Troublesome Patience

AN: Sorry for the huge delay. As I have noted on my profile, I have been struggling to get time to myself for anything, let alone writing. Still doodling notes when I have a few minutes, but the "creating a cohesive story" part does require a bit of a block of time. Add my wandering narrative so I am writing multiple chapters at a time . . . and it takes a bit when I don't have time to read through and make sure what is in my head makes sense as a reader!

I am not abandoning any of my plot bunnies, if anything, just getting a backlog of more! (Like KakaxFem!Naru; I have a nuuummbbeeerr of plot bunnies I'd love to put to page on that . . . WIP).

I am going to do my best to get further in on the stories I have already started however.

CC (Constructive criticism) welcome! Flame me and I will ignore!

R&R if yall get a sec! Much appreciated when yall do and have a great day!

ShikaxFem!Naru


Chapter 2

It had been a long, frustrating night.

Sora and Naoto had shared the chakra network issues they were seeing but it led to more questions than answers.

How long had this gone on? What was the cause? Was this related to her seal or the Kyuubi? His mind was alight, as he leaned, his forearms on his knees, hands in (as Naru like to call it) his "old man thinking pose," too many thoughts and considerations flying across his thoughts.

Naruto's face had continued to twist in pain, her body writhing on the bed, a cold sweat now alternating with a fever, pink flush high on her cheeks, chest and forehead. He glanced at her face, grimacing as her look of discomfort. On the other side of her bed was Sora, the healer had stayed at bedside, trying at one point to let the Nara clan head get some rest.

But he refused. He could handle one sleepless night. And his mind wouldn't rest either way. He was missing something. He knew it. And yet with all the pieces and bits of knowledge, he had no idea what was plaguing the woman in pain before him.

With a sigh, he gently grabbed her hand, cool cloth gently ran across her too hot forehead. His eyes drifted to the window and over the village they served, deep in slumber.

A hoarse, quiet whine had him snapping his attention to the occupant of the bed, fever bright blue eyes peeking out from red-rimmed eyelids.

"Naru? . . . Naruto?" he queried, as her eyes, overly bright and unfocused, landed on his face. He grimaced as her face screwed up in pain, her eyes dropping away as she curled towards him, pain evident in her body language. She quickly settled, as she had most of this long night, eyes shut, now curled on her side, face relaxing as fevered sleep took her again.

He sighed leaning back, as he settled in the chair next to her, arms folded, legs out in front of him crossed at the ankle as his gaze fell again to his left out the window, mind wandering.

Outside, he could see partial builds and preparations for October 10th, celebrating the fall of the Kyuubi and honoring those who died . . and his best friend and Hokage's birthday, not that she liked to announce it. Too many bad memories.

People celebrated her now, as Hokage, but she always struggled with the notion that the same people who celebrated her had terrorized her childhood and taught their children to as well. Her quiet admission a few years ago, finding just how bad it had been and how Naruto truly did weigh some level of risk, particularly on that day, her birthday . . along with her willingness still to forgive the extreme atrocities she suffered for merely existing . . let alone seek their acceptance, had nearly shattered Shikamaru's perspective of her.

She was even more purely good than he had already thought, and bluntly, he hadn't known that was possible. It had only driven his need to give her this one thing, this one night where she should be celebrated as the Princess of Konoha, daughter of the Yondaime, protector as the container of the Kyuubi no Kitsune, orphan due to her parents amazing sacrifice, to save her, to save Konoha.

Instead the day for her had spelled the burden she would bear, the family she was torn from, as well as her terror and trauma for her struggles for many, many years to come.

Selfishly, he hoped they could continue their quiet traditions, just him and her.

First, the Rookie 12 made sure to all meet at someone's place, usually one of the Heir/Head's compound's for a modicum of privacy and help Naruto relax on his request, not that Naru knew. Luckily, the Nara's, Akimichi's, Hyuuga's and Inuzuka's had all been kind enough to offer their land and offer fierce security to allow this boon . . gift for Naruto on this day, the day of her birth, the day of her parents' death, the day her once demon, now demon friend became her constant companion. A space between people that loved and accepted her and all the emotions that came with this day for her, not that they knew everything.

Second, after the group festivities, his and her tradition led to them having a late-night race from the top of the Yondaime's head. He had learned years ago one of the best ways to help Naruto work through anything or feel good about things was through physical means, endorphins were her friend when working through almost anything. She was kinesthetic in her learning and function, doing, feeling, experiencing and when it came to emotional intelligence she was damn near unmatched . . well outside of personal romantic interests really.

