Deep End (ShikamaruXOC)

1.

The sweat dripping down my forehead started to cool as I stood kunai in hand breathing hard, against my protests, Lee insisted on sparring with me today. I know exactly what he had learned from his old Sensei that made him want to train especially hard with me, but it wasn't going to happen, I vowed to never use my special jutsu on a fellow Leaf ninja. Not even Sasuke had earned that from me despite his previous ways. Lee started to charge at me with a seemingly quicker speed than before, and as I raised my kunai to prepare to be on defense a familiar flash of yellow hair jumped between us.

"Alright you two," Naruto smiled at Lee, his back facing me, "I hate to interrupt, but the Kakashi Sensei wants to talk to Choi."

I sighed heavily in relief, Lee was tenacious, and I could feel my muscles tiring, "The Hokage huh?"

Lee stood stiff and grimaced slightly, "Of course Naruto! How could I keep Choi from an important meeting with the Hokage? I'll continue my sparring with another worthy opponent."

With that he ran off to find his next victim...I mean sparring partner, I gave Naruto a grateful look as he turned to face me, "You have no idea what fatigue you just saved me from Naruto."

He closed his eyes thoughtfully, "Oh I think I do Choi, believe it! Kakashi actually really does have something important to talk to you about though."

His eyes met mine and I could sense the seriousness of the situation, I nodded curtly and started towards the Hokage building a short distance away from where Lee had decided to spar me. I could feel the tiredness in my muscles from before becoming tense and buzz with anticipation as I made my way to the door of the Hokage's office, making sure to knock before opening the door. Kakashi sat with a bored look on his half-covered face, his head in his hands like usual.

"You summoned me Lord Sixth?"

He nodded and sighed signaling for me to exit my bow of respect and took a moment to breathe, "Yes Choi, as you are aware you possess a dangerous jutsu that can be used as an effective weapon against unusual opponents. We may soon have a need for those talents though we can't be too sure yet," he eyed me hesitantly, "there have been distress signals coming from the village hidden in the rock that have raised suspicion amongst the people. We thought the worst of it all had passed, but this enemy has proven themselves to be unlike what our shinobi can handle in normal combat."

I nodded in understanding looking now to Kakashi for further explanation, he answered knowing what I was thinking, "We are not trying to cause any more physical damage in the Land of Fire if we can help it and we are gathering intel on where their next move will be. If our suspicions are confirmed, we have asked of Lady Tsunade that a team including you and a few Anbu be sent out to capture the enemy and return to the leaf village. We've found that they are resistant to most combat methods, and we want to know how they achieved this and who is behind it."

The silver haired man focused his eyes on me, though they held a gentler gaze than usual, "Choi, we would not be asking for this jutsu unless it were absolutely necessary, not after the war...we will wait until we know for sure where they will make their next move and where to send your team before it becomes an actual mission. I wanted to prepare you for what may come as I know this jutsu of yours requires your own mental readiness. Please go about your business in the leaf village until I summon for you again in the coming days and do not speak a word of this to anyone."

I bowed closing my eyes, "Yes Lord Sixth, thank you."

This must be a pretty serious threat if they're wanting me to use that jutsu, the one my family is "cursed" with and has caused mistrust of my people. This jutsu came from my father's side, all not daring to become ninja since the first Hokage unless swearing their lives to the Anbu that I don't know about, but if they had Kakashi would seemingly have no need for me. No matter, I simply decided to do as the Hokage had asked and go about my usual business and relax until summoned, that was the best way to mentally recharge for this jutsu and so some time off is just what the doctor ordered! Making sure to avoid Lee for any further "sparring" I made my way to nearest non-training clearing to watch some clouds, maybe read the poetry novel I'd picked up recently that was still untouched in my things. As I came to the clearing, I halted noticing a shock of dark hair tied up on a shinobi head.

Shikamaru Nara.

That man just knows how to get under my skin and make me want to crawl out of it, without using his amazing shadow possession jutsu. There's no denying he's absolutely brilliant, but sometimes I just wish I could punch the guy in the side of the head. I decided to make my way to the opposite side of the clearing and sit under the shade of a tree, after all it looked like the ninja was too absorbed in his own thoughts to be a pest today. I took out my new book and dove into the words that I knew could wrap around my heart and mind just right. It was nice, sitting there for what seemed like forever, finding myself halfway through the pages of this novel. Or at least it was. I suddenly felt myself unable to flip the page and knew exactly what had taken hold of me. Shikamaru.

"Well," I heard his cool voice call out from my right, "if it isn't The Cootie Shinobi herself."

I was quickly released from his attempt at playful jutsu and sighed at the stupid title he'd given me ever since we were genin, "It was an accident, and it was one time for a millisecond! What do you want Nara can't you see I'm a little busy here?"

Shikamaru walked towards me and proceeded to crouch by my side, "Quite a millisecond for Kiba, huh? Anyways, I just wanted to see what you were reading so intently."

"Kiba and I are friends that's all, we were kids and ended up actually being pretty upset that our first kiss was wasted on bumping into one another on a mission. It's a new poetry book I picked up in town."

He looked at me thoughtfully for moment, "Is it any good?"

I nodded, "I was about halfway through it already before I was so rudely interrupted."

A sigh left him as he scratched the back of his neck, "Look I just thought I'd come say hi seeing as we're both off duty right now, I didn't think you'd be so touchy—"

"What a drag," we said in unison, my mimicking being on point if I do say so myself.

"Hate to say it Shikamaru, but I was rather enjoying my time before you came over here to mess with me and I would like to continue that time."

He stood making sure to roll his eyes at me, "I heard Lee cornered you today before a Hokage summons and I just thought I'd be friendly and offer to take you to lunch."

"Oh," I hummed thoughtfully. Shikamaru offering to take me to lunch? All he ever does is tease me and complain about me why would he want to be friendly towards me all of a sudden? His dark eyes met my amber ones and I found myself unable to get a read on them, "forget it Nara. If I can't read in peace here, I guess I'll pack it up and go home."

"Tch, fine."

There was a hint of disappointment in his voice, unusual for our conversations, and he slowly walked away leaving me to be as I was reading underneath a tree. I couldn't help but sigh, maybe he was just trying to be nice after all. We always grew up picking at each other and fighting, but maybe after everything that's happened, he just doesn't want bad blood with anyone and here I am just being a jerk. Whatever...

Shikamaru is just the same as he's always been, I just need to relax and not think too much.