Pairing: Shikamaru X Naruto (fem)
Disclaimer: I don't own Shit, just my version of this twisted plotline
The Shadow's Bride
Chapter 1: The Arrangement
Shikamaru Nara was only an infant when his father arranged his marriage. The Nara heir knew nothing about his fiancee except for their marriage to the stranger being important to the village.
When he brought up questions about the topic, each adult would have various ranges of expression but none would speak on the matter. Though none would ever speak of their concerns or comment on anything other than it being auspicious.
Shikaku had made this decision of arrangement and that in itself was what made Shikamaru curious. His father never did anything without a just cause and reason.
The envious glares from Fugaku aimed at the Shikaku made it obvious what one of the reasons were. Yet, it only furthered the endless curiosity held within the young mind of Shikamaru.
Arranged marriages were not uncommon amongst clans, though Shikamaru's clan had rarely practiced these traditions. The child figured it was a decision his family had made, it made his life easier for him.
It obviously had something to do with conveying a message to the Uchiha clan. Though that didn't really interest him all he was just happy he didn't have to worry about going and finding a quiet bride later on. Girls were troublesome but he knew they were a necessary evil to have in his life.
Shikamaru just hoped the girl wasn't like his mother, or he would riot.
He had grown to age six and still despite his numerous inquiries about his future bride only vague answers were given to him. Shikamaru had shown a great level of maturity and intelligence though by always trying to maneuver what information he could from the tight lips of his parents.
The young boy never really did mind being betrothed but he was a bit annoyed he didn't even get to know the girl's name.
At age seven in late October at his mother's side in the village, Shikamaru finally had a reason to hate the fact he was betrothed.
The reason for that was walking elegantly in a pale orange kimono the color of the setting sun. A delicate touch of swirls decorated her clothing and hanging jewelry set in pearls adorned the small girl. Her eyes glittered like the bright blue sky and her hair was like spun gold twisting and weaving adorned by bells.
The girl had three whisker marks on her cheeks and was trailed after by attendants with a tall red-haired guard by her side and a gentle hand on her shoulder from a woman with equally dark red hair and glasses. In fact, the strange group of people all had red hair like rubies or garnets some like flames. Something that reflected light, even the pretty blonde had hair that shimmered just done in gold.
Shikamaru immediately flushed and burrowed into his mother's leg who gently cooed to the young boy.
He was lovestruck by first sight alone. It was illogical and stupid but it had happened right before his young gaze.
"Are you Sleepy Shika?" At his hesitating nod, his mother lifted the boy and Shikamaru was enthralled by those sky-blue eyes. She was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. The young Nara had never realized that was something that could charm him
The blonde girl had always stayed in his mind even though he had to remember he was betrothed, and for once he hated it. She was definitely don't he could see himself pursuing.
Though despite that he watched her until an attendant of the Hokage came to escort the entourage. He wondered if her hair was really made of gold.
Days turned into weeks that's turned into months and Shikamaru grew frustrated.
Shikamaru never saw the girl around the village but he saw many of her companions in the village and part of their shinobi forces.
Word spread fast about the clan. The Uzumaki clan from Uzushino of the land of whirlpools.
They were a new clan joining the hidden village and through well-placed napping spots Shikamaru did find out the blue-eyed girl's name.
It was Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki. She was the next clan head and her clan had representatives making decisions collectively until she took her rightful seat when she was older.
Shikamaru would admit he was a bit fixated on the golden-haired girl. Maybe he would admit on occasion that his best friend Choji and he would sneak over to a favorite ramen shop of the girl, because he had a teeny tiny crush on her.
Honest. It was only a small crush.
Though at eight and being forced along with Choji into the shinobi academy it was going to severely cut into his chances of seeing the girl.
His best friend always found it funny to see his lazy friend so fixated on someone. He complained about going to the academy only because he wouldn't be able to stake out the mysterious blonde's favorite ramen spot.
Though Choji used all his will and held back a snicker when he saw Shikamaru nearly catapult out of his seat at seeing the shimmering blonde hair. Shikamaru really was a smart guy but even he forgot the girl was part of a shinobi clan so she'd have to join their academy at some point.
Choji enjoyed his best friend's moments of idiocy. They were few and far between but nonetheless still hilarious.
-The Shadow-
Naruto's cool blue gaze fluttered across the room and she shifted in her clothes annoyed. The long kimono top was part of her clan's traditions and there was a specific fighting style that came with working with the fabric so Naruto was trying to get used to the clothing.
Her top was tucked into slim shorts over a full-body suit of tightly woven netting. Her feet were tucked into black sandals and long woven black straps hung from her waist to trail after her. Naruto knew normally weapons would hang from the straps, but she had to get used to the stupid clothing first.
The blonde had pulled her hair up and into twin tails woven within her hair were more straps normally for hidden weapons. Some were already woven and hidden in her golden hair as Naruto's clan had long ago begun her training. She was her clan's only heiress and would be expected to be trained under harsher conditions.
Nothing damaging but definitely demanding.
Silence had settled into the room when everyone eyed the strange newcomer. Naruto did not frequent the village, her clan refused to allow the girl much freedom and enforced her to a strict schedule of studying and training. Swiftly the girl moved silently and impassively past the glaring fangirls.
The mysterious girl sat next to a surprised Hinata. Shikamaru looked at her longingly and froze when Sasuke Uchiha entered the class. The silence that had once taken over the room suddenly exploded in excited murmuring from the girls and then turned to grumbles as the Uchiha walked over to the new addition to their classroom.
