Chapter Text
Two years earlier...
Shikamaru stood on the outskirts of the crowd, hands in his pockets, as the village celebrated Naruto’s victory over Pain. The cheers were almost deafening with an overwhelming mixture of relief and admiration. Amid the shouts and claps, his gaze shifted, noticing Hinata standing not too far off. Her face wore a smile, but he noticed the subtle lines of tension, the way her shoulders seemed to pull inward as Sakura embraced Naruto.
He had never paid much attention to Hinata back in the Academy. Girls, as he always thought, were troublesome, and that sentiment hadn't changed much over the years. But time had made him more observant, more attuned to the quiet details. Hinata was one of those quiet details, lingering in the background yet somehow growing more noticeable as the years passed.
The crowd began to disperse, and Naruto, finally breaking free from the swarm of people, caught sight of the Hyuga girl. He offered her a simple, grateful smile before turning away, oblivious to the hint of sadness that flitted across her expression as he walked on. That look. Shikamaru had seen it before. It was subtle, easily missed, but there was something about it that was, well, troublesome to see. Still, he reminded himself, it wasn’t his business.
As he made his way through the thinning crowd, he found himself moving toward her without entirely meaning to. When he passed close by, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder.
“What you did…It was brave.” His voice was low, but it held sincerity.
He’d heard the story, how she had risked everything to defend Naruto alone. Honestly, he was more than impressed. It took real guts to face someone like Pain. But he kept his words simple, knowing too much praise would likely just make things uncomfortable.
Hinata’s cheeks flushed, her eyes wide and filled with surprise. “Th-thank you, Shikamaru-kun,” she stammered, her voice soft, laced with embarrassment and a hint of nervousness. He watched her fidget, her fingers nervously lacing together as she dipped her head, clearly unused to such direct acknowledgment.
There wasn’t much else he knew to say to her, so he simply nodded and took a step to leave. But just before he turned fully, he caught sight of her expression once more. The sadness was gone, replaced by a genuine smile that made her look at peace, if only for a moment.
A small smile tugged at the corners of Shikamaru’s lips as he walked away, feeling oddly satisfied. It was good to see the troublesome sadness replaced with something brighter, even if just for a moment.
Shikamaru continued weaving through the dispersing crowd, his mind still replaying Hinata’s smile and the brief exchange they’d had. It was rare for him to engage so directly, but sometimes, he supposed, the situation called for it.
Just as he was rounding a corner, he almost collided with Naruto, who appeared to be making his escape from the enthusiastic villagers. Naruto’s face was flushed from the excitement, his bright blue eyes scanning the area, perhaps looking for a brief moment to himself.
"Hey, Shikamaru!" Naruto greeted, his voice carrying that ever-present, infectious enthusiasm. "Man, can you believe all this? It’s crazy!"
Shikamaru shrugged, a small smirk playing on his lips. "It’s a lot. You did something incredible, though. The village won’t forget this anytime soon."
Naruto rubbed the back of his head, looking slightly embarrassed by the praise. "Yeah, well, I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help. Hey, did you see Hinata during the fight? She was amazing, wasn’t she?"
The mention of Hinata didn’t surprise Shikamaru. Naruto’s regard for his friends was always boundless. Still, it was interesting to see him bring her up specifically. "Yeah, she was brave," Shikamaru echoed his earlier sentiment, watching Naruto’s reaction closely. "Took a lot of guts to do what she did."
"Yeah, I owe her big time," Naruto said, his tone serious for a moment before his usual brightness returned. "I need to thank her properly. It was...more than I ever expected anyone to do for me."
Shikamaru nodded, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. "Make sure you do. She deserves that much," he advised.
Naruto’s eyes widened a bit, a flicker of realization crossing his features. "You’re right, I will. Thanks, Shikamaru." He clapped Shikamaru on the shoulder, before darting off, likely in search of Hinata he assumed.
Shikamaru watched him go, a rare feeling of contentment settling in his chest. Perhaps, he thought, some things were worth the trouble after all.
XXXXXXX
Two years later…
Shikamaru leaned back on the couch, glancing over at Mirai as she happily colored in her book. Babysitting was supposed to be a pain, but Mirai was calm, easy-going, and frankly a dream to watch. Outgoing, sure, but she was as low-maintenance as they came. Not a hassle in the slightest.
“Big Brother, look!” she chirped, holding up a wobbly rainbow she’d drawn.
