Shikamaru grunted as he shoved his hands in his pockets, an indication that he was listening. There was no doubt to what the Uchiha wanted to talk to him about, he just hoped he would make it quick.

He really was tired.

Sasuke regarded him silently before tipping his head back to the closed gates of his clan's compound. "Is it safe?"

Shikamaru hesitated, if the Uchiha was worried about privacy that meant this conversation would take time. The front of his compound probably wasn't safe enough for a private conversation. He was aware that anyone could eavesdrop on them, it didn't matter how lazy his clan was if somebody were to hear the topic of this conversation there wasn't telling what other gossip would brew from it. But at the same time, having Sasuke in his compound would bring many unnecessary questions (especially from his mother).

He let out a sigh, "If you don't mind we could walk to my apartment." He suggested.

Sasuke nodded and waited for him to lead the way before he walked in step with him.

"I presume you know what I want to talk about?" The Uchiha said when they were a few distance away from the compound. The sky had completely darkened, there was only a few people still littering the streets trying to get to their homes or in some cases going to drink in a bar after a long tiring day.

Shikamaru briefly wondered if he should have headed there instead, Would have saved me from this awkward conversation we're about to have, he thought gloomily before shaking himself to focus on the Uchiha next to him. "Are you here to tell me to stay away from Naruto?"

Naruto had already told him that the Uchiha didn't care about that, but he had his doubts. Despite the Uchiha's cold attitude towards everyone, he knew for a fact Naruto was the only one Sasuke really cared about; Shikamaru wouldn't be surprised if he was also protective of her.

However, he was surprised when Sasuke snorted before shaking his head. "You're both adults, I'd rather not get involved in your stupidity."

Not showing his surprise, Shikamaru gave him a sideways glance, "Then I guess I have no idea what you want to talk about."

Sasuke was silent for a moment as they walked towards the tactician's apartment. He tried to gather his thoughts, not that he was nervous or anything like that he just didn't want his intentions to be misunderstood.

Normally he would have left this job to Sakura or any other female that the blonde respected and more importantly listened to. But since Naruto made him promise not to tell anyone (at this he tried not to sigh loudly in exasperation) and he knew she wouldn't listen if he talked to her he had no choice but to seek her- he gave the Nara who was calmly walking beside him a suspicious glance, what are people like him called anyways? Lover perhaps? He silently snorted at the term still unable to believe that both he and the dobe were involved.

How did that even happen?

Inwardly shaking his head, it didn't matter now. That was not what he came to talk to about. "You're aware of Naruto's position with the council?"

Shikamaru's brows furrowed slightly before shaking his head, "I haven't been in the village that much lately."

Sasuke snorted, he wanted to snark a reply about him only having time to sneak around with Naruto instead of finding out about the village's internal affairs but stopped himself.

So maybe he was a little bit pissed, he felt that Naruto could have done way better. Shaking his head of the thought he said, "Naruto's candidacy as Hokage is being rejected and because of that she can't start her training as the hokage's apprentice."

Shikamaru's brows now shot up in surprise. He was aware that the Hokage would be picking someone as an apprentice soon, the date still undecided. Still, he hadn't really given it much thought because everyone in the village knew that Naruto was the first choice. She'd proven herself capable for the role.

Apparently not enough to satisfy those old bastards, he thought, he could guess all sort of reasons they gave for their protests. "Does Naruto know?" When Sasuke shook his head he nodded guessing just as much. If Naruto found out there would be hell to pay.

Still, he couldn't understand what that had to do with him, it's not like he can convince the council to change their minds he barely talked to those people unless they wanted to bug him to take his father's...Oh I see, he thought as he took a glance at the Uchiha's uniform it dawned on him what the Uchiha wanted from him.

"You joined Anbu?" He asked unnecessarily.

Sasuke shrugged knowing that the Nara had already guessed his intention. "It was the only way I could help Naruto seeing as I no longer have a clan."

Shikamaru hid his surprise at Sasuke's open admission at wanting to help Naruto with the job that they once fought for. "So you want me to take a seat in the council?" He asked instead.

Sasuke shook his head, "I want you to take your seat in the council, Naruto would need all the support she can get."

It made sense, Shikamaru thought, with everyone else not yet ready to take their title as head for various reasons, he was really the only one that was ready but...

"Do you realise that even if I take the mantle of clan head it won't change the majority vote, right?"

Sasuke scowled at him, "I know that but it could improve our chances by a large margin especially if it's you."

Shikamaru understood what he meant. They value your opinion like they valued your father's. Shikamaru swallowed at that thought, he shook himself getting rid of the pain that always came along with the thought of his father.

Shikamaru stopped walking as he averted his eyes, "I'm sorry but I'm not ready to bear the responsibility that my father left yet."

Sasuke also stopped to face him, he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Won't you at least do this for her?"

Shikamaru paused frowning at the tone used in the word 'her'. "I don't think it'll help her in any case."

Sasuke studied him for a moment before sighing in disappointment, he shook his head. "I overestimated your feelings for the dobe."

Shikamaru tensed, "I have no feelings for Naruto."

The Uchiha tilted his head, his expression too smug for someone that was being denied of help. "Really?"

