Naruto ~ Silent Guardians
The end of the 4th war had Naruto and Shikamaru as the only survivors, Kurama feeling the two fading acted fast, sent them back to their Genin days to make sure the war never came to pass. AU! Pairings aren't a main focus.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything related to it.
Chapter Two
"Your dad was staring us down for the whole meal." Naruto grumbled as the two entered training ground 11 at seven in the morning.
"He's in the process of creating a theory. We can worry about Tou-San later, right now we need to make sure we don't kill any of our teammates." Shikamaru said as he dropped into his warm up kata's for Taijutsu.
"I think it was just the fact that you were willingly out of bed at six in the morning." Naruto snorted as he fell into sync with Shikamaru.
"If we had told them we were going to train instead of meeting our teams then I'm pretty sure they would have taken me to the psych ward of the hospital." Shikamaru gave a most likely scenario. Naruto agreed and the two fell into their usual sparring forms and working together they managed to rein in their strength.
"I think that's enough for today, as long as we don't use any Ninjutsu we should, in theory, be fine." Naruto stated as the two cooled down.
"You mean besides the fact that we are going to be seeing our now alive friends and Sensei's?" Shikamaru raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah other than that." Naruto smirked and the two brushed off their clothes. "Good luck."
"You too Hokage-Sama." Shikamaru inclined his head.
"None of that." The blonde waved his hand.
"Like it or not, you have always been my Hokage-Sama." Shikamaru pointed out.
"You're making me blush." Naruto ducked his head, there was in fact pink dusting his cheeks.
"I'll find you after training is done." With that being said the blonde Genin Shushin'ed away leaves falling to the ground.
Shikamaru shook his head and started to walk towards where Team 10 met, hands in his pockets and consciously slouching.
~~/~~
"Something on your mind Shikaku?" Choza asked concerned at the lack of attention the Nara was giving himself and Inoichi.
"Nothing… Just Shika-Chan brought home a friend last night… His friend was Naruto Uzumaki." Shikaku revealed to the group.
"I did not know that your son was friends with him." Inoichi commented.
"I wasn't aware of this either." Shikaku admitted and this gained him raised eyebrows from both his friends.
"I know from Choji that back in the academy; Shikamaru, Naruto, Kiba and him were always together because they were 'dead-lasts'." Choza said thinking back. "I had no idea that Shikamaru was still friends with Naruto."
"What happened?" Inoichi could tell from all his years of being the head of T&I that something else had happened that made Shikaku puzzled.
"When Naruto-Kun looked at me…He had fear in his eyes, but then my son shifted ever so slightly… Like he was signaling to Naruto-Kun that he was there to protect him and the fear disappeared." Shikaku explained, seeing his teammates expressions he went on.
"The way they stood… Shikamaru was always an inch behind Naruto and to his right… When they fell asleep, their body language showed that they were protecting each other and were ready to jump into action at a moments notice… The part that got me was… Their eyes."
"Their eyes?" Inoichi questioned, his mind processing what his teammate was telling them.
"They looked… Old… Battle scarred… The eyes of a war veteran. Those eyes were in the faces of Minato's 12-year-old son and mine." Shikaku finished as he finished his cup of Sake. Yes it was early, but he needed it.
"…Should we tell the Hokage?" Choza wonder aloud after minutes of silence passed.
"Not yet… I have nothing solid to go on." Shikaku decided after a moment of thought. "It would be best to keep this between the three of us."
"Agreed." Inoichi nodded his head in agreement as he pushed his cup of Sake towards his scarred friend, knowing this man needed it more than him.
~~/~~
Naruto strolled towards the bridge where he usually met up with Team 7 and wasn't surprised to see both Sakura and Sasuke there. He actually froze in his spot at the sight of his former teammates. They were so young, so innocent, so unscarred from the war. He took a steadying breath and took another step when a familiar feeling charka caught his attention and he couldn't help but smile. It belonged to Kakashi-Sensei and it was coming from underneath the bridge, so that was what he does when he was busy being late. Sneaky Copy-nin.
