This is relatively canon - I changed a few things in order for ShikaSaku to happen here. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimers: Cover image not mine, credits to the lovely owner. I also do not own Naruto.

(*)

The first time he saw her cry, she was seven, and the Uchiha had just rejected her offer to join her for lunch.

Nara Shikamaru remembered thinking that it was a peaceful afternoon on his favorite rooftop - until someone's sniffling and hiccuping disturbed the peace. His peace. Young Shikamaru sighed, turned his head a little to the right and saw just the top of a pink head, trembling. He knew that pink hair - it was Haruno Sakura, of course. The only one in his grade at the Academy who came close to as smart as he was; not that he cared.

And while he did find her a bit loud and annoying, the seven-year-old had respect for the young girl. She was smart - unlike their other classmates. He sighed again, knowing this was going to be troublesome, but decided to go through with his plan, anyway. "Oy. Haruno-san."

The pinkette straightened up, and turned her head around to see who was talking to her. She finally caught sight of the Nara, who was looked at her through half-lidded eyes, frowning. "Na-Nara-san?"

He nodded, hummed a bit. "What's up? You're kinda disturbing the peace."

"Oh." She sniffled, rubbing at her nose with her forearm. "I'm sorry." She forlornly looked at a bento box that was sitting next to her, which obviously held more food than was intended for the box. "It's just that... I thought I would ask Sasuke-kun to join me for lunch and..." her eyes watered up again. "And I even asked okaa-san to make me more food so I can share it with him be-because he always seems so lonely and," she hiccuped. "And he told me no, that I was annoying, and-"

Shikamaru frowned. "What a waste of food."

Sakura, not knowing if this was supposed to be comforting or not, shrugged. "Now I have too much food and I don't want to bring this back to okaa-san because she worked so hard on it."

Shikamaru stared pensively at her emerald green eyes, and a strange thought came to his head. He did not like seeing girls cry. It was troublesome, and despite his nature, he really didn't like seeing other people get hurt. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, as if she had an idea. "Ne, ne... Do you want to share with me?"

His eyebrows rose high on his forehead. He hadn't been expecting that. "Are you sure?" Maybe this is a trick, Shikamaru thought grimly. A ploy to make that Uchiha jealous.

"Yeah," Sakura said bashfully. "Like you said, if I don't eat it now, it's a waste of food. Why don't we share?" Well, he was a boy, and it was free food. Shikamaru stood up and joined Sakura, sitting respectfully far away from her. She beamed at him, and offered a riceball.

(*)

The second time he saw her cry, it was still the Uchiha's fault, damn him. They were fresh from the Chunin exams, Shikamaru was the only one to pass among his peers, and he was about to leave for his first mission after the promotion. That dreaded 'Sasuke Retrieval Mission' - the first of many.

He knew she was going to see them off - he would be surprised if she hadn't. He knew she tried to stop the Uchiha and failed. He frowned as he saw her walking towards them, a slight stagger to her step, and he had the slightest feeling of deja vu. He told her his own prepared speech; that he couldn't take her on the mission. Personally, he wanted to take her - if it had been he, Ino, or Chouji, he would have wanted the whole team present. He had this theory that maybe, just maybe, Team Seven's presence would help ease the situation. But alas, he also knew the consequences. She was still too emotional for this, not on par with the rest of them as far as brute strength was concerned. He would not be able to protect her in the worst scenario, and that was the final nail in the coffin.

For some strange reason, he wanted to protect her. This delicate kunoichi had cried too much over one boy, and it was troublesome.

Why do people love the ones that hurt them the most? he asked himself, as Sakura and Naruto bantered, with Naruto making promises he couldn't keep. Shikamaru sighed, and found himself staring into emerald eyes; the same ones he had seen crying all those years ago. "Shikamaru," she said softly, eyes not breaking contact. "Please."

His eyes, normally hard and thoughtful, melted, if for just a second. "I'll keep them safe," he promised, making a promise he knew he could keep. He trusted that she knew that 'them' was a vague description, trusted that she knew he would do everything to protect his team.

With one final nod at her and Lee, they left.

(*)

The third time he saw her cry, it was his fault.

He was finally healed. His team - no, his friends, were finally out of danger, and they were recuperating. He was lucky to have not been as injured as his companions. It made Shikamaru both guilty and a bit relieved. He knew it could have been way worse, knew that it should have ended horribly, but they still got out of there as unscathed as humanely possible. He had already apologized to everyone, visited each hospital room and apologized as sincerely as he was capable of doing, but there was one person left to apologize to. This was the one he was dreading.

He found her in the outskirts of Konoha, near a training field he knew that Team Seven would frequent. She didn't notice him at first, so he watched her cautiously as she traipsed around the field, smiling faintly at things he knew only Team Seven would understand.

That's when he saw the first tear.

She sat down in the middle of the field and broke down, sobbing into her knees. "Why did you leave us, Sasuke?" she whimpered, her shoulders shaking. Shikamaru felt a strange clenching feeling in his chest. This was more than guilt that he felt; he was sure there were no words for what he was feeling. He retreated more into the shadows, knowing that if he tried to apologize to her now, she would most certainly cry even harder.

