The Way Things Are

I think that's the most reviews I've ever gotten for one chapter. O_O I'm seriously going to have to count to see how many I got. XD lol This chapter...is a little different. I hope you'll like it. Oh, and one more thing. I LOVED the reaction the last chapter pulled from you guys. XD I'm so mean.

REVIEWS REPLIES

Admiral ShadowWolf: I don't think you'll have to wait long and thank you very much for the compliments!

Drivven Labyrinth: Really? You're not going to kill me? How nice of you! Thank you and I'm glad you liked it.

SG21: Yes, I am evil. *hands you tissues* I hope these help. *pats back* I'm sure things will end up the way they're supposed to right? Ah, and I am ashamed. ^_^; hee hee I'm glad you've forgiven me. Thanks!

AngelicChaos: Eh heh heh heh...I'll take it that you didn't like it much? Um, no, I'm sure you didn't. XD lol Ah, you never know, right? ^_^;

Ino-chan: I'm getting the vibe that a lot of people can't believe that I did that. XD It is sad, I suppose. But things will work out the way they're supposed to, right?

Dying Dreams: You're not alone on that, I promise. I don't think I've ever gotten so many angry reviews before. XD lol Hope this update satisfies you. ^_^

jewel: Yes, yes, I know. I won't make any promises, but I hope you'll like the story nonetheless.

Anaheyla: Well, it wasn't me, so...I can't be poxed, right? I'm just using their devilish skills. XD And yes, I'll admit it. The torture is fun. XD

Anubis: Because it keeps you hooked for the next chapter? lol I hope you'll like the update.

Lady1Monkey: Yes, I know, I'm terrible. I'm really glad you enjoy the story though! Thank you!

Im The Dobe: Why? Because it was part of the storyline? ^_^; Ahahaha, I know, I'm mean. Hopefully your world didn't crash like Neji's. Then I'd feel really bad.

eimi-san: Oh goodness, did she really? *blushes* You must tell her that I'm glad she likes it! Cookie! *nomnomnom* ^_^ As for making you dance, nothing wrong with that. Dancing is a good, wholesome activity. :D

qwerty: Ah, you caught something important there! He didn't hear the whole thing. As for if it'll come out OK, we'll see...>:)

charmpit: There is no justice in that, even though that's not what Hinata was doing. XD

solitare1: Thank you so much. A lot of people apparently didn't see the last chapter coming so...you're not alone on that fact. XD Hopefully the story will turn out in a way that you'll like.

Word_Slave: Yes, that's what I've been told many times at this point. ^_^; Maybe this chapter will help?

Nickles: *still hiding* Ah, fearing the wrath of my readers. >_< I hope this chapter will appease you.

Timberfox: My cliffhangers must be really bad ones...I get so many comments on them. XD One can hope and pray, right?

Syake: One person who was expecting the worst, eh? Yes, I am mean and terrible. I'm sure there are many people who don't think being sad is a good thing. Hopefully it'll get better, right?

D.A. Maxwell: That's one tally mark for a person who's glad Hinata came back. Hmmm...nice twist. XD I'm glad that you liked my ninja though. She was kind of fun to make!!

sgou: You and a lot of other people are hoping that something works out for the two. No, Shikamaru isn't ambivalent, I can at least tell you that. :) To answer the rest of your questions would create spoilers and I can't do that. Sorry!

PossessedMuse: Did you really cry? Oh, I'm terribly sorry! *grabs tissues and hands them to you* It's OK. ^_^

sakuyalove: So...even if it's a bad update you won't kill me? *hides* Thanks for the review!

Anemone: Yes, I've hooked someone else! XD Ah, there it is again! Someone cursing my cliffhangers. kukukuku...

ShikaChouFan4Life: I really do give Neji a beating don't I? I'm glad you still liked them. ^_^

Lonelydove: Hmmmm...you hate stories with an angsty ending? Hmmm... XD Well, I can tell you that you should keep reading. >_>

Zenith-Kaitou: You upset she returned too? Hmmm...I'll have to keep ideas like this in mind. XD lol

Tyra: Wow, someone who wasn't screaming at me to fix the problem. XD lol I hope you'll enjoy the update.

mihoshi05: Very true. Yes, I suppose you will have to leave me alive. XD lol You won't have to wait too long if you jump to the chapter and start reading!

jess249: Ah, one can hope that something works out for Neji, right? And my woman was supposed to be creepy. XD lol

Akaatje: Thank you! I hope you'll like this update!

luxeflex: Thank you! I'm sure that everyone else is hoping for the same thing. ^_^

Lavinia: Ah, a lot of people hate her at the moment. ^_^; Another cookie!! *nomnomnom* Thanks!

