A/N: Lots of drama in this one! Silly hormonal teenagers. Beta'ed by JimtheFish14!
Chapter Thirty-Six: Realization
Naruto felt a surge of happiness when Nagisa entered the Ichiraku booth.
"Hey Nagisa!" he greeted around a mouthful of ramen causing Teuchi to scoff at the boy's manners.
"Naruto," Nagisa greeted in turn while sitting down.
"Shrimp?" Teuchi got a nod and went to work on making Nagisa's ramen.
"Hey, hey, Nagisa! How much longer do you think Kakashi-sensei is going to be laid up? I'm getting bored with nothing to do!"
"Sakura said a few more days. The sharingan takes a toll on him."
"Yeah, yeah…man this sucks. Well, at least we still have our training. If not I'm sure I'd have gone crazy by now!"
"You would find a way. You always do." Naruto laughed.
"Ain't that right!" Nagisa thanked Teuchi as he plopped her food down and silence fell on the bar as the two feasted. "Say Nagisa—do you wanna come over tonight? I rented the movies you're in and was planning on watching them!"
Nagisa made a face in to her bowl.
"I do not like watching myself."
"Aww, come on! We'll have fun! I can get us some popcorn and dango—"
"Dango?"
"Yep!" Nagisa furrowed her brow in consideration before letting out a soft sigh.
"I cannot. I have an early morning tomorrow."
"What? What do you have—"
"Oh! Wasn't expecting to ruin your date!" Jiraiya said with a laugh as he entered the booth. Moving the curtains to the side so he didn't face plant them, the giant of a man sat down on Naruto's other side. "Sorry Nagisa this will only take a minute and then you guys can get back to your date."
"It's not a date Pervy Sage!" Naruto barked feeling his cheeks heat up dramatically which only made Jiraiya smirk.
"Sure, sure kid. Anyway, I'm just letting you know I'm headed out for a short while."
"Huh? Where you going?"
"One of my informants has something for me. So I'm going to go check it out. I should be back in a few days."
"Man! I was hoping to get some training in!"
"You've got Nagisa. And I won't be gone for long. You'll be fine." Jiraiya stood up from his seat and with a cheeky smile waved to Nagisa. "Sorry to interrupt again. Good luck kid!"
"Perv!" Naruto snapped with his cheeks flushed a second time.
"Would dating me be so awful?" Nagisa questioned causing Naruto's mind to come to a screeching halt. He found he could only stare at Nagisa for a while, unaware of Teuchi trying not to choke in the background.
"Wha…"
"You react poorly anytime someone mentions us dating. Am I not a suitable mate?"
"N—no! I mean—not no like no you're not but—I don't—why does it—what?" Nagisa tilted her head to the side as Naruto continued to babble. It was the way her bottom lip set that warned Naruto he was in deep. Trying to back pedal did nothing. "You're—you—and I'm me—and I don't understand—"
"Thank you for the meal." Nagisa tossed a few dollars on the counter and stood up. When she exited Naruto hurried after her almost forgetting to pay himself.
"Nagisa! Nagisa wait—" But in a flash of shunsui Nagisa was gone. Naruto stared slack jawed at the spot Nagisa had been before throwing his hands on to his head. "What the hell just happened?"
Shikamaru flinched as Nagisa slammed her door shut.
"The hell?" Leaving his packing for later the boy cautiously went to his sister's door. A tentative brush at the bond and she was at the door flinging it open.
"Am I not an attractive mate?"
"…what?"
"Am I not an attractive mate?" Shikamaru stalled for too long because Nagisa's eyes narrowed and she slammed the door in his face.
"…what the hell just happened?"
Naruto laid on his bed staring up at the ceiling. His stomach hurt with worry as Nagisa had shut the bond between them down so hard he couldn't even feel her. Something that hadn't happened since he left two years ago.
Again and again their interaction played in his head and he desperately tried to figure out what he had done. The only thing he could think was she had gotten angry at his denial of them being together on a date. But that was impossible. She hadn't gotten that angry when he'd first done it at his return.
So why had she gotten so angry?
Sai's voice rang through his head like a shattering bell,
'Is that why you love her?'
Naruto let out a groan and shoved his face into his pillow.
