Pov: Omnipresent

Pairing: (Female) Naruto X Shikamaru

Disclaimer: I own nothing connecting to the Naruto Franchise

One More Time

Chapter 7: Report and Reveal

Naruto did her best to remember she needed these shinobi. Truly the blonde was showing her patience was fucking endless by now. Honestly, she never truly appreciated being mistaken as a boy in her youth, it really was a spec-fucking-tacular point in her life. Truly by now, she deserved a medal for not snapping at her teammate at this point.

Sakura had not let up in their days within the capital, despite Shikamaru trying to curb the pinketts behavior. It was almost pathetic to see how disgustingly petty and desperate her teammate could truly be. It only hurt to realize that it was how Sakura had always been though.

Even before the final battle, the pinkett would always be a bit petty towards the blonde for not having spoken up about her gender before her comeback. At the time Naruto had assumed it was because Sakura had not wanted to be left out of Naruto's important moments in life. Now she realized it was all due to jealousy. The blonde was stronger than her, more charismatic, and apparently had a great handle on political aspects of their lives.

Sakura could handle being weaker than Naruto and Sasuke because she was the 'girl' of the group. Though when Naruto lifted the veil over her eyes proving to be even more advanced than Sasuke she had to realize the glaring truth. That she was weak and barely put in any effort into her development.

Then again Naruto had always felt Sakura was not up to par as the others in their generation. Everything she learned was a carbon copy of Tsunade, nothing original came from the girl and nothing seemed to really drive her to improve by her own volition. Sakura had also only been discovered by Tsunade due to outside reasons that had nothing to do with her own volition.

Sakura had only pushed herself to be better because Sasuke had left the first time. Her motivation for being a Shinobi was aimed to only draw the elusive Uchiha's eye. She had only become the Sakura that Naruto knew because the girl was trying to compete for a traitor's love. Nothing she did was for herself but so others would see her with worth as a baby maker.

Had Sasuke not betrayed them all so severely Naruto was sure they would have gotten together. Sakura because her obsession with the raven made her delusional and blind to his faults. Sasuke because if he came back he would have little to no prospects of a bride had he wished to continue his clan.

Even Naruto in her loneliness would have refused to help the guy continue his cursed line. Hell, she was sure the ghost of her mother would haunt her for making a stupid decision, especially with the bad history between the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans that had long since been buried away.

Though now Sasuke was a pretty decent guy, he was more stable mentally and had healthier goals since his life was not bathed in tragedy. Women lined up to just catch a moment of his time and the blonde was surprised because he was still Sasuke. The arrogant prick she had grown up with and become an actual friend in this time.

The Uchiha had a lot more opportunities and prospects this lifetime around. Naruto sadly being one of them, though both teammates were on the same page with the thought of that.

Not only no, but a resounding hell no to that thought process.

Naruto refused to marry into the Uchiha clan, hell she was plotting to kill one of their long-lost members. Can't really join a clan with the blood of their kin soon to be on your hands now, could you? Especially since their illustrious founding member Madara Uchiha was still a monstrously vengeful entity out in the world. Yeah, Naruto was not planning on facing that man while having been forced to marry into his clan.

That would just be awkward.

The last Uzumaki also really didn't want to change her last name to Uchiha. She was sure if she was forced to marry into most of the clans she'd be forced to take on her new family's name. She was completely secure that neither Shikaku nor Shikamaru would force her to do that. Nor would any of their clan members force it.

The most they would as would be for there to be one Nara heir.

The blonde simmered in her thoughts safe in the moment. She was used to Shika covering for her and the two of them worked beautifully in tandem for years. She was his Hokage and he was her advisor. Just because they went back in time did not mean they lost who they once were.

The first day of formalities had come and gone with Naruto and Shikamaru already proving their village proud by showing off their decorum. The ease with which the duo worked with one another had impressed everyone.

Even the begrudging Sakura who burned in jealousy every time Naruto showcased her own skill. It was frustrating for those around to watch. Mainly the next in line to rule over the Nara's.

Shikamaru silently groaned to himself, he was well aware of this Sakura's bad attitude. In the past, it had not been so severe as Naruto was not 'dating' Sakura's precious Uchiha. Hell, most days the blonde was bad-mouthing the guy so Sakura felt secure Naruto was not interested in the pain in the ass raven. Now though, despite all the offered prospects of men Naruto had an open opportunity to claim Sakura's obsession.