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Chapter 10

“I have already informed the elders of the plan, but I’m afraid that you don’t have more than two days. I’m sorry for having this pushed on you so quickly.”

Shikamaru shrugged. “Don’t worry about it, Lord Hiashi. 2 days will be plenty of time. I will come to the meeting.”

“I’m sure that his answer will be one that is most pleasing,” Yoshino smiled, a somewhat evil glint in her eye.

Yeah, if I pick who you want me to, Shikamaru thought with a roll of his eyes.

“And good for the both of our clans,” Shikaku stated, sending a look towards his wife.

“Do not feel pressured, Nara Shikamaru,” Hiashi stated. “Although, I must ask that you do not see either Hinata or Neji during the time that you decide.”

Shikamaru frowned. “Why not?”

Hiashi sighed. “It’s simply how the elders would prefer things to be done. I’m very sorry.”

Shikamaru shook his head. “You don’t need to apologize.”

“If there’s nothing else, I need to be leaving,” Hiashi said, getting to his feet. “Again, I’m very sorry and I know that you’ll choose whoever is best.” With a polite bow to the family, the Hyuuga Lord allowed Shikaku to lead him towards the door.

“You will pick Hinata,” Yoshino ordered. “There’s no question.”

Shikamaru frowned. “Mom, I’ll pick who I damn well think is best.”

“Don’t take that tone with me, Shikamaru,” Yoshino growled. “As polite and wonderful a young man as Neji is, he can’t give you children and can’t continue on your father’s line.”

“Dad has brothers,” Shikamaru argued. “And I told you that I could adopt.”

Yoshino frowned. “That’s not the point.”

Shikamaru sighed. “Yeah I know. You just don’t like the idea of me marrying another male.”

Yoshino flushed. “I never said that!”

“Yoshino, enough.” Shikaku stared at his wife with a cold hard stare. “This is Shikamaru’s decision, not ours.”

“But-“

“No buts,” Shikaku growled. Shikamaru’s eyes widened a bit. It was rare that his father got irritated. “It was your decision to force him into one of these arranged marriages. The least we can do is let him pick his spouse.”

Yoshino wisely shut her mouth, even if it twisted into a frown. Shikaku turned to Shikamaru and nodded, knowing his son would catch what he meant by the simple action. Shikamaru sighed and stood up, putting his hands into his pockets and walking out of the living room, ignoring the angry looks from his mother. He made his way to the back door and started to walk into the forest, eyes staring at the cloudy sky above him.

Sitting down on the hill that he so loved to go to, he stared out over Konoha, the wind brushing past his skin. His mind had already calculated the reasons why each person would be a good spouse, but he quickly decided that something like this shouldn’t be decided on fact alone. No, he needed to gather information for not only his own sake but for the others. After all, it wasn’t just his life he was affecting. Sighing he laid back into the grass and closed his eyes. Well…he had two days…

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“Hey, is Shino here?” Shikamaru asked, lazily

Aburame Shibi shook his head. “He went out to the forests to train with Kiba.”

Shikamaru sighed and nodded his thanks as he started to make his way to the forest, hoping it wouldn’t take too long to locate Shino. The first day had already gone by and Shikamaru wasn’t feeling pressed for time, but the sooner he got done with this, the sooner he would get to relax. He only had today after all. Tomorrow morning was when he’d have to meet with the Hyuugas. Sighing, he walked slowly through the trees, his eyes gazing at his surroundings as he went.

It didn’t take him long to find the pair in the forest. Leaning up against a tree, Shikamaru simply watched them lazily as the two seemed to be relieving their stress as they fought. Kiba finally told Shino to stop and looked over in the Nara’s direction, panting heavily. Shino did the same, but his body tensed as his eyes rested upon the other. Shikamaru sighed. He could almost feel the anger and hate coming his way from the Aburame.

“What do you want?” Kiba barked, narrowing his eyes.

“I’m searching for information,” Shikamaru said, blinking slowly.

“About what?” Shino asked quietly.

“Hinata,” Shikamaru stated simply.

When the chakra of the two shinobi’s changed drastically, Shikamaru grumbled and shook his head. They were acting like they wanted to kill him. “Not like that. Just want some questions answered.”

