All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me):A Shikamaru Story for Dakishimetaino

It was a cool autumn night as you hastily ran through the woods with a duffel in hand. You had gotten yourself into trouble...again. But this time, it wasn't just a harmless prank with Naruto. No, this was big. You could've seriously killed someone.

It had all started this morning when you were hanging out with your friends, Kiba, Naruto, Shino and Shikamaru. You had been walking around Konoha when Naruto started going on about Sakura...again. You were really annoyed, but chose to deal with it.

"You know, Sakura's really grown as a kunoichi. She might even be a match for you, Ai-chan." Naruto rambled on, happily. You stopped and turned around to face him. "What did you just say?" you asked in a low and deadly voice. "I said that she might even be a match for *mmph*" Naruto said, as Shikamaru and Kiba covered his mouth to prevent him from saying "you".

"Let him go." you whispered, still talking in the deadly voice. You looked at Naruto and punched himin the face. "If you EVER say that again....I will KILL you!" you yelled, angry that he was comparing you to one of the weakest kunoichi in the village. "She is a weakling! *punch* AND she's a freaking FANGIRL *punch* of that dumb emo duck! *punches Naruto repeatedly*" You continued to swing at Naruto until you couldn't anymore. Not because you didn't want to, it was because you couldn't move your body. You felt your body starting to walk away from Naruto.

"Shikamaru...let me go...NOW!" you yelled, angry that he was making you leave him alone. "No, I won't. Gosh, Ai-chan, why are you being so troublesome today?" he asked, exasperated.

That did it. Shika had never called you troublesome before. You couldn't take it...especially because...well, you loved him. He didn't know it, but that one word had just affected you more than if you had been stabbed with a thousand katanas. "Shika....please let me go." you whispered, barely audible. You were about to cry and you knew it. There was NO way they were going to see you cry. "I'm holding you here until Kiba and Shino get Naruto out of here," he replied, "Your punches were infused with chakra. He could die if we don't get him to Tsunade soon." Shika said, and acidity to his tone.
Kiba and Shino got Naruto on Akamaru and ran towards Tsunade. Shikamaru finally let you go. "Ai-chan, why did you do that?" he asked, concerned for you. "I-I don't know. Goodbye, Shikamaru." you whispered. "Goodbye?" he questioned, but you were gone.

So here you were, in the woods, with a duffel bag filled with your stuff. You were going to be a missing-nin. Find a new village with new friends and where you wouldn't be hated for almost killing someone. But you were tired now, so you stopped to rest on a tree stump. "Goodbye, Konoha. Goodbye, friends and life as I know it." you cried silently to yourself. "G-goodbye, S-shikamaru." you whispered to yourself, making you cry harder. "Ai-chan, why are you crying? And why do you have a duffel bag?"

You looked up and there stood Shikamaru. "What do you want, Shikamaru?" you cried, a sharp tone in your voice. "What are you doing out here?" he asked, concerned. "It's the best place to be... when you're feeling like me." you replied, sadly. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "It's where I go when I feel like I do now. And don't pretend you don't hate me. I know you think I'm...t-troublesome." you whispered the last word, making it barely loud enough for Shikamaru to hear it.
He came closer to you, but you pushed himaway. "Just back up, Shika...before I snap again." you yelled. "Why do you have a duffel, Ai?" he asked again, patiently. "Because...I'm leaving Konoha. I'm going to find a new village to live in where they won't hate me. So, once more, I'll say goodbye to you, Shikamaru." you said, getting up. You were stopped once more, and walked back to Shikamaru.

"Stop the theatrics, Ai. Look, things happen. It's okay, Naruto is going to be fine. I'm actually a little impressed. I knew you were one of the strongest kunoichi, but I never knew the extent of it." he moved closer to you, making you move towards him. However, he didn't see the root coming up from the ground and you tripped over it, falling into his arms. You blushed, and tried to back away.

"S-shikamaru, you can let g-go of me now." you blushed a deeper red. "Hm...I don't think so." he smiled. "Why not?" you asked, irritated. "I won't let you go until you admit that you like me." he smirked. "W-what?? No, that's n-not t-true, Shika-kun." you blushed even more. "Why can't you just be up front about it, Ai-chan? If it's supposed to happen like this, why do most of us ignore the chance?" He looked at you, still smirking and waiting for you to admit it. "I don't know what you're talking about Shikamaru." you said, still clinging onto your secret.

He pulled you closer to his chest. "I'll make you wear your heart on your sleeve, Ai-chan." he whispered in your ear. And then he kissed you, deeply and passionately. You kissed him back and he finally released you. "Ai-chan? I love you more than life itself. Now, will you give up running away and be my girlfriend?" Shika asked you sweetly. You looked at him "Yes, Shika-kun. I love you, too." He kissed you one more time and then picked you up bridal style and carried you home.