#Shika looks a bit too despereate in this one

[twnj]

“Yes.” Her breath hitched in her throat before she could put on a deeper voice, and she whimpered out, “Let me…”

“Let you what?”

“Take charge.”

“Of me?”

She couldn’t make more than a weak affirmative sound, and he ceased the movement of his hand. He dropped her thigh, letting it slide down his leg, and used his now-free hand to peel hers from where they grabbed at him. Shikamaru groaned as he clung to her and bound both her wrists together in one palm, pinning them above her head.

His breath was hot on her cheek as he leaned into her ear.[...]

[...]“Which?” His finger retracted, and she moved her hips needily. “Which did you consider, Temari?” Shikamaru’s voice was gentle. Enticing. “Answer and I’ll let go. You can do whatever you want.” He adjusted his grip, but not enough for her to slip free, and pulled back to look at her. His finger stirred gently until her thighs quivered again. “Just remember, when you do, that I’m not weak. If I wanted to, I could do this instead of letting you. Every time.”

Grandmaster on ao3 by @notquitejiraiya

[animeomegas]

Hi! Could I request maybe the reunion between shikamaru and his alpha?? Like from the shikamaru breaking down bc his alpha is late from a mission and his teacher is dead Thanks!!

I think I've written something small about this before, but I'm happy to expand on it! Enjoy <3 ( I didn't realise I'd left this in my drafts, so here you guys go while my arms are sore still haha)

"Shikamaru, you need to sleep," you said gently, holding his face in your hands. Dark circles and stress bitten lips gazed back at you as he shook his head. He had looked worse when you first got home yesterday, but thankfully, after the first hour of cuddling and crying, it had been easy to get him to take a shower with you. Unfortunately, it was not proving as easy to get him to go to sleep.

"No," he muttered, voice hoarse from crying.

"You have to sleep at some point, sweetheart," you pointed out, smoothing your thumbs over his skin. He shook his head again. "Please? For me?" There was some hesitation this time, but he still shook his head in the negative.

It had been twelve hours since you'd returned, but Shikamaru was still firmly stressed and alert, coiled like a spring at every moment, despite your and his parents' best efforts in calming him down.

He was grieving, you understood that. And then a mission had taken you away from him when he needed you the most, you understood that too. You had the greatest patience for him, but he still needed to sleep (and you would also rather like to be able to use the toilet without holding his hand.)

"Shika..."

"Don't. Please, just don't. I'm fine."

He was clearly running on fumes, but you didn't know how to make him rest, other than just letting him push himself until he collapsed. You didn't even know why he was so resistant to sleep. Did he think you would be gone when he woke up even though you had promised to the contrary countless times?

You wracked your brain desperately, as Shikamaru moved his face until it was buried in your collar bones. You idly stroked his hair, allowing your fingers to glide through the soft strands. You needed to soothe him to sleep somehow.

You focused for a moment on the sound of his mother pottering away in the kitchen. You relied on her for advice on handling Shika's obsession instinct often, but she'd been unable to suggest anything helpful this time.

You started to hum, almost without thinking, as though it was an instinct to fill the silence without words. The melody started out as nothing more than a collection of random notes, but slowly, it morphed into one of your favourite love songs.

You sang softly, still stroking Shikamaru's hair in time to the music. Your voice was a little rusty from disuse, but you pushed through the minor discomfort.

A hot tear rolled onto your neck from where Shikamaru had his face pressed. You didn't bring attention to it, you just kept singing through the ticklish sensation.

You sang that song twice before you picked a new one.

And then another.

And another.

Eventually the tears stopped flowing and Shikamaru's breaths evened out. The weight of his head increased and his limbs went completely limp as he finally succumbed to sleep.

You sang that first love song one more time, just to be sure he was truly asleep, before you joined him in unconsciousness.

There was a long way to go, to process his grief properly, to reassure him that you weren't going to leave, maybe some more desensitisation training to help him cope, but everything would feel just a little bit better once he'd had some sleep.

[micechicken]

Main cast profiles :3

Sorry if they are hard to read or are confusing in someway, I'm bad at explaining.

Bea: A con artist who mostly sells garbage for high prices by overselling it. This has led to some conflict in the past and making him a target for those who feel betrayed by him. Often hopping planets by sneaking onto cargo for outgoing ships, he’s managed to mostly avoid injury. He goes by “Bea” but pronounces it like “bay”. Unwillingly he’s come along with Miss Shika and Fria.

Found Mushi a couple of years ago and has cared for him as his son. Mushi is a mushroom-like alien and is actually venomous but Bea wasn’t aware of this fact as he’s never been bitten.

He talks very sparingly of his past and where he came from, partially because he doesn't really remember it and doesn’t want to.

Chez: After the murder of his younger brother, Charlie at first had no idea what to do with his life. Hearing rumors of a mysterious item known as the “Faceless Orb” that could grant any wish they holder made, he made it his goal to retrieve it and bring his brother back to life with a “rebirth”. Left Earth and managed to become a bounty hunter in the hopes of finding clues and to maintain an income. After 13 years he still hasn’t found it, but has desperately been asking for help for a long time. Coming across Miss Shika and company he learned they too were looking for the same thing and so he joined them. 

He’s not the most sound of mind so it’s probably best to be on his good side.

Fria: Fria’s mother died suddenly when she was young, leaving her to fend for herself. She took after her mother and very quickly became a high ranking royal guard for the royalty of Oonia. This status allowed her to live on land in a much more lavish lifestyle than before. She is very proud of her accomplishments and takes her job very seriously. Received the job to guard Miss Shika as she traveled the stars and so goes everywhere she does. Even still she’s a bit of a party animal at times and is willing to mess around when offered. 

Miss Shika: The ‘Princess’ of Oonia, she currently has one goal in mind: to find a mysterious human who is said to be able to end the ongoing war between the Vin and the Faceless. Shika seems to believe she has. After coming across Bea on Pikol she forced him to come along with her, and intends to find the Faceless orb before escorting him to Oonia. 

She is overly interested in Humans, Earth, and Human cultures, often trying to learn as much as she can, though the two humans she’s dragging along don’t seem to know a lot about any of that, much to her surprise. Shika is rather naïve and foolish, but seems to still be very capable of combat.

[iambilliejeanok]

Do It For Me

Pairing- Shikamaru x reader

Warning - 18+, dark content slight coercion, smut, overstimulation, grooming, age gap (reader is 22 and Shika is 32), cheating, assistant/boss relationship, unedited

Summary- Shikamaru is your trusted and beloved boss, whom you deeply admire and he’s also a bit of whore and you’re too much of a saint…a saint with a dirty little secret, one that Shikamaru could smell from a mile away. You could fool everyone else in the village but not Shika. He’s determined to get the real you out and show you how wonderful the real you is, the real world and the real thing…you want him after all right?

(Inspired and named after the song Do It For Me by Rosenfeld)

“It’s okay, y/n…relax…or do I need to leave? Are you going to disappoint me?”, he asked in a husky voice, his breath hot against the hickey he left on the nape of your neck, sending shivers down your spine. Your heart beat so fast, unable to catch your breath, knowing that what you were doing was downright wrong.

You were pressed against the wall by your boss, a married man you trusted and respected ever since you were just 15. Now you were 23, all grown up. A beautiful young kunoichi, trained under his own wisdom. He was proud of you and you were convinced he only wanted what was best for you. You wanted to please him. You needed to.

“No no! Please, I’m okay…please don’t leave me”, you said worriedly, gripping onto his coat, intoxicated by his scent, a mixture of cigarettes and cologne, as well as the thick and heavy lust in the air of the your small studio apartment.

“I won’t leave you hun. I told you I love you right?”, he asked softly, lifting your chin up to look at him. “Yes Shika- sama”, you politely responded, swallowing away the lump in your throat at the fear of him leaving you. How could you ever live without the attention he gave you for so long? He taught you to be so beautiful and strong, not only physically but emotionally and in battle. You owed him this much. You felt like he was the only man who could give this to you.

“Now let’s get the rest of this off of you”, he breathed, biting and sucking on your neck and he slowly pulled the oversized shirt off of you, casually touching you in places that made you buckle.

He was passing by your place to drop off a few scrolls for you to read as his new assistant, only to find you laying on your bed, your curtains wide open as you touched yourself, your nimble fingers rubbing your swollen little clit. He would’ve of simply let you be if he didn’t see you mouth his name on your desperate face. Did your honorable father,the priest of the village know that his daughter was touching herself to a man ten years older than her.

He continued tracing kisses down your neck, now marking your chest, introducing you to sensations you’d never felt in your life. Making you feel ways you never thought was possible. “Shika”, you softly moaned, worried about how close he was to your breasts. Yes you wanted him, you needed him, but you were afraid of breaking your vow of purity to god.

Sensing your hesitation, he stopped, looking up to you with that unimpressed look once again. “Promise you won’t leave me after this please Shika-sama”, you cried, unable to hold back the tears from the intense guilt you felt. “I promise I will love you if you do this for me”, he said, only feeding you with what you wanted to hear. “But what about Temari- chan”, you said, your eyebrows furrowing in worry.

“Have I ever betrayed your trust y/n?”, Shika questioned, making you frown in guilt. “No”, you shakily responded, wondering why you doubted the one man who made you feel respected and loves for as long as you’ve known him.

“Now stop talking and let me make you feel good”, he said, his voice a little deeper, making you instantly submit. Before you could tell, your bra fell down your shoulders, your beautiful mounds exposed to him.

“Who knew you’d have these beautiful breasts under all those clothes you wear huh?”, he mumbled, feeling the weight of them in his hands, a little pinch making you gasp on shock.

His mouth immediately replaced his fingers, sucking and biting your nipple, slightly grunting as he fed his long felt lust and huger for you. “Ahhh!”, you moaned out, the new sensation of his warm and wet mouth on your sensitive nip already overwhelming, your pussy aching so bad that it hurt.

“Mmm, that’s it baby, you taste so good”, he said between moving to the other nipple. God he made you feel so good, just like he promised he would. See, there was nothing for you to worry about.

Coming back up to your face he swallowed your feint screams from biting your nipples, shoving his tongue down your throat to explore you sweet mouth, his fingers moving down to the one place you knew no man was supposed to touch until you were a married woman.

Sucking on his tongue, you never thought having this man on you like this would be this intoxicating. You were well passed any guilt holding you back, greedily sucking on his tongue, moaning at how good he tasted. A mixture of minty and sweet.

Moaning into his mouth, he cupped your naked pussy, your hips involuntarily bucking into his big hand, your body desperately needing his touch as your juice dropped in his palm.

“So dirty and desperate for me already sweetheart? You’re so cute”, he teased.

“Shika…it hurts”, you whined, Shikamaru looking down in confusion, before looking back up to realize what you were referring to. You were throbbing so bad for him and here he was, taking his sweet time with you.

“Shhh, here”, he said, before gently pressing the pad of his middle and index finger against your wet little clit, slowly rubbing it in circles, making you gasp in complete shock, your hands immediately holding onto his single forearm.

His free hand came up to your neck, forcing you back against the wall and he ran his fingers along your heat, easily soaking the before returning to your swollen little nub.

“Let go”, he said loud enough for you to hear him, your hands not budging as you tried to manage the different sensations of another persons fingers on your button.

Shikamaru stopped. “Uh!”, you whined, opening your eyes in disappointment, only to be met with Shika’s narrow brown ones. “I said let go”, he simply repeated, and you did just as you were told. Without any dismay, he got your clitoris in a mix once again, adding a slight bit more pressure, rubbing you a little faster too. You couldn’t stop moaning at this point, shutting your eyes tight as you felt that familiar sweet explosion nearing, but before you could enjoy your orgasm he suddenly stopped.

You looked up at him in confusion again, lightly banging his chest in frustration, making him further push you against the wall with the hand around your neck. “Now, if you’d like to cum you need to keep your eyes open, and politely ask for permission”, he growled, “Is that clear?”, he asked you, and without any hesitation you nodded your head, wanting nothing more than for him to bring that amazing feeling back to you.

“Use your words hun”, he said irritatedly, smacking your wet puss, making you gasp in surprise. You didn’t know how To feel about that. But you did know that you wanted him all over you.

“Ahhh!”, you moaned out in pleasure as he smacked you again. “I said speak”, he said a little more angrily. “Yes Shika!”, you whined, trying to not grab his arm again like he told you not to.

“That’s it”, he said, returning his fingers to your button.

“Ahhhh!”, you nearly screamed, his fingers moving fast, flicking your clit left to right , forcing you to orgasm faster than you anticipated, your eyes shutting tight as your orgasm washed over you, the pleasure growing more and more intense than your ever felt while touching yourself. You couldn’t ask for permission or open your eyes like he asked you to since he was being so rough, a sudden urge to explode forcing you to squirt in his hand.

“Ahhh! There you go”, he growled, your whimpering subsiding as he stopped, spanking your wet puss again to snap you out of your bliss. “S-Shikaaa!!!”, you whined, overwhelmed and taken aback by what just happened. You were completely unaware of the mess you made in his hands, confused about the little wetness you felt between your thighs.

Before you could ask any questions, Shikamaru scooped you up on his shoulder, walking you over to the bed to roughly throw you on it, quickly dragging you down to the foot of the bed before placing your thighs over his shoulders, your damp twists that you tied into a bun after your shower leaving a spot of wetness on the bed.

Your eyes widened when you finally realised the position you were in. Your body still feeling good after your first orgasm. “S-Shika Ah!!”, you began to say but you were cut off when his tongue dragged between your folds, roughly flicking your little clit. “Oh my god!”, you moaned, arching your back and grabbing one of your breasts as well as his thick, black hair to accommodate the intense pleasure he easily brought down on you.

Shikamaru smiled, looking up to admire your beauty. Your deep, rich, mahogany skin glistening under the dim lights of your apartment, your pretty face contorting in pleasure with every stroke of his tongue.

He was determined to break you, and make you his filthy little slut. You were making him so proud.

Gripping his hair with both your hands now, you felt yourself about to explode again, Shikamaru roughly sucking on your poor little clit, you couldn’t help but scream out loud when you felt a sharp pain followed by intense pressure deep inside of you, Shikamaru having sunk one finger into you, gently massaging your gspot.

“Ahhhhh! Uhhhh! Please!”, you screamed, squirting all over his face from the constant overstimulation, unable to sit still, jerking and convulsing all over the place.

Shikamaru didn’t stop, roughly fingering you and lifting his head up to speak to you. “What’s the matter pretty?”, he asked, his chin glistening with your juices, dripping down his goatee. You’d never thought you’d find him more attractive than you normally did but right now, with how he had you screaming, he was like a god to you.

Involuntarily, you began kicking him away, too sensitive to take any more of what he was doing.

You tried to speak but could only whimper and hiccup as Shikamaru slowly rubbed your clit, trying to doge your kicks before he got fed up. Standing up he began unbuckling his pants, dropping them to reveal his thick and fully erect manhood, a patch of dark hair surrounding him, but your were too far gone to care to look at him, flopped on the bed like a starfish as you tried to gather yourself.

“My sweet little girl. You’re going to make me very happy tonight. I love you”, he said, leaning over you to spread you apart.

Part two coming tomorrow.

[saudade-mayari]

Hey Luna 💜

May I request room number 31 with Shikamaru? 😅😏

Check out Hēdonē's Masterlist!

💳—Hēdonē VIP [25] || Reward

⇥ Shikamaru Nara x fem!reader || wc:0.7k

⇥ warnings: 18+ content, established relationship, semi-public and unprotected sex, shameless smut, minors please dni

The sparring went well. Shikamaru had drastic improvements during your training for the last three months. You felt proud.

“That concludes it. Lord sixth will be happy to hear your improvements, love” You complimented. Kissing his sweaty cheeks while you put your katana on the ground.

The raven-haired smirked. He is missing your touch after the rough training and as a combat specialist, you made sure you will never go easy on your own boyfriend.

Hard work pays well, anyways.

After giving him a peck, you took off your newly made Konoha flak jacket. Unbuttoning few of the buttons of your restraining and tight blouse.

"Ah yes finally I can breathe." you said while placing both of your hands on your hips, revealing your collarbone and the sides of your inner garments.

The raven-haired jonin smirked as he watch you stare at the empty training grounds. Something ignited in his system. Perhaps neediness? Or maybe your loving touch that he truly missed.

"Are you seducing me?" He casually commented, still eyeing your revealed collarbones and bra. You grinned. This horny bastard.

You snaked your arms around his neck, pressing your chest to his and you have almost sworn to yourself how his almond eyes stared at you with complete lust.

There’s no one who will enter Nara’s private forest right? Might as well play with the flame.

"What? No… I’m just giving you a reward, my junior in combat needs his reward right?” You cooed. Tracing his chest in a circular motion while your other hand palms his semi-hardened erect.

Shikamaru groaned while he snuggle and place soft kisses along your neck which made you whimper in pleasure.

Suddenly your loosened blouse fell down, Shikamaru freely opened your blouse that deliberately fell to your arms. You let out a sly smirk and look back at him to push yourself away.

"You sure have fast hands, combat junior." You teased in a low tone, staring back at Shikamaru with the same intense gaze.

The sultry look and removed blouse didn’t help. It was too much for Shikamaru and all he wants is to actually devour you.

“I have a great master.”

He pulls you closer as your lips met his. Carrying you in a bridal style to go further the forest where Shikamaru could privately lay you down and as you and him found a safe place, he recklessly take off your pants while his hands wandered everywhere.

It was reckless and aggressive. You love every second of it.

In an instant even his clothes are easily removed, not giving a slightest bit of care if someone walks by the Nara forest. You stared at his hardened manhood, aching and throbbing to be inside you.

It made you bit your lip. A moan escaped your mouth as you feel his cock slide around your walls.

“C’mon sweetheart take your reward.” You cooed, looking at his almond black eye that never fails to attract you.

“You don’t have to tell.” He whispered as he entered your core with precaution, making you rest your forehead on his shoulder while he thrust at medium pace.

“Fuck Shika, love. Faster-” You whispered. Locking your legs to his hips to pull him closer but the damned teasing bastard was faster than you, he is completely taking control of your pleasure.

“Patience… I’m savouring my reward.” He cooed, making you arch your back that deliberately pressed against his chest. Shikamaru growled, the feeling of your heat made him more desperate.

The way he went slowly made you grip in pleasure, a total moaning mess in their clan’s forest. You feel ecstatic, you are coming undone while Shikamaru rocked faster and delved deeper.

The soft kisses he gave in your sweaty neck drove you to distraction. A diversion from your first release that Shikamaru is obviously controlling.

“Shika… please, I want to cum.” You whispered, looking at his eyes with your lewd expressions. He growled, pounding you harder with a medium pace as he claims your lips.

“Kami… stop begging like that. It’s hot. C’mon cum for me.” He retorted while he went faster than usual.

He knew your most sensitive spot and even orgasm denial is not possible if he could always make you insane every single time. “That’s it… let me see your greedy pussy’s cum.” He whispered, biting your earlobe to make you moan louder.

Climax surged through like wild waves. It carried you into a tumult of pleasure, bliss and relief. Shikamaru rested his face against your chest while he caught his breath from the guttural moans.

He titled his chin to look at your tired face, a victorious smile glistened in his handsome face.

“Such a great reward from my loving girlfriend.”

[yourtamaki]

tu me manques

kiba x f!reader

word count: 2.3k

warnings: established relationship, breeding kink, bunny as a nickname, mutual masturbation, fingering, creampie, scratching, marking, premature ejaculation, lactation kink mentioned but not featured

dedicated to: @onyxoverride

he was on you the moment he walked through the door. 

kiba had been away for weeks on a tracking mission. the target was better connected to the underground crime rings then they’d anticipated, disappearing in one country just to pop up in another. you’d resigned yourself to a long wait when a hastily written note from your husband came a few days after his departure explaining the situation. 

this was far from the first time you’d spent time apart but that didn’t make it any easier. your home was too quiet without him and akamaru and nothing you did could fill the silence. the nights were the worst, when you had only your too small fingers for company. nothing could ease the ache between your legs. kiba had ruined you long ago, ensuring that the only way you could find release was with his help. it made missions like these all the more torturous for you. 

you were getting ready for bed after another lonely day when you heard the front door slam open as though it had been kicked in. your body moved before your brain could catch up, grabbing a kunai from under your bed and clutching it in a shaky hand the way kiba had taught you. you were no shinobi by any means but he had refused to take any missions outside of the village until you could hold your own with a dagger. he had even entertained the idea of leaving akamaru behind just to protect you in his absence. you had shot down the idea but it brought tears to your eyes knowing kiba loved you so deeply, so much so that he’d go without his partner for you.  

as heavy footsteps drew near you steeled your nerves, all the lessons you’d learned flooding back in your mind. the bedroom door opened and you had only a moment to recognize who it was that just walked through before he was on you, kissing you with a ferocity that screamed kiba. you dropped the kunai in favour of bunching his jonin vest in your fists. he was home, he came back to you and you couldn’t stop from smiling into the kiss. you broke apart from each other only when your lungs started to ache, your hands trailing down his body in search of injuries.

