Troublesome Times

My second FF story which follows the story of a lazy broken down man known as Shikamaru, having had hard struggles in the past, he hopes to regain control of his life.

Hopefully you'll enjoy reading this story!

As always I don't own Naruto in any way, all rights go to the makers of Naruto :)

Chapter 1 Low Times

The air was thick with disgusting smog of smoke and sweat in the dank dirty bar. This however didn't seem to bother most of the customers who were just as vile.

'Another round mate.' A young man, with a gruff and wrecked look upon him, grumbled to the barman.

The rough looking barman approached the tired looking customer and gave him a look down. Smirking he simply replied. 'I think you've had enough sir.'

A pause.

'Sir…'

'I heard the first time you ignorant bastard. Now hurry up and pour me another. Or don't you want my bloody money?' The young man rudely replied, lifting his head up slightly to expose an unkempt, unshaven face.

The barman sighed loudly as he trudged over to a rusty alcohol tap, pouring angrily a frothy pint of a brownish liquid, that didn't look too appealing. 'Here you go. Hope you enjoy.' The barman sneered sarcastically before leaving the man to attend to other grumbling alcoholics.

The young man looked down at the given beer, seeing his own ruffled reflection he grunted. 'God dammit. What happened to you Shikamaru?' The man sighed loudly to himself, before raising the glass up to his lips and sipping the froth away, which greatly irritated him as it awkwardly spilt onto his moustache.

Shikamaru cursed lightly, rubbing the froth of quickly with the grubby looking sleeve of his dark muddy jacket. It was clear by the way he presented himself that Shikamaru was not living easy. Recently made redundant from his job as a factory worker at Uchiha industries, Shikamaru knew he was fired because of his poor attitude and laziness, but to be honest, he hadn't cared much for the place. Tough times were a head, but he still enjoyed coming to this dingy pub every so often, to get drunk beyond oblivion so he could forget the bad times and enjoy the good.

Today was just one of those days for him, finishing the rest of the pint with ease he swayed slightly while getting up. 'Hey…bar…man. Keep the change…' He slurred loudly before stumbling outside through a wooden door. He crash landed into a dustbin which caused a few drunkards to laugh hysterically at the simple action.

Shikamaru's dirty greasy hair fell down, covering his face. He usually kept his hair up in a neat knot but along with other things, he gave up in doing so. The barman shot Shikamaru an angry and disappointed glare. Shikamaru scoffed as he got up, he then proceeded to walk back home.

It took Shikamaru a good hour of drunken stumbling before he got back to his hotel flat. Nothing too special, as he walked into the main hall, which had a dark green carpet, along with large cracks in the walls. It seemed like the place could fall apart any minute.

'Afternoon Shikamaru.' The front desk manager chirped.

Shikamaru stumbled around trying to regain his composure to reply to the clean cut looking man, who only looked about 18. The man's face was unhealthily pale and had a dark expression which was slightly hidden.

'Yeah…' Was all he could manage. He then checked his watch, noticing it was only half 4. 'Oh man…what a drag. Hey…Sai was it?'

'Yes. Sir?' Sai replied with a nod.

'Any…post. I mean umm. Yeah.' Shikamaru fumbled his words in a slur.

Sai just simply chuckled at the drunk man's intoxicated state. 'Yes actually. Quite a few here.' Sai said before searching for a pile of letters.

Shikamaru groaned loudly, realizing that a large pile of letters only meant one thing.

'Bills…Bills…Bills…' Shikamaru droned on, flipping them behind each other to get through them. His eyebrow raised slightly, noticing a letter that wasn't a bill.

Sai gave Shikamaru an inquiring look but received no answer as the drunken man was already off to his room. Sai felt like saying goodbye, but lost the chance as Shikamaru was quickly out of sight.

Shikamaru went down the corridor to find, to his annoyance, the lift was out of order.

'Just great…' he sighed.

