This chapter is huge but I couldn't cut it down since it covers some points that I have had planned since around chapter 1. Yes, that is how long this chapter has been planned out. I've enjoyed writing this one a lot though. It is easily the biggest chapter I have ever written for a fanfic and I couldn't split it since it actually has a theme running through it.
So I've been thinking that to give this story a really authentic feel after the Sasuke leaving arc (yes I am doing that for those who asked) I'm going to wait three years to start Shippuden. I figured I'd do this cause there is a three year gap between the two.
After saying goodbye to Naruto he had every intention of staying indoors and resting. However, once their game of shogi was over his father reminded him of the ceremony for Lady Tsunade which was to take place that afternoon. It had slipped his mind with everything that had occurred in the last two days. When they had arrived in front of the Hokage Tower he was pulled away from his parents by Ino, who dragged him to where Choji and Asuma-Sensei stood. Asuma-Sensei commented that he needed to speak with Shikamaru after the ceremony but before the boy could ask any questions the elders stepped out on the balcony with Lady Tsunade to declare her Hokage.
The whole village seemed to be rejuvenated upon Lady Tsunade official appointment but Asuma-Sensei appeared slightly distressed. Once the ceremony was over he instantly marched off, looking around at the masses. Shikamaru followed, mostly out of concern but partly because Asuma-Sensei had not told him what he wanted to speak to him about. After assuring Ino and Choji that he would make sure their teacher was fine he pushed his way through the crowd after the tall man. When he stopped suddenly, Shikamaru in his sluggish state nearly ran into him. He was able to side step him, viewing the scene that had caused Asuma-Sensei to halt in the first place.
Asuma-Sensei's nephew was standing not too far in front of them, a sad but wistful smile on his face. Naruto was talking to him quietly, running her fingers through his hair. Whatever Naruto said made a wet smile appear on Konohamaru's face before he hugged Naruto tightly burying his tearful face in her chest. Whilst rubbing Konohamaru's back the blonde spoke to the boy, making him nod into her body. Naruto smiled as the boy resurfaced, allowing the girl to lead him away.
"He's a good kid, that Naruto," Asuma-Sensei stated in a brittle voice. "One day I will have to thank him for looking after Konohamaru for me. That boy worships the ground Naruto walks on and it's good to see that Naruto actually cares about Konohamaru in return."
"I think Naruto sees him like a little brother. He likes to tease him."
Asuma-Sensei laughed a watery laugh. "That's good. Konohamaru always wanted a brother."
"Hmm." Shikamaru tried not to wonder if the boy would be disappointed if Naruto was a girl. With how close they seemed he doubted it but he couldn't help the slight spike of fear he felt.
"Oh, meet me out the front of the Hokage Tower at nine tomorrow morning," Asuma-Sensei told him, getting a raised eyebrow in reply. "No, I won't tell you why. Just be on time!"
Moments later his mother found him, demanding that he returned home so he could rest. She refused to let him get sick again. There was a slight smile on her face when he passed on Naruto's complements for the cookies. When they returned home he convinced his mother to let him lie on the grass in the sun. He had every intention of simply watching the clouds and maybe taking a nap but other thoughts flooded into his mind. He thought over Naruto's behaviour earlier when talking about how she had never been sick. She had clearly been speaking the truth yet it was unnatural for someone to have never had the flu or any other illness like that.
From there his thoughts moved to Naruto in the hospital. The way she had acted with Gaara. She had sensed him in Lee's room. The thought had plagued him for a long time. How had she known he was there? He had thought maybe it was simple sensory abilities but it was more than that. She had seemed so territorial, so protective of Shikamaru as well. She had reminded him of an animal who had had an intruder come near its family. Then she had frozen upon hearing about how Gaara had a monster inside of him. She had thought they were the same. He, at first, at believed that the villagers had gotten it into her head but whenever he thought back over those events he realised that wasn't entirely the case. There was something more to it. Gaara had talked mainly to her about demons. The red head had barely glanced at Shikamaru. He had felt jealous at how they had stared at one another, even after he realised they were sizing each other up. They had connected in a way Shikamaru did not understand. In a way he never could with her.
His mother had called Naruto a monster once. His father had called her a hero. How could two people from the same household have such different views on the subject? And why Naruto? Why was she a hero to some and a monster to others? And then there was the conversation he had thought was a dream. His mother and Naruto had made no sense to him when his head was fogged with the flu but even now, with his head clear he still did not understand. They had talked about his mother's team, and her brother. He had been told at a young age by his father how those three people died. His father had explained how the Fourth was a hero for fighting the Nine-Tails; how so many had lost their lives and how if the beast was still lose the entire village would be gone. He had made it clear that the beast had to be locked up for everyone's safety, though where he had not said, even after Shikamaru's insistent questioning. He didn't know why his mother would bring them up to Naruto, who probably wasn't even born at the time. Hell, he had only been eighteen days old the day the Nine-Tails attacked. There was no reason for his mother to be hostile towards Naruto over the death of her brother and her team.
Sighing, he put his hands behind his head. This puzzle was confusing him. He felt as though he had all the pieces, or at least all but one, and yet he couldn't seem to fit them together. The more he tried to fit them the more they refused to go together. He had: Naruto never getting sick, having a connection with a boy who had a demon in him and was highly psychotic, and his mother hating Naruto for some reason to do with the death of her brother. It wasn't common for him to come across a situation that he couldn't solve if he tried hard enough but this one was escaping him. It was as though his brain could see the picture but refused to accept it.
Before he knew it his mother was calling him in for dinner. She made it clear that he was to go to bed once he had finished. She was not going to let him become sick again and collapse in the streets. She even commented that Shikamaru couldn't hope for Naruto to find and look after him again. The way she said it was strange. It sounded as though part of her was hoping Naruto didn't, even if Shikamaru was sick again, and another part sounded grateful Naruto did in the first place. Having no reply to that, he simply nibbled on his food. His mother had yet again cooked him something mild, though his stomach appeared to be better now. His father simply reached over at Yoshino's words, grasping her hand with an encouraging smile.
