Troublesome holidays

Troublesome holidays

By protogirl

If I owned naruto then I WOULD update more.

Oi…rarely see this pairing and I dunno why! >_< still it’s an odd crack pairing that I grew to like as of late, (like Lee and Shino! XD ) and since Shikamaru is usually paired with Kiba, (*rubs head in confusion*) Naruto or even…Neji and Sasuke…so why not someone like Rock Lee? The have as much interaction as Sasuke and Shika did!

Anyway besides that rant, there needs to be more Rock lee fics; happy related birthday Rock lee! We love ya ^_^ So enjoy!


Shikamaru sighed; he hated the holidays.

His teammates, along with half of Konoha were having a Christmas party. Spiked eggnog, mistletoe, gift giving, and insanity were everywhere.

The genius spent the last two hours avoiding the more daring people, who were kissing everyone within an inch and drunk off their asses. So he wasn’t surprised to see I-no and Sakura singing carols off key with Chouji; the blond practically on the medic nin’s lap.

Most of the senseis were talking quietly; the ones that were passed out were Kakashi, Genma, Gai, and Ibiki; apparently, someone thought it would be a good idea to see who can out drink the other pair.

“How troublesome…” Once Sakura started singing “jingle bells” for the fourth time with different lyrics, it was time to go. Putting on his coat and a fuzzy green scarf, Shikamaru went outside for some air.

“Man this whole night was just a drag.” He puffed and smiled at the corner of his mouth; the cool air felt like a caress from the hot, tepid, alcohol smelling party.

“I know; it is such an un-youthful event.” Shika peered at the voice; Rock Lee was sitting on the steps, catching flakes with his green mittens; for once those legwarmers came in handy.

“I thought you would be inside enjoying the festivities with a little drinky or something?”

“No; I can not drink, my tolerance for alcohol is extremely low and I turn unpredictable.”

“I see…”

Shikamaru sat down with a grunt. “Such a youthful night is it not?!” Lee smiled and kicked his feet.

Shimmer stared into the purple night; snow lightly hitting his head like spring rain. It made Konoha look like a wonderland, not a battle ground.

“Yes it is.”

“Gai-sensei almost won the contest! If only Kakashi didn’t suffer from illness!” Shikamaru blinked at the non sequitur.

“Yeah that was pretty funny.” Seeing Ibiki sing “Ymca” and Iruka trying to make out with both Gai and Kakashi was one for the ages.

“So many things have changed Shikamaru-kun…Gai-sensei cannot handle his drink like he used to.”

The genius pulled at his chunnin collar poking out from his coat. He was how old? Six-teen? With missions and training he didn’t know anymore; too troublesome.

“Gai-sensei seems more depressed than usual with Orochimaru and the Akatasuki on the constant move along with his other duties; even Kakashi-sensei looks old for his age.” Sometimes Lee wished he didn’t become a jounin, then he would be with his mentor more.

“It’s the life of a ninja.” Shikamaru bowed his head; this was the first break they had in a while, so it was expected for people to loose their worries.

He bit his lip; ninjas were still human in a way though, so it wouldn’t hurt to have some comfort; someone to go home with and keep you warm, someone to make you keep your humanity.

There was silence for a while; only Lee’s feet echoing in the night.
“Come on Sakura-chan!” A slurred voice rang out, and I-no and Sakura came tumbling soon after; entangled and into a deep kiss.

To say Shikamaru was shocked was an understatement.

The two girls were groping each other; I-no’s coat and half of her purple outfit were to her shoulders, showing that she wore nothing under her netting.

“Man, get a room.” The genius sighed and turned to Lee, who ran back into the apartment. “Hmm…I wonder what’s up with him?”


~~~~~~~~~

“Hey Lee could you get Gai home?” Iruka winced; he was still buzzed but able to function now.

“What about Kakashi-sensei?” Lee wiped tears from his eyes and focused; he was a jounin and had responsibilities.

“I’ll take him; he is going to be hung over from hell.” Iruka tusked and nudged Gai with his foot.

Lee heaved his sensei on one should and trudged out.

“Hey Lee!” Naruto was grinning broadly with a giddy Hinata on one arm and a too happy Neji on the other. “Need any help?”

Lee raised an eyebrow “No it’s ok Naruto-kun!” He put up a fake smiled; he was still in pain from seeing his love kiss someone else.

“Alright then! Believe it!” He laughed hysterically and both Hyuugas seemed to find it funny as well.

Sighing and going through snow, Lee was glad that he had boots instead of sandals. ‘Why do people weight more when they are drunk?’

“Need help?” Lee blinked at a bored looking Shikamaru.

“I thought you went home?”

“Naruto caught me before I could get away,” He sighed and grabbed Gai’s free arm. “Bugged me with those Hyuuga people; Neji is…weird when he is drunk.”

Both men walked in silence; Lee spending his time watching couples from the party as well as other jounin joining together.

“Shikamaru-kun?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you ever wonder about love?”

“What?” He almost dropped Gai then and there.

“…nothing.” Lee blushed and turned away.

Shikamaru sighed. “Not really; women are too troublesome.” He remembered Temari and I-no and shivered. “I haven’t really considered anyone else yet…” Honesty besides women, who else was there?
Once Lee’s home came into view, the jounin fished out his keys and opened the door.

“Yosh!” They unceremoniously threw the sensei on the couch and Lee went to the kitchen; he knew his teacher would be hung over and prepared some “youthful” tonic. Lee learned a lot of things from Sakura, Hinata, and various medical nins; since battles can be taxing and it’s always good to learn extra things.

Bored, Shikamaru studied Lee’s apartment; it was plain, but had little nooks such as pictures from the Chuunin exams, the hospital staff, and his teammates.

One thing in particular caught his attention though. On a green wall there was many different weapons and various ornaments; such as a Chinese dragon head and lanterns.

‘Lee can use a three staffed bow? I guess you learn something new each day.”

“Thank you Shikamaru-kun!” Lee bowed and smiled brightly.

“It’s nothing…” He wasn’t prepared for the massive hug the other teen gave him and almost fell over; despite him getting a growth spurt, Lee was still taller than him.

“I am sorry about my sensei’s behavior,” the taijitsu-master rubbed the back of his bowel cut. “As a service, may I escort you home?”

Shika yawned; he wanted a long sleep. “Could I crash here? It’s late and I don’t feel like going back.” Something told him not to stay over and that it was too lazy, but he ignored it.

“Sure! It will be a youthful stay!” Lee whooped and got the extra bed together.

Shikamaru wished that he wasn’t lazy…sometimes.