Three can keep a secret if two are dead.

Disclaimer: I own nothing as I have mentioned before

Officially it was only the end of day 11 but Itachi and I knew it was well past day 14 in our minds. Itachi being nonstop busy with funerals, paperwork of all the clan matters, and having to solve the police force issue of being cut nearly in half. Also how I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon settled that it was unnecessary to watch me.

All I did the second day at Shika's was playing lots of shogi and finding out, with great difficulty, that Shikamaru reads romance novels. I had never seen such a shade of red.

Another day past and I was using crutches. Shika and I (female) are walking to the Hokage tower in hopes to shed some light on my status as deceased and being in public, considering how quickly they reacted when I got out of the hospital.

We got to the tower only to be fowled by a jounin who said the old man was busy. Shikamaru was in front of me trying to persuade the man. It was all babble to my ears because I had my focus on an ANBU. Tall, gray hair, wolf mask, and tattoo were all his identifying marks. And he was standing beside a desk staring at me just the same. So interested was he that he stopped the conversation with the receptionist and walked over to me.

Or at least I thought it was me but he interrupted Shikamaru and the jounin's talk. "Hey Genma, how's the Uzumaki situation, no one gave me an update?" At the sound of the questions the jounin gets this perplexed irritated look on his face. He answered gruffly, "Nobody found him, same story everywhere, jumped in the gorge outside of town. Assumed dead." Not a second after he finished the ANBU springs again. "How many people were on the chase and were any nins with them?" The questioned let out a growl and followed up, "Three chuunin, 10 genin, and about 35 civilians. Why the fuck are you so interested?"

Wolf began to chuckle at the frustration he was causing his fellow nin. "So do you think reporting a 'live' Uzumaki would be important news to the third?" Strangely enough a smile was now in place of the frown on the jounin. "Sure, but its not like he could have lived a jump in Grumman's Gorge." "Well it seems our blonde is quite the trickster, like he proves to us time and time again, except now he's showing off a little more skill, isn't that right Uzumaki-san?

Genma and Shika follow the wolf's gaze that lay upon me. Shikamaru with a look of troublesome annoyance and Genma with a face of bewildered disbelief. Wolf signaled me and Shika to follow leaving the jounin in a gaping fluster. We three walked up the stairs in silence only penetrated by the ANBU's humming. Over the bridge and through the doors we stop in front of the Hokage's office.

A knock and a call and the next thing I know I am viewing a wrinkled old man behind an oak desk. "Oi, jiji what's up?" "Hello Naruto-kun. Kakashi-san are you back from your mission already?" The wolf at last sounded a little more professional then he was presenting himself earlier. "Hai, Hokage-sama, the target was eliminated and his operations have ceased permanently." A praising look was given by the hokage and next second Kakashi was gone.

Turning back to us he beckons me and Shika to take seats. Before he can explain I had to get something out of the way. "When will I be allowed to be seen in public again?" A frown formed before he answered, "we will have to publicly announce that you had in no way shape or form aided in the death of virtually all of the Uchiha clan." It took me a moment to understand how I could have had the blame put on me, though it became somewhat apparent.

'From the get go I run flat out to the Uchiha sector, several people would have seen that and Sasuke and Itachi following. When we get there, there were no witnesses and I came out bloody and broken over the shoulder of Itachi, who was unharmed but wet, and Sasuke in his arms. And Itachi told me that right after he got me to the hospital he had a chuunin on the watch of me and Sasuke while he went over to the hokage to inform him about everything that happened.'

So it pretty much looked like I went, I killed, and got the shit kicked out of me by The Uchiha. And later guarded by nins and reported to the old man.

All this went through, my head in a few seconds while the third kept talking, " –is this what you want Naruto?" Trying to keep myself together I ask him to repeat, "Could you be any more specific?" With that the hokage sprouted a look giving off the sense of difficult thinking. " Well, uh do you think it appropriate for the ones who attacked you to pay for that act justly."

I knew that no real punishment would open their eyes or help me so I thought logically. "Would it help any?" The frown was so deep it had a plot, "as a Hokage I say punishment is demanded when an injustice is made."

Man you got this guy by the balls

'Could you put it in a nicer way'

Fuck you

"And as an old man how say you?" "As an old man I say people are thick headed." His statement was sharp as a blade making very clear his anger. Shikamaru was observing the whole scene with his usual look of mild indifference, his eyes tracing back and forth following the conversation. Though it was already noticed to be a now dead conversation when I spoke the last comment, "Then no punishment will be served." One solid nod from the hokage and I took my leave with Shikamaru just behind..

