"Naruto," Kakashi called darkly from his spot on her couch besides Sasuke, "we need to talk."

Naruto shuffled awkwardly in place as she gazed upon their angered expressions, slowly closing the door behind herself as she awkwardly chuckled, "Hey guys… fine weather we're having, huh?"

"Shikamaru Nara?!" Sasuke spat out through gritted teeth, "Out of all the ninjas in Konoha, you had to choose Shikamaru fucking Nara?!"

"So have you guys eaten yet? I'm kinda hungry, sort of thinking about making some ramen. Want some?" Naruto nervously attempted to deviate the conversation, slowly walking to the kitchen.

"Naruto. Sit," Kakashi angrily commanded, causing the young blond to quickly take the closest chair.

"Soooo," Naruto pursued her lips awkwardly, "I'm guessing Sai blabbed?"

"Shikamaru Nara? Really Naruto? I knew you were seeing someone, but out of all the people it had to be Shikamaru Nara?" Sasuke sighed.

Naruto frowned, "What's wrong with Shikamaru?"

"What's wrong with-?!" Sasuke stammered, before sighing grievously and pinching the bridge of his nose, "Kakashi, you take over the talking before I burn this entire building to the ground."

Kakashi huffed, "Naruto, the Nara has a bit of a reputation around this village you know. Now I'm not sure how much you're aware of it but—"

"Are you seriously implying that I don't know about Shikamaru's dating history?" Naruto questioned with an incredulous laugh.

"For him to have a dating history, he'd actually had to have dated those girls," Sasuke muttered murderously.

Naruto shot a glare at her friend, "Look, I know there are certain rumors about Shikamaru's promiscuity, but really they're just exaggerated."

Kakashi's eyes narrowed, "There's nothing exaggerated about Nara's history. He's dated Temari on and off for years, an older woman who I'm certain gave him a lot of experience in the romantic field."

"Plus the hoards of other women he's been sleeping with during each break up," Sasuke continued.

"Hoards of other women?" Naruto laughed, "I never took the two of you for such gossips. Look, I can actually name every single woman Shikamaru ever had any types of 'relations' with, he's been open with me since the beginning. Plus, it's not like it even matters, we're just friends."

"You're sleeping with him," Sasuke deadpanned.

The Uzumaki felt a blush creep up her cheeks as she replied, "Well it's just casual. And frankly, it's also none of your business."

"Naruto, we're just worried for you," Kakashi admitted, "Shikamaru is a known heartbreaker. We don't want him to hurt you like we know he's capable of."

"Shikamaru can't break my heart if he doesn't have it," Naruto explained, "It's just a casual relationship. We're just friends and neither one of us is looking to change that, okay?"

Sasuke felt his eye twitch, "So he's taking advantage of you physically without even having the decency to date you… I'm going to kill him."

"What? Sasuke don't be ridiculous. I'm the one using him. I kissed him first. I initiated everything first. Shikamaru and I know where we stand with each other, and we don't need anyone else to interfere with what is actually a pretty solid relationship."

"Relationship? Is that what you're calling this- this- this sick farce? Naruto, you're sleeping with a womanizer that will drop you the second Temari turns his way again. You're nothing but a placement holder!" Sasuke cried, his voice raising with every sentence that slipped past his lips.

Naruto tried not to feel hurt. She really really did. But she couldn't help the inevitable sting of pain as Sasuke uttered the last statement. Because she, more than anyone else, knew just how much of a placement holder she really was. She wouldn't even dare dream that she could compete with Temari. Not for Shikamaru. He loves her.

"I reiterate: I know where I stand. Now get out of my apartment."

"Naruto, Sasuke didn't mean it like that. He's just worried about you. Heck, we're both worried about you," Kakashi spoke, attempting to calm the situation.

Naruto took a deep breath, her steel voice wavering in the face of true friendship, "I know. You both just want what's best for me, and I love you both forever for caring so much. But I'm a grown woman, and despite your beliefs I'm not naïve. Trust that I know what I'm doing, okay?"

"I still don't like this," Sasuke grumbled, crossing his arms.

"I know," Naruto grinned, before rising from her seat and crossing over to Sasuke. Tenderly she kissed his temple, "But I love you for trusting me regardless."

