"Kiss me."

Shikamaru Nara stilled ever so slightly, the tips of his fingers dragging slowly from the sharp point of Naruto's cheek to the gentle curve of her jaw. He shouldn't do it. He knew that he shouldn't do it. However, for the first time in Shikamaru's eighteen years of life, he just let his logic fall to the wayside, his brain shutting out each and every reasonable thought.

His two fingers tenderly tipped her jaw ever so slightly upwards, his lips curling into a smirk at the expression of hopeless desire that radiated from Naruto's crystal blue eyes. His other hand slowly came around her waist, bringing her flush against his body, his hard muscles flexing at the touch of her soft curves. He leaned down, his lips only a breath away from her own as he tentatively spoke, "Are you certain?"

Naruto was too afraid to nod, fearing that the sudden movement may scare him off, may ruin this moment. Instead, she breathlessly sighed, "I'm sure."

It was all he needed, for not a second later his lips came crashing down onto hers. Naruto was quick to respond, her arms rapidly wrapping around his neck and her tongue meeting his with equal passion. It was… addicting. She molded against him perfectly, fitting against him as though she were built for that very purpose. Her lips moved enthusiastically against his own, and he was helpless to her assault as he parted open his lips and allowed their tongues to collide.

It was perfection. Sparks igniting against his skin as she slowly dragged the tips of her fingers through his hair and down his back. His own hand lay flush against her waist, holding her still against him as though he were afraid she were to disappear if he allowed his grip to loosen. He need not have been afraid, however, for Naruto had no intention of ever moving.

He should have felt guilty at that moment. He should have felt a sense of deeply ingrained betrayal. It was with a sense of surprise that he realized that he felt nothing at all. Well, at least not in terms of guilt. All he felt at the moment was a supreme sense of pleasure. He supposed that it didn't help that he was currently lip locked with what was perhaps the hottest woman in the village, but regardless the guilt he expected to find was absent.

Therefor, it was with a sense of uncharacteristic enthusiasm that he tilted her head back slightly and deepened the kiss, quickly seizing control from the blond. She gave in freely, a moan escaping her lips as she pressed up further against him. Her fingers wove themselves in his unnaturally soft hair, yanking his head back with a gasp as she attacked his mouth with vigor.

She supposed that a part of her should regret her actions. That she should feel sometime of guilt. But all she felt at the moment was overwhelming pleasure. Pleasure all derived from the lazy jonin currently dragging his fingers up and down her spine. It was with much difficulty that she finally pried her lips away from his own.

"Come on," she gasped between pants, "lets go home."

Shikamaru let the jacket fall from his shoulders as he grabbed the beautiful blond flush against his body. There was no one watching, no act to put on or show to conduct. It was liberating. He had gotten sick of the constant games he needed to play, the constant pushing down of his strained libido as he watched Naruto waltz around his apartment in the most obscene of clothing. He quickly tore the horrendous orange jacket from her, only sparing a second to glance down at the tight black tank top that adorned her body. Honestly, he wanted to send the perv who invented the tank top a bouquet of flowers.

He could feel her fingers digging into his spine, playing it like it was her own personal piano. He wanted her… no— he needed her. She has somehow crept her way into every part of his life and psyche, taking residence in every aspect of his life. He would have minded… but he was shocked to admit that he actually liked it.

Shikamaru could admit, at least to himself, that he was quite lonely. Yes he had family and friends, but he'd lived alone for so many years. Regardless, he was never the socializing type, it always took Ino or his mother to force him into going out. Even while dating Temari he found himself lonely, she was so rarely in town, and when they were together they were usually busy with the more physical aspect of their relationship. The only regular social interactions he got was his weekly meetups with Kurenai and Mirai.

With Naruto here, however, it was different. She had subtly wormed her way into his home and life, and somehow had become a permanent fixture that was not likely to change anytime soon. She was fascinating. She was intoxicating. And he was drowning in her sheer charm.

"Naruto," he broke off the kiss slightly, his lips hovering just above hers as he panted, "are you sure about where this is going?"

Naruto tightened her grip in his hair, "We're just kissing, Shika."

Shikamaru nipped at her lower lip, one of his hands traveling south to brush over her assets, before slowly leaning back with a smirk, "Any longer and this is not going to stay just kissing."

Naruto pulled him closer to her, peppering kisses on his neck, "So? What's wrong with that?"

Fuck. Shikamaru was fucked because he couldn't think of a single reason as to why it wasn't okay to continue. They were both single adults, free to do as they pleased. And this certainly pleased him.

