It was dark in the village and rain poured off the buildings like it was a waterfall. Everyone was in their own homes without power. This storm was a one of the bad ones. Trees whipped back and forth hitting sides of houses, thunder roared in the sky and lightning made it seem like it was daylight.

There they laid, wrapped in blankets on his apartment floor listening to the rain, not saying a word. It was relaxing to them both since this is what they usually did after sleeping together. Neither of them were tired, but neither of them had the energy to speak.

If she did speak it would probably be about how he’s always gone. When she does see him, they talk for about an hour, get something to eat and then go to bed together. It was the only time she stayed at his place. Being there without him made her lonely and made her miss him even more. So she just laid there, thinking about how he would be gone by morning with a note saying he loved her and would be back soon.

She was distant, he could feel it in more ways than one. Usually they had passionate love making, but tonight it just seemed different. He knew why because she had expressed it in more ways than one. He knew she never slept afterwards but he acted like she did because saying goodbye to her in the morning made it harder for him to leave each time.

As the storm progressed, he finally sighed rolling over on his side and leaning on his arm, “Serena…” He said softly waiting for her to say something back. He nudged her slightly but still, nothing, “I know you aren’t sleeping…”

A sigh escaped her mouth as she pulled the blanket tighter to her, “I’m trying too.” She mumbled back adjusting herself.

“You’re lying. Don’t be such a pain.” He knew her like the back of his hand. He should since they had been dating since they were 15, “Talk to me.”

Getting a bit agitated she faced him in the same position he was in. Her long brown hair followed her and she was looking at him with her blue eyes, “And say what Shikamaru?” Her faced was sad he could see it in her expression.

“Anything, usually you chew my ear off for the night that I’m home. But tonight it’s been different.” He would do about anything to just to hear her talk to him. It’s what kept him going on his missions. Her voice, her face, her smile, and the cute laugh she did when he said something stupid.

She shrugged the best she could, “I guess I’m just not going to waste my breath tonight. It’s tiring constantly trying to get you to stay when everytime I know you aren’t going to. I’m second when it comes to this village and I’ve accepted it.”

He knew she was lying, she just didn’t want to start an argument. Usually when she said these types of things he got angry and it resulted in a fight between the two of them. Since he was always gone, it never got resolved, just carried over to when he came back and they fought again.

She returned to her previous position, wrapped in the blanket and her back to him. She didn’t want to have a fight. She wanted one, smooth, peaceful night between them but he was the one who wanted to keep talking.

He took a deep breath realizing that she was really hurting this time. Maybe it was because of the weather, the rain always did bring down her mood. He sunk back down so his head was on his pillow and he pulled her tightly against him, wrapping his arm around her.

“I love you, more than anything.” He waited for her to respond but he got nothing. He didn’t expect her to say anything but it would have been nice to hear it back from her before he left. Sighing he tried to get comfortable and fall asleep.

*

The next morning was sunny and shined brightly through the dark curtains Shikamaru had covering his windows. Serena rolled on her back and rubbed her eyes before looking next to her. An empty spot. Like always. She sat up and grabbed her clothes that had been thrown beside their makeshift bed. Once she dressed, she folded up the blankets and put them in the closet in his room.

His room was spotless. Bed was always made, nothing was messed up. It only stayed like that because he was never home. She sighed again exiting his room and going into the kitchen. There was a note on her bag that read ‘I know last night was tough, but don’t think that you’re second just because I have a job. If I didn’t think we could work it out we probably would have ended things a long time ago, don’t you think? I love you and I’ll be back soon, I promise’.

“You always promise to be back soon and then you’re gone for weeks at a time.” She said to herself folding up the small piece of paper and putting it in her pocket.

As she locked up his house she noticed someone in the corner of her eye having a difficult time ordering food down by Ramen Ichiraku. She looked closely to see it was her blonde headed friend Naruto, “Uh maybe I should get this one…no no wait…maybe this…uh”

He always made her laugh when it came to food because he was always so indecisive, “Um, what are you doing? Isn’t it a bit early for ramen Naruto?” She asked peering over his shoulder. He sighed.

“Serena, you’re a girl, what do you girls want when they’re pregnant?” He asked as she looked shocked at his statement.

“I don’t know Naruto I’m not pregnant.”

“Oh damnit,” He said to himself as the cook waited for his answer, “Okay give me three big ramen bowls to go please. That’ll have to do.”

Serena raised her eyebrow at him as he spun around to face her, “Naruto is Hinata pregnant?” He nodded and a smile formed across her face, “That’s great, congratulations!”

“Thanks,” He smiled, “It’s pretty early on but I want her to have everything she wants.” Despite popular belief Naruto wasn’t always a goof. He did have some responsible traits in him, especially now that everyone was older and he was married. The cook handed him his bags and he got up, “Well I’ll see you around Serena, when Shikamaru gets back we should all have dinner!”

“Yeah, that would be great!” She forced a smile as he left. It would be great if he was home for more than a day.