/ / / / / /
It turned out that the reason Shikamaru couldn't be late was that the newly appointed Hokage wanted a meeting with him. She wasn't the only one in the room. The Hokage's adviser, two Chunins, his father, Asuma-Sensei and the three proctors, including the replacement for the final Chunin exams were also there. It was this last person, Genma he was reminded, that made him guess what was going on. He had one of the largest says in the final exams. His father was just smiling at him when he looked back at him, clearly not willing to neither confirm nor deny the situation. Instead Shikamaru decided to scrutinise the one chewing on a senbon. Genma squirmed under the Genin's gaze, looking over at Shikaku for help only to receive an amused expression in reply. Looking back at the younger Nara Genma smiled, giving Shikamaru a wink.
To Shikamaru it appeared that the man was confused at how to act in the situation put before him but then he realised Genma had taken his staring incorrectly. Rolling his eyes in a very clear and disgusted way he looked away from the idiot, turning his attention to the Hokage. He did not want some old man getting the wrong idea. He noticed though that his father was shaking his head at Genma, clearly thinking the man was as stupid as Shikamaru found him to be. The look Shikamaru had given the proctor had been suspicion, not interest, so his wink was misplaced and disturbing. The only one Shikamaru was interested in was Naruto, not that he was going to tell Genma that. It was obvious that Genma was just trying to mess with Shikamaru.
Lady Tsunade finished looking back over the report in front of her before setting it down and looking up at Shikamaru. Unlike his father and Asuma-Sensei, who was purposely closed off, and Genma, who clearly didn't have enough brain cells to comprehend the situation, Lady Tsunade was easy to read. The small smile she wore was enough for Shikamaru to know everything he needed to know. It was clear that she was only so easy to read because she allowed it. She had the same foreboding feel as Jiraiya the Toad Sage. Although she looked like a pretty, kind woman there was something behind the relaxed yet formal posture she held, the sharpness of her gaze, the way her face was smooth, only reflecting the emotions she chose to express. The elders had not chosen her on a whim. She was powerful and not someone to be crossed.
She spoke to him professionally but it was clear that she was enjoying promoting him to Chunin. Part of him was glad that she was a Hokage that gained joy from such a thing. Another part of him couldn't help but notice the nervousness and fear that crawled into his body. The fact that once Lady Tsunade had officially promoted him he was handed over to Genma to have his new roles explained to him didn't help. His father patted him on the back and Asuma-Sensei told him they would get lunch after the meeting before Shikamaru went into one of the side offices with the proctor.
Genma leant against the desk which had a box sitting on top, his lips pulled into a cocky grin around his senbon. Shikamaru dropped into the chair furthest from the man, scowling. He could not bring himself to like this man, not after he was arrogant enough to assume the freshly made Chunin was interested in him. Apparently the hostile gaze had the desired effect, for the man cleared his throat and crossed his arms, suddenly appearing serious. The brunet could be professional when he needed to be for he clearly and concisely explained the role of a Chunin. He could even tell when Shikamaru started to feel overwhelmed for he stopped, making a few light hearted jokes about how being promoted before the others in his year would send the girls crazy for him.
Shikamaru frowned, his fear washing away his logic that usually controlled his mouth. "I'm not interested."
"Guys will go crazy too."
The look that Shikamaru gave the older man made Genma move back slightly. "I'm not interested."
The smile that spread across Genma's face made the Nara heir uncomfortable. He felt like a cornered rodent with a very happy, very fat cat towering over him.
"I knew it! I winked at you for fun and the look you gave me told me everything. Kid, I like to class myself as a professional flirt. I know how to read people."
"If you're still single obviously you're not very good at your job." Shikamaru scoffed, crossing his arms defensively over his chest.
"Depends why you flirt though. You, my friend, clearly only flirt with the one you're in looove with!"
"I don't flirt!" Shikamaru could feel his face heating under the amused gaze of Genma. How did he work it out when he doesn't even know me? No one else has!
"To stop this line of conversation the correct response would have been: I'm not in love with anyone." Genma laughed. "Not that I would have believed you. So who's the lucky girl… or boy?" When he only received a hard stare in reply Genma sighed, putting his hands on the desk as he leaned back. "Alright, do you want to know what your job is? Yes, your job is to lead missions, educate the younger generation, fight in a battle whilst Genins stay in the village to protect civilians, but there is a more important one. On top of all that your job is to work your hardest to ensure that your subordinates return to the ones they love as much as you love the one you won't name. I know it sounds daunting but when you have someone to fight for it makes you a better person, it makes you a better ninja. If you put your heart into a mission's success it's more likely to work out in your favour." He let Shikamaru process his words before smiling. "You're lucky to have someone you love so young."
"I never said I loved them. You just assumed that on your own." Shikamaru looked away from the man, his shoulders sagging. "It's not like they're interested in me anyway. There is no point in falling in love with them."
"Hey, Kid," Genma said, making Shikamaru look back at him. He leant forward, winking. "Becoming Chunin will make them fall right over you. It's the vest!" He reached into the box sitting on the desk, pulling out a navy green vest which he threw at Shikamaru. "Try it on, see how it feels. You'll be wearing it on your first date!"
Shikamaru rolled his eyes, standing up and pulling the vest over his short cut jacket and net shirt. The material was stiff, having never been worn. He moved his arms across his body a few times, feeling the fit. The weight he felt wasn't entirely to do with the vest, but with the implications behind it. Once he became accustomed to the feel he turned to Genma, asking if he could leave. The older man was definitely cocky, but he wasn't as big of an idiot as Shikamaru had thought. He had read Shikamaru rather well.
