Clouds were always his favorite thing, least one of them. Maybe his fourth or fifth place. He had planned on making a day of watching the clouds but today he had a few errands he was stuck with. First was the grocery shopping with his mother, what a drag that was. She definitely was something special, as much as he Shikamaru loved his mother could be scary. Case and point was the fact that even his father was there getting groceries with them. It wasn't all bad though. He saw something that reminded him of one of his friends, likely very close to being a best friend.

Sighing loudly, he walked past the various stores littered with civilian clothing and goods he never could see the point in getting. Maybe it was because he was a ningen that he didn't see the point in such frivolous things. Out the corner of his eye he caught the visage of his team minus their sensei, Asuma. Taking the detour he walked over to the black and red barrier fence of Do-Jin's BBQ. On the terrace he saw Ino and Choji sitting across from each other. Upon further noticement he saw the various bags of food, clothing and other beauty items. It clicked instantly.

"Yo."

His voice started them because they both nearly jumped from their seats before frantically turning toward him. It was clear they were on a first or second date, likely the second given how close they were as teammates but during the date it seemed awkward as it usually went when waters were being tested.

"Shika?!"

Ino's voice was shrill and panicked. Given her usual boisterous and powerful personality, this was not something he half expected to hear from her. Not to mention he assumed she was still a Sasuke fangirl, despite the fact that Sasuke was known through the genin of the village that Sasuke was dating Naruto. Guess things changed.

"Yo Shika!"

There was the more rotund boy's voice, though it lacked the signature mouth full of food he had gotten use to in their long friendship. It was panicked, not as much as Ino's but it sounded scared as well. That wasn't good. He expected some concern from the two about why they were there together but this was more than he had planned out thus far.

"What a drag right? The wind blowing things about while you guys do your errands. Let me guess, bumped into each other here during your runs and figured it would be good to share a table. Clever thinking, Makes it easier on the staff."

His long winded reply to them seemed to placate them. They clearly both knew that he knew but that gave them a cover story for why they were there together. Nodding, both of them smiled. The panic and terror was gone, mostly just relief on their faces now. They definitely were early on in the relationship, testing the waters obviously. He nodded before he looked at the digital watch on his wrist then up to sky to look at the clouds. It was a beautiful day to enjoy a shady tree with some grass to your back and the sky to look upon. Remembering that he had errands to run, he grabbed two envelopes out of the parcel to his left and held them out.

"Invitations. We are having a shindig tonight and i'm running out the invites right now. Hope to see you two there."

Both grabbed them from his outstretched hand and sat them with their conjoined bags before the waitress brought out a salad, a large plate of skewers straddled with various meat and vegetables alongside an order of chicken katsu; fried chicken breasts overtop a bed of rice with a spicy mayo drizzled overtop it. He assumed they would likely share them together.

"I'll see you guys later. Got more stuff to deliver. Still a bit of a drag."

Both looked at the food briefly before turning back to him. Ino letting a hushed tone leav her mouth. Clearly she was thankful to him.

"Thanks Shika. You're the first person that's seen us out together like this. It's only out third date."

So Shikamaru was wrong, it was the third date. He raised his hand from his pocket and waved her off nonchalantly.

"Not a huge deal. Enjoy your lunch Ino, Choji."

Shikamamaru continued, running into Shino shortly after. The glasses wearing bug user was at a construction site where the ground had turned to mud and had barley just begun to dry. He was letting his bugs crawl in the dirt and mud, along with feeding on worms and other lesser bugs that were not part of his colony. It was morbid if Shikamaru had any other observations. Shino thanked him quietly before returning to his bugs. Though that saved him Kiba and Hinata's trip because as soon as he turned to leave he was face to face with Kurenai, well face to bust but he wasn't attempting to look. Behind her to either side was the rest of her team. Hinata looked rough, given her sweat covered appearance and busted lip. They must have been training before coming to get Shino.

"Saves me a trip. Here."

Kurenai took the envelopes, giving Hinata and Kiba theirs as they all opened it. Each read it briefly before smiling. The contents seemed to like the contents. Kiba was the first to holler loudly and pump his fist.

"Yes! I love parties. We are going to rock the house all night!"

Hinata gave a simple nod and a "Thank you." He had expected that much from the timid girl. She was probably tired from her training as well. Kurenai was one that surprised him. She looked a bit...disgusted. Maybe he was imagining it.

"I dunno if ill be able to attend. I have prior plans.'

He nodded.

"No worries. Make it if you can."

