Blossom (Sakura Fanfic)

Ultimate Defeat

Enjoy!

I stood in front of the Nara household trying to decide if I should knock or walk away. I didn't want Shikamaru to get all cocky about me passing up a challenge but I knew I was going to get humiliated by him, so either way I lose and I hated losing.

Mom had me all polished up when I told her about the invitation. I had worn a short red kimoto dress that reached my mid thigh that was designed with pink cherry blossoms and had the Haruno symbol on the back. I also had on black shorts with my ninja pack tired around my back and black boots. My hair was braided in a French braid that reached my mid back.

Finally deciding I knocked on the door. It wasn't long before someone answered the door, that someone being Nara Yoshino, his mother. Kami must hate me, Inner was laughing at my misfortune. I bow, "Good morning Yoshino-san I'm Haruno Sakura. I'm here for Shikamaru."

It was a long minute before I got a reply but even then I wasn't expecting a high squeal and, "So Kawaii! You look like a doll, an adorable doll!"

How was I supposed to be a shinobi when everyone who met me treated me like a doll?

Finally settling down, Yoshino-san give me a smile, "Apologies Sakura-chan but you were just so cute. Oh! Shikamaru mentioned a friend of his was stopping by. Come in, come in!" Yoshino-san walks me down to what I assume is Shikamaru's room.

His room was pretty plain, a bed was set in the middle of the room, a small closet, and a shogi board. To tell the truth I expected his room to be like this...kinda.

"Where is Shikamaru?" I turn around to ask Nara-san only to come face to face with a smirking Shikamaru. Cha! That smirk really ticked me off, "Checking my room out?" he replies.

Cheeks flushed, I stuttered, " N-no!" As if that was convincing. He chuckled, "Well then, let's get started Sakura-chan!," he whispers looking like the little devil he is before walking around me to set up the game.

Shannaro! He was definitely teasing me, commanding my face to cool down I sit in front of him. Let's get this started.

In the first game Shikamaru explained the rules, objective, and game pieces. Slowly I understood how to play shogi. Playing the game was simple enough, but winning was far from simple. The game was actually similar to chess but not quite, but strategizing was still a main asset in order to capture his king and win.

But that was why Shikamaru had a major advantage - besides experience - was that he excelled strategizing, lazy as he may be but he was nothing short of being a genius. Facing Shikamaru meant I had to review each options I had carefully, I had to make sacrifices, and I had to try to read Shikamaru's thoughts, which was almost impossible.

Of course 25 losses proved that beating Shikamaru was no walk in the park. Currently I've been able to lead Shikamaru into a false sense of security with the 25 losses, I set up a small trap and hoped things would turn out well. But I had no idea if Shikamaru had seen the trap and was pretending to overlook it or if he has actually not seen it yet. I was so focused on the game that I had almost missed the flare of chakra behind me.

"Careful son or you might end up losing your king sooner than you expect," Shikamaru looked surprised when he looked over at his king. CHA so he hadn't seen it! I groan in agony, " So close!" They laugh at me, I stand up and politely bow to Nara Shikaku, "Hello Nara-san, I'm Haruno Sakura. Thank you for having me over."

"See! Isn't she the most precious thing you have ever seen? So polite and adorable, nothing like this brat over there!" Yoshino cries out, I couldn't help but be weary of her antics, I heard a small troublesome from Shikamaru, then a loud bonk.

"Excuse their behavior," Shikaku remarks smiling at his wife's antics, " It's been a pleasure watching you two play. How about a game after lunch with me?"

"I'm not sure, I'll have to ask my mom," mom was pretty ecstatic when I told her that I was coming here, she finally thinks I've grown out of my shyness.

Though it was more of me not wanting to be in the center of attraction like Sasuke and Naruto or like Yamazaki Ino who loved attention. I flinch at thought of the loud fangirl heiress.

"Oh do stay, I can call Mebuki-chan!" Yoshino-san stops pestering Shikamaru and comes over to embrace her husband.

"I would hate to burden you any longer," I saying hoping I could get out of this mess.

"Oh but it is no problem at all. Oh! I'll get started on dinner and I'll call your parents!" Yoshino-san glows with happiness as she turns around and walks to the kitchen.

Oh no! I start to panic, "W-wait I-I'll help!" I cry out, running to catch up. I run pass a smirking Nara son and father, did I mention I hate their smirks?

I helped Yoshino in the kitchen with the food, pleased I could help. Mom had made sure to teach me how to be a proper lady, and that meant since age 3 I was taught to use manners properly, read, write, sit properly, and anything else she thought was important. Since mom was from a strict family in the Waves who trained in swordsmanship she was raised to be perfect heiress. But mom never had a interest in swordsmanship so when she fell in love with my dad my uncle became the the head leader in the clan.

Though our clan was never really a major clan we were respected for our strength, skills, and kindness. The Haruno Clan wasn't built from blood, anyone could be accepted into the clan as long as my grandfather accepted them. But that wasn't many.

Dinner was delicious, as expected with my mothers teachings and Yoshino's eagerness to impress me. After lunch I played the game I had promised Shikaku-san.

Shikamaru and Yoshiro also came and watched, to be frank it was quite enjoyable. They laughed at my failure but I couldn't bring myself to be mad, since I was having fun as well. In the end I lost but I held myself for long enough for Shikaku to be impressed.

"That was quite impressive Sakura, very interesting," he mused thoughtfully.

"Yes it was quite enjoyable, I had fun. Though I can't say I am enough to beat Shikamaru yet, though I am more skilled in GO."

Shikaku looked shocked before he smirked, uh oh, you've got trouble. A Nara smirk is almost as bad is a Uchiha smirk.

"Play around of GO with me," he turned around giving me no chance of backing out. I should have kept my mouth shut.

I wasn't that worried though, my grandfather had taught me everything about GO and I was pretty confident in winning. I had visited godfather Reyo a couple of months before meeting Naruto and I spent a whole day playing GO with grandfather. So after 45 minutes of playing GO I was happy to finally score a victory after losing so many times in Shogi. I smile and relax, but it was Shikaku and Shikamaru face that caused my ego to swell. Had I really surprised them that badly?

Shikaku let out a loud rumble of laughter, "Sakura Haruno, how interesting,"

I walked home that night carrying a bad feeling with me. When I walked through the door, I was jumped by Naruto. "SAKURA_CHAN!!! I missed you sooo much!" I smile and hug him back, "Did you finish your homework?"

"Hahaha about that..."