You guys all seem to like a sick, drunk, or illogical Shikamaru… maybe I should worry about how sadistic my readers are.
Shikamaru had hoped to limit the number of people who were included in the Nine-Tails conversation. Unfortunately, Kiba actively looked for his teammates to ensure they were there for the discussion, leading to Lee also looking for his teammates. Once Hinata, Shino, Neji, and Tenten were located they all went to Lady Tsunade's office. Shikamaru sighed, leaning against the wall beside the door. Everyone who witnessed Naruto's transformation wore a grim expression, staring at Lady Tsunade expectantly.
"I would like to start at the beginning and would appreciate it if I didn't have to stop or repeat myself." Lady Tsunade took a deep breath. "When the Nine-Tails attacked the village sixteen years ago, it was after it broke out of the person housing it."
"Housing it?" Tenten spoke up, looking confused.
Lady Tsunade silenced her with a glare. "They are called Jinchuriki, those who have a Tailed Beast inside them. When the Nine-Tails attacked, and his old host died, the Fourth Hokage had to choose a new Jinchuriki. And it had to be an Uzumaki."
Hinata's eyes widened as she gasped. "Naruto," she whispered.
"Yes. Naruto was born the day the Nine-Tails attacked, and was the only other Uzumaki in the village besides the host. Even if I had been in the village I would not have been a good candidate." At the questioning looks Lady Tsunade sighed. "My grandmother was an Uzumaki. Naruto was chosen and the village was banned from speaking of it. Even though the Fourth had wanted Naruto to be seen as a hero for what he did he was mistreated by the village. This is why, even when Neji became a Jonin, it was not divulged to any of you. As most of you have now seen, the seal on the Nine-Tails has weakened. Captain Yamato was put onto Team Seven to ensure the Nine-Tails does not break free."
Lady Tsunade finished speaking and surveyed the group. Shikamaru watched as a frown deepened on Kiba's forehead, Hinata's breathing became erratic, and Lee chewed his lip enough to make blood drip onto his chin. Pushing himself off the wall with his elbow, Shikamaru cleared his throat.
"Even though the seal has weakened nothing has changed. Naruto is still the same kid we've always known. And those who saw him tonight can attest to the fact that he can control the Nine-Tails, can force it back inside. I don't believe any of us would have the strength to do the same."
"But we've only known Naruto whilst he has had the Nine-Tails in him, have we not?" Shino asked in an even voice. When he received a hesitant nod off of Shikamaru he went on. "So we have only ever known the Jinchuriki?"
"Well yes…"
"This is sick!" Kiba cut over Lady Tsunade, standing up and pacing, his hands clenched into fists. "You're telling me that the beast that destroyed the village when I was a baby is inside that idiot?"
"Kiba," Shikamaru growled, stepping forward.
"He's right, it is sick," Hinata piped up, tears trickling down her cheeks. "How could this happen? Naruto…"
"You are honestly disgusted?" Shikamaru snapped, glaring from Hinata to Kiba.
"Aren't you?" Shino asked. "I thought out of everyone you would be the most outraged from this."
"I don't see why we should be mad, or disgusted." Choji had a hard look on his face as he addressed the other team, Ino standing beside him with her arms crossed. "Naruto is a good ninja and a good friend. He has never hurt us and he forgave me when I hurt him. Just because he has the Nine-Tails in him doesn't change anything."
"Like Shino pointed out, we've only known Naruto whilst he was the Nine-Tails," Lee added.
"Container for the Nine-Tails," Shikamaru corrected. "Naruto is not the Nine-Tails. And Kiba, if you think he is, and are so disgusted by Naruto than you can shove it!"
"What?" Kiba frowned. "I'm not disgusted at Naruto! How could you think that? He's my friend. I'm repulsed by the village! He was the only one who could hold the Nine-Tails, save us from that thing, and the village has treated him like crap for that? I always thought it was cause his pranks bugged them that badly. To think it was cause of something like this! Why the hell did I become a ninja? I don't want to protect idiots who would hurt a child for something they had no choice in."
