So from time to time there's going to be a chapter that like this is the previous chapter from Shikamaru's P.O.V. my reasoning behind this is that the reader will be privy to conversations and events that Kumaraki is not. One of my fears is making anyone ooc so there probably won't be too many of these. Anyways...here's chapter 3.

! #$%^&*()! #$%^&*()! #$%^&*()

I woke up with a yawn and a big stretch. I only had time to stare at the ceiling for a few seconds before the alarm clock started beeping.

'Ugh great. What's the point of setting the alarm if I'm going to wake up before it goes off? What a total waste.'

I sat up in bed and rubbed my face. I glared across the room at the device making the assault on my eardrums possible.

'Now I've got to shut it off, but I don't feel like moving. But if I don't shut it off it'll just keep ringing, and ringing. Uggghhhh it makes me tired just thinking about the whole thing. Some mornings are such a drag.'

Damn Kumaraki. She had literally glued the alarm clock to the dresser. She said it was the only way that I'd ever make it out of bed in the morning. She was right of course, but I wouldn't tell her that. I groaned and slunk out of bed. I crossed the room and turned off the alarm. 7:30. Just enough time to get ready and meet Choji down by the corner.

! #$%^&*()! #$%^&*()! #$%^&*()

I took one more big hit out of the pipe before pulling on my blue school blazer. As I exhaled, I grabbed a shell and the small baggy I had promised Raki for after school and stuffed it in the pocket of my gray pants. I picked up my school bag and headed out of my room towards the front door.

"Shikamaru! Come here and get breakfast!" I heard Mom yell as I passed the kitchen.

"What a drag. I'm running late Mom," I wasn't, I just didn't want to stop.

"Just come get some damnit!" jeez, she could be a real pain in the ass.

I sighed and walked through the doorway to the kitchen. Two steps in I caught two pieces of toast before they could hit my face.

"There smart ass. Have a good day at school," she turned back over the stove to finish Dad's breakfast.

I gave her a small wave, not knowing if she was paying attention and headed out the front door. I didn't bother eating the toast. I didn't usually feel like eating in the mornings, sometimes it just felt like too much work. I'd just end up giving them to Choji.

It didn't take me very long to get down to the end of the street. I saw Choji waiting for me. When I got close enough, without words I handed the toast to him and began walking towards school.

"Thanks for the second breakfast Shikamaru. Your mom makes the best food. It's crazy that you never eat in the mornings," he said licking his fingers, the toast already gone.

"Eh? I just don't like crashing my high," I said. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I took it out to look at it. Probably Raki asking me to meet up somewhere once we got to school. I opened it up, but it wasn't her.

Kiba:

Hey, you're Raki's best friend right?

What kind of guys does she normally

go for?

'What the fuck?!' Why in the hell would he ask me a question like that? What was I supposed to say? I tried my best not to talk to her about the guys she's dated. She had had several boyfriends over the many years of us being best friends just like I had had a few girlfriends. I just never really make it a point to get to know them. Hell if I knew what she wanted in a man.

"Is that Kumaraki? She's trying to get you to skip the physical assessment this morning isn't she? You guys are a pair, that's for sure," Choji was brushing crumbs off the front of his blazer.

"Nah," I said still staring at my phone. I neglected to respond, instead, I just closed it and put it back in my pocket.

"You okay?" Choji looked at me concerned.

"Yeah I'm fine Choji. I think you had the right idea about ditching though. I'm gonna head up to the roof," we had reached the school's courtyard. It hadn't looked like anyone else had made it here yet, and I definitely didn't want to run into Inuzuka right now.

"Oi Shikamaru!" I could hear Choji's exasperated voice behind me as I veered off and headed for the stairs up to the roof. I sent him a wave over my shoulder and continued the troublesome climb upwards.

When I stepped through the doorway out onto the roof, I had to shield my eyes from the sun. I walked over the edge and leaned on it peering through the fence. I saw students beginning to arrive Naruto, Sasuke, Shino, and Kiba among them. I sighed and lit a cigarette trying to figure out what to do about that damned text.

I was halfway through with my cigarette when I saw Kumaraki and Ino walking into the courtyard. I watched her laugh as she said something to Ino before flashing a 'V' with her fingers. I wondered what her victory was. They walked over to Sakura and Hinata while I made myself comfortable on the ground, propping my back up against the small barrier between me and the edge. As I thought about how to respond to Kiba, I finished my cigarette and closed my eyes.

