People never missed a chance to mention how much Shikadai looked like his father - and it was true, he did resemble Shikamaru when it came to looks.. but that's where it all ended. Perhaps the only trait they shared was laziness, but besides that they were different. However, people didn't seem do understand that - they expected Shikadai to be the same lazy genius, always calm and collected and ready to throw a snarky comment, leaving the other feeling really dumb.
No, Shikadai wasn't a genius. He wasn't a 'hero' like his father, either - all the boy cared about was parties, alcohol, shagging and a certain Uzumaki girl. He didn't consider himself to be smart or anything like that; but for some reason when people heard the name Nara they expected Shika to be like his father or even grandfather.. and he hated it. He couldn't live up to being Shikamaru Nara - and hell, he didn't want to! He was his own, different person. The only one who seemed to understand that was his aunt, Ino, who also happened to be his favourite person in the world.
Ino knew all of Shikadai's secrets - he could share basically anything with her without feeling judged or receiving a smack behind his head or a dead stare - like his mother always seemed to do. No, aunt Ino was the chillest person he knew and she never expected anything from him, she just accepted Shikadai for who he was. That's why he loved her so much and was happy to spend every minute with her. Not only that, she was the only person who knew about his crush on Himawari.. well, besides Chocho, but the difference was that he shared that with her willingly.
Apparently, she even decided to help him. Tonight, Temari and Shikamaru decided to invite Naruto and Hinata for dinner, because they haven't seen each other in a long time, besides Shikamaru and Naruto working together. The one who gave the idea, was of course, Ino. Shikadai totally freaked over the fact that Himawari would be there.
A few hours later, the Uzumakis arrived. Shikadai was feeling nervous in every sense of the word. Himawari looked as beautiful as ever.. and Bolt, he was also there. God, Shika almost forgot about the whole drama thing surrounding Bolt and Chocho being worried and all. He pulled the blonde guy aside so they could talk alone.
"Hey, dude, where the hell have you been?" Shikadai whispered.
"None of your bussiness." replied Bolt frowning, seeming more grumpy than usual.
"Whatever, man. I'm just saying that Chocho has been losing her shit these days.."
"Chocho? Why?" Bolt raised an eyebrow, earning a shrug from Shikadai.
"Dunno. I guess something happened or whatever.. she didn't tell me anything. Oh, and Sarada's also been missing school. Now that was weird!"
"Hmph. Nothing happened.. and yeah, I know. I was with her, after all." was all Bolt said before heading towards the living room, followed by a very curious Shikadai who desperately wanted to know why Sarada and Bolt have been skipping school together.. they couldn't even stand each other?
The dinner was.. well, awkward. Naruto seemed really nervous and his usual silly behaviour seemed way too forced to be anywhere near funny or casual. Hinata was quiet the whole time and barely said a word - Temari tried her best to start a conversation with the Hyuga woman, but it didn't work. Shikamaru was his usual self and basically he was the only one talking, babbling about something. Not much after that, Shikadai suggested to the siblings to go at the backyard so they could enjoy the fresh air and stuff.. and they agreed.
Shikadai also managed to bring a bottle of vodka he was hiding well in his closet. Himawari seemed to be interested in the swing there - she was swinging slowly, her feet barely leaving the ground. Bolt was frowning as usual - that's all he seemed to do lately. The boys sat on the grass in front of the swing. Shikadai offered Bolt some vodka and the blonde took a few big gulps, making Shikadai whistle.
"Easy there, boy! Now, let it all out. What's bothering ya?" the Nara began speaking, liting himself a cigarette. He offered one to Himawari and was kind of proud of himself when she agreed. "Alright.." he began speaking again when Bolt gave him no answer. "But what about Sarada then? I thought you two couldn't stand each other.."
Bolt quietly took a few more gulps of the bottle. "I guess we bonded.. over similar topics." he muttered and as a reply Himawari snorted. Shikadai could feel a tension.. although other things interested him more than the Uzumaki drama. "Ooh.. I feel a tension?" the Nara whispered and Himawari just smiled at him a little. "Since when do you care?" Bolt suddenly spoke, drinking once again from the bottle. Shit, was he trying to end the bottle? "Well.. I don't. Not really - just tryna be nice, you see. Hmm.. So you and Sarada. Chocho would not like this.." he mumbled to himself; it was rather thinking out loud.
