A/N: a thousand apologies and pardons! Work and school have gotten in the way of everything. this story, my video games, just everything. I don't know what to say to make up for keeping you waiting if you have stayed with my story. Maybe three uploaded chapters? maybe?

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto in any way, shape, or form. It belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. I don't write for any profit.

Warnings: it's a yaoi, which means boyxboy. I'm not twisting your arm to read this story so if you feel that this isn't your style, don't read. As the story progresses, there will emotional, psychological, verbal, and maybe physical abuse.

Rating: T for right now but it might change and I'll put any warning in each chapter if there is any.

Pairings: For now it's SasukexNaruto but at one point or other it will turn into ItachixNaruto. Other pairings will be added as the story goes on.

"Talking"

'Thinking' or 'Text message'

Flashbacks and memories

Chapter XIII

Staring at the boy in front of him, Itachi didn't move. Didn't breathe. From the picture to his mind to his line of vision. The blonde boy shifted a little. Itachi wondered if he should move closer or stay where he is. There was no reason as to why Itachi came back to the house, he just did. Finding this boy here, though, wasn't something he expected. The boy was sleeping on his stomach with his head turned away from Itachi.

'He's familiar with this house' the older Uchiha thought 'As well as Sasuke's bed'

When the boy rolled over, facing Itachi, the older man moved a bit closer. His hair was the first thing that caught Itachi's eye. It was blindingly bright or maybe it was because he was sleeping on dark covers. He had long, golden eyelashes. From there Itachi focused on those six whisker-like marks.

'I wonder how he got those. Somehow it makes him look...'

Obsidian eyes moved down to the rosy pink lips that were slightly parted. Itachi's eyes seemed to linger. Itachi reached out his hand, but pulled it back when he realized what he was doing.

'This is absurd' is what Itachi thought.

Thinking that he's been here long enough, he took one more look at the boy before turning on his heel to leave the house. Itachi didn't know what made him want to leave. He just knew that he had to get out of the house.

Shikamaru was sitting across from his father on the couch, Shikaku, who was staring intently back at him. Nara Shikaku worked for the town's police force as a detective. He was a highly respected individual and a carefree person. Shikamaru could ask his father for advice on anything. Needing help with Naruto's situation, Shikamaru came to his dad for help, but it isn't going how he thought it would.

"No" Shikaku said.

"Old man" replied Shikamaru

"Look, I understand that you want to help Naruto, but-"

"But what?" Shikamaru cut in "Dad I'm asking for help. I told Naruto that I would do what I can. Sasuke not only put him in the hospital, but ran away after that. I need to find him."

Shikaku looked at his son with fatherly pride. Despite Shikamaru's lazy and nonchalant attitude, he would always be there to give his help and support to his friends. This situation is no different. Once Shikamaru makes up his mind there's no changing it.

Sighing Shikaku responded "Fine. What do you want me to do?"

Shikamaru leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. 'That's a good question'

"Well" Shikamaru started "For starters, I would like to know what made Uchiha want to up and leave. He was never sociable to begin with but this is a bit much."

Shikaku was quiet for a moment before asking "Shikamaru, from the sound of it you aren't really friends with the Uchiha kid and he seemed to hurt Naruto so why are you going this far?"

At his father's question, the lazy genius sat up and looked his father in the eyes and replied,

"It's true I'm not close to Uchiha but Naruto is. Naruto is somebody who trusts people unconditionally and gives people second chances when clearly they don't deserve it. He is the definition of a true friend. I know that if our places were switched he would do the same for me or anybody else"

Closing his eyes, Shikaku thought over his son's answer. Shikaku didn't have too much interaction with the blonde loudmouth outside of him hanging around the house with Shikamaru's other friends. The kid had a rough life and Shikaku was one of the few who knew why.

Shikamaru patiently waited until his father decided to speak again.

'Sooner or later everything is going to come full circle. The circumstances surrounding the Uchiha family and Naruto.'

"Shikamaru, about the Uchiha kid" Shikaku opened his eyes and continued "his parents were killed"

Brown eyes went wide.

"W-What?" Shikamaru wasn't sure he heard correctly

"Sasuke's parents were murdered and the main suspect is his older brother"

Shikamaru felt as though his brain was going to explode. He didn't know what he was expecting to hear but surely this wasn't it.

"W-Wait a minute. What are you talking about? His parents were killed? But I never-"

Shikaku cut his son off "You and your age mates wouldn't know anything about it because all the information surrounding the event was sealed off. Only those who were older around at the time know about it."

"What about his brother? You said "is" instead of "was""

Shikaku replied "Sasuke's brother took off after the incident. Nobody knows if he is even alive or not."

Shikamaru couldn't believe what he was hearing. He wouldn't have thought this is why Sasuke acts the way he does. Like he said before, he wasn't close to Sasuke. In fact, if it wasn't for Naruto, Shikamaru was sure he wouldn't even know him. This is a lot bigger than the Nara boy imagined. Now knowing Sasuke's situation, things might become more difficult.

"What I don't understand is why his brother would do such a thing."

"Dad, you don't sound like you're convinced he did it."

Shikaku rubbed his chin "Itachi was a genius. In a way he was like you and Neji, but he wasn't lazy nor did he let anybody influence his decisions. His potential was unlimited. On top of all that, he was a kind child. For him to do something as horrible as that, it just doesn't make any sense."