"Why does everyone assume that we're dating?" he bemoaned into his pillow. With a growl the boy flung himself back up into a sitting position, hugging his pillow close to his chest. Chewing on his thumb Naruto squeezed his eyes shut hard and thought.
Why did people assume they were dating?
What even was dating?
'People hanging out with each other. Going and eating together. Being together. Holding hands and stuff—'
Naruto jerked abruptly as he realized Nagisa and him did that stuff…a lot.
Naruto flew to his feet and began to pace back and forth.
"Impossible! I mean this is just ridiculous! We just do those things cause—cause—cause—gah!" Naruto rubbed at his hair in exasperation. "I'm in love with Sakura!"
Naruto slammed to a halt.
That wasn't true.
He hadn't thought of Sakura in that kind of way since…since…forever. Sure, he still loved her but he wasn't in love with her anymore. He wanted her happy and healthy and to get what she wanted from life but…no, Naruto no longer wanted to kiss her or hold her or anything like that. In fact, the very idea was sort of…repulsive now. She was still beautiful and he loved her oh so very, very much but the idea of kissing Sakura had him cringing in expectation of a punch.
And for the first time the idea of kissing Nagisa popped into his head.
'I'd have to watch her teeth…' he thought to himself but…the idea didn't repulse him. No. And Nagisa was really, really beautiful especially now after their time apart.
And she was so much more than that. She was kind even when she was mean. She helped him and never treated him like an idiot even when she was harsh. Nagisa was always there for him. Always protecting him even when he didn't need it.
Naruto spun around and fled from his home.
"Iruka-sensei!"
Iruka had already gone to bed if his pajamas were anything to go off of. But Naruto's banging on his door had the chūnin opening it with a fierce scowl.
"Naruto! Do you have any idea what time it is?"
"How do you know if you're in love with someone?" Iruka paused midrant as Naruto's words registered in his mind.
"…what?"
"How do you know if you're in love with someone Iruka-sensei?" Iruka let out a groan and rubbed at his temples before moving aside.
"Come in Naruto." Naruto did as ordered and settled himself on his familiar spot on Iruka's couch. He sat on the edge, to on edge himself to relax back and wait patiently. His leg was even bouncing with his endless energy.
"Well sensei?" he pushed, when Iruka didn't say anything right away.
"I don't know Naruto, I guess you'll just know."
"But I don't know!"
"I thought you were in love with Sakura."
"I thought so too! But now…" Iruka perked up from his chair finally awake enough to really focus on the situation at hand.
"You have feelings for someone else?"
"That's the thing Iruka-sensei, I don't know!"
"Well who is it?" Here Naruto began to blush fiercely and shift in his seat uncomfortably. He muttered the name under his breath causing Iruka to lean forward. "Huh? I didn't hear you."
"Nagisa…"
"Nagisa?"
Naruto banged his head up and down in an affirmative.
"Huh…that doesn't actually surprise me but I thought you said there wasn't anything going on between you two."
"There isn't!"
"Then why do you think you're in love with her?"
"I never said I was!" Iruka groaned and leaned back in his chair.
"Then why are you here Naruto?"
"I—I don't know if I'm—I mean I am—was in love with Sakura! But now…"
"Well what makes you think you aren't in love with Sakura anymore?" Naruto shrugged and glanced off to the side. "Okay, what makes you think you might be in love with Nagisa?"
"We do stuff together a lot and people are always saying we're dating."
"Just because people think you're doing something doesn't mean you are, Naruto. Come on it's me, talk. How did you know you were in love with Sakura?"
"She was really pretty."
"So, you liked her cause her looks?"
"Yeah, I guess so. And she was also really smart. But…"
"But…?" Naruto sighed heavily and buried his face into his hands while bending over his knees.
"I don't know Iruka-sensei. It's just…Sakura was always mean to me. I know I deserved a lot of it but I never realized how mean she was until…Nagisa. Sakura and Sasuke and the others they all treated me like I was an idiot and I know I wasn't the best student—" Iruka snorted. "But Nagisa…Nagisa's never treated me like I was an idiot or last place. She's always…she's always believed in me. And she's always teaching me stuff when I don't understand and she helps me out and we train together all the time and she's never hurt me intentionally, except during training sessions where she can get a bit mean but I know that's just to help me, and when I ask questions she explains them without acting like I'm stupid and—"
"You like her because she treats you like an equal."
