Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
So this is the next chapter, I have to say it is one of my favorites so far. Please review!
Chapter Three: Excuse Me?
Naruto and Shikamaru walked down the familiar path towards the BBQ with their hands in their pockets. It was strange for them, not to be able to show their affection for one another but until they knew how everyone would react, they had to keep it hidden. With each step, they inched closer to one another until their shoulders were almost touching. Naruto then nudged Shikamaru's shoulder with his own when he saw that his brunette looked a little down.
"You know it's going to be alright," Naruto gave Shikamaru a small smile.
"I'd like to think that, but my mind is going over a thousand worse case scenarios," Shikamaru replied trying to put on a small smile.
"It's alright. That's the way your mind works. It tries to think a 100 steps ahead but with this, you're going to need to go with the flow, Shika," Naruto looked up at the stars.
"You're right, Naruto," Shikamaru nudged the blonde's shoulder.
The two walked in silence until they reached the restaurant. They stopped outside the door and Naruto took a deep breath. Shikamaru wanted nothing more to take the blonde's hand to show his support but he resisted his urge.
They walked into the restaurant and saw their friends were already at a small table. Kakashi, Gai and Asuma had joined them as well. Shikamaru gave a small prayer that his parents weren't there. He wanted to deal with that later.
"Naruto! Shikamaru! Over here!" Ino waved to the two as she noticed they had walked through the door.
"We saved you a seat," Lee motioned at the two empty chairs at the table as the two men walked up. The two chairs were across the table from each other.
Naruto and Shikamaru looked at each other before taking their seats. The waiter came by and took their orders before walking away again. Naruto and Shikamaru sat in silence while the others were chatting amongst themselves. No one took notice that neither of the two had said a word since they got here except for Tsunade.
"Naruto? Are you alright?" Tsunade asked catching everyone else's attention as well, "Same for you, Shikamaru?"
"Hmm? Oh yes, we are just exhausted from traveling," Naruto smiled at the blonde Hokage.
"Well, then tell us about your trip!" Sakura exclaimed, "Where all did you guys go?"
"Well, we went to Suna right after we left, then to the Land of the Waves," Naruto said.
"After that we went to the Hidden Cloud to visit Killer Bee," Shikamaru smiled.
"Then we went to a village in the Land of Needles?" Naruto said as he was trying to remember the village's name.
"You two went to the Land of Needles?" Tsunade asked very surprised, "And they let you in?"
"Well, sort of. At first no, but when they found out that you are my godmother, they let us in," Naruto smiled
"Oi, Naruto, do you have that thing?" Shikamaru remembered butting in.
"That thing?" Naruto gave Shikamaru a look trying to figure out what he as talking about.
"You know, that we were given in the Land of Needles?" Shikamaru smiled at Naruto.
Everyone at the table was trying to figure out what the two men were talking about. Then suddenly Naruto smiled, reached behind him in his pack and pulled out two books.
"This? Shika?" Naruto motioned towards the two books.
"Yes, that Naru," Shikamaru nodded.
Naruto then handed one book to Sakura and the other to Tsunade, "We were told to give these to you two. They contain medical secrets from the Land of Needles."
"Naruto, this is amazing," Sakura exclaimed as she looked up from the book and glanced at Naruto.
"How did you two get your hands on these?" Tsunade ask while flipping though the book, "Even I don't have this information."
"One of the head medics gave them two us. She summoned us once she found out our relation to you. Apparently she knows you?" Shikamaru answered.
"What's her name?" Tsunade asked at Shizune pulled the book from her hand to look at it.
"Hinari?" Naruto tried to remember.
"Really? Hinari?" Tsunade's eyes widened.
"Yeah, that's her name. You know her?" Shikamaru asked.
"Yes, she was one of my students while I was away from the village. The only other one I took on, besides Sakura and Shizune," Tsunade explained.
"So, what's so special about these books, Tsunade-sama?" Kakashi asked.
"You have to understand. The Land of Needles normally doesn't let any of their information get out, let alone advanced and secret medical technique like the ones in this book," Tsunade waved the book in Kakashi's face after taking it back form Shizune.
"It's extraordinary for those two to be able to get in, let alone get this information," Shizune said into the book Naruto gave Sakura.
"Impressive," Asuma said.
"So where else did you guys go? I mean you were gone almost 3 years," Kiba asked leaning on the table placing both forearms down.
"You went to Suna twice right?" Gai asked.
"Yes we did. Gaara is a good friend so we wanted to see him," Naruto nodded.
"So Shikamaru, did you see Temari while you were there?" Tenten winked at the brunette.
Naruto burst out laughing at Tenten's question. The rest of the ninja looked over to the blonde trying to figure out what he was laughing at. Shikamaru just glared at Naruto.
"Naruto…" Shikamaru warned.
"Oh come on, Shika. Its funny," Naruto tried to stop laughing
"Don't go there," Shikamaru continued.
Naruto rolled his eyes and continued to try and stop laughing.
