Things Never Change
Chapter 12 You're Never Troublesome
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
AN: Well it seems most enjoyed the last chapter. You guys didn't think I'd make Naruto miserable all the time? Well, just keep in mind that things don't change overnight and it takes time! Thanks for all the great reviews. I really feel like this is my best story yet.
Naruto couldn't remember a day he'd been happier, except maybe the day he'd become a genin. He bounced around the apartment like a ping pong ball gathering what small amount of possessions important to him. He tried to imagine what his apartment would look like remodeled. He almost squealed at the thought of working appliance that most people take for granted day to day.
His smile was contagious as it was Shikamaru caught the 'smiles' and couldn't stop even as he helped the blonde pack his things. Shikamaru was doing his best to keep up with Naruto who was still bouncing around, but he eventually deemed it too troublesome and settled down opening the packet Naruto hadn't looked through yet in his excitement. The brunette looked through the welcome packet. He found an extra set of keys, a set of keys to enter the apartment's laundry mat, a pool pass, and a page of rules and also a flier of upcoming events, not that Naruto would be able to go with the way the villagers treated him.
Naruto noticed Shikamaru wasn't behind him anymore, and stopped to look for him. Naruto saw the brunette looking through the packet Toshiro had given him. He remembered he hadn't looked inside the packet, and wondered about its contents.
"What is it?" asked the blonde curiously.
"It's a welcome packet, with extra keys, a key to the laundry mat…"
"That's so awesome! I have keys to the laundry mat!" he giggled in his excitement.
Shikamaru hadn't even gotten to what he thought was the best part and eyed Naruto curiously.
"Really you're that excited about the laundry mat? I didn't even tell you the best part yet."
"Having keys to the laundry mat, means that I won't have to pay to use a public laundry mat anymore."
Naruto explained in such a happy voice that it made Shikamaru sad. Naruto was seriously happy with laundry mat keys. Shikamaru felt pity for him, but the feeling was short lived as the blonde's contagious smile infected him again. He wanted to see Naruto's face when he found out that he access to the apartments pool as well.
"Well there's a pool pass here too."
Naruto's eyes went wide. "Really!" he said jumping up and down.
"Yea."
"This day is turning out to be awesome!" he smiled brightly.
Naruto and Shikamaru packed a few remaining things and finished before noon. Afterward Shikamaru plopped lazily on the old couch, which he hoped Naruto would throw away soon, seeing as how he didn't have to worry about paying rent for a while. Naruto soon joined him on the couch. They sat quietly for a few minutes before Naruto spoke.
"Hey…um…thanks a lot Shikamaru."
"Oh no problem it wasn't that troublesome…you did most of the packing."
"No that's not what I meant."
"Huh?"
"I meant, thank you for everything. You've really helped me out a lot. I'm not sure anyone else would do all this for me. You're a true friend Shikamaru, the only one I have." replied Naruto in a serious tone.
Shikamaru couldn't help the look of shock on his face. It wasn't that he didn't believe the words Naruto spoke. It was just that he hadn't expected the blonde to just come out with something serious. He looked at Naruto as he continued to speak.
"I mean, well, it's just that I put you through so much, but you never got mad and you stayed by me." The blonde smiled and continued, "I guess I just wanted to thank you properly for all you've done."
Naruto fidgeted slightly which didn't go unnoticed by Shikamaru and neither did the slight blush across his face.
"Trust me, helping you is one of the few things in life I don't consider troublesome."
'I'll ALWAYS be there for you.' Thought the brunette wishing desperately he could just tell Naruto how he felt.
Naruto smiled one of the biggest smiles Shikamaru had ever seen. The happiness seemed to emanate from the blonde, causing Shikamaru to smile as well. He was beyond happy to see the blonde's life slowly turning for the better. Shikamaru was going to see to it that Naruto continued to smile, because he deserved so much better. He deserved to be happy.
