The Night Before The Final Exam…
Shikamaru and Yukari are walking to Chouji’s. It’s getting a little late but they decide to stay up a little longer. “Hey Shikamaru?” “Yeah?” “I heard a rumor that you like Temari. True? Yes? No?” “No. I like someone else.” 
Shikamaru gasped and covered his mouth. “Oh… So you DO have a crush! HAH! KNEW IT!
I have a crush too.” “And the rest of the village crushing on YOU.” Shikamaru started laughing.
“Ah, shut up…” “Tell ya what, pretend I don’t have a crush.” “Why? I’m your second best friend. If you tell me who you like… I’ll tell you who I like. Deal? Please?” “…Fine… But there’s a certain place that I wanna go to.” “Alright. It’s a deal.” Shikamaru led her to a high cliff that overlooked Konoha. It had a beautiful view of the sky and the town. “Chouji’s gonna hate us for this, Shikamaru.” “Yeah, I know. He’ll get over it.” They sat down on the edge, Shikamaru laying and Yukari sitting Indian Style. “Well, who do you like?” “You tell me first… I’m… Nervous, Yukari. And too curious.” 
“Fine… But you have to guess.” “Give me some hints.” “’K… He’s… Cool and-uh-crazy… And handsome, sexy, and cute at the same time. There.” 
“GEEZ! You might as well as said that it was a boy! Uh… Naruto?” “Nope.” “Okay… Uh… Kiba?” “Nope.” “Can I have another hint? Please?” “’K… It might be a big give away… But he has black hair.” “Lee!” “WHAT!? NO!” “Neji.” “Nah-ah.” “Sh-…Shino?” “Brown hair.” “I give.” Yukari started laughing like an insane dude. “Wha-HAHAHA!!! How can- HAHAHA!!! Idiot!” She calmed down a little. “N-no! How can you NOT guess this one!? Sh-Shikamaru! It’s! It’s… Shikamaru… It’s…” “ WHO!?” “You.” She said looking away. 
Shikamaru stood up and started stumbling backwards. Yukari looked back. She was blushing and had a nervous look. “You-wha!? Me-y-you… L-like… No! M-me…?!” Shikamaru was too shocked. “Whoa, whoa! Shikamaru chill! Shikamaru? Shikamaru!” 
Yukari stood up alarmed. “STOP! You’ll walk right off the cliff!” She took off her jacket and Shikamaru stumbled off the edge. Yukari rushed off and caught him in mid-air! Shikamaru opened his eyes and looked up at her. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing… “Yukari! You…” 
“GOD YOU IDIOT! WHAT WRONG WITH YOU!? DO YOU WANNA DIE!?” She was nearly in tears. Yukari had just spilled her biggest secret to save his life…
(I… I had to. Don’t feel ashamed. He would’ve died… But now… No… I’m too different. Too different…) “Yukari….” Sikamaru said softly, nearly a whisper. “Shikamaru… I’m sorry! This was the debt… Orochimaru… He… Shikamaru…” “Shhh… Alright. You’re still you. Just look different.” “Thank you…”
Yukari was flying. She had huge wings. The back was hot pink and so was the frame of the front. In the middle of the frame was teal. She was flying… Had caught Shikamaru in mid-air. She set him back down on the cliff and landed. She put her jacket back on over her wings, which she scrunched up. “So… Orochimaru did this to you…” “Yeah…” “Finally I know…” “You still owe me.” She sat back down next to Shikamaru. “Huh?” “You still owe me… A kiss. Remember?” Shikamaru just stared at her.
(Ugh… Not again… Does she really love me this much? I mean… How could she? I’m just a lazy idiot… A lazy idiot…) Shikamaru was staring at the ground, deep in thought. He looked back after a few minutes. “You’re right… But I wanna tell you who I like first.” “Who?” He hesitated for a minute. “Ino.” “I-…Ino?” “Yes… Sorry. But… Here.” He kissed her… And they watched the sunset before it was time to go home. They were not boyfriend and girlfriend, but they were closer than they were…
