𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒 ― n. shikamaru ✗

Chapter 3

Over-thinker?

///

Shikamaru walked around Konoha, his thoughts only filled with Akahana.

It's been a week since he's seen her, and honestly, he doesn't think he'll be able to face her.

"Those purple eyes," he muttered, he knew he's a smart man, but there was always something about Akahana that made him look plain stupid.

Curled up in his bed, refusing to eat.

That's only a taste of what Akahana put him through for months.

Never in his life had he felt so lonely. It was like he was a child and Akahana was the candy that was taken from him. 

He always thought of the day he'd see her again, and every time he did, he could feel the happiness seeping into his veins.

How Akahana would make the atmosphere light up when she waltzed in. Those nights when they'd sneak out and he always felt this tug when he saw her. In a way, it made him feel cocky. At that time, he knew Akahana the best, her secrets, her fears. Likes and dislikes.

But when the time came, when he thought he would see her again, he only felt cold. As if she was still dead and all he was looking at was a lifeless corpse that his imagination turned into something more. 

"Shikamaru. . ." Her voice stretched out the "U" of his name as she childishly walked and jumped around. "What now?" The annoyed tone of her close friend pulled at her. She stopped being childish and shrugged, "nothing. It wasn't important anyway."

This managed to spark the boy's curiosity, but her sad tone caused him to feel sympathy for her. Guilt flooding his mind when Akahana just shrugged, but then put a false smile on her face. "I said it wasn't important," her eyes darted around nervously, "I have to go. Auntie wanted me to do something for her."

When really, she had to nothing. She ran home without letting the boy say a single word.

"Am I acting like an attention-seeker again?" She whispered, "am I being too much?" She wanted to ask Shikamaru if they could have a match because he was a Chunin and she was still a Genin.

She ran through the village at an impeccable speed, even she didn't know she was going this fast.

Her home was a gift from the Third. Her mother being the sister of the great Lady Tsunade, gave her privileges.

But she hated living alone, so she spent most of her days at Shikamaru's.

"Hana," she jumped at her nickname and turned around to meet the eyes of Shikamaru.

"What's wrong?" Her shoulders raised then fell at his question. Shikamaru took large strides toward her until they were both standing face to face, despite the height difference.

Akahana's bangs shaded over her eyes but the dimming light of the sunset brought shine to her red hues. Hues Shikamaru was always so intrigued about.

He brought his hand up to her chin and their eyes connected, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound so annoyed."

"I'm sorry too..." She answered and Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, "for what?" It hurt him to look at her so hurt. "I'm such a handful," she sniffed slightly and Shikamaru brought her into his embrace.

"No, not at all. I like having you around, you mean a lot to me Akahana." She nodded, too afraid to speak because if she did, tears would pour from her eyes.

"You over-think quite a lot, you know that?"

"Shikamaru!" He snapped back into reality and saw Ino running towards him, a worried and afraid look on her face.

"A-" She stuttered and her chest heavily rose and fell, "Akahana."

Shikamaru ran through the village towards the Interrogation Center. Not missing a single beat in his fast movements.

When he burst through the doors, Akahana looked even more battered. A twisted smile on her lips as the chains keeping her restrained held her up.

Tsunade looked fearful and it made him wonder what was happening.

"Shikamaru, glad you could join us." She clicked her tongue, "just taking a trip down memory lane."

He mustered up his strength, "stop this, Hana." Her eyes flickered purple and red and it made Shikamaru feel a glimmer of hope.

Until she stepped on it.

"No." She cracked her neck and fluttered her eyes shut, "you're all going to die."

Explosions were heard and Tsunade was brought back to reality. "What are you doing?!"

"Oh," her eyes widened innocently, "I'm not doing anything."