Well, I hope you guys had a Happy Thanksgiving yesterday, at least to those who celebrated it. This year, I'm pleased to say I'm thankful for all you readers out there who have kept up with my stories all this time, because, let's be honest, Konoha High, or the One Year of Hell wouldn't exist without you guys! So, once again, thank you for reading! (Also, has anyone noticed it's been past 6 months already?)

Also, this will be the last update until after December 16 since I should probably focus on my schoolwork.

All characters belong to Kishimoto-san.

Chapter 29: Uh, No, There's Nothing Going On

As it turned out, no, Shikamaru hadn't been busy on Monday, but that had all changed when Gaara politely requested they start on their project for Kurenai's class.

Obviously, Shikamaru couldn't refuse, and so Monday after school, he found himself seated opposite of the youngest son of the Kazekage. They were in Asuma's room, since it was always available to students until five or six p.m. depending on the day of the week, and both students had their laptops out, quietly doing research.

Shikamaru wouldn't have minded it all that much, except the two freshmen weren't alone in the room. Nearby—a bit too near, in Shikamaru's opinion—were Gaara's older siblings, who were not so quietly playing a game of shogi. It hadn't taken Shikamaru long to figure out that Temari was still mad at him, and she had pointedly ignored him the entire day, which was fine by him.

"Okay, look, this piece was obviously not here before," Kankuro protested as he stared at the board in front of him.

"I didn't move any of the pieces illegally, if that's what you're insinuating, Kankuro," Temari retorted.

Kankuro scowled darkly. "Okay, fine. I guess I'll move this piece."

"I wouldn't do that," Temari warned. "See this piece here?"

Kankuro frowned, trying to remember how the piece Temari was referring to moved. "Uh, okay, then I guess not."

There was the clack of wood as Kankuro moved a piece. Shikamaru shook his head slightly, reminding himself to stay on task. He just wanted to get this over with and go home already.

Shikamaru felt a hand rest on his shoulder, and he looked away from his screen to see Chouji standing behind him.

"Please tell me you're here to kill me," Shikamaru whispered frantically.

Chouji smiled. "No, sorry. I was wondering if you wanted some chips."

Shikamaru accepted a bag. "Chips sound great right now, actually."

"I know," Chouji replied, sitting down at the desk next to Shikamaru's. "That's why I came over."

"How are the girls?" Shikamaru asked, his eyes glued back to his laptop screen again. "They've been quiet for a while now."

Chouji looked to the corner, where Hinata, Ino, and Sakura were gathered around a board game. "They're on their phones."

"Weren't they playing Stratego?" Shikamaru asked, though he wasn't too surprised at the result.

"They got bored," Chouji explained. "Or, Ino did, and you know how she is."

Shikamaru nodded. "What about you? How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine," Chouji answered. "As long as I have food, I couldn't ask for anything else in the world."

"You should go home early," Shikamaru said. "It's a Monday, remember?"

"Not without you," Chouji replied stubbornly, and Shikamaru smiled.

"Your mom could probably use the help," Shikamaru continued reasonably. "And, besides, Ino is probably really bored but somehow polite enough not to leave right away."

Chouji shrugged. "But I can't just leave you to walk home by yourself."

Shikamaru waved a hand lazily. "I won't get kidnapped."

"That's what they all say."

It was Shikamaru's turn to shrug. "I guess."

The two friends were silent again as Shikamaru resumed his research, only speaking up to ask Gaara a question or two when the need arose.

"So, what kind of person is Shimura Danzo?"

Shikamaru glanced up, noted that it was Temari standing to his right, and went back to staring at his screen. Temari had been avoiding him the entire day today, and Shikamaru didn't want to put in the energy to figure out why she was suddenly talking to him out of the blue.

"I know you heard me," Temari growled, hands on her hips.

Shikamaru slowly looked up again, making sure to put on a neutral expression. From his peripheral, Shikamaru saw that Chouji had went back to the girls, so there was no backup available. "He's the Chancellor of Konoha University."

Temari made a face. "Yeah, I know that."

"I heard he's a pretty good fighter," Kankuro piped up. The shogi board had mysteriously disappeared from the desk the two Sunagakure siblings had been using, and Shikamaru could only assume they were done with their game and had now come to bother him.

"I guess," Shikamaru said indifferently.

"You guess?" Temari asked, rolling her eyes. "Aren't you researching him right now?"

"No," Shikamaru said. "Gaara-san is doing that. I'm researching the origins of the Shimura clan."