Kiba calmed down quite a bit while Shino only looked away. “I don’t know what information we could possibly have that would help you.”

Shikamaru smirked. “I think you can answer them. I’m really just gathering information before I make a decision.”

“Decision?” Kiba growled. “About what?”

A heavy sigh left the Nara’s lips as he walked out into the clearing and sat down by a tree. “Hiashi’s told me that I get to pick out of the two eligible Hyuugas, but I have to make a decision by tomorrow.”

“You mean…”

“Yes, Kiba,” Shikamaru nodded. “I could pick Neji or Hinata, depending on the information I get.”

“What is it that you want to know?” Shino asked, turning his covered eyes back to the Nara.

“What would you do to keep her, Shino?” Shikamaru asked.

Kiba’s jaw dropped, while the Aburame simply stared. “You…you know?”

Shikamaru smirked. “I’ve known for a long time now. Actually, I guess you could say that I knew it was going to happen.” Too easy. It was all too easy to either scare people or make them admire him with how much he could possibly know. “So, what’s the answer?”

Shino looked at him for a moment before he turned his gaze to the ground. “Anything…”

“Even kill me and then go rogue?” Shikamaru asked, keeping his expression bored.

Kiba started sputtering. “What the hell?”

“If it came to that, yes,” Shino answered slowly, his voice low.

Shikamaru grinned. Not surprised. How much more did I get right? At least the Aburame was honest. He liked that. “And you no doubt would help him, wouldn’t you Kiba?”

“Dude, that mind of yours is freaky,” Kiba said shaking his head. “It’s as if you know what we’re going to do before we do it.”

Shikamaru smirked. “To a degree, all people act the same way when a certain situation is placed before them. It gets easy to read people after a while. It’s nice to know that you wanted to kill me though.”

Kiba flushed. “I didn’t mean it like that, man.”

Shikamaru shook his head. “Relax. One last question. Why did Hinata come back?”

Both shinobi paused before Shino let out a heavy sigh. “She realized that the duty would fall on Neji if she stayed away and despite her feelings for me didn’t want her cousin to have to be forced to marry, especially after all the things that have been forced upon him as a Branch member.”

“Pretty noble of her,” Shikamaru said, getting to his feet and brushing the dirt off of his pants. As I expected too. “I suppose that’ll do for now.”

“Who are you going to pick?” Kiba asked, staring at the Nara’s back as he began to walk away.

Shikamaru shrugged nonchalantly. “Don’t know. I’m not done gathering information. You’ll find out along with everyone else.” He knew they were glaring at him. He didn’t have to turn around to see it. He smirked as he made his way out of the forest and back into Konoha. Now that that was done, there was one more person to talk with. Only problem was finding Rock Lee. The green-clad shinobi could be found just about anywhere.

Fortunately, the Nara didn’t have to search long and he found that Lee was worriedly pacing back and forth in his apartment. Shikamaru merely raised an eyebrow when Gaara opened the door and sighed heavily.

“He’s been like that for a day now,” Gaara explained. “I can barely even get him to sit down.”

Shikamaru walked up to the taijutsu master and hit him against the back of the head. “Lee.”

Gaara’s eyes narrowed, but the sand remained still. Lee, on the other hand, jumped and moved to attack before he realized where he was and who was in front of him. “Oh, Shikamaru! When did you get here?”

“Just barely,” the Nara said with a bored expression. “What’s up with you?”

Lee frowned. “I’m worried. About Neji.”

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at that. Something new… “What’s wrong with Neji?”

“That’s exactly it!” Lee said, biting his lower lip. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since he found out that Hinata had come home.”

The second brow joined the first. “What do you mean?”

Lee sat down and let a heavy sigh escape his lips. “He refuses to come out of his room. And he’s not eating very much. I asked Hiashi if he knew what was wrong, but he didn’t know. He merely shook his head and sighed. Y-You haven’t seen him?”

“I’m not allowed to,” Shikamaru stated, his eyes showing his concern.

Lee frowned as Gaara made his way over and sat down next to him, placing a hand on Lee’s shoulder. “Not allowed to?”

Shikamaru sighed. I have to explain it…again. “Hiashi’s told me that I have a choice, between Neji and Hinata. I have to decide by tomorrow.”

Lee’s eyes widened. “Pick Neji.”

Both of his companions were shocked at the statement. Lee would never give anything more than a suggestion. He never outright told someone what to do.

Shikamaru simply stared at the other before he let out a sigh. “What makes you think I should pick Neji?”