Naruto tensed and leapt up into the air and came down heavily on the bridge, making a grand entrance.
"GOOD MORNING!" He bellowed and grinned widely as he heard a muttered curse from under his feet.
"Naruto you baka!" Sakura shouted and Naruto let himself be whacked over the head just for old times sake. He forgot that before her training her hits were soft.
"Dobe." Sasuke hissed, rubbing his ear.
"Don't be like that Sasuke-Teme." Naruto teased, pushing back all feelings of betrayal when he saw the Uchiha. "Just wanted to wake you two up a bit."
"Well we're awake now aren't we?" Sakura huffed crossing her arms annoyed and Naruto smiled softly at her.
"Sorry Sakura…Chan." He tacked on the Chan as he had stopped using it when they grew close.
"What's wrong with you dobe?" Sasuke questioned, crossing his arms.
"I forgot that he was a genius." Naruto thought annoyed. "What are you even talking about Teme? Hey, since Kakashi-Sensei is always so late… We should try to find out what he does that makes him so late!"
Of course Naruto knew that Kakashi's mornings generally consisted of sleeping, eating, reading and long visits at the Memorial Stone, but they didn't need to know this.
"…As much as I hate to say it… Naruto makes a good point." Sakura said grudgingly. "If you want to find out where Kakashi-Sensei is Sasuke-Kun then I'll follow you." She turned to the raven-haired avenger with hearts in her eyes. Naruto sighed internally; he forgot the pains of having a fan girl on his team.
"Morning my kawaii Genin's." Kakashi called out as he approached, his usual book in his hand.
"YOU'RE LATE!" Sakura shouted and Sasuke just rolled his eyes at his Sensei. A wistful expression crossed Naruto's face briefly before he waved at his silver haired Sensei. It was good to see him alive and in one piece.
"I think it's an improvement, he was only an hour late this time… Sensei why is your hair wet?" Naruto tilted his head to the side innocently, it would have worked if Kakashi didn't know his mother and knew that smile on his lips was the exact same one that Kushina had when she pranked someone.
"Maa, time to train." Kakashi's visible eye turned up in a U to show he was smiling.
"Hai." Naruto snapped off an ANBU salute out of reflex and quickly took off towards training ground 7, not waiting to see the confused looks he got from Sakura and Sasuke and the shocked look on the visible part of Kakashi's face.
Naruto couldn't help himself but sigh repeatedly as the training went on. He forgot how weak the other two were and since his charka control was utter crap at the moment the blonde had taken to practicing his aim, after making sure he slipped up every so often. He watched Sasuke and Kakashi spar and he didn't feel any of the favoritism that he felt the first time around. He knew that Kakashi was given this team so he could watch out for Sasuke, to make sure he didn't defect…
That had worked out well.
Kakashi in the future had told Naruto that he had mostly agreed so he could stay near him, to make sure he was protected and could learn to protect himself.
Naruto smiled softly at the memory as he flung more Kunai at the targets and watched as Sakura slowly did some Taijutsu Kata's, her eyes trained on Sasuke. He sighed again, knowing he should help her with her Taijutsu, but at this point in time she would just shout at him. This Sakura wasn't the same one he fought side by side with in the war. Naruto quickly forced himself off that train of thought before he could remember the images of what she looked like when he found her body.
"You're aim is improving Naruto." Kakashi spoke up, the blonde nearly face planted. He had been lost in thought and had missed the Copy-Nin approaching.
"Ah, thanks Sensei!" Naruto beamed at the praise before throwing his final Kunai with deadly accuracy. "Sensei, I was wondering about something… If I can make Kage Bunshin [Shadow Clones], can I make Shuriken Kage Bunshin [Shuriken Shadow Clones]?" Naruto tilted his head to the side as he pulled out a few Shuriken's.
"Hai, I believe you will be able to do this technique Naruto." Kakashi looked down at the blonde startled before he recovered and encouraged the smaller version of his old Sensei and the Jounin explained the theory behind it.
