Rehabilitating Assholes

Chapter 6

Been awhile, so sorry yall. I'mma stop saying plans to update. I am trying and hope yall still enjoy this! Life for so many of us is crazy, but I will keep chipping away at these plot bunnies!

As per other chapters, I do not own Naruto, just playing in the sandbox!

ShikaxFem!Naru

Enjoy!

He couldn't believe his luck.

It had been a total of a bit over 4 weeks since Shikamaru had gained a guest/girlfriend? In Konoha's number 1 unpredictable shinobi/kunoichi.

And somehow, one of his best evenings, spent worshipping tanned skin, flaxen waves and eyes so blue they seemed to glow with their own light in the dark was so rudely interrupted.

Fuck.

He couldn't even deign to feel embarrassed when he found himself under that keen, curious, amused and a bit surprised eye of his father . . . . as he lay half naked on a panting, embarrassed Naru who was now having to use her hand and arm to cover her ample breasts, without much success.

Troublesome and such a drag.

They had been having such a great time, too.

Hearing his father clear his throat as he casually tipped his head to his son's living room, Shikamaru sighed as he breathed an apology and a quick kiss to Naru's temple as he pulled his comforter up to cover her. She was flushed and looked . . he wasn't exactly sure but she had ducked her head so her bangs hid her face.

Shaking his head, he noted he would ask her more after, explain and apologize for not warning her about all the things that come with dating (cuz he couldn't think they were doing anything less) a major clan's heir.

He realized yet again, that he was in fact an asshole. He had dragged her into this while explaining nothing.

Sighing again at the work ahead, he scratched the back of his head as he threw a dark blue long sleeve shirt with a large grey deer head on the side over his bare chest, then pulling up his cargo pants and buttoning them as he paced out to his living room to join his father.

His father was standing by the open balcony doors, gazing out at the view of nighttime in Konoha, lights dim and warm against the deepening blue/purple of night falling, calm and cool, allowing a gentle breeze into his apartment.

"So you know that Naruto was born a girl," it was a statement from his father, not a question, so Shikamaru waited for him to continue.

Shaking his head ruefully, Shikaku glanced at his son, measuring his next words.

"You know, when you said you were no longer with one pretty blonde Princess, I didn't think you'd make it more complicated and be with another even prettier one," his father intoned, mirth and paternal pride at his child's choice evident.

The consternated and annoyed amusement on his son's face was evident as he swiped as his Father, eliciting a laugh from them both as they wrestled.

Shikamaru had no clue what his father meant, considering what he did know about Naruto, though the look of questioning was clear on Shikamaru's face.

But as they settled down, Shikaku simply shook his head as he leaned back against the door frame of his son's balcony doors.

Not tonight, was his father's clear, silent indication adding to a now sterner expression.

With a weary shrug and sigh, the Elder, scarred Nara Clan Head threaded his hands through his hair as he looked on at his amazing, adorable, strong young man he had been granted as a son. Shikaku was proud, of the amazing sense and awareness his son had to have had to pick Naru, child of Minato and Kushina as his.

They had been dear friends, with amazing abilities as shinobi and people.

For he knew that look, his son had chosen her, he was sold. He knew his child well.

But also knew of the extensive problems their dating and potential union would cause. As much as she was worth it.

And if anyone would grant her the protections and support, she needed and was so well deserving of, it would be the Nara Clan.

This was the perfect loophole to allow he and his family to protect her, to act no matter the Laws and conflicts of control that had left the young blonde Heir adrift, an orphan appearing unloved by any and all.

Blowing out yet another breath as his mind began to catalogue all the things that may need doing and what to share with his son and Naru and when . . . he noted his patient son observing his reverie as he puffed on a cigarette, looking out his balcony at the stars before patiently gazing back at his Father, demeaner calm and patient.

How lucky had he gotten in this amazing, brilliant child that was born to himself and Yoshino? Shikaku couldn't help but be amazed and in wonder at the man his child was becoming.

Finally deciding to break the silence, Shikamaru knew he was speaking to his Clan Head next.

"You did not pick an easy path," he paused here, his face dark and serious as he measured his son's response. "Not for yourself or the Clan," he intoned, seeing his son already open his mouth to respond, he held up his hand for patience.