When he exited the office he saw Asuma-Sensei and his father waiting for him. They were far enough down the hallway that there was no chance they had overheard the conversation he had with Genma. They both smiled at him, halting their conversation. His father clapped him on the back again, his grip on his shoulder tight but comfortable.
"You've done well, Shikamaru." His dad sighed. "Your mother is staying at Aunt Aio's. Nashiko is sick so Yoshino is going to help out. So we will have to celebrate your promotion as a family another night."
Shikamaru nodded, understanding why his mother had to go to her friend's. Aio was a civilian and suffered from depression. It had come as a shock to Shikamaru since his aunt was so bubbly and cheerful. She had been friends with Shikamaru's mother since they were children, something that earned her the title of aunt. Unfortunately Aunt Aio was having trouble getting out of bed in the morning after losing her husband in the invasion, who was a Chunin. The only ones who kept her functioning were Nashiko, her daughter, and Yoshino, who visited her each day to drag her out of bed and force her to go through her day, even if it meant more than a few tears.
"Tell mum to send my love to Aunt Aio."
"I am really sorry that we can't celebrate with you." His father's hand tightened. "But I can teach you that new technique I talked about. I think you're ready."
Shaking his head he smiled at his father. "I would rather mum help Aunt Aio and Nashiko than to celebrate."
"Well, before your dad works you into the ground I am taking you and the team out for lunch." Asuma-Sensei clapped his hands, smiling down at Shikamaru. "Do you mind if I steal him, Shikaku?"
"Only if you promise not to return him tattooed."
"Fine but I can't promise he won't be drunk and covered in lipstick."
The two laughed when they saw the mortified expression on Shikamaru's face.
"You two should not be friends!" he declared before leading the way out of the building.
His father separated from them when they arrived outside, Asuma-Sensei and Shikamaru continuing on to the steak house. Clearly his teacher had organised the lunch ahead of time. He wondered if the others knew what the lunch was for but when he arrived it was made clear they did not. They gawked at him until their teacher confirmed something that was obvious thanks to Shikamaru's new attire.
The lunch was embarrassing, with his teammates laughing at the thought of him as their superior, but it deteriorated into Ino insulting Choji's eating habits, almost calling him the 'F' word. He was able to stop her just in time, calming them down. He couldn't help but think over what Choji had jokingly commented. The vest probably didn't suit him, which meant that Genma was wrong. Although he had kind of already had a date with Naruto, so even if the vest had suited him it wouldn't be their first date. Besides, if his best friend found it so amusing that he made Chunin he doubted that Naruto would fall over herself at the sight of him in the vest. Genma's words kept replying in his mind, annoying him more and more each time. He had hardly eaten anything, which was probably good since it left more for Ino. Choji kept shooting him looks though, when he wasn't distracted by food. Clearly he could tell something was on Shikamaru's mind but he was kind enough to not say anything. Ino, however, who was also starting to shoot him suspicious looks, was not so kind. Before she could ask questions to which he had no answers he excused himself to the bathroom, Asuma-Sensei leaving for a mission only minutes before.
As he went to leave the facilities Ino's voice echoed through, reaching his ears.
"Oh, Choji," she sighed, making Shikamaru pause. "You're so lucky that you don't have to worry about what or how much you eat. Let me tell you, being on a diet can be pretty tough."
"Well than why are you on a diet, Ino?" Choji asked in his usual placid voice.
"We diet for one very important reason, Choji: so we can look as cute as we can for the boy we like!" Ino's voice had taken on the gushing tone that usually meant she was thinking about Sasuke.
"But what if the person you like isn't into super skinny girls?"
Choji had a point. Naruto wasn't skinny like Ino. She wasn't overweight or unhealthy, her stomach was even flat, but she wasn't petite. Whenever he had to catch Ino because she had performed her mind transfer jutsu she felt so light that it was almost as though Shikamaru would crush her if he held to tightly. Naruto, however, was solid. He could hold onto her without fear of her breaking, and she had the strength to hold him up when he needed it, such as when he was sick.
"Hm," Ino huffed, "well in the first place most boys aren't as fa… I mean most of the boys I know like girls who look fit."
Shikamaru tried not to snort with laughter at that. The two boys she was closest with were Choji, who was asking the questions, and Shikamaru, who was interested in a girl who very well could have been a boy. He peaked out from the doorway, noticing that Ino was holding herself in a way that suggesting she was going to sprout one of her 'wise' facts about relationships.
"Aaaand, that's true the other way around as well." She laughed. "You might think of taking a little better care of your body, Choji, or you won't get any girls."
Ino walked off, leaving Choji with a tight expression. Her heart was in the right place, but her brain wasn't. It had always been a sore spot to the bigger boy, what girls saw of him. With a small chuckle, Shikamaru looked after Ino's retreating back, drawing Choji's eye.
"She has no clue! Despite what most women seem to believe, men don't always go for the skinny girls. Most guys I know, they like girls with a little meat on their bones. It just looks healthier." He stepped out of the doorway, his hands in his pockets. "Oh, yeah, and the reverse is true too, ya-know?" He winked, grinning widely. "I bet anything she would be twice as popular if she put on a few pounds instead of starving herself." It crossed his mind for a moment that his voice sounded surprisingly like his father's at that moment. "She should eat!" He took a large, imaginative bite out of the air.
His antics made Choji laugh.
"You're one hilarious guy, Shikamaru. And you're kind of a genius too."
"Huh?" He hadn't expected that.
"That's right, just think about it! Even I can see that you're way more amazing than Sasuke or that Neji guy could dream of being."
