Title: Not Sure Yet
Characters: Nara Shikamaru, Tenten, mention of Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Chouji, Temari and Hyuuga Neji
Song artist: Andy Lange
Summary: He hasn't really spoken to her directly, as far as he could remember, and he wasn't even sure if she remembered his name, or if she merely knew his face from association.
Shikamaru was nervous.
Which he shouldn't be, not really, because he had been assigned to other missions before, where he had to work with shinobis that were not part of his usual team. Besides, Chouji was going with him anyway, so he was sure that at least someone would have his back if he needed it.
Except that, he thought with growing dread, as he started for the gate where his team was supposed to meet up, the two other people in their four-man cell consisted of the Hyuuga clan prodigy itself—Hyuuga Neji—and her.
He supposed he shouldn't be so worried. Tenten, was, after all, friendly enough, from what he has heard from Ino—when she was trying to force him to ask the weapons' specialist out on a date—and from the brief encounters he had with her team.
It was just that he hasn't really spoken to her directly, as far as he could remember, and he wasn't even sure if she remembered his name, or if she merely knew his face from association.
And with the Hyuuga genius with them anyway, there was no point in striking a conversation with a boring, lazy Nara, when it was obvious that she and the byakugan user shared a bond fortified by years of friendship and camaraderie.
Shikamaru wasn't sure what he was getting so worked up for. He had never had such long internal dialogues over a girl before, and he was annoyed because he usually found such musings troublesome. That, and the girl who was currently forcing her way into his subconscious was completely oblivious of the fact that she was making him feel so confused.
And just like that, he spotted her rounding the corner—signature twin buns and a huge scroll strapped against her back—half-running, probably heading toward the same direction that he was. For a split second, he felt the urge to duck, and then quickly trashed the idea, because it was ridiculous, and they obviously going the same way anyway.
And that was when she suddenly stopped and turned to him.
"Hey!" she beamed, grinning for ear to ear. "You're headed for the gate, right? Good." She fell in beside him, matching his lazy stride, hands behind her back. "I thought I was late."
Shikamaru regarded her curiously. Just seconds ago, she appeared as she was about to fly toward their meeting place, fast as she was, and the next moment she was matching his pace, like it was the most normal thing in the world to do.
"We're still early," he answered.
Tenten chuckled. "Well, yes, I know," she replied, eyes not really on him, but on the road before them. "I guess I got used to being more than punctual when it comes to missions. With those two in my team, I pretty much don't have a choice."
Shikamaru was certain she was talking about the two infamous Green Beasts of their village.
"It's nice to be teamed up with normal people for a change, you know," she continued, after giving a short pause. Then, "Not that I don't love my team, because I do. It's just tiring sometimes, trying to keep up with them and their overly youthful selves." And she suddenly laughed out loud. "Oh crap, don't tell Neji I said that! He'll brand me a traitor for saying the forbidden word!"
Shikamaru, for his part, was more than willing to do whatever Tenten asked of him. He still wasn't quite over the fact that Tenten, whom he thought didn't remember him, was actually chatting with him like they were longtime friends. It made him want to grin back, except that he wasn't sure if it was the right response. Women could be so troublesome, if his experience with Ino and Temari and his mother was any indication. One small mistake, and Tenten might smack him or refuse to speak to him ever again.
"Okay," was all he could answer, and very cautiously at that.
Tenten laughed all the more loudly. "Don't be so stiff, Shikamaru," she grinned even wider than he thought possible, and he was pleased that she remembered his name.
"Come on," and suddenly, her left hand was around his wrist, and Shikamaru found himself stumbling from surprise, "I'll never hear the end of it if Neji gets to the gate earlier than me."
And then they were suddenly running, Tenten holding his arm with the firmness of a seasoned kunoichi and the gentleness of a close friend.
And he couldn't help but smile, just a little smirk on the corner of his mouth, because despite all the uncertainties he had, the confusion that was building up inside him because of a new set of emotions he couldn't quite explain, he became sure of one thing.
It would all be fine. He would be fine.
Well, that took longer than I expected. (This is the most half-baked apology ever, if I've ever read one.)
/coughs
Anyway, hooray! Some ShikaTen interaction, finally! I didn't want to rush it, which is why I didn't make them interact in the first two chapters, because I wanted to establish the fact that they don't really move in the same social circles, if you know what I mean.
But now they finally talked, and things could only get better for our lazy genius, right? Right? As long as Neji doesn't interfere, of course!
/coughs again
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. And all reviews, story alerts and favorites for the last chapter/s were greatly appreciated. You know who you are. Cookie rain for everyone!
Reviews will be lovely, and flames will be used to roast marshmallows.
