Pokemon Go may or may not be to blame for how long this chapter took. Australia was one of three countries to get it first and I have been in competition with my husband to see who can get better Pokemon. I'm winning since all the Pokemon we both wanted I have and more than half are now evolved. He's the bigger Pokemon fan so it's slowly killing him.

Shikaku's POV

He tried to sit and read but after one line found himself standing and pacing through the living room. He tried to look over a list of candidates for Jonin but again found himself pacing. Shikamaru hadn't been at the funeral. He hadn't expected that. He had thought to ask Naruto if he knew where the boy was but seeing the blond comforting the last Sarutobi made him walk away. Naruto was needed more there.

Shikamaru was finally home but Shikaku was at a loss as to what to do. He could count the amount of times he was at a loss on one hand. The first was when Yoshino boldly asked him out, in front of his team, the second was when he was made the Leaf's ambassador around the time the Third Great Ninja War started. He had relied on Choza to calm him and make him think reason, and the third was when Shikamaru was born. Until he held his son he had had been bewildered and terrified. Now, he was in the same state. Shikaku had expected his son to be broken from the loss of his sensei but instead he appeared fine, perhaps a bit numb, but nothing else. If he saw some type of negative emotion from Shikamaru he would be able to judge how to handle him, what buttons to press to make him open up and grieve properly.

When he heard Yoshino struggling to get the front door open he went to help her with the groceries she carried. His wife held a puzzled expression as they unpacked the bags. It was only a matter of time before she said something. As he put the last item away Yoshino turned to him, folding her arms over her stomach.

"Naruto is outside."

"Is he here to visit Shikamaru?" Shikaku frowned. "Why didn't you let him in?"

"No, I mean outside the gate to the estate. When he spotted me he ran behind a tree. He looked… odd."

"What do you mean?" Shikaku watched Yoshino's frown deepen.

"I don't know. Misshapen perhaps. It was probably because he ran off so quickly. What do you think he was doing out there, Shika?"

"He could have been walking passed or he could have been looking for Shikamaru."

Yoshino sighed. "Maybe. But do me a favour and go look for him after dinner, just encase. And take a blanket for him if he is there."

"Yes, dear," Shikaku assured, smiling as his wife started making dinner.

He wasn't surprised when Shikamaru didn't join them for dinner. He was a little surprised that his wife made extra and put it into a disposable container. When she put it with a folded up blanket he knew who it was for. Once he had finished eating he gathered up the blanket and meal and went to see if he could find Naruto.

When he walked outside the gate separating the Nara estate from the rest of the village he spotted something yellow in the trees. Looking closer he could just make out Naruto's face. When the boy spotted him he put his hands together and his shape seemed to alter. Assuming it was a trick of the light he shrugged it off, walking closer to the tree the blond sat in.

"Naruto," he called, waiting for the blond to jump down from the tree branch, "what are you doing?"

"I, um," he looked down, "I was waiting to see if Shika was alright."

"You're welcome in the house, you know that, right?"

"I don't think I am." Naruto finally met Shikaku's eye. "I don't blame Shikamaru for seeing me as the cause of Asuma-Sensei's death. The Akatsuki are after me. They are a threat to the Leaf because of me. And Asuma-Sensei is dead-"

"Because of the Akatsuki, not you," cut in Shikaku. "Did Shikamaru tell you he blamed you?"

"No," Naruto said slowly before sagging his shoulders. "He yelled at me when I tried to talk to him about Asuma-Sensei. I didn't mean to make him angry, I just thought he might want someone to talk to about what happened. I still think he does but I don't think that's me."

Shikaku studied the boy in front of him. Naruto was wearing shorts that looked like they belonged on a girl and an orange t-shirt. He looked lost and kept shooting looks at the gate behind Shikaku. He knew through Asuma-Sensei that Naruto was interested in boys only and that Shikamaru was aware of this fact. Shikaku also knew, thanks to a talkative Choji and Choza, that Shikamaru had stayed at Naruto's house more than once, drunk even. With the way Naruto was concerned for the Nara heir Shikaku was starting to think he would have give Shikamaru 'the talk' again, just to ensure he remembered it. Until then, Naruto had given the piece of information Shikaku needed to get through to his son.

"I don't think he has an issue with you, Naruto. He just doesn't want to confront his feelings and you being there when he does would make it worse. He doesn't want you to see him as weak."

"I would never think him weak. He's a great ninja, and a great man. I'm just worried about him."

Shikaku smiled, watching Naruto rub his arms. "You're going to stay out here all night, aren't you? There's no convincing you to come inside."