The words surprised him. Sasuke was the top of their class and always received attention. Even Naruto noticed him, which lead to the unfortunate kiss incident. The memory of that event still caused an uncomfortable feeling to bubble in Shikamaru's stomach. He had never thought to compare himself to Sasuke, or Neji, seeing as he always thought he would fall short. However, here was Choji, not only comparing them but saying Shikamaru far out did the two. It felt as though a balloon had inflated in his chest, though whether it was a good thing or not he did not know.
"I never really thought about it like that before," he admitted. "I'm just being me."
"That may be so but you're the only student who actually became a Chunin in the Chunin exams this time."
"But I'm probably not as good a fighter as you are. I mean really, if I had been facing off against you I probably would have given up the fight."
"But earlier you heard Sensei tell me that all I do is eat and that I should be training harder-"
"Like I said before," Shikamaru cut over the top, not enjoying his friend doubting himself. He would trust Choji with his life and with the lives of those closest to him. Choji needed to realise that he was a great person, and a great ninja the way he was. There was no one as caring and compassionate as him. "I'm just being me. And you should just keep being you. It's stupid to talk about all the things that you're not!" He walked forward, putting his hand on Choji's shoulder and smiling. "Hey, Asuma says a lot of things but don't take him too seriously. Just live your life, eat your food and take things easy. See ya later, I'm heading home. My dad's been making me nervous, talking about how he actually wants to teach me a new jutsu or something."
"Shikamaru," Choji called softly, making the other boy halt his steps. It looked as though he wanted to say something, not about what Shikamaru had said though. If it was he would just speak. Suspicion crawled in Shikamaru's insides, yet he found himself pressing Choji.
"Well what is it?"
"Um, just, good luck with your training."
Blinking a few times, Shikamaru turned back around, walking towards the exit. "Later."
Whilst walking home he noticed white sheets sprawled over the street, nurses rushing to gather them. Looking up he noticed that one of the water towers had an entire side blown out of it. He stopped, wondering what could have caused such damage. The damaged looked fresh, what with the water still dripping down the wall from the explosion. One of the nurses near him was muttering darkly about a fight.
Whatever jutsu caused that must have had some force behind it. I never want to be on the end of it!
He continued home, finding his father waiting to teach him. The technique was an extension of the Shadow Possession jutsu and actually utilise skills he had used on Naruto. However, instead of simply touching his opponent with his chakra he was to control the shadows into taking the form of a hand to strangle them. He decided that he would have to be careful if he ever repeated the events of the other day with Naruto. He didn't want to accidently strangle her with his shadow. The new technique wasn't that hard for Shikamaru to pick up, seeing as he knew the components already. Either way he had to spend a few hours practicing until his father was satisfied enough to let him go.
The moment he was let free he went into the bathroom, stripping off his sweaty clothing. He enjoyed hot baths almost as much as he enjoyed cloud watching. So far washing was the most pleasant thing he had experienced all day. He could feel himself relaxing as the heat from the water soaked into his skin. He savoured the feel until the water turned cold, forcing him to wrap himself in a towel and leave the bathroom, throwing his dirty clothing in the hamper as he went.
It wasn't until he was buttoning his pants that he noticed the shirt sitting on his bed. His mother had obviously folded it and placed it there before leaving for Aunt Aio's. With a sigh he moved over to his bed, planning to return the flannel shirt to its rightful owner. Before he left his bedroom though, he reached for his vest, hesitating. He wanted to leave it at home, but he was still on duty. He could be given a mission at any time and until having notified the Hokage's office first a Chunin is not allowed to walk around without their vest. Some people, mainly those of a clan, gain permission to wear something else, such as the Akamichi's and their armour. Having no choice, he put it on, zipping it up. As he walked past the living room he informed his father where he was going.
When he reached Naruto's apartment he was surprised to hear music flooding through the door. He had expected the blonde's taste to be towards the overly energetic music but instead she was listening to instrumental. The sound of a quickly played violin mixed with that of the deep tempo of a drum. Truthfully Shikamaru didn't have an ear for musical instruments so other than the most prominent ones he was at a loss. To be heard over the music he knocked heavily, his knuckles protesting the hard wood of the door. From inside he heard a bang, sounding like someone hitting a flat surface.
"LOOK, MRS HUMURA, I'M NOT TURNING DOWN THE MUSIC AND WE BOTH KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE ANY GUESTS OVER!" Naruto yelled from inside, her voice taking on a growl. She threw the door open, glaring sharply at the one on the other side.
Shikamaru had never seen that look on Naruto's face. Her eyes were narrowed, the blue hue darkened, her brow was scrunched, her shoulders tight. Part of Shikamaru wanted to step back in fear of this force standing in front of him. Hostile chakra washed off of her in waves. However, he found himself staying put, noticing the dampness to those eyes that held so much anger, and the way her hand, that was in a yellow rubber glove, clenched the door as though afraid of what she would do if she let go. Her brown shirt was drenched at her stomach, making Shikamaru think she had been doing dishes.
It took Naruto a moment to process that it wasn't Mrs Humura who stood at her door. Instantly her whole body relaxed, her face losing its look of anger in favour of a look of surprise and mild happiness.
"Oh, Shikamaru, it's you. Come in." She stepped aside, letting the dark haired boy walk into her apartment. She closed the door, walking over to her stereo to turn the music down to a pleasant buzz. "What's up?"
"I just thought I'd return your shirt." He held it up, only to realise Naruto couldn't take it with the gloves on. Instead he sat it down on the coffee table.
"Thanks." Her eyes drifted down to his chest, a small smile creeping onto her face. "Iruka-Sensei told me you made Chunin. Congratulations."
"Thanks. Choji and Ino seemed surprised. They even went so far as to laugh." He followed Naruto into her kitchen where she started on the last of her dirty dishes. It appeared as though he had interrupted her when she was nearly finished.
"Why?" She looked over as him as she finished washing a plate. "You're a skilled fighter. It suits you."
He frowned. "What does?"
