Hello people, we've got another chapter ready! Woot! Well enjoys cause the ShikaSaku-ness ensues right about...Now!
The two walked in silence and this time it unnerved Shikamaru. He wished he knew what was going on in Sakura's mind after what had just happened.
"You okay?" Sakura asked finally breaking the silence as she looked at him through the corner of her eyes.
"I'm fine." Shikamaru grunted.
"If your sure." Sakura shrugged and he growled at her.
"You really think I can't handle the Uchiha?"
"What? That's not what I meant."
"Really then what did you mean Sakura?" Shikamaru shouted his anger resurfacing.
"Ugh being concerned for you is such a waste of time! I asked because you almost never let someone get you that angry not because you could have gotten hurt by Sasuke!" Sakura retorted glaring at him. "God damn it your the dumbest smart person on the planet!"
"Sakura, Shikamaru?" Choji questioned coming up to them right outside his home. They turned to him still fuming and Choji backed up. I'm used to this coming from Sakura, but Shikamaru is kinda scary...Choji thought as he stared at the two. "You guys want some chips?"
"No I don't want any damn chips fatty!" Shikamaru shouted and Choji's face fell. He stopped eating letting his bag fall to the ground. Sakura looked from Choji to Shikamaru not believing what just happened. Shikamaru looked like he was about to say more about Choji when Sakura ended it with a punch sending him into a tree. "What the hell!"
"Snap out of it Shikamaru!"
"There's nothing to snap out of!" Shikamaru yelled back and Sakura smacked him.
"You just yelled at your best friend! Your best friend who's always been there for you and never once cared that your a lazy piece of crap! All he tried to do was help you!" Sakura shouted tears coming down her face now. "Your not supposed to be the angry one, your supposed to be my lazy pineapple." Sakura whispered to herself but Shikamaru heard because they were so close. He looked from Sakura to Choji who was looking at him with a hurt expression his chips still on the ground.
"Aw man Choji I'm sorry." Shikamaru said coming to his senses. He picked up his best friends chips and took a few out before handing them to Choji. "It's the last one, since the rest kinda fell out." Choji grinned and pulled out the last chip eating it happily.
"Nothing like the last chip in the bag." Choji celebrated obviously already forgiving Shikamaru. Sakura smiled at the two friends happy that Shikamaru's anger didn't split up the two. Anger doesn't suit him, Sakura thought. The two friends were now happily conversing like always when Sakura looked to the sky. The clouds were nice and fluffy and you could even make shapes and animals with them. Those were Sakura's favorite kind of clouds. Turning to the two guys she grinned.
"Anyone up for a little cloud watching?" Sakura questioned and Shikamaru got a little twinkle in his eye with a small smile while Choji chuckled and nodded.
"I got the chips!" He shouted and Sakura laughed before taking a hold of both of their arms and transporting them to Shikamaru's favorite cloud watching spot.
"Where'd you learn that?" Shikamaru asked. Although transportation was a relatively simple jutsu long distances and transporting more than just yourself was more advanced and not a lot of people could do it well.
"Kakashi-sensei." Sakura said sticking her tongue out at him before she laid down.
"You mean that old perv taught you something." Shikamaru joked but Sakura punched him playfully.
"Don't make fun of Kakashi-sensei, especially with how lazy you are." Sakura teased and looking at the clouds her arm extended as she pointed out a cloud. "That one there looks like a chip!"
"Hey it does!" Choji agreed munching on some more chips. He offered some to Shikamaru and Sakura and they happily took some. "That one looks like a duck."
"Isn't this backwards, I thought Sakura was supposed to point out the animals and Choji point out the food." Shikamaru stated although he was smiling non the less.
"Eh, we gotta switch it up right Choji?" Sakura said and Choji nodded grinning. The three continued to point out different objects in the clouds having an all around good time until the sun went down and the clouds were too hard to see. "Ah crap!"
"What is it Sakura?" Choji questioned.
"I forgot about ramen with Naruto and Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura said scrambling to her feet. "Its been fun but I gotta go guys."
