I get a fair few questions in the reviews, more than a couple being along the same lines. My husband gave me the idea of starting a FB page for the questions and keeping people updating on this story instead of replying to individual reviews, but I don't know if you guys will be interested. Let me know if you guys would like that.
His father was in the office when he entered, looking through ledgers on his bookshelf. With a small greeting he went and sat in one of the chairs facing the desk. When his father finished rummaging through one of the shelves he raised an eyebrow at Shikamaru.
"What are you doing?"
"Eiji will be here soon and you said I could use your office."
Shikaku smiled. "I meant what are you doing on that side of the desk?"
Shikamaru eyed the high backed chair he was facing, his throat constricting. "But that's your chair."
"And it will one day be yours. But at the end of the day it's just a chair. It's where it sits that matters."
"So I should move the chair?" Shikamaru joked.
"I think: 'stop running from things that are in your future' is better advice from your father," Shikaku replied, walking towards the door. Just before he left he turned and added, "for more than just the chair too."
As the door clicked closed Shikamaru took a deep breath and walked around the desk. The chair was well worn from years of use. He wasn't sure how old it was. For all he knew it could have been his grandfather's or his father could have bought it for himself. The leather was warm as he sat down and got himself situated. Within moments there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." He was surprised at the steadiness of his own voice as Eiji opened the door. "Have a seat." Once the blue haired man was sitting before him, looking somewhat uncomfortable, Shikamaru released a calming breath and started. "I thought I should let you know that being friends with Naruto isn't going to help you get into the Clan. Though he has spoken highly of you."
"I'm well aware that Naruto is a girl, so you can drop the he thing. Naruto told me you knew of her gender too. And I don't expect you to let me join your Clan based on who my friends are."
"Hmm, I'm glad you brought up the gender thing actually. Isn't it hospital policy to keep a patient's file confidential?"
Eiji laughed. "Oh, that. It is. I didn't leave it open for Airi to see. Naruto's file is chakra locked. The only one who can give another person access is her, otherwise only her six healers, the Hokage and herself can see it. Naruto gave Airi access to her photo only, and made sure it was open. I didn't realise until Airi commented."
Shikamaru frowned. "Why would she do that?"
"I was talking about how I don't keep secrets from Airi, how I had tried to keep the application to the Clan a surprise for her but I failed. I guess she thought I was talking about having to keep her gender a secret too."
Thinking over Eiji's words Shikamaru couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Of course she does the selfless thing."
"That's our girl for you." Eiji laughed. "So what is it that you and your father need of me to prove myself to you?"
"Just a chat really." Shikamaru sat back, trying to ease his shoulders. "Only really one question too: why do you want to join the Nara Clan?"
Eiji took a deep breath, clearly mulling over the question. "Well before I came to the village to be a Healer I lived with a Nomadic group. We never had a place to call home, because we were meant to call the group, our family, home. It's fine for others, but I never felt like I was able to connect with anyone else. We never cared for any of the villages that we saw or the people in it. So I left, and came here, and those I was meant to see as home turned on me. They only cared about me whilst I did what they wanted me to. It was different here though. People didn't just value me for my medical expertise but also cared about me as a person."
"When Airi introduced me to your Clan and let me see how you all behaved I realised that you are one large family, even your stags. You disagree at times, there are those you like more than others, but you have each other's backs, no matter what they choose in life. I respect that, and I would love to be a part of that. And even if I can't be a member I look forward to raising my children in this Clan, and teaching them to value the Clan and the family atmosphere." Eiji smiled. "That probably sounded like a brown nosing answer but it's the truth."
"It's a good answer," Shikamaru admitted. "You probably would have preferred to say that to my father though. Sorry that he is making me hear all the reasons you should join instead of him."
"That's fine. I've been wanted to get to know you better." At Shikamaru's raised eyebrow, Eiji went on. "I know this will probably hurt my chances of joining the Clan but I need you to know. Naruto sees you as her closest friend, someone dear to her above countless others. She has gone through a lot and it took a long time for her to trust people. But you, you were one of the first that she trusted, perhaps the only person she never not trusted. Everyone else she went on the defensive with until they proved they wouldn't hurt her, even with Iruka and your father. But not you."
"How do you know this?" Shikamaru whispered.
"She tells me things. I like to make sure she is safe and has had… human contact. You've came up. And since you are so close to Naruto it means you have a significant amount of power over her. More power than anyone has ever had over that girl. Trust me when I say that if you use that power to hurt her I will use all my medical expertise to make you pay. I don't care if I lose my job in the process. No one hurts my girl. She's going to be Hokage one day I am going to help her in any way I can, even if it means keeping her from you."
Eiji clearly wasn't expecting the smile that crossed Shikamaru's face at the end of his speech. "I'd hope you would make my life hell if I hurt her. And I can imagine you wouldn't be the only one in that line. Though you probably have one of the best threats so far."
