тяσυвℓєѕσмє ƒєєℓιηgѕ // ѕнιкαηαʀυ

Chapter 2

P.o.v: Shikamaru

I jump up, grabbing a kunai, ready to attack the first person in my line of vision. I raise my arm to throw, but get cut off by the sound of obnoxious laughter, that could only come from one person. I furrow my brow as I focus on the idiot in front of me.

"Woah woah! Put that thing away, it's just me!" He raises his arms in surrender, attempting to shield himself. "I've been trying to get your attention for the last ten minutes, Shikamaru. You know, a ninja isn't supposed to let their guard down!" He points at me, almost in an insulting way, while adjusting his headband.

"You're one to talk Naruto. You never pay attention to anything," I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. Carefully, I replace my kunai in its designated pouch, and allow my muscles to relax.

'This is such a drag, he's definitely NOT on the list of people I want to see,' I think to myself with a small frown, again recalling that Naruto was in the Sasuke rescue squad.

I can't even begin to understand how I want to feel about Naruto. Compared to the others in our squad, Naruto walked away from that mission with barely a scratch.

That makes me happy, I guess. On the other hand, it was expected. What else do you think you'd get from a ninja like Naruto Uzumaki?

Though he came out virtually unscathed on the outside, his pride took a direct hit. He had made a promise to Sakura, a member of his official squad, that he would bring Sasuke back to her.

I was the one leading that mission. The one who failed them both.

Part of me, just being the way I am, wants to believe that it isn't my problem. After all, it's not like I'm the one who made that promise.

But, I did make that promise. By leading the squad out of the safety of the village. Leading them to Sasuke.

So it truly is my fault.

I let Naruto down. And because of that, Sakura suffered too.

I'm so ashamed of myself. Of my weaknesses.

I lose my train of thought, remembering Naruto is standing right in front of me.

"Anyway, what do you want Naruto? You interrupted my cloud watching." I sigh and look up, seeing that the clouds were long gone, headed towards the east.

I frown, shielding my eyes from the bright and now fully exposed sun. I retrain my eyes on Naruto, yawning.

"Jeez Shikamaru, you're so lazy. Maybe you ought to do some training! If you ever need a sparring partner, I'd be glad to help," he smiles enthusiastically.

I can't help but notice his eyes, glistening under the sun. How the shade of blue brightens with his laughter. His smile is another wonder. No matter what happens, that's one thing that never leaves his side. Tangled, golden locks stick out in all directions, supported by our village's headband. Small whisker marks compliment his facial features, which are actually kinda cute.

'Wait, cute? Since when did I start thinking Naruto was cute?'

I can feel my face heat up as I'm forced out of my thoughts, while Naruto continues. Thankfully, he doesn't seem to notice.

Sometimes I'm grateful that he's so ignorant.

"You see, I was planning on having a guy's night at my house, and I was wondering if you wanted to go? I was hoping you could spread the word to Choji too, see if he wants to come over. Kiba's gonna be there, he heard me asking bushy brows if he wanted to go, and butted in. That jerk, he thinks he can do whatever he wants! All he wants to do is keep me up all night long!" He scowls and continues rambling, while I effectively tune him out.

End Of Chapter