Warning: Slash/ Yaoi/ Shonen ai
Pairings: It will be Itanaru - More ItaNaru from now on! Still a bit of Sasunaru (NaruSasu?) though...
Disclaim: I don't own it…I'm way to lazy to draw a weekly manga...
N.B: Naruto and Sasuke are both 22 in this story, due to the fact I dislike OC's there won't be any in this story unless necessary, I think there will only be one slightly OC character in this story (Kyuubi)...
Notes:
"Blah" Talking
'Blah' Thinking
Blah Flashbacks
Akatsuki - the organisation Itachi belongs to...
Tsukiyomi - That genjutsu Itachi did to Kakashi and Sasuke in the manga series...
(N.B. I'm BACK! Anyways Ilove the new editing/designing functions of ! Great Job guys!)
Chapter XI – The Daydreamer
Life is like a game of Go. You don't have to plan because it is pretty much unpredictable. That's one of the reasons that Shikamaru enjoy Go... and life.
It is another cloud watching days. Sometimes he feels like that he has way too much of those, but what can you do...
He knows that he was suppose to do something today, but he can't be bothered to remember. This thought was followed by a nap... until this noisy creature sitting in front of him woke him.
Shikamaru wanted to sigh... but that takes way too much energy. "How troublesome..."
It was the lazy tone from Naruto's memory. He liked Shikamaru, because the boy just simply didn't care – about anything at all.
Sasuke had his revenge, Neji had his hatred, Sakura had her crush, so did Lee...
However Shikamaru just... didn't...he had no worries...no wants... to some extend no dreams...
Although Shikamaru often told Naruto that he was the cause of his trouble, Naruto didn't seem to mind. After all Shikamaru was one of the few people who accepted Naruto for who he is... not what he became after the Chunin exam.
To be honest Naruto wasn't surprised that Shikamaru's first words were how troublesome. He didn't expect the lazy man before him to be surprised, simply because Shikamaru is never surprised.
At first Naruto was wondering what he should say to his old friend "Hi! I'm back and I need your badge thing" just didn't seem appropriate.
But then he thought 'What he hell, when had Naruto been known as appropriate anyway.' So in the end he did greet his old best friend with "Hi! I'm back and I need your badge thingy thing."
Shikamaru's response was handing him the badge and then laying down again on the soft green grass under the massive tree on one of Konoha's hills.
"Erm...Thanks" Naruto looked at the silver badge in his hand 'He was not suppose to give it up without a fight...'
"Stop thinking, you were never good at that." Shikamaru's lazy voice came from beneath the tree. Naruto swear for the 10th time that Shikamaru can read minds.
"Jeez, I thought you were too lazy to be horrible." Naruto laughed, it was the right choice to come to Shikamaru first. He sat down next to the half-sleeping Shikamaru.
"Well maybe people do change..." Shikamaru had his eyes closed, but he knew that Naruto was watching him – what sort of sleeping expert was he if he didn't know who was watching him when he was asleep?
"Haha, I suppose." Naruto laughed again at this statement, he knew that Shikamaru meant him. "I see you have adapted Kakashi sensei's look underneath the underneath."
"Yea, it keeps people from talking for a while..."
"All your efforts leads to a lazier Shikamaru - if that's possible!"
Shikamaru decided to ignore that comment, because it was too troublesome to answer. He opened his eyes to watch the clouds. While Naruto chatted about how much he was humiliated at the stadium today...
"... So anyway, everyone was cheering in the end. I suppose it wasn't as bad as I thought." Naruto nudged Shikamaru. "Are you still here?"
"How troublesome." Shikamaru turned his head slightly so that he is facing Naruto. "Shouldn't you be going?"
Shikamaru looked at the sun, Naruto has been here for 6 hours already and he still hasn't run out things to say. Although Shikamaru didn't really mind... it was nice to be like old times again.
"OH MY GOD!" Shikamaru heard Naruto's outburst. So he finally realised that he doesn't have a lot of time left – unless his plan was to turn up outside people's home at midnight and ask for the badges.
"I HAVEN'T HAD MY DINNER YET! SO HUNGRY!"
Shikamaru would have fallen over if he was standing up. He take his statement earlier back "You haven't changed at all."
"No I mean look it's 6 already! Wanna come for Ramen?" Naruto stood up enthusiastically not worrying about the badges. He was planning to...
