Lazy clouds drifted slowly across a sky of crystal blue, simple and beautiful, unburdened by gravity or a 24 credit course load.
Shikamaru envied their freedom.
Sitting on top of the world (otherwise known as the roof the KU Social Sciences building), and as far from his responsibilities as he could, the eternally troubled youth wondered what he'd gotten himself into. Four days into the school year, Shikamaru already wanted to give up his great ambitions, crawl into bed, and sleep for a week. Unfortunately, for the first time in his life, there were actually people who had invested time and money in his future.
"Mendoukusai."
His parents had already paid for college. All those damn advisors and therapists were working for his success. And, as if that weren't bad enough, Shikamaru had somehow found himself appointed the president of the KU's gaming club during last night's meeting.
In any case, it's my own fault. Wanting things to get more interesting, mused the dark youth.
"Baka."
The viciousness of the glare Shikamaru now directed at the clouds above should have precipitated them dropping out of the sky. However, it merely succeeded in making his best friend uneasy.
"Oi, Shikamaru, are you okay?"
Kicked out of his self-centered reveries, Shikamaru assured Chouji with a quick grin.
"Sure, I'm okay. You?"
"Yeah, but we should probably go back down soon. We promised to meet Ino for breakfast."
The relatively lighthearted grin on the exhausted youth's face immediately dropped down into a sigh of irritation. But, his eyes still held a glint of good spirits. This conspicuous glint wasn't due to the news that he's have to sit and listen to Ino babble on about, "Sasuke-kun!" and the latest gossip and how incredibly sexy she was looking today. Rather the tilt of amusement in his normally furrowed brows was a direct result of the one duty that Shikamaru would never mind having.
Being Chouji's best friend.
Sigh, "I suppose it would be even more troublesome to bail on her."
The sound of plastic crinkling, "Plus, I'm almost out of chips."
"Well, we can't have that, can we?" Shikamaru mumbled with a laugh.
The white clouds continued to drift over the faded rooftop, unaware of how one youth would've given anything for their freedom.
Waiting for him at the old wooden door leading off the roof, Chouji was steadily finishing off the bag of barbecue chips in his hands.
"Oi, Shikamaru, are you coming?"
Well, almost anything.
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Peering blearily out from underneath an unwashed tangle of blonde hair, Naruto was fairly certain that when the little hand was past the eight and the big hand was on the 6, Freshman English was supposed to begin. Mornings were not conducive to either one's eyesight or one's thinking. But, the boy swore that the big hand was nearing the 9, and fast.
With an overly dramatic sigh, Naruto threw himself backward in his chair and moaned, "Oh, why did I even bother to come to class this early, if the teacher isn't even going to show?!"
"Uzumaki Naruto," said a gentle baritone voice.
"Huh, what? Where?" The blonde's normal state of mind was, if possible, even slower in the mornings. Through barely open eyes, the blonde saw…red hair, sky eyes, kanji tattoo.
"Ano sa, Ano sa, Gaara. That's your name, right? We rode together in the elevator once, remember?"
Idiot. I sound like a stalker.
"Here." blankly stated the redhead.
Thrust under Naruto's nose was pure liquid heaven. With tears of gratitude nearly streaming down his cheeks, the blond gazed at Gaara. This wonderful, glorious human being had gone to the mountain and brought back the nectar of the gods and was going to share it with him. And, while most people would probably wonder why someone they had only rode silently in an elevator with once was giving them free coffee for no apparent reason, Naruto was not most people, and, really, it was too early for Gaara's motives to matter.
Oh, sweet caffeine.
"Ha ha! Coffee! Coffee! Coffee!" With a quick grab and swallow, Naruto consumed the redhead's offering.
Sigh. Wonderful.
All of a sudden, the reality of the situation dawned on the blonde or maybe the coffee was kicking in.
Naruto became very serious.
Slit eye serious.
The blond stood up in front of Gaara and bowed, "Arigato, Gaara-san."