"See ya Sakura."
"Yeah see ya." Shikamaru said.
"Oh and Shikamaru."
"Yeah?"
"Our moms said you're going shopping for a tux tomorrow!" Sakura laughed as his face dropped.
"Ugh troublesome." Shikamaru said as Sakura ran away for ramen. "Why are parents such a drag?"
~Parents are a Drag~
"Haha! I still beat Kakashi!" Sakura cheered as she took her seat next to Naruto who was as usual already stuffing his face. She ordered some beef ramen and looked to Naruto with a grin. "I love our ramen trips."
"Me too." Naruto agreed after slurping up the last of his noodles. He learned long ago not to speak with his mouth full in front of Sakura.
"Yo." Kakashi's usual greeting rang and Sakura turned to him happily.
"Hey Kakashi!"
"Ah my favorite pupil." Kakashi smiled his eye crinkling with his happiness.
"You were serious about that?" Naruto whined as he waited for his next bowl.
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"Umm yeah all the time actually..." Naruto replied.
"Naruto's right Kakashi, I don't think you've ever told the truth to us when you gave us an excuse as to why you're always late. You don't even bother anymore." Sakura agreed sweat dropping at Kakashi's sheepish look.
The Next day...
"Shikamaru honey wake up..." Ayumi tried for the 3rd time to wake her son. It was early in the morning but they had a long day ahead of them and Shikamaru had to come. Hana would be outside waiting any minute and Ayumi has not been successful in getting her lazy son ready. "Shikamaru get up now!" Ayumi shouted and all Shikamaru did was let out a snore in response. He was normally up by now, so Ayumi had to wonder what he did last night.
"Ayumi are you ready?" Hana's voice called from downstairs. Looking back and forth from the door and her son Ayumi panicked.
"Um we have a problem Hana." Ayumi called back and before she knew it Hana was up the stairs looking around worried.
"What is it?" Hana asked quickly.
"I can't wake Shikamaru up."
"Did you shake him?"
"Yes, I've shouted, poured water on him...nothing." Ayumi responded sadly.
"I have an idea."
"What?"
~Parents are a Drag~
"Huh? Mom what-" Sakura began only to be pulled out of the house by her mother. Confused but getting out of her mother's grasp and running along side she studied her surroundings. They were familiar as Sakura knew she has come this way many times before. That's when Sakura knew where her mother was taking her. The Nara household. "Why are you taking me to the Nara's?"
"Ayumi and I need your help."
"With the wedding?" Sakura asked confused not sure why her mother suddenly wanted her involved. She had asked, although it was forced because frankly she wanted to do with it, but her mother refused saying her and Ayumi had it handled.
"Yes." She replied and Sakura moaned in agony. When they arrived Sakura saw Ayumi waiting for them and looking rather worried.
"What did you need me for?" Sakura asked raising an eyebrow.
"It's Shikamaru." Ayumi told her worry laced in her voice and Sakura's eyes grew wide in concern.
"What happened?" Sakura questioned, but they didn't answer quick enough as Sakura raced up the stairs and into Shikamaru's room. What she found made her growl. He was laid out on his bed snoring without a care. "Oh you lazy ass." Sakura hissed before stalking to his bed.
"He won't wake up." Ayumi said still worried as she entered the room halting Sakura's actions.. "He's never been in this deep of a sleep before."
"I see you poured water on him." Sakura said admiring the work. Ayumi nodded in response.
"Can you wake him?"
"I'll see what I can do." Sakura said and walked calmly over to his bed wiping away several possibilities she had in mind to wake him; including smacking him, throwing him out of the window, and other routes of violence. Ayumi and Hana watched wondering what Sakura would do, both hoping he wouldn't end up in the hospital. Deciding on a plan by laying next to him Sakura positioned herself so her mouth was right by his ear.
"S-Sakura?" Hana asked concerned what her daughter was planning. Sakura just ignored her.
