Title: Shadow
Author: Simply Kelp
Pairing: not focused on any one ship, but there may be background ones.
Rating: pg
Summary: Shikamaru discovers that he has two shadows now: his own, and Konohamaru. Little vignettes about the evolution of their friendship.
Disclaimer: It doesn't say "Masashi Kishimoto" on my underwear, that must mean that I don't own Naruto... merde.
A/N: I should really be working on my paper for Italian, but... I feel bad for making you all wait so long--! End of school, exams, and all that, you know?
A/N2: It also took a while, since I was having a hard time with Konohamaru's mom. She was getting a bit too frantic at first when I was trying to write these chs.; I like her character better now.

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Hug

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Konohamaru's mom was filing paperwork when he got home. She looked up when she heard the door close, smiling before she returned to her work. Konohamaru sat down across from her, and attempted to read the upside-down lettering. His mom looked up at him. "Something wrong, Konohamaru?" she asked.

Konohamaru shrugged; his mom didn't look convinced. They were silent for almost a minute before he spoke. "Why do you hate Shikamaru?"

His mom sighed. "I don't hate him."

"But Ebisu said you were 'concerned'."

She smiled feebly. Her papers lay forgotten on the table. "I'm concerned," she said, "because he's one of the top ninja of his age group." Konohamaru raised an eyebrow at her. She continued, her voice almost a whisper: "I don't want him to... to convince you to go on a mission you aren't ready for." Her lip trembled, and she looked like she was holding back tears. "I... I don't want to... lose you."

Konohamaru couldn't look at her, so he directed his gaze down at his hands. "I tried to go with when they went after Akatsuki..." he admitted. "But Shikamaru wouldn't let me."

Konohamaru's eyes itched. He blinked quickly, and looked up. His mom was directing a half-hearted glare his way. "That was stupid of you," she said simply. She was smiling slightly, and didn't look as much like she was going to cry.

Konohamaru tried to smile; it felt a bit forced, though. "You worry too much. I'm almost thirteen, you know."

His mom laughed at that. She stood up, and walked over to his side of the table, bending down to hug him. "I'm a mom, it's my job to worry about you."

"You don't have to worry so much," Konohamaru whispered. "I don't think he'll ever want me to go on missions with him." He cringed; his voice sounded really childish.

His mom kissed him on the forehead, and sat back down at her side of the table. "Could you have him come by some day? I'd like to speak to him."

Konohamaru nodded.