They're at lunch when Shikamaru gets the idea.
The rest of the Konoha 10 are all around him, chatting and laughing and having a good time. Choji's trading his rice cakes for some of Kiba's jerky, but as usual, he absolutely refuses to let anyone touch his barbecue-flavored potato chips. Not that they would have asked or tried, of course—they all know the rules by now—but it's still fun to tease him sometimes. Seeing Choji get fiery-eyed about anything is entertaining, but especially when it comes to food. Shikamaru snorts and rolls his eyes all too fondly.
And that's when he catches his eye.
There's a flash of gold in the corner of his vision, and Shikamaru does a double-take toward the far side of the Academy lunchyard. The kid's making himself so small, it's hard to tell right away, but once he sees bright blond hair, there's no mistaking it.
That's Naruto, all right, sitting on a lone bench against the fence under a tall tree's shade (all the better to hide him with, Shikamaru can't help but surmise). He's eating his usual cup ramen, his favorite food in the entire world as far as Shikamaru's seen, patiently waiting for it to cool as he sets it beside him. It's a warmer day today than it has been, so Naruto's words are visible.
Shikamaru's skin crawls and stomach twists at all the awful things he finds. Nuisance, germ, demon, monster, murderer, blood on your hands, waste of space, why don't you just die? It could be his imagination, but he could swear they've gotten worse since the last time he saw them, only two days ago. Hell, based on what he's seen, he suspects they get worse all the time.
He just doesn't understand why. Sure, Naruto can be loud and obnoxious, and his pranks can be disruptive, but he never does any real harm. Graffiti and paint on buildings and the Hokage Stone Faces, chalk-full erasers that splat on teachers' heads, messing with the clock to trick teachers into letting them go early… That's typical kid stuff. It's not like he steals or breaks things or actually hurts anyone. What about any of that could incite the villagers to put such disgusting words on a child?
And that's not even taking into account the ridiculous amount of bruises and cuts that, while their placement and severity may change, never seem to truly fade from Naruto's skin. It doesn't account for the honestly hateful glares he's seen Naruto get and the nasty whispers he's overheard the few times they've been in the shopping district at the same time. It doesn't explain why he's heard and watched Naruto be chased away from market stalls with brooms or physical threats and even bodily thrown from stores when he's had perfectly good money to spend.
All at once, these things that seemed so tiny, so insignificant, so much that Shikamaru didn't even remember them well until right now, hit him like a ton of bricks.
Suddenly feeling much more alert than he did just a second ago, he looks back over at Naruto and thinks about all the good words that have graced the Konoha 10 over the last few months.
Shikamaru's been wondering lately how to thank their mysterious word-giver, provided he can figure out who they are. And while there are still some outlying variables and other possibilities he has to make sense of and eliminate first and he doesn't know with absolute certainty that Naruto is the one who put them there…hypothetically speaking, if he is the one, then the idea currently forming in his head could help him with how to thank him down the line. And if he's not, well…everyone deserves a good word at least once in their lives, right?
Either way, it's not like he's got anything to lose.
On the other side of the lunchyard, Naruto is finishing the last of his ramen when he feels a familiar tingling on his forearm. Instantly, he stiffens, and his stomach plummets. Other people can't feel their words coming in, he's found, but he's always been more sensitive than most. The ones with the most intent behind them always feel like this, and they're never anything good. This spot in particular is one of the worst.
But for some reason he can't explain, something compels him to look down anyway—
His heart almost stops.
Important spans the entirety of the inside of his right forearm, completely overwriting the just die already that's occupied that spot for as long as he can remember.
He can't help but stare, mouth dropping open. He closes and rubs his eyes, pinches himself. He…can't believe it… This…can't be real, right? There must be some trick or catch or something. But try as he might to wipe and rub and lightly scratch it off, the word stays. As far as he can tell, it's not attached to any other words or phrases that could sully this miracle either.
So, then…could it be?
He's still having trouble processing it. After all, his whole life, he's only ever seen bad words on his skin. Something like this just…doesn't happen, not to him. But unless he's dreaming or this is the cruelest, most elaborate prank ever that he can't figure out, the only other option is…!
Feeling self-conscious all of a sudden, he curls in on himself and brings his arm in closer, wanting to stare at it in secret peace. Just in case, though, he looks around to make sure no one's watching first—not that he thinks they will be, they usually prefer to pretend he doesn't exist unless they need entertainment, but still. Better safe than sorry.
