absence makes the heart go...???

Chapter 4

Shikamaru hasn't been on a proper mission with any of the members of Team Kurenai in some time, but they're all rather good friends of his, and the four work together fairly seamlessly, even if he is just filling in for their sensei, as she copes with her second pregnancy. Kiba teases Hinata often throughout the mission, claiming that it will be her last one as a single woman.

The marriage between the Hyuga heiress and the genius from the branch family has been the talk of the village for a while now. Everyone who doesn't know the two assumes that it's simply a political marriage, to keep the main family strong, and maybe that was the original intent, but anyone who knows the two well knows of the love that developed between them. Some thought that Hinata would never be able to take her eyes off of Naruto long enough to find any other potential husbands, but it seems that Neji was able to win her heart, in the end.

Naruto...

Lately, more and more often, Shikamaru finds his thoughts returning to the obnoxious blonde, and it's getting to be a total pain. He doesn't like getting distracted, and that's the state Naruto leaves him in, making it hard for him to lose himself when he's lazing around. It's not like him to think this much about anyone, and it's starting to piss him off.

"You should see if you can get time off for the wedding," Kiba says, "Me and Shino and Kurenai-sensei aren't taking missions after this one, not unless they're guaranteed to be quick, cos we don't want to miss it for the world. Well, Kurenai-sensei might not be taking any missions for the rest of her pregnancy, with how things are looking, but you get it!"

"I'll see what I can do, but the Hokage has been running me absolutely ragged lately," Shikamaru says. "I don't know how she gets anything done with how much she seems to depend on me."

"If she heard you say that, she'd probably kill you," Shino chimes in.

"Yeah, definitely," Kiba agrees. "Anyway, I think we should all be able to go to the wedding. Your team, my team, Neji's team, and Naruto's too!"

"If you can't make it, then that's okay," Hinata says softly, with her usual gentle smile. She's been blushing furiously this whole time, but she speaks more clearly, with a more steady voice than she used to, all the same. "I'll understand. Duty to the village always comes first."

"Come on, Hinata, you know you want everyone there!" Kiba insists. "So, Shikamaru, you better do your best to drag your whole team there, got it?"

"Yeah, yeah. Like I said, Lady Tsunade has been running me ragged, so I don't know about that," he says. "Ever since my mission with Naruto, I've barely had any time to rest, you know?"

"Huh? You went on a mission with just Naruto?"

"No just Naruto. Obviously there were others there, it was a full four-man cell."

"Yeah, but you just said Naruto."

"Ino and Rock Lee were there too."

"But you just said Naruto, so you have to understand my confusion. I'm not the stupid one!"

"The only person who called you stupid was you, Kiba," Shino says. "But I do admit, it seems strange that Shikamaru would only specify Naruto. Did something significant happen on that mission?"

"Significant like what?" Shikamaru asks, a bit too defensively, though he only realizes that once the words are already out of his mouth and it's too late to change his tone. What has gotten into him lately?

"Something for him to be the first one you mention," replies Shino. "You can say it's because Naruto is such a memorable guy, but Ino and Lee are both pretty memorable on their own. Neither one of them is exactly known for being quiet, and what's more, Ino is already your regular teammate. So? Did something happen?"

It's just like Shino to stay quiet, and, when he speaks, to only say weird things like that. He's perceptive, but in strange ways, and he doesn't know how to mind his own business, once he's decided to butt into something. Shino keeps to himself most of the time, but when he doesn't, he's a total pain in the ass. Like right now, and Shikamaru is honestly at a loss for what to say. He's quiet, and he's quiet for too long, until it is Kiba who breaks the silence.

"What the hell are you talking about, Shino?" he asks. "What would have even happened?"

"I have no idea."

"Wha- then what was the point of saying anything?!"

"I was only curious."

"You say it like you expect Shikamaru to admit to some scandalous affair or something. Wait, is that it? Did you think that they were-"

"You'd better watch your mouth," Shino interrupts. "We're still in the presence of a lady."

"It's nothing Hinata hasn't heard me say before and you know it. Was that really what you thought?" Kiba pauses for a moment before turning to Shikamaru and saying, " Is that what happened? Oh, man, are you and Naruto, like...a thing , or something?"

"What the hell?" Shikamaru asks, glad that he can remain a bit more composed than he feels. "Both of you guys are crazy. I feel sorry for Hinata, having to deal with you all the time."

"Hey, don't be a jerk! It's not like we would judge you if you were doing Naruto, you know!"

"Shouldn't you stop slacking off?"

"That's so rich, coming from you, Shikamaru!"

"Please, don't start fighting," Hinata tries to interject, and Shino simply shakes his head.

~X~

Shino lets the subject go after that, reverting back to his usual, impenetrable, quiet self, but Kiba is a different matter altogether, bringing it up whenever he has the chance. Shikamaru would think he'd be more sensitive, considering the monstrous crush Hinata used to have on Naruto, but maybe, since she's already moved on, it isn't that big of a deal, or maybe Kiba is just too stupid to be sensitive in the first place.

Whatever the case, he continues to badger Shikamaru, obsessed with the idea of him being involved with Naruto in some way, but it isn't as if he has anything to learn, or as if Shikamaru has anything to share. There's nothing going on between him and Naruto, and there's no potential for there to be anything between him and Naruto...he's pretty sure.

But lately, more and more often, there's been some doubt creeping in, and Kiba's frequent harassment is no help in that matter. It doesn't matter what Shikamaru does, he can't escape thoughts of Naruto, or doubts about his feelings on the subject, and that is enough to throw him off base completely.

It seems almost like cruel fate that Naruto is out on another mission once Shikamaru and Team Kurenai return from theirs.

Oh well , he thinks. Trying to talk to him right now would just be troublesome, wouldn't it? I deserve to rest after all I've had to do lately.