Thank you to those that have liked the story. Also, thank you for being with me as a writer. I really appreciate it!

Also, a few notes: Sasuke never left for his redemption tour after the war. Once again Shikamaru is a little dark.

Day One:

Shikamaru went into Nara's forest to sit in his new favorite spot. Where he made his first subjugation, the gravesite of Hidan. This was his favorite spot for a number of reasons, one he averaged his sensei, two he remembered the talks he had with his father about taking action and finally how he know, he was just a little bit twisted.

He knew he was twisted about this because he tried to fuck Temari at this spot. She was not having it though and she told him he was sick for wanting her in a graveyard that he created.

He knew then that she wouldn't understand. She didn't lose a sensei she loved. She lived in fear of Gaara and subjectively her father. But he lived in fear of his own mind and shadow possession. When an individual is smarter than most around him, it comes with an urge to manipulate. But his mother's teachings won out. So he never did, a least until he lost his sensei. Shikamaru knew he felt a little too deeply at times. He had cried more times then he could count and he had lost two men he looked up to in his life.

This was one of the things that he wondered about Naru's proposal. What exactly did she want a sensei, a partner or a relationship?

Shikamaru knew he was not like other people his age. He always wanted marriage and a quiet life with kids. So he had no problem giving her all those things and more. But Naru was different, he knew she understood pain and joy. He could see himself with her. But he also had a feeling Naru had a lot of anger as well.

Shikamaru didn't think he could handle a one night stand or a fling with Naru. He may be lazy but he was a possessive being, just like his shadows. He couldn't put himself in a fling, especially with someone like Naru.

Shikamaru got up from the bolder and out of his thinking pose. Beginning his walk back to the estate. He had his first questions. Now to think about the outcome.

Day One:

Naru didn't know why she was so nervous, it was not like he said no.

Going to the training ground would help ease some of the tension.

'You can not be serious the shadow user would be a foul to turn you away. I am starting to wonder though kit, is this just because you feel emotionally stunted or more about finding out the cloud gazer was no longer with the sand witch?' Kurama growl as he laid back to enjoy the sun in her mind.

Kurama generally stays out of Naru thoughts, it was a code they shared to still be a team but to as have individuality. But from time to time thoughts creepied out like love or anger.

"Training partners...could I sound more like a child!" Naru huffed. "I just got so nervous. But I will admit I was excited when I heard him and Temari had broken up. As for what I want... I want what Ino and Sai have just a little more functional. I want to experience sex...but...but...it hard to trust someone. I mean look at my arm that was done by my best friend.

Naru wanted to grow in the emotional aspect but, trusting people was hard. And taking colthes off with someone was hard to think about. When the Akatsuki were on your tail and you are everyones beckon of hope.

Plus who could handle dating one of the most powerful ninjas and future Hokage.Without some type of political agenda?

When she started making the list of people it was a lot longer, but she slowly starts to realize that Shikamaru really was the best option. He had been with her since day one and he treated her like an equal. He was one of the first to be there for her when she was really depressed.

Also, he was from one of the families who told him to befriend Naru and not run away.

Naru sighed and looked up at the clouds. Now all she had to do was wait. Whitch was her least favorite thing.

Day Two:

Shikamaru decided to go get advice from the one person who he knew would keep this a secret and think on a rational plane.

He walked up the stairs and knocked on the door and it shoots open.

Mirai dashed out "Aniki!!" she hugs his legs looking up at him with big ruby eyes.

"Hey, short stuff." lifting her up and placing her on his shoulders laughing at her enthusiasm.

"Hey, Shikamaru," Kurenai said as she walked out of the kitchen.

"Hello, Kurenai-sensei", he said as he walked to the living room.

"I have been off duty for a while now. Will you ever stop calling me sensei." Kurenai laughed in good humor.

"Old habits I suppose," Shikamaru said smirking.

"Aniki, I want to show you my new toy," Mirai squealed bouncing up and down on the couch.

"How about you show me in a bit? Can I talk to your mother and then you can show me ALL your toys."

Mirai crossed her arms and looked to be thinking about the proposal Shikamaru gave her. " Okay, but no sleeping this time Aniki" and with a node, she jumps off the couch and dashes down the hall.

"You will regret that deal," Kurenai said to bring a tray of tea out and setting it on the living room table. "What's on your mind Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru sighed and dropped his head to the back of the couch.

"Naru came to me with an idea of helping her learn...well you know...umm sexual, " okay maybe this was a bad idea coming here if he couldn't even get it out.

"Sex. Honestly, you are a grown man don't be coy with such a thing." Kurenai said smiling into her teacup. "So did you take her up on her offer?"

"Not right away. I told her to give me a few days. I just got out a relationship and I have changed Kurenai-sensei, and sometimes that scares me. And you know Naru she's all light and sunshine. I'm literally all shadows and... well the opposite."

Shikamaru said hanging his head between his legs.

Kurenai blows her tea. "Asuma always said you two balance each other yin-yang." She said smiling out the window. "Have you considered how Naru must feel? As a kunoichi it hard to be vulnerable for Naru, I think this is especially true. She has the Nine-tails, from a well-respected clan and trained by the best. Now to top it off she the hero of the ninja war. However, she has not had the time to be a girl loved and cared for. I think she came to you because in most ways you have always been what you call 'dark'. You are not the first man to be turned by events and found out you like them. Just don't let them consume you."

Shikamaru was looking at her. "Is it wrong to want her light all to myself and to be greedy? I'm not going to lie and say there isn't another side that wants to corrupt her... just a little bit... " Shikamaru exhaled shakily and began to pull out his cigarette. But, stopped when he saw the look on Kurenai's face of sadness. He slowly slides them back in his pocket.