“i just got here and you're already feeling me up, sweetheart?” 

“says you, you practically jumped me just now.” he took your wandering hand and placed it over his crotch, letting you feel his growing bulge. 

“i fucking missed you, baby. one look at you and you got me like this.” your face warmed as he used your hand to palm himself over his pants. his forwardness still managed to make you shy all these years later. “i can see you squeezing those thighs together, you miss me too? gonna let me take care of us both?” 

“y-yes please i missed you so much.” there was more you wanted to say, to ask about his mission, his well-being but it was lost as you both began to pull your clothes off between rough kisses, stumbling naked backwards into bed. 

“yeah? did you miss me or this?” he growled as he bit into your neck, leaving a stinging path in his wake and grinding his length against your already glistening folds. 

“both, kiba ‘m so empty it hurts.” you whined when he pulled away, sitting back on his heels and gripping the base of his cock. 

“show me how my baby took care of herself while i was gone. can you do that for me, bunny?” the nickname never failed to make you clench around nothing but it was the sheer desperation in his voice that urged you to do as he asked despite the shyness that crept in the corner of your mind. a hand drifted between your legs and began rubbing small circles on your clit. there was a bit of relief but you couldn’t help but let out an irritated groan, eyes closed shut in concentration. it felt nothing like when kiba touched you, when he played with your pussy and had you seeing stars from his fingers alone. it was made all the more worse knowing he was so close and still not touching you. you couldn’t mimic him no matter how hard you tried and tears of frustration pricked the corner of your eyes. 

“kiba help me ‘s not enough.” you glanced at him through wet eyelashes and felt your whole body flush at the sight of him stroking his drooling cock, eyes glued to your wet cunt. 

“don’t even know how to touch yourself right, do you? that’s okay baby that’s why this is my cunt, huh? only i know how to treat it right.” 

with that he batted your hand away, replacing it with his own and your hips lifted off the bed as he slid one long digit inside you that reached deeper than yours ever could, slick from your arousal and his. he kept two nails blunt just to always get a chance to pump and curl them inside you. a swell of adoration rose in you knowing he’d been thoughtful enough to shorten them before coming home despite being tired from his mission. “you’re so tight, bunny. how’re you gonna take me when i can barely fit a finger in?” 

he ignored your babbling about how you didn’t care, you wanted him now and pushed a second finger inside you, slowly scissoring you open. no one in the village would put kiba and patient in the same sentence yet when it came to prepping you he always took his time. his care for you never dulled no matter how much he wanted to fuck himself dumb with your cunt. he’d neglect his own want that hung heavy between his legs until he was sure you wouldn’t feel an ounce of discomfort and you loved him all the more for it. you swallowed down your impatience and did your best to relax for him, keeping your legs spread as wide as you could. 

“good girl.” he pulled his fingers from you and spat on your pussy before you could whimper at the loss of contact, laughing at how you jolted at the sensation. he lined himself up with your entrance, running his blunt tip along your folds and smearing the spit over your clit. “deep breath, baby.”

that was all the warning you got before he buried his thick cock inside you in one stroke, your mouth falling open as an orgasm tore through you when he bottomed out. all the prep had left you more sensitive then you realized and kiba rocked his hips against yours, grinding against your clit to help you ride out your high. kiba watched you with a wild light dancing behind his eyes and he threw your legs over his shoulder as he waited for you to adjust to him, turning his head slightly to nip at your calf.  

“so fucking pretty. you missed me that bad that you cum as soon as i’m inside you?”

“please move, baby. please.” you whispered as the ringing faded from your ears and kiba was pounding away at you a moment later, heavy balls slapping against your ass almost as loud as the squelch that came from where you were connected. but with kiba’s hot pants in the shell of your ear, you could hear him clear as day over it all.

“fuck you take me so well don’t you? this sloppy cunt sucking me in. this is all i fucking thought about the whole damn mission, princess. fucking your pretty little pussy the way you deserve. gonna let me do that? gonna let me make up for all that lost time? wanna hear you say it, bunny.”

“please!” you could feel your thoughts slipping from your head with every harsh thrust, so full it was impossible for him not to hit every sensitive spot, but you fought to do as he said. “need you so bad kiba, i hate when you’re gone.” 

his hips slowed to a stop as he captured your lips in a messy, desperate kiss that had him licking the roof of your mouth and sucking on your bottom lip before pulling away. “when we finally caught the bastard, i wanted to gut him for keeping me away from you for so long. nearly did until shika got his shadows on me. i hated thinking of you alone in this damn house.”

his words rang in your head for a moment, thoughts swirling so fast you almost didn’t realize what conclusion you came to until you’re blurting out, “i don’t… have to be alone.” 

“you know i’d stay in the village if i could, love but-”

“no, i know i meant…” you trailed off, searching for the right words for the sudden intense desire that overtook you. “you could leave someone here with me.”

kiba cocked his head in confusion. “i thought you said it’s a bad idea leaving akamaru here.” 

“not akamaru.” you said with a whisper. “a baby.”

his cock twitched so hard inside you your hips bucked up instinctively to meet his before he pinned you down, settling more of his weight on you. “wa-wait fuck i almost came don’t do that.” 

this isn’t how you thought you’d be having this conversation, with kiba balls deep inside you but it didn’t take away from how badly you wanted this. it felt right, expanding your family to include a little one. someone to ease the deathly silence when your husband was gone. someone to pour all the love and care and attention you housed that would wither away otherwise. 

“kiba.” you said, cupping his face so his wide eyes met yours and smoothing your thumbs over his clan marks. “i want your babies.”

his eyes screwed shut as a familiar warmth spilled deep inside you, his hips stuttering weakly once, twice before he let out a low groan. a bubble of laughter escaped before you could stop it, half giddy that he liked the idea as much as you and half genuine amusement that he came from the thought alone. the sound died in your throat just as fast as it came as kiba levelled a glare at you. 

“you don’t think we’re done, do you?” 

he untangled himself from you, cock slipping out with a lewd pop and heat bloomed across your face and down your chest when you saw how hard he was despite just emptying himself, soaked in both your cum and his. you let out a squeak as kiba began to manhandle you in a way he’s only done when he’s truly worked up, rotating your body to face the edge of the bed and setting you up on your hands and knees. 

“if i’m gonna breed you, bunny, i’m gonna do it the right way.” the word sent a thrill shooting down your spine, stoking the fire in your belly. “oh look at you squirming. you like that, huh? already got cum dripping out of you and you still want more?” 

you looked back and nodded eagerly, nearly delirious with need. “wanna be filled up so bad, kiba please. fuck me till ‘m full.” 

he settled between your legs, using his tip to collect some of the cum that had leaked down your thigh and pushed it back into your sopping hole. kiba had been rough with you before but never like this and you craved more every time his hips pressed flush to yours, fat balls slapping your clit so hard it made your eyes roll back and drool escape the corners of your mouth. you felt him settle over your back, both hands reaching around to grope at your chest. 

“can’t wait till these get nice and heavy.” he pinched and rolled your nipples, playing with them the way he knew you liked best. “i’ll help you out when they hurt, bunny. suck you dry if you want.”

you didn’t recognize the sound you make, a cross between a scream as he battered against that soft spot inside you that had black spots bounce across your vision and a moan at the delicious image kiba conjured in your mind. you wanted to tell him that yes, you would like that very much please and thank you but then he was straightening back up, sharp nails digging into the flesh of your hips so deep you knew you’d wake up with throbbing scratches littered on you as a reminder of tonight. he fucked you with enough force to push you further and further off the bed with every thrust. your hands shot out to brace yourself against the floor when your torso left the bed and still kiba pounded away at your poor cunt, the same intense, single minded focus he used during missions to catch his prey now targeted at you. 

“cum for me, sweetheart. cum so i can fuck you full of my babies.” 

your arms gave out as the coil in your gut snapped, letting out a strangled cry of his name. before you could crumble in a heap on the floor, kiba wrapped a burly arm around you, keeping you pressed to him with ease, thrusts never slowing. 

“good girl. ‘m gonna fill you up nice and deep, bunny. gonna give you everything you fucking deserve. as many kids as you want a whole fucking litter i love you i love you shit-!”

you were sure he’d somehow cum more this time, endless heat spilling inside you. kiba was slow to stop his hips, making sure to fuck his cum as deep inside you as he could before he stilled, softening cock still buried within you. you waited for you both to catch your breath before groaning at the uncomfortable position. 

“pull me up, baby.” 

“let gravity do its thing. i wanna get you pregnant first try.” 

“but if you don’t, that just means we have to keep trying till it takes.” 

you could feel his smile when he pressed a kiss to your shoulder. “you’re a smart one, aren't you? knew there was a reason i married you.” 

“just one?”  

“i’ve got all night to tell you the others.”

masterlist

[sup-hoes-its-me]

Hi hun! Hope you’re doing well! Could a request a Shikamaru fic! I was thinking maybe it’s obvious to everyone that Shikamaru and Reader like each-other (except themselves of course). But a mission where they have to pretend to be a couple and they finally confess.

😘

Pretenders (Shikamaru x Reader)

A/N: another request. Im not super proud of this one, i really got stuck halfway through and i think that shows here. Thanks for requesting though, and hopefully you still enjoy. Trigger Warning for sexual assault.

word count: 6500

“So, you two set out on a mission tonight right?” Ino asked, leaning her cheek in her hand, nodding toward her two friends across the booth.

“Yep. Supposedly 3 weeks,” Y/N told her. “I won’t get to see you guys for so long.” The girl took a quick sip of her lemonade and sighed. It was a substantial amount of time. It’d been a while since she’d gone somewhere so intensive.

Shikamaru and Y/N had only a couple more hours before they were to be briefed on the details of otheir next mission and whisked away to a far away land for yet another tedious job. Y/N was perfectly fine with the premise of going on a 3 week mission, she’d been home too long and longed for some kind of adventure. She still wasn’t sure the caliber of the mission, nor did she even know where or what they were doing, but she was excited nonetheless.

Shikamaru, of course, wasn’t too fond of the entire idea. Yes, he was more than happy to find out his mission partner was Y/N L/N. Out of all the people he could have been paired with, she was most definitely the least annoying. He really felt like Kakashi had his back lately with missions, giving him ones that were semi decent, and sending him out with his friends. He was certainly grateful for the Hokage’s assignments.

Choji added from his spot near the wall, taking a second away from munching on his lunch. “It won’t be so bad. You guys have each other, after all. How could things get boring when you have your little girlfriend with you, Shikamaru, am I right?”

“Choji…” Shikamaru groaned, pressing his fingers to either side of his temples. These sorts of things borhered the hell out of him. The constant teasing from everyone, not just his teammates, but literally teachers, other squads, his mother, her grandmother. They weren’t dating. They never were dating.

Yet every person in this damned town was under the assumption there was something going on between them. Really, he was just trying to live his life.

Did he want to date her? Yes, a million times over, yes. She was literally perfect, he couldn’t imagine himself with anyone else. But was Y/N at all interested? Definitely not. She was more oblivious than Naruto was with Hinata, and that’s saying a lot. She seemed to ignore everyone when they made jokes, she thought all his measly attempts at flirting were just normal conversation even when he treated Ino completely differently. She wasn’t a dumb girl either. She was smart in her own right.

That’s why he’d begun to think she was maybe avoiding his advances on purpose. That she didn’t like him and she was trying to let him down easy. It was stupid really, and he wished she would just come out with it already, tell him to his face that she just wanted to be friends. It was frustrating, to say the least, but he kept trying.

He could safely say he hadn’t felt this way for another girl in his entire life, and he wouldn’t give up that easily. He really just wanted other people to mind their business. That’s the reason he shot down all the jokes and comments from his friends. They didn’t need to know about his lovelife, that was personal.

Ino smirked, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder and letting a laugh leave her lips. “Come on, Choji. You know how Shika feels about you teasing him.”

“Fine. But you gotta admit it’s funny.”

They continued on with their conversation, Shikamaru groaning at their jokes and the other two laughing the entire time. That was how it usually went. Y/N just listened quietly, sipping away at her lemonade. Those two, his teammates, they always made jokes, it was normal. She was constantly labeled Shikamaru’s girlfriend, and each time he denied it. Over and over again. He didn’t let a single instance slide by.

That’s how she knew to avoid the subject. To keep her feelings to herself. There was no point in confessing to him when he was already so adamant at keeping their relationship out of other people’s mouths. She was a troublesome girl, anyone who thought he saw her as anything different was delusional.

So she kept quiet, just listening.

Each time someone joked, her stomach would turn and she would wait for him to say something, for him to admit they were right, for him to get flushed in the cheeks, for him to reach out and hold her hand and confess his feelings, and each time she was let down brutally. After enough times getting her heart broken, it was only inevitable she give up this false hope. There was no digging her way into his cold heart. He was so closed off, to get inside...it seemed like an impossible feat.

She wasn’t willing to fight for him anymore. It was tiring, and they never got anywhere.

After enough time, she stopped crying herself to sleep. She stopped talking about her crush with Hinata and Ino when the boys weren’t around. She still looked at him with all the love she had to give. He was the best man she knew, how could she not. She just stopped wishing for something that wasn’t going to happen. She stopped investing so much of her time and energy into a useless, pointless dream.

She was tired of running endlessly in circles, over and over again. All because of his dumbass.

Maybe with time, she could try and get over him. With time she could learn to like him the same way as all their other friends. It was always just the little things that would pull her back in every time. It was the walks home at night when she was tired, or she had too many drinks and he’d wrap his arm around her waist and hold her so tight to his side she could feel his heart beating. It was the times he’d lay beside her in the grass and run his fingers through her hair splayed out over the ground. It was the times he would hold her silently as she cried for her mother and father who’d died, and he would rub her back until she could breathe again.

Every single fucking time she got close, the moments she felt she might not be desperately in love with him anymore, he came right in and stole her heart again. It wasn’t his fault, he was just being a good friend, but God, did it hurt sometimes.

And it wasn’t Ino and Choji’s fault for talking about it. It was so fucking obvious she liked him. Y/N followed Shikamaru around like a lost puppy half the time, what else were they supposed to think? They were just wrong in their assumptions that she was anything more to Shikamaru himself. That the boy thought of her as anything more than a troublesome friend who was always needing help with something or another.

She drank the last bit of her drink and set down the glass. “We better be heading to the Hokage tower soon. It’s almost time, and he still has to debrief us and all, “ she told the boy at her right.

“Yeah. I’ll go get my bag from home first and we’ll meet up there?”

“Got it,” Y/N slid out of the booth and waved to her friends. “See you when we get back.”

“Bye, Y/N!” Ino called as the girl left the restaurant with her book bag over her shoulder. She sighed, sinking down into her seat and glaring over at the pineapple head across from them. “You gotta make your move on this mission, Shika. Stop being such a scaredy cat.”

“Listen, you guys don’t know anything about anything, okay? She doesn’t like me that way. She never has.”

“I never thought I’d have to say this, but you’re dumb, man,” Choji laughed. “She obviously likes you.”

“Yeah, yeah. All of you seem to think that but you don’t see how she is with me. We are purely friends. That’s it.”

“Whatever, man,” he waved off the boy’s stern reply and added, “ Have fun on your trip with Y/N. Hope you get lucky.” Those words caused Shikamaru to heat up from his neck to the tips of his ears and he promptly slid out from his seat, straightening his vest as he did so to try and calm himself. That was unnecessary of his friend to say, for sure.

He turned to them once more and nodded his head. “See you around.”

“See you!”

Now all he needed to do was get his things together and meet up with the girl of his dreams for their weeks long mission. Fun times. Especially now that his friends made him annoyed and frustrated with the entire situation again. He’d have to calm down before seeing her soon.

_______

“We’re doing what?” Y/N asked, staring down at their Hokage in disbelief. He’d been detailing their mission and everything seemed normal so far, infiltrating and learning information about a budding coup in a far away nation just on the edge of the Land of Earth and The Land of Wind. It seemed easy enough at first, but then he kept going.

Kakashi sighed. “I said, you two are to be disguised as a princess and her consort from the Land of Sunflowers. The leaders of this land are expecting these royal visitors and you will be taking their place.”

“So, like, he’s gonna be my husband?” she asked for clarification again. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand his words, it was that she didn’t want to believe them. This was her worst nightmare. They would have to pretend to be in a relationship? Shikamaru was going to hate this more than anything and it would be uncomfortable the entire time.

Why did Kakashi have to pick them two, of all his shinobi? Why?

“Yes. That won’t be a problem for two close friends such as yourselves. After all, that’s why I picked you. You have some kind of dynamic going I feel your targets will find believable.” Shikamaru cursed the heavens. Even the fucking Hokage thought they were involved. This was ridiculous. Now this long ass mission he was already dreading was made ten times worse with this awkward situation. “We’re not gonna have a problem, are we?”

It would be okay though. He just had to take a few deep breaths. That’s all.

“No, sir, of course not. I’m ready for anything you throw at me,” she declared, straightening her back and letting the heat fade from her cheeks. She was embarrassed, obviously, but she couldn’t let the Hokage know. It was easier talking to Kakashi though, much easier than Tsunade. Kakashi watched them grow up, he knew them personally from helping them train. That didn’t mean she couldn’t be flustered.

“You’ll take those bags with you. They have some more suitable clothing for royalty. Put them on when you get close to the village. Throw out any indicators you’re from the Leaf as well.”

“Okay.”

“You’re dismissed. Leave as soon as possible,” the gray haired shinobi told them. She nodded and threw the bag over her shoulder, tossing the other one over to Shikmaru who caught it and slung it onto his back. He definitely wasn’t happy about any of this, but maybe it was a sign.

Ino and Choji told him to confess his feelings to her on this mission. Kakashi just told them they would be pretending to be a married couple. As he watched her walking in front of him down the Tower stairs, her head just barely dipped as she absorbed all the information running through her mind, he wondered if maybe this was his opportunity. A make or break type scenario. He had three weeks to figure out how to tell her how he felt in a more direct way than he’d tried before.

He worked out all the scenarios and their outcomes in his head millions of times and every time they ended in disaster. For someone so great at strategy, he sure did struggle with this one.

“So, I guess we’re married now. Should we start kissing or something?” she asked awkwardly as they reached the bottom of the stairs, shifting back and forth from her toes to her heels. He stopped, more like froze, in his path and stared at her.

“Now you're just making it weird,” he replied. “We aren’t even there yet.”

“I know, I was kidding. Trying to lighten the mood, you know,” she grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. Of course he would reply like that. He didn’t like her at all, he couldn’t even take a fucking joke. Had to get all upset over it like a baby, all because he was so set on never dating her ever, never even entertaining the thought. She rolled her eyes, “You don’t have to be so rude about it, geez.”

She kept walking before he could reply. He had a feeling this trip was going to be a lot worse than anyone had anticipated. He was nervous, grumpy, and preparing for the worst. In fact, what he really wanted was a nice long nap.

_________

The dresses that Kakashi packed for her were...extravagant to say the least. They flowed all the way down to her ankles, thick heavy hoop skirts embroidered from head to toe with symbols of the land of sunflowers. She felt strange with her shoulders exposed and her body on display in these outfits which were so unlike the pants and t-shirts she wore when she was back at home or on a normal mission. She wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and sighed, feeling at least a little covered.

Shikamaru had nice clothes, but they were nothing in comparison to her wild dresses and all the bright colors of the fabric. He looked semi-normal. She was jealous, admittedly, that he still got to wear pants and shirts. He said she looked good in the dress, he actually told her about a dozen times, reassuring over and over again that she looked fine, but she didn’t believe him. She wasn’t dainty, how could she look beautiful when she clearly didn't belong in something so delicate?

Still, when they walked up to the gates of the Land of Shadows, they were greeted like the royalty they pretended to be. They were swept away to the main castle to meet with the King and his wife. It was nearly dinner time, and they were to eat with them as a greeting. It made sense, but Y/N felt herself growing more nervous with the second. She didn’t know the first thing about being a princess, or acting like a monarch. All she knew was fighting and joking with her friends.

