A/N: I do NOT own NARUTO!!
Raising a Couple
Chapter 4 Naruto's Interrogation
The four ninjas went on their way to the Hokage's office. So far, so good… well, at least. While they were walking, Naruto would ask random personal things at Shikamaru. Most of them are about his love life. Sakura couldn't help but sigh and Gaara just listened. Gaara treats of this interrogation as one of the conversations his sister would love to listen. That's why he bothered.
"Hey Shikamaru," Naruto called him. "Have you gone on a date with a girl before?"
"Why are you asking?" Shikamaru glared at him.
"Nothing, really." Naruto shrugged. "It's just that I'm dating Sakura here."
"Oh, congratulations, I think." Shikamaru glanced at the couple. "And I haven't gone out on a date before."
"Really?" Naruto gasped. "Anyway, do you have a girlfriend?"
"I don't." Shikamaru shook his head. "And I don't plan to have one."
"Well, do you love someone lately?" Naruto asked him again.
"Why bother?" Shikamaru told him. "All the girls I've met are troublesome. Ino, Temari, all of them. I once had a crush on Hinata before, but she's with Kiba now."
"You had a crush on Hinata?" Naruto gasped in surprise. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought a lot of people knew about it." Shikamaru wondered. "Even Hinata knew that I was crushing on her when we were still at the Academy."
"She did?" Naruto asked in disbelief. "What did she tell you when she knew about it?"
"Well, at that time, she was still crushing on you." Shikamaru told him. "So I just respected her feelings for you. I let her be."
"Wait a minute," Naruto scratched his head in confusion. "Hinata had a crush on me?"
"Geez," Shikamaru shook his head. "You don't know what's latest with our friends now, do you?"
"I'm not a gossip person." Naruto turned. "Is that supposed to be a problem?"
"But I guess she moved on now." Shikamaru added. "She's happy with Kiba."
"Sorry for losing your crush, Shikamaru." Naruto cheered him up. "I'm sure there are a lot of girls better than her."
"Tell that to the clouds." Shikamaru said. "And you'll be struck by lightning."
"Be optimistic, Shika ol' buddy!" Naruto gave him a manly hug. "I can see your future happy with the girl of your dreams."
"Stop it, Naruto." Shikamaru spaced away. "I know what to do with myself."
"Cut the questioning, Naruto." Sakura told him. "We're here!"
Hearing that, Naruto, Shikamaru, Sakura & Gaara entered the Hokage's office. They bowed down to the Hokage to show respect.
"Ah, it's a pleasure to see you, Kazekage." Tsunade bowed down to Gaara.
"I appreciate your efforts to make me feel comfortable here at Konoha." Gaara nodded. "I presume that you have received Suna's message, right?"
"Yes." Tsunade agreed as she offered him a seat. "Let's see what we can do."
"Thank you." Gaara took his seat. "Let's start clearing points. Suna needs this help ASAP."