"Poor Naruto," Hinata muttered. "He's had to be so strong for so many years."
"You're not disgusted at Naruto?" Ino asked, shooting a look at Shikamaru.
"Of course not. As I pointed out, we have only ever known Naruto as a Jinchuriki. How can we hate our friend simply because we have discovered something new about him?" Shino handed Hinata a tissue.
Shikamaru stared at each person hard, before letting the fear and anger leave his body. Sighing, he slumped his shoulders, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"It's been a long night and we still have injured to attend too. Ino, I want you in the hospital. The rest of you help to get the wounded aid, and clear away any debris that needs clearing. Then you can all rest."
/ / / / / / / / / / /
It took two days for the village to look reasonably cleared. Luckily the damage to the population was mainly injuries. Once he had finished helping clear rubble, and had rested, he had gone to the hospital to see Naruto, only to be told she had left an hour before. Sora was still there and would be for another two days at least, but Naruto had healed, thanks to the Nine-Tails. According to the nurse, Naruto had run from the hospital the moment she was allowed.
He had tried to track her down, since he knew she wouldn't be training so soon after her injuries. Unfortunately, after half a day, his brain decided to suggest something that made his search difficult. Maybe Naruto didn't want to be found. The thought chilled him. If she didn't want to be found there was no way to find her. She could sense him coming and easily hide. Her transformation jutsus were amazing, and he knew that her sensing range was quite impressive. As much as he wanted to find her, he was also impressed with how much she had grown since the academy. On chakra alone she beat the rest of them. The only way he could beat her in a fight was to plan for every contingency, but even then she could disarm him with a smile.
When he saw the others from his academy days the first question Hinata asked was if he had seen Naruto. Disappointment covered her face as she saw Shikamaru shake his head. He sat on the grass next to her, throwing himself back into a lying position.
"He can't be training again, can he?" Ino asked, picking at her nails. "I know he heals fast but surely Lady Tsunade wouldn't allow him to train so soon after what happened."
"I think he's avoiding us," Shikamaru sighed.
"Why? You all took his secret better than I thought you would," said Sakura. "When I found out it made sense that my parents always told me to stay away from him. He's dangerous."
Shikamaru flew into a sitting position, a glare on his face. Before he had a chance to speak Kiba started yelling.
"YOUR PARENTS WERE ONE OF THE ONES TO DO THAT?" His face started turning red. He lowered his voice when he noticed others at the park were looking over. "How could they do that? Naruto is a good kid. He's a bit of an idiot but I always know where I stand with him. He doesn't use people and he's kind hearted. Why wouldn't your parents want you having a friend like that? I'm glad my mum never told me to stay away from him."
"My parents never did," Choji added, Ino nodding along.
"My parents told me to be careful around him, but I believe it was because when my bugs were first put into me his loud voice rattled them." Shino crossed his arms, staring at Sakura. "Do you truly believe your parents were doing the right thing?"
"They were scared," Sakura defended.
"That wasn't an answer to the question I asked," Shino retorted calmly. "Do you believe that they should have kept you away from Naruto, and made you hate him? For you did hate him before you became team members, or at least disliked him and was prone to hitting him."
"She still does that," Shikamaru muttered.
"But our parents didn't know him, how were they to know what kind of person he was. They only knew what kind of monster the Nine-Tails is." Sakura smiled at them all as though they just didn't understand.
"But that's the point," Hinata spoke up with a hard look in her eyes. "They never bothered to find out what kind of person Naruto was. They just judged him. It's only since Naruto became a ninja and shown his abilities that the village has started to accept him."
Sakura rolled her eyes. "I don't have time to argue with you. I have other things I have to do." She left, with Hinata glaring at her back.