"Fuck," Shikamaru gasped out as he lifted the girl and wrapped her legs around his waist, "You drive me crazy."

Naruto couldn't breathe. She was afraid to. She was terrified of anything disturbing the tentative grasp she had upon Shikamaru's ethics. She wanted this moment to continue forever. A thought that resonated even louder as he backed her into a wall, his hands firmly grasping her thighs and his mouth planted lovingly on her neck.

Fuck. Fuck. This, this is why people risked everything for physical pleasure. Shikamaru was too good at this, and frankly, she would do anything to keep this in her life. She couldn't stop the moan that tore from her mouth, not that she tried to, as Shikamaru bit at a particularly sensitive area. She was being driven crazy, Shikamaru was driving her crazy.

Naruto tightened her legs around him, bringing him impossibly closer to her, body perfectly molded against body. Shikamaru let out a gasp as Naruto slowly moved her hips in slow, tantalizing circles.

"Fuck," he exclaimed. Moving away from her neck, he gazed at her face, only to be utterly surprised by the look on her features. Her eyes were staring into his hungrily, her lips parted in wanting.

"Shikamaru," she gasped, "Please."

Shikamaru stilled. He shouldn't. He knew he shouldn't. There were about a million reasons as to why he shouldn't. He just couldn't care. Fuck it.

A knock at the door interrupted his movements. The tangled couple stilled, there eyes quickly darting to the door as they heard a voice call out to them, "Shikamaru? Can we talk?"

Shikamaru groaned as he carefully placed Naruto back onto the ground, a frown on her face as she crossed her arms shyly.

Shikamaru ran a hand across his face, "I'm going to fucking kill Ino."

With one last glance at Naruto's blushing and slightly disheveled appearance, he reluctantly opened the door, "What do you want Ino?"

Ino awkwardly shuffled a bit as she answered, "I'm sorry for stopping by so late, but you have a mission tomorrow and I— I—I wanted to apologize, okay!? I— I had no right to judge you or any of your relationships. It was hypocritical of me, and I should have known better. I just love you Shikamaru, and I don't ever want to see you hurt. But, I also understand that no one understands your relationships better than yourself. So, if you're happy with Naruto, then— then I'm happy for you."

Shikamaru quirked a brow, "Thanks, Ino. I appreciate the honesty, I know apologizing isn't easy for you."

Ino sighed, "No, it's not. But I still owe Naruto one, so I have to suck it up until I find her."

"Looks like you don't need to wait," Shikamaru opened the door wider gesturing to the embarrassed blond, "You can apologize to her now."

Ino blushed as she stared at her fellow blond, coming to a quick conclusion as to what it was that she just interrupted. Naruto was scantily clad in her loose orange pants which were barely hanging on her frame, and a tight tank top that showed each and every curve. Her long hair was let loose around her shoulders, and added to the 'recently disheveled' appearance that she radiated.

"I'm so sorry guys," Ino blushed, "I had no idea the two of you were here together. I would have waited till the morning if I knew!"

"If you're really sorry, stop coming to my apartment after dark," Shikamaru muttered under his breath.

His comment did little to abate the blush that was still prevalent on both women's faces.

"It's okay, Ino," Naruto lied, "You didn't really interrupt anything."

No, it wasn't okay, Kami damn it! She was so close to getting what she wanted.

Ino powered through her embarrassment, tossing her pony tail to the side, "Anyways Naruto, I wanted to apologize to you. I said a lot of hurtful words the other day, and it wasn't fair to either of you. I hope that someday you can forgive me."

"I already forgave you, Ino," Naruto spoke candidly, a small smile gracing her features, "You were just looking out for your best friend and teammate. I can't fault you for that."

Ino grinned, "Naruto Uzumaki— you are made of awesomeness. Shikamaru, don't screw this up. She's too good for you."

"Ino," Naruto grimaced awkwardly, "I think you have the wrong idea about u—"

"I know," Shikamaru interrupted calmly, "I'm not an idiot."

Ino narrowed her eyes, examining the shocked visage of Naruto and the collected one of Shikamaru, before chuckling knowingly, "No, I guess you're not. Anyways, I've already taken up too much of your time tonight. Good night guys, I'll see you around."

"Bye Ino!" Naruto called as Shikamaru led her out the door.

"Bye!" Ino called out to Naruto, before turning to Shikamaru and lowering her voice, "Does she know?"

Shikamaru lazily leaned on one leg as he drawled out, "Know what?"

