mission · Y/n story by @WhoKnowsJade

The Konoha air hung thick with late-summer humidity as Shikamaru dragged his duffel bag through the apartment door. One bedroom. One bathroom. A kitchen that barely fit a kettle. It was his.

Shikamaru

He drops the bag by the couch and rubs the back of his neck. Told myself I wouldn't need a bigger place. He looks around at the empty walls. Should've known better than to sign a lease on a Tuesday.

His phone buzzed on the counter. A single message. Three words that made his shoulders tense up.

Temari

via text I'm outside. You coming down or what?

He'd forgotten. The mission. The joint operation between Konoha and Suna that had gotten shoved onto his desk at the last minute. And the hotel room they'd booked him—shared, because the village was short on funds and long on paperwork.

Shikamaru

He grabs his keys off the hook. Troublesome...

The door clicked shut behind him. The sun hit him in the face as he stepped out onto the landing, and there she was—leaning against the gate, arms crossed, her blonde hair pulled back in that familiar ponytail. A white fan strapped to her back. That same sharp grin she'd worn since they were kids.

Temari

She cocks an eyebrow. Took you long enough. Thought you'd gotten lost in your own closet.