Different from the Rest
A Nara Shikamaru Romance
Ch. 3 - There for you
Warning: This chapter contains MAJOR SPOILERS! If you aren't up to date with the latest Naruto anime/manga, then you may not like this. Unless you don't mind spoiling yourself a little bit, then I would suggest you turn back. Thanks and enjoy!
The clock on the white wall showed that an hour had passed since Saya had been in Konoha's hospital. Stifling a sigh, Saya stretched her arms over her head. "Okay," she said to herself. "One hour done, four more to go."
Since Saya had become a medical-nin, she spent a large amount of her time in the hospital in order to put her medical knowledge to use. Where she was stationed and what she did varied by day. Some days Saya would make rounds and check on the patients that are in the hospital for a couple of days. Other days Saya would do check-ups for civilians and shinobi alike, and other days Saya would treat walk-in and emergency patients.
Looking down at her clipboard, Saya flipped through the notes she had made in the last hour. Today was one of those slow days in the walk-in and emergency section. He had treated only three people today: a sick child, an Academy student with a sprained ankle, and a butcher who had cut deeply into his finger.
Walking to the nurse's desk, Saya handed her clipboard to a nurse with blonde hair. Taking her information with a smile, the nurse looked through the notes Saya had made about her treatments today.
"Very good, Saya," the nurse complimented. "Soon enough you and the other young medical students will be running this hospital."
Saya smiled and rubbed the back of her head. "Really," she said with a blush. "I'm sure there's still a lot more that I need to learn."
The nurse smiled at her modesty and looked past the girl. Saya turned to see Sakura shrugging on a white coat, identical to the one she was wearing, that made her light pink hair stick out even more.
"Good afternoon, Saya," Sakura said.
"Hello, Sakura," Saya greeted as the pink haired kunoichi stood next to her, resting her arms against the nurses' station.
The nurse greeted Sakura with a smile and glanced at a small clock on her desk. "Well, since it's busy today, I'll have the both of you do rounds on floors 3 and 4 before going back to the walk-in rooms." Saya and Sakura nodded, each taking a clipboard.
Saya turned to the pink-haired girl. "How's Naruto's training going?"
Sakura's emerald eyes clouded over as she smiled fondly thinking of her loud-mouthed teammate. "Really good," she answered enthusiastically.
Saya closed her brown eyes as she smiled. "That's good to hear. It's amazing to think how much he's grown since he's been gone."
Sakura was silent for a moment before she nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it is."
The afternoon slowly passed into early evening as Saya and Sakura found ways to keep themselves occupied. Eventually, after realizing that the day was going to be slow indeed, they succumbed to filing medical reports.
Saya glanced at the clock on the wall for what must have been the umpteenth time. "Eh, finally," she said with a sigh. "I have one more hour and I'm done."
Sakura stuck her tongue out at her companion. "Lucky you, I started an hour after you did."
Saya laughed and continued her filing. The room she and Sakura worked in was on the second story. The room was large and spacious and was mostly occupied with shelves of reports and books along with cabinets filled with the same items. On one side of the room there was a large ceiling-to-floor window that gave the two medical kunoichi a perfect view of the village.
After a few more moments of silent filing, a shadow crossed the room. Saya's hands stilled for a moment before she filed the report in her hands. Her brown eyes narrowed as she looked out the window. The morning had started off sunny and bright, but now ominous clouds obscured the sun from view.
"That's strange," Saya said aloud.
Sakura stopped and looked out the window as well. "Yeah," she nodded her head in agreement. "but it's not like it hasn't happened before. It's time for rain anyway."
Saya nodded and continued to stare out the window. "You're right," she said, although her tone made it seem like she was trying to convince herself. 'But I still can't shake the feeling that something is wrong'.
Rain started to pour down on the village, and soon everything was drenched. Within minutes, the rain stopped and eventually the clouds passed. Again Saya looked out the window. Her eyebrows furrowed with deep thought. Saya did not believe in superstitions, but whenever she got a really bad feeling, just like the one she had now, something bad usually followed.
Sakura touched Saya's shoulder lightly, causing Saya to come out of her deep thoughts. Sakura's emerald eyes looked into her companion's deep brown ones with concern. "Saya," she asked. "Are you alright?"
Forcing a light smile, Saya nodded. "Uh-huh," she answered. "I'm okay. Let's finish these papers so I can go home!"
o0o
"See you later Sakura," Saya said as she shrugged off the white-coat she wore during her hospital hours.