However, Shika certainly didn't watch his big mouth and Bolt was definitely still sober enough to notice. "Why the hell would Chocho care?" Bolt snorted. "Because she's got a thing for you." Himawari suddenly spoke, getting up from the swing and grabbing the bottle from her brother's hands and taking a few sips from it, before returning back to the swing. "How.. do you know that?" Shikadai couldn't help but ask - he didn't think Chocho's crush was a noticeable thing.. but he didn't believe that the Akimichi would share something like that with Himawari, or anybody with that matter. "I know everything." the younger girl spoke again, her words followed by a small smile.. a smile that Shikadai adored, a smile that made him fall in love with her even more.
Well, shit, this crush was getting more and more serious - turns out he didn't just want a shag. He was in deep now - there was no going back. Although, he doubted that she'd like him.. or that Bolt would approve. Not that his opinion mattered to him, but he'd definitely try and create problems.
"Oh, man.." Bolt left out a big, tired sigh, running his fingers through his messy, blonde hair. "Himawari, give me the bottle back, please.. I need it." he mumbled, before his sister gave him back the bottle and he took a few huge gulps out of it. "Hey, dude, easy. Your parents will find your drunk ass in our yard!" Shikadai scolded him. "So? They wouldn't give a shit." Bolt slurred, obviously he had drank too much. Shikadai noticed that Himawari frowned at her brother. Perhaps he could ask her about the.. Uzumaki drama?
"Oh.. what's going on?" the Nara boy asked concerned, turning to the purple-haired girl. He almost melted when she looked at him with her lavender eyes. "It's okay, you can tell me anything! Besides, look at his drunk ass - he wouldn't know a thing.." he spoke again when he received no answer, his words followed by a chuckle. Well, at least he got Himawari to smile a little.
"He thinks our dad is cheating on mom. That's not true, of course." she mumbled, frowning at her brother. Himawari did seem upset.. his whole life, he never saw her to be.. caring, towards anything at all. It broke Shika's heart seeing her so visibly hurt. "Why.. why does he think that?" Shikadai whispered, looking at his drunk ass friend on the ground before his eyes got back on the beautiful goddess standing in front of him. "Because he's an idiot." Himawari simply replied. Well.. she was never one to talk much - usually her replies were very short, but they left you thinking. At least Nara managed to get her to open up a little.
"He might be using it as a reason to hang out with Sarada.. Huh, you know how they can be-"
"I doubt it." she interrupted him, furrowing her eyebrows once again.
Oh, shit. He was only making the situation worse. Perhaps he had to change the topic now. "Yeah.. well, you know Bolt - he's a stubborn idiot sometimes. Don't worry your pretty head about it, yeah?" Shikadai tried to encourage her, giving her a big grin.
At least she smiled - it wasn't a 'thank you for being so supportive!' smile, it was rather a 'what is this idiot doing' one, but in the end, it was still a smile. Shikadai took a few steps closer to the girl - he could feel her scent now.. he could see her beautiful, lavender eyes.. and her soft, kissable lips. Oh, how he wanted to..
Suddenly, he was interrupted by the noise of Bolt getting up from the ground - or at least he was trying to - before any of them could say anything else. Still, he managed to get on his feet. "Oi, Himawari.. let's go. Mom will be calling us soon.. Shikadai, I'm gonna have to speak to you tomorrow." With that, the Uzumaki headed towards the house, followed by his sister, giving the Nara kind of threating look. Oh.. shit. Maybe he wasn't as drunk as Shika thought he was? So what was going on now.. was Shikadai in trouble?
A few minutes later, the Uzumaki's left. Naruto and Hinata were kind of keeping a distance.. and Bolt was walking next to Himawari and he was saying something to her.. she laughed. Shikadai wondered what they could be talking about. The boy sat down at the table with his father, while Temari was cleaning around, washing the dishes and clearing the table.
"What was going on with Naruto?" Temari asked her husband with concern, who seemed to be just as worried as she was.
"I don't know.. he wasn't acting like himself. And Hinata.. she was so quiet. Even more than usual." Shikamaru said thoughtfully.
"Yeah, you're right. There was definitely some tension between them." Temari commented.
"Well, their family problems shouldn't be our concern. I'm tired, I'm going to bed." the Nara declared with a yawn, before getting up from the table and heading upstairs.
What if Bolt was right.. what if Naruto was really up to something? To be honest, Shika didn't care much about the Uzumaki drama.. as long as Himawari was fine.