Tsukiko: back again.

Shizuka: Sorry it took so long, hope you enjoy it!


Shikamaru couldn't understand why his body was willing him to stop being lazy and start going to the Uchiha's house. Sure, Sasuke tasted good. In fact, he kissed really well after he was given those quick tips. Still, was that any reason to think about him this much?

Damn it, just the thought of their first kiss... no, their first kisses. Just the thought of it alone made him hard.

As they continued onto Uchiha's house Shikamaru slowly doubted that this was actually such a good idea after all. Sasuke had just suggested it because it was getting dark, it wouldn't necessarily lead to anything.

The more he though about it the more uncertain he became. Then he started to become sad as he remembered this was just suppose to be a farce to get Sakura to stop bugging Sasuke

Shikamaru's pace had slowed considerably. As he paused outside the Uchiha compounds, he wondered if he should knock the door at all. He raised his hand uncertainly.

A flash of pink whirled past. He knew now that to continue that facade was the only way. Arranging a smile on his face, he knocked onto the door.


He didn't have to wait long. A couple seconds later he could hear the pounding of feet inside the compound, then a pause before the door opened revealing Sasuke standing there looking as collected as normal, as if Shikamaru at his door was something that happened every day. "Your early." Sasuke says coolly. Shikamaru smiles geniunely and says "Yeah, well, I was actually awake this morning and since it doesn't happen very often, I wasn't sure what to do and decided to come early. It's not a problem is it?"

Che," came the only answer he would receive, before the raven-haired boy gestured for him to enter.


All of a sudden, Sakura left her hiding place and walked up to Sasuke. "This is sick, you know that?" Sasuke didn't seem to care.

"Since when did your opinions matter to me?"

"It's not just me, the whole village knows. And it'll have you know that they are all thoroughly disgusted by this!" She says angrily. "Let's see how you'll face that!"

"Is that supposed to bother me?" Sasuke sneers. Sakura just glares at him, then at Shikamaru before walking away.

"Um..." Shikamaru mutters.

"Never mind her. Come on in." Sasuke says, ushering Shikamaru into his house.

"Don't worry. If anything happens, we'll tell the truth. Now, what are you here for?" Sasuke asked, intrigued. Shikamaru just shook his head. "For this facade then?" Sasuke questioned, a tinge of disgust in his voice.

"Yeah."Although, I did want to see you...

"Fine. It was about time we went on another date," Sasuke remarked nonchalantly.

"If you say so."

They tossed around a few ideas about what to do. In the end, they decided to go to the ramne bar and get some ramen because Shikamaru hadn't eaten anything yet and they couldn't think of anything else to do at the moment.

As they were walking there ,Shikamaru kept shooting glances at Sasuke. After a few minutes of this Sasuke turned to him and said " Would you like something, or am I just that good looking?"

Shikamaru blushed and looked away saying "No. I mean um... That is to say... I was just thinking...If we are going to be 'on a date' shouldn't we be, I don't know, holding hands, or at least walking closer together?" Yeah, you are good looking. Really good looking. More like hot... As his thoughts trailed off he blushed even more, until his face somewhat resembled a tomato.

"Che,"Sasuke replied, before sliding his hand against Shikamaru's. Shikamaru noted how it felt oddly ghost like. Perhaps it was not really there.Tightly, he grasped the hand that was offered, and was glad to find that the hand had not disappeared. Tingles shot down his hand, almost as if he had a mild electric shock. It felt really pleasant.

Shikamaru spoke about some things that had happened to him while the Uchiha added some comments to the narration at random. In this manner, they continued to the ramen bar.

Perhaps, just perhaps, Naruto wasn't his best friend after all. Shikamaru could make him feel so comfortable just by being there. He knew that with Shikamaru,there were no pretences. What he saw was all that there was. When this was over, they could continue to... meet...sometimes. He knew he would enjoy it.


Tsukiko: A spark… of friendship. Ah well. Love takes time to develop, you know. Or perhaps… he already feels something. I shall end this off by saying I hope you enjoyed it, and I'm sure Shizuka wants the same. Review!