“Nice work, kid,” Shikamaru replied with a small smile, reaching out to pat her head. She beamed, satisfied, and went right back to her coloring. It was easy, spending time with her. Quiet and peaceful.
A sudden knock at the door broke the calm, and before he could blink, Mirai was already hopping up and darting toward it.
“Big Brother! I get it!” she said, her little voice tripping over itself in excitement as she made a beeline for the door.
“Hang on,” Shikamaru said, springing up to intercept her. He managed to catch her just before her little fingers reached the handle. “Hey, don’t open the door for just anyone. You gotta be careful, alright?”
Mirai looked up at him, wide-eyed, and nodded. “Okay, Big Brother.”
Satisfied, he opened the door, and there stood Hinata, holding a container in her hands. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, and he felt that familiar flicker of surprise, but he kept his face casual.
“Oh, hey, Hinata. Looking for Kurenai?”
Hinata smiled, her expression soft as always. “I was, but it’s alright. I just wanted to drop off some cookies I baked for her and Mirai-chan. You’re more than welcomed to have some, if you’d like.”
“Cookies!” Mirai squealed, practically vibrating with excitement. “Big sis Hina, cookies!”
“Hey, you’re in luck,” Shikamaru said, stepping aside so Hinata could enter. He tried not to focus too much on the way his heart beat a little faster as she slipped off her shoes and walked past him, the faint scent of fresh soap following her. It was the kind of scent that lingered just enough to feel calming.
“Big Brother!” Mirai had latched onto his leg, her little arms wrapped tight. “Leg ride!”
He let out a mock groan, shaking his head. “Mirai, you know this is troublesome,” he muttered, though a smile tugged at his lips. But with her laughter bubbling up, he gave in, dragging his leg with her attached, her giggles bouncing off the walls.
“Big sis Hina, look! Leg ride!” Mirai called out, waving at Hinata, who was setting the cookie container on the kitchen counter.
Hinata turned, a sparkle in her eyes as she took in the scene. Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck, a little embarrassed at the whole spectacle. “Yeah, she, uh…she gets a kick out of it.”
Hinata chuckled. “You’re really good at this, Shikamaru-kun. It suits you,” she teased, clearly amused.
A flush crept up his neck despite himself. “Troublesome…” he muttered under his breath, which only made her laugh harder. She had that way about her, laughing so freely that it felt like the room was warmer somehow.
Mirai, still latched on, pulled at his leg. “Big Brother, still want a ride!”
He grimaced, his leg already starting to cramp. “How about you go back to your coloring? Big Brother’s leg is kinda tired, alright?”
Mirai gave it a moment’s thought, then released him, dashing back to her book without complaint. Shikamaru exhaled in relief, grateful for her easygoing nature.
He glanced over at Hinata, noting how she watched Mirai with a fond look. “She’s really something,” he said. “Not much of a hassle, which is…nice.”
Hinata smiled softly, nodding. “I can tell she means a lot to you.”
He didn’t answer, but she wasn’t wrong.
For a few seconds, they stood there in silence, just watching Mirai color. Then, almost awkwardly, he cleared his throat. “So…were you doing anything important today?”
Hinata blinked, looking a little surprised. “No, not really. Why?”
“Well,” he began, scratching the back of his neck, “I was thinking of getting some BBQ later. If…you wanted to join.”
Hinata’s face brightened, and her eyes softened. “I’d like that.”
“Great,” he said, trying to hide the little jolt of excitement that ran through him. “You could hang out here till Kurenai gets back, if you want. Or, if it’s easier, we can just meet there.”
“I don’t mind waiting,” she replied with a gentle smile.
Shikamaru nodded, feeling that unfamiliar thrum in his chest as he turned back to Mirai, but he caught himself smiling. Troublesome as it was, this day didn’t seem so bad after all.
As they waited for Kurenai to return, Shikamaru found himself noticing little things about Hinata. The way she moved quietly around the room, her gestures soft and careful. She wasn’t loud, didn’t demand attention. Yet somehow, he found himself watching her anyway. She’d reach down to help Mirai pick up a crayon, her voice gentle, or tilt her head just slightly when she listened, giving every word her full attention.
It was…calm. Like she was a steady stream, flowing quietly, making everything around her feel easier, smoother. Troublesome that he’d even noticed, really. He rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.
“Hinata,” he started, breaking the comfortable silence, “you ever think about what you’d be doing if you weren’t a shinobi?”
Hinata looked over, a bit surprised by the question. “Well, sometimes, I suppose. I’ve thought about…maybe teaching? Helping kids learn taijutsu. I like the idea of seeing them grow.”