Shikamaru sighed, as much as he want to stay here and watch the slowly setting sun, Naruto's puppy dog eyes was never something he could ignore. He unwillingly got up and followed the hyperactive blond down the hill... although extra slowly – as his protest.
Naruto is still chatting away in front him, ignoring Shikamaru's attempt to protest by walking extra slowly. To Naruto this was not too different from Shikamaru's normal speed.
Naruto knew as lazy as Shikamaru might be he is bound to ask about his absents over the years. However the reason that Naruto liked Shikamaru was because he was smart, but not arrogant.
As they made their way down hill Naruto noticed the bird eye view of Konoha and the Shinobi academy ground. That's where they met...
He will never forget that... afterall Shikamaru was the first friend he's ever made...
------ Flashback ------
It has nearly been a years since Naruto's father left with Itachi. This may seem like an insignificant amount of time for any other 7-year-old, but for Naruto it was different. The thing that his grandfather wanted was harder to get than he thought.
Naruto was suppose to be at the Shinobi academy right now, it was the graduation test. However Naruto didn't mind staying in the academy, it gives him more time. Dad told him once that if he pass his exam he will become something called a Gennin and they will have to do missions or something.
' ARGH! This is sooo boring!' Naruto thought to himself, it was a lonely life here in the village. People seem to fear kyuubi alot. They also seem to think that his dad is dead...but what the hell, not his problem.
He saw the Anbu guard outside the Hokage tower, they will never let him in even though he is a regular visitor at Sandaime's office. The old man seems to like him just fine, but dad told him that this is because he told the old man to treat him as a hero.
Now that Naruto is here for 'official' business during school time he will need a reason to get in. 'The old man feels sorry for me a lot...so the best thing to do...'
Naruto sat on the tree over looking the Anbus around the tower. "...Maybe the final exam will proof to be useful afterall."
With that thought Naruto quickly made his way over the buildings and towards the school grounds.
As he thought everyone else was already in the room. Naruto quickly turned his shirt inside out and messed up his hair. 'Here we go!'
Naruto pushed the classroom door hard open and ignored the shocked people. "ARGH! I OVERSLEPT! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I OVERSLEPT!"
Naruto skilfully ignored Iruka's attempts to calm him and ran all the way to his seat.
" Come back down here!" Iruka shouted as he pointed at the line of pupils in front of him.
Naruto looked confused for a minute then came running back down, while doing his idiotic grin 'God, I've perfected the art of grinning like a fool.'
As Naruto joined the line he could see an angry Iruka and he could hear the not-so-quiet-whispers from his classmates. 'Heh Heh, there goes the high point of my day...'
" OK! Now that you are finally all here," Iruka said with the best fake smile that Naruto has ever seen "I would like to get on with the test. Step forward as I call your names."
One by one Naruto saw his classmates step forwards. Nothing to impressive, the transformations are mostly horrible, but again they were only kids.
" Uchiha Sasuke"
Naruto watched with great interest 'This is the brother of that boy whom dad took away. How come I've never noticed him before?'
Sasuke's copy was more accurate, although in Naruto's opinion would never be able to fool anyone who knew Iruka. His version was dull and lifeless – more like a clay statue than the real person.
' Now that's why I've never noticed him before...lifeless and dull...trademark Uchihas.' Naruto tried to remember Itachi, although he knew that father has been watching the boy for a while before he finally made his move Naruto never really took interest in Itachi.
To Naruto the Uchihas are nothing more than a bunch of self loving fools...arrogance... 'Now what was that boy called...Itamu? No, Tachi...or something.'
" -ruto, NARUTO!" Iruka had moved very close to Naruto and shouted "I'VE CALLED YOU FOR 5 MINUTES!"
" Ah...ha ha ha..." Naruto laughed nervously, he really should stop his daydreaming habit...
" Nevermind! Now step forward and copy me." Iruka felt his head ache even more...oh god sometimes he really do hate kids.
Naruto took a step forward, he can feel everyone's stare. He swear he never felt so low in his life. Being looked down on was never something he, Naruto, is used to. "Sexy no Jutsu!"
Naruto laughed happily after the teacher collapsed before him, works like a charm... This way he annoys the people who look down on him and he won't pass the exam.
He turned around to see girls who covered their eyes, some of them even run towards Sasuke for protection...'God...those girls are deprived! Never seen porn before?'