And this aspect of her had only made her more fascinating to him over the years.

She was unpredictable and his opposite.

She was motion, feeling, doing.

He was in some ways predictable, if you could keep up with his mind and intellect, planning, thinking, reasoning.

They both in his opinion were damn near unrivaled at how they interacted and experienced the world, and he couldn't help but want to protect and possess this intangible thing that made Naruto, Naruto. To have her be his, be able to hold and protect her, make her joyous and feel treasured, as she surely should be. It always amazed him how many people she fooled. And how many people missed the gift of her loyalty and kindness. How big her heart truly was.

And she . . . she wanted to protect and save, well everyone. And if to possess her, have her be his, he would help her save Konoha, her precious people and the Nin world at large, well he would go wherever she would lead him and make sure no one stood in her way.

And he had learned to enjoy some of the physical pursuits with her . . . for him, it was seeing the pleasure, release, joy on her face as she flew through trees, sparred, helped young Academy students with drills or swam while he would lay cloud watching (though admittedly he spent a lot more time watching her glistening tanned skin in swimming apparel more than clouds on those days, not that he would admit this slightly voyeuristic tendency. But damn she was distracting!).

Another good example. Who would of thought, the girl named after whirlpools would love water? Obvious right? He was 99% sure he was the only one who knew. A warm thought, that she trusted him with this pleasure of hers.

And Kami-sama it was enthralling, the look of unadulterated joy she would get, when she engaged the world, with such wonder.

He couldn't get enough of it.

He only hoped he would get to see more, and maybe even the most private of physical pursuits and moments from her. He would be lying if he didn't admit to himself that he had many a dream about touching her, her body below him or riding him as he fucked her, filling her with his dick and cum until she unraveled, the dark, possessive parts that make the Nara clan oh-so-effective when they choose to be making a burning pit in him, yearning to see how far he could go with her, to make her writhe and scream his name and or even send her to the highest heights of pleasure, beyond words.

And Damn did he chose to be.

She was his hope and his drive and he hoped . . .

But this was a tangent only possible should she ever accept his advances.

He needed to spend a bit of time contemplating how he had approached her . . considering how to think of it from her perspective . . her way of expressing or interacting with the world. . . .

He would have to think more on that later.

Bringing himself back to the present, he noted he pants as her nose crunched in an adorable fashion, him struggling knowing it was due to pain . . . but she was . . . it was . . . it was a drag. Even in pain and sick he found her emotionally and physically attractive.

And the notion that she hadn't told him, hadn't relied on him . . . that he wasn't close enough as her best friend, commander and advisor . . . . it ate at him. He knew the only people near as close as him was Tsunade, Kakashi and Sasuke. And even then, he was still more engaged with her. But it wasn't enough. Could he had caught this? Protected her from it or her being reckless again?

The notion that she had met her goals . . . and he desperately wished for a chance, to be with her, hold her in these moments, protect her . .. as his. No more wasting time.

It burned and filled him, like ever expanding heat from a fire, filling ever crevasse and space.

When she wasn't sick, when she was safe from whatever this was. His eyes narrowed in frustration, hands gripping his folded arms at the forearm. Taking in a slow breath through his nose and blowing it out, he settled his burning desire and wants, as well as a different fire; annoyance, anger at this unknown he appeared unable to unravel. Unable to protect her from or fix for her at this time.

He would though. He would fix this for her, and kami-sama be damned he would prove he was worthy of her love should she be willing to give it. If he could just show her in a way she could hear it.

He would be as patient as she needed of him, but he struggled to think they were wasting time, just because as deep as their friendship was, they were not communicating this one part, well. Or moreover he wasn't, to give her the opportunity to decide if she would accept him, find him worthy of the chance.

Thinking back on their traditions, he thought of the first year he had gotten to truly given her something not about the worth of the cost of it, but to build something with her, for her. Small in his opinion though it was, he knew it meant a lot to her and was grateful she had trusted him with this information and chance. But knew, Naruto needed small steps to regain her notion of trust and worth. And patient he was.

Thinking back on their personal tradition on her birthday, he couldn't help the grin that ghosted his lips, eyes dark and deep in the night.

They had raced along a small path going around the West side of the mountain face. The dark, secluded path was perfect to allow shinobi to fly, jumping and swinging and catapulting, ending just a few miles over at a beautiful, secluded grove, a natural spring, not hot, but very, very warm year-round with a small stream leading off of it. There he had made sure to bring what he hoped would be her new favorite sweet. A small, fresh strawberries and whipped cream with angel food cake. Somehow, the dessert made perfect sense now and he would have never guessed before she told him why.