"Oh Shikamaru." Sakura whispered and she saw him twitch so she assumed he heard her. Then with a smirk Sakura continued her voice sounding panicked. "Choji's been kidnapped by the Sand in an act of war as they threaten to steal all the clouds in an attempt to get more rain!"
"Huh? Clouds, Choji!" Shikamaru shot up startled as he surveyed his surroundings. He saw his mother and Hana giggling at him and Sakura smirking at him from her spot next to him. Then his mind realized he had been tricked because there was no way to steal clouds.
"Didn't think a genius would fall for that." Sakura laughed and Shikamaru glared at her.
"What are you all doing in my room?" He said suddenly gripping his head in pain. Sakura smirked at this shaking her head at him.
"Shikamaru what did you do last night?" Ayumi asked still concerned.
"Uhh..." Shikamaru said not sure he should tell his mother about his festivities. But Sakura snickered at him making him glare at her through the pain.
"Shikamaru." Ayumi said in her no nonsense voice.
"We had a drinking contest." Shikamaru told her, his hand still cradling his head showed he didn't do so hot.
"Lightweight." Sakura snickered and Hana gave her a look of warning.
"Sakura were you there?"
"Of course I was, how do you think drunkie got home last night?" Sakura said remembering everything clearly.
"Sakura!" Hana said outraged and Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Mom you should be used to this, I mean look at my mentor." Sakura said and Hana sighed remembering how Tsunade was.
"Why were you out drinking Shikamaru, I expected more out of you after you knew we were shopping today." Ayumi said sounding disappointed before turning to Sakura with the same look of disappointment. "And you let him."
"Wha? No way I tried to stop him but Naruto egged him on." Sakura explained wishing Ayumi would stop looking at her like that. She could handle angry, she could handle happy, but disappointment didn't sit well with her.
"You didn't try stopping me when we were drinking." Shikamaru told her.
"What exactly happened?" Hana demanded and Sakura sighed before going into the story.
~After a few hours of ramen and conversation Sakura finally headed out of Ichiraku's with Naruto and Kakashi right beside her.
"Hey there's Sakura." Choji said to Shikamaru getting the three's attention.
"You guys just getting back?" Sakura questioned with a smile.
"Yeah Choji finally ran out of chips." Shikamaru said lazily.
"Hey we should all go for a drink!" Naruto suggested putting his arm around Shikamaru and Choji.
"Eh, I don't think we should..." Sakura said seeing where this was heading.
"Aw come on Sakura, you never turn down a drink." Naruto whined pouting at her. "Are you scared?"
"What, no." Sakura defended and Naruto grinned at her.
"Then its settled."
"Ahh Kakashi!" Sakura cried out only to find him already gone as she was dragged away by Naruto, Choji and Shikamaru walking next to him. I'll get you for this Hatake! Sakura vowed in her head before she ended up on a bar stool and a bottle of sake in front of her.
"Let's have a drinking contest!" Naruto said happily and Sakura groaned.
"No Naruto. Don't you remember what happened last time?" Sakura reminded but Naruto shook it off.
"Yeah but Lee isn't here this time, no destruction."
"Not a good idea." Sakura said.
"Scared your fiance will see you drunk?" Naruto taunted and Sakura quick looked to Shikamaru who looked bored.
"No, I'm scared to see him drunk." Sakura said and Shikamaru's eyes snapped to hers.
"What are you saying?" Shikamaru said his pride bristled.
"You're not a good drunk." Sakura said simply trying not to offend him and Choji looked at her obviously agreeing. But it was too late as Shikamaru downed the first shot of sake. Naruto slid a cup to her and Choji.
"Are you in or out?" He questioned downing his own shot. Groaning Sakura downed hers; she never was one to back down from a challenge. Three shots later Naruto was shaking and having trouble pouring. Shikamaru had a glazed look in his eye and looked as if he was trying to focus on something. Choji's cheeks were dusted with a pink, signs that he had been drinking too but otherwise fine. Sakura looked to be fairing the best as she took the bottle away from Naruto and pouring everyone another.
