Back again with another ShikaSaku story. It's an AU and was pretty fun to push out so I hope you all enjoy it!

As always I don't own Naruto.

"Tell me again Ino why you're dragging me to this thing." Sakura sighed as she pinned back her bangs leaving the rest of her hair down. Ino clucked her tongue at her choice but let her be nonetheless, having long ago learned that Sakura wasn't one for all the extra effort when simple tricks did the job just fine. Ino didn't understand it, believing the pinkette could learn to pamper herself more often, the thought always fell on deaf ears however.

"We're going because you need to get out and meet new people. Live for once you hermit." Ino insisted as she strapped on her heel. Sakura stood in front of her mirror with a frown directed towards the blonde behind her. She was happy with her life, what was the need to add in extra drama and hassle that came with making new friends? Shaking her head Sakura knew she would indulge in the blonde's wishes if only to save her from future nagging. Sometimes complying with Ino was indeed the easier road to travel.

Quickly slipping on her maroon Vans she gave herself one last check in the mirror. Black skinnies, red plaid button up with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows and the top few buttons undone showing her black undershirt, completed with her Vans and a dash of eyeliner and mascara. Nothing too special, but it showed some effort on her part to not look like a total bum. Besides it was comfortable, and comfort was key in her mind; and if she was being honest she wasn't out to impress anyone much to Ino's dismay.

"This is the best we're gonna get, so let's go." Ino insisted making her way out of Sakura's apartment knowing the pink haired woman would follow. Thankfully their destination wasn't far, a few blocks away really, which was a perk of campus housing. The downside, Sakura knew she was heading into Frat territory, Ino's boyfriend was a member of some type of fraternity -Sakura didn't care enough to know which one- and they were throwing a party tonight. Just my luck, Sakura thought to herself on the walk there. It would likely be a full house, filled with her drunken peers she'd really prefer not to socialize with.

While Sakura may not have had a choice on whether or not she had to attend, she knew she could figure out a way to avoid the crowd without Ino noticing too much. It was just a matter of getting Ino distracted with her boyfriend to remember to pay attention to her, which wasn't a hard thing to accomplish at all. As if to remind her what her night was going to entail, the bass of the music playing hit her ears growing louder and louder with each step they took. Ino's excitement was radiating off her and soon she became too impatient at the pace they were taking and grabbed Sakura's wrist urging her to keep up and move faster.

The night was young so there wasn't a huge crowd when they made their way up the front steps. Paying their dues they received their cups and weaved their way to the kitchen to grab their first drink. This was the part Sakura could enjoy, a little buzz to ease her stress and soften up her rough edges it caused.

"So where's this man of yours?" Sakura asked over the music, trying to recall what he even looked like. It wasn't that they haven't met before but it was always in passing, Ino had yet to spare enough time for them to get a proper feel of the other. Then again, the relationship was new and Ino was still in that giddy phase where she wanted him all to herself for as long as possible.

"I just let him know we're here, he should be making his way over now." Ino replied back loudly before she took a sip of her drink. Sakura followed suit, her eyes scanning the crowd for any potential familiarity with anyone else. She knew right when Ino's boyfriend came into view as her best friend lit up and began waving their position frantically. A tall bulky male made his way over, his friendly face garnering recognition from Sakura. Ah that's right, this one's actually a sweetheart which is why I never got on Ino's case about not properly meeting him. Sakura thought to herself smiling at the couple as they embraced like its been days since they last saw each other.

"Good to see you again Sakura!" He greeted after the two finally broke apart. Ino was still hanging on his arm and glaring at her as if to say 'you better remember his name and be nice or I'll kill you'. Sakura wanted to roll her eyes at her friend but nodded at him instead.

"You too Choji, we really need to hang out more often." Sakura responded and she sincerely meant it despite her aversion to socializing. It wasn't that she didn't like to, it's just that she rarely found people who were worth the effort of it. He agreed enthusiastically and the two half hugged before Ino dragged him off to dance declaring she absolutely loved this song. That left Sakura to enact her plan and find a spot that would leave her to face the least amount of interactions possible. So she began exploring, making her way up the steps and likely to the rooms of the frat members.

