Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, Naruto is not mine, I am simply barrowing them for a bit of fun.
Added note: the setting of this story is a few years after the fourth Shinobe world war with Saskue having left on his redemption journey. Sakura's feelings for Shikamaru started when she was around 19, she is now 21.
Special shout out goes to my first reviewer Lily-on-the-water, thank you so much for your review! As well as to all those that have read my story and continue to read and follow me, I really appreciate your support!
A super special shout out to my Beta kwizten who helped re-edit this chapter
RE-EDITED CHAPTER (2019)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Chapter 2
As Usual, Ichiraku was packed; but we still managed to get seats as Naruto had a spot the owner had pretty much reserved just for him. The air buzzed with happy conversations and the smells of good cooking. We sat in a row at the bar, Naruto scarfing down his third bowl of soba noodles, while Ino, Sai and myself were still on our first.
"So, Sakura," Ino began between bites of meat, "how's the lab work been going?"
"Not bad," I replied, "although I seem to have reached an impasse in my research."
"What lab work is this?" Sai asked, his head tilting to the side.
Naruto immediately jumped in to explain. "Sakura's been looking at how kekkei genkai are passed down through generations, or something like that. Right Sakura?"
"Um, yeah, pretty much. Wow, Naruto." I wasn't the only one shocked that Naruto actually knew what I was working on; both Ino and Sai also looked mildly stunned. Naruto looked up from his noodles as if sensing all our disbelief.
"What?" he asked, furrowing his brow. "Grandma Tsunade won't stop talking about the implications your research will have if you figure it out. I don't understand all the technical stuff, but from what I do get, it sounds awesome. You're pretty much trying to duplicate special jutsu, right?"
"Well, in a nutshell, yeah…though it's a lot more complicated than that," I sighed. "Before I even get started, I have to have a solid understanding of how each individual kekkei genkai works and how they were developed. But to do that I need full access to the entire clan's archives, which requires the clan leader's approval. And then I'll need volunteers so I can map out their genetic coding. That's only the start of it, of course, but for now, I'm just focusing on getting access to the Uchiha clan's archive. You can imagine how guarded most clans are about their secret jutsu." I shook my head, "I've been finding it almost impossible to get anyone to cooperate with me."
Naruto's eyes widened.
"…That…sounds…complicated,"
"But fascinating," Sai added, actually sounding impressed. "I can see why a breakthrough like that would be beneficial. But if you're having problems getting the leaders to assist you, why don't you ask the Hokage to get them to cooperate?"
"We can't just order every clan to reveal what makes them powerful. The fact that we're planning on using that information so everyone can do it, well, it doesn't exactly sit well with them. Lady Tsunade needs to keep the peace between the clans as much as she keeps the peace between nations, you know?" Truthfully, it's been a bigger pain in my side than I was letting on. The lack of progress in clan cooperation was more than frustrating.
"Do you really need the full permission of leaders to learn about their jutsu though?" Ino asked. "Couldn't you just ask individual clan members? I mean, I've heard Shino talk about his clan's bug jutsu to Kiba before."
"Sure, as of right now that's all I've been able to do. But there's only so much information they're willing to tell me without giving too much away. So far only Kakashi's given me 100% access to his Sharingan. Not that that counts for much as he's not from the Uchiha clan, nor did he get it through genetic inheritance." The only one left with that birthright was Sasuke, and he was long gone.
I sat in silence after that, only half-listening to the continued conversations of my friends around me. Thinking about Sasuke only reminded me of the conversation Shikamaru and I had moments ago. Clearly, he believed I was still in love with Sasuke, regardless that we hadn't seen each other, or even spoken in over three years. On the other hand, when looking at it from his perspective, it's not like I've done anything to contradict that opinion either. I've never dated – in fact; I've pretty much turned down every offer presented to me. In the beginning, it really was because of Sasuke. but, once I came to learn who Shikamaru was and how I felt for him…i knew there wasn't anyone else that could compete. What was the point of bothering with anyone after that?
I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that when Ino jumped up in excitement, I nearly choked on my noodles from surprise.