Without conflict around him, Shikamaru let his mind drift. He was free until the next mission came up and he had intended to search for Naruto, but he decided to try and relax a little before resuming. The others talked around him but he failed to hear them. Eventually the topic moved to lunch. Choji asked what Shikamaru wanted, since they wanted all the options. Before he could reply Shikamaru jumped to his feet, bolting for the village gates. He caught a glimpse of yellow and orange headed in that direction and before he could think about it he had ran. Rounding the corner he saw Naruto talking to Sora who was covered in bandages. She stood with her team, and seemed to be saying goodbye to Sora. Once the boy walked away Naruto turned, spotting him coming towards her. Her eyes went wide and she stopped walking. Instantly she disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Shadow clone, he thought, cursing. He had his answer. She was actively avoiding them, including sending out clones when she needed to move around the village. He returned to the others, feeling defeated, to tell them what happened.
/ / / / / / /
Two days. That's how long he lasts before he snaps. Two days and overhearing a comment from Sakura to do with Naruto training, that's what it took. He turned around, ignoring what his father was saying to him and marched off. He hoped that she wouldn't remember telling him where she was training. Even if she sensed him approaching though, she wouldn't be able to run off. She had to train. He was going to take a page out of Naruto's book. Instead of thinking it over, he was going to act on pure instinct.
He paused at the tree line when he spotted Naruto. Or more, multiple Narutos. There were five groups of two and all of them wore the same outfit as they stood in the clearing, making rasenguns. It was one thing to see Naruto in nothing but a towel but to see her in an orange, sports bra and pants was something else. The number of Narutos wasn't helping. Pulling himself together he cupped his hands around his mouth.
"Naruto, get over here!"
All the blondes stopped what they were doing and looked over. Instantly the ten turned into one Naruto who hesitated before walking closer. Shikamaru wasn't even sure if Naruto had meant to dispel the clones. He did notice that Captain Yamato dropped his arm with a relieved sigh and started gulping water. Naruto started walking towards Shikamaru slowly, her eyes downcast. Shikamaru made sure to use his anger to make his focus stay on the blonde's face. When she had stopped in front of him he expelled air through his nose like a bull.
"Why have you been avoiding us?" Shikamaru snapped, deciding to be blunt. When Naruto failed to speak he went on. "You give us all a heart attack and just leave, without talking to any of us. Then you send a clone to see Sora off so you can dispel it when I spotted you. What the hell were you thinking?"
"I'm sorry," Naruto muttered so low that Shikamaru nearly missed it.
"You should be. We were worried." He sighed in frustration, looking around the clearing. Kakashi-Sensei and Captain Yamato were watching them closely, though they were trying to hide it.
"I didn't want to see 'the look'. Sakura hasn't realised it that whenever I am training or fighting, it slips onto her face, just for a minute." Naruto's voice shook, and her throat caught. "She's disgusted by what's inside me. I couldn't stand the thought of them… you looking at me that way. I don't want to see how much I repulse you."
"Because you hold the Nine-Tails?" When Naruto mournfully nodded Shikamaru scoffed. "I've known for years."
Naruto's head snapped up with surprise, allowing Shikamaru to see the tears that were pooling in her eyes, making their crystal blue colour brighter. "You have? Since when?"
"Since the day I became a Chunin. And I'll tell you the same thing I told you before the final Chunin exam: you're not a monster."
"Since you've been a Chunin, but that was before…" Naruto touched her lips, looking at the ground.
"That's right. I've known since before I kissed you. Finding out didn't change anything. I never saw you any different for it. You aren't the Nine-Tails, Naruto. Anyone who can't see that isn't worth your time. I don't know anyone who would have the strength to fight the Nine-Tails for control like you do. He is terrifying in his strength. You're incredible, and you need to stop avoiding us so that we can remind you of that fact."
Naruto looked up again, this time tears running down her face. Unlike last time however, there was a wet smile on her face. She threw her arms around Shikamaru, burying her face in his shoulder.
"Thank you."
