"Shikamaru wake up"
Naruto said as he shook the boy in the sleeping bag who was sleeping without a care in the world.
Naruto had went in the boy's bag after smelling some food and put it in the refrigerator. There had been quite lot of it, with both his and Shikamaru's name tags. Naruto had been pleasantly surprised but then again considering how Yoshino, Shikamaru's mom and father, as well as most of the Nara clan come to think of it, treated him, Naruto didn't find it unexpected just surprising.
They and the clan were one of the few who were quite polite to him with Yoshino being even more kinder to him.
Naruto wanted to taste the food, he really did, but considering that the other was alseep, Naruto wasn't sure. Although, he looked at a note scrambled on his lunch.
If the brat doesn't wake up, kindly whisper that his mom is here.
-Shikaku Nara (Shikamaru's dad)
Naruto had found that thought odd, but he shrugged. He came to Shikamaru's ear, wondering what this would even do?
"Shikamaru" said boy didn't even move,
"Shikamaru your mom is here" Shikamaru bolted..
(o;
And Naruto was stunned.
He looked at the terrified boy who frantically looked around the room and Naruto immediately laughed. He held his stomach and laughed loudly, whilst Shikamaru blushed in embarrassment. "Shut up" he whispered and Naruto coughed and choked on his spit as tears fell down his eyes whilst he tapped the floor.
"I can't- I can't breathe!" Naruto tried to gasp and Shikamaru huffed. "Shut up, you troublesome blonde" and Naruto wiped his tears, whilst he felt a small smile linger on his lips.
He would have to thank Shikaku, when that man came to fetch Shikamaru. He now knew Shikamaru's weakness and seeing it in person, was nothing but gold.
"Come make your bed and let's go eat, I need you to teach me how to play shogi" Shikamaru brightened, unlike anything Naruto had ever seen and arranged his sleeping bed, and Naruto blinked for a moment. Did Shikamaru love that game so much?
The four year old looked at it and then looked back at Shikamaru. Maybe he would like it as well.
30 minutes later after eating and playing. Naruto sat down and contemplated his life's choices. He did not like it. Well more like he did not like being losing so easily. It had been quite easy to learn during the first game and with Shikamaru's careful and surprisingly patient instructions. Naruto had been even more determined to learn, however, Naruto had already lost three games in such a short amount of time which was just too embarrassing.
Unknowing to Naruto, Shikamaru was quite surprised. Pleasantly so. He knew Naruto didn't know how to play and he had been extra patient with the blonde when teaching him. However, he was surprised with how easily Naruto learned and even though he had lost, Naruto had gotten the hang of the shogi board quite well. Too well even. Shikamaru scrutinized Naruto, and his eyes went to the stacks of books and he suddenly had a thought.
"Hey Naruto next time get books on training and about chakra okay?" Naruto tilted his head, huh, he hadn't thought of that. Sure there were was one book about basic chakra stuff, but it was small. He hadn't really asked for more books nor had he been curious about training and yet now Shikamaru was asking him to get books on training.
"Okay, I'll write it on the list of things to bring, but why?" Naruto asked curiously and Shikamaru looked at his shogi board.
"You learn fast. Too fast even. It's like your brain's a sponge once you understand and I think it'll be good to stay ahead. It'll be more beneficial to you since it's obvious you won't get fair treatment in school as well" Shikamaru said and Naruto nodded his head.
Shikamaru continued, "moreover, clan children like me for example start learning young and training young, and considering that your not in a favourable situation, I think it'll do you good. I mean you taught yourself how to read more words and write, and it's gotten you far. It'll definitely be a drag, but I'm sure you can do it"
Naruto nodded as his eyes stared at Shikamaru who had given him more compliments in two days than Naruto had ever received in his whole entire life. It was nice and it wasn't an empty compliment which had no substance.
Naruto may be unsure about being Hokage but, being a great a Shinobi was something he wanted and needed to be. After all how could he fly without wings.
Looking at Shikamaru who was looking at the paper with his hands and feet. He smiled. "Hey" the toddler said and Shikamaru heard a small tone of mischief in it and he tensed. He looked at Naruto who now held a bucket of paint and was looking at hands.
"No. You are not making me do that"
"Who said I was asking?"
".."
"Naruto! Wai-"
".."
Minutes later.
Shikamaru washed his hands and feet and looked at Naruto who was smiling, pretty satisfied with himself. He looked his age for a brief moment and the spark was there and it made Shikamaru smile.
"Troublesome blonde" he whispered and Naruto hung his feet and hands with the words written Shikamaru below it. Shikamaru grumbled lightly but he smiled as he bonked Naruto's head who only grinned in return.
"Come let's play a few more games then help me cook before you leave"
"Jeez, what a drag" Shikamaru said with a smile on his face as he put his hands in his pockets, but followed Naruto as he always did and as he always would.