Naruto lifted his head up, peeking through his splayed fingers at his old sensei. Iruka was smiling at him in a gentle sort of way that had him blushing hard.
"I mean…I guess? But Sakura's gotten a lot better even if she does still yell at me a lot."
"But Nagisa's never done it."
"No."
"Maybe you're realizing that you and Sakura just don't have a lot in common. Not like you and Nagisa apparently do. And that's important if you want a relationship with someone." Naruto glanced to the side. Chewing heavily on his bottom lip the boy contemplated Iruka's words. "So do you think Nagisa's pretty?" Naruto's face burned fiercely. Iruka laughed. "I'll take that as a yes. And do you think Nagisa's smart?"
"She's super smart! I mean she can be pretty bone headed about things especially stuff like how to talk to people but she's really smart at being a shinobi and she knows all these cool tricks and she knows how things work when we don't—"
"So the reasons you thought you loved Sakura are things you also like about Nagisa."
"Yeah!"
"So do you think that's why you're in love with her?"
"Y—no. No it's more than that. Nagisa…Nagisa makes me feel good. And she's always looking out for me even when I don't want her to. Like our last mission. And…and I want to look out for her cause she pushes herself to hard. I mean really hard. And yet she's always willing to help me."
"She's kind to you," Iruka agreed with a mix of pity and regret coloring his words. Thankfully Naruto didn't notice.
"I just don't know what to think Iruka-sensei!" Iruka stood up and joined Naruto on the couch. Slinging an arm over the boy he hugged him close once.
"And that's okay. You're still young Naruto. Don't let stuff like love get you bent out of shape. There's plenty of time to decide if you like someone or not. You don't have to rush into anything. Just take your time and I'm sure you'll figure it out."
Naruto glanced at his old sensei before nodding somberly.
"I guess."
Yoshino knocked on her daughter's door before entering. She opened the door just in time to watch Nagisa toss a shirt from the closet. The article of clothing sailed through the air before slamming against the wall and falling onto a steadily growing pile.
"Have a nice day did you?"
A deep growl rattled from the closet.
Yoshino peeked into find Nagisa glowering at her clothes.
"…so a not so nice day then. What happened?"
"Naruto does not find me a suitable mate."
Yoshino's mind came to a ragging halt before stuttering back to life.
"…what?"
"He is offended when others insinuate we are dating. He stumbles like newborn fawn when I demand answers. He does not find me suitable."
"…okay…and that is a bad thing." The look Nagisa gave Yoshino could melt skin from bone. "Oi, don't be getting frustrated with me," Yoshino snapped. Raining her temper back in, Yoshino rubbed at her eyes before motioning to Nagisa's bed. "Come on. Tell me what happened exactly."
Nagisa settled down next to Yoshino on her blue comforter. She told her mother what had happened at the ramen shop and it took all of Yoshino's shinobi training not to burst out into laughter. Of course Nagisa handled matters of the heart the same way she handled everything else besides wet work; with the subtle actions of a charging buck during rut season.
"It sounds like you just caught the boy off guard. You can't spring stuff like this on them. They'll spook." Nagisa's bottom lip pouted out causing Yoshino to chuckle. Catching her youngest's chin she forced Nagisa to look at her. "Don't take this to heart Nagisa. I'm sure you just surprised him. He probably doesn't even understand what you're saying."
"He understood his love for Sakura easily enough."
Yoshino flinched.
"Well yes…does he still love Sakura?"
"Yes."
"Oh hun…perhaps then Naruto isn't worth your efforts when it comes to these sorts of things." Nagisa's frown only accented her natural beauty while her arms crossed under her breasts.
"I…I do not need Naruto's love…" she admitted slowly, almost unsure in her words. "But…I do not wish for him to love someone unworthy."
"Is Sakura unworthy?"
"No."
"Then perhaps you should simply be happy for him."
"Sakura is not unworthy…as a potential mate however…I do not think she deserves Naruto."
"Why not?"