! #$%^&*()! #$%^&*()! #$%^&*()

I woke up a little dazed. I hadn't really meant to fall asleep, I had just wanted to skip the damn mile run and avoid Inuzuka. I pulled out my phone. 9:57 a.m. 'Damnit! I missed first and second period! I hope my parents don't find out about this.' I also had several texts.

Kumaraki:

Hey asshole! Where are you?

Are you even here today? What

about after school?

:

Kiba:

Shikamaru? Hey man don't

leave me hanging!

:

Choji:

Ms. Senju is pretty upset that you

weren't in class today, bro. Be on

the lookout.

'What a drag.' I didn't feel like replying to any of them. Raki was pissed at me. I could already tell I was going to catch hell when I saw her. Kiba clearly wasn't going to let this go, and now I had to worry about dodging Ms. Senju, one of the scariest women I had ever known. I decided to smoke one more cigarette before heading to third period. Mr. Ogata was pretty laid back didn't care that I came into class late, as long as I didn't do it too often.

! #$%^&*()! #$%^&*()! #$%^&*()

"So what'd you get on Pervy Grandpa's test Shikamaru?" Naruto came up beside Choji and I as we were walking to the cafeteria.

"110. It wasn't hard. Why what'd you get?" I asked him, grabbing a tray from the stack.

"Ehhh? 110? How'd you get more than a 100? And I only got a 74," he scratched the back of his head embarrassed.

"Cause you dobe, you get ten points just for putting your name on the paper. No wonder you only got the 74," Sasuke had joined us in line.

"Tch. Whatever Teme, who asked you anyways," Naruto grabbed a rice ball from the pan.

We sat down at a table in the corner. Before long Shino and Kiba showed up with their trays. The latter sat down right in front of me making direct eye contact. Looks like this was the end of me avoiding him and his troublesome question. Naruto alternated between stuffing his face and picking at Sasuke who was trying to eat himself. Choji had his eyes glued to his phone watching some movie. It must have been getting intense because he had increased the rate at which he was shoveling potato chips into his mouth. I had no way out of the conversation that was about to happen.

"So? Come on man what's the answer" he casually threw out.

"What a drag. I don't know," I said, finishing the last of my food.

"Don't know what?" Naruto chimed in. 'Oh great. Now we can all be involved in the fucking conversation.'

"I'm trying to figure out what kinda guys his hot-ass best friend likes. See if I might qualify," there it was. I figured it was something like that. It's not something the two of us really talked about, what each other's type was. I didn't like thinking about who she dated and what they did. Come to think of it, it hadn't really started bothering me until the past year or so. I think it was because all the guys she had talked to recently had gotten older and sleezier.

"Kumaraki? Hmmm… now that you mention it she is pretty hot. Especially in that gym uniform. It really shows off what she's working with if you know what I mean," he used his hands to make an hourglass shape in the air.

We had walked outside to the courtyard and made our way to the bench furthest away from the school and closest to the street. It was easier for me to smoke a cigarette our here without getting caught.

"Back off, bro. If any of us is going to tap that it's going to be me," Kiba punched Naruto in the arm.

"Can we not talk about my cousin like that," Sasuke groaned. It wasn't often that I saw eye to eye with Uchiha, but in this case I couldn't agree more.

"Just 'cause you can't appreciate her like we can doesn't mean you can't tell us not to look," Kiba smirked.

"Looking is one thing, talking about her like she's a piece of meat you're about to sink your teeth into is another," Sasuke looked at Kiba with a grimace.

I blew a mouthful of smoke out all the while trying to get the mental image of Kiba cornering Kumaraki out of my head. I didn't get too much of a reprieve because next thing I heard was an all too familiar voice call out my last name. I looked up to see the subject of our current conversation striding across the courtyard directly towards me.

"Speaking of sinking my teeth in, here comes hell on wheels herself," Kiba grinned as Kumaraki approached us.

"NARA! Where the fuck have you been all day?" She used my last name again. Yep, she was definitely pissed. I heard snickering and shot Naruto, Sasuke, and Choji a glare. Damn, did she really have to lay into me in front of all the guys.

"You're seriously mad? What a drag. I spent the first two periods napping on the roof," I crossed my arms, looking away from her. I had known several scary women in my lifetime and my best friend had pretty much topped the list as reigning champion. I really hated pissing her off, and I was always too afraid to look her in the eyes when I did.

