Title: Chrysanthemum
Author: D.A. Maxwell
Chapter: 01
Fandom: Naruto (KISHIMOTO Masashi)
Pairing: ShikaNeji; minor NaruHina on the side
Rating: PG-13 for language and innuendo or sexual references, but unless I get adventurous, there isn't likely to be anything smutty.
A/N:
Heh. It's been a while since I really wrote a fanfic, not just a short drabble. Specifically, it's been over four years.
The overwhelming majority of ShikaNeji fanfics that I've read translate Shikamaru's catchphrase as "How troublesome," but I'll be shying away from that as much as possible. "Mendoukusee" is a blunt, boyish way of referring to something that's tedious and bothersome, but I don't know any boys his age who would, in English, speak so formally like that. Maybe if Neji were the one to regularly complain, "Mendoukusai," I'd use "How troublesome," but-- god, no, not Shikamaru.
So, let's see how this turns out-- especially considering I've seen less than ten episodes of the anime and read only two chapters of the manga, both years ago.

Story dedicated to Aini for writing The Way Things Are, which inspired me to start writing.

A muggy, summer day in the middle of July found eighteen year old Nara Shikamaru sauntering for the first time down the long hallways of the Hyuuga complex. Following two steps behind his parents, the young jounin was out of his usual netting and vest for once, and instead had on the more traditional robes of his family-- a hunger-green kimono over the medium-brown collar of his nagajugan, accompanied by dark, black-brown hakama. Much to Yoshino's-- his mother-- dismay, his black haori, sporting fine, dark green vertical stripes, was draped over his arm rather than properly worn. His hair, despite the irate woman's persistent protests that morning, had remained in its trademark spiked ponytail, although his father had succumbed-- as usual-- to wearing his down around his shoulders.

Shikamaru's first thought as he looked around the sharp, clean, and completely unornamented walls, ceiling and floor was: how boring. Simplicity didn't typically bother him, but the sheer expanse of white made the mansion feel more sterile than Konoha's hospital.

His second, and the more preoccupying, thought was: how hot. It's the dead of summer, doesn't this family understand indoor cooling? Tch', what a pain.

As the three-person family was led into a set of double-doors into the smaller of the Hyuuga family's formal conference rooms, the servant who had been guiding them announced their arrival to the two occupants inside before leaving to fetch some tea.

"Hiashi-san, what a pleasure to be invited into your home," Nara Shikaku began once he had settled down at the opposite end of the long table from the head of the Hyuuga family. To his right sat Yoshino, and to his left, Shikamaru dropped down lazily. Upon a glare and a sharp kick beneath the table from his mother, however, the young man sighed before sitting up politely. Shikaku stifled a smile at his indolent son's antics, accurately assuming that Hiashi would not share in his amusement. "I must admit, however, that it came as quite the surprise to be contacted by your honourable family for such an occasion."

"I apologize for my son," Yoshino added with a short bow, just a slight inclination of her head. She fixed a warning look on the boy, who eyed her back evenly.

"It's quite all right. He's a busy man, I'm sure-- I offer my thanks as well for your coming out on such limited notice," Hiashi returned stiffly, doing a marvelous job of avoiding sneering at the behaviour of the young man in question. However good this boy was, he would have to shape up his public persona.

Between Hiashi and Shikamaru, Hinata sat with a blank face, head tipped down to avoid anybody's eyes. She was dressed in a soft lavender furisode with a pale, creamy-orange nagajugan and a light blue haori draped over her shoulders.

"Busy weaseling his way out of work," Shikaku laughed, breaking some of the formal tension in the room-- but just a little. Another servant entered then with a tray of tea, which she served to her masters and guests before taking her leave.

Giving the visitors a moment to settle in, Hiashi finally cleared his throat to begin the o-miai.

"Well, then. As I'm sure you are well aware, my daughter has reached the age at which locating a suitable partner has become something of a priority." Shikaku nodded, Yoshino waited, and Shikamaru tried not to yawn. Hiashi continued. "As the heiress to the Hyuuga clan, it seems imperative to find a man who would be strong enough to help her carry our clan forward."

Yoshino nodded. "As every clan desires," she agreed.

"Of course. Up until now, we've attempted to keep the main house as pure as possible. Unfortunately, however, there is a current lack of male relatives who are available for marriage, short of my nephew-- but being so close in blood, for the well-being of future descendants, I am disinclined to condone such a union." Hiashi took a leisurely sip of his tea, which Shikaku and Yoshino automatically mimicked, followed by Hinata; Shikamaru's tea remained untouched.

"For several years now, I have been studying the young men of Konoha Village to seek potential candidates. Naturally, there were a number of factors to consider: strength in fighting skill, status and achievements, intelligence, family history-- bloodline. It's well-known throughout the village how your son was the only genin to pass the chuunin exams within his first year as an academy graduate, and Asuma-san made no secret of his pupil's stellar intellect. The Nara clan is also renowned for its medicine, and despite the years, it has managed to persist with unmatched steadiness and peace."

"We lead modest lives," Shikaku dismissed with casual humility.

Hiashi nodded. "Indeed. And my heiress is a modest child, but despite her age, still just that-- a child. As a concerned father, I'd like to see her properly cared for, by a man with an excellent head on his shoulders. In all my research, your Shikamaru-san's name has come up time and time again, and he comes highly recommended by my own colleagues who have had the wonderful opportunity to work with him as well."

