100

by: Miiyabi

Author's Note: All of the fanfiction contained in this story which will mostly be one-shots based around Shikamaru and/or Neji. I just don't see the point in posting them all separately (since there will be 100 when finished).

This is a challenge response for "The Ultimate Fanfic Challenge".

(remove all spaces) http/ www . livejournal . com / userinfo . bml ? user fanfic100

Prompt : 067. Beginnings

Rating: PG

How troublesome mornings are, Shikamaru thought as he positioned his hands behind his head, to keep his hair from touching the ground. He stared up at the dark blue sky, watching as cotton ball clouds passed by at a leisurely pace. Usually it would be much brighter outside by the time he arrived at practice, but for some reason he had woken up an hour and a half earlier than usual, and was not able to fall back asleep. After thirty minutes of tossing and turning, trying to lure unconsciousness back to himself, Shikamaru had given up and got ready to go to practice.

That was the reason he was there when the sun was just beginning to lighten the sky. He shifted his hands just slightly so that he was in a more comfortable position, before his eyes drifted shut for the fourth time that hour. "Maybe Asuma-sensei will play a game of 'Go!' with me when he gets here," He mumbled aloud to himself and turned onto his side, opening his eyes, and staring at someone he had least expected to be there, Neji Hyuuga.

Neji looked as though he had just been about to nudge Shikamaru's shoulder, as if he thought the other was asleep, and was about to attempt to wake him up. His hand was extended, fingertips only inches away from making contact with the others skin. Neither of the two boys said anything for a moment, but soon Neji straightened himself back up. "Where's Asuma-sensei?"

Shikamaru's eyes then immediately fell upon a navy blue folder that was held in the other boy's hand. After that he considered what his answer to the long-haired boy would be. "He isn't here," He started. Neji's eyes narrowed slightly and he opened his mouth as to make some sort of comment, but was cut off when Shikamaru continued. "So, seeing as it is about an hour before our practice starts, he is probably at his house, or getting himself breakfast."

Neji glared at him for a few more seconds before sitting a few feet away from the Nara boy. "When can I expect him to be here then?"

Shikamaru lazily shrugged his shoulders. "Like I said, practice for us doesn't start for another hour."

How troublesome, Shikamaru thought as he looked back up to the clouds.

The next hour slunk by, no words being exchanged between the two, though it was not an awkward type of silence, more of a comfortable one. Shikamaru glanced to Neji out of the corner of his eyes every so often, to find the boy standing up and walking around, looking for something to occupy his time, and then his focus would return to the clouds.

"Good Morning, Shikamaru!" Chouji said as he sat down beside his lazy team-mate, who remained in the same position he had laid himself earlier that morning.

"'Morning." Shikamaru yawned, covering his mouth with one hand. That was all that they said to one another. Shikamaru went back to his cloud gazing, while Chouji took out a bag of potato chips and began to eat.

As Chouji took another chip out of the bag, he seemed just to notice that he and Shikamaru were not the only two people there. He looked away from Neji, seeming not to care, and went back to his chips.

"Good Morning." Asuma said as he walked over to the two members of his group that were currently present. Neji immediately stood up from the place he had taken to sitting, and walked over to the teacher, holding out the folder. Asuma looked quizzically at it for a moment before taking it and flipping it open. "Running Tsunade's errands?" He asked, closing the folder and nodding to the Hyuuga. "Thank you." He said. Neji nodded and began to walk away to attend his own practice.

"Oi, Neji." Shikamaru said, loud enough so that the one he was calling was able to hear him. Neji stopped in mid-step and looked back over to where the other was still laying.

Shikamaru shrugged his shoulders, looking away. "See ya."

Neji nodded and waved over his shoulder as he walked away.

Shikamaru looked back to the sky, a small smile on his lips. After all, the beginning of his day could've been worse.