The brunette's thoughts were interrupted by loud cries of Naruto's stomach for food. It was now past noon and neither had eaten yet today. Shikamaru glanced over to the blonde who eyes widened at the unexpected growl his stomach gave off. Shikamaru chuckled softly at the blonde.
"Hungry?"
"Yea…but I uh already packed the food…" he replied embarrassedly with his arm behind his head giggling nervously.
Shikamaru let out a long exasperated sigh at the blonde's lack of common sense, which in a weird way he found to be cute in this situation.
"I guess we'll have to go out and eat then." He replied matter of factly. "It'll be my treat."
"REALLY?!" yelled the blonde in his excitement.
Shikamaru couldn't believe how excitable the blonde was, all he'd said was he'd treat him to lunch and he was yelling, and jumping around again, and smiling. It was that smile Shikamaru loved about Naruto. His whole face seemed to brighten, even his eyes if it was even possible for them to become even brighter a blue.
"Yea."
They left Naruto's apartment and headed for the blonde's favorite place to eat. Ichiraku ramen stand of course. Shikamaru watched as Naruto walked with him. He seemed so different from just a few days ago. Such tiny changes in his life cause such a tremendous change Naruto. He smiled thinking of Naruto.
Ichiraku ramen stand came quickly into view as Naruto was very hungry and now jogging, and Shikamaru had to rush just to keep up with Naruto. The stand was empty, much to their surprise as it was a popular lunch spot. Naruto rushed into the stand excitedly. Teuchi stopped what he was doing upon seeing Naruto enter the stand.
"Naruto! It's been months since I've seen my number 1 customer! Where have you been?"
"I-I…" he started to say, but was cut off.
"Was your last visit here not satisfactory?!" Teuchi asked looking as though he'd start crying.
"N-No it was fine honest! I love Ichiraku ramen!" exclaimed Naruto.
"Then what happened?" asked Teuchi with a bit of concern.
Naruto thought for a moment and Shikamaru was about to intervene, but the blonde spoke up before he could do so.
"Hehe…you see I did something really stupid and landed myself in the hospital." He said with a nervous grin.
Naruto glanced at Shikamaru when he said the words 'really stupid'. Shikamaru hoped that meant Naruto wouldn't try it again.
"Well, I'm glad your back!" exclaimed Teuchi.
"It's really good to be back!" he smiled.
"So you must be starving, what can I get for you?"
"Pork miso dattebayo!"
Teuchi smiled and nodded at the blonde before looking to Shikamaru.
"I'll have the same please." answered Shikamaru, though less enthusiastically then Naruto had.
"It'll be right up!" called Teuchi as he went to the back to fix their ramen.
The curtain ruffled behind the two causing them to see who had entered the ramen stand. Jiraiya entered the ramen stand having returned from a long mission. His eyes held concern as he looked to Naruto.
"Ero-sennin!" yelled Naruto loudly.
"Hey kid." He replied but his voice sounded different than usual. He was serious, almost sad sounding.
~Flashback~
Tsunade sat at desk pretending to work as usual. It was late afternoon and she looked tired to Jiraiya who was watching her from the window. He saw no need to use the door when the window was wide open. He watched her for a bit waiting until she noticed him. It was like a game to him.
"I know you're there." She called out sounding irate, most likely because she wished to be out there rather than stuck inside.
"Took you long enough."
"I knew you were there the whole time, I just didn't feel like inviting you in, but there are some things we must talk about." She added seriously.
Jiraiya wiped the grin that was plastered to his face right off when he heard the seriousness in her voice. He could just tell something awful had happened. He wanted to know right away. He waited for her to speak, but she just sat there. She looked as though she was trying to gather the right words. Jiraiya though you wouldn't know by looking at him was nervous.
"Naruto almost died while you were away."
"What?! Was it Akatsuki?"
"No." she shook her head trying to fight the tears back.
"On a mission?"
"No." she started sobbing.
"Then HOW? Stop crying and tell me!" his tone became more anxious.
