𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 ˢʰᶦᵏᵃᵐᵃʳᵘ

gratitude

"I also met this guy named Midorima, he's a sweet guy and helped me out during my training," (Y/N) was explaining the time she spent away from Konoha. Shikamaru just wanted to hear her voice since he genuinely missed it.

"Well isn't that nice of him," Shikamaru sat up leaving the Uchiha laying down.

"He gave me a necklace before I left." She mentioned while pulling the necklace out.

"Hmph."

"What? You don't like it?" She laughed while rubbing the teardrop pendant.

"What guy gives a necklace as a departure gift?" He sarcastically laughed.

"What are you? his girlfriend?"

"Well no but it was a nice gesture." She felt the sudden change of attitude in Shikamaru.

"It's like he claimed you," Shikamaru was slightly jealous at this point.

"No...well I guess you could see it that way," she began to trail into thought.

"But it's nothing like that! He's just a really good friend!" She clarifies and sat up quickly. There was a long pause as they both watched the sunset and the clouds glide.

"I tried forgetting about you," Shikamaru spoke while turning his gaze upon her.

"After Sasuke left I felt so guilty, I was in charge of that mission and everyone managed to get severely injured." The Uchiha sat in silence astonished at the words he was speaking.

"Not only did I fail the mission that day... but I failed you, I was responsible for getting your cousin back, the last bit of family you had left, and yet I couldn't. I didn't know how I'd face you when you'd return, that thought lingered with me and I couldn't bear it." His eyes no longer started into the Uchihas.

"I thought it be easier if I just forgot about you, I'd live with less guilt," He sighed and started back into the horizon where the oranges were now turning into blues.

"But that just made me less of a man."

"Shikamaru please-"

"So I'm sorry," he stood up now still staring at the horizon.

"You don't have to forgive me, but just know when the plan is set to get Sasuke, I'll be with you the whole way." Shikamaru now turned his body towards her and stuck a hand out.

"I understand and I forgive you, please don't take that burden upon yourself." She sighed while placing her hand in his.

"I'm uh... really glad your back," his cheeks flushed into a pink color as he pulled (Y/N) up.

"Oh really?" (Y/N) cooed still holding on to his tender hand.

"Did you miss me?"

"Your better stop being so troublesome or I'm just going to leave you here alone." He mumbled not realizing they were still holding hands.

"So you did miss me!" She laughed which made Shikamaru let go of her hand.

"This is a drag I'm leaving." He mumbled and began to walk down the hill.

"Hey wait up!" The Uchiha groaned and began to speed walk beside him.

"You know you use to be a lot less troublesome," he sighed while she joined his side.

"I guess I've changed,"

"Yeah, you did change,"

"Is that a bad thing?" She asked as the sun had finally passed the horizon and the moon was appearing slowly.

"Well you've changed for the better so I guess it's not," he yawned as the lights of Konoha began to turn on.

"(Y/N) UUCCHHIIHAAA! Wha-t are you dooo-ing oout heerreee sooo lllaatte!" A voice slurred as the pair walked.

"Yamato sensei?" The Uchiha questioned and turned around.

"S-sorry *hiccup* (Y/N) I guess he *hiccup* had too much to drink!" Kakashi laughed while the two held onto each other for support.

"I think the both of you did!" (Y/N) chuckled as they got closer.

"W-what are you dooing with hhimm?!" Yamato scorned at the Nara beside her, who was finding the situation quite annoying.

"Oh he's walking me home," The Uchiha blushed lightly while looking at Shikamaru; who's bland expression turned into a flustered one.

"Th-This *hiccup* boy!?" Yamato's scorn turned into a death glare.

"Yes, Yamato Sensei he is my friend." (Y/N) sighed nervously.

"He's a good *hiccup* young man! *hiccup* leave them alone!" Kakashi reasoned with Yamato, who only shook his head okay and waved the pair off.

"I'll see you later kiddo!" Yamato yelled as he and Kakashi went back to the Sushi restaurant.

"He trained you right ?" Shikamaru asked as they continued walking home.

"Yes he very much did," she sighed in slightly embarrassed.

***

"Well uh thanks Shikamaru," the tension between the two rose.

"Mhmm," he hummed awkwardly.

"I'll see you around right?"

"Yeah I guess," he looked away from her eyes and began to turn his body, but before he could (Y/N) surprised him with another hug.

"Thank you for your efforts on bringing my cousin back," her voice was gentle and quiet.

"I didn't bring him back," he couldn't bring himself to hug the Uchiha before him.

"You tried and that means so much to me," her voice cracked as tears began to form. Her ear placed against his chest hearing his heart rate increase.

"I don't deserve your gratitude," he sighed but still managed to wrap his arms around her. It was a weird feeling for him; he hardly showed any affection to anyone, but when it came to (Y/N) it wasn't as hard.

"Yes, you do." She whispered and hugged him a bit tighter, embracing each minute she was wrapped inside his arms.

***

"Got a bit... you know touchy with the neighbor don't you think?" The head of the Nara clan questioned his son.

"W-What?! N-no I-I didn't!" Shikamaru mumbles as his cheeks grew hot.

"It's not a problem, I just didn't know you were so close with the Uchiha." He smirked as the moved the Shoji markers.

"Sh-She is just my friend," he huffed while staring at the shogi bored intensely.

"So you consider her a friend, that's not like you to just throw that word around,"

"Stop looking into," he sighed and made his next move.

"Whatever you say, son." He chuckled as he won the shogi game.