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The Shadows Bride

Chapter Two: Yearning

Shikamaru tried to forget her.

Pushed away all thoughts about her blonde hair. About her blue eyes and that twinkling laughing.

He tried. Though the only one fooled seemed to be the Uzumaki girl herself.

Even Choji could see his friend was hopelessly smitten no matter what was done. No matter how much Shikamaru tried to pretend Mateo was just another girl. He just drifted to get and they shared a tentative friendship based on getting each other to skip class.

It didn't help that each time Shikamaru would stare at what had to be the embodiment of sunshine, Sasuke would practically snarl in his face when he had gotten too caught up in his Naruto watching. It wasn't like the Nara was trying to make his infatuation known. Especially since everyone knew that Naruto was in this village as an offering and was to be wed to a clan heir while still retaining her clan name.

It was unorthodox but the Uzumaki people were dwindling and the Uzumaki council would not risk their only clan heir from losing her title.

Still, Shikamaru tried to forget her.

It took a month until the blonde was sitting next to him glaring down at the lethargic boy who suddenly perked up.

"Can you help me sneak out of the classroom?" Naruto seemed almost annoyed at asking but Shikamaru hummed before nodding. He told Choji and Kiba as the more targets there were the less likely Iruka could catch them all.

Shikamaru used his shadow manipulation to undo the near wind latch and Naruto threw a seal on the floor before the room burst in thick smoke burst out covering the room. Kiba led them towards the window and Choji boosted them all climbing over himself and then they were all running hearing the angered hollering coming from Iruka Sensei.

Shikamaru still caught the harsh glare Sasuke aimed their way, mostly Naruto's way. It was odd and added to the puzzle that was their relationship all the more.

Kiba split off almost immediately running from the small trio. Shikamaru and Choji had slowed after Iruka lost sight of the group. Naruto had stuck asking side with them but mostly was grumbling while reading through a stack of papers Shikamaru was sure she had not had prior to their escape.

"What are you planning on doing Naruto?" Choji spoke up and Shikamaru wasn't surprised to see his friend munching on chips.

The blonde in question hummed before smiling gently at Choji and waving the papers in her hand.

"Probably grab some ramen and look over Some clan documents. My future father-in-law wants to meet but my clan elders are so stiff. They want me to be a 'Proper lady of the Uzumaki clan ' before I'm allowed to meet my future husband's family."The blonde girl huffed. "They promised I could learn some of our clan's most precious fuinjutsu seals if I get through all their demands. Plus one of my clan members will be meeting with the guy today. I just wanted to introduce myself ya know. He is the reason my clan members got to join the leaf village this time." Naruto rolled her eyes but was swiftly nose deep in her papers not noticing the pained expression Shikamaru had at the mention of a fiance.

Though his mind swirled with questions like what did Naruto mean by 'joining the leaf village this time.' It was an odd statement and he wondered how it connected to her betrothals family.

Choji shot Shikamaru a sympathetic look and the Nara shoved down his feelings before looking away.

"Mind if we join you? I was just pestering Shikamaru to join me in grabbing dinner ramen myself." Choji lied with ease and Shikamaru blinked.

Choji had been bothering him to try some barbecue just earlier that morning. Shikamaru frowned at his friend and Naruto looked up from her papers smiling.

"Sure it would be nice to have some company." The small trio walked quietly toward the district where the Uzumaki lands were built upon. A ramen stand had set up shop and flourished as it seemed all of the Uzumaki bloodlines shared an affinity for ramen. It was the only non-Uzumaki shop in the area. The only shop given permission by the clan to set up within its parameters.

Shikamaru had watched many of the Uzumaki clan members wolf down stomach-twisting amounts of ramen. He was pretty sure the ramen chef was regaled as a prophet to the clan by now.

The Nara heir knew the man had a soft spot for Naruto herself. Shikamaru really needed to stop hanging out at the shop all day. The trio was greeted upon entrance and opted to sit in the far corner of the shop making light talk of their great escape today.

They are and when Naruto was a third bowl in she yelped suddenly held up by the back of her kimono top.

A furious-looking older teen with hair the color of blood was glowering down at the suddenly guilty looking blonde.

"Good afternoon Nagato oniisan." Naruto's voice wavered and the older boy scowled harder.

"It's not even noon you little brat." Nagato the now-named redhead growled out impressively.

"Ehh ah well you see-" Naruto started trying to give an excuse but the older man's glare stopped her.

"Why are you not in the academy." It was more of a demand than a question.

The blonde pouted and crossed her arms. It was adorable seeing as she was being held like a misbehaving kitten. The two argued and Shikamaru marveled at how Naruto seemed at ease for once. The girl was normally stiff and subdued during class.

It was only recently that Naruto reached out eager to put her skills to use in an escape. The diligent girl was focused to leave the classroom that day and Shikamaru wondered why.

"I wanted to meet my future father-in-law. Konan said you were going to meet him today..." Shikamaru froze mid-bite not even being able to pretend he wasn't eavesdropping. Naruto looked anguished about having gone to such lengths.

