Naruto Canon Couples Week 2022: Shikamaru and Temari
βTell me why I should agree to this proposal.β
Bright green eyes stared at him, hard and unyielding.
This is such a pain in the ass!
Shikamaru sighed inwardly but he didnβt slump, only stood up straighter before his interrogator. This was not what he was expecting when heβd come here to Suna to propose.
Still, he would answer the question.
βThe Naras have been a strong clan throughout Konohaβs history. We are a respected family and will not be a burden to yours. In fact, I can safely say that your social standing will not be reduced with this marriage when our households will be combined. As a shinobi, I know that my job wonβt allow for much stability, but I will provide the best that life can offer with the income that I make. I willββ
βShikamaru, stop.β Gaaraβs eyes were now flashing with sympathy.
βHuh?β Shikamaru frowned at him across the Kazekageβs desk. βIsnβt that what you wanted to hear? Iβm listing all the assets I bring into this marriage so that youβll agree to it.β
Gaara smiled. βIβve already agreed to it precisely because I already know those assets youβre listing. Butββ He shook his head at Shikamaru when he saw the confusion on his face. βYouβre missing the most important part. Iβll agree to the marriage only if you can answer this question sincerely: Do you love Temari?β
βOh.β Shikamaru flushed. Yeah. The Kazekage had a good point.
Gaara was still waiting patiently for his answer, but his face was amused.
Shikamaru cleared his throat and then mumbled, βYes, Gaara, I love her.β
βOkay. You have my permission.β
Gaara laughed when he saw the relief on Shikamaruβs face. βNow quit procrastinating by being in here and go to her.β
Shikamaru laughed, too. βWas I that obvious?β
Shikamaru shook his head. βShit.β
βYes.β Gaara folded his arms and continued smiling at his future brother-in-law with sympathy. βYou donβt want to keep my sister waiting.β
Shikamaru sighed. βUgh. Why canβt you just tell her to marry me? Itβs just so much easier to propose to you.β
Gaara laughed again but he shook his head. βYou know she canβt be forced into doing anything.β
Shikamaru snorted. βIt is so ironic that you ended up being the nicer one.β
Shikamaru shook himself and then bowed deeply before Temariβs brother. βThank you for your time.β
Gaara bowed in response. βYou have my blessing, Shikamaru, and I wish you good luck.β
She knew, of course, why he was here.
Temari watched him approach her and folded her fan. She then tucked it behind her and faced her students. βIβm dismissing you from the rest of the training for today.β Her announcement was met by smiles. βBut youβll make up for it by coming in two hours early tomorrow morning.β
She only heard the grumbling from the kids when they were several feet away from her, beyond the gates of the training field.
Hmph! As if she couldnβt hear them.
But he was close now. She raised a brow. βShikamaru.β
βTemari.β He bowed. βI just talked to Gaara and now Iβve come to find you to ask for your hand in marriage.β
βHmph! I knew it. You donβt have your usual lazy expression on your face.β
βSo you know me enough to know that?β
She pursed her lips. βMy knowledge of you is shallow. You only have two expressions: lazy and not lazy.β
He tried to stifle his smile and attempted a serious expression. βBut Iβve really come to propose.β
She folded her arms and her expression dubious, asked, βHow?β
βI will not go down on one knee.β
βI will smack you if you do.β
He laughed. βI donβt have a ring, either.β
βGood. I donβt trust your taste in jewelry.β
He smiled. βIβll tell you I love you.β
She nodded. βA necessary requirement.β
βAnd promise you that I will do my best to make you happy.β
βDoubtful.β She made face. βBut I will make sure you hold on to that promise.β
βYouβre a pain in the ass.β
Temari shrugged. βBut you love me anyway. Continue with this βproposal.ββ
He was grinning, enjoying himself. βAnd Iβll apologize sincerely because this marriage will take you away from your beloved home.β
βTrue, but it wonβt kill me.β
He spoke as he reached out a hand. βAnd Iβll sloooowly bring my hand closer to one of yours so that you donβt react instinctively cut it off.β
She looked down at his hand and allowed him to grasp hers. βSmart move.β
βIβm known for that.β
βGood thing because I kill fools for a living.β
He laughed but he became serious again. βThen I will look deeply into your eyes.β
She met his gaze and snorted. βAnd I will restrain myself from making a face to prove to you that I can endure anything.β
βAnd then Iβll just simply ask you: Temari, do you want to marry me?β
Finally, she smiled at him. βAnd I will say: Yes, Shikamaru. I will marry you because I do love you despite your faults.β
βAnd then we kiss?β he asked.