"Heheheh," which quickly dissolved from a bow to a happy dance of thanks to the java gods. Regrettably, for the others in the classroom, Naruto had very very little of what one might call "natural rhythm".
"Oi, dumbass, sit down!"
"Agh, it's too early for that crap."
"Baka, baka, baka!"
"…"
Regardless of the reactions those around him had, Naruto's pure joy could not be dampened.
"…"
Though, Gaara's blank stare was getting difficult to ignore.
" Ahayo, class!"
And suddenly, neither the staring nor the dancing was of importance.
Hatake Kakashi's one visible eye was scrunched up with happiness. Cheer which quickly turned to surprise, when he saw that there were still students in the classroom; they had not, in fact, taken advantage of his lateness to skip.
As Kakashi took in the sorry situation, the students were also beginning to realize that their teacher had finally shown his face.
…
Or, he had come to class, anyway.
Comprehending that fact, grumbles of "idiot blonde kid" quickly turned into snarls of "Erg, didn't even have time to shower, and he's all cheerful, arg".
The aforementioned idiot blonde kid has also figured out that the silver-haired man who just came through the door was their teacher (about 3-4 minutes after everyone else), and he was definitely going to tell this guy exactly how he felt about the whole lateness issue.
Save for the uncomfortable sensation of someone (still) staring at him.
Trying his hardest to be inconspicuous (and failing miserably), Naruto turned back, only to see that Gaara had yet to move from the position he been in while offering Naruto the coffee. If the blonde had been able to read minds, then he would've known that the last five minutes had completely overloaded poor Gaara's socially-starved, sleep-deprived brain. And, all the redhead felt capable of doing was the trusty, old combination of standing and staring.
Yet, to be honest, even if Gaara had not been awake since 4AM, decided to give Naruto the extra cup of coffee that he had brought with him to class, had a dance of thanks performed in his honor while the rest of the class watched (as they became increasingly annoyed by the blonde's antics), the redhead would probably still have been staring at something, only from a sitting position.
A concerned look scrunched up Naruto's face, and the blonde placed his hand on the redhead's forehead, seeing if he had a fever or something else that might cause this utter blankness.
Gaara's eyes widened in shock and he took a cagey step away from the blonde. However, Naruto would not be so easily dismissed. A superior look replaced his worry, the poor guy must not realize that class has started. Naruto whispered loudly, "Oi, Gaara, I think our teacher just walked in the room. Let's sit down, and we might actually get a chance to have English class."
So, the pair sat down at the table Naruto had chosen, which tended to tilt to one side. Glancing around, the blonde found the whole class staring at them, including a, now, rather bored-eyed Kakashi. The young yet silver-haired English teacher cleared his throat, "Uhum, since we are all paying attention, I guess, class can start."
Grumble, grumble.
"Since it is only the first day of this class, I'm going to give you guys a break," said Kakashi in a bored monotone.
Mutters from the classroom after this comment took the same general view, "This guy! Give us a break, my ass! He just wants to get out of teaching us today."
"Let's just look at the syllabus, and then you can all go."
As the teacher began to walk between tables, distributing course outlines, he continued to speak, "The requirements for my English class include three papers, 2 tests, and the attendance of at least three cultural events in the area."
As usual, Naruto was a little bit confused.
"Ano, sensei, if this is just an English class, why--"
"Why am I making you go to cultural events that have potentially nothing to do with what I am teaching?" The shape of Kakashi's eye indicated that if the rest of his face had been visible, there would have been a slightly evil grin present.
"I added this requirement to the course, in part, because it will help fulfill your General Education Humanities' requirements. Also, one should support the arts. But, mostly…"
The slightly evil grin widened.
"Just because I can."
Crickets.
"Any other questions?"