As she continued walking, another voice rang into her ears, “Serena!” The girl called from behind her, “Wait up!” It was Sakura, her pink haired, green eyed friend. Both her and Sakura worked under Lady Tsunade as part of the medical team.

“Oh hey, I figured you’d be at work already.”

“No Sasuke was leaving this morning so I wanted to say goodbye. Did Shikamaru leave too?” She asked. Her friend had been confiding in her a lot lately and it made Sakura sad that Shikamaru was gone so much. Sasuke was just as busy but he knew how to balance work and his family.

Serena sighed, “Yeah. It’s always the same thing. He comes home, we talk for maybe an hour or two, he takes me out to eat as an apology for being gone so long and then we have sex and go to sleep. It’s always work work work. Where’s the time for me?” She asked venting, “I sound selfish.”

“No you don’t. You guys have been together for five years, there’s obviously a reason why you’ve stayed. Right?”

“I thought it was because I loved him. You stay with someone because you love them, don’t you?” She asked as Sakura shook her head, “But I feel like it isn’t enough. He says he loves me but I don’t feel like he does anymore. I’m just someone to come home to now. Before I ran into Naruto and he said he and Hinata are expecting, which is great I’m so happy for them but I’m also really jealous. You and Sasuke are married, they’re married. Shikamaru has made no mention of any of that. I’m starting to think he doesn’t want those things.”

Sakura took it all in and then smiled, “You know him, he never reveals his plans to anyone. None of us knew he was going to ask you out remember? Maybe he’s just keeping things to himself for now. Until things calm down. Try not to worry too much okay?

“Yeah maybe you’re right,” She said as she put a smile on her face, “Thanks.”

Like usual, Shikamaru returned two weeks later. By this time Serena was just about given up on their relationship. She had seen Hinata and her precious little baby bump and she would see them with Sakura and Sasuke out at dinner or just hanging out. She felt alone and didn’t know how it could be fixed. She didn’t even know if Shikamaru returning would help it.

She was sitting at Ramen Ichiraku thinking everything over when a familiar face sat next to her, “Hey you,” He smiled handing her a bouquet of flowers. She knew he picked them up from Ino, otherwise he wouldn’t have gotten them. Ino would give him them for free so he could be at least a little romantic with his girlfriend.

She took them reluctantly and half smiled, “Hey,” She answered placing them down beside her drink. He frowned.

“What’s wrong?” He thought the flowers would help brighten her mood. He had run into Sakura before he got there and she stressed to him how down her friend has been. She suggested flowers so he brought flowers. It didn’t seem to change anything.

She looked over at him, “You really have to ask that?” She sounded disappointed and sad. He sat down beside her and put his hand on her arm.

“I know, I promised to be back soon, we got held up. I tried I did. I’m sorry.”

She let out one of those disappointed laughs, “You promised to be back soon. I swear if I had a dollar for everytime you said that or wrote that I’d be rich.”

“Look I’m sorry alright? The village needs all the help it can get and that means I need to be away more than usual. I don’t know how else to make it up to you.”

“How about instead of cheesy dinner dates, meaningless sex afterwards and bouquets of flowers that Sakura obviously told you to get, you actual spend time with me. Like you promised 5 years ago.”

He sighed, “I didn’t know the sex was so meaningless to you.”

“It wasn’t at first. But now it seems like it is.”

It cut through him to hear her say that, “How about this, we spend the night at our own houses tonight and tomorrow we can have lunch in the park around 12? I promise I won’t bring any corny bouquets of flowers. Sound like a deal?”

A small smile appeared on her face, “Okay, I’ll bring the food.” He kissed her goodbye and headed to his house for a much needed nap.

*

She was excited. A day where she actually got to spend time with her boyfriend. She packed his favorite things: rice balls, cute little bentos and some drinks. She packed them inside a picnic basket and set off to the park. He said 12 but she figured she’d get there a little early…so 11:50. She was almost nervous. She had been so used to their routine that she forgot how to actually talk to him about normal things.

She tapped her fingers on the table as she waited for him to arrive. It felt like ten minutes were taking forever. Checking her watch she saw it was 12:10. It was never like him to be late, but she figured he was running behind on last minute paper work.

When it reached about 12:30 she thought maybe he overslept and debated on going over there, but he was cranky when woken so she waited. She really wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt even though she knew something was wrong.

It was now 1. An hour after he was supposed to be here. She sighed as another shinobi approached her, “Serena, a message for you from Shikamaru.” He handed her the piece of paper and took off.

She opened it reading what it said ‘Had to go on an emergency mission. I’ll make it up to you I swear, I love you’.

Flashback

They were sitting at the same picnic table she was at now. He had just asked her to be his girlfriend and she accepted. He sighed, “I don’t really know how this boyfriend thing works, but if I’ve learned anything from my father it’s to never go against what the woman says.”

She laughed, “Just promise to spend time with me. I know our lives are going to become hectic. But promise me you’ll always have time for me. That’s all I really want.”