"I'll nail it by training tomorrow Sensei, Dattebayo!" Naruto stated firmly before throwing on his old saying with a huge if albeit forced grin.
"I'll be looking forward to it." Kakashi patted Naruto's blonde hair and the Genin blinked shocked at the gesture, but took it in stride and beamed up at the silver haired Jounin before the Copy-Nin moved over to help Sakura.
"Now I have to nail it by tomorrow, ah man." Naruto muttered to himself. "I should be able to make a solid dozen or so with my crap control…"
"What are you muttering about Dobe?" Sasuke came over, wiping his face down on a towel.
"Nothing that you need to worry about Teme!" Naruto shot back, his eye twitching at the sight of the raven-haired avenger, who just 'hn'ed and walked away.
~~/~~
Asuma let out a puff of smoke as he took in his Genin team. Choji was running laps to try to improve his stamina; Ino was currently leaping tree-to-tree only using the charka stored in her feet. The one who was really catching his interest was Shikamaru. The Nara who usually favored sleeping and non-strenuous activities during training wasn't slacking off.
Something had been different about Shikamaru from the moment he joined them for training. The way his face lit up when he talked to them and how his eyes lingered on each of them longer than usual. His eyes were different; they were different in a way that Asuma had seen on veterans from the 3rd Shinobi war, he had no idea why it was on his 12-year-old Genin.
He inhaled as he watched out of the corner of his eye as Shikamaru slashed away at dummies with a Kunai, the movements very similar to Kenjutsu, but he knew that Shikamaru had never used a sword before.
'He would do well with a sword or maybe even trench knives.' Asuma mused as he put his cigarette out and made his way to the Nara who just finished slashing apart a dummy with perfect accuracy.
"You're doing well with handling your Kunai like that Shikamaru." Asuma spoke and he frowned briefly as Shikamaru startled visibly and he spun around, the Kunai held up ready for attack or defense. Seeing who it was Shikamaru relaxed and lowered the Kunai. This caused Asuma to frown and scan Shikamaru's face once more, but found it void of emotion.
"Yeah?" Shikamaru put away the Kunai and put his hands in his pocket, shoulders slouching. "Thanks."
"Maybe I'll train you to use my trench knives." Asuma smiled and Shikamaru again startled before he smiled easily at his Sensei.
"That would be great, thanks Sensei." Shikamaru said honestly.
"Here, try them out." Asuma said after a moment of thought. He pulled out the knives and carefully handed them over to the Genin who stared at them in shock.
"Are you sure Asuma-Sensei?" Shikamaru asked softly.
"I know you will be great with them Shikamaru. Hell you might even be able to integrated them with your clan's jutsu's." Asuma stroked his bread in thought and almost missed the look of shock that crossed Shikamaru's features before it was gone and Shikamaru slid his fingers into the holes and gave them a few test swings.
At Asuma's nod, the preteen faced the dummies and he was a blur of movement as he swung, punched and slashed his way through the dummies. Asuma stared in amazement at how gracefully his student moved using Taijutsu moves in time with the trench knives. Asuma swore he spotted some of Gai's Taijutsu moves in it alongside some Hyuga stances, but that wasn't possible so the bearded Jounin passed it off as the trick of the light.
"How was that?" Shikamaru asked, panting slightly.
"You looked like you were using those for years." Asuma said truthfully.
"I've just seen you using them and figured that using Taijutsu with them would be easier than using any other kind of jutsu with them…" Shikamaru said shrugged his shoulders. He gently removed the trench knives with reverence and handed them back to his Sensei.
"We should play Shogi when you have time." Asuma changed the topic sensing he wasn't going to get anything else from the Nara.
"I would like that Asuma-Sensei." Shikamaru smiled and Asuma spotted the same look enter his student's eyes from before.
"Are you okay kid?" Asuma placed his hand on Shikamaru's shoulder in concern.
"I'm… Great actually Sensei." Shikamaru gave his Sensei a true smile.