Sasuke closed his eyes, "You're going to send me to an early grave."

"We knew it would happen eventually," Naruto teased.

"Naruto, are you sure you know what you're doing?" Kakashi questioned once more, his one visible eye trained seriously on her visage.

Naruto nodded sharply, "I do. Shikamaru Nara is a great man, trust me enough to be a good judge of this."

"I do. We trust you Naruto. But if he hurts you, we will kill him."

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

Ino tipped back yet another drink as she calmly gestured for another one to be brought to her, a permanent frown taking residence on her features. Kami damn Sai and his big mouth. All of today she was unable to escape the gossiping whispers of the civilians, their voices carrying in the wind as they discussed the sordid affair between Naruto Uzumaki and the strategist Shikamaru Nara.

She didn't react as she felt someone take a seat at the bar stool besides her, only taking yet another shot before calmly asking, "Do you think the rumors have carried over to Suna yet?"

Sakura frowned slightly as she replied, "Rumors spread fast, but they don't spread that fast."

Ino chuckled bitterly as she responded, "I guess it's moot point anyways. Naruto and Shikamaru will both be in Suna this time next week, so they'll find out soon enough."

"Ino," Sakura began gently, "Why are you taking this to heart? I know that you're friends with Temari, but Shikamaru is your friend too."

Ino slammed her empty glass down onto the counter, "No, he's not. Not after this."

"Ino, be reasonable."

"Reasonable?!" Ino screeched, "Oh come on Sakura! I've spent my entire life being reasonable, I'm sick of it."

Sakura frowned deeply, "Ino… what is this really about?"

Ino drunkenly ordered another drink, "It's not fair."

"What isn't?"

"Why is it always Naruto?" Ino slurred.

"You're not making any sense," Sakura spoke, glaring daggers at the bartender for bringing the drunk blond yet another drink.

"Shikamaru is in love with Temari. It was okay. I understood that. Even though I have been friends with Shikamaru all my life, I understood he was in love with Temari. But now he likes Naruto? Why is it always her?" Ino admitted, her head plastered against the cool bar counter.

Sakura's eyes widened in surprise, "Are you jealous of Naruto?"

Ino snorted, "Of course I am! Everybody loves Naruto. First she steals Sasuke without even freaking trying, and then Neji, the next cutest guy in the village falls in love with her. And don't even get me started on the freaking Kazekage. And and and, Sai! He would do anything for his friend, even if it meant standing me up on a date. Do you know how many times he postponed a date because Naruto needed him for some prank?! And now Shikamaru? My oldest friend? She's going to take him away from me too?"

Sakura gasped, "Ino, Naruto isn't taking Shikamaru, or any of these guys away from you. Her relationship with Shikamaru has nothing to do with his friendship with you."

Ino laughed bitterly, "Oh please, Shikamaru is mad at me. Yesterday he passed by me on the street and didn't even say hello."

Sakura sighed, "Did you think about greeting him first?"

"Of course not! I'm the wronged party here!" Ino exclaimed.

"No. You're not. Shikamaru didn't wrong you, or Temari for that matter. He and Temari have already broken up, and frankly his love life is none of your business. You're the one who entered his apartment without knocking and then proceeded to get mad at him. How would you feel if he yelled at you for getting with Sai?"

"It's not the same," Ino pouted petulantly, "plus Sai and I already broke up so it's not like it matters."

"Yeah, it kind of is the same. Shikamaru is a man, and he knows what he's doing. Yeah, I get that Temari may be hurt and all, but they have already broken up. Shikamaru is just moving on. Like you have. How many dates have you been on this month alone?"

Ino grimaced, "But this is different. Shikamaru and Temari are perfect together. He's my oldest friend, I just want what's best for him."

"Then let him decide what's best for him. As his friend, you just have to be there for him and respect his decisions. Not make them for him," Sakura lectured.

Ino frowned, "Do you think he'll forgive me?"

"I'm not sure," Sakura admitted, "But you won't know until you apologize."

"I hate apologizing."

"I know."

Shikamaru grinned as he lifted the giggling girl above his head, "Woah! Did you get bigger you little monster? You did, didn't you?"

"Uncle Shika!" The little girl screeched, "I'm dizzy!"

