Disclaimer: I Don't Own Naruto.
Author's Note: Is a slight AU, not an expert in Naruto or Japanese customs please forgive any stupid mistakes. Beta is welcome. Is written in second person…obviously. I know it doesn't suit many people but it's just my preference in writing.
Summary: "…- things were changing Shikamaru was going to break off and leave you behind… and it made you feel uneasy inside. He was your anchor and without him you'd surely float away."
Reviews: Always welcome! Many thanks to those who have reviewed. You rock my world!
POV: Asuma

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Nara Shikamaru – You never understood why Shikamaru preferred to sleep in class rather then listen to the important things you had to say.

He asked you to play shougi with him one lazy afternoon when even you couldn't be bothered to do much. You warned him that you were quite the player and that you wouldn't let him win just because he was a student. He just shrugged and set up the board.

And he beat you...

...several times...

...continuously.

You remember looking over your shoulder to make sure nobody witnessed your shameful performance to a twelve year old child.

To this day you're still unsure of where you went wrong in those games.

If only he had the time to teach you now.

You look down at the untouched shougi board and move your first piece forward.

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"Now students" you said, settling down on the soft patch of grass under an old oak tree, "what is your favourite type of ending for a story." It was simply enough, have they open up to you.

"Romantic endings!" Ino squealed, clasping her hands together, "where the handsome guy gets the beautiful girl" she sighed. "Like Sasuke and me"

You nodded "that was…nice. Chouji?" you interruped before she launched into a long winded speech about how many children they would have and what their names would be.

"Happy ones, when everyone can just live happily ever after. And for Christmas they'd all gather around a giant table and have turkey!" You smiled and patted Chouji's head affectionately.

Chouji - the eternal optimist.

Then you looked at Shikamaru who wasn't even paying attention, head tilted looking up at the sky.You didn't think he had an answer, so you didn't both to ask.

"Honest ones" he said suddenly when you were about to change topics.

"What is that suppose to mean?" Ino demanded.

Shikamaru shrugged, "I like… honest endings." He vaguely elaborated.

"That's a stupid answer!" Ino declared, crossing her arms while Chouji stared at him almost in awe, and for a moment so were you.

-
-

"Did you know Shino has bugs living inside of him?" Kurenai said, taking a seat beside Kakashi who was thumbing through an old book. "Like actual bugs living inside of him"

Gai sighed, strolling over to the seated teachers. "I wish Neji would be a little more like Lee." He admitted. "He's just so… alone."

"I have one of those too" Kakashi added, his attention never wavering from the book.

Complaints about the students happened often but it was all in good banter.

"What about you Asuma?" Kurenai turned to you, "Oh right. The motivationally challenged Nara"

You shake your head, digging through all the old junk you keep stored in your otherwise unused desk. "A diamond in the ruff" you replied, pulling out the IQ test you had been looking for.

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Who knew that would be the beginning of an end?

You inhale deeply from the cigarette as you sit alone in front of the board watching the unmoved pieces waiting for the opponent who you knew, would never come.

You didn't.