Sasuke was looking at him with great distaste, he then decided that Naruto is not only stupid, but twisted too.
Naruto moved his sight away from Sasuke quickly and focused on a lazy boy instead. He stood next to a slightly overweight boy who is eating a packet of Crisp. 'Now this one is interesting...'
Shikamaru watched this whole thing with disinterest, so what the guy turned into a naked girl. Dad has plenty magazines beneath his pillow... besides he thinks that that was the best bit of transformation all day...
After the exam Naruto found out that this was just a regular end of year exam and not one which will make you into a Ginnin. Of course he fell spectacularly, but hey, no loss no gain. He can now use this as an excuse to get some pity comfort from Sandaime and therefore get into the Hokage tower.
But before that he found something interesting to do.
Naruto quietly followed Shikamaru up hill, he was quite sure that the other boy saw him, but since Shikamaru didn't say anything Naruto was happy to just follow him quietly – for once.
" WOW! Nice place you got here." When they reached the hill top Shikamaru laid down and continued to ignore Naruto, but Naruto decided to take action. He laid down next to Shikamaru and the rest was history...
------ End of flashback ------
Shikamaru looked at Naruto, knowingly sighed. "How troublesome..." Shikamaru patted Naruto on the shoulder and dragged him to the small Ramen bar.
"If you don't stop daydreaming you are going to miss dinner."
"WOW, people should worship me! I actually got the Shikamaru to say a complete sentence!" Naruto looked as if he is admiring himself and successfully received a hit on the head from Shikamaru.
Shikamaru grinned, no matter how much his facial muscles ached in doing so...
After they ordered their Ramen and sat down Shikamaru finally decided to ask Naruto what he wanted to know. "So where have you disappeared to all these years?"
There was no sugar coating, just straightforward questioning. Although it was still said in an uncaring lazy tone but Naruto knew that he was being serious. When he left Shikamaru was one of the people that got hit the hardest, he didn't say, but Naruto knew. After all they were best friends and still are.
"You know, here and there. Doing missions and stuff."
"How tiresome."
Naruto knew that this was Shikamaru's way to say this isn't what I want to know. Naruto sighed and decided to tell Skikamaru some of the truth, best friends are not for nothing.
"Well you see..."
------ Flashback------
It has been a month since Itachi came and took Naruto to Akatsuki and so far life has been an exciting ride. Everyone had different ideas, everything was about money and power. Friends and family were always at the bottom of the list.
Naruto was given one of the Akatsuki branchhouse, it's located next to Itachi's private quarter. The place could pass off as a mansion itself. It has a massive garden complete with its very own Cherry blossom trees, which lined the whole garden.
" Your father said that you like Cherry blossoms." Itachi entered after a polite knock.
" Yea, after years in that dump anything is good." Naruto grinned, Sasuke's brother meeting his every demand, it was strangely satisfying. "When can I see Dad?"
Naruto has finally finished his long and boring mission in Konoha and is keen to report back to his father. However grandpa seems to have fallen out with his father and although he saw his grandpa, there was no sight of his father.
" He is on a mission."
Naruto hate hearing that, but what can he do... well, things are getting boring and Itachi's solemn attitude isn't exactly helping, but today...muwahahaha!
Itachi tensed up in defence mode as Naruto started to move towards him, he heard a lot of rumours about this boy, but Naruto's father helped him once (no matter for what reason) so he had to repay the favour...
Naruto tried his best not to laugh as he saw Itachi's reaction, God he is so much more fun than Sasuke... Naruto got very close with Itachi, he pulled the other boy to his eye level and let a glaze of tears cover his eyes.
Itachi was completely confused although he didn't show it. What the hell is this boy doing, first he pulled him down to his level and then just kept on staring him until tears started to fall down. GOD he hate all of the Uzumakis!
There was a long silence, they were so close... then Naruto moved even closer, so close that Itachi thought he is going to kiss him. But then Naruto pulled away. "Haha, are you really brothers?"
Itachi has stunned for a second, what the...
" I mean you and Sasuke." Naruto swung his arms behind his head and looked up to Itachi. "I gotta tell you, complete different reaction. I think he nearly choked when I did this to him...but again I didn't stop in time..."
Itachi's fist tightened although he didn't exactly know why. Is it the fact that he just got fooled by a little kid or was it because Sasuke got a kiss and he didn't...? Itachi was quite shocked by his thoughts. Why would he be jealous of Sasuke...Hey wait! Who said anything about jealousy!
