Title: Everywhere.
Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto. Though I would love to own Shikamaru.
Rating: K+.
Summary: Chapter 328 Spoilers 'Shikamaru carries two shougi pieces and a packet of cigarettes with him.'
Shikamaru carries two shougi pieces and a packet of cigarettes with him.
He takes them everywhere with him, in the bottom of his weapons pouch. He never leaves without his weapons pouch and he never takes them out of it.
The two shougi pieces are the Knight and the Sacrificial Piece. They are from Asuma-Sensei's Shougi set. His teacher had had the set for years, a present from his father, and had told Shikamaru so the boy didn't have to take his board and pieces over every time he came to play.
They had played their last game together on that board.
Kurenai-Sensei had given it to him. He had refused at first so she threatened to throw it out if he didn't take it. She got as far as opening the window and hefting the board and pieces into her arms, despite the fact that she was six months pregnant at the time, before Shikamaru had told her he would take it.
The board was stored at the bottom of his wardrobe. The remaining shougi pieces and a photo of Asuma-Sensei and Team 10 were stored in a small box on top.
He hasn't lost that many shougi pieces. A couple have fallen out on some of his more dangerous missions. But he has quite a lot of pieces so he supposes it doesn't really matter. Though it never fails to make him twitch whenever he realises he's lost one.
The cigarette packet is Asuma's as well. His last cigarette packet to be precise. Shikamaru doesn't know how he still has it. The cigarettes are mashed together now in their squashed box. Which is stained dark brown and red, mud and blood.
Chouji thinks the reason Shikamaru has never lost them is because Shikamaru is too smart to loose something so important. That when Shikamaru puts his mind to something there is nothing he can't do. Ino says its fate because Shikamaru can replace the shougi pieces but not the cigarettes and that the moment he reaches his last Knight and Sacrificial Piece he won't loose them ever again.
Shikamaru doesn't know what to think.
He doesn't even know why he carries them around. He just does. Like they're his lucky trinket or something. Apart from Ninja aren't supposed to rely on luck so Shikamaru makes sure that Ino and Chouji don't tell anyone else.
It's stupid and Shikamaru knows it but can't stop. Can't stop taking them with him everywhere. Because they're important. Small, precious, mementos of his teacher, now long-past. Maybe it's because he doesn't want to forget how important his teacher was. Not just to him or Team 10 but to everyone. Because Asuma-Sensei was loved by many. A good son, a precious friend, a loving husband and a wonderful teacher.
Asuma-Sensei was important. Still is to those that remember him. Even if he's long gone now.
So Shikamaru carries two shougi pieces and a packet of cigarettes with him.
Always.
I just had to write something about Asuma. I love Team 10 too much not to.