Not only that, but how could she convince them that she and Shikamaru were in a relationship? Y/N wasn’t sure they possessed the right dynamic and even if they tried, it would be obvious they were uncomfortable with each other. It was all making her heart race, and she had to take a few deep breaths as they entered the dining room.

But her companion...he knew what he was doing. He was going to put on quite the show, take advantage of the situation. If this week and a half was his only chance to hold Y/N in his heart, than he wouldn't let any opportunities slip by.

Without warning, she found that Shikamaru had reached over and wrapped her hand up in his bigger one, clutching at her shaking fingers. He was so steady, she found herself sinking into his touch. It was comforting, more so than she thought it could be, given the circumstances. His skin was just so warm and soft against hers, it was only natural she felt safer.

“Ah, Princess Ayaka, Duke Hisashi. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” a man called from his place at the table. His wife was sitting beside him, her soft smile only reaching her lips not nearing her eyes. Y/N caught that immediately. Her distance. Silently, she took note of that as the King approached them, extending his arms for an embrace.

“It’s an honor to meet you, your highness,” Shikamaru replied with a smile, an obvious fake one, but damn was he good. She watched as he hugged the man so earnestly, as if he’d sunken right into the role of consort without an issue. She’d have to ask him tonight how he was so good at acting.

“And your beautiful wife,” he extended his hand to the girl and she raised it hesitantly, receiving a soft kiss to the back of her palm. “Come take a seat. Dinner will be served soon.”

The pair took their seats beside each other on the opposite side of the table, Y/N directly across from the Queen, who looked up at her for merely a moment only to sigh and go back to fiddling with the curve of her wine glass. "Your highness," Y/N hummed to the woman who nodded.

"Oh what a dream, to be young and in love," she said. "I remember the days."

"Please dear! To me, you will always be my beautiful young wife! We share a love to last a lifetime," the king cheered, placing his hand over that of his wife's as he took his seat at the table. "I apologize for her gloom. She's been going through a rough patch. We are more than overjoyed to have you here."

"It's fine. We all have our bad days," the girl replied softly.

After a few minutes of small talk, just dipping their feet into the conversation, a couple servants brought out plates of food and wine bottles full of vintage drink truly meant for the highest of royalty. Compared to the plain sake she had drank at home, this was liquid gold dripping down her throat. Shikamaru sent her a warning look. Y/N was known to be quite the lightweight, and even a couple glasses of wine could send her into a tipsy stupor. He really knew her too well, so hyperaware of the things she did.

"So, how did you two meet?" their host asked, taking a moment away from the chicken in front of him. "It's said that you married for love, not arrangement. That's true?"

Y/N and Shikamaru hadn't been versed very well on the details, just on the basics. Her heart beat increased, stress building up. Her lies would have to be good.

"Yes. You've heard right. He was my friend before anything else. We met as children." That much she knew for sure after reading the mission summary.

"Oh wow. Childhood lovers. Very sweet," the queen sighed, resting her cheek in her palm.

Y/N would be lying if she didn't feel a bit of similarities between her own story and that of the real princess she was pretending to be. Shikamaru and Y/N grew up together, for as long as she could remember. She started to love him before she even really knew what love was. It only made sense she pretended to be a princess in the same situation.

And when he held her hand again, this time under the table, his thumb brushing over her knuckles so softly she thought she might melt. Her cheeks began to heat up under his touch and she smiled. It was so nice holding his hand, pretending to care about each other this way. Not that she needed to pretend.

Dinner droned on, and she continued to hold his hand the entire time, besides when they were spooning at their food. For once on a mission, it felt like they were completely at peace. Of course, they were both supposed to be analyzing the movements of everyone around them to make sure no one was planning a coup like Kakashi told them. But she couldn’t held but cherish the moments of calmness and warmth between everyone.

The King and his wife were genuinely some of the kindest people she’d ever met, whether they were just acting that way or not. It was a pleasure to have dinner with them, talking and laughing like an uncle would with his nieces and nephews. It had that same energy, talking to him.

“Hisashi, you wouldn’t mind accompanying me to my library? I have some books I think you might enjoy,” the man said, standing from the table. The rest of them slid out of their chairs after him, and she had to brush down her skirts to make sure everything was in line. It was tedious, wearing these outfits without any prior warning. She felt like a clown. The Queen was so effortless in her movements, how could she not feel stupid standing beside someone so regal?

“That sounds great, your majesty-”

“Not necessary. Call me Shoto, that’s my name after all, and you are an honored guest,” he laughed. He reached over and gave his wife a gentle kiss on the cheek before turning on his heel and heading toward the door. She really expected Shikamaru to just leave with just a simple goodbye, or a “I’ll see you tonight” kind of thing.

Definitely not this.

He was gonna go all out this time around.

“I’m going to kiss you now,” he whispered, just loud enough for only her to hear, over her shoulder into her ear. When his warm breath hit her skin, shivers ran up and down her spine. Her eyes widened and she turned to stare up at him, cursing herself when she felt heat rise up in her cheeks and burn the tips of her ears. Was he serious, or just teasing her? He always liked to crack jokes like that.

But when she felt his rough hand pressed to her cheek, lifting her face ever so carefully to meet his, she knew he wasn’t messing around. His eyes met hers for a split second, and she could have sworn he winked down at her before pressing his lips to hers.

Honestly, she thought she might have a heart attack right there in the dining room. Shikamaru was kissing her. It felt even better than she dreamed it would. Chapped lips running against hers, heat pooling in her stomach, heart pounding in her chest.

As soon as it started, though, the kiss was over, and he took a step back. "See you tonight, Princess."

She was keen on catching the smirk on his lips, and the way he laughed to himself as he walked out of the room with the King before him.

Y/N stood there silently, her fingers pressed to her lips, breath caught in her throat. The boy she’d wanted for so long just kissed her like it was nothing, and she was left all alone to deal with this predicament, all the feelings that came rushing in after. All she knew for sure, whether he was serious or not, was that she really, seriously liked him. She liked him a lot more than she thought.

And now they had a whole week and a half of fake kisses and hand holding to endure. Jeez.

__________

“You know, you’re nothing like the other princesses I’ve met,” the guard said to her as she waited for Shikamaru to show up. He was still out with the King practicing archery. Apparently that was a hobby a lot of these rich country men had. So far, she wasn’t suspecting a thing out of the King or any of his closest acquaintances. They were nice as could be and seemed sincere in their intentions toward the village alliances. She had no reason to suspect them, and was beginning to think a coup was just as Kakashi thought, a mere rumor.

That made things a lot easier.

She sighed, tapping her fingers on her wrist. She wasn’t a fan of having a guard watching her every second of the day, especially not the talkative ones. This one was strange. He gave off this energy she couldn’t describe as anything other than creepy.

“Yeah? That’s nice,” she muttered.

“It’s just, usually princesses are pompous, full of themselves, spoiled women. You aren’t the same,” he continued, even if it was obvious she wanted him to shut up and go about his business while she did hers. She felt uncomfortable being alone in this land, without any of her weapons or the ability to fight back if someone was acting sketchy. She was forced to sit by like some little, ditsy princess just watching and observing.

Honestly, though, Shikamaru was probably having a great time. All he had to do was eat with the royalty, play board games, shoot some arrows, and then go to sleep. There was no extensive fighting or thinking going on, just sitting around observing and waiting for something suspicious to happen.

The queen would normally hang out with the female guests but thanks to her bouts of depression she stayed in her room, leaving Y/N completely at the mercy of time. So much time passed, and she was bored of it.

“I’m honestly just another princess. You’d be surprised though. Many princesses are just as modest as I am, it’s not all that uncommon,” she commented, taking a peek over at the man, only to quickly look away. He had quite the hungry look on his face, and if her eyes hadn’t deceived her, his own were trained right on her breasts. Damn these dresses.

Y/N wrapped her arms across her chest and slumped down, trying to hide herself from this weird man watching over her. Only, it seemed impossible. He was so much taller, could just look over her shoulder. She couldn’t run away and raise suspicion. She had to sit here and wait for someone else to break the tension.

She was scared.

“I meant that as a compliment. You say thank you when someone compliments you, yeah?” he mumbled, a firm hand reaching out to snatch her wrist. It hurt, his grip on her arm, and she winced at the feeling. “Say thank you.”

She bit her lip and refused to meet his eyes, instead focusing on his hands. If she needed to, she would defend herself but only to a small extent. She couldn’t blow her cover just because some guard was manhandling her. Take a deep breath, Y/N. It’s gonna be okay. Just calm down.

“T-Thank you,” she gulped, hoping he would drop her wrist. But he didn’t. He only held on tighter.

He smiled, yellow teeth showing through his thin lips. “See, you are a good girl, aren’t you?” he questioned, and she felt his other hand run up her waist. All she could do was whimper, shivers running up her spine and any skin this man laid his hands on. The only hope she had was that another guard come walking around and see them.

It was unlikely, but she prayed for a savior to make their appearance.

His hand worked its way down to her ass, and she felt him squeeze. Vomit rose up in her throat and she squirmed away, pressing herself against the wall as tight as she could so his hands had nowhere to go. Instead, he took to fondling her breasts in his hands. She could only bite her lips and feel the tears bubble up in her eyes as he pushed down the fabric of her top and pressed his filthy palms against her skin.

“What the fuck?” a voice cursed from behind them. The guard was torn off of her form and she brought up her hands to cover herself, tears still dripping thickly from her eyes as she cried, little breathy sobs leaving her lips. Shikamaru stood there, hands shaking at his sides as he glared over at the guard. “What’s going on here?” he demanded. Y/N watched as her friend turned red in the face, burning up with an anger she rarely saw from him, if ever.

“You tell me, your highness. Your wife seduced me!” the guard cried, clearly lying to cover himself and his sins.

The eyes of all three men, the guard, Shikamaru, and the King standing near the footwell of the stairs, turned to her. She just cried harder, shaking like a leaf in front of everyone. “He grabbed me and started to touch me, and-and I couldn’t do anything,” Y/N told them all through her pained cries.

The King marched up the steps and grabbed his guard by the arm, yanking him toward the doorway to enter the castle. He appeared worn from his workout, tired and sweaty, but he was awake enough to realize the severity of the situation. He bowed low to Y/N and her companion.

His apology ran thick from his mustached lips, “This is unacceptable. Honored guests, I apologize for everything that’s happened. I will take care of this, I assure you. Please, don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need tonight.” Shikamaru nodded, and they watched as the pair of men walked into the castle, no doubt to find another guard to incarcerate the guard in question.

Shikamaru turned to her and winced, seeing her dress pushed down below her breasts and the tremors running through her hands desperate to cover them. He watched as hot, heavy tears ran thick down her cheeks and her lips quivered and shook with fear and trauma. Gently, he moved her hands to the side and brought her dress back up to cover her chest. He worked carefully, making sure not to startle her or make things worse.

The woman sunk into his touch, leaning her head against his shoulder and sobbing. “It’s gonna be okay, Y/N. You’re safe now.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and tugged her close to his chest, pressing a soft, gentle hand to the back of her head to stroke her hair. “I’m so sorry. I won’t leave you alone again, okay?”

“Shika, “ she whimpered, “I’ve never felt so helpless in my entire life. I couldn’t do anything to defend myself and there was no one else around to help me. I-I didn’t know what to do.”

“I know. You must have been so scared,” he whispered. She just nodded against his shoulder, crying deeper into his chest. He hugged her tighter and swore to himself, even if he couldn't make it happen, that he would protect her. This kind of thing would never happen to her again if he had any say at all. “I promise this won’t happen again.”

"I've just never been in that position before. I always have the upper hand. It was awful. I was so scared and I wanted to cry for you to come help me but I didn't know where you were."

"God, I'm sorry," he mumbled, hugging her tighter in a desperate attempt to calm her shaking. He just wanted for her to be better, even if he knew that wasn't an option right now.

He felt so hopeless, knowing the only thing he could do was promise, to say things without any actual basis behind them. He was just whispering words to the wind hoping they would stick and he was right. He cursed himself for not being there in the first place to protect her, to make sure something like this never happened in the first place. He really was useless when she needed him the most.

He wouldn’t even argue if she said she wanted to go home, if she never wanted to see him again. He let her down. For the first time ever, he let her down in the most terrible, awful way he could think of. And now she was crying and he didn’t know how to make it better. He was really trash.

For now, all he could do though was hug her and promise her the world, all these things that might make her feel safe and comfortable, make her feel less alone and scared. It was the least he could do.

________

Finally, after a long evening of socializing and another huge dinner literally fit for a king, Y/N found herself stripping off her gowns and heavy undergarments, switching into something much lighter and comfortable for the night.

She was tired from the day. From being left alone for the good part of the morning just sitting in the sun waiting around. She was tired from the assault on her body by the guard whom was supposedly in jail right now for his actions. She was tired from all the crying and the shaking. She was just tired.

Shikamaru was out, finishing up drinks with the King and some of his subordinates for the time being, so she sunk down into the mattress near the far wall, curling up under the down covers and pulling a book from the table beside her. Anything to ease her mind for a while. She felt safe being alone in the confides of the bedroom, knowing that her friend was right down the hall if she needed him.

She scanned the pages of the novel quietly, humming each time she turned a page, leaning on her elbow so the pages would be illuminated in the candlelight.

After about an hour, the door slid open and her companion entered, shutting the door silently behind him. "You aren't asleep? I expected you to be after such a long day."

"I'm tired, but I'm not in the mood for sleep yet," she shrugged, still skimming through the pages of her novel. "Did you have fun?"

"Nah. It's such a drag having to hang out with that old man. He's nice but he never stops talking." He took off his coats and tossed them onto a chair, kicking off his heavy boots and thick socks. "Annoying, having to wear all this fancy shit too."

"Trust me, I know." She shifted over in the bed so he had more space to lay himself down, kicking out his legs and crossing his ankles. "Do you know what's on the agenda for tomorrow?"

He nodded, tilting his head ever so slightly to the side to peek at her face. His eyes slid down to the novel turned over in her hands and smirked, "Yeah. You've got book club. Have fun with that." She tossed her book back on the table beside her and instead curled further into the blankets.

His eyes caught hers and he smiled, one of those undeniably handsome intoxicating smiles she loved so deeply. "You know, you look kinda cute like that."

"Huh?"

He shrugged, "All curled up under the blankets like a little baby. It's cute. I'm just calling it how I see it."

If she wasn't flustered before, she definitely was now. He was undeniably making her feel some sort of way, and she was loving the attention. He was being so bold, so unlike him. She questioned what had compelled him to act like this, to say such things. They weren't in character anymore, it wasn't like he had to say these things.

"Thanks, Shika." She felt dumb but what was she supposed to say? She was overwhelmed. "But we're alone now. You don't have to act all lovey-dovey."

He crossed his arms beneath his head and sighed, eyes gazing up at the canopy. He mumbled, just loud enough to reach her ears, “When this is all over, I’m gonna miss you being my princess.” She peered over at him in the candlelit room, making out his faint silhouette in the darkness. Her heart fluttered in her chest at his sweet words. She never imagined in a million years Shikamaru would say these things to her, and now that it was happening she didn’t know how to react.

She dreamed of this moment for a while now. The thoughts of Shikamaru confessing his feelings and then her falling into his arms dramatically. It was a fantasy of hers, a guilty pleasure. Far too dramatic to ever be a reality.

That's why she was too shocked to meet his eyes. His princess. Those words made her woozy.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're not stupid. You know what I'm talking about," he said calmly.

"You don't want things to go back to normal?" Y/N asked, hesitant. She felt nervous, diving into these waters. Each words felt like it held so much weight. It was a puzzle, just finding the right thing to say, how to reply to his statement. "Just friends, like before?"

"Is that what you want?"

And when she really thought about it, he was right. She didn't want to go back to normal. She wanted to continue holding his hand, kissing his cheek and his lips, loving each other with their words and their gazes and all the little touches. She wanted all of this to last and as the mission came to a close, she found herself worrying for the future empty of all those things.

She shook her head, just barely able to bring her eyes up to meet his. He looked bored, but she knew he cared. He cared a lot, actually. "I-I think I'd like if we could stay like this."

"Falling in love with you, Y/N, was one of the easiest things I've ever done. Finding the right time to tell you, that's been troublesome," he confessed, blowing a stray piece of hair from his eyes. "You never seemed emotionally available, really."

"I always was. I was always waiting for you, Shikamaru. Ever since we were just teenagers, I've been waiting for you," she told him, letting her heart finally come out with her words. "I just thought you wanted to be friends. Before this mission, I had completely given up on being with you, but then everything seemed to fall into place on this trip."

"When Kakashi told us we would be married for this mission, I have to admit, I got excited." He rolled onto his side to face her. She was still curled up in her blanket, and he felt like he was melting. The most beautiful woman in the entire world right in front of him, his heart playing right into her hands. He was okay with that. He was okay with this girl having his entire soul if that meant he would see that smile and those eyes peering up at him.

He wasn't a romantic man. Far from it. But she brought out a side of him he'd only heard about from love struck novelists, such kinds Kakashi sensei would read.

"I just knew I'd have to shoot my shot with you," he finished, sending a wink her way. She truly was swoon, like putty in his hands. Her words came faster than she could think to stop them.

"Shikamaru, I think I love you. When you kissed me for the first time, I knew it was true. All these feelings for the past few years weren’t in vain. I love you."

"The feeling is mutual."

The girl crawled out from under the blankets and over to him on the other side of the mattress. Her arms wound around his neck and as best she could, she curled into his chest. Her ear pressed to his heart, beating loud and constant in her mind. He was more than happy to let her cuddle up to him, in fact, he relished in the feeling.

This is what he'd been missing out on all this time. The hugs. The cuddles. The looks in the dark full of love and longing. It was nice, to lay there with someone he knew for sure, without any doubt, loved him to the moon and back. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tighter to his tired form, letting her sink further into his touch.

Kakashi knew what he was doing sending them. Two lovers with a mask over their emotions, straight into a game full of dancing around their feelings and pretending to be something they always wanted to be. Everything played out perfectly, a happy ending for a couple of worthy shinobi.

He was happy. That's all he could ask for.

[bitchiha]

✎Teaching The Brat A Lesson (Shikamaru x Reader)

Request: I accidentally deleted the initial ask, but it was something simple and along the lines of public sex with Shikamaru.

Summary: You’ve always acted like a brat when you didn’t get your way, but when you take it too far your boyfriend has to teach you a lesson you’ve somehow forgotten.

Warnings: literally just whore knee nsfw, public sex, degrading?? embarrassement?? Brat taming 10000%, Also very fucking whore knee reader and very long?? Or longer than what I usually write. SEMI PROOFREAD IM SORRY!!

— — —

You had been teasing him all day.

He should have figured it out the minute you stepped outside your apartment in his favourite skirt. The black fabric hugged tight on your body, showing off your perfect legs...

Or maybe he should have realized it when you bent down on the way to the restaurant, adjusting your shoe strap. Your back arched as you bent down, enough to perk your ass up right infront of him, the impossibly short fabric of your skirt riding up enough to give him a little preview of what you were wearing underneath — his favourite panties, the emerald lace ones.

More of your teasing ensued until there was an uncomfortable tent in poor Shikamarus pants, forcing him to take off his jacket and hold it low to his chest in attempt to conceal the ordeal. He refused to let you see just how much you were getting to him, but by the smug look on your face you already knew.

You thought that you won, too. That he was going to go ahead and let you have your way. That he was going to fuck you in the bathroom of the restaurant or just take you home and have his way with you. So when he opened the door to diner with a face of false relaxation, you stomped your foot almost child-like. Give in, give in, give in, lord why won’t be give in! He ignored your stomping and walked into the restaurant, looking as unbothered as usual, asking the hostess casually for a table for two.

He was never one to give in to your bratty tendencies, and today wasn’t going to be any different. But you’ve just been such an entitled thing today — more than usual. First, you didn’t want to go to the restaurant with him, begging to be fucked instead and you whined miserably over the phone when he refused. He wanted to take his girl out for once. You whined at his refusal, a dinner date would have been nice if he hadn’t just come back from a week long mission. You didn’t care for a dinner anymore, you only cared for him being between your legs. Then you hung up with a pout. Shikamaru wanted to kick himself for not fixing your ass right when got to your apartment. Instead, he walked straight into your trap and the only option he had left was to remind you who was in charge, as you clearly seem to have forgotten since the last time...

Letting an annoyed huff slip from your lips, you followed the waiter to your booth. Shikamaru trailed behind you with a hand in his pocket while the other carried his coat infront of him. The restaurant was dimly lit and you had a table in an empty corner of the space. It was a Monday night so there was few people in the restaurant, not that you noticed. You didn’t really care to notice anything but your own aching core. Miserably, you began to step toward the seat opposite your boyfriend, the waiter disappearing after setting the menus down.

