Obviously I've changed some things in this and the last chapter, like the lack of Sakura and Sai on the mission. I felt that they didn't really add much to the mission and instead took things away from my story. I also change the sequence of things in this chapter. Naruto was meant to be examined as Shikamaru was playing Shogi with his dad but that isn't the case in this chapter.
Nayami-Chan- Have you hacked into my computer and read the start of this chapter? Cause the stuff you asked for in your review was already in this chapter, lol.
Supanova was awesome. For those who don't know what that is it's basically the Aussie Comic Con. I got to meet Piper from Charmed and got an awesome Kakashi bookmark since my cat has stolen my Byakua one and I don't know where she put it.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"
Shikamaru groaned, trying to drown out the noise. It was made harder by the sharp poke he received to the shoulder. Bringing the arm up that wasn't wrapped around something warm; he shielded his eyes from the morning light. Squinting, he saw Konohamaru standing over him, glaring at him with a disapproving pout on his face. Seeing Shikamaru looking at him he poked him hard in the chest.
"Get the hell out of that bed! Now!"
Naruto groaned, burying her face further into Shikamaru's chest, throwing a leg over his stomach.
"Konohamaru, go away, we're trying to sleep." Naruto's words came out muffled against the Chunin's skin.
With her so close to him Shikamaru could easily see just how much darker her skin was compared to his. He found himself ignoring the young boy glaring at him and instead staring at the contrast. He enjoyed the look of her tanned skin, reminding him of wet sand. She was so soft and warm though. There were freckles on her arm that she had draped over Shikamaru's bare chest. He would give up watching clouds if it meant he could instead watch her sun kissed skin rest against his pale skin. Unfortunately, Konohamaru demanded attention.
"You two can't be in bed together. SHIKAMARU, GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY SIST…!"
The brunet's words were cut off by Naruto throwing a spare pillow at his face. He looked baffled before Naruto lifted her head, opening her eyes.
"Konohamaru, I love you, but if you don't let me sleep, I will hit you." The girl dropped her head back down onto Shikamaru's chest, moving her arm to block her face.
"I know what you two want to get up to. I'm not leaving until he gets away from you," Konohamaru hissed, blushing darkly.
"I want to sleep, nothing else," Naruto muttered.
"Me too," agreed Shikamaru, dropping his arm and closing his eyes.
"I don't believe you."
"You're welcome to sleep on the floor like a guard dog but either way I'm getting a couple more hours sleep. What time is it?" Naruto's breath tickled Shikamaru as she sighed.
"It's nearly five in the morning." Konohamaru finally sighed. "If I hear any noise from in this room I will hurt you, Shikamaru."
Shikamaru could feel the grin on Naruto's face against his chest. "Naruto, don't even think about it!"
"Think about what?" Konohamaru snapped.
"She's thinking about making noises just to freak you out." Shikamaru shook his shoulder, shaking Naruto in the process. The blonde whined and rolled away from him. "Behave, you. I want more sleep too."
"You should sleep on the couch." He could feel Konohamaru glaring at him.
"And where would you sleep, Konohamaru?" Shikamaru sighed, peeking one eye open. "I promise we will be good, like we already have been. Now can we please go back to sleep? We had a tiring mission."
Konohamaru finally turned towards the door with a nod. He stopped at the door, looking over his shoulder. "The people who… you know… to Uncle Asuma…"
"They're dead. Naruto finished one off and I got the other." Shikamaru watched some of the tension leave the boy's shoulders before he walked out, leaving the bedroom door ajar. He smiled, rolling to face Naruto, putting his torso against Naruto's back. Wrapping his arms around her waist he pulled her closer. "I'll have to remember that you have a protective little brother."
Naruto laughed, relaxing into him. "Yep, and I've raised him to be tough too, so you should be worried."
"I'd be terrified if I couldn't promise that I'd never hurt you. Konohamaru has no reason to distrust me." Shikamaru buried his face in the back of Naruto's neck, breathing in her scent.