Relaxing his features a little, the intimidating yet lethargic man continued while relaxing back in his desk's creaky wooden chair, "I was kind enough to give a list of the cultural events that I already know are going on, as well as a definition of what a cultural event is, essentially. Because this is college, I feel under no obligation to treat you like small children, reading aloud everything on the papers I just handed out. In other words, unless you have anymore questions--"
"Yeah," called a jaded voice from the back of the classroom, "why'd you show up to class so late? It sucked waiting around for so long."
Kakashi saw that the speaker was a slim, ponytailed kid with a look of exasperation across his face.
Sigh.
"Well, to be totally honest, There was an important book release this morning, and (for professional reasons, of course) it was necessary to insure that I got a copy."
Grumble, grumble.
During the course of this morning's class (about 8 minutes), Naruto had grown increasingly hyper, the longer the coffee was allowed to circulate in his veins. Not paying much attention to what was actually going on, the blonde let his eyes rove over the classroom.
Eight square wooden tables with four chairs a piece. Shikamaru in the back, sitting next to that fatass, Chouji. Kiba in the front corner talking to that strange Hinata girl. Chalkboard someone erased but with writing still faintly visible. Windows lining the left wall; doors to the right. Gaara. Teacher talking about some book he had to get this morning. Likely sto—
Naruto's gaze had stopped on the well-worn brown bag Kakashi had brought with him to class. Sticking out the side were the corners of two books: one orange, one green. Just visible on the front cover of the orange book was a red circle with a line through it.
Kukuku. I know what major release was today. Jiraiya has been bugging me about his new Icha Icha book for months…
Giving his teacher an impish grin (of which Kakashi took no notice), Naruto seemed to say, Sensei, you perv.
Naruto continued to chuckle evilly to himself until he realized that the redhead was looking at him again.
Shit, I probably creeped him out.
Seeing a few other faces turned toward his table, the blonde thought, maybe not just him.
Kakashi was still trying to end his class early (or on time, since he had been so late). Now that Naruto knew the reason why his English teacher really wanted to leave and its pervy nature, the blonde felt he could detect a hint of desperation in the man's voice.
And then, suddenly,
"…So, see you Monday."
Everyone was a little stunned by Kakashi's abrupt departure, much like his arrival. So, it took a few seconds for them to get moving. Some didn't move at all.
"Ugh, get up early, show up to class, have to wait forever, and then our perv of a teacher walks out after like five minutes to go…read," Naruto said to no one in particular. The blonde was a little surprised when he actually received a response, of sorts.
"Perv?" Pale blue eyes blinked at Naruto
Putting one hand behind his head and scratching a little in embarrassment, Naruto responded to what he hoped was the redhead's question. Though, considering the dance and maniacal laughter, it might not be.
"Yeah, I saw that book sensei just had to have before class, sticking out of his bag. Hentai. And I should know, it was my perv of a foster father that wrote it." Realizing how this last admission might reflect on him, the blonde hurriedly continued. "Yuck, Makeout books. I mean, come on, if you really like that stuff, then go out and get the real thing. Don't just sit there and…" Naruto shook his head and eyed Gaara, "Pervs, ne?"
Says the boy who'd only had one real date in his entire life (not to mention the huge collection of pornography under his dorm bed) to the guy who didn't even realize he had a sexuality to question or who could even grasp the concept of someone going out on a date with him.
"Hmmm," said Gaara.
Truthfully, Naruto had absolutely no idea what Gaara was thinking with this sound. But, tenaciously, he plowed forward.
The clock on the wall says 9:21; class ends at 9:30. Thanks for letting us out soo early, sensei. Geez. Still…
"Hey, do you have class anytime soon?"
"Ummm, I-I guess not until Painting at noon."
Immediately derailed by a tangent, "Painting, huh? So you must be an art major, or something? Wait don't tell me. Or tell me, but over breakfast. I need food. Oh…and thanks again for the coffee. Now, where should we eat?"
