I darted through the trees, dodging the overgrown branches that almost smacked me in the face or got tangled in my long, layered black hair. I jumped over the large roots and my blue eyes saw an upcoming pond surrounded by green grass and more trees with small flower buds surrounded by the green leaves. I jumped over the bushes and almost rolled into the pond after tripping. Stupid branches, trying to trip me. I jumped up and looked to see if Sakura was coming.
I chuckled. "Stupid Sakura can't even keep up with me," I said to myself, smiling cockily. I rested my hands on my hips, being able to see my small shadow before me. The smile soon faded when a voice behind me almost scared the living crap out of me.
"Don't be so sure!" Sakura exclaimed. I bent down and turned around, aiming a kunai knife at her. It struck her in the face, but of course she seemed to explode and in her place was a log.
"Trying to trick me, are you Sakura? Well no one can trick the leaf village's very own HARU-Ahh!" I ended up tripping on something, but it wasn't a root. Whatever I tripped on was too big to be a root. Anyways, a fell on the soft looking grass that wasn't so soft anymore. After getting a bit of mud on my chin, I rolled onto my back and peered at whatever tripped me. Angers me to know that it was a guy that had tripped me.
Actually, this guy looked like I had just woken him up, lazy bum. His dark hair was tied up into a ponytail, making his face look skinnier and firmer. His dark eyes looked tired as he rubbed them and yawned. I wondered if I could see through that tight fishnet shirt he wore, but I actually couldn't. Too bad.
"Sorry dude, I kind of tripped on your legs," I apologized casually, and continued to observe him. His ponytail seemed familiar... "Hey, have we met before?" I asked, sitting up and crossing my legs, criss-cross applesauce style. The boy yawned once more and scratched the back of his neck.
"We're in the same class at the academy. You're Haruno, aren't you?" I stayed silent. Bleh, I hate it when people call me Haruno.
"I don't... Oh yeah! Ah I can't believe I forgot you! You sit RIGHT next to me! Chika-something right?"
"Shikamaru," he corrected me irritably, his lips forming a frown. I smiled.
"Haha, right. Hey, would you mind not calling me Haruno. Hate that name. Call me Haru-chan!"
"How about I just call you Haru," Shikamaru suggested. I sweatdropped.
"Alright, I guess-" I stopped talking as I hear footsteps and rustling. "Crap! It's Sakura! Quick, don't tell her I'm here!" I pleaded and with a single jump, I landed on one of the firm branches of the tree Shikamaru had been sleeping under. I sat on the branch and quietly observed Shikamaru. I wondered what he'd look like with that ponytail down. Someday, I would find that out. I just didn't know when. I heard Shikamaru grumble, "What a drag," as he settled himself against the tree and kept his eyes half open. His laid-back attitude kind of attracted me, I don't know why. But what do I know, I'm barely eleven!
"Hey Shikamaru! Have you seen Haru-chan around?" Sakura asked, standing in front of him and peering down at him, her hands resting behind her back. I took out a small shuriken, but not to hurt Sakura.
"Haven't seen her. Get lost, I'm trying to sleep," Shikamaru said with a perfect touch of an annoyed tone that made Sakura roll her pretty eyes and leave. After she left, I threw the shuriken to Shikamaru's hair, making sure I aimed it perfectly so that it only cut the band holding Shikamaru's hair up.
I gasped when Shikamaru caught the shuriken right before it could even get close to his hair. "You're going to have to try a little harder."
"Aww Shikamoru!"
"Shikamaru," he corrected me. I rolled my eyes and jumped out of the tree, sitting next to him.
"Your name's too long. I'm going to call you Shika just because," I said. Shikamaru protested, but I made up my mind. We sat there in silence, Shikamaru staring out at the clouds.
"Why are you staring at the clouds?" I asked curiously.
"I don't know. Makes me feel calm. I like staring up at the clouds," Shikamaru simply answered. So we watched the clouds together silently, the peaceful silence enough to make me feel good. Suddenly, I wanted to leave. It's not that I didn't like Shikamaru, or that I didn't like being around him, it's just... I didn't want to embarrass myself, and believe me, I'm prone to that.
"Uh, I gotta.. go." I got up and took a step forward, but I instantly tripped, being the klutz I am. I rolled forward and down the smallish hill and fell into the pond, cold water embracing me. I struggled to stand up, my whole body soaking wet and my feet slipping and sliding as I stood up. I blew the hair out of my eyes and noticed Shikamaru laughing his butt off. I glared at me and shook my head towards him, causing a rainfall of water droplets to go towards him.
"Aw stop! Gross!" Shikamaru shouted, blocking the water with his hands. I giggled and walked towards him, leaving a trail of muddy footprints behind. I smiled and extended my arms. "What're you doing?"
"Shika, you look like you could us a hug!" I exclaimed, hugging him around the neck. He tried to pull away, but my grip on him was hard, and I was wetting his whole outfit. I laughed and hugged him tighter as he struggled, and tried to rub some of the mud on my shoes onto his pants.
