summer clouds - shikatema

in love

Long chapter ahead so be prepared! (this was a bitch to copy and paste from google docs goddamn)

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Over the next several weeks, Shikamaru was in a haze. He did everything with a spring in his step and a smile behind his eyes. It was like being in a dream. Only, he didn't completely realize this. His actions just sort of came naturally, as if it was how he had always been.

He carried out his missions perfunctorily, causing everyone around him to be taken aback. There was a fluidity to Shikamaru that wasn't present about a month prior. The boy walked as though he had wings, and there was always music playing in the back of his mind.

Temari was gone, but the thought of her still lingered, which was still enough to make him happy. And he couldn't get her out of his head; not even for a second.

"So you're not getting a day off in more than a week?" Choji asked, taking a bite of his matcha cake. The former Team Ten sat in Konoha's recently opened coffee shop, Toru Coffee.

"Looks like. So this is probably the last time we're gonna be hanging out for a while," Shikamaru responded. Choji grunted, a hint of disappointment in his kind, guttural voice.

Ino sipped her iced latte. "That sucks. But I'm sure Choji and I have missions of our own as well, so it's not like we'll have nothing to do." She chewed on the straw as she spoke.

The two boys nodded in agreement. The click of silverware and hum of conversation echoed throughout the café, comforting the three friends. Well, Shikamaru found comfort in everything nowadays, so maybe it was just him. A casual smile played on his lips as he sipped his coffee. Temari.

"Oh yeah, Shikamaru! Your birthday is coming up soon, right? Do you have any plans?" Ino said.

Shikamaru looked up. "Huh? Oh, I guess you're right. I honestly haven't really given it much thought."

"Not much thought? Who doesn't look forward to their eighteenth birthday?" Ino exclaimed.

"Well, I don't make a huge deal about it like you do." The dark-haired boy rolled his eyes.

"Hey, shut up!"

"But Shikamaru, I thought you were so happy because you're turning eighteen," Choji blinked.

"What do you mean?" He asked, confused.

"You've been in a really good mood lately. We figured it was because your birthday was coming up," Ino explained.

"Yeah, but you know me. I don't ever get excited about my birthday, it just means a lot of unnecessary attention and it's a drag." Shikamaru's eyebrows arched.

"But eighteen is different. It means you're a real adult from that moment on," the blonde pointed out.

"I guess..." He sighed, resting his chin on his palm. Being an adult... what does that even mean, anyway?

"Well if you're not excited about your birthday, then what's going on?" Choji asked.

"Huh?" Shikamaru sat up. What are they getting at?

"Yeah, I want to know too," Ino said.

The dark-haired boy leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head for support. "I don't even know what you guys are talking about. What a pain."

Ino shook her head. "Whatever, Shikamaru. Do you really not know or do you just not want to tell us?" She questioned.

"I still don't know what you're talking about. I mean, I guess I've been in a pretty good mood lately, like... even when stuff doesn't go my way I'm still happy with whatever. And I haven't been getting nightmares as much. But why do you two care? It's not like it matters." He huffed and drank his coffee.