Shikamaru was mildly insulted that the pinkett assumed Naruto would marry Sasuke. Neji was a nervous and mute man around Naruto and they all understood why he would not have a chance with the blonde. Honestly, though, Naruto and he had shown 'intentions' toward one another. It was obvious to them all including the clan heads who the blonde would be picking. It was why they had insisted on all the men being on this mission, this last-ditch effort to get Naruto to change her mind.

It was still technically just an act but Shikamaru needed to figure out how to fucking flirt. Naruto so far had taken every attempt as an act to cover up for the other clans. He was practically pulling his hair out trying to romance the woman. Their isolated walks were thwarted by a stiff-faced Kakashi who glared into Shikamaru's soul every chance he could.

Naruto and Shikamaru were finding that their options for privacy were limited on this venture. The both of them knew better than to fight it and settled for working seamlessly to get through the meetings as swiftly as possible.

It was the last day of talks and by now they knew things were settled between the two nations. A was appeased as was his lord and the land of fire was certainly pleased with the outcome of it all.

All in all, both Naruto and Shikamaru had cemented their worth for the leaf village's future. Though it irritated Shikamaru to see the fire daiyamo eyeing Naruto like a bit of livestock. Shikamaru made it abundantly clear during the meetings that her hand for marriage was spoken for, none of her other suitors had been bold enough to do the same. Shikamaru felt no shame in caressing her face or tucking her into his embrace during breaks.

He was a possessive man, even if Naruto only saw this as a show he was determined to let everyone know she was his. He just had to get the nerve to fully convince the blonde of that as well.

It embarrassed the hell out of Naruto but kept any stray thoughts of marrying off his knucklehead to anyone else, it was worth it for only that. The fire Daiymo saw the message loud and clear and was politically smart enough to not upset one of the powerful clans in his most successful shinobi village.

The blonde herself had been calm collected and made it abundantly clear she was invested in the Nara. Shikamaru had appreciated all the effort the Uzumaki had put in for appearance's sake. In fact, he melted with every soft look or fluttering gaze sent his way.

Their plan had succeeded, well for everyone but Sakura it was an obvious showcasing of possessiveness the two aimed at one another.

Shikamaru focused back on Naruto who was deeply invested in her own thoughts and nudged her to bring her back into focus.

Naruto ruffled at his side but focused forward and plastered a calm bright smile as the groups settled out pulling their appropriate documentations back and giving final formal greetings. It was all mundane and so very boring but the former Hokage understood the necessity of it all.

OMT

Shikamaru and Naruto had ensured everyone got back to the leaf in one piece ignoring the complaints coming from Sakura. After having given a report both Naruto and Shikamaru were held back by their Hokage awaiting the dismissal of their shared...team.

Naruto's face was hardened in a grim contemplation.

She had been frowning the entire way home and that did not bode well for those on her mission. Naruto had written her report down to the letter in the description. Shikamaru had input his own, emphasizing that Sakura Haruno was not suited for politically driven or handled missions.

Shikamaru knew that would not bode well for her future career. Most if not all missions jonnin and up were politically driven. It would mean she would not be free to progress above chunnin rankings unless it connected to a position in the medical field of their village.

Shikamaru did not think she was good enough to not get herself or others killed. She had to do some serious self-improvement before she should be allowed on any outside missions, especially at Naruto's side.

Tsunade had them both stand silent while she read over their reports. Kakashi, Shishui, and Itachi had each handed over their own evaluation reports. With how dark Tsunade's expression seemed to get it seemed the slug princess was disappointed by her own protege.

"Sit down, it seems we have a lot to discuss." Tsunade was now also frowning but eyed Naruto in contemplation.

"First things first. I've read through each report and I only have one singular question." Tsunade turned her gaze to the young blonde across from her. "Why do you want Sakura to do back-to-back missions with all-female teams?" Shikamaru froze and turned to Naruto who tilted her head for a moment.

"I want her to grow. Sakura has always been vain and self-absorbed with her looks or obsessed with Sasuke. She won't grow past that if she is constantly coddled by Sasuke or myself. Yes, she is a medical-nin but she can be more than just the next version of Tsunade. She has never had a group push her to prove herself as Sasuke os protective of both of us because were women. He has learned to rely on me though, and we always take in protecting Sakura into our battle plans now. She has your great strength, yes that's amazing but she can't just destroy every ground we come across. She can't maneuver herself out of tight spots with other resources when she should have learned this. There was no one here to push her and she doesn't see me as a potential rival. She sees me as romantic competition for Sasuke, and nothing I say will change her mind. Not even the fact that I told her this was not my choice will ease her but she's always like this." Naruto pursed her lips a moment.

