The Path of a Shinobi (Reader x various)

Sad News

You were at the training grounds with Naruto, Kakashi Sensei and Captain Yamato. You had finished your training for the day and were watching Naruto and his two shadow clones master the change in wind nature.

"You sure are getting the hang of it now," you told Naruto while Kakashi Sensei nodded his head.

"I know right!"

"Just what I'd expect from a ninja like you Naruto. You're always full of surprises. I'm not sure how to say this but...I think I've really started taking a liking to you," he said in a cheerful tone.

Naruto stayed quiet for a moment but in a second his face turned into one of panic and disgust. The chakra that he molded with his shadow clones exploded and sent them crashing to the ground. His clones disappeared while Naruto sat upright on the ground.

"Don't say weird stuff like that, you freak! Your creepy talking threw me off!" He yelled out while pointing a finger at Kakashi Sensei.

"Just great, you gave him the wrong idea Kakashi Sensei. Now he thinks you want him. Basically, he thinks you're gay for him now."

"N-no wait! I didn't mean it like that!" He tried to approach Naruto but once he took a step towards him, Naruto yelled out, "Back off!"

"You see, what I mean is, uh..." Naruto shook his head voilently in horror and kept backing away from Kakashi sensei.

"Run before he makes a move on you!" You shouted out to Naruto all while laughing. He let out a shriek and ran towards you, clutching onto your waist and stood behind you in fear.

"Stop laughing (Y/n), it's not funny." He slightly pouted and and lets go of your waist. "What if he keeps saying more creepy stuff like that!"

"Yes it is and if he does then I don't know." With that your laughter ceased until Kakashi Sensei approached you two once he saw Captain Yamato coming over. With that little commotion, we didn't see the Leaf ninja that left not too long ago who came to deliver some news.

"Kakashi, we have to stop his training and head back to the village."

"Huh, why?!" Asked Naruto in a frenzy.

A short silence filled the air as we waited for Captain Yamato to speak. "Asuma Sarutobi...is dead."

Our eyes widened hearing the news and we were in disbelief. Thoughts were running through your head wondering how it happened and exactly when.

*Timeskip*

The news of Asuma Sensei's death was known by everyone and the village was plunged with darkness at the revelation.

A small funeral was hosted at the cemetery on that dark, cloudy day and everyone came dressed in their black attire. You wore a black (clothing attire). Naruto, Sakura and Sai stood besides you while Kakashi Sensei was behind all four of us. A crying Konohamaru was being comforted by Naruto and you felt bad for the kid since he now lost another family member.

You slightly learned forward and looked on over to your left to see Ino and Choji on the other side with tears streaming down their face. But Shikamaru was not present anymore. You watched as Kurenai Sensei walked up to her deceased lover's grave and placed a few flowers on it.

It hit them pretty hard and you knew the pain they were experiencing of losing a loved one. It was painful.

Once it was over, you went on over to give Ino and Choji a hug. You turned to Kurenai Sensei who stood next to them and said," I'm sorry for what happened to Asuma Sensei."

She gave you a small forced smile but her eyes held so much sadness. "At least he gave me something to remember him," she whispered and placed her hand on her stomach.

"You're pregant?" You asked in surprise.

She nodded her head and smiled warmly at her flat stomach that has yet to grow.

"Well congratulations! Does anyone else know?"

"Thank you and not yet. I'll break the news to them one things are less depressing."

With that you bid her farewell before leaving in search of Shikamaru. You figured he would be at home sulking but as you were walking down the streets of Konoha, you could see a familiar patch of black, spiky hair tied into a ponytail. He was lying down ontop of a maroon roof.

You jumped on top and startled him for a second. He stopped playing with the lighter in his hand and let out a sigh, looking at the dark clouds that were moving at a snails pace.

"Come on, get off your lazy butt. Let's go for a walk or I'll walk you home."

"Isn't it suppose to be the other way around," he said while standing up.

"Yes but that doesn't matter. I'm not a damsel in distress, I know how to protect myself."

The two of you jumped off the roof and were walking around the village in silence or by him recounting stories about Asuma Sensei and his teammates. Once the sky was darkening, you both started walking in the direction of his home which was a traditional Japanese home. He invited you in to play Shogi, even though you didn't know how to play.

You sat on a wooden floor with a tatami mat below you. While he was lighting two candles you broke the silence.

"Since Asuma Sensei is gone, what now?"

"Honestly, I don't know what to do." He slumped down onto the tatami mat and stared at the shogi board in front of him. It was set up already and he sat across from you making the first move.

"So...do I place it anywhere or what? Is it like chess?" You asked while holding up a piece in hand, trying to figure out where to place it.

"Yes. Your goal is to capture the king."

"Oh okay, well I'm screwed since I'm not that good at chess either." He let out a small laugh at your comment and taught you how to play.

During the game, you would mutter 'damn it' or bang your fist on the ground whenever he would take one of your pieces. You managed to take a couple of his pieces but it was nothing compared to him. Of course he ended up winning.

"Well that was a good game I guess," you said with a small chuckle. He didn't respond but instead stayed quiet. His eyes filled with hurt were downcast and he stared off into oblivion.

"Shikamaru," you spoke up. He slowly lifted his eyes up and stared into your (e/c) eyes. You made your way over to him and pulled him into a hug. "I know you're hurting and it's okay to let it out."

After a moment, he embraced the hug he was receiving and placed his head on your shoulders.

"No 'how troublemsome' huh." You began to feel his body shake slightly and could feel the tear drops that were beginning to drench your shoulder. He let out a loud cry of agony that could be heard by his parents, but he continued to spill those tears that he left unshed throughout the night.

He was finally letting out the pent up anger and sorrow that his heart was feeling.