"What about Shikamaru?" Ino exclaimed. "You could totally ask him. There's no way that man would refuse you," she added with a wink. I had to turn my head away so to hide my blush.
"I don't know…" I stalled, trying to come up with an excuse to refuse but finding nothing.
"Oh, come on, the Nara clan holds a lot of influence over the other clans, and Shikamaru's father is the clan leader. If you asked him, I'm sure he could convince his father to get the other clans on board with what you're doing. Plus, the Nara's have a lot of medical background, so he would be a great help with your research and testing. Problem solved!"
"That's true, but—"
"Not to mention," Ino leaned towards me with a wicked grin plastered over her face. Her voice dropped to a sinister whisper. "It would give you a real good excuse to have your hands all over him. All that alone time…I bet you'll get to know his body real well."
"Ino!" I hissed, frantically looking towards Sai and Naruto to make sure they hadn't heard. They continued to eat their food and I could only hope they were as clueless about it as they looked.
"I'm just saying it could be the perfect opportunity," Ino winked.
"Will you drop it already?" Why oh why couldn't Ino learn to leave things alone? What sucked the most about it all was that she was dead right about everything. Not only would Shikamaru easily agree to help me if I asked, but to get a proper chakra map I would, of course, have to get extremely up close and personal with him on a regular basis. Images of Shikamaru shirtless with my hands running along his exposed flesh caused a tightness to form in the pit of my stomach.
Calm down, Sakura, I internally yelled at myself. What are you, fifteen? Have some self-control already!
Judging by Ino's smug looks, she knew exactly why I was blushing so deeply. "If you're worried he won't agree," Ino continued, "I could get him to do it for you. I know exactly how to get Shikamaru to oblige. That man won't stand a chance against me!"
"NO! No, I can do it myself, thank you." There was no way I was going to allow Ino to do that. In any case, I needed to leave before things got even more humiliating.
"Well, thanks for the meal guys, but I really have to head out now. See you later, bye!" Before the others could say a word, I threw my money on the counter and bolted from the restaurant. Without a glance back I heading straight for my apartment.
Damn Ino. She was so right, and she knew it too.
When the clan leaders wouldn't cooperate, of course, my first thought was to turn to Shikamaru. He was the perfect solution. But it was because we had to get so close that I couldn't ask. To be so near him, to touch him and learn the most intimate workings of his body and mind…no way in hell could I do that without compromising myself! But now that Ino brought it up, there was no getting out of it. If I didn't approach him about it, not only would Ino ask him herself, but there was no doubt that either Naruto or Sai would bring it up, in time. There was already too much going unsaid between Shikamaru and me to have that thrown at him too. If he knew I had asked all our friends for help on this but him…there's no way he wouldn't take offense to that. Which left me little choice but to ask him.
All I could do was hope I could handle it when the time came.
The moment I got home I went straight to the bathroom to have a shower, wanting nothing more than to wash the day's stress away. I sighed in pleasure from the feeling of the hot water pelting down my back. I took my time, lathering and rinsing my hair and body, the streams of water washing away my every care. By the time I got out, the room was thick with steam.
After wrapping a towel around myself I wiped the mirror clear, studying my reflection. Looking at the image that stared back, I saw all the ways I was different from someone as gorgeous as Ino. She, who had hair as fine as a woven gold, with the kind of soft curves every romance novel loved to describe, always stood at a level I never seemed able to reach. I wasn't bad looking, mind you. But, I also didn't have that same degree of femininity and grace that Ino radiated. I was slime, but while her figure could be described as soft and smooth, mine was more stockish. The hard line of muscle encasing my arms and body a statement of the years I had spent training under Lady Tsunade. Sure, I had let my pink hair grow out a little bit in the past five years. So, rather than letting it rest above my shoulders, it flowed in soft waves about three inches past to appear more feminine. but, unlike Ino's, it lacked the same luster as displayed by others. My skin, while still smooth and clear, when looked at closer, was marred with lines and the faint traces of scares from past battles. Using one of my fingers, I traced a particularly deep one that ran from my collarbone across to my left shoulder. While out on a mission, I had gotten ambushed by a rogue ninja and had failed to assess their strength. It was only instinct that allowed me to duck in time as a hidden trap launched multiple blades directed straight at me. I had been fast enough to avoid the kill, but not fast enough to avoid it completely. It was these scares that I treasured the most, as they reminded me of how far I had come. They weren't the only signs as well.
