Chapter 4 Visiting

Disclaimer: The characters depicted, settings, and some terminology in this fan work are the property of Masashi Kishimoto. The views and opinions of this fan based work in no way reflect the views or opinions of Masashi Kishimoto. This is a fanfiction written purely for entertainment purposes and nothing more. The author of this fan based work receives no profit gain in writing this.

WARNING: Contains content NOT suitable for children under the age of 17, and readers are strongly cautioned. The following contains but is not limited to, light sexual acts, non descriptive rape, inappropriate language, self harming and violence

Re-written 7/20/17

Over the next few days the lazy genius never left Naruto's side even though he was completely recovered and could leave the hospital at any time. He really wasn't sure why he felt such a strong need to be by Naruto's side. It made sense to Shikamaru that he would be worried about the blonde. Naruto was a comrade who he'd help out no matter what. He thought about how he might feel if he were in Naruto's position and in his gut he knew he had to stay, but even so it felt like something different was pushing him to stay. He felt such a strong pull to be near the blonde shinobi. He couldn't figure it out but it didn't seem to matter since he stayed by Naruto anyway.

Shikamaru sighed as he glanced over at the sleeping blonde. It was awful to watch Naruto doing everything on his own even here in the hospital he still tried to do everything on his own. It just showed how hard it must have been for Naruto growing up alone. Shikamaru couldn't imagine living his whole life that way. He tried to imagine what his personality would be like today if he'd grown up like Naruto had. He shook his head trying to rid himself of the thoughts that now consumed his mind. He definitely wouldn't have turned out like Naruto that much he knew for sure. He likely would have turned out to be more like Sasuke or Itachi, and gone rogue rather than stay in a village that hated him, but even with the darkness Naruto seemed to carry inside there was light in him. Shikamaru envied that part of Naruto.

His thoughts were distracted as Naruto stirred in the bed next to his. The blonde didn't wake even though it was already noon. It had been four days since Naruto was admitted as a patient, and he had yet to receive a single visitor. Shikamaru frowned.

'Maybe no one knows what happened…Yea right, Ino knows and she can't keep her trap shut. So why hasn't anyone come to visit him? They couldn't possibly…hate him? Could they?' he wondered.

Shikamaru was aware that Naruto was looked down on by most of the villagers, but he at least expected some of the rookie nine or even Gai's team to show up. At the very least he expected Lee to make an appearance. Lee is everybody's friend and what about Kakashi, Iruka, or Jiraiya? Surely they cared for their student right? Shikamaru started to feel angry, and had to mentally tell himself to calm down and look for an answer. There had to be another answer as to why Naruto was hospitalized for four days without so much as a visit from anyone.

It just didn't make any sense. He couldn't believe it. There just couldn't be any way Naruto was truly alone. It wasn't right. Shikamaru knew these people and as far as he knew, or could tell they were all Naruto's friends. Yes they were his friends. He knew it. He had almost lost faith in his comrades. There had to be another explanation for their absence. There just had to be. Shikamaru tried desperately to think of the reasons behind why no one would even try to visit the blonde haired boy other than some far-fetched idea that they held some resentment toward him. After a few minutes of thinking Shikamaru realized he hadn't received any visitors either. He was sure something wasn't adding up now. There was no way his teammates wouldn't visit him or Naruto. Shikamaru had known Ino and Chouji his entire life, and there's no way they hated Naruto, nor would they leave Shikamaru in the hospital without checking on him unless they were denied visitation.

'The receptionist…'

Shikamaru groaned in frustration as he realized the receptionist was a civilian and being such she was likely the reason behind their friends absences. He seriously hoped it wasn't like he thought. Refusing someone's visitors at a hospital? It was deplorable, but it was better than the alternative.

He left Naruto for the first time to go find out if his suspicions were right. He took one last glance as he left the room to verify the blonde was still soundly asleep, and he was thanks to all the medication he was on.

