Title: Academy Day or Shikamaru's Holiday
Author: TheaBlackthorn
Word Count:
Summary: Kiba arranges for Shikamaru to take a week off.
Notes: A gift for the lovely Kiterie/SumiHatake for her birthday.
Shikamaru came awake to the feel of something hot and wet on his cheek, when he tried to lift his body up to roll away a weight kept him pinned in place and he dropped back to the mattress with a heavy thump and a deep sigh.
He peeked open one eye, squinting as light hit his retina just before slamming it closed as a wet nose and long pink tongue dragged from the tip of his nose up to his forehead. He released a disgruntled sound and reared back to avoid another wet lick.
He groaned softly as the sound of quiet laughter filling the room. Shikamaru tugged the duvet higher on his body, dislodging the beast that pinned the sheets and causing her to whimper softly before sitting up to face the doorway and the sound of his father's amused laughter.
He ran a hand over saliva-dampened skin with a resigned sigh. Today was going to be one of those days – Shikamaru had no doubt, even as a soft furry body crawled into his lap and snuffled happily.
He eyed his Father as he leaned against the doorframe, brow rising in question as his hand lifted to rest on a silky dark head, rubbing unconsciously behind long floppy black ears.
"Kiba came, dropped her off a good...," Shikaku glanced out the window before continuing, "...few hours ago."
Shikamaru's brow furrowed as he mulled that over for a moment, eyes glancing sideways to see that it was well after midday and his alarm had been set to wake him at six this morning. He groaned, hand running over his face again and peaking over his hand to eye his Father, "She's gonna kill me isn't she?"
"If the she you refer to is Tsunade-sama – perhaps. If you mean your Mother, then I would thank your friend because he sweet talked her something fierce before he disappeared out the door."
Shikamaru's mouth dropped open, surprise written in every line of his face as his Father spoke once more, amusement clear in his tone, "Precisely – that ones got a way with women. Though considering Tsume-san it's not surprising. He's got to have learned a few ways around his Mama by now."
Shikamaru's lip twitched up into a smile, hand dropping back to the sheets, "Yeah, sounds like Kiba alright."
He looked down at the puppy sprawled across his lap, recently docked tail wagging back and forth as two soulful brown eyes gazed up at him. He chuckled softly, and rubbed soft ears again. "Kiba say why he left her here? I told him I had to work the Academy over the next week." Shikamaru didn't look up at his Father, content to just stroke soft fur and listen to what the old man had to say.
"Said something about you not having to work the week and to take care of her instead. Oh and he told me to tell you to stay away from the compound – Mama's orders don't ya know." Shikaku grinned and Shikamaru caught it from the corner of one eye.
He watched quietly as his Father walked further into the room, bending at the waist to rub a large hand over the pup's small body. She was only a few month's old but she'd grown pretty fast.
"You know she sat outside your door for hours, just looking at it, tail wagging. Didn't make a peep of sound either – was like she knew not to disturb you."
He caught his Father's gaze and shrugged nonchalantly, "She's an Inuzuka pup. I expect Kiba gave her some simple orders before he left."
"Maybe, though she came down just before you woke up and watched me quietly, head cocked in that odd way dogs have. Made me follow her back up here too."
Shikamaru arched a brow at his Father, and then looked down at the pup happily sucking up their attention and he smiled. "She's a bit of a handful this one."
"Little missies like her are well worth it."
Shikamaru chuckled lightly, "Like Mom?"
Shikaku barked a laugh before coughing into his fist, "Don't you let her hear you say that." He grumbled quietly, "Ain't worth my life – troublesome woman."
Shikamaru smiled crookedly and nodded, watching as his Father rose and slipped on silent feet to the door. Just before Shikaku walked through the open doorway into the hall Shikamaru called out a question, "Do you know were Kiba's gone off to?"
Shikamaru watched as his Father turned, lips curved in a knowing smile that pulled his scars tight over skin, "That I do."
"Academy?"
"Yep."