"There are no feelings involved between Naruto and I."

Sasuke's brows shot up to his hairline; then a small chuckle broke free from his otherwise tightly closed lips. What surprised Shikamaru the most was that it was actually genuine.

"I expected this denseness from the dobe but you," He let out another chuckle before shaking his head.

Shikamaru's initial plan was to ignore the sharingan user because he could just be betting him into agreeing to help but... "I don't appreciate what you're insinuating, Uchiha." He said crossing his arms to mimic the other.

"I'm not insinuating anything," Sasuke said calmly a hint of amusement still lingering on his face, "I'm stating the fact that you've fallen for Naruto without being aware of it."

Shikamaru froze up for a moment before relaxing. "Look I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help tonight but I promise I will think of something to keep the council out of Naruto's hair." After all, no matter what his feelings were for Naruto (which was nothing but platonic) nothing will change the fact that they were friends and friends helped each other. With that he bided the Uchiha goodnight before walking away.

But as he was about to turn the street leading to his apartment the Uchiha's voice stopped him.

"Say, when I asked what you were doing in Naruto's apartment why do you think you didn't want to give me an excuse like Naruto did?"

When the Uchiha had caught him leaving Naruto's apartment that morning two days ago he'd opted lying and instead told the Uchiha to mind his own business when he'd asked. He looked at the Uchiha over his shoulder, "Maybe because I thought it'd be useless seeing as you wouldn't believe me."

"Are you sure?" At Shikamaru's confusion he elaborated, "With your level of IQ you could have come up with a good excuse that even I would have believed don't you think?"

Shikamaru didn't say anything but couldn't help but feel like whatever was coming next would change the course of his future and whatever he believed in.

Sasuke sensing that he had Shikamaru in a hook smirked. "Or maybe deep down you wanted me to know about it, maybe you were tired of the secrecy after all?"

Shikamaru entered his apartment in a daze. Removing his shoes and placing them beside the door, he didn't even bother switching on the lights as he navigated his way to his room.

He's wrong, he thought as he undressed. As he removed his pants he felt a bulge in one of the pockets. He took out the item and immediately recognised it as Naruto's top that she'd given him to help stop the bleeding that she'd caused by punching him.

He looked at the top blank before a surge of frustration and anger overwelmed him and he balled the shirt up with the intention of throwing it but then realised how stupid and energy-consuming that would be, he released a sigh his body sagging with it.

He let out a humourless chuckle throwing himself on his bed. I still have the other clothes that Naruto had forgotten, he thought distantly.

How did his life get so complicated?

BAM!

Sasuke jumped from his couch where he was reading some scrolls two kunais appearing in each of his hands.

A moment later Naruto appeared, in her hands were five lunch boxes stacked on top of each other.

"Hey, Sasuke!" She greeted cheerfully from behind the boxes.

Sasuke looked at her incredulously, "Dobe, what are you doing here?"

"I brought us lunch." She responded without stopping as she made her way into his kitchen.

Sasuke scowled, "So you had to kick my door open?" He said stomping over to the still wide open door his scowl deepened upon seeing the dent on the wall caused by the handle.

"Yep! How else did you expect me to get in?" She shouted from the kitchen, he heard banging and clattering of pots.

Sasuke opened his mouth to say something but then closed it. He took a long deep breath to try and calm himself. Slowly, after closing his door, he walked over to his couch deciding to ignore the unwelcome pest in his home. He was not going to get tempted into committing murder, not by the dobe at least, with that he took the scroll he'd been busy with and resumed his reading.

A moment later Naruto shouted, "Food is ready!"

Sasuke decidedly ignored her, he silently hoped she'd get a hint and leave. Just then Naruto strolled back in, crushing his hopes at the same time, and a plate full of rice filled his vision. He gripped the scroll tightly in his hand as his brow ticked.

"Naruto," He said through gritted teeth, "What have I told you about bringing food in the sitting room."

"Well, since you didn't want to come eat your food in the kitchen I brought the food to you," Naruto said sweetly shoving another plate in his face, "Here's your vegetables, honey."

Sasuke glared up at her but she was completely unmoved, at long last he grunted. "Fine, take those things back I'm coming."

Naruto grinned, "See I knew you couldn't resist the smell of my food." She said walking back in the kitchen with the two plates.

Sasuke snorted but couldn't help the tiny smile that pulled on his lips. "Stupid Dobe."

As he entered the kitchen he found Naruto waiting at the oven as she warmed the food. He hated to admit it (even to himself) but Naruto's food did indeed smell good. And he knew from experience that it tasted just as good if not more. But of course the only expression he allowed himself to show was of grumpiness as he sat himself down at his kitchen table.

Naruto tutted as she joined him placing the food on the table, "You have got to be the only guy that gets upset when a beautiful and sexy girl shows up with food that she cooked herself."

"Where's the 'beautiful and sexy girl' you're talking about?" Sasuke muttered flatly.

Naruto scowled before giving him a raspberry, she pointed her chopsticks at him, "Ungrateful is what you are." Shaking her head as she served both herself and him, "See if I cook anything for you again."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, "All of this is just for me?" His tone sounded doubtful instead of appreciative. With reasons too, on the table there was more food than he can finish in a day. Different dishes too. There was a plate of fried fishes, rice, tempura, miso and vegetables.