There was hardly anything to complain about for the average person as Shikamaru was only on the second floor. But Shikamaru wasn't an average person who wasn't lazy beyond belief. He grumbled all the way up the several steps. Finally arriving at his door; number 7b, he noticed a sign placed on the front of the green wooden door. Shikamaru ripped it off and read it.

''PAY YOUR BILLS OR YOU'RE OUT!'' It read in big red threating letters

Shikamaru gulped, tossing the paper aside he quickly retreated to his room. Exhaling loudly he slumped down onto his messy, unkempt sofa. He placed the letters down onto a nearby coffee table. 'What the hell am I going to do?' Shikamaru mumbled sadly to himself.

He then perked up, completely forgetting about the letter that wasn't a bill he ripped it open wildly. 'A card?'

He inspected the rough material noticing an elegant font on the front. He then opened it slowly and read it. ''Dear Shikamaru, I regret to inform you but your father Shikaku has recently passed away. The funeral is being held on the 25th September. We hope you can make it to pay your respects. Yours Sincerely the Nara Household.''

Shikamaru scanned it over and over until finally he burst out laughing in a mad manner. 'Hah! The Nara Household? Oh so formal. Stupid dad…it was inevitable.' Shikamaru coldly said. He held no remorse for the man, he had lost his respect for him when he got extremely drunk on Shikamaru's birthday and started hitting his mother. This was when Shikamaru was only 17. Shikamaru left, and never came back. This being 6 years ago now, the first 3 years his parents paid for him to live but gave up when Shikamaru never even gave them a visit. This was the first letter he had received from his family in a while, and what great news it was.

Shikamaru pondered on the situation. '25th eh? Maybe the old man left me a will. Might as well. Tomorrow…great.' Shikamaru said with a pout. 'I'll do it later.' Simply saying before switching on his telly to mindless stare at news channels.

A couple hours later, the sun drew in and darkness crept around the room, aside from the uneasy buzzing light from the television. Shikamaru had fallen into a deep nap, unconscious from the alcohol that had taken him. He was drooling slightly until he was suddenly shot awake to the sound of a loud knocking. Groaning he got up slowly to answer the door.

'What?' Shikamaru asked rudely before realizing the person stood in front.

'Shikamaru…' A man with messy brown hair, and almost dog like fangs growled

'Hey Kiba.' Shikamaru yawned.

'Starters…you're a mess, you stink and you look disgusting. Sort it out.' Kiba coldly listed making Shikamaru twitch with each insult.

'Thanks…' The lazy boy sarcastically replied.

'Second. Have you got the money to live here yet? Or do I literally have to kick you out of my hotel?' Kiba said angrily clenching his fists.

'Tomorrow.' Shikamaru answered

'Tomorrow?' Kiba shot him a puzzled look.

'Yes…tomorrow, I'll have it tomorrow.' Shikamaru said sharply, trying to close his door. He wasn't in the mood for the gruff hotel manager.

Kiba placed his foot in the way to stop the door. 'I'm serious Shikamaru, your rent is way overdue. If I don't see some money tomorrow…' He was cut short.

'I got it Kiba, bye.' Shikamaru nodded with irritation.

'Good. See you tomorrow. Same time.' Kiba released his foot and walked off.

Shikamaru slammed the door and groaned loudly. 'Fuck sake that guy is annoying.' He cursed walking back down to his comfortable chair. 'Dad better have some money for me, or I'm as good as gone.' Shikamaru muttered, looking at the clock noticing it was coming close to 9pm, bed time he thought, making his way into his bedroom, which was incredibly small. Barely enough room for his single bed and wardrobe, he removed most of his clothes, left only in his boxers before collapsing lazily onto the bed, not even bothering to get under the covers, he swiftly fell asleep, just as easy as before.

