Sill
Summary: 'I'm losing my touch. Tch, this is bad, so very bad.' The Nara thought dourly. Sequel to 'What is Mine'. Shikamaru tries to wade through the politics of the Hyuuga Clan whilst freeing Chouji and himself from their own unwanted marriage tradition.
Disclaimer: If anyone here is actually the author of the inspiration to all these fanfictions; I respect your anonymity. I'm simply not amongst your numbers; though I wish I were.
Pairing: Shikamaru/Chouji
Chapter 1
Shikamaru curled up on the windowsill. It was a good one, better than the one he had as a child. After all that had been nothing more than a frame with a lip, but this was better for it was wide enough to fit himself and Chouji on comfortably.
A few throw pillows enhanced it- even if they were intended for his tiny, chic yellow love-seat that had been gifted from Ino. Which apparently was an essential endowment because it 'gave his flat that suave bachelor edge'; but only if you ignored the fact that Shikamaru hated yellow and the cushions were so unpleasant your ass would bruise from sitting after five minutes.
Being a good host and friend, Shikamaru tucked his knees beneath his chin so that Chouji could have room to seat himself opposite the lankier boy. Once situated both men relaxed and found their comfy spots. A bag of BBQ chips appeared for munchies as they looked out the window and up at the partially cloudy sky.
Again, it was a deviation from Shikamaru's upbringing. Instead of hiding out on rooftops from the stresses of daily life they could kick back inside for better privacy. Not that they didn't go back to those same rooftops when the weather permitted, but it was now a more nostalgic memory than current craving.
As time generally went the gentle sounds of chips crunching and the ruffle of clothes permeated the air. What was there to talk about? Ino was the gossip queen and kept both boys up to date and neither really had friends outside of the other.
"I have an omi-ai tomorrow," Chouji blurted with a sad look. His jowls curled in the opposite direction they normally and his head leant forward; the signs of depression. Being the keen man he was Shikamaru had recognized them and had already surmised their origins; but even geniuses occasionally refused the truth.
"Oh?" Shikamaru uttered feeling dejected and weighted. For all his strategizing there simply wasn't any clear way to avoid tradition. Both boys would be married within the year, though in six months if Shikamaru's mother had any leverage. The worst part? Shikamaru had an omi-ai with Ino and Temari tomorrow as well, along with three other ladies.
"Yeah, you?" Chouji probed his lover. Shikamaru merely nodded his head and raised a hand. There was a dispirited 'oh' and the room lapsed into an atypical silence. Not for the first time, Shikamaru truly wished he and Chouji weren't heir's to their clans. If they had an older sibling, or Shikamaru's uncle was still alive…it was too troublesome to wish for what hasn't happened and never will.
Upset and cheerless Shikamaru lifted up his left hand and reached for Chouji's, only to find the Akimichi's right hand half-way extended towards the lankier boy. That's how often the two held hands; they could sense when the other needed, wanted, or moved for a grasp; a hold; a sense of succor; and a sense of connectivity. As wispy and specious the thought Shikamaru intermittently thought the matching tattoos should have worn away from constant rubbing by now. Regardless they would carry those little red-infinity scribbles as long as the symbolism of it.
"When is Naruto's inauguration?" Chouji questioned as he tried to lift the atmosphere. Shikamaru shrugged, he still had to help Naruto come up with a way to free the branch house from their brands. Hinata had been promised to an older Jounin that had a bad rep amongst females which definitely pissed off Neji. Still, the Jounin, Noboru, was strong and had influence among the council; Shikamaru had no doubt that alone is what qualified him for the reticent woman.
"A month from now and we haven't made much head way in freeing Neji-san," Shikamaru stated blithely. 'I'm losing my touch. Tch, this is bad, so very bad.' The Nara thought dourly. The round male grimaced in sympathy and tightened his hold on the smaller lad's hand. Feeling the thoughts swirl in his head Shikamaru yawned; he didn't bother to conceal it either.
"Shina-kun?" Chouji timidly interjected before his lover could nod off on a nap. Cracking open his doe eyes Shikamaru looked at his lover. "Whatever you come up with; just don't forget the Hyuuga will accuse favoritism. I mean, it's not like you guys are trying to change the other clans about any of their questionable traditions. I'm sure they'll accuse you two about that."
Grunting in verification to the Akimichi the lissome boy nestled into a cozy position and slept with his mind awhirl. There was a reason why he slept so often; power naps recorded the information excellently and opened his mind to allow true free-thought. While affirming neuron connectivity's from the day, the brain takes jagged ends and matches them up randomly. It was the two male's second greatest secret.
CR~
To all of you who waited patiently for the update I promised yesterday, here is the first continuation to 'What is Mine'. I apologize but this refused to come out properly and I will probably wait a couple of chapters before going backwards for the editing process. So please point out any and all errors, thank you!
There will be other spin offs, but I am focusing on this one now and my 50 sentence one-shot series as well as polishing up whatever I find.
Again, I apologize and I hope you enjoy!