Naruto looked sheepish, "I may have gone overboard when I was cooking this morning."

The Uchiha gave her a look that said "You think?" before digging into his food. As he took the first bite he tried not to show any expression well aware that Naruto's attention was on him as she waited for his testimonial. He swallowed before taking another bite.

Naruto tapped her chopsticks on the table impatiently. "Well?"

He looked at her with a carefully blank expression inwardly he was laughing, "What?"

Naruto scowled at him, "How is the food, dumbass?"

Sasuke shrugged nonchalantly, "It's edible."

Naruto glared at him so hard the Uchiha was surprised he didn't combust, sighing she settled down in her seat and shoved a mouthful of vegetables in her mouth and her eyes widened, "Oh! You're right, this thing doesn't even taste good." She looked down at the casserole of vegetables with a frown, "I think I overcooked it."

She looked so depressed and pathetic that Sasuke sighed giving in, "Your food is good, dobe."

Naruto perked up hopefully, "You think so?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes, "Yes now you can stop trying to make me feel guilty."

Naruto smirked, the presence of sadness no longer visible.

When they were done Sasuke quickly washed his plate then left the kitchen to go back to his scrolls leaving Naruto to empty the table.

"At least say thank you, you prick!" Naruto shouted when he didn't say anything she grumbled insults under her breath as she quickly worked at cleaning Sasuke's kitchen.

When she was done she went and joined Sasuke on the couch, she grabbed one of the scrolls and opened it. "What are you reading?"

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched and he snatched the scroll from her hands, he glared at her until she smiled sheepishly.

"Don't you have someone else to bother like your lover for example?"

"..."

Sasuke looked up when he didn't hear any rebuttal. Naruto was tracing patterns on her shirt her face was covered by her hair hiding her expression but Sasuke imagined that she was pouting. "We sort of broke up."

"Sort of?"

"Yes, the bastard ended it two days ago and since then I haven't seen him. I suspect he's avoiding me, but I'm not sure." She scowled at the memory of two days ago when Shikamaru had broken up with her with the most bullshit excuse she'd ever heard. Like she didn't know what was good for herself.

"Hn."

"He is so weird, you know," Naruto continued glad that she'd found somebody to rant to, "One moment he's all relaxed and turned on and the next he's super cautious and paranoid. You know what his problem is?"

She waited until Sasuke looked up from his scrolls with a sigh, "What?"

Naruto seemed Satisfied, "He over-thinks everything. He's always anylising everything! I understand that what we're doing is strange and that caution is necessary but does he need to be so uptight all the time?" She sighed in frustration leaning back on the couch, "He makes this whole thing with him exhausting sometimes."

"Hn."

Naruto sighed again, "I was thinking of talking to him but maybe it's a good thing that it's over. I was getting tired of all the secrecy anyways."

Sasuke studied his blonde friend for a moment, he came to the conclusion that he didn't understand her at all. First she tells him not to get involved and the next she comes into his home uninvited (and puts a dent on his wall) to turn him into her counsellor. Maybe the food was a sort of bribe to keep him malleable, he thought suspiciously.

On one hand he agreed with Naruto, it was for the best that they were done. You didn't need a sharingan to predict that that relationship was going in the direction of trouble. Good riddance was what he thought. But on the other hand having Naruto depressed in his home was not good for his own mental stability (he needed to be sane in order to make it as a captain of Anbu in the future). Damn it.

He swallowed the urge to vomit as he tried to cheer Naruto up. "You should get a new boy toy."

Naruto glared at him, "If that's your attempt at making me feel better than it's a big fail. You suck at cheering up or advising for that matter. How socially inept are you?"

The key word here was 'try'. Sasuke couldn't help that he never specialised in giving advice to people it was unnecessary for his quest for revenge against Itachi so he never bothered to ask Orochimaru.

"Plus," Naruto continued looking anywhere but at him, "I don't think it would be the same."

Sasuke sneered, "What? Are you in love with him or something?"

"Of course not," She scoffed, "It's just, well," She looked down at her hands in embarrassment her cheeks reddening a little, "He was my first."

Sasuke looked at her blankly not understanding, "Your first what?"

Naruto scowled at him her whole face red now, "The first guy I slept with, idiot."

Silence.

Then.

"Ah."

Another silence.

Naruto out of mortification for having admitted something so embarrassing to her guy best friend, and Sasuke because he didn't know how to respond to that.

It's not like he was completely clueless about these things. People thought that because he was socially and emotionally removed that he couldn't possibly know about sex. He was quite knowledgeable maybe not as much as other boys his age and certainly not from experience, but he wasn't dense either. He just doesn't like wasting his time thinking about it. That was why he knew that girls consider their first time to be a huge thing.

He glanced at Naruto who was still averting her eyes. He knew that the Nara had somewhat developed feelings for her but he surprisingly had no idea what she was feeling for him which was unusual, because Naruto was always the one that always wore her feelings on her sleeves. He believed that there was at least some attraction between the two since they were...well sleeping together.

He just hoped that it wasn't enough to distract Naruto from what really mattered. Realising that he was giving this whole matter more thought than it deserved he shrugged.

