Thank you so much for the follows, the faves and the reviews. This story is slow paced, but it will speed up a bit from here. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Shikamaru let out sigh of satisfaction. He put his folded arms behind his head, stretched out his legs in front of him and crossed them by the ankles. He lay in the grass in the park with a big tree behind him. His eyes were closed and he was enjoying the moment. A moment alone, in silence. His mind was empty, right now he didn't have to think about anything at all. It was so nice. Unfortunately, it didn't last long. Something blocked the sun and a shadow fell over him. So typical.
"Go away Ino," he said without moving or even opening his eyes. "There's still 10 minutes left of my break."
""You're awake. I was starting to wonder if I should call someone."
Shikamaru opened his eyes and looked up at the woman with four ponytails. She was looking down at him, holding a take away coffee mug in one hand.
"You're not Ino," he said, stating the obvious.
"Nope," she said and took a sip from her coffee
"You really are everywhere, arent you," Shikamaru said as he stood up and leaned against the tree, digging his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
"Or maybe it's you who always show up where I am," the woman said and watched him over the mug as she took another sip.
"You make it sound like I'm a stalker or something. I'm not."
She shrugged and drank some more coffee. She continued to look at him and he was starting to feel a little uncomfortable. He had a feeling that was exactly why she did it.
"So..." he started, not knowing what to say.
"Shikamaru!"
Saved by Ino.
"You better go. You're girlfriend's calling," the woman with the ponytails said with a light nod in Ino's direction.
"She's not my girlfriend."
Why did he feel the need to tell her that? What did he care if this woman thought Ino was his grilfriend or not?
"Shikamaru, if you don't get here soon I'm..."
"I'm coming, Ino," he called back.
"Bye bye." The woman in front of him had a wry smile on her lips and gave him a little wave. Shikamaru sighed. He knew she was teasing with him. What a drag. He dug his hands deeper in his pockets and walked around the tree.
"There you are," Ino said as he approached her.
"Here I am. What's the hurry? There's still a couple of minutes left of my break."
"With the speed you're walking it will be time for afternoon tea when you get back to the office."
"We don't drink afternoon tea," he pointed out.
"That's not the point. If you want to get promoted you have to step up. I know they're talking about promoting you."
"I don't want to get promoted."
"Come on Shikamaru. You're the smartest guy around. Why wouldn't you want to get promoted."
Because he didn't want more responsibility. Because... He didn't say anything. He glanced at Ino. She knew him. And he knew she only wanted what was best for him. She always tried to push him and Choji. He was going to miss that when she went to medical school. They wouldn't get as much time together.
They walked into the office building and headed to their floor. Ino stopped at her office and he continued to his. He sat down on his office chair, laced his fingers together and stretched out his arms in front of him. He better start writing that report.
Temari was starting to enjoy messing with that guy. Pushing his buttons was so easy. She still didn't like him, but teasing him was fun.
She almost stumbled over him there in the park. She hadn't been expecting to find someone lying by a tree sleeping in the grass. She had looked at him for a little while before disturbing him. She didn't come to the park that often so she hadn't seen him there before. But he seemed to enjoy himself. Hiding from something, or someone?
She sat down and leaned against the tree, closing her eyes for a moment. She stretched out her legs and crossed them by the ankles. This was a pretty nice spot. She drank her coffee and watched the people in the park. Kids playing and kicking a ball, couples walking together, holding hands and having picnics.
She wasn't sure how long she sat there sipping her coffee, but she hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time. Maybe she should take Gaara and Kankuro to the park sometime. She had a vague memory of the three of them playing in the park as kids. Kicking a ball, just like the kids in front of her. Carefree and laughing. That was a long time ago.
