Note from the Author: When Elizabeth watches an episode (episode 114) more than once, Elizabeth starts thinking about fan fiction. -.- And things like this happen.

And this really doesn't have to be a pairing if you don't want to look at it that way … it could just be, like, a friendship … thing.

Ihrtinu: Thank you, dahling.

Ravensbff: I almost typed your pen name "RavensSpell" because that used to be my screen name. -.- And thank you.

Dr. Hairspray: Digging the new pen name. Haha.

I missed you too – seriously, I was thinking about the OOC shovel the other day and I was like, "Why don't I have time for fan fiction?" and then I cried. Even though I didn't.

And I shall go read it and review immediately, love. :hugs:

Invader-Nehima: I'm glad you liked it! I was worried. But now I can stop chewing my fingernails and say "Thank you!"

PIE IS FILLED WITH AWESOMENESS: Thank you!

Random Projects: Yay:waves anti-SasuSaku and NejiTen flag:

Unspoken

For the first time in their lives, the silence between them was awkward.

Shikamaru, slumped in his chair, stared out the window, desperately wishing one of them would say something, but far too lazy to be bothered to do it himself.

Chouji's eyes were on his best friend's face, his fingers twisting in the sheets of the hospital bed, wanting to speak but not knowing how to word it – he never had been the genius, after all.

So the silence remained, broken sometimes by the shift of cramped bodies making themselves more comfortable or deep sighs that had one of them hoping the other was about to speak, just to be disappointed as the quiet persisted.

And really – what were they expected to say? Anything running through their minds would come out an unintended confession, and even geniuses aren't ready to lay bare their souls. Chouji wanted to say, I was going to die for you, and Shikamaru wanted to tell him, I'm glad you're alive.

But those things shouldn't be said aloud and, at these times, they're the only words that should be spoken. So they fidgeted uncomfortably, listening to the clock tick away everything they should say, and every chance they'll have to say it.

Finally, Shikamaru stood to leave and Chouji blurted his name. The silence was heavy with the remnants of his voice as they stared at each other, and the sound of laughter flitted on the wind through the window.

Shikamaru scratched at the back of his head. "Tch. This is troublesome."

Chouji's face lit up with understanding.

Shikamaru laid out across the end of his bed, watching the sky through the open window, his arms folded beneath his head. Chouji's gaze followed the same course, as he listened to the children shrieking with happiness in the streets outside. He murmured, "Thank you" just as Shikamaru whispered, "I'm sorry."

Their surprised eyes met, and Shikamaru muttered, "For what? I almost got you killed."

Chouji smiled, genuine and kind. "But you saved me first."