A/N: My first fan fiction devoted to Shikamaru . yay! Just in time for Valentine's Day!
Disclaimer: I do not (for the fifteenth bazillionth time) own the characters. They are not mine TT sadly.
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Chapter One:
Teacher Says...
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Shikamaru stood at the front of the room and yawned. He patiently waited for the attention of the students to focus on the board behind him. Out of all the classes he taught the first of the day was his favorite when the children were too tired to interrupt.
But this however, was not the first class... it was the last. Directly after lunch and before dismissal seemed the most energetic hour of the day. At least for the 16 or so pupils. The only highlight of this period for Shikamaru was "free time" which rarely occurred because of interference with his lesson plans.
When five minutes had gone by talkatively Shikamaru recollected the group. "Hey, pipe down already." He tapped the chalk on the board.
Slowly conversation died down. When all murmurs had subsided Shikamaru continued with his lecture about chakra.
"Alright," He began in a droning tone. "Chakra. Can anyone give me a brief definition of chakra?"
Blank stares cast down upon Shikamaru from the elevated seats.
"...Anyone?" He turned back to the board and sighed as he began to write.
"Shikamaru-sensei I know, I know!" The Chunin turned and saw an arm wave crazily from the otherwise silent group. "Isao."
Isao cleared his throat and squinted (in concentration?). "...The energy a ninja uses in jutsu and the source of the ninjas power."
Shikamaru slumped, "Great answer." He remarked sarcastically. "Anything you have to add to the definition already on the board?"
A volley of giggling rained down upon him. "Quiet! If you won't pay attention in school, how about after?" Shushing and 'be quiets' floated amongst the young kids. Shikamaru smirked. If his students knew him better, they would have realized his threat held no real meaning. He would rather teach the lesson over than have to stay longer to finish it.
"Spiritual energy is also required... Mix that with chakra and proper hand seals and the technique is executed. Isao, what is the process when spiritual energy and chakra is blended?"
The boy cut off his side conversation and spat out a line of 'ums.'
"Uh... umm... uhh I dunno."
"Molding chakra Shikamaru-sensei!" A small redhead squeaked. "Thank you Michiko." The little girl blushed a shade almost the color of her hair. "Chakra molding is crucial in any ninjutsu or genjutsu..."
"Shikamaru."
The entire attention of the class was redirected to the door where another Chunin had appeared, "I hope I'm not interrupting your lesson..."
Before Shikamaru could respond to Hagane his students erupted in loud conversation. "Looks like I am, sorry. Here this is from the fifth. She wants your response no later than this evening." A scroll was handed over and after a friendly smile Hagane disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
"Ooo Shikamaru-sensei's in troubleee." Even with the deafening yells the students didn't miss who had sent the scroll.
"What does it say sensei?"
"Is it something about me?"
He placed the scroll onto his desk. "I doubt it. Take your seats and let's get back to..."
"Aww you're not gonna open it?"
"Isao, it's none of our business."
The troublemaker stuck his tongue out at the redhead, "Yeahyeahyeah. Teachers pet."
"I am not!" She shouted defiantly.
"Enough! Both of you eyes up here."
"We're just curious." Another piped up.
"Mhm. Just open it!"
The idea of Shikamaru revealing something so secretive was catching like wildfire through the rows of kids.
"We won't leave you alone 'til you do!"
Shikamaru looked at his watch. 45 minutes still remained in class.
"Yeah. Why would the Hokage send you a message now if she didn't want you to open it now?"
He gave a sigh of defeat and moved to compromise, "If I open it will you pay attention?"
"YEAH!"
"Fine." He removed the gold string that held the paper tight and extended the long sheet. His eyes fell upon the words and his mouth was pulled into a frown. The class bounced with excitement.
"Sooo what does it say?"
The voices brought him back to the room. "That wasn't part of the deal." As expected the children stared at him with disbelief. "... It's a mission assignment, that's all."
"Cool! Where do you get to kick the bad guys butts this time sensei?!"
"No... that's not it! He's been instructed to rescue a pretty lady from an evil demon. Haven't you Shikamaru-sensei? Huh?"
"You're both wrong! I bet he has to go sacrifice his life for something."
Many of the proposals would have been easier than what Tsunade had really written in the scroll. Shikamaru didn't respond. Instead he just walked silently back to the board and dug the chalk into it hard as he continued on with the topic of chakra.
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"Hello Shikamaru. You're responding surprisingly fast this time, anything wrong?"
Shikamaru was not the type to lose his temper, but he had attendance to come awfully close when something seriously bothered him. "Tsunade-sama. With all respect, I would appreciate it if you would allow me to decline this mission." He dropped the open scroll onto her messy desk.
She grinned and swirled her chair around so she faced the window. "You'd better pick that up Shikamaru. Paper work has been known to disappear off my desk..."
"I'm serious." Shikamaru felt like he was being mocked. She spun back around and grinned. "You're right, it is your next mission. But you've been through something similar to..."