One of these rooms have to be decent enough and empty so I can relax before I need another drink, Sakura thought as she opened the first door. The room seemed clean enough but it reeked of an odor Sakura knew would cling to her if she stayed in there any more than a few minutes. Crinkling her nose she tried the next one and sighed as it was just a bathroom. Making her way to the next door, she noticed a door at the end of the hall that was slightly cracked open with the light on. Curiosity getting the best of her she made her way down and peeked her head through the crack. She wasn't sure why she was surprised to see someone alone in there but she was; Sakura thought all members of the frat would be downstairs entertaining their guests and was that really what she thought it was...?

"Isn't that game better suited to play with a partner and a quiet environment?" Sakura questioned slapping her hand over her mouth as she realized what she just did. The male in the room looked up from his game to stare at her curiously but made no move to get up from his perch on the floor by his game board.

"Do me a favor, close the door on your way in." He instructed as he turned back to the board and moved a piece. Sakura stared puzzled but felt herself complying anyway, as she enclosed herself in this strange males room. Standing awkwardly by the door she glanced around his room nervously looking anywhere but at him. What she saw began to catch her interest, his room was a lot like her own and that was comforting. Different memorabilia littered his walls and shelves from movies, tv shows, and anime.

"Woah where'd you get this Doctor Who picture!" Sakura gushed as she examined it more closely. It was more of a wooden plaque of a vintage looking cover of the Tardis flying through space that included a little light that blinked when you pushed it. She was so in awe she never felt him appear behind her until she heard him chuckle.

"You don't look like a Doctor Who fan." He teased and she couldn't help but huff and roll her eyes. Sakura assessed him for the first time since she entered his room taking note of his tall form. Dark brown hair tied back into a spikey ponytail, with the eyes to match and a lazy smirk dangling on his lips. She couldn't help but catch his eyes appraising her as well and so Sakura took another sip of her drink before she continued to explore his room. He didn't stop her but she couldn't shake off the feel of his eyes on her back.

"Weren't you playing yourself in a game or something?" Sakura asked haughtily as she perused through his books and games. The guy had great taste she could admit, not what she had expected to find at this party at all. Then again she honestly hadn't been looking for anything interesting to begin with, just a few drinks and some solitude.

"I was, however it's a bit hard to concentrate with a strange girl digging through my stuff." He replied smirking at her when she turned to stick her tongue out at him.

"You didn't seem to be having any trouble with all the noise and distraction going on downstairs. Which how you could possibly concentrate on Shogi strategies with this party going on is beyond me." She told him as she flipped through one of the books the had piqued her interest.

"You know how to play Shogi?" He asked her, his eyebrow raised curiously at the pinkette before him. Not many people his age knew what the game was, let alone the skill and strategy it took to play.

"Wasn't it sort of implied when I first questioned you? Keep up man." Sakura teased as she downed the rest of her beverage.

"Apologies, I was more concerned about having no more interruptions than focusing on your question." He shrugged watching her carefully. "Although most people who come to these parties don't bother to come down this far unless they need a room for a hookup and once they see me they leave rather quickly."

"Ah what can I say, my geek senses were tingling and drew me in." She laughed motioning to his room. He chuckled with her shaking his head at her antics. He couldn't remember the last time someone actually caught his interest like this, and just like she appeared, she began to make her way out the door.

"Your move." Sakura told him as she shut the door behind her. He thought she meant he should follow after her, which he wouldn't. The moment he stepped foot into the party he wouldn't be able to escape, his friends would drag him around and try shoving random girls at him demanding he get out and get laid before he really became the old man he acted like. As interesting as she was, she wasn't worth that torture and he never even got her name.

It wasn't until he returned to his game that he realized she had moved a piece effectively blowing apart the strategy he had been building. He turned his gaze back to his door and wondered again just who she was and how it was she was causing him to break all his rules he laid out for himself when his frat held parties.

x

"Sakura! Where have you been?" Ino questioned the minute the pinkette found her way back to the kitchen. She was sure that her friend believed she had left the second she was left alone. Refilling her cup she looked to Ino and shrugged.

"Around, I was meeting new people." Sakura told her, it wasn't a total lie this time either. She had met someone new although she realized now she never even learned his name.

"You going out of your way to make friends? I doubt that." Ino scoffed and began her usual nagging speech that Sakura had learned to tune out. She thought about the guy she just met and wondered if he would mind if she popped back up to the peace that was his room. Sakura wasn't sure if he understood her parting words, hoped he realized she wasn't just hitting on him like any other girl at this party likely would. If he didn't, well that would be awkward.

"Sakura are you even listening to me?" Ino sighed seeing that the only thing she accomplished was breaking her pinkette friend out of her trance.

