Shikamaru stuffed the last of the ramen in his mouth and quickly payed for the bowl. He had to get out of there before Naruto started asking any more questions.
"Well, I gotta go. See you later, Naruto." he called over his shoulder as he walked out, opening up the umbrella. At least the walk home will be dry.
-Chapter 4: Memories-
It had been a few weeks since the day Shikamaru had visited Temari. The blonde-haired girl had still yet visited Konoha during that time, like she usually did every once in a while. The Chuunin Exams were coming up soon, though. Hopefully he would then have a chance to speak with her once more.
Shikamaru was sitting on the grass of the Training Grounds, staring up at the sky as he thought. The training session with Ino and Chouji had ended only a few moments ago, yet the other two were already gone. Apparently Ino had to go help at the flower shop. Chouji hadn't really given a reason for why he had to go. Probably to go pig out on some food again. Shikamaru sighed and layed back, putting his hands behind his head. He still couldn't get Temari out of his mind. It was starting to affect his training. He couldn't stand the thought of some girl stopping him from doing the best he could to protect his village, along with his friends. This whole experience was too troublesome for his liking.
The young ninja continued to watch the clouds float by for a while longer. He finally sat up and sighed, a small frown shaping his lips. He had to do something about it. Shikamaru stood up and brushed some strands of grass off his pants before walking towards the direction of the streets. He paused for only a moment to look over at the river. Memories flashed through his mind about training here with the old Team 10, with Asuma and a cigeratte that always seemed to be sticking out of his mouth. Everything was so much simpler back then. Why couldn't it be like that now?
"What a drag..." he grumbled before continuing on through the trees.
Shikamaru was only a street away from his house when a loud voice called out to him,
"Shikamaru!"
He sighed, recognizing the voice immediately. Couldn't the blonde-hair ninja just leave him alone for once? Shikamaru turned around to see Naruto running towards him. His usual, stupid grin was plastered across his face. Naruto skidded to a halt in front of him.
"How was your training?"
" you been making time from eating ramen to train at all recently?"
"Well, yeah! I'm not like Chouji, Shikamaru." he chuckled, the grin still refusing to disappear.
"I don't think anyone is like him..." Shikamaru mumbled, "But at least he isn't as loud as you."
Naruto just laughed,
"Yeah yeah yeah. Anyway, has anything been going on between you and Temari?" he asked with a smirk on his face.
Shikamaru struggled to hide any look of shock on his face. How could Naruto have picked up anything like that? What Ino had told him a few weeks ago must have given him some sort of clue. No doubt she was blabbering about his training to the blonde-haired boy as well. He already got an ear-full from her during their training today. Damn women and their gossip.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Naruto." he finally replied, keeping his face blank, "Absolutely nothing is going on."
"Well... ok." Naruto said, still not looking too convinced. He then went on to describing this new technique he was working on. Shikamaru wasn't really paying attention. He just nodded at what seemed like appropriate times.
Shikamaru was soon able to slip away from Naruto, making an excuse about how he had some buisness to do for Lady Tsunade. He ended up walking along the road where the house Temari usually stayed at was. Everything was quiet. Nobody could be seen until the next block over, where people walked in every direction, continuing on with their daily buisness. The young ninja paused for a moment outside her door to stare at it, a frown once more on his face. He thought of what happened the last time he was there, about the confidence that he had then before Temari shattered it by mentioning their villages and why she refused to give her answer.
Shikamaru's hands balled up into fists as he tucked them into his pockets. Temari had this strange hold on him. It frustrated the young ninja. The feelings he got when he was around her or just thinking about her were rather confusing to describe. Longing? Hopefulness? Possessiveness? None of them could really describe how he felt. Shikamaru closed his eyes and sighed, now longing for a nap to help clear his head. Maybe playing a game of Shogi with his father will help.
He turned around in the direction of his house and only took a few steps before feeling something brush against his arm. Shikamau looked over his shoulder to see the girl, that had affected him for a long time, with her fingers now clutched tightly around his wrist. He then looked up at her eyes which seemed to be shooting daggers at him. What did he do now?
"Shikamaru..." she seemed to growl, her grip tightening.
And thats the end of Chapter 4! Hope you liked it! ^^