Warning: Yaoi, don't like? Then scram.

Notes: Ok, now we can start getting some resolution here without me having to do research that brings up articles on Mr. Jackson. Come on, it's year one of the time skip! They're thirteen and are just starting to hit puberty, they're not going to just start fucking each other blind.

Never so clear, the sky
by fairady

The sky was clear and absolutely devoid of any clouds for him to watch. Shikamaru decided it was time for him to call it a day. If he hurried he could even catch Asuma-sensei for a round of shougi. If nothing interesting crossed the sky in the next hour he would. If he wasn't too comfortable.

His jaw popped loudly as he yawned and slowly stretched. A few pops from his spine followed before he relaxed bonelessly on the roof. One upside to the rotting roof was that the surface under him was pretty soft. Asuma-sensei could wait for another day, Shikamaru felt like taking a nap.

Curling one arm under his head he shut his eyes to the world, only to open them up again when a shadow fell across him.

Shino stared down at him silently. At least he assumed the other was staring, it was hard to tell with those glasses sometimes.

"Hm," Shikamaru glanced at the new flak vest Shino wore. "You're a chuunin now."

"Ah," Shino simply said as he examined the newest set of holes in the roof.

"Congratulations," Shikimaru shifted to the side, and the roof creaked ominously beneath him. "Damn," there was no putting it off any longer. It was time for him to find another roof to visit. Sighing he scooted over as far as he was willing to risk before motioning for the other boy to sit next to him.

Shino sat without hesitation, his right shoulder pressing into Shikamaru's as they both tried to stay centered on the only stable spot left. The sun began to set and neither boy spoke or moved.

It was, Shikamaru reflected, quite possible that he was wrong. He didn't think he was wrong in his asumptions, but he had to be ready for the posibility that he was. He turned his head to look at Shino. This close to the other boy he could almost make out the shape of his eyes behind his ever present glasses. He wondered if he could convince Shino to take them off sometime.

No time like the present. Their roof was almost finished and he doubted they would be able to return to it again. It just didn't feel right to leave it without resolving anything. "Why the hell are you here, Shino?"

Shino cocked his head slightly and Shikamaru could just barely make out that he was looking at him, "I'm here to watch."

"Why?"

"Because I like to."

Shikamaru briefly hesitated, but no second thoughts appeared to be coming as he continued the conversation he'd started three months ago. "What are you watching?"

The othe boy turned his head and looked straight at Shikamaru, "You."

Shikamaru crossed his arms over his bent knees and leaned close enough to clearly see Shino's eyes through the glasses. "Why?"

"I already answered that."

"That wasn't a complete answer," Shikamaru snorted.

"You want one?" the faintest shift of Shino's face gave the impression that he was smiling behind the high collar of his jacket.

This time Shikamaru didn't bother to hesitate for second thoughts that weren't going to come, "Yes."

"Good," Shikamaru had forgotten how fast Shino was. It was an easy thing to do when the other would let his insects fight for him. Before he could say anything the other boy had leaned over and pressed a light kiss against the corner of Shikamaru's lips. "How about dinner first?"

"Sounds fine to me," Shikamaru felt the heat of a blush on his face as he stood up and fought the urge to touch his lips. There was no reason to get so worked up over a simple kiss like some infatuated girl.

Shino brushed some dust from his jacket and jumped to the next building. Stopping suddenly he turned back and firmly said, "We are not going to that Korean barbeque place."

"You're so troublesome," Shikamaru grumbled as he followed.

Fairady:...reticint bastard. Would it have hurt you to talk a little more?
Shino: shrugs
Kiba: Man, I'm so sorry she roped you into this.
Shino: Personally, I think I got the better end of the deal amongst the two of us.
Kiba: Huh? But you had to make out with Shikamaru!
Shino: Kiss, and points at the screen in front of Fairady still got the better deal.
Fairady: cackles insanely I'll get you my pretty, and you're little dog too! joins the KibaxAkamaru(human form) mailing list
Kiba:...oh shit.