Shikaku

"Please enter." Shikaku heard from the other side of the door. He slid it back revealing three old men. The two were almost identical in looks both had grey hair pulled back in a tight ponytail like most naras they were wrinkled and starting to hunch over the only difference was the one in the middle had a long beard hanging from his chin. The other one on the left had a more relaxed ponytail his features differed from the others and he had a more energetic energy around him. The two similar-looking ones were his uncles and the other was a close cousin of his father. They were the Nara clan council, or more commonly called the elders. Regarding the clan, their power was only second to his, and in some cases, they could go over him and make decisions even if he opposed them. It was safe to say that Shikaku did not like dealing with them.

"Shikaku, please have a seat." the man in the middle said, Shikari the oldest member and leader of the council, he was also the smartest and most stubborn. Shikaku took a seat on the floor across from them. There was a table with four cups of tea in between them. "It's good to see you nephew." The man on the left said with a bright smile, Sukiri was a first cousin to his father and he was Shikaku's favorite to deal with, he was not a part of the main family and because of that he was more humble and not as smart as his cousins. The Nara family is strange because the main family is very strong but the further you branch out the weaker and less intelligent the family gets. Shikuta the man on the right very rarely spoke during meetings and usually just followed his brother's every move. But he was still very smart and stubborn as well.

"What was it that you wanted to talk about." Shikaku inquired wanting this to be over as soon as possible. Both Shikuta and Sukiri nervously glanced at Shikiri waiting for him to speak. He even seemed nervous to talk which was a first.

"We would like to discuss the future of the Nara clan." He answered.

"And what would there be to discuss." Shikaku snarled squinting his eyes in suspicion.

"From our observation of Shikamaru… at the pace he is going at…" Sukiri had never been afraid to speak his mind but Shikaku's gaze made him sweat bullets.

"I...I just think."

"Spit it out already!" Shikaku snapped interrupting the elder making him flinch in the process. Shikaku was usually laid back and not easily angered but if it was about his son he was not going to be pushed around.

"We think that he is far behind where he should be in his training, and he just lacks the motivation to become a suitable clan head." Sukiri finally answered.

Shikaku wanted to say something anything but he knew he couldn't after all they were right. Shikamaru was almost at the very bottom of his class he had only mastered the shadow possession jutsu and his taijutsu was practically nonexistent. There was also his motivation he slept all day in class the teachers were constantly complaining to him and his wife but Shikamaru didn't stop when he got home he would watch clouds or hang out with Choji he never trained, but that would soon change they didnt think he would be a good head but he will be the strongest Nara clan member to ever lead this clan.

"You have nothing to worry about, by the time he takes over this clan he will be more than qualified." Shikaku declared. He stood up and turned to the door.

"Wait what are you going to do about it." Sukiri implored.

"You'll see." He replied before exiting the room and making his way through the complex to his office he needed to take care of a few things then Shikamarus training would start.

Shikamaru

The clouds seemed so peaceful they had no stress no responsibilities and no work. They could just float around for their entire lives endlessly in the quiet sky away from the problems of people. Shikamaru was sitting in his favorite cloud-watching spot stretched out on a bench gazing up at the white shapes gliding through the sky. He could feel the afternoon breeze wash over his skin, sending leaves swirling into the air. This was paradise for him there were very few things that could ruin this.

"Hey, Shikamaru." That was one of them. He rolled his head to the side and saw his dad walking up the stairs toward him. Shikamaru was thinking of all the possible things that could have happened was it him sleeping in class again or did he not do some of his chores?

"We need to talk." His dad sat down next to him looking more serious than usual. This might be bad did he do something that serious he couldn't remember he usually didn't do anything that got him in too much trouble.

"You're going to graduate from the academy soon and once that happens you'll be a ninja of Konoha." His dad was looking at the ground with his hands in his lap.

"Yeah, I know Dad," Shikamaru confirmed confused about what his father was talking about.

"I have failed in your training you're barely passing the academy right now and I know it's from your lack of effort and that ends now. You're going to take over this clan someday and you can't just sit around and watch clouds all day. Starting tomorrow we are going to train every day after you get home from school." His dad sounded determined a lot different from his normally laid back uncaring tone.

This was bad really bad training was the last thing Shikamaru wanted to do especially every day. He was about to say something back to try and get out of it but his father disappeared. This was going to be such a drag.

The next day Shikamaru walked home as slow as he could. His conversation with his dad was still weighing on his mind. His dad had never talked about training apart from teaching him the shadow possession jutsu and occasionally checking his progress in the academy.

This was going to be so troublesome he thought standing outside his door dreading going inside. Reluctantly he slid open the door his father looked to be asleep on the couch so Shikamaru silently took off his shoes and stealthily moved through the hallway to the stairs hoping his dad would remain asleep.

"We need to work on your stealth as well." Those words made him stop dead in his tracks he was so close to escaping. He turned to look at his father who was lying on the couch with one eye open.

