[ShikaTema] Serendipity

Chapter 3: Tsunade and Shizune

On the third day, Shikamaru's mission of escorting Temari has officially ended. Tsunade had lifted the mission she gave Shikamaru for some reason she had believed on.

"You've summoned me, Hokage-sama?"

Tsunade nodded, her jaw was leaning on both of her hands which were crossed together. "I couldn't say you've made the escorting too well, but I'll give you a passing grade. Temari of the Sand told me that she had fun being accompanied by you, so I don't think giving you a B grade would suffice."

After hearing those, the male couldn't help but scatter pink tints of blushes across his face. He never thought that even if the cruelest kunoichi around the world would say such things like that, and would even make him blush. "Uh, I-I understand," he couldn't respond well. His feelings were overtaking him.

A smirk ran across Tsunade's lips. "Shikamaru."

That simple call made the younger one jolt in surprise which immediately took him back to reality.

The smirk on Tsunade's lips became larger, eyes squinting mischievously."Say, what do you think of Temari?" She was aware she shouldn't stick her nose into other's businesses since they do the same, but she couldn't help but be amused. Seeing Shikamaru's reactions towards little things mentioned or done together with or about Temari made her eager to tease him more. Who would have thought that a person like him--lazy, almost uninterested in anything--would feel this flustered around a woman he claimed that he doesn't want to talk to? Not to say that she's just being mentioned, not physically around.

Normally, Shikamaru would act around all calm and collected when Temari's being mentioned or if he's around her. But Tsunade had already broken the barrier, and he couldn't do anything about it but to try to bring his normal self back. Yet, that would be too impossible...for now.

"Ah, Temari?" He repeated, trying to maintain his composure now. "She's strong. She can defend and attack in one executable move. Unlike me, she has some good techniques."

"Are you avoiding my question?" Asked Tsunade. With such disappointed tone, she continued, "I thought you were smarter than that."

The male was taken aback. "...What do you mean?" He replied, his politeness was still there.

"I am asking if you like Temari of Suna or not," she said, quite straightforward.

A step behind was made by the teen. "Her? She's scarier than my mom, Hokage-sama. I don't think I'll-"

The smirk went back on her lips. "We'll see about that."

Leaning on the wall outside the Hokage's room like the usual, Shikamaru waited for Temari to arrive. It was a new order given from Tsunade. Once he sees that Temari had arrived safely, he will retire from his duties. Aside from him, there was also a jounin waiting for her. Shikamaru wasn't bothered by it, that much.

Not from afar was the sound of footsteps being drawn towards the room. Its usual sound was the only one heard around the place, since people were off to do their other duties.

"You?" Her steps were in a halt, eyes pinned on the latter.

"Yeah, I was just ordered to wait for you here, then leave after you arrive-"

"Temari-san of Suna?" The jounin outside asked the female.

Quickly, she turned to him. "Yeah, was that you?"

"Yes," he replied politely. "This way."

The female blonde followed the jounin's tracks. She turned to Shikamaru before fully vanishing off from his sight. "I'll go now. Thanks for waiting for me; go on and take a break."