Naruto shrugged with a sheepish smile. Shaking his head at the boy – and silently wishing his son would hurry up before someone who acted more with their heart instead of their head came along – he handed over the blanket and meal.

"If you get too cold, or change your mind you can always come in. No sleeping in Shikamaru's room though." He bit his tongue to stop himself from laughing at the blush that covered Naruto's face as Shikaku walked back towards the house. It was growing dark and he thought it was about time he had a discussion with his son. He would make sure to remind him Naruto was the type of person who felt emotions stronger than the Nara men did. The boy didn't deserve to feel as though he should sit in the cold waiting.

/ / / / / /

He had been apprehensive when he found out Shikamaru was hunting the ones who killed Asuma. Revenge was not the answer to grief. He had spotted Choji and Shikamaru entering the Nara forest and followed them. When he saw what they were doing it wasn't hard for him to work out what his son was planning, especially after having seen the shogi board. He wisely didn't tell Choza or Inoichi about what their children were up to but he did wait in hiding for his son's plan.

Although it was a good plan to take down Hidan it was horrifying too. He knew the minutes following Hidan's burial would determine if his son was heading down a dark path. Shikaku followed Shikamaru at a distance. Brefew walked beside Shikamaru, giving the Nara leader an easy path to follow. When his son cleared the tree line Shikaku stopped, standing on a sturdy tree branch. He could easily see Naruto running towards Shikamaru. The blond was smart enough to not walk too close to Brefew. In Shikamaru's emotionally unstable Brefew might attack Naruto.

Shikaku held his breath as Naruto spoke to Shikamaru. He didn't know what response to expect from his son. Had he just watched the boy pave his way to darkness or simply put a stop to a deadly threat? He nearly laughed with relief when Shikamaru fell into Naruto's arms, his shoulders shaking as he sobbed. Shikamaru's heart hadn't hardened.

He should have walked away but he was enjoying seeing Naruto comforting Shikamaru. He wanted to see his son happy, an heir be damned, and if he could learn more about Naruto's feelings towards Shikamaru he might be able to give some fatherly advice. He felt ashamed for not leaving them to their private moment when Shikamaru grasped Naruto's face. Shikaku did not want to witness their first kiss; Shikamaru would be mortified if he found out. But his son didn't kiss the blond.

"Naruto," Shikamaru's voice shook as he spoke with urgency, "promise me that you will be careful. Promise me that you wouldn't let the Akatsuki get you. I can't lose you, especially not over the Nine-Tails inside you. I know you've gotten strong and you're incredibly brave. It wouldn't surprise me if you were Jonin level. But… Please promise me! Please. Promise you'll be safe and stay with me."

With a gentle smile Naruto reached up and wiped a tear from Shikamaru's cheek. "I have Kakashi-Sensei, Iruka-Sensei, Captain Yamato, Pervy-Sage, Granny Tsunade, Sakura, and even Sai backing me up. And I have you." Naruto's face turned strained. "And you're wrong. I'm not strong or brave. I'm a coward. And I'm scared. I'm always afraid, of what people think, of what they might do, not just to me but to the people I care about. And mostly I'm afraid of waking up back at the academy, back before you started talking to me and gave me friends. I need my friends to make me strong. And I need you to make me safe."

Shikaku's eyes widened as Shikamaru gasped. He wondered if Naruto knew the weight of his statement. Even though Shikaku trusted Choza and Inoichi he didn't feel completely safe when out with them. He still looked over his shoulder, he was still paranoid about rogue ninjas in the area. And he saw his teammates doing the same thing. But when with Yoshino he felt calm, at peace. Their home was safe, because any rogue ninja dumb enough to attack them would be slaughtered. He would have no mercy for someone who risked harming Yoshino.

He nearly fell out of the tree when he realised what he had just thought. He would cause a person pain if they tried to hurt his wife. Some might even worry that he was heading down a dark path if such a thing happened. Shikamaru wanted justice for Asuma, but taking Hidan down in such a manner, making sure that the Akatsuki member could never put himself back together, and would forever be trapped under dirt and rock left a message. It was a message that the other Akatsuki members were bound to hear, even if they don't learn the details. And to have Hidan trapped in the Nara forest added to that message.

The Akatsuki were not allowed to harm the Leaf, and more, they were to keep their hands off a particular someone. The heir to the Nara Clan was willing to taint his heart and soul if it meant protecting someone dear to him.