"She's competitive with only other women like Ino, She probably can't see me as anything else until I'm married to anyone that's not Sasuke. I say have her step back from her obsession. Push her to be more active in looking out for the lives of her own gender and she will chase out of her own pettiness. You can't see everyone as competition when you see them fighting for their lives on a mission or holding in their intestines while others hold them down so you can stitch them up." Naruto squirmed but settled at ease with herself.

Tsunade gave a singular firm nod and Shikamaru sighed when Tsunade set her gaze on him.

"You wished to take her out of political missions altogether." Naruto raised a brow at Shikamaru and the Nara would not be swayed.

"Yes, her conduct was inappropriate and she was borderline insubordinate the entire mission. She refuses to put aside her pettiness even for the good of the village. I had to step in and demand she adjust her attitude and attire all because she was too involved with going against what Naruto said. Imagine if we had been escorting a high-ranking official, it would make us all and our profession seem like a joke." Shikamaru was scowling by this point.

"It had been years and Sakura had refused to push herself into becoming more in the shinobi standpoint. Yes, I am a lazy asshole but I still work every week with my team to develop ourselves as a unit and individually. You can not constructively criticize the girl without her raising a fist and assaulting you. She refuses to move past the girl she was and her only value as of now is by being an active medical shinobi. Her removal even if only temporary will be her wake-up call. Naruto is to be our future Hokage, I'm bound and determined to make it so as are you. She will be tied up in many political missions from here on out and we already have so much working against us I will not add to it with her." Shikamaru settled back and noticed Naruto had wilted a bit at his words.

Tsunade though gave another singular nod though it was a bit hesitant.

"Thank you, I will take your words into contemplation. You are both dismissed." Naruto and Shikamaru stood bowed and left the room. Naruto in her own mind once more while Shikamaru was hoping she didn't take his criticism on her teammate and hold it against him.

For him to know, he would actually have to open his mouth and ask her thoughts on the matter.

Though Shikamaru Nara always did have a bad habit of not voicing his personal inquiries toward Naruto.

OMT

Naruto stayed silent walking at Shikamaru's side, they were walking towards the training grounds as the blonde needed to push off some stress.

She hadn't spoken to Shikamaru since leaving the Hokage tower, hell she had barely looked at him. The silence was beginning to make the Nara heir uncomfortable.

Once they got to the field Naruto did burst out in a run to train like usual, instead, she hung back just eyeing the view. Her face was an open book to Shikamaru, it was washed in a look of anguish.

"Why can't Sakura just trust me. It kind of kills me to have to go through this with her. Is it really just Sasuke having left that changed everything, did our bond mean nothing unless he was gone?" Shikamaru gently tugged Naruto into a hug, her smaller muscular frame settled easily into the taller man's hold.

Shikamaru gently shushed his emotional friend but it was already too late, the Nara too had noticed late. Naruto stiffened at the singular flare of chakra and the duo was interrupted by none other than Itachi.

Itachi eyed the pair a soft frown adorning his lip and the blonde was cursing up a storm for letting her words slip.

"What did you mean by 'Saskue having left' Uzumaki." Itachi's eyes were calculative but hammered in with intent. When it came to his brother there was so much he would do and Naruto sure as hell knew it.

Naruto knew better than to openly talk about this shit, they had done so well and one freaking moment she couldn't keep her emotional ass in check.

Heaving a heavy sight Naruto turned to face Itachi and swiftly moved forward to tug him along. Shikamaru was already tugged by her other hand and fairly used to being dragged along everywhere by her.

"Just shut up and you will get to hear the story of a lifetime. First, though I gotta bind this secret down by blood." Naruto began mumbling to herself and Shikamaru only raised a brow while watching Itachi from the side of his eye.

The older man was...blushing? He was looking to Naruto with a face of longing that Shikamaru recognized. It was open and raw and one of the only times the Nara had ever seen want on the Uchiha's face.

Itachi was in love with Naruto.

Shit!

Thank you for reading please review.