Let Me Be Your Shadow

A/N: Naruto Universe Property of Kishimoto

Chapter Three

Megumi.

Megumi.

Megumimegumimegumimegumi

I lost two games of shougi in the month of August. A new record for me. Instead of strategies, traps, and escape routes, my mind was filled with her. The goddess by the name of Ikashi Megumi swooped upon me like a whirlwind of flower petals, disrupting the tranquil waters of my mind. Frankly, I was a mess, and it was beginning to be noticeable to everybody. But as one of the youngest jounin captains, I held enough authority that no one ventured to inquire of my peculiar state of being. I knew they were all watching me curiously, but I was completely drunk with love.

It became a routine for me to visit Ino's shop on my way home from duty each day. Strategy-wise it made no sense, since it was the longest way that was located in the opposite direction as my apartment, and goes against the flow of people in that busy street. Everyday I felt astonished at my own growing irrationalities, it was like a wild weed spreading out of control. And everyday, I emerge from Ino's shop feeling a little altered. Some days, I barely knew myself. I wondered if she knew what effect she had on me…

I performed terribly that day, and felt an irritable tickle that danced on my nerves all through my work shift. My co-workers sensed my bad mood, and avoid me. All day I felt like a ticking time-bomb, and I waited for someone to provoke me, wondering what sort of explosion would I make. Inuzuka Kenji made an ass of herself in front of the newcomer Sand shinobi Temari, and I fined her for misconduct. Everything flew me by in an absentminded haze, normally I would've been a little more of a smart ass about the whole situation, but that day, not even the mild surprise of seeing an adversary from the past jolted me.

Like a thirsty man searching for an oasis, I stumbled through the throng of villagers to finally reach Ino's flower shop.

"Shikamaru-kun! Right on time again," Megumi waved at me from inside, mopping down the counter with a rag. She wore a very cute yukata that day, sky blue with white daisy prints. I felt a now familiar feeling of fluttering in my stomach, and entered the shop.

"How was your day, Megumi-san?" I was quite content to just stand there and stare at her when she's not looking.

She flashed a grin at me, "I want to say that it was excellent and exciting, but…it was rather dull. Until you get here that is." A faint pink colored her pale cheeks, and I tried to figure out if she was interested in me, flirting with me, leading me on, or just….talking to me. It was as if my mind was falling apart helplessly.

"Shikamaru-kun?" Megumi approached me, looking a bit concerned. "You look dizzy, do you have a heat stroke?"

Before I registered, she had me by the hand and was leading me into the back of the store. I bit my lower lip and frantically tried to regulate my breathing before I passed out. It was pathetic, really. There was a small cot in the corner by the back door, and she pushed me down into it.

"Wha-what?" I shrank away voluntarily as she reached for me, blushing despite myself. "Don't trouble yourself with me! I'm fine!" Quickly, I told her, trying to get up.

Megumi straightened, and gave me a look, as if she was concentrating on something. She nibbled at her lips for a moment, then smiled again. "At least drink some water before going, you're flushed."

"I…" I vaguely sensed that something is a bit out of place, but then she brought the glass to my mouth, and my brain just sort of melted messily.

I left for home a few minutes later, feeling an odd mixture of extreme happiness and glumness. For year and year, I was completely comfortable with my own company. I really didn't know how to handle this sudden feeling of "want", of "lust" and "desire". My sole talent is strategizing, but it seems that the skill is limited to the battlefield. The secrets of the human heart are mysteries to me, I knew only my own heart, but even that became lost to me.

Sighing loudly, I trudged home on tired feet.

After arriving home, I collapsed in bed, and was almost asleep before I realized that I didn't eat dinner.

"Ugh, what a nuisance!" I sat up and pulled on my shoes, trying to think of the nearest foods place where I can grab a quick bite.

The window was open, and I clambered onto the windowsill, the street below was becoming empty as the night began to set in. I took a leap and landed lightly on my feet. The Chuunin exam was the last time I ever landed on my head. But I stood up too quickly, knocking my head into someone.

"Geez…" I rubbed by head as I looked up. "Oh, it's you."

Temari was standing there with a very red face, giving me a distressed look.

"What? That didn't hurt did it?" I asked impatiently. "You should've been able to avoid that with your reflexes. Don't relax just because we're not on the job."

"Are you always just going to wait for people to get out of your way?" Her voice was shrill, I had no idea what she was angry about.

"What," I asked slowly, "is that suppose to mean?"

She mumbled something that I couldn't hear.

"Well I'm off to dinner now, good bye," I turned to leave.

"Chotto!" She twisted her hands, "I'm going to dinner too…let's walk together."

"What a bother…" I said under my breath, but waited as she quickly walked up beside me.

We walked in complete silence for a few minutes. I habitually retreated into my mind and started to think about shougi, trying to reorganize my mind. She starred very straight ahead, almost determined to not look at me.

After she must have realized I wasn't going to say anything, she spoke. "Thanks for getting me out of that tight spot today," she said lightly, still not looking at me.

"Hmm? Did I save you from getting completely beaten up by Kenji?" I didn't look at her either, but sensed a tension coming from her direction.

"Absolutely not! I would've been able to slice her to shreds!" She told me hotly before lowering her voice, "sorry, I shouldn't shout at you."

That made me chuckle, "Oh bother, you must've been some kind of princess from the Hidden Sand. Sounds like you don't really get spoken down to. Not that you aren't good," I turned to smile at her, "you did beat me."

She hesitantly looked at me, then smirked, "Well aren't you a cocky bastard?"

"Well, if I really want to be cocky…I did beat you before…" I didn't have to finish my sentence to make her turn red.

"I was…young and arrogant. There's no way that I'd make the same mistake again!" Her face was so earnest as she spoke.

"So what brings you to Konoha?" I changed the subject before she might become seriously upset with me.

She didn't reply right away, it looked as if she was debating whether to tell me or not. "Well, after our shameful invasion five years ago, we want to make reprimands, so…I'm sent as a good will ambassador sort of person."

I laughed, "Good will ambassador sort of person? Is that what you are?"

She smiled, "Yes. That and a new Leaf shinobi."

"That you are, Temari-san."

"Just Temari is fine, there's no need for the man who…beat me to be respectful."

"Hahaha, you're funny Temari, I like that."

tbc!

A/N: It didn't actually take me three month to write this tiny little chapter, but this is what I have for you now. I hope that you will enjoy it!