:::::Mendou na Koi :: Troublesome Love:::::

By: Violettachan

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and its related characters.

Summary: Shikamaru finds that love just won't leave him alone, no matter how troublesome.

…And He Says I'm Bothersome…

Part III: Hinata

Hinata slowly trudged to her usual training area while reflecting on the mission she had just completed with her team. I'm such a burden for Kiba-kun and Shino-kun…Father is right; I AM weak and there is nothing that will change that fact. I want to be stronger, but all the training I do just does not seem to show. Hinata grimaced at the thoughts that ran through her head. No! I WILL believe in myself. I just have to keep trying harder. As long as I keep training, it's bound to show soon. If Naruto-kun can believe in me, so can I.

As she came out of her depressing thoughts, Hinata was surprised to sense Shikamaru in her vicinity. Eh? What is he doing at a training ground this late? I've never heard of him training without being forced; maybe becoming a chuunin has changed him? As she pushed her Byakugan sense further, she realized that he was sleeping. Hinata let out a slight giggle at the sight of a "fearsome Konoha shinobi" drooling in his sleep. Hmm. I wonder why he came all the way out here to sleep though. I wish he would have chosen somewhere else. I really have to use this training ground, but I hate to bother him. He'll probably be angry if I wake him up. After much mental debate, Hinata finally decided that she would stay and train. Well, if he was always able to sleep through even the noisiest of classes in the academy, I'm sure I will be okay.

Hinata started her usual training routine and soon forgot about Shikamaru's presence in her exhaustion. She chose not to activate her Byakugan and, instead, was trying to perfect the Hyuuga taijutsu forms. She had been concentrating so hard on her steps that it took her a while to sense Shikamaru drawing near her. Oh no, I woke him up and now he is probably mad at me. I hope he won't come and yell. Maybe if I stop, he will just leave? No. It'll only draw more attention and make me look weaker. I'll just keep going and hope he won't bother with me. Okay, maybe not. He's here and he's looking at me. I knew it. I should have just gone somewhere else. Why is he just standing there?

"Uh, I-I'm sorry. I-I knew y-you were s-sleeping b-but this is the only training g-ground with a d-dum…dummy with the t-tenketsu drawn out and… um, I'm sorry, I, uh, tried t-to be q-quiet but I f-forgot after a while and… um, uh…"

"I was here to watch the clouds rather than sleep anyways."

Ah, of course. Clouds. He is such a strange one. So lucky. He doesn't seem to train much and he already made chuunin. His parents must be proud of him… unlike mine.

Um, why is he still here? Should I have said something? But now it's too late to reply. He must think I'm an idiot. Um, um… The two stood looking at each other as if expecting the other to speak. Hinata proved too shy to continue, while Shikamaru was too lazy for polite chitchat. After some time, Shikamaru started to walk off. Oh good, he's leaving.

Giving a sigh of relief, Hinata turned back to her training. However, she was still nervous and hurt herself on a punch that should have been easy for her. Ow! That hurts! Oh, and he probably heard. I'm so embarrassed. What will he think? I can't even throw simple punches without hurting myself. Hinata winced as she felt Shikamaru's gaze on her. Oh, no. He IS staring like he can not believe I'm so incompetent. No! I must take no notice of him. I NEED to concentrate. Hinata tried to push Shikamaru out of her head and concentrate on her training. Why is he still here? Hinata was starting to become frantic. I can't focus with him here, but I can't tell him to leave. But if I just leave, it will look rude. But...oh, what am I supposed to do? In her nervous state, Hinata barely suppressed the urge to jump when Shikamaru spoke.

"Na Why don't you back up and try using some weapons?"

"E-eh? Umm, ano-, b-but then I c-couldn't hit the, the t-t-tenketsu."

"Yeah. But that's the advantage."

What is he saying? Maybe he doesn't know about the Hyuuga style? He did seem to sleep through most of the history lessons during the academy.

"Look, you're not heavy and powerful enough to do well in a mostly immobile form of close combat. You're better off staying at mid-range and mixing weapon assaults with some other form of taijutsu that'll use your small body as an advantage. Forget the Hyuuga taijutsu style. It doesn't work for you."

Hinata's mind went blank before whirring into overdrive. Not use the Hyuuga style? Why would I want to do that? The Byakugan is the only advantage I have!! I would be even more pathetic if I gave that up!

...But surely he is not saying this to make me worse? I mean, he is not the type to purposefully set people wrong, I think. And he surely does not think I am a rival that needs to be undermined. Then what?? Um, he was promoted to chuunin due to his brilliant mental abilities, right? Maybe that's it? He is a genius. And there must be some genius reason for what he's saying, but I am too stupid to understand.

"Hey, it's just a suggestion. Whatever."

Hinata's overtaxed brain lurched before her emotions took over. He is not even explaining what he means. He DOES think I am stupid. And he's right. I cannot figure out how to use the Byakugan to my advantage after so many years, while he seems to have already seen something… God! I hate feeling so stupid and useless!! But what can I do? I don't know how to do things better.

Hinata stood inert for a few minutes looking insecure. Then, with an apologetic look to Shikamaru and a lot of hand-wringing, she started back into her training routine. With a loud sigh, Shikamaru headed off towards his new destination. Hinata exhaled the breath she was holding and tried her best not to cry.

To Be Continued

-Review Replies-

A big thank you to Ice, Scorpion05, Sweet Anime Fan!!

Xoni Newcomer: I know my chapters are short, and I don't even have the decency to update frequently to make up for that. Gomen nasai. But, this is the best I can do for now and I'll try to make them longer in the future (or at least update more often).

The Prime Minister: Thank you for your detailed review. I really appreciate the time you took! Sorry that the scene cuts are confusing. The scenes come in pairs with a "he says/she says" kind of format. As for the relation among these pairs, there aren't any so far (other than chronological order). Um, was that even more confusing?? Anyhow, I added numbers to the chapter titles to help clear things up.

And to anyone else who is reading, hope you are enjoying!

Cheers,

Violettachan