!*!*! PAY ATTENTION... ATENCION... ACHTUNG !*!*!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. This is clearly obvious by the fact that no one spanked Sasuke until all of the emo-bastardness when he was younger and that no one ever bitch-slapped him. We all know he deserves it.

Before they had a chance to do anything, the gate, which closely resembled a drawbridge, came down and two figures stepped out. They were dressed in dark slate blue outfits, pants bound with bandages right below the knee, flak jackets that hooked over one shoulder diagonally, and both of them wore black facemasks. Their headbands gleaming with the Yugakure symbol. They looked identical, except for the top portions of their faces and their height.

The taller one, with dark hair, slicked back with a single long bang handing forward, bowed. "We have been expecting you, and welcome you to our village. Please follow us," he said, voice polite and courteous.

Naruto turned to Sasuke, and smiled at him. "Okay, Sasuke. I'll see you in a few weeks."

Shikamaru watched closely. He had been wondering how the Uchiha would react at this point. According to the mission, Sasuke was only there to escort them to the Yugakure, and that was all. For some reason, most likely his high level of I.Q, although it could have just been common sense, he had the feeling that the Uchiha wouldn't just want to leave.

Sasuke looked down at Naruto, his expression stony, "I will come with you."

Naruto rolled her eyes, "No, you won't, Teme. The Hokage said that you were to accompany us here, and then go back, leaving us with the people of the Yugakure completely as a sign of… oh, yeah! Good faith!"

The two Yugakure ninja exchanged confused glances.

Maybe they weren't used to civilians arguing with homicidal looking ninjas. Shikamaru sighed, and said to them, "Don't even try to understand." They hesitated and then nodded, going back to watching Sasuke and Naruto.

Sasuke was currently glaring down at Naruto with the famous Uchiha glare. "Well, the Hokage is not always correct in her assessments," Sasuke said.

He started to say something else, but Naruto cut him off. "Don't even think about going against the orders of the mission, Teme. Now, be a good ninja, and go back. I can take care of myself!" she declared loudly, and with a stubborn expression.

Sasuke's eye twitched, and his lips thinned, but he finally looked away from Naruto's bright blue eyes. "Fine. Just take care of yourself, Dobe," he said.

Naruto puffed out her cheeks cutely, and then, to everyone's surprise, hugged Sasuke, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Sasuke stiffened, and he glared down at the blonde attached to his waist. Shikamaru swore he could see a hint of pink on the other man's cheeks, though. "Naruto, get off!" he growled.

Naruto let go and sheepishly scratched her head. "Sorry, I forgot bastards don't like to be hugged," she said cheekily.

"If you ever hug me again, I will… destroy all of the ramen in Konoha," he hissed.

Naruto went pale, "You bastard! Why don't you just kill me?"

Shikamaru sweatdropped at the conversation between the two. This just wasn't normal, although he wondered if anything to do with Naruto was normal. Probably not.

Sasuke stalked away from Naruto to the two ninja. "If you two allow anything to happen to Naruto, I will use my Mangekyo Sharingan on you, and then, if you're still alive after that, I will disembowel you and set your organs on fire," he said fiercely, flashing his Sharingan, eyes scarlet and black. Then, before they could respond, he turned to Shikamaru, and growled three words, "Don't try anything."

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. He assumed that the Uchiha was talking about Naruto, and, frankly, he had never listened to his advice before and didn't intend to start now. He just slouched his shoulders and gave Sasuke a bored, "Troublesome…"

Sasuke turned smoothly on his heel and strode smoothly away, towards Konoha.

"Bye, Teme! I'll see you soon!" Naruto yelled after him, waving furiously, even though Sasuke wasn't looking.

The Uchiha gave a small half wave in response, not even looking back. Then, he put on a burst of speed and disappeared, leaving one smiling idiot, one bored genius, and two semi-freaked out shinobi.

Naruto turned back to Shikamaru as if nothing disturbing had happened, "Are you ready, Shika?"

He nodded, thinking about what had just happened even if Naruto wasn't. It was obvious that the Uchiha cared about Naruto, even if he didn't want to show it. Shikamaru supposed that it was a good thing; it kept the Uchiha from being a complete cold bastard, just mostly one.

Naruto bounded up to the two Shinobi's, her assets bouncing noticeably with each step, and said, "I'm really sorry about the Teme. He isn't really a people person, but he didn't need to threaten you! You guys will keep me safe, right?" She had her head tilted cutely, and hey eyes wide.

The shorter of the two ninja, who had bright red, gravity defying hair that would have almost rivaled Kakashi's, stepped in front of his partner, and grabbed Naruto's hands. "I will totally protect you. Every inch of you," he said, making a confused Naruto blush and his partner roll his eyes.

"Hands off of her, Kazuo. She's got a boyfriend," he said, jerking his head in Shikamaru's direction.

Shikamaru stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Naruto's waist, pulling her hands out of Kazuo's, trying to ignore how smooth Naruto's skin was.

Kazuo merely glanced at Shikamaru and then to his partner, and then to Naruto, who looked adorably confused and a little flustered. "Not for long, Hisoka, not for long," he said with a confident grin and a wink at Naruto.