"At least now you know he was just using you." He said going back to his scrolls ignoring the glare aimed at him.

"I believe I told you that we were using each other, but it's not like it matters anymore." She grumbled picking up one of his scrolls again but this time he didn't snatch it from her.

"Hn."

Another sigh from her but then they lapse into silence until darkness came and Naruto left boxes filled with leftover food the only indication she was ever here.

Naruto ducked from view as a figure ran past her kunai at a ready. She looked around her body tense and alert. The skin at the back of her neck prickled and she narrowly avoided the kunai aimed at her. She flipped over as a shuriken was thrown after.

Shit, she cursed when she was immediately forced to block a kick aimed at her face with her hands, she grunted at the force as she was pushed backward. Twisting her body just in time to avoid a punch from the second figure; quickly back-pedalling in order to make some distance between her opponents. Just then another figure burst from the foliage standing in a fighting stance with kunai in both hands.

Damn it.

Naruto faced the three identical figures making sure she had them in her line of sight as she quickly tried to regain her breath, her mind whirling into different ways to end up victorious.

"What's wrong?" One of them taunted, "Don't tell us you're already tired, boss."

"Yes, she does seem slow today, doesn't she?" The second figure snickered.

Naruto glared at her insolent clones wiping the sweats building on her forehead.

Although, they weren't completely wrong, for some reason she felt more tired than usual but it wasn't completely surprising seeing as they've been playing this cat and mouse game for two hours straight, anyone would be slowing down by now.

Except...

She was Naruto Uzumaki container of the nine tail fox, this little exercise should have been nothing to her. Has she gotten that rusty in the short time she'd been fooling around with Shikamaru instead of training? No, that couldn't be it. Plus, it wasn't like they spent every hour together or anything and she still did her daily warm ups.

She shook her head from the thoughts, this wasn't the time. For now, she had to show these three doppelgangers who was the boss.

"I will show you who's gotten slow, you stupid maggots!" She shouted flinging a kunai at one of the clones before engaging the other two in a taijutsu fight.

The training area was filled with sounds of metal against metal.

Twisting to avoid a chakra powered kick to her stomach at the same time a kunai aimed to slice her jugular.

That was close, she thought, these clones definitely weren't playing around.

Naruto smirked, just the way she liked it. With a flip she ended up behind one clone and sent a chakra fused kunai at its back.

With a cry the clones went out with a pop. The remaining two clones looked at each other before looking at Naruto with an identically determined faces.

Naruto felt dread as she watched them perform a familiar sign.

"Kagebushin-jutsu!" They said in unison before two poofs of smoke then a clone of each appeared already in a fighting stance, making them four against one.

"Oh come on!" Naruto growned, "That's totally not fair!"

Clone number one (she would have to start referring to them by numbers now in order to keep track) smirked, "Alls' fair in games of war."

Clone number two paused in mid-nod and looked at clone number one, "I don't think that's how they say it."

"No?" Clone number one looked surprised looking around to the other clones shaking their heads, it shrugged then turned back to the owner to say something only to disappear in a poof of smoke revealing Naruto after the smoke dissipated.

Naruto smirked evilly at the shocked looking clones, "Didn't I teach you people not to give your backs to your enemies?"

"Uhm, no," Clone number two (now clone number one) responded only to be skewered, it's shocked face the last thing they saw before it disappeared.

"Maybe you should learned it from experience then," She said looking at the rest of clones.

They quickly backed away from her in a defensive position, their kunai at the ready.

Naruto tilted her head her smirk widening, "So which one of you want to die first?"

Clone to the left narrowed it's eyes, "That's not happening," It said before bringing their hands in a cross sign.

"Oh no, you don't." Naruto said quickly sending a kunai to the clones throat.

Poof.

Naruto turned to the last clone only for her smirk to fall off when she saw there was two clones, "Wha-"

Another poof and a third clone popped out.

And another.

And another.

Naruto gaped as clones after clones kept popping into existence everywhere at the same time.

"What the fuck?!" She panicked not remembering giving her clones that much chakra to be creating so many doppelgangers of themselves. There were more than a dozen now!

"What did you do?" She pointed at the lone clone that stood outside the group of clones still appearing.

The clone quickly shook it's head in denial, hands up in surrender. "It wasn't me I swear!"

Suddenly everything stopped. Naruto eyed the confused clones warily just in case one decided to appear into existence or anything. When nothing happened she relaxed letting out a breath.

"Okay, listen up-" Just then the clones simultaneously burst and the field was once again empty of clones except one.

Naruto eyed the clone standing next to her. "What just happened?" The clone shrugged and Naruto opened her mouth to say something when a wave of dizziness overtook her and she fell darkness enveloping her.

...

Naruto opened her eyes to find her own eyes staring at her in concern from above her, blocking the sky. She frowned.

"Boss, are you alright?"

Oh that's right, she'd been training with her clones then something happened...What was it again?

"Boss, can you hear me? Do you remember what happened? How many fingers am I holding? Please don't die on me, I need you in order to disappear!" The clone panicked shaking her body nonstop.

Naruto groaned at the incessant questions coming from her clone and the shaking was making her more dizzy.