It was easy to catch where we were going when the steady direction was established and Shika's cloud watching field would be a great place to finish off the afternoon. Because of where the Hokage tower was placed in the city it took us only minutes to get to the clearing. Once there we got into a favorable location for optimum cloud reception. Shikamaru leaned over in preparation to sit but stopped before giving me a side-glance and muttering, "troublesome"

Having his personal quote spoken he lifted me bridal fashion and slowly lowered me to the ground. With that complete he plops himself at an angle from me and begins the ancient activity. Only to be halted by my whine a few seconds into it. Having dealt with this particular whine for every cloud session he didn't ask when he turned me so my head lay on his midsection. So we now lay perpendicular, Shika with one hand on my hair and one behind his head.

General Pov

Unknown to all Nara Shikamaru was having a deep inquiry of himself. For he could not get the kiss the two shared out of his mind since it happened. Questions pooled themselves from all directions in forces unparalleled.

'Why did I kiss him?' 'Do I like Naruto that way?' 'Couldn't I have just tricked him another way to drop the jutsu?' 'Does he like me?' 'What would it be like to date little Naru?' seconds after his last thought he couldn't help but grimace. 'I don't date guys!' He voice out loud for the other to hear nice and clear, "Naruto, you are far to troublesome."

"I know" answer spoken only to cuddle more into his Shika's tummy. Which ensued more hair play from the Nara. The peace was shared, calm was kept, and two contented 8 year olds watch white weightless puffs throw themselves around the sky.

It was hours later with Shikamaru lightly napping when Naruto came a tapping, tapping on his spiky head. "What is it Naruto?" Shikamaru didn't even open his eyes to the disturbance, and it continued. "I want to become stronger" the statement was said so firmly it had the lazy bum startled. Though he responded quickly enough, "well becoming stronger comes first from training, you could start at the academy the same time my dad puts me in." Now the Uzumaki's mind was snatched to the slight change in matters. "You mean the shinobi academy?"

Shikamaru restated, "Yeah, my dad is starting me out at the academy in not too long." The shinobi academy is a school/facility where people train to be ninja. All ages and both sexes attend the academy with some who finish earlier or take longer to learn it, is for all who wish to take on the task. The academy starts in book learning and when you have advanced enough, into arts of battle." Naruto's enthusiasm spiked at that description, "that would rock, you really think I could enter with you?" "Sure" Now beaming Naruto stilled his excitement and continued to examine the clouds above.

Though it was nearing 8 o'clock by the time they finished the talk and the clouds became difficult to distinguish in the dark. So in no so long a time, the two leave for Shikamaru's home.

6 days later the same duo could be found walking the streets, Naruto disguise free like the truth. Lets just say there was more then one dirty look directed at the blonde. The academy building was only 100 meters out and 20 minutes before they were scheduled to be present. Plenty of time. Though they saw others along with themselves gather to the structures entrance. They two file in same as the others and sit at a stationary desk. All the chatter stopped to a silence that matched death as a brunette walked into the room.

The adult wrote his name on the black board underlined and turned around to address the class with a sincere smile to each student.

Ohoya Students!

Ohaya Iruka-sensei!

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1½ years later

"Good Kami those classes are boring!"

As we all know it could only be the one and the only Naruto Uzumaki coming out of the academy next to Shikamaru, griping about Iruka's teachings. And it seemed that the 'lazy one' didn't care much for wasting his time in Iruka's classes any more then Naruto did. Ending the lesson had been a fact of a tree's life could be found by the rings in its trunk. Naruto thought that being in the academy would include training, new jutsu, and battles. None however had been in the schedule. The first three years at the academy only involves learning: math, geography, many physics classes, and a small bit of history.

Naruto Pov

'AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH this is so boring!'

Quiet

"I cant stand this crap I want to get better, and all this shit is just making me fall asleep.'

It's good for you now you will pay attention and learn what ever the human wants you to learn.

'No way this crap is useless!

This argument is happening while the two walk toward the 'perfect' field for cloud watching. The Nara has gotten used to a quiet Naruto knowing that he is really not being quiet at all. And it is never polite to barge in on a conversation.

'Well I was planning on teaching him soon lets see if he can handle it'

How's this kit, I teach you a new skill and you shut up and do as the human tells you?

'YES'

Now go home, I will teach you there

The duo were some 50 meters from the clearing when the Uzumaki turns to the Nara with sudden fervor. "Umm hey I just got an assignment so I'll see you later man." Naruto brings his fist up and Shikamaru matches with his own and the blonde takes flight.

Naruto Pov

'Yes yes YES FUCK YES' this is so aws-

Didn't I tell you to be quiet?

'Sorry Maliku'

I make my way dashing through the streets to my humble abode. From the beginning I am reminded from every glance, and every snear of how precarious I stand on the alter of respect. And with every year I must endure it my hope is diminished.But the feeling of of Maliku inside of me, always being their for me, not to mention I get to learn a new jutsu kept me from falling into the darkness.

It was a few minutes later I made it to my apartment

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Take of your shirt and sit down

I took off my shirt and sat crosslegged and waited patiently

Now, you must stay awake while it happens, if you scream it could cause problems soI would suggest not to.

'why would I scream'

This is why

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Hunger is the best spice.