you're here Shikamaru. Want to wait at the bar while I get him for you?' The hostess said as she escorted the two to the bar. A minute later a big made man with a half beard made his way out from the kitchen.

'Shikamaru, Naruto. How are you guys? It's been a while.'

'It's your fault, do you know how upset Ino was because you didn't make it to her birthday yesterday.'

'Yeah I'm sorry about that. You know I wasn't in town; I had to attend a business meeting in Kumo regarding the opening of my restaurant chain over there and got back this morning. Hopefully she liked the flowers I sent.'

'Oh yeah we have a problem there too. You aren't allowed to send her a bouquet that's bigger than mine. I'm her boyfriend for crying out loud.'

'Seems like someone should learn to spend a bit more money.' Shikamaru said as he and Choji laughed at Naruto's expense.

'Well; I give her gifts that money can't buy. Ask the neighbours; they'll testify for me.' Naruto said with a wide grin as Shikamaru and Choji stared at him with an impassive expression on their faces.

'Okay okay, I'm kidding. You don't have to look at me like you want to kill me.'

'Alright, I need to get back to work. Grab a table; I'll make you guys something good.' Choji said, but Shikamaru's attention seemed to be on a table at the back of the café.

'Excuse me for a second.' Shikamaru said as he made his towards the sandy blonde hair tied in four pigtails that peeked out from behind the booth, while a confused Choji followed his line of sight.

'What's that about?' he asked a grinning Naruto who was looking in the same direction as him.

'Oh you're going to love this.' He said as he explained last night's bet to Choji.

It has to be her. No woman would ever tie up their hair in such a childish manner. Talk about fate wanting us to meet already.

Walking up to her he slid into the seat opposite her causing her to raise her eyebrow at his sudden intrusion.

She doesn't get easily perturbed. Interesting.

'Kiss me if I'm wrong; but I don't think we've met before. Have we?'

She smirked at his ingenuity as she placed her phone down on the table. 'Cute. No; I don't think we have met.'

'Perfect; gives me a chance to redeem myself. I'm Shikamaru.' He said as he extended his hand towards her.

'Charmed, I'm sure.'

'Isn't it only polite; to give your name when someone has introduced themselves.'

'You have a penchant for being rejected don't you? Well I guess it's only fair. I'm Temari but how about you call me never.'

'Ah so you do remember me.'

'It's not every day you hear a line as unique as that, I've got to give you props for that.'

'Thank you. So what brings you here?'

'Oh so now we're best friends that just have to know everything that's going on in each other's lives?'

'Yeah something like that.'

Laughing she took a sip of her water. 'I'm here to look for apartments with my friend.'

'Nice. It's a great locality and you'll have great neighbors. I mean I live here after all, what more could you possibly want?'

'I know, what more could I possibly want. I'm definitely moving here now.' She said causing a small smile to pull on his lips. 'What about you; just out with our friends?'

'Yeah, my friend is the owner and head chef here. Decided to catch up with him.'

'Oh, so you're getting us a free meal today huh?'

'Well if you give me the pleasure of your company during this meal, I could maybe pull a few strings.'

Just then Tenten came back from the washroom and was greeted by an interesting sight.

'Hey Shikamaru, what are you doing here?'

'Oh hi Tenten; so you're the friend I' assuming. I was just talking to Temari over here about our lunch date.'

'Oh it's a date now is it?'

'Well yeah; I naturally assumed that's what you were suggesting.'

'Ofcourse I was. How insensitive of me to lead you on like that.'

'Well I'm sorry to burst your bubble Shikamaru but we just finished eating and were about to head out.' Tenten said as Temari gathered her stuff and slipped out of the booth.

'Alright, well it was nice talking to you Temari.'

'Likewise.'

'Oh before you leave, my phone seems to be acting up.'

'Oh do you need to call someone?' Tenten asked as she looked for her phone through her bag.

'No; It just doesn't seem to have Temari's number in it.' He said as he held out his phone causing Tenten to roll her eyes.

This guy sure is persistent.

'I must say; your approach is quite refreshing however, I'm currently spoken for.'

'So what; there's no rule that you can't have friends if you're seeing someone. Is there?'

'Oh so you want to be my friend now, do you?'

'Ofcourse, was I ever implying otherwise?' He asked with a smirk.

'So friends ask each other out for lunch dates and hit on each other at parties too?'

'Yeah all the time. Don't your friends do that?'

'Right.' She said as she took his phone and started punching in her number, when she was done she pressed the call button and cut the call as soon as her phone started to ring. 'Friends only.' She said as she handed his phone back to him.

'I wasn't even thinking of anything else.' He said as he took his phone back.

'See you around Shikamaru.' She said as she flashed him a smile before she left and in that moment Shikamaru swore time stood still.

That's one killer smile you've got there Temari; probably breaks hearts everywhere you go. He thought as he returned back to his friends.

Thanks for reading, hope you liked it.