Gaara was really getting confused by the blonde, so confused (not to mention hungry) that his self-conscious shell cracked a little. "Eat? Ummm, wherever is fine. There is one café I kind of—"
"Then, we're off!" said the blonde interruption. Collecting the large pile of books, scratch paper, and pencil stubs that he had somehow needlessly spread across the table, Naruto was excited.
Heheh, Sasuke's back. Class is over early. And now, I might be making a new friend. Once again, slit eyes observed the slim figure very quietly packing his sketchbook and syllabus away. He is kind of odd…
Turning back to his tremendous backpack filled with useless yet necessary objects, Naruto pushed Gaara's eccentricity out of his mind.
But who isn't? He's just a little, well, a lot quiet.
Considering that thought, the blonde was astonished when Gaara spoke up as they exited the classroom and began the long walk to the university coffee shop.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"Gaara, just call me Naruto, okay?"
"Hai…Naruto, h-have you already decided which cultural events you are going to do for Kakashi-sensei's class?"
Blonde grimace, the cultural event requirement was one of the few parts of the ten minute long class that Naruto could remember, "Ugh, no, such a stupid requirement, why?"
"W-well, my brother gave me some tickets to his play this Friday. I mean, I've got an extra one…If you wanted to come with me." The blonde stopped walking, causing Gaara to start a little. Getting the same serious look on his face as when he received the holy gift of caffeine, Naruto was utterly grateful but also a little confused. The coffee in his system had awoken a need within the blonde, a need to know why Gaara was being so generous.
"Thank you. That would make my life so much easier. But…ano, if you don't mind my asking, why aren't you going to ask one of your other friends instead?"
Gaara began walking again to hide some of the discomfort the question caused, forcing Naruto to jog, in order to catch up. Naruto didn't know it but even though Gaara had friends now, he was terrified of losing them, driving them away by being too clingy or needy.
And, he kind of liked the blonde's company.
"They're all busy, and I kind of got the tickets at the last minute," Gaara lied.
Nodding his head as if he understood, Naruto quickly shifted from serious to obnoxiously upbeat, "Heheheh, we're going to have so much fun. They're going to wish they'd cancelled all their plans to come with us. Geez, I've been lucky all morning," with a fierce grin directed at the redhead, "Thanks again, Gaara".
"Hmmm."
And, the unlikely pair continued walking to the holder of all that is muffiny and caffeinated.
Both smiling, just a little.
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"So, I was all like 'Bitch, please! Sasuke would have to be blind to see past that nose of yours. Especially, considering the fact that I, Konoha University's epitome of beauty and style, am standing less than five feet away.' And then after a little exchange (catfight), which she totally started, in front of Sasuke, no less, thank God, he left before it was over; I have no idea what I would've said if he'd stayed, she starts telling everyone that I'm some psycho, that I came up and just hit her for no reason. Like I want that rumor getting around the campus. Or even worse, what if Sasuke hears? And, seriously, she completely started the fight. I swear I heard her talking about the outfit I wore that day. The word slut was definitely involved and not to be tolerated. And yet, I am being unfairly blamed here. So, I have absolutely no idea what I am going to do when I see her at dance class today. Probably have another…exchange of some kind. Speaking of dance class, it's seriously time for me to go isn't it? Ugh, and you guys let me eat so much. I'm huge, now. And don't even try to tell me differently. I am nice enough to let you boys buy me breakfast and you let this happen. And you can't even compliment me on how great I look this morning to try and make me feel better. Geez. No wonder you guys don't have girlfriends. Well, I guess you will just have to make it up to me by treating me to breakfast again tomorrow. But, you definitely need to start paying more attention. Oh crap! I am going to be late. See you guys."
Ino left the coffee shop. Behind her, two boys sagged with relief.
"It was too troublesome to make her stop but…"
"I was just waiting for her to breathe or something. It was kind of amazing."
