He sat on Shikamaru's bed the headband on his lap, the sun was yet to rise and he had woken up with the nerves of the first official day as a Leaf Shinobi. His first official mission as Naruto Uzumaki. His stomach would not settle and his tattoo felt as though something was crawling beneath it. He'd lost count how many times he had scratched at it. How many times the thought of betraying Gaara had crossed his mind. It seemed odd to have a permanent mark to declare his loyalty to Gaara but wear the headband to protect Konoha. He couldn't deny a part of him felt happy to finally take his place to protect his parents home. And he knew he wanted to protect Shikamaru's home. He still didn't completely separate his home from Shikamaru as a person but he was getting there. Their friends made it easy, his family made it easy, as odd as a family it was. An arm snaked round his hips causing him to smile and look over his shoulder to his boyfriend, the heat of his bare shoulder warming the back of Naruto's right hip.
"Go back to sleep" He grumbled his voice deep and still laced with sleep as he buried his head into Naruto's lower back. Naruto loved it. He didn't think he would ever tire of waking up next to him, hearing that voice, seeing his bed hair, the lazy look of annoyance at waking up. The daily groan at getting out of the bed.
"Can't" Naruto whispered. Shikamaru turned his head to the side opening one eye to study him.
"You're being irrational about it" he sighed pulling himself up to pull Naruto's back to his chest.
"I know" he moaned rolling his shoulder trying to ignore the itch.
"You don't have to do it"
"I want to" he said, and it was the truth "I just..." he trailed off his shoulders sagging as he sighed frustrated
"Gaara" Shikamaru supplied kissing Naruto's shoulder before putting his hot hand over the tattoo "I know being a civilian left you with some leniency to be between us both. And I get its a comfort for you"
"I was never officially a Sand Shinobi either, I know. And I knew I'd never be put in a position to choose between you and him as orders. Gaara never, ever thought to put me on mission to anything relating the leaf. And he truly wanted to make the relationship work so it was always a comfort" Naruto said "but I don't trust these elders... this council" Not that he trusted the Suna council for the most part either, he scowled at that memories of the backstabbers
"You don't have that same assurance," Shikamaru nodded and Naruto nodded "look" he said pulling Naruto's shoulder to get him to turn around. Naruto complied putting his legs around Shikamaru's waist as the Nara's legs remained either side of him. He put the headband next to Shikamaru's leg before putting his arms around his neck.
"Nothing is going to happen to Gaara, and even if the treaty fails -a huge if- it will be years... by then Kakashi will be Hokage. And you trust him, right?"
Naruto nodded and liked the sound of that. That was comforting. Shikamaru had been a pillar of strength, support and logic for Naruto in the last months. Pulling him from his panic attacks and his urge to bury himself in his house when the sessions with Inoichi had gotten particularly dark. Naruto still had the fear he would get tired of it, walk away with the thought it wasn't worth all the trouble just to be with him. He knew it was ridiculous, he truly did. Shikamaru's actions had been proof enough since the day they had met. He wasn't exactly as interactive as he was now when they met. It took him a while to talk properly.
"Yeah, and those old bats will hopefully croak by then" Naruto said ignoring the disapproving look from Shikamaru. He wouldn't pretend he liked them.
"You'll be fine. And your first mission is simple enough, with Sasuke and Sakura"
"Hunting down someone who ran from the war feels dirty" Naruto squirmed. Hundreds if not thousands of shinobi had deserted their place in the war, and villages wanted them brought in for punishment. And while he doesn't condone the desertion of their villages, making themselves rogue, he did think some leniency should be given. They were against untraceable clones, resurrected legends, Madara himself and raging tailed beast and their resurrected jinchurichi. It was enough to scare the most loyal of ninja he was sure. Not all were seasoned war veterans like Kakashi, and Itachi. Not all had faced enemies the likes of previous Kage, of Jichurichi and other well known, very terrifying by their own right legends. He scratched the back of his neck and sighed.
