It All Started With A Smell

Safe

He didn't think it was possible for the body to feel so numb. That was the only response he had towards breaking Kurenai. He had to witness the kind, caring woman's heart shatter and he was the one to cause it. He had hoped that being the one to tell her would soften the blow but he realised too late that there was nothing to stop it. She fell to her knees crying and Shikamaru crouched, putting a hand to her shoulder. White noise filled his ears, drowning out Kurenai's pain. When she picked herself up, saying she wanted to be alone, he didn't stop her.

The funeral preparations wouldn't take long. Someone who was proficient with earth type jutsus would be making the tombstone now, putting Asuma's name on the slab. Medical ninjas from the morgue would be preparing his sensei's body. Funerals in the Leaf weren't a ceremony like in the Sand. The body was buried and the tombstone in place before people arrived to say goodbye. Words are said about the deceased next to their burial place and the one they loved the most was the first to put flowers down. Kurenai would be that person.

Shikamaru couldn't help but wonder who would have been the one to put flowers on his grave if he had died instead of Asuma-Sensei. It would probably have been his parents, since, although romantic love always came first in funeral rites, not many knew of his feeling for Naruto. He definitely wouldn't want her finding out through his death. Thinking of Naruto must have affected his directions for he found himself outside her apartment, even though he knew she wasn't home. He turned to leave only to find the door opening and Naruto looking out.

"Hey, Shikamaru, did you want to come in?" Naruto held the door open for him, allowing him to spy a distraught Konohamaru sitting on the couch. She walked out into the hallway, closing her door softly. She moved towards Shikamaru, taking his hands. "Are you alright?"

He frowned, taking in Naruto's pity-filled eyes. A lump formed in his throat, creating uncomfortable pressure. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because... of Asuma-Sensei." Naruto flinched at the glare he sent her.

"I know he's dead," Shikamaru hissed. "I was there. I fought the Akatsuki. I know how pathetically weak compared to them we are. I know what will happen when they come for you. You will die, just like Asuma-Sensei and I won't be able to stop it. The fight against the Akatsuki isn't one we are going to win."

"We will, Shikamaru," Naruto whispered, hesitating between walking closer and further away. "Sometimes it's just bad luck."

"ASUMA-SENSEI DIDN'T DIE BECAUSE OF BAD LUCK!" Shikamaru roared, noticing Naruto visibly wincing and moving a step away.

"I'm sorry. Just... come inside. Konohamaru is in there and I can look after you both. I just want to make sure you're okay." Naruto held out her hand to him.

He shot a look at the closed door. The thought of being in a room with someone as heartbroken as himself propelled him in the other direction.

"No, thank you. I just... I'm going to go." He hurried down the corridor before Naruto could stop him.

He couldn't stay still, and yet walking around pointlessly caused the hollow ach inside of him grow. He didn't want to be around those who appeared unaffected by Asuma-Sensei's death, but being around those who were in as much pain as him was unbearable. When he left for the funeral the next day he arrived at the grave yard early only to find that his feet wouldn't stop. He walked past the collection of tombstones, not even looking to find Asuma-Sensei's. He continued until he found a sloping roof to lie on, pulling out Asuma-Sensei's lighter that he still had, and flicked it to life before snapping the lid closed, repeating the motion as he watched the kids run around the street below.

They were the current kings, the most important piece on the board and he would make sure to protect them. He refused to lose this game, even though he couldn't find the motivation to do anything.