Dizzy.

Naruto's eyes widened and she quickly sat up only to regret as a wave of nausea overtook her and she threw up on the spot beside her.

She ignored her clones' cry of "Ew!" and wiped her mouth. She stood up with a little difficulty, her legs was a little shaky. Maybe she was more tired than she'd thought.

"So what do you think caused it?" She asked her clone referring to the onslaught of clones appearing.

It shrugged looking thoughtful. "Other than the fact that you must've messed up with your chakra when you created us I can't think of anything else."

Naruto nodded with a similar thoughtful expression. "That's strange though, that never happened before."

"Maybe Kurama's chakra leaked?" The clone suggested scratching the back of its head.

"Maybe." Naruto said but she still looked sceptical, she glanced at the still 'living' clone. "What about you? Why are you still here though?"

The clone looked at itself as if only noticing it now. "That is strange."

Naruto rolled her eyes, and they call her an idiot.

The clone glanced at her then, "So why did you faint?"

Naruto shrugged, "Probably the sudden influx of chakra."

"Or the heat got to you, I think you should call it a day, boss."

Naruto nodded as she felt two familiar chakra signature approaching the field. She quickly released her clones as she started picking up her weapons. She still felt a little dizzy and nauseous, but as long as she didn't do any sudden movement she would alright.

She didn't want to worry anyone.

Just then Sakura and Ino entered the training field.

"Hey there, blondie." Ino greeted with a wave.

Sakura too gave her a warm smile.

Naruto sauntered over to them with a cheerful smile. "Hey guys, were you looking for me?" She asked stashing her weapons back into her pouch.

"No, we're just here admiring the trees, isn't it right Sakura?" Ino teased throwing her arm over the pinkette with a laugh.

Sakura rolled her eyes but smiled, "We're here to take you for lunch."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Lunch? But it's four."

"So what?" Ino said rolling her eyes, "We can just turn it into dinner or something, I'm sure it will be fun."

"Oh sure but first," She looked down at herself, "Can I go home and freshen up first?"

Ino eyed her critically up and down nodding her head, "Yeah you do look a mess."

"And a little pale too," Sakura immediately noticed walking over to Naruto and tried to place a hand on her forehead in concern.

Naruto quickly stepped out of her reach, "Ah, Sakura-chan I'm fine it's just the heat got to me that's all."

Sakura looked at her suspiciously, "You're sure?"

"Absolutely, I will be much better after I take a shower," She said with a grin she hoped was convincing enough to get her friend off her back, otherwise she would be forced to take Sakura's invention pills that would make her feel more sick because of the horrible taste. "I promise." She added.

"It is very hot today," Ino cut in to help her, "I wouldn't be surprised if anyone felt ill just by standing under the sun not to mention training."

"I'm not ill," Naruto protested even though she sent Ino a grateful look.

Sakura still looked sceptical but decided to drop it for now, "That's what you get for being an idiot." She ended up saying making Naruto laugh sheepishly while scratching the back if her head.

The three of them exited the training field while talking about Ino's latest crush or more like victim. The girl changed guys like she did undergarments.

With instructions to the location of the restaurant they split up, Sakura and Ino going ahead to secure a place and Naruto to her apartment.

Unfortunately the trip to her apartment under the hot weather intensified her dizziness, she'd have used shunshin but didn't want to risk repeating what happen in the training ground with her chakra. It turned out walking was an even worse idea because as soon as she entered through the door she wasted no time in running to the bathroom to throw up.

Ten minutes later she stood up on shaky legs and closed her eyes to enter her mindset.

She found the fox unsurprisingly sleeping. Naruto looked at him flatly before deciding to look around, but she found nothing amiss. The seal keeping Kurama locked behind had long time been removed leaving only the seal binding their life force together. It usually wasn't visible unless Naruto herself willed it, Not even the fox was able to bring it forth.

Naruto bent down where the seal immediately appeared from commend (amazing what the mind could do) and analysed it. Uhm, the chakra flow in the seal was as stable as always no leaks.

"So what could it have been?" She wondered to herself softly, sighing she stood up and decided she would try and ask Kurama later when he woke up then she was back in the real world.

Naruto felt much better after taking a shower and changing into fresh new clothes. She almost felt like herself again.

Almost.

She still felt a little tired and hungry. The latter would be redeemed soon, which reminded her that she was running late.

Grabbing her Hitai-ate she quickly shunshin in front of the restaurant in which her friends were waiting for her.

Fortunately she didn't faint or throw up, which really meant that it had been the heat that affected her. She let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding and entered the restaurant with a grin.

Sakura waved her over upon spotting her, Chouji was sitting with them cooking beef on the grill. As soon as she joined them he placed a plate of already cooked beef in front of her.

Naruto gave Chouji a grateful smile to which he replied with a smile of his own.

The four of them talked amiably while eating their food, getting updated on each other's lives. A few minutes later they were interrupted by a loud voice.

"Well, well, well, isn't this a pleasant coincidence?"

Naruto's face brightened upon seeing Kiba walking towards them, behind him was Rock Lee, Tenten and...agh, Shikamaru.

Great.