The next morning Shikamaru finally woke up around 11am, his lazy ethic was present as always. Grumbling he went back into the main room, which had the television and sofa along with a small kitchen area to make food. Opening the fridge he sighed at the bareness of it; a few pints of milk, some butter, cheese, microwave meals and a bottle of champagne which was a leaving present from Uchiha industries. Shikamaru hadn't touched it as he was expecting it to be tasting terrible. He decided on some toast, luckily he still had a full loaf of bread left to eat. He poured some milk into a slightly cracked mug while he waited for the toast to cook. Always shocking him, the toast popped up loudly, making him spill the milk a little on himself. 'Crap…fucking toast.'

Drinking the milk ravishingly, he began buttering the bread which was hardly toasted at all. Another annoyance to Shikamaru was his lousy toaster, which was temperamental in toasting.

Gorging down the last morsels of bread he went into the smallish bathroom, which had a standalone shower and a shoddy looking toilet. Removing his boxers that he wore to bed he turned the flimsy shower on, spluttering at first before raining down hot water on to his slightly tanned figure. There was one good thing about the place he lived, the hot shower. It was very effective at waking him up, and generally putting him in a good mood.

Grabbing a towel on the rail after a while of soaking he wrapped it around his waist, letting his hair droop down with wet soapy water, not caring about the soaked carpet in the living he sat down lazily with a smug expression. A few moments passed, feeling like he was mostly dry he put the finishing touches on his hair and placed the towel back. 'Right clothes…a funeral. Umm…' Shikamaru mumbled as he tried to find something appropriate for the occasion. 'Ah!' Shikamaru grinned finding a shoddy looking shirt and tie which he ''borrowed'' from a co-worker a while back. Zipping up the trousers he looked in a dingy mirror checking himself. He exhaled sadly looking at his grim facial features. The beard was hardly, neat and tidy but there was nothing he could do. He ran out of razors and was too lazy to buy more, therefore letting his beard get out of control. It wasn't all bad, he's had worse beards, this one actually reminded him of the one his father sported. Smirking at the thought he left his room and locked the door behind him.

Rushing downstairs, easier than going up as he didn't bother with the lift knowing it'd still be broken, he accidently bumped into a person knocking several large sheets of paper everywhere.

'Hey watch it!' A girl's voice called out. Shikamaru nearly fell over from the impact and hung onto the stair rail to sustain his balance.

'Sorry about that.' Shikamaru said aloofly. He helped the girl pick up some of the large papers, not really taken notice of the girl at all.

'Thanks. Sorry about that, I didn't see you there.' The girl said shyly as Shikamaru handed her the papers.

'Yeah. Me neither. I mean…don't worry.' Shikamaru stuttered stupidly, his way with words around women was slightly lacking.

The girl just giggled. She had dark green eyes and blond hair, which was gathered up into four ponytails neatly, she was wearing a navy blue jacket, with a dark purple blouse underneath. She was around his age, maybe a year older. 'Nice get up. Are you going to a funeral or something?' The girl smirked naively at Shikamaru's fancy shirt and tie, along with a dark jacket.

'Yes.' Shikamaru replied blankly.

The girl's expression suddenly dropped from the previous quirkiness to a sudden apologetic sadness. 'Oh, wow I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend.' She said with a look of concern.

Shikamaru raised a lazy hand. 'Nah don't worry about it.'

Temari raised an eyebrow, but then shook it off. 'Name's Temari. You?' The girl offered her hand, the other holding the large papers.

Shikamaru stalled slightly this is new…He thought placing his hand that was already in the air down into hers to shake. 'S…Shikamaru.' His face pinked slightly with shyness.

'Shikamaru eh? So…which room do you live in?' She suddenly asked catching the boy by surprise as he was planning on leaving it at that.

'Oh umm…7b.' He replied averting his eyes from Temari's.

'Really? I've just moved into 6b.' Temari smiled lightly

'…cool.' Shikamaru simply said, instantly regretting it. Smooth Shika smooth…I need the money now. This girl is cute. His mind veered off.

Temari however laughed at Shikamaru's shyness. 'Not so talkative are you Shika?' She branded him.