"I know" Shikamaru agreed "but they're considered rogues now. And any one of them could have very vital information to their respective villages"
"I get it. I do. But if they could return I'm sure they would. They didn't betray their villages, they only fled"
"That's up to each village" Shikamaru reminded him reaching for the headband "and this, it makes you loyal to Tsunade, and the village not the council. And fact is she has the final say if she says it. And, soon, very soon it'll be Kakashi. And I know that's a big part of why you agreed to take it"
Naruto didn't even try to deny it he just snorted and put his head on Shikamaru's shoulder
"I'm not sure I can deal with a lifetime of his logic" Kurama huffed
Naruto ignored him rolling his eyes. Kurama liked Shikamaru and they all knew it.
"Hey" Shikamaru said softly lifting his hand to Naruto's chin "it'll be fine. And you'll be great. And nobody can really make you do anything and the whole world knows it, maybe learn to use that" he advised
Naruto nodded and smiled to the man smirking at him.
"You're a bad influence" Naruto teased
"Not true" Shikamaru denied leaning down claim Naruto's lips in a sweet, chaste kiss.
"Very true" Naruto argues against his lips smiling against him "I love you" he kissed him again and leant back.
"Ah..." he said dramatically "I guess I love you too, if I have to" he shrugged and chuckled as Naruto lightly smacked his chest losing the fight not to smile immediately.
Shikamaru caught his wrist as his smile fell away, his soft brown eyes seeming to harden as he brought Naruto's wrist to his lips not looking away. Naruto felt his face fall as his heart decided it was now functioning at a speed not wholly healthy for the human body.
"I love you too" he said steadily and Naruto could only nod as he wasn't entirely sure he could speak. Shikamaru teased a lot, but he always made sure to tell Naruto after he loved him, as if he knew about Naruto's doubts (which he was sure he probably did). Sometimes it was right after, or later in the day, or mostly in bed at the end of the day. And Naruto still wasn't used to it. Everytime his heart tried to break from his chest, his breath left him and his voice failed him. And he was only left with an intense desire to be completely consumed by the Nara. He put his hands to Shikamaru's jaw and pulled him in for a kiss, which Shikamaru gladly accepted before putting his hands in Naruto's hair taking control of the kiss.
Naruto didn't care, he loved it, and gladly succumbed to Shikamaru's assault on his mouth. As he opened his mouth to deepen the kiss the warm, wet tongue invading his mouth had him groaning as his stomach clenched and his dick came to life. Shikamaru's hands came to Naruto's waist and pulled him against him and Naruto gasped at the pressure of Shikamaru's arousal against his own. He would never not want this and he was always grateful he had waited for Shikamaru, that he now had Shikamaru as completely as Shikamaru had him. Hot breath came to his neck as Shikamaru placed his lips against the side of his neck. His hips rolled as he pressed himself further into Shikamaru, who growled out and began pulling Naruto's boxers down
-
Naruto couldn't drop the grin from his face as he walked to the Hokage tower with Shikamaru hand in hand. His nerves had settles considerably and he was walking through the village in his new work clothes. Simple black cargo pants and his usual tool packs. Ino had gone shopping for him to get him a few mesh tops and other things for him to try. He'd settled on a black long sleeved top with the red Uzumaki swirl on the back and it had orange markings on the sleeves. He'd come to realise he really liked orange. To everyone else's horror apparently. Kakashi had told him he would be ranked jonin so he would have to wear the vest. He didn't see much point in wearing a big jacket like he had originally wanted. He could just see it being too uncomfortable.
Ino had promised to go get him more of his own clothes when he was up to it. Apparently it wasn't acceptable to be wearing others clothes forever and now being a shinobi he had to have his own things. It felt weird, to have to get things, Gaara always made sure he had everything he needed and Naruto never needed much, and on Myaboku the toads made sure he was provided for. He never needed money unless in mission. And coming to the village to be handed a stupid amount of inheritance had thrown him for a loop, that wasn't even including the money Jiyraiya had sent over for him either. Finally going through his belongings in Kakashi's possession they had come across his Dad's Will that Kakashi hadn't even known was there.