Looking up, I smiled at the diamond-shaped seal on my forehead. It had taken years to achieve, but it was this mark that finally established me as not only an equal among my fellow ninja but to Naruto and Sasuke as well. I was no longer the weak link, left behind on the sidelines. I was a jounin; head of the medical research unit at the hospital, and the most renowned medical ninja around having even surpassed Lady Tsunade. This seal symbolized exactly how much I had changed. To me, that was worth more than any amount of physical beauty ever could.
Reaching up, I tucked a strand of wet hair behind my ear and grinned before exiting into my bedroom. Walking towards my closet, I changed into my nightgown, a small black silken nightie Ino had purchased as a gift for my birthday last year. It was a simple piece with lace patterns along the hem and sleeves to give a sort of sexy flair. It fit me as if made only for me, hinting at more curves than was actually there, and fell a little higher than mid-thigh.
Naruto and Shikamaru had looked scandalized when I had pulled it out form the box. Their faces turning a striking red as they had turned away, staring at anything other than what I held in my hand. Kiba had let out a long wolf whistle as everyone else looked amused at my reaction or wiggled their eyebrows suggestively. My face had turned so red; I swore I'd never wear it, throwing it back into the box with a greater speed than Naruto racing off to Ichiraku's. Later that night, I got curious and tried it on… Since then, it's been my favorite thing to sleep in.
I was in the middle of towel drying my hair when I heard a knock at the door.
"I'm in my room!" I called out, assuming it to be Lady Tsunade since she told me she would be stopping by to drop off more research files. As I heard the door open, I throwing my towel into the hamper and walked out to greet my former mentor.
"I'm surprised you knocked this time. You usually walk in-" I trailed off, my blood turning cold as my heart lodged itself into my throat. The person standing inside my house was definitely not Lady Tsunade, but Shikamaru.
As soon as Shikamaru caught sight of me, he froze in place. His eyes widened and his mouth hung open, faint traces of red stained his ears. I could feel my own face heating up in mortification. Funny how it takes a guy seeing me in this thing for me to actually become aware of how little I had on.
I expected Shikamaru to turn away at any moment, but he didn't. Instead, I watched as his eyes slowly, but surely, slid down my body before leisurely dragging back up to my face. Whether it was a trick of the light or not, I swear I saw his them darken when they met mine. Fire burned in my stomach so fiercely that I instinctively wrapped my arms around my torso, as if the act alone could keep me from falling to pieces beneath his stare. My movement must have brought him back to reality, because the moment I locked my arms around myself, his demeanor changed. Looking away, he swallowed, hard, and cleared his throat.
"Sorry…I'll ahh…be in the living room…so you can change or…something…"
He shot past me without so much as a second glance. I rushed back to my room and grabbed my fuzzy white robe, securing the long, bulky fabric around myself and fastening the sash around my waist.
So many emotions were running through me that I could hardly keep track of them. The embarrassment from him seeing me was definitely strong, but then I was also strangely happy. Happy that he was the first to see me in this, and happy by the prospect that he might have actually checked me out. If that reaction was anything to go off, anyway…
"Sakura," Shikamaru called from the living room, "are you okay?"
Shit shit shit shit shit! I was going to have to face him. But how?
It's okay, Sakura, stay calm. You can do this! Just act like it never happened. Yeah, that's it, pretend nothing happened and everything will be fine. The only problem being that I couldn't get his expression out of my mind.
"I'm coming," I called back, and, ignoring my turmoil, walked out of my room to face him with my head held high. "Sorry, I thought you were Lady Tsunade. If I'd known it was you…" I didn't know how else to finish that sentence.
"It's fine," he reassured me, looking everywhere else but at me. "I wasn't expecting it, that's all…" His face was still fairly pink. I waited for him to say something, anything, but when the silence continued to stretch, I had to break it.