It was his fault she was crying. True, it was more of Sasuke's fault that she was feeling the way she was now, but if he had been a smart enough leader... If he had been stronger... If he had thought faster... If they had-

If, if, if.

He left her alone, a frown on his face.

(*)

The fourth time he saw her cry, it wasn't because of him, or because of Sasuke. It was because of a fish.

He had been sitting on a bench, minding his own business, thinking of how quiet Konoha had been lately, when a dash of red and pink flew by his periphery, the familiar sound of sniffling noises accompanying it. Shikamaru knew that color combination by heart. He had no idea what had come over him, but he felt the need to call out to her. So he did.

"Sakura."

She turned around to look at him, a mere three feet away. She raised a hand in greeting, obviously trying to hold in even more tears. "Shikamaru. How have you been?"

He stared at her, and frowned. "Sit."

Surprised at his request, she made her way over to him, and sat next to him. "Shikamaru?"

He sighed, and looked up at the sky; anything to distract him from her beautiful green eyes. "Talk to me."

She cocked her head at him, confused. Since when had he ever been concerned for her? Sakura remembered that one time when they were seven, but she never gave it any other thought. Nevertheless, she answered, looking at the ground. "I'm useless. I'm stupid, and I'm useless."

His frown deepened. "Why would you say that?"

"I can't even... I've been working so hard under Tsunade-sama and... I still can't revive a stupid fish!" she cried out, although it was more angry than sad. Shikamaru sighed.

"You're not supposed to get it right the first time. Troublesome."

Her eyes flashed angrily at him, and he couldn't help but realize how green her eyes were. "It's not the first time. Oh, forget it. It's too troublesome to properly explain it for you," she snapped, facing away from him.

Shikamaru couldn't help but smirk; this was the first time he had been on the receiving end of the infamous Haruno temper. "Here's a suggestion for you, then. Next time your shishou scolds you for getting the fish wrong, why don't you try hitting her over the head with it?"

Sakura's eyes bugged open, and she was speechless for a moment. She suddenly broke out into a huge grin, and muffled her giggles behind her hand. "Shikamaru. You know I can't do that."

He stayed with her until the redness disappeared from her eyes, and her face wasn't so blotchy. As he watched her walk away, a newer, better spring to her step, he couldn't help but smile to himself.

It was nice to see her smile.

(*)

It was a while before he saw her cry again.

Shikamaru continuously watched her as she grew into a beautiful, capable kunoichi. She became one of the most accomplished medical ninjas in Konoha; a great feat for anyone. He watched her become an efficient, fast thinker, with a level head, and a strong heart. They didn't speak as much as they used to, as both grew increasingly busy with their own tasks. Sakura was needed in multiple places, since she was easily the best medical ninja after Tsunade. Shikamaru was needed on missions, his intelligence and strategies the best asset any ninja team could have.

But there were times when he'd bump into her on the street, and she'd give him a quick smile before dashing off. Times when he'd be strolling around Konoha, and seeing her train herself to exhaustion. Those who thought they knew her had this theory that she was getting stronger for Uchiha, and for Naruto, as well. But there was a different kind of determination in her eyes, and it was something that he knew well. She wasn't getting stronger for anyone but herself.

He couldn't help but admire her intelligence and dedication, her warmth and strength. Of course, he had a life of his own to attend to. His own teammates, his own friends, and his own girlfriend. He thought that he could at least try to like someone who was at least a little bit attracted to him.

But her eyes weren't the right shade of green.

(*)

The fifth time he saw her cry, it was because of Uchiha. Again.

She and her new team, the haphazardly thrown together team of Yamato, Sai, Naruto and Sakura, had returned from their latest mission. But what was throwing her into a loop was the fact that they had actually seen Sasuke.

He heard the news and immediately thought of the pinkette. Shikamaru was eating lunch at Yakiniku Q with Ino and Chouji when he got the message, and debated with himself. Should he go to her now? Or save it for later? He might seem too eager if he went to her now. Or maybe, he could 'bump' into her. See what emotional state she was in... Shikamaru grunted, eyebrows creased down his forehead. What a drag.

Ino and Chouji looked at each other, a knowing look on their faces. "Y'know, Shika," Ino smirked. "I'd love to be the one checking on my dear friend Forehead, but I'm much too busy with the flower shop today. Why don't you go and check on her for me, ne?"

Chouji chuckled. "Yeah, I was planning on spend the day with Pops, as well. Might as well go check on Sakura."

Shikamaru scowled at his friends. He had never properly talked to them about his conflicting feelings for a certain pinkette, but then again, they knew him almost as much as he knew himself. "You guys are so troublesome."

Ino winked. "That's why you hang around with us!"

With a final scowl, and a last 'What a drag', he set off to look for Sakura, his teammates snickering behind him. Even though Shikamaru decided to wing it, and aimlessly walk around the entirety of Konoha, he still managed to bump into her later that evening, under the stars.