Shikamaru walked down to the lobby and posed as a visitor at front desk. The woman behind it smiled warmly at him as he approached. He observed her appearance and thought she looked like a friendly person. Her eyes were bright and she was smiling. Her body language suggested she was the outgoing type. She seemed pretty nice, but it wasn't enough. He had to be sure. He cleared his throat to make his presence known to the girl who was looking through some paperwork. She immediately looked up with a smile.

"Oh, good morning. What can I do for you?," she beamed cheerfully.

"I was hoping to visit a friend of mine today." he replied.

"Okay! What's your friend's name so I can look them up?" she asked.

"Uzumaki Naruto." he replied.

Shikamaru watched her closely as he spoke Naruto's name. He wanted to be absolutely sure of his suspicions before accusing anyone. The first thing he noticed was her hesitance to respond, and her smile momentarily faltered. He watched her fiddle around and pretend to look up Naruto's information. After a moment she responded without even looking up at Shikamaru.

"It looks like he's not allowed any visitors in his current condition." Her voice wasn't very convincing.

"I'm sorry but would you mind checking again please? I was sure I was told I could visit him today." Shikamaru asked again as he angled himself to lean casually on the counter to discretely get a better look at the computer screen.

"Of course not a problem." she replied with a smile but there was a hint of annoyance in her voice this time.

She turned and looked at the computer screen and Shikamaru watched as she typed random letters instead of Naruto's name. He forced himself not to call her out on her lying, and instead tried to keep calm, even though it was difficult for him. He could feel his chest grow heavy as he thought of Naruto and how lonely he must be feeling.

"Nope, I'm sorry. He can't have any visitors at this time. I really am sorry. Maybe he'll be cleared for visitation in a few more days." she replied but it didn't really seem like she was all that sorry.

"Oh, well alright. Thank you." Shikamaru managed to keep his tone polite. Before he turned to leave he took a mental note of the name on the badge she wore. He wasn't going to let this slide.

'I was right…damn bitch…' he gritted his teeth as he felt himself getting more and more angry.

Naruto needed to know that people cared about him. How would he know if people cared when they were all being sent away? Shikamaru knew he had to do something, it wasn't fair. He set off for Tsunade's office to let her know what's been going on in her hospital to one of her shinobi, and not just any shinobi, Naruto. It was easy for most to see Tsunade cared for Naruto more than she should. They had a strange bond whether Naruto realized it or not, she treated him more like a little brother.

Shikamaru climbed the stairs to Hokage tower, his face growing hot mostly from anger and partly from physical exertion on his healing body. He just couldn't believe anyone would do that, at a hospital no less. Receiving visitors is such an important part of one's recovery, to purposely deny someone of that is cruel.

He reached her office and told her everything. Tsunade was furious to say the least. Shikamaru had barely finished telling her before she stormed off to fire and threaten the receptionist's life and made it very clear to the rest of the staff that Naruto was allowed as many visitors as he wanted at any time- no questions asked.

Shikamaru smiled as he watched all of the good his Godaime was doing transpire. The terrified looks on everyone's faces was brilliant, and wished Naruto could have seen it. The overwhelming anger he'd felt before melted away as he saw the receptionist crying and fearing her life from Tsunade's virulent rebuking and threats. The rest of the staff dared not say a word and simply nodded, complying with the Hokage's demands.

Shikamaru went back to Naruto, leaving Tsunade to further rant at the staff with a newly found smile gracing his lips. Ah, sweet revenge. It felt amazing. The brunette knew that compared to all the wrongs done to Naruto his whole life it was merely a drop in the bucket. However, it still felt good to at least fix this for Naruto. His smile faded as he reached Naruto's room and he could hear grumbles of frustration and the sound of papers being rustled about.

Shikamaru entered the room slowly looking around. Naruto sat upright staring at some papers grumbling to himself not seeming to have noticed the brunette's return.

"Damn it...what does this even mean." Naruto whined rubbing the back of his head in frustration.

"What is it?" Shikamaru asked startling the blonde.

"Oh this? It's nothing really." Naruto replied with a grin and some nervous laughter folding the documents.

Shikamaru couldn't help but shake his head and sigh before extending his hand toward the blonde, who instinctively tightened his grip on his papers hiding it from view. Shikamaru knew that something about those papers was troubling the blonde even if he tried to hide his true feelings.

