Title: Original Character
Rating: PG-13 for sheer sappiness.
Characters: Shikamaru x OC
Word Count: 687
Summary: We all need somebody to love.
Author's Notes: Seriously, who didn't see this coming?

Shikamaru was in love.

Of course, if you asked him right out, he would never admit it. Shikamaru had his image to think of, too. And girls were too much trouble, too much trouble by half, for Shikamaru the Chuunin, Shikamaru the Master Strategist, Shikamaru the Boy Genius of Konoha.

But for Shikamaru the Romantic, Shikamaru the Besotted, the world was a very different place.

Temari was probably a little upset with him. They had been dating, briefly. But really, she WAS too much trouble. Shikamaru had been attracted to her, but their relationship always seemed to lack a certain emotional intimacy. A willingness to share, to be open with one another. Not so with his new crush. She talked to him all the time, and Shikamaru always felt content to just listen to the sound of her beautiful voice. She was so interesting. Shikamaru could never help but feel that conversations with her were the deepest, the most meaningful conversations he had ever had. She was amazing.

Shikamaru had never noticed her until about a month ago. She was a new Genin, fresh out of the academy. Even so, she was already an amazing ninja, and Shikamaru knew she'd easily make Chuunin at the next exam. On her first day out of the academy, she had challenged Ino to a fight, and she had won so quickly, so easily, that Shikamaru could hardly believe it.

She was cool, too. Impeccably cool. She spent most of her time hanging out with Sasuke, who was widely agreed upon as the coolest genin in Konoha. But to Shikamaru's eyes, even Sasuke seemed to become cooler from spending time with her. Now Kakashi, the fount from which all cool flowed, seemed to have taken an interest in her. He was giving her private lessons. With a good word from him, it looked like she might even be able to enter an ANBU squad before the end of the year. No genin had ever joined an ANBU squad before. But no one had ever quite managed to thaw Shikamaru's heart before either.

Today, though. Today was their special day. Their two-week anniversary. There would be no training today. No Sasuke, no Kakashi, no fights with Ino or Temari. Today was just for the two of them. Shikamaru had planned it all out in his head. Today was going to be perfect.

There was a knock at his door. Shikamaru already knew who it was. Her. He smiled in anticipation as he rose from his bed and crossed the room. "You're finally here," he sighed breathily through the door. "I've been waiting all morning. It's been like an eternity, an endless abyss of darkness and despair without you. You know how I hate waiting for you." Shikamaru carressed the door absently. She was just on the other side now. He twisted the handle and pulled the door open a crack, stepping backwards.

The door banged open with a loud crash, and a girl threw herself into the room. She began jumping up and down, giggling and screaming. She needed to touch everything in the room. Shikamaru sighed happily. He loved her boundless energy, the way she got so excited every time she saw him. He loved that she fondled every piece of his clothing, every book, every precious shoji piece. They all had her scent, now. Everything he owned reminded him of her now, of how he felt about her.

The girl danced in front of him, her eyes as wide as teacups as she ogled him soulfully. She began bouncing, clapping her hands fitfully. She was so beautiful.

"Lyk, zOMG! Shikamaro, ur so awsome!oneone! We should get married and have tons and tons of kids! This is super-hott! LOLZ!"

Grinning, Shikamaru reached out and pulled her into a passionate embrace, kissing her for what seemed like an eternity. When they came up for air, he said the words he'd wanted to say since the moment he met her.

"I can't believe I was lucky enough to meet you. You're the most amazing person I've ever known. I love you, Mary Sue."

Me no owns Naruto. Me pwns Naruto. r0x0r!1!1!1!eleven