AN: There seemed to be some confusion over what pairing I was going for in this one. It's leaning towards NaruSaku, but I don't want to make it too blatant because they are not technically a couple (yet! I am so rooting for Naruto! I think he deserves whoever he wants!) However, as some of you pointed out; I really like the chemistry that I had going between Naruto and Ino in the first chapter so you can look forward to a NaruIno from me in the near future. Whew! Sorry for the long note! Enjoy chapter 2!
Shikamaru tapped his foot impatiently; he sighed, then shifted the canvas bag that he was carrying, from his right hand to his left.
He leaned against the building behind him and grumbled to himself as he switched hands once more. "For crying out loud Naruto! The guy asks me for a favor; sets the time himself, then he's late! He's been around Kakashi-sensei too much."
The young man heaved another irritated sigh, the set the bag down on his feet and reached into the pocket of his vest and pulled out his carton of cigarettes.
"What does he want with this stuff anyway?" he easily extracted the small tube and lit it then stuck it between his teeth.
Shikamaru smoked slowly, coughing every now and then, Man; what a horrible way to remember someone. Maybe I should listen to Ino and get rid of them.
He looked at a nearby trashcan; internally debating with himself; he reached for the lid, but in the end, the carton was tucked back into his vest pocket. To distract himself he fell to his other habit; he watched the villagers as they went about their errands and silently counted the number of Ninja that passed overhead.
There was a small cough from behind him, "Put that thing out Shikamaru; you're making me sick."
Shikamaru turned to glare half-heartedly at his tardy friend, "Shut up. You're late."
Naruto shrugged, "Yeah, sorry about that. I stopped by Ino's shop to get some flowers and we ended up talking for awhile. Thanks for waiting."
Shikamaru looked questioningly at the flowers in Naruto's hand, "Okay, so what are those for?"
Naruto grinned, "They're for Sakura-chan!"
Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "Are you still barking up that tree Naruto? Don't you think it's about time you gave up? You've been trying since you were eleven."
Naruto shook his head, "No, no, it's not like that. Today is her birthday, so I wanted to do something nice for her." he grinned, "Besides, the only one who barks around here is Kiba!"
Shikamaru groaned, "Ahhh, Naruto! That's a bad joke, even for you."
Naruto laughed at himself, "Yeah, yeah, I know! I saw that mutt on the way here. I guess he got stuck in my head."
Shikamaru put out his cigarette on the wall behind him and flicked the remainder towards the trash can; at the same moment Naruto lifted the lid so that the burnt tube landed neatly on the pile of garbage.
Shikamaru leaned over and picked up the canvas bag; "Well here you are." he handed the bag to Naruto who accepted it with a grateful smile, "There's an entire rack of antlers in there. We collected them yesterday."
Naruto placed the bag on top of the trash can and peered inside, "Wow! Thanks Shikamaru! I owe you one!"
Shikamaru waved him off, "Yeah, yeah, Next time I get a troublesome assignment it's all yours."
Naruto nodded as he re-tied the bag, "You got it. Thanks a lot Shikamaru, I appreciate it."
Shikamaru leaned back against the wall once more, "Sure, no problem. What did you want them for anyway? Those are for medicine, you have no use for them."
The blond's smile widened, "Actually, they're for Sakura-chan."
There was a small grunt from Shikamaru, Hmph, I figured as much.
"She told me that she would love to have some for her medical supplies, but that she couldn't afford them."
"Why didn't she just ask me?" Shikamaru shoved his hands into his pockets and frowned.
Naruto shrugged, "I said that too, but she said she didn't feel comfortable asking because the two of you aren't that close."
Shikamru stretched his arms over his head and nodded, "I see."
Naruto continued, ignoring his friend's minimal response, "Anyway; since she didn't want to ask you I did. I thought it would be a good birthday present." he looked thoughtfully at the canvas bag, "Besides, since she's the one who heals us, it's nice to know she has the best stuff around"
Shikamaru raised one eyebrow, watching his friend with new interest; "You've got a point. You thought this out more than I would have given you credit for."