Tsunade's eyes flickered and began to tear up, while anger at being yelled coursed through her. Jiraiya's heart pounded while he waited for her answer, as to how Naruto who housed the kyuubi came close to death. It wouldn't be an easy feat for anyone to kill him. For someone to have gotten close to killing him, actually scared the sannin. The fox could heal almost any wound.
"Suicide attempt."
Jiraiya was paralyzed, and it felt as though his own heart had stopped. It was unreal. It couldn't be real. Could it?
"I can't believe that."
"Well it's the truth, and he would've died if Nara Shikamaru hadn't found him."
Jiraiya fell silent. He had nothing to say. What could he say really? He felt like it was his fault for not being there. He should have stayed. He had promised to train Naruto. If he had Naruto wouldn't have had time to think about such things. Jiraiya cringed at the thought.
"That's not all." Her voice faded.
Tsunade wasn't sure she should reveal this information to Jiraiya for the sake of Naruto's privacy, but being the blonde's godfather he should probably know.
"I found out that…that…" Tsunade paused to take a breath. "Naruto's landlord has been raping him since he was a child according to Shikamaru, who Naruto reluctantly told. So please keep this a secret."
Jiraiya tried to process what had just been said to him, but it felt like a blow to his gut. He couldn't believe it. He felt guilt rise to his chest. He should've known somehow. He just should've been there for Naruto rather than chasing down Orochimaru. Naruto's life would have been so much different. He could have had a stable life living with Jiraiya in the village, but no. Jiraiya felt more guilt than he ever thought possible. His eyes watered.
"Tsunade I'm going to kill his landlord. I'll kill that bastard!"
"Shikamaru already took care of that."
"Eh?"
"Shikamaru has been taking care of Naruto since that day. He even gave a substantial amount of blood to save his life. When he heard about what that scum bag had been doing to Naruto, he killed him. He really cares for Naruto."
"I see, but what will happen now with Naruto?"
"Well I appointed a new landlord, one who has no ill feelings towards Naruto, so that is no longer an issue."
"Good. But how is he now?"
"I don't know really. The last time I saw him he was wreck, but I have faith that Shikamaru is taking good care of him."
~End Flashback~
Jiraiya didn't even scold Naruto for calling him 'Ero-sennin' in public like he usually did. Naruto had a pretty good feeling Tsunade had told him about the suicide attempt. Jiraiya sat in the empty seat between the two and calmly ordered some ramen for himself.
"When are you going to train me? You promised!" yelled the blonde seemingly out of nowhere.
"Sorry kid, I got sent on a mission." He answered awkwardly.
Jiraiya didn't know what to say, and it was eating him from the inside out. If he didn't figure out what to say there wouldn't be anything left or at least that's how he felt.
"Yea, yea, your research…"
"No." he answered with his voice sounding more serious than before.
"Ero-sennin? What's wrong with you?"
There was a long silence he didn't know what to say. How could he say anything knowing all he knows, when Naruto knows nothing of it? He knew Naruto's father, Naruto didn't. He knew his mother. For god's sake Jiraiya was his god father, and was supposed to look after Naruto. He failed Minato, and Kushina. His eyes looked sadly down at the counter of the ramen bar while contemplating just what he'd say to the boy.
"I'm sorry Naruto. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you." The words rolled painfully out of him.
Naruto's smile faded as he looked at Jiraiya. At that point it was obvious Jiraiya knew. Shikamaru also had a saddened expression on his face. He wondered if this would set Naruto off or not. Jiraiya himself was probably close to tears though he'd never show it.
"Ero-sennin, it wasn't your fault, and I'm much better now." He finished with a real smile.
'If only you knew Naruto, you wouldn't have said that.'
He knew he couldn't tell Naruto just how much at fault he really was. That was a pain and a guilt he'd have to bear alone.
Jiraiya nodded to the blonde donning a mask to hide his feelings. Apparently Naruto wasn't the only one who could wear a solid mask.