"Tell Mom I'm heading out in a few." Shikamaru slid to the edge of the bed, carefully lifting the armful of fur and setting her beside him as he slipped bare feet to floor and shivered at the change in temperature.
"You going to take her with you?"
Shikamaru glanced at the pup, those eyes gazing at him longingly and tongue lolling gently. "Guess so."
Shikamaru didn't here his Father disappear down the hall till he shut a door on the ground level, looking for his Mother. He glanced at the pup and chuckled, "Best get dressed then. Let's see what Kiba's managed to get himself into this time – troublesome."
The pup sneezed and Shikamaru chuckled, "Precisely."
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Kiba stood stock still, uncertainty running rife in his brain as he eyed the dozen or so nin in front of him.
He took a deep breath, fingers twitching minutely as the children of Umino Iruka's class looked at him in absolute silence and perfect focus. Shit. What the hell had he been thinking to take on a class from the academy?
He knew exactly what or more precisely who he'd been thinking of – Shikamaru.
Over the last two month's he had seen Shikamaru run himself into the ground, running shift's at the Mission Room, helping out in Tsunade-sama's office, doing missions of his own and then coming over to the Compound to train with his Mother.
The normally lazy nin was completely missing and he'd grown increasingly distressed by the dark circles that never seemed to disappear from under Shikamaru's eyes. He had never seen the Nara work so hard.
Kiba had caught sight of Shikamaru walking back from the Compound a few days before, shoulders deeply slumped, hands shoved in pocket's as he made a slow walk home and something had shifted inside Kiba. A decision thought of then made in an instant.
Shikamaru needed a break.
And that's how he found himself stood in front of twelve pre-gennin just itching to run him ragged. He sighed quietly, thinking on what Iruka had told him earlier before he'd departed for his mission, "Don't show weakness, be firm but fair and teach them what you know."
Alright for him to say that but this was Kiba's first classroom assignment. He knew Shikamaru had done numerous stints in the Academy; apparently the lazy genius was pretty good at teaching once he got going. So he considered for a few moments, eyes glancing from student to student as he went through their names in his head from the lesson plan Iruka had given him.
What would Shikamaru do?
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Shikamaru watched from the hallway as Kiba stood strangely motionless in front of the Academy students as though he were caught in a jutsu and he felt concern rise as he took a step forward and a hand came to rest on his shoulder.
"Do not interfere, Nara-san."
He looked to his left to see Daikoku-sensei beside him, watching Kiba through the glass doors. The teacher had been one of his own instructors at the academy in his pre-genin and gennin days.
Shikamaru's gaze was drawn away from the other sensei and back to Kiba, watching him closely for a few moments seeing brow furrowing, that familiar grin curling his lips displaying a sharp canine and he felt something stir in his belly at the sight.
"Told you, we just needed to give him time to find his feet. It's pretty strange how so many of Umino-sensei's students make good teachers but I had no doubts when Hokage-sama said there would be a change in the roster for the week." With that said Daikoku slapped him lightly on the back and disappeared down the corridor, likely returning to his own class of hellions.
Shikamaru nodded, turning away from the retreating man to watch Kiba quietly, "Pretty surprising alright."
He glanced down at the pup sat quietly at his feet and went to walk out into the yard the soft clicking of claws the only sound as she followed him. Where they were heading would offer a much more strategic position to watch the classroom from and not get caught.
He was curious to see just what Kiba would do even though Kiba had meant for him to get some rest, he found watching the Inuzuka far more interesting and technically he was resting.
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Kiba grinned at the kids, the motion all teeth and he watched with some pleasure as they settled back in their seats. He lifted fingers to lips and blew two sharp whistles, turning his sharp gaze back to the class just as a paper spit ball was about to let fly.
He pinned Konohamaru with his eyes and watched the boy flush and put the improvised weapon on the desk. Kiba chuckled as Akamaru came bounding up and through the open window, the large dog earning a collective gasp from the class.
Kiba patted Akamaru's head as he came to settle at his feet, looking at the numerous kids with interest, tongue lolling from his mouth as he panted leaning into Kiba's touch for a good scratch.
