Kakashi's wisdom

I do not own Naruto…Shikamaru and Temari are my second fave anime couple that never was…

XXXKAKASHIXXX

I lay in that warm soft bed, the one I use so often that it practically molds around my body. That petite chirping and warmth of a tiny sun ray leaking through my window compel me to lazily, half way open my uncovered eye.

That smell of iodine, old blood, and bleach really brings back some great memories. I have spent a lot of time in hospitals, ever since I gained the sharingan. I love the peace and the quiet and the …sponge baths by those cute nurses in training. Though the nostalgia is somewhat ruined by the fact that this time around they've restricted me to a completely liquid diet.

[knock knock

Ah is it bath time already? "Enter!"

As I slowly turned towards the door in anticipation of that new nurse I had seen earlier that day, yes the one I was hoping would be giving me a sponge bath, I blinked a few times in response to the face of the shinobi that stood in the doorway.

"Shikamaru! What are you doing here?"

XXXSHIKAMARUXXX

I stood outside that door with my hands in my pockets and my head down running through what I was going to say. This had seemed like a good idea when I left my cloud watching rooftop a few minutes ago. Aww how troublesome this would be. As I slowly turned to shuffle away from that door, I sensed a tiny burst of chakra. What a drag, he's awake, I guess I better go in since he'll probably notice my chakra soon anyway.

I rapped on the doorway with as minimal effort as possible and slid open the door to his invitation. It did amuse me slightly to see the surprise and then disappointment wash across his face in waves. I mean who was he expecting that noisy little nurse that showed me to his room?

"Oi how are you feeling" I said from the safety of the doorway.

"Still can't move my arms or legs" he replied with a hint of a crooked smile beneath that mask.

"Listen, I need to ask your advice about…intervillage shinobi relations"

XXXKAKASHIXXX

He was squirming in the doorway, and I swore I could see a bead of sweat forming on his brow? This must be something important for him to so obviously lose his cool like that. I mean why is he so nervous, I'm sure he's already run through this conversation 200 times in his head. Hmm this might be more interesting than that sponge bath I was hoping for.

"By intervillage shinobi relations do you mean the sharing of knowledge, skills and information between hidden villages…or does your question have something more to do with that saucey sand kunoichi who has been following you all over Konoha."

"She doesn't follow me all over the village, I'm her guide …. !#$ it ….its a mission!" he habitually responded while briskly turning a bright shade of red. "Forget it, I'll see you later" he retorted and slowly spun around.

"Stop…you came all the way over here…that seems like a lot of extra effort for you. Why don't you just ask me what you wanted to ask."

With his back still turned to me he muttered "Is it worth it?"

XXXSHIKAMARUXXX

I couldn't talk to my dad…he'd laugh and then probably make some comment about Ino's dad owing him again for the bet he just lost. Mom would have been even worse. Kurenai was also off limits, her wounds were too fresh. I think I know what Asuma would have told me had I inquired sooner, but I needed another sounding board. That's when Kakashi came to mind, I mean he's next in line for Hokage, he must have some wisdom …despite all the complaining Sakura and Naruto do about him.

I almost choked when he made that comment about Temari, and quickly tried to hide in the shadow the door was casting. If the warmth rushing into my ears was any indication, I'm sure I had just given away my intentions. Aww man this really wasn't worth it, I'm giving up. But, just before I escaped, he called out to me, coaxing me back.

The words that had plagued me during my cloud watching spilt out before I could catch them…"Is it worth it?"

After what seemed like an eternity, he calmy replied. "You already know the answer to that question genius, you're just not able to accept it because of the loss you've just experienced" .

"This is the first time you've lost someone important to you isn't it? Well get over it, cause it won't be the last" he bluntly said.

"I realize that, and I'm getting over it…its just I've been thinking about Kurenai and what she's going through …and Temari …she's becoming more and more precious to me...and these feelings I have for her are beginning to invade every thought, motivation, dreams even. If things keep going the way they are going, she'll take over me completely and once that happens …If I loose her..." Again those words poured out without warning.

XXXKAKASHIXXX

The Chuunin had finally stepped away from the doorway into my room and then started to babble and to pace …two characteristics very unusual for him and probably something he unconsciously picked up from Temari. I could tell his mind was running at light speed and recognized that really this was the weakness of every genius…overthinking!

"Nara! Sit down you're making me tired just watching you" He shot me a look of irritation for a second before slowly pulling a chair from the wall, flipping it around and sitting in it, chin casually leaning atop the back of the chair.

"Have I ever told you about my intervillage shinobi relations?" I asked with a smirk.