acclimation; 14.) innocent—
Something was wrong with Shikamaru-sensei that day.
Be it his medication, a change in his social situation, or a different sleeping arrangement, even Yukari couldn't deny that something was terribly wrong.
"Shika…sensei…can we stop?" moaned Houzumi, slowing from his sprint and taking two feeble steps before falling to his hands and knees. Takuza followed soon thereafter, twisting to land on his back, taking in large, gasping breaths. Without any warning, Yukari came up to her boys and dropped wearily on them suddenly, the two boys yowling in pain.
"No. We're not done. Get up."
Takuza groaned from underneath Yukari, begging, "Sensei, please? We've already been running for thirty minutes."
"You need to build your endurance. Start sprinting again."
Houzumi, attempting to stand while still pinned down, rose up onto his knees for several moments before falling back to the ground in a cloud of dust.
"Yukari, get up," he spoke raggedly from underneath his cousin. In response, she only grumbled.
"What's with you guys today?" Shikamaru asked with concern, pulling his cigarette out of his mouth.
"What's with us today? What's wrong with you," Takuza mumbled under his breath. Houzumi snorted in agreement.
As the trio finally managed to get back on their feet, a loud, piercing voice broke through the clearing of their training ground.
"Shikamaru-senseeeeeeei! Oh, Shiiiiiiiiiiiikamaru-sensei!"
Takuza nearly gaged. The last thing they needed was his cousin barging in on them when their sensei was off his game.
Vana popped around the trees and bounced her merry way over to Shikamaru, eyes glowing with joy. Shikamaru merely graced her with a lazy expression.
"Shikamaru-sensei!"
No response. Vana's glow dimmed only slightly for a moment before it was back full force.
"Ino-sensei would like to know if you like yakitori for dinner? I don't know why, she was heading off to get ready for her date with her new boyfriend."
With only rough "Yeah" in response, Shikamaru looked back at his genins, who shivered underneath his gaze. "Get back to running."
They jumped up and immediately started running, not giving their sensei another glance.
"Is something wrong, Shikamaru-sensei?" Vana asked innocently as she watched her fellow genins running in fear.
He grunted, taking another drag from his cigarette.
"Aw, I know what will cheer you up!"
"Hmm?" Before Shikamaru could speak further or prepare himself, Vana came up close and pecked him on the lips, seemingly unfazed by the smoke or the impropriety of her actions.
From the other side of the field, Takuza's scandalized scream of "Vana!" and Houzumi and Yukari's subsequent shouts from crashing into an immobile Takuza were heard.
With a flirty wink, Vana smoothed out her shirt and flounced away, leaving behind a stunned Shikamaru, cigarette falling from his limp fingers.
Author Note: Shout out to scarlet letters in snow and I'm Not A Princess for all their lovely reviews. :)