"Years she had to make him her own and she did not. Instead she spat upon his hard work. Since, Sakura has grown to see the real value Naruto holds but…"
"And you've seen Naruto's potential since day one." Nagisa's eyes skirted to the side.
"…close."
Yoshino watched her daughter, looking for the almost nonexistent signs she gave off to show her feelings. Unlike her son the girl could be so hard to read. Yoshino didn't have fifteen years of living with her to help either. So Yoshino fell back on all her years as a mother and a shinobi to try and help her navigate the growing pains of her daughter's life.
"Do you love him?"
"I do not wish any harm to fall Naruto. I will not tolerate any insulting him or hurting him in anyway. I will see to it that Naruto achieves whatever his dreams maybe. I will be his strength when he is weak. I will give myself to death if it means Naruto's continued existence."
Yoshino shoved down all the bad bad bad thoughts that came with Nagisa's proclamation. The twisting of her gut wasn't a good one full of hope and happiness.
But Nagisa was a strange child. One who didn't understand things the way those of Konoha did.
"But do you love him Nagisa?"
Nagisa kept her eyes firmly on the floor.
"Love is dangerous," she finally admitted.
"True. But love is also wonderful."
"Love makes you hurt."
"But it also makes you happy."
"Love is a weakness."
"Do you consider me weak?" Nagisa's eyes flashed to Yoshino and it was all the ex-shinobi needed to see to realize Nagisa was very uncertain in that moment. "Do you consider yourself weak? For loving me? Shikaku? Shikamaru?"
And now Yoshino knew she was using the girl's moment of weakness for her own gain. Nagisa had joined her family full heartedly three years ago but…there were still times Yoshino wasn't sure Nagisa really understood. Didn't realize just how much the family loved her. What that love meant.
"…I do not consider myself weak," Nagisa admitted. "Not strong enough…but not weak."
"Good. Because you're not and soon you will be the strongest shinobi in Konoha. Now, do you love Naruto?"
Nagisa's eyes were void of all emotion, a gate thrown up to her soul so that Yoshino could not see within any longer. It burned Yoshino from the inside out but she held her tongue. Pushing Nagisa on anything emotional never ended well. Not for her. Not for Shikaku. Barely ever for Shikamaru.
"I loved Zabuza. And he is dead. I loved Haku. And he is dead. Can I afford to love him?" Nagisa questioned, succeeding in breaking her mother's heart.
Naruto trotted up to the Nara home as the sun began to peek over the horizon. He was in casual clothes if only because today was their day off. He could still easily spar in it and that was what mattered.
'Maybe I should have showered though…'
Naruto shook his head hard. No Nagisa didn't care if he showered or not and besides he'd showered the other day.
'Just calm down! It's just Nagisa! And Iruka-sensei was right! It's not like anything has changed! I just gotta act normal—'
Naruto shook his head to remove the sight of Nagisa's cold expression from last night from his mind.
Knocking on the front door Naruto was surprised to be greeted by a glowering Shikamaru. Said glower turned into a look of surprise before being lost to relief.
"Oh hey Naruto. What are you doing here?"
"Was wondering what Nagisa was up to." Shikamaru perked up.
"She didn't tell you?"
"Huh?"
"We're leaving for a short trip."
"What? Where? For how long?"
"Naruto?" Said boy's eyes flew behind Shikamaru and got stuck. Nagisa was coming around the corner but Naruto almost didn't recognize her. With make up on her face and her hair dangling down her back, Nagisa was almost unrecognizable in her furisoda kimono. "Did you come to spar?"
Naruto continued to stare at Nagisa open mouthed. He always knew Nagisa was pretty, exceptionally pretty like Sakura, but dressed up like this—
"Naruto ?"
The boy shook himself hard before sputtering out,
"Yeah but Shikamaru just said you're going somewhere!"
"Yes. I have been called away to Takehiko-dono's where he and his son wish to court me."
"C-Court you?"
"It's nothing new," Shikamaru grumbled while crossing his arms over his chest. "Or unheard of."
"What? What do you mean nothing new?"