"Naruto, you don't have to pretend around me. If something is bothering you it's okay to show it, and if you like to, you can talk about it with me. I don't mind helping out a friend." Shikamaru assured the blonde.

Naruto contemplated accepting help from Shikamaru, because he really needed help from someone and the nurse who brought him the paperwork refused to help him. He considered for a few more seconds before deciding to ask for help.

"It's these damn release papers…they're kind of confusing…" Naruto replied nervously.

The brunette sighed shaking his head slightly. Finally, he made some progress, small as it might be. Slowly, Naruto was beginning to trust the brunette.

"You are hopeless…hand them here," Shikamaru replied with a smirk lazily extending his hand again.

Naruto handed him the papers and Shikamaru sighed deeply and muttered a few 'troublesomes' as he looked them over. Naruto eyed Shikamaru anxiously waiting to have the papers explained.

"What part didn't you understand?" he asked the blonde after reading through the pages.

Naruto shifted uncomfortably. Being self taught for the most part, his reading skills had never been all that great. This didn't make him stupid, he was just below average at reading and unfortunately writing as well. Yet what he lacked in those areas of basic knowledge, he excelled in other areas, his jutsu's for example. His face turned red when he realized how dumb Shikamaru must have thought he was.

"I…uh…none of it really." he admitted feeling his cheeks heat up from embarrassment.

Naruto expected Shikamaru to laugh at or get annoyed with him, but to his surprise the lazy shinobi did neither of those. Instead he walked closer to Naruto and began reading the document to him out loud to help him better understand it. Naruto's face scrunched up hearing the last part of the document.

"So what does that last part mean again?," he asked hoping not to sound too dumb to the genius.

"It's stating that you will have to have someone with at all times where you live. Otherwise they won't let you go home, and you would have to be admitted into the psychiatric ward." Shikamaru explained.

"WHAT?! That's not fair! What am I supposed to do? I live alone! I don't have anyone who can stay with me!" Naruto shouted clearly in a panic. "I can't. I won't go to the psychiatric ward. I don't even want to be here." he shrieked.

"Calm down, you can't think of one person who might do this for you?," replied Shikamaru, watching Naruto's reaction to his question. He fully intended to volunteer, but he wanted to see if Naruto understood that he was here because he was his friend, and not because he pitied him.

"No." he replied quietly.

"You know it just states it has to be another person, so I'm sure even a friend would do." Shikamaru hinted he was willing to stay with him.

Naruto looked up seeing the grin on the brunette's face, and instantly felt his stomach flutter. Naruto pushed the feeling deep inside. He hated the feeling of disappointment so he wanted to be sure he was understanding Shikamaru's meaning before allowing himself to feel happy.

"Wait...are you saying you'll stay with me?" Naruto asked feeling a bit surprised.

"What do you think?" the brunette replied laughing.

Naruto looked sad until he saw the expression on Shikamaru's face and the blonde's eyes lit up, causing Shikamaru to smile. That smile was one Shikamaru could deal with. It was a genuine smile even though it was small and brief. Shikamaru felt all cheery and warm. It was a strange feeling he'd never before felt.

'What was that?'

"Really? You really don't mind?" Naruto asked as he eyed Shikamaru suspiciously.

"Nope, not at all." he replied without a hint of uncertainty.

"I don't want you to stay out of pity. Besides, I'll be fine on my own ya know." he plastered that grin on his face as he tried to hide his insecurities and loneliness.

"Do you think I'm the type of guy to hang around just because I feel sorry for someone? I'm too lazy to put forward that much effort,Naruto. If I make an offer to help someone out it's because I want to, not because I feel obligated or sorry for them." he responded a bit peeved the blonde thought he was that type of person even though he knew Naruto couldn't help it.

Naruto felt tears sting his eyes as he held them back. He was unable to hold back his smile after hearing Shikamaru put his fear to rest.

"Sorry...I didn't mean it to offend you. I guess it's hard for me to imagine someone would want to hang around me." he apologized with a sheepish grin.

