Quick Author's Notes: I wrote this while listening to "Perfect Enemy" by t.A.T.u over and over again…XD So not a Shikachou song, lol. This is pretty damn short, but whatever. There isn't enough Shikachou stories out there, you know.
Winter Storm
It was freezing cold, wintry winds snapped at their pink faces. They were bundled up, but the chill was still there, settled eerily into their bones. The blizzard was a harsh one, and the first Konohagakure had had in many years. Driving bullets of snow—not soft enough to even be called snow but not hard enough to be hail—pelted Chouji's face. Really, Shikamaru had to be crazy.
Shikamaru was snuggled up to his side, shivering slightly and sharing Chouji's thick winter coat. Chouji had an arm around Shikamaru's waist and their hands were intertwined in his lap. The other boy's dark hair tickled Chouji's cheek.
Earlier, before the blizzard had happened, Shikamaru insisted on going to his favourite cloud-observation spot and watch the storm as it developed. Storms always fascinated Shikamaru, because then the clouds seemed alive, angry, and full to bursting with beautiful energy. Although the simple summer clouds were his favourites, he loved storm clouds. They ignited his heart with their beauty and enlightened his mind with the thoughts of, well…maybe everything does have a soul.
Nothing would make Shikamaru Nara more content than watching the snow storm with his best friend. So Chouji obliged.
And here they were, cuddled as close as people could get, as the blizzard reached its peak. Konohagakure was a mass of snow and winds; the houses were buried in snow drifts and the streets were plaited with ice. Even though Shikamaru was the coldest he's ever been in his life, he was also the happiest. Chouji's bulk kept him warm enough so he didn't catch pneumonia. He was not worried. And deep in his heart, he knew that there was no reason to be worried, because Chouji was there.
"Thank you," Shikamaru murmured, "for coming with me."
"It means a lot to you," Chouji replied, "I wouldn't miss it for the world." He pulled Shikamaru closer to him, because the crazy cloud-obsessed boy was shivering again.
"Just…thank you, for everything, Chouji. Really."
Chouji didn't know what to say. Shikamaru brushed his lips against his cheek and rested his head against Chouji's shoulder again.
After about ten minutes the storm started settling down into a lazy snow fall. With it, Shikamaru started drifting off into sleep. Chouji knew that he might have to carry Shikamaru back to his house, because if he fell asleep in the middle of the cold like this he may die.
Before picking him up in his strong arms, Chouji kissed Shikamaru's cheek and whispered, "Thank you for everything, Shikamaru."