Sakura looked up from the paper work that she was doing and smiled. "See you!"
As Saya turned around one of Chuunin that stayed around the village appeared. Saya glanced at Sakura who had stopped what she was doing.
"Can I help you," Sakura asked.
The Chuunin was silent for a moment. Finally he looked each of the girls in the eyes. "Those that were sent to look for the Akatsuki returned a little while ago."
Saya stared at the man. 'Normally, if a mission is completed they don't bother telling us. Unless…' Saya's eyes widened.
"Sarutobi Asuma was killed."
"W-what," Saya stammered as Sakura audibly gasped. Clenching her fists at her sides, Saya looked away from the Chuunin. In her mind's eye she was able to conjure an image of Asuma, the tall shinobi who always had a cigarette in his mouth or hand. Two other people flashed in her mind: Kurenai and Shikamaru.
The Chuunin looked at both girls before looking away. "I'm sorry," he said in a dead tone. "The funeral ceremony will be tomorrow morning." he informed before he turned on his heel and left.
Saya stood there for a moment, silently soaking in the shock that one of the most powerful shinobi she knew was killed in battle. Without another word, Saya left Sakura and the hospital interiors behind. The bright Konoha sun now seemed too bright and she wished it would start raining again.
"Poor Kurenai-sensei and Shikamaru," Saya sympathized in a quiet voice as she walked him. "I can't imagine how they feel. Especially Kurenai-sensei. She…" Saya trailed off.
Now in front of the gate to her clan's compound she huffed out a sigh.
"Hey, Saya, what's up?"
Saya looked up to see one of her many cousins, Renji, stare down at her with concern. Like most Fuma clan men, he inherited a the tall gene. Out of all her cousins, Saya was particularly fond of Renji because they were so close in age. He was two years older than her, a Chuunin, and ever since childhood he had been more than a cousin, but one of her closest friends.
"I just got some news when I left the hospital," started Saya.
Renji's gray eyes narrowed as he looked down at Saya with concern. "What happened?"
"Sarutobi Asuma perished in battle."
Renji's initial reaction was similar to the one Saya had while in the hospital. For a moment he looked down, as if paying respects to the memory of Asuma, before looking back up at Saya.
"Shall I tell the rest of the clan?"
Saya nodded. "Yes. Tell them there will be a funeral for him tomorrow and those who knew him well and those who can should pay their respects to him."
Renji nodded and left Saya by the gate as he began to inform the clan. Saya watched him for a moment and sighed before heading to the main house in the estate. Since she became a Genin, Saya had moved into the Fuma mansion along with her aunt and uncle. The head of the clan usually lived in the house, and since Saya had started taking role of leader, she was convinced to move in.
Upon entering her room Saya pushed open her window and looked over at her family members from her second-story bedroom. Taking a seat on the bench by the window Saya closed her eyes and allowed the breeze to play with her hair.
'I should probably see Shikamaru sometime,' Saya thought to herself. 'I wonder how he's doing. I hope he didn't see Asuma killed. Kurenai-sensei too. I'm sure someone has told her by now. She'll be devastated.'
Opening her eyes Saya looked down at some of her clan members that were moving around outside. She had no idea what it meant to lose someone close to her. Her parents both died when she was young. Although she missed them, a small part of her was almost grateful that she didn't have to go through the pain of loss.
"Tomorrow," Saya said to herself. "Tomorrow, I'll see Shikamaru, and then Kurenai-sensei."
o0o
The morning was gray and dismal at Asuma's funeral. From her place in the second row, Saya could hear the tears from a few different places. Silently, everyone watched as Kurenai kneeled and placed a bouquet of flowers on Asuma's grave. For a moment she remained there, unmoving.
Saya looked at the faces in the crowd. 'Where is Shikamaru?' Looking ahead, Saya could see both Ino and Choji. Still no sign of Shikamaru.
The ceremony ended minutes later and shinobi of all ranks all matching in their funeral attire dispersed in many different ways, going back to their duties. After briefly speaking with her former teammates and sensei, Saya made her way to Choji and Ino who linger by Asuma's grave.
Saya could see the tear stains on Ino's cheeks as the blonde kunoichi turned to meet her. Saya offered her condolences.
"Thanks," both Ino and Choji said.
"Have you seen Shikamaru," Choji asked.
Saya shook her head. "No, I was wondering if you guys did."
