Chapter 2: Clarity

Naruto opened his eyes as pale sunlight filtered through the windows. He sat up slowly. Training time, he thought sleepily.

He swung his legs over the bed and stood up. Maybe a few more minutes of rest, he thought, as a huge yawn nearly split his face in two. I mean, I don't think this is good for my health anymore.

Oh well…

He put on his usual attire and, in secondswas out the door.

He wandered down the streets, no longer caring about where he was walking. After all, he had gone through this routine so many times, his feet knew where to go already.

"Hey."

Naruto looked up. Shikamaru was leaning on a wall, looking at him with the usual bored expression on his face.

Naruto simply nodded in response.

"You're out early."

"So are you." Naruto pointed out.

"Training." Shikamaru said simply. It was then that Naruto noticed the shadows spreading all around.

"Oh." Naruto said. Suddenly, he couldn't move. He looked at him, an annoyed expression on his face.

Shikamaru grinned. "Sorry. Couldn't resist." The shadows at Naruto's feet slowly drew back.

Naruto began to leave. Shikamaru fell into step with him.

"You know," Naruto began, "this is starting to become a habit."

Shikamaru shrugged. "Whatever."

"Are you worried about the main matches?"

"More of annoyed. To be honest, I suddenly wish that I had lost on purpose."

"I know I'm worried." Naruto said. "I'll be up against Hyuga Neji. I used to think he would be pretty easy, but after Hinata battled him, I've had a change of opinion."

Hinata. The name rang through his head like a resounding bell. She was…not like other people. She was so quiet, shy and kind. Fragile too. She was like a…a…ceramic vase. So beautiful and intricate, but any sudden movements or too much force would cause her too shatter.

She had a certain air, a majestic aura, that compelled him to watch her. Many overlooked her, but with him, it seemed the exact opposite. She could stop him in his tracks by a simple look. Her laugh could cause his heart to skip a beat. Whenever she said his name, it made him feel…different.

A jolt of pain on his head brought him back to reality.

"Ouch! Jeez! What's the big idea?" He exclaimed, rubbing his head.

"Are you even listening?" Naruto asked, looking irritated.

"Yeah, yeah, sure I was."

"Alright, what did I say about Neji just a few seconds ago?"

"That…he was a complete, cold-hearted jerk?" he guessed.

Naruto looked at him. "No, but that's some pretty good description. Where'd you come up with that?"

Shikamaru shrugged. He tuned out again, his thoughts wandering away.

She often wanted to know what she thought of him. Did she think he was lazy, like the other genins thought? A complete bore? A loser of sorts? It was times like this when he would give anything for the ability to read minds.

"Oy! Shikamaru!"

He stopped. Naruto was looking at him, a puzzled expression on his face. "Where are you going?"

Shikamaru looked around. They were already on the training grounds. "Oh. Sorry."

Naruto picked up his kunai. "Well, that's that. It looks like it's going to rain." He said, looking up. Sure enough, low, threatening clouds were hanging over their heads.

"I'm going home." He pocketed his kunai, then started to leave. Shikamaru watched him blankly. He didn't feel like going home.

Silently, the first jewels of rain started to fall, sprinkling him in a refreshing shower. He took that as a cue; he'd better get a move on.

He sighed and stood up. He didn't really give a damn if he got wet, but if he caught a cold on the night before the main matches, it would be serious trouble. He took one final look at his surroundings, scarred by their training. The marks where their kunai had hit were clearly visible on the tree trunks.

It was really pouring when he had finally broken clear of the forest. The village was a peaceful sight. No one was outside to disturb its picture-perfect state. All was quiet, save the gentle pitter-patter of the raindrops hitting the ground.

Must be why I like it so much when it rains.

He walked past the buildings, noticing that a lot of them were jam-packed with people seeking shelter from the rain.

He went past the Ramen shop, knowing all-too well who was in it.

"Naruto!" Ino's voice rang out. "I swear; you're acting like Chouji!"

"Uh thr ell curz?"

"Eat or speak! You can only do one at a time!"

"Why don't you lay off him?" He heard Kiba's voice say. "He's entitled to embarrass himself."

Ino groaned. "Men."

"Anyway," Kiba continued. "I'm surprised Shikamaru isn't with you or Chouji. Don't you three usually hang out in restaurants?"

"I think he went to train."

Kiba scoffed. "You're not serious. He'd actually train? Highly impossible. You know how lazy he gets." Shikamaru heard Akamaru yip in agreement.

"He's not that lazy!" Ino said defensively. "He's just…inactive."

"Same difference."

"Okay, okay, you may be right."

"Seriously," he heard Naruto speak up. "do you think he'd actually want to do the main matches tomorrow? Knowing him, he'll try to forfeit."

"I heard Asuma-sensei say the same thing." Ino said, her tone low. "He thinks Shikamaru will definitely win, but he'll forfeit before he can be declared winner."

"Why'd he do that?"

"He'd probably say that it's too troublesome to continue, or that it doesn't matter if he wins or loses…or something like it."

"He's the exact opposite of hothead over here." Kiba spoke up. "Plenty of talent, wasted on lack of determination."