He shouldn't have worried about Shikamaru. His son had been able to track down these two particular Akatsuki members because they were hunting Naruto. They might have even been planning to ambush the Jinchurikki the next time he left the village. Shikamaru was doing the same thing any ninja would have done when the person they loved was targeted.

As Naruto scolded Shikamaru for not wearing his forehead protected Shikaku smiled and turned, heading through the forest towards his house. Shikamaru's team would have to head back the long way since so few were allowed into the Nara Forest. He had been surprised to see Shikamaru had taken Naruto into the forest to hide from his mother. Perhaps he had been using it as a test.

/ / / / /

He didn't see Shikamaru again until the next day. When he did arrive he was wearing what looked like some of Shikaku's old clothing. It didn't take a genius like himself to know that Shikamaru had spent the night at Naruto's. Part of him was uncomfortable with that realisation. His son was meant to stay a little boy at least a little longer.

When Shikamaru saw him he smiled and asked if he wanted to play a game of shogi. Shikaku decided to not go easy on the boy and won his first match quickly.

"You're going to have to try harder than that, Shikamaru," Shikaku taunted as they reset the board.

"I guess playing against Asuma-Sensei and Naruto has made me a little lazy."

"Naruto plays?" Shikaku asked in surprise.

"I'm teaching him." Shikamaru blushed lightly as he made the first move.

"Oh…" Shikaku let the conversation lull for a handful of moves before deciding he had to speak up. "Shikamaru, I'm aware that you are getting older, and that… you'll be participating in adult activities. But I want you to remember to be protected, even if there isn't a risk of pregnancy."

Shikamaru looked up in horror, his face scarlet. "Dad, that the hell! What made you bring this topic up?"

"I've noticed that you have stayed overnight at Naruto's a few times now. I approve of the relationship but I want you to take it slow and remember protection. I don't think you and Naruto are dating yet but when you do, remember what I said. And if you two are… engaging in physical activity already I think you should stop until you are together. I know you love him and starting off a relationship like that is liable to end badly. I've seen it happen. Though sometimes it ends well but I don't want you risking something I know is important to you."

Shikamaru had buried his face into his hands. "Dad, please stop talking," he pleaded. "Naruto and I aren't having sex. I just crash at his place some times. It's comforting to know he's safe. And you're right that we aren't together yet."

"But you do love him, am I right?"

"Yes," Shikamaru admitted, slowly lifting his head. "I've tried to tell him but every time I try something stops me. There is a mental block and I can't work out where it comes from."

"When was the first time you came across this block?" Shikaku asked, studying his son.

"Um," Shikamaru blushed again, "We were in the forest…"

"When you fought Hidan?"

"No, when we were hiding from mum. I thought you were lurking during my fight with Hidan though. I tried to tell Naruto but something stopped me. When Asuma-Sensei, Izumo, and Kotetsu asked me about it I said I was afraid of Naruto accepting my feelings. Though I feel like he'll never return them. Asuma-Sensei said my use of the word accepting was important but that didn't really help me. Something is holding me back and I can't work out what."

Shikaku scoffed. "Yes, you can. It's like the Nine-Tails secret. You had all the pieces for ages but you took your time realising the answer. You had the pieces to make the picture but you refused to see it."

"No, I needed one more."

"You chose to need it because you refused to believe someone you loved was being used as a gaol cell. It's perfectly reasonable but now you're doing it again." Shikaku stared at his son, waiting to see if he would reach the answer. When it was obvious he hadn't, Shikaku sighed. He couldn't really be mad over his son not wanting to see something that would just cause him pain.

"Do you know what's holding me back from telling Naruto how I feel?

"I have my theories," he answered cryptically. "One is that you are a coward, but that is the least likely. You have a lot of physical contact with Naruto, which means you can't be too scared of Naruto finding out. My main guess is that you are unwilling to see the answer because you don't like the answer. You don't want to see the answer because it means knowing how much Naruto has been hurt in the past and what that's done to him. You're going to have to face it eventually though, since your feelings for the boy seem to only have grown."

Shikamaru appeared to think over his father's words before looking up at him. His eyes held amusement and confusion, an odd mix to Shikaku, given their topic. When the boy laughed Shikaku raised an eyebrow, not knowing what was so funny.

"You just gave your only son and heir permission to date a boy."

"As long as you are happy, I don't mind if there is no blood heir to the Nara Clan. You and Naruto can always adopt."

Shikamaru frowned at his father, a blush tinging his cheeks again. "Dad, you clearly haven't realised that I'm not attracted to boys."