Shikamaru knew what he, Kazuo, was thinking. Usually, the shinobi boys and men were more popular to the female population because of the mystery and, well, aura of coolness that surrounded them, with the exception of Gai. Even if it didn't make sense in the least to Shikamaru, he knew it was true, and, since Kazuo thought that he wasn't a ninja, he thought he had a better chance. There was only one problem with Kazuo's thinking. Shikamaru was a ninja; Naruto wasn't his girlfriend, and there was no way in hell that he was letting a Kakashi-in-training get close to Naruto.

Hisoka just shook his head again and gestured to the entrance of the Yugakure. "I apologize for my partner's behavior. Please follow us."

Shikamaru steered Naruto past the two ninja into the Yugakure. The moment they stepped through the gateway, a tingle ran up Shikamaru's body. He knew what it was. The seal that disillusioned any henge that came past it. The gate rose immediately behind them, shutting with a firm and final slam, and sealing them off from any assistance from their own people.

A faint buzzing filled his ears, and then Naruto's voice came over through his earring. "Why was Kazuo acting like that? Was he flirting with me?" she asked.

Shikamaru stumbled slightly, almost falling over. How could Naruto act like how she did with Kakashi and then not understand when a guy was basically telling her he wanted to see her naked and be her boyfriend? She was so innocent. He answered her, "Yes, Naruto, he was."

Before she got a chance to continue, Hisoka said, "We will take you straight to the Kage and to Koto- I mean, the Kage's daughter. Please, ask me if you have any questions in the meantime."

Well, that was interesting. He had started to call her Kotone. That meant that he probably was closer to her than a normal Shinobi would be, and then he had quickly tried to change it. Maybe he wasn't supposed to? Or he didn't want people to know? More things to think about.

"Okay, thank you!" Naruto chirped in response to Hisoka's offer. "Ooh, ramen! This is going to be awesome!"

Shikamaru grabbed her hand before she could run off to the ramen stand. "Not now, Naruto," he ordered, and, when Naruto pouted, added, "Troublesome."

"I could take you out to eat ramen, if you want," Kazuo said, grinning when Naruto beamed at him.

Shikamaru leveled a glare at him, but then shook his head. Kazuo didn't even have any idea what he was offering. Naruto could eat five or ten bowls of ramen easily, and empty a wallet in a matter of minutes. No, he needed to focus, and not on how much he wanted to brain the Yugakure ninja.

He took stock of the surroundings. The streets resembled Konoha's, with shops ranging from restaurants to clothes stores to markets to weapons stores. The ground, expect for the center of the street, was covered with thick green grass, and the air was moist. Men, women, and children looked at them curiously as they passed.

Shikamaru couldn't help notice that several of the men were gazing at Naruto with less that completely honest intentions. He groaned inwardly. He could just tell that this trip was going to be bothersome.

The street widened, and a large building sat right in front of them. It was large, made out of dark stone like the walls of the Yugakure and what looked like petrified wood. Large glass windows covered the walls. Shikamaru guessed that the light from the windows counteracted the darkness of the place. It was impressive and rather imposing.

Naruto and Shikamaru walked, or rather, were herded into the building and through it's halls. People stopped what they were doing and looked at them curiously, but here, unlike on the streets, it was more than idle curiosity. The ninja were sizing them up and compiling any facts they could about the two.

Hisoka knocked on a large double door, with two large bright white hangings with the symbol of the Yugakure, three thick, slanted black lines, and Hisoka said, "The two civilians from Konoha are here to see you."

There was a second of silence, and then a gravely, quite male, voice answered, "Send them in."

The doors opened inwards and Naruto and Shikamaru were ushered through yet another doorway. The doors shut quietly behind them.

Sitting behind a large desk of petrified wood, worn smooth by hundreds of items rubbing against its surface over time, was a man. He looked to be in his mid-forties, with dark brown hair streaked with grey pulled into a ponytail at the nape of his neck, the beginning of a beard that looked like he had forgotten to shave in a few days, and strong, sharp bone structure. The man, who Shikamaru guessed was the Kage, Takeshi Shimizu, judging by the fact he was the one sitting behind the desk, and even if he didn't look like what most people would expect a leader to look like, looked a bit like Asuma, only with less beard.

Takeshi's eyes took in their appearance, and when his eyes met Shikamaru's, he held his gaze steadily through half closed eyes.

Naruto, on the other hand, decided to greet Takeshi in her usual unconventional manner. She stared at him wide eyed, before exclaiming, "Wow. You look like a bum, but not one of the bad bums. A good one, you know, one of the one's that go around doing odd jobs. Huh, Baa-chan doesn't really look like a Hokage either… Never mind. My name is Naruto Uzumaki! Nice to meet you!"

Shikamaru's watched as Takeshi stared at Naruto, before his lips quirked into a smile. "Yes, Tsunade told me about you. Except I am quite sure that she told me you were a boy; you seem to be a girl now…" Takeshi said.

Naruto gave him a huge thumbs up complete with a grin, "I look good, right?"