He nodded, her answer not really surprising but making sense in a way that fit her. “You’d be good at it. You’re already good with kids.”
She smiled, almost shyly. “Thank you, Shikamaru-kun. What about you?”
He let out a low chuckle. “I dunno, probably something lazy. Something that doesn’t require running around too much.” He shot her a smirk, then shrugged. “Not a huge fan of moving around unless I have to.”
Hinata laughed softly, her laugh like a whisper that stuck around. “You always say that, but you’re really dedicated, Shikamaru-kun. I think you’d still end up helping people, even if you tried to avoid it.”
“Tch. You give me too much credit.” He shook his head, trying to hide the grin threatening to give him away. “Guess I can’t help it when people like you are around…makes even the troublesome stuff seem not so bad.”
Her face softened, her eyes meeting his, and for a moment, he thought she might say something. Instead, she just offered a quiet, sincere smile. And, as they looked at each other, the silence didn’t feel awkward, just…easy.
Mirai’s giggle interrupted them, and they both glanced over to see her covered in crayon marks, proudly showing off a mess of color on her arms. Shikamaru sighed, shooting Hinata a glance. “See what I mean? Troublesome. But, I guess…not so bad.”
Hinata just looked at him, that soft, light smile on her face as she giggled quietly at his words. Shikamaru found himself watching her a little too closely, feeling that familiar pang in his chest that had snuck up on him over the past two years. Somehow, without his permission, a crush on her had started to grow.
It had come on slowly, almost like a passing thought at first. He’d notice something small—like the way she’d go out of her way to help someone or how her laughter was barely louder than a whisper—and he’d find himself thinking about it longer than he should. Over time, those passing thoughts piled up. She’d smile, say his name a certain way, and he’d feel himself tripping over his words or glancing away too quickly, wondering if she’d ever noticed his awkwardness.
Then, there was Temari. Things with her had been…complicated. Not quite dating, not just friends. They’d teetered in that hazy in-between for a while. He’d thought about asking her out a couple of times, but every time the words were on his tongue, something held him back. Then nothing happened. She went back to Suna, and he’d slipped back into his usual routine. Girls were confusing, that much he knew, and Hinata was no exception. But he found himself drawn to her more than he’d ever been with anyone else. It was quiet, almost calm, but it was there.
They didn’t spend time alone, not usually. Most of their interactions were in groups—Naruto, Sakura, Kiba, the rest of the usual gang. And when he watched Naruto with her, he couldn’t ignore this new, annoying feeling gnawing at him. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Naruto. Hell, he respected him, considered him one of his closest friends, even felt that Naruto was the one who made him strive to be a better person. But there was this pang of jealousy every time he saw them together. Naruto and Hinata seemed similar to what he and Temari had—a thing just hanging on the edge of something more, something neither of them had defined yet. Not quite a couple, but not just friends either.
He could tell Naruto hadn’t asked her out yet, probably hadn’t even thought to. But Hinata, she was patient. At least, she had been. Recently, he’d started noticing a certain look in her eyes when she’d talk to Naruto, a look that said her patience was starting to wear thin.
And then there was him. Shikamaru wanted to tell her how he felt, but it would be random, out of nowhere. Besides, he’d been careful not to make it obvious. At least, he thought he’d been careful. Still, this was the first time he’d asked her to get something to eat with him, just the two of them. It wasn’t a confession, but…it was a start.
“Big Brother!” Mirai’s tiny voice snapped Shikamaru back to the present. She held up another crayon-drawn masterpiece, looking far too proud for how scribbly the rainbow actually was. “Big sis Hina, look! Look what I drew!”
Hinata’s face softened as she leaned down beside Mirai, resting on her knees. “Oh, Mirai-chan, that’s beautiful! I think you’re getting better every time.”
Mirai giggled, grinning ear to ear, and held up another messy drawing. “This one’s for you, Big sis Hina!”
“Really?” Hinata’s eyes lit up as she gently took the paper, treating it like it was an actual masterpiece. “Thank you, Mirai-chan. I’m going to put this somewhere very special.”
Shikamaru couldn’t help but watch them, noticing the way Hinata seemed to let her guard down with Mirai. She looked different with the little girl. Her shyness melted into something warmer, more open, and…adorable. It was fascinating, honestly. Cute, even. He hadn’t seen her this way before.
“Big Brother, you need one too!” Mirai insisted, grabbing another crayon to make something for him.
