Wipe Away the Pain

Shikamaru Oneshot

Laughter echoed from every corner she turned. Her scarlet hair the object of said laughter. All the kids made fun of the abnormal hair color; that hurt more than she allowed to show. The pain continued to build up until she couldn't take it anymore; she tan, tan to the only one that could wipe away the pain.

Bounding up stairs two at a time she hoped he'd be in his normal spot on the roof where he watched the clouds slowly pass by. Launching herself up the final few steps, she frantically searched for the turf of brown hair of the lazy boy. She sighed with relief.

"Shika-kun," She quietly called.

"Over here you troublesome girl," Shikamaru huffed from being woken up from his nap.

The girl smiled slightly, just being around Shikamaru made her feel better. Seeing his face made her heart flutter, wiping away all her pain so she could smile. Smile just for him and him alone.

"What?" he questioned.

"Nothing, just wanted to watch the clouds with you," she lied.

Shikamaru sighed but moved over a little to make room for her. Aika quickly walked over and laid next to him. She loved being near Shikamaru; there was no better feeling than that. She felt as if nothing else mattered as long as she was beside him. She wished to just stay that way forever, but she knew that wasn't possible. He'd never like her that way. Plus they were shinobi putting their lives on the line everyday never knowing if either of them was to come home. Also, with the final exam only days away they'd most likely be put on different teams which meant they'd rarely see each other. That made Aika want to cry.

Shikamaru sighed; he could sense Aika was hiding something.

"What's wrong?" he finally asked.

Aika quickly lied, "Nothing, why would you think something's wrong?"

"Aika," Shikamaru firmly stated looking over at the girl, "I know you're lying. Now tell me what's wrong."

"It's nothing," Aika tried to blow off the subject.

Shikamaru looked her dead in the eye.

"Alright fine," Aika broke down, "I was just think that the final exams are coming up and we'll be put on different teams so we won't be able to see each other and that would just kill me because the only place I feel safe and comfortable is by you and I know you'd never return my feelings."

Shikamaru's eyes widened at how fast Aika started to talk.

"Calm down," he pulled her in a hug, "so what we might not be on the same team but we can still see each other after missions and training. Oh and you never know what I feel unless you ask."

Shikamaru pulled Aika from his chest and looked her dead in the eye so she'd have no doubts what so ever.

"Aika, I care about you more than you know. I want you to be by my side and I know if I don't tell you now I don't know how many chances I'll get. We're shinobi and we aren't guaranteed that we'll return from missions all the time, but the time I do I have I know I want you by my side. To call you mine so no one else can. Aika I love you," he stated.

Aika smiled the biggest smile in her life. Pulling Shikamaru towards her she collided their lips together in a passionate kiss.

"I love you to Shika-kun, I'll be yours forever."

"Good," with that Shikamaru pulled her back in for a kiss.