"Ever since her movies came out Nagisa's been hounded by a whole lot of people asking her out. It's the lords that get real annoying cause you can't just chase them away. So we're going to go met this Takehiko guy and his son and basically tell them to fuck off —"
"Shikamaru." Shikamaru pouted out his bottom lip as he turned to his frowning father. "I'm trusting you to handle this appropriately as future Head of our clan." The boy let out a heavy sigh and scratched the back of his head.
"I know, I know." Shikaku glared at his son for a moment more before turning to his daughter.
"Do you have everything?"
"Yes."
"Good. You're escort team should be waiting—was that Naruto?" All heads turned back to the front door to find Shikamaru by himself.
"Why did he leave like that?" said boy grumbled to himself before rolling his eyes and deciding that he had more important things to worry about.
Team 8 was ready and waiting at the gate.
"Man still can't believe we got a guard mission," Kiba barked when they got close enough. "Let alone we'd be guarding you Nagisa." Akamaru barked beside his partner, his barrel like chest causing it to be loud and deep. Nagisa was still startled when she saw the dog as he was now easily at her chest versus able to sit on Kiba's head.
"Your statement is correct. It is unusual for a shinobi to have shinobi guards." Nagisa shrugged at Shino while Shikamaru continued to pout beside her.
"Tsunade-sama's orders."
"We've never done a guarding mission together before," Hinata peeped up while hiding behind her hands. "It will be a good experience."
"Whatever you say," Shikamaru grumbled. Rubbing tiredly at his face the boy motioned to the gates.
"Come on, let's get this over with. The sooner we leave the sooner we get back home."
They weren't even out of view of the main gates when Naruto's voice screamed out,
"Wait!" All heads turned to find Naruto rushing towards them with a bag slung across his back. "I'm coming with you!" he shouted the second he was close enough.
"What? No you're not dunce!" Shikamaru shouted. Nagisa's elbow to his gut had him doubling over and hacking.
"Do not insult him," she ordered before watching the blond out of the corner of her eye. Naruto flushed at the glance and shifted. There was something…different about that glance.
"I—I want to go with you!" he told the bluette. "We're a team and team members shouldn't go around without each other!"
"We've been separated for two years," Nagisa interjected.
"Well yeah! And that's long enough don't you think?"
"Hn. Do what you want." Nagisa turned around and continued walking. The others watched her go with different levels of surprise. It was Shikamaru who broke the awkward silence by grabbing the back of Naruto's sweater and snapping,
"What'd you do?"
"I didn't do anything!"
"You're the reason she's been so pissy! Fess up!"
"Gah! I swear I didn't—" Naruto's mind flashed back to Nagisa storming away from him and felt his face pale.
"You did do something!"
"Not intentionally!"
"That doesn't matter! What'd you do?"
"I'm not sure! But she got mad at me last night for something!"
"Idiot! You can't just—"
"Why are you so far behind?" Both Naruto and Shikamaru jerked at Nagisa's tone, noticing she was now looking back with a hooded expression.
"N-no reason!" Naruto yipped, breaking out of Shikamaru's hold and running to catch up.
"Well…this is gonna be interesting," Kiba snorted before his team followed as well.
"So why is a lord guy wanting to court Nagisa?" Naruto demanded from Shikamaru. Shikamaru arched a brow at Naruto. His dark eyes skipped to Nagisa who was at the head of their group and not appearing to be listening.
"Seriously? Isn't it obvious?" Naruto's blank expression told Shikamaru what he thought of that. "Ugh, just think about it! She's a Nara."
"…and?" Shikamaru groaned and rubbed at his eyes.
"Okay, this is essentially an arranged marriage type thing—"
"But you said Nagisa was going to say no!"
"Obviously! But we can't just automatically say no. We have to pretend we're at least considering the guy's proposal. It'd be an insult if not and insulting lords is a huge no-no for shinobi, you know that." Shikamaru chose to ignore Naruto's blank stare. "Anyway Nagisa is like the perfect candidate for a small lord's advancement."
"Huh?"
"Can obviously tell you're not a clan kid," Kiba laughed as he joined the two. With a snarky smirk Kiba answered, "She's a second child of a predominate clan. Not only does that mean her dowry is pretty damn decent but she's also got ties that this lord guy can use. But she doesn't have all the other obligations a first born would have. I mean we've all gotten stuff like this already."
"Seriously?"