"Uzumaki." Sasuke's tone was casual but his gaze was focused on the new girl.
"Uchiha." Shikamaru pouted as he heard this girl's twinkling voice utter the class's arrogant asshole's name.
Sasuke gave a single nod and the girl dismissed him. It alleviated the ball of jealousy that has bubbled in his gut. Though Sasuke's fangirls were not so easily swayed away from jealousy.
Uzumaki chose to ignore them all and made to quietly interact with the Hyuga Heiress. The two girls began chatting and Shikamaru realized they knew each other. Now he wondered why that was. The clan Hinata came from was pretty strict about who the heiress could interact with.
Especially since the attempted kidnapping was somehow resolved and thwarted under wraps.
His father had been really stressed about the apparent demands of the political situation. Then one day he came home happy and rushed his mother to the side and the pair of them were in astonished amazement. It has always been something he pushed to the back of his mind and oddly he felt whatever occurred had to have a connection to how the two girls knew one another.
Shikamaru never knew what had happened but, with the way the two girls were easily chatting away, he felt it necessary to find out.
So, pushing away his curiosity about his new classmate, which was harder to do than he'd like to admit, he hurried home after class. His arrival was met with his mother fussing about his first day of academy. She had him eat something and he loitered until the arrival of his father came about.
It was amusing to see the boy scramble to the door as his father was removing his shoes. Shikamaru eyed his father and the man in return regarded his son.
"How important is this arranged marriage." Shikamaru's youthful face didn't deter from the seriousness in his gaze.
"Come Shikamaru, play a game with dear old dad." His son nearly knocked him over in his haste to drag his father along to the shogi board.
His stubborn gaze was aimed at his father as they began their game in silence. His father was watching him and sighed before he answered.
"This arrangement is monumental for the village. I would not have taken away your freedom to choose a bride unless necessary." Shikamaru frowned and deflated upon hearing the words.
"Though if you are truly against it, I can allow the Uchiha to take over the role as they had been most eager to marry their youngest of the main branch to the girl." Shikamaru fell into silence eyeing his father who had closed off his expression. The boy struggled to read the man but knew deep in his soul letting the Uchiha win this opportunity had to be bad.
It had to be serious enough that his father truly could not allow the Uchiha this opportunity. With a heavy heart, Shikamaru looked away.
"I'm not against it." His father sighed and Shikamaru could see the relief on his aged face. He knew he could never question this again. He knew his father was already feeling far too much guilt about settling his son in this situation.
Despite his young age, Shikamaru knew he'd have to follow through, and hopefully, he would get over his crush on Naruto.
"Can you give me something to go on then? Any information would be great." The younger Nara looked truly torn and his father took pity.
"I have never met anyone like this girls family. She herself of a unique prison despite her age and I truly believe that despite you two being arranged you will both find true happiness." Shikaku looked lost in his thoughts for a moment before they both focused back onto their game.
His father won their game but as the young boy shuffled away a thought troubled him. Shikamaru frowned as he wondered why the Uchiha were so eager to set Sasuke up with his mysterious fiancee then why did he endeavor to acknowledge Naruto and why did she know him.
That would be a question he'd have to find the answer to.
-The Shadow-
Naruto fiddled with the hem of her kimono top. Nagato stood to her side giving her instructions to which she was only half paying attention to. It was fine if she ignored her instructions sometimes. In this area of learning the information came as easy to her as breathing. Her cousin would not be able to surpass her knowledge of fuinjutsu so she allowed her mind to wander.
Nagato was healthy with silky straight hair the color of a carnelian stone. A subdued glimmer to the vibrant hair their clan was known for. Naruto didn't know where Nagato originated from but he and two orphan's were suddenly brought into Uzushino right before her clan came to collect her from the hidden leaf village.
The Sannin Jiraya was the one who brought the kids and the three refused to separate. The Uzumaki clan was welcoming and invited the three into the fold.
They were grateful and pledged themselves to the Uzumaki clan and when Naruto was brought into the village she was fiercely guarded. She was surprised to find that the people who thought of her and guarded her so vigilantly had sold her off.
Naruto frowned at herself. No they didn't sell her off, even she knew this was only done for her people as a whole. Since Uzushino was attacked long ago only a scattered few of their clan remained.
They needed sanctuary and a place to ensure that she and her bijuu wouldn't be abused. They needed a powerful village that needed her. A clan that would accept her and have the power to control her if anything ever happened. A clan that needed her power to-
A thump to her head brought Naruto back into focus.
Naruto pouted and held her head looking up at Nagato who was snickering. The ball that smacked her head was bouncing away already with a child of the clan chasing after it throwing apologies Naruto's way.
"Care to explain what's got your mind so muddled?" Nagato was snickering and Naruto was holding back her grumbling. Though her face easily drooped and she sighed.
"I saw him ya know. The guy I'm made to marry." The blond sighed remembering the dark hair and eyes and just pouted.
It's a shame cause he was kinda cute.
Nagato hummed and settled down next to the clan heiress. " What were your thoughts?"
Naruto huffed and crossed her arms. "He's a boy." The blonde grumbled and Nagato snorted.
"In other words you avoided him." Nagato watched Naruto who pretended she didn't hear him.
"Shut up Nagato, I'll approach him when you tell Konan you love her." The golden haired girls stuck her tongue out at her cousin who sputtered and turned as red as his own hair.
"I don't love her!" He was indignant and they both knew he was lying through his teeth.
"Yeah, yeah. Now let's go finish up that fuinjutsu seal we started yesterday." Naruto ignored Nagato's indignant whines and moved onward.
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