Shikamaru halted his movements, bringing the child to eye level as he seriously spoke, "Being dizzy is a serious matter, Mirai. Are you sure you're dizzy?"

Mirai nodded emphatically, her short brown hair moving with the motion, "Yeah! Sure!"

"Are you super sure?"

"Super sure!"

"Are you super duper sure?"

Mirai grinned, "Super duper!"

Shikamaru gave an exaggerated sigh, "Well I guess the only thing I can do is put you back down, huh?"

Mirai shook her head quickly, wrapping her tiny little arms around her Uncles neck, "No! I wanna stay with Uncle Shika!"

Shikamaru laughed as he hugged the girl to his chest, holding her firmly in place as he spun to greet her mother, "Your daughter is as charming as you are."

Kurenai giggled as she closed the door behind him, allowing for Shikamaru to fully enter the apartment, "Oh I'm sure she had learnt all her charm from her uncle, I had precious little to do with it."

"Selling yourself short Kurenai? Where's the arrogant sensei that I remember from my youth?" He teased.

"Ugh stop calling me sensei, it makes me feel old," Kurenai pouted as Shikamaru strolled into the living room, taking a seat on the couch as Mirai crawled onto his lap.

"Yet my classmates call you sensei? How does that make any logical sense?"

Kurenai crossed her arms in indignation, "I refuse to accept that you are the same age as Kiba and the rest."

Shikamaru chuckled lowly, "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Kurenai."

The woman laughs kindly, "So where is Naruto? Is she not joining us tonight?"

"She is," Shikamaru confirmed, a small genuine smile gracing his features, "She just got held up with Tsunade-sama. She'll be here as soon as she can, and she extends her apologies."

"That's kind of her," Kurenai admitted, "when are we expecting her to be here?"

Shikamaru shrugged, "She should be here within the hour. Tsunade just wanted to go over some mission parameters with her."

"I heard about your upcoming mission to Suna," Kurenai said softly, "will the two of you be okay?"

Shikamaru grimaced, "It'll be awkward at best. Temari will not like the new dynamic between Naruto and myself. Plus there's no predicting how Gaara will act when he finds out."

"Try not to provoke the Kazekage, Shikamaru. He hasn't made his feelings towards you a secret," Kurenai warned.

"I'll handle Temari, while Naruto handles Gaara. It shouldn't be a problem, we are all professionals when it matters," Shikamaru explained.

"I hope you're right."

Shikamaru snorted, "When am I ever wrong?"

Kurenai laughed as she turned to her daughter, "Mirai, try not to get a big head like your Uncle Shika over here."

Mirai laughed, her high pitched voice chanting annoyingly, "Uncle Shika has a big head! Uncle Shika has a big head!"

The Nara gave a flat look towards the elder woman, "Thanks for that."

Kurenai grinned as she placed a kiss on the top of his head, "You're welcome."

Naruto crossed her ankles on the desk languidly as she shot a bored look towards her superior, "Baa-chan, is there a point to this meeting? I'm sort of late for a dinner."

Tsunade felt her eye twitch, swigging a drink of sake as she attempted to curb her homicidal rage, "Brat. Get. Your. Feet. Off. My. Table."

Naruto rolled her eyes but did as she commanded, sliding her feet back to the floor and leaning her head onto her palm, "Fine fine, whatever. Now why did you want to see me?"

Tsunade rolled her eyes, "I just wanted to check in with you. I'm sure this charade you're performing can't be easy."

That's where the Hokage was wrong, because it was easy. Ridiculously easy, in fact. Shikamaru Nara made it easy, taking most of the burden onto himself. He was the one who had a love that was being hurt, not her. He was the one with friends who were unsupportive, not her. And yet Shikamaru had no complaints, instead showing genuine joy as Naruto narrated the understanding reactions of those friends closest to her. He was pretty awesome like that.

"It's not," Naruto fibbed, "But it's better than marrying a stranger."

Tsunade grimaced, "I really am sorry about that Naruto. If there was anything I could do-"

"You would have done it," Naruto interrupted, "I know Baa-chan. I can only thank you for being so supportive of me, and bringing in Shikamaru to assist as soon as you did. Who knows what situation I'd be in without him."

"Right," Tsunade shot the blond a contemplative look, "and how are the two of you getting along?"