"Right then, time to start. I think I let ya stare long enough, ne?"
Kiba turned to the black chalk board and quickly scripted down his name and the purpose of the class for the morning, turning just in time to catch Konohamaru reaching for the straw he'd put down moments before. He arched a brow and the boy pouted, looking sideways away from his gaze.
Kiba looked around the rest of the class, noting the notebooks and pencil's littered about desk's ready for use, "Alright you little monsters, my names Inuzuka Kiba, this here's Akamaru. We're gonna be teaching ya for the week as Umino-sensei's on a mission."
He caught sight of a hand at the back and recognised the pale eyed girl as Hinata's little sister Hanabi Hyuuga. "Yes, Hanabi?"
He watched the slight flush tint her cheek's even as her stern expression remained unwavering, "Nara-san was supposed to be teaching us this week."
Kiba nodded and addressed the rest of the kid's hand still petting Akamaru's broad head, "Thas' true but Nara-san is having a short break and ya get me instead."
He looked around the room, catching gazes and taking the time to see everyone in the room, he'd already absorbed their scents so he knew he wouldn't lose any of them if they tried to play hooky.
"Okay then, time ta learn a little bit more about clans and bloodlines." He nodded down at the large dog beside him as he spoke, "So tell me whatcha know about my clan."
"You're an Inuzuka, sensei."
Kiba chuckled softly, turning to face Udon,"Yes, what else?"
"Inuzuka's train ninja dogs." Kiba looked up at Konohamaru having recognised the voice and nodded his assent and from there on out there were a few more suggestions and comments and it was clear that the young Sarutobi was leader of the class.
The morning went on like that, Kiba putting up various clan's and getting the children to tell him what they knew and filling in other details that he had learnt as he'd grown up with a variety of the large clans and unique bloodlines.
He was pleased and happy to break for lunch, the children swarming forward and tentatively petting Akamaru who took the touches with obvious pleasure before they all ran outside to eat and play for an hour before classes resumed.
Kiba lifted his own lunch from the desk draw and motioned to Akamaru, "Ya coming with me?" Kiba smiled as the big dog lay down on his belly, giving a large, jaw cracking yawn before settling in for a nap behind the desk.
"Alright buddy." Kiba leaped up onto the sill of the window and then out into the sunshine, squinting at the bright light that flooded his vision. It really was a beautiful day and he considered spending the afternoon outside training with the kids. He remembered spending lots of sunny afternoons in weapons practice.
He lifted his head; eyes closed as the sun beat down on skin and sighed softly, various scents drifting to his nose. He grinned as he located a more familiar scent, one that he'd caught from inside the Academy earlier but had feigned ignorance about.
He made a beeline for the tall oak that sat at the edge of the school training ground and quickly strode from ground to trunk coming to a halt alongside a wide branch that was occupied by one Shikamaru Nara and the tiny black pup he'd left at the Nara house earlier that day.
Kiba watched as the other man breathed steadily in and out, eyes closed and face lax in sleep and he smiled, fingers itching to reach out and shift the lone strand of hair that had escaped Shikamaru's normally meticulously maintained hair. Instead he leant forward, noting curious dark eyes watching from Shikamaru's lip and wuffled softly at the pup who returned his call with a soft snuffle.
Kiba leant in and whispered huskily in Shikamaru's ear, "Wakey, wakey sleeping beauty."
Kiba guffawed loudly as Shikamaru shot awake, hands reaching for kunai as he tried in vain to balance on the branch with the additional weight of the pup in his lap. She didn't make a sound but Kiba grabbed hold of Shikamaru to help him regain his balance, calloused hands coming into contact with the warm skin of his bared arms.
Kiba felt heat swirl in his belly but he pushed it down, in favour of teasing the Nara, "Never known ya to sleep so soundly."
Kiba smirked as Shikamaru's cheeks flushed an interesting shade of red before he regained a bit more of his normal nonchalance, "Che, troublesome mutt."