When he woke up again, slowly this time, he still had his arm wrapped around Naruto's form, holding her close to him. He rubbed the tip his nose against the back of the blonde's neck, enjoying the smooth skin. Tightening his arm around Naruto he kissed her neck. Naruto shook in his arms as he kissed her again.
"That tickles," Naruto mutter, rubbing her eyes before turning around; still in Shikamaru's hold. "How did you sleep?"
"Better than I thought I would," Shikamaru sighed. "Thank you."
"Any time." Naruto yawned, rubbing her eyes again. "We should get up before Konohamaru comes barging in again." She sat up looking at Shikamaru expectantly. "I can't get out of bed until you move."
With a dramatic groan he rolled out of bed, watching the blonde crawl out, cradling her right arm to her stomach. Before he could question her Naruto walked over to her chest of draws, pulling a draw open with her left hand.
"Here. I figured you'd want to change." She threw some clothing at him which he caught easily.
Holding it up, he couldn't help but frown. "Naruto, are these my dad's clothing?"
Naruto rocked on her heels, looking at the ground. "If you want I can get you some of Iruka-Sensei's old clothing, or I have some shirts of Kakashi-Sensei's…"
Shikamaru frowned at the blonde, a small smile on his face. "Why are you collecting clothing off men?"
Naruto blushed, rolling her eyes. "If you don't want the clothing-"
"No, I appreciate it. I'm just wondering why. You can tell me." Shikamaru put the clothing on the messy bed before walking closer, putting a hand on Naruto's shoulder. When she flinched he removed it. "Sorry, I won't touch you."
She shook her head. "My shoulder and arm is a little sore, that's all. I have their clothing cause… your dad gave me some of his when I was attached… and I think some of yours. I remember noticing that they were warmer, and…" Naruto blushed darker, looking away.
"What?" He went to put his hands on her arms again before stopping, and instead placing them on her hips. "Naruto, I'm not going to laugh or anything, I promise."
Naruto huffed and rolled her eyes. "I used to imagined it was what a hug felt like. So when your dad kept offering his old clothing, I kept taking them, and Iruka-Sensei's."
"Kakashi-Sensei offers you his old shirts?" Shikamaru asked, not being able to imagine it. He quirked an eyebrow at the embarrassed expression Naruto wore.
"I may have borrowed some of Kakashi-Sensei's and Captain Yamato's shirts."
Shikamaru couldn't help the laugh that slipped passed his lips. "You're a shirt thief!"
"You said you wouldn't laugh!" Naruto yelped.
"I'm not laughing at why you have the shirts. I'm laughing at the fact that you're a shirt thief. If mine goes missing I know where to look." He laughed again when Naruto shoved him. "Thanks for the clothing. Do you mind if I have a shower?"
"Go ahead." Naruto got him a towel before dropping onto the lounge, right onto a sleeping Konohamaru's chest.
"WHAT THE HELL, NARUTO?!"
"Pay back for earlier," she laughed.
Chuckling, Shikamaru closed the bathroom door. When he exited the bathroom Naruto raced in, closing the door on Konohamaru.
"YOU BETTER NOT TAKE TO LONG!" the boy yelled.
"My bathroom," Naruto sung back.
Konohamaru kicked the door before turning to Shikamaru who was rubbing his head with the towel. "Shikamaru, can I ask you about the Akatsuki?"
Sighing, he sat on the couch. "What do you want to know?"
"What are the chances of Naruto surviving?" At the Chunin's frown the boy gave a dry chuckle. "I know what she holds. And I know the Akatsuki are targeting her kind, I overhead Uncle Asuma and Aunt Kurenai talking. Please tell me she's not going to die too."
Shikamaru patted the seat next to him, waiting until the boy sat and took some calming breaths. "Naruto is strong. We both know that, and she has the village beside her. None of us will let the Akatsuki take her away from us. You have my word that I will do everything I can to protect her."