"Haru, let me go, troublesome girl!"
"Say you're sorry!"
"For what?"
"For laughing at me."
"Nah, that was way too funny."
"Then I guess you wouldn't mind if I did this," I threatened, and rubbed the top of my head against his neck like a cat, wetting all of his neck. He shoved me off and I fell on my butt, but I kicked up my feet and got mud on his shirt. His glare made me stiffen up, but then I started laughing. He soon joined me.
"Hey Shikamaru! You said you were going to come buy ramen with me, not flirt with some girl!" a voice I recognized as Choji's voice shouted. He was accompanied by Kiba and Naruto, all of them smirking in our direction.
"I wasn't flirting," Shikamaru grumbled.
"Hey Shikamaru, I've never seen that side of you. You're usually not into all that 'having fun' stuff," Kiba stated, Akumaru barking his agreement.
"Don't listen to those morons, Shika, and help me up," I commanded, holding a hand out. He took it and helped me up, then I rubbed my hand against his cheek and got his cheek wet. "Revenge tastes sweet."
~x~
It seemed like Iruka-sensei wasn't going to get here anytime soon. I sat on my usual seat, next to Shikamaru who was sitting next to the window, peering outside. I sighed a nervous sigh. Yes, maybe you figured it out already, but I liked Shikamaru. And since there was a small dance being held for the class, I was thinking of asking him to it. The dance... I wasn't going to dance, but there was going to be games outside and snacks, and I wasn't going to leave the fun to myself. Besides, everyone was already asking everyone out, despite the fact that we were all pretty young. It was working like a game these days, actually. When we mature, we can talk about proper relationships.
"Hey Shika," I said, using his nickname I had given him. Actually, now that I started using the nickname 'Shika' on him, he's been known by that name or his full name. I start things, you know.
"Hnn?" he muttered, turning his head to me. He looked tired, as usual, but he looked like he was just coming out of a daydream.
"Are.. are you going with anyone to the dance thingy?" I asked, wanting to smack myself for sounding so darn stupid. Couldn't I sound more like a girl? And by girl, I mean popular, good looking, not clumsy girl. Shikamaru let out a sigh, muttering 'troublesome,' which kind of acted as his catchphrase, under his breath. He seemed nervous for something, I didn't know what though.
"I know what you're going to asked and... I don't like you that way. And you can't like me, I'm sorry Haru." His words obviously sliced me painfully. I stared at him sadly. I mean, this is my first love I'm talking about here. Having your first love say that to you is like... having your dad hit you with a kunai and say you were adopted!
Anyways, I felt tears sting my eyes and sprung out of my chair. I jumped onto the table and leaped down to the door, causing kids to gasp at my feat. Iruka Sensei opened the door.
"Haru, where are you going?" he asked, but I didn't answer and sped forward.
~x~
Shikamaru's POV
I was about to tell Haru why I couldn't have her like me, but she didn't let me. She stubbornly jumped onto our table and leaped over everyone and to the door. Iruka Sensei opened the door, a shocked expression on his face when he saw Haru.
"Haru, where are you going?" he asked. Haru didn't answer him and almost tripped on her way out. I sighed, Naruto peering up at me. We exchanged glances and he jumped out of his seat and raced after her.
Don't think of me as a total jerk. You don't know the trouble I went to to have to say that, those words being lies and all. I truly liked Haru, actually, from the moment she tripped on my legs. But Naruto did, too. He knew she liked me. He asked me to tell her that I didn't like her, but that he did. Apparently, that didn't work. I only went along with this because I thought having a girl like me was troublesome, but it was kind of nice. Knowing someone likes you that is good looking, that is. I peered out the window and saw Naruto talking to Haru, who was sitting under the tree, on the swing tied on it.
He was probably asking her right now if she'd go to the dance with him, and as a fool, I wasn't doing anything about it.
~x~
Haruno's POV
I ran down the halls, possibly tripping ten times on the way outside. My vision was blurry from the tears in my eyes, that's all. I shouldn't even be crying, though. Shika is just Shika, and I'm just me. I shouldn't act like this. I'm only just eleven, what would I know about love?
I finally came to the swing tied on the tree in front of the academy. I sat on it and leaned against the rope. No sooner that I did that, Naruto came bursting through the doors and ran up to me, looking extremely worried. My heart actually raced when the doors slammed open, but I realized it was the wrong person worried about me.
"What's wrong, Haru-chan?" Naruto asked, looking down at me with his blue eyes. I shook my head, making the tears stop.
"Nothing, I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" Naruto asked. I nodded. "Would it make you feel better if I asked you to the dance?" Naruto asked. I looked up at him. He gave me a kiddish grin, his cheeks somewhat pink with embarrassment. I smiled at him, but how could I say yes? I felt like I'd be acting mean to Shikamaru, but he was the one being mean. I frowned slightly, but gave Naruto a quick smile.
"Sure, Naruto."