You didn’t wait for the waiter to fully leave before you stuck your tongue out at Shikamaru. Causing the waiter to snicker a little. Your boyfriends eyebrow twitched in annoyance, that was the last straw. Before you could make any further move to sit down, he reached for your arm, tugging you harshly away from the seat opposite him. “Nu-uh.” Shikamaru scolded, grabbing you and pulling you down next to him in the booth. You gasped slightly, allowing him drag you down — thighs burning as their bare flesh slid against the sleek wood of the bench, making a loud squeak in protest, “where do you think you’re going?” He asked with a falsely sweet tone, hand still gripping your arm. The burning sensation on your thighs quickly moved towards your core at his sudden change in attitude — you had finally pissed him off enough.

A lick of heat brushed against your earlobe as he leaned closer to you, slipping you out of your thoughts as his voice whispered lowly into your ear. “Such a fucking tease, that’s what you are. Thought you could get away with that?” He reached for your hand, removing the jacket from his lap and placing your warm palm over his previously hidden erection. Your mouth opened slightly at the contact and he pressed your hand down firmly. Your soft hand was so inviting Shikamaru almost moaned right then and there, but this wasn’t about him — not yet at least.

You started to grow impatient as he simply held your hand down, teasing you. Pouting you tried to palm eagerly at his dick, but Shikamaru had a firm grip on your hand, preventing you from moving it. Desperately In need of some release you rubbed your thighs together — trying to relieve some tension from your body. You didn’t care that you were in a public space, and you wanted to sob miserably when your boyfriends hand instantly came down to stop the action with an annoyed scoff. You weren’t listening to him, so he repeated his previously ignored question a bit forcefully. “Think you could get away with all that? With giving me one of these in the middle of the fucking village?” His pressed your hand harder onto his clothed dick, mouth still hovering over your ear.

His tone was gruff, angry and frustratingly familiar. It was tone he used when you had gone too far the last time. You remembered what happened to you — face pressed into the mattress with tears streaming down your cheeks. Shikamaru above you and refusing to let you cum, ignoring your pleas completely... Your hips jerked up into the air a little at the memory, god, you were really in for it now. You hated when he didn’t listen to you and when he punished you like that, you hated not being allowed to cum when you wanted to, but it seemed as though you had willfully skipped right down that road tonight, wihout paying so much as a thought to the consequences.

“S-Shikamaru..” You fumbled to form a coherent sentence, a snide remark, something, anything.. but your brain was fogging up from the memory of the last time you had got him pissed of like this and the only thing you could say was his name — that and incoherent rambles. It made him laugh. For fucks sake, he hadn’t even done anything to you yet and you were already this far gone.

He was enjoying the mess you were making of yourself, he really was. In fact it took every ounce of remaining patience in his body to refrain from giving into you. Seeing you like this, with your hand so willingly around his clothed cock and your face flushed red with need in the middle of goddamn fucking restaurant made him want to take you home and fix you up real nice. But he knew he shouldn’t, if he did you wouldn’t learn your lesson and you’d just pull this stunt again, you needed to learn. Before he could open his mouth again you had managed to form a sentence.

“Please.. please.. I need you to make you feel good! Just take me home — let’s go home, Shika..” You begged, still ignoring his question, turning your head to try and face him, but his mouth was still pressed up against your ear.

You were so persistent, so selfish that you kept squirming and trying to relieve yourself in any way possible. Shikamaru was more than grateful that the restaurant was nearly empty and the waitress still hadnt come by, if they did they would have seen his girlfriend practically grinding herself down on the bench. “God, you’re acting like a fucking bitch in heat, y/n. Wait till we go home.” He snarled, grip tightening on your body.

“Shikamaru,” you whined again, unhappy with his answer you shook your head, “take me to the bathroom and have your way with me..” he scowled, feeling his cock twitch at your desperate begging, you could feel it under your palm. Did you ever shut up?

He shoved your hand off his cock, before grabbing the menu and shoving it at you, waiting for you to pick it up, but you just pouted. “Take it. You’re gonna order for us, you fucking brat.” You whined again at his name for you, but pricked the menu from his hands obediently. You’d been to this restaurant so many times before that you already knew what you wanted. Did he really think making you order the food was going to be a challenge? You quickly moved an arm to make the waiter come over.

You were so confident when you turned to call the waiter, so fucking smug you were gonna get your way that Shikamaru had to stifle a laugh. God were you too horny to remember Shikamaru was your boyfriend, since when did he ever make thing this easy for you, especially after the way you’d been behaving?

“Y/n, y/n.. When would I ever make things this easy for you?” But before you could really understand what those words meant, you felt one of his hands push your ass closer to the edge of the bench resulting in another searing sensation on your thighs. You did your best to ignore him as you successfully grabbed the attention of a waiter, your face twisting in satisfaction, but boy was it going to be short lived.

Just as you were about to turn your head and give Shikamaru a triumphant look, maybe stick your tongue out again too, you felt his hand creep past your skirt and up to your skimpy panties, wasting no time to push the fabric aside and plunge two fingers right into your pussy. The very sudden intrusion made you gasp, choking on air as the waiter finally arrived at the table.

Your boyfriend relished in watching you stumble over your words as you attempted to place your order. Shikamarus fingers concealed beneath the table as he worked at you. At first he kept the pace of his fingers slow — because you were a stuttering mess even at that pace — but as soon as you managed to adjust and say something coherent he would curl them again, sending you into a stuttering once more.

“Sorry,” Shikamaru apologized to the confused waiter with a dramatic sigh, “she’s just so shy. Cant say a single thing to a stranger save her life. It’s cute she wanted to try and order for us though, isn’t it?” He posed the question to no one in particular, despite the waiters presence. Shikamaru was only half paying attention to the sever, his eyes trained on your face as he watched you writhing.

The waiter nodded politely and you felt your face burn more than it already was. It was such a bold faced lie, you were never shy. Especially after how confident you looked calling the waiter over a few minutes ago, it seemed like such a hard thing to believe. And not to mention you were regulars at the damn place, they knew just how obnoxious you could be. God, the whole village knew. But having Shikamarus digits pumping into you right now had made you do a full 180. The show continued a bit longer than Shikamaru expected, afterall he figured you were a smart girl and he knew you would find a way around the issue, but your brain was in shambles as a result of what he was doing to you. So it took you a little longer to wiggle out of his own trap, laying the menu flat and just pointing at what you wanted — however even that proved to be difficult with your vision all blurred.

“Ah,” Shikamaru chided as the waiter scribbled down everything you pointed at (you gave up and just started pointing at random things), “giving up so soon? Well.. At least you tried.” He sighed playfully as the waiter finished and hurried off to place the order, wanting to escape your odd behaviour.

Once the waiter was completely out of sight, Shikamarus pace let up a bit and you managed to say your boyfriends name clearly. Your intent was to have the words come out in an angry tone, but instead they came out as a needy whine. Your hands moving to grip onto your thighs, nails digging in to give you some more desperate relief.

He refused to stop, returning to his ruthless pace, his fingers scissoring now at a pace impossibly faster than before. His thumb moved to rub furiously at your clit. You leaned down as your orgasm began to approach, feeling that familiar heat in the pit of your stomach. Shikamaru could see a little bit of drool about to pool out of your mouth and it only fueled for him to go faster. You were a good girl when it came to staying quiet, but the pleasure you were experiencing now made it quite difficult to stifle your noises. It was too exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. Little whimpers slipped out of your mouth, but they were masked by your hand. To any other table in the restaurant it almost looked like you were just innocently stifling a giggle.

He could feel your walls clenching around his digits and he suddenly halted their movements. You turned your head to look at him in shock, eyes blown with lust and eager for a release. The only thing your muddled brain could manage to do was make a confused noise of protest.

He laughed, savouring the sight of you squirming against the booth. “Did you forget, y/n? This is a punishment not a reward. You’d be stupid to expect I’d let you enjoy yourself.” The pace of his fingers grew tantalizingly slow in comparison to the speed they were ravishing you with seconds before, his thumb retracting from your clit. For a second you thought about just grinding yourself down on them until you came, but you knew that would only make the situation worse for you.

So you did your best to take it, hoping he would quicken the pace again if you were good. God, you were so close to cumming, his fingers were all you could think about, but as quick as they were plunged in was as quick as they left. He pulled them out completely, with a little lewd noise following suit as they left your wetness, leaving you unbearably empty. He brought the digits out discreetly from under the table. Wiping them off on a napkin. The actions stinging your eyes, so much so that tears flowed down your cheeks, why did he stop? and more importantly, why didn’t he lick you off his fingers instead of wipe them off?

He noticed the tears brimming your cheeks and stared at you disapprovingly, “Don’t you dare cry, y/n, you did this to yourself. Wipe your tears away.” You reached up to wipe them off your face with a quiet sob, having no energy left to disobey. He felt the strain of his cock through his pants at the sight of your watery eyes and the sound of the little whines leaving your mouth. He did this to you, he made you this desperate mess. His cock was becoming too much for him to ignore, he grabbed your wrist away from your face and forced it against his dick again, your damp tears mixing with the pre cum of the fabric of his pants.

“Finish what you started and maybe, just maybe I’ll let you cum. Only if you help me like a good girl.” You nodded eagerly with a sniffle as he planted your hand on his clothed bulge and you immediately set to work. You choked a little on your spit as you wiped the corner of your mouth with your other hand, a hiccup leaving your lips as you worked at him. You could see a dark spot on his pants as you began pumping at him faster. He managed to slide himself a bit farther down the table to further disguise your actions as you continued.

He was going to cum fast. Afterall he had been rock hard most of the walk through the village and had been in need of a release since. Not to mention the fact that he had just fingered you in front of a waiter, turning him on even more and of course your brattiness never failed to get him going either.

You watched his face, his head leaning back against the bench as you felt him twitch more and more under your palm. He was close and you continued working at him, the stimulation of the fabric of his clothes helping him over the edge. He came with a loud groan that he covered up with a cough. Your faces reddening as you felt a table turn its attention to you for a split second, before returning to their own conversation. You continued to pump at him, you were being a good girl right? Helping him ride his orgasm out, he would for sure help you cum next, right?

As he finally came down from his high, he shoved your hand off his cock lazily, gathering his composure again. Now that his own need was taken care of it was much easier to punish you. He straightened up, ignoring your expectant gaze as he put his hands on the table casually. Your mouth dropped open at how he was seemingly ignoring your presence.

“Shika..” you whined, grabbing at his arm but he refused to let you move it. You settled for tugging at his sleeve, “Shika what about me?”

“What about you?” He said, his breathing still a little heavy as he was still coming down from his high.

“I was a good girl wasn’t I? You said if I was I could cum.”

“Well I didn’t say I would help you, now did I?” He said with a smirk, turning to watch your already flushed expression intensify. He didn’t mean that did he? Was he going to make you finish on your own?

“Shika- “

“Would you prefer I didnt let you cum at all?” You shook your head slowly, letting your hands trail extremely slowly down to your skirt as you thought over what you were about to do. You didn’t want your fingers, they weren’t nearly as good as his own... maybe if you begged-

“What? Are you shy all of the sudden?” He snickered, impatiently grabbing your hand and guiding it to your core himself, positioning your fingers so as to have your middle and pointer out while the others were bunched into a fist. With his other hand he pushed aside your underwear, allowing his hand to plunge your own into your core.

Once again, you find yourself gasping. You were still dripping from the last intrusion, making it easier for Shikamaru to guide your hand in and out of your sopping pussy. Your high didnt take to long to come either, extremely turned on by the fact that Shikamaru guiding your own fingers to fucking you senseless.

It was your turn to be worried if anyone was around, if the waiter was coming with your food, but no one was paying you two any mind. You were glad for that as Shikamaru was no longer being very discreet with the movements of his arms and your lip was most definitely bleeding from how hard you tried to stifle your noises.

You came with a loud “hrmph,” your teeth crushing brutally on your lip preventing the full noise to come out. You felt your pussy clenching around your fingers as Shikamaru finally let his hand go, leaving yours limp in your hole, lazily riding out your orgasm on your own. You were drained, processing what just happened as you pulled your fingers out carefully. Shikamaru took your hand and wiped it off on a napkin before dropping it, letting your arm fall against the table as you tried to gather yourself.

Before you really could, the smell of food wafted to your nose and Shikamaru smirked, the waiter placing more dishes down than the two of you could possibly eat on your own. You couldnt help but smile in hazy satisfaction at your last little jab at Shikamaru. He hadn’t paid much attention to what you were ordering when he was finger fucking you. He cursed himself for promising you over the phone that he would pay the bill.

[shikamarubase]

Nara Week 2020: Day 2 → RTN

[Summary: Shikadai hated being a witness to his parents’ disgusting PDA]

Shikadai hated public displays of affection, but he hated it even more whenever he witnessed his own parents doing it.

But that’s exactly what he came home to one afternoon after a particularly troublesome D-rank mission, which involved an excessively hyperactive dog. After running around the entire day, he was exhausted and famished by evening.

“I’m home,” he grumbled as the door shut behind him. “Mom, what’s for dinner? His stomach rumbled as he lazily dragged his feet down the hall. He paused when he heard voices and giggles drifting out from the living room.

“Mom?” He peeked inside, and the last thing he expected to find was his dad draped around Temari on the porch.

“Oh, welcome home Shikadai,” his mom greeted back. Shikadai’s eyes narrowed at the bright glint in her eyes.

“You’re home early, dad.” His eyes flew to the clock.

“Well, I had to come home early for my family sometimes. Am I not allowed to spend time with my wife?” He turned his attention back to Temari and they shared a small smile. Shikadai felt goosebumps on his skin at their ‘subtle’ exchange.

“You have your own room for that!” He deadpanned.

“My house, my rules.”

“You mean our house,” Temari purred and clung even more to his arm.

Shikamaru grinned down at her slyly. “How could I forget?”

Ugh. Disgust curled at the pit of his stomach, and he all but ran away from the room when he saw his dad leaning down for a kiss.

After seeing that slimy exchange, Shikadai lost all appetite and decided to head straight to bed. He was hoping to laze around and play video games while waiting for dinner, but now he’d rather sleep it off. His eyes shut the second his head hit the pillow, and darkness took over.

The next time Shikadai opened his eyes, he realized he was sprawled on the ground somewhere outside, his fingers digging into soft soil.

“When did I get outside?” He asked out loud. And more importantly, where was he?

He was at a clearing surrounded by an abundance of trees. A small breeze blew past him and the smell of nature and plants assaulted his nostrils. A quick sweep of his surroundings confirmed that he was in the middle of the Nara forest.

“Hey, are you ok?” A shadow fell over his side. Shikadai tipped his head to look at the stranger’s face and his heart jumped to his throat.

He was staring at a boy who looked exactly like him. Aside from the wacky and oversized glasses over his eyes, both their hair were in ponytails and they wore the same clothes. He scrambled away quickly and stared at the other him as if he saw a ghost. What the hell happened while he was asleep?!

“Oh, hey. You look just like me.” A disturbing grin slowly spread over his double’s face.

No duh. He could only gape, jaw slack, and briefly wondered if he was dreaming.

“How are you so calm in this situation?!” His other self was surprisingly unreactive and only tipped his head at him, as if he was the crazy one. Maybe his eyesight was worse than he’d thought.

He watched his other self ponder for a moment before a wide grin broke out from his face. “You must be my long lost twin!”

“No! Wait, what?” Before Shikadai could respond with anything comprehensible, his ditzy counterpart had already wrapped a hand around his wrist and forcefully dragged him out of the forest.

“I need to show Mama and Papa!” He cheerfully skipped back home, with poor Shikadai in tow. Being dragged by himself was already weird enough, but little did he know things were about to become even stranger.

“Mama! Papa! I found my long lost twin!” He cheerfully announced when he burst inside the house.

Shikadai blinked at the other versions of his parents. Shikamaru looked nearly identical to his dad except for the star-shaped ponytail gathered on top of his head, while Temari’s ponytails drooped towards her shoulders. Both pairs of eyes lit up at their son’s good news.

“Oh? That’s wonderful, Dai-chan! I didn't know we had twins. Shika-chan, did you?”

“No, Mari-chan~”

Shika-chan? Mari-chan? What the hell is going on? Was he stuck in a genjutsu? This was his worst nightmare.

Temari chirped, a bit too happy for Shikadai’s comfort, “What’s your name?”

“S-Shikadai…” He blinked.

“Oh honey, we named both our sons Shikadai! How wonderful!”

“It’s an amazing name, sweetie. I’m glad we thought of it.” Shikamaru enthusiastically pulled her into an embrace and started peppering her with kisses.

Shikadai shuddered. Gross. To his horror, his other self was smiling as he watched the scene unfolding in front of him.

“Oh it’s not yet their smooching hour but they started already. They must be happy to see you!” He said brightly. Shikadai’s eyes twitch.

Smooching hour? Someone kill me. He scrunched up his nose in disgust. As annoying as his parents were, they would never explicitly make out in front of him.

“Are you...enjoying this?” He dared to ask. His worst fears were confirmed when Shikadai energetically nodded at him.

“Yep! When I grow up I wanna be just like them!”

“YOU WHAT?” It came out a bit louder than he’d wanted.

Shikadai would sooner dig a hole for himself than grow up to be like...that.

Now is a good time to wake up from whatever genjutsu someone casted on him. He turned away when they got more heated. He wanted to scream, but luckily for him his wishes were heard. Shikamaru swept Temari off her feet and waltzed up to their bedroom, leaving a very excited Shikadai and his traumatized ‘twin’.

“Oh! Is this the day they finally give me a sibling?!” Shikadai wanted to stab himself with a kunai. Is this his punishment? Did his parents cast him in a genjutsu while he was asleep?

Before he could wrap his head around today’s surreal turn of events, Shikadai grabbed his arm again and started dragging him up to follow them.

“C’mon, let’s go watch!”

“No, we are not! LET GO OF ME YOU WEIRDO!” He desperately shook away from Shikadai’s grasp and turned his heels into a run.

“Why’re you running away?! Come back, twinny!”

“NO! AND I AM NOT YOUR TWIN!” In all his time as a ninja, he had never ran so fast in his life.

“Come back!” Shikadai yelped when Shikadai started chasing after him and only willed his legs to run faster. How the hell could he be so fast?! He was so mortified and only concerned with getting away, he didn’t notice the gigantic tree in front of him. He slammed into it with full force and blacked out.

——

Shikadai’s eyes cracked open. He sat up so fast his head spun. Groggy from sleep, he tried to recall the last thing he remembered and gasped. He nearly died from being chased by his very dumb and clueless alter ego. He almost had a panic attack before realizing he was back in his own bed, trembling under the thick blanket.

“Shikadai! Breakfast!”

Mom?

He jumped to his feet and tackled Temari the moment she opened the door.

“You’re back to normal!” He screamed in relief when he caught a glimpse of her gravity-defying hair.

Temari broke away from his embrace and shot him a weird look. “What do you mean normal? Nara Shikadai, you better have a good explanation for this.”

Shikadai couldn’t even bother to feel scared. In fact, he was even more elated to have his strict and angry mother back. He tackled her back into a hug and clung on as if he would never let go again.

“Wow. You’re such a momma’s boy,”

He had never been happier to see his father’s pineapple hair. “Dad! You’re back to normal too.”

Shikamaru leveled him with a look and turned towards Temari for an explanation. “Did he hit his head while he was asleep?”

Temari could only shrug in response.

Shikadai happily inhaled Temari’s familiar scent and made a mental note never to complain about his lovey dovey parents ever again. He was finally back to where he belongs.

—————-

Disclaimer: No Shikadai was harmed in the making of this fic. Only brain cells.

A/N: HAPPY DAY 2!!!!! This is a collaboration fic with @shikanaradai and it is possibly the dumbest thing either of us has ever written combined. We had a lot of laughs while writing this so we hope you all enjoy it! Thank you for reading <3

[jacksgreysays]

Hisoka!AU of DOS, Rokudaime(whoever you pick to end up with that job in this verse), A Steady Hand (NOTE: For Hisoka!AU, see Recursive forum pg 489 #14,655 - Snapshots From The Past Of Hisoka by donahermurphy pg 489 #14,665 - A Meeting While Fleeing The Garden & Desert by Tirfarthuan pg 491 #14,716 - A Name & A Gift Passed On by Tirfarthuan)

A/N: Thanks for the biblio [1+2, 3], dona--I did not know who Hisoka was before this, so those helped a lot! I did, also, have to reread the Lone Wolf 'verse since from what I understand Hisoka is an AU of that 'verse specifically? If not, please let me know.