"Come on." He said standing up "Your training starts now." It would be even more troublesome to fight it so Shikamaru just accepted and slowly trudged outside.

Outside his dad was standing next to a bench with various weapons lined up on it. "First you will pick a weapon, while most shinobi don't use them it's always smart to have a reliable weapon to fall back on. These are different weapons that shinobi use, pick one and we will begin our training with them though in time I expect you to master them all."

Weapons this was going to be such a drag they would take forever to master. Shikamaru walked up to the bench and examined the weapons the first was a long stick skinny at the bottom and thick towards the top with small metal spikes placed around it, a kanabo if he remembered correctly. He picked it up to give it a test but was barely able to lift it let alone swing it.

"This one is way too heavy."

"Then just try the next."

Next was a katana simple but effective it was around the middle in every category a good tool for a ninja though there may be better ones. After them was a pair of sai's they were small easy to carry and conceal but much less effective than others and could easily be replaced by a kunai. Next the Nunchucks this wasnt a hard choice they were flashy and hard to master while deadly in the right hands they would not be Shikamaru's. They were followed by a fan was that even a weapon? He looked towards his dad in confusion.

"The fan can be a very deadly weapon when in the right hands." his father chuckled slightly "But their not usually used by men." Shikamaru just nodded and moved on. The next couple were pretty similar a spear, a pole axe, and a bo, and they all were bad choices one of the main requirements was mobility and both severely lacked that. After them was a scythe with a chain and a weight attached to it. Shikamaru didn't even consider this while deadly and compact this would probably require the most training and it would be too much of a drag. The final two were both interesting options a tanto and tonfa. Both were compact and easily carried while not losing utility and were easily utilized the tanto was probably the easiest but it wasnt different enough from a kuni to justify it so it was down to the tonfa and the katana. One was more mobile and one had more uses.

"I'll take the tonfa, they are the best choice." Shikamaru decided after a while. He picked the weapons up to get a feel for them and gave them a few practice swings.

"I figured you would pick them they are the best choice for you. So we will start training now." Man how much are we going to do today he was supposed to be taking a nap right now.

"But first I'll tell you how training will go, every day when you get home from school you will come out here and we will train until I say we can stop we will continue this until you graduate."

"We're doing this every day, that's such a drag."

His dad put his hands together making a hand sign "Shadow clone jutsu" A perfect replica of him appeared in a puff of smoke and wasnt just a fake illusion it was a real solid clone.

"You're going to spar with my clone and learn to use those." he gestured at the tonfa in Shkiamaru's hands. "What are you going to do," Shikamaru asked suspiciously.

"I'm going to watch from over here." He laied down in a chair on the porch. That lazy bastard wasnt even going to train him himself. Shikamaru was about to say something when he felt pain erupt in his chest and was suddenly skidding across the ground. He rolled to a stop nearly 30 feet from where he was. What the hell just happened what was that?

"Never take your eyes off of your opponent." His dad lazily muttered from his chair. That was his clone why did he hit him so hard?

"That was a little much for training wasnt it," Shikamaru said standing up his chest still hurt and he was barely getting his breath back.

"In battle, your enemy won't hold back so neither will I," Shikaku smirked like he was enjoying this. Wait where was the clone, he quickly scanned the field Shikamaru couldn't see him anywhere. There was a slight russel of leaves above him and that was all the warning he needed. He raised the tonfa above his head just in time meeting a full force punch. But his guard was too weak. Shikamaru was still knocked back just not as hard this time. The tonfa absorbed most of the impact but it still sent a wave of pain through his body.

When Shikamaru looked back up the clone was gone again. He looked around frantically trying to find it but again could not see it. It's probably not a good idea to stand still. Shikamaru jumped back and just at the right time because the ground where he had been standing erupted up and a fist flew straight threw where Shikamaru had been standing.

Though Shikamaru wasnt safe the clone launched itself forward the moment it made contact with the ground. Shikamaru tried to get out of the way but he was too slow the clone caught up in a matter of seconds.

When the clone appeared right in front of Shikamaru he saw the clone's right arm move back. He quickly turned to the left as a punch ripped through the air barely missing. Next was a left kick but he couldn't dodge so he put up his tonfa and braced himself. The kick was hard but the wooden tools absorbed most of the impact and he only slid back a couple feet this time.

The clone didn't stop though he delivered punch after punch Shikamaru tried to block all of them but multiple punches were able to connect. The more hits he took the more Shikamaru's defense fell apart his stomach was burning from all the blows landing and his arms felt like they were about to fall off.

"What are you doing, attack or are you just going to sit there and let him hit you." His dad yelled from his chair.

How was he supposed to attack he could barely block even if he found an opening could he land a hit, he would be exposed by attacking and take more damage, and did he even have enough strength to deal any damage? He had to do something he was sitting there like a training dummy. What could he do he looked around for something to use.