"What a drag, how many times am I going to have to tell you that I'm your friend." Shikamaru asked the blonde bluntly.

He may not understand bonds properly, but hearing Shikamaru announce that he was his friend made the blonde feel warm and giddy. Naruto couldn't suppress his feelings fully. He ended up smiling for real.

"I'm sorry...I guess I'm not used to this." he admitted.

"Well, I guess you'll have to get used to it because this paperwork says I'll have to stay until you're fully recovered, which will likely be a month or two at least." Shikamaru informed the blonde watching him smile.

"Thank you." was all Naruto could say as he held his arm over his eyes trying to hide his tears from Shikamaru.

"It's no big deal." Shikamaru muttered turning away from Naruto feeling his cheeks heat up.

Once the paperwork was finished Naruto was cleared to go home the next day. It was surprising to Shikamaru that Naruto would be cleared to leave so soon. He supposed it had to do with the nine tail's chakra inside Naruto. Shikamaru had noticed in the past how quickly Naruto seemed to heal and it all made sense now. Although, rapid healing really wore the blonde out. He was never awake for more than a few hours at a time, and it wasn't surprising for Shikamaru that Naruto was already drifting off again.

Shikamaru watched the blonde sleep absently smiling as he watched the blondes chest rise and fall. It was strange he hadn't even needed to give it any thought before he volunteered to stay with Naruto during his recovery. He just wanted to stay with the blonde and when Naruto smiled, it was like nothing he had ever felt before. It was hard to describe, nonetheless explain.

"You like him don't you?," rang a teasing voice from behind.

Shikamaru turned to see Tsunade leaning in the doorway a smirk present on her face.

"Of course I like him," he replied, confused and completely missing the meaning of what she'd said.

Tsunade just smiled at him. He stared curiously at her, until it dawned on him by what she'd meant by like.

"NO! No! No! Not like that! He's my friend- a comrade!," he replied shaking his head and waving his hands in front of himself.

"I'm just teasing you, no need to get so embarrassed about it..."she grinned.

Tsunade stifled a giggle as she walked into the room, papers in hand. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow questioningly at the Hokage. She observed the pink hue spreading across the young shinobi's face with a fox like grin.

"Well, I read over the release papers Naruto filled out and I saw he put your name down."

"Yea I know. I told him I'd stay with him. Is that a problem?" Shikamaru asked defensively.

"No…I just wanted to be sure you knew what he'd gotten you into. He maybe recovering for a month or more." she explained to the boy.

"Yea, well...somehow I don't mind. My parents have been gone on a long term mission for some time now…it might be nice to have some company anyway." He shrugged thinking of the blonde.

Shikamaru couldn't let them put Naruto into the psychiatric ward. He didn't like the way the hospital staff treated him in the ICU. He couldn't imagine what they might get away with if he was put there. He just couldn't let Naruto be all alone again, and especially not there.

"Okay. I just wanted to make sure you understood the implications. I'm just going to need your signature a few more times." she replied handing him a clip board with additional paperwork.

She may be the Hokage but that didn't mean he was about to blindly put his name to anything. He took the papers and settled down to read them thoroughly. Basically the papers were just stating the hospital is not liable in the event of a relapse, and that by signing these documents he would be held responsible for any sudden relapses Naruto may have.

'Troublesome…Why so many damn signatures?'

Shikamaru finished reading and signed his name on several lines before he was finally finished. Satisfied that every line had been signed and dated Tsunade took the papers to have them filed, lingering a moment in the doorway with a smirk aimed at Shikamaru before closing the door behind her.

'What's she up to?'

Before Shikamaru could pursue these thoughts any further a knock was heard at the door. It couldn't be Tsunade again, for she just left. It was probably one of the nurses making rounds.

"Come in." he called lazily from his chair in between the two beds.

Despite being told to enter no one did and they knocked again only louder this time. He could hear several voices outside whispering. He pried his tired body from the chair with audible sigh.