Anyway, on rereading Lone Wolf 'verse, here are the facts that I gleaned:

Danzo is Hokage

Hiruzen died of "natural causes" several years before canon

Kakashi "betrayed the village" somehow and is being called Comrade-Killer more prevalently than canon

Asuma is probably dead

Yuuhi Shinku isn't an entire dick (since Uchiha Uzume can think about him without an automatic insult attached)

Shin is still alive (but very slowly dying)

and Kurenai is helping the Uchiha at the very least cover up a meeting with Kakashi outside of the village.

The facts of the Hisoka!AU are:

Shikako was taken to be ROOT

in order to protect those she cared about she mentally/spiritually maimed herself to the point where she no longer counted as "a Shikako" to Gelel

her partner for the final exam was Sai

she escaped/convinced Sai that the point of the final exam was to fake her death and became a fishmonger on the coast of Wind

when Shikako!Prime leaves via Gelel she "wakes up" from said previous mental/spiritual maiming

Kakashi finds her and they're a lovely wolf and cub pair who aim to kill Danzo (and get rid of their loneliness and maybe heal)

... okay, now that I typed all that out, did you mean Hisoka!AU of canon DoS instead of the Hisoka!AU of the Lone Wolf 'verse? Because those are different things, I think. But I kinda figured Hisoka!AU was intrinsically tied to the Lone Wolf 'verse, so, uh, here's a couple of ideas I had in mind:

1) Akimichi Chouza as Rokudaime.

Because after the absolute worst sort of "warmongering, self-cannibalizing, Konoha first" bullshit that Danzo spewed, the village needs someone who recognizes that being the village leader means making and protecting a home worth living in, not just a harsh taskmaster sending his soldiers out to die.

I considered Shikaku!Rokudaime for a similar sort of reason, but it's not as thematic and, also on a personal level, he can't. In a Hisoka!AU, he has to reconcile the fact that he gave one of his children--willingly or not, even if Danzo wiped his memory later--to a man who he already knew would exploit her horrendously. Maybe he didn't know the full extent of ROOT's training (surely not the final exam) but the fact that he was apprehensive and still went through with it is not a good look.

Even if Hisoka and Kakashi do not return to the village proper (and part of me is like, hey! They shouldn't! And I will go into that more in a little bit) he has to make amends to at least her, if not both of them, and he can't be Hokage and bound to prioritize the village over her if he ever wants to succeed.

Chouza, on the other hand, is the only one of the three who never made that decision (I'm still a little side-eyeing the Yamanaka clan, because surely a clan whose whole deal is KNOWING WHEN MENTAL SHENANIGANS IS GOING ON should have seen that with Fu, especially since he was allowed to keep his name and also, probably, had to have clan training to learn the clan jutsu, but maybe it wasn't Inoichi who made that deal? Maybe it was his predecessor. Either way, still mega sketch. I'm a little hand-wavy with Shibi and the Aburame because I headcanon that the Kyuubi largely wiped out what power they had the most out of any of the clans and they were like. Desperate to survive. And didn't have allied clans to bolster them.) And yes, probably that's because as far as fighting styles are concerned, they rely on their clan jutsu which is very recognizable and thus not great for ANBU (in the same way that I imagine the Inuzuka aren't often recruited into ANBU) but it's still a notable fact. The Akimichi are trustworthy pillars of the village and have been since the beginning.

And it helps that of the Nidaime's team, Akimichi Torifu was one of two of the full six who didn't turn into an old corruptible asshole. Sure, we don't necessarily know what happened to him, but he wasn't specifically seen as an old corruptible asshole so I think he's winning. It reflects well on his clan as a whole. Also, given my headcanon of the Akimichi actively cultivating their ties with civilians and also possibly the Daimyo's family they have, alongside military might, financial and political clout.

Anyway, while a possible Tsunade as Rokudaime would have similar vibes (and does, you know, match canon and have those canon reasons for working) in terms of "healing the village" etc. etc. This is a Tsunade whose most bitter cynicism was proven right? And there's no inspirational Naruto to convince her otherwise. And also, Tsunade shouldn't HAVE to clean up Danzo's mess. Like, the minuscule obligation she had to clean up Hiruzen's mess does not apply to Danzo. (It's a little like... Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were raised to be the ultimate team to take over for Hiruzen except they didn't know it and were dysfunctional. The fact that Hiruzen's death was by Orochimaru's hand and between her and Jiraiya she is the better choice is the only reason why she has that slight obligation to go back to Konoha. Whereas, with Danzo? FUCK THAT NOISE. That's a mess the village needs to resolve on their own. THEY'RE the ones who let it get so bad. THEY'RE the ones who need to deal with it)

And also, another reason why I don't really want Tsunade as Rokudaime is because I kind of like the idea of Kakashi and Hisoka sort of orbiting/paralleling her and Shizune. Like, there's a not-so-secret society of Konoha expatriates who aren't actually missing-nin and both love and hate the village and Tsunade is exasperatedly fond of those two disasters whereas she is sickened by the village. Maybe one day it will have fixed itself enough that she'll go back and visit and whip their Medic Corps into shape, but that is not any time soon!

Also, also, also, and I don't know if you remember this, dona, but in your In Which Someone Attempts to Kidnap Shikamaru, Instead, Inoichi brings up something called the Regency Protocol with Ino in regards to Danzo kidnapping Shikako and brainwashing Shikaku to forget and originally I thought it was some kind of Ino-Shika-Cho contingency plan where the three clans take over the village BECAUSE DANZO IS KIDNAPPING AND MURDERING CHILDREN AND THE SANDAIME WAS LETTING IT HAPPEN ON HIS WATCH? And of the three clans, the Akimichi really do have the traditional fighting prowess to wear the hat, so that's part of this too.

I just think an Akimichi Hokage would be pretty chill about it. Like. They wear power well and are good at managing people without crushing them in the fist of tyranny.

---

2) Maito Gai as Rokudaime.

This one actually for similar reasons as Chouza. Although, in terms of lineage, Gai could be Shichidaime, not that we're particularly holding to that Hokage teacher-student lineage so much.

In terms of semi-parallels where canon goes Tsunade to Kakashi, that means Gai also is a candidate. And in regards to showing the village/world a new kind of Hokage, he's as far from Danzo as one could get. He's straightforward and kind and draws out the potential from everyone and honestly real great but also wouldn't send someone into a mission he himself wouldn't do. Obviously, being a Hokage would mean delegating and sending shinobi on missions, but he would never send them out to die just because. Yes there are risky missions, but he would send those best suited to succeed with every tool available to them so they can succeed. Whereas Danzo would just throw bodies at a problem and kill the survivors for not doing it good enough.

The main difference between a Rokudaime Gai vs Rokudaime Chouza is that Gai's Konoha would rely less on the clan system. Of his three students, two were not from clans and the third is from the Hyuuga Branch (AND YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING FINALLY ADDRESSED BY A HOKAGE BECAUSE WHAT THE FUCK). Yes, his sensei was Akimichi Chouza, but neither of his teammates were clan either. A Konoha under the rule of Rokudaime Gai is a Konoha that builds up those who don't have the same infrastructure as clans, who strengthens civilian-born and clan-born alike, who make sure that talented civilian-born students aren't only noticed by predatory old men who can sweep there existences under the rug.

Because truly one of the many ways that Danzo's weird self-hating megalomania harmed the village was by draining away the talented civilian-borns of Konoha. He who hated that the Shimura were a near-civilian clan, committed the worst crimes against those who could have proved that bloodline wasn't everything. He was so obsessed with the power of the Sharingan that it became a self fulfilling prophecy. Any talented non-bloodline student who could have proven a challenge were stolen and smothered before they could prove themselves.

Because imagine this: one day some random student with the ubiquitous last name of Satou or Tanaka or Honda beats Uchiha Itachi in a spar. Maybe its an accident. Maybe they got lucky. Maybe Itachi wasn't taking them seriously (after all, what could some no name civilian born do to him?). But those maybes don't matter. Satou or Tanaka or Honda gets in one good hit. Surprises the prodigy of the Uchiha clan. Knocks him out.

The teacher takes a note of it. Talks about it in the teacher's lounge. One of Danzo's spies brings news of that notable spar.

By the next week--maybe even the next day--Satou or Tanaka or Honda is gone. No one beats Uchiha Itachi in a spar anymore. And ROOT adds another nameless, faceless soldier to its ranks.

BUT NONE OF THAT HAPPENS UNDER HOKAGE MAITO GAI. Because it is civilians that make Konoha a village and not just a loose coalition of clans. Because a name and a bloodline are not necessary to make a person great.

3) And here's the angsty/semi-bleak option: Yuuhi Kurenai as Rokudaime.

And I wrote a little bit for it, but I'm a little... mreh... about it because it does revolve a lot around the various men in her life which I'm not exactly proud of, tbh, but aaaaaaaaaagh this is endemic to a lot of Naruto fic. D:<

Yuuhi Kurenai is nobody's first choice.

(She was Asuma's first choice, and he was hers, and that had nothing to do with either of their fathers. Except now Asuma is--)

Her father wanted a son. A proper heir. Someone to elevate the prestige of the Yuuhi clan.

(In another universe, Yuuhi Shinku will think the only way his daughter can benefit the clan is through marriage, not her own merits. In this universe Yuuhi Shinku is a little bit more open minded enough to make do. He's still a dick, but not as much of one as he could've been. This puts Kurenai in an interesting position.)

The Uchiha clan are pursuing another ally with a little more fire power, a little more name recognition, and all the intimidation and influence that entails.

(But look at where that got Kakashi, exiled and with his reputation in tatters. Look at Gai who so eagerly and overtly wants to follow. Look at Asuma who--)

The rest of the village would prefer someone who didn't look so much like the clan of would be traitors. Someone who didn't have black hair and piercing red eyes. Someone who didn't specialize in genjutsu, an art for liars.

(Oh, but they were fine quietly suffering under a man who lied and stole and murdered. A man who manipulated and cheated and framed others for his crimes. A man who ruined everything he touched and Asuma tried to stop him, gods, but then he--)

And the world doesn't quite know what to do with a Hokage like her. Or a Kage that is a her, for that matter.

Yuuhi Kurenai is nobody's first choice.

But that's fine. She can make do.

She can make miracles out of nothing.

So the thought process to get to a Rokudaime Kurenai went kind of like such. Obviously, the Uchiha would prefer an Uchiha Hokage. However that largely depends on whether they succeed in their coup or not. There's the distinct possibility that Kakashi plus Shikako!Prime or Kakashi plus Hisoka will just kill Danzo and then leave, forcing the rest of the village deal with the consequences... AS THEY SHOULD... and thus also sort of cutting the coup off at the knees.

If the coup doesn't succeed (whether out of failure or because Kakashi and a Shikako kills Danzo first before they're prepared to do the rest of the coup) then if the political climate actually matches the one they perceive themselves being in (although, I don't think the Uchiha are as hated as they think they are, but its hard for them to see that isolated as they've been forced to be) then they're unlikely to get an Uchiha Hokage especially if news of them actually seeking an alliance with Comrade-Killer Hatake Kakashi comes out. Much less the aborted/failed coup. 

Anyway, no Uchiha Hokage without a successful coup... although, if there were a successful coup, the three Uchiha I would think would be even feasible would be Fugaku--boring, bland, but that's what they know. Shisui--friendly, well liked by those outside the clan, has an international reputation. Mikoto--this is largely based on fanon/headcanon, but she was ANBU Captain? That's pretty neat.

But, uh, to get back to the no Uchiha Hokage... Kakashi's reputation is still in tatters. Maito Gai could be a good option, but while his lack of clan is a good thing for future Konoha, he doesn't quite have the political backing necessary to get there. (Namikaze Minato was an undisputed war hero. Maito Gai hasn't quite proven himself that level yet)

If its brought up that the Ino-Shika-Cho were compromised (ie, Shikaku would have worked closely with Hokage Danzo as the Jounin Commander and also one of Danzo's top ROOT agents is Yamanaka Fu) then even Chouza's candidacy would be suspect.

The village wants Tsunade. But Tsunade does not want it. I have no fucking idea what Jiraiya has been up to, but if he didn't want the hat after Hiruzen died he sure as fuck won't want it after whatever Danzo's done with it.

The Hokage's Council is suspect. Yuuhi Shinku, for all that he is similarly important to the infrastructure of Konoha while also not being part of Danzo's corruption (in another universe, he very well would have been, desperate for power), isn't actually that strong and is old, besides. (The village has had enough of old men entrenched in positions of power telling them what to do).

But he does have a daughter. Genjutsu specialist, yes, but with potential and room to grow. And Sarutobi Asuma loved her (and, fuck, what a shitty campaign to run on, the would-have-been-widow of the Sandaime's son, but you know Shinku would be ruthless in pushing that. Remember, not as much of a dick in other 'verses, but still a dick) so she has that tether to the old regime, tentative as it is.

No one really has any major objections, but no one is really all that gung-ho about it either (except for maybe Anko who will punch all detractors in the face and may very well be a one woman Hokage's Guard).

Kurenai least of all. Because she doesn't want to be Hokage, but she'd rather step up and do it than watch her village tear itself apart even further. And maybe she doesn't know who she is just yet, and maybe it sucks that she's going to have to discover that while also being Hokage, but gods she's going to try her best because at least she knows what Danzo was doing was wrong and that there's no way she can do worse than him unless she just actively slaughtered children in the street.

...

Hm, yeah, kinda bleak ending. But as I said. The Rokudaime Kurenai one is the angsty-bleak option. I mean, it gets more hopeful, but it is a struggle I think for both her and the village.

I know its not a proper ficlet fill, dona, but hope you enjoyed this brain storm / meta anyway. :D 

[illwork4anime]

Original Ch1 for Done with Love

@rebuildingkonohaonceagain requested this deleted chapter of done with love - so here it is! Read if you’d like!

Summary: Sakura saves a patient important to Shikamaru, then She and Shikamaru discuss how to get Sasuke back on her own. 

I like this take, because it makes fun of Kishi’s Sakura a bit through Shika’s perspective and shows how I’d make her actually a good character instead of a love obsessed bimbo - hence the title “Done with Love’

Chapter 1 – Not Mine

Present Day

Sakura

REDACTED FIRST SCENE BUT SHE IS CAPTURED 

10 months, 10 days ago

5:30 PM

Sakura

At some level, I've always felt my life was not mine.

As a child, my life had been lived for my parents, who loved me so fiercely. I'd been a miracle, they said. My mother never said so, but she had always loved kids and wanted several of her own. She'd babysit her friends' children and look at baby clothes just for fun. She volunteered at the children's wing of the hospital too. Only later would I learn my mother was afflicted with a disease rendering her infertile according to the doctors. I was a statistical anomaly and my mother's baby themed extra-curriculars were trying to fill a void that even I couldn't.

As a slightly older child, I'd lived for the sisterhood of Ino. She stood up to bullies for me and told me I was pretty. She was everything I needed and wasn't. Brave, caring, and so effervescent. If anyone truly lived for themselves, it was Ino, and I so desperately wanted to be like her.

Then, in the golden years of the academy, I met Sasuke and unwittingly gave my life to 'love'. More accurately to an unhealthy infatuation with Sasuke. What girl my age hadn't? All it cost was my relationship with my best friend, Ino, and any chance I had to be taken seriously as a ninja. Looking back, what a rip off. Girls do the stupidest things in the name of love. Hear a rumor Sasuke likes long hair? Grow your hair long even though it makes taijutsu practice a nightmare. Hear Sasuke likes delicate hands? Well, better do half hour-long skin treatments in the evening and skip out on kunai target practice whenever possible.

It wasn't until the Chunnin exams that I really realized how much I'd screwed myself. Even then, I'd doubled down on 'loving' Sasuke. When he left us, I clung to my love for him and let it motivate my life. I'd get stronger and work with a legendary Sannin myself and someday, I'd bring him home. He'd see how devoted I was throughout it all and he'd respect me for that until eventually that grew into love. We'd start a family and be together forever.

So misguided, right?

As I sit here in my office at the hospital, trying to fill out my charts from my shift, I can't help but chuckle at my own naivety. That was a dream.

And I am finally awake.

I dip my hand in to my lab coat, tracing the note there. The one I found when I 'woke up'. When I broke into Sasuke's childhood home, mourned him, and left him there with the rest of those broken dreams.

I was done with love. I was done with it running my life and I was ready to live for what I wanted. And what I wanted was my family back – my team 7 home. That meant Naruto no longer reckless and desperate for Sasuke, and for his only to focus to be on becoming Hokage. For Kakashi, to stop sulking around the village, hung up on another failure of a student.

I want to stop Sasuke from hurting my precious people. Mine not his.

But first, I want to go home, eat some takeout, and have a bubble bath because it's been a long day. Only 3 charts stand in my way.

When I finish them, I stretch my hands over my head, trying to straighten the hunch in my back from slaving over paperwork. Gathering the files, I make my way to the hallway.

"Thanks for your help today, Kanna," I hear the new girl, Ami, say to the plump, middle age nurse as they make their way toward me.

"Of course, dear. We'll done." She says with a motherly smile. Kanna notices me and gives a wave. "Ah, Sakura. Headed out for the day?"

I nod. "Sure am. I've got a hot date with some fried rice." I say smiling.

Ami looks disappointed, "Careful now. If you keep dating fried food, you'll end up like me some day." She gestures to her round figure and the comment makes me feel uncomfortable.

"If I end up being half the woman you are, I'd be quite happy with that," I say encouragingly.

"That's very flattering, dear," Kanna replies looking not the least bit flattered. "But take it from me, men taste much better than fried food. Fewer calories too."

Kanna's following wink has Ami and me turning scarlet.

"I – uh," I stutter not quite knowing what to say to that. "I'm not sure I have time for a relationship right now."

"Come now," she dismisses my excuse, "There's more to life than working at the hospital. Plus, it doesn't have to be anything serious! Women have certain needs too, you know."

Ami looks ready to faint. I decide to not so subtly change the subject.

"So, Ami, good first day then?" I say sweetly. Ami nods, smile coming back to her face.

"Yes, its been wonderful. Thank you for asking. Everyone has been really kind and helpful." She said gratefully, "Plus, it's been such a slow day-,"

"No, Ami!" Kanna interjects, "Look what you've done. You've jinxed us all!"

Ami looks surprised again and looks between me and Kanna looking for a clue to what she said wrong.

"Jinxed us?" She squeaks.

"If you learn nothing else today, remember this: never ever say 'its been a slow day'. That's how you get slammed with new intakes and stuck here until 2 am." Kanna scolds back.

"Oh, you don't really believe that, right?" Ami tries to laugh off the mistake. She throws a pleading look to me, like I'll be more reasonable. "That's just an old wives' tale."

I just shrug and say, "I'm sorry, but she's right. Its been scientifically proven. I even had my intern last year do a study and the findings were actually-,"

I was cut off by the slam of doors flying open at the end of the hall. Three nurses pushed a stretcher toward us, voices breaking the quiet.

"Here, take these to the record room," I say shoving my charts into Ami's arms. She looks shocked white. "Kanna, you're with me."

"Yes, ma'am." She says, shooting a mild glare at Ami before following me to commotion.

As I arrive, recognize that woman on the stretcher immediately and suppress the emotional response that spikes up. It's Kurenai-sensei.

I note one nurse is holding hemostatic gauze to her chest while another tries to attach a blood-pressure cuff. The third is driving the stretcher, reporting her heartrate states from the EKG. I turn to him and say, "What are we dealing with here?"

"Haruno-san," He looks relieved, "Puncture wound to the chest, possible internal bleeding in the abdomen. Heart rate is dropping, but doesn't appear to be damaged from the puncture wound."

"Poison?" I ask.

"No, it was a training exercise." He answers. Good, that makes things easier.

"Head to surgical room 5. Kanna, take the puncture wound. Stop the bleeding," I announce and turn to the nurse struggling with the BP cuff, "Get me those BP stats, ASAP."

I don't wait for her confirmation and order administration of an anti-coagulant before pressing a charka gloved hand onto Kurenai's abdomen. It's not good.

There's massive internal hemorrhaging crushing her insides. It thrums with each pump of her heart. Something else as is thrumming as well. A flutter like a hummingbird's wings smothered underneath the blanket of blood.

"Stop the coagulant!" I cry, eyes flying open, "She's pregnant."

