HELL YES! I'M FINISHED UNIVERSITY, PEOPLE! THAT'S RIGHT! I AM GRADUATING WITH A MAJOR IN ANCIENT HISTORY AND A MINOR IN ENGLISH AND MODERN HISTORY! I successfully got drunk to celebrate. And yey, finally found time to update. Sorry it took so long but final assignments were on a deadline.
He could hear the distinct sound of feet shuffling along his wooden floor. The sound didn't fit either of his teammates, his sensei, or his parents. Turning over with a groan he peeked open his eyes. The light that filled the room was luminescent. The floor tilted dramatically before righting itself. Standing next to his bed was Naruto. Her hair was longer, reaching passed her shoulder blades and she wore an outfit similar to Ino's. Her top was an orange version of Ino's, which clashed heavily with her hair, and orange pants, sitting on her hips and hugging her form.
"You're back?" he asked, although the answer was obvious.
"Move over," Naruto demanded, nudging Shikamaru's side. Once there was space on the bed for her she flopped down, bouncing once before she settled. Turning her head to look at the dark haired boy, she smiled. "How's it been going?"
Shikamaru went to reply only to snort. "Over two years and that's what you have to say?"
Naruto shrugged, letting Shikamaru wrap his arm around her waist and put his face in the crook of her neck as she turned her body to face him.
"I've been missing you, you idiot!" he muttered into her neck. Her soft hair and skin rubbed against his face. She smelt of ramen, the forest, and something else that was uniquely Naruto and feminine at the same time. The smell that had started it all. "I've spent over two years wondering what you thought of our kiss and worried that you wouldn't come back."
"Well I'm back." Naruto's hand slid over Shikamaru's waist, pulling them closer. "And as for the kiss, why do you think I came here the moment I got back?"
"To tell me I really should have brushed my teeth?" He felt Naruto's laugh vibrate through her throat and turned his head, kissing the path it took. Naruto tilted her head down, allowing Shikamaru to skim her lips with his. He sighed against her lips, their noses brushing.
"You're not my Naruto, are you? She still hasn't returned." He swallowed the lump in his throat. Scenario after scenario ran through his mind every night when he thought of why Naruto hadn't returned. Each morning he woke to hope she was back. "I'm starting to think my Naruto isn't coming back."
"I'm here though," fake Naruto reminded him, rubbing his back. She moved forward, brushing her lips against his.
Shikamaru turned his head away with a sigh. "It's not the same though. You're just a shadow of the real thing. I don't even know what Naruto looks like now."
As he spoke the fake Naruto dimmed and disappeared. Opening his eyes Shikamaru looked at his clock. It was a little before seven and he knew he had to meet Temari by 7:30 for their meeting. Half-heartedly he dragged himself out of bed and started dressing, trying not to hope that Naruto would return today. He was starting to believe it was a lost cause. Naruto was never going to return to the Leaf.
Even though he was early to meet Temari he found her standing out the front of the café with her arms crossed. He wondered for a moment what he had done to annoy her when he hadn't even arrived yet but then he noticed the man talking to Temari. The man had a sleazy smile and hadn't looked in Temari's face the whole time Shikamaru had been observing them.
He would have rushed over to help Temari if he wasn't in a disheartened mood, and if he didn't know Temari. As he watched the blonde clenched her fist, pulled back, and punched the man so hard in the stomach that spit flew out of his mouth. The man crumbled to the ground, cradling his stomach as he groaned. Temari spotted Shikamaru when she looked up from her victim, and gave him a smirk, turning to walk into the café.
Shikamaru stepped over the man on the ground to follow her in, finding her already seated at a table for four. From her pouch she pulled out a summoning scroll, bringing forth the documents they needed. Sitting down, he ordered a coffee, feeling as though he would need it. He really needed a solid night's sleep. Unfortunately the coffee didn't help him listen to Temari as she went over what they had already agreed on for the next Chunin exams. The information was somewhere in the back of his mind but it failed to come forth at that moment.
"Shikamaru!" Temari snapped, slamming her hand down on the table, rattling Shikamaru's second empty cup of coffee. "Are you listening?"