"…"
"…"
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"One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. Okay, girls, that was a nice warm-up. Now, remember, tomorrow is the day we help out the theatre department with their production. But, even though it isn't our show, you should all be performing at 100. And since we only have a day of rehearsal left, I've made the final choice of who will be dancing the fifteen second solo you've all practiced for." Kurenai surveyed the wooden dance studio lined with mirrors, while two sets of anxious girls waited for her to announce the person who was just a little bit better than everyone else.
Tight, lean spandex-covered bodies (well, except for the one in her usual sweatshirt), blistered feet, expectant faces, she should've been as excited as they were. But, Kurenai was really just worried about the reaction her pick was going to cause. She was the only one who had seen the girl in full form, and her potential…
Well, here goes.
"Hyuuga Hinata, congratulations."
Shouts of dismay, snorts of disbelief, and one inward gasp rang throughout the room.
Yeah, about what I expected.
"Girls, girls…be quiet! We only have one more day of rehearsal, so please go and practice your routines separately, while I speak with Hinata for a moment."
The poor, little thing was startled by the sound of her own name being said again.
"Hinata?"
"H-hai."
With her graceful efficiency and delicate rhythm, the dance instructor thought that Hinata would've stood out even if she had chosen to look and dress like everyone else, even she hadn't been the heir to a multibillion dollar company, even if her face hadn't been the same color as Kurenai's eyes.
"I wonder how they are going to fit the costume over that hideous sweatshirt of hers. You know, she'll never take it off."
"Haha, she's shaking so hard, she'll probably fall flat on her face the second she tries to take a step on stage."
"Heheh, her size, she'll probably take half the set down with her."
Ten-ten, Ino.
Hinata's cheeks had become so flushed that Kurenai worried a little about the girl fainting before she reached her destination.
"Come on, Hinata, in my office." Observing the two girls ridiculing the poor Hyuuga girl, Kurenai nearly laughed right along with them. Not at Hinata, but at how wrong they were about the girl.
Just wait till tomorrow night.
The door was nervously eased shut by the pale, blue-haired girl.
"Please, take a seat," Kurenai sat back in her comfortable office chair, surveying Hinata with bright ruby-colored eyes and a kindly lip-sticked smile. Underneath her clouds of ebony hair and dancer's body, the dance instructor had a great heart and (she wasn't going to lie) a soft spot for the girl perched on the chair in front of her.
"Were you surprised?"
"Y-yes, I mean…ano, um, why? Why did you pick me? If you don't m-mind m-me asking?
"Simple," Kurenai stated, looking directly into the flustered young girl's eyes.
"You are the best," letting the statement sink in for a moment before continuing, "I meant what I said in there. I want you girls giving 100, show those theater folks what performing is all about. And you, Hinata, are our greatest dancer, technically and stylistically."
Then, leaning forward, lessening the distance between the two of them, Kurenai gave Hinata a crucial choice. "But, I called you in here because…if you don't want to do it…well, I won't understand," the woman said with a sigh, "but I'll accept it."
Faced with such a decision, the small girl shrank further into herself trying, it seemed, to dissolve her body into the chair on which she was perched.
Could she really get up and perform in front of all those people?
"Listen, it isn't even really a solo dance. You just happen to be in front for a measly fifteen minutes seconds. So whether you want to—"
"I want to do it."
Startled at the strength behind Hinata's words, Kurenai saw that the girl had suddenly pushed away her fear and begun to rise up out of the chair; she'd come to life.
Where did this unexpected change come from?
"I need to do it, Kurenai-sensei. This is my chance to show…You are right. I-I'll do it."
"Wonderful." With an amused grin, Kurenai noted that Hinata was blushing harder than usual.
Show someone, huh? Kurenai smiled at the soloist sitting in front of her.
Good for you, Hinata.
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The sun was really starting to heat up come midday, and its golden rays seemed to soak into every square inch of Shikamaru, filling his bones with heat and sleep. His half-opened eyes noted that nothing could escape the yellowish haze; it begged one to find a big, shady tree to nap under.
