7 years ago

What a drag…

For everyone, but Shikamaru, it seemed that life happened as it should. You turn 14, you display your secondary gender, and then get lumped into nice, pretty categories. Ino, to no one's surprise was an alpha. It fits rather well with Sakura's secondary gender: Omega. And to no one's surprise, the two were one of those special cases of 'fated mates.' The kind where as soon as they touched, it was instantaneous. They fit, and it was beautiful. Choji became a beta. Calm, sweet Choji was balance and everyone of the Ino-Shika-Trio expected Shikamaru to become an omega. And yet, nothing happened. Two weeks after his 14th birthday, Shikamaru was still just a teenage boy who preferred looking at the clouds and was too smart for his own good. There were jokes of course. 'Shikamaru is so lazy, that's why he hasn't expressed yet,' It might have been funny if it hadn't caused concern in his own parents. A month after his birthday, Shikamaru found himself in a private room at the hospital with both the Hokage and her apprentice. He couldn't look at Sakura, whose bright, green eyes shined at him with pity. At least Tsunade seemed to hold some air of professionalism.

"It's rare, but there are some cases in which someone never expresses." She said, her blond brow furrowed in concentration. The rest of the room fell into silence. "It happens often enough that they're filed as a neutral." Another pause as Tsunade looked around the room. "It's a benefit for shinobi. Their biology doesn't plot against them and they're not influenced by hormones. It's not a bad thing, Shikamaru. At least you won't have to buy scent blockers."
"Of course, Hokage-Sama, Thank you," Shikamaru replied thickly and pushed himself off of the bed. No one really stopped him as he left the room, though he knew his parents and the Hokage would continue to talk. Before he reached the stairs, he felt a smaller hand around his wrist. He didn't turn. Her chakra signature was familiar but she was foreign enough that she didn't know he was on the verge of breaking.

"It's far less troublesome this way, Sakura, trust me. This is the best I could hope for," he laughed and felt the light squeeze on his wrist. "Being driven by hormones would cut into my cloud watching time."

"Okay Shikamaru. Ino and I are going to eat barbecue later. You should join us. I think Choji will be there."

"Yea, okay," he shrugged and she finally let him go. He didn't see them that night and his friends accepted the excuse that he fell asleep.

1 year ago

"I didn't realize your hair was so long, Shika." The Nara blinked up into bright, blue eyes, his own cheeks flushing. He didn't know how he and Naruto ended up like this, sitting on top of the Rokudaime's face in the mountain with Shikamaru's head in Naruto's lap and those long fingers carding through the dark hair that had been freed. Shikamaru didn't know how they ended up here, but he liked it.

It was tentative and slow. Shikamaru had been burned before and Naruto…well it was no surprise he was waiting for Sasuke to return to the village. What was surprising was that the two alphas had bonded, the mark on Naruto's neck testified to that and Shikamaru had no doubt that Sasuke held one as well.. Perhaps that was why they were able to be apart for months at a time. Shikamaru didn't understand how it worked, but it did, at least for those two. Anytime the Uchiha was brought up, Naruto would get this fond look on his face, a look that Shikamaru had started wanting for himself. It was stupid to want someone who was mated, who had a secondary gender unlike Shikamaru. The Nara had tried. He had tried to be with someone, a girl from Suna and despite them remaining close, a relationship didn't work out when she desired an alpha. Something Shikamaru was not. Thus, why the Alpha above him enjoyed his company when he wasn't an Alpha, or Omega was beyond him. Hell, he wasn't even a beta. He was just…Shikamaru.

"What a drag," he smirked, letting his eyes flutter close against the smile that was as bright as the sun. He was weak. A man secluded to shadow, obsessed with the light and warmth that only Naruto possessed.

"But you like it."

"Yea.."

When did cloud watching turn into staring into Naruto's eyes? It wasn't the first time they kissed but everytime the sun touched him, Shikamaru's heart skipped a beat before pounding in overdrive. They never did more than lazily slide their lips against each other's, tongues stroking languidly and exploring the other's mouth, but whenever Naruto pulled away and smiled that warm smile, Shikamaru thought his chest would explode with the emotion.

I love you, you stupid idiot.

As always the words were on the tip of his tongue, threatening to break his teeth when Shikamaru clamped down on the urge.

"Come over tonight."

And that was the problem. This could be all it was because Naruto had a mate.

"Tch, I wish, but I don't know how late the Hokage will keep me." It was an excuse and they both knew it. Naruto frowned but before more words could be said, a very familiar chakra washed over them.