It was Shikaku's turn to frown. He almost pointed out the obvious, that that can't be true. Unless it was a singular, same sex attraction. Instead he thought over his son's words. He remembered Naruto's attack when he was little, and Choza's recount of the picnic Naruto joined and what a pretty little girl he made. Aiko had gushed about 'her' for weeks. He thought about the times he had seen Naruto looking uncomfortable and cranky, flinching as though he was in pain with a hand on his abdomen. Lastly, he remembered the other night, when both he and Yoshino had noticed how Naruto's form seemed to shift in the darkness before making himself seen, and the feminine pants that he wore.

"Naruto's a girl," he breathed, watching a smirk appear on the face so similar to his own, though younger and unscarred. "That explains a lot. But why do you call Naruto 'he' then?"

"Partly habit. Naruto doesn't want everyone to know yet. She's worried about how they will react and part of her is worried about people still attacking her like when she was younger. I respect her secret, though she does let those she trusts enough in on the secret."

"Yet you told me."

"I didn't tell you. I just pointed out a fact that you didn't bother to notice. Granted I guess I technically don't like girls either, since I've only ever liked Naruto."

"What would you have done if Naruto was a boy?"

Shikamaru shrugged. "I honestly don't know if I was so sure that Naruto was a girl that I never thought about what would happen if I was wrong or I just fell so much in love with her I stopped caring. How long have you known about my feelings for Naruto?"

"Since you heard that he- she died fighting that Uchiha boy and broke down. I realised it wasn't just at the loss of a friend. You have no idea how relieved I was to hear she was alive. I know losing Asuma hurt but it would have been worse if it had been the one you loved romantically that was your first loss."

"So you approve of Naruto as much or more now that you know she's a female?"

"Well," Shikaku stretched, standing up, "I don't have to worry about an heir. I'm sure you'll have one soon enough. Just not too soon. Your mother isn't ready to be a grandmother yet."

"DAD!"

"I'll tell you what, when you finally confess to Naruto –"

"You'll get worse," cut in Shikamaru.

Shikaku just laughed. "All Nara men go for strong woman, but you've definitely gone for a different type of strong. I can't imagine Naruto hitting you with a frying pan when angry."

"No, but she is likely to draw on my face whilst I sleep, run my underwear up the flag pole, and paint my biggest secret onto the Hokage faces."

With a snort Shikaku grinned. "That's one of the reasons I approve of her. She's a good match for you."

Shikamaru just smiled back. "Hey, where are you going? It's your turn."

"I'm just getting a drink," Shikaku replied, walking inside. He bit his tongue to stop himself from laughing as Yoshino darted into the kitchen. "You little sneak," he taunted into her ear when he caught up with her.

"I heard you talking about protection and got worried," Yoshino whispered, as though Shikamaru risked hearing them.

"Are you-" Shikaku took a breath, "okay with this?"

"Yes," Yoshino assured with a smile. "I was wrong to see Naruto as a monster. He… she is a kind, sweet bo-girl. That's going to be hard to get used to. She clearly cares about our son. And he cares about her a lot."

"He loves her," Shikaku reminded, watching Yoshino's smile grow.

Yoshino balled her hands and covered her mouth with them, reminding Shikaku of a mouse. That was one of her expressions he first fell in love with. He had thought she had outgrown it. "Our little boy is in love. He's grown up so much. Do you think they will get married?"

"I think you're planning too far ahead. We don't even know if Naruto loves him back," he chuckled.

"You're the one planning for their heir," Yoshino scolded, lightly slapping Shikaku's arm. "Besides, of course Naruto loves him. How can she not? Shikamaru is a handsome, charming boy. Any girl will be lucky to have him."

"Spoken like a true mother." Shikaku smiled, grabbing two drinks and kissed Yoshino on the cheek as he walked passed. "If Shikamaru loves Naruto half as much as I love you he won't give up on Naruto until they are together and happy."

Yoshino smiled. "I knew Shikamaru got his looks and charm from somewhere."

Deciding to tease her a little he stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Naruto feels safe around Shikamaru. She told him herself."

Yoshino looked stunned for a moment before turning away. "I'm picking out wedding colours. If those two have their way it will be orange and green. That won't do."

Chuckling, Shikaku went to rejoin his son to finish their game of shogi, hopefully keeping the boy oblivious to the plotting of his mother.

The end of this chapter might be caused by my friend. She needed help with her friend's wedding planning, and was talking to me about colours.

More people are finding out Shikamaru's, and Naruto's secrets. Secrets can never be kept can they? R and R.