As the trim youth and his not-so-trim companion walked to their next class together, the trees beside the paved path cast dark olive shadows onto the pairs' faces and bodies. At times, the chaotic mix of light and dark made it impossible to distinguish the two figures as separate. In a very literal way, the boys' were indivisible.
"You know, Shikamaru, Ino may be..." Chouji's face took on an ironic expression, "troublesome, at times, but I am glad she still bothers to eat with us everyday."
"Even though we're the ones who always end up paying?"
"Hmmm, yeah," Shikamaru could hear the uneasiness in the chubby boy's answer, "I was a little worried, when we went off to college that you two would go, that we three would go our separate ways like happens sometimes with some people."
"Chouji," concern showed past the affected laziness of the pony-tailed brunette's tone.
Unable to look directly at his best friend, Chouji continued, humorlessly laughing a little, "Ha ha, you know, you've got all those big plans now. Even if you don't really want them anymore. Already tired, I suppose." Shikamaru was a little surprised by how well Chouji understood him, and the lazy youth grew even more astonished as his friend's assessments continued. "And Ino, sigh, she doesn't know what she wants or who, not really. But, everyday she's told what to think and how to act, so she never has to do anything but be…you know, beautiful. The chubby boy blushed a little, "I-I just wanted us to stay together. I wanted things to stay close…like they were in high school."
Throwing an arm around his best friend's shoulders, Shikamaru tried comforting, "Well, that's good, because, to be honest, I think you're stuck with us for good." However, the boy's nature still pricked through his good will, "Besides, if Ino didn't hang out with us, she'd probably starve to death."
As the boys continued down the path, Shikamaru thought about all of the things Chouji had just spoken about. His best friend had always seemed to have a deep reservoir of wants and desires, most of them unspoken.
Just look at how he eats. I don't know if that's another desire or if he's just trying forget about the other he wishes he had.
The closer the pair got to class and the more Shikamaru thought about his best friend, the more he realized something about himself. Sure, he agreed with Chouji about the whole staying together thing. But, other than that, his wants? He didn't really want anything.
At least, not like Chouji does.
Getting one last glance of the beautiful day, Shikamaru sarcastically reflected, Well, maybe a nap.
Pulling open the Social Science building's door with a grunt, Shikamaru left behind both the heat and his troublesome thoughts.
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However, there were some who could not resist the beautiful day's promise of grassy knolls under shady trees.
Convincing Lee that resting beneath the big oak outside the English building was a fine way to celebrate youth had been much easier than Sakura had expected. All she'd had to do was make a reference to the old phrase of youthful wisdom, "Stop and smell the roses". And fifteen minutes later, here the couple was, sprawled in the shade.
Okay, fifteen minutes is quite a bit of time, but…
Lee's surprisingly gentle fingers combed through Sakura's pastel mane, delicately massaging her scalp; the pretty girl gave a little sigh of pleasure.
…who cares. It was worth it.
Her head lying in Lee's lap, Sakura watched students walk by or just closed her eyes; the girl had never felt safer, more comfortable or content than she did with the bowl-cut wearing boy. Due to this extreme level of comfort, Sakura was barely able to manage a mumble as she questioned Lee, "So, they were just walking together, going to breakfast or something? Gaara and Naruto?"
Lee beamed down at the most precious person in his life and answered, "Hai. I'm so proud of Gaara. First week of classes and he's already making more friends." His mouth turning into a wide, twinkling grin, "But, who wouldn't want to befriend a shining youth such as him?"
Smiling at the heartfelt silliness of Lee's speech, Sakura replied, "You know what, Lee, I have no idea." Falling even deeper under the spell Lee was working on her, the pink-haired girl was nearly inaudible as she whispered, "But, you're right, I'm proud of him to."
Eyes closed, she detected a hint of chagrin in her boy's voice as he started and stopped, "But." Laughing a little in embarrassment, "never mind."