"This is starting to become more troublesome by the minute" Shikamaru sighed "So I now know why he ran, all that's left is to find out where he is. Naruto doesn't have an idea of where he might have gone"

"There's another thing" Shikaku stated "about Naruto"

Shikamaru listened close. "What about him?"

"He had a rough life as well. That was due to another unfortunate incident"

Narrowing his eyes, Shikamaru asked "What are you saying?"

Knowing he can trust his son with this information, Shikaku answered,

"Naruto wasn't abandon, his parents were killed too."

There was a stunned silence.

The younger Nara's face went pale. Hearing what happened to Sasuke's parent was difficult and now this. Shikamaru knew that Naruto was lonely when he was younger, but he had been by himself his whole life.

Something occurred to Shikamaru.

"Iruka and Kakashi already knew, didn't they?" asked Shikamaru "So did you and all the other adults, right?"

Father and son stared at each other. The air seemed to grow thicker and thicker.

"Yes Iruka and Kakashi knew. As for the other adults I don't think so. Apparently after Naruto was born, his parents hid him away because somebody was after them. I knew because I was the lead detective on that case and when I was going over the crime scene I found him."

Confused Shikamaru asked "You found him?"

"Yes. I heard a small cry coming from somewhere. It was such a low cry that I thought I imagined it, but as I moved through the house I stumble upon a small crawl space and that's where he was."

"Through all of this, nobody thought to tell Naruto this? I mean, he grew up without knowing anything."

Shikamaru was starting to get upset. One of his closest friends had to endure everything by himself while everybody just looked the other way. But what probably upset Shikamaru is that Naruto never once blamed anybody or anything for his situation. He ignored the negative things that were tossed his way and kept smiling.

"We weren't sure who did it or why. If the person knew of Naruto, they might've came back to kill him too. So it was decided that he wouldn't know a thing. That's also the reason he has his mother's last name and not his father's since his mother wasn't originally from Konoha"

"Who were his parents?"

"A former teacher at your high school, Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina"

Even though it was so much information at one time, Shikamaru made sure to remember it all. He had to.

"I know that name." Shikamaru said "Kakashi-sensei seems to talk about him a lot. I think I saw a picture of him in the dojo, but I didn't think anything of it."

Shikamaru rubbed his face with his hands. Realizing that it was almost time to go to Ino's, he stood up. His father noticing that the discussion was over, stretched out on the couch. He told Shikamaru everything because he understood his son's loyalty to his friends and he was the best person that could handle a situation like this.

As Shikamaru moved to leave the living room, his father called from the couch,

"Shikamaru, it's up to you whether you tell Naruto or not. But I already know that you will."

"See you later old man"

Shikaku gave a lazy wave as Shikamaru walked out.

Naruto was feeling a bit anxious about meeting with his friends. It's been about a week or so he was feeling guilty about what he put his friends through. Here they were worrying about him and he was trying to act normal. Or as normal as Uzumaki Naruto can get. So he decided that tonight he would not think about all that's happen and enjoy his time with his friends. Sasuke may be gone, but Naruto still had a great group of friends who have been there for him.

As he was walking he caught a glimpse of Shikamaru, heading the same way he was. The blonde took off running to catch up with him.

"Shikamaruuuuu!" Naruto yelled out making the Nara boy stop and turn around.

"Naruto, loud as always"

When Naruto caught up with him, Shikamaru resumed walking.

'I'm glad I saw you. I was getting bored walking by myself" Naruto said grinning and linking his hands behind his head.

Shikamaru noticed that the direction Naruto came from wasn't the direction his apartment is. 'He was at Uchiha's house wasn't he?' He thought quietly

The Nara boy smirked and said "I'm surprised you even know which way to go"

"Shut up. My sense of direction is incredible!"

"Yeah, incredibly horrible"

The two boys laughed and they fell into a comfortable silence. Each had different things on their minds. The conversation he had with his dad seemed to be on reply. His dad was right, he would tell Naruto but it was a matter of how and when. What would be Naruto's reaction? What would he think or feel? He had every right to know.

"Shikamaru" Naruto's voice called him out of his thoughts "I-I've been thinking and maybe" Naruto didn't finish his sentence. Something has been on Naruto's mind, but he didn't know how to say it.

Shikamaru saw how hesitant Naruto was being. He wasn't being loud or rambling on. He was looking down at the ground as they continued to walk.

"Naruto, what is it?"

He stopped in his tracks. Not looking Shikamaru eyes, he said "After everything that's happen, I've started thinking if all this is even worth it"

That took Shikamaru by surprised.

"I mean, the whole situation involving Sasuke, is straining. He is my friend and I want him to realize him here for him if he needs me, but at the same time I don't want my entire life to revolve around him"

Needless to say Shikamaru was stunned. This was a different Naruto. Just a couple of days ago he was asking for help and now it's like the energy has been sucked out of him. Who could blame him? Naruto deserved to be happy.

"I know it seems selfish but-"

"It's not selfish, Naruto" Shikamaru interrupted "It's just for once you are putting yourself first. You do a lot for everybody else. You genuinely care about the people around but you really haven't thought about yourself. So it's not selfish, you are just doing what you think is best for you"

Hearing his friend say that made Naruto smile. He was about to say something, when saw Shikamaru look at something that he couldn't see.

"Shika, what is it?" Naruto questioned

Shikamaru looked at Naruto and said "Nothing. Well let's go, if we're late Ino will have a fit"

Naruto grimaced "Ino-chan can be scary sometimes"

The duo continued heading towards their destination.

'Somebody is following us' Shikamaru thought to himself