Kiba grinned showing teeth as he finally removed his hands from Shikamaru's arms, running them down to elbows before letting go, enjoying the small touch. "That's my job!" Kiba said cheerily before turning to pet the puppy's velvety dark head speaking to the little one with warmth and affection, "Ya been keeping an eye on him for me, ne."
The puppy barked and Kiba smiled tenderly, she was a very sweet tempered dog.
Unfortunately it was unlikely she would be trained to be a nin-dog due to her size. But he had his own plans for her and he'd managed to rest his Mother into helping him with it, though he'd had to do the woman a few favours in return. He had sighed, growled and then given in to his Mama's demands because in truth he really wanted this.
He looked up at Shikamaru again when he made a soft sound under his breath that made Kiba's groin tighten and his heart double time, but he remained easy going on the exterior. "What'sa matter Shika, ya supposed to be taking some time out, not follow me around."
He watched Shikamaru flush again and couldn't help but enjoy teasing the Nara as he mumbled that familiar word once again, "Troublesome."
Kiba smiled before cocking his head and turning to look up through the canopy, a grin splitting his features when he saw the wealth of blue sky dappled with clouds. He grabbed Shikamaru's arm and tugged gently, "Come on, we're gonna get ya being all lazy again in no time."
Kiba laughed as Shikamaru huffed but acquiesced to his constant pull, mumbling inaudible words under his breath which Kiba was certain had something to do with his being a pushy bastard.
Kiba watched from the corner of his eye as Shikamaru lifted the pup with one arm and jumped from the branch, landing on slightly bended knees as he himself dropped to the ground, quickly moving forward and motioning to Shikamaru to follow as he placed the pup on the floor.
The pair trailed Kiba back into the Academy to a stairwell that led up to the unused flat top roof. Kiba stepped up to the door and flung it open with a grin as he looked back at Shikamaru, "Ta da! I know it ain't a nice grassy hill but I gotta stay around the Academy grounds for class this afternoon." He brushed the back of his head, fingering unruly brown spikes with chagrin as he spoke.
He looked up at the sound of a soft sigh and the look of warmth that filled Shikamaru's usually bored gaze made something melt inside him. He smiled slowly, something less cocky and more pleased than the normal shit eating grin he sported, "Good idea then?"
Shikamaru stepped past him and he watched as the sun hit lightly tanned skin and Shikamaru's eyes slid closed as the breeze ruffled his ponytail. His words were a soft sigh of sound filled with a contentment and ease he hadn't heard from Shikamaru in a while, "Yeah."
Kiba followed the Nara out onto the sun warmed concrete, waiting for the man to settle himself and offering to split his bento box lunch, "Mama's cooking's not half bad – ya might like it."
Shikamaru arched a brow at that and Kiba chuckled but offered the bento box anyway, smiling as Shikamaru cautiously took a bite of the tempura he'd selected. Brow's rose then fell and a soft hum of approval filled the air, "That's pretty good, better than Mother makes."
Shikamaru glanced around and back at him and Kiba chuckled, "She ain't here to hear ya say it."
He watched shoulders slump and a small smile curve thin lips and he sighed, easing back on his hands as Shikamaru ate a few more mouthful's the pup edging steadily closer, nose working a mile a minute.
Kiba reached a hand into his trouser pocket and pulled out a handful of dog treats he carried around for Akamaru, "Real food ain't no good to ya yet. And no tellin' Akamaru I gave ya some of his treats." Kiba feigned a glare at the pup as she yipped happily and he heard a warm husky laugh taint the air.
He glanced up at Shikamaru to catch him with a look of happiness and ease on his face, the furrow in brow and dark bag's under his eyes less noticeable for the moment.
The bento was quickly finished, the pup snuffling at Kiba's pockets for more treats which he relented and proffered up to Shikamaru's amusement. What seemed to be by mutual agreement they both settled down on the ground, Shikamaru laying out so his head was at a level with Kiba's stomach making them into a T shaped formation. They lay like that for a short time, enjoying the almost quiet; the muted sound of the kid's coming up from below. Kiba tucked his arms under his head as he stared up at the bright blue sky dotted with clouds shifting and rolling slowly by.