"But," he paused, a small, proud smile of encouragement crossing his face as his tone, still serious, softened, "the very sweetest and most interesting ones always are." He shared gently. His head tipped forward slightly, seeing his son's more vulnerable look in his eyes in reaction.

With a clap of support on his son's shoulder as he paced past. "Go assure your girlfriend, I can feel her anxiety through her chakra from here. And come by later this week, say Friday to have dinner with her and your Mother and I," he stated.

It wasn't a request, but a directive from his Father and Clan Head.

With a bow of Shikamaru's head, his Father had shushin'ed away.

He paused for a moment, trying to sort out what he had just learned and all the questions it had left him with.

Shaking his head, he straightened from his slouch to go check on a very anxious blonde still likely, hopefully bundled, half-naked under the comforter.

He paced into the room to find his assumptions true.

At his return, her eyes looked on nervously above the edge of his comforter. He couldn't help but find it amusing.

"Naru," he intoned slowly as he prowled onto the bed until his body was over her, knees on either side, hands planted in the pillow on each side of her honey blonde head.

Her eyes, bright like glowing blue fire, were now downcast and the discomfort, shame on her downturned face bothered him.

"Naruto," he breathed, quiet but stern, patient as he waited for her blue skies to meet his chocolate brown. He smiled softly as he captured a quick kiss, reassurance, acceptance as he placed his forehead on hers. "My father would love if you'd join him and my mother to formally meet them as my girlfriend . . ." he intoned patiently, stealing kisses after he spoke seeing her her wide eyed, startled expression.

He could see the thoughts fluttering across her face, stunned, cautious hope and then tears . . . which had him panicking a bit.

"Naruto!" he whispered as he leaned gently on her with his hips, his hands moving to cup her cherub cheeks ruddy with tears that caught in her lashes, both beautiful and tragically sad on such a pretty face making him ache, worry evident on his face and voice.

"Really, Shika?" her voice trembled, and he could see the lonely, slightly defensive but eternally hopefully boy he had first met and been intrigued by. "He, he was okay with- I, your mom-" she couldn't finish her words, as she could see in his face his earnest, which only sent her into gut wrenching sobs.

She was wanted. The notion seems to glow in her mind as the tears fell, feeling unending, the sobs of pain, loneliness, hopelessness, so carefully held at bay for so very long finally crashing out of her in a flood of pain.

For all the lonely nights, watching other children grumble about their "nagging mom" or "annoying dad" as they kissed them in public or waving as they left for school, the cold nights when she hadn't had the money to pay a bill she didn't know she had to, the sage advice and the calm support, the knowing where you came from and so to some degree when you were going . . . there were so many things she missed without a family.

But even more, it was being wanted. That Shikamaru wanted her to know his family. That he wanted her to be shown as his.

This brilliant, kind, genius of an amazing shinobi and man and his father wanted to see her, meet her, have her to dinner in their home, to meet his mother.

She ended up crying herself to sleep in his arms, leaving a sad, hopeful and knowing some of what was likely going through his blonde's head, some anger as well.

That such a simple ask and act as inviting her to dinner, even if he was introducing her as his girlfriend . . . still, this level of joy and sorrow made his chest . . his heart hurt and the weight of his need to show her, that he meant it, that she deserved it.

That for all of her efforts to be acknowledged and respected as a shinobi of Konohagakure, even more she was worth all of that and more as a person. As his person.

As he pulled her further onto his shoulder, her head tucked under his chin, he then curled his body around her, set to lend her his strength and protection this night. Because he knew how strong she was, but for tonight, he would stand vigil.

His shadows danced around him as he held her, content that nothing would pierce his cacoon of shadows this eve, as they both drifted into the arms of Nox, with dreams of the future lighting their way.

Reviewers!

Cg038 – Thank you so much and hope this one only added to it!

Amaterasu53 – lol patience (not that I have that much of it!)! I have soooo many ideas!

TheBeauty – I'm so glad! Hope to continue to add to it all!

Aoi Hikari kenzou – I'm so glad! And I am fiiigghhtting for time to write! I promise! I supposedly am not on call this weekend, so hopefully I can make more progress!

Thank you all for your time reading and reviewing!

Have an amazing weekend!

Ja ne!

-TheFoxandHerShadow