Chapter 6: A Good Fiction

"The end," Shikamaru finished his story and looked around at all the facing staring up at him. "What's with the looks?"

The boys had blank expressions on their faces, making it impossible to discern whether they liked his tale or not.

"That was… weird."

Shikamaru raised his eyebrow. "Weird good or weird bad?"

"Just… weird."

"It's just that… we didn't expect you to tell a story like that," said Boruto. "That's all."

"Yeah, we kinda expected one from you to be more…"

"Distinguished?"

"No, that's not the word."

"Complexed?"

"Yeah, and… uh…"

"Not so goofy," Boruto said bluntly.

"Yeah, it was silly and not what we expected you to tell," said Inojin.

Shikamaru wasn't offended. "It comes as a surprise that someone so smart can be so silly, is that it? I understand. People think you're too smart to have a silly side or a sense of humor, but that's not true. Smart people are often silly because it's fun. It's troublesome taking things seriously all the time. You need some levity."

Sai smiled. "I thought it was fun."

"But not very scary," said Inojin. "Campfire stories tend to be scary."

"Is that a rule?" Sai asked.

"No, just expected."

Boruto looked at Shikamaru. "What do you have against Sasuke anyway?"

Shikamaru said, "If you knew him back then, you'd understand."

"That story wasn't real anyway," said Shikadai.

"How do you know?" he asked his son. "You weren't there."

"And you were? You just inserted yourself into the story to have a reason for how you knew what went on."

"I had to take notes on the mission. It could very well have happened."

"It does seem plausible," said Sai. "And there's no way to prove it didn't take place."

"Unless we go find Sasuke and ask him," said Boruto.

"He'd deny the whole thing," said Shikamaru. "It makes him look stupid."

"I'm still calling it nonsense," said Shikadai. "I don't think it actually happened. Plus, it wasn't scary. Just silly."

"What wrong with that?" asked Shikamaru. "Where's the rule that says a campfire story can't be silly?"

"Or funny?"

"It just… It's…" Shikadai fumbled for an answer. "It's just… not tradition."

"You're out in the woods at night," explained Boruto. "It's customary to tell scary stories to get people's blood pumping. You're trying to scare them. It's part of the experience."

"It enhances the mood?" Sai looked at Shikamaru to see if he was assuming correctly. Shikamaru just shrugged and stuck a hotdog over the fire. Now that he wasn't telling a story, he was free to eat.

"Scary stories are a must when camping," said Inojin. "That story was fun, but not really campfire worthy."

"Would you like to go next, Inojin?" Sai asked his son.

Inojin flinched. "Oh. Uh… I still need to think of a good one. I have an idea in mind, but I don't really have all the details or anything. And I'm sure I can do better than what I have."

"Then who's next?"

"Why don't you tell one, Sai?"

"Me?" Sai looked caught off guard. "I've never really made up a story before. I'm not sure I'd know how. Or have it be any good."

"Who cares if it's the greatest one in the world? We're just having fun," Shikamaru told him. "Besides, with all the books you've read, I'd think you'd know how to do a story."

"Reading them is different from telling them. Plus, the books I read aren't was whimsical as this. More like information than actual plot."

"You're still a creative guy," Shikamaru told him. "Give it a whirl."

Sai pondered this a moment. Storytelling was another form of art, which he was already pretty good at, so perhaps he could have a talent for this. Maybe he should give it a try. He didn't care if he was any good at this, but he didn't want to disappoint his son, so he felt unsure.

"Well, I guess I could give it a shot." Sai rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "It'll give Inojin some time to work on his own story."

Inojin fidgeted a little, leaning his back against the log Sai sat on. "Take your time. It'll be a while."