The Smug Ninja

The world always seemed to stop when she saw him. Whether it was for meetings, passing by on the street, or just coincidence. It didn't matter where, or who was with her. When she laid eyes on him, when she felt his presence, the air was sucked from her lungs and blood rushed to her cheeks and chest.

Itachi Uchiha.

Renowned traitor and rogue ninja, who has returned to the Leaf Village in hopes of a new life. Well, HE doesn't hope, his brother Sasuke Uchiha does. Itachi had accepted his fate and did not care to return, but his brother changed his mind. All the women of the village were happy about that decision.

Unfortunately for the women of the leaf village, Itachi didn't notice anyone. He did his duties as a trainer at the academy, but once the day was over he walked home to the depressing building he called home. The lights were hardly ever on. She walked by every day on her way home and she can count on one hand how many times she's seen a light on. It must get lonely in those dark walls. Every night she tried to muster up the courage to walk up and give him company, but her nerves always got to her first. Besides, would she even be keeping him company? Or just be a nuisance?

"You really shouldn't be walking alone at night."

A familiar voice stated behind her.

She snapped out of her thoughts and wheeled around to see who was talking to her. It was her old friend Shikamaru, handsome as ever standing behind her. She put a hand over her racing heart and relaxed, giggling at the smug ninja.

"You got me. Did you follow me?"

She asked as he walked up beside her.

"Just to make sure you were safe, don't get any ideas"

He teased, putting his hands behind his head lazily as they walked.

"If I didn't know any better, I would say you had a crush on me"

She teased back.

Shikamaru just scoffed at her remarks and playfully rolled his eyes. Here she was thinking about Itachi when a handsome guy was actually giving her attention and cared about her well being. How cliché.

"How have you been, Shikamaru? I haven't had the chance to talk with you since you began helping Hokage Uzumaki"

He pondered for a moment in silence, "Hm. It has been a while, hasn't it?"

"Mm. Gomen, Shikamaru. I didn't know it had been so long since I'd seen you"

"Me either, when I saw you walking I was just in awe of how beautiful you are. I always forget about those blue eyes of yours"

He said, side-eyeing her.

His affectionate words made her heart skip a beat, and she blushed deeply. Even in the darkness of night, he saw her blush and chuckled. What a confident man.

She smiled at the gorgeous man, memorizing his features bathed in moonlight. They stopped walking when they got to her home, and he lingered for a moment.

"Ano... arigato, Shikamaru. You're so swee-"

"My name sounds so good on your lips... Its a shame you only have eyes for Itachi, Ushio"

Shikamaru murmured, looking at his feet bitterly.

Her eyes widened considerably in surprise, completely thrown off by the Jonin's words. That was so out of character for him. He NEVER talks about his feelings, especially so casually. Her heart started racing, was that a confession from the great ninja Nara Shikamaru? He kept his gaze on her, studying her features and feelings no doubt to figure out what she was thinking.