It was a bright summer day in Konoha. People walked down the streets in a hurry to beat the heat. Friends laughed under the roofs of restaurants. Children were couped up in their classrooms half awake trying to become the next generation of shinobi, and that is where we meetmthe hero of this story. If you consider a lazy genius to be one.

No, you see this is not a story of a prince charming saving a damsel in distress. Not one of two lovers who struggle agaisnt the currents of life. Hell, it's not even a story of boy meets girl. It's a story of life and how every little moment can change something forever.

"Alright and that is how the great land of Shanjijo fell into the water, destroying their civilization." Shikamaru said.

Although it had nothing to do with shinobi training or jutsus, he felt that it was always good to include a little general history into his lessons to try to keep the class engaged.

"But, Shikamaru Sensei! Didn't the Shanjijos know how to swim!?" One of his students answered trying to get laughs from the other students. The attempt at humor was wildly successful as all the students broke into a fury of laughter. With that Shikmaru became fed up ending class prematurely. For the 3rd time this week.

"I swear I was going to kill them Choji if class would have kept on! I usually have so much patience, but I took this job to teach, not to babysit."

"That's just one of the kinks of the job." Choji said as wolfed down pieces of beef.

Shikamaru was grateful for his friend. He was always there for him. Through thick and thin. Lately in Shikamaru's life there was a lot more thick than thin.

Shikamaru went through a stressful year that no seventeen yearnold should have to go through. With his father dying, him trying his best with the post-war reconstruction of Konoha, his new job, and now trying to help his widowed mother. He enjoyed the small moments every day that erased his stress like lunching with Choji or watching the clouds after a round of grading tests.

"So any plans for tonight?" Choji asked, hoping to get him out of his gloomy apartment for the night.

"You know what, yeah..Yeah! Call up the boys cause we are having fun tonight!

"Wohhoohooo!" Exclaimed Choji as he banged the table emphatically.

"What's on the schedule for tonight!" Choji asked.

"Oh you'll see my friend."

Later that night

"You know Shikamaru I was expecting to do more with the boys tonight" said a depressed Choji

"Shut up choji and shoot!" Shouted Naruto as he was killed...in a virtual video game.

"Relax Choji this is fun! Besides I dont get my paycheck for another week." Shikamaru said,

For another night Shikamaru was locked in his apartment. It had gotten late. Shikamaru looked at his digital clock to only realize it was two in the morning.

"Sheesh have I lost control of the time also?" He said. Reflecting on the thought that he had been slowly losing control of everything in his life. He slowly sat on his bed that laid on the floor, too lazy to actually buy a comforter, he just crouched into a sleeping position thinking about his father, and his mother. How they were slowly fading from his life. He picked up his phone and apologized to Choji and promised him lunch was on him tomorrow. Shikamaru was losing touch of a lot of things in his life, he wasn't prepared to lose his best friends.

A/N This is my first ever fanfiction. I apologize if there are any grammatical errors and I promise the story will get good soon. Thank you guys! Reviews are greatly appreciated! My story got banned for me not posting in the wrong audience section. I'm reuploading.