Shikamaru opened the door to see some of the visitors Naruto had 'missed' the past couple of days. It actually appeared to be the rookie nine except for Sakura and Sasuke. Not a huge shock to him, and it was probably for the best since he wasn't sure he could be play nice with them any time soon. Even team Gai showed up.

Everyone entered as quietly as possible. Well they tried, especially Kiba and Lee, but everyone knows they're just as loud as Naruto. Everyone shushed them furiously, as they entered seeing that Naruto was sleeping.

An unusually distraught looking Neji pulled Shikamaru off to the side. He had to know if it was true or not. He had to. He just couldn't believe it. He just couldn't believe that NARUTO would do this to himself, not after the match they had at the chunnin exams. Not after everything Naruto said to Neji and Hinata about: 'I never go back on my word! That's my nindo! My ninja way!' Had it all been a lie? Neji changed his way of thinking, if only slightly, because of these words and Hinata had made real changes because of Naruto's nindo. He couldn't allow himself to believe it. He just couldn't.

"Is what Ino said true?," the usually stoic shinobi asked Shikamaru.

Shikamaru wasn't sure if Naruto wanted EVERYONE to know the details. He wasn't sure what to say. In fact since three days ago he and Naruto hadn't mentioned any of it again. He was in a tight spot. It was pretty obvious it was true, so he decided he'd tell them the truth or at least why he was there, but he would not reveal the personal details Naruto had shared with him.

"Yes." he answered quietly.

"I just can't believe it…not Naruto,?" replied Neji, stumbling back a bit.

Neji discreetly activated his byakugan to look at Naruto's chakra flow and internal damage. He could feel his eyes stinging with tears he refused to show anyone. The damage was extensive. It made Neji's stomach turn thinking about it.

"It's really true…," he muttered. "I just…I dunno…what to say…what to think…not anymore." he whispered mostly to himself.

Their conversation was interrupted by Kiba. He looked really worriedly at Naruto. Akamru stood next to Kiba and let out a whine, making Kiba shift his weight anxiously.

"Oi Shikamaru, why isn't he waking up? Is he going to be okay?" Kiba asked hesitantly.

"It's all the medicine they have him on."

"Do you think he'll wake up soon?" Kiba asked hopefully.

Shikamaru shook his. It was unlikely Naruto was going to wake up any time soon. He tried to nudge Naruto awake, but he just mumbled something incoherent in his sleep and turned on his side.

"I can't stay any longer. Give him this and tell him I stopped by twice but I was told he couldn't have visitors. Please make sure you tell him," Kiba requested guiltily.

He regretted having to leave. Shikamaru took the envelope from Kiba, which he imagined was a 'get well soon' card. Shikamaru nodded and Kiba left reluctantly. He had promised to help his sister with a new batch of ninja dogs recently born. Akamaru lingered next to Naruto licking his hand before following Kiba out. Naruto still didn't stir from his sleep.

Shikamaru looked around and noticed that just about everyone had gifts for Naruto. Shikamaru wished Naruto would have woken up for his visitors, but once he took his afternoon medicine he was out for hours ,though Shikamaru suspected it was done deliberately to keep the blonde from trying to leave or hurt himself further.

Everyone stayed for as long as they could, but Naruto slept right through. It was Hinata who had stayed the longest. Shikamaru observed her actions. He imagined she must have cared a great deal about Naruto and the fool didn't have a clue though it was obvious to the entire rookie nine plus team Gai.

Hinata hadn't said a word the whole time and even looked close to tears at times. She had activated her byakugan to get a better look of what lye underneath the bandages. Her eyes watered up and she too had to leave shortly after. Not even five minutes after Hinata left did Naruto wake up, sitting up groggily.

The blonde's eyes slowly surveyed the room. There were fruit baskets, flowers, cards, and candy. All of which proved he had friends. His eyes were wide with shock. They couldn't be his? Could they?

"Hey, where'd all that stuff come from?" he asked curiously.

'Boy are you troublesome…,' thought Shikamaru as he sighed.

"Everyone came to visit you but you slept right through it." his voice full of exasperation.

"You mean people came to see me?," Naruto asked wide eyed in disbelief.