"Know that you want her as more than just a fuck buddy?" Ino spoke clearly.

Shikamaru sighed, his eyes closing in resignation, "Would you even believe me if I denied your theory?"

"Not really, no."

Shikamaru groaned, "Then no, she has no clue."

"I'd tell her," Ino advised, "A girl like Naruto isn't going to wait for you forever."

"She's too good for me," Shikamaru softly confessed.

"She is," Ino agreed, "But she likes you anyways. You need to figure out now who it is you want: Temari or Naruto. Before it's too late."

With that final declaration, Ino turned on her heel and marched away, Shikamaru softly closing the door behind her as his mind worked overtime to digest her advice.

"Well?" Naruto pried.

"She thinks I'm in love with you," Shikamaru revealed with a smirk.

Naruto grinned, "Yes! The next phase is complete! With both Sakura and Ino suspecting that our feelings run deeper than just the physical, it's only a matter of time before they talk about it and 'convince' us to confess."

"You know, it's almost sad how easy it is to manipulate and deceive our friends," Shikamaru spoke with a chuckle as he threw himself on the couch.

Naruto joined him with a laugh, "More scary then sad, actually. You really are too good at this."

Shikamaru hummed as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes, "It's why they made me Head Strategist."

"Your intelligence is certainly one to be feared," Naruto smiled, "I'm just glad you're on our side."

"As you should be," Shikamaru mockingly said, his eyes opening to stare into Naruto's clear blue ones that were filled with mirth.

Slowly the laughter stopped as tension once more filled the air, Shikamaru's fingers slowly tracing her jawbone. Naruto stopped breathing as her eyes refused to move from his, practically shivering at the book of sheer lust that radiated from his dark gaze.

"We," Shikamaru swallowed forcefully, "We should go to sleep. We have a mission tomorrow."

"Right," Naruto nodded, "We need sleep."

"We do."

"I agree."

Neither moved from their position. Neither really wanted to.

"You take the bed," Shikamaru managed to say, his hand dropping from her face, "I have some documents to go over before I sleep."

"Right," Naruto repeated, standing awkwardly from the couch and walking to his bedroom, "Well, goodnight Shika."

"Goodnight, Naru"

Naruto smiled before closing the bedroom door, groaning the moment she was alone. She was glad that Ino came to apologize, but could the girl have chosen a better time! While she was disappointed that Shikamaru didn't continue where they left off, she had known that the moment was over. Plus, they had a mission tomorrow, and the journey to Suna was a long one.

Shikamaru sighed as he leaned back into the couch once more. Someone should award him for his grand feat of restraint. He wanted nothing more that to continue what Ino had artfully interrupted, but it just wasn't the time for it. He had a mission to plan, after all.

Naruto awkwardly ignored the pointed stares from the completely unsubtle Kiba and Neji, whilst Shikamaru acted as though he didn't even notice something was amiss. Squirming in her seat, she attempted to pay attention to Tsunade's lecture.

"Look, these trade routes are very important to the economic stability of Konoha. Under no circumstances can this mission fail, we need Suna to approve of these parameters. Do whatever it takes to get their agreement," Tsunade sent a pointed look at the odd couple in front of her, "and don't let any personal issues affect this mission. I don't need to tell you all how much we are dependent on a new financial outlet."

Naruto awkwardly chuckled, scratching the back of her head, "No worries, Baa-Chan, it won't be a problem. We're professionals after all!"

Tsunade clicked her tongue in disagreement, "Don't make me regret this, brat."

This was all part of the plan. The quicker word of their relationship spread internationally, the quicker word would get to the Daimyo and his court. Gaara and Temari had to find out about their relationship, even if it stalled the negotiations.

Even if it hurt everyone involved.

"Trust me," Shikamaru drawled lazily, "Everything will go as planned."

"See that it does," Tsunade sighed, "You're all dismissed."

Naruto awkwardly chuckled as they exited the Hokage Tower, "So… fine weather we're having, huh?

"Cut the crap Naruto!" Kiba cried, "When the fuck did you start sleeping with this lazy bastard!? WHY did you sleep with this lazy bastard?! Oh please tell me that it's not true, that Sai proves once more to have a really fucked up sense of humor and you didn't share a bed with the laziest man in the village?"

Naruto grimaced, "Well, the thing is… um…"

Neji sighed, "Kiba, stop pestering Naruto and focus on the mission."

Kiba let his jaw drop as he sputtered, "W-what? Come on Neji! You can't tell me you're not shocked by this!?"

