"What are you thinking about?" asked a gruff voice older man usually possessed. He stood next to a young boy, kneeling beside him, he tried to look in the same direction boy did through the now closed window. It was the middle of spring, so their surroundings portrayed the picture of beauty, but this man knew, this perceptive young man never really appreciated the beauty of such a day. Rather, he was in deep thought, researching all the options and chances his mind could provide. That's how he always was. Maybe not always, the man could never know such a thing as before, but since the day man met him, the boy held the aura of a thinker, an observer.
The boy flinched, noticing the look of question on his teacher's face. "You scared me, Sir." He noted with a straight face, totally opposite of his statement.
"Well, that's rare, you are usually really perceptive, what is going through that big brain of yours? the man asked, amused. "Did some lady catch your attention or something?" He joked, expecting the boy to brush it off.
But the boy fell even deeper into his train of thought.
"The princess..."
Such a surprise. "I never expected that of you, how did you end up with such high standards my boy?" To say that man was confused, would be an understanding matter. His beloved student, who never looked at anything with real interest twisted his brainpower over their one and only princess.
"No, Sir Asuma, not in that regard," he showed
something that resembled a pout, his cheeks reddening. "I am just intrigued."
"And how exactly Shikamaru?" The man, Asuma, questioned.
"She is calling me weird but I think the weird one is she." Asuma was shocked, he was unaware that his student even had a conversation with the princess, but it looked like they were friends of sorts. Or maybe not. It was best for the boy to say it his own way, to have assumptions in Shikamaru's presence was always useless, because, assumptions were never right.
"It's like she is fearless. She is not afraid of the blade and it looks like she sneaks out quite often from what I gathered, even with a father like hers. When we first met I was bathing in blood but she didn't bat an eye like she is clueless, I don't understand it. How comes she is like that with such an upbringing? How come she is not terrified?" Shikamaru's eyes stayed on the green grass, squinting, trying to see something that was never there.
Ah, this explains it. Shikamaru was, by Asuma's experience, curious about things he didn't understand and it is quite a rare occurrence for him to find something like that, so this was something entirely fascinating.
"Look, child." Now, it was Asuma's turn to try to ponder, even though his student was far better at it. "This is what I think from my encounters with her.
The bloody path followed her through life and after you get used to something it's not fazing you anymore, so she got bored of it, the first time is always the hardest but with time, you try again and again and you just get used to it. You are not afraid anymore. It just becomes a daily occurrence."
That's how habits are made.
Shikamaru's eyes widened, now entering into a totally new road of endless thoughts.
"Sir Asuma, thank you, but there is one problem."
"And what is that?"
"I'm still intrigued," Shikamaru said, his hand now covering his previously wide eyes. Like wanted to stop his brain, to brake it.
"Maybe you really are interested in her?"
"That couldn't be." Shikamaru was quite sure of it, how could he be interested in such a person?
"You shouldn't deny boy," Asuma said, his face taking on an expression of hidden worry. "But, if you really do, you shouldn't say it out loud, that is my advice."
"And why is that?"
"You'll see soon enough."
And after the conversation, the rest of the day felt like no chore.
The next day's weather was delightful, like a perfect spring day, better than yesterday's and probably than one tomorrow.
The meetings that Shikamaru was allowed to even glance at were limited. But today was different, it was like one of those lucky days, those that should be treasured.
He didn't wish to attend one of Majesty's infamous meetings but it should bring some interest while days are pretty, so why not be there? There is always some serious matter, some political issue to be discussed, but again, today tasted unusual.
And it left Shikamaru far from astounded.
Besides the usual advisors there sat a woman. The gray-eyed woman which black, wavy, floor-length hair. A gorgeous woman, one of those people would describe as angelic looking.
"Do you agree with me, Your Majesty?" The woman said, her gorgeous face taking a look at her target.
"I'm not so sure," King replied.
"I knew you may not agree, but I must warn you with all due respect I have for you, I am still as powerful as I was back then Your Majesty." She kind of smiled, looking so sure to win such an argument.
Asuma looked at him bitterly, unspoken apology in his eyes, he was sorry that he wasn't able to tell.
Their all-mighty ruler seemed uneasy now, his stoic mask still standing but now almost destroyed by this mysterious, powerful woman. He sighed, his arms tensed. In an unusual noble room, adorned with red and gold with breathtaking gigantic windows and beautifully woven ruby curtains, he declared.
"You won this time." He stared at her dangerously. "I agree that my daughter Temari should marry your son, Your Majesty."
The woman, smiled smugly, like the real queen winning her prize.