"Good to know. Well is that everything you needed?" At Shikamaru's nod, Eiji stood. "Excellent cause there is a few more wedding details I have to go over with your cousin before my shift starts at the hospital."
"Well if I don't get a chance to see you before the wedding congratulations and good luck with Airi. I think you're going to need it."
Eiji laughed as he left the office. "Thanks."
/ / / / / / /
Airi had always had extravagant taste but apparently it had combined with Eiji's low key taste and created quite an elegant wedding. The wedding colours were black and a rich blue. Blue bouquets were at the ends of black chaired aisles. The royal blue coloured arch for the bride and groom to stand under was adorned by black ribbon and twinkling lights. Shikamaru was impressed, though he wished he didn't have to wear the stifling formal clothing.
"I suggest you avoid your mother today," warned Shikaku, coming to stand beside his son. "She's been picturing your wedding since she woke up this morning."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "At the rate I'm going to have to get you to arrange a marriage." At his father's surprised look, Shikamaru explained. "I'm not really getting anywhere with Naruto. If anything, she seems to be pulling away from me more, which is annoying because when she first came back I thought she was flirting with me. If we continue down this road than I'll never be with her and you will have to arrange a bride."
"You could always try to fall for someone else," his father suggested.
"No use. I've tried to let go of my feeling and have failed. It seems my heart is more stubborn than I realised. It's her or nothing."
"There hasn't been an arranged marriage for the Heir of the Nara Clan in about eight generations. I'd have to look up the procedure for it. But let's leave that for if you ever need it."
"Need what?"
Shikamaru jumped when Naruto appeared beside him. She was dressed in formal black pants and a formal black shirt with orange buttons. She wasn't wearing any jacket to hide what her chest binds could not push down but the folds of her shirt made it impossible to tell if they were breasts or pecks. The orange streaks were back in her hair and it looked like there might have been light makeup around her eyes and on her lips.
"Naruto, I see you are successfully blurring the gender lines, as always," Shikaku praised.
"That's dad's way of saying you look nice," Shikamaru translated.
"Thanks, but what were you guys talking about, or am I not allowed to know?" Naruto looked from one to the other.
The glare that Shikamaru gave his father did little to stop him from answering Naruto.
"We were talking about arrange marriages. Shikamaru thinks he might have to have one."
Naruto's eyes widened before she grabbed Shikamaru's shoulders. "No! I know you're having trouble opening up to Temari but don't go doing something stupid."
"What? Temari? Why on earth do you think I like Temari?" Shikamaru ignored how screechy his voice became.
"Cause when you were drunk you were asking me if I had ever been in love and talking about how it sucked, and that Temari would think you were a wimp. You were slurring your words pretty badly though." Naruto looked confused a moment before shaking her head.
"I probably just meant that Temari would make fun of me for having romantic issues. She's like the big sister I never wanted. I care about her in the way that Kankuro and Gaara might. But I definitely don't have feelings for her."
"Whilst you two sort out this mess I have to go find Yoshino." Shikaku quickly left, barely hiding how much he wanted to leave the conversation.
"So it's not Temari you were talking about three minutes before you asked me to kiss you?" Naruto asked shyly.
"No, though my memory of the kiss has returned, thankfully." Shikamaru smiled, flicking one of Naruto's orange locks.
"Well if this mystery girl doesn't return your feelings don't turn to an arranged marriage. You deserve someone who will respond to your wooing and try to seduce you in return." The blonde gave him a smile that twisted Shikamaru's insides as she stepped closer.
"Seduce me? Not woo me?" Shikamaru teased.
"I would have said woo but a girl who woo's is much less likely to stick her tongue down your throat to get your attention. I know from personal experience that you like that." Naruto stepped even closer, playing with the collar of his shirt. "Not that it's a bad thing to like the physical approach."
Shikamaru swallowed thickly, his neck heating. "You're mood shifts make me dizzy, you know that. One of these days… I still won't be able to predict you."
His eyes widened when he felt Naruto's breath in his ear. "At least you won't get bored of me."
"Naruto, I got us some drinks."
The blonde pulled back and looked over her shoulder, smiling at Hinata. "Aren't you a great date?"
Shikamaru watched as Hinata drew closer in a light purple dress, the purple hair extensions Naruto gave her twisted into her stylish bun. When she reached them she handed one of the cups she held to Naruto.
"Oh, and Eiji wanted me to tell you that we are to sit in the front row. It's meant for close family of the Bride and Groom but since he doesn't have family here he is asking those he's closest to. So you and your date."
"That's sweet of him. We can sit with Shikamaru too." Naruto smiled at the Nara. "Care to lead us to our seats?"