"Yeah, and didn't even think to tell me or invite me for that matter," I could practically feel her glare.

She and I usually planned out when we were skipping classes together, according to what activities we didn't want to participate in. This morning was different, and I couldn't very well tell her the real reason I hadn't said anything to her about it. I could at least tell her part of the truth.

I groaned, "I didn't really plan on it. It just happened."

I think I literally saw her eye twitch. I definitely saw her fists clench. She was getting ready to hit me, "Well you missed a lot. Are you still walking home with me after school?"

What a brat. Now she was just trying to make me feel guilty. She knew I'd never skip out on her like that. She just wanted to hear me say it. Troublesome damn woman. I rolled my eyes, "I told you I was didn't I? I'll meet you by your locker after class."

I saw her face soften. Maybe I was off the hook…or maybe she was just waiting until later to unleash her wrath. She paused like she was contemplating it herself. "You're lucky I'm letting you off easy, jerk," I was bombarded with a large cloud of her vape smoke.

She flicked me in the forehead and turned around to head back inside, Ino trailing behind her.

Kiba laughed and watched her as she walked away, "You're so damn lucky Shikamaru. I'd kill to be in your place."

I scoffed blowing out another drag of the cigarette, "You wanna get knocked around by her cranky ass all the time? Be my guest."

"Fuck yeah I'd let her knock me around. As much as she wanted to," his tone was more than suggestive.

"Kiba. What did we just talk about? My cousin's not dumb enough to be one of your little sluts. Just let it go," I could hear the warning in Sasuke's voice.

"See that's where you got me wrong man. Kumaraki Uchiha is not some one-night stand, hit-it-and-quit-it little fling. Kumaraki is the kinda girl you spoil, the kind you take your time with, the kind you enjoy all night long as many fucking chances you can get. Shit, I might even fall in love," He put his hands behind his head and leaned back on the bench.

I sighed, taking the last drag of my cigarette before putting it out on the ground. I shoved the butt in my pocket and stood up to walk back into the school. I had a lot running through my mind, but I had a feeling this was going to be a problem.

! #$%^&*()! #$%^&*()! #$%^&*()

"So really what did I miss out on today?" I asked closing the door of her apartment behind me. I began kicking my shoes off and sliding them with my foot over to the wall. On the way home she had only talked about Mr. Tojiro giving her a hard time for 'starting a teensy-weensy little fire during chem lab' as she had put it.

"You mean besides the physical assessment?" she rolled her eyes. What a drag. She was back on that again. I sighed, following her down the hallway to her bedroom.

"It couldn't have been that exciting," I dropped my bag on the floor by the end of her bed. I crawled up on the bed and scooted back until I was up against the wall. I pulled my bag out of my pocket and opened the shell. I felt her plop down on the bed up near her bedside table. I heard the tv turn on and then clips of various channels as she surfed. 'Cooking or crime shows?' I questioned to myself. I smiled to myself when I heard the voice of an older woman talking about how spongy a piece of cake was. Cooking shows today I guess.

I began filling the shell with the weed I had already ground up this morning. I heard her rustling around, "Not for me, everyone else almost got a show."

"Oh?" I looked up at her wondering what the hell she was talking about.

'Goddamn' she had taken her cardigan and vest off. I had looked up right as she was loosening her tie. She was my best friend, but I was still a man and she was not unattractive. It looked like the beginning of a Pornhub clip, and I was immediately reminded of what Kiba had said at lunch earlier. I quickly looked back down, trying to focus on rolling the blunt instead of the thoughts of my two classmates together.

"That little cunt Mitsuri tried starting shit with me again. Probably would've ended up in detention if it weren't for Kiba. I know she only does it to push my buttons, but she literally doesn't even have a reason –," I tuned out after that. What exactly had happened between her and Kiba? He hadn't said anything about it at lunch, and she hadn't elaborated. I didn't want to be weird and ask. Besides if she wasn't bringing it up it probably wasn't a big deal anyway.

"-How could you Shika?! I needed you, my shield and sword!" the back of her head flopped down hard on my shoulder. 'Dramatic ass.' She almost spilled the weed out of the shell. I had started to twist it up and it was going to be a pain in the ass to put back in if it fell out. 'Pain in the ass…just like her.' I felt the corner of my mouth barely tug upward.

"Hey now! Watch out!" I said half-heartedly annoyed.