"Unlike you, I actually pay attention to my surroundings," Neji answered as he walked to the gates of the village.

Kiba stopped moving, staying completely still for several moments as he processed this new information, before sprinting ahead to catch up with the group, "You mean you knew!?"

Shikamaru sighed as he lazily drawled with his eyes closed, "Can you lower your voice, Kiba? You're giving me a headache."

Kiba's eye twitched as he looked back and forth between the beautiful blond and the shadow user, "This is who you choose to sleep with?!"

Naruto rolled her eyes, "Oh come on, Mutt. Get over it already."

"How the fuck am I supposed to get over this?" Kiba shrieked as the group exited the village and began making their way to Suna, "You're sleeping with a taken guy!"

"I'm not taken," Shikamaru bit back, annoyance covering his usually apathetic tone.

Naruto narrowed her eyes and she corrected, "Shikamaru broke up with Temari months before anything happened between us."

Kiba's eyes widened before sighing forlornly, easily keeping pace with the rest of the group as they hopped through the trees, despite his emotional turmoil, "Shikamaru, is there a hot girl in Konoha that you didn't sleep with?"

If Shikamaru was a less composed person, he would have flinched at that remark. As it stood, he couldn't help the twitch in his brow as he contemplated stabbing his fellow jonin. Despite his indignation, Shikamaru stayed silent and composed as they ran towards Suna.

Naruto, on the other hand, was not one for composure, "OY! What's wrong with you!? I know you're a social moron, but surely even you can see how inappropriate that line of questioning is?!"

"BUT IT'S TRUE!"

"Who the fuck cares?! You're just jealous that Shikamaru is actually good enough to sleep with real women, while you're just stuck with your magazines and right hand!"

Shikamaru sighed quietly, shaking his head in amusement. Naruto sure was something. Shikamaru stayed silent as Neji fell in line beside him.

"She defends you fiercely," Neji quietly remarked, Naruto and Kiba's screaming artfully tuned out by the two quieter members of the group.

"So it would seem."

Neji hummed in agreement, the two staying quiet for quite some time. The Hyuga had been confused about the nature of Naruto and Shikamaru's relationship for the last week, for while he knew that something was going on, he wasn't aware of the exact parameters of the relationship. Now, however, there were a plethora of rumors answering his questions at each and every turn.

"Which of them are true?" Neji questioned stoically, his face purposefully blank.

"Which of what are true?"

"The rumors."

"Ah," Shikamaru clicked his tongue, "It depends on what you've heard."

Neji narrowed his eyes, "I've heard that you've been cheating on Temari for quite some time with Naruto, and now the two of you have fallen into some clandestine casual relationship that is based purely on obtaining physical pleasure."

Shikamaru's eyes hardened, "I have never cheated on Temari. Not even once."

Neji nodded, "No, I knew those aspects of the rumors were fake. Neither you nor Naruto are the type to cheat. However, I noticed you did nothing to correct the other half of my sentence."

"Why would I?"

Neji bit the inside of his cheek as his byakugan flashed briefly in anger, "You mean to tell me that you are Naruto are only causally seeing one another?"

"I don't recall it being any of your business, Hyuga."

"Well I happen to recall telling you that it is, in fact, my business. You're using her, Nara. She's a good, kind woman who doesn't deserve to be used in such despicable matters by a man who does not even want to commit to her," Neji spat out, careful to not let Naruto overhear. He needn't have worried, however, for Kiba and Naruto were still far too involved in their own argument to pay attention to theirs.

Shikamaru frowned, "And like I told you before, Naruto is a grown woman and far more than capable enough to make her own decisions."

"Oh please. You're a mess Nara! You jump girl to girl, casual relationship to relationship. Naruto is just another one of your distractions until you or Temari apologize for whatever stupid argument you've had."

"You know nothing about me."

"I know enough. You're taking advantage of her, Nara," Neji practically growled out, "You have right now what almost every man in this village, no, this world, would kill for! Yet you're just playing with her until you're set to discard her!"

Shikamaru clenched his fist as he attempted to curb his rage, "Look here, Hyuga. Just because you weren't man enough to make a move on her before, doesn't mean you can take your frustrations out on me."

"If you hurt her—"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes as he interrupted her, "Yes yes, I've heard this before, you and countless others will make my life a living hell."

"Good. Don't forget that."

The two halted their argument for the time being, composing themselves into the professionals they were once more. Kiba and Naruto stopped arguing as well as they ran further and further from their home village. Silence reigned in the empty forest. All parties reflecting on their previous arguments, with frowns gracing each and every one of their countenances. This mission was going to be a blast.