"The promotion. The vest." She smiled at him, putting the last cup onto the drying rack and pulling the plug. She snapped the gloves off her hands, draping them over the sink edge. "It looks good on you."
He was fairly certain he looked like a very convincing owl at that moment. "Uh, thanks, Naruto."
"Do you want a drink?" She went to her fridge, opening the door. "Oh, hey, I have juice! That must have been what Iruka-Sensei put in here. He's always doing that." She filled two cups, handing one to him before walking into her living room and sitting on the couch.
Shikamaru joined her, staring at the stereo. "So, Mrs Huruma gets you that worked up, huh?"
"No," Naruto sighed, putting her drink on the coffee table. "She knows I only play my music that loud when I really need to relax yet she always insists that it disturbs her guests! She lives right under me."
"Why did you need to relax?"
Naruto looked reluctant to say at first but next moment she took a deep breath, a sad look overcoming her features. "Sasuke and Sakura they… I went to visit Sasuke in the hospital and Sakura was there feeding him apple bits and next minute Sasuke throws a tantrum and wants to fight me. It wasn't a normal sparing match, it was different and when it was over Sakura tracked me down and blamed me for 'upsetting Sasuke' and 'destroying both the water towers'! I only destroyed one! Sasuke put his hand through the other with the chidori he aimed at me. But it's not the fight that got to me. It was that Sakura blamed me. She has always only cared about Sasuke. At times I think that if came down to saving my life or saving Sasuke from a serious injury that he could survive she would choose him. And to make it worse Sasuke refused to wear his forehead protector. He didn't think I was enough of a threat. He doesn't respect me enough. How am I meant to get the rest of the village to respect me if I can't even get a teammate to do it?"
As Shikamaru contemplated the rush of words Naruto had hurled at him the girl wiped at her face, trying to remove all traces of tears. To refuse to wear your forehead protector was a large insult to your opponent. Sasuke knew this. Reaching over, Shikamaru grabbed Naruto's hand as it moved away from her face.
"If your team can't see what a skilled and powerful comrade they have that is an issue they must overcome. It has nothing to do with you. Naruto, you are more powerful than I could have ever imagined you to be and you fight with everything you have. You fought Neji the way you did because of what he did to Hinata. You have done more than enough to earn peoples' respect. You have mine."
Naruto gave him a wet smile before the tears sprung up again. "I thought Sasuke and I had actually become friends and I thought Sakura cared about me. Am I stupid for hoping that?"
This was why Naruto could never feel for him. Sakura had had her affections since the academy days. The blonde had been racing after the other girl for years. He knew personally how hard it was to let go of old, deeply imbedded feelings. He would lose to Sakura, the girl who never even bothered to pay attention to Naruto. Sakura never showed Naruto the care she deserved. If he could never have Naruto the least he could do was make Sakura start acting worthy of Naruto's attention. Sakura didn't know what she had but he was going to make her. Even if she was not interested in Naruto that way she could at least show the blonde respect. Hopefully one day Naruto would wake up to herself and find a girl who returned her feelings. Hinata seemed to, though whether she knew Naruto's gender was a mystery.
"No, of course not. And they probably do care. Sasuke does seem to view you as a friend, and Sakura does seem to care. They are just too focused on themselves to notice. And Sasuke he's…" he tried to think how best to word the next part. "He's just annoyed that the bottom student has surpassed him. He's so used to being number one. Just wait, Choji or Shino will find a great girl to date before him and he'll never get over how far his fallen behind." His cheeky smile and playful tone pulled a smile from Naruto.
"He is going to hate it when he finds out that the second bottom student has made Chunin," Naruto laughed before pointed at him accusingly, "but don't get cocky, cause I'm going to make Chunin soon as well."
"Yeah, yeah, and then you're going to become Hokage." He sighed, rolling his eyes at her, hiding how glad he was that her tears were drying. "I've heard it before."
"And you'll become an elite Jonin," Naruto smiled at Shikamaru's groan, "After I, as Hokage, order you to take the damn test, you lazy slacker!"
He laughed. "That sounds pretty good to me." A sensation of boldness over took his body, making him feel like someone else. That balloon was back in his chest, reminding him of how far he had came, that he was at least equal to Sasuke. Before he could comprehend what he was doing he opened his mouth. "Do you want to go get dinner with me?"
Every part of his being wished he could disappear through the floor. He had let Genma's words get to him. Just because Naruto had commented that the vest suited him did not mean that she would want to go on a date with him! There was no going back though. The words were out and there was no way Naruto hadn't heard them. She had been looking at him as he spoke in a clear voice.
Naruto looked surprised at the change of topic before she smiled. "Sure, just let me change my shirt. It smells like dirty dishes."
Shikamaru was in a state of shock as Naruto jumped up, disappearing into her bedroom. It took him a moment to realise that Naruto had left her door ajar, clearly not used to having guests, and that he was staring at the gap in a daze. He could see her trifling through her draw, looking for a shirt. When she found a deep green one she put it on the top of her dresser, grabbing the bottom of the shirt she currently wore. The shirt lifted, revealing flat, tan stomach, making Shikamaru realise what he was doing. He turned his head away so sharply that a jab of pain radiated through his neck muscles. He stared intensely at a book sitting on Naruto's bookshelf. It had a pink cover and was well worn. Focusing hard Shikamaru was able to make out the word 'sewing' on the faded spine.
A hand touched his shoulder, making him jump. Naruto was back, her jacket in place, hiding her clean shirt. She cocked her head to the side when she noticed the red colouring to the boy's face.
"Ready to go?"
"Uh, yeah." Shikamaru jumped up, heading to the door. Once Naruto had locked her door he led the way into the shopping district.
"So do you want to go to that barbeque place?"
"Nah, I had that for lunch. How about we go to Ichiraku? I know you like that place." He honestly had no idea what to talk about as they walked but then he realised something Naruto had said before. "You destroyed the water tower?"
