From the Abstract to the Practical

Authors Note: This story was originally only posted in livejournal and adultfanfiction, but I was asked to do a cleaner version of the story, so here it is. The smut has been removed and the cursing toned down. I have tried to smooth the edges from where I removed parts of the story. I hope you like it. If you are over 18 years of age, you can go read the more explicit version on aff, if not, sorry. If you like it then padfootsmoony13 is the one you should thank, 'cause I'm not sure I wouldn't have made the alterations and posted it here without padfootsmoony13's request.

And always Thanks to my betas Cutsycat & FairyNiamh. (Especially Cutsycat, 'cause she helped me fix this one just for this post.)

Thanks, enjoy.

Chapter = Unreceived Butt Kicking: Deserved and Undeserved

The other boy was almost done dressing. The others had already left. Naruto would have been the first out the door, except for Kiba's little prank. Shikamaru hadn't offered to help Naruto untie the multitude of knots in the legs of his pants and the arms of his orange jacket. He'd just slowly begun putting on his own clothing. He was almost done dressing too. All that was left was to put his outer shirt and vest over his mesh t-shirt. Naruto's cursing had been part of the reason he had given the other boy so much space.

At the moment, Shikamaru's mind was whirling with possible outcomes. He was actually trying to convince himself that a better opportunity might present itself and if he moved now, he wasn't making the best strategic choice. There was just so much uncertainty to this, especially with Naruto involved. Nothing went as planned where the chaotic blond was concerned.

Naruto had his pants on and the jacket lay at his feet, crumpled, but knot free. The boy was struggling with the second of two knots that his "friend" had tied in his black t-shirt. Shikamaru only half heard the things the grumbling Naruto planned to do to that "friend".

It galled him, but he knew if he didn't take this opportunity, his growing impatience would push him into making a move at a less opportune time. We are all alone, it's closing time and the place is almost empty. The staff will be cleaning on the other side of the baths. They always start with the women's side, first. Shika wished he wasn't right. Big chicken, he goaded himself.

Shikamaru was so intent that he almost missed the opening of the door as Naruto stepped outside of the changing area, carrying his jacket. It's now or never, he sighed to himself. Shika stepped to the open doorway. He wasn't quite looking at Naruto, when he heard the gasp of surprise. His shadow had snaked out in a serpentine pattern. Totally unnecessary, since Naruto was right in front of him and hadn't even known what was happening to try to evade it. It was another indication of Shikamaru's uncertainty.

"What the heck, Shikamaru?!" Naruto roared.

He put a lot of effort into sounding calm, even cocky. He felt far from either. "I never took you for a tease, Naruto."

He let Naruto look behind him as he began walking backward, slowly, into the dressing room. Naruto glared at him as he followed. Good, he's totally off balance. Just can't keep him that way for too long, Gods know what he might do…

"What game are you playing? I need to get out there and kick Kiba's butt, before he can get home!"

"You talk pretty big, ya know? All that stuff about being open to anything….." Shika let the sentence trail off, referring to a very interesting conversation the group had been having about sexuality. He really didn't think anyone in the group had a clue about the practical side of things. He was certain that they were all virgins. But lately, the practical side of things had been occupying more and more of his thoughts. And for whatever reason, those thoughts led to Naruto.

It had surprised him. He had always thought that he was in love with or at least attracted to Ino. But when his thoughts went past the abstract; he just didn't, couldn't think of her. Six months ago, he had forced himself to the realization that it was the bubbling ball of chaotic energy, standing right in front of him, who set fire to his blood.

"What the heck are you talking about?" Naruto's voice was low, almost a growl.

Shika recognized the warning in it. 'Stop messing with me!' that growl said.

"Frightened?" was all he said. He took advantage of the confusion that caused to release the jutsu and close the three foot distance between them. Just after he wrapped his arms around the other boy's torso, as Naruto began to react, he re-established his hold on Naruto's body. The right side of his face rested against Naruto's hair. He could feel the heat of Naruto's body through the boy's t-shirt.

Shika was only a few inches taller than Naruto. His head was bent slightly so that his mouth was almost against Naruto's ear.

"You asked what I wanted from Ino for my birthday, like you thought you knew what it was." Shika let his breath out heavy with each whispered word. He felt Naruto's body stiffen and then shiver in response. His stomach flipped. Please, don't let him kill me for this, he prayed.

Naruto felt Shika's warm wet mouth brush against his neck. His own head had turned a little, mimicking Shikamaru's. "Oh God, what are you doing?!" Shika didn't answer right away. His mouth stayed in that spot, slowly moving from light brushing kisses, to a warm wet sucking that made Naruto's knees weak, and ending with a slow circling lick that had Naruto ready to jump out of his skin. Shika blew a cool breath against the wetness of Naruto's neck making him gasp in response.

"The only thing I want for my birthday," Shikamaru was breathing against his ear again. "is a kiss, from you."

With that said, Shikamaru released Naruto from the jutsu, removed his arms from his body, stepped back about three feet, and prepared himself for all hades

to break loose.

Naruto knew he could move again. He just couldn't move. Something beyond shock held him in place. He should have been pissed. He should have turned around and kicked Shikamaru's butt. He wasn't and didn't want to. He felt drained. Like someone had scooped out the inside of his head.

He said, Naruto tried to shake the cobwebs loose, but couldn't even get his head to move. He said…he wanted THAT from ME. It's the only thing he wants…. Naruto knew Shikamaru wouldn't joke like this. He wouldn't find a joke like that funny. He wasn't twisted or warped. Shikamaru, for all his slacking, was about the straightest of all of them. He wouldn't lie about this either. He's put himself out on limb……and he's waiting for me to……What?!

"Crud Shika, what am I supposed to say to that? I should kick your butt for what you just did!"

That was not among any of the responses Shikamaru had anticipated. Naruto almost sounded rational. Shika fought the urge to run. Naruto was scary like this. He couldn't even think of a response. He was caught in fight or flight mode and just couldn't shift gears fast enough.

"Look, let's just let this go. Like it never happened, o.k.? I don't think I can deal with this right now. Maybe..." Naruto sighed heavily. "Maybe we can talk about it later, if we have to." With that Naruto actually left the room. Shikamaru was in no condition to stop him.

Naruto quietly slipped into the trees outside the front door and moved a little deeper into the thick cover. Bracing his right hand against one of the sturdy trunks, he leaned forward, trying to cope with the dizziness. His head was spinning and for some reason, he could feel the Kyuubi seal sizzling just below the skin of his stomach. Without thinking, he raised his left hand to touch the place on his neck where Shikamaru had driven his words home.

"I liked it." He whispered to the old tree. "I shouldn't have liked it, right?" The seal burned hotter in answer, the dizziness increased, and Naruto almost blacked out. He grabbed the tree and slid to the ground, certain that he wouldn't be going anywhere for awhile.