Naruto's smile almost slipped but she managed to keep it in place. She wouldn't let that jerk-face spoil her evening. "Hey, guys! Are you guys here to eat too?"

"Yep, we just returned from a mission and we decided to get something to eat before we all head home." It was Tenten who replied sliding in the seat next to Sakura who was sitting opposite her and Ino with Chouji, then Kiba slid in with them. Naruto concluded that Shikamaru would need to sit beside her or Ino.

"Lee, why don't you sit here I'd like to ask you something."

Before Naruto could act though, Lee was quickly called to sit next to Ino. She glared at the two who were now engage in a conversation regarding one of Lee's fighting style. Since when is Ino even interested in such stuff?

"Is this seat taken?"

Naruto turned her glare on her plate debating just ignoring him but decided not to as it would raise suspicions from her friends. So she just shoved her food in her mouth as a pretext not to talk to him and shook her head.

She didn't look at him when he sat down nor when Chouji started a conversation with him about his latest mission.

At least now I know he wasn't avoiding me, she thought shoving another mouthful of meat in her mouth irritatingly, she just wished she wasn't so acutely aware of him next to her. As it was, she was aware of everything about him. His smell, the sound of his voice and his warmth, hell, even the sound of his breathing was distracting her!

Was this how it was when two people have already connected on a physical level? Did that mean from now on everything he did would remind her of their short time spent in the bedroom? Naruto's mood soured further at the thought.

"Naruto, is everything alright?"

It was Sakura that asked the question but she found everyone staring at her with mixed expression of concern and curiosity, but she found Chouji's expression the most peculiar. It was a mixed between sympathy and embarrassment, which puzzled her because it was almost as if...

"Naruto?"

Naruto shook her head to focus on Sakura who was looking full out worried. "I'm fine, Sakura-chan, I'm just enjoying the food. Nice skills you've got there, by the way." She said with a wink to Chouji who looked pleased at the compliment.

Lee nodded in agreement, "That is true, your food is really youthful!" He grinned with a thumbs up at the burly ninja.

Chouji just shrugged in embarrassment. "I didn't do much, all I did was put it over the grill and wait for it to cook itself."

"If I did it it would probably burn." Shikamaru said also complimenting his friend.

"That's because you would probably sleep while you wait for it to cook," Ino said with a disgusting snort, "You're as lazy as they come."

He shrugged in response to her goading. "Mistakes happen there's nothing wrong with that.

"Oh yeah?" Ino sneered over Lee head to look at him, "I hope you realise that people get hurt when you don't consider them because you were too lazy to do so."

Naruto paused in the middle of saying something because even she noticed the tense atmosphere. She didn't even think they were talking about food anymore.

The two were practically glaring at each other.

She laughed nervously, "Hehe, guys, we're enjoying ourselves pleased let's not spoil it."

"Naruto is right," Sakura interjected quickly, "Ino, this is not the place nor the time to talk about this. Let's just enjoy our evening and-"

"What do you really want from me?" Shikamaru cut in leveling a gaze at Ino. Naruto pitied Lee who was sitting in between the two of them, he kept looking back and forth between them.

Everyone at the table seemed to be holding their breath as they watched the scene unfold in front of them.

"I want," Ino started gripping her chopsticks tightly, she looked around the table before looking back at Shikamaru with a determine look. "I want you to forgive." She said surprising everyone around the table, even Shikamaru had his eyebrows raised.

"Forgive you?"

"Yeah," Ino said shrugging one shoulder and avoiding his eyes, "For putting pressure on you when I should have supported you as a friend should. And I'm sorry for the rumours, I know it happened because I couldn't keep my mouth shut."

Shikamaru seemed to think about it for a moment before nodding, "Okay, but only if you promise to give me my space when I need it and respect my decisions."

Ino hesitated a little but one look from Sakura she sighed in consent. "Fine I promise to respect your decision and stop nagging you about them all the time, only sometimes."

Shikamaru sighed but nodded probably realising that was the best he would get from her. "Deal."

The table simultaneously relaxed.

"Alright!" Kiba whooped loudly attracting the attention of other customers in the restaurant, "Lets drink to this wonderful reunion!"

"Yosh!" Lee cheered with him causing Tenten to face palm.

"You do realise you're not going to drink with right?" Shikamaru decided to point it out calmly next to him.

Lee immediately deflated but then seemed to get back his spirit just as quick. "Then I shall encourage my friends to drink their youth away!"

It was Ino's turn to face palm while Kiba cheered. Naruto let out a snicker and next to her Shikamaru muttered his favourite catchphrase.

After that, the conversation flowed more smoothly with Kiba playing the fool as usual.

The drinks arrived a moment later and Kiba wasted no time in serving himself along with Ino and Tenten. Naruto, Chouji, Shikamaru and Sakura declined when it was offered to them. Ino and Kiba of course made it their duty to tease them which of course ended up blowing in their faces when Sakura punched Kiba off his seat, they all had a good laugh at that.

Four hours later had Kiba and Ino drunk out of their ass and totally making fools out of themselves while Sakura and Chouji tried to keep them in check, Tenten had already been taken home by Lee.