"Identical." He muttered under his breath.
"Yes. You have done something that resembles this before. Which is why I chose to give it to you!"
"I respect your view, but I'd be more willing to take up any other available mission." Shikamaru looked hopeful.
"Why do you think you have this one?" Tsunade stood and took the scroll from her desk, rereading the guidelines. "Everything else is covered. Don't sweat it... it's only for four, wait my mistake..."
She reached into one of her desk drawers and pulled out a calendar and pen. "Make that... five weeks And then some scattered weeks afterward." The scroll was pushed back to a speechless Shikamaru.
"My suggestion is before February 1st," Her voice dropped to a whisper. "You get over your gynophobia."
"I'm not afraid of women!"
The blonde laughed heartily at his protest; "You two'll get along perfect! Good luck Nara and I'll be awaiting a detailed report when your first five weeks are up!"
"First five?" His wasted efforts left him speechless.
The fifth Hokage led him to the door and shoved him in the direction to the exit. "Hold on! Where will she stay?!" Shikamaru managed to force out.
Tsunade put a hand on her chin, "Hmm. Good question. Well, wherever she chooses I suppose. Adios!" (A/N: Yes, Spanish. o.-)
The heavy door slammed behind the unlucky ninja. Puzzled officers looked at him curiously as he recomposed himself and walked admirably away.
What a drag. I only have a little more than a week to prepare. Why do I always get stuck with the lame missions?
This questioned revolved around and around even as he walked to his parents' house. Luckily he hadn't forgotten a previous date with his family for supper. If he had his depression may have taken him to a bar.
He rounded the corner and for a moment the mission was forgotten with the sound of arguing. As always it was the same as when he had been growing up, nearly every word his mother was shouting could be heard clearly from outside.
He knocked cautiously on the door. The house went quiet and there were sounds of scurrying feet and chairs. In just moments Yoshino Nara appeared in the doorway.
"Shikamaru!" She pulled him into a tight hug.
"Okaasan. How are you?" She released him from the death-like embrace and smiled, "Hm. Formal as always. Come on in, you're right on time!"
He followed his mother inside the Nara dwelling. She turned to him again and insisted on taking his vest as his father entered.
"Hey Shikamaru."
"You boys don't need to stand around! Sit, I already told you dinner's ready!" Yoshino snapped and walked over to the table with a large pot. "I made your favorite... mackerel. Shikaku did you remember to bring in that firewood?"
He gave his wife a nervous smile and kissed her shoulder affectionately, "Not yet. I was..."
"What?! Shikaku I've been telling you all day! And don't kiss me... if this pot falls in your lap don't come whimpering to me for sympathy..!"
For the 18 years he had known his parents they would always argue like this. Some things never change. He mused to himself while the two bickered.
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Throughout the meal Shikamaru sat quietly and didn't engage in the conversations of his parents more than he had to. His father sensed something was wrong but did not address it until his wife had left to clean up the dishes.
"Shikamaru."
"Hm?" He gave him a very inattentive look but listened nonetheless.
"...How are things at the academy?"
"Oh." He shrugged, "They're alright."
"That's good."
The two Nara men sat in silence for a long time. His father looked at his son, trying to read what was going on inside his mind. He chuckled at his own stupidity. Shikamaru was capable of focusing on several topics at once. To single everything down to one specific topic was nearly impossible.
"Shikamaru, I can't help but notice... you're not yourself." Shikamaru was surprised that his out of ordinary demeanor was showing.
"..."
The lack of reply made it obvious he had struck the nail on the head. The older inched closer. "Is it a girl?" Hey. That always bothers me.
"..."
"I thought so. Who is it? Yamanaka?" That means I win the bet against Inoichi.
"No. It's not a girl..." Shikaku frowned. Sigh. I was sure it'd be close to February, too. "It's a mission." He showed him the scroll he had recieved earlier that day.
"Ah. What's this mission?"
Before Shikamaru could reply his mother returned. "Shika I'm taking out some dumplings, you want one?"
He tucked away the scroll and stood to help his mother with the tray. "No thanks. I should get going." He bent down to lightly kiss her forehead.
She sighed with disappointment. Normally she would disapprove of such a short visit, but she didn't want to interfere with his teaching.
"Well, you're taking some with you then!"
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After receiving a neatly folded package of dumplings and promising to come back in another few weeks, Shikamaru was walking back to his apartment on the other side of town.
The street was dimly lit by lamps and storefronts decorated for Valentine's Day. The displays had been up since mid-January and throughout the month had been bustling with women purchasing chocolate for the men in their lives.
Shikamaru continued to walk, unmoved by the pink and red decorations. For as long as he could remember, he had viewed most holidays as overrated. The only thing on his mind was the distant building looming closer and closer.
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A/N: More romantic material to come and it does get better! Plz review!
Thanks go out to my beta for taking the time to read this even with crazy skool schedules!