Naruto had managed not to answer or clarify anything at all. Shikamaru smiled and interrupted before the conversation became any odder or more off topic. "My name is Shikamaru Nara, and we have been asked by the hokage to protect your daughter, I suppose." He sighed, and he looked around the room halfheartedly. "Where is she?"

He saw the skeptical glance that Takeshi shot him, and he knew what he was thinking. Truly, he didn't look or act like a ninja, but, really, that was bothersome and way too much trouble.

Apparently Naruto knew what he was thinking too, and hastened to assure Takeshi, saying, "Shika's a brilliant ninja. He's a genius actually, but he's really lazy."

Well, it wasn't quite an assurance, but it felt nice having Naruto say he was a brilliant ninja.

Takeshi smiled at them, accepting, and said, "Sit down, sit down. I am glad that you two have come. I trust Tsunade, and I so I trust you two, I suppose." He turned his head and called in a loud baritone, "Kotone, come in here!"

A side door opened and a young woman stepped through. She had long dark brown hair, obviously inherited from her father, fair skin, large brown eyes, and wearing a long, sleeveless, pale green dress with a white sash.

She was pretty, Shikamaru noticed. She could even be called beautiful, but it was a quiet type of beauty.

"This is my daughter," Takeshi said proudly.

Kotone bowed before smiling at Shikamaru and Naruto. "It's nice to meet you," she said politely.

Before anyone could move, a blond blur shot across the room, and Naruto hugged Kotone warmly. "Aw, don't be so formal, Kotone-chan! We're supposed to be friends!" she said, giggling as Kotone blushed bright pink.

Takeshi was just staring at the two girls, and Shikamaru sighed. Naruto certainly worked differently than other people.

Takeshi shook his head, hiding a smile, and then the smile fell away from his face, and he said, voice serious, "Now that you've met my daughter, I will fill you in on everything that's happened and why I asked Tsunade to send you both here…"

Shikamaru turned his full attention, or as much as he could, on the Kage, trying to ignore Naruto, who was still hugging Kotone. It was as distracting as it had been when Naruto had been hugging Hinata. It was getting to be a little bit troublesome. Almost everything Naruto did seemed to be distracting him. Shikamaru shook his head. It was time to focus, because, no matter if it was tiresome or troublesome, the mission really started now.

Sorry that this chapter took so long, but I've been busy, and, unfortunately, that means less time for writing this. However, I'm already starting the next chapter. I hope you guys like this one. I was wondering something, though. How many of you think that this story should have a lemon or a lime?

Ja ne,

Rumer

Naarano: Glad you liked the chapter. Yeah, I thought it was kind of cool that Naruto did that. The complete opposite reaction than the one she should have had. Sorry this chapter took so long. Things keep coming up. Anyway, hope you like this chapter.

ErikArden: Seriously? I had no idea, but thank you for telling me about that. I don't really know what to call him then, if he's not a Kage. So, I will think about a title for him, and, in the meantime, forgive me if I continue calling him a kage. And, what should I call it if I don't call it Yugakure?

InARealPickle: Ah, what a nice review. Short and sweet. ;)

Tachi Kagahara: Here's the next update for you. About the lemon... I have nothing against lemons when they're done right, that's not why I am hesitant to give you a concrete answer. It's just that I have never written a lemon before, and I would like to keep this story rated T. I do plan on there being some... hanky-panky... Man, that's a weird word. But, I don't know about a lemon, but definitely a lime. I'm just not quite sure how to go about it...

schnookums: You love it? Sweet. No, I don't think Naruto is a shy type of person, and, since she's been a boy part of her life, and disguised as one for the other, I doubt she'd really think twice about taking off her shirt. I'm sure she'll realize that Shikamaru is attracted to her sooner or later. And, as for Sasuke, I'm not sure if he likes Naruto in a romantic way or not, but I agree with you. I think the Uchiha would prefer a guy.

Ice Cold Steel: You are definitely helping me to get better with my writing, Ice. If someone, you, if looking at my writing critically, I mean, really looking at it, then I am going to try to improve as much as I can. As for the bold words at the top of the chapter, yes, they just mean pay attention in other languages. Everything you said about Naruto, the shirt, and growing up like she has is correct. Every guy is a bit perverted. Naruto is just bringing out that particular trait in Shikamaru. As for why Naruto didn't pay too much attention to the wound are as follows: one, Kyuubi heals the wound quickly. Two, she got injured quite a bit when she was younger by the villagers and some ninja, so she's used to the pain (bit dark, but it fits), and, three, she just didn't think it was a big deal. I don't know why more people don't use alliteration. It's cool. I hope I answered your question, and I answer any others you want to ask.

SweetHunniiBunnii: Of course Naruto didn't die! I couldn't kill off one of my main characters. I mean, I could... nah, not yet. Yes, Naruto is really weird, but she's awesome all the same. Glad you liked the chapter. I hope you like this one, too.

narachan: Yay, forgiveness. Anyway, it's nice that I'm getting such positive reviews. Here is the next chapter for you to read, and, hopefully, enjoy.