Naruto shrugged, "Shikamaru and I have always been friends, we're getting along as good as can be expected."

"Hmm… I've been hearing some of the rumors around the village. They're claiming that the two of you are in some sort of casual relationship."

"That's the narrative for now. We can't convincingly act like we're in love when it's only been three months since our supposed relationship began. We need to ease into that," Naruto explained distractedly, her eyes darting around the office scanning each and every crevice.

"And Shikamaru? How is he handling the entire affair?" Tsunade questioned, eyeing the blond oddly.

Naruto snorted, "Shikamaru is a textbook ninja. He's cool, calm and collected."

"No lingering feelings for Temari?"

Naruto laughed, "Oh Baa-chan, don't tell me you're interested in the village gossip too!?"

Tsunade grumbled, "Stop being such a brat! I only ask in order to make sure that this little 'love story' doesn't accidentally cause us an international incident."

"Relax," Naruto said flippantly, "Shikamaru already has an airtight plan. We'll be fine."

"You place a lot of trust in the boy."

"Of course I do," Naruto snorted, "He's the one who get me out of this Haru mess in the first place, and I've never seen one of his plans go awry before."

Tsunade sighed dramatically, "The boy is a genius. A complete pain in my neck, but a genius. You'll be in good hands when you eventually take the hat."

Naruto grinned, "Shikamaru and I make a great team. As leaders for the village? We'd be unstoppable."

Naruto grinned as she nervously readjusted her stance, the large box in her hands wobbling with the motion. With a sigh, she knocked on the door before her, counting down the seconds until it opened to the beautiful visage of the village's genjutsu user, "Hey Kurenai!"

"Naruto!" The red-eyed kunoichi greeted kindly, "I'm so glad you're here!"

"Thanks for inviting me, sensei. I'm so sorry I was late, Baa-chan just kept talking and talking! She really wouldn't stop!" Naruto complained as she was let into the cozy apartment, "Thankfully she finally let me free after an hour of her droning."

Kurenai laughed in amusement at the expressive blond, "So I must ask, what's with the overly large box in your hands?"

Naruto blinked, as if just remembering the heavy cardboard, "Oh yeah! These are just a few things for the little angel. Where is Mirai anyways?"

"Oh Naruto! You didn't have to get Mirai anything," Kurenai insisted, a smile creeping onto her features, "She's much too spoiled as is!"

Naruto gave the older woman a knowing smile, "There's no such thing as spoiling a young girl too much, believe me."

Kunerai put her hands to her heart, as though she were moved by the mere act of someone thinking so kindly of her daughter, "Well Mirai is currently on a walk with her Uncle Shika, apparently there was some super cool tree she just had to show him."

Naruto giggled as she placed the box onto the floor, "Oh you have no idea how many times I fed that exact line to Hokage-jiji. The poor man was practically dragged around the entire village each time he visited me in the orphanage."

Kurenai's expression turned somber as she softly remarked, "I had forgotten how close you were to Mirai's grandfather."

Naruto smiled melancholically, "Hokage-jiji was the closest thing I had to a family; at least until I met Iruka-sensei, Ero-sennin and the rest of Team 7. But for so long, he was the only person who cared about me. Even at Mirai's age, I knew how busy the man was, so I often tried any and every trick to get him to spend more time with me. I'm fairly certain that half his monthly wages were used in treating me to ramen once a month, but he never seemed to complain."

"He was a good man."

"He was a great one."

"I can only hope that Mirai will live up to the Sarutobi name."

Naruto scoffed, "Are you kidding me? With you as a mother? Mirai will turn out to be the most kick-ass kunoichi this village has ever seen! I can only pray that I get the hat before Mirai is old enough to contest me for it, because I don't think that's a battle I can win."

Kurenai grinned, "You're too sweet, Naruto."

Naruto shot a serious look at the woman, "No, I'm just honest. Mirai is already turning out to be wonderful, and that's all thanks to you Kurenai. As a kid, I used to wish that I had a figure like you around. Someone caring who would nurture my independence while making me feel loved, even if I didn't have my parents around. With you as a mother, Mirai really is going to be a force to be reckoned with; mark my words."

Kurenai was a kunoichi, she would not let herself tear up… even if she really wanted to. Despite this, her smile was wobbly as she sincerely responded, "Naruto, I truly admire you."