Ino shrugged and looked away. "Last time we saw him was when he ran off in the other direction yesterday. I don't know where he could be."
Saya nodded. She looked down at Asuma's grave and smiled lightly, glad to know that she had once knew him.
"Saya," Ino called, breaking into the dark-haired girl's thoughts. "If you see Shikamaru, let us know. We hope he's okay." Saya offered a soft smile and promised that if she saw him she would tell him that his teammates were looking for him.
o0o
Saya wandered the streets for a couple of hours, not bothering to change out of her funeral attire. Still no signs of Shikamaru. "Where could he be," Saya wondered quietly to herself.
Afternoon turned to dusk before she finally headed home. Dressing out of her black clothes she donned her usual outfit that she wore around the village and home. Tying her Obi around her waist she looked out the window now that night had descended.
"I'll try his house," Saya said aloud. "I'll bring him some tea and a couple of snacks too."
Minutes later, Saya slipped into the night with a basket of things for Shikamaru and his family.
"Hey, Saya."
Saya turned to see Renji leaning with his arms crossed at his chest against the gates of their estate.
"Are you going to see Shikamaru?"
Saya nodded. "Yes, he wasn't at the funeral today and I thought…" Saya trailed off, looking down.
Renji chuckled lightly. "Hey, you don't need to explain it to me. You want to comfort a friend."
Saya nodded.
"Send him my condolences, will you?"
Saya nodded once more before hurrying to Shikamaru's house. Shikamaru's clan home was similar to hers. The owned a lot of property, more than the Fuma clan, due to their deer-tending. Passing through their gates, Saya took a familiar path to Shikamaru's house and knocked the door.
Several seconds passed before the door opened slightly. Yoshino, Shikamaru's mother, peeked out. Upon seeing it was Saya she opened the door wider and offered a smile. "Hello Saya, I haven't seen you in a while."
Saya smiled and bowed respectfully to Shikamaru's mother. "I'm sorry that I didn't hand-deliver the ointment for your deer. I've been extremely busy."
Yoshino waved a hand. "Don't worry about it." She looked at the basket at the crook of Saya's arm. "What do you have there?"
Saya touched the side of her basket. "I brought some tea and red bean dumplings for him."
Yoshino nodded, a worried look crossed her eyes. "That's good. He hasn't eaten all day," she said. "His father just came in a few moments ago, and mostly got through to him. Maybe Shikamaru needs to see you too."
Yoshino told Saya where she could find Shikamaru, and with another bow she went off looking for him.
Saya's bare feet softly padded against the polished wooden floors as she went to look for Shikamaru. Finding the room she was told he'd be in, Saya softly knocked.
"Go away, Dad."
"Shikamaru? It's me, er, Saya."
There was some sort of commotion behind the sliding door. After a few seconds it grew quiet again.
"Saya?"
"Yeah?"
After a pregnant pause, Shikamaru answered. "You can come in."
Saya opened the sliding paper door and closed it after her. She noticed Shikamaru sitting cross-legged in the middle of the room, in his funeral clothes, with his back toward the door. His shoulders were heavily slumped. Placing the basket by the door, Saya crossed the room without sound. Sitting a foot away from Shikamaru she tucked her legs beaneath her.
"Ino and Choji wondered where you were. They're worried."
"I didn't go to the funeral."
Saya's lifted a hand as though she would place it on Shikamaru's shoulder before she pulled it back to her chest, in an after-thought.
Saya looked around the room and noticed scattered shogi pieces across the floor. Smiling lightly she moved toward them. "I'll pick up the pieces for you--"
"Leave them."
Saya stopped her movements. This time she did put a hand on Shikamaru's shoulder. She felt him tense for before his shoulders dropped even more.
"Shikamaru, if there's anything I can do--"
Shikamaru's shoulder tensed again before he quickly leaped up, startling Saya to the point where she jumped up as well. Shikamaru's eyes were ablaze with both anger and a deep sadness. The boy had always been taller than her, especially now after his recent growth spurt, but at this moment he seemed to tower over her.
"Damn it Saya, what can you do? What can anyone do? Asuma is gone and I watched them kill him. I made a mistake! Can't you understand that? Can't anyone understand that?"
Saya blinked up at Shikamaru who still towered over her in a rage. His hands clenched by his sides, and for a split second Saya thought he would hit her. Saya's brown eyes darkened as she looked up at Shikamaru with an unwavering gaze.