~x~
On the day of the dance, Iruka Sensei escorted us to a part of town reserved for just us. We all stared in awe at the shimmering lights, Choji and some others drooled over the food, and I stared at all the games.
"Go off and enjoy yourselves!" Iruka Sensei exclaimed, being our cue to rush forward and scream in delight. Naruto grabbed my hand and lead me around.
But even though I was having total fun, I wasn't having as much fun as I expected. It was probably because I wasn't with that Shikamaru, who hadn't spoken to me since the incident with the not liking me back and all. I narrowed my eyes as I sat down, Naruto next to me and eating his ramen. I looked to my other side and saw Hinata looking over Naruto hesitantly, playing with her fingers. I looked forward and saw Shikamaru walking towards the pond that we had first met at. I smirked. I think I can solve both of our problems... hopefully.
"Be right back, Naruto," I said, getting up. I didn't wait for his response of 'okay' with a mouthful of ramen and simply walked towards Hinata.
"Hinata, come with me," I commanded, grabbing her arm and pulling her up. I took her to where me and Naruto had been sitting and sat her down.
"Naruto, I don't like you, I like Shika. Sorry. But Hinata totally loves you, and I think you two would make a good couple and can make things work." Hinata blushed a deep shade of red while Naruto looked shocked.
"Really?" Naruto asked Hinata. I facepalmed.
"Dude, everyone could see it! Except you. So please give Hinata chance, like I gave you one." With that, I got up and headed for the pond.
Upon arriving at the pond, it was really dark, so as you might guess, I ended up falling on top of a log or something.
"Ow, that hurt...," I muttered.
"This hurts me more, since I'm under you and you fell on me kind of hard," Shikamaru said. I shrieked, surprised by his voice, and got up and off of him.
"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly.
"I'm fine. Shouldn't you be with Naruto?" he asked, and I sensed anger and annoyance in his voice. I smiled, even though he probably couldn't see me.
"I hooked him up with Hinata," I said, beaming.
"Really?"
"Yeah... Shikamaru, do you really not like me?" I asked hesitantly, a little nervous. It wasn't that I was afriad to ask. No, I was afraid of the response he'd give me.
"...No. I didn't mean it. Naruto told me to tell you, assuming he thought I didn't like you back. It was all just so... troublesome. But I really do like you."
"Well, Naruto's with Hinata. What do you have to say to that?" I asked. He stayed silent. I could see his somewhat dark eyes darting to his left, thinking about what to do.
"Nothing... Nothing but this." He leaned towards me. I couldn't see it, I felt it. But I'm not going to tell you he kissed me on the lips. No, it was just a simple kiss on the cheek, but that was enough for me that day.
~x~
"Where are we going?" I asked, chuckling and Shikamaru held onto my hand and lead me through the forest. I was now at the age of 19, and yes, me and Shika had been going out since the day of the dance thing. He smiled back at me.
"You'll see," he said teasingly. I smirked at him playfully, but played along with his little game. This path seemed familiar, though, but nothing stayed familiar in Konoha. Things had changed immensely, but it was still Konoha. Shikamaru finally stopped and turned to me.
"Close your eyes."
"Shika, do I really have to-"
"Close your eyes," Shikamaru commanded. I sighed and did as told, my heart thumping with anticipation. He grabbed both my hands and led me forward, telling me when to take a leap and when to move to the left or right.
"Okay, open your eyes," Shikamaru said after what felt like an eternity. I opened my eyes and saw a pond. An ordinary pond at first, but then the memory of the day we first met came to mind.
"Is this the pond where we first met?" I asked, smiling wide. Shikamaru nodded, a content smirk on his lips. I gasped and looked around. The pond seemed cleaner and the bushes thicker, grass greener. Everything about the pond seemed better than it was before.
"Wow! We haven't been back here since the day you kissed me on the cheek. Ah, those were the days," I said, turning away from him and towards the pond. Small fishes swam around, popping up and out every once in a while.
"Haruno." I turned around to tell him not to call me by my full name, but I stopped when I noticed he was down on one knee. I stared at him, speechless, and he just gave me a small smile, cheeks somewhat red. "Will you marry me?" he asked, pulling out a box. He opened it to reveal a gold ring with a red stone on it. I gasped as he put it on.
"Yes!" I screamed, about to hug him when I slipped and fell backwards into the pond. Oh yeah, this couldn't get any wors-AW CRAP THE RING! I quickly got up and almost fell backwards from the slimy mud making my feet slip and slide. I looked at the ring. It still looked brand new. I smiled, the pond water hiding my tears, and looked up to see Shikamaru laughing.
"Like the old days, huh?" he said between laughs. I smiled.
"No, it's missing something." Shikamaru was confused at first, but when I started walking towards him, he understood. It was too late for him to run away, because I hugged onto him and got his outfit wet, like about eight years ago.
"Now it's like the old days," I said, smiling. I'm getting married, so let me smile as much as I want. Shikamaru gave me a small smirk, and bent down to give me a kiss.
