A/N: Konnichiwa! High school is hard now...my science teacher rounded my grade to a B-! But still, having an honors class is really frustrating especially when the teacher moves at a fast speed. . Daydreamer5290 would know what I am talking about. So anyway, just to let you all know that for thanksgiving this weekend that I will be going to Las Vegas to visit my cousins there. And so I'll be going the cheap way...by car. smile So, I will be back on Saturday afternoon just in time to see a few movies with my girls. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! Count your blessings XD. Remember that there are things that you should be thankful for. Everyone is blessed P I can't wait to fill my tummy smile Anyway, enough rambling. Enjoy this chapter! Please review...especially for what a girl really wants. I updated two chapters for that story. Reviews will be greatly appreciated. ((Shoutouts to all my dedicated readers! YES YOU. You know who you are ))

NOTE: Gomen for the short chapter...my mom got mad at me for always being on the computer. .

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and all those other hot guys and girls there.

Title: Chapter 10

Rock music played in the background as a fresh lit cigarette was visible in the ash tray which was set on a small wooden table. There was a huge sofa near the coffee table where Shikamaru rested his head on the arm of the furniture as he stared up at the ceiling singing along with AFI on his stereo. There was a knock on his door and frustrated since he doesn't like to be disturbed during his chilling times, he answered the door.

"Honey, one of your friends is downstairs, and what is THAT smell?" his mother pinched her nose to keep away from the harsh smoke wafting into the doorway. Ignoring her, he went downstairs while his mother let out a small sigh and cleaned up his cigarette for him.

Shikamaru went downstairs to see who the visitor was. He stepped toward the living room and was surprised to see who his guest was. She sat still on one of the couches with her hands firmly set on her lap, as she waited patiently for him.

"Sakura? Is that you?" he went over to her and smiled to see her, "so, what's been going on? Did you answer my calls?" Shikamaru sat down on another sofa across from her.

"Yeah I know you called," she replied back with a soft voice that the young man could barely hear her.

"You know, the guys and I have been worrying about you. What happened? You haven't been hanging with us lately...it's not like you," he got out a pack from his pocket and then took a cigarette from it and lit it. Sakura watched him take a puff from the cigarette and closed her eyes.

"Nothing, did Sasuke tell you anything?" her emerald eyes opened to see if Sasuke betrayed her and told everyone.

With his second exhale, Shikamaru shook his head and darted his dark eyes toward Sakura. "Nope, why...was he supposed to tell us something?"

"No," Sakura stood up and looked at Shikamaru in front of her. Her pink hair was held up in a peculiar way while her bangs were held down covering part of her face as if hiding some fear. "Sorry for bothering you and AFI. Anyway, I'll go. See you later." before heading toward the door, Shikamaru stopped her as he gently grabbed her arm and held her there for a moment before he put out his cigarette.

"What is it,"

"Nothing, let me go. I have some other stuff to do," she turned around and faced him. His eyes were not relaxed anymore, and instead, his eyes were dark and full of determination to find out what Sakura had been hiding for the past week.

"Sakura..." his face expression was stern and Sakura looked away but Shikamaru cupped her face with his cold hands and faced them toward his own face, "Sakura...tell me," Fighting back her own tears, Sakura could only just embrace him leaving her tears to trail down his black shirt.

"Did Sasuke do anything to you? Did...anyone do anything to you?" Shikamaru held Sakura by the shoulders to hold her up and for her response, all she could do was stare into his black orbs and silently give out her secret by facial expression.

"HELL NO," Shikamaru took a small step back as if horrified with the answer. He held her again and asked her, "when did this happen? Why the hell didn't you tell me? I'm your friend for Christ's sake!"

"I didn't know how to tell you guys, you were all caught up with your own problems...and so I didn't want you guys to worry, and besides...I can handle it," she flashed him a smile.

Ignoring her smile Shikamaru darted her with questions, "Do you know who did it? Where was this?" and eventually, Shikamaru got his shocking answers. Without a hesitate Shikamaru told Sakura that everyone needed to know, but not the parents. Sakura begged him not to tell anyone, but he refused. "Shikamaru, please don't. I'd rather tell them by myself. Just please, listen to me for once!" Sakura shrieked at him.

Letting out a sigh, Shikamaru let silence creep over them for a few seconds and then turned toward the pink-haired girl. "If so, then why did you tell Sasuke and not me?"

"I'm sorry,"

"It's ok, it's better if you had told someone right?" he smiled and Sakura slowly nodded wondering if Shikamaru really meant what he said.