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12. Hard truths

„I'm going to strangle him!" He growled out between clenched teeth. „Chop him up to little pieces and then sew him back together just to kill him again!"

He was leaving shocked people on his way, not that he saw it. He was exhausted and there was not even an indication when they could stop for a bit.

The reason for people standing stock still mouth agape and eyes almost popping out was Nara Shikamaru. He was known for his laziness and because of that, his peaceful nature. To see him even frowning was cause for worry. People just couldn't comprehend him muttering about torture and murder under his breath as he made his way to the blond Jinchuuriki's apartment. He was actually going to act! This promptly fried most people's brain that saw the shadow user.

The reason was of course the one and only high rank mission he completed in the last few weeks. They got so much evidence against Danzo, his machinations and ways, not to mention the information about the villages, not just Konoha either, the contacts, the dirty secrets he used, and all the undercurrent knowledge he had, that Ibiki and everyone under his command in this madness was on the verge of breaking down. This unfortunately included Shikamaru. He had so much in his head, he thought it would explode any second, he didn't have time to sleep for days, not to mention eat or even have a goddamn shower.

Now Shikamaru was a pacific being, but this situation was slowly driving him up the wall, and he had to release somehow. Who better to take the damage, than Naruto? He was half aware that he was just blaming the blond and it was a good thing they had this much in their hands, but he was also aware that if he didn't burn some energy, he would snap. So this left him plotting on his way to the Uzumaki's place, not acting like himself, because most of his brain was occupied by organizing all the data and calming the tornado currently messing up Shikamaru's mind.

It was around 1630 when he finally arrived.


Naruto was calmly reclining in an armchair reading the newspaper. Now he wasn't a fun of this particular activity, but Itachi wanted to know what happened around him, and so he volunteered to share what he read previously. Itachi didn't need to know that he just started buying newspaper for the raven.

He heard loud bangs on the door, and he was disturbed slightly when he saw that there was a black shadow creeping in not just under, but from all sides of his door.

He cautiously opened it, feeling the Uchiha come up behind him having heard the 'knock'. There in the doorway stood a very pale Shikamaru, with dark shadows under his eyes which were bloodshot. He was trembling slightly, and his expression didn't promise anything good.

"Um, hi Shikamaru… What's up?" were the tentative words from the blond.

"You! Field 11! Now!" Shikamaru growled out while pointing at Naruto. This worried the blond even more. Yes, Shikamaru was lazy, but to butcher his sentences so much coupled with his appearance was spelling trouble.

He sighed softly, seeing the shadow user already gone, he knew it was better to follow. "You coming?" He turned to Itachi and after getting a slight nod, they departed too.


Now don't get him wrong, Itachi was going for two reasons. He was absolutely NOT worried about his blond flat mate. He was not. He however saw a great opportunity to train, seeing as these two were bound to have a fight. His other excuse, I mean reason, was that, if something went wrong, he could get help or something. He was an observer and judge in this situation obviously.


The moment they got there, Naruto had to evade Shikamaru's first attack. He was running and jumping around the field, while the brunette tried to catch him. What was odd, was that Shikamaru didn't use any ninjutsu or genjutsu, or anything, he was fighting like a savage, just reach your target and punch or kick.

After a few seconds, when Naruto seriously started to worry, finally Shikamaru started talking. Screaming more like, but it was a progress. And from "Stand still!" and "I'm going to kill you!" he slowly started to calm down, or exhaust himself, because after half an hour of barbarian like growling and cussing, came the story of what happened. By this point Naruto stopped running, fearing he would miss something said, and met the lazy genius blow-for-blow.

They – because Itachi crept close enough to hear the moment they stopped moving – heard of some of Danzo's shame, and with every blocked punch, with every new hold came a new secret, a new truth to weigh on them.

They got to know, that Danzo sabotaged every attempt of the Sandaime to get Naruto a family, or to help people understand the child, and the law was placed only to protect Naruto, when Danzo made sure, that every time anyone talked about Naruto, they would come out of it with an even worse opinion on the little blond. The people of the village were in the verge of sending in assassins when the Sandaime placed his law, forbidding everyone of talking about the matter.

They got to know, that Danzo went against Hiruzen in ordering Itachi on his fateful ANBU mission. The Third wanted a formal discussion with the clan, to try to appease them, to help. Before that could reach the Uchiha Itachi was ordered to murder them. They got to know that it was partly for greed of their eyes, but partly because Danzo had an agreement with Orochimaru, and supplying bodies was part of it, just like giving away an alive Sasuke was – and all these plans went down without a hitch.

They got to know that this was why only genin were part of the retrieving squad, even if there were idly ROOT operatives available. They heard of his role with Hanzo, and his meddling resulting in the bloodline massacre in the Mist. Not to mention all his provoking and alienating the other Villages.

It was just a fraction that Shikamaru told, but when you look at it, he was responsible at least partly for every bad and everyone's suffering. For Haku, for Itachi and Naruto, for Nagato, Yahiko and Konan, he practically had a part in creating Akatsuki and all the useless wars that almost tore them apart.

Now, with Akatsuki having approximately four people only – according to Itachi, there were only Zetsu and Tobi, and the leaders Nagao and Konan – they were laying low for the time being.

By the time they stopped, Shikamaru was a mess, sobbing into Naruto's shoulder both sitting on the same spot they fought just minutes before. When he finally nodded off, the blond gathered him gently, taking care not to lose physical contact even for a second so as not to wake him, and they went home.


Naruto deposited the slumbering nin on his couch, getting out a blanket after making sure he was comfortable.

He followed the Uchiha into their bedroom, both in a pensive silence. After getting ready to bed, they just sat for some time, seeing nothing, trying to comprehend what they now knew. That someone, that was "doing anything for the best of the village no matter what" in fact ruined their life, and nothing good came out of his actions.

Hurting Naruto was just plain unreasonable, if he didn't do it for petty revenge against the dead Namikaze Minato, there was no justifying his actions, because he didn't lose anyone in the Kyuubi's attack. Murdering a clan for experimentations that didn't bear fruit and greed was just disgusting.

Abducting Konoha children from their home and emotionally conditioning them, and practically shackling them to himself in his so called organization was an all-time low and sabotaging every Hokage not himself was straight out traitorous.

Naruto looked up finally, noting that it was long into the night. "I'm sorry." He said to Itachi, who looked up, a deep sadness etched in the lines of his face and eyes.

"Me too." He replied. There wasn't need for more. They both knew what the other meant. The loss of a family, or a possible one in Naruto1s case, a hard life that they didn't have to have, for all the hurt and suffering they had to go through.

Sighing a little Itachi lay down, planning on thinking more after the other fell asleep. He was startled when Naruto invited himself in, laying down next to the raven. He gently gathered Itachi into his embrace before falling asleep. Itachi followed shortly, the embrace soothing him, making him feel protected.

While not much they would grieve tonight. Just for tonight.


A/N.: 1630 = 16:30 = 04:30PM.

I know it's short, but it just ended here. Next will have some more-coherent Shikamaru in it. BTW I totally planned on Shikamaru coming in the picture as his lazy and layed back self - gues it wasn't meant to be.

2013.05.10.