Chapter 2:
"The escort mission went well, I take it?" Kakashi asked when Shikamaru's team returned to his office to give their report.
"Yeah, everything went great," said Ino. "Although…"
She glanced sideways at Shikamaru who looked distractedly into the distance, hardly saying anything since they returned to the village.
"Earth to Shikamaru," Choji teased. "Ino's getting pissed."
"Huh?" He turned to look at his teammates. "Sorry. Yeah, the mission went well. Everything's fine."
"Are you alright, Shikamaru?" asked Kakashi, seeing how distracted Shikamaru was, apparently having a lot on his mind. At least, that's how it appeared to Kakashi.
"Yeah, just tired," Shikamaru responded, brushing off the question.
"Alright then. Thank you for the report. You're dismissed."
Choji stretched his arms over his head with a loud sigh. "Ooh, glad to be back. They should be starting the dinner specials if anyone wants to join me."
"Nah, I got stuff to do and I'm not sure I'll have time to do it all with us getting back so late in the day." Ino looked at Shikamaru who was practically dragging his feet. "What's up with you?"
Shikamaru didn't respond, lost in thought.
"Hello!"
"Huh? Oh, sorry. Were you talking to me?"
"Seriously, what's going on with you?" Ino asked with her hands on her hips. "You have been acting strange ever since we got back."
"Like I said, I'm just tired."
"You expect me to buy that?"
Shikamaru sighed. "I just got a lot on my mind, ok?" Shikamaru quickened his pace. "I'm heading home. See you all later."
Ino watched Shikamaru disappear down the stairs and shook her head. "What's with that guy?"
"Like he said. He's got a lot on his mind." Choji wasn't concerned at all, given what he knew. "He's probably working out some decisions and stuff."
"For what?"
"Ack," Choji gulped, realizing he almost revealed exactly what Shikamaru told him not to mention to Ino or anyone else. "O- oh, uh… That. You know. Just, uh… stuff. Like things and stuff."
Ino narrowed her eyes at Choji and got very close to his face. "What's that mean exactly?"
Choji pretended to look at his watch. "Gee, is it that time already? I better go before all the good booths are taken. Later!" Choji sprinted off down the corridor and down the stairs. He couldn't see the look on Ino's face but he knew she wasn't satisfied with that answer.
It was the middle of the night and Shikamaru was having a hard time settling down, tossing and turning in his bed. It was impossible for him to have a restful sleep. Each time he was able to be still for more than five minutes, he would begin tossing and turning all over again.
This time, however, he sat up in bed, stayed seated for a moment then threw off the covers and walked across his room.
A few minutes later, Shikamaru was walking down the quiet street of the village, fully dressed but lacking any of his ninja gear. He walked, humming a tune to himself, heading towards the main gate.
Then, quietly, Shikamaru's tune adopted lyrics, singing to himself. "Camellia, Camellia, the voice we adore…"