"Aww, that is soooo cuutee!" Ino gushed loudly causing Shikamaru to sigh softly. "Look, look, Sakura! Don't they just look so cute?" Ino pointed towards him or rather them. Him and Naruto.

Naruto had been dozing off awhile ago and not long after that she'd fallen asleep with her head slumped on his shoulder. He hadn't woken her up because Naruto had really looked tired, even through joking around he could tell that it was taking an enormous amount of energy from her.

"Yes, yes, Ino they are cute," Sakura said patiently, putting Ino's arm around her shoulder to support her; she turned to him giving apologetic smile, "Will it be okay if you could drop Naruto home? I would but since I'm sleeping over at Ino's..."

Shikamaru hesitated, he'd been avoiding Naruto since the night she'd punch him and he'd broken things up with her. But that wasn't the reason he'd been avoiding her though, it was because of what that damn Uchiha had said or more like implied. Since then he hadn't stop thinking about it, trying to convince himself that it wasn't true. Which it wasn't, of course.

Seeing his hesitation, Chouji volunteered. "I can take her home if you want."

Shikamaru shook his head, "No it's fine, I will take her."

Sakura thanked him before taking a drunken Ino out of the restaurant.

"Bye Shikamaru! Bye Chouji! Aaannd bye Naruto-chan!" Ino shouted waving frantically at them while stumbling her way out the door with Sakura trying to shush her.

Shikamaru shook his head again, they were lucky not to have been kicked out of the place with Kiba and Ino's embarrassing antics. He stood, then easily picked Naruto up in bridal style without waking her up. She let out a soft sigh in the crook of his neck which sent slight tingles in places he didn't want to think of in a public place with his best friend watching. Speaking of which...

"What?" He asked when Chouji wouldn't stop staring at him with a worried face.

"Are you sure you don't want me to take her? I'm sure you must be tired after your mission."

Shikamaru's arm unconsciously tightened on the blonde's shoulder, he rolled his eyes at his friends' unfounded worries. "I said I didn't mind, didn't I?" He narrowed his eyes, "Unless you're worried that I will take advantage of her while she's sleeping?"

Chouji's face reddened and he sputtered, "That that's not what I was thinking, you know." He grumbled glaring at him lightly when Shikamaru smirked.

Shikamaru shrugged one shoulder. "Then I don't know what the problem is."

"I'm just...oh never mind," Chouji shook his head, "Just make sure you get her home safe, okay?"

Shikamaru nodded dropping both his and Naruto's bill as if it was the most natural thing on the planet, he gave Chouji a slight wave as he exited the restaurant without looking back because he was making Naruto comfortable enough for the long walk.

Chouji's mouth hung open as he watched his best friend leave with the softest look he'd ever seen him with. The guy probably wasn't even aware that he was doing it. It almost looked...sweet.

But that couldn't be right, Shikamaru couldn't have...could he? They were just friends right? Plus, Shikamaru had said he'd get back together with Temari.

So what the hell is going on?

Poor Chouji didn't think he'd ever understand his best friend ever again.

*LINEBREAK*

They've been walking for five minutes when he felt Naruto shift in his arms, she opened tired eyes to look up at him. He thought she would make a scene or even demand to be let down but all she did was bury her face deeper into his neck with a satisfying sigh. "I'm sorry for the trouble." She mumbled her soft tired voice causing his heart to accelerate.

He cleared his throat, "It's not a big deal."

"Really?" He felt a wet and warm sensation on his neck indicating that Naruto was sucking it.

He groaned his hand tightening around her, "Naruto." He said in warning.

She chuckled softly, stopping her action to close her eyes once more and settled in his arms. "Ah sorry, sorry, I just wanted to see if you were still attracted to me."

Shikamaru looked down at her in puzzlement but when she didn't elaborate and continued to close her eyes, he figured that she must've have been very tired that's why she didn't seem to make sense.

She didn't even make a fuss about him carrying her which was so unlike her usual independent attitude. He glanced down at her in concern. She was asleep again.

It was when he was climbing the stairs to Naruto's apartment that she woke up again, probably feeling the change in momentum.

"I can walk from here, thanks." She said getting down before he could object.

He decided to at least walk her to her door. He glanced from her carefully steady steps to her tired face. "So why are you so tired anyways?" Even he who came straight from a mission looked more energetic.

Naruto glanced back at him with a tired smile, "Why? Are you worried about me?"

He shrugged his shoulder, "I guess, we're still friends right?"

Naruto eyed him curiously before nodding, "Yeah," She said softly before turning her head down to look where she was going, "I think I messed up with my chakra during training somehow while performing shadow clones during training and kyuubi's chakra must've leaked through somehow. I gave my clones more chakra than I should have and they exploded. "

Shikamaru frowned, "But you can't be chakra exhausted, right? Because when the clones expel the chakra return back to you, isn't it?"

"Usually," Naruto replied sounding a little put out at the whole thing, "But for some reason it just made me more tired and a little sick."

They arrived in front of her door and Shikamaru looked at her in slight surprise, "Sick?"

Naruto shrugged rubbing the back of her head. "Well, I threw up and started feeling a little dizzy afterwards." Realising that she'd probably said too much, she quickly shook her head. "But don't worry, it's probably nothing, I will talk to Kurama and we'll have it fixed."