Sealed in a scroll that Naruto had opened. It wasn't even sealed with any jutsu, he'd given it to Kakashi with nothing more than a wax seal with the Uzumaki crest, complete trust and the man had never opened it to look. Naruto had never felt such a heavy wave of love in one moment before that. So now he had more money than he knew what to do with and it felt weird he was expected to start accumulating his own possessions. Naruto had also been given all of Jiraiya's royalties and savings from his work and his books. The entire series now belonged to him, and Fukasaku had come to deliver Jiraiya's final manuscript that was left a Myaboku. It was complete and Naruto had struggled to think of what to do with it. Until he thought it would be a great gift for Kakashi when he became Hokage.
Shikamaru had helped him find Jiraiya's usual publishers and they had happily agreed to take on the task when he was ready. The Acknowledement would be dedicated to Jiyraiya himself and all his fans who had followed and supported him throughout the years and informing them this was the last of his work. Naruto didn't want the money from its release, and he had struggled to figure out what Jiraiya would want it for. And Tsunade had only said he'd want Naruto to have it. So he still needed to decide before the first editions were released. He had time. He wasn't going to send the manuscript to the publisher until closer to the time to Kakashi being made Hokage. He wanted him to have the first one, before it was released.
"Naruto!" Called a familar excitable voice pulling him from his thoughts. He blinked looking up to see Rock Lee speeding toward him. Shikamaru let out a quiet 'troublesome' while Naruto smiled and waved
"Morning Lee, what's up?" He asked as the man stopped in front of him
"I wanted to wish you luck on your first day. Welcome to the team!" He grinned widely and Naruto snorted
"Thanks, Lee"
Lee's face fell as he looked Naruto over and frowned
"Where is your headband?" He asked and Naruto's smile turned awkward.
"Oh I have it" he said and scratched the back of his neck "I'll put it on at the tower"
Truth was he just didn't want to look at himself in the mirror with it.
"That is a wonderful idea!" Lee yelled looking proud and Naruto let out a loud laugh. It wasn't, but Lee had a gift for making anyone sound brilliant.
"We will be late" Shikamaru said lightly pulling on Naruto's hand. Both men nodded and Lee took off waving widely leaving them in the middle of the street.
The office was full, with Tsunade, Shizune, Kakashi and Itachi stood against the windows. Sakura and Sasuke were already there when Naruto and Shikamaru walked in.
"On time as usual" Tsunade nodded to Shikamaru as Naruto was securing the headband on his head. Deciding once they got to the door he couldn't put it off anymore. The look on Itachi and Kakashi's faces was enough to make him blush and look away. They looked so proud, and Itachi even had a smile on his face. Small but a smile none the less.
"Finally" the elder Uchiha said pushing away from the window to cross the room to stand in front of him. Placing his hand on his shoulder he flicked the headband a small metal clank sounding "somewhere you're supposed to be little one" he teased but Naruto couldn't even laugh his eyes were wide and his heart was in his throat. He could see Sasuke close his eyes and smile at the floor and Naruto knew he hadn't got it wrong. Sasuke had told him once, about how Itachi said 'I love you' without really saying it. He knew Itachi cared, of course but... to get the same treatment he gave his most precious person was enough to bring tears to his eyes. He had to blink rapidly and smile up to Itachi
"Only took twelve years" he said sarcastically causing the room to laugh lightly and Shikamaru to put his arm around his waist, squeeze and walk further into the office.
"The plans you asked me to go over" he announced to Tsunade handing her the scroll "I think its good, I made notes for improvements though they aren't particularly necessary"
"Thank you" she said placing it on her desk. Itachi moved back to his place while Shikamaru went to stand next to Shizune. Naruto stood next to Sasuke and waited for the mission. Next time he's going to the missions department but as it was his first Tsunade wanted to hand it to him personally. Unless she would call on him specifically.
"Sasuke is team captain. You are to catch and return a deserter for Suna" Naruto tensed and glared at her but kept his mouth shut. "The Kazekage wants her alive if possible, which is why he had asked we use you Naruto. He seems to think you could convince her to return without a fight"
"Name?" He asked calmly
"Chinatsu"
Naruto cursed and turned to glare at Shikamaru who only lifted his brow, apologetically. Nobody else would have noticed.