"Sorry." He pushed his cup aside with a sigh. "I haven't been sleeping well lately."
"That's hard to believe, since it's all you seem to do." Temari put aside the document she had been reading off, fixing the male with a hard stare.
"I know. I miss my naps. But now… I end up having the same type of dreams." He dropped his head onto the table, a bang ringing out when his forehead made contact. "Ouch."
"Are you going to tell me what dreams you've been having or are you going to keep wallowing?"
"He's not back," Shikamaru said in a voice that was definitely not whinny. No way in hell.
"Who?" Temari's question went ignored.
"He said he'd be gone for two years. That was six months ago. What's gone wrong?" Shikamaru lifted his head to look at the blonde woman, his shoulders still sagged. "You don't think he's dead do you, or badly injured?"
Temari sighed, shaking her head at him. "You're this strung out over Naruto being late home? I'm sure he's fine." When she continued to get a sorrowful look she cracked an amused smile. "What, are you in love with that idiot or something?"
Shikamaru sat up as though his shoulders had been wrenched back. "What? How… Why would you ask that?"
"That's not an answer. Shikamaru, are you in love with Naruto?" When Shikamaru simply looked away, a blush tinting his cheeks she took a deep breath.
"Okay, stop! Yes!" Shikamaru yelped. He had been on the receiving end of Temari's public embarrassment. If you didn't give the answer to a personal question she shouted it for everyone to hear. He blamed Kankuro for her coming up with that trick. "Yes, alright? I love the knuckle head. He's unpredictable, irrational, and illogical. Every time I think I have him figured out he does something else I never expected. He's kind hearted, caring, loyal, and loving when he has every reason not to be."
"Wow," Temari laughed. "You really do have it bad. But Naruto is a strong kid, he'll be fine and I'm sure he has a reason for being late. Does he know that you love him?"
"No… though I um," he scratched the back of his head, looking at the table as he turned red. "I kissed him before he left so he knows I have feelings for him."
"You know, I didn't think Naruto was your type." At the raised eyebrow she received she went on. "Well he's a bit of a rash hot head." Looking him over, she chuckled. "That's probably his appeal though. He keeps your strategic brain on its toes."
Shikamaru smiled. "I just wish that he would come home."
"Well, we have to go show our progress to Lady Tsunade anyway, so why don't we ask her if she has any information whilst we're at it?" Temari gathered up the reports and documents that Shikamaru had barely glanced at.
Throwing some money on the table to pay for their drinks, the dark haired boy followed Temari out of the café, trying not to run. Temari, thankfully, walked quickly towards the Hokage's office. When they reached her door the blonde looked at Shikamaru expectantly, making him knock. They opened the door when given permission.
He noticed Tsunade first, with Shizune standing next to her desk like usual.
"Hey, Shikamaru, Temari," Sakura explained, drawing his attention as she waved. "Look what the cat dragged in!"
"Hmm?" Shikamaru looked at the blonde Sakura pointed at. They were an odd figure. Snug, female, orange pants that sat well on her hips and a really baggy jacket that made their torso look boxy and masculine, and spiky, blonde hair that at most reached their chin. For a moment his brain couldn't tell if he was seeing a boy or a girl. Then he noticed the bright blue eyes staring at him timidly, as though waiting for him to make the first move.
"Is that?" he found himself saying out loud. "It is!" he exclaimed with a wide smile, standing up straighter. "Naruto, it's you!"
Naruto visibly brightened at being recognised. "Hey, Shikamaru!"
"Well, well." Shikamaru found himself half holding out his hand, wondering what it wanted to do as Naruto walked closer. "You're back, huh?"
The blonde stopped in front of him, putting her hands behind her head. Shikamaru realised that, given that Naruto hadn't returned looked as feminine as he expected it might be an indication that Naruto was in actuality a male. Truthfully he didn't care, though he did want an answer simply to quench his curiosity.
"Yeah, got back today."
"Look at you!" He took this chance to rake his gaze over Naruto's form again, ignoring Temari's smug look. "Who would believe you were the same, idiotic… well I mean to say you've changed, haven't you?"