With a gesture in the direction they were to walk, Shikamaru started walking, only to feel Naruto slip her hand into the crook of his elbow, walking with him. He was happy that he was able to sit next to Naruto, though she decided to amuse herself by poking his knee, making it jerk sporadically as Hinata laughed. He tried to catch her finger but when that failed he decided to retaliate by poking her knee in return. When Eiji appeared at the archway, clearly getting ready for the start of the wedding, Naruto divided her attention between harassing Shikamaru and pulling faces at the blue haired groom. Shikamaru was somewhat surprised to see Eiji pull faces in return.
When Shikaku, Yoshino, Uncle Satoru, Aunt Mitsu, and Ryota started filing into the front row Naruto stopped harassing him. She instead turned to Hinata, smiling at how the shy girl started talking to Ryota. Shikamaru noticed an elderly woman wave at Naruto across the aisle before taking her seat. When he raised an eyebrow at Naruto in question she smiled.
"That's Kin, my senior Healer. She's been my Healer since I was born. She even knew my parents, though she never tells me much about them." Naruto held out her injured arm, allowing Shikamaru to see that it was bandaged. "She actually took my cast off but I have to keep it bandaged. Can't wait for it to heal so the Nine-Tails can stop messing with me."
"What do you mean?"
"Healing makes me weak. I actually sneezed the other day!" Shikamaru laughed at Naruto's horrified expression. "Anyway, Jinchuriki tend to, um, take on traits of a, um…"
"Animal?" When Naruto looked at him, Shikamaru took her hand. "I've noticed that you are territorial and other things. I started to notice when Gaara first came here. You were very protective… and you growled a lot."
Naruto snorted with laughed. "I guess that would give it away. Well at the moment, because I'm not as strong, any heightened emotion I have is mixed with animal-ness. Sakura went off at me for seeing Kin instead of her and I actually had to force myself into not grabbing her throat. I don't normally get that angry but everything is being amplified because the hairy baby is bored."
Shikamaru couldn't stop the laughed that bubbled up and out of his mouth. "You just called the Nine-Tails a hairy baby!"
"Well that's what he is!"
They were forced to stifle their amusement when music started playing. Standing, they watched as Airi walked down the aisle in a satin, blue kimono with light blue trimming. When everyone was seated again, the couple smiling widely at each other, Shikaku looked at Shikamaru, silently asking him if he was sure, something he had asked numerous times all day. With a small nod, the younger Nara stood and walked forward. He walked around Airi to stand under the arch between the bride and groom. Looking out at the sea of faces he had a moment of panic. To calm himself he looked at his parents and Naruto, familiar faces who wouldn't let him fail.
"As the Heir to the Nara Clan, I was given the duty of deciding whether or not Eiji's request to join the Clan would be accepted. Airi has practically begged my father to have the announcement done now, no matter the outcome."
"I knew you were the one doing the judging, you little liar," Airi hissed, making people chuckle.
"Luckily my decision isn't affected by your taste in woman," Shikamaru joked, the laugher that rang through the crowd breaking the tension and lifting his nerves. "For about two weeks now I have talked to your friends, your co-workers, and members of the Clan who know you. Everyone pretty much said the same thing. You are nice, you are hard working, and you are talented. But we have all that in our Clan already. We can't just accept everyone who fits those categories." He noticed Airi's smile waver and Eiji's skin pale. "Truthfully, my mind was made up when I spoke to you. It wasn't how you spoke of this Clan that made me chose. It was the fact that you gave me a thinly veiled threat that you would dismember me if I ever hurt a mutual friend."
Airi sucked in a breath, looking worried as many of the people seated before them began to whisper. He could catch people guessing his answer to the request, some supporting the rejection and some questioning it.
"Anyone who holds someone who has earned their respect and loyalty over that of a Clan title like Heir, is someone we need in this Clan. You help to ensure high standards in the Clan." Shikamaru smiled at Eiji's bewildered look. "I am honoured to welcome you, Eiji Nara, to my Clan, and my family. Congratulate to you on your wedding day."
As Eiji stood slack jawed, his bride threw her arms around her cousin.
"Thank you, Shikamaru," she sobbed.
Rolling his eyes as Airi detached herself, Shikamaru handed her a handkerchief. "I didn't do it for you. Eiji's a good guy. He may actually be worthy of you. Maybe. Troublesome woman."
With a wet chuckle, Airi smiled at him as a laugh went through the crowd. "I love you too, cuz."
Giving a huff, Shikamaru turned to the minister that waited off to the side. "You can now commence with marrying these two Naras."
Shikamaru quickly returned to his seat, taking Naruto's hand as Eiji looked at Airi with a giddy smile. Naruto leaned over to whisper in Shikamaru's ear.
"Your cousin's name is Airi, right? What's the bet their first born is going to have two I's in their name too?"
Biting back a laugh, he gave Naruto's hand a squeeze before turning his attention back to the bride and groom. He knew it was useless but he wished he would never have to stand up and make that speech or decision again. Unfortunately he knew it wasn't going to be his last. At least he knew without a doubt that he had made the right decision for his first one.
Hope you all like. R and R