"I understand your concern Ino, I really wasn't lying this time though." Sakura reassured her best friend as she topped off her drink again. Who knew one drank so much while they absentmindedly thought about something?

"Oh then what are their names?" Ino pressed and Sakura scratched the back of her head embarrassed. She really should've asked before she so rudely looked through his stuff. "Surprise surprise, you don't know."

Sakura opened her mouth to defend herself when she spotted the man in question standing next to Choji and motioning in her direction. Was he asking Choji about her or Ino? And just like that the two were coming towards them. Once they reached the two girls, Ino flitted over to Choji's side complaining about how much of a liar Sakura was when Ino was only worried about her friend. Sakura couldn't help but sigh and pinch the bridge of her nose at how loud and obvious Ino was being, perhaps she was closer to drunk than Sakura first suspected.

"Ah so that explains how you found yourself in my room, you were hiding." Her new companion chuckled at her, his eyes dancing with amusement. Sakura desperately wished she could smack her best friend for making her sound so pathetic.

"Perhaps." Sakura huffed crossing her arms over her chest and turning away from the group. She could just feel the guy's smirk grow at her actions and she really didn't enjoy his amusement on her behalf.

"Nice move by the way." He said softly in her ear causing her to jump. When on earth had he gotten that close? She turned to face him, not one to back down and allow herself to be teased so easily.

"It looked like you needed some help with your failing strategy, I was happy to oblige." Sakura shot back watching as he shook his head still amused by her.

"Bold words for someone who only made one move in the game."

"I only needed one move to send your game play to ruins. I guess the noise really did distract you more than you let on."

"Are you challenging me?" He questioned looking to her shocked. It was Sakura's turn to move in as she stepped closer reaching up to pat his cheek gently.

"If that's the best you got it won't be a challenge at all." Sakura retorted cockily, laughing as he narrowed his eyes at her and motioned for her to follow him. Meanwhile Choji and Ino were watching the exchange with a surprised interest.

"Was that really Shikamaru or did I just imagine the whole thing?" Ino questioned in disbelief, Choji could only nod his head utterly speechless and confused. His introverted friend rarely -no scratch that- he never bothered with the parties their frat threw or went to unless he was dragged out against his will. Something about them being too troublesome for him. And Shikamaru had never come out to find a girl of all people.

x

That was how Sakura found herself once again alone in the room of the intriguing new male she had encountered. This time however there was no hesitation as she sat across from him, his Shogi board in the middle. Examining the pieces in front of her she saw he did in fact counter her and it was now her turn. He was trying to recover, to work through his strategy still despite her disruption.

"So do you have a name, or do you always like to remain a stranger when you take girls to your room?" Sakura questioned feeling herself become bolder as the alcohol began to buzz through her, settling her previous anxiety at coming to the party. He barked out a quick laugh and she finally decided on a move.

"It's Shikamaru, care to share yours or do you always like to anonymously rummage through a strangers things and interfere in games you were never apart of?" He shot back his eyes focused solely on the game in front of him now. She couldn't help but smile as watched him, her mind fitting his face with the name he just gave her.

"Sakura, and for the record this isn't a normal thing for me." She replied and he looked up from the game to lock eyes with her. He was curious that much she could tell, and he was trying to gauge who she was, although he seemed unable to grasp anything concrete. It seemed to frustrate and interest him more all at once, and Sakura had to hold back her mirth. However, the buzz was getting to her and she couldn't keep in her giggles.

"You're kinda cute with that frustrated thoughtful expression." Sakura admitted feeling giddy as they played on. Shikamaru looked up from the board shocked beyond belief, out of all the things he could have imagined the sassy pinkette before him would say, that wasn't even an option. He couldn't get a grip on her, it was clear she wasn't like the females he normally had to interact with. And then she snapped him out of his train of thought once again with one simple word:

"Check."

Shikamaru's brow furrowed as he re-examined the game board in front of him. When had he lost so much focus on the game? And as he tried to evaluate his game play, trying to give himself a way out he realized Sakura had vanished. He was about to get up and check for her when he heard his door open.

"Did you finally make your move? You took so long I got a refill." She informed while she offered him a cup as well. He took it with a nod and set it beside him without even taking a sip, it made her frown but he was too focused on the game in front of them. Sakura took a drink and barely glanced at the board as she made her next move.