Naruto grinned, chuckling. It may have been the lighting but Shikamaru could have sworn the blonde was blushing. Her voice was still bordering between male and female, unlike Shikamaru's that had broken to be deeper, though not as deep as his father's. Naruto's voice was almost like Temari's. Although they sounded different neither of them were particularly high pitched for a female.
Sakura drew them out of their staring contest by waving her hand. "He hasn't changed at all."
"I didn't think so," Shikamaru chuckled.
Naruto's shoulders collapsed. "Give me a break, Sakura."
"I'm glad you haven't," Shikamaru said to Naruto as Lady Tsunade laughed at their interactions. He doubted anyone but Naruto heard what he said but she smiled widely so he didn't care who heard.
"Hey, wait, does this mean you're my opponent, Shikamaru?"
"Opponent? What are you talking about? I just came over here to drop off some paperwork." And to scream at Lady Tsunade to tell me where you were, he thought, though he wasn't going to verbalise that.
"Oh," Naruto said, looking disappointed. "Well, if it's not you, than is it…" Naruto turned her gaze onto Temari, looking confused. Moving closer to the other blonde Naruto put on a half joking voice. "What's your name again?"
"You don't remember me?" Temari snapped, sounding highly offended.
"Naruto," Lady Tsunade spoke up, saving Naruto from Temari's vengeance. Temari gave Shikamaru an exasperated look behind Naruto's back, probably wondering how he could be attracted to someone so oblivious. Truthfully he was too busy fighting the urge to kiss Naruto now to pay much attention to his friend. "You won't find your opponent in here. He's out there." Lady Tsunade pointed out the window.
Naruto walked over to the window, opening it and leaning out. The dark haired boy found his eyes travelling down Naruto's bend form. Those pants fit her well.
"Busted, Pervert!" Temari whispered in his ear, making his ear feel sweaty from her hot breath.
"What are you talking about?" he whispered back, his neck heating at the thought of what it could be.
"You were staring at Naruto's ass. Don't bother to deny it. I swear all the men in the Leaf are perverts." Temari grinned evilly, realising how much leverage she had when Shikamaru shushed her.
"You live with Kankuro and you call me a pervert?" Shikamaru tried to look at her indignantly, but his blushing face probably took away the effect.
"He doesn't stare at his friend's behind."
Thankfully, Naruto had climbed out the window to talk to her opponent, who sounded like Kakashi-Sensei, and everyone else was paying the two out the window attention. This meant that Shikamaru didn't have to worry about anyone overhearing their conversation. Of all the people to find out about Shikamaru's feelings it had to be Temari!
Shikamaru noticed that Jiraiya the Sage was giving him an odd look. For a moment he feared the man had seen the young Chunin staring, or had overheard the conversation. However, the expression didn't fit. He couldn't quite work it out. Jiraiya was frowning, but had a small, almost wistful smile on his face.
Pulling himself out of his evaluation of Jiraiya, Shikamaru watched Naruto jump back through the window as Kakashi-Sensei explained how he would be fighting both Sakura and Naruto to determine their future status.
"Huh, their future status." It was clear to him what Kakashi and Lady Tsunade meant by determining Sakura's and Naruto's status. They wanted to know if the two had potential to take over the title of Sannin or if their training was for nothing. Naruto might also jump to Chunin or Jonin without taking the exams. He doubted Lady Tsunade would do that, for no other reason than she got to taunt Naruto the Genin. When Kakashi-Sensei made excuses to disappear Shikamaru sighed. "He can't wait to read that book."
Both of Kakashi-Sensei's students agreed with him. Though Naruto appeared angry, it looked to Shikamaru that his anger was half hearted. Temari gave Lady Tsunade the documents they had drafted before they followed Sakura and Naruto out of Hokage Tower.
"Kakashi-Sensei," Naruto grumbled, "I'm sorry I ever gave it to him. That stupid book is more important to him than our training."
Shikamaru was impressed to see that Naruto took her training so seriously, and yet, there was something about the way Naruto spoke that didn't quite sit with him.
"There's no accounting for taste. At least now we have time to discuss strategy." Sakura gave Naruto a stern look, as though she expected the blonde to try and get out of planning.