Can she read my mind or something? I just called myself that? Shikamaru gulped. 'Um…I got to go.' Shikamaru dismissed as he continued to walk down the stairs.

'Yeah, bye Shikamaru.' Temari smiled brightly.

'Oh….bye.' He whispered back, the girl obviously not hearing. Nice one Shikamaru, no wonder you don't have a girlfriend you can't even say fucking goodbye properly! 'Shut up…' He cursed to himself, which Sai noticed as Shikamaru left the building.

'Ugh I wish I still had my car. Even if it was a piece crap, it got me places.' Shikamaru grumbled before trying to hail an incoming taxi. Finally one stopped and he got in.

'Yeah Nara residence, number N-252.' Shikamaru droned, looking down at his wallet, barely enough to pay for the ride.

'Okay boss.' A man said back which sounded a little familiar to Shikamaru.

It finally hit him. 'Choji?' Shikamaru asked.

The taxi driver continued to drive and glanced in the mirror. 'Yes?' The man replied.

'I thought it was…it's me. Shikamaru.' The lazy man smirked.

Choji's face lit up suddenly. 'SHIKAMARU? THAT'S YOU? Long-time no see man!'

'Haha it has been a while man. Still as…f…big as ever I see?' Shikamaru chose his words carefully.

Choji chuckled heartily 'Still as annoying and lazy as ever I see?'

They both laughed. 'So how's things mate?' Choji suddenly asked still driving.

'Meh…could be better, going to my dad's funeral.' Shikamaru mumbled calmly as he rested his head against the window.

'Oh…I'm sorry to hear that.' Choji sadly said

'Don't be…he was an ass.'

'He's still your dad though.'

'I guess…anyway how's things with you?' Shikamaru changed the topic.

'Really good, been doing this taxi nonsense for…2 years now I think? It's good pay, I've got a decent apartment. I didn't even know you were in the city still! You should come round sometime.' Choji carried on. The boy was always chatty like this, back in school they were best of friends. Choji respected Shikamaru as he was the only one who didn't tease him about his weight. After Shikamaru had left home when he was 17 they only briefly saw each other again when they both hit 20 for a drinking get together.

'Yeah life's been…troublesome. Barely affording my flat. But yeah I'd love to come round sometime. Whenever you're free man.' Shikamaru smiled at the idea.

Choji beamed as they continued to talk about stuff that has happened. They finally arrived at the large Nara terrace which was lined with a few houses owned by the Nara family. Shikamaru pulled his wallet out. 'How much do I owe ya?'

'Please Shikamaru, it's on me mate.' Choji held his hands up with a smile.

'Aw no Choji I can't man. Seriously how much?' Shikamaru felt bad.

'No no, you can make up for it by coming round mine for a few drinking games!' Choji smirked at the boy.

'Fine…thanks man, you're the best.' Shikamaru smiled as he got out of the taxi. 'See ya around man, I'll call you. Still got the same number yeah?'

'Oh no, I got a new one. Here.' Choji pulled out a snazzy looking phone which Shikamaru gawped at.

'Cheers, bye Choji.'

'See ya Shikamaru.'

The taxi pulled away from the residence and Shikamaru turned around to ring the buzzer. 'Hello?'

'Hey it's Shikamaru.' The man lazily said

'…Who?' The other end spoke

'Shikamaru Nara. I'm Shikaku's son.' He said slightly irritated.

There was a long pause until the gates buzzed open.

'Tch…been a while.'

Shikamaru walked up the pathway towards the graveyard. The Nara had their own graveyard near their sacred woodland area which went back decades. He walked through towards a gathering of people surrounding a tomb.

The procession had already began. An old man in a robe was praising all of Shikaku's good deeds and other past achievements. Shikamaru edged up to a woman. 'Hey mum, are you alright?' Shikamaru whispered, giving the grieving woman a comforting hand on the back.