Konohamaru nodded slowly. "Don't go dying either. You're important to Naruto, and to me."
"Good to know, kid." He ruffled Konohamaru's brown hair, making him swat at his hand.
"I see Konohamaru doesn't want to kill you now."
Both males jumped, looking over to see Naruto in girl's clothing again. This time she wore a white halter neck and, something Shikamaru never expected, an orange skirt.
"You can have the bathroom now." At her words Konohamaru grabbed some clothing and ran into the bathroom, slamming the door. "That kid has the smallest bladder in existence."
When Naruto sat down next to Shikamaru, she looked at him for a moment before huffing. "Stop looking at my legs, you pervert!"
"I'm just surprised you're in a skirt," the boy retorted, crossing his arms.
"Yeah, yeah." Naruto nudged him with her elbow, only to yelp and cradle her arm.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, my arm is just a little sore." Naruto put her hand on her injured arm, only to wince violently.
"It's more than a little sore." Shikamaru stood up. "Come on, we're taking you to see a medic."
Naruto rolled her eyes. "I heal quickly."
"It hasn't healed overnight. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I didn't notice it was hurting with everything going on. I'll tell you what, if it hasn't healed in two hours you can march me down to the hospital."
Shikamaru eyed off the blonde before realising this was one situation he couldn't manoeuvre out of. Naruto was stronger than him, stubborn, and short of causing her pain there was no way Shikamaru could force her to go to the hospital.
"Fine, two hours," he sighed, noting the time. "But you're not allowed to lie to me about whether it is still injured, at all, when the two hours are up."
"Fine." Naruto pouted before reaching out with her left hand, pushing a strand of hair out of Shikamaru's face. "I like your hair down." Luckily for Shikamaru, Naruto dropped her hand, frowning as she looked at the front door. "What's Sai doing here?" She got up, walking to the door. When she opened it Sai stood on the threshold, fist raised.
The pale boy wasn't surprised to see Naruto in feminine clothing. Shikamaru was reminded sharply that Sai discovered Naruto's gender at the hot springs. Against his will his fingers curled inwards until his nails cut into his palm. He walked up to stand beside Naruto, putting a hand on the middle of her back. Staring the Anbu member down the genius noticed the shopping bags in his hand.
"Hey, Sai, what's up?" Naruto asked with a chipper smile.
"I heard from Ino that you had guests and thought you might need provisions. I read that it was customary to offer your guests refreshments but you haven't been home in a while." He handed Naruto the shopping bags, clearly waiting for confirmation on his information.
"Thanks, I didn't even think about that."
"Not a problem, Naruto. Have a good day." With a slight bow Sai turned and walked off.
"Bye," Naruto called after him before closing the door. "Okay, on to the next problem: I don't know how to cook."
"Don't look at me!" Shikamaru snapped. "I don't know how to cook either."
"I do."
The two looked over at Konohamaru who immerged from the bathroom with a cloud of steam. He took the bags from Naruto's good hand, looking through the items.
"Excellent." Naruto wrapped her good arm around Konohamaru's torso and lifted him onto her feet, before walking towards the kitchen, making Konohamaru walk too. "You can cook for us!"
"I didn't agree to that," yelped the brunet.
"Too bad," Shikamaru chimed in. "We've volunteered you."
"Thaaaanks," Konohamaru sarcastically muttered before getting to work.