*

Sakura

10:30 pm

While it's not quite 2 am when we finish, the surgery takes me well past the end of my shift. We got Kurenai-sensei stabilized with no harm to her child, but it wasn't easy. I'm dead on my feet, as is the rest of my staff.

I address Kanna as we disrobe out of our PPE, "Let's keep her 3 days for observation. I want to make sure the baby is alright. She appears stable now, but sometimes there's delayed trauma that can terminate."

Kanna nods, "I'll tell the attending right away."

I smile weakly, "Thanks Kanna."

"Now go home! You're late for your date." She says winking. I laugh.

"See, isn't it lucky I don't have some poor guy waiting on me? This is why I don't date." I joke.

This time her smile is full of pity and I regret making the joke at all.

"Haruno-san?" An aid named Daichi calls into the surgical room, head swiveling until he finds me by the sinks. I wave him over.

"There's a young man pacing in the waiting room. Shikamaru Nara, I think. He came in with the patient." He says. Its customary for the attending physician to give an update once patents have stabilized, but as he looks me up and down taking in the exhausted expression on my face and my hunched shoulders, he asks, "Should I send a nurse for an update?"

If she hadn't know Shikamaru personally, she would have readily agreed, but this kind of news was better coming from a friend.

"Not necessary, Daichi," I answer, "Shikamaru's a friend. I'll see to him as soon as I'm finished here."

He nods and leaves.

Kanna elbows me in the side, "Looks like you might have a date after all."

I roll my eyes at her yell, "Go home, Kanna!" over my shoulder as I leave to the waiting room.

When I arrive, Shikamaru is easy to spot. As Daichi said, he's pacing back and forth I the rear of the waiting room, his spiky ponytail bobbing with each turn. I don't think I've ever seen him so worked up.

I call to him as I approach, and it startles him out of his state of worry.

"Sakura!" he says, "Is Kurenai alright? Tell me everything's alright."

I give him my best reassuring smile and say, "Yes, she's stable Shikamaru. It was a tough surgery, but she's a fighter."

People love to hear that their loved ones are 'fighters' I've noticed. It gives them some feeling of control over something that is so often uncontrollable. Shikamaru was no different as he relaxed slightly.

"And the baby?" He asks. This surprises me. How did Shikamaru know this before I did? I may socially live under a rock here at the hospital, but if news like that was public knowledge, then Ino would have called me right away to gossip. Then I remembered Kurenai's chart. The emergency contact listed as Asuma Sarutobi, crossed out with Shikamaru's name and number listed below. Asuma had entrusted Kurenai and her child with Shikamaru, it seemed.

"The baby is also stable," I say and his shoulders finally go slack as he collapses into one of the plastic chairs lining the walls. I slide into the one next to him and continue, "We need to keep her here under observation for a few days. Sometimes there is a delayed response to acute trauma and the child's condition turns for the worse. We're closely monitoring her and the baby to make sure this doesn't happen."

Shikamaru nods, and it seems he's only half listening to my words.

"Can I see her?" He asks, but I shake my head.

"No visitors until morning. I'm sorry, but she needs to rest right now." I say. He just drops his head in his hands and takes a deep breath.

"I really screwed up, Sakura." He whispers. I place a hand on his arm.

"Don't beat yourself up. Everything's fine. Kurenai's fine." I try to reassure him.

He looks up at me, eyes holding a strange reverence I've never seen from him.

"I owe you one, Sakura." He says. Now that she had heard before. She almost says 'its nothing', but it isn't nothing.

"I'll send you this bill later, then, okay?" I say with another soft smile.

"I'm serious," He says, upset by my joking tone. "A life debt. I owe you a life debt."

Coming from someone like Shikamaru, I know he's serious, but that weight behind his words and the look on his face have me shifting uncomfortably in my seat. This is just my job, and I don't keep tallies for wins, loses or debts. The scales never quite even out when I do.

"How about we just start with a drink?" I say lightly. "I think we both could use one."

Shikamaru

10:45 PM

I've never really enjoyed the company of Sakura Haruno. She'd always been lumped into the under-achieving, Sasuke loving fan club that was too much of a headache to pay attention to. Instead, he was force fed all his updates about her from Ino. There was constantly something to be up in arms about but never anything of real importance. Mostly he equated her presents to a fruit fly buzzing around in his periphery. Annoying, but easy to ignore.

He remembered the first time he was impressed with a Sakura related update. After Sasuke left, she had landed an apprentice with the legendary Tsunade herself. Other than that, he hadn't really given her a second thought.

But when he heard her call his name in the waiting room, all the little bits of information jealously relayed through Ino added up to one single emotion – relief. Sakura had made something of herself and Shikamaru didn't know what he would have done had she not been there.

As they entered a late-night food stall with excellent Takoyaki and Sake, he was once again reminded of how little he really knew about Sakura. The old Sakura would have chattered away, filling any silence she could with inconsequential self-centered information which would eventually lead back to Sasuke. But this Sakura wasn't like that at all.

She had been mostly quiet during the walk over, beginning with some additional facts about Kurenai's condition which he only half understood. Then sensing his disengagement with the subject, she asked if he a favorite food stands he like to visit.

Which led them here.

The sake comes first, and I drain one saucer, then two. It steadies my nerves just as he hoped. I feel her eyes on me, but Sakura doesn't comment. Instead, I see her lift her saucer in a 'cheers' motion before draining it as I had. She smiles until her stomach grumbles loudly and she her face goes red.

"Sorry – I haven't eaten since lunch!" She explains. "My shift was supposed to be over at 6:00 and I was going to grab dinner but then, um, you know." I nod sparing her.

"You forget Chouji's my best friend. I'm used to hearing that sounds every hour on the hour."

"I'm not sure being compared to Chouji really makes me feel any better." She says carefully, with a laugh.

"Well, I'd compare you to Ino, but I'd probably get punched for it later." I say and she laughs again.

Our Takoyaki comes, just as I feel myself loosening up a little. It feels like I'm talking to a stranger and I've never been good at small talk. It doesn't seem to matter though, because Sakura is fully fixated on the food in front of her, popping the first Takoyaki in her mouth with a groan.

"This is either the best Takoyaki in the village, or I'm way more famished than I thought" She says.

"Hunger is the best seasoning," I say lamely. She doesn't make fun of me like I expect though.

"Is that another Chouji thing?" She asks, "He might be far wiser than we ever believed."

I chuckle a bit at that. She's kind of funny, and the light-heartedness is exactly what I need right now.

"Please never tell him that. I would totally go to his head and I don't need any more self-confidence on my team." I say.

"Right, I think Ino has enough for all three of you," She says, understanding my reference right away.

I grunt in agreement and take a bite.

She waits until she halfway through her plate before saying, "So, what have you been up to? I haven't seen you in forever."

"Mostly doing paperwork for the Hokage. It appears I'm her lap dog now." I say more sarcastically than bitter. It occurs to me that being the Hokage's apprentice, that's probably something Sakura already knew. Just like she also knows I'm off field work for the next month for bereavement after Asuma's passing.

"I know how that feels," Sakura commiserates. "What does she have you working on?"

This Sakura must also already know but I answer anyway, "Mostly doing analysis on upcoming Chunin. I go over their strengths and weakness, then make recommendations on training routines to help round them out. I also suggest team assignments for mission requests, but I think this is mostly an exercise in mentoring the younger generation."

She makes a thoughtful sound then says, "That doesn't sound like something you'd be very into."

I raise an eyebrow at her and she adds, "Not saying you wouldn't be great at it! Just seems like you wouldn't be into mentoring is all."

I ponder this for a moment and realize Sakura is probably dealing with the same challenges I am, trying to reconcile the lazy, reclusive boy with the person Shikamaru is now.

"I actually like it better than I thought I would." I explain, "Asuma-sensei actually taught me that the next generation is what's worth protecting and shaping them is our duty as Jonin."

"Well, I think he'd be proud of what you're doing her Shikamaru." She says encouragingly. I fiddle with the empty cup in my hand and blanch at the sappiness of it. Somethings haven't changed, I guess.

"What about you?" I change the subject, "how is the hospital?"

I expect her to smile and gush about how great it is working for the Hokage and saving lives, but she doesn't.

"Its…Its good." She finally says. "Its rewarding, but I miss field work and going out with a team, you know? Its just a little lonely training by myself."

"That's right, Naruto's back out with Jiraiya." I suddenly feel a little like an ass for talking so much about my team.

"Yeah, but don't get me wrong, I'm really happy for him." She says, "Its such a great opportunity and he needs to do it."

I nod.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is I wish I got out of the hospital more. I get a lot of flak from the older nurses for not having a social life or a boyfriend." She rambles a little bit, showing some signs of discomfort at having to explain herself.

I have no interest in talking about her dating life so I say, "Do you feel like you've peeked at the hospital then?"

"Exactly!" She looks relieved, "I feel like there's nothing more to learn there, but I'm stuck. I just want to move on to the next chapter like Naruto and…" Sasuke. She doesn't say it but I know that's what she's thinking.

"And I just need to, like, move on," She finishes instead.

I just nodded and take another drink. Its not clear if she's talking about moving on from the hospital or Sasuke at this point. Either way, I'm not good with advice, so I don't say anything. There's a few moments of silence before Sakura turns to me again with a look of excitement that has me instantly on guard. It's the same look Ino has before she forces him to do something reckless and utterly troublesome.

"Do me," Sakura says, her eyes lighting up. I sit up, a blush spreading across my cheeks.

"I'm – um, what?" I stammer.

"Do me," Sakura says with more conviction, "So I can get unstuck and move on."

I tug at my collar a bit, my throat feeling a little tight, "Look I'm sorry if I've sent you some mixed signals here, but I'm not interested in a hook-up and I don't think that's a healthy way for you to 'move on'."

This time Sakura stiffens with a blush.

"What?" she exclaims, and I can see the wheels turning in her mind, going over what she's said again, "No. No, no, no." She said waving her hands in front of her as if clearing the air of an unpleasant smell.

"I meant, analyze me. Like you do for the chunin you mentor." She clarifies, unable to look me in the eye.

"Oh - well, sure." I said quickly, turning into my drink to avoid eye contact as well. Normally I'd be annoyed at a request like this, but anything to change the subject from a drunken hook-up with Sakura Haruno.

"What are your goals?" I ask quickly. She takes a beat to catch up with the misdirection, then responds.

"To bring Sasuke back home," She answers. She doesn't ponder, but that doesn't surprise me. Though a lot has changed, I understand that this fundamental part of who Sakura is probably never will. I imagine that phrase constantly running in the back of her mind until it fades into the subconscious like the sound of your own heartbeat.

"What a surprise," I drawl sarcastically. Her eyes narrow as I've obviously hit a nerve, but she waits for me to continue. "And how do you plan to achieve that goal?"

Her certainty stutters. "Well, I have to get stronger. Strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with Naruto and Sasuke. Then we can bring him home together and be a team again."

I want to bang my head against the table at how unrealistic this idea was. This was going to be harder than I thought. Still better than talking about her dating life, I remind myself. Also, somehow this is much better than the niceties and small talk from before.

"Okay, but how will you bring him home?" I reiterate.

"I just told you," She says annoyed.

"No, what you told me is an intention or an idea. I want details. What are your steps to achieving that idea? What's your plan?" I continue.

She sits there for a few seconds, waffling. "Um, I-I'm not sure."

I raise an eyebrow, "I find that hard to believe. You've been obsessing about this for over 2 years."

"I haven't been obsessing, okay? I've been training. That's my plan. I'm getting stronger, so I don't get left behind anymore by them" She replies.

"That's a good first step." I conceded, trying to placate her a little. Last thing I need is her getting too worked up, punching me in the gut and storming off leaving me with the bill. I try a different approach, "When you imaging bringing Sasuke home, what does it look like? What happens?"

Her cheeks turn pink again, and she starts with what I assume is a heavily edited daydream.

"Well, usually there are two scenarios. In one, Sasuke comes home on his own, having escaped Orochimaru after realizing that snake only wanted him as a vessel and that the only real way to defeat Itachi is with me by his side." Her eyes were focused in the distance, far away from reality. "And Naruto! I mean. Not, um, just me by his side. With Team 7 by his side." She corrects.

I struggle to keep from rolling my eyes. I was totally right about the daydream.

"The second, Naruto and I find Sasuke in the sound village. We try to convince him to come home, but he doesn't listen, and we fight. With two against one, we eventually ware him down, and offer him another chance to come home. He realizes he was wrong about cutting his bonds and accepts. Or we just kick his ass and drag him back." She finishes with a self-satisfied smile.

What a fairytale, rose-colored, underdeveloped plan. A fantasy and nothing more. I am in over my head. Telling her as much would certainly land him with a broken bone or two, so he redirected her.

"Okay, let's focus on the second scenario. I think we can both agree that this is the more likely of the two." I start. She looks like she does not agree, but I continues anyway, "There are two things to consider further. How do you get to the start of this encounter and what happens after. Let's start with the start. In this scenario, how do you get to find Sasuke in the sound village?"

"On a retrieval mission from Tsunade-Sama," She answers. Of course, she would pick the most by the book option.

"And who normally goes on retrieval missions for missing-nin?" I ask, not missing a beat.

"Well, that depends on the missing-nin and what skillset is needed" She says stubbornly, but she knows what I'm getting at.

"What rank, Sakura?" I say, not giving her an out this time.

"ANBU black ops. Hunter-nin." She answers, but quickly adds, "But this is different. Tsunade would make an exception. Naruto has the nine-tails and she trained me herself, so-,"

"Even if she wanted to," I cut in, "She couldn't make that exception. The council wouldn't let her."

Sakura doesn't answer, but she frowns telling me she knows this is true.

"If you wanted to get the mission legally, you'd have to be accepted into ANBU and then petition Tsunade to grant you the mission." I explain.

Sakura's mind snagged on one word, "Legally?"

I nod. "That's the only legal way for you to get assigned such a mission. The other option is to defect, become a missing-nin yourself."

"No," She refuses, "that's out of the question." I nod again, unsurprised by her stubborn rejection.

"Then you're looking at one to two years to build up mission requirements to enter the Jonin exams. You have to pass on the first go, a 50% probability given passing rates of the exam. Then, a minimum of 3 years to get noticed for recommendation to ANBU. For those not from a clan and with no kekkei genkai, it's more likely double that. Total, it'd be at least 7 years before you could go after him with the village's approval." I finish.

"I can't wait that long!" She exclaims, "We only have a year left before Orochimaru takes Sasuke as his vessel. It has to be before then."

I raise my hands in a gesture of surrender, "Don't shoot the messenger. I'm just stating the facts here."

"I know," She is quiet a long moment. "I know."

I finish off my drink, pouring another sake for myself and topping off Sakura's. Her plate is finished, and she's fiddling with her chop sticks. I can see she's struggling with what I've laid out. I get it. She didn't want to defect and turn her back on her home, family and friends. Sasuke had nothing to lose when he left Konoha behind, but Sakura had everything.

"I'm not afraid to work for it, but," She trailed off, killing her full glass before continuing. "I want nothing more than to help Naruto bring him back, but I can't throw everything away. I want to be strong enough to put everything I have on the line for the people I love, but I can't. I can't go down the same path as Sasuke without somehow becoming him, or at least letting him control my life again, you know?"

I don't fully get that but nod anyway. I can tell she is feeling the sake now, because her words are more rapid and smear together a little.

I take another long drink from my glass before laying out the plan that I find most optimal.

"There is one more way," I say, not looking at her. "It's still difficult and with the one year time limit, you might be cutting it close. Its not exactly legal either, but if you pulled it off, you wouldn't be labeled a missing-nin."

I glanced at her from the corner of my eye to find her hanging on my every word.

"As you are now, a chunin, it's extremely rare to go on solo missions. Even if you do get one, its only for a day or two and very close to the boarder. For Jonin, however, its not uncommon to have a month-long solo mission in remote countries like Wave or Sound. I'd say about 30% of current A-rank missions meet these criteria." I state.

She nods, "So, what's your point?"

"If you were to make Jonin, and get assigned to one of these, it would be possible to take a," I search for the appropriate word, "- detour to find him. Given the timeframe and location of the mission, that would be easy to cover up by reporting a slightly different version of the events. Say Sasuke ran into you and you had to engage him. At that point, it's required to attempt to bring him back as long as it doesn't jeopardize the primary mission. The only person who would refute you would be Sasuke, but I doubt they'd put much stock into what he has to say." I say.

"Shikamaru, that's brilliant!" Sakura gushed. "I'd be able to bring him back without leaving the village."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. It's not that easy," I try to temper her joy. "There's still a lot of unknowns and things that could go wrong to get there."

Sakura isn't deterred, "As long as I work my hardest, I can get there. Or at least I'll know I did everything I could."

I let out a laugh, "Haven't you heard the phrase 'work smarter not harder'?"

"Yes, and I get the feeling that's your nindou, Shikamaru." She teased.

"Something like that." I mutter, feinting slightly that I'm put out.

"I'll need your help then, Shikamaru." She says with sudden soberness. "If I'm going to pull this off, I need you to help me strategize. To see the obstacles in my way and help me think of ways around them."

"Absolutely not," I say, without hesitation, "This is a fun little exercise, but that's all. You aren't seriously considering it?" I say, but the sinking feeling in my stomach tells me I know full well she is taking every word I've said tonight at face value.

"I am, and I'm not drunk enough to be convinced otherwise." She says, "But you seem to be forgetting something. You owe me a favor." Her grin is positively Cheshire.

"This is a little much –," I protest.

"You said a life debt. This is well within that definition. You are helping me save Sasuke's life." She counters.

"And you are also forgetting something," I remind her, more force behind my words this time. "We've only gone over half the story. These are the events leading up to you confronting Sasuke. What are you going to do afterward? I don't see a lot of positive outcomes here, Sakura."

"Then explain it to me." She says, not backing down.

I sign a longsuffering sigh, knowing I'm going to regret this later. More than I already do.

"Sasuke isn't going to come back to the village by force. Even if you, how did you put it, 'kick his ass and drag him back', as soon as he is well enough, he will leave again. Even if he didn't, you wouldn't be a team again because he will most likely be imprisoned for some time, then on a probationary period as a genin. Probably capped at chunin rank for life."

Sakura carefully considers my words. "You're right."

That surprises me, probably the first time she's agreed with me all night.

Sakura continues, "Unless he comes willingly, there's no point in forcing him back, but I don't care about the probation. Naruto is willing to wait as long as it takes to be a team again. Even if we don't go on missions anymore, we can still be a team. We can still be together."

My initial reaction is to groan. Just sappy. Totally sappy. But, I give it a moment to sink in and think about my own team. They are a family and if I was in Sakura's shoes, I'd probably feel the same.

"Fair enough," I grunt. "What a drag. Persuading him to come back would be ten times harder than using force. It might even be impossible."

"Come on, Shika. Nothing's impossible with your mind on the case." She said a little too sweetly.

"Shika?" I wince, "If you're trying to butter me up, that's not going to work. You were better off your original approach– emotional blackmail."

Even with the duplicitous tone, her smile is genuine. It stops my heart for just a beat. Her cheeks are still rosy from the drink, hair tied back in a messy knot that leaves carefree strands swinging around her face, and her jade eyes sparkle.

I can't remember the last time I'd seen such a look on her, or anyone's face for that matter, directed at me. I'd seen her smile though tears often enough, and though I'd never say it to her face, she is an ugly crier. There was the exhausted but satisfied smile as she left the hospital. Also, a sterile, polite smile she gives to acquaintances or strangers as they passed in the Hokage's office. Even the comforting, professional smile of a doctor reassuringly delivering Kurenai's progress report. Never this.

This is lightning across her face - lighting up with unadulterated excitement and crackling with conspiratorial comradery that bordered on flirtation. Was it her one hundred percent focus on me, the way she was hanging on my every word, or the proximity in the tiny food stand that has me feeling drawn in by her? I strangely want to lean closer and –

"Better than slapping you across the head until you help me!" She says in an innocent, sing song voice. (AN: GOD I HATE THAT LINE. OH WELL)

And there it goes.

"God damn it, Sakura! Don't even joke about that," I say, pulling away from her as much as the seat will allow. She just laughs and waves off the joke.

"One way or another, I know you love to strategize, Shikamaru." She says, mercifully using my full name. "This might be enough of a challenge to catch your interest even without blackmail."

"Don't count on it. You forget how lazy I am, and this sounds like too much work to be bothered." I say brushing her off.

"Humor me here. How would you do it? How would you convince him to come back?" She says, tone coming back to serious again.

I think quietly for a minute. Then another.

"Don't fall asleep on me," She says, impatient.