"Oi, what's so funny, Naruto?" Kiba asked.
Naruto glanced over at Shikamaru almost asking for permission. Shikamaru just rolled his eyes.
"Both times we went to Suna, Temari was so obvious about her feelings," Naruto laughed.
"I have no romantic feelings for that women what so ever," Shikamaru snarled.
"But Temari never got the hint, until he told her flat out. She about jumped out of her skin when he told her," Naruto continued laughing.
Naruto and Shikamaru told about their trip the entire night, ending with how they went to see Gaara one last time before they came home. Kakashi and Tsunade noticed that the two men were giving each other looks every now and then, but they didn't push the reason.
Are they hiding something? Kakashi thought.
Once Naruto and Shikamaru finished explaining their trip, it got quiet. Shikamaru glanced up at Naruto and gave him a look, saying they needed to tell them. It turned out to be a silent conversation between the two. Naruto shook his head not wanting to. Shikamaru narrowed his eyes at Naruto, only to have the same look returned.
"Naruto, can I speak with you?" Shikamaru asked standing up and placing both hands on the table.
"Now?" Naruto asked leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.
"Yes, now," Shikamaru nodded and started to walk out the restaurant.
Naruto sighed and stood up, "We'll be right back."
Once they were both outside, Naruto leaned up against the wall and Shikamaru stepped in front of him with his arms crossed.
"We agreed on this Naruto," Shikamaru said.
"I know, but the night is going so well, I don't want to ruin it," Naruto shook his head.
Shikamaru sighed and dropped his arms, " I understand but I don't want to go home tonight still keeping this hidden, Naruto."
"Your right, but…"
"No buts Naruto. We are telling them," Shikamaru said grabbing Naruto's shoulders forcing him to look at the brunette.
Shikamaru gave the blonde a look, which seemed to make him give into the brunette's demands. Naruto nodded and looked down, knowing that he would have to tell them eventually. Shikamaru dropped his hands then turned to walk back into the restaurant with Naruto following.
"I know its hard," Shikamaru started to say over his shoulder, "but it will be okay in the end, I promise."
Back in the Restaurant
Naruto and Shikamaru walked outside, once out of hearing range, Kakashi turned to the others.
"Did anyone else notice the looks those two were giving each other?" Kakashi asked.
"Yea," Kiba nodded.
"I did too. Do you think they are hiding something?" Hinata asked finally ridding herself of her stutter.
"Well, I don't want them thinking they have to hide something from us," Tenten said.
"Your right, Tenten," Lee said.
"Should we ask them?" Ino asked.
"No," Gai said shaking his head.
"What? Why?" Choji asked.
"If they are hiding something, they will tell us when the time is right," Shino said.
"Hmm, he is right, but I have never known Shikamaru to hide something especially from me," Asuma said.
"That's true and Naruto doesn't lie well either," Tsunade said.
"Maybe that's what they are talking about?" Sakura mentioned.
"Probably," Ino nodded.
Just then Shikamaru and Naruto walked him. Everyone noticed they change in Naruto and Shikamaru's mood. Naruto looked more upset, almost nervous, which didn't suit him at all. Shikamaru looked confident, which wasn't normal for him either. Both men didn't sit down, but stood at the end of the table. Shikamaru crossed his arms and looked at everyone. Naruto stood beside him avoiding everyone's gaze.
"What's going on?" Kakashi asked.
"WE have something WE want to tell you guy," Shikamaru started then looked over at Naruto, "right? Naruto?"
"Yea," Naruto mumbled still not looking at everyone.
"What?" Tsunade blinked at the two men across the table.
"We discovered something while we were away," Shikamaru started then sighed.
"Which was?" Asuma prompted.
"We're gay…" Naruto mumbled away from the table so it was barely audible to anyone.
"What?" Sakura asked unsure of what Naruto had just said.
Shikamaru sighed, "look Naruto and I are…"
"…together," Naruto finished for him now looking at the group around the table trying to gauge their reactions.
Most of the group looked stunned, while they others confused. Everyone sat there in silence. Shikamaru dropped him hands from the crossed position, then Naruto grab one with his hand so they stood there holding hands. Naruto looked face-to-face waiting for a reaction.
"You're together? Like romantically?" Lee finally asked breaking the silence.
"Yes," Shikamaru nodded.
"Was this going on before you two left?" Sakura asked.
"No, we got together about 3 months into the trip," Naruto shook his head.
"Oh," Sakura said.
There was another long silence. Naruto glanced at Tsunade who looked more pissed than he had ever seen.
"Tsunade-baa-chan?" Naruto asked.
"No godson of mine is going to be gay. Is that clear?" Tsunade almost yelled standing up and placing both hands on the table.
"I didn't choose to be gay. It probably wouldn't matter if Shika were a male or a female. I love him for who he is, not his gender," Naruto said very maturely.
Shikamaru glanced over to Naruto with a smile and he squeezed his hand as a thank you.
"Naruto, are you sure you are gay? I mean you not just experimenting are you?" Kakashi asked.