Naruto looked sheepish before laughing. "Kakashi-Sensei threw Sasuke and I into them. I had my rasengun active."
"That jutsu certainly can be destructive. My dad has just taught me a new jutsu with more of a fighting capability than my Shadow Possession." He put his hands in his pockets, fighting the urge to move closer to the girl beside him.
"So this one doesn't leave you vulnerable?" Naruto didn't appear to be contemplating their proximity at all. She looked content in walking as they were as they drew close to the ramen stall.
"No, it doesn't. If my opponent gets hurt it doesn't appear on my body." He sat on one of the stools in front of the counter.
Naruto smiled up at the woman who worked there, someone the blonde called Ayame. The two exchanged pleasantries, asking how their days had been before Naruto introduced Shikamaru. The woman was kind, like the man cooking, who turned out to be her father. Ayame asked what they wanted to eat, conveying the answer to her father as someone clamped their hand onto Naruto's shoulder.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Kiba asked, smiling down at the blonde as Shino silently slid onto the stool next to his teammate.
"Having dinner," Naruto answered with a roll of her eyes, a silent 'duh' clear in her tone. She absently scratched Akamaru behind the ear as Kiba sat in the seat next to Naruto.
Kiba looked around Naruto, raising an eyebrow at Shikamaru. It wasn't often that Naruto and Shikamaru were seen together so his confusion wasn't unwarranted. However, his presence certainly was unwanted. Perhaps he should have chosen a restaurant that allowed for some privacy on their date. Naruto, however, didn't seem bothered by the silent Shino and the loudmouth Kiba sitting with them, though she may not have even noticed Shino yet.
"Is that Choji?" Naruto asked, looking at a figure walking towards them. One of the flaps that usually hid the passersby was caught to the roof, allowing the blonde a view of the last male rookie. She started waving to him, calling him over. When she had gained Choji's attention she turned back to Shikamaru with a wide smile. "Now almost all of us rookies are here to celebrate with you!"
If it wouldn't rise to many questions he would have buried his face in his hands. Of course Naruto didn't think it was a date. She thought he wanted to celebrate his promotion. So much for the power of the vest! She was being thoughtful though, inviting his best friend to join them. Choji however, gave Shikamaru an odd look, as though he was conflicted about sitting down next to him. Realising his expression probably conveyed some of his disappointment, Shikamaru smiled at him, agreeing with Naruto.
"So what are we celebrating?" Kiba asked, frowning at Naruto and Shikamaru.
"And people call me dumb!" Naruto retorted, moving back so that Kiba had a better view of Shikamaru. "Haven't you noticed?"
"Noticed what?"
"Shikamaru is wearing a Chunin vest," Shino spoke up.
Naruto jumped, apparently not having realised that Shino was on the other side of Kiba. Kiba's eyes zeroed in on Shikamaru's torso, making the Chunin squirm.
"You've got to be kidding me!?" Kiba groaned, gripping his hair. "How did he get promoted and I didn't?"
"I kicked your ass in the preliminaries!" Naruto piped up, grabbing a pair of chopsticks as her order was put in front of her.
Shikamaru laughed, enjoying the expression on Kiba's face. He followed Naruto's example and grabbed some chopsticks. The others ordered food as Naruto and Shikamaru dug into theirs. The group's conversation bounced between topics ranging from their training, to different ramen they like, to how the rebuilding was going. When Shikamaru noticed that his best friend was eating slower, and less than usual he decided to approach a particular topic to help Choji.
"I'm getting sick of Ino talking about her diet! Do the girls on your teams do that or do we just have a really annoying one?" Shikamaru asked, looking over at the three boys beside him, spotting how Choji's chopsticks stopped half way to his mouth.
Naruto nodded as he slurped down his third bowl of ramen. Kiba and Shino however, looked confused.
"Hinata does not diet. Granted she is not the biggest eater but she will eat until she is full," Shino explained.
"I'm not surprised," Naruto commented, not seeming to notice the suspicious and hard look Kiba and Shino gave her. "She's a beautiful girl, why would she? Sakura does, though she shouldn't."
The two males of Team Eight relaxed visible before Kiba spoke up, a sly look on his face. "Do you think Sakura shouldn't cause you like her look?"
"No, it's not that." Naruto continued slurping her noodles, not noticing that she had the attention of all four boys. Each seemed to have a different reason to be interested in the conversation. Choji's eating habit was not too different from Naruto's, so her opinion on diets was important to him. Shikamaru had hoped for this. "She doesn't need to diet, but she does, which affects our missions at times. More than once she has gotten a little light headed, or her chakra ran out to quickly. To me, as long as a person is healthy it shouldn't really matter what size they are. And if a person demands you lose weight before they will pay attention to you than they aren't worth it."
Naruto hadn't looked up from her bowl as she spoke, meaning she couldn't see the large smile on Shikamaru's face. He shot a look at Choji who was sitting up straighter. The bigger boy returned to his meal with gusto, ordering another to be prepared for him. It was good to know that Choji had someone he could relate to. Although Naruto appeared to have a low fat content she ate a lot. If she didn't train so hard she would probably be the size of a house.
"But you do like Sakura's look, don't you?" Kiba pressed with a grin that looked a little forced around the edges. "You've been crushing on her since the academy."
Shikamaru had to slap his palm onto Naruto's back repeatedly. The moment Kiba's words had rung through the air the blonde had started choking on her food in surprise. She had looked shocked and inhaled sharply, something that was not wise when eating noodles.
"LEARN TO SWALLOW YOUR DAMN FOOD!" he yelled as Naruto clutched her chest, breathing deep. He had a sense of déjà vu.
When Naruto could finally breathe comfortably she looked at Kiba sharply. "What the hell? No I haven't!"
