I do not own Naruto and/or its characters.
Buckling his sandal straps, Shikamaru got ready for his trip. He grabs his knapsack with stuff that would barely pass as essential needs. The sun beating down on him already at eleven am.
He had filed for an indefinite leave. Indefinite meaning until he set things straight. And there are a lot of things that needed fixing as far as he's concerned.
He can already see it. Long winding roads, possible ambush by amateur bandits, innkeepers charging taking advantage of tourists, and don't even let him get started on the weather. Just thinking about it was troublesome enough.
"Father,"
One look at him and his father already figured that there was something horribly wrong. So instead of asking why, Shikaku sat down on the tatami and set the shogi board in place.
Shikamaru followed suit and began setting up his pieces. This was how it always was with him and his father. No words needed to be exchanged.
When the board was ready, Shikamaru moved one of the pawns forward as he began to explain. "I was being practical."
And his father moved a pawn forward.
"I figured," Shikamaru continued as he moved another piece. "…that I had to plan ahead, consider the distance, feasibility of being with her."
Shikaku said nothing, waiting for him to continue. A strong gust of wind blew inside the room with the sliding door wide open. There was silence for a while. Only the sounds produced by the garden right outside could be heard.
"So I considered my options." Shikamaru's pawn advances.
"Shikamaru," Shikaku finally opens his mouth. "Do you realize how selfish you are right now?"
Shikamaru looks down. "I know I made the right decision. It's what's best. But—"
"But you are not satisfied." Shikaku finishes for his son.
"I want to be."
"Did you come here to justify yourself? Asking me to agree with you and confirm your decisions?" Shikaku sharply replies.
Shikamaru's eyes widen in sudden realization. Indeed he was. He wanted his father's approval so bad because he knew has done something wrong. Subconsciously, he was trying to get console himself.
"With matters of the heart, son, logic plays no significance." Shikaku explains. "Because you're not merely manipulating variables."
Shikamaru continues to listen intently.
"And you are hurt right now, aren't you?" Shikaku asks. "You can't play shogi alone."
Shikamaru almost burned a hole through the floor. How could he have been so blinded?
Shikaku makes his move, Shikamaru is a move away from defeat.
"Temari isn't just a piece in the game." Shikaku explains as he makes his last move. "She's the other player. Without her, there wouldn't even be a game."
Shikamaru recalls the talk he had with his father two days ago. After clearing his head, making sure he understood where he went wrong, he stormed Tsunade's office and got his permission to leave.
Shikamaru began his week long trip.
He can already see it. Long winding roads, possible ambush by amateur bandits, innkeepers charging taking advantage of tourists, and don't even let him get started on the weather. Just thinking about it was troublesome enough.
But she is worth the trouble.
So sorry for the delay. I've been rather occupied lately.
Anyway, how is it so far? :D
Thanks for reading and leaving your reviews. I really appreciate it guys!