"Will this be a problem?" Kakashi asked and Naruto almost growled
"No" he said calmly. It was clearly Gaara's orders too so he wasn't going to argue. But he had worked with her a few times, and she was a good ninja, and very loyal to Gaara. The idea of dragging her back for execution just didn't sit right with him.
"Is catching the girl alive a must?" Sakura asked softly her hand reaching over to lightly press on Naruto's arm apologetically.
"No. Just a preferance" Tsunade said "once apprehended you are to take her to Suna and deliver her to the Kazekage tower"
They all nodded and Naruto looked at his team and realised it was just too overpowered to go and collect Chinatsu. What was the reason for putting them together? Surely chunin would be sufficient (which they were). He understood why they didn't send him alone but with two other jonin level ninja seemed a bit much. Kakashi threw something green at him and Naruto caught the vest easily
"Why isn't Naruto team captain if he has superiority?" Sakura asked smiling softly as Naruto put the vest on.
"First day on the job, ever, jonin or not. Don't think I'm comfortable enough to be captain" Naruto shrugged zipping up the vest. It felt weird he frowned.
"Alright, dismissed" Tsunade said and the team left. Naruto did not like not being able to say goodbye.
They left the gates and Genma had clapped Naruto on the back congratulating him and Naruto was pleased to realise he hadn't tensed at the contact. Genma had proclaimed himself a good friend of Kakashi's and was an incorrigible flirt. Didn't matter to who, man, woman, single or married. It was apparently just common knowledge he meant nothing by it he was just a cocky bastard. Who ironically couldn't flirt with one person he was interested in. He had taken it upon himself to expose Naruto to unannounced contact. And it had worked, for only Genma and the people he trusted. Being accidentally touched by civilians was still triggering. But at least he wasn't reaching for his weapons.
They ran in silence for a while as they left the village behind. It was the first time he had left since returning officially. Partly because he didn't want Shikamaru to worry he was running off again, and partly because he didn't want to ruin his progress. Sasuke and Sakura ran ahead and Naruto stayed back slightly hoping mostly to remind himself to keep pace with them. He wasn't used to have to slow down for people, and Bee had kept up during the war. Thankfully they were nowhere near as slow as Aoba, Gai and Yamato, that was torture.
"Do we need to know anything about this woman?" Sasuke asked and Naruto moved to line up with the couple.
"No. She won't fight, Gaara made sure of it when asking for me to be here. I guarantee she would love to return home"
"Then why hasn't she?" Sakura asked
"Gaara takes betrayal seriously. He won't forgive it and even though she hasn't done that she probably thinks she let him down. He may be... tamer than he was but he's no less terrifying when he's angry than from the Chunin exams"
Sakura shivered and Sasuke put his hand on her wrist for a moment and Naruto bit back his smirk.
"So we're just over qualified escorts?" Sakura asked and Naruto nodded
"Pretty much. This team did seem a bit overboard for the mission"
"Tsunade didn't want to put you with strangers but she wanted you to try and be with others, other than Shikamaru. We worked well together in the war and Tsunade seemed to think you got along with Sakura well" Sasuke explained
Naruto nodded and that made sense. They had at one point been the spearhead to the efforts in the war, almost like a team when Sakura achieved her seal. He chuckled at the image of the three of them as genin, Kakashi their sensei.
"What?" Sakura asked
"Nothing. Just... wondered if we'd have been a team if things had been different"
"Well I have no doubt Kakashi would have been your sensei" Sasuke scoffed
"And he was ours so it's possible" Sakura smiled
Naruto had never gotten round to asking why they didn't have a third member to their team
"Why did he only have two?" Naruto asked finally and Sakura smiled
"The class was uneven. So it was just a 'unfortunate' handicap" she said quoting the word unfortunate
"Ah yes, because you'd be so weak as a team without a third member" Naruto chuckled and both of them smirked at him knowingly. If he understood it they were in fact the strongest to come from their class. Yeah he liked that.
