luvs2smooch: Here's something else. Read on, and please enjoy it.
Summary: Shikamaru is now a teacher, working under Iruka and instructing the youngest ninja. He adores his job. What will happen when his ex shows up, and with the near-same occupation? Rated T to be safe. R&R!
Ex's and O's
"That's it! Right in the center!" I cheered enthusiastically. It may have been somewhat uncharacteristic, but hell, they were my students. It may sound rather simple minded, but I get happy when they do well. Shuriken practice was no different…
I grinned at my own thoughts. They were easy to please, my students. Just some minor success or another with even mild praise to back it really hyped them up. Did wonders for my mood too.
I began to step in time with the rhythmic sounds of the shuriken. The sheer whistle as they flew. The slight piercing thik when they sank themselves into wooden targets. Smiling once more at my own actions, I walked about behind the throwing line. Sometimes I think that even just standing behind these little guys helps.
However, my smile faded when I reached Kuroramu. He was….my problem student. His behavior was fine, certainly, but he could not throw to save his life. Nor could he accurately perform most basic jutsu. I sighed inwardly at my own inability. I can barely teach him…
I ducked behind him and helped to better position his arm. "Up," I said, "and a little to the left…try that." He gave a grunt of approval and sent the little metal star soaring, singing its obtuse song as it sailed. I tracked its movement's right up until it hit the target, and grinned. Direct hit! Maybe today would be a good day for him…
"Nice job! Just remember that position!" I moved on, nodding my approval to each of my pupils, occasionally offering words of advice. I was confident in just about everyone. I knew that most of them could perform well enough, if not more than well enough, to pass any exams thrown their way. To me, that was pretty satisfying. It had become my comfort zone, so to speak. I supposed to myself that it was because it offered a place of constancy, of non-changing comfort (something scarce in a ninja's life). I smiled to myself yet again as I gazed up into the cloud-speckled sky. Nothing to go awry…
"Why, Shikamaru, hello!" I cringed at the voice echoing behind me. A quake shot up my spine as the shriek of a banshee crossed my ears. My eye twitched as the speaker's picture ran through my mind. I knew I could neither avoid it nor ignore, and so I chose my only option, turning with a sigh--How troublesome!--to face the voice's owner.
Temari...my ex.
luvs2smooch: There it is...a cliffhanger. Thanks for reading! Please review and move on if I've updated.