Things are not well between them. It's been that for a while now, and by the looks of it, not getting better any time soon.
Which is, Naruto muses when he has spare moment for such travesty, what they both wanted and worked so hard to achieve. More allies that friends, yet too invested into each other's lives still to be called mere acquaintances.
Work buddies? Ex war companions from the same battalion that's now less than half than when the war started? All of the above? Or none of the above, because they still grapple with idea of how to treat each other, these days.
Things got ugly between them before they even had a chance to go anywhere significant. Old resentment from times ago carries over by the wind of stray memories that are too hard, and too bothersome to control. Thus, even now, years after the Great Shinobi War ended, everything around a subject of Shikamaru is still incredibly frustrating. Naruto frowns at his own thoughts. Frustrating, and oh, so, so painful still.
"Lord Hokage"
A man in question. Coming in without knocking, stack of new reports marked "Urgent" across the front page sliding efficiently from his fingers on to Naruto's desk.
Everything in Naruto's office is neat and tidy. He takes great care in small things like order and organization of his work space. His personal life might be a mess, but everything in his office is thought out and immaculately placed in designated spots. His bookshelves are neat, his chairs arranged in a half circle around a coffee table where he sometimes eats his lunch. Not a stray piece of paper out of place. His desk… was a reflection of that just a minute ago.
"Out with it, Shikamaru."
"Reports are coming in. A group of Assassins are out for blood. Your blood Lord Hokage. They are sent but the Fog and they are well equipped this time to handle the task. They are led but Ito Hagino.
"And why are they after me?"
"Why is anyone ever after you, Lord Hokage? It's a popular sport. Especially now after the war is over and bad guys are gone. In my opinion, people are becoming bored with peace like they once were anguished with war. But then again, they could have a more sinister reason for trying to capture you, Naruto. You are who you are, after all.
So very bold in a presence of Hokage. Shikamaru stands there, smiling way to large to even imitate humble obedience.
With lines crinkling at the corners of his eyes, handsome features more angular and roughhewn by years on active shinobi duty, Shikamaru is changed at thirty. No more the skinny teenager who stole Narutos' heart many years ago. Couple of grays here and there. Hardened by war and heartbreak, loss of his sensei, but still as beautiful as fresh summer rain. Not his to marvel at, anymore. It was a wise choice, Natuto tells himself for the million's times over. Proper choice. The only choice.
"Ok, Captain Know it All"
Naruto's expression darkens from that last fleeting thought but he wills it to go away. It works, even though not completely. "Did you assign a team to go check it out?"
"Not yet. I will go check on the lead personally, considering the level of assault they are threatening to commit. It could be something, it could be nothing at all, but still needs to be investigated by the top intelligence we have. Which is me."
"Not happening, Shikamaru."
Naruto's heard enough of this. They still dance this dance of pretending not to care about each other. They perfected sequence of steps over the years, became acquainted with the slightest changes in moves. Outdone themselves at times by insulting each other while nobody was listening. But the minute even a sliver of threat shows up on a horizon, all the pretenses put aside, Shikamaru materializes, - a loyal soldier at his Hokage's side, ready to put his life on a line without a second thought to protect what is dear to him. If Naruto would be stupid enough to allow him to go ahead with his heroic escapades. There are protocols for matters like these after all.
"You are not going out yourself. There is a protocol for this, captain Nara. You are sending out a team of your best equipped squad to check on the Fog Ninja after I review all the files on them, and see if they even are who they say they are. And you are staying here put waiting for the report from a team, and then we decide what to do next.
Shikamaru, looking irate but containing himself, runs fingers absently over the scar sliding left cheek cleanly in half. It starts above the cheekbone near the temple, thin, silvery line, - it healed well, and runs all the way down to his chin. Stray shuriken meant for Naruto's heart. There is another scar on Shikamaru's chest, but not too many people know about that one. Naruto often wishes he did not either.
"You cannot tell me not to go."
"Like I said, and I don't like repeating myself, there are protocols for this. You should have it memorized. You are to stay behind and wait for the report from your team. I will not be sending you out to this mission. It's not … negotiable, Captain Nara."
"Naruto!"
As expected, Shikamaru finally snaps.
"What?'
Hokage stifles a smile. No matter the age, ranks, or unresolved history, when all the facades around them crumble, like they often like do in moments like this, and dissolve into a layer of necessities, they become Naruto and Shikamaru to each other again.
"What if the threat is real? My Hokage, with all due respect, this is… dangerous. "
Naruto's heart aches. He is so used to doing it he barely notices.
"This is exactly the reason why you are staying behind, Shikamaru. Thank you for clarifying this for me. It may be dangerous, and I just can't risk … sending you. There are protocols for this.
"I am your top security officer, you should be sending me, protocols or not. It makes the most sense. I am the most qualified for this. Lord Hokage, you are acting as if you scared that I might get in trouble? We are not fifteen anymore, Naruto."
"I know that you will get in trouble. This I know about you better than anyone else. Even if you promise not to look for trouble, trouble finds you. But that beside the point. You are of an outmost importance to … my security team.
Narutos' response is met by an acquiescent frown.
"If not me then who?"
" Find somebody, captain Nara." He gives Shikamaru a farewell nod. " Dismissed."
In moments like these, Naruto often finds himself wondering what would of happened if he dared to choose differently so many years ago. Would he find that happiness he longed for his entire childhood, or maybe it always have been just an illusion, that idea of happiness, unrealized desire he so desperately strived to achieve throughout his bitter union with Hinata. But he will never find out, for as long as his marriage lasts, and Shikamaru still at times lashes out angrily at him. Vengeful besides the moments when he tries to risk his own life to protect Naruto's, which probably is a proof in itself that he still cares. Not that it should matter. Because nothing will ever change for them, so it's best to let go and move on. For him and Shikamaru both.
He lingers around the office longer than necessary, stalling and finding more reasons to stay behind, prolonging the time when there is absolutely nothing left to do but to go home. He takes a long road to get there, stopping and talking to each and every villager he meets, and there are many who want to chat with young Hokage. He is loved and utterly adored by many, a fact that is always so grateful for, so he engages in every conservation and tries to answer every question directed his way. When he finally gets home, Its dark outside.
Hinata greets him with a nod, nothing more to show her disappointment.
"A lot of work today?"
"More then usual. We are at peace, but paperwork gets more and more tedious every day. I need to get a secretary. But then what will I do?"
"Rule the village?" She smiles and starts preparing dinner. No more a humble girl with permanent blush, but a sure of herself, shrewd wife of the most celebrated Hokage of present time. Despite the problems and lack of emotional commitment on Naruto's part, she never would want to part with this position of influence and authority that being married to him indubitably brings. She is loving it, being first lady of Kohoha.
"That's what Hokage's do most of the time, Naruto. Did not you know that when you took the job?"
"Not in a million years."
He smiles back, confrontation averted. Looks like Hinata is choosing a road of peace, and he gladly takes her offering.
They engage in bits of harmless conversation about Neji and his twins, how much trouble they are causing around the village now that they are five, and how much more pregnant Sakura looks this week than a week before, and which kid is driving her crazy at the Academy. Not a word about divorce tonight, or her bringing up the fact why their marriage is not working in a first place.
Naruto never denies it out right, neither does he agree with her words. Denying would be ridiculous, agreeing would be even worse, and he does not want to do either. Especially that it would it change nothing for the three of them. Nothing at all