He could see to some extent why Shikamaru enjoyed just lazing about under the sun to watch the clouds drift by, it was kinda soothing not having to do anything.
"Why did you take my shift at the Academy?"
Kiba shrugged knowing that Shikamaru would ask eventually, but at least his voice sounded content, a slow easy drawl of sound that he found soothing. "Cos ya needed a break and ya weren't gonna give yourself one."
He heard Shikamaru scoff and he had an image of the disgruntled man, arms crossed as he leant against the doorframe to the kennel back at the Compound. The Nara had denied he'd needed a break then and Kiba had decided then and there that it would take the Hokage's orders to make Shikamaru rest.
So Kiba had done just that.
He stood in front of the Hokage fidgeting every now and then as he waited for her to finish whatever paperwork that was sprawled across her desk. He was so busy waiting, nerves twisting and churning that he started when she cleared her throat and arched a brow in his direction.
"Do I have your attention now Kiba?"
Kiba had the grace to look embarrassed as he looked directly at the Hokage, taking in the buxom woman, her gaze direct and seemingly curious. "Hai, Hokage-sama."
He watched her smile slightly, "Oddly polite of you? What can I help you with today; you're not due to go out on a mission for a few weeks yet."
Kiba scratched the back of his head absently, the hood of his jacket draped across his shoulders as he gave the rather imposing woman a small smile, "Ahhh, yeah. I ...well ya see...I..."
He'd looked away but up again as Tsunade sighed and arched a brow, "Spit it out, I still have a lot of paperwork to do."
Kiba balled up his courage and hope and let the words fill the quiet, "I want to work at the Academy." He stumbled, realising he hadn't really explained what he was trying to say, "Ah that is, next week Shikamaru's due to be working there and I want to go in his place."
He chanced a glance up from where his hands were fisted before him in an attempt not to fidget like a disobedient child and caught the faintest hint of a grin curling the Hokage's lips before it was gone again.
"Oh and why is that?"
Kiba looked down again before standing up, he was an adult, a shinobi and his friend needed this. He shouldn't be acting like a teenager about to get a scolding, "He needs a break Hokage-sama."
"Then why are you talking to me about it, he could refuse if he wished."
Kiba was now certain the woman was trying to drag this out and he felt something firm in his stomach, back straightening further, chest puffing out, "He's stubborn Hokage-sama. I don't believe he'd take a break unless ya made him."
"He has been rather motivated of late."
Kiba started to speak again before his voice trailed off, brow furrowing as the sight of Shikamaru's slumped form filled his mind, "Yeah but it ain't doin' him any good, he just..."
"He just what..." Was that a note of sympathy he could hear in Tsunade's tone? He wasn't sure but he thought perhaps it was.
Kiba looked into aquamarine coloured eyes, focused, determined, Shikamaru needed his help – whether he wanted it or not. "He's exhausted and he won't stop or rest at all."
Kiba watched the Hokage nod in agreement, a small smile curling her lips, "Ahhh..."
She paused and Kiba waited, "Does Tsume-san know your here?"
Kiba had been waiting for that one. Everyone and their Mother knew that nothing happened in the Inuzuka compound without his Mother's say so. She had been the first person he'd talked to. Though he had to admit he'd been a tad reluctant. "Hai, Hokage-sama. I asked Mama before I came to you. It would just cause problems if I didn't. She said I could have the week. I think she's been a bit concerned for him to – in her own way. Ya know how she is."
"That is true Kiba." He couldn't help but give Tsunade a toothy grin, when she agreed with him.
He stepped forward as he spoke, curious and now far more hopeful than he had been when heading over here. "Would it be a problem Hokage-sama?"
He watched her shuffle a few papers, selecting one and drawing it to the top. "No, it might actually do the children some good to have a different teacher sometimes."
Kiba's head tipped to the side, pondering for a moment, "Whose class is it?"
"Iruka-sensei's." There, that elusive grin he'd thought he'd seen only a handful of time's before. There Hokage wasn't half as benign as they thought – she had a sadistic streak.