Swallowing thickly, Shikamaru hugged her back just as tightly, trying to ignore the way her breasts pressed into his chest. "Naruto, can I ask you a question?" he asked softly after the blonde stopped crying.
"Hmm."
"Why aren't you wearing a shirt?"
Naruto laugh was muffled by Shikamaru's vest. He noticed the two Jonins looking at them with half amusement and half intrigue.
"Hate sleeping in a sweaty shirt."
"And your chest binds?"
"Can't sleep in them either, too hard to breath. So I'm just wearing a bra and transform when I sense Sakura. She still doesn't know."
"Sai does?" He didn't bother to let her go, savouring the feel of Naruto in his arms for as long as she would allow.
"He saw me at the hot springs that Captain Yamato took us too. I knew if I went to the women's section Sakura would think I was tricking her and hit me." Her arms slid off of Shikamaru's shoulders, resting on his arms instead and she lifted her head. The smile she gave him pulled the breath from his body.
"She better just kiss him already," Kakashi-Sensei's mutter to Captain Yamato rang through the clearing.
Shikamaru blushed as Naruto rolled her eyes towards her two teachers who started whistling and looking anywhere but at them.
"Well I know who I'll be testing my technique on when I get it."
Kakashi-Sensei pales as Naruto and Shikamaru chuckled. Naruto gave Shikamaru another smile before leaning forward, kissing his cheek. When she pulled back she stepped out of his arms.
"I should get back to training."
"Nope." Shikamaru shook his head. "You're going to put on a shirt and come with me. You need to talk to your friends. You dropped a ton of information on them and walked away. You know you should talk to them." When Naruto looked frightened he took her hand. "I'll be there with you. Trust me."
With a sigh she ran back to her two teachers, grabbing her shirt and telling them what she was doing. They both seem to approve. Captain Yamato even stumbled to a bed roll, telling her to take her time. Kakashi-Sensei just chuckled at him. Throwing her shirt over her head and doing a quick transformation so that she looked flat chested, Naruto walked over to Shikamaru, looking reluctant.
"It will be fine," the dark haired boy said, taking her hand.
He was able to convince Naruto into sensing where everyone was. They found Team Eight first. The three were walking down the street from their training grounds. They stopped when they spotted Naruto awkwardly standing metres in front of them, her hand holding Shikamaru's tightly. The blonde flinched deeply when Hinata ran at her, only to look surprised that the other girl had gathered her up in her arms.
"Are you okay, Naruto?" Hinata asked, holding Naruto at arm's length. "You've healed properly, right? Please don't push yourself."
"Um… I won't?" Naruto shot Shikamaru a confused look.
"Naruto, good to see you on your feet again," Shino commented, Akamaru barking what the genius could only assume was agreement.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Kiba roared, getting into Naruto's face the moment Hinata let her go. The blonde's hold on Shikamaru's hand tightened. "You had us worried sick about you and you just go back to training without even talking to us?"
"I… I thought you would hate me," Naruto whispered, sounding meeker than Shikamaru thought possible.
"Why would we hate you?"
Choji's voice made Naruto jump towards Shikamaru, putting her back to him. She obviously hadn't sensed Ino and Choji walking up behind her. Shikamaru ran his hands down Naruto's arms, taking hold of both her hands as he stood with his chest against her back. He couldn't help but feel joy over the fact that she trusted him enough to put her back to him when she was scared. She reminded him of a skittish kitten.
"For the… the Nine-Tails."
"So?" Ino frowned. "Why would we hate you for that? You didn't ask for the Nine-Tails to be put in you and you've protected us from it since the day you were born."
Shikamaru couldn't help but smile at his teammates over Naruto's shoulder. He could feel the tension leaving Naruto as her friends smiled at her.
"So are you going to stop being afraid and come have lunch with us? My treat," Shikamaru asked in her ear, feeling her body shake for a moment.
"I suppose food would be good," Naruto whispered, turning her head just slightly to look at him.