"Let's rest here for the night," Shikamaru called as darkness descended upon them. The four quickly got to work, halting their running and preparing for sleep, "I'll take first watch."

"I'll join you," Naruto called out as she finished building the fire, quickly placing a small canister of water upon it for her ramen.

"Of course you will," Kiba scoffed impishly, his eyebrows wiggling, "I'm sure the two of you have a lot you want to talk about."

"What exactly are you insinuating mutt?" Naruto bit out through clenched teeth.

"Naruto. Enough," Shikamaru commanded, "We are on a mission. Save the arguments for when we're back in Konoha."

Naruto and Kiba glared at one another until the Inuzuka extended a hand towards his blond friend, "Truce?"

Naruto grinned widely as she shook it, "Truce!"

Shikamaru chuckled as he shook his head, "I will never understand those two."

"Very few people ever will," Neji agreed.

Shikamaru sighed as he turned to look at the slightly older man, "Look Neji, while it's still none of your business, I would never hurt Naruto. I'm a mess, that is true. But Naruto… she's pure. Untainted… I'm not going to be the one to ruin that."

Neji stayed silent for several moments, just staring at the blond who was the object of their conversation, "She's special, Nara. I don't think you fully appreciate that fact. However, as much as it pains me to admit, she cares for you. Deeply. Don't mess it up, because if you do there's a whole army of people who won't hesitate to sweep in."

Shikamaru did not alleviate his stare from Naruto, smiling softly as he watched her laughing and joking with Kiba, as he responded, "I won't."

"So, today has been pretty interesting," Naruto remarked as she took a seat besides Shikamaru, facing the roaring fire that kept them warm. A few meters away Kiba, Akamaru and Neji were quietly resting. She couldn't help but stare at Shikamaru, who somehow looked even more attractive than usual as he faced the open flame, the shadows contouring his jaw bone perfectly as his dark eyes lit up with contemplation.

"It has been," He agreed, leaning back on his hands as he stared at Naruto, a small smirk playing on his features.

"What did you and Neji talk about?" Naruto questioned with a tilt to her head.

The two of them were careful to not let go of the ruse, lest the boys still be awake, "Nothing much. We were mostly focused on the mission."

"Right," Naruto squirmed in her seat, "the mission."

Shikamaru sighed as he grasped her chin, forcing her to look at him as he calmly spoke, "Don't worry about Temari. We broke up a while ago, she means nothing to me."

Naruto let her eyes well up with us he'd tears as she responded, "I just, I feel so guilty."

"There's nothing to feel guilty about, Naru. She made her choice, and I've made mine," Shikamaru said.

"Okay," Naruto nodded, "We can deal with this. This is just going to be any other mission."

"Exactly," Shikamaru smiled, leaning in slightly to give Naruto a little peck of the lips before raising himself, "I'm going to go circle around the perimeter."

"Alright, I'll keep watch here," Naruto agreed, watching as Shikamaru disappeared into the dark forest. This conversation was two-fold, with a hidden meaning underneath only the two of them could understand. Naruto had been feeling incredibly guilty for roping Shikamaru into this situation, it was because of her that he had to jeopardize his relationship with Temari. If Haru had never fallen in love with her, Shikamaru would probably already have gone back to Temari.

The part that made her feel guiltier, however, was the fact that a small, tiny part of her was happy that she was in this awful situation. After all, if we wasn't, then she never would have seen this side of Shikamaru. The side which was made up of all sex and caring gestures. She would have forever seen Shikamaru Nara as the lazy genius and good friend. She would have never seen him as this sexy, dynamic man that she sees now. The incorrigible flirt with a wicked sense of humor and the tongue to match. The caring soul who continues to take care of Kurenai. The responsible father figure to the young and impressionable Mirai.

And… well… she wasn't sure she'd trade her new impression of Shikamaru for anything.

Ino knocked back another glass, barely greeting Sakura as the girl sat down across her.

"So? Did you do it?" Sakura questioned, keenly eyeing the multiple glasses strewn across the table.

"I did," Ino grumbled, waving her hand at the bartender to signal for a another round.

Sakura sighed, "And?"

"And I apologized. Naruto was there too, so two birds with one stone."

The pink haired medic stayed silent as Ino reached for yet another shot, downing it with practiced ease, "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

"Why do you think that something is wrong?"

Sakura narrowed her eyes, "Ino."

The blond in question sighed dramatically, slamming her glass onto the wooden tabletop, "Shikamaru is in love with Naruto."