"I'm thinking, woman," I snap.

"Then think out loud." She replies. I mutter 'troublesome women' under my breathe but comply with her request.

"From Sasuke's perspective, he left for revenge on Itachi, or rather strength to carry out the revenge. He won't want to come home until this is complete. He's made it clear several times that he's discarded his bonds and even Naruto couldn't convince him otherwise. So, any offers to help him will be disregarded."

"Well, obviously," Sakura says with a little too much force. I ignore her tone.

"The easiest course would be to wait until he's completed his revenge and confront him then." I conclude.

"We can't wait that long," Sakura counters, "Naruto will want him home before Orochimaru tries to use him as a vessel."

"Honestly, if I were Sasuke, I'd be planning to kill Orochimaru the second I surpass him, well before Orochimaru tries anything." I say candidly.

"Yes," Sakura gasps, "He wouldn't just turn over. He'd fight."

"Exactly. Sasuke's smart and wouldn't trust Orochimaru to kill Itachi after the body transfer is complete." I add on. "Let's assume this is the case."

"We can't," She interjects, "I want to believe Sasuke could kill Orochimaru, but what if he fails. Naruto would want to be there to help him."

"I don't think that's wise. You'll just be two more people Sasuke is trying to fight." I respond.

Sakura lets out a frustrated huff, "Then why don't we just kill Itachi ourselves?"

Even though I'm sure she said it sarcastically, I dismiss the idea. "I don't think that's an option either. Too big a risk he'd just hate you guys forever and never return home. Even if we framed it on someone else, he would just have a new target."

"What are you trying to say then? That waiting is the only option and I should just give up?" She raises her voice a little too loud and the stall owner shoots a glance our way. I give him a smile back that says 'everything's fine here' and he turns away again.

I lean forward and say quietly, "Yes, that's exactly what I said in the beginning, but you wouldn't accept that."

When this doesn't change her expression, he continues, "There is one more thing I can think of, but you'll never go for it and neither would I."

I wait for her to say something and after a moment she prompts, "Well? Let's hear it!"

"We could offer Naruto as bait if he leaves. You could help lure Itachi to Sasuke since we know Akatsuki is after the nine-tails," I'm practically whispering. This is not something I should even be saying out loud.

"No," she whispers sharply, understanding the gravity of the idea. "How could you even think that?"

"I warned you that you wouldn't like it," I grumble, "I'm just trying to show you how few options you have here, and that the ones left aren't favorable. You will have to get your hands dirty here Sakura. One way or another."

She hisses out a breath, "I know. But I won't give up until I find a way to do this as clean as possible. I won't throw away my future for Sasuke anymore. I don't want to betray the village or Naruto for this."

"I know," I say with a sympathetic look. "I get it, I really do. But until we get more information or think of a way to convince Sasuke to give up his revenge, there's no way forward."

"More information…to convince him," Sakura mumbles, and dips a hand in the pocket of her coat. The pulls a piece of folded paper out, but doesn't open it. She mumbles something under her breath he can't quite catch.

"What was that?" I ask.

"I can do it." Sakura says with resolve. She grabs the paper and gestures with it, "I can get more information to convince him to give it up. I think I have a lead. I just need time,"

"Sakura, as you've said multiple times this evening, we don't have time here." I say sarcastically. That and I'm quite certain there is no new information out there to convince the only man more bull headed than Naruto to abandon his lifelong mission of revenge.

"Okay, fine. Here's the deal," She says, squaring up with me on her stool, "You be my mentor and help me strategize to get into the next Jonin exams. We agreed this was the first step regardless of what we plan to do after the confrontation with Sasuke. While I train, I'll keep looking for more information, for something big enough to convince him to stay. Once I have it, I'll do as you said and slip away during a long solo mission nearby the Sound Village. With whatever 'emotional blackmail' I uncover, I confront him and do my best to convince him to come home." She explains.

It was a terrible, awful plan. There were way to many what-ifs to be reliable. I pick one hole and probe.

"And if you don't find more information to convince him?" I ask, with no confidence that something like that exists.

"Then you win, and we wait Sasuke out. We monitor what he's up to and intercept him after he's finished with Itachi if he doesn't come back on his own." She reasoned. "No harm done if I get a promotion out of it anyway. And it will make it easier to track his movements, should it come to that." She tacks on at the end.

There is a tense moment as I mull over her words. Not like I really had a choice, here. I did owe this woman a life debt.

"Alright, deal." I grumble finally, "Damned if I do, damned if I don't."

Sakura lets out a relieved, heady laugh, and throws her arms around me with so much force, I'm almost knocked off my bar stool.

"Thank you!" She breaths out, pulling back. My cheeks grow warm, surprised by her outburst and the sudden physical contact. "Let's get me promoted!"

"They won't know what hit them," I say sarcastically, trying to make my reluctance known. Then, she's giving me that lightning grin again and I can't help but recognize those words I spoke are true, because I certainly didn't know what hit me either.

[misssunflowersandsangria]

Gravity

Hello little loves!  Anyone ask for some pointless fluff?  No, well here is some anyway!  Enjoy! 😘

*Takes place during Great Shinobi War...

Summary:  On the way back after keeping watch, Temari stops to visit a familiar Shinobi.  They both find that a cold, dark tent in the midst of war was a fine place to find peace.

*

**

Gravity 

It was cold, far too cold.  If Zetsu didn’t get him then frostbite would probably do it.  Shikamaru knew that it was a stupid thing to complain about but his mind refused to stop thinking.  He should be thankful that he survived another day, the losses and casualties were staggering.  Being a little cold in a damp tent on a hard cot wasn’t the worst place to be right now. 

“Shikamaru?”  He looked up surprised to see a familiar blonde.

“Oh, hey Temari.  Getting back from watch?”  He moved over so that she could take a seat next to him.  Sleep eluded him so a little bit of company might be nice.

“Yes.  How are you?”

“Exhausted, but can’t sleep. So…”

She nodded, it was hard to try to get a good night’s rest knowing what awaited them.  She knew that sleep wasn't going to be possible tonight. “I get it.”

“You mind just staying up with me?”  He asked, there was little else to do other than driving himself crazy with worry.  

“I’d like that.” She wasn’t looking forward to another restless night.  On the way back to her own tent it was as though something was drawing her here. The force that always pushed them together. 

It was easy to fall into the familiarity. They talked about everything they could think of, the war, what they would do after.  The various Shinobi that they met along the way. They traded questions back and forth. Conversation between them had always flowed so easily and it gave them both a sense of normalcy and peace. 

Temari’s eyes brightened with certain mischief.  He knew that look. 

“What?”  

She grinned sensing the hesitance in his voice.  “I have a question but you have to promise to tell the truth.  I’ll know.” 

He knew it was a trap but he was just intrigued enough to agree and damn if he didn’t love the way her eyes lit up. 

“Have you ever kissed a girl?”

His face immediately blushed, replacing the chill that had been present.  “What the hell?  What kind of question is that?”

“A valid one.”  She responded with a grin, challenge set in her eyes. 

“Why?  What do you think?”  He mumbled not expecting the turn in conversation.  

She pretended to think for a moment.  “Seeing that everything is a chore, women are nothing but trouble and your mother would probably kill anyone who tried to corrupt her baby.  No, I don’t think that you ever have.”  She replied with a self-assured smirk.

He cleared his throat trying to think of a response that would save his dignity but knew she’d see through a lie.  “Well... you’re right.”

Her eyes widened in excitement.  “Aren’t you the least bit curious?”

“I mean...I guess...Why?  It’s not like you’re offering.”  It was her turn to blush brightly.  

He waited a heartbeat before continuing.  “Wait you’re not offering right?”

Temari shrugged trying to keep her tone casual.  “Well, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t help you.  I mean better me than some random stranger, right?  Besides, we could all die.  Wouldn’t it be kind of sad if you died without having kissed a girl.”

“Well, who could say no to that logic.”

“Shut it, Nara.  Nevermind.”  She got up annoyed and embarrassed ready to leave when his hand reached out to keep her in place.

“Wait, you’re right.  That would be a pretty shitty way to go.  So sure, if you’re okay with it….”  She nodded, settling back down next to him a rosy tint still present on her cheeks. 

“Okay, uhm...close your eyes.”  

Shikamaru’s eyes fell close and he was surprised to feel Temari’s warm hand cup his face.  Her fingertips were rough, calluses earned over time that so gently traced his jaw.  He felt her come closer, invading his space, and senses her warmth spreading into him.  The once freezing tent almost felt too hot.  He wanted so much to open his eyes to catch those precious teal ones looking at him so sweetly. A part of him terrified that she would change her mind. 

Shikamaru inhaled her soft breaths that fluttered over his lips before he felt hers against his in one glorious crash.  Her lips were so soft and warm rolling over him, engulfing his being.  And without thinking his arms wrapped around her waist pulling her into his lap. Needing to be even closer fingers wanting to explore the slopes and lines of her. He felt her gasp at the sudden shift and his lips moved in earnest wanting to hear that delicious sound again.  His lungs were heavy, his breath trapped in his throat but Temari was breathing life into him. 

“Shika…”  He heard her moan allowing him to take a breath before chasing her lips again. She was right, this war could kill them all but at least he would go out with the taste of her on his lips.  That was all it took to become addicted to the taste and touch of her, his Temari. 

She bit her kiss swollen lip trying to avoid his gaze. “Yes, so uhm it’s something like that….”

He chuckled at the sudden shyness and pulled her into another heart-stopping kiss emboldened and desperately needing that connection with her.  It was like gravity was pulling them together, just as it always had. Her lips parted for him so sweetly her own hands reaching up to wrap around his neck sending goosebumps along his spine. The butterflies fluttered through him bringing with them a sense of new beginnings. 

“Can I tell you a secret?” He nodded his hands rubbing her back reassuringly. 

“You’re my first kiss.”

His mouth fell open in surprise.  “What?  I thought that you brought it up because you're some kind of expert.”

Embarrassed, she rolled her eyes choosing to ignore the implications. “I’m the Princess of Suna, my father was a monster, my baby brother the Jinchuriki and there’s Kankuro.  No one dared to try and besides, you’ve met me.”

“So... why?”

“Read between the lines, genius!”  With that, she grabbed his vest pulling him into a deep kiss.  Less frantic than the ones that they just shared but it felt more intense, a kind of desperation and worry present.  

She lowered her eyes refusing to meet his gaze.  “I wanted to kiss you and I’m scared that I won’t get another chance.”

Shikamaru dropped a kiss on her forehead to shift her eyes back to him.  “Hey, we’re gonna get out of this alive.” 

“How can you be sure?”  You’ve seen what we’re up against-“ 

Apparently, kisses were a good way to get someone to stop talking. “Because you and I are too stubborn to die.  This is our first kiss but it’s not going to be our last.”

She took a deep breath before nodding, she needed to have faith.  Trust in him, their alliance, and herself.  

Her lips met his cheek feeling more at ease. “Okay…” He never steered them wrong before, there was no reason to believe that he would now. 

“After this war is over, maybe we can go out? There’s this place I’ve been wanting to take you.”  She laughed resting her head against his chest.  His mouth layering reassuring kisses on her head. 

For the first time since this war had started, she felt safe, here in his arms.  “I guess that’s all the more reason to win.”

She felt them both start to doze off, the sleep that eluded them finally settling in.

Shikamaru shifted so that they were both lying down before pulling the thin blanket over them.  It was still freezing in there, the cot hard as a rock and the war raged outside, but here together was a small sliver of peace.

“Good night Tem.”  He mumbled, placing a sleepy kiss on her lips. 

Her lips turned into a smile against his, her own eyes fluttering close praying that they would share more good night kisses in the future.  “Night Shikamaru.”

*

**

This was the tame version.  If I can muster enough energy and motivation I'll write the smutty one :D  Thanks for reading my loves, kisses to you all (only air ones, for health!)

Love you!

[naruto--imagines]

Shikamaru x Reader [Chess]

[A/N] I do not own any of the characters present in this story, nor do I own the GIF that is featured. I do hold ownership over the story itself, please do not re-post it anywhere. Thanks! <3

He could always count on it. At lunch time, every day you would pop into his classroom and demand that he plays chess with you. This obsession had started when you were younger.

Your parents both worked long hours, and since your moms were best friends Shika’s mother gladly offered to watch you after school. Shikamaru would pick you up from your classroom and together you walked to his mom's car. Yoshino would drive back to their house and sit the two of you down to do your homework (it often ended up with Shikamaru helping you through most of your assignment).

Around half way through Yoshino always brought a snack for you guys to munch on while you worked and after, the two of you would go outside to play. Shikamaru only liked to play for a short while before he claimed that it was “too bothersome to run around”. When that happened you two usually went back inside and would spend the time coloring or playing with some of Shika’s other toys Instead.

One day, when school got out it was raining cats and dogs. Yoshino met you guys at the door to the school to walk you both to the car. Your routine followed as usual apart from going outside (you tried really hard to go out and play in the rain, but were told “no” twice by both Naras in the vicinity). After you two had finished your homework, you were laying on the floor, bored to tears. You had finished every other activity that the two of you normally did after school and you were just waiting for Shikaku to get home so that dinner could be served before you had to leave. Noticing you and Shikamaru laying on the floor, Yoshino suggested that the two of you play a board game while you wait. Accepting her suggestion, you two of you run off to go find one.

“Hopefully you don't mind too much, all we have is strategy games.” Shikamaru says digging through the games. “Let’s play checkers.” He states brandishing the box.

“Okay!” You exclaim as the two of you head back to the living room. Shikamaru briefly explains the rules to you before he lets you make the first move. You quickly lose that round. So, you play again. And you lose again. Not deterred in the least, you play for a third time! And you lose a third time.

It's at this point where Shikaku walks into the room, now home from work, and sees the two of you playing. Specifically, with Shikamaru looking bored at the game and you with a small pout on your face. Shikaku laughs at the scene before walking over to ruffle your hair and ask how the game’s going. Shikamaru quickly tells him that you are improving and managed to last longer this time than your previous two attempts.

“Why don't you two go wash up so we can eat?” Shikaku asks before the two of you quickly put the game away and rum off to do as you're told. And that's how it all started. From that day forward you challenged Shikamaru to checkers after the two of you finished your homework and you would play until it was time to eat. Your love for strategy games only grew from there. One weekend, when an emergency popped up at the office, your parents dropped you off at the Nara house to spend the day with them. Upon entering the living room with Yoshino, you see Shikamaru and Shikaku playing a new game.

“This is chess,” Shikaku briefly explains to you. “The goal is to capture your opponent's King. Unlike checkers, you have multiple pieces that move in many ways.” Just from the explanation you decided this game was too hard for you. Instead, you chose to sit by Shikamaru's side and watch. After several hours and multiple game later you decided that you wanted to learn how to play.

You sat across from Shikamaru, with Shikaku sitting behind you offering you some direction as you began to stumble through a game (which you inevitably lost). And just like that, you were hooked. Desperate to play against your friend until you won.

You checkers routine was over and now taken over by chess. Every day you would get home from class, do your homework, then play chess. This routine followed you as you left elementary school, it continued through middle school, and even persists now in high school. After all the years of playing, you’re good enough to defeat other chess players but you still lack the skill to defeat Shikamaru. So here you stood now.

“Come on Shika, we can get a quick round in before lunch is over.” You plead standing by his desk.

“Woman, you're so bothersome.” He says holding his head up in his hand with his eyes closed. Choji sat next to him with a smile on his face watching the two of you interact. You placed a lunch on his desk before you turn around and grab another desk, pushing it up against his to begin playing.

You have become used to making two lunches every morning, since you got to high school you had to find a way to keep Shikamaru invested in your game. You bet every day that the loser had to bring the winner a lunch the next day.

“Same wager?” you ask as you set up your pieces. Choji scoots closer to watch you guys play a smile on his face as he munches on a bag of potato chips.

“No, let's switch it up. You need motivation to not lose.” He says as you look up from the board.

“Well, what did you have in mind?” you ask him sitting up straight.

“Loser does whatever the winner says.” Shikamaru says with a lazy smirk on his face.

“What?” you ask, knowing your past streak isn't setting you up for a promising outcome.

“That's my condition for playing right now.” He said looking into your eyes. “Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until I want to play.” Shikamaru finishes turning to look out the window instead.

“Okay, okay, fine, I agree to your terms.” You say settling in. You two begin to play, and you must say, it is one of your closer games. As your skills in chess began to grow, Shika stopped going easy on you. He began using more advanced techniques on you, and this match wasn't any different. In fact, it felt as though this round was harder than it usually is. After playing for about 30 minutes you're finally in a place where you think you'll win. A few more steps and your rook could be in the perfect position. Until one-word leaves Shikamaru’s lips and ruins your plan.

“Check.” He says looking bored as ever.

“Augh! I was so close.” You exclaim as you begin to clean up.

“Don't you say that every time?” Choji asks for. His spot beside you two.

“Shhhh!” you say to the boy pressing your pointer finger to your lip. “Okay, Shikamaru, what do you want?” You ask slightly dejectedly.

“Not sure yet.” He replies causing you to almost fall out of your seat. “But I do know that my mom wants you to come over for dinner tonight.” He replies before leaving the classroom.

Later that night you show up to the Nara house. Yoshino greets you with a hug as you enter and points to the living room where Shikaku and Shikamaru are playing a game of chess. You sit down next to Shikamaru watching him play against his father. You watch the two of them play for some time before ending with Shikamaru’s defeat.

        “Ah man, what a drag,” Shika cries before rubbing the back of his neck. You laughed at the teen sitting next to you. The three of you get up from your seats on the ground and move to the table as Yoshino announces that dinner is ready. As the four of you all sat down Yoshino began asking you all sorts of questions. How school was going? How your extracurriculars were. If anything new had come up in your life, like

“Are you dating anyone.” She asked innocently (even though her questions were rarely without a hidden agenda). That question made you blush.

        “What? No no, nothing like that.” You explain to the parents sitting across from you. Yoshino and Shikaku became second parents for you (practically raising you) and you could tell each of their thoughts on you dating. Yoshino was excited to talk about relationships while Shikaku took on the protective role. And Shikamaru slapped his hand to his forehead at his parent’s interrogation.

        By the end of dinner you could tell Shikamaru was ready to be away from his parents. You both quickly finished your food and put your dishes away before escaping to his room. Shikamaru laid out on his bed while you grabbed the chess board and began to set it up before you heard a groan from behind you.

        “Knock it off, I’ve played enough today.” Shikamaru said as he gestured for you to put it away. Looking at you with his head propped in his hand. You put it away (a bit dejectedly) and sat on the floor beside his bed looking up at him. It wasn’t often that you could get him to talk to you endlessly, but the times that you did always made you smile. This was one of those times. The two of you shared a few laughs and exchanged smiles here and there before Shika lets out a yawn. You smile at him before you stand up and stretch your arms over your head letting out a small groan.

        “I suppose I should head home before it gets too late.” You say getting ready to walk out after saying goodbye to Shika.

        “Hang on, you still owe me something.”  He said before you could get too far.

        “Did you decide on what you want?” You ask taking a step towards him. Shikamaru doesn’t say anything, just reaches out and grabs your wrist and waist then pulls you down on to the bed next to him. You left out a slight “oof” at the impact. Resting your hand against his side  you look up to him.

        “Is this what you wanted for winning?”

        “Not exactly.” He says looking down at you with a smile on his face. “Go out with me.”

        “That’s what you want?” You ask with a slight laugh. “You know, you didn’t have to make a bet to ask me that.” You tell him.

        “You’re so bothersome. Why can’t you just accept that I’m asking you out and not be such a pain about it?” He asks you, pulling you in closer and resting his chin against your head attempting to hide his blush.

       “Sure Shika, I’d love to go out with you.” You tell him wrapping your arm around him and turning your face into his chest.

[bluboothalassophile]

Troublesome

Nara Shikadai could honestly say life could be a drag, he didn't want to be a Nara; Nara's had expectations on them. He didn't want to be the Kazekage's nephew, the Kazekage's nephew had expectations on him. And he did not want to be a member of Ino-Shika-Chō because there were expectations on him.

However, this didn't mean he hated his life.

He just found it cumbersome having expectations on him when all he wanted to do was play his games, watch the clouds and take a nap.

It wasn't a lot to want out of life, but it was what he had wanted, at least until there was the challenge of a certain Uchiha around.

Now, he could state that he always hung out with Inojin and ChōChō; he remembered taking bathes with them as children, he called their parents' his aunts and uncles, and he walked into their homes without any fuss. Their homes were his home.

But aside from Inojin and ChōChō he could always remember one other being around, and he remembered snapping to attention whenever she walked into the room.