She flipped around and repositioned her chin on my shoulder. I could feel her watching me as I finished rolling it up and sealing it with my tongue.

"Aren't you almost done?" she asked me, as I gave the blunt one final look before lighting it.

"Are you ever not troublesome?" I asked her between puffs.

"Not always," she took it from my hand and took a long drag off of it.

She sighed as she blew her hit out, took one more small puff, and then handed it back to me. We had passed it back and forth a couple of times by the time I heard a key in the door.

"Kumaraki! Do you have a boy here?" Obito Uchiha, Kumaraki's older brother. Him and I got along okay enough. As kids he gave both me and his little sister a hard time. He still picked on me from time to time but nothing too serious. He also usually offered me beer if he had it, so I assumed I was okay in his book too.

She rolled her eyes as she took the blunt from me, "It's just Shika, idiot."

"Well keep your door open!" I could hear him going into his room. It was my turn to roll my eyes.

We passed it back and forth a couple of times. I took a hit bigger than usual. As I blew my hit out it burned the back of my throat and I started coughing.

"Damn Shika! It's been awhile since I've heard you cough. Where'd you get this shit from anyways? It's pretty good," she asked inspecting the blunt.

I really didn't want to give her the answer given today's recent developments, "Inuzuka. Said he got it from his older sister."

I took the blunt back from her, "Hmmm…I'll have to ask him if he's got anymore. I definitely wanna have some for the party."

"What a drag. Is Ino still on that shit? I thought we were just going to hang out here for your birthday?" I blew the smoke out of my mouth. A month ago I had asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday and she told me she just wanted a small get together at her house. It was supposed to be just her, me, Ino, and Choji. Ino had finally gotten to her. I can hear her now, 'A girl only turns eighteen once Raki. We need to do it up big!' What a drag.

"You know how excited she gets about these things. Plus, I'm only the second one of us to turn eighteen, I'm just going to let her have this," she shrugged her shoulders, taking the blunt back.

What the hell was she talking about? Sasuke, Kiba, me, and Sakura were already legal, "Half of us are already eighteen."

"I meant out of the four of us girls, Pineapple Head," I scowled when I heard it come out of her mouth. She hadn't called me that in a while, she knew it embarrassed me.

Two could play at that game. I smirked, "Didn't she help Sakura plan her party…Kumo Naka Ni?"

'In the clouds.' I had given her that nickname when we were kids. She was the one who asked me to go cloud watching with her. She said that we could make the clouds into anything we wanted them to be. Always seeing something grand in that mind of hers. She's had her head in the clouds ever since. It didn't help that it sounded similar to Kumaraki and her hair was literally the color of a storm cloud.

She stuck her tongue out at me. She took it better than I thought, "Yeah and don't you remember how much fun that was?"

I shot her an incredulous look. She had literally bitched to me for two days straight about the fight that broke out between Ino and Sakura, "I remember you getting a glass of punch thrown on you while they were fighting over who got to dance with Sasuke."

"And see that's the beauty of it! She doesn't have to compete with me over my cousin, and if she has Sasuke all to herself she won't have any time to set me up with someone…like she keeps trying to." 'What the fuck?' I wished she hadn't of said that while I had a hit in my mouth. It caught me off guard and I began choking.

"Like who?" I coughed out.

"Recently? She's gotten the idea that Kiba and I actually might hit it off."

'Son of a bitch, Ino!' Her and her damn matchmaking shit. Sometimes she meddled too much for her own good. She wouldn't try so hard to get them together if she heard how Kiba had talked about her…or maybe that would only encourage it. Hell if I knew, I didn't understand women even if my best friend was one.

"What a drag," was all that managed to come out of my mouth.

She rolled her eyes, "I mean he's not awful. A little immature for my taste, but he can be molded…"

"You're closer to him than I am though. What do you think Shika?"

I scowled at her. Was she serious? Were we really having this conversation right now? I didn't want those images in my head. I was officially changing the subject, "I think I'm starting to get the munchies. Let's find something to eat."

I stood up off the bed and turned to look at her. What a troublesome woman. I stuck my hand out towards her. When she grabbed it, I pulled her up and let her walk out of the room in front of me.

! #$%^&*()! #$%^&*()! #$%^&*()

Alright everyone! What did you think? Let me know please! I really want a lot of feedback. p.s. if you think it sucks, at least try to be nice about it ;)