The Hokage monument never looked more appealing than that very moment, and it's been there for fucking ever. I didn't know if it was because I couldn't stare Naruto in the eye, or I just didn't want to be in the room. My eyes stayed glued to the window ever since I walked in, and Naruto began to curse me out for the little stunt I pulled yesterday.

The taste of tobacco on my lungs sounded so wonderful right now, or maybe cloud glazing with Hinata except she's on a mission. I needed something to block out everything and make my world colorless just for a second. Anything really would do the job, instead of hearing the steady stream of words clashing against my ear drum.

"Shikamaru! Listen to me!" Naruto screams.

I turn my head away sharply from the window that holds my slight freedom. A slight throb begins to beat against the back of my skull, rattling the thoughts that were flashing in my mind not three minutes ago. A headache is just what I need right now. Naruto stares at me with a face that doesn't show up often. A 'troublesome' almost pasts through my chapped lips, showing my disinterest to the topic at hand, before I thought better. That would only be the first sign of defiance against everything Naruto was so loudly trying to tell me, and that would just start up another rant. I did not want to hear even a little bit of that again, not to mention my headache would only get worse.

"I am listening. I just don't comprehend how else I was supposed to go about it. It seemed like the best course of action at the time, but it will not occur again." I say lowly, trying not to stir the headache up even more.

Naruto frowns at me before shaking his head back and forth as if he is disappointed in me. Lines of age and hardship graced his face more predominantly at that very moment than ever before. Dark lines also stood out under his bright blue eyes from what I could only guess as stress. I hated myself for not seeing how my Hokage was feeling sooner.

I wonder where the old Naruto went, probably washed away with the last signs of hope that the Uchiha would return those last few years. Now we are here, with a situation no one saw coming. A traitor no one cares for and a best friend who is trying to rectify the deeds done, but not at his hardest anymore.

I began to nibble on my lower lip in concentration, anything to distract me from the throbbing, as he open his mouth again.

"You're a genius. No one can think up better tactics and solutions than you. I know your father would be proud of you-

My throat suddenly began to feel tight as images of my father filled my mind. I can still hear his words of wisdom late at night when the nightmares don't quite fade away. I still feel his hands clasped upon my back when no one is there to push them away. The scars still burn even though it has been years of healing. Fuck you Naruto.

-But you did not act like one yesterday. Shikamaru I understand you hate him, hell I don't blame anyone if they do. He put all of us through a lot, but that is no excuse to lower your sense of principle. So therefore I will overlook yesterdays' mishap only when you complete this mission I'm about to assign you."

My eyes narrowed instantly, and my stomach flips as if it's ready for a huge impact. My mind begins to race with different outcomes of how this is going to play out. Maybe I would be put on the most horrible D rank possible, or sent on an extremely hard mission that would take months to complete. I could only hope Naruto hadn't hardened up that much over the years.

A 'troublesome' really did escape my lips as Naruto says the most painful words ever spoken to me.

"You will put Sasuke under surveillance in your home, regardless that Hinata is living there, since he is not allowed by himself yet. I understand this is not what you want to hear, but you will also gradually bring him back into society while gaining more information about all the different plans Akatsuki was going to use. We need to keep the village safe from any future threat. This is not an option, and you will not treat it as such. Do I make myself clear?"

A scream slowly began to crawl up my throat until it began to suffocate me. The pounding of my heart was banging loudly against my eyes, blocking out the pounding in my head just for a moment. Red washes over my vision as I slightly began to shake in my seat. Never in life has rage filled me so much. Not even when Madara caused my father's death, or having to deal with Asuma's death. I never wanted to punch Naruto in the face until now.

A whisper was all I could manage through the haze of hate,

"Yes. Perfectly clear Hokage-Sama, if that is all I will take my leave now. Good Day." I rasp out.

As I shakily got up from the chair and made my way to the door, I could hear Naruto behind me.

"Shikamaru be the king Asuma-Sensei talked about. Don't let this upset you, let this be your greatest accomplishment."

I walk through the door and turn to grab the knob before speaking,

"I can't be a king if a crown is not there." I say with a slight sad tone I try to hide.

The door closes with a subtle click, and my headache is still present.