Choji cleared his throat, looking pointedly at Shikamaru as he tried to steer Ino in the direction of Ichiraku Ramen. Team Eight were already following, back to discussing their training. Shikamaru wasn't sure why Choji shot him the look that he did, but he did notice how Ino kept staring at them over her shoulder, looking shocked. Slowly letting go of Naruto's hands, Shikamaru frowned at Ino, walking beside Naruto.
Lunch felt better than their usual group hangouts. Knowing Naruto's secret appeared to make them closer. Shikamaru couldn't help but notice how Hinata was able to open up to Naruto more. Since finding out the blonde only liked males she had been able to talk to her more, but it was obvious she admired and idolised Naruto to the point that she sometimes found herself mute. Now she appeared to be able to move past that and Naruto and she were close.
When they had finished lunch, Shikamaru put money down to pay for him and Naruto, before putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Come on, I should get you back to Kakashi-Sensei and Captain Yamato. You still have to get the jutsu before you can use it on Kakashi-Sensei." He smiled down at her, ignoring the way Ino was staring at him.
Naruto laughed as she stood. Once they were out of the main part of the village and instead in a more secluded area, Shikamaru took Naruto's hand again. He wasn't sure how she would take him doing so if people were around to see. She had allowed him earlier but he was certain it was because she needed it. He was happy to see that she didn't pull away from him this time, and instead walked a little closer to him.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For showing me that I can trust them." Naruto smiled at him.
"Are you going to tell them you're a girl now?"
"Nah." Her reply made him chuckle. "Kiba has a big mouth, and Ino will try and make me act like a girly girl. I don't try to act like a boy, this is just who I am." She paused. "Is that something that… would bother you, I mean…"
"I've thought you were a girl since before we were friends," Shikamaru reminded her. "Your behaviour has never bothered me, so why would it now?"
Naruto had a soft smile on her face as she nudged him with her shoulder. "Good to know. You're my… you're my closest friend, you know that?"
"I thought Sasuke was." Shikamaru didn't mean for bitterness to leak into his voice but he had always been jealous at how close Sasuke was to Naruto, especially when he hadn't earned it.
"He's like a brother. We can understand each other cause we're…" Naruto searched for the words, "Lost at times. Both of us are struggling to reach a level we thought impossible but have to make it realistic. For Sasuke it's defeating his brother, for me it's becoming Hokage. But you, you understand me whilst showing me everything I could have. You have had a loyal best friend since you were little, Choji, you've been approachable without being centre of attention, everything about you encourages people to respect you, and you have the best family." By the end Naruto's face wore a large smile. "I want that, and the more I get to know you the more I think it might be possible."
"You like my family?"
"I love your family. Your mum was afraid for your safety at first but once she realised I would never hurt you I could see she's a good mum, and a great cook. Your dad is one of the nicest guys I know, and incredibly smart. I can see why you're such a great guy, with those two as parents. That's why you're the one I'm closest too."
"The one you're closest too, not just your closest friend?" He couldn't help the grin that appeared on his face.
Naruto rolled her eyes. "Fine, I admit that I'm closest to you, even over Iruka-Sensei and Pervy-Sage, happy now?"
"Ecstatic!"
Naruto laughed, shaking her head at him. Shikamaru couldn't help but smile in reply. He loved the way she saw him. It was better than he saw himself and if she wanted loyal friends, respect, and family he would help her get all those things. She already had the first, the second she was earning quickly from everyone in the village, and the last… well, he could only help with that if he could work out why he couldn't confess to her. She also needed to return his feelings.
"You know, since I'm the closest person to you, if you ever feel the need to confess anything, spill your heart out, any of those things, you can always come to me… Actually, you should come to me exclusively." He tried to sound offhanded but he was fairly certain he failed.
"Ah, a girl has to have some secrets." Naruto bumped him with her hip, grinning.
What a drag, he thought with a mental sigh.
Hope you all like. R and R.