-
Sasuke and Sakura came to stand next to him bowing politely as they entered Gaara's office. Gaara raised his brow at the girl I Naruto's arms. Taking not of her missing leg. He looked to Sasuke and Sakura
"I thank you for agreeing to take such a simple mission. I have rooms prepared for you to rest for the night before returning to Konoha" he said and the couple thanked him. Naruto placed Chinatsu in the chair gently as they explained the situation. How she had only fled her fight and was injured from a bigger fight a giant piece of earth landing on her leg, trapping her for two days before some civilians found her.
"You deserted, you will be punished after further investigation to your claims" he said and two ANBU appeared causing her to tense and looked to Naruto eyes desperate and pleading. There was nothing he could do for her, especially now as a Leaf Shinobi.
"I have work to finish, I'll speak to you later Naruto" Gaara said looking back to his paperwork dismissing the trio. They left and Naruto lead them to the guest rooms of the building and Sakura and Sasuke were watching him, he could feel it.
"What?" He asked stopping in the hallway
"Are you okay?" Sakura asked stepping closer, they all knew Sasuke wouldn't ask.
"No. She was a good, loyal Kunoichi. And she adores Gaara. The war had put us all in a shitty position" he explained and Sakura nodded
"But she fully intended to return... maybe she can be discharged from duty and punished another way" Sakura tried to sound hopeful. That she wouldn't be killed. But the truth was, there was no way to know.
"Yeah. Maybe" he shrugged
"Hattori! Nice to see you!" Came Kankoro's cheerful voice and Naruto smirked to look at the puppet user.
"Hey Kan!" He waved. He liked Kankoro. He was laid back and a bit dim witted but he was always happy, and knew how to make people smile.
"Whoa, who is this bombshell?" He asked looking Sakura over as he approached completely oblivious to the glaring Uchiha.
"Sakura" he answered "the protégé to Tsunade, so I wouldn't be yourself" Naruto warned and Kankoro threw his head back laughing loud before looking back at her
"You can't blame me" he held out his hand "you are beautiful, Im Kankoro, Gaara's brother" she took his hand giving it a single shake. "I remember you from the Chunin exams" he added
"Idiot" Kurama huffed while Naruto wondered if he'd realised she was the one who saved his life. And had been here numerous times.
"Thank you" was all she said
"And you must be Sasuke Uchiha. Nice to meet you" Kankoro nodded not even bothering to hold out his hand. Wow. They must have heard about him, Naruto thought amused. Sasuke only nodded
"I'm heading to the bar! You guys should join me"
"No" Naruto deadpanned
"Aw man, come on she will give me free drinks!" Kankoro whined and Naruto shook his head
"Who?" Sakura asked smiling slightly
"Oh, his admirer. She's been in love with him for years but he has never shown interest in anyone. Honestly he's the most asexual person I have ever met. But she started working at the bar a while before he left for the long mission. She'd give us free drinks and looked so sad whenever he was only polite with her"
Sasuke snorted while Naruto glared at him.
"Wait... you think Naruto is..." Sakura trailed off holding a grin
"Oh shut up" Naruto huffed "yeah me coming isn't going to help you get free drinks"
"You kidding. Anyone would give you free drinks! You two saved the world" Kankoro snorted "come on"
Naruto had left them at the bar, deciding to head back to his old home, to his room. Which he knew Gaara hadn't bothered to change. Even after all this time. He wasn't at all surprised to find Gaara already at the house when he walked in.
"I hope you aren't too upset with my request for your first mission" Gaara said and Naruto glared at him
"You know I am" he shrugged and resisted the snarky tone
"She won't be executed" he announced and Naruto relaxed "she is unable to be a ninja anymore"
"I expected as much" he nodded
"Sadly I am expecting a few cases such as these. Injured or deceased. We have over the year had people return of their own volition. I have heard its the same for other villages also"
Naruto understood, it meant those who hadn't were either rogue, dead or too injured to make the trip. He couldn't deny that makes him feel better about the whole thing.