Opening brilliant green eyes, Sakura found large brown ones staring back. In those orbs, she found a lot of love, a little pain, and some worry. Out of the three, the worry was new.
And, Lee's brow was a slightly wrinkled, as well.
Luckily, Sakura understood Lee, knew all of his fears and worries by heart, and had already figured out what he needed from her.
Sitting up and crawling into the anxious boy's lap, Sakura slowly moved her hands up either side of his face, holding his gaze with her own. "Lee, don't worry. Even if Gaara becomes friends with every other person on this campus, you will always be the best out of them all. I mean, think of how many Bruce Lee marathons that kid has happily sat through in the past four days just so he could hang out with you." Pink lips parted in a grin, "You're his favorite, silly boy."
The green-clad boy's eyes widened a little and then scrunched up with youthful emotion, "Sakura-chan…" A few glistening tears escaped down each of his cheeks.
Lifting one pale hand from Lee's face, the young woman wiped each tear away. Then, she used the same hand to bring Lee in for a kiss.
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Eventually, everyone succumbed to the pleasures of the lovely day. Shikamaru and Chouji were, now, enjoying a nice rest on the campus courtyard lawn. As usual, the more apathetic of the two had gone back to watching the sky above. His chubby companion wasn't looking at the sky. Rather, the good-natured youth was watching the people who passed by, particularly the couples.
"Oi, Shikamaru."
"Ne? Chouji."
"Since we're in college now, do you think we'll start going out on more dates? Or, you know, any dates?"
"I suppose, that is, if any of the women here aren't too troublesome."
"Heh, I don't think a woman would be troublesome, if you loved her and she loved you."
Eyeing his friend with artificial confusion, Shikamaru complained "Hnn, where did this come from?"
Taking his friend's question at face value, Chouji answered honestly, "Earlier, when I told you how I wanted you, me, and Ino to stay friends. I got to thinking about the other things I might want…and, you know, the future."
With a grunt, Shikamaru accepted his friend's reply.
Women? Dating? Wasn't trying to get up the motivation to go to class hard enough without having to worry about romance too?
"Let's worry about all that tomorrow, Chouji."
And that's what they did. One boy trying to erase the irritation that the mere thought of the opposite sex seemed to preclude. The other, wondering if even a troublesome woman could ever want him.
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"So, Hyuuga Neji, Pre-Med…why?" asked the intimidatingly large-breasted dean of the science department, Godaime Tsunade. Eyes of honeyed amber studied the pampered youth with his aristocratic features and distaste for authority over the large beige folder stuffed with his files, which all said the same thing.
He's the best of the best, destined to take over as VP for the Hyuuga Corporation and head up their European division. So, why is he in my office declaring a major in medicine.
"Genetics fascinates me."
That's it?
Sighing, Tsunade rubbed her aching temples, "Listen, kid, I've got a number of recommendations here that tell me you should get your head straight and look into a business major." Placing her hands back on the green felt desktop, she continued, "I'm a gambler, by nature, but I never..well, rarely do I bet when there isn't any chance of winning."
Flipping through his records, "I can't keep you out of my department, since you are actually here on an athletic scholarship. But, I need more from you. I need to know why you are going to all this trouble just to get a degree that you will probably never use."
If it had been anyone else's face, the expression altering Neji's handsome features would have been referred to as a pout. However, as a rule, Hyuugas do not pout.
They sulk…with pride.
After a few moments of proud sulk meeting intimidating breasts, the boy finally broke the silence.
"Curiosity."
"Curious about genetics?"
"About destiny," the Hyuuga's pale violet eyes dared the woman to laugh at him.
Not Tsunade, she knew what it was like to have fate nipping at your heels, whether you wanted a destiny or not. Her father had been the one to break ground on Konoha University; he'd been the college's first dean. Glaring at her wall of diplomas and awards, the blonde beauty knew that, eventually, she would be replacing Sarutobi. Even if she would rather spend her time teaching, not wasting away in some dreary academic office.