They walked past him after a few more pleasantries and he could hear them talking with Shino now. Guess they weren't done training based off the few words he could overhear alongside Kiba's whines of disappointment and tiredness. Funny, given his previous excitement moments ago. Shikamaru continued on his mission to deliver the invites. Gai and Lee had apparently heard from Ino and Chouji because before he knew it he was handing them invites between their toes as they had approached him walking on their hands. Still not their weirdest moment yet. He just walked off though due to them spouting off about the Youthful Fire in Shikamaru and then gave each other a weird leg hug that would've been seen as sexual if it were not them doing it.

Before long he had found Sakura growling on about stupid hair and stupid periods so he decided to skip her entirely. He would give it to Sasuke or Kakashi, it was better that way. It seemed everyone was out on his path because before long he was bumping into Tsunade and Kakashi at the bar entrance near the ramen shop.

"Lady Hokage. Kakashi-sensei.

I was actually looking for you both. Here."

Out came three envelopes, each one colored a faint orange hue with their respective names on them. They both happily accepted it, knowing by the color what it was about. Tsunade tucked hers away between her breasts, and given the fact she was giving an attention seeking cough, he had been staring. He hadn't even meant to, it just happened. With a blush dusting his cheeks he looked away before mumbling out an apology.

'Sorry Lady Tsunade."

Kakashi chuckled, because of course he did. Before then they both patted him on the shoulder and smiled from across him.

'No harm Shikamaru. You're not inherently a pervert like Kakashi or my toad befriending teammate."

"Least I'm not still chasing skirts and peeping on hot springs Tsunade."

She agreed with the white haired jounin and looked back to the pineapple ponytail wearing genin before them. She seemed like she had forgotten he was there in a matter of seconds.

'We will definitely be there Shikamaru. Wouldn't miss it for the world."

That left one stop then. He only assumed one because he knew Naruto was on a mission last night and Sasuke would've gone to see him by now. Waving off the two renowned nin of the village he turned and headed back in a slightly different direction than he was headed now. He only stumbled upon them by accident but it saved him some work.

The walk to Naruto's apartment was rather uneventful. He forgot how barren this are of town was minus the lesser revered populace working the corners and various brothels further down the road. Moving up the steps of the near dilapidated building, he came to the warped door of Naruto's apartment and knocked on it in a unique pattern so the blonde would know it was him. Of course as it was opened, Sasuke's black hair came to view with Naruto's blonde hair seen behind it in the kitchen hair. Though Naruto's was a bit dusty and Sasuke's was moderately covered by a white bandana. This explained the bags of trash down at the electricity pole. They were cleaning his apartment. It smelt like it needed it last time he was here.

"Yo. I just came to drop these off. Most of us genin are meeting up for dinner tonight at a new BBQ place and we wanted to invite you two as well. Oh and Naruto. I got this for you."

Naruto raised an eyebrow but came to the door so Shikamaru could hand over the black bag. His hands were immediately in the bag before pulling out a black pair of combat pants and all black sandals. A small note was with them. The blonde grinned ear to ear, almost threatening to split his face. Shikamaru was right to brace himself because soon after the items were in Sasuke's arms and Naruto was on him ina tight hug.

"Thank you! I'm surprised you remembered.'

Shikamaru smiled but inwardly frowned.

"Of course I'd remember. We've been friends for years. We use to get chased the three of us by that old coot with a broom when he took fruits from her trees."

Naruto was smiling widely once more and chuckled. He almost forgot about those times. It hade been at least four and a half years since the last time. Shikamaru had already reciprocated the hug before they split apart and Shikamru's watch went off. Right on time.

"I'd love to stick around longer but my mom has me helping with some garden stuff now and the last time i skipped out she made me replace our fences after a storm. Not fun."

Sasuke was smiling briefly before setting the items down and turning to Naruto.

"Go put those away Naruto where I showed you they go. I'll walk Shikamaru out."

Naruto listened while the two walked down the steps.

"Thank you Shikamaru. Naruto needs this. He is...listen, keep this between us. Naruto slit his wrists last night. This wasn't a good time for him but this is going to make it so much better."

He wasn't expecting that kind of news. He didn't think Naruto was one to do something like that. Of course he nodded.

"Of course. I've known him for a long time. I just wish i knew he was like this sooner. Hopefully we can keep it from happening again. I'll keep it quiet."

Sasuke nodded before she turned back up the stairs after Shikamaru began heading off. Maybe this would be better now that Shikamaru knew too. She knew it wasn't her place to tell but if anyone could help without being overbearing and setting naruto off it was Shikamaru. Once back inside, Sasuke frowned. Naruto was making more noodles, and reading more of the book Kakashi had gifted him.

"I told you I wanted to read it together dobe!"

She blushed because, no she hadn't. She wanted to but she hadn't told him that. All Shikamaru could hear was a loud, "NANIIIII?!", coming from the apartment as he turned the corner. Guess Naruto was surprised and shocked in a simultaneous blend.