" Hey you know you two looks virtually the same, I thought that when you came back to the village and broke his wrist. You know that was really harsh, especially that you didn't even kill the Uchiha clan. Misunderstanding brings hatred. Now he hates you even more." Naruto grabbed the glass of milk on his table and drank all of it.
There was a long sentence.
Itachi felt his head hurt even more... doesn't this boy shut up? And could he stop mentioning his little brother?!
" GOD! You don't talk do you? Do I have to learn how to mind read? Jeez..."
Silence...
" Argh, fine! Sasuke would at least respond you know..."
No reaction...
" Two can play this game..."
After about 15 minutes of silence Naruto was getting bored, he hasn't been quiet for this long for...ever. This is killing him. "This is killing me! I'm gonna go out."
" Seems like I win." Itachi smirked at Naruto before departing the room one step before him.
" Wow... did he just smile?"
The next day Itachi came with Naruto's breakfast like everyday. Naruto don't know why he does this, after all he is happy with that maid he had...she looks a lot like Sakura...
" Hello! What are we having today!"
" Food."
" You don't say..." Naruto said sarcastically and went over to Itachi who is sitting at the dinning table.
" You know this is really boring! I rather stay in Konoha and do those low class missions..."
" What can I do about it." Itachi said back in an equally irritating tone, he is slowly warming up to Naruto, afterall the guy is like a cartoon and extremely amusing.
" Wow you replied in more than one word? Hallelujah! " Naruto said before turning serious. "You know what I mean, I contacted grandpa yesterday and he asked me to go back. I need something to extend my freedom."
" You want missions?"
" Thank God, you do know what I mean." Naruto went back to his food, they were delicious, even more so than usual.
After awhile Itachi made his mind up, he did promise to repay Naruto's father by meeting Naruto's every demand and besides, for some reason a part of him was glad that Naruto wanted to stay. "I'll be going on a mission soon, you may come with me."
" Huh? Jeez, I thought it would take more convincing. Got a big speech prepared and everything..." Naruto took out a piece of paper filled with messy writing. "It took me ages to prepare this, so I'm gonna read it out anyway..."
Itachi sighed and cursed at the fact that he'll be having another night of endless work which he should be doing right about now... but who could refuse...
------ End of flashback ------
"...So basically after that I just went on different missions with him." Naruto said carefully avoiding mentioning his father, his grandfather and Kyuubi.
"How troublesome." Shikamaru said, Naruto still haven't told him why he went away with Itachi, and it seems like Naruto is hiding some truth from him, but there is no point in pressuring him if he really doesn't want to tell him. It will come out eventually...
Naruto looked at the time it was already 11pm "I better go, got to get the badges from the others..."
"You are planning on stealing it... I should have known..."
"Hey, that way I get to spend more time with you." Naruto looked at Shikamaru with Sparkly eyes as Shikamaru choked and shivered.
"Argh, you haven't changed a bit...how troublesome..." Shikamaru regulated his breath and sat back up, however he couldn't stop the cold shiver down his spine, Naruto with sparkly eyes...how disturbing...he is now scarred for life...
Naruto laughed and ran before Shikamaru could get him, but what do they say?
Best friends forget and forgive...
Author's Notes (from the super lazy author...oh the shame!)…
Hey Guys remember me? I know I haven't updated for ages (seems like forever)… but I was really busy and even though I wrote the chapter I didn't have the time to Beta it… and I know how annoying grammar and spelling mistakes could be…
Anyway I looked through this one, but didn't have time to check it properly… so if there are annoying spelling/grammar mistakes, please point them out to me and I'll get them sorted out! I Promise!
About what ladyraebefsaid, I promise to use was instead of is from now on… although this one is still in the is tense…bare with me? Next chappie will be different!
Wintersong, sorry about the PSM thing, I wish I could say it was a typo…heh heh…NekoNoko – Sorry about the grammar mistakes, I was never really good at English even when I used to do it in Year 11…oh well, I'll try my best I write better in the future!
SaLLy11, the purpose of entertaining the crowd? Nothing really… the story writes it self…really!
And everyone else who's still supporting me (you know who you are cleoviper, RuByMoOn17, Night-Owl123, foamy etc etc!) I love you Guys!
And everyone, have a great New Year and please continue to read this story! RR!