When he had first noted Naruto never seemed to eat any sweets, he had asked his friend, as they lay one day on top of Hokage tower as they decompressed from a decidedly crappy meeting.

She had placed her head on his stomach, hand thrown up across his upper abdomen, the other laying across her own stomach. She was warm and they were comfortable as gentle clouds and a glorious breeze soothed them, sun behind his view of her creating a gorgeous halo around his companion.

Surprised by the question, the blonde had ducked her head to her chin a bit, flush and clearly embarrassed.

"Naru-chan?" He had asked, gently, kindly, curiosity and interest in his cinnamon brown eyes as he sat up slightly on his elbows, looking down at her face. She noted no judgement, just interest in her as she looked up from her position on his midsection. It was heartwarming and made her feel full and warm and unused to this kind of quiet attentiveness from her very observant friend. He was good at that, being observant, non-judgmental and unassuming and she loved it, as much as she struggled to feel if she deserved it.

But he had always been accepting of her truth, kind to let her share in her time, so he was one of the very few she would continue to trust with just a little bit more that was not part of the image that was the knucklehead, somewhat thick headed, prankster blonde.

And she was unpredictable, could be a knucklehead sometimes and definitely a prankster, but her limitations in general education he later learned were highly subject to her experiencing extreme prejudice and sabotage. Such as not having access to writing utensils, being taught incorrect taijutsu that led to injuries, and many many others.

It's a wonder how successful she had been, making him wonder if she had had proper opportunities and support as a child if she would have been considered a Nin protégé more than she was (though most of her accolades were currently slated to her Will of Fire and to never give up, hard work and the benefits of the Kyuubi, even though she did come from genius bloodlines of rare renown). But he digressed again.

He thought back again on her answer around sweets.

"I-I . . .I couldn't afford any . . . and now they just taste . . . too sweet," she shared, voice a hush as she continued looking down.

How dumb am I? he had groused at the time. For all of his intellect, he should have figured that out. . . .

With a gentle nudge, he asked what she did enjoy. She had shared fresh cream and strawberries. She had spoiled herself after a solo mission in an Inn and seeing the look of guilty pleasure in her embarrassed visage at the memory of her enjoyment of such simple foods and pleasure, a warm feeling spread in his chest, knowing he needed to make sure she enjoyed many more simple pleasures. Smiling warmly, he nodded, knowing just the cake he had in mind. And a phenomenal bakery to supply it.

And so, on October 10th a handful of years ago after their exhilarating run through the trees of Konohagakure no Sato as they sat in their little grove, he had pulled out a small package with a 6" round double layer cake of fresh strawberries and cream and light, fluffy, barely sweet angel food cake, of which he placed an orange candle and quickly lit it.

Her eyes were wide, surprised, and bright, mouth slightly open in shock at the scene before her. Eyes swimming with joy, disbelief and tears, she watched mesmerized as this tall, handsome raven-haired man, who had noticed and cared about her every word and action . . . even the ones she hadn't said, sat cross legged before her kneeling self and began to sing, his voice, low and rumbling singing her happy birthday.

He finished with a smirk, his finger moving to her lips as she initially went to blow out the candle, reminding her playfully with his tone, but eyes with the utmost seriousness, to make a wish.

A nod of warm blonde hair and a watery chuckle, she paused, eyes closing as she tipped her chin up, as if speaking to the Heavens. After a moment, her eyes, warm and content open slowly, a secret smile, one he wished to ask but dared not on what she wished, graced her pink, arrow bow lips.

She then leaned forward and blew out her orange candle, leaving them in the long shadows of the grove.

He couldn't help but note how she had been stunning that night, like so many nights, but that night in particular. The private moment, openness not hidden behind her strength or smiles, skin and hair looking paler in the moonlight, eyes twinkling bright blue against the sky's much darker purple-blue-black pitch she had captivated him, his lust, his heart, his mind, and his curiosity, yet again.

In the next moment he truly had to test his reflexes as she was launching herself at his midsection and chest, hiding her tears in his chest.

Worry and gentle sadness/acceptance as he could guess her feelings, but worried as she constantly managed to surprise him.

He gently set the cake off to their left, as he gathered her into his chest and lap, arraigning her between his long legs, arms holding on tight to the smaller, sob wracked body. She was warm and it hurt to hear her cry so, but he could hazard a guess that they were overall good tears, that this was cathartic.

