acclimation; o9.) outside


Shikamaru yawned, stretching his arms over his head.

"You tired, Shika-sensei?" Yukari asked, running to catch up with her teacher, her dark hair flouncing behind her. A cacophony of noises rang out from the surrounding forests, announcing the quick approach of evening.

"Uh, yeah, just a bit," he answered her, suppressing another yawn. "The roof of my apartment is leaking, so I'm bunking with a friend for the next few weeks until it's repaired. I haven't gotten used to the couch yet."

"Oh. Who are you staying with?"

"Shikamaru-sensei!" came Takuza's whining voice from behind them.

They turned around to see the blonde-haired boy slouched over as he walked, his head hung low.

"Are we there yet?" he asked for the tenth time that day. Houzumi threw him an exasperated look as Yukari sighed.

"Nope," Shikamaru answered briefly, looking up at the darkening sky. "We'll keep going for another hour or so, then bunk down for the night. We're almost there though. Should arrive before noon tomorrow."

"Ugh!" exclaimed Takuza. "Why are we going so far just to help an old lady pluck her apple trees?"

"Because we were hired to, that's why," came Yukari's snarky response. "Shika-sensei says D-rank missions are crucial to Konoha's economy, no matter how annoying they are."

Shikamaru spoke, "Just be glad we aren't going to Suna. That's a three day journey even for the fastest ninja."

"Oh really?" snickered Takuza unexpectedly. "I know you're lazy and all, but wouldn't you find some way to get to Suna faster?"

Turning to face his students, he noticed the curious glances directed his way. "Eh?"

"Naruto says you have a special friend in Suna," Houzumi explained.

Shikamaru, eyes narrowed in thought, stared at his three students. What rumors was Naruto spreading around the village? He turned back to face the road ahead and said simply, "I have friends in Suna, yes."

"No, no!" said Takuza, suddenly finding energy to bounce up to his teacher, walking backwards to face Shikamaru directly. "A special friend. You know, a really, really good friend." His wiggled his brows for emphasis.

"Ino and Chouji are in Konoha. What other 'special friend' would be waiting for me in Suna?"

"You know!" Takuza cried, waving his hands around emphatically. "Your honey boo, your beloved, sweetie pie, lover—"

"I think he gets it," Yukari interjected at the strange look that crossed their teacher's face.

The jounin stopped abruptly for a few moments in the middle of the road, seemingly lost to the world. His three students paused as well, sharing curious glances between each other.

"No," said Shikamaru-sensei suddenly. "Pretty sure my 'special friend' is still in Konoha."

Without another word, he marched forward, leaving his stunned students standing in the pathway, speechless.