"Really? It certainly appeared as so," Shino piped up, looking surprised, or at least he did to Shikamaru. It was hard to tell. "You always sat with her when you could and talked with her."
Naruto looked at the two boys from Team Eight before turning her gaze onto Team Ten's two males. "You really thought that? I just thought she would make a good friend so I hung out with her."
There was no way to describe the sense of relief and hope that spilled over Shikamaru at Naruto's words. The girl knew that Sakura wasn't good enough for her affections, that she hadn't earned it. Even if Shikamaru couldn't have Naruto at least there was a chance that she would fall for someone who would appreciate her.
"Besides," Naruto added, accepting her fourth bowl of ramen. "Sakura isn't my type."
"Oh, how so?" Choji asked, digging into his new bowl of ramen as well. The tone he took was casual but Shikamaru knew him well enough to know that there was more to it. He was eating slowly too, waiting to hear every word Naruto spoke.
The blonde, however, shrugged. "To girly."
"So the dieting, the worrying about what she looks like, the gushing over boys," Choji rattled off, looking around his best friend who was to afraid to breath in that instant. "You prefer tom-boys."
Naruto laughed. "You could say that."
"So you like girls with short hair, who take training seriously and eat healthy?" Shino asked in a level voice.
It dawned on Shikamaru when he noticed the interest the three boys were taking in the conversation that there was something he was missing. Why did it matter to them what kind of girl Naruto was in to? He, of course, had invested interest. This was his chance to find out if he had any chance with the girl. However, his brain was failing him. He couldn't think of anything to say to approach the subjects of boys.
"No, not interested in those types of girls either."
Kiba sighed loudly. "What kind of girls do you like then?"
"Maybe I can help clear things up," Teuchi said with a smile, handing over Choji's next bowl. He seemed happy that Choji's appetite returned, and not just for the money he would be getting. "Naruto, I'm going to name four adults and I want you to name the one closest to your type. The boys can work out what that person has that Sakura doesn't. I'll name adults instead of your fellow students so you don't have to have any awkward conversations. Kurenai-"
"Gross!" Kiba yelped. "Do you have to name my sensei?"
"Thanks for letting me know who she was!" Naruto piped up with a smile.
Teuchi ignored Kiba and continued, "Shizune, Anko-"
"Who?" Naruto frowned.
"Proctor for the second stage of the Chunin exams," Shino clarified, pushing his glasses back up his nose.
"The crazy lady. Got it!"
"And Genma!"
The last name surprised Shikamaru.
"I don't know who that is…"
"Proctor in the finals. The guy with the senbon." Shikamaru bit his tongue before he said anything bad about the man. He didn't want to sway Naruto's choice.
"Oh, him!" Naruto answered instantly, only to receive four very shocked looks. She put her hands up as though in surrender. "What? He's good looking!"
"Yeah, but he's a guy!" Kiba pointed out.
Shikamaru's jaw had dropped the moment Naruto had given her answer. He easily ignored Choji's eyes that had slid over to look at Shikamaru. He had tried to tell himself not to hope for Genma to be chosen yet he still had. It was fairly obvious what Genma had that Sakura didn't.
"I know he's a guy. That's what makes me choose him over the other three. I'm not interested in girls." Naruto pushed her bowl away, finished and obviously full.
"But…" Kiba rose to his feet, looking stunned and panicked. "Have you ever kissed a girl? How do you know if you don't like them if you haven't?"
"Have you ever kissed a boy?" Naruto replied calmly. When Kiba shook his head Naruto went on. "How do you know you aren't attracted to males then?"
"Because I know I'm not." Kiba huffed at the eyebrow Naruto raised. "But what about if there was a beautiful girl who was interested in you? I mean gorgeous inside and out… would you go for her?"
"No!"
"But this girl is stunning and sweet and kind and cares about you a lot!" Kiba appeared to be getting slightly frantic as he tried to change Naruto's mind. "She's too nice of a person to break her heart! Why would you go for a guy if you can have her?"
As Shino pulled his friend into the seat Kiba had vacated Shikamaru realised what was wrong. It was the mournful expression on the Aburame boy's face that allowed him to come to his conclusion. The problem wasn't so much that Naruto was only interested in boys; it was the fact that Hinata was a girl. A girl who was now in the same position Shikamaru had been in only moments before, except that it was clear that she had no chance. He felt for her, truly, but at the same time he couldn't remove the happiness he felt.
"I wouldn't just reject her!" Naruto assured. "I would explain to her that it's not anything wrong with her, or that I don't think she's good enough. I'm just not interested in girls. Honestly, if she was a boy she's be perfect from everything you've described. But I've never hidden the fact that I like boys. Lee wanted to fight me after the first Chunin exam because he thought I was after Sakura too and I told him outright why I wasn't… the girl on his team was surprised. She and Neji were trying to tell Lee it was stupid to fight me what with the second part of the exams the next day."
Kiba's shoulders sagged; clearly realising he would not be able to convince Naruto to fall for Hinata. It was kind of him to try for his teammate. It was unfortunate that it was inevitable for her to get her heart broken but there was nothing she or anyone else could do about it. She had just fallen for someone who could never return her feelings.
It was shortly after this bombshell from Naruto that they all started paying their bills and leaving for home. Before Shikamaru could reach for his wallet to pay for him and Naruto the blonde beat him to it. She payed for them both, smiling at him.
"You shouldn't have to pay, it's your celebration."
That's right, she thinks I asked her to dinner to celebrate my promotion! He decided not to dwell on this fact since at least he discovered that he actually had a chance with Naruto. His gender wouldn't be the defining factor. He waited for Naruto so that he could walk her home, ignoring the way Choji smiled at him and walked away, obviously not expecting Shikamaru to walk with him even though their estates were in the same direction.
When they started walking Naruto chuckled, drawing Shikamaru's gaze.