"Kiba is speaking truthfully. I have been to two of these already and my younger sister is starting to receive attention herself though she is still too young to have any offers yet."
"I-I've been to a few myself Naruto-kun. A-and Hinabi has had many and she's still not of age yet either."
"I've gone to three myself!" Kiba bragged. "Granted little court ladies aren't really my thing, too much decorum not enough fun. Luckily Mom scares most of them off."
"Wait, wait, wait! You mean you've all gotten courting stuff? Why?"
"If you'd listen to Kiba you'd understand," Shikamaru huffed. "Nagisa is a Nara, meaning she's a clanned shinobi. She has connections by blood. Meaning if anything were to happen to her not only would the Nara Clan react so would the Yamanaka and Akimichi. Right there is some serious security. Whoever Nagisa marries ends up with that security along with their children. There won't be any need for wasting money on buying missions when all you have to do is ask a cousin. And Nagisa has a huge dowry as she's the only girl of a Clan Head even if our clan isn't as predominate as the Aburame or Hyūga. Now add into the fact she's the second child. That means there's no obligations like I have. All her children will be the lord children versus the first born belonging to the clan."
"And I am not blood related," Nagisa cut in finally, still walking ahead on the road without looking back. "If I were to be killed there would be less repercussions."
"There'd be plenty of repercussions," Shikamaru snapped.
"Hn." Shikamaru scowled at his sister's back before turning to Naruto again.
"She's right though. Technically there would be less of an uproar if she were to die in a lord fight versus me."
"This all sounds awful! You mean you guys don't get to marry who you love?" Naruto demanded, feeling sick to his stomach with all the new information he was getting. He wasn't sure what to think when Kiba laughed.
"Of course we do! Well, most of us will anyway. It's just a game the lords like to play. My mom would never force me to marry someone."
"Nor would mine," Shino agreed.
"I'm no longer the heiress therefore Father will not be as particular about who I will marry."
"Though it's all about bringing honor to the clan," Kiba laughed. "All Inuzuka kids are Inuzuka. That's why none of the lords have really tried to get Hana, my sister. The last one that pushed almost ended up dead when Mom found out."
"…you're mom sounds terrifying," Naruto muttered.
"She is."
The Takehiko castle was a decent size for a small lordship. It was surrounded by a tall wall with armor clad guards. Nagisa and the others were welcomed in by an attendant of the lord. He led them to a well-kept garden.
"Allow me to introduce our lord Takehiko Ubunaka-dono and his son Takehiko Ubukata-sama."
The family resemblance was striking between the two. Ubukata was an exact replica of his father only without the age lines and slight belly. Both were dressed in their finer robes and haori jackets. Ubunaka smiled, causing his thin mustache to jump.
"Welcome to our home," he greeted while stepping down into the garden. His son followed his heels at a respectful distance. "You must be Nara-san."
"My father sends his regrets at not being able to come here himself and hopes you can forgive his absence," Shikamaru bowed.
"Think nothing of it," Ubunaka said with a wave of his hand. "I understand the life of a shinobi must be more hectic than our own." Ubunaka finally turned to Nagisa and smiled brightly. "And this must be the lovely Nagisa-chan." Nagisa blinked slowly as the lord gripped her hands through her drooping sleeves. She just saw Shikamaru barely stop from scowling. Naruto didn't bother hiding his. "You are as lovely in person as on television. Please, allow me to introduce my eldest son. Ubukata."
The young lord came up and gave a polite bow. Nagisa returned the gesture with one of her own.
"My father speaks the truth. You are indeed a magnificent sight my lady."
"Come, let us give you a tour of our home!"
"If you would follow me," the aid said to Team Eight and Naruto.
"Huh? Aren't we going—"
"Go on Naruto," Shikamaru ordered while following after the lord. Naruto's eyes narrowed at the younger lord as he stood dangerously close to Nagisa.
"But—"
"Come on idiot," Kiba snipped quietly before physically dragging Naruto away. The aid led them to two rooms, one for Hinata and one for the boys.
"What are we doing? I thought we were here to guard Nagisa! Why aren't we with her then?" Naruto barked the second the aid was gone and they were alone.
"We're just a formality. Nagisa doesn't actually need us here, duh," Kiba explained.