Shikamaru helped where he could but he made sure Naruto sat at the dining table and rested her arm. There were scratches on her arm but otherwise it looked fine. No bruising or decolourisation or swelling. Observing her arm out of the corner of his eye Shikamaru couldn't help but wonder if the Nine-Tails didn't heal the simple first. It was possible that Naruto's flesh rarely showed the damage within because the Nine-Tails healed the flesh first then the internal damage. The only time Shikamaru had seen her appearance marred with injury was when she had been close to death. He could assume in those cases healing the internal, life threatening damage was more important. But why start with the flesh at all? Thinking it over Shikamaru wondered if it wasn't a defence mechanism. The beast obviously needed Naruto to live and therefore it wouldn't want Naruto to look weak in front of the enemy. Being black, blue, and bloody from a fight would show how badly hurt she was. But if Naruto was weakened enough the Nine-Tails would be able to break out. It made Shikamaru wonder if the Nine-Tails wasn't at least a little protective, or fond of the blonde. She did have the ability to sway people's hearts.
After the three had finished breakfast and Naruto had exhausted her questions about Konohamaru's training Shikamaru noticed that the two hours were up. He had noticed that Naruto was still not using her right hand much and had had difficulty eating breakfast with her left. She had ended up stabbing her sausages with her chopstick.
"Alright, time to go to the hospital," Shikamaru demanded, rising to his feet. "I can tell you're still injured."
Naruto sighed. "At least let me change into my chest binds and boy's clothing."
"Everyone was fine with the whole Nine-Tails thing. Do you really think they are going to care about your gender?" Shikamaru asked.
"I don't know. Part of me thinks they will be fine with it but a bigger part of me is still scared they will think I'm tricking them or something and will hate me. I told you, I'm a coward." Naruto looked away from the two boys. "I'm just going to get dressed."
"For what it's worth, I'd protect you." Shikamaru only knew the blonde heard him by the way she paused in her steps for only a moment before retreating to her bedroom.
"You know, I'm starting to think Naruto could do worse." When Shikamaru frowned at Konohamaru the boy shrugged. "What? Naruto is a great ninja. Any guy would be lucky to have my big sister. But I suppose you'll do."
"Gee, thanks."
Konohamaru laughed. "Don't get me wrong, I respect you. I just didn't see how you and Naruto would work, but I'm starting to see that you two wouldn't be that bad a match. Let me know how she is but I promised to meet Moegi and Udon. I'd cancel but I know they're worried about me."
"It's alright. I'll let you know if it's anything bad. It's probably just a broken bone or something." Shikamaru walked the boy out before waiting for Naruto. When she did reappear looking like a boy he smirked. "You have trouble with the chest binds, didn't you?"
"Yes," Naruto grounded out. "I don't know what I'm going to do if they ask me to take off my jacket. Pray they don't notice, I guess. What's worse is that Sakura demands to heal me when she's there. She won't let anyone else near me because she's the medic for Team Seven."
"How does she not know yet?" Shikamaru asked, locking Naruto's door for her.
"People tend not to look past what they see as obvious. I look like a boy, everyone says I'm a boy, therefore I am a boy. Add in the fact that I've never corrected people and no one as a reason to question it… well, except for you." Naruto grinned. "Or do you check the gender of all your friends?"
"Only the ones that don't smell like the gender they appear to be."
"Seriously? That's what gave me away? My scent?"
"Yeah. I've always wondered how Kiba hasn't noticed."
Naruto shrugged. "Hinata once commented that she was glad Kiba didn't judge people on their smell or she would be self conscious about sweating so maybe that's it. Plus I avoid him when it's my time of the month, even though I always have the urge to hug cute things at that time, and Akamaru is adorable."
"Your time… oh- ew." When Naruto frowned at the expression he pulled he waved his hands. "No, I meant that he can smell it. That's gross, not the bleeding part, cause you know, that's natural…"
"You're really uncomfortable right now, aren't you?" Naruto laughed.
"Extremely."
Naruto laughed again. "It's fine, I understand that blood is gross, even if it's natural for women."
"Thank you. I've been yelled at for a similar conversation with Ino. It doesn't help that she gets angry during her time." Shikamaru sighed.