She turned to face her son. 'Oh Shikamaru!' She hugged him, still sobbing.

'I'm sorry mum…'

'Don't be! It's not your fault.'

Shikamaru sighed, as he looked down at the grave. A picture of his dad was displayed on the coffin.

The service was close to ending, just everyone paying their respects now. Shikamaru's mother walked up to the coffin, placing a gentle hand on it. She whispered something to it before walking back. She motioned Shikamaru to pay respects. He really didn't want to, but he would've looked very bad if he didn't.

Sighing he walked over to the coffin. 'Hey dad…hope you're doing alright in the afterlife…Sorry about…everything. I'm turning into you now. A drunken idiot.' Shikamaru cursed softly. 'Well…goodbye.' He finally uttered and walked off away from the graveyard, causing everyone to mumble in spite.

'Shikamaru.' His mum called out

He stopped at the gates. 'What?'

'We still got to sort out the will.'

'Heh…doubt the old sod left anything for me.' Shikamaru coldly replied.

His mother just looked down. 'Please Shikamaru.'

He could see the stress and grief on her face. 'Alright…let's go.'

They went inside the main hall. In a separate room, with a few other family members, cousins, uncles and the like.

Shikamaru sat next to his mother as the same old man in robes read out the will. 'To my beautiful wife, I leave the Nara residence. And finally…to my only son.' Shikamaru perked up. 'I'm sorry about everything that has happened, I'm sorry for mistreating you. I hope you do good in life, it may not be much. But I leave you a sum of my wealth. £5000. I also remember how much you loved the motorcycle I had locked away. It's yours now.' The man finally ended.

Shikamaru almost burst into tears, which were mostly of joy rather than sadness. £5000! Thank you Dad! That'll keep me alright for a bit. Shikamaru smiled as he thought of the bike.

Walking down to the garage he saw the bike was pretty much sparkling new. With the cheque of money in hand, he pocketed it as he sat on the bike. His mother subtly entered the room. 'He would constantly work on it you know. Just for you. Hoping some day you return.'

Shikamaru looked up. 'Really?'

'Why did you have to leave Shikamaru?'

Shikamaru sighed loudly looking down at himself. 'I couldn't be there any longer. Not while he was…hitting you.'

'Shikamaru…'

'I couldn't mum…I had to get away. I couldn't bare the sight of him any more after that.' Shikamaru stuttered trying to hold back his emotions.

There was an awkward silence.

'I'm glad you're okay Shikamaru.' She finally said.

'Heh…barely. I needed this money. I'm literally living off nothing.' Shikamaru said, placing a helmet on.

'What? Why didn't you say?'

'Because like I said…I didn't want to come back…to him.' Shikamaru finally grunted as he revved the engine. 'Thanks mum…for everything. I'm sorry I wasn't such a great son…'

'Shikamaru!' She tried but it was too late. He had already drove off. She began to cry slightly, watching her son go again was painful.

The speed of the bike made Shikamaru grin stupidly as he weaved in-between traffic. The day was drawing to a close as the sun was setting. It was around 6pm by the time Shikamaru got back. After sorting the cheque out at his bank, he kept £500 in his wallet for Kiba.

Walking up the stairs with slight more enthusiasm than yesterday he smiled as he thought about that morning he bumped into Temari. I wonder if she's okay. He suddenly thought. Walking past 6b he grinned before entering his room.

Sitting down as usual to watch some telly he was quickly interrupted by a knock. 'Grr…Kiba you're early.' He said more to himself as he opened the door.

'Hey Shika. Are you alright? After the funeral?' None other than Temari stood at Shikamaru's door. The last person he expected.

'Oh hey, Temari. Um…yeah. It was alright I guess.' Shikamaru averted his eyes from the girls shyly.

'Okay. Well I heard you come back, I um needed some help earlier but you were rushing off.' Temari began.

'Oh! Sorry about that.'

'Don't apologize you had to go!' Temari smiled.