He has some balls to admit why he's really here.
Slowly, Tsunade narrowed her eyes, giving Neji a look that had made many a student quake in fear. The striking youth met her glare with an even one of his own, now devoid of sullenness if not pride.
This time, the dean cracked first.
"Okay."
Tsunade laughed as Neji's eyes widened in momentary shock at his sudden victory.
"I appreciate those clever birds who realize their caged. But, something to think about, it is the wiser bird that learns to break the cage's lock and fly away." In front of the blonde dean was a picture of her father cutting Konoha University's Opening Day ribbon.
"If it's possible, that is. Sigh. Anyways, your schedule is fine. Though, I found one of your extracurriculars a little strange." Tsunade's expression became bemused and with one raised eyebrow, she inquired, "Drawing class?"
"It's to help with my knowledge of anatomy," claimed Neji.
So he said. Yet, if Tsunade was not mistaken (although, she often was), the pale youth's skin was looking a little pink around the cheek area.
"Very well. You may go."
Quickly moving with an elegant economy, Neji moved to the doorway but stopped as he was about to leave. Without turning around, the boy took his turn to surprise the dean.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama."
And, he left.
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Evening had come and gone hours ago. The boys now lay in their dorm room, slowly drifting off to sleep. Within minutes, the larger of the two had fallen to sleep, even breaths causing his shadow to rise and fall.
But, for the first time in his life, Shikamaru was too troubled to fall asleep. Raising himself up on his elbows, moonlight highlighted his furrowed brow and bedroom eyes. Slowly, so as not to wake Chouji, the boy moved to a sitting position and placed his fingertips together, palms apart. There was a question that needed answering before sleep would come.
If I don't want anything but friends and my freedom, what am I doing here?
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Author's Note: Chouji and Shikamaru (buddies even off camera) take care of this week's Author's Note. The author seems to have passed out on the lazy one's lap, exhausted from college classes, painting, and finishing up chapter 6. Understanding the sudden need for a nap and realizing that she holds his future in her hands, the boy lets her sleep.
"So, Shikamaru, long chapter, huh?" crunch crunch
"Yeah, and it sucked having to do so much in it."
"I am surprised she didn't focus more on Gaara and Naruto. I thought they were the main characters." crunch crunch
"Women. Who knows what they're thinking?"
Glancing down at the girl in his lap who seems to be having a nightmare, whispering something about 'Gai-sensei" and a "dynamic entry", he nudges her a little till she stops whimpering and continues on, "But, I think that even though Gaara and Naruto are the most important characters, she has a bunch of other storylines going onto that are just as important. Like Neji's and Lee/Sakura's…and even Sasuke. We must be one of the other storylines she wants to focus on. I'm just glad that she would never think of pairing us together. That would be…troublesome."
"It's probably just you rather than the both of us. I mean, look at all the internal monologue moments you had this week..." crunch crunch
The chubby boy continued, "And whose lap did she fall asleep on?" crunch crunch
"Hnnn."
"So, we probably won't be in the next chapter very much, huh?" crunch crunch
"Not unless we go to that stupid play of Kankuro's."
"But, don't we need to go for Kakashi-sensei's cultural event requirement?" crunch crunch
Shikamaru gives a half-hearted sigh, "Yeah, you're probably right. Damn it."
Looking pointedly at the girl contentedly slumbering in the lazy boy's lap, Chouji asks, "Do you think we should say anything else? I'm pretty sure that this is the end of the author's note." crunch crunch
"Nah. Let em' figure it out on their own. If they really have any questions or want to say something to her, then they can just review the story or email."
"So, what do we do now?" crunch crunch
"Well, I think I am going to take a nap. All that walking wore me out."
"I'm kind of tired too" crunch crunch
"Then, it's settled."
And the two boys followed the author's example, laid down (or leaned a little bit in Shikamaru's case…the author was still on top of him), and slept.