shikamaru and temari are arranged to be married. she thinks it's the last punishment rasa left behind after death-a way to wipe his debt clean while making sure she never found freedom.
'this is nothing but a business deal. a cowardly way for your father to 'clear his soul' before death'.
shikamaru is cold, distant, and clinical when he meets her. he says no more than he must and refuses to stay in the same room with her for longer than necessary.
she finds out the truth no more than a week before the wedding.
'you're here, not out of debt but necessity.' shikaku sighs, running a hand through his hair as he leans back against the house, fiddling with a cigarette. 'you're the only thing keeping shikamaru alive.'
she scoffs, clearly unamused. 'i thought we said that we'd be honest with each other? that sounds like manipulation-'
'temari,' his voice is tired. like he's gone through every scenario more than once and they all sound just as bad if not worse. 'shikamaru is dying. you're the only thing keeping him alive. the reason he's so cold and keeping his distance is because he doesn't understand and doesn't expect you to understand.
he wants to marry for love, not force you into you something because of your father or him. he's willing to die to let you be free.'