Shikamaru x Temari Distance (AU)

Chapter 2

Part 7

Chapter 2

- So, what did he say? – Ino asked, her ears perked for the gossip.

- Umm... not much...

She was saved by the bell as the teacher walked in. Ino just gave her a 'we're not done' look and went her way.

- Open your homeworks and... - before Mr. Shimura could finish his sentence the door opened.

Danzo pursed his lips in a disgracing way. Shikamaru got inside nonchalantly, one strap over the shoulder. Temari didn't know why Shikamaru didn't show any respect to a number of teachers at Konoha High, and Mr. Shimura was one who really shouldn't be messed with.

- Where do you think you're going?

- To my seat.

- Close the door from the outside. You have detention.

- Gladly.

What Temari didn't notice at first was that he wasn't alone. Shiho was right behind him. When Shikamaru turned around and left the classroom with no words, she looked hesitated.

- Don't be late, and knock before you get in. – Danzo said and pointed to the seats, telling her to sit down.

"Annoying little prick, can't do anything but hide behind his dad's back..." – Danzo muttered to himself.

Temari's curiosity shot up but she kept quiet. She didn't particularly like Mr. Shimura but she didn't find a reason not to respect him as a teacher, or just as someone who is much older than her.

Shikamaru honestly couldn't care less. His scores are high so Danzo can't just fail him out of blue. Ever since Kakashi-sensei had that argument with him and a bunch of other teachers saying they can't get that many points out of Shikamaru's final mark just for sleeping in class alone, Shikamaru started to get confident making Kakashi regret his decision. It didn't make Shikamaru's already bad reputation get any better, in fact it just worsened it, but the result was fine by him.

He got outside of school ground to find a shadow he can sit in and watch the clouds, but he ran into four boys leaning beside the block whom he did not recognize. They all had cigarettes in their hands as they all looked at him, fear was obvious in their eyes. Probably afraid he's gonna go ahead and tell the teachers, or worse, his dad. But Shikamaru didn't hate smokers as much as he's supposed to. If anything, he just hated smelling it. He made out a piece sign with his left hand and turned around. And as he turned into a corner and walked away he can hear them sighing in the back.

"What is he doing outside anyways? Doesn't he have a class to attend?"

"Shh, he might hear you."

"Tsk. Whatever. I ain't afraid of him."

"Lower your tone, what if he tells his dad?"

"You scared?"

"N-No"

"I bet he was scared. Heard he hated smoke, but he didn't do anything, did he? Without that prick of a teacher at school, he has no one to defend him."

Shikamaru clenched his fists, his nails digging into his skin. He wanted to, no, he needed to walk away and not hear about the rest of the conversation but his legs won't move.

"What about the fatso?"

"That chubby piece of meat can't do shit."

And that was it. That was all it took for Shikamaru to lose it and ignore his conscience that was yelling at him about the possible consequences. But that didn't matter because no one should have the right to insult others that they don't know.

***

Kakashi rubbed his eyes, after looking at the boy who stood before him, his head looking down at his feet.

- Really Shikamaru? I thought you were smarter than this.

- I'll take responsibility for all the...

- You know that's not the point. I rang your mom, she's picking you up. And I'm sure she'll do a good job scolding you anyway so all I'm gonna say is that I'm disappointed in you. But I think you already know that.

- I... don't understand. Why do people just do and say whatever the fuck they want and always get away with it?

- Because that's how life works. It will continuously throw rocks at you and it's your job to build a wall for yourself and those you love. Because no matter how tough, and strong you are, one day or another you're sure to break.

- Aren't you gonna put me in detention for swearing?

- I think you've got enough problems in your hand. – Kakashi said opening his book.

- I don't believe that.

- You should. Your mom sounded pretty mad over the phone.

- No, not that. I don't believe we're supposed to build a wall for ourselves. We just have to... find a way to dodge it. That's why I'm standing here.

- One way of thinking I guess. But ignoring the problems at hand is not gonna help you solve it. It's just gonna keep building up inside of you.

- Yeah, but what does a wall have to do with anything? How are you supposed to just shield yourself while still taking the hit?

- Well... you're right if the rocks are small, you should just dodge it because no one has time for that crap. It doesn't matter, right?

- O-kay?

- But if the rocks are hard and heavy, real problems that you just have to fix... It's better if you just take the hit. While not hurting yourself.

- Exactly! That doesn't make any sense.

- It does.

- How?

- You'll know.

A/N[important] ok I know it was a little confusing with the metaphors but what Shikamaru is trying to say is that you have to find a way to just brush off the things that are bugging you, they shouldn't come in the way of your happiness, by "dodging the rocks that life is throwing at you". So he's admitting his mistake in a sense, but he doesn't quite understand it. And Kakashi makes a good point saying that those things are gonna keep building up inside of you until you break once and for all.

And what Kakashi meant by small rocks, those are just little problems like Shikamaru's. He should've just brushed off the comment because 1. The people who said it were 17 year old dumb boys. They don't know what they're talking about. And 2. He didn't really fix the problem that was in his head by force. If anything, he just made it worse.

No one has time for these little stuff, don't let it get in your head – that's what he meant. But he didn't go hard on it because he knew that it was really hurtful for Shikamaru because his friend was involved. In the end he's just another 17 year old boy.

Soo, yeah, I honestly don't know, what do you guys think? Comment!?

and vote, if you liked the chapter.