Happy Sunday to all my fellow FFNET writer and readers alike! What better way to brighten your day than with chapter 14 of Broken Bonds!? Let us begin! But not before I mention how I don't own SHIT XD

Chapter 14: Shikamaru

I wish I could say my first mission as a Chunin was successful.

But it wasn't….

Things went from zero to utter shit before I could even breathe a word.

I was just waiting for the status of my teammates as I was the first one to return to the Leaf Village thanks to a little assistance from our new allies from the Sand Village.

Temari saved my ass from that crazy flute girl who may've killed me if she arrived a second later.

Heh, I totally owe her one, someday.

But anyways, as I was saying I was waiting on a news update from my team when suddenly Shizune approached me. She was looking down at the ground so right then and there I knew something was wrong.

She told me that while Kiba would be okay, Neji and Choji were barely clinging onto life and needed to be operated on immediately.

I felt a deep sorrow in my chest as I thought we would all make it out of this okay but seemingly that wasn't the case.

I realized there was another member missing and when I asked about Naruto, her expression turned even fuller of sorrow. Right then and there, that was a red flag that told me everything I needed to know.

She then told me how Naruto was killed…by none other than Sasuke….

Right then and there I felt as if I couldn't breathe….

As if I was tangled in a web of branches and I would just fall dead any single moment now.

I sorrowfully nodded my head without even saying a single word or acknowledgement.

As I made my way towards the entrance of the hospital, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Shikamaru…" I heard Temari say in a tone no doubt full of worry for my sake. I brushed it off.

"It's fine." I say in a voice barely audible.

"But…you know…" Temari said as she tried to reach for me before I lost what little of my patience I had left.

"I said it's fine! Let it alone already!" I yelled as I ran home in the rain, while I was unaware of someone watching me.

I ran home in the rain not caring for anyone or anything at the moment until I made my way to my house. I was soaked and would no doubt track up the floor, pissing my mom off but I didn't care.

Naruto! Naruto Uzumaki of all people was dead!

I still remember how when we were in the academy I thought he was the most irritating little shit.

But then again, he would be there to ditch class with….And when I thought about it…It was a lot of fun being around the guy.

Hell….when I think about it, he's kind of like the little brother I never had…

Damn it!

And to think that bastard killed him….and to think I used to look up to him!

As I sat down in an attempt to breathe, I heard a hard voice behind me.

"So that's it? You're just gonna give up?" I heard the voice of my father Shikaku from behind me.

I sighed irritably as I didn't want to deal with him right now.

"No it's not that…it's just…." I began as he cut me off.

"I can tell what you're thinking. I am your father after all." Shikaku said as I sighed.

"So what's your point?" I irritably asked as he narrowed his eyes at me.

"My point is to not let one mistake get you down, you ignorant brat!" Shikaku said as I stood up.

"How can you say that!? You don't understand my pain!" I yelled as Shikaku's eyes narrowed even more before he suddenly grabbed my collar..

"I don't? Ever heard of the Third Great Ninja War? I lost a lot of my comrades during that hell. I even lost two of my best friends during that freak nine tails attack thirteen years ago so I know damn well what you're going through!" Shikaku harshly said before he continued.

"My point is to use to mistake to your benefit and not make the same mistake. You lost one of your closest friends and have lost your way of the ninja. Don't dwell on that loss forever! Focus on what you have! Tell me Shikamaru, what do you have!?" Shikaku yelled as my eyes widened at his speech before he let me go and I slumped to the ground.

I looked at my fingers before I remembered the friends I had left….Ino…..Sakura….Shino…Hinata…Kiba…..Choji…..

The tears flew from my eyes as I looked at my dad as mucus dropped from my nose.

"That's right…I still have my friends!" I yelled as he smiled before embracing me in a tight hug the same way he did when I was a child.

"That's right son….I'm sorry for getting rough with you but it wasn't good…." Shikaku comfortably said as I cried.

After I calmed down and we went inside, I was scolded by my mom for coming into the house dripping wet.

But…after a warm dinner and a heartfelt talk with my dad again along with my mom, I got into bed in order to get some rest.

After all, tomorrow was a brand new day and I would use this loss to help me not lose anyone else…..

As I slowly fell asleep I could've sworn I saw a site that nearly made my heart pop out of my chest.

It was…Naruto…smiling at me before yelling,

"Good on ya, you lazy-ass pineapple head!"

Chapter 14 is in the books, people! Honestly, Naruto and Shikamaru had a great bond in the series! Fun fact, Naruto even said how Shikamaru was one of the people he trusted most in the village and the fact that Shikamaru wanted to be Naruto's right hand man along with Naruto's grief of nearly losing him when Obito released the Divine Tree was nothing short of amazing!

Also, I realized I did the reactions of ALL the Konoha 11 Shinobi, hehe XD

In any case, next chapter is Konohamaru's reaction which is coming Tuesday! Until then please don't forget to let me know your thoughts on today's chapter and I'll see you all in the next one! Later!