"And I, you, Kurenai," Naruto admitted, grasping onto the woman's hands, "I can't even begin to imagine how hard everything has been on you, and I can only be sorry I didn't step up sooner. But rest assured that I will help you in any way I can, even if it is just babysitting Mirai every once and a while so that you can enjoy a few hours of peace."

The red-eyed jonin squeezed her hand, "You don't need to help at all, but just the fact that you offered means the world to me."

Naruto frowned, "Kurenai, please don't try to take on the responsibility by yourself. Hokage-jiji really was like a grandfather to me, and Konohamaru is basically my annoying adopted brother. So it's almost like Mirai is family to me as well, and there is nothingin the world more important to me than my family. Let me help."

"Well… I suppose if you wouldn't mind looking after Mirai with Konohamaru one of these days. I love the boy, but I don't think I trust him looking after his niece alone just yet," Kurenai spoke with a teasing smile.

"I'd be honored to," Naruto declared, her grin bright as she finally let go of the older woman's hands.

Suddenly, the door squeaked open as a lazy drawl called out, "We're back."

Kurenai hastily wiped away a stray tear as she responded, "We're in the living room!"

Shikamaru strolled in, his hand firmly grasped by a tiny fist, his eyes immediately meeting Naruto's as a small smile etched across his face, "Naruto, you finally made it."

The girl grinned as she saw her faux paramour with a child, as if Shikamaru Nara wasn't already unfairly attractive enough, he just had to be good with kids too, "Yeah, I just got here. Baa-chan had quite a bit to say."

Shikamaru winced, "Nothing too bad, I hope?"

Naruto rolled her eyes, "She just wanted assurances that I won't accidentally cause an international incident, you know, the usual."

Nara chuckled, "Only you, Naruto, will call causing international incidents the usual."

Naruto shrugged, "What can I say? I'm interesting."

Before Shikamaru could respond, a small voice interrupted him, "Hey Uncle Shika, who is that? She's really pretty."

Shikamaru smirked as he replied, "That is your Aunt Naru. And she is really pretty, isn't she?"

Naruto crouched down to eye level with the girl, responding with a grin, "Hey Mirai! I'm sorry I didn't see you there, you're really tiny."

Mirai huffed, "I'm not tiny! I'm a big girl!"

Naruto hummed, her fingers coming up to dramatically stroke her chin as though in deep thought, "I don't know, you look pretty tiny to me."

Mirai yanked her hand out of Shikamaru's grasp, crossing her arms as she walked towards the blond, "I'm a big girl! I promise!"

Naruto tilted her head to the side, "Oh, you promise? Why didn't you say so?! Then you must be a big girl if you promised!"

Mirai grinned, hopping in place, "Yeah! Yeah I promise!"

"Well then," Naruto leaned in closer to the girl, a secretive smirk gracing her face, "If you're a big girl then I guess you can play with the new toys I got you."

Mirai halted, her eyes widening in childish glee, "New toys?!"

Naruto nodded, "Mhmm! Do you want to see them?"

"YES!"

"Okay, but you have to promise to be a good girl all year if you want the new toys," Naruto said.

"I promise! I promise!"

"Alright then," Naruto grinned, scooping the little girl up into her arms and taking her towards the large box, "New toys here we come!"

"YAY!" Mirai cried as Naruto spun the girl around multiple times before sitting her before the box of toys.

One by one, Naruto pulled out a new toy, demonstrating it for the girl before letting her play with it. As the two girls chatted and played, Kurenai and Shikamaru watched from the sidelines, loving smiles gracing both of their faces.

"She really is good with kids," Kurenai remarked, her smile growing as Naruto handed her daughter a limited addition Third Hokage figurine, her voice low and dramatic and as she narrated one of Mirai's grandfathers greatest adventures.

"She is," Shikamaru admitted, his arms crossed as his smile unwittingly grew more pronounced.

"We had a nice talk before you came back."

"Oh?" Shikamaru turned his questioning gaze to her, "What about?"

"The Third Hokage, mostly," Kurenai reflected, "Did you know that he often would visit Naruto in the orphanage?"

Shikamaru took a sharp breath, "I suspected."

"Of course you did."