Naruto was probably worried that he would tell the hokage or Sakura and she'd be forced to get checked up. He probably should but it probably wasn't a big deal like Naruto said, it certainly wasn't the first time she'd had that kind of backlash with the Kyuubi's chakra. She knew about her body more than he did anyways.

The silence dragged a little longer than it should and the awkwardness creeper in.

"So," He shifted awkwardly rubbing his neck, "I will be leaving now."

"Wait," Naruto grabbed his hand to stop him, "Could...could you please stay?"

Shikamaru hesitated, "Naruto..."

"Not for that, don't worry," She quickly assured him, "Just until I fall asleep if it's not too much trouble. I just don't want to be alone." She shrugged looking away.

Shikamaru thought about it for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

Naruto opened the door and led him through her small apartment to her room.

They both laid on her small bed staring at each other in silence. He watched the way her eyes roamed his face pausing on his lips briefly before settling to his eyes he watched in awe as her eyes darkened slightly with an unknown emotion. He wondered if she could see all the questions and confusion he was feeling right now.

She gave him an apologetic look after a while.

"I'm sorry about your nose." She brushed the back of her hand on his nose lightly and he closed his eyes at the feeling before opening them again.

"It's fine, I probably deserved it."

Naruto shook her head. "No, it's my fault, I never should have lost my temper."

Shikamaru cracked a smile at that, "It's not the first time though, somehow I always end up being abused by you." He said rubbing his jaw to indicate that he was referring to the morning after their drunken night together when she'd punched him for saying something careless.

Naruto pouted clearly remembering the day, "That's because you keep being an ass."

Shikamaru chuckled softly, "I know and I'm sorry."

He caught a flash of pink before Naruto ducked her head. "It's fine." She mumbled in his chest.

Good old Naruto, always fast to forgive, he thought circling his arms around her and pulling her closer to him.

Naruto sighed relaxing in his arms and closing her eyes.

He looked over her head and out the window, the sky looked clear today and he could see the stars twinkling. Bright and pure just like the girl in his arms.

Maybe he was really falling for her, the fact that they were just lying on the bed fully clothed and comfortably was proof that whatever feelings they had of each other was more than just physical attraction.

Now the question was when did that happen? Was it before or after they first slept together? They must've have at least some attraction before that night, at least he knew he did. He wasn't the type to have drunken sex with just anyone, in fact, before that night Temari had been the only girl he'd ever slept with. That night on the balcony as they stood under the stars, something had tugged at his heartstring, nothing as strong as love or anything like that but the feeling was enough to push him towards the blonde.

Was it where it all began? If yes, then it was just a matter of time before that feeling developed into something more.

Was...was this why he'd been hesitating from the beginning? Deep down maybe he knew that it wasn't Naruto but him that would get attached.

His eyes widened at the realisation. Shit.

The Uchiha was right, after all. That was really bad.

He laid there on the bed in a daze with Naruto sleeping on his chest for a long while just staring at the ceiling blankly. Probably an hour later did he decided to move, making sure not to wake Naruto up as he got up. She shifted with a groan probably missing his warmth (his wishful thinking) before settling down.

He waited a few seconds more but when Naruto didn't move again, he pulled the sheet so it covered her properly.

He gave her one last look before leaving making sure to close the door softly behind him. Outside he stretched his arms with a yawn. Well, that was enlightening, he thought half-jokingly. He glanced up at the sky with a sigh.

What should he do now?

Surprised? Don't worry I am too. Not at Shikamaru realising he has feelings for the blonde, that was obvious from the beginning except for him (no one can resist our little Naru-chan ), but I didn't think I would ever be able to update this early. I guess miracles do happen, lol.

Thank you all for your wonderful reviews, it always brings a smile to my face. I'm sorry about the mistakes, I will fix them whenever I get the time.

I noticed that you're all have different opinions and ideas about the characters and that's okay I guess. But I just want to clarify something about Shikamaru, I'm not trying to portray him as an asshole or anything like that. Although it may seem that way, but I'm just trying to develop his feelings in a more believable way.

Just think about it, the guy just broke up with his girlfriend and then he goes and have sex with the girl he hadn't even thought he was attracted to on the same night. Both he and Naruto are still young and curious, obviously they would want to explore whatever attraction between them. But as it is, Temari is not out of the picture yet so it's totally understandable that he'd be a confused mess. Plus, guys tend to be a little slow when it comes to the matter of the heart (no offence to guys out there).

I don't know if I specified this seeing as there are still questions about it. But yes, in this fic Naruto will be pregnant, in fact in this chapter I hinted at it. But it will be awhile before she herself realises it (as dense as she is) maybe two or three chapters at the most.

On a side note, ihatehotweather123 just gave me my first hate review (yay!). I've been debating whether to answer or ignore the review, but I decided to write it here as I'm too busy writing my next chapter to give you special attention. So I'm just going to say this (if you're still reading this fic), I thank you for contributing to my 197 reviews, it is really appreciated. I realised that you must be bored with your life or you're just a really angry person (considering my story wasn't the only one you had a negative thing to say about) maybe you should try writing your own story?

Once again thank you for all your wonderful support and let me what you think.