Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto- the anime or the manga.
Warning: This story has a BIG spoiler from the manga. If you hate spoilers, leave.
Pairing: Kurenai and Asuma
A/N: This is what I believe Shikamaru said to Kurenai in Chapter 330.
"What about Kurenai-san?"
"I'll tell Kurenai my self." Tsuande replied.
"No. I'll do it." said Shikamaru.
"Captain Asuma wanted me to tell her something…"
Shikamaru walked out of the hokage's building. Man, he thought, this was going to be very troublesome. He kept walking, thinking about the horrible task he was going to do. How could he tell her?
"Hey, Shikamaru, where are you going?" a familiar voice called out.
"Huh? Oh, hi Ino. I'm going to…" he took a breath, "Kurenai-sensi's place."
Ino looked at him, her eyes sad and solemn. "To tell her about…"
"Yes." Shikamaru interrupted.
"Good luck with that Shika-kun."
"I'll need it." He replied and hurried his way to Kurenai- sensi's apartment.
Ino watched him go. I feel so bad for Kurenai- sensi, she thought, heading home to change to change into a different outfit.
Shikamaru had finally reached the door to Kurenai's apartment. Sighing, he knocked on the door. I hope this won't be too troublesome, he thought as the door opened.
"Oh! It's you, Shikamaru." She looked like she was expecting someone else. "What brings you to my house?"
Shikamaru calmly said, "Kurenai-sensi, there is something I need to tell you…"
They both walked into an alley way near her apartment building and Kurenai asked, "What was it you wanted to tell me?"
How can I tell her? The question Shikamaru asked before in his head reappeared. He took a big gulp to hold back the tears that he knew would come out when he said the news. Then he said quietly, "Captain Asuma…died on a mission yesterday."
Kurenai's red eyes turned from calm to wide-eyed shock. "He's…he's…dead?"
Kurenai went down onto her knees and started to cry. Shikamaru leveled with her and softly said, "He told me to tell you something."
She looked up at him teary eyed, "What was it?"
"He told me to tell you…that…that…he loved you."
Shikamaru expected Kurenai to gasp or say "really?" like most girls he knew would do, but she just bent over into Shikamaru's arms, crying harder. He gave her a hug. How hard it must be for her, he thought, her love had died...I don't know what I would do if that happened to me…
Suddenly she sat up, "When's the funeral?"
"It is at noon. I'll leave you to get ready."
Shikamaru quickly turned out of the alleyway, leaving Kurenai there alone. As she re-entered her building, Shikamaru quickly went home and lit up a cigarette.
"Why did you have to die Asuma-sensi?" He asked silently
Kurenai arrived at the funeral and lightly pushed through the sea of black clothed shinobis, a bouquet of lilies in her hand.
Kurenai walked into Yamanaka Flowers. She was quickly greeted by Ino, who was already dressed in black and holding flowers in her hands. Ino wrapped her arms around Kurenai and said, "These flowers are free. Take any bouquet for Asuma that you need. You don't need to pay,"
"Thank you, Ino."
"He was a wonderful man, wasn't he?" Ino asked.
"Yes." Kurenai answered, "He was."
Kurenai walked up to the grave and then kneeled in front of it. Placing down he flowers, she quietly whispered to the rock, "Goodbye, my lover. Goodbye, my friend."
THE END!!