Broken Youth
(Life of Konoha Academy Teens)
CH.3.2:Closer

After the occurrences at the beginning of Kakashi's Literature class everything else ran as usual, which was practically reading and writing the whole period. When the bell rang early everybody including Kakashi-sensei were relieved. They all scattered in different directions, the sophomores went to Ebisu's Math class, the juniors went to Iruka's History class, and Kakashi disappeared to who knows where only to arrive late to class once again.
Shikamaru had his hands in his pockets and his brown eyes gazing at the ground as he walked along side Temari.
"How did I get stuck doing this again?" he asked.
"Tired of it already Shika?" said Temari. "It seems that you already forgotten that this was the favor I wanted for saving your sorry ass so many time."
"Oh right, don't remind me," said Shikamaru. "Hey, now that I think about it I never asked for your help any of those times you 'saved' me."
"Yeah, but that's only because your manly pride won't let you. Your eyes said otherwise so I had no choice but to help you. It's your fault I have to save you cause you can't hit a girl and anyways no one tells you to go pick I fight with a girl,"said Temari.
"I don't pick a fight with them they come to me, fighting a girl is the last thing I want to do,"said Shikamaru. "Don't you remember Temari that you were one of those girls too. You also decided to fight me one day, I almost won only by using strategy, but I gave up."
"Oh yeah, now I remember you quit like a coward," said Temari.
"If you say so, but that's not how it went through in my mind. I gave up because I was almost out of energy and I didn't want to risk it, I could have easily beaten you if I wanted to but decided not to. It was a good thing I quit and let you win because if I hadn't you would still be looking for a rematch and that's just too troublesome for me," said Shikamaru.
"So you're are trying to tell me that you were to lazy to defeat me?"asked Temari. "That's what I hate the most about you Shikamaru. You are completely capable of doing so many things with that brilliant brain of yours, but you waste that ability because your too damn lazy."
"I am only like that because being a genius is to much work for me. Being the guy that always has to right with no room for mistakes isn't me. That's why I only use my brain when it's truly necessary." said Shikamaru. They both got quiet.
'I never thought of it like that,' thought Temari.
"Um, Temari you should stop rescuing me," said Shikamaru.
"Is this because you don't want to owe me any more favors?" she said jokingly.
"No it's not because of that." Shikamaru said with a sigh. "It just that the fights are meant for me and me only not for you. Even if I don't fight in them I don't want you getting involved, because I don't want to see get you hurt because of me."
"But Shika-" began Temari but Shikamaru covered her mouth without even looking at her.
"Could you also reduce your own fights a bit, I know it'll be hard for you, since your a bit quick tempered, but you should really try to prevent any useless conflicts," he said as he put down his hand.
"Hey, that's kinda sweet of you to worry about me like that,"said Temari with a smile.
"How troublesome, I wasn't going for that at all. I only wanted you to be more careful and avoid getting into trouble." said Shikamaru his face getting a bit warmer. "Good we're here."
"We really are and I was just getting into the conversation," said Temari.
"We'll continue it some other time,"said Shikamaru beginning to turn around.
"Hey, Shika?" asked Temari.
"Yeah,"he replied stopping.
"Are you angry because you have to walk me?"asked Temari.
"Nah. It's not exactly what I want to do, but I don't hate it," he answered.
"What your saying is that you rather be in class taking a cat nap, but you don't mind hanging out with me instead?" said Temari.
"I guess so," said Shikamaru with a yawn as he stretched. He then began walking away. "See ya later Temari." He stated as he held up his hand.
"Yeah, next period to be exact," she returned.
"You are such a drag," said Shikamaru turning his head to see Temari giving him an assuring smile. He turned back his head and shook it.
"Thank you Shika," Temari called out.
Shikamaru took a sigh and said: "It's nothing...Tema."

Also after first period:
Neji, Tenten and Lee walked together to class as they normally did.
"Hey, guys I'll be right back I have to go to the restroom,"stated Lee.
"We don't need to know every detail just go," said Neji.
"I'll be back in a flash," said Lee sprinting away.
"You really don't need to rush, go ahead and take you time," Neji told him.
Tenten let out a giggle.
"What do you laugh at?" asked Neji looking at her.
"Just at the fact that Lee makes a challenge for himself out of everything he does,"said Tenten.
"Do you laugh because you find it funny? Or amusing?" asked Neji.
"A little of both. I really love that 'give it your all' spirit of his. It show me to never give up and that theirs always room for self improvement." replied Tenten.
"Oh,"said Neji turning his head forward.
"Yet that trait of Lee's also gets annoying and embarrassing at times when he goes a little overboard with it. It's at times like those that I'm happy to have you around to accompany me through that torment," said Tenten with a warming grin.
"Well, sometimes you volunteer yourself to that torture. Tenten you are too kind at times," stated Neji.
"Are you trying bring up the 'The Power of Youth' meeting?" said Tenten with hands on her hips. "I know I put ourselves into that mess but I had no choice I couldn't say 'no' and disappoint Lee. And believe me or not, you are just as kind as I am," said Tenten.
"That's not necessarily true. I am only kind with those I care about,"said Neji. When he realized what he said his face began to turn pink.
"Neji you care about m-" Tenten said about to put her hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, I'm back you guys," stated Lee as he popped up in between Neji and Tenten. "Oh, am I interrupting something?" Lee looked at them both who where know facing different directions.
"No, not at all," said both Tenten and Neji simultaneously.
"Are you guy sure I didn't miss something?" asked Lee.
"Nothing," they both replied.
"Okay then onward to class at full speed!" exclaimed Lee pointing straight ahead.
"Why not," replied both Neji and Tenten with a bit of depression in their tone.
'Thanks a lot Lee, you ruined my chance to unveil some of Neji Hyuuga's infrequent feelings,' thought Tenten.
'I nearly told Tenten my emotions, I wouldn't have minded having them reviled but I guess this is neither the time nor the place,' thought Neji.
'I wonder what really happened between them when I was gone?' thought Lee.

The next couple periods went by rapidly. For third period the juniors and sophomores made a switch of classes, the sophomores now went to History and the juniors to Math. Fourth period wasn't really decided by grade but more by gender, all the girls skipped to Kurenai-sensei's Home Economics class while the guys trotted to Asuma-sensei's Metal, Wood and Auto Shop. At the end of this fourth class would be the arrival for the long awaited...Lunch.

End of 3:2