"I am home," he took off his shoes as the door shut behind him.

He could already smell the food at the entrance; he entered the living room.

The guest sat there, she smiled at him.

"Shikamaru-kun."

He nodded at her. What was her name again…?

"You are back, where have you been?" His mother took one last dish from the kitchen and laid it onto the table. His father was sitting in the living room with the girl.

"We are just talking about you," the older man suggested. "You know, Shiho here is starting at your company tomorrow."

Oh yes, her name was Shiho.

He remembered her now – she was in some of his class in university; she was their family friend's daughter …

She had something, according to Ino, 'a gigantic crush' on him back when they were in university.

Ino was not even jealous of her back at that time.

"Shikamaru?"

"Oh-oh," he stammered a little. "Which department are you in?"

"Oh, I am in the Information system development department."

"Ah, so we are on the same floor." He said with a smile. "I am in business development."

The girl blushed and tucked her light, frizzy blonde hair behind her ear.

"So…" Shikaku was just about to continue, when Yoshino approached the table, her hands on her hips. "Time for dinner!"

The three of them stood up and approached the table.

They began to eat; Shiho complimented Yoshino on how good her cooking was.

"So, Shiho," the older woman began, as she put down an empty bowl. "How was your father's business?"

"It was fine, aunt Yoshino." She smiled and nodded. "But I figured I wanted to gain some experience outside of our computer company."

"If only you could be more like Shiho, Shikamaru." Yoshino shot him a glare; Shikamaru shrugged it off.

"Troublesome," he muttered.

"Anyway, Shiho." His mother decided to ignore him. "Since you are starting tomorrow, why don't you go together with Shikamaru? He could show you around."

Shikamaru looked at his father, who said nothing and took a sip from his tea.

"If-if Shikamaru-kun wouldn't mind, that would be great."

"You wouldn't mind, would you?" Yoshino turned at him, her eyes sent him the message that she would thrash him if he disobeyed.

"Tch, sure." Shikamaru muttered. "I will pick you up tomorrow."

Shiho blushed like an apple, and stared down at the empty bowl in front of her.

Shikamaru could not see her eyes behind those swirling glasses, but he was pretty sure that she was staring at him most of the time.

"Where are you living right now?"

"Right…right across the street." She replied meekly. "On the twentieth floor, apartment B."

"Got that." He replied and took a sip from his cup of tea.

He avoided whatever conversation by hiding in his father's study.

"What a drag," he lit a cigarette, and placed it between his lips.

He puffed out a cloud of smoke - the hot vapour scorched his throat.

It was obvious that the girl outside was attracted to him, as clueless as he was with women, it was as obvious as his mother being a woman.

He sighed as he took another deep breath from the glowing rod.

Perhaps what she saw was still that boy in college, that boy who treated the platinum blonde girl with blue eyes as his one and only true love.

Perhaps he was attractive that way.

The problem was Shikamaru was no longer a boy.

He was a man, a man who knew that no matter how much effort you put in, some things would never be yours.

Ino was one of them.

Perhaps Shiho does not know about his night life excursions, perhaps she does not know who he really was…

Perhaps he himself doesn't know himself – who he really is, what is it there for him.

The cigarette wilted, hot ash fell to the ground like a grey snowflake.

"Oi," his father popped his head in, frowning for a second as Shikamaru put the cigarette butt at the dish next to the window. "Your mother asked you to send Shiho home."

"She lives across the street," he complained.

"And your mother will knock your head off," Shikaku smiled at him. "Hurry up."

Shikamaru sighed and walked out of the study, he scratched the back of his head and walked into the entrance way.

Shiho was bowing repeatedly at Yoshino, she smiled timidly.

"Thank you aunt Yoshino," she smiled and said. "I would go now…"

"Hold on, Shikamaru!" Yoshino turned around, arching an eyebrow in surprise as she saw her son, already standing behind him, sucking his teeth.

"Here, I will walk you back." He smiled briefly, putting on his shoes.

Shiho said nothing but nodded, her face was as red as the tomatoes they ate during dinner.

Shikamaru sighed in relief as he shut the door behind their backs.

Shiho said nothing, she turned her head and stared at Shikamaru as they crossed the road. A constant shade of pink appeared on her face, as she smiled, stealing glances at Shikamaru.

He used to look at Ino the same way…

They arrived at her door, she unlocked it with a key and stepped inside.

Shikamaru watched as she stepped inside.

She stopped and turned around, staring at him.

"Shikamaru-kun, do you want to come in?"

He smiled and shook his head.

"Nah, better go home, we have work tomorrow."

She stared down at her feet, visibly disappointed.