"Guys we should stop."
"No way." Naruto argued his words slurred.
"Naruto you're already drunk." Sakura said but Naruto just snatched his cup and downed in before slamming the cup on the bar top. Sighing Sakura watched as everyone drank theirs before gulping hers down, the warmth in her stomach welcomed. Another three glasses and Naruto was on the floor, and Shikamaru was mumbling to himself about clouds. Choji was a little shaky and Sakura felt the buzz, her head beginning to fog. Other than that the two were way better off and still able to function. "I think we should stop."
"I agree." Choji said trying to stand straight. Thanks to his size he was able to hold alcohol quite well.
"I'll get these two home, you can just head home." Sakura told him and Choji nodded before heading out.
"See ya Sakura." Choji said as he left. Sakura then looked at the two and hefted Naruto over her shoulder before she turned to Shikamaru who was surprisingly still conscious.
"Shikamaru we're going home." Sakura said but he ignored her. Confused she walked to him and noticed him leaning on his hand snoring. Rolling her eyes Sakura lifted him over her other shoulder. She should have known he would fall asleep. "You both so owe me."~
"That's what happened." Sakura said still smirking at Shikamaru.
"Shikamaru that's so irresponsible of you. What if no one was there who was able to take you home?" Ayumi said even more disappointed. Shikamaru just groaned and held his head trying to stop the pounding. "And now we have to wait for you to do anything today."
"Ughh, can't I just go back to bed." Shikamaru groaned only to get the two mothers to glare at him.
"No, hangover or not you are coming now hurry up you have fifteen minutes." Ayumi said as she and Hana walked out of the room.
"You had to help them didn't you." Shikamaru said sarcastically glaring at the pinkette laying next to him. Sakura just laughed and nodded.
"Oh yeah, if I had to go dress shopping with them then you have to go tux shopping. Have fun with the torture."
"Troublesome..." Sakura heard Shikamaru mutter and she looked to him sadly.
"Just sit still lazy ass." Sakura said to him and he sat up watching her. She scooted to his side before putting her hand on his forehead. He immediately felt relief as her cool chakra seeped through him curing his headache. He began to feel more alert and less groggy as well. "There you should feel better now."
"Thanks."
"It's the least I can do. Besides I bet the headache will be back before you're done." Sakura said laughing before jumping out his window and leaving him in their mothers' clutches.
~Parents are a Drag~
Shikamaru groaned loudly, as his mother and Sakura's mother pushed him into the suit rental place. He wasn't all that happy about doing this. He just wanted to sleep again, or possibly hang out with Sakura. Watching clouds yesterday was fun, even though it was cut short when Sakura had to leave. Drinking wasn't so bad either, besides being embarrassed because she had to carry him home. He liked being in her presence. Even though she does have one nasty punch.
"Shikamaru Nara!" Ayumi yelled, getting his attention. "I swear my son has the attention span of a peanut. First, we can't get his lazy ass.. Pardon my french.. out of bed because he was hungover. Now we can't get him to pay attention." She muttered to Hana, who just smiled.
"Sorry ma.." He said halfheartedly. He could careless at what kind of suit it was. As long as it wasn't pink, or any other bright color. All that mattered to him, is seeing Sakura walking down the aisle. If she even wants to get married to me. Which reminded him of yesterday when she was talking to Naruto. If she really meant what he said, then everything would be perfect.
"Shikamaru! Stop zoning out and come on!" Ayumi yelled at her son once again. There were so many thoughts running through his brain, that he could hardly pay attention. Somehow he manged to pay attention long enough to follow the mothers further in the room. A young lady stood a few feet away with a huge grin on her face.
Well thats it! Do we suck? Should we die in a hole? How about a spoonful of awesome taken out of the bowl of awesome sauce? Or what about something good and bad at the same time like bittersweet orr horribly fantastic? Haha I'm ranting now, just let us know okay?
Tune in next time to see just how torturous tux shopping can be for Shikamaru :D