Man, there's so much that I want to go back and add, so actually editing this is gonna be a bitch when it's all done. (Guess that's what happens when everything posted is a first-draft...)

If he was being honest with himself, he wasn't really angry at Shikamaru. Really. It's just that all of his mounting frustration and fear had finally turned to anger—volatile, baseless anger—and the only physical thing he could blame was Shikamaru, the People that had introduced him to this mess. Nevermind that it'd been his decision to meet Shika at the urging of King. Nevermind that his anger had started transmuting into animosity towards his temporary father-figure.

For a while, that anger was smoldering like the coals of a dying fire—just a bit burnt out but still ready to flare up at a moment's notice. But after days—maybe even a week-of somewhat self-imposed isolation, the anger gave way to loneliness and what he'd identified to be guilt.

In rare moments of spite, he'd searched out Shikamaru's quiet chakra. He didn't know what he was looking for—maybe remorse or guilt—but the turbulent emotions he'd found far exceeded his expectations and gave him moments of clarity.

He couldn't say that he was all too familiar with the negative emotions Shikamaru was feeling, but their intensity made him both concerned and vaguely frightened. It felt intrusive of him to look into them too deeply or for too long, yet his concern for his friend made him continue checking in anyways.

He wanted to be there for Shikamaru just as the People had been there for him. To comfort him and try to make up for those countless times he'd been comforted. But now, instead of not wanting to, he was unable to.

At first, his isolation had been of his own volition. But then when he'd snapped out of his selfish, hurting anger, he'd remembered the words of that woman his brave Shika regarded so respectfully: '"I won't bar your access to your friend."' That meant he could see Shika anytime, right? But the thing was, he didn't trust this woman one bit.

Who's to say she wouldn't change her mind?

So he stayed where he was, in that mostly-barren room that had already become infested with thorns and ivy.

The white walls offered zero mental stimulation—there was nothing besides basic wooden furniture and a small, uncomfy bed. He suddenly wished he had something to at least fidget with. Flopping back on the bed, he started imagining things from the shapes molded into the ceiling and waited for either the next food time or pee time.

Without realizing it, Naruto had drifted off to sleep. He only knew this because he was suddenly blinking at that not-so-blank ceiling with a jolt of awareness. There was a brief bit of panic when he couldn't feel the Forest and his mind flashed to that time when he was awoken to the shrieking of the trees. But then the situation came back to him and he forced himself to calm.

Being calm was not Naruto's forte; as a child, he'd been rambunctious and full of energy. It was only after he'd met King that he'd learned to somewhat calm his temperament—he learned by meditation. This was what he did now.

Relaxing his muscles, he closed his eyes to focus on the inner-workings of his chakra. He'd noticed that recently, his chakra had started fluctuating and affected his moods to an extent. This didn't much concern him because it had behaved similarly during his growing period, and never in his life had he gotten sick. So he worked to soothe his chakra, nudging it back into the proper places and focused on circulating it.

Instead of having it pool in the head, heart, and stomach as it did naturally, he worked to extend its reach to every vein and muscle, from the top of his head down to the very tips of his toes. He worked to fully saturate every part of himself, and when he was satisfied with himself, he looked outwards.

While there were few bugs or plants—aside from the ones born from his chakra—there were plenty of People (five, in fact). He did little in regard to them, only observing their chakra and learning what he could from what they told him. All around him, he could feel chakra. He was drowning, drowning—

And then he noticed Shikamaru's chakra.

It was getting closer, closer, right outside, and then—a knock.

Through the door, he heard him shuffle a bit and lower something to the ground. It was either large or heavy from the 'thump' it made. Maybe a bit of both, judging from Shika's slightly labored breath. And then, muffled through the dead wood, Shika started talking: "look, Naruto, I know you're probably still mad—and I'm sorry, but there's a reason for this and—" he sighed, adjusting something outside. "I'll be back when you want to talk."

'Back'? He was leaving?

Naruto quickly pulled himself from his state of meditation and tore through the leaves and tiny flowers that had just sprouted. His guards couldn't stop him if Shikamaru was here! Tearing open the door, he didn't waste a second before he forcefully pulled Shika inside and slammed the door shut.

With his Shika enclosed in his arms and warmth soothing his fears, at that moment, everything was okay.

I was really inspired by "Daddy Issues" by 'deathbyspice' on AO3! I really want to have more moments of romance, but it's hard to do when I just keep adding more angst... I'll probably have to add those moments in later *shrugs*

Next chapter will have fluffy bonding time! I'm going to revise the preface then do the next chapter. (Sorry this was so short (^w^'))