*NOW IT'S TIME FOR...A SHIKAMARU ONE-SHOT! Yippee! :) I 3 him cause he's awesome! Anyways, it's 12:58 am here, so I'm hyper... Enjoy! Don't forget to R and R!*
A tired groan was heard as Shikamaru entered his house quietly. As soon as he opened the door, he kicked off his sandals and took off his Chunin vest. It had been a long day. The fight with the Akatsuki that killed his Sensei had worn him out more than he had anticipated and all he wanted to do was relax. Of course that didn't come easy when a loud knock on his door was heard. He tried to ignore it, but realized that the person probably knew he was home and wasn't going to stop anytime soon... Dammit. He pushed himself off his bed and stumbled toward the door, swinging it open when it was within reach. But, before he could say anything, a loud smack was heard and he felt a twinge of pain on the left side of his head. His eyes widened when he saw a fuming brunette. She looked as if she had been crying and he suddenly felt regret for leaving after the Akatsuki so rapidly.
"ARE YOU STUPID?" He frowned.
"I'm not in the mood for this Hadami. Go home." He noticed her shake slightly, and instantly regretted his harsh words. "I'm sorry, but I'm tired and cranky. Can you yell at me tomorrow?"
"No! I'm gonna yell now because I can't even begin to understand what you were thinking when you chased after two Akatsuki members. Actually, I take that back. YOU WEREN'T THINKING!" Tears stung the angered girl and Shikamaru sighed. "I was worried."
"I'm sorry for worrying you, but I had to do it." Her eyes softened.
"I know. But when you didn't show up at the hospital for your post-mission check up, I got worried that something bad had happened." Tears slid down her cheeks, "I was freaking out when I saw how beat up everyone else was that I thought you...were..."
She couldn't finish the sentence, and he knew slowly wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin atop her head. "I'm sorry. I was really tired. I promise though, I was going to go tomorrow morning. Please don't cry, Hadami. I don't like it when you cry."
She trembled slightly and he felt her nod. "Please don't ever do that again."
"Leave after the Akatsuki?" Her head shook, ever so slightly.
"Leave suddenly and not show up for an after exam. I don't ever want to be that scared again. It was such a horrible feeling."He nodded.
It never ceased to amaze him how strange she was. Perfect, but strange. She could be pissed one second and crying the next. But he had never seen her so freaked out. His heart fell thinking about what would've happened to her, had he died. He knew she cared, actually, she did more than care. She loved him, laziness included. And she didn't regret it a single bit. Never, would she ever regret loving him. He was just to perfect in her eyes and it wasn't going to change anytime soon.
"You promise?" Her voice cracking brought him back to reality.
"I promise you that I will never, ever do that again. And I will never leave you. I love you Hadami Kentai. And nothing's going to change that."
Her quiet sobs were easily heard to the love struck shinobi and he smiled. Smiled at the knowing thought that they were tears of joy. Pure happiness and he ravished in the fact that he knew she loved him back. She didn't even need to say it, but she would anyway.
"I love you too Shikamaru."