Hello! This came to mind after Chapter 613, so if you haven't read that far PLEASE DON'T READ! Spoilers! I don't want to ruin it for you!

But all the same, this came to me randomly. I'm not sure how it will turn out and I'm sure the characters are OOC, so please bear with me. Also, I'm not sure what genre this is really...it doesn't help that I don't really have a plot for this, but this is the one story of mine that I feel can sort itself out. How grown up! And I only thought of it two days ago! *sniffle*. Ok, so yes, I'm not sure if this will turn into a friendship fic or if it's angst, drama, or tragedy, so sorry if the label lies.

Ok, that's it. Enjoy!

Sad Clouds and Treasonous Shadows

Chapter One: Against

The sky was a wretched clear blue.

His eyes lay upon this mockery of nature dully. It was a slap in the face.

The sun shone evilly bright, as if to tell him that nothing in the world mattered, not people, not missions, not relationships nor life. Who cares? "Those things are picayune," chirps the sun. "It matters not. I will continue my rote until the world ends."

His lazy, somber eyes slowly glanced down and he surveyed the happy village.

Really, why the hell were they so happy? He thought he hated it, but it seemed that he was more disturbed by it through his numbness. The sun laughed at thoughts such as the world ending, but a few mere weeks ago, such a thought was the only one on everyone's minds. Now the thought was still imprinted on people's brains, and those left were thought of as survivors. Only one thought really mattered.

They had won.

Shikamaru remembered the strenuous blur of what history had labeled the Fourth Shinobi World War. He didn't feel like summoning the details of the battle from his memory, all that mattered was that he was alive; that they had won. One detail contrasted his and others' logic strongly, and that was the one he was most ardent to forget. He feared what would happen if it was summoned up. Yeah, he was alive, but there's always an opposite. If he was alive, someone had to be dead.

Some. Like him, of all people.

Shikamaru watched a bird fly by carefree. Why was he alive? Why did the good have to die? Asuma, Jiraya, Inoichi...He grimaced.

His father.

He defied his strong logical side and allowed himself to grieve and to wallow joyously in his self-pity and hatred. Why did the sun still shine so happily? Well, why wouldn't it? The sun has no feelings for the petty trials of humans.

But then...why was all of nature so distraught, so crestfallen when the Third Hokage had died...?

Shikamaru shook his head, wishing the thoughts would leave. He knew that weather acted up occasionally. It was untouched by human antics. It just so happened to rain on the same day as the Third Hokage's funeral. But inside, a nagging, vicious voice bit at his raw mind.

It only laments for important people, stupid boy.

The lazy shinobi sighed, feeling like he was going insane. He was definitely not himself. Anyways, his father was plenty important. Shikaku had led the Alliance after all and was one of the smartest, most impressive ninja in the world. He was renowned. His father was somebody.

Though his unwonted thoughts perturbed him, Shikamaru allowed them to remain, though he really wished they would leave. However, in his grieving state, he was weakened and susceptible to strange thoughts. He knew this well from what he had learned from his first real loss. His father had gotten him through that. But what now?

The ninja hoped that he would snap out of it soon, because he saw his behavior as something childish. Don't cry over spilt milk after all. Ino had lost a father too. All she did was sob. And the Akimichis, they too were overcome with grief. Choza's best friends were no more and Choji's were in incredible pain. Who knew what it felt like? Shikamaru wondered why people had to go through such things, another answer his calm mind would have smoothly delivered.

He looked down at the village streets and spotted Kiba, Hinata, Shino, Tenten, Neji, and of course, Akamaru. The five were talking amicably, and there was an eighty-five percent chance that they were conversing about the war. Neji appeared to be arguing with Kiba while Tenten laughed amusedly at Neji's side. Shino was emotionless, Hinata attempting to pacify the men's argument, and Akamaru of course barked loudly to his owner's defense. Shikamaru looked away. He wished he felt that way. It was shameful that he was like this.

Naruto was still in the hospital, to his chagrin of course. Shikamaru had visited him once or twice, and those visits were some of the happiest, nicest times he had since the war was over. Naruto said nothing about his father's death like the rest of the village, the world. Perhaps he understood somehow, such as when Master Jiraya died.

Shikamaru sighed and shifted his position on the roof. He knew that if he changed his mindset he could go and help the village. However, his mind wasn't ready for it and he knew that. If he changed now, he would never be able to hear his father's name again, let alone recount the war. He needed to confront his problem dead on. On the other hand, he wasn't quite sure if he could do it, if his motivation was too much.

He didn't want to fall prey to the treasonous shadows and the lonely clouds. He would not join them. The darkness would not and could not win. He had to get out of his slump. He wondered how and his answer came.

"Shikamaru, is this where you've gone to?"He awoke from his muses and sat up completely. To his right stood a familiar woman with blond hair sorted into four pigtails. His counterpart from the Hidden Sand Village had arrived.

"Yeah."He replied as Temari sat down next to him. "Did you need something?"He muttered, "How troublesome" under his breath and figured that he might as well act like he was fine and could do something if need be. And it wasn't like he was maimed or anything. Strangely, Temari's unwontedly clear, concerned eyes met his in response.

"No, nothing."She replied, holding his gaze. "Just wondering."Shikamaru turned away from her and continued his task of staring at the few clouds that floated in the sky. Minutes of silence passed and it seemed that Temari was doing such too.

"So what brings you here then? To the Hidden Leaf Village? The war is over; I thought the negotiations were done."

"You thought wrong. Still a few left. I guess being up here all the time has left you out of the loop, but not blind. Haven't you seen all of the different shinobi from up here?"She inquired.

"Nope."He bluntly replied, knowing she was looking at him. "Guess I've been preoccupied."He muttered. Then he inwardly cursed, knowing in what direction he had steered the conversation. He wasn't sure of how the harsh woman would respond. It was awkward. He had to get away.

"I see..."Temari said, curious as to why Shikamaru suddenly stood up. He glanced down at her and she saw his hollow eyes and expression to match. He was dead.

"I have to go."He said and instantly disappeared.

"Hey, wait!"She called sitting up, but he was gone. She sighed. 'Coward..' She was just about to ask him what time it was and if he wanted to have a spar with her.

Thanks for reading, sorry if this sounds, hm, weird? I finished reading "The Red Badge of Courage" a while ago, so I feel like I'm adopting some of Crane's sound... Sorry if it wasn't up to snuff, or whatever that phrase is! I suppose this could be a friendship fic huh? I'm a shikaxtem fan but can't write romance for the life of me. I have a ton of pre-exam homework, so once again, thanks for reading! See what happens with Shikamaru next time! Please review if you'd like, it'd be appreciated (and would cheer me up after I fail or die during all of my exams...). Merry early Christmas!