Shikamaru Nara

                                    

                                          
TITLE; genius doesn't mean you're immune to me!
                          
--
                          
Ever since you could remember, you were always playing shogi with Shikamaru. 
                          
It was kinda your guys' thing, and every single time you two played he always won. It was just going through the motions for him, but for you it was a whole battle for the crown. He always won, and each time you would play you would try your hardest to win. This was something that had been going on for years; every time you two would make eye contact it meant that a new match was going to start. It was always like this.
                          
Yes, you were a bit serious on the outside and liked to act much more mature than all of your other comrades, but something about seeing Shikamaru made a childish fire light up in your soul and suddenly you were challenging him again. It must have been something about the first time that you two played; him winning and laughing in your face about it. Yeah, probably that, but somehow that image stayed engrained and you just kept going at it until you could laugh in his face.
                          
 All you knew was that you would beat him one day and that it would be the most satisfying feeling in the world and it was going to happen today. Yes, it would be today because you had found out one of his weaknesses from a certain "big-boned" friend.
                          
"Shikamaru," he looked over to you; walking along with Choji who suddenly froze in fear. He knew what he did, and what was about to go down would all be his fault for being so easily persuaded by the promise of barbecue pork, "I challenge you to another shogi match, if you don't mind."
                          
"(f/n), why now? We're heading over to the Hokage's office to report on our mission, can't you just wait until we come back?" Choji kept on munching nervously, trying to get you to let this go so he would buy time for a plan. He knew that if Shikamaru found out what he told her that he would go crazy on him and shun him like the last time.
                          
That one was tough; he let out that Shika thought that Sakura was the most terrifying woman in Konoha and she would have a tough time finding a husband, better yet a boyfriend. That was really scary because Sakura beat them both to a pulp and Shikamaru didn't talk to him for a week. He just hoped that Shika would go easy on him once the truth got out, and that he would forgive him earlier that a month. That was ideal, but there was definitely no promises since he already seemed a little suspicious as to why he was making excuses to get out of there.
                          
"It's okay Choji, it won't take too long to beat her," he had a light tint of pink on his cheeks, looking over to you with a smirk, "she'll just lose like every other time, isn't that right short stuff?"
                          
It had been a while since he used that nickname on you, catching you off guard and making you nervous all of a sudden. No, now wasn't the time to get nervous, this was gonna be your day! So, quickly gaining your composure again, you shake your head no and stand a little straighter. He wasn't gonna take you down again with those little mind games he liked to play. This time you would have the upper hand, even if it meant putting your own weakness up for him.
                          
"You wouldn't have to give such a big talk if you were actually confident. I'll show you that just because you're a genius doesn't mean you can beat me!" He couldn't help the smile that came to his face at your comment, you were just too darn cute. Always pushing to beat him; it was like Naruto's willpower, but more refined, matured, and in a really pretty girl. He had no doubt in his mind that one day you would beat him, but if he gave each match all he had he could keep you around him for longer.
                          
"Alright then, let's see what you got shorty," he walked up to you, trying to intimidate you with his height. It was true, he was definitely quite the tall one compared to you, but it didn't mean you wouldn't pack a punch, "Choji, you go on ahead and report to Lady Tsunade while I take care of business here."
                          
"O-Okay, I'll go right now!" Any chance he had to be free of the wrath of Shikamaru right now was a blessing. It was better this way, so then he didn't have to worry about anything physical happening to him yet. He just hoped you wouldn't do anything to cruel.
                          
--
                          
"Your move next," you could feel a sweat drop come down your head, he was winning so far and it looked like your Plan A wasn't going too well. You knew that this was a good tactic when it came to the specific attack that Shikamaru always used, but he seemed to catch on and switch things up. He hadn't even done that adorable hand thing he does when he needs to think, so it wasn't much of a tactic to begin with. This was tough.
                          
Even with this sudden obstacle, you weren't gonna let yourself fail just yet. You still had weapons in your arsenal, and as long as you used them with specific thought you would get to him. Time for Plan B.
                          
"Haha! There's my move," he looked a little confused at what you just did; he never thought you would take such a risk all of a sudden, "now, what are you gonna do Dummy-Maru!"
                          
Finally, he was closing his eyes and thinking. Oh yes, this was going just as you wanted it to. Choji was of good use, and your Plan C was ready just in case Shikamaru wasn't stopped by this. He was still sitting there with his eyes closed, all flustered and deep in thought as you just watched him go. As much as you may "hate" him, you really admired his mind and the way he quickly thought up an idea with different steps just in case it went wrong.
                          
Looks like he finally thought something up, not good. You might have to use Plan C. He moved his piece with a grin on his face, feeling as though this battle had been won. Well, it's time for an all or nothing move; desperate times call for desperate measures!
                          
"Shikamaru, quick! Behind you!" He pulled out a kunai, ready to attack whoever decided to take you both by surprise. They would pay. Well, that's what he thought until he turned around to see no one there. Strange, why would you do something like that? Right as he's about to turn back and ask you he sees you come at him. It was like time slowed as he watched you cup his cheeks and press your lips to his.
                          
The soft touch of your lips entranced him instantly as you now leaned in more to his sitting body. Your hands were so warm and gentle on his face as though you were trying to make him comfortable. This may have been a surprise, but you were definitely invited to kiss him any day. His arms wrapped around your smaller body, now returning the kiss with a smile present on his lips. Looks like all that shogi proved to be worth while.
                          
As both your lips now separated, he held your face too; the blushes of you both were undeniably there and were definitely not gonna be easy to hide. Except, one of your hands wasn't on his face anymore.
                          
"Heh, you let your guard down Shikamaru and it looks like I won this shogi game," he looked down at the board to see that you had changed up the pieces so that you won, "see, genius doesn't mean you can't be persuaded by emotions. Yeah, I may have put my own emotions on the line, but anything to beat you!"
                          
Wait, wait, wait, were you just kissing him to win? That was a cruel joke to play on him, even for you. Almost as though reading his mind, you start talking again.
                          
"Don't get too disappointed Maru, I'm not cruel enough to just toy with your feelings like that and make you believe things. I do really like you, so in kissing you I knew I was risking losing you. It's okay though, because I'm okay with whatever comes of this. I like you Shika--"
                          
Instantly, almost as though he was waiting to hear those words, he pulled you in for another kiss. This time he was the one who held you tight, and was never gonna let you go.
                          
'Oh jeez, she was the one who kissed me first. Now I'm gonna get teased by her about that and the fact that I technically lost to her at shogi, what a drag. 
                          
even so, the only outcome I can see of it is her and I getting closer, so the whole thing is perfect. Oh so perfect.'