"Thank you for your praise, and naturally, we're delighted with the idea of uniting the Nara and Hyuuga clans," Yoshino spoke. "I, too, have heard of Hinata-san's gentle, nurturing nature. Should she have the patience for our son's trying temperament, and should both parties agree, we'd, of course, be happy to proceed."

"Wonderful. A formal engagement may be prepared at any moment, and naturally, our home is open to the event. As the family of the bride, we are willing to take responsibility for preparation of the engagement and wedding ceremonies, and--"

"Forgive my interruption," Shikaku spoke suddenly, "but perhaps we should give the children a few moments to discuss the situation. After all, they are the ones who would be married should the engagement be followed through to completion."

Pausing to consider that, Hiashi frowned faintly before smoothing out his brow and addressing his daughter. "Hinata. Hi-- Hinata," Hiashi repeated firmly when the girl didn't respond, lost in her own thoughts.

Head snapping up, she flushed. "Y-- yes, father?"

"Does this arrangement please you, or would you like to speak with Shikamaru-san regarding the matter?"

"I... ah, I-- ah... um..." Clearing her throat, Hinata lowered her head again submissively. "I shall do whatever is your bidding, father."

"Good. Then, Shikamaru-san-- you have been awfully quiet. Do you have any objections?"

"Not really. Hinata's a nice girl," Shikamaru conceded in an idle tone as he fought to smother another yawn. "But..." He let his voice trail off as his mother shot him a stern look, warning him not to mess things up. Having long ago ceased being intimidated by her, however, he was unaffected by the look that cowed so many others.

"'But'?" Hiashi echoed impatiently.

"Well, I'm not sure if this is really my place to bring this up, but--"Ah, what a pain in the ass. Like I'd ever want to deal with clan politics. Lifting a hand to scratch his neck, Shikamaru lifted his black eyes to the formidable clan leader. "Anyway, I'll have to check with a friend of mine first."

"A-- friend?" Hiashi asked, only a slight confusion in his eyes betraying the fact that the statement had completely thrown him off-guard. Hinata blinked, but didn't dare raise her head.

"Yeah. See, I have this thing for camaraderie. If he's fine with it, sure, I'll go ahead and marry her. But seeing as how he's in love with your daughter, I wouldn't want to rush in and agree to anything without talking to him first."

As the weight of his casual words settled in, Shikamaru finally gave in and let out a small yawn, his sleeve hiding most of his face from Hiashi's stare. Glancing at Hinata, he couldn't help but smirk at the startled girl's fiery red face.

Recovering quickly from his shock-- or seeming to, at least, but really, couldn't he have found this out sooner?-- Hiashi shook his head. "I hadn't heard-- well. Might I ask who this individual is? Perhaps it is he I should be speaking to."

Yoshino winced, simultaneously disappointed and relieved. It would certainly be something to boast about, had she managed to marry her son off to a Hyuuga, but she knew Shikamaru well enough to know that such a rigid lifestyle would not have been to his liking. In fact, she was positive that he would have completely ignored it, undoubtedly causing upset along the way. Still, a mother could always hope...

Shikaku, on the other had, was doing his best not to laugh. Leave it to his son to hold off mentioning information like this until all of the other cards had already been laid out on the table.

Shikamaru tilted his head from side to side, pondering. "Hm... much as I'd love to tell you and hurry this all along for them, I'm not sure I'm at liberty to say. This friend hasn't mentioned his affections directly, although it seems fairly obvious to me, but I'd imagine he's afraid of rejection. I'll be sure to let him know, though, and maybe he'll get the nerve to approach you on his own. He seems the sort who'd get on your nerves at first, but he really is a good guy. Much more ambitious than I am, too. Anyway, is there anything else you need me for?"

"... No, I suppose not. Hinata, do you have any objections?"

Jumping at being addressed again, Hinata shyly peered up at Shikamaru through her bangs. He can't mean... no, that would be too much to hope for-- but then who...? "N-- no, father."

"I see. Then, I suppose, the engagement shall be suspended until further notice. Please do contact me with whatever you find, Shikamaru-san." With that, Hiashi stood, signalling the end of the visit. Shikamaru rose tiredly to his feet a moment after him, followed by Shikaku and Yoshino, then Hinata. With no more words exchanged between them, Hiashi led the Nara family out into the front hall, where he summoned a servant to take them to the door. Thanking them again for coming, he turned and headed away to the study.

As they turned to go, Hinata reached out to touch Shikamaru's sleeve. Her peer paused to eye her expressionlessly.

"Um... I... I know that you told father that y... you couldn't... tell him who it was, but..." Hinata's receding blush began to trickle back again, creeping down her pale neck and dipping beneath the stiff collar of her silken attire. "Um... you didn't, by any chance, mean...?"

Shikamaru smirked again. "I get the feeling you'll be finding out very, very soon." Waving before the girl could ask any more, he stepped outside and let the door shut after him.

He was met by his mother's furious glare. Yoshino opened her mouth as if to rant at him before seeming to change her mind, storming down the street and leaving Shikaku to go chasing after her. Shikamaru slowly blinked at his mother, then sighed. He'd be in for an earful once he got home.

Troublesome or not, maybe it was finally time to leave the nest.