"Truth. We are simply here as show."
"Show for what?" Naruto barked.
"Show of Konoha's might and that Nagisa has connections. The lords don't care about the Nara Clan so much so that it's a shinobi clan, get it? So, when a shinobi shows up they expect to see some sort of military might."
"But Nagisa doesn't look anything like a shinobi right now!"
"Yeah cause Nagisa showing up armed to the teeth won't terrify them," Kiba snorted.
"Nagisa can be…scary," Hinata agreed.
"Understatement," Shino granted.
Naruto glowered from his hiding spot as he watched Nagisa, Shikamaru and the lords eat. He and Kiba were hidden throughout the room, there but out of sight. As 'proper shinobi' should be. Shino and Hinata had disappeared off somewhere.
Naruto didn't know how Shikamaru or Nagisa hadn't decked one of the lords yet. There privileged attitudes and condescending comments were enough to set his teeth on edge. He was sure he saw Shikamaru clenched a couple times when comments were directed at Nagisa but Nagisa was letting them roll off her back like water off a duck.
Dinner was followed by a better tour of the garden. Ubunaka wondered off to do 'something important' leaving Shikamaru as the chaperon. Naruto was hidden by the noyane, body pressed flush against the tiles while he listened in on the little lord prattle.
"Our union would be most profitable," Ubukata was saying for what felt like the millionth time to Naruto. "Father has taken it upon himself to begin a rise to the name Takehiko. Already we've seen an influx of goods and merchants coming through. And it will only continue to rise. I expect our children—" Naruto slapped his hands over his mouth to hold in a howl. His nails dug in to his cheeks but he was able to keep his screams inside even if he did feel something bust inside his brain. "—would be ladies to those in league with the daimyo and our sons lords of their own estates larger than even this one."
Nagisa remained silently but the soft noise of wind moving told Naruto she had a fan out. He dared peek over the side of the roof to see her sitting on a little bench, fanning her face while her eyes gazed dully out at the garden. Ubukata was standing next to her while also looking out at the garden. His eyes were ablaze with unforetold glory. Shikamaru was off on the other side of the garden, keeping a respectful distance.
"—Someday my children will be in line with the daimyo. It will simply be a matter of time and they will recognize the Takehiko name for what it is. Then we won't be asking for the hands of lowly shinobi clans—" Nagisa's fan paused. "—but rather those of the Four. I suppose it's not awful seeing as your family is an attendant to the Akimichi who I'm told have plenty of assets that would be useful for the rising of our family. But my children will not be marrying 'attendant' families. And hopefully your colors don't show through to our children."
Kiba body slammed Naruto and both he and Akamaru laid down on him while Kiba kept a hand on his mouth.
"Shut up you idiot!" the Inuzuka hissed while Naruto struggled.
"Or your disturbing teeth. Father says it will be worth the occasional water children showing through our lines. We can always send the unacceptable children away to monasteries or nunneries."
Nagisa's head moved slowly to watch Ubukata.
"Children of shinobi are supposed to be strong. I expect at least five sons from you. Strong, healthy boys to help me advance our family—"
"You're a special kind of idiot aren't you?" Shikamaru snapped, causing Ubukata to come to a grinding halt. Nagisa stood up from her sitting position and walked over to join her brother. Naruto finally stopped struggling and watched with Kiba as Shikamaru glowered hotly at Ubukata. "First you insult our family, then my sister and you still expect I'd agree to this arrangement?" Ubukata glowered right back.
"It's not up to you."
"The hell it isn't. Nagisa is my sister and I wouldn't give her to a snot-nosed punk like you even if you were the last hope for our clan!"
"How dare you! Do you know—"
"I don't give a shit who you are. We're leaving." Naruto cheered against Kiba's hand and was finally able to buck Kiba off. Akamaru stayed firmly against his legs though making is impossible for him to follow after the storming Shikamaru who was dragging Nagisa away.
As they had yet to even unpack the group was back on the road in a matter of minutes. Ubunaka had tried to get them to stay but Shikamaru wasn't having any of it. The look the lord had sent his son told Shikamaru all he needed to know that punishment was going to be dealt which gave him a vindictive pleasure.