"Don't you dare yell at me," she started in a quiet voice, keeping her anger at bay. "Don't you ever yell at me again." Shikamaru's anger seemed to both diminish and grow at the same time as his eyes revealed the battle within him.
"It is not your fault that Asuma died. Do you hear me? It wasn't you fault. You did your best. The Akatsuki, they're extremely powerful. Asuma did his best to defend you, his comrades, and this village, don't take away from that by blaming yourself. Don't let his death be in vain!"
Shikamaru's anger abated at this point as he sunk to his knees. Carefully, Saya knelt in front of him and put a hand on his arm. Looking at his face, Saya continued in a calmer voice. "Shikamaru, don't let anger replace your sadness. If you need to cry, then cry. Let yourself feel sadness, just don't hold it in. Misdirected anger at those who love you is pointless. We're here for you. I'm here for you. Shikamaru, just let it out."
Saya felt Shikamaru's shoulders start to shake. Quickly she pulled Shikamaru into her arms. Shikamaru tensed for a while before he found himself gripping to Saya as if she were supporting him from a fall.
"Damn it, Saya," Shikamaru muttered once more as he gave way to heavy sobs.
Outside the door Shikamaru's father finally closed his eyes as he heard his son cry. 'Good work, Saya,' he thought thankfully before moving on.
o0o
Time passed, hours to be exact, and Shikamaru had finally finished crying. He now lay on the ground, spent after his rush of emotions. To his left, Saya was slightly curled as she slept. If it was possible, Shikamaru would have offered the smallest of smiles. She stayed the entire time, even after he stopped crying the first time.
Saya didn't say much of anything since he started crying. She simply held him or sat by him, switching between the two as if she could read his mind. Shikamaru noticed that eventually she had started to fall asleep and he let her, grateful for her friendship. When she fell asleep in a kneeling position, Shikamaru carefully guided her to the floor.
'She's so troublesome…'
Shikamaru looked to his other side at the fallen shogi pieces. Both his father's and Saya's words swam through his mind. His father telling him what his next move should be, and Saya's assurance.
'I'll pick up the pieces for you…'
Shikamaru spotted the "knight" piece amidst the scattered pieces. Slowly he inched his way closer to the board. His eyebrows furrowed as he suddenly sat up and flipped the board right-side up and collected the pieces.
Glancing at the basket Saya left he curiously searched through is finding what she brought. Taking a few bites of much needed food, and a swig of tea, Shikamaru began to play shogi feverishly slamming pieces down and repositioning them. He often glanced at Saya making sure he wasn't waking her.
The sun was nearly up by the time Shikamaru finished and he was sure he was flawless. He smirked to himself at that moment. Finishing off the last of the snacks in Saya's basket he crouched down next to her, shaking her shoulder lightly.
"Hey, Saya. Wake up."
Saya's eyes opened slowly. Glancing at Shikamaru her eyes opened completely as she sat up quickly. "Why didn't you wake me?"
"I just did."
"I meant earlier?"
"That would have been bothersome. I had to find some way to repay you. That was it."
Saya rolled her eyes as she combed her fingers through her hair. "So," she finally said. "Have you come up with a plan?"
Shikamaru looked at Saya, surprised, before smirking and nodding. "Yeah."
"Good," Saya said standing up, hiding the concern in her eyes, rubbing a sore spot on her back. Walking to the door she picked up her basket letting it slid to the crook of her arm as she pushed open the sliding door.
"Shikamaru?" She gave him a close-eyed smile. "Good luck."
"Thank you."
Author's notes: Yay for chapter 3! It didn't take me too long to get it out because I already had most of it typed up and saved. I haven't started chapter 4 year, so, I don't know how long that one will take (sorry).
Okay, I will admit that Shikamaru may be a bit out of character, but I don't really think so. During this part of the anime/manga he was really distraught, and I wanted to do my best to capture his feelings (?). If you've seen the anime/ read the manga, I hope you can see the obviously subtle changes! On a side note, I love double meanings! Teehee!
Thank you to maxsunnyAK 47 for reviewing on this story for me. Review really inspire me, plus, they make me smile, and show me that people actually enjoy (and bother to read) my writing. Also, I really hate doing this, but I must, I do ask for reviews, expecially now because I plan on writing another Naruto fanfic. I want to write a KakashixOCxOC fanfic, and if people like my writing, then that gives me to go ahead to write it! So tell me, what do you think? :3