"Woah, did you just say Gaara's name?" Kankuro gasped.

Shikamaru frowned. "And, so what if I did?"

"I don't think I've ever heard you say his name," Kankuro remarked.

"And I don't think I've ever heard you say my name," Shikamaru fired back.

Kankuro grinned at him. "Fair enough."

Shikamaru sighed. "Look, I'm trying to do my project here. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't bother me."

"It looks like you've got a good chunk done already, though," Kankuro observed.

Shikamaru resisted another heavy sigh. "Yes, but that doesn't mean I'm done."

"Okay, okay," Kankuro said. "I'll leave you to your boring work."

Kankuro walked off to sit somewhere else, muttering something about rude youngsters under his breath.

Shikamaru noticed how Temari still hadn't moved from her spot, nor did she say anything. She merely leaned onto the desk behind her, watching Shikamaru quietly.

After a few more minutes, when Shikamaru could no longer bear the thought of her creepily judging him from the sidelines, Shikamaru turned to face her.

"Look, are you just going to keep staring at me? You'll burn a hole through my back if—"

Shikamaru stopped talking as it became evident Temari was not listening to him. She was leaning against the desk, her arms crossed across her chest. Her head was tilted down, her shoulders rising and falling in a slow rhythm, and after another moment, Shikamaru realized she had fallen asleep in that position.

Smirking a little to himself, Shikamaru turned back to his work. He had to admit he rather liked her like this. It was one of the rare moments she didn't look like she was going to murder him, and she was silent, too. No insults or sarcastic comments. Just the peaceful silence between them.

Without thinking, Shikamaru looked at Temari again. Her bangs had fallen so they now covered her face, hiding the harsh lines that were usually present on her face. Shikamaru couldn't help but think how friendlier she looked when she was asleep, though he wondered how uncomfortable she must be, sleeping in a position like that. As Shikamaru's eyes made their way down, he noticed how Temari had slid down a little, and her shirt had gotten caught on the edge of the desk, exposing a small area of light skin. Briefly, Shikamaru questioned how she remained that light. Didn't she live in the desert, where the sun was always out?

"Are you checking out my sister?" A voice accused, breaking Shikamaru out of his thoughts. He snapped his head back to face his laptop, as well as his accuser.

"Am I—what?" Involuntarily, Shikamaru turned red. "No! Why would I do that?"

From across the desk, Gaara gave him a long, unreadable stare and Shikamaru forced his face to return to normal, though he could still feel the remaining heat.

"You were staring at her," Gaara stated. "For a long time."

"I wasn't," Shikamaru denied. He cleared his throat, pretending to be busy researching, but he could feel Gaara's eyes remain on him, like a hawk on its prey.

Fortunately, he was saved by Chouji walking over.

"Hey, are you guys almost done?" said Chouji, who was holding a hand to his phone as if he had been talking to someone but had paused the conversation to talk to Shikamaru. "My mom just called and she's asking."

Shikamaru glanced at Gaara, who said nothing.

"Not really, I don't think," Shikamaru said, hoping Chouji would not notice anything unusual.

Chouji nodded and put the phone back to his ear, relaying the message to his mother. Another few minutes went by before Chouji spoke again.

"Do you know when you'll be done?" Chouji asked, directing the question at Gaara more than Shikamaru.

"I would like to finish most of these questions today," Gaara answered. "It will be hard for us to meet up on any other day, especially since I will be suspended tomorrow, and Wednesday."

Chouji nodded again, speaking into his phone. He looked surprised at something his mother said, and slowly he turned his attention back to Gaara.

"Um," Chouji started, unsure of how to pass on the message his mother had given him. "My mom says, if you want, do you want to continue working on the project at our place?"

"Your place?" Gaara inquired.

"Well, more like Shikamaru's place," Chouji amended. "His mom is with my mom right now, and they both came to an agreement."

"Wait, an agreement about what?" Shikamaru asked, his suspicions growing by the second.

Chouji shifted uncomfortably in his spot, sending his best friend an apologetic look.

"Our parents are inviting you to come over and have dinner with us," Chouji told Gaara. "And, before you ask, yes, that includes your siblings, too. And, after dinner, you can just continue working on your project."

Gaara frowned. "I do not wish to bother you."

"It's no bother," Chouji said. "They insisted. Our parents would like to meet you, too. I mean, if it's alright with you, that is. They were really interested in talking to you."