"How are you feeling?" He asked Naruto who sat down on the couch and sighed
"Not too bad, I was pretty bad the day of but, I'm alright now"
Gaara nodded
"I'm glad. And you and Shikamaru?" He asked his brow raising at the grin that spread across the blondes face
"Brilliant. I am happy so you don't need to worry, everyone is taking good care of me"
"Good, we may have issues if not" he threatened folding his arms with a very small smirk
"Sure, I'll remind them" he scoffed leaning back into the couch. Gaara sat opposite and all emotion fell away from his features. They sat in silence for a while, Naruto stewing in his worry of the one question he wanted to ask.
"Do you feel betrayed?" He finally asked his hand coming to his shoulder
"No" Gaara answered easily. There wasn't even hesitation "You're back where you belong, and while I can't deny I wish you could stay. I know you're happiest there, and you're getting all that you should have had when you were born. I trust the people you chose to help and support you"
"But I'm your ANBU" he countered
"You were as much of protection for me as that mark was for you. I told you when I offered it, I only wanted something to protect you. Getting your trust and loyalty was only a very welcome bonus I never intended to enforce its 'purpose' on you"
"I know. I just can't shake this feeling I'm letting you down" he sighed "Not sure why"
"Perhaps you just need to accept your life is how you deserve it to be" Gaara said and Naruto tensed at the words. Was that what was happening? Was he just waiting for something to go wrong?
"Aren't you always?" Kurama asked and Naruto mentally flipped him off. He'd bring that up with Inoichi when they get back.
"I'll try" he said softly. Gaara stood up to cross the room to go to his office adjacent to the room. He came back holding polished wooden box. It was about four by five and had a gold clasp keeping it shut.
"If I recall, you're Father wished you a happy birthday as the sun rose at the end of the war" Gaara said and Naruto winced. He had never told Gaara his birthday, he'd never celebrated it. The day was always so terrible in the village, and out of it he didn't want to.
"Ah, you caught that huh?"
"Not just me. The other Kage too, there have been inquiries as to what to gift you"
Naruto groaned because if he was honest he didn't even know what he would want.
"I won't see you on the day so this is your gift" he said holding the box out to Naruto. Raising his browd in surprise he accepted the box
"Thanks Gaara" he said truthfully. The only other gifts he had ever received was from Shikamaru. And he really did appreciate the thought. He placed the box on his lap and looked down at it.
"You can open it now if you wish" Gaara said and Naruto looked to see him watching him intently. Smiling softly he nodded, understanding Gaara had never really given a gift either. His siblings didn't want anything from him, remaining guilty for failing him when they were children. Naruto hoped they'd grow out of it. So he undid the clasp and opened the box only to have his jaw drop. The faint trace of Gaara's chakra was all the evidence he needed to know exactly what had been used to make it. Inside the box on a velvet base that had been shaped to hold the small ornament snug inside. Was a translucent glass Uzumaki symbol with the Suna symbol in a opaque red at the base of it. Naruto felt his heart pound heavy in his chest as he looked up to Gaara having to blink back the sting of oncoming tears.
"Thank you!" He breathed and Gaara smiled softly
"As the head of Suna we don't get a clan symbol, we are Suna..." Gaara trailed off as he sat back down "so essentially that is ours. You are an Uzumaki, no doubt about it and you're a Leaf Shinobi. But you are also a Sabaku, Naruto. I don't think you truly understand that"
"Because-"
"Nothing. You are and thats it. My siblings agree and we all agreed on giving you this"
He put his hand on his shoulder as the itching seemed to vanish... family. He always felt Gaara was more family than friend but they had never really talked about it, not properly. So he nodded his fingers running over the Suna symbol feeling the lingering chakra.
"You used your sand" he chuckled in disbelief and looked back up to see Gaara scratch his neck.
"I felt it appropriate" he spoke avoiding Naruto's eyes while Naruto tried not to react that Gaara was embarrassed
"I love it. It truly makes me happy to know you see me as family too, I know you always said it, 'brother' but I never really let myself believe you meant it passed our connection with the tailed beasts" he admitted
"Because you were too busy hiding in a hole" Kurama reminded him.