"I'm glad. Come on let's go save Choji before he collapses. I don't think he's suppose to turn that shade of red." Asuma chuckled.
"Right behind you Sensei." Shikamaru nodded agreeing.
~~/~~
"Follow me my kawaii Genin's!" Kakashi called out half an hour later, orange book back in his hand.
"What are we doing Kakashi-Sensei?" Sakura quickly walked beside Sasuke, who just ignored her.
"The Hokage wants to see us." Kakashi stated as the group made their way through the village.
"Another mission?" Naruto forced himself to almost shout in 'excitement'.
"I don't think so Naruto." Kakashi shook his head fondly at the loud blonde.
"Awe." Naruto pouted and quickly stiffened, masking his face to become one of indifference as harsh whispers and hurtful words started up around him.
"Demon's shouldn't be so loud, they shouldn't be seen OR heard." One man growled at the passing Genin.
"Too bad he didn't die out on that last mission of his." Another one agreed, Naruto just looked down at his feet, hands clenching as he pulled in his anger. His seal was heating up; Kurama could still pick up on his host's anger even if he was sleeping.
"It's fine Kurama, I can deal with it… Just keep sleeping." Naruto begged internally and he felt the seal cool back down and he sighed relieved.
While he was forcing on Kurama he didn't notice the confused looks Sakura and Sasuke where giving him in response to the hate filled words he was receiving. They had no idea what the villagers were talking about, sure Naruto was loud and annoying, but he didn't deserve to die.
Kakashi on the other hand was fuming, he knew exactly what the villagers were talking about and he had to grit his teeth together to stop himself from doing something drastic, like for example slitting their throats and hiding the bodies. If he was still an ANBU he may have done so but he was a Jounin Sensei now so he had to settle for sending out the glares he saved for only the deadliest of Ninja's and the words quieted when the speakers were subjected to Kakashi's glare.
"Oi! Naruto-Kun!" A female voice called out and the blonde looked up in surprise as Yoshino Nara came bounding over, a few more women from the Nara clan following behind her.
"Yoshino-San." Naruto blinked in surprise as Shikamaru's mother planted her self in front of him.
"I'm glad I ran into you here Naruto-Kun! I'm planning on making some ramen tonight, using a recipe from an old friend. I was going to get Shikamaru to find you to ask you but since you are here I'll do it now. My old friend would be heart broken if you didn't get to try her ramen recipe so you are coming over tonight." Yoshino beamed at the stunned blonde. She was talking about Kushina; the small blonde didn't know that however.
"He's even adorable when he's awake!"
"Do you see those blue eyes? So cute!"
Whispers from the other Nara woman started up and Naruto felt a blush rise to his cheeks.
"If I'm not intruding…" Naruto said shyly.
"Not at all! I insist! I'll even teach you how to make it!" Yoshino waved her hand dismissively.
"Then I would be honoured Yoshino-San." Naruto beamed. "I'll even make sure to bring Shika home right after we finished our training."
"I'll be waiting!" Yoshino patted his head kindly before walking away, the other Nara woman waved at the blushing Genin still giggling at how 'cute' he was before following Yoshino.
"…That was unexpected." Kakashi stated and Sasuke 'hn'ed.
"Was that Shikamaru's mother?" Sakura questioned and Naruto nodded his head, in slight shock.
"Come on guys, Jiji is waiting for us!" Naruto snapped out of his stupor and rushed towards the Hokage tower.
The team entered the Hokage's office and Naruto felt like all the remaining breath he had was knocked out of him the moment he saw the Sandaime sitting behind his desk and a mountain of paper work, still alive and wrinkly as ever.
"I wonder if I should tell Jiji about using Kage Bunshin [Shadow Clones]." Naruto thought absently as they bowed to the old man who nodded in response.
"I just wanted to make sure you three were doing alright after that C-turned-A rank mission." Sandaime said kindly and Naruto had to swallow hard to stop a lump from forming in his throat. He forgot how much he missed the old man, but he still wanted Tsunade-Baa-Chan to become Hokage… However there was a better way than having the Sandaime die.