"Yes, they came to see you." Shikamaru clarified for the blonde to be sure he understood people definitely wanted to see him.

"Wait...so everyone really came to see me and YOU LET ME SLEEP RIGHT THROUGH IT?!"he screeched the last part.

"We all tried to wake you, but you were out cold."he replied recovering from having his ear yelled in.

Naruto felt badly for having missed his visitors. He wondered if they were mad because he slept right through their visit. He hoped no one was upset with him. Then a thought crossed his mind and his smile faded. Maybe they visited because they felt obligated, after all it had been four days without anyone even stopping in, so why all of sudden did they all stop by he wondered.

"Why now?," he asked suspiciously.

Shikamaru couldn't bring himself to tell the blonde that the receptionist had been sending away his friends. He didn't think he could handle the hurt that would cross Naruto's features. Shikamaru couldn't do it, so he lied.

"They were out on missions and just returned recently." He lied but sounded very convincing.

"That makes sense."

'That was easy,' thought Shikamaru.

Naruto smiled trying to look at the stuff he'd gotten but they were too far from his reach. The brunette watched as Naruto tried to squirm closer to his gifts with his arms out stretched. Shikamaru sighed and lifted himself from his chair and walked over gathering the various gifts and placed them on the bed for Naruto to see better.

It was still difficult for Naruto to move and he really wasn't supposed to because the stitches on his abdomen could rip open if he wasn't careful. Not to mention the medicine made his body feel heavy and stiff. So he had to be careful and Shikamaru knew he wouldn't so he had to keep the blonde from moving too much.

"Thanks." He beamed.

Naruto looked through the cards and his eyes watered seeing how much everyone cared. Part of him wished the thought of killing himself never crossed his mind, but he still felt like everyone would be better off without him. He enjoyed Kiba's card most for the fact he'd actually tried to draw him a card. The cover had some crude stick figures which he assumed to be the both of them and the blob next to them was most likely Akamaru. It made him laugh.

The fruit basket from Chouji was the best one he'd ever seen. It contained apples, pineapple, grapes, bananas, oranges, and some berries. Team Gai gave him a combined gift which composed of a 'get well soon' card and a green jumpsuit to boost his youthfulness and speed up his recovery. The jumpsuit was most likely Gai sensei and Lee's idea. Naruto smiled lifting the jumpsuit from the box and inwardly couldn't wait to try it on.

Shikamaru cringed at the thought of Naruto wearing that ridiculous outfit.

'I'll have to hide it. A good friend wouldn't let anyone wear that.'

Hinata had brought him a card and her special healing cream. Shino had given him a box with holes. It worried Naruto but he opened to find a strange looking bug. There was a card and it indicated that it was some special kind of bug that brings good luck or something. Naruto shuddered. Leave it to Shino to think everyone loves bugs as a gift. Naruto shut the box carefully.

'A bug?'

And of course Ino brought the blonde some flowers. Little did everyone know but Naruto actually liked plants and flowers. He smiled at all the gifts. They had been so nice to bring them. He never knew he had so many friends. By now the blonde was crying again and Shikamaru knew these tears were different. They were tears of joy. Shikamaru smiled and again with the warm almost fluttering feeling.

'What is this troublesome feeling?'

It didn't take long for Naruto to grow sleepy and he struggled to put his gifts back on the table next to him. Shikamaru once again sighed and lifted himself from his chair to help out his friend even though Naruto wouldn't ask for help yet.

No matter how many times he sighed or muttered the words troublesome it was all an act. He didn't mind helping Naruto one bit. He wanted to help Naruto, though he couldn't understand his feelings about him clearly. All the brunette knew was that Naruto's real smile made him feel like he was outside on a sunny day.

Shikamaru removed the gifts from Naruto's bed and helped him get back under the covers. Naruto had a lot of trouble lifting up his arms very high due to all the stitches. Shikamaru smiled as he tucked the already sleeping Naruto in bed. He lingered over him for a moment.

"Good night Naruto," He whispered softly.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who reviewed so far! I really appreciate it!

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