Naruto just laughed, something that warmed him. He had noticed that she was laughing more and more since her return. When they reached the hospital it was proven that Naruto was right, Sakura did demand to treat her. Naruto was shown to a room to wait for the pink haired girl and told to remove her jacket. Shikamaru sat on the bed with Naruto, hand on her shin. He was reminded sharply of the time he visited her after Sasuke nearly killed her. Shikamaru was still going to make that boy pay if he ever came back to the village.
"Naruto, what have you done now?" Sakura asked, opening the door to the room. Ino closed it as she followed her in.
"Hey, Naruto, Shikamaru. I heard you guys were here," Ino greeted, eyeing off Naruto for a moment before turning her probing gaze onto her teammate. "Do I want to know what happened to Naruto's arm?"
"He probably pushed himself too much in training today," Sakura spoke up, walking around the bed.
"I hurt it yesterday when I went up against that Kukka guy."
"You mean Kakuzu," corrected Shikamaru with a smile.
"Right, him." Naruto screamed when Sakura grabbed her arm. "What the hell, Sakura?"
"Let him go!" Shikamaru growled, swinging his arm at Sakura's arm. He caused her to release her hold, allowing Naruto to cradle her arm to her torso. "Naruto told you it hurt!"
"Sakura, maybe you should examine Naruto's arm like you would with everyone else," Ino advised, taking Naruto's left hand and moving it away from her injured arm.
The pink haired girl channelled chakra into her hand before hovering them over the blonde's arm. The more that she examined Naruto's arm the deeper the frown on her brow became. Finally she stopped and wrote on a notepad.
"You're too damn reckless, that's your problem!" Sakura scolded when she was finished writing.
"Why are you getting so upset anyway?" Naruto asked.
"Shut up." Sakura hit Naruto on the top of her head with the clip board. "Don't talk back."
"How about you help Naruto instead of hitting him," Shikamaru snapped, glaring at the girl.
Sakura ignored him, reading the notepad again. "Your arm is broken in a number of places. I'll try to speed up the healing progress but you'll have to wear a cast."
As she went to work Naruto looked down sadly. When Shikamaru squeezed her shin she looked up with a sad smile. "It was my new jutsu, I'm sure." She looked from Shikamaru to Ino. "You guys don't have to wait for me. Shikamaru, your parents are probably worried about you."
"Are you sure?" he asked, taking the hand Ino had let go.
"Yeah, I'm sure." Naruto smiled. "Thanks though."
"Alright." Shikamaru stood, moving closer with the intention of giving her a kiss, only to catch himself. Instead he rubbed his thumb over the back of the hand he held. "I'll come see how you are later."
"Bye, Naruto," Ino called as she led the way out of the room. "He'll be fine."
"He rarely has to be healed though, so for him to be this bad is kind of terrifying." Shikamaru sighed, running his fingers through his hair, realising he still hadn't pulled it back.
"I see that not only Sakura has been spoilt by Naruto's healing speed," Ino noted with a smile. "I promise he will be back to normal soon. He'll probably heal his broken bones in a quarter of the time it would take anyone else."
Nodding Shikamaru realised something. "You go. I've got somewhere I have to be."
He pulled back his hair before visiting Asuma-Sensei's grave, putting the man's lighter on the tomb stone. He was a little surprised to see Kurenai on her feet and made sure to tell her that she should be resting. It was a relief to see that she was strong enough to handle her grief. He had been worried that she would lose the baby in her suffering. Shikamaru should have realised that Asuma-Sensei would go for someone strong. He made sure to comment as much to the woman.
"He wasn't the only one who went for a strong partner," she said with a small smile at him.
Not knowing what to say Shikamaru offered to walk her home before heading back to the Nara Estate. It felt odd to know the last time he had been home he had been in such emotional turmoil he hadn't been sure how to survive. Now he could breathe easier and think clearer. His skin still held a now familiar scent of a particular blonde too. Hoping his father was up for a game a shogi he walked into his house with a small smile on his face.
R and R.