“That’s it? Sounds easy enough.”

“You say that now until you’re sent out on a bunch of missions and never see me!” She laughed as he smiled.

“No I don’t think that will happen. Even if I have to turn down a mission or two we’ll spend time together. I promise.”

End Flashback

She let out a yell in frustration crumpling up the note and throwing it on the ground. All these ‘promises’ and none of them were actually being followed through. Walking by was Shikamaru’s best friend Choji. When he was younger he was a bit chubby, but since they had grown up he had slimmed down. He still loved to eat, he just worked out and trained like crazy. His light brown hair moved with the wind from inside his headband covering. He saw the note and picked it up reading it.

“He’s gone again?” He asked walking over to her. She looked up, “Mind if I sit down?”

“Go ahead,” She answered, “Hungry? There’s enough for two.” She took out the food making Choji drool. He loved a woman who could cook.

“Thanks!” He exclaimed taking the bento box and the chop sticks. She sighed. As he stuffed his face he looked at her. She was drained, anyone who had eyes could see that. She wasn’t the same person he knew. She looked out of it.

“Can I ask you a question?” He asked with a mouth full of food. She let out a small laugh at him and shook her head yes, “Why do you stay with him when he does this to you?”

She didn’t expect that from him. Usually he was talking Shikamaru up and down, “I love him. I always think next time will be different, that he’ll stick to his word.”

Choji sighed. He didn’t want to see her like this. He had always found Serena pretty and a fantastic catch for anyone. He knew he never stood a chance with her due to his physical appearance but she always treated him kindly. He liked the friendship they had. When his best friend began to like her he was happy for him, especially when they started dating.

But now, he was angry at Shikamaru. He took a girl who was always making others feel good about themselves, always had a smile on her face and was always cracking smart remarks to people and tore her down. Choji always stood by his friend’s side and always routed for him until now. He didn’t want Serena wasting her life on a guy who doesn’t try.

“He’s dragging you down though, don’t you see that? Anyone with eyes can see that you’re hurting inside,” He asked as she continued to look at him confused, “Look, I’m not saying Shikamaru is a bad guy. He’s my best friend and I’ll always have his back. But he’s lazy and doesn’t try. He’s comfortable in his life and doesn’t care.”

“Choji that’s a bit harsh…” This isn’t the type of conversation she wanted to be having right now.

“Sorry, it just makes me mad that he took you and dragged you down. You always look so sad. You need to surround yourself with other people.”

“It’s hard to do that when two of your friends are married and one of them is having a baby.” She sighed, “I get jealous of them and I hate getting that way. But I want to marry Shikamaru and have a family with him. But I feel like he doesn’t want any of those things anymore. I mean I know we’re young still but he’s made no mention of it at all. He said it was an emergency mission but was there really no one else who could take it?”

“He has a hard time saying no. It’s the pushover inside of him. But if you don’t want to hangout with them you can hang out with me. I’m not married or having a baby so I don’t think you’ll be jealous around me.” He smiled as she laughed. He pushed her bento box towards her, “Eat, don’t let the food go to waste.”

*

For the next two weeks Serena and Choji hung out. It felt nice to laugh again and she wasn’t complaining about it being just him and her. She didn’t like him romantically but she loved him like a brother.

“Choji I really can’t thank you enough for taking time out of your life to make me feel better. I really appreciate it more than you know.” She smiled as they sat at Ramen Ichiraku. He took her out for lunch since she brought lunch the first day.

“It’s not a problem. I’ll always be here to make you feel better,” He smiled. He felt a connection between the two of them. She made feel like no other girl had. He was always laughing and smiling when he was with her. He knew he would never treat her like how his best friend was. He would care for her and make sure she got the time she wanted with him, “Actually Serena I wanted to tell you something…”

‘Hm? What is it?” She asked smirking.

“I uh-“ He was cut off by the brown haired ponytail walking into the ramen shop. He wrapped his arms around Serena squeezing her tightly. Choji shrunk back to himself to avoid looking like a total loser.

“Hey,” Shikamaru said to his girlfriend kissing her on the cheek. She half smiled back at him, “Choji what are you doing here?”

“He’s been keeping me company.” Serena answered with a smile on her face, “He’s been a really great friend.”

It seemed odd to Shikamaru that his best friend would suddenly start hanging out with his girlfriend. He never hungout with her before this unless they were all together but now it was just the two of them? He wasn’t going to assume anything but it seemed weird.

“Thanks Choji but I’ll take it from here,” He winked at his friend before taking his love’s hand and leading her out of the shop before she could say goodbye.

A feeling of anger suddenly washed over him. He couldn’t stand Shikamaru popping in and out and saying when he would have Serena’s attention and when he wouldn’t. He would never treat her like this. He wouldn’t treat her like a toy or like something you could use for your own pleasure. She deserved better than that because she was better than that. He had to come to terms with why he was feeling this way: he was in love with her. He was in love with his best friends girlfriend.