"I know" Gaara nodded and Naruto grinned widened
"Love you too Gaara" he said teasing, but he meant it. He truly loved him. And he was returned with the very small, very awkward nod from the red head.
-
They left the village and headed home. The couple were quiet and Naruto appreciated the time to be in his own head. The guilt had eased and the itch on his arm was gone. The idea of being a ninja for the leaf wasn't so bad now. He still had his doubts of course, the elders and his own issues but it was... easier to accept. It was almost nightfall and Naruto really didn't want to camp in the desert.
"Guys... can't I just use the flying Raijin?" There's gonna be a storm tonight I can feel it"
"You up for it?" Sasuke asked
"Shut up man I did it often enough" he snapped
"I meant with the three of us" Sasuke rolled his eyes
"Oh" Naruto said blankly "yeah no problem" he shrugged
"Then get us out of here" Sakura grinned bouncing on her toes.
"Why are you so excited?" He asked trying to hold his smile and failing miserably.
"I've never done this! It looks cool and I'm curious" she shrugged
"Well step on up princess" he grinned holding his hand out and Sasuke took hers. "Take a breath, and bend your knees" he warned
-
The gates were in sight and Naruto felt oddly relieved to be back. He hadn't realised he felt uncomfortable being away from it until he saw the big red gates. The multiple flames of chakra could be felt some familiar some not. But he could sense one. And he shot forward to go ahead ignoring the giggle from Sakura. His heart pounded as he saw the spiked up ponytail he had come to love so much. He was talking to Genma, not facing the exit of the village. He reached up with shadows and the Nara turned to face him, smile already in place. Naruto had to slow down so he wouldn't knock the wind out of him as he threw his arms around his neck.
The lazy chuckled settled his chest as arms wrapped around his waist
"Missed you too" he drawled "You're back early. Gaara sent word you left two days ago. You skip the desert?"
"Yeah" he sighed tightening his hold and burying his head into the crook of his neck. He had missed him, he didn't realise how much until he sensed him so close by. The others caught up and Naruto let Shikamaru go "I'll see you soon" he said and Shikamaru smiled squeezing his hand before nodding and letting the trio head to the Hokage tower to report in.
"Well done. I'm glad it went smoothly" Tsunade said placing her clasped fingers under her chin. "I'll have more missions available to take soon. You're free for the day" she dismissed and they left the office. Naruto pulled off the headband with a heavy sigh and looked down to it.
"Still unsure about it?" Sakura asked softly putting her hand on his shoulder and he shook his head
"Not so much now" he admitted "just still strange, ya know"
"I bet" she chuckled and weaved her arm in his and reached over to take Sasuke's hand "Well come on. Ichiraku's to celebrate!" She said enthusiastically and Naruto couldn't not laugh. With one hand he wiggled the headband back on and both boys let her drag them from the building. Naruto would take his gift to his parents house when they had finished. He knew Shikamaru wouldn't finish his work until the early evening at least.
The Ramen was perfect and Naruto was happy to find the three chunin of Team Gai sat at a booth.
"Congratulations!" Lee yelled jumping up to put his fist in the air. "Welcome youthful Naruto to the Leaf Shinobi forces!"
"Thanks Lee" he chuckled softly while Lee's teammates only rolled their eyes.
"Oh! Naruto, how was your first mission?" Came Hinata's voice
"Easy" he shrugged taking a seat at the bar. He wasn't comfortable enough to be boxed in just yet and they all took it with ease.
-
The house was silent, and Naruto found he didn't feel as comfortable in it as he used to. More and more the time he spent alone felt more... sadder than it used to. And he didn't like it. Maybe he had just gotten too used to being around people so much. The sun had set when there was a knock at the door. Naruto practically skipped to the door pulling it open to smile widely at his boyfriend.