"No, Kakashi-sensei. We have been together over two years. I think I know whether or not I am gay," Naruto shook his head.
Kakashi looked almost disappointed in the blonde. Shikamaru looked over to Asuma who hadn't said a word. He also looked disappointed in his student.
"Asum-" Shikamaru started until he was stopped by a hand.
Asuma didn't want to hear it.
Shikamaru felt Naruto squeeze his hand for reassurance. The brunette felt a sting in his eyes and he knew what was coming. He turned away and walked out of the restaurant almost running while dragging his blonde behind him. Naruto pulled Shikamaru into an ally way close by. The blonde then pulled Shikamaru into a hug and held him there until he stopped crying. Shikamaru buried his face into the blonde's shoulder and wrapped his arms around him. This was harder than either one of them believed. Nether one thought they would be rejected like that, by their own senseis.
"I know it hurts, Shika," Naruto whispered and when Shikamaru didn't respond he continued, "lets go home and sleep. It's been a long day and we need to rest. We will deal with this in the morning."
Naruto gently pushed Shikamaru back while holding his shoulders. Shikamaru's eyes were red and his face stained with tears. Naruto then placed his hand on the side of the brunette face and leaned in to kiss him. Their lips met in a sweet kiss. After a moment, Naruto pulled back and grabbed Shikamaru's hand and led him back to his apartment.
They reached apartment and Naruto led his brunette into the apartment and then to the bed. He helped Shikamaru strip and laid the worn out shinobi on his bed. Naruto walked away and changed himself. He walked back and found Shikamaru already a sleep. He laid down beside his brunette and wrapped his arms around the other man.
I was the one who was scared to tell everyone, but he's the one who ended up being more hurt. For the first time, he needed me. Naruto thought to himself before falling a sleep.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door, both men sat up in the small bed. Naruto leaned over and look at his clock, 3 am. He looked back over at Shikamaru who looked just as confused as he was. There was another knock. Naruto stood up and walked to the door with Shikamaru following close behind. Naruto opened the door to find Kakashi, Asuma and Tsunade standing there.
"What?" Naruto snapped half a sleep.
Tsunade glanced up and was surprised to see both Naruto and Shikamaru there.
"We came to apologize to both of you," Asuma said looking up a Shikamaru.
"Do you know what time it is?" Naruto shook his head.
"Can we come in?" Kakashi asked ignoring Naruto's question.
Naruto looked back at Shikamaru who just shrugged. Naruto then opened the door a bit wider allowing the three older shinobi to walk in. Once inside Naruto and Shikamaru both sat on the bed while the other three where scattered throughout the apartment, which wasn't very big. It was silent for a while, until Naruto broke the silence.
"So why are you here at 3 am?" Naruto asked more a wake now, "Shika and I are leaving again in the morning, so we need to sleep."
"You're leaving again?" Tsunade snapped her head up from looking at the floor.
"You didn't answer his question," Shikamaru snapped.
"Like I said, we came to apologize to both of you," Asuma said looking at the two boys with pleading eyes.
"The way we reacted was inappropriate and we apologize," Kakashi said placing both his hands in his pockets and leaned up against the wall.
"We thought about it and we just want you two to be happy," Tsunade smiled, "and if this is what make you happy, then we are happy for you."
"Thank you," Naruto nodded giving her a half smile.
Shikamaru just nodded and looked at the floor.
"Shikamaru, I really I am sorry," Asuma looked over at the brunette who was still looking at the ground.
Shikamaru sighed then glanced up at his sensei, which was still looking at him. The brunette smiled, "Thanks, Asuma-sensei."
"Naruto, are you two leaving again?" Tsunade asked.
Both men looked over at the blond Hokage. Naruto sucked in a deep breath. He knew his friends and senseis wouldn't be happy when they found out that he and Shikamaru would be leaving again in the morning. They were planning on telling them but after what happened they didn't get a chance to.
Naruto then nodded his head, "Yea, we weren't even planning on coming back to Konoha just yet, but Gaara convinced us to check in before we continued traveling."
"Oh, can't you stay for a little while?" Tsunade asked.
Naruto peeked over at the brunette who shrugged. Naruto thought for a moment, then replied, "I guess it wouldn't hurt to stay a few more days and see some other people we didn't get a chance to see yet."
"Good, because we and the rest of the rookies want to take you out to dinner again tomorrow. We want to make up for what we did tonight," Tsunade smiled at the two.
Naruto just nodded. After a few more short words, Tsunade, Asuma and Kakashi left. Naruto shut the door behind them, walked back over to the bed and sat beside his brunette.
"Do you feel better, Shika?" Naruto pulled him into a shoulder hug.
"Yes, I am glad they finally accepted us, even if it was a three in the morning," Shikamaru replied with a small smile.
The two men laid back down to catch a few more hours of sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a hard day. They had to tell Shikamaru's parents.
So, this is one of my favorite chapters! I love how Naruto had to support Shika in the end!
PLEASE REVIEW! I love to read them!