Shikamaru clenched his fist tightly. They hardly knew him. And yet, they were acting like they had him all figured out. And it was starting to get on his nerves.

I don't need to listen to this crap! He thought bitterly. I'm outta here!

He walked off, angrily splashing through the puddles.

Everyone was an exact replica of everyone else. They always judged by what they saw, never caring to take a closer look. Once they made their judgments, they would stick by it and firmly refuse to accept that they could be wrong.

He was trapped in a sea of faceless clones. Because that's all everyone was…

…save one.

He was jolted back to reality when he saw her. She was huddled up into a small bundle, shivering visibly from the cold the rain brought. Her dark violet locks were hanging straight down her face, like a curtain.

He stopped short, torn between two options. He could pretend he never saw her and just turn and walk away. After all, situations like this often led to other situations, which were troublesome.

On the other hand, she looked so miserable, his heart nearly broke, seeing her like this. He wanted to help her, hold her. Gather her soft, fragile figure into his arms and make her tell him her problems, so he could help remove them, or at least ease the pain they brought.

I shouldn't intrude. He told himself firmly. She probably wants to be alone, and I'll respect that.

He shot one last glance at the small, shivering form, and his heart just melted.

"Aww, heck!" He growled, shoving his hands into his pockets. He couldn't just leave her in her misery.

He reached her huddled figure. She was definitely shivering violently, and Shikamaru couldn't tell if it was all because of the rain.

A small moan escaped her lips, and Shikamaru nearly cried out. What could possibly cause her this much pain?

He leaned closer. "You'll catch a cold out here." he said tenderly. She gasped in surprise and looked up hurriedly, her ivory eyes wide. She realized who it was and backed away.

"Shikamaru-kun." She murmured. "What are you d-doing out here?"

"I'd ask you the same question." He said lightly, sitting down next to her. "But since you asked first, I guess it's only fair that I answer. I was on my way home, that's all. How about you?"

"I…I…was just…being stupid." She said. "I should have gone in the moment it started to rain, but I couldn't face Otosama. Not after I embarrassed him during the Chuunin exam."

"Is that why you were crying?" he said softly. "You were remembering what happened?"

"Well…partly." She said, shifting her position. Suddenly, she winced.

"What's wrong?" he asked urgently.

"It's…nothing." She said, cradling her hands.

He frowned and grabbed her hands. She cried out in pain. His eyes grew wide as he examined her palms. They were red with blood, and there were cuts and bruises all over.

"Dammit woman! What did you do?"

She looked away. "I was just so angry at myself, I went to take it all out in training. I suppose I pushed myself too far."

"Why were you angry? I don't mean to pry, but I don't think that's a good reason to practically mutilate your hands."

Silence passed. Her face was heavily shaded by the shadows, so he couldn't tell what she was thinking.

Suddenly, she looked up at him, her pearl eyes brimming with tears. He was taken aback.

"I'm such a failure, that's why!" she sobbed, clenching her fists. Her nails dug into her palms, opening up new wounds. "I'm so weak, I can't even make my father proud of me! I'm so weak, my younger sister is stronger than me! I'm so weak, I can't even see things the way they really are!"

She collapsed into sobs, and Shikamaru could no longer hold back. He enveloped her frail figure, holding her close.

She hardly seemed to notice. Instead, she just leaned on him, unable to carry her burdens alone any longer. She kept sobbing, and Shikamaru stroked her hair gently, murmuring her name over and over again.

Finally, she pulled away. "I'm sorry you had to put up with me."

"There's nothing to be sorry about." He said, shaking his head. "It's alright with me."

She shook her head. "It must be so troublesome to have to put up with a childish girl and her silly imagination," She looked away and murmured, "about fairytales that will never come true."

He furrowed his brow. "What?"

"It's nothing. I just got so carried away in dreaming of a relationship with him, I failed to see the reality that was standing right in front of me. He likes someone else, and I only found it out after I got hurt. I'm so stupid…"

"Who are you talking about?" Shikamaru asked, trying to keep his tone light.

"Naruto-kun." She said simply. "I liked him a lot, and I still like him. It's useless to hang on, I know. It'll just lead to more pain. More regrets. I don't know why I still hold on…"

Finally, she stood up. "I guess I'm lucky I have you as my friend, Shikamaru-kun. It's nice to have someone to talk to. Thank you." She bowed her head and, with a small smile, dashed off, disappearing in the heavy folds of the curtain of rain.

Shikamaru barely noticed. He just sat there, still. Unmoving. Finally, he stood up and, as if in a trance, made his way home.

…as a friend.

…I liked him a lot.

It became painfully clear now. He could never have her.

He could never have anyone. Because no one could know him. No one could understand him. He could see that with crystal clarity.

Perhaps it was partly his fault.

A/N: Yeah, I know. Confusing and sad. It just sort of came to me one night.

Alone. In my room. I was thinking: Doesn't Shikamaru-kun ever get fed up with people calling him lazy. Maybe he does, but he's just trying to keep it in.

The rest is history.

P.S: This'll just be a 3-chapter fic, so the next chapter is the final chapter. NeOw!