He does a double-take when he sees someone actually is watching him. His eyes widen. It's Shikamaru. Naruto tilts his head, brow furrowed. Why would…he be watching him? Shikamaru's not like the others, never has been – doesn't call him names or push him around or beat him up or, at least as far as he knows, think anything hurtful to put on his skin. Well, he and the rest of the Konoha 10, he should say. They're the kindest kids Naruto's ever...well, known, he supposes would be the right word, considering he doesn't have anyone to actually call 'friend.' (Wouldn't that be something?)
Shikamaru doesn't seem to be staring at him for any particular reason, he doesn't think...but he's still staring, almost like he's looking or waiting for something, and Naruto doesn't know what to make of that. The thought that he might have seen his arm flashes through his mind, and he instantly curls into himself more.
He doesn't want this taken away from him, too. Please not this...
When he looks down at it again, the word Important written right there on his skin, the prettiest thing Naruto swears he's ever seen, he can't help the tears that sting his eyes, the small, bright smile that paints his face.
It's the first time, the only time he can remember, that a good word has ever appeared on his skin. It's the first time anyone's ever thought anything good about him – that he's more than a nuisance or a germ or—hell, that he's a person, too, just like the rest of them!
It's...it's the first time...he's felt like...like he matters...that there might actually be a reason he's here...a reason he's alive...! Maybe, eventually, if things work out for him somehow, against all the odds...maybe he'll be able to find someone who believes in him, too, like...like a friend...!
The very idea, the notion, that perhaps his future friend might have been the one to think this beautiful word into existence on his skin...it just makes Naruto smile wider, his tears flow freer. He wants that...! He wants it so much, more than anything...!
He slowly lowers his head onto his arm, his eyes never leaving that sacred word, staying until it's just a blurry, black smudge because he's so close, but he doesn't care. He knows what it is, what it says, and that's all that matters. He wonders how long it'll stay. He wants to take care of it. It means so much.
Heart overflowing with hope and appreciation and gratitude and love, Naruto grits his teeth against the overcome sobs that want to sneak out, tiny shoulders wracking with them. He doesn't think he's ever been this happy...!
A stunned Shikamaru hasn't taken his eyes off Naruto. He never thought his little experiment would get a reaction like this…! Part of him wonders if—his stomach rolls—Naruto's never gotten a good word before…
There's a kind hand on his shoulder. "You okay, Shikamaru?"
Casting a final glance at Naruto, a gentle smile flits across Shikamaru's face. He nods Choji's way. "Just fine."
He files it all away in the back of his mind.
Shikamaru was expecting it to happen to all of them eventually, most likely one by one.
But somehow, he forgot to include himself in the equation.
Most of the words on him are ones he's used to. He's seen and heard them his whole life. Things like lazy, showoff, smartass, arrogant, cheater, and more dye his skin like the assignments he falls asleep on. Even when they fade, they reappear just as quickly.
It makes sense. The other kids are envious and not willing to understand or better themselves, so they take it out on him instead. The usual jerk kid stuff, really. But as far as he's concerned, he's pretty immune to them. Sure, it used to bother him a little when he was younger, but then he met Choji, and he's always had Ino to talk (or smack) some sense into him when he gets down about it, which is rare, so at least he knows not everyone feels that way. And these days, he knows who he is, and he's okay with the other kids not getting it. He has his friends and his parents, and he's fine if no one else gets him. After all, what more does he need?
Of course...that's when the mysterious do-gooder strikes.
It's after a particularly trying day in Mission Tactics class. He got full credit plus bonus points for an above-and-beyond logic score on one of the hardest exams of the year, and the pissed, spiteful thoughts of his peers immediately spread like an ink spill across his skin. Cheat, lazy shit, wise-ass, smug bastard, teacher's pet, kiss-ass, go away, disappear, and so many more.
Shikamaru can feel Choji staring, anxious eyes so wide that his eyebrows have vanished into his hairline. "S-Shikamaru…"
Ino glares at the words like they've personally offended her, which they absolutely have, clenching her fists so hard that they turn white and shake, the Brave across her knuckles a stark, meaningful contrast. "Shikamaru…" she growls, gritting her teeth, "…lemme at 'em! I'll kill 'em!"