'Yeah. Um, do you still need help?' Shikamaru asked sheepishly. Catching Temari by surprise at the boys sudden confidence.

'Hmm…I guess you could help, I've pretty much done most of it myself. There's hardly anyone here.' She pouted, which Shikamaru couldn't help but smile at.

Temari walked back to her room. Shikamaru stood there dumbstruck. 'Hey Shikamaru! Come on!' She called from her open room

'Oh! Sorry!' He said back, rushing out of his room and gasping as he walked into hers. The room was delicate with, beautiful pictures and decorations of Japanese fans on display. 'Wow…this is…amazing.' Shikamaru's jaw dropped at how the small little dingy flat had turned into a paradise.

Temari blushed at the compliment. 'Nah it isn't that great. Anyway I needed help with these.' She picked up the very same large sheets he knocked over this morning.

'Oh…what are they?' Shikamaru asked, as Temari handed one of them to him.

'Portraits.' Temari simply put. 'I like to paint, and occasionally take pictures.' She smiled brightly as she walked into her bedroom to hang them above her bed.

Shikamaru admired the well-drawn designs of spirals, along with scenes of beaches and forests.

'These are really good? Did you draw them?' Shikamaru asked following the girl.

'Yeah, I just said so silly!' Temari teased causing the boy to flush slightly. 'Right okay hang that one there please!' She pointed to an empty spot next to her wardrobe.

Shikamaru nodded as he struggled with the portrait, not wanting to spoil the picture he cautiously placed the four corners in position. He walked back to see if it was okay, being a slight perfectionist he was irritated by the angle he had placed it. Removing it sharply, there was a silent tearing sound. He gasped and Temari spun round. The top corner of the picture had been torn slightly. 'Temari I'm sorry! It was a mistake! Shit!' Shikamaru apologized backing out of the room slightly. 'I'll go now!' He quickly rushed out, not wanting to hear Temari shout at him. Temari's expression was a mix of confusion, disgust and humour. 'That Shika haha, he needs to calm down.' Temari smirked before continuing to place the pictures up.

Shikamaru slammed the door shut behind him and locked all the locks on it stupidly. He gasped loudly before slumping to the floor. 'I'm such an…IDIOT!' He cursed to himself, placing his head in his hands. He jumped as the door knocked loudly.

'Ah! Temari I'm so sorry!' He called from beyond the door.

'Temari? It's Kiba you idiot. Where's my money!' Kiba growled outside.

'Oh…hang on!' Shikamaru got up to unlock the door. 'Hey I've got the money here.' He said as he pulled out his wallet, revealing the cash notes to Kiba who was shocked.

'Woah! Where did all that dosh come from?' Kiba gasped.

'What does it matter? Here. Now leave me alone.' Shikamaru mumbled.

'I'm guessing you've met Temari then eh?' Kiba winked.

'Yes…' Shikamaru shot back a look of disgust and question.

'What? Come on.' Kiba leaned in close to whisper. 'She's one fine piece of ass!' He chuckled at his comment.

Shikamaru just twitched with irritation. 'Bye Kiba.' He finally closed the door. He then heard Kiba knock on Temari's still open door. Shikamaru pressed his ear against the door to listen.

Muffled conversation went on. He swear he heard Temari laugh. Kiba made her laugh? For fuck sake…that's her out of the question now. Shikamaru had very little self-esteem, which was a trait gained from his father. This didn't help his life at all when it came to jobs, friends or girls. Never having a girlfriend he felt very anti-social around them and usually just gave up before even trying. However. Temari was special, she made Shikamaru feel a slight motivation to work for it.

'I'll apologize tomorrow.' He finally said to himself as he decided to go to sleep early tonight.

There's chapter one! What did you think? Should I carry on this story? They'll be more characters such as Naruto and Sasuke joining later don't worry haha ^^ Hope you enjoyed this chapter, I had fun writing it. Hope you continue to read! Reviews are very much welcome :D