And more than that, she deserved to have someone celebrate with her in the quieter spaces she would feel comfortable celebrating in.

She enjoyed celebrating with her friends, and being at a more secluded compound helped, but she always had an edge of awareness and worry he had come to recognize, even if very well hidden. And she deserved to be able to share her pain, loss, fears, so very many years of loneliness and lack of acknowledgement and care.

As so he held on to her, firm and present, as she gripped his shirt with one hand, desperate for an anchor, the other wrapped around his waist inside his Jounin jacket, her legs curled between his thighs, leaning at against his right thigh.

"Naru-chan?" he questioned gently as her body wracked sobs began to abate as he found one of his hands had moved from her back to play with her silken locks. Her cheek was hot and moist with tears through his mesh shirt, her body molded against his, soft, curvy and supple. With a careful swallow and reminder to his body to not betray his growing and evident enjoyment of her contact, he leaned back slightly gazing down at the crown of her golden head.

"I . . thank you," she breathed, barely a whisper as her fathomless eyes gazed up at him.

And kami-sama how he wished he had kissed her then, ravaged her.

But he had just ended his relationship with Temari at the time and would not risk any of his relationship wants with Naru be related to his rebounding loss.

He had known he had still been grieving parts of his relationship with Temari and wouldn't have it affect anything he hoped to build or achieve with Naruto.

He hadn't expected or meant to fall for her so quickly, but he, like so many others had found himself swept up by one Uzumaki Naruto, as she managed with so many whether as friend, foe, rival, enemy, leader or in his hopes, love interest.

She had had proposals over the years, and they only grew with her fame since Pein. Additionally with her position as Hokage and as more came out about her family and bloodlines. Luckily or not, the council had failed up to this point to force anything on Naruto, though they were trying. She had too much backing from the Shinobi clans. However, as peacetime reigned more and more, the civilian council was gaining comparative strength. It also didn't help that Naruto was almost entirely naïve to the offers and subjects of the heart.

She had thoroughly enjoyed her cake and he had made a concerted effort to make sure their tradition had continued every year, her quiet pleasure leaving her body almost shaking with joy.

He chuckled remembering it. She was like a kitten . . or a 2 year old, unable to sit still and not wiggle and move and he found it ridiculously entertaining and adorable. Almost as much amusement as trying to teach her Shougi, though that was a story for another day.

Smiling gently at the woman laying before him, he chuckled, alone in the dark as he thought about how much people didn't seem to notice how very much she cared and how stupidly hard she worked to love, serve and please those she holds dear.

After her tears, they had lay for a while, peaceful and a bit tired in each other's presence. She had then asked him what his favorite cake was, and he had shared, a German chocolate cake. Unbeknownst to him, this comment, with excited eyes has led her on a journey to learn to bake and eventually more cooking skills, wanting to give her best friend a homemade birthday cake of his choosing.

And what she had baked was divine, her pleased glance at his unintentional moan . . . he had been thoroughly embarrassed he had made such a sound, flush high on his pale cheeks.

But Sweet Kami-sama . . . that woman had made slices of heaven.

And she had begun to cook for the both of them too. He honestly loved it, though felt bad sometimes that with her limited time she spent making them food, she had shared how much she enjoyed it.

When he had suggested that they could go out, he didn't want to take her rare free time with her feeling obligated to cook, she had surprised him, as she was so good at.

Blushing and looking absolutely abash, she had managed to stop him in his tracks, air frozen in his lungs at the absolutely ravaging image of her blushing like that. She had then admitted, quietly, that she really enjoyed it when people enjoyed her food. Then looking at him in earnest, hands clasped before her as she let him know she would make it better only to begin looking a bit sad sharing he didn't have to eat it though.

She had left him flabbergasted. And he quickly shared how much he enjoyed her food and care to cook.

How could she go from Dominant, powerful Hokage to adorably demure housewife to hellion prankster to still, stoic Sage? And yet . . she did. Along with so many other facets he was still cataloging and learning.

Noting the sun finally cresting in dawn, Shikamaru stretched, hopeful to see the bright blues and gain some reassurance that Naru was improving and some answers.

Leaning back to wait, Shikamaru's mind continued to drift about the possibilities with one unpredictable blonde Hokage and best friend . . . and hopefully soon, more.


AN: Kinda a weird place to leave off I know, but it fit in my head and I got a bit lost in the "people" vs "timeline" part for the next few chapters. Thought I'd give yall what I had that I knew came next and see what yall think!

I'll keep messing with the order in the next few chapters or so!
Ja ne!

-TheFoxandHerShadow