Naruto furrowed his eyebrows at the young genius; clearly not certain if the comment was meant to be taken as a compliment or and insult. In the end he decided that it didn't really matter and smiled at the taller man, "Yeah, well. Even I come up with clever things to say once in awhile."
Shikamaru laughed, "Yeah, too bad we'll have to wait another three years for the next one."
"Hey!" Naruto growled playfully at his friend, who grinned mischievously back at him, " You're a jerk."
Shikamaru straightened up and looked at the cloudy sky; "You know; I've changed my mind."
"Hmm?" Naruto tilted his head at the dark-haired chunnin; "About what?"
Shikamaru pointed at the blond; "You made me wait out here; it's going to rain soon, and I want tea. So you're paying."
Naruto stared at the other ninja for a moment; before laughing, "Fair enough Shikamaru; you did a big favor for me after all." He put a hand on his companion's shoulder; "Where do you want to go?"
Shikamaru stepped out into the emptying street as the villagers rushed to finish their errands before the rain started, "It's a place that opened while you were away. Come on; I like their dango."
Naruto obediently followed the other Shinobi into the street; less than five minutes later they were entering a small tea shop. Without a word Shikamaru made his way to one of the booths in the back of the shop.
Naruto sat across from him, and set aside the gifts. He was slightly surprised when less than thirty seconds later there was a perky red headed waitress beside them.
"Hello gentlemen! Here's our menu. Will you need a few moments?"
Shikamaru shook his head; "No thank you. We know what we want."
The girl produced a small pad of paper and a pencil from her pocket; "Yes sir?"
Naruto sat quietly while Shikamaru gave her their order; when he finished the waitress bowed and disappeared into the kitchen.
Naruto leaned on his hands, "It must be good here if you bothered to memorize the menu."
Shikamaru shook his head; "I didn't. I only memorized the part that I like."
Naruto snorted; "I should have known."
He had been about to continue, but the waitress returned with their order, so he let it drop, "Well that was quick."
Shikamaru nodded as he sipped his tea, "That's part of why I like it."
"Really, Mister I-like-to-take-my-own-sweet-time?"
Shikamaru grunted noncommittally; "I like to take my time enjoying my tea. That doesn't mean I want to wait forever to get it."
They talked quietly and the sky darkened outside; continuing to threaten the village with rainfall. The quiet atmosphere was shattered when the Green Beast of Konoha twirled into the shop in all his spandex-clad glory. "AH! Naruto-kun! I've found you at last!"
Naruto turned and smiled at his friend, "Hey Fuzzy-eyebrows! How's it going?"
Shikamaru groaned inwardly as Lee joined them, Great, the one person in Konoha who is louder than Naruto and now I'm stuck with both of them.
"I've been looking all over for you Naruto-kun!" Lee smiled and his teeth glinted in a way very similar to his eccentric sensei, "I need your help!"
Naruto gestured for Lee to take a seat, "What's up? Is everything okay?"
Lee plopped down next to the blond; "Everything is fine. I just wanted to show you a new move that I've been working on. Guy-sensei is out on a mission today, but I need a taijutsu user to help me refine it."
Shikamaru turned to the older ninja; "What about your team? The girl and that Hyuuga?"
Lee shook his head; "TenTen is a weapons specialist; she isn't really a close range fighter and Neji uses the Hyuuga style of fighting, He wouldn't be much help either; our styles are too different." he turned to Naruto, "but Naruto-kun and I have spent a lot of time sparring together. He is an excellent training partner."
Naruto grinned and gave his friend a thumbs-up, "Of course I'll help you Lee. I still have a couple of hours before Sakura-chan gets off work at the hospital."
Lee sprang out of his seat, "Excellent! Thank you Naruto-kun! Let's go!"
Naruto scrambled to pull money out of his wallet to pay for the tea, "H-hold on Fuzzy-eyebrows! Give me a second!"
Naruto just managed to throw the money on the table as the overzealous Lee grabbed onto both Shikamaru and himself and dragged them out the door at top speed.
Shikamaru glared at the back of Lee's head, "Hey let go! Why the hell do I have to go!"
One coin spun on the table before falling off the edge and landing right on top of the forgotten canvas bag and the fresh-cut daffodils that sat beside it.