"I'm fine." Sasuke said simply, knowing better than to 'hn' at the Hokage.
"I talked it out with my parents, so I am better now Hokage-Sama." Sakura bowed to the old man and Naruto snapped himself out of his thoughts.
"I'm great Jiji, don't worry about me!" Naruto beamed, raising his voice the right amount and it was rewarded with a smile from the old man and a whack over the head from Sakura for calling the Hokage 'Jiji'.
"Good, good. If you do feel stressed or worried about anything, there is help available." The Sandaime explained and the trio nodded in understanding. Naruto idly wondered if said help could get Sakura out of her fan-girl phase faster.
"Well I'm sad to say I have no missions for your team right now, please enjoy your day off." The Sandaime smiled, this was a dismissal and Sasuke nodded before leaving the office, Sakura bowed before she hurried out after him.
Naruto stayed behind as his eyes were locked on the portrait of his father.
"Is everything alright Naruto?" Kakashi asked, worry bubbling up in him as he spotted the blonde staring at the portrait of his father.
"Just… I look a lot like the Yondaime don't you think?" Naruto asked innocently and took great pleasure in seeing Kakashi and the Sandaime freeze up at his words.
"I mean give me some height, a deeper voice and jaw length bangs and I'm like his twin..." He trailed off and he inwardly snickered at the soft sputtering sounds he heard coming from behind Kakashi's mask.
"Weird huh! Well, see you later Kakashi-Sensei, Jiji!" He waved at them and started whistling a tune as he walked out of the office and down a small side corridor. He proceeded to giggle at their reactions as he reached out to find Shikamaru's charka, his sensory skills were still stable thank Kami. He closed his eyes and Shushin'ed away.
~~/~~
"Found you Shika!" Naruto sang, as he appeared right next to the Genin genius that was alone.
"I forgot how annoying you where when you mastered that, it was even worse when you mastered the Hiraishin." Shikamaru rubbed his forehead.
"How was your training today?" Naruto asked as he fell into step with the other Genin.
"I may have tipped Asuma off that I'm more than I let on… I decided to focus on my skill with a Kunai and he gave me his trench knives to try out…" Shikamaru explained.
"And you used them like you have been using them your whole life." Naruto finished the thought.
"Yeah, I gave him an excuse and he seemed to buy it… I just have to be more careful." Shikamaru sighed. "It was hard, seeing them alive and so carefree… It was great, but I couldn't help, but stare at them sometimes while they were training…"
"I know the feeling… I did manage to prank Kakashi and I also set myself up for when I use Shuriken Kage Bunshin. I forgot how much of a fan girl Sakura was and how weak she was in Taijutsu… Then on our way to talk to the Sandaime, your Kaa-San cornered me. She wants me to come over for dinner… She is making ramen and wants to teach us to make it." Naruto said as he adjusted their course towards the Nara compound.
"Sounds like Kaa-San." Shikamaru smiled. "How was seeing the Sandaime?"
"I felt like someone sucker punched me in the gut." Naruto deadpanned. "He wanted to make sure we were dealing with what happened in the Land of the Waves… I also couldn't help, but freak them out a bit…"
"What did you do Nar?" Shikamaru rolled his eyes fondly.
"I may have stated that the fourth and I looked a lot alike, just give me some height, a deeper voice and jaw length bangs and bam we are the same. Oh man they looked shocked, but then I waved it off and left." Naruto retold what happened in the office and Shikamaru let out a true laugh at the story.
"I bet their faces were priceless." Shikamaru gasped for air and Naruto joined him in laughter as he imitated the faces of the two.
"Man it felt good to laugh." Naruto wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Yeah it did… So are you ready to make some ramen?" Shikamaru asked as he slid open the door to his clan's home.
"Bring it on!" Naruto smirked and the two made their way to the dining hall where Yoshino was waiting for them.
