So it is kinda short but its a interesting chapter! Please Review!

Chapter Eight: Possibilities

Naruto and Shikamaru made it back to the village a day before they were scheduled to meet their Genin teams. They headed straight for the Hokage's tower like they were instructed to do. Naruto seemed nervous about leading a genin team and Shikamaru couldn't figure out why. The two men headed up the stairs that lead to the round hall way leading to the Hokage's office. They walked that in silence, until they reached the office. After knocking they heard a loud "Enter" coming from inside. They stepped inside and found a few other Jonins standing inside, including Lee, Ino, and Choji. Tsunade smiled at the boys.

"You made it back just in time," the blonde Hokage smirked at them.

"Damn," Naruto laughed.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes as the two men took their place beside the other Jonin waiting for Tsunade to continue.

"As I was saying, after the graduation results from today, there are a total of 30 genin. The rules are changed this year, there will be a total of 12 allowed to be rookies. So that means there will be 4 of you that will continue as Jonin leaders while the others are free to go. Please test your group as you see fit, just like your Jonins did," Tsunade explained, "But please do not purposely fail your students. Naruto I am talking to you."

Naruto rolled his eyes at the statement.

"Here are the list of your genin teams," Tsunade held out a pile of papers and handed each one to the corresponding Jonin, "Naruto, You are team seven," she said as she handed Naruto three pieces of paper with the basic information or his team members on it, "Shikamaru, you are team nine."

Once all the members had their lists they were told when to meet their students and they were excused, leaving Naruto and Shikamaru standing there.

"Did you have a nice trip?" Tsunade asked with a smirk.

"We did," Naruto replied.

"So?" Tsunade asked leaning back in her chair.

"I need to speak with you about something," Naruto said as the placed his papers in pack.

"I'll be at our apartment, Naruto," Shikamaru nodded at the blonde and walked out of the office.

Once Shikamaru was out of hearing range, Naruto continued, "I needed to talk to you about what I went to see Bee about."

"Which is?" the Hokage asked now interested.

"I have been ill but only when I use the Kyuubi's chakra. When we spoke with Bee and Gyuuki, we came to the conclusion that my body is rejecting the other half of the chakra that my father gave me during the war. But I needed to speak with you about possible options, plus how long I have to live," Naruto explained.

"I see, but why would your body be rejecting it if you are already accustom to the Kyuubi's chakra?" Tsunade asked.

"Well, we believe its because some of my father's chakra is mixed in, but we aren't completely sure. Plus my chakra coils are already developed and aren't used to having this much chakra being used. Gyuuki described it as having a second tailed beast placed in me. When you place a tailed beast into an adult with already developed chakra coils, it will kill them instantly. Since I was an adult when I had 'the second tailed beast' placed in me, it's rejected in. The only reason I didn't die instantly, is because my body already has a tailed-beast with similar chakra," Naruto continued.

"Alright, what would you like me to do?" Tsunade asked.

"I was hoping you would know a way to slow down the decay of my body," Naruto pleaded.

"I will see what I can do," Tsunade nodded.

The Hokage walked over to Naruto and told him sit down on the couch in the corner. Naruto did as he was told and he took off his vest and shirt. Tsunade made of bunch of hand signs and her hands started to glow green. She traced her hands over Naruto's back. After a few moments, she stopped.

"There is no damaged to any of you organs. It's mostly your chakra coils, but even thought it's been 5 years, the damage is minimal. If it continues at this rate, I would say you have years, probably about 15 or 20 years before it starts to damage to your organs," Tsunade shrugged, "but if you continue to use the Kyuubi's chakra, it will speed up."

"That's good news," Naruto sighed.

"Yes, I will try to make a medicine that will prevent the half of Kyuubi's chakra that is damaging the coils from going into the coils to slow down the decay of the coils," Tsunade smiled.

"Thank you," Naruto nodded and he stood up and placed his vest and shirt back on.

"Have you told Shikamaru?" Tsunade asked crossing her arms.

Naruto shook his head.

"You need to tell him," Tsunade said.

"I know but he's got a lot to deal with, with his parents and all. I don't want to put this burden on him too," Naruto said.

"Naruto, I am sure Shikamaru wouldn't want you to go through this alone," Tsunade said dropping her arms.

"I know, and you're right. I need to tell him, but I wanted to get all the information together so there's less for him to worry about. Plus knowing him, he would try to come up with every possible solution," Naruto laughed.

"Good. Now go. You two have teams to prepare for tomorrow," Tsunade pointed to the door.

"Thanks again Tsunade-baa-chan," Naruto gave her a smile before walking out the door.

Naruto walked to his apartment and found that Shikamaru was not there. He turned around and walked around the village looking for the brunette. He finally found him at the Ichiraku's. Naruto sat down beside the brunette and ordered his favorite ramen. Shikamaru already had a bowl in front of him, but he wasn't eating. He had his elbow on counter and was leaning his chin on his hand.

"I thought your were going to be at the apartment," Naruto said.

"I did, but I went to see my parents again," Shikamaru said into his hand.

"And?" Naruto prompted.

"They weren't home. The neighbors said my mom went to see her sister and my dad is out on a mission," Shikamaru replied.

"Oh, when are they going to be back?" Naruto asked as Teuchi placed a bowl in front of Naruto.

Shikamaru just shrugged.

"I see, well I just finished talking to Tsunade," Naruto said as he split his chopsticks.

"What did you need to speak with her about?" Shikamaru asked as he started eating again.

"Same thing I had to talk to Bee about," Naruto said after swallowing.

"I thought you said everything was fine," Shikamaru was now starring at the blonde.

"I lied, Shika," Naruto put down his chopsticks and turned to face the brunette.

Shikamaru did the same, "what?"

"Everything's not fine," Naruto said.

"What's going on Naruto?" Shikamaru asked narrowing his eyes.

Naruto explained everything about the Kyuubi's chakra and how his body is rejecting it. He also explained how Tsunade thought it would be years before Naruto would see any type of damage from this and that she was making a medicine that would slow it down even further.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Shikamaru asked obliviously a little pissed that Naruto would keep something like this from him.

"At first I didn't even know what this was, Shika. I didn't know it was something to worry about. I didn't want you to worry for nothing," Naruto replied looking a little ashamed of him self.

"Naruto, I am here for you. You need to trust me and be honest with me," Shikamaru's voice softens.

"I know that now and I am sorry I didn't tell you earlier," Naruto said with a small smile.

"Its alright," Shikamaru said turning back.

"Shika, this stays between you, me and Tsunade," Naruto said with a serious tone.

"I figured," Shikamaru nodded.

Naruto smiled and turned back to his ramen. They finished eating then headed back to their apartment to get ready to meet their teams tomorrow.