Sakura lay motionless on his cloud-watching hill, facing the sky, hands over her stomach, eyes closed. Her pink hair fanned out around her face, contrasting against the grass underneath her. His breath quickened; he hadn't expected to find her here, of all places. He wondered if he should just let her be, when he saw a tear trickle down her face, and he frowned. Shikamaru hated it when she cried. Even though he had seen her cry multiple times, it still hit at his heart every time.

He sat down on the ground next to her, but she didn't move. It only proved to him that she knew he was there, so he decided to wait until she decided to speak first.

"Hello, Shikamaru." Her voice was scratchy and strained, and he just barely held back a wince. "You always seem to catch me at my worst, don't you?" Sakura's eyes were still closed, but he still opted for a non-verbal cue, and shrugged. "Well, I guess we all have that one friend..." She cracked a smile.

Shikamaru wondered what she was going through. She was obviously trying to be strong; whether it was pride, or just for his sake, he didn't know. All he knew was that what she was feeling now must hurt pretty badly. "Glad all four of you returned unscathed," he replied, leaning against his elbows.

She nodded. "Thanks. Well... There should have been one more." Her voice caught in her thought, and she tried to cover it with a cough.

He sighed. "You tried your best."

Sakura finally opened her eyes, showing him that shade of green that has become his favorite color, and she shook her head. "Sometimes, my best is never enough."

When someone is feeling their worst, there aren't many things that one can say without insulting the other. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for a friend is to stay with them until they stopped crying.

This was one of the things Shikamaru did best.

(*)

Over the following year, he had seen her cry many more times.

And over the following year, he had been there for her in some way or another.

Whether it was an awkward pat on the back, or his silent presence at her side, he always made sure she knew he was there for her. He stuck to her sorrow like a shadow, wondering when this had started to become a routine. It confused Shikamaru; he had never been so attached to someone before. When did it all start? It was all so confusing.

He also couldn't help but feel proud at the times when she'd surprise him with her strength. She is stronger than she's ever given herself credit for, and he shelved this thought in mind. The body counts - both of people she had saved, and people she had killed to save others, was proof enough. Shikamaru burned the thought into his mind until it became a mantra. It was a compliment he wanted to tell her personally.

Of course, he wasn't there all the time - it would be impossible for him to do so without looking like a stalker. But he tried. And as the war approached, begun, and raged on, he tried his best to stay at her side.

Even if her eyes, his favorite shade of green, were always looking for someone else.

(*)

Through a smoky haze of someone else's chakra, and his wavering state of consciousness, he saw her cry for him.

Not because of him, not because of someone else, but for him.

He knew his chakra was drained. He didn't even remember what hit him; all he knew was that if this was how he died, it would be such a drag. Familiar faces flitted through his subconscious. He knew this was Chouji, carrying him, knew this was Ino who was crying out his name, knew that the rest of the Konoha Eleven had come to see his last moments.

But one last face blossoms into view, and he saw her. Beautiful, radiant, untouchable. Her beautiful green eyes twinkled like stars, shone with unshed tears, and he felt a warmth flooding though his body. This warmth rivalled the red chakra that engulfed him now. It was a slow, steady burning, compared to Naruto's undying flame. It reassured him, hovered above him like a concerned mother, and sang to him.

Shikamaru heard her voice, her 'About to cry' voice, the soundtrack of his life. "Don't leave me, Shikamaru," she said repeatedly, while she pressed her hands to his chest. "Don't leave me like he did." He was conscious enough to feel a strange wetness on his face that wasn't blood; in fact, it was her tears.

He tried to reach a hand up, to stroke her cheek, and tell her that it was going to be fine. But Shikamaru could barely lift his arm, and he winced. Sakura whirled towards him, barking something about saving his strength, and he couldn't help but think that this was how he wanted to remember her.

Don't cry for me, Sakura.

(*)

I decided to make this a two-shot. The next one will be Sakura-centric, and will also finally, finally end this long journey. The title and summary will make sense in the end, don't worry.

Addressing the thought that Sakura seems like a cry-baby in this fic - Sakura is actually one of my favorite characters. I do not see her as weak, nor as a cry baby. Her tears are the reason why Shikamaru starts being protective of her in this fic, and thus, is drawn more to times when he can actually help her and be a shoulder to cry on when she needs it. More will be explained in the next chapter, so don't shoot me!

Shikamaru and Sakura are my ship-whores - basically, I ship them with a lot of people, including each other. I can't help but like this couple the most. They have a special place in my heart, especially since the first one-shot I wrote here on fanfiction is ShikaSaku.

Speaking of that piece, I decided to re-write To Love Again. I looked over it a few weeks ago, and had a major cringe attack (cookies for everyone who's a fan of danisnotonfire!) when I re-read my juvenile writing style. But since I loved that one-shot so much, I think I'll re-write it... With a more mature setting, of course.

Stay tuned for the second part! Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

PS It's pretty late where I am now, and I just wanted this up ASAP. If there are any tense changes or grammar errors, I'm going to change them tomorrow. This is what I get for speed-writing.