"Welcome home" he smirked and Naruto rolled his eyes grabbing the Nara and pulling him into the house only surprising him. "H-how?" He asked looking around the livingroom
"I finally got round to looking at the seal. Tweaked it a little" he shrugged "took about three hours" he huffed and smiled at him clearly proud of himself
"Well done you" Shikamaru deadpanned causing Naruto to narrow his eyes and lightly smacked the firm chest. As they fell back on the couch, Shikamaru automatically putting his arm around him
"You okay?" He asked
"I am" he nodded looking to the table where his headband was, his flak vest hung on the back of a chair and he didn't miss the way Shikamaru looked him over, a little doubt in his eyes "really I'm good. Had a talk with Gaara and it helped, plus I need to talk to Inoichi" he said as his eyes lost their focus staring at the headband. He blinked moving to look at his boyfriend smiling
"And just like that you're fine being a Leaf nin?" He asked
"No. There's still doubts, but I'm less... guilty and annoyed by it" he smirked cuddling closer "how was it without me for a week?" He asked
"Awful. I had no ramen for an entire week" he said dramatically and Naruto couldn't help laughing
"That is awful! Well have to fix that tomorrow"
"Oh thank you" he drawled out sarcastically humming happily when Naruto kissed him. He had missed him, and he had felt a little lost away. "What was that for?" He asked
"I missed you" he shrugged simply and the way Shikamaru narrowed his eyes with that mischievious smirk caused his insides to tremble.
"What?" He asked ignoring how breathless he sounded as Shikamaru leaned in
"I'm officially your superior now" he whispered in his ear and Naruto's face split into a huge grin.
"Yes sir" Naruto said failing miserably to rid the smile from his face.
They lay on the couch, Naruto over Shikamaru soaking up the warmth from the man beneath him.
"Gaara got me a present" Naruto declared
"A birthday present?" Shikamaru asked his hand absently running over Naruto's back
"Yeah. It's pretty cool, and it means a lot. I'll show you later"
"You still want to skip the celebrations?" He asked
"It's not really a day for me. It's the anniversary of Kurama attacking, and then the end of the war. The fact the village want to use it to celebrate Kurama instead is better. He deserves it"
"So do you" Shikamaru frowned
"I've never once celebrated my birthday. I'm in no rush to either. Especially for the first year in the village"
"I can imagine the memories you must have of it" he said gently brushing the blonde locks from his eyes "but its-"
"I know. But I'm happy now. And I'm healing, I don't need a big party and people trying to thank me for my part in the war. I don't need it, but I'd love to see Kurama get the praise and love he deserves"
Kurama growled at Naruto and the boy rolled his eyes ignoring him. He liked it, maybe not people but finally being understood. The tailed beasts had really grown over the year, and people weren't attacking and running from them anymore. Matatabi had even had a few people approach her. Isobu had enjoyed the peace, and didn't mind the curious children asking for ride in the lake he lived. They understood why people feared them, and now people were asking they be careful with the Infinite power they possessed. Using the anniversary to celebrate and thank them for their efforts was something Naruto was willing to have instead of a birthday. Especially for Kurama and Gyuki. Without them he was sure they wouldn't have been able to fight as long as they had.
"Not to mention people lost loved ones, and again, on the same date Kakashi lost more. I don't want people having to be cheerful for me ya know"
"But what about you? You deserve to be celebrated too"
"And I will be. But for my birthday? I really don't want it. At least not yet" he smiled weakly "does that make sense?"
"It does. And I won't push it, I just... I'm glad you were born, its a day of celebration for me and it just feels like you don't want to exist"
"I do. More than I ever have. But my birthday, the day, the events what it represents... well, its not something I want to celebrate. My parents died an hour after I was born, I was abandoned, hundreds died, and then the day was used to remind me I was a monster. I've never been glad the day was there. Then the war..." he frowned trying to find the best way to explain. Because it was a sad and hard day, for so so many and after all the years pretending the day was another day. Well, it truly was meaningless to him past telling him he was another year older. And he really didn't mind that.
"If you're sure" Shikamaru spoke pulling him from his thoughts
"I am. You can celebrate me another day though, if you really want to"
"Nah, that's too troublesome" he teased pulling Naruto down to place a soft, chaste kiss to his lips.
"Yeah. I love you too" he chuckled and lay his head on Shikamaru's chest listening to his steady heart letting it relax him.