"Check." Sakura announced again and Shikamaru sighed, this girl was near drunk and kicking his ass at a game he prided himself in. He had no words, and if anyone knew his friends would never let him live it down. He tried to gain ground and promote his pieces all the while protecting his king but Sakura was ever vigilant, adding roadblocks every step of the way. It was a losing battle and he wasn't ready to admit it.

"And that's checkmate." Sakura announced popping up to her feet with more grace than she thought she had in her at the moment. She smiled down at Shikamaru and offered a hand to help him up which he took after a bit of hesitation.

"I can't remember the last time someone beat me, and you're intoxicated no less." Shikamaru mentioned, his words made Sakura light up. Growing bold she grabbed Shikamaru's hand again.

"Will you do me a favor?" Sakura asked as she looked at him so eagerly he couldn't find it in him to refuse her. Besides how bad could it really be?

"Depends." He settled with, Sakura wasn't deterred in the slightest.

"Walk me home?" She asked and he shrugged. He understood the want to leave, honestly he wish he could but he lived here and had no where else to go. As he looked at the time, Shikamaru wondered why she bothered coming out at all if she had been planning to leave the second she could. And just like she could read his mind she explained, "If I leave with you Ino won't be on my case."

"Lead the way." Shikamaru said accepting her explanation and willing to help her. It would be good to get out of the house and away from all the people. Plus he didn't mind the idea of being able to get to know the pinkette a little more. Allowing her to pull him out of his room and through the throng of people that had gathered; she seemed to be looking for Ino before they left when out of nowhere she seemed to freeze before quickly turning towards the door.

"Something wrong?" He tried asked her over the blasting music. Sakura didn't respond, and Shikamaru wasn't sure if that was because she couldn't hear him or if she was just ignoring him. Finally out the door she sighed in relief and gulped in the fresh air. Hopping down the few steps she pointed to the left.

"I'm this way." She told him quietly, seeming to rush to the sidewalk. Whatever she saw inside the house really caused her to withdraw in herself. Shikamaru followed nonetheless walking in silence, allowing her to sort out what she needed to.

"Sorry for freaking out back there. I saw someone I'd rather have not seen at all..." Sakura admitted once they were a block away from the party. So she did hear me, Shikamaru thought as he looked to her through the corner of his eye. He didn't bother to question her, if she wanted to tell him she would, but the situation was none of his business otherwise. As they walked further she suddenly surged forward and turned to face him continuing on backwards, regaining her previous pep.

"Hey uh, thank you for tonight it was a lot more fun than I anticipated. Then again I never expected to be playing Shogi."

"And I never expected to find a worthy Shogi opponent in a nosy drunk female." Shikamaru shot back teasing her. Sakura huffed and stopped in front of the apartment building they were in front of.

"I'm not drunk yet, and I think someone is just salty because they lost." Sakura retorted sticking her tongue out at him childishly. Shaking his head he chuckled at her actions, when was the last time he had this much fun? Between classes and the frat activities he rarely spent his time doing activities he wanted to.

"Don't take this the wrong way, I'm not trying to hit on you-

"Wow flattery must be your strong suit."

"What a drag, I'm trying to not make this weird; can I get your number?" Shikamaru asked his head tilted towards the sky unable to look Sakura in the eye. He didn't do this kind of thing, the effort wasn't his style and most people weren't worth it in his eyes. In all honesty he was mostly hoping for a consistent Shogi partner.

"And I thought I was bad at socializing, do you have your phone?" Sakura joked holding out her hand to him. Passing off his phone he watched her enter in her contact information. As she finished her own phone went off and she beamed as she gave back his phone with a smirk, her focus on her phone now. Looking at his new contact he rolled his eyes; 'Shogi Master' was what she chose to enter her information under.

"Winning once hardly defines you as a master." Shikamaru retorted as he noticed her trying to hold back her laughter.

"Considering how good you are, it does a little bit." Sakura laughed sliding in a compliment as if it was no big deal. He couldn't help but think she was refreshing compared to most of their peers. "If you ever need an opponent text me, the challenge will be fun."

Shikamaru couldn't help but nod in agreement, it was something he would actually be looking forward to. He watched Sakura turn to her apartment door waving to him the entire time, and once she was inside he turned back to his own place. Thoughts of the night swirled through his mind and just this once he would be glad that his frat held a party; he could feel he was gaining a good opportunity, instead of just his normal headache.

There it is! I'm leaving it as a one-shot for now but it has the potential to grow into more and as the ideas come so will more content.

All comments and criticism is welcome and appreciated, so don't be shy!

Until next time!

BluePanda