"Sasuke," Naruto whispered, his eyes snapping towards the edge of the roof. Shikamaru had the decency to sit up, hand tying his hair back up before looking at the Uchiha. The man looked better. It seemed time away to atone for his sins did him some good.

"It suddenly looks like your evening is full, Naruto. Don't worry, I'll take care of your paperwork too. I'm sure the Rokudaime would understand," Shikamaru's smile was tight as he ignored the violent clenching of his heart. The blush that heated Naruto's cheeks was not for him and would never be for him.

"Shikamaru, wait!"

"Troublesome idiot," The Nara man stood and waved his hand behind him in dismissal. "Go show your mate how much you missed him."

-xOx-

Night had fallen by the time Shikamaru pulled his head from the papers. He wasn't sure how many times he had read the same sentence over and over but it didn't even make sense this time. "Damn it," the ravenette muttered as he pressed the pads of his fingers to his eyes. It felt stuffy in the office he was occupying so the man stood to open a window. Leaning out on the frame, he could tell it was far later than he thought. The village was quiet, the final lights flickering out as civilians and shinobi alike went to sleep. It really was a time of peace.

"Hey! Naruto!"

"Hmm?"

"You're going to be Hokage. Don't forget!"

"I never stopped saying it. That's my ninja path."

"You mean our Ninja path."
"Yea."

The memories of that warm, fond smile made his heart clench in pain again. "I'd stand by your side however you wanted me," Shikamaru sighed and rubbed at his chest to ease the ache. He wasn't going to get much else accomplished and it would certainly be waiting on him the next day. Best to get some rest while he could. Ten minutes later, Shikamaru was the last one leaving Hokage tower. "Told you I'd be late," he muttered to himself, shaking his head with a self-deprecating smile. Pulling the pack of cigarettes from his vest as well as Asuma's lighter, the first drag was almost like relief. The tension in his shoulders easing after hunching over the desk. Another drag and the Nara began walking to his apartment, eyes on the clouds that were illuminated by the moon, wondering if they could taste the smoke from his cigarette. A brush of wind against his neck caused the tiny hairs on his neck to raise in subtle warning. "You know those will kill you," a voice devoid of emotion whispered in his ear. Chakra blades flashed into his hand as he turned, ready to strike. Only to come eye to eye with a singular, dark eye as a hand clamped around his wrist to keep him from attacking.

"Shouldn't you be home with Naruto instead of harassing pedestrians in the street, Sasuke?" Shikamaru was irritated that the man had gotten the drop on him and quickly shook the man off before putting distance between them.. Sure, both Sasuke and Naruto were far stronger than he was, but at least Naruto didn't sneak up on him. The chakra blades remained in his hand as he turned on his heel, just wanting to put more distance between him and the Alpha. He made it several steps before the former traitor spoke again.

"The Genius of Konoha is also the laziest. Really, I'm not certain what Naruto sees in you." Hands clenched around the blades in his hand as Shikamaru froze, casting a glare over his shoulder.

"Someone who stuck around." He knew he had hit a button when he saw that eye narrow at him and he couldn't hide the smirk. However, by the time he took another step towards his apartment, the Uchiha was blocking his path. Shikamaru gave himself a self-satisfied smirk before glaring at him again. "You're in my way."

Sasuke stepped closer and the Nara took a moment to reevaluate the situation. Sasuke had grown. At one time, Shikamaru had been the tallest in their class but at some point, that had leveled out. Now Naruto was a couple of inches taller than he was and the way he had to raise his chin to look Sasuke in the eye made him think Sasuke might even be taller than Naruto. Was the Alpha really posturing at him? Didn't he know that wouldn't work on him? Shikamaru was too tired for this shit. He wanted to go home, perhaps have a sandwich and crash in his bed, shower optional, not deal with a butt-hurt Alpha whose mate had kissed someone else.

"Look, Sasuke, you're going to have to take it up with Naruto if you plan on sticking around this time. The guy has been through enough in his life to worry about whether his mate is going to leave him again. He deserves happiness." Piece said, Shikamaru moved around Sasuke in another attempt to go home.

"Tch," the Uchiha scoffed and a hand wrapped around Shikamaru's bicep and tugged. The Nara was so done, and his left hand clenched into a fist around the chakra blade before launching towards Sasuke's stupidly smug grin. What? He frowned, his fist slowing as he tried to backtrack and dissect the Uchiha's purpose behind that smile. Unsurprisingly, Sasuke caught it and the shadow user found himself tugged forward and kissed.