Lee lowered his eyes to the floor and relaxed slightly. “Neji…has been much happier these days. Not many people have seen the difference, but I have. I think it’s because of you really. I don’t know, but…he just seemed happier whenever you were around, no matter how much you teased him.”

This is new, Shikamaru thought. I wonder what else he could tell me. “Could you give me an example?”

“Do you remember when we were all at the dango shop? When Ino said that Neji had a stick up his ass?”

How could I forget? Shikamaru grumbled to himself. He nodded in response to Lee’s questioning.

“When he realized that you were there,” Lee said quietly, “I could have sworn that…he looked like he was about to smile, but stopped himself. Other than that, he just seemed to be…happier. I don’t even know how to explain it.”

“Hmmm,” Shikamaru hummed. “Well, I guess you’ve answered any questions I had, Lee. Thanks.”

Lee jumped up from his spot as Shikamaru made his way to the other’s door. “Who are you going to pick?”

Is everyone going to ask me that today? “Not sure yet. You’ll find out when everyone else does. In the meantime, why don’t you pay attention to your boyfriend? He looks like a neglected puppy.”

Making his way down the stairs, Shikamaru decided it was a good time to go find a quiet spot. He jumped from rooftop to rooftop till he came to the large wall surrounding the city. Ignoring the odd looks he got, he sat down on the edge of the wall, simply staring out over the trees of Konoha’s grand forest. Well, now that he had gotten everyone’s input he could-

“Shikamaru!”

The Nara closed his eyes and held back the urge to groan. Well, almost everyone’s it seemed. Lazily, he looked over at the approaching pair. How Ino and Chouji had found him so quickly, he wouldn’t really know, but he cared even less. He gave them a lazy wave before the pair joined him, Ino stealing glances at him every now at then. Sighing, he waited for the questions to start right about-

“So, who are you going to pick?”

-now. The Nara sighed. Word got around fast sometimes. “To impatient to wait like everyone else?”

Ino shook her head. “Exactly. I need to know.”

“Need and want are two entirely different things, Ino,” Shikamaru said, leaning back on his arms.

Ino literally bounced in place. “Oh come on! I’m an old friend! You have to tell me!”

Shikamaru smirked. “I don’t have to do anything.”

“At least tell me if you’ve picked either one of them!” Ino whined.

Shikamaru looked over at the blonde before his smirked widened. “OK, I have.”

Ino squealed. “Oh, now you have to tell me!”

Chouji chuckled. “Ino, he already said that he wasn’t going to.”

“But…oh come on! I mean, its obvious how Neji feels for him-“

Shikamaru blinked. Wait, what?

“- and how Hinata feels about Shino, but that doesn’t mean Shikamaru will be nice.”

Shikamaru blinked again. How Neji feels for me? What the hell? “Ino, what are you talking about?”

“Oh come on, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed,” Ino snickered. “Well, if you want that information, you’ll have to buy it from me.”

“As in share information?” Shikamaru asked. Damn troublesome woman.

Ino giggled. “Exactly.”

“Alright,” Shikamaru smiled. “You tell me everything I want to know and I’ll let you know who I’ve picked.”

Ino’s eyes widened. “Really?”

Shikamaru nodded and watched as Chouji let out a heavy sigh. Old habits died hard.

Ino immediately began to tell him how Neji would stare at him all the time and get a light blush on his cheeks. Shikamaru listened to each bit of information as Ino went on. His mind wandered even as his gaze stayed on the blonde. So Neji had feelings for him? It would make sense of Neji’s odd behavior over the past few days from what Lee had told him. But why hadn’t the Hyuuga made any effort to express that? Or was it because he was afraid of rejection?

“So, who have you picked?” Ino said, biting her bottom lip in excitement. “Time to keep up your end of the deal!”

Shikamaru smirked. “Alright. I’ll tell you. I’ve picked the person who’s best suited to living with me.” With that as his answer, he jumped up and started back towards his house, ignoring the angry squawk bellowing from Ino’s lips, followed by an amused chuckled from the Akimichi.

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“Ah, Shikamaru, we’re so very glad you’re here on time. Are you ready to meet with the elders?”

Shikamaru nodded. “I am.”

“Have you decided then?”

The Nara smirked. “Yes, I’ve decided.”
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O_O Who will Shikamaru pick!? And who liked the change of view? Eh? How many of you still want to kill me for keeping you waiting?...Thaaaaat's what I thought. *goes into hiding again*

Reviews are wonderful!