Konoha's Mating Season

PHASE 3

Shikamaru's eyes shot open as he sat up straight in his bed. Usually, he'd continue laying in his bed even after he woke up, however not today. Today was different. Shikamaru finally did feel normal again, but he had this pesky feeling that kept bothering him. A feeling that he had to find Temari, now.

Shikamaru climbed out of his bed with vigour nobody has ever seen him use before. He quickly changed clothes then grabbed himself something to eat as he left his apartment. Shikamaru walked quickly through the village, it was actually still quite early in the morning so he was pretty sure Temari would still be in her hotel room.

The streets were bustling with people as Shikamaru weaved through the crowd. He didn't think it would be this busy but then again he was usually still in his bed at this time except when he had a mission. Shikamaru felt tension built in his stomach, it was ridiculous but he felt that with each passing moment something bad would happen if he wasn't close to Temari.

Almost like she'd disappear.

Shikamaru walked faster, he didn't want her to go.

He wanted to latch onto her and never let go. He wanted her to stay with him.

Shikamaru panted slightly as he stopped in front of Temari's hotel door and knocked on it urgently. He didn't need to ask the receptionist where it was since he already knew, he was Temari's escort after all. Shikamaru's knock was met with silence which made his heart drop in his chest. What if she was already gone? What if someone had already taken her from him.

Shikamaru knocked again, this time louder and faster.

"Calm down, I'm coming." Shikamaru heard Temari call irritably from inside the room.

Shikamaru sighed in relief as he felt his whole body relax. Shikamaru sighed heavily as he rubbed his face with his hands, noticing that his hands were trembling ever so slightly.

"Shikamaru, what's wrong?" Temari asked as she opened the door, slight worry laced in her voice.

Temari was surprised to see Shikamaru this early. She thought their personalities would be back to normal by now and normal Shikamaru would usually still be asleep in his bed. Instead, Shikamaru stood in front of her door looking like a nervous wreck. It was so out of character for him.

The only time Temari saw Shikamaru look this nervous is when someone is dying...

Does that mean someone was busy dying or is his personality still not back to normal?

"I thought you left." Shikamaru whispered softly as he leaned forward and rested his head on her shoulder.

The action surprised Temari as she tensed up slightly, but she didn't step away from him.

"Why would I leave? I still have work to do here." Temari asked with a frown as she turned her confused eyes to him.

Shikamaru took a deep breath as he relaxed his head on Temari's shoulder, he looked like he could fall asleep on her shoulder while standing up. But why would he think she would leave?

"I don't know." Shikamaru answered not moving from his spot.

Temari stared at him silently. She kind of wondered if he'll get a heart attack by the end of the week considering it was day 1 of the new phase and he was already this tense.