"I'm really glad you made it through kid!" he said slapping him on the back though his eyes still flickered with sadness, though he feigned happiness for Naruto's sake.
Teuchi brought the three their ramen.
"Itadakimasu!" yelled the blonde breaking his chopsticks in half to eat.
They all dug in.
Naruto inhaled his ramen and looked at Shikamaru, who sighed heavily.
"Yes, order as much as you like." answered Shikamaru without waiting for the blonde's question.
The three sat in awkward silence which was un-noticed by the blonde as he inhaled his second bowl of ramen.
"Another bowl Teuchi-san!"
The old man smiled an obliged, but this time he gave Naruto the house special with the works. Naruto's eyes sparkled admiring the bowl in front of him for a moment before he tore into it, slurping loudly. His slurping caused both Jiraiya and Shikamaru to chuckle lightening the mood some.
Naruto after finally having his fill of ramen which turned out to be six bowls stood stretching. Shikamaru went to hand the money to Teuchi, who shook his head and refused to take his money.
"It's on the house this time! It's great to have my number 1 customer back!" he smiled waving off Shikamaru.
"Thank you." He replied leaving the stand to catch up to Naruto.
Jiraiya called Naruto over to him for a moment. Naruto was curious about the look Jiraiya was giving him, but he waited for whatever he had to say. Instead of saying anything he gripped Naruto into a quick hug. The blonde's eyes widened in shock. Jiraiya had always told Naruto he wasn't his friend or father, he was the blonde's teacher. Therefore he wouldn't coddle him, not even a little. This hug was so uncharacteristic for the sannin. Before Naruto knew it Jiraiya had let go and walked past Shikamaru.
"Take care of him." was all Jiraiya could whisper as he passed Shikamaru and he was gone.
Jiraiya's guilt was tearing him apart, and he couldn't stay there. He left Naruto behind again. He left knowing this time Naruto was in good hands. Shikamaru would take care of him now. He wallowed in his guilt, and ran away like he always did, but he'd be back. He always came back.
Naruto was over the shock of being hugged by Jiraiya. The guilt struck him hard. He started to cry. Shikamaru didn't know what to say, but he had to say something.
"Naruto are you okay?"
"Yea." replied Naruto wiping his eyes dry, "I finally get it." he continued.
Shikamaru looked at Naruto curiously. Naruto faced Shikamaru before speaking again.
"What do you 'get'?" asked Shikamaru trying to understand the blonde.
"I finally understand how selfish I was being when I tried to end my life. Not only did I hurt myself, but I hurt everyone around me."
"Naruto…"
"But I promise not to be so selfish ever again. I have people who care about me, and I'll never hurt them like that again." He finished smiling.
That was it. He no longer wished to die. He no longer wanted to hurt the people around him. Shikamaru smiled. Being told this took an even larger weight off his chest, as he no longer had to speculate that's what the blonde had meant earlier.
"I'm glad to hear that."
They started walking back to Naruto's apartment. They still had to move Naruto's stuff to Shikamaru's.
Naruto felt sad that he'd upset Jiraiya so much, but there was nothing he could do to take back the past. He would have to live with that, and in the future he wouldn't hurt anyone like that again. He knew Jiraiya would be back soon. It was just how Jiraiya was, he never stayed in one place too long anyways.
Shikamaru was surprised how well Naruto was taking everything. He was so relieved to see the blonde's smile was still intact. He walked lazily with his hands in his pockets following the blonde home thinking how troublesome it was going to be moving Naruto's stuff. He sighed knowing he wouldn't have it any other way, no matter how troublesome it seemed. He smiled thinking of the blonde he loved.
AN: Hope you enjoyed it! As always I appreciate the reviews I've been getting. Hope the Jiraiya thing wasn't too confusing. I just felt it's how Jiraiya would have reacted, but he will be back. Next chapter onwards to Shikamaru's house! Things are going slow, but I have most the chapters and the ending planned out already.
Thanks everyone!
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