“Alright, alright, don’t go overboard,” he muttered, though he was smiling. “I’ve got enough rainbow scribbles for a lifetime.”
Hinata laughed softly and for a moment, Shikamaru felt his heart do that troublesome fluttering thing again.
“Do you like rainbows, Shikamaru-kun?” Hinata asked, clearly amused.
“Not exactly,” he smirked, scratching the back of his neck. “But I guess they’re…colorful. Mirai’s got a talent for it, huh?”
Mirai’s face scrunched up in concentration as she worked on her “masterpiece” for him, and Hinata beamed, nodding. “She’s very creative.”
Before he could reply, the door opened, and Kurenai stepped in, looking a bit surprised but happy to see Hinata there. “Hinata! I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Mirai jumped up and dashed over to her mother, waving her little drawing like it was a winning ticket. “Mama! Look, look what I made!”
Kurenai smiled and crouched down, accepting Mirai’s art with enthusiasm before turning to Hinata. “It’s so good to see you,” she said warmly.
“Oh, I just came by to drop off some cookies,” Hinata replied, looking a bit shy again. She gestured toward the kitchen. “I, um…left them in there.”
“Oh, Hinata, that’s so sweet of you,” Kurenai said with a smile as the two women began chatting, and Hinata led her over to the kitchen to show her the cookies.
Shikamaru sat on the floor for a moment longer, watching them. Hinata’s face had that gentle, warm glow, and he could see Kurenai’s genuine affection for her. After a moment, he stood up and brushed himself off, letting out a small sigh before making his way over to join them.
Shikamaru joined them in the kitchen, leaning casually against the counter as Kurenai opened the container, taking in the warm, sweet scent of freshly baked cookies.
“Hinata, these look amazing,” Kurenai said, a bit of awe in her voice as she picked one up and took a bite. “And they’re delicious. Thank you so much.”
Hinata blushed, looking down, a hint of shyness returning. “I’m glad you like them. I wanted to make something special.”
Shikamaru watched the exchange, his eyes drifting to Hinata again. She always looked so…sincere. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone or make herself the center of attention. She just genuinely wanted to make people happy. Seeing her like this—comfortable, relaxed—it made his heart feel lighter somehow.
“Big Brother!” Mirai tugged at his pant leg, holding up a cookie in each hand. “Look, cookies! You gotta try one, too!”
He chuckled, grabbing a cookie from her and taking a bite. “Mm. Not bad at all,” he said, a bit of understatement to cover how good they actually were. “You might have a future in the bakery business, Hinata.”
She giggled softly, looking up at him with a hint of a playful smile. “Well, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Kurenai glanced between them, a little smirk tugging at her lips, but she kept her comments to herself as Mirai tugged her mother’s hand, eager to show her more of her drawings.
Shikamaru watched Hinata as she handed Kurenai another cookie, her movements gentle, almost graceful. There was that familiar calmness about her, but now he could see something deeper, something steady, like she was a quiet strength just waiting to be noticed.
And that thought made him brave enough to ask, “So, Hinata…you still up for some BBQ?”
Hinata looked at him, her eyes soft and kind, and she nodded. “I’d love to.”
His heart did that annoying little jolt, but he kept his expression casual. “Alright. We’ll head out as soon as you’re ready.”
Kurenai gave him an amused look as she gathered Mirai into her arms. “You two have fun. And Hinata, thank you again for the cookies.”
Hinata smiled, a hint of excitement shining through. “Of course. I’ll see you soon, Kurenai-sensei.”
As they slipped out of the house, Shikamaru walked beside her, hands in his pockets, the quiet between them feeling natural, like it always did. But this time, it felt different too…like something was shifting, something good.
They walked in an easy silence, though Shikamaru could feel his own nerves lurking in the background, making it feel like he was overthinking every step. It was weird, really—Hinata was probably the least intimidating person he knew, and yet here he was, feeling like a kid with a crush.
As they made their way down the street, he kept sneaking glances at her, just enough to catch little things he hadn’t paid attention to before. She looked calm, just like she always did, her expression open and serene as she glanced around, taking in their surroundings. There was this lightness about her, and every time she smiled at something or paused to watch a bird hop by, he felt that strange flutter in his chest, like a reminder of why he’d asked her out today.
Then, of course, he nearly got caught staring.
She turned her head suddenly, and he whipped his gaze forward, trying to act casual, only to trip slightly on an uneven patch of road. He let out a muttered “Troublesome…” under his breath, trying to cover his awkward stumble.