Kiba swallowed and chuckled nervously, "Ahhh... it would be the problem class – just like us."
Kiba watched the Tsunade nod in agreement, an almost wistful look entering her gaze, "Hai, Iruka-sensei always gets them – he's good at understanding kids and surprisingly enough Shikamaru's the same."
Kiba straightened, chest puffing out hands behind his back, "Then I hope I can live up to your expectations, Hokage-sama."
She heard her chuckle, a warm sound that few seemed to hear from the normally imposing woman that ruled their village, "Alright, Kiba I assign you this mission. Though you will have to tell Shikamaru." Tsunade-sama had smiled at that and he felt foreboding swell, would Shikamaru be angry?
Kiba nodded curtly, "Hai, Hokage-sama."
"You're dismissed; do not be late to class on Monday."
"Hai!"
He turned and walked to the door but halted and looked back over his shoulder when she called, "Thank you, Kiba."
"Not a problem, Hokage-sama." She nodded and he opened the door.
Kiba shook his head, spikes swaying as he did so, smile twisting his lips as he looked over at Shikamaru to see him resting comfortably one arm tucked under his head to keep it from the cool concrete. He settled back and strangely enough Shikamaru didn't say anything else excepting his decision easily, which just proved Kiba's point – well, to him at least. Shikamaru did need a break though he'd never admit it.
He shifted a few times before turning his gaze upwards, finding it odd that he was grateful for his training that he could find the rough concrete so comfortable – most wouldn't. He wasn't really certain how long they lay there like that, but he got lost in the comfortable sound of Shikamaru's breathing in his ear, the warm sun on his skin and clouds floating past overhead.
He was startled and shot up from his comfortable position looking around frantically before hearing Shikamaru's lazy drawl, "It's the school bell."
Kiba had the good grace to feel embarrassed rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, "Yeah, sorry 'bout that." Rather than getting up and turning around Kiba shifted onto his knees and turned facing Shikamaru and leant over hands settling on the rough concrete either side of Shikamaru's head as he hovered upside over his face.
Kiba chuckled at Shikamaru's slightly widened eyes, realising he'd startled the unflappable Nara. "I gotta get ta class. Why don't you stay here and enjoy the quiet for a bit." He gave Shikamaru a toothy grin. As he shifted and drew himself up onto his haunches' he purposefully rubbed over the skin of Shikamaru's throat before drawing himself up to his feet.
He turned quickly, enjoying the slight tingle of sensation that tickled along the skin that had touched Shikamaru's and he hummed, rubbing them together almost wistfully as he strode across the rooftop. He paused at the door, calling back over his shoulder, "Why don't ya spend some time thinking up a name."
Kiba turned to glance at Shikamaru seeing he'd sat up and had a hand pressed to his throat were he'd stroked him. He grinned gave the Nara a toothy grin and nodded in the pup's direction, her small body pressed all along Shikamaru's thigh, "She needs one and I think she's appreciate ya given her a name."
With that he saluted Shikamaru with, hands disappearing into his pockets after opening the door and disappearing into its dark shadows. Kiba couldn't help but feel chuffed with himself, "Well played if I do say so myself."
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Shikamaru hadn't been able to shake the feeling of calloused fingertips on skin as he'd walked back to his house when the pup had started to whine. He kept stroking the spot Kiba had touched, a small smile tilting his lips when he did. He walked through the door with the pup in tow dancing around his feet as if she knew what was happening next.
He looked up from her prancing to see his Father in the kitchen, mug of coffee steaming in front of him. He could hear his Mother in the attached utility, stomping and murmuring quietly and he looked over at his Father with mild amusement twinkling in his gaze, "Laundry?"
"Yep."
"Ahhh."
Shikamaru kept quiet as he walked a bit further into the kitchen, the pup almost tripping over his feet in her excitement and he chided gently, "Troublesome."
His Father laughed and he looked up at him curiously, "Ya know what Kiba left for her to eat old man?"
"Old man indeed! Have a look in the cupboards over there."