"Do you think they are going to make me pay for the water tower?"
"Maybe…"
"All well. I'll get Pervy-Sage to pay. He owes me. Plus, he taught me the jutsu. Mind you he apparently only taught me it because I look like the Fourth who was his student years ago."
Truthfully Shikamaru had always thought Naruto looked like the Fourth. Their hair and eyes were not common features, at least not in the Leaf so the resemblance was easy to notice. When he had first realised they shared features a thought had crossed his mind but he had decided he was not close enough to Naruto at the time to ask. Now, however, he felt he was.
"Naruto, I hope you don't mind me asking but… who are your parents?"
Naruto stopped, looking over at Shikamaru in surprise. "I don't know. All the Old Man would tell me about them is that they were strong, kind, and that they died during the Nine-Tails attack." She pulled a pained expression, as though something occurred to her. Her hand rested on her stomach, making Shikamaru wonder if the topic was making her sick.
Something didn't sound right to him. Wasn't Naruto born after the attack on the village? He trailed after Naruto who had started walking again. It occurred to him that he didn't actually know Naruto's birth date. He had always just assumed that the blonde was younger than him but in truth she might not have been. "Naruto… when's your birthday?"
Looking over her shoulder with a puzzled expression she answered simply. "10th of October, why?"
Blood rushed passed his ears, deafening all other sound. He could practically feel everything sliding into place within his brain. His heart beat painfully in his chest, his stomach spinning so quickly that he felt as though the ramen was going to reappear. Looking over at Naruto he tried to smile at Naruto as his eyes stung sharply.
"You're eighteen days younger than me. Eighteen days exactly!" His voice sounded hollow and desperate, as though he hoped Naruto would correct him, saying she was seventeen days younger instead.
"Well it'll make it easy for us to remember each other's birthdays," Naruto joked.
He nodded, having to close his eyes from the pain behind them. "I'm tired," he lied, "so I'm going to head home. I'll see you later."
Turning away before Naruto even had a chance to respond he tried to not look as though he was rushing. He needed to get away. He couldn't be around Naruto, not after what he had discovered. He didn't know if Naruto was aware of… what she was. He was fairly certain she did know but if she didn't and he stayed with her he would say something. More than once he had to swallow the bile that crawled into his throat. By the time he reached the safety of his home he was breathing hard, his heart pounding so fiercely that it made his head rattle. He stood in the hallway leading from the front door, trying to calm himself but the more he thought about it the more he became unsettled.
At the sound of the front door slamming shut Shikaku appeared, clearly wanting to investigate the noise. He frowned at Shikamaru, worry quickly moulding his features. He walked forward slowly, as though approaching a caged animal.
"Shikamaru?" he asked softly.
Slowly Shikamaru raised his eyes to meet those of his father's. He could feel how wide his eyes were, no doubt unsettling the older Nara.
"Who put the Nine-Tails in Naruto?" he whispered.
"Shikamaru…"
"Who?!" he asked again, his whisper taking on a deadly growl as he frowned.
His father took a deep breath clearly thinking over the situation. "The Fourth Hokage."
"The Fourth?! You always told me he was a hero." Shikamaru felt tears pricking at his eyes, refusing to be blinked away. "He's a monster! How could he do that to Naruto? Naruto has been mistreated all because the Fourth thought it was his right to turn Naruto into a PRISON! HOW COULD HE DO THAT? NARUTO DECERVES BETTER! NARUTO IS NOT A MONSTER!"
Shikaku rushed forward, knelling in front of Shikamaru, grabbing his shoulders tightly. He looked almost panicked at the pain and tears distorting his son's face. "Shikamaru, he never wanted Naruto to be treated that way. Trust me! The Third told me that the Fourth wanted Naruto to be seen as the hero he is. He saved the village. He is strong enough to keep the Nine-Tails under control. Unfortunately fear makes people act stupidly. Now tell me: will you treat Naruto differently now that you know his secret?"
He frowned heavily at his father, tears still trickling down his face. "Of course not. Naruto is… my friend. That thing will not change who Naruto is to me. He's had to suffer from the moment he was born because he housed the thing that killed his parents!"
"I'm glad you see it that way." Shikaku smiled, grasping Shikamaru's face gently. "I'm so proud of you for saying that. I've always hoped that when you found out the truth that you would be able to see passed it and still see Naruto as the same person as before. I'm glad you are Naruto's friend. Will you tell him that you know?"
"Does he know?" That was a stupid question. Of course she knew. That was why she called herself a monster.
"Yes, Mizuki told him when he attacked Naruto and your sensei, Umino. According to Umino Naruto took it fairly well, all things considered. We expected him to… react extremely or violently but Umino must have talked to Naruto about it. So I ask you again, are you going to tell Naruto that you have discovered his secret? You are not allowed to tell others. The Third made it a law."
Contemplating his father's question he shook his head, his father's hands allowing the movement. "No, if Naruto wanted me to know he would tell me. I'll wait until he is ready and let him know that I don't care."
Shikaku gave him a large smile before pulling him forward into a tight hug. "I am so proud of the man you have become. I want you to know that I will always be proud of you, Shikamaru. No matter what but this moment is something I've worried about for a long time."
He found himself hugging his father back just as tightly. Sniffling, he let his father dictate how long the hug would last, for he didn't mind the contact. The weight of his Chunin vest vanished as the puzzle that was Naruto settled into place in his mind. There was still a painful, tight feeling to his chest that he thought might never go away but he would live with it for as long as Naruto had to hide the truth for her own safety. The last of his tears leaked from his closed eyes, falling onto his father's shoulder, making the man hold him tighter.
Shikamaru finally knows. For those of you who have reviews about it I'm sure you are all thinking 'finally!'
About that three year gap… just kidding! I won't do that to you all.
R and R!