Hinata blinked, looking at him with those big, gentle eyes, completely oblivious to what had actually happened. “Oh, are you alright, Shikamaru-kun?”
“Yeah, yeah, fine,” he said, scratching the back of his neck, hoping he wasn’t blushing. He cleared his throat. “Just…wasn’t paying attention. Got distracted.”
“Oh,” she replied softly, nodding with a small smile. “Well, it’s easy to get distracted here. I’ve always thought the village looks so beautiful this time of day.”
“Right. That must be it,” he said, mostly to himself, as she turned her attention back to the road.
He let out a quiet breath, feeling that mix of relief and mild embarrassment as they kept walking. She was so oblivious, so focused on everything else, that she had no idea the effect she had on him. And it was funny, in a way—here he was, usually calm, usually in control, now tripping over his own feet because he couldn’t stop looking at her.
This was new.
They kept walking, and Shikamaru could feel the quiet between them stretching, that familiar calm settling in again. But this time, it felt like he should say something, bridge the silence somehow.
“So, uh…” he started, searching for something, anything to break the stillness, but before he could even finish, a group of kids barreled toward them from nowhere, loud and oblivious to anyone in their path. They didn’t even slow down, bumping into them without a second thought. Both he and Hinata stumbled, but he wasn’t as lucky—one of the kids knocked him straight to the ground.
He hit the pavement, muttering under his breath, “Annoying…little…shits,” as he struggled to pull himself together. It was frustrating enough getting shoved by kids, but with Hinata right there, it was flat-out embarrassing.
“Shikamaru-kun,” Hinata’s gentle voice broke through his cursing. She reached out, her hand open, concern in her eyes. “Are you okay?”
He took her hand, letting her help him up, and as soon as he did, he couldn’t help but notice…her hands were soft. Softer than he would’ve expected from someone who’d been training and fighting for years. Most of their friends had rough hands, calloused from missions and training, but Hinata’s were different. There was a warmth to them, too, something steady that threw him off for a split second.
Her voice brought him back to reality. He quickly let go, rubbing the back of his neck, hoping to downplay just how much he’d noticed that small detail.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” she asked again, and he picked up on something—a hint of amusement, maybe, in her tone. She was hiding it well, but it was there.
He raised an eyebrow, looking at her closely. “Hold on…did you find that funny?”
Hinata’s face went pink, her eyes widening. “N-no! I would never!”
“Oh, yeah?” he smirked, feeling a little spark of amusement of his own. “Kind Hinata here, finding joy in other people’s misfortune. Never would’ve guessed it.”
Hinata shook her head, her face reddening even more. “It’s not like that,” she mumbled, clearly embarrassed, and he watched as she tried to cover it up, walking ahead with a flustered look that was…honestly kind of cute.
He fell in step beside her, still grinning, but finally let it go. “Alright, alright. I’m fine. Embarrassed, sure, but…fine,” he admitted, his tone genuine.
Hinata looked at him, and there it was—that warm smile. Her eyes softened, and he felt the heat rising to his own face. He turned his head away, trying to cover it up. “Anyway, we’re almost there,” he muttered, keeping his gaze fixed ahead, hoping she didn’t notice just how red his face had gotten.
They finally reached the BBQ place, and the familiar scent hit Shikamaru, making his stomach rumble. The owner greeted him right away, grinning when he saw Shikamaru walk in.
“Hey, Shikamaru! No Choji or Ino with you tonight?” he asked with a friendly grin.
Shikamaru shook his head, smirking a little. “Not tonight. Brought another friend along,” he said, glancing over at Hinata.
Hinata smiled softly and waved, and the owner’s grin widened even more. “Ah, I see! Well, I’ve got a nice spot for you two, right over here.” He pointed to a cozy spot near the front of the restaurant, setting them up with just enough privacy.
They followed him, and as they sat down, he turned to Hinata. “I’ll get Shikamaru’s usual started, but is there anything special you’d like, miss?”
Hinata shook her head politely. “Oh, whatever Shikamaru-kun is getting is fine with me.”
The owner chuckled, nodding. “One special order coming right up! I’ll have it ready for you two in no time.”
Shikamaru gave a small nod of thanks, then turned his attention back to Hinata. He was trying to play it cool, but for some reason, just having her here made him feel…different. He leaned forward a bit, wanting to keep things light but curious about her in a way he hadn’t been before. “So, tell me something about yourself that I don’t know.”
Hinata looked a bit puzzled. “What do you mean?”