"Holy fuck," Sakura gasped, her hands rising to her mouth in surprise.

Ino nodded, "My sentiments exactly."

"Holy fuck," Sakura whispered once more.

"Mhm. He doesn't even know which one he wants, Temari or Naruto."

"Holy fuck."

Ino chuckled humorlessly, "He thinks Naruto is too good for him. It's coloring his decision, because he's not sure if she'd even accept him in more than a casual capacity."

"Holy fuck," Sakura gulped, before lowering her voice as she guiltily spoke, "Ino, I have something to confess."

Ino quirked a brow, "Something juicier than all this?"

Sakura nodded slightly, "Naruto is in love with Shikamaru."

"Holy fuck," Ino gasped this time around.

"Yup," Sakura nodded in a panic.

"This is a disaster ready to happen," Ino concluded.

"It is."

"Holy fuck."

"Holy fuck indeed."

Gaara's eyes crinkled in happiness as he wrapped his arms around his closest friend. He had missed her dearly, and as she pressed herself against him, his head burrowed into the crook of her neck, he knew that she missed him too. Naruto leaned out of the hug after a while, grinning brightly at her friend as her hands stayed placed on his shoulders.

"I've missed you Gaara!" Naruto exclaimed, her blue eyes twinkling with joy.

"I have missed you as well, Naruto," Gaara responded softly, a small smile gracing his features. Gaara had really grown over the years, becoming the calm and mature Kazekage Naruto always believed he could become. He truly was a great man, one who looked like he was born to sit behind the desk of village leader.

"Well Naruto, when are you going to be able to come visit me as a fellow Kage rather than just an ambassador?" Gaara questioned with a smile, gesturing for the group of four to take a seat.

Naruto chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of her head, "Any day now! Just wait, soon it'll be ME wearing the old lady's hat!"

"I believe it," Gaara spoke softly, before turning his gaze on her fellow leaf-nin, "Shikamaru— it's been a while."
It was through practiced easy that Shikamaru avoided flinching, his tone cool as he lazily drawled, "It certainly has."

Gaara narrowed his eyes a bit, "Temari is out on a mission right now, but she should be back later tonight."

Shikamaru nodded stiffly, "I look forward to it."

Kiba squirmed awkwardly in his chair while Neji interjected, "Kazekage-sama, the scroll he were told to deliver."

Gaara thanked the man as he took the scroll, "You all must be exhausted from your journey. We can start our trade talks tomorrow, allow Yuki to show you to your rooms."

"Thank you, Kazekage-sama," Shikamaru politely spoke, bowing his head slightly.

A plain looking ninja approached them, gesturing silently to follow him. Naruto turned on her heel to wave and grin at Gaara, "Bye Gaara! See you tomorrow!"

"Good day, Naruto."

Naruto practically skipped on her way to the rooms, rambling in the poor ninjas ear about random topics that came to her head; currently she was narrating one of her and Gaara's many adventures.

Finally, the ninja stopped and gestured to a series of four rooms, two in one end of the hall, with two on the opposite side, "Here are your rooms, you may chose any that you wish. Kazekage-sama has cordially invited you all to break your fast with him in the morning, so I will retrieve you from this hall at precisely 6:55 am so that we may arrive promptly at the dining room at 7."

"Thanks Yuki-San!" Naruto exclaimed kindly, as Yuki bowed and swiftly exited the guest hall.

"Good night, all," Neji spoke softly, retreating into the furthest room available.

Kiba yawned as he scratched the back of Akamaru's ear, "Night guys! Try not to catch fleas bimbo blond!"

"Bite me!" Naruto stuck her tongue out at the dog lover as he laughed and entered the room besides Neji.

"I guess that leaves these two rooms for us," Shikamaru remarked with a drawl, his hand lazily tucked into his front pockets.

"I guess so," Naruto blushed slightly, fidgeting in place awkwardly as she gathered her courage, "Shika… are we doing the right thing?"

Shikamaru sighed, approaching the blond until his body was practically flush against her. Using two of his fingers he tilted her chin upwards, forcing their emotional eyes to meet as he deliberately spoke, "Naruto, I don't know for certain. What I do know is that I'm crazy about you, and for me… well— that's enough."

Naruto couldn't have held it back if she tried. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she stood on the tips of her toes to join Shikamaru in a searing kiss, one full of lust and bliss and pure heat.

So caught up in their embrace, neither ninja noticed the pair of teal eyes that widened in sheer shock— shock and hurt.