Kurenai seems to snap out of the memory she was having with the cigarettes out of sight. she looked up with a watery smile."No, Shikamaru it's not wrong and in my experience, it can be quite fun and something tells me, Naru, with her appetite for pranks would love it. Once you killed a person Shikamaru something does shift and sometimes that shift is sexual." Kurenai said laughing at his blush.

Talking this out with Kurenai was a good call she was a seasoned ninja and he knew his sensei was like him as well. So she understood his few words and how to guide him.

"If you don't mind me saying don't judge Naru by Temari. Temari was a good fit for you for a while but Temari needs to lead and she needs a man to follow her not walk beside her. You are a clan head and most likely the advisor to the future Hokage. You need an equal and Naru could be that."

Mirai came running down the hall "You said a second and it has been many!" she huffed.

"Okay, I'm coming...I'm coming," Shikamaru said raising from the couch. " Thank you, Kurenai-sensei."

She nodded her head and smiled.

Shikamaru had a lot to think about but first, he had to get through hours of toy watch.

"What a drag."

Day Two:

Naru jumped from the roof to rooftops until she laid on a familiar window seal.

"Not avoiding paperwork I see". Naru laughed at the white-haired ninja.

"You wait until it's your turn it will be your greatest enemy never to be defeated," Kakashi said leaning back in his chair.

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei you would be honest with me right?" Naru said leaning against the side of his desk.

Kakashi was a little taken back Naru hardly ever was serious let alone quite.

"Of course."

"You would screw me right?" Naru said with a serious face.

Kakashi was quite then he laced his fingers together.

"I'm a pervert I would screw anything but,..." before he could finish Naru smacked him in the head.

"What was that for! I was going to say no I see you as a little sister. What is this about Naru."

Naru looked at him skeptically. "I ask Shikamaru to be my "training partner" in that area, he said to give him a few days, " she said looking away with a blush.

"Humm, 'training' is that what you all call it these days. Well, first Naru, were you clear in you or statement. Does he know what you want? For that matter do you know what you want?" Kakashi said with a lazy smile. His student was all grown up but in so many ways still innocent a rarity in their profession.

"I want him. Also, love and a partner. Does that answer your question?" Naru said scratching her head.

"Naru, trust me when I say if you want something go for it. I have lost but I would give anything to have the loved the one I wanted I think you should going for it." Kakashi had a far off look in his eye. "Shikamaru is one of the better options. He has patience and...he may be fun if you catch my drift!" Kakashi said with an eye smile.

Naru eyebrow twitched. She kicked him out of his chair this time.

"Naru, even if you assistant me you can't become Hokage any faster!" Kakashi said dashing out of the window.

"Get back here! You have paperwork!" Naru said dashing after him towards the old training grounds.

Day Three:

"Finally, you came out of your hole. My gosh Shikamaru stop being so lazy and stubborn!"

Ino said while pulling his ponytail. Funny how when she did it, it did nothing for him.

"Ino, you guys were being weird. I understood Temari was not right for me." He said snatching his hair from her grip.

"Well, I'm just glad you're up and about...Now can we eat!" Choji was to excite about eating at the all you can eat barbecue.

"Well, I missed you all too." Shikamaru rolled his eyes.

"So what's up with you what have you been up to besides cloud gazing?" Choir mumbled stuffing his face.

"You know...nothing much just thinking and clan stuff." Shikamaru didn't want to tell his friends about Naru just yet. He just came to a decision last night. Also, Ino was a gossiper and he didn't want his busy all-around Konohagakure.

"Well you know you can tell us anything. Don't wall yourself off Shikamaru. We are a family first...just don't forget that." Ino said looking at him from her side gaze.

Shikamaru grabbed some ribs. "I know Ino. I wanted to tell you that I think I have met someone and trying to approach it with caution."

Ino squealed. " Who! Civilian, ninja...oh.oh. tell me!"

"Ino, calm down, I'm still working it out."

"Well, you better tell us soon Shikamaru! But I'll give you time. But until then let's eat." Ino said reach for the only green thing on the table.

Choji clearly agreed. "Food first your girly later!"

Shikamaru couldn't have been happier.

Day Three:

"Teme, you asked me here to help you rebuild your district. Keyword HELP." Naru screamed through the house.

Sasuke hummed, "I am helping dope, I'm meditating on the layout of the compound."

Naru clones were running about. "No, you are being lazy and don't want to use your chakra," she whined.

Sasuke stood. "You seemed like you needed to get out of your head for the last few days. So what better way then helping me."

Naru blows her hair out of her face."Whatever. How is it going with Sakura-chan by the way?" wiggling her eyebrow subjectively.

"How it's going with the lazy shadow user?" He was deflecting as indicated by the lite dusting of his cheeks.

"Shut up! I told him, okay, but it's not easy. You and I both know we are the best at sharing emotion." Naru said leaning on the deck.

"Hn."

Sasuke put his hands in his pockets and started to walk towards the back of the compound. "Well at least he was not your first kiss, it really was horrible." She could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Teme! At least I'm not questioned about leaving with a snake guy! Tell me did he slither in your bed at night!" Naru barely had time to miss the Chidori coming her way.

Well, at least she did get him to help knock down a few buildings.

I must say this about a review I received. Please understand the story is building. Also, Naru does know what she looking for, just not how to put it in words.

It will be explained later. But if you have nothing nice to post don't read. Or go out and write your own story. It is not as easy, as one may think.

That said thank you! For all your support.