Serendipity

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or its characters

A/N

I made this a long time ago, and it's one of the few stories i have that doesn't work in the Naruto world. An event based on something that happened a while ago too. This is designed to be a oneshot, so it's most likely not going to develop. :)

"Let it go, Shikamaru."

"I have."

Chouji rolled his eyes. "I've known you since we were little kids. I know you're lying."

"Shut up Chouji."

"I'm sorry man. I know it's hard to accept it, but she doesn't feel the same."

Shikamaru closed his eyes. "Yeah, I know."

"Ino will still always be your friend. Remember that."

He sighed. "Though I guess it will be a little awkward between the two of you for a while."

Shikamaru got up. "Whatever. Come on, let's go.

Chouji shook his head slightly before following his friend.

"It may not be all that bad, you know."

Shikamaru turned his head, still walking through the streets. "How so?"

"Well she knows your feelings now, right?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe that will trigger something inside her as well."

Shikamaru scratched his head, keeping a very expressionless face. "I doubt it."

"Come on Shikamaru, stop doubting yourself. It could happen you know."

"It could, but it won't."

Chouji gave an annoyed sigh. "Well then maybe you should think about moving on."

"Moving on to who? There's no one else we know that I would like, and it's not like the girl of my dreams is just going to fall out of the sky and land on top of me."

"You're very critical about this aren't you?"

Shikamaru sighed. "Sorry. It's just, I don't think It will be as easy to move on from this as you say it will be."

"It will take time, Shikamaru, but eventually you will be able to do so."

"Time..."

Shikamaru's bored expression changed to a surprised one.

"Sorry Chouji, I gotta go. I owed Tenten a favour and she's asking me to return it today. All this talking and now I'm late."

He ran off, not giving his friend a chance to say farewell.

What a drag, he thought. Stupid conversation made me la-

His thoughts were interrupted when he turned a corner, straight into a ladder.

He fell to the ground, and a figure came from above, landing straight on top of him.

He groaned, closing his eyes. "Sorry about that. I was in a rush to get somewhere."

The one on top of him rolled over and also groaned. "It's okay. It was an accident I guess."

Shikamaru got up slowly. "Why would you be up on a ladder anyway?"

The girl sat up. "My friend Tenten needed a hand with fixing up the sign on the tool shop. She said someone else was meant to do it but he never showed up."

He smirked. "Sorry again."

"It was you?"

Shikamaru chuckled. "Yeah. I was held up and lost track of time."

He moved closer to the seated girl and stretched out his hand. "Shikamaru."

She smiled and took it.

"Temari."

End.