"She was always close to him, the only one allowed to get away with calling him all sorts of degrading nicknames. It was the only natural explanation for their relationship."

"She saw him as family."

"She did."

"She sees Konohamaru as family."

"She does."

"She sees Mirai as family, too."

Shikamaru closed his eyes, "That… doesn't surprise me. She always has taken family very seriously."

Kurenai turned to look at her late husbands student, a serious look gracing her beautiful features, "Naruto Uzumaki is a special girl, Shikamaru."

Nara swallowed, "I know."

"I like her. A lot. And more importantly, Mirai likes her."

Shikamaru smiled down at the woman, "I'm glad."

Kurenai frowned, "Are you, though?"

Shikamaru shifted awkwardly in place, "What do you mean?"

"Shikamaru, I know you better than anyone. There's still a part of you, no matter how small it may be, that is still in love with Temari."

The Nara grimaced, "What does it matter? I'm not with Temari."

Kurenai smiled sadly, her hand coming to stroke the younger mans cheek, "Oh, Shikamaru. Naruto is a special girl, and whether you'd like to admit it or not you care for her… deeply. But Naruto Uzumaki isn't the type of girl you can love if a part of your heart still belongs to another. She is either in possession of your entire affection, or none at all."

"So what are you saying?"

"That you need to make a decision. You either need to let Temari go, for good, or lose Naruto before you've even had the chance to fully have her in the first place."

And at that exact second, Naruto lifted her head to stare at Shikamaru, a beautiful grin spreading across her features as she met his eyes. Shikamaru smiled softly, "How am I supposed to make this decision?"

Kurenai smiled knowingly, "It looks like you already have. You just need to accept it."

Kurenai liked Naruto. Kurenai liked Naruto and hated Temari. Kurenai hated Temari. Mirai loved Naruto. Mirai didn't care for Temari. Shikamaru loved Temari, and Naruto was just a friend.

These statements echoed in Shikamaru's head as he and Naruto calmly walked through the quiet and dark streets of Konoha, their hands firmly grasped as they no longer cared who saw them. Naruto tilted her head upwards to look at Shikamaru, taking note of the strained frown on his countenance, "What are you thinking so hard about, Shika?"

Shikamaru sighed, his free hand shoving itself in his pocket as he candidly answered, "Kurenai."

Naruto grinned, in response, her head tilted upwards to gaze at the stars above as she answered, "She really is a great woman. Mirai is lucky to have her as a mother."

Temari didn't like Kurenai much. She had never told him this, however he saw it plainly written across her features with ever jealous grimace she displayed at the mere mention of her name, "Kurenai really is great. I spend a great deal of time with her and Mirai each week."

Temari hated that. She didn't understand why he felt such kinship to his sensei's widow, a beautiful and strong kunoichi not much older than he.

Naruto grinned at Shikamaru as she replied, "That's amazing. Mirai is really lucky to have the two of you. She needs a strong male role model in her life, and I can't think of a better one than you."

Shikamaru blinked in astonishment, staring down at the surprising blond as he incredulously spoke, "You think I'm a father figure for Mirai?"

"Well duh," Naruto dismissed, "Of course you are! And Mirai is damn lucky to have you."

"And you find nothing weird with that?"

Naruto scrunched up her nose in confusion, "Why would I find it weird? I find it admirable. You stepping up for such a large task at a young age, truly it's inspiring."

"You don't think it's odd? That I'm only eighteen, yet I come with the baggage of being basically a father?" Shikamaru questioned once more, doubt coloring his tone.

Naruto yanked his hand, forcing the two of them to stop in the middle of an empty street. Peering up into his questioning gaze, she answered, "I think that there is no one in the world I admire more than you, Shika. Mirai needed a father figure, and you stepped up to the role. You may be only eighteen, but you have already proven time and time again to be a man far above his peers. Any girl will be ridiculously lucky to have you, and I'm honestly finding myself more and more jealous of Temari by the minute for discovering a gem as amazing as you before any of the rest of us."

Shikamaru's gaze softened, his fingers tentatively raising to stroke her cheek, "Naruto, I admire you as well. You were amazing with Mirai today, and for that I can't thank you enough."

Naruto's cheeks reddened as she tentatively spoke, "If you want to thank me, I have one request."

"Anything."

"Kiss me."