Date: January 21, 2010

Pairing: Sasuke/Shikamaru

Shika's a genius, but he doesn't flaunt it. Sasuke's not, but he'll tell you he is. Perhaps it lifts his ego; perhaps it will help him kill that bastard brother of his. Shikamaru doesn't know, or care. All he does know is that the Uchiha isn't a genius.

Shikamaru isn't sure what it is. The older boy is hell to fight, a hell of a fuck, and more driven than the best of them. He could give the Nara a run for his money in anything they could dish out; ninjutsu, genjutsu, shogi… They've never fought more than playfully, and the brunette hopes to God they never do.

But one day, he realizes it. The difference between Sasuke and him. Sasuke tries. So damn hard. He fights simply because he knows it will make him stronger. Emotions surround his goal, cloud his judgment, and every decision he makes revolves around him.

That's the difference. Genius sits and waits and lets his goals present themselves. The raven's something different. Something better.