His thoughts were interrupted by a massive uppercut breaking through his guard the punch hit him square in the stomach pushing him up in the air. All of the breath was knocked from his lungs his stomach was on fire, and his head was spinning. He crashed to the ground and curled up holding his gut. His weapons lay discarded on the ground.

The clone erupted into a puff of smoke disappearing. Shikaku walked over to Shikamaru who was still curled up but breathing better. He squatted down next to Shikamaru.

"You overthink too much." He said with a sigh. "I used to do the same thing, you're trying to think of the best strategy to get out of a situation but while doing it you don't think about what's happening in the moment and get hurt."

Shikamaru was finally able to regain his breath he slowly sat up and looked at his dad. His entire body hurt all he wanted to do was sleep.

"You did well today." His dad said, "Well do this every day from now on."

"So you're just going to beat me up until I can't fight back." Shikamaru scoffed, "Why are we doing this, why now. Why can't I just lay down and watch the clouds?" Shikamaru was tired and in a lot of pain he didn't want to train he just wanted a simple life as a simple shinobi not working too hard or pushing himself.

Shikaku

Shikamarus words were painful to hear he knew he was pushing his son and it would only get harder from here. But Shikamaru had told him his dream was to be an average shinobi mary a normal girl and live a simple life as a shinobi. But that just wasn't possible not now he would need to take over the clan and Shikaku could tell that something was coming he didn't know if it was war, rebellion, or something else but something was going to happen and everyone knew it.

Shikaku was the Jonin commander he was high in the chain of command which also meant his life was at a higher risk. and he would be dammed if he left his son unprepared for what the world would throw at him.

"You want to be a shinobi and in a couple of months you will graduate and become an adult whether you like it or not so you will be prepared no matter what."

Naruto

There was so much to do in the village, so many places to shop and games to play. But Naruto couldn't do any of that. He didn't have any friends and for some reason, all the villagers treated him like some kind of monster. He was just a kid sure he pulled pranks sometimes but he had never caused anyone harm.

But it seemed like everywhere he went people hated or feared him. That's why he would be the Hokage he would make these people respect him he would protect and save the village and be a hero.

But for now, he was walking along the cliffside gazing over the village. It seemed it was more lively at night than during the day. The bright shop lights lit up the village against the night sky. People crowded the streets walking with friends eating and drinking after a long day.

Naruto couldn't help but envy those people they always had someone to confide in someone to trust and hang out with. But he had no one no parents, no siblings, and no friends.

As he was walking not paying attention his foot hit something causing him to fall down but instead of the hard rock, he fell on something squishy.

"What are you doing." A tired voice mumbled from underneath him wait wasn't that Shikamaru's voice?

Naruto quickly jumped up and looked down; sure enough, the lazy kid was lying beneath him.

"What are you doing down there you know no one can see you!" naruto exclaimed

"Well, you would have been able to see me if you were watching where you were going." Shikamaru retorted.

"Why are you even laying on the ground anyway." Naruto countered sitting down next to Shikamaru. Shikamaru gave him a confused look before returning his attention to the shy. What was he looking at Naruto looked up but saw nothing but the sky and stars. Finally, Shikamaru sighed "I'm stargazing." he mumbled.

"Stargazing what's that," Naruto questioned why would you look at the stars?

"It's when you lay down and look at the constellations," Shikamaru explained. Well, that didn't help what was a constellation. But he wasn't going to look like an idiot in front of his classmates. He lay down next to Shikamaru and looked at the sky. It just looked like the same stars as always.

"A constellation is a formation of stars that resemble something." Shikamaru hummed he then pointed into the sky at a cluster of stars. "That one is called Orion for example." it kinda looked like a person.

"The line through the middle is called Orion's belt." he hummed it seemed as if Shikamaru was interested in something aside from sleeping for once. Maybe this was his chance to finally make a friend.

"Why is it called Orion." he inquired to keep the conversation going. Shikamaru didn't answer imminently Naruto looked over at him to see if he had fallen asleep but he was just staring at the sky intently.

"I don't know apparently the name came from people outside this continent but from what I've heard it's named after Orion the hunter who was believed to be some kind of god or something like that." He murmered.

Naruto looked back at the sky it really was kind of beautiful. They both just lay there for what felt like hours staring at the sky. The silence was interrupted by Shikamaru standing up.

"If I don't get home soon my parents will be all over me so I gotta go." He said and started to walk away.

"Wait I'll go with you," Naruto said smiling "I need to get home anyway." He added trying to make it seem like he wasn't desperate.

"Whatever, come on," Shikamaru sighed giving a lazy wave for him to follow. They walked along the old path back to the village in silence. Naruto couldn't think of anything to say to break it. Before he knew it they were back in the village. The streets were almost empty by now and shops were cutting off their lights.

"Alright, I'll see you later I guess," Shikamaru said. Naruto turned to him and he was walking through a gate into some kind of community it must be some kind of clan thing.

"Bye Shikamaru," Naruto said waving to him and he got a lazy half-wave in response. And just like that he was alone again he trudged off back to his apartment in silence.