Sharp Edge

Different but the Same

It was the weekends and Akane just selfishly decided to go out to train... Again. Kakashi wasn't in their premises due to a given mission to him late last night by an eagle while they were eating Yakiniku.

She was bummed honestly. She wanted to spend quality time and that's not working well at weekdays. She'll leave early to train and come back home late due to training.

As far as she remembers, the only distinguishable memory she has with her Tou-sama are tackling and kicking him to a wall whenever he woke her up on days that she hasn't woken early and eating, just that.

She sighed disappointed. I wish he had more time with me to even teach me that poofing jutsu.

She decided that she'll be working on her flexibility today. She took her sweet time by walking with her hands clasped behind her back and kicking a rock whenever she sees one. She happened to pass by the playground. She stopped and stared at it for a while before she felt a presence behind her. She tensed and spun around with her arm stretched out for a karate chop. She stopped it a hair's breadth away from hitting but she heard a thud. Whoever the person was have fallen down to the floor in shock. She stared at the figure sprawled on the ground with a shocked look on his face.

He was a kid of her age with long black hair tied up in a ponytail that sprouted up looking spiky. She watched him regain his composure as he patted his shorts off dirt with an expression of I-couldn't-care-less while grumbling out, "What a pain."

A name registered in her mind, Nara Shikamaru. She muttered out an apology that almost sounded muted. Shikamaru acknowledged it even though he knew that it wasn't that sincere based on the way she didn't stare directly or even the expression in her eyes. She was looking to her left were no people walked.

Shikamaru looked to the person to his left. He's with a person with an above average amount of fat on him, brown hair that stuck out on both sides of his head, swirls decorated both of his cheeks, and was currently eating potato chips. "I'm Chouji and he's Shikamaru. We were about to play. You could join us if you like."

She contemplated on her schedule. Play or Train?

I could play whenever I want but I'm still too weak. She stared at them with a welcoming, calm expression but in truth, she was staring at them with envy. Could I be as strong as them if I dilly-dally? She smiled and said, "Maybe next time, Chouji-kun, Shikamaru-kun."

Chouji smiled back at her and said, "Sure. That'd be nice." Chouji smiled at her but she noticed the glint of disappointment in his eyes. He's thinking how she wouldn't join them because he's there.

How cruel, Chouji-kun. She thought while mentally smiling in a disbelieving way. "I'd treat you to yakiniku next time too so cheer up Chouji-kun."

They looked at her surprised. Shikamaru said, "You don't need to-"

He was cut off by Akane saying, "I want to, not need to."

Chouji bashfully protested, "It's really okay. I'm-"

Akane cut him off too with, "Do you not like Yakiniku?"

"I like them but-"

She continued to cut him off with, "Okay! It's decided then." She spun around with her hands behind her back and waved them bye with a smile. She then ran off.

Shikamaru looked at Chouji. "You could've said you didn't."

"I was going to say something after that!"

Shikamaru started to walk to the playground and Chouji ran to catch up with him while stuffing his face with his potato chips. "Hey! I really regret what I said but I wonder where she'll take us to."