Gaara still looked uncertain, and Shikamaru hoped he would turn down the offer. The last thing he wanted was to eat with the three Sunagakure siblings.

To Shikamaru's relief, Gaara gave his head a subtle shake. "Still, it would be rude to suddenly come on such short notice. In addition, I think Baki-sensei has already prepared dinner for us, and it would not do to waste his efforts."

Chouji nodded, letting out a small breath that only Shikamaru caught. "I'll tell them that."

Gaara nodded politely. "Perhaps another time."

.

By the time the pair finished their work, Sakura and Hinata had already gone home. Asuma was wrapping up the last of his paperwork, smiling to himself as he read a text on his phone.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at him. "Is there something amusing, Asuma-sensei?"

Asuma quickly lowered his phone. "Hm? No. Why do you ask?"

Shikamaru shrugged. "You were smiling to yourself like there was something funny."

"Oh," Asuma said, packing the rest of his things. "You ready to go? Because I have to leave, and you guys can't be in here without me."

"We know," Shikamaru said, his things already packed and ready to go.

"Any of you guys need a ride?" Asuma offered as they headed out of the classroom. The three siblings shook their hands.

"We're getting picked up," Kankuro said. "Baki-sensei's already here."

Temari grumbled something under her breath, looking tired. Kankuro had woken her up a few minutes ago, and she was moving stiffly, as if she was sore (which Shikamaru figured, she was). Shikamaru wondered just exactly how much sleep she had last night.

"What about you three?" Asuma asked.

"A ride would be nice," Shikamaru admitted, and Ino and Chouji chorused their concurrence.

"A ride it is," Asuma agreed. He had already known the three Ino-Shika-Cho children would accept his offer even before he asked.

They made their way to the parking lot, and the three siblings followed them. As they neared the parking lot, Shikamaru felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see Gaara.

Getting the hint, Shikamaru slowed so that he and Gaara were now behind everyone else and out of their hearing ranges.

"Did you want to talk about the project?" Shikamaru asked, confused and a little nervous at what the redhead wanted.

"Not the project," Gaara mumbled. He paused, as if gathering his thoughts. His light green eyes shifted uncertainly.

"What you do is none of my business," Gaara finally said slowly, his voice quiet. However, his eyes narrowed threateningly. "But if you ever hurt my sister…"

"Look, I'm not interested in her," Shikamaru sighed, wishing he could just clear up the misunderstanding. He didn't need Gaara watching him like he was some criminal. "So, you don't have to worry about that."

Gaara nodded, looking unconvinced. "You're not a bad choice though. I could have someone worse courting my sister."

Shikamaru flushed. "I'm not—I don't—why would I—ugh!"

Gaara waited patiently for the other boy to form coherent words.

"I'm not 'courting' her or anything!" Shikamaru hissed. "I don't even like her!"

"Okay," Gaara said simply. He walked off, leaving behind a flustered Shikamaru.

The Sunagakure children got into a car, leaving Shikamaru alone with his teacher and two friends.

"What was that about?" Chouji asked as Ino cast Shikamaru a sly look. Asuma was busy looking for his keys and didn't seem to be paying their conversation any heed.

"Did you hear that, Ino?" Shikamaru demanded.

"No," Ino said. "But it's not that hard to guess. You're only this flustered by a couple things, and one of them happens to be—"

"Don't say it," Shikamaru growled, but Ino ignored him.

"—Temari-chan. And, since it was her brother talking to you just now, in private, I'm guess he was warning you off her," Ino finished. "Also, I saw the exchange between the two of you earlier. Because, admit it, Shikamaru, you were totally checking her out."

"I was not!" Shikamaru protested indignantly.

"Oh, please," Ino said. "You never look at girls. Ever."

"Ino," Shikamaru groaned. "Can you not? We've talked about this."

"Yeah, but you never seem to accept it," Ino pouted.

Shikamaru sighed, shuffling into Asuma's car as soon as the doors were unlocked.

Chouji dutifully sat next to Shikamaru before Ino could make a move, shielding the other boy somewhat from Ino's prying questions.

"Thanks, Chouji," Shikamaru said, leaning his head back against the seat and closing his eyes.

"Oh, come on, Shikamaru," Ino said, trying to get past Chouji, who was refusing to budge.

"He's sleeping," Chouji said, giving Ino a look.

Ino sighed in defeat. "Fine. I'll let it slide this time, but don't you dare think this conversation is over!"

From the front, Asuma glanced at them curiously.