summer clouds - shikatema

yakiniku

this is a long chapter but it's reallyyy fun. i just love the relationships between the girls and the boys and i wanted to implicate it somehow. This is just them having dinner and gossiping and talking and whatnot. But the next chapter we will get a lot of shikatema so be ready!!

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Temari left her hotel and asked for directions to the yakiniku restaurant. The sky was dark, but there were still a few streaks of dark blue and orange here and there. Several stars sparkled in the gloom as she walked. There was a humidity in the air, and it smelled a tad floral.

It's going to rain later, Temari thought to herself as she glanced upwards.

Meanwhile, Shikamaru was at the convenience store. He was wearing a black jacket with his usual fishnets underneath. "Boy, you know these things aren't good for you. I'm only selling them to you because of Asuma. You know that, right?"

"I know, gramps. Sorry, but it helps me think." He took the pack of cigarettes in his hand as the old man behind the counter stuck his money in the register. Shikamaru started towards the door, throwing up a wave to the cashier.

"I'd better not see you soon, kid," the old man huffed.

"You will."

Shikamaru took a deep breath as he stepped out into the cool summer air. The chirps of crickets and cicadas rang out through the village. He patted the bottom of the small box and then opened it, taking Asuma's old gas lighter out of his pocket. He pulled a cigarette out of the pack and placed it between his lips, lighting it soon after.

The bittersweet flavor of smoke calmed him as he inhaled. Shikamaru knew it was bad. However, he really didn't care.

After smoking just one cigarette, he flicked the butt onto the ground and crushed it with his shoe. Shikamaru stuck his hands in his pockets and began making his way towards the yakiniku place to meet up with the guys.

About ten minutes later, Shikamaru arrived at his destination. The lights coming from the windows and paper lanterns of the restaurant illuminated the street, and he entered. Shikamaru was greeted with a loud "welcome!" from the staff. He nodded to them and walked towards where the other boys were sitting.

He could see the girls' table, which was just across from theirs. Temari was sitting in between Tenten and Hinata. Ino and Sakura sat on the other side. What a drag... I really hope Ino doesn't say anything. There was an uneasy feeling in his gut.

"Yo, Shikamaru!" Kiba called out to him from the table. Everyone looked and waved him over. They seemed to already be in conversation.

He sat down beside Choji with a smile and looked around. Naruto, Kiba, Choji, Shino, Lee, Sai... everyone's here except Neji and Sasuke. "So everyone's here!" Naruto exclaimed, clapping his hands together enthusiastically. Lee looked down at his lap, a slightly saddened expression on his face. Shikamaru could see he was thinking of Neji; but after a few seconds, Lee's face relaxed and he nodded along with the others.

Over at the girls' table, Temari was actually having a lot of fun. She'd always grown up around boys. Her mother died when she was only two, she had two brothers who were also her teammates in addition to a male sensei; and there hadn't been many female instructors or shinobi in her small class to begin with. It was nice to finally be hanging out with some of her own kind.

Now I can let loose, at least just for tonight. Maybe even the rest of the week! Temari felt excitement in her thoughts and happily took a piece of sweet barbecued pork.

"...speaking of the chunin exams, do you guys remember our first one?" Sakura asked. Huh? When did the chunin exams come up? I guess I was spacing out...