𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐆𝐀 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐍

Gaara of the Sand

Hanara had been training like nobody's business for the past month and had finally mastered the art of using chakra threads and making them invisible. In the process of doing that, she mastered Rotation, finally used to the amount of chakra control needed. She had also been going out of her way to avoid Shikamaru whenever possible. She had finally accepted her feelings and luckily, was not fainting and turning as red as a tomato whenever Shikamaru was around, unlike her twin. Still, she was not going to let Shikamaru have any sort of hint that she might have a crush on him. She would tell him only if it seemed like he liked her that way. There's no point in embarrassing herself and ruining their friendship.

Right now, Hanara was grocery shopping. Even if Neji was acting like an ass, she didn't want him to starve. And well, she didn't want to starve either. Sadly, she must have jinxed her fate because when she entered the fruit aisle, she saw Shikamaru.

'Why is he here? He never shops for groceries!'

As she walked past him, she internally prayed, 'Don't notice me, don't notice me, don't not-'

"Hi, Hana," Shikamaru said as he dropped three apples inside his basket.

'Dammit. Okay then, act normal.'

"Hey 'Maru! I've never seen you buying groceries yourself before. Did your mom somehow convince you to finally do it?" Hanara teased.

"Heh. Surprisingly, no. Choji's in the hospital. Indigestion. He ate one short rib too many I guess. So is Naruto, actually," Shikamaru said, "Thought I'd get Choji something nice to eat when I visited. Want to come?"

'I'll sound mean if I say no.'

"Somehow, I'm not surprised," Hanara sighed, "Sure, why not. Neji can buy groceries and cook for himself if he wants food. God knows he needs to learn somehow."

"Okay, just let me pay first," Shikamaru said, walking to the cash register.

Hanara nodded and made her way to the exit.

'All right Hanara, you can do it. Shinobi hide their feelings and act on missions all the time! Just think of it like that!'

A few minutes later, Shikamaru finished paying and they both walked out of the store and to the hospital.

They were walking in tense silence before Shikamaru sighed and stopped walking.

"What's wrong with you?" Shikamaru questioned.

"W-What do you mean?" Hanara asked, startled.

'I am so not acting normal.'

He sighed again, "I mean, why have you been avoiding me and Choji?"

"I haven't!" Hanara protested.

"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered, "Whatever's wrong, just remember that you can talk to us, okay?"

'Why does he have to act so sweet??'

"Huh? Okay, then?" Hanara said, acting like she was confused.

Shikamaru shook his head, "Don't bother, I can tell when you're lying. Let's just go and visit the hospital now."

"Y-Yeah, let's."

'Way to go, Hanara. Now he thinks you don't trust him.'

At the hospital:

Shikamaru and Hanara made their way to the receptionist and asked for Choji's room.

"It's number 329. You might not want to bring those fruits, though. He isn't allowed anything but fluids for a few days." the lady said.

"What a drag," Shikamaru sighed, "What about Naruto Uzumaki? Is he?"