"That was awesome! Great job Shikamaru! You sure told that loser! Man I just wish I had a chance to knock his lights out!" Naruto shouted while throwing a couple punches. Shikamaru gave Naruto a sour look before turning to Shino and Hinata who had shown back up as they were leaving.
"Sorry I wasn't able to give you guys more time. I just couldn't stand there any longer and listen to him insult her. Were you able to get it?"
"Affirmative," Shino said while Hinata pulled a scroll out of her jacket pocket.
"…what, what?"
"Idi—" Shikamaru's word stuttered to a stop as Nagisa shot a glance at him. "That was all a mission."
"…What?"
"The Takehiko family has been rising in higher circles," Nagisa began to explain without looking way from the direction they were hidden. "There has been suspicions as to where they are getting this new money and supplies. And there has been sighting of Iwagakure shinobi in their dominion. When they sent out a courting invitation to the Nara Clan, Tsunade-sama thought it would be a good way to get in and see if anything could be found."
"And we found plenty of incriminating evidence," Shino said to which Hinata agreed.
"So what you're telling me was this was all planned out?"
"We told you we had no intentions of accepting their courtship even before that idiot kid opened his mouth," Shikamaru said with exasperation.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Cause you're a blabbermouth who can't keep a secret," Kiba laughed.
"You weren't even supposed to be here. Be happy we didn't send you back home."
"But—but—"
"It's okay Naruto. This isn't the first time we've done something like this with Nagisa. She has been a valuable asset to our infiltration missions," Hinata peeped up seeing Naruto struggling to comprehend.
"I don't—but she went through—"
"A mission," Nagisa said with a finality that ended the conversation.
Naruto scampered up to the Nara house and was greeted by Shikaku leaving.
"Morning Naruto," the elder Nara greeted.
"Morning Shika-oji!"
"Nagisa is out back," Shikaku said before heading off into the village.
"Thanks!" Naruto ran around the house to the backyard where he found Nagisa in a training outfit going through a kata. He waited patiently for her to finish, recognizing the kata as one of her more common warm ups. But when she didn't turn to face him when she was done and instead went right into another kata Naruto felt his stomach plummet. "Uhh…morning Nagisa?" he squeaked out.
"Hn."
"Umm…how are you?" Nagisa lashed out in a high kick that snapped loud enough to make Naruto flinch. She didn't answer but continued her kicks, each one louder than the last. "Uuhhh…something on your mind?" Nagisa leapt high into the air, performed her final high kick and landed. She then proceeded to move on to her other leg. "…So I'm happy that you weren't really considering that Take-guy!" he chirped, faking a happy tone. He instantly scrambled backwards when Nagisa paused mid-kick, her entire body going stiff.
"Why?"
"Wh—what?"
"Why does that please you?" she asked without looking at him. She remained in her form, leg poised up with her heel pressed against her thigh.
"Well—he was just an ass, ya know? And—and he was a jerk and you could do so much better than him—" Nagisa lowered her leg in a swinging motion, bringing her around to look at Naruto. Her face was as empty and cold as a glacier making Naruto swallow thickly.
"But not for you?"
"W-what?" he squawked out.
"Takehiko was not good enough for me but I am not good enough for you."
"What? When did I—I never said—why are you—"
"You act revolted any time someone brings up our joining. The obvious answer is you find it displeasing. Therefore you find me displeasing."
"No!" Naruto shouted, feeling his face flush. "That's not it at all!"
"Then why do you react so negatively?"
"I just—"
"Do you not think me a suitable mate? Am I not strong? Am I not an effective shinobi? Do I have such large flaws?" Nagisa's eyes narrowed marginally but it might as well have been a full of glare. "Am I not as desirable as Shion?"
Naruto was pressed flush against the wall trying to swallow his own heart (or at least planned to follow it when it escaped the situation).
"What does—why did you bring up Shion? I don't—you're really pretty—I mean I find you—of course—I don't—"
Nagisa frowned lightly but it might as well have been a scowl.
Before Naruto could continue to spew out more words and make the situation worse, because let's be honest he wasn't making it better, there was a loud explosion.
The warning siren soon followed. Nagisa's eyes went to the sky her entire body stiffening as she perked up like a prairie dog.
"We're under attack."