After we had reached the end of the dust covered winding path, Shikamaru turned to me and seemed to be thinking of what to say. I know what I had done put him in an awkward situation, but he couldn't expect me to let her get away with her stupid trash talk. I should probably apologize. Oh god no wait, that's pathetic I didn't do anything that I should have to apologize to him for. But I should say something; it looked like his brain would explode from thinking. Just as I was about to say something, I'm still not sure what but something, he interrupted me.
"What did she say to you? Ino has a big mouth, so what she said must have been pretty bad to set you off like that. What was it?" he was staring at something on the ground, then looked back at me. He seemed…frustrated some, I think.
"Nothing. It doesn't matter." I looked away, not wanting to make eye contact. Shikamaru can't stand bickering or anything bothersome.
"Fine, whatever. Listen, Ino was out of line, and I'm sorry about that." He never persisted for things I didn't want to tell him. But that is just what drove me nuts. He was always content with the easiest way out.
"Fine, I'll tell you! Just stop being so…so…nonchalant!" Shock crossed his face then was quickly replaced by his normal expression. "She said I was a weakling sand ninja. I wasn't gunna let that slide, okay. And ya know I probably woulda killed her if you hadn't stopped me. And why is she your friend? It doesn't make sense. Just when I thought I had you figured out you do some thing, just…gah! I want to be your friend, but-"
His hands rested on my shoulders and I felt one steady breathe near my ear. "What a drag. Ranting is so bothersome. Ino might be a huge pain but she is my teammate and she is my friend because of that….though she is really annoying." Slowly his hand moved up my neck so that his thumb rested on my jaw line. He pulled his face back so that he was looking me in the eye.
Just like that, he had eased away all my frustration and all the anger bubbling inside of my chest just melted. As he began to pull back something so strange came over me that I have no idea what I was thinking.
Before he could straighten himself and back away, I slipped my hand behind his neck and pulled him closer. Our lips were mere inches away and I stopped myself. What was I thinking? Well now I had to do something because the silence started to grow awkward.
"I'm sorry about today." What! Why did I apologize to him? I have to get out f this. I quickly pulled away from him and turned to face away from him.
"Thanks, but it was really Ino's fault."
"Ha-ha, yeah. Uh, it's getting late; take me back now."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm getting tired anyway" he yawned in that irritating way that he did to emphasize his point.
Upon arriving at the inn I was staying at, he explained we would have a meeting to go to the next day on some boring topic.
"Okay then, well see ya." He turned to leave.
"Shikamaru, are you happy with this assignment?"
"It's troublesome-"
"But are you happy?" I persisted with my question.
He thought for a moment. "Yeah, it's my job." And he left me there wondering how that mind of his worked.