Temari elbowed Shikamaru discretely, trying to get him to speed up and walk with Naruto. However, before he could send her a glare Naruto moved back to them. Putting her back to Temari she shielded her mouth, giving Shikamaru a cheeky smile.
"So, are you two going out, or what?" she chuckled.
For a moment Shikamaru thought Naruto was addressing the kiss incident, but when it registered in his mind what the blonde actually said he tried not to look shocked and disgusted. Temari was nice but he hadn't thought of her like that at all. His thoughts had been to heavily been consumed with thoughts of Naruto.
"Not even close, Idiot." It was good to feel surprised by Naruto again, but he finally realised what Jiraiya's expression had meant. Too much time had passed and clearly Naruto doubted Shikamaru's affections. Or perhaps someone else had caught Naruto's attention and that was why Jiraiya had looked at Shikamaru with so much pity.
"Huh, you've got to be joking!" Temari added. "Like I would ever even. The Chunin exams are about to start. I've been busy running back and forth between your village and mine getting things ready for them."
"Yeah that's right and I'm her escort." Shikamaru's voice showed how boring he found his job. "It's a drag, and don't ask how it happened but I've been put in charge of organising the Chunin exams."
Naruto's eyes lost some of their shine. "The Chunin exams, huh? Man that takes me back."
Not wanting Naruto to dwell, Shikamaru scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, well, speaking of which, what are you going to do, Naruto?"
"About what? What do you mean?"
With a chuckle he explained. "What do you think about the Chunin exams? You're the only one in our year who isn't a Chunin. Everyone is but you."
He regretted bring it up when Naruto's face fell even further. Next moment the woman screamed and asked her teammate if it was true. Even so, Shikamaru couldn't help but make it worse, telling her how Temari, Kankuro, and Neji had become Jonins. Truthfully he had missed Naruto's comical reactions. The fact that Naruto instantly asked about Gaara next hurt. He tried not to flinch but the way Temari looked at him out of the corner of her eye made him think he had failed.
Temari gleefully told him how Gaara had become Kazekage. She added that someone had inspired Gaara to work hard for it. It looked as though that was the last straw for Naruto who looked highly depressed.
"So Gaara was made Kazekage." Her fist tightened, and then she smiled. "That's great. Well I'm not about to be out done by him." Her words made Shikamaru smile. She hadn't changed. "I'm still going to be Hokage one day. JUST YOU WAIT, GAARA!"
Her way of handling the information was different than the younger self. Young Naruto would have yelled about how unfair it was that everyone was promoted whilst she was gone but now she saw it as a challenge.
"We have to plan more of the Chunin exams, but it was good seeing you." Shikamaru paused, realising that Sakura and Temari were watching the two. Though clearly for two different reasons. Temari was waiting for Shikamaru to do something embarrassing; Sakura was just waiting. Instead of doing something to give Temari more leverage he clasped Naruto on the shoulder, perhaps closer to her neck than he would have with others but he couldn't stop himself. "I'm glad you're back. I'll see you later."
"Yeah," Temari piped up, smiling in a way that filled the male with dread. "Maybe you and Shikamaru could catch up after your fight with Kakashi. I'm sure Shikamaru would be willing to buy you dinner."
Before Temari could make further promises for him he grabbed her arm. "Bye, Naruto, good luck with your fight." With that and a final, lazy wave, he dragged the sniggering woman away from the Team Seven members. "Did you have to?"
"Well, considering you are in love with him I expected you to make some type of move." Temari shrugged her arm out of Shikamaru's hold. "Did you chicken out cause we were there?"
"No, clearly Naruto either didn't think my feelings were genuine or has moved on. I just need to find out which. And I don't think Naruto responds well to aggressive actions. He prefers subtle, which works well for me."
Temari looked thoughtful for a moment. "So you had been working on it for a while before the idiot left?"
With a sigh Shikamaru admitted, "longer than I realised. And now it looks like I might have to start all over again."
Have to say, Shikamaru looked like an excited puppy when he realised Naruto was back. And that is from the anime, not my head. R and R.