He shrugged, hoping he didn’t sound too awkward. “I mean…we’ve known each other since the Academy, done missions together, spent time in group settings with our friends…but I don’t really know much about you. Just figured…maybe it’d be nice to get to know you a bit more, if that’s alright with you.”
He scratched the back of his neck, unable to meet her eyes. It was weird, putting himself out there like this, but he couldn’t help it.
There was a brief silence, and then he heard her soft reply. “That’s fine, Shikamaru-kun. I’d like to become better friends with you, too.”
A small smile crept up on his face, and he quickly hid it, trying to look as casual as possible. He waited, watching her carefully as she thought it over, and then she started talking—about her favorite foods, her hobbies, even little details like her love of taking walks in the early morning.
“What about you?” she asked after a moment, genuinely interested.
He told her his favorite foods, keeping it honest and simple, and they started trading little details back and forth, chatting like they’d been doing this forever. Before he knew it, a good fifteen minutes had passed, and their food arrived.
Shikamaru was starving, but he held off, waiting for Hinata to take the first bite before he did. Once they’d both started, they settled into a comfortable silence, each of them eating quietly. He found himself enjoying it. The simple act of sharing a meal, no pressure, no noise.
After a while, they slipped back into conversation, the quiet rhythm of the meal blending into something that felt familiar, like they’d done it a hundred times before.
They stepped out of the restaurant, the cool evening air hitting them as Shikamaru closed the door behind him. He’d managed to pay for the bill after a little back-and-forth with Hinata, who’d insisted on covering her half. Stubborn, really, but he hadn’t budged. It wasn’t like it was a big deal, and he wasn’t about to let her pay.
Now, standing outside, he wasn’t exactly sure what to do with himself. He shifted his weight, hands shoved in his pockets, feeling that awkward itch of not knowing what to say next. Then, Hinata turned to him, her voice gentle. “Thank you again, Shikamaru-kun. I should probably head home…but I had a really nice time.”
He shrugged, waving off her thanks with a casual, “Wasn’t a big deal. But hey…let me walk you home.”
“Oh, you don’t have to,” she said, her eyes kind but still a bit hesitant.
“C’mon, it’s no trouble,” he insisted, falling into step beside her as they started down the street together. The village was alive with evening chatter, lanterns lighting up the paths, making the walk feel somehow…easier, less tense.
And then, of course, he heard the one voice he hadn’t been hoping to hear.
“Hinata! Shikamaru!” Naruto’s voice rang out from across the street, and Shikamaru looked up to see him heading their way, wearing that big, bright grin he always had.
Naruto stopped in front of them, looking from one to the other, clearly curious. “Hey, you two! Where are you coming from?”
“We just had BBQ,” Hinata said, her voice soft and a bit shy, and Shikamaru noticed the quick flash of surprise in Naruto’s eyes as he turned to him.
“What?” Shikamaru said, coughing lightly, hoping his expression was unreadable. “Not used to seeing people eat BBQ?”
Naruto laughed, shaking his head. “Nah, I just…didn’t expect it, that’s all. Anyway,” he said, his attention bouncing back to Hinata, “I just finished eating ramen with Sakura and Sasuke. He’s such a pain. Every time, he says he doesn’t want to come, but he’s always the first to finish his bowl.”
Shikamaru smirked, nodding. “Figures. He’s only here for a little while anyway.” He shot a quick look at Hinata, who had started fiddling with the edge of her lavender jacket, her fingers twisting the fabric. He could see her nervousness. She always got like that when Naruto was around. It made him wonder what was going through her mind, but he didn’t have long to dwell on it.
“Hey, Shikamaru,” Naruto said, breaking his thoughts, “you mind if I steal Hinata for a bit?”
There was a flare of frustration in his chest, but he shrugged, acting indifferent. “No big deal. Go for it.”
Hinata glanced at him, her expression a bit softer. “Thanks again for the meal, Shikamaru-kun. I really had a good time.”
He forced a small smile. “Yeah, me too.”
He watched as Naruto and Hinata walked off, closer together than he liked, their voices fading as they disappeared into the distance. His heart twisted, and he tried to ignore the ache settling in his chest, the stupid feeling of jealousy clawing at him.
“What a drag…” he muttered under his breath, pulling out a cigarette, lighting it with a practiced flick of his lighter. He took a long drag, inhaling deep, letting the smoke fill his lungs as he watched them fade into the distance.
He stood there for a moment longer, then turned in the opposite direction, shoving his hands deep into his pockets, heading back home alone.