_ walked briskly down the weaving path that lead through Konoha Park. The cold nipped at her nose as she dug her hands deeper into her pockets, intent on making it to the warmth of her home before her fingertips fell off.
Her swift pace slowed as she noticed a lonely figure, laying motionlessly in the grass. Her steps growing slower as she drew closer, she wandered toward the body. "Shikamaru?" she asks, finding the person to be none other than her distant friend. "Shikamaru what are you doing out here? It's freezing and it's about to be dark soon." Without lifting his lids he hushes,
"I'm waiting for the stars…" Glancing around wryly, _ sighs and sits down beside him, pulling her knees close to her chest. Ever since Asuma had passed away, Shikamaru had spent more and more time gazing up into the sky and less time with people who worried about him. People like her.
"Why?" She asks, sitting her chin on her bony knees and looking up into the dwindling sun.
"Because," he breathes, still without opening his eyes. "It's the only time I see him anymore…" Immediately, _ knew who it was he spoke of. Absentmindedly, the [E/C] eyed girl placed her hand on top of his.
"I know you miss him Shikamaru, we all do… but sometimes…" her voice was quiet, soft. "Sometimes it's best to let those you love go."
He at last opened his eyes, and all she saw in them was endless pain.
"Yeah… I know…"
Word Count: 255
