A/N: Well... this is actually my first attempt writing in English - might be that there are some strange mistakes ; So please bear with me. I know the whole thing isn't all that great but I thought it best to start off with something short... Constructive criticism is always more than welcome. Thank you for reading!
Disclaimer: Sadly enough - I do neither own Shikamaru nor his litle friend. I did not invent any part of this series nor did I ever paint a single tree for the Naruto Universe. It is all . not . mine.
„Shikamaru?" He heard her step towards him. „Why didn't you come yesterday?"
True, he hadn't come. How could he have possibly done so? He knew why she had asked him to come over. Or at least he was quite sure.
"Hey! What's up?"
She touched his shoulders. He started.
"Shikamaru?"
"Whatever you wanted to tell me - keep it to you."
He hoped that his voice had sounded harsh.
"What? What do you mean...? I..."
"I don't want to hear it."
Yes, he did. If only she knew how
much he wanted to hear her say... If only he could tell her. But this
was a thing, far too troublesome to face.
He wouldn't be able to
bear it, he knew.
She didn't.
"But... What is it? One week ago, you told me you'd love to come! You... Did anyone tell you stories about me?!" Her feet, rustling on the pebbles underneath them. "I know, I'm not perfect. And I know that you know. But I never thought you'd care this much... I... What did they tell you, Shikamaru?"
She sobbed.
He started hating himself for what he was doing to her. He would crush anyone who hurts her. He had promised it. But how could he crush himself? Wouldn't this hurt her even more?
"It wouldn't do any good. Please, don't tell me."
She gasped for air, sobbed, winced.
"What was it? ...did they tell you what a filthy little whore I am...? Do you believe them?"
"..."
"Shikamaru?"
He knew, tonight, he'd drown himself.
"So you don't want me, because of these stories. That's fine."
He heard a relieved laugh, mixed with a sob.
"That's fine ... because at first I thought there was another girl."
His heart stopped beating for a second.
He hadn't chosen her. He hardly knew this girl. And still he was going to marry her. And then, she would know. So why couldn't he tell her now? Why did he wait? Did he want her to read it in the paper?
Nara Shikamaru and Nara Junko - neé Yamashita – are happy to announce their wedding.
Right. She wouldn't look at him ever again. It would be best if he drowned himself tonight. She'd never know.
He wouldn't have to marry this girl.
Everything would be fine.
"I'll" she sobbed again, less loud this time "see you tomorrow then..."
"Right, see you tomorrow..."
If only he could turn around and tell her.
If only they could talk frankly only once.
If only she kissed him now.