"So…what brings you here? you said you had a lot of paperwork to catch up on."
"I did," he said, finally glancing in my direction. "But I ended up running into the Hokage. Long story short, she asked me to bring you these." Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out a stack of folders tied together with red string.
"Oh, thank you."
He handed them to me but averted his eyes so as not to meet mine. Clearing his throat, he took a moment to contemplate his next words. "Those are for your work on kekkei genkai?" he finally asked.
"Um, yeah," I answered lamely. "Lady Tsunade was granted permission by the elders to use Uchiha scrolls to help me research the Sharingan. How did you know about my research?"
"I overheard my old man talking about it," Shikamaru shrugged as if he could care less. "He was interested in your ideas, but wasn't too keen on letting other members outside the clan learn our secrets."
"Not many are."
"I have to admit, your theory on chakra passageways and manipulating genetic coding is intriguing. I imagine the benefits of such a procedure would be very high."
"Theoretically, yes. It could unlock whole new levels of jutsu development. But without test subjects, I can't really do much else other then hypothesize." I couldn't help but bite the inside of my cheek at that last part. If I was going to ask him, now would be the best time. "Speaking of subjects," I continued, my hands twisting around the sash of my robe. "I don't suppose you would be able to help me, would you?"
I took it as a good sign when Shikamaru didn't instantly reject my proposal, but instead mulled it over before replying. "What exactly would I be required to do?"
"Any chance you could get the other clans to consider having me study them?" I smiled sheepishly. "Also, I could do with a second pair of eyes and a sharp mind to help figure this out. It's turning out to be a lot more difficult than I anticipated. And if you really want to go crazy, I'd love to map out your chakra passageways and run some tests on your physiology." He raised his eyebrow at that. I continued to twist and untwist the rope around my hands.
"So far, every clan leader has rejected my requests for aid. The only one I've been able to map out is Kakashi, and that's technically cheating."
I fell silent after that and waited. Shikamaru looked off to the side and stared at the wall. His lips were pursed slightly, his expression clouded over in quiet contemplated. After a while, when I was almost certain he would refuse, he spoke.
"I don't see why not. I can help you with the research aspects of it, and the chakra mappings shouldn't be a problem. As for getting other leaders to agree, I'll see what I can do. No promises, though."
I shook my head, letting go of my rode and clashing my hands together in front of my face.
"Don't be sorry, that'll be more than enough! Thank you, you have no idea how much this means to me." Quickly, before I could lose my nerve, I hugged him in gratitude.
Immediately, his arms wrapped around me to return my embrace. A murmured "So troublesome," so quiet I almost missed it. I buried my face into his neck, enjoying the smell of ink and grass that clung to him.
When I felt him start to pull away I let go, stepping back so as not to make things awkward.
"Well, I should head back now," he said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I'll speak with my old man about your proposal and see what he thinks. I'll find you tomorrow, okay?"
I nodded in return before stepping aside and leading him to the front door. Before I could show him out, however, he paused.
"Not that it's any of my business," he started sheepishly, "but that nightgown…isn't that the same one Ino got you for your birthday last year? As in, the one you swore you would never be caught dead in?" His question immediately caused my face to heat up like a volcano.
"Maybe…Look," I added hastily, "please don't tell Ino. She'll never let me live it down!" Shikamaru chuckled at my plea, shaking his head.
"Your secret's safe with me. Promise."
"Thanks," I exhaled. "And thanks again for agreeing to help me. I really do appreciate it."
Shikamaru merely shrugged before opening the front door to leave. He took a single step but hesitated with a lasting thought. In an instant, he looked over his shoulder, locking his eyes with mine.
"By the way," he smirked, "that nightgown looks a lot better on you than it did in the box."
He was gone before my brain could even process what he said, but when it did I couldn't keep the goofy grin off my face. Closing the door, I slid down its frame and placed my hands over my thundering heart.
Yeah, this nightgown just became my new favorite outfit…period.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Please review and let me know what you think.
Cheers!