"I will see you tomorrow morning, Shikamaru-kun." He nodded and turned around.

As he walked towards the lift, he could hear her closing the door slowly.

He sighed and fished another cigarette out of his pocket.

Perhaps the smoke could make him forget, numb his nerves and put this memory of his off his mind.

But he found himself glancing at his phone, waiting for someone who would never call.


She could not sleep.

She laid atop of her large bed, draped in purple bed sheets and linen.

In her hand was an empty wine cup.

She could smell the sweet scent of wine lacing her breath.

"I am leaving you," she said, opening the door and staring up at him. The smug grin fell off his face, his violet eyes looked at her angrily.

"Are we going to do this again?" He snickered. "You know the drill."

"No, Hidan," she said, firmly, hands folded in front of her chest. "I am leaving you."

She pointed at the two paperboxes at the door. "Here's your shit, now beat it."

"Why are you doing this, babe?" Hidan placed his hand on her shoulder, which she roughly pushed it off.

"You cheated on me … I have lost count of the numbers." She sneered at him. "And you still wouldn't quit doing that…"

"I do it for the thrill, you know that." Hidan sighed, winking at her.

"You realize you are talking about drugs, do you?" Temari rolled her eyes. "Well, do whatever you want, it doesn't matter."

"Why don't you just give me another chance?"

"No, not to mention, you hit me…"

"I thought you liked it."

"Are you fucking insane?"

"Hell, that's why you like me."

"Fuck off, you filth."

"Tch," Hidan leaned forward, staring deep into her emerald eyes. "So there is no turning back, huh?"

"No." She glared at him, lips thinning in determination.

"Very well then," Hidan looked up and threw his head back in a cold laugh. "I like you, Temari – but your money, god I love it."

Temari said nothing, her fists clenched tightly.

"And to think that I am filthy, what does that say about you?" Hidan leaned forward again, holding her chin roughly with his hand. "You are just as bad as I am."

"Shut up," she pushed his hand away from her.

She shut the door, leaning at the door, she heard him picking up the boxes and walked away.

She sat on the floor, hands wrapping around her knees.

She had not cried like that for a long time, not when she first realized Hidan was cheating on her, not when she found out he was doing drugs of all kinds …

She realized that something moist was rolling of her cheeks.

Temari wiped the tears off her face, and stared up at the ceiling above.

At least she realized – she was not ready for another relationship yet, not before she forgets about how Hidan hurt her, not before she learns how to love someone properly.

Because all Hidan has taught her was that – if you do not get attached, you would not get hurt.

At least that was what she thought before she met that lazy brown-haired guy.

For a very long time, she had not felt this happy around someone.

Maybe because she knew he understands the pain, he understands her feelings.

But she was not sure whether she wants to welcome him with open arms – after all, she met him in a club, a one-night stand.

Could she trust him?

She closed her eyes - perhaps she could find some solace in the dark.


Temari shot up from her bed, she turned around and looked at the clock.

08:00.

"Shit," she muttered. She leapt off her bed, and rubbed her temples.

Her headache was conking on her head, she sighed as she brushed her teeth.

It took her fifteen minutes to get dressed and got into the car.

She stared out of the window, the scenery shifted in her eyes, like a piece of moving picture, the buildings gleaming in the morning sun, the cars bustling like a train of ants, rushing forward.

She stepped off the car, holding bundles of documents in her hands; it was difficult, given the fact that she was wearing heels, but she would manage – because she is not like any other woman.

She nudged the door open, just in time to see a familiar person walking in front of her.

Shikamaru was walking in front, by his side was a girl with light blonde hair, her frame was willowy, the two stood inches next to each other.

She saw her turning her head at him, smiling with a blush on her face, as he talked to her.

She did not know what they were talking about, but she definitely knew that look on her face.

Temari wanted to run away.

She turned around and with a thump, the binders in her hand fell onto the ground, the papers flew everywhere.

"I am sorry," she muttered, as she apologized quickly to whoever she bumped into.

"It's okay, let me help you."

She looked up and saw this taller man, his dark hair covered his waist; he returned a confused gaze at the woman in front of him.

"Thank you …" She said, arching an eyebrow in equal confusion.

"No problem," he smiled at her, holding the documents for her, and helped her up.

"And you are …?" She asked as she walked beside him, her eyes still glancing at the space in front – Shikamaru and the girl had disappeared.

"Oh, apologies." He looked down with an apologetic smile on his face. "My name is Hyuga Neji.


Author's note:

Another chapter! I hope it is not too confusing.

So basically, Shikamaru's ex-girlfriend is not going to appear YET...

I hope you enjoy! I will update soon!

V.S.V xoxo