Behind them a good few rows, a furious Naruto can't help but agree. Shikamaru didn't do anything wrong! So he aced a test he slept through the material for, so what? That's practically his thing! He's just that amazing! He's a genius, damn it! That's kind of what geniuses do! Well, not Neji, but he's a different kind of genius, just like there are all different kinds of people! Just because Shikamaru is better at something than these other guys, it doesn't mean he should be punished for it, especially not like this! Naruto knows better than anyone that no one deserves to be punished like this!
But just like Naruto figured he would, Shikamaru just shrugs. "It's not like it's a big deal or anything. You guys worry too much."
Does it upset him? Okay, yeah, maybe a little. His classmates have gotten mad at him before for sleeping through class and still acing everything the teachers throw at him, they've been rude and biased and green with envy, but...it's never been like this. Shikamaru's not sure why it's so bad this time. Maybe because they're getting closer and closer to graduating, and he knows for a fact nearly all of them are failing. Maybe they're just scared of what their parents will say. Hell, maybe it's just how they are. Since most of them pick on Naruto all the time, that seems as good a guess as any.
Whatever their reasons, he just wishes they'd get over themselves. He doesn't want or need their approval. He, Ino, Choji, and all their friends are going to be some of the best shinobi this village has ever seen someday. He knows they will. And all these other guys, the ones calling him all these hurtful things? They'll barely be a memory, a passing glance from the past without a face or a name to put there. That is how little their opinions should matter.
(So...why do their words still hurt...?)
He's heading for the door with a worried Choji and a protesting Ino on either side when he feels eyes on him and looks toward the back of the class to find Naruto staring. The kid starts and turns away instantly, like he's afraid he'll be yelled at for even looking his way. But that's not the weird part. There's something off about him, Shikamaru just can't put his finger on what. Not wanting to worry his friends, though, he brushes it off and keeps going.
It only hits him later, as he's falling asleep: there were tears in Naruto's eyes…
Shikamaru has to remind himself to breathe when he wakes up the next day to find genius written diagonally across his temple.
He swears he stares at and traces it in the mirror for half an hour before his mother yells up the stairs that he's going to be late, and he rushes to finish getting ready (not that he really cares about getting there on time, but Choji will worry if he's late, Ino, too, especially after yesterday, and that he does care about!).
He just happens to pass Naruto on his rush inside—
—and it's like everything goes in slow motion.
He and Naruto lock eyes, and Naruto takes in the new word written on his skin. His eyes widen, and then a smile like the damn sun overtakes his face, so bright that Shikamaru actually has to blink in the face of it. Naruto either doesn't mind or thinks Shikamaru's stopped paying him any because his smile turns shy and soft and sweet in the next moment, like sunlight through clouds, and he closes his eyes to tuck it into his too-big orange sweater and blue scarf.
Shikamaru's gone stock-still. That expression on his face...it's so...soft...and warm and selfless... He's...he's so happy to see this word given life, to see Shikamaru so delighted by it (because he knows Naruto's noticed the uplift in him, it's just how he is)...
And in that moment, there's no longer a single shadow of a doubt in his mind.
Naruto stops a good few paces ahead, turning back to Shikamaru with a concerned tilt of his head. "You coming?"
Inside, Shikamaru's still reeling. Swallowing the sudden lump in his throat with considerable effort, he manages a nod and jogs to catch up. "Y-yeah, sure…"
Shikamaru knows, for sure now.
It all comes back to him.
A/N: Fun fact: The lunch experiment section (Naruto's portion, anyway) of this chapter is actually the very first scene I wrote for this AU! I just wrote it on an excited whim after finding the OG concept, and afterward, I thought, 'Hey, what if I made a fic out of this?' lol!
That scene and the majority of Shikamaru getting his bad words, his good one, and realizing it's Naruto I've had written since the very beginning of this fic! lol. Due to that, I edited the hell out of it and added a good bit, too, but just in case you were wondering why the structure of this chapter is different compared to the others! Plus, you know, this is Shikamaru, who's going to become Naruto's BFF ('cause I'm a damn sucker and proud of it!), so I figured a stark difference in his chapter could work! lol. I'm really proud of what these spur-of-the-moment scenes have become! Hope you enjoyed them, too! :D
Thanks so much for reading!