Nagato's expression softened and the older teen sighed before setting the blonde back into her seat.

"You know you can't do that just yet Naru, you need to follow protocol." Naruto's face fell but she nodded knowing that if Nagato stressed this situation as is then it was necessary to keep away.

Nagato pulled out a few bills and paid for all three of the academy kids' meals surprising both Shikamaru and Choji.

" I'm sure Naruto convinced you two to join her and I'm glad she has friends to stick by her side. Thank you." Nagato turned to Naruto concern etched on his expression.

"I'll see you at home Naruto." The blonde Uzumaki nodded but her face was twisted in a pout. She had wanted to meet the family in an official capacity and give their clan traditional thanks. Though that was to be carried out by other members until the elders deemed her trained enough to follow their traditions accordingly. The blonde Uzumaki felt she was trained enough in those terms.

Naruto kept her face down turned even Choji had stopped eating looking at the girl with worry. Shikamaru himself felt the like he got punched in the gut seeing Nagato get stopped by none other than Fugaku who seemed to Join the older teen. The redhead glanced back nervously before hurrying away followed after by the Uchiha clan head.

Shikamaru's mouth went dry.

He had hoped even if it was a small hope that Naruto had secretly been his arranged fiancee.

Judging from the worried look Nagato sent their way and the way he had hurried off made Shikamaru realize Naruto was most likely Sasuke's fiancee.

It was like his world tilted and shakily Shikamaru offered to bring the group to the Nara woods. His father had a meeting that day and would not be home. Today his mother was going through internal affairs for the clan So Shikamaru knew they wouldn't be disturbed.

Naruto agreed as it would allow her a quiet spot to look over her paperwork.

T.S.B.

Shikamaru had bounded home his young gaze determined and for the first time, he challenged his father to a shoji match. Shikaku was amused but happily set the board up so he and his son could play. Shikamaru had one stipulation from that moment forward.

For every game Shikamaru won, his father would tell him a small bit of information about his future bride. Shikaku's eyes glimmered in mirth but accepted his son's demands asking for none in return. Shikamaru could not outright assume Naruto was to wed the Uchiha, there was a possibility she was engaged to him, and a possibility she was engaged to a Hyuga with how close her bonds to Hinata tied.

Shikamaru would find the answer and nothing would stop him.

"SHIKAMARU NARA HOW DARE YOU SKIP ACADEMY TODAY !" Shikaku burst into laughter watching his young son bolt away from their match mid-game away from the wrath of his wife and into the forest that surrounded their clan grounds.

The older Nara snickered watching his wife charge after their son. Though the older man became contemplative.

Maybe he was keeping things too close to his chest. Shikamaru was bound to be curious, they were Nara's but Shikaku still wanted them to be able to meet organically and maintain a bond without their engagement shadowing their first meeting.

He would have to tread lightly lest he causes misery out worse insanity to his son. Only time would tell and hopefully, Shikamaru could live with his choices.

Shikaku sighed hearing his son yelp and his wife's yelling. The jonnin stood to go break up the fight before any unrepairable damage occurred.

T.S.B.

Naruto eyed Nagato frown on her face and tapping her foot impatiently.

Nagato gulped on his knees head bowed to his small princess.

"Naru-" Nagato was cut off by a dark glare coming from his normally bubbly heiress.

"The elders informed me that the meeting with my in-laws and future husband shall be delayed until after graduation from the academy." Nagato paled slightly realizing Naruto found out his true intentions. He hadn't meant to be so obvious about his want in dropping Naruto a bit. He didn't hide his intentions well as it was revealed.

"But Naru they're trying to take you away from me." The blonde girl jerked in surprise as she was yanked into Nagato's tearful hold.

" I know you're going to be taken away one day but you've been there for me. You helped me escape that void of darkness I was blindly leading my friends into. You were three and stepped into a role you were I'll prepare for to ensure my friends and I could stay in the village. You forgave me and let me grow up in safety and peace I wanted you to be free to have that even if it's for a little." Nagato was broken down worry etched into every minuscule feature.

Naruto sighed placing her hand in her cousin's head. Nagato was such a protective man ever since he had been brought to the Uzu village and raised to become her personal guard.

The guy practically raised her in lieu of the many elderly in the village. The were very few young Uzumaki left so they needed the utmost protection to ensure the continuation of the Uzumaki bloodline.

Hell her future husband would only get one child out of her to cousin as his own. Any others would be under the Uzumaki name.

The blonde stuffed realizing that the damage was done and tugged a concerned Nagato towards her room. "Wipe your tears, you big crybaby. To obtain my forgiveness you're going to help me develop several different privacy seals. Then you are going to deliver the best one to my in-laws and others you will offer to other shinobi clans as a welcoming gift. From our clan to theirs." The blonde Uzumaki smirked at the horrified expression of his princess.

"Naru-chaaaan" Nagato whined but the young girl only pulled the older man snickering knowing his hands were going to be in pain by the end of all this.

The blonde only smiled sweetly settling down and looking over her clan etiquette documents. Either way, she had to learn her clans strict rules, might as well torment Nagato while she did it.

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