Shikamaru followed his Father's direction, walking past the round pine table were the older man sat to the row of cupboards along the side wall. He listened to Shikaku talk as he went, brow furrowing at his words, "You know that's a lot of food for just one week. Plus he left a bunch of medicine and a card with what shots are due."
Shikamaru's brain started to turn over those thing's as he opened the cupboard door seeing the rather large bags of puppy food almost bowing the small shelves inside. His Father was right, there was a lot more than was needed for just one week, in fact from the time he'd spent at the Inuzuka compound he knew only too well that this was at least one month's worth.
And in that moment Kiba's words clicked into place, "Why don't ya spend some time thinking up a name. She needs one and I think she's appreciate ya given her a name."
Shikamaru stood up and pinched the bridge of his nose as he realised just what the idiot Inuzuka had done. He was giving him the pup and somehow, though he felt frustrated with the idiot man, he wasn't angry. They'd found out that the pup wouldn't be trained with the other Inuzuka dogs for the simple reason that she had problems with her inner ear and therefore her balance, something that they couldn't fix. This meant that she wouldn't be able to serve in the same way as the other dogs they trained. She was still set to receive training but she wouldn't be able to go out in the field.
He'd felt pretty irritated by that at the time but Kiba had explained that it was dangerous for the dog and the keeper, plus any team that went out with them if she couldn't perform her duties the way she should. Kiba had said that she'd be trained by her new owner, likely a shinobi anyway to do other things. But it just wasn't practical to have her out in the field.
Shikamaru could see the regret in Kiba's face, even before the other man knelt down to tumble the pup to the ground and tickle her tummy a frown furrowing his brow.
He'd reassured Kiba at the time and now he felt a small smile pulling the corner of his lip up. He released the pinch on the bridge of his nose and looked down at the small silly pup wobbling around the room, tail wagging frantically. Kiba had managed to kill two birds with one stone oddly enough.
Shikamaru had been aware of Kiba and Tsume's concerns and had taken the appropriate action to hide what they didn't need to see from them. Apparently he hadn't done it as well as he could have. Kiba had, consciously or otherwise, solved that problem.
With this pup in need of training, something only there owner would be permitted to do he would need to make sure he spent time with her doing just that and for that he needed to reduce the load he'd placed solely on his own shoulders.
He chuckled softly as he knelt down on the wooden floor, palm's flat out as the pup wobbled, tumbled and righted itself to fall into his hands. He rolled her and rubbed her belly, hand spanning her frame easily. "Looks like it's gonna be you and me."
"She staying then?"
He looked up at his Father, seeing his Mother standing quietly in the doorway to the utility room and brow arched in silent query. "Looks like it."
"Then you get to clean up her messes."
Shikamaru stared at his Mother mouth open in surprise that she hadn't said more about this new member to their household and she returned to her laundry. He looked over at his Father to watch the man shrug, "I told you, that boy knows a thing or two about getting around Mothers."
Shikaku leant forward across the table, hand covering his mouth on the side facing the utility door, "And apparently it isn't just his own."
Shikamaru chuckled heartily before quieting the sound for fear of brining his Mother back into the room. He looked down when the pup yipped and nipped his finger and he winced pulling his hands out of tiny canine range, "Looks like it's time you got fed, hmmm…."
He could feel his Father's gaze on him as he quickly filled a bowl with puppy kibble and another with water, setting both on the ground before turning to look at his Father, brow arched in silent question.
"You get that from her." He thumbed over his shoulder at the doorway, checking a moment later to make sure Yoshino wasn't standing there again before continuing, "What are you going to call her?"
Shikamaru frowned, glancing down at the pup and the mess she was making of her food, long ears dragging into the dishes whenever she turned her head and he sighed quietly, "Susu."
"Susu huh, makes sense she's black and makes a mess."
Shikamaru knelt down again, hand gently rubbing over velvety soft fur, "Yes."
It looked look he and Susu would be spending more time at the Inuzuka's and that thought brought a smile to Shikamaru's lips as his free hand stroked over the skin of his throat once more.