#naraweek

The pineapple haired man rolled his eyes annoyed at the lack of worry.  “Oh of course I’m the crazy one.  Is he dangerous?”

“Only if he thinks you're a threat.  I think that he might actually like you?”

Her neighbor looked unconvinced. “How can you tell?” 

“The way he’s moving. He dances like that when he’s happy.”  She explained grinning at the cute way he was moving around. 

This seemed to calm the man’s fear and he lowered his “weapons.” “Okay….well, it’s nice to meet you then uhm... Kamatari and you are?”

“Temari.”

“Nice to meet you both. I’m Shikamaru.” 

“Here give him a treat. He’ll love you then.” She placed a few pellets in his hands before pulling him closer to the small mammal.

She kneeled down and he followed suit still unsure. “Hold out your hand.”

“Come here Kamatari, this is Shikamaru, he’s our neighbor and friend.”  The small animal seeing his owner and food presented to him crawled over and began eating out of his hand. 

“He’s pretty fun once you know he’s not going to bite your face off,”  Shikamaru admitted feeding the creature a few extra pellets.

“Meh, give it some time.”  His eyes widened in worry. 

“I’m kidding. You’re doing good with him so far.”  Temari could admit that she was impressed.  Kamatari could be very overprotective and was very selective about who he liked.  It was unusual to see him bond so quickly to another person. He was still wary of Kankurou at times. What was so special about her new neighbor.  

“Thanks, my family has a long history with deer keeping and veterinary work. Although I’ve never encountered a weasel this close.”

They sat there together while Shikamaru fed Kamatari a few more treats. He asked Temari a little more about her history and how she could have acquired a pet weasel.  She was surprised at how easily the conversation flowed between them. It took away the pang of loneliness she felt since moving away.  They stayed up long into the night, Kamatari falling asleep in his owner's lap. 

“I guess our boring talk made him fall asleep.” Temari glanced at the clock surprised at how late it was.  It felt like no time had passed at all. 

“Thanks again Shikamaru.  Most people tend to get very freaked out when they meet him, I think he can smell the fear too.  I appreciate that you didn’t just try to hurt him or call animal control.”  She didn’t want to think about what could have happened if Kamatari made his way into another person’s home.

“No problem, he is cute.”  He wouldn’t admit that she was pretty cute too holding the furry creature carefully in her arms.  

“Well, I’m next door if you need anything.”

He replied in turn with a soft grin.  Thankful for the wandering weasel that led to this experience.  

“Same here.  Good night Temari.”

“Good night Shikamaru.” 

Shikamaru shut the door and began to get ready for bed.  He smiled faintly hearing Temari scold her pet next door.  It was quite obvious how much she adored that furry thing.  

He’d wondered who would eventually move into the vacant apartment next to him.  In all his imaginings he could have never conceived that it would be a gorgeous blonde with a pet weasel.  All he knew was that this would be very interesting.

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3- Shika & Tem

“Damn it!  Can’t you tie your hair up?”  Temari demanded slamming her hands against the desk.  

Shikamaru looked up startled, pushing the long strands back.   “What? Why? Does it bother you?”

“Yes, I’m not used to it down! It’s distracting.”

“My hair is distracting?”

Realizing what she admitted she stood up and gathered her things “Ugh, never mind.”  She grumbled before she wrenched the ties from her own hair and dropped them in front of him. 

“I’m going to work from home today.”  Shikamaru stared at her retreating form a soft grin across his lips. 

The next day he found a pack of hair ties on his desk. 

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4- ShikaTema

Temari smiled to herself, tucking her head into Shikamaru’s neck. Soft strands of hair tickling her cheek. 

“Have I ever told you that I love your hair down?”  She asked curiously her hands gently brushing stray hairs from his eyes. 

“Do you?”  He asked with a grin. 

“Yes as much as I hate to admit it.  You’re annoyingly attractive on most days but when your hair is down you’re pretty irresistible.”  He just grinned in response before placing a warm kiss against her forehead. 

“I kind of had a feeling.”  He admitted drawing her closer. His own face moving into blonde wisps. 

“Really?”  She asked with an amused expression.

“You could barely look at me if it was down. It was kind of fun seeing you so flustered.” 

“What?” 

“You didn’t notice that I was wearing it untied more often?”  Temari pouted, annoyed and embarrassed that he’d noticed. The soft kiss against her shoulder shifted her thoughts. 

Now that their relationship had changed she had unfettered access. She was the only one that would get to play with the strands and know the feeling of them through her fingers. 

“Fine, you caught me. No more wearing it down in the village when I’m not here.”  She demanded pushing a finger against his chest. 

Shikamaru just chuckled, pulling her in closer. “Same for you my love.”

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5- Shikadai

“Ow. Mom it hurts.”

“Well if you could do it yourself correctly then I wouldn’t have to.”  Temari explained and despite what Shikadai thought she was running the brush through as gently as possible. Her son's hair was naturally very thick and easily became tangled. She had to get hair care tips from Yoshino when she found out that she was pregnant. Knowing she would have to help her son with keeping up the tradition. 

Shikadai would prefer to keep it loose rather than tied up so tightly. It was boring and troublesome but he was sure that one day he’d miss having his mom brush his hair. 

“You have to keep your hair neat. A Nara’s hair-“

“Is a symbol of our clan and family.”  He finished with a bored expression. 

“Yes but you, my little fawn, have the added title of being our prince. So your hair is like wearing a crown on your head. It represents the role you’ll one day step into as the Nara heir as well as the role you'll play in Suna.  Wear it proudly son.” 

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5+ 1- Naras

Temari leaned her head back enjoying the warm water that cascaded through her blonde locks. Shikamaru was sitting behind her and worked the shampoo into her hair massaging her scalp as he moved. The action caused her toes to curl beneath the water. 

“Mm… this feels amazing.”  She sighed, sinking further into the water. Once her hair was thoroughly shampooed he began pouring the water back over. He watched as the rivulets trailed down along her neck, shoulders then down her spine.  It created a golden waterfall along her back. 

Like him, she rarely wore her hair down in public.  Even at home it would often be tied up or pulled away from her face. When it flowed down her shoulders so gently it always did something to him. 

He settled next to her in the bath before pulling her into his arms. Both of them with their hair wet and loose around them. 

She’d found a silver strand amongst raven tresses the other day. It was a stark reminder that they were older now.  Neither of them lamented that fact.  Rather they were thankful that they were able to grow old together.    

Temari’s fingers curled around a dark lock. Just as fascinated as she had been the first time she’d run her fingers through those strands. 

Shikamaru gazed at her affectionately layering kisses along the crown of her head.  Those precious locks tangled in his fingers. 

“I love you Tem.”  Her heart fluttered in a familiar beat.  Through the trials and miracles of life their love endured.  It would continue to do so even when all those threads turned silver.  

“I love you too Shikamaru.” 

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