Uchiha Sarada.

He remembered meeting her in a hospital, she didn't say anything to him, or anyone as he remembered. However, there was something about the young black haired, black eyed toddler which always captured his attention whenever she was near. She was definitely her daddy's little girl, he could remember that because Uchiha Sasuke had always terrified him; even as a toddler. There was something threateningly ominous about Uchiha Sasuke that he had respected, and tried to figure out so he could maneuver around the Uchiha to his daughter. But then Sasuke had left, and Shikadai didn't have an obstacle to watch out for.

As young children he had run with Inojin and Boruto with ChōChō and Himawari tagging along after them. Uchiha Sarada hadn't ever really joined their antics, she had watched from a far and that had always bothered him. it had bothered him so much that once he had followed her stealthily through the village market. She had an allowance and seemed to be picking up groceries, he watched in confusion as shop owners actually slammed the door in her face and shouted at her to leave, but she had quietly ignored them all.

It had baffled him so much that when he asked his mother and father about why the villagers shunned Sarada he was furious on her behalf at their answer. Sarada was an Uchiha, and not just any Uchiha but the daughter of Uchiha Sasuke, her father had been a traitor, her uncle had killed her clan, her ancestor had started the war with one of her few surviving cousins; Uchiha were not really welcomed here.

But he never expressed his disgust in the villagers' attitudes towards Sarada, instead he suggested that ChōChō and Himawari might like playing with a girl instead of them one day and they had both been confused until he pointed out that Sarada was alone. The Uchiha was soon dragged after their group. At least until the Academy. When they were all of age to attend the Academy Uchiha Sarada didn't join their class.

This had once again confused him, but he hadn't thought too much about it. Maybe she didn't want to be a shinobi, she was a quiet girl. Shikadai hadn't paid her much attention until he heard his father, mother and Aunt Karui arguing one day. Karui shouted that any Uchiha was dangerous and shouldn't be in the Academy and the council should stick to such a decision, Shikadai was once again mad about this, he didn't stick around to hear the rest of the argument as he snuck out of the house. He went over to Aunt Ino's and Uncle Sai's, Inojin and Sarada were sitting on the floor. Inojin and Sarada were doing the Academy homework together, Sarada was tutoring Inojin.

An interesting idea came to Shikadai's mind.

However, there was a reputation he had to keep: lazy; else people would expect things of him and that simply wouldn't do as he spent the evening with Inojin and Sarada. He was startled with how simple this was for her, and he suggested to Inojin that he bring it up with their sensei; Shino; that perhaps the Uchiha should join the class. She was already tutoring Inojin, and that was apparently without studying.

Sarada joined their class the next year of the Academy.

Shino-sensei complained to Anko-sensei that he and Sarada were evenly smart, but he'd never apply himself. Shikadai had smirked at that as he walked off with his hands clasped behind his head as he went to play games with Boruto and Inojin. He saw Sarada from the corner of his eye in a tree with a book as villagers talked trash about her right below the tree she was in and he saw her look at him. Shikadai blushed as he looked away, he didn't dare to intervene because she wasn't just an Uchiha. She was a Haruno and as a Haruno she had an atrocious temper when unleashed; he'd seen it when she whacked Boruto over the head with a book.

Shikadai enjoyed it when his uncles visited. Uncle Kankurō and Uncle Gaara were odd men but very smart. He asked them about the Fourth Great Shinobi War trying to figure out the Uchihas' role in the war without letting on the fact he was more than another lazy genius. Shikadai absorbed the information and stored it away for analyst later as he snuck off to play his game with Inojin. Boruto had been growing into a brat and cheating, it was annoying.

It was when he was twelve that he saw Mirai and her squad partner Hajime at his graduation to a squad that he grinned thinking his 'older sister' to be his mentor. No, he was baffled when tradition was broken and his mentor turned out to Moegi. It was a bit of a drag, she was so… uppity, it was annoying. But he supposed it could be worse, he could be stuck on a team with Konohamaru as his sensei.

He and Inojin did not take to training, well, Inojin did because he feared his mother's wrath but who didn't fear Aunt Ino's wrath!? And getting ChōChō to do anything was a challenge already so why would they fight about training when none of them wanted to train as it was.

Shikadai just enjoyed his time sneaking out to play his handheld games and watching the clouds. That is until one day he was sitting in a fast food restaurant with Boruto and Inojin; hiding from his mother as they played a game. She had stomped in, all in a huff because Boruto was being a brat and he had to admit he had liked watching her as scolded Boruto, but he was unimpressed with Boruto who had cheated at their game again as he and Inojin left. Shikadai didn't make it far as he watched Sarada with Mitsuki before Mitsuki had left her.

He had walked with her through the village, making it a simple run in, she said she had to go to the market and he said his father had always told him to walk a girl home. She didn't argue with him and for the most part they ignored one another, she asked questions about his game, he answered them. He asked questions about her book, she evaded answering them. It was amusing, and cute, she neatly stepping out of the questions or deflecting them or giving a vague grunt as an answer.

He saw her to her apartment, saw her look ready to cry at the door and his eyes narrowed on the red painting on the door: TRAITORS. Sarada said nothing to him, slipped between him and the door, thanked him for his kindness of walking her home but she was good. He had said goodbye and they had parted ways. No one ever knew he tracked down the four civilian assholes (who were older teenagers) and wrapped them up with darkness then threatened them with eternal darkness if they didn't leave the Uchiha family alone. They had pisssed themselves in fear of him as he walked away lazily. He spent the night playing shogi with his father.

The Chūnin Exams were upon them, he had procrastinated about filling out the paperwork but under his mother's threat of training with her, he had quickly filled it out. Sarada had been proud about filling hers' out according to Boruto who was eager to participate in the exams. Shikadai said nothing, and he and Inojin tried to pry information about the exams out of their fathers but received nothing, then the exams came.

Unsurprisingly Sarada and her team made it through the first round. In his mind she was about his only serious competition here so he kept a wary eye on her. He, Inojin, and ChōChō made it through the second round with flying colors. He watched in abject terror though when two Mist genin were carted out of the ruins with several broken bones and crush injuries, he looked over to Uchiha Sarada who held her flag in victory with her red eyes and superior smirk. She was terrifyingly adorable then, in his mind and he had been horrified at the thought. So much so that he had hurried after his father after the examines before something stupid came over him.

But his father's words had him mortified and he glanced at the troublesome Uchiha who was walking away from the exam with a cool air around her. His father's words rang in his ears though 'troublesome girls are always the best'.

His father just had no idea how troublesome Uchiha Sarada was. The time for the third and final exam came, he was winning his matches, but from the stands he watched in a wondering terror as Uchiha Sarada smashed her opponent's face in and stood there grinning innocently. After the whole disaster of the Ōtsutsuki, he and Sarada were the only two to pass to chūnin level.

Their families had celebrated together and he spent the entire night trying desperately not to look at her. He had come to the horrible realization that he had a crush on her, and he had no idea when that had even started. He had always liked Uchiha Sarada, and now that he knew that for a fact he was terrified of her finding out. Or worse, her father finding out. Shikadai shuddered to think of what Uchiha Sasuke would do to him if it was known that he liked Uchiha Sarada; that was a thought which had him wanted the shadows of the restaurant to swallow him up and make him disappear. The horror of the thought of an Uchiha finding out he liked Sarada was mortifying.

But life went on.

Eventually ChōChō and Inojin made chūnin, he was happy to have his friends at his rank again; and he was careful to keep the fact he liked Uchiha Sarada from Akimichi ChōChō or else half the village would know and that was a nightmare which could keep him awake at night. Inojin knew his horrid secret, but Shikadai also knew that Inojin had a crush on Uzumaki Himawari and Boruto was their best friend; see the problems here?

Shikadai worked in strategy like his father, but he also ended up in diplomacy like his mother. It was all a drag, but he found it was better than obsessing and worrying about his stupid crush on a certain Uchiha.

His life was completely destroyed one day though when ChōChō brought Sarada over to the Akimichi residence and he was hanging out with Inojin there so they could play their handhelds. It was much more entertaining to play them when they had to actually sneak around to play them. But that wasn't why his life was ruined. He hadn't paid ChōChō attention when she said that they were having a makeover and the boys weren't allowed; at seventeen this seemed childish and he had dismissed it.

Then the girls had walked out again after hours of doing whatever it was girls did.

His jaw dropped at the sight of Uchiha Sarada. Akimichi ChōChō was an impressive sight, she was always confident in her looks and she was confident in who she was. But Shikadai had never seen Uchiha Sarada outside of her ANBU training gear, mission gear, and her headband. Now she stood there in civilian pants, a red blouse, white sweater, no glasses, a red ribbon in her ebony hair and her onyx eyes darting around uncomfortably.

She had said something about wanting her glasses back, but Shikadai knew glasses weren't going to hide that again. Holy fuck! She was gorgeous!

Not in the way that ChōChō was, or Himawari, or the village girls.

Sarada was rather small, she was built like her mother, slight of frame and not a lot of feminine qualities. She hits like her mother too; which means mountains can and do topple under wrath. But she is a slight framed girl with long legs, small breasts, a small waist and a slight flare of hips. However that wasn't what he couldn't look away from, it was her face.

Now, he had vague memories of a toddler without glasses, but those were vague and a he couldn't ever remember Uchiha Sarada without her glasses. Which was ridiculous because she had the best eyesight besides a Hyūga. Anyways, without her glasses she looked… beautiful. Her lips were full, her oval face was elegant, her brow arched neatly, her eyes were not overly large but beautifully full, her lashes were thick, that large brow of hers' also held the Strength of a Hundred Seal, and her nose just made the deal completely. He was royally fucked then as he stared at her with bulging eyes. He actually fell out of his seat as he watched her leave with ChōChō. Inojin had laughed at him, Shikadai had threatened to tell Boruto about his crush on Himawari and that had shut them up.

However, Shikadai knew he was fucked from that day forward.

He was in love; no longer crushing on, but full on, hopelessly, pathetically, and regrettably in love with Uchiha Sarada.

She drove him nuts the next day when he saw her and she was wearing her red framed glasses again. As they were arguing about the strategy of a mission he blurted out a question about why she wore glasses and she just blinked. She hadn't said anything about them, they were a seal, and that was all. He didn't understand but she didn't seem to be inclined to share what that meant. He avoided her after that awkward fight, but after about a week he felt normal again. He was working as an ambassador's assistant to his mother, and that was the day that he learnt about jealousy. Rounding the corner of the hall he had been infuriated to see a Cloud-nin; the very one who had lost the Chūnin Exams against Boruto flirted with her shameless. There was a smug satisfaction in him when he watched her punch Yurui down the stairs of the diplomat's office's stairs. Sarada turned on her heels then fuming, looked at him and then said they needed to talk about her mission report for the joint mission she had participated on with Suna shinobi. He had taken her out for coffee while they chatted about her report.

Shikadai had traced Yurui down after that lunch and warned him off of Sarada with a few well-placed hits and threats.

It was a stupid feeling; jealousy, and he hated it because it burned away his lackadaisical demeanor faster than he liked. Appearing lazy was what kept him from having a monstrous work load; though his mother was not fooled for some reason. That day his mother had taken him out for a dinner. It was a quiet meal of take out in the park and they had chatted a bit. She told him to ask Uchiha Sarada out, he had nearly choked on his food.

He could see his funeral then, 'he died because he asked Uchiha Sasuke's only daughter out' was to be engraved into his headstone. His mother had laughed and said Sasuke wasn't that bad, he frowned and said he'd pass.

He ended up dating a girl from the Cryptoanalysis Squad named Shiori, she was a nice, simple, frazzled girl who did not have onyx eyes or ebony hair (she had blonde hair and blue eyes). She was not slight of figure but rather a busty girl, and she was not quiet; she was a talker.

She was everything Sarada wasn't.

And he had done that on purpose in hopes of kicking whatever bug had planted itself in him for Sarada out.

It didn't work when he saw her playing with her two younger brothers; Satoru and Sadao. He saw her smile as she laughed and ran from the toddlers and he knew he was once again fucked as he stood there on a date with Shiori watching the park as they ate ice cream. He was sunk, and he didn't tell his girlfriend that he loved another girl as she laughed with two toddler brothers who chased her around and play tackled her. At the end of that date he decided to be fair with Shiori, they had been dating for nearly a year and he broke it off with her. As much as it sucked to do that it was for the best.

He was nineteen when he did his first mission with Sarada, ever, which scared the hell out of him.

Assassinations were not his normal thing, but this was an exception because his best friends had been taken by a terrorist; Inojin, Boruto, and Himawari were being ransomed off, and he had come for them because the Leaf did not negotiate with terrorist. Period.

He had volunteered and asked for assistance, the Seventh had summoned Uchiha Sarada.

Shikadai wasn't a fool, he knew her reputation as a one woman army and knew she was more than capable of what they were about to do. But the last time he'd really seen Uchiha Sarada in action (aside from punching flirting Cloud diplomats) was the Chūnin Exams. But her reputation was known and that was why he was alright with working with her. Besides, Uchiha Sarada was a collected woman.

They had retrieved their friends, and the two of them had taken out an entire terror network in the process. The celebratory dinner for their success had led to a lot of drinking, Sarada was a giggly drunk and he took her home. He was nearly chidori'd to death by her father when he knocked on the door, Sasuke wasn't happy that his daughter was drunk, and Shikadai didn't disagree. She was vulnerable, beautiful, and not in control of her body, Shikadai had shuddered to think of what could have happened to her if he hadn't walked her home.

At twenty he ended up on a double date with Sarada because of Inojin and Himawari who had bartered a date if they took the two other most responsible people they knew; him and Sarada. Shikadai had come to the conclusion then that the heavens hated him as they continuously set him up with Uchiha Sarada; the untouchable Uchiha Princess on top of that.

That night hadn't been so bad, he had shock Sarada and himself when they were joking and he had followed an impulse. He kissed the glasses beauty he had loved, pressed her up against an old tree shadowed in the night and took what he wanted. It was in his mother's nature to take what she wanted, and he had inherited that to an extent.

He was still lazy Nara Shikadai, but he wanted Uchiha Sarada.

So he stole that first kiss, pressed her up against a tree and kissed her as if it were the last thing he'd ever do; because it very well could be if he was caught; and tasted her. She tasted sweet, like desert, but there was a dangerous edge to her, she tasted of chidori and alcohol. Kami had she ever tasted good, he felt like he was drunk on that kiss when he pulled away and stared at those startle onyx eyes. He kissed her again and savored the dark, edgy flavor of Uchiha Sarada.

After that night Sarada avoided him and he knew it, she was damn good at hiding but he was a strategist and figuring out his friends and enemies was his job. He figured her out and narrowed her list of hiding holes (trees) down to a few and found her. It had taken him three months but he had found her, she had tried to punch him through a mountain, he had managed to pin her to the ground and reason with her. It wasn't an easy task pinning Uchiha Sarada, she made it damn hard and when he finally pinned her with his shadow jutsu she was livid. But once he found out why she was livid he was shocked.

At twenty years old Sarada had never been kissed before that night.

Shikadai had been shocked to learn that, and very proud to be her first because that meant he'd be her only. He was so sunk with whatever it was he felt for her that he decided to be like his mother and just take what he wanted. He wanted Uchiha Sarada, he'd have her. Shikadai asked her on a proper date once that lethal temper of hers' had calmed down and she reluctantly complied; under the promise that he not steal another kiss from her.

He had complied.

Shikadai had walked onto the Uchiha compound the night of his intended date and was greeted by the all terrifying Uchiha Sasuke. Threats and ultimatums were passed by the Uchiha, and Shikadai had agreed to all of these partially so he lived, and partially because he already had the entire strategy for winning over the Uchiha family to liking him plotted.

The first date with Sarada was different than that stupid double date they had been on where they had watched the puppy love of Inojin and Himawari. Sarada was watching him warily and he was assessing her for her enjoyment of the night.

He won by the end of the night after that simple date.

It was clear that Sarada was uncomfortable on the date, when he had asked why she had bluntly stated she wasn't going to be used to hurt her father or her mother and left him behind. He had jogged after her, then spent the rest of the night assuring her that that was not his intentions. She said prove it and he knew he needed a new strategy for catching her, but he accepted her challenge without second thought as they continued their date.

The desire to kiss her at the end of the date was overwhelming but he refrained as she walked into her house and disappeared from his view.

His 'girlfriend' was stubborn, she was evasive, and she was quirky when he could pry her cool exterior away long enough to see the real her. There was nothing about Sarada he didn't like, and that was something Boruto couldn't understand. But Boruto was a lady's man and would just as soon sleep with Mitsuki as flirt with Sarada and they all knew it, he'd turn to men before he tried dating an Uchiha. Inojin just wished him luck. Shikadai had decided he was going to need it.

But after two years of dating he managed to have her comfortable enough, and her parents liked him, that he decided to take the next step with Uchiha Sarada.

ChōChō and Himawari had helped him with the ring.

His dad had pulled a few strings with a restaurant, his mother had threatened the owner when he bluntly said 'We don't serve Uchihas here'.

Boruto created the smokescreen and everything was set up with the help of his friends.

The night he proposed Sarada was wary of him for some reason, he blamed Boruto and Mitsuki, but he was undeterred as he walked with her to the restaurant. The ring he had been hiding in his sock drawer for months now felt like it weighed like a ton but he was kind of excited for tonight as he walked with her.

He and Sarada hadn't had sex, he had a feeling she was avoiding feeling like she had been used by him if this went badly, and though he wanted sex he wasn't going to force her. however, provided her father wasn't around to kill him they did make out, and he loved that. A part of him was hoping that they would make out tonight; he had asked Uchiha Sasuke for permission for his daughter's hand only to receive the response:

'Break my daughter's heart and I will break you.'

With that encouragement in mind he was optimistic that everything was going to go how he planned and he would get to make out with his fiancé. After all, Himawari and Inojin were getting hitched next week and even ChōChō was getting married before the year was out, to Mitsuki shockingly. So Shikadai felt that now was just as good of a time as any to get married. But that didn't stop his nerves and uncertainty as he looked at the slight glasses wearing woman beside him and felt that ring in his pocket. When they arrived at the restaurant Sarada had promptly wanted to leave, he knew then that she was still uncomfortable in the village but was determined.

Tonight was going to be perfect of her, even if it killed him; and it just might as he gently pulled her protesting for along. She relented though and they were enjoying a good meal. After dinner when they were walking through the park holding hands he had started trying to find the words to propose to her. She burst into tears at his fumble of words and saying 'we need to talk'.

Needless to say the proposal was a dramatic drag with Sarada thinking he was dumping her and him thinking she was crying at his proposal. Once it was all straightened out they were good, and even laughed about that debacle.

The wedding was a November wedding; mostly because it was September and he wasn't going to give her a chance to change her mind. His brilliance of that move though was because he made her think it was her idea; no doubt if she found him manipulating her she'd kick his ass through all the countries and back for fun and then put him six thousand below. Which was why he did not manipulate Uchiha Sarada, ever, well, not often enough to get caught. He only maneuvered her in his big plans. But still, she hadn't caught him and he was thankful for that.

Her mother had been thrilled about their announcement when they returned. Her father had only glared a warning at him and hugged Sarada. His father had been happy and hugged Sarada tightly when they announced it the next day. His mother had told him it was about time he got off his lazy ass and propose before welcoming Sarada to the family with another hug.

Needless to say things slipped away from the quickly as they prepared for the wedding.

Shikadai had prepared for the situation of a runaway bride; which was entirely possible with how Sarada hated being on display; even though she did still want to be the ninth Hokage.

He was just relieved when Sasuke appeared with Sarada on his arm as they walked down the aisle. Though he did hear her father say it wasn't too late to run, which had him frowning and Sarada smiling. Once their vows were said, rings exchanged and she was kissed as Nara Sarada, she couldn't run away and he had felt relieved as they made it through the reception and the families. That first night had been a relief to him as he kissed that dangerous, dark edge of Sarada and pealed her dress aside as he enjoyed her that night. Nara Shikadai found himself hopelessly addicted to his young wife.

A year passed, Himawari married Inojin. And ChōChō married Mitsuki. It was fine in his mind as they all went about their lives. Himawari was the first of the Ino-Shika-Chō group to have a child. She had a blue eyed, blonde boy with two whiskers on each cheek and a Byakugan behind those pupiless blue eyes. Shikadai had fell in love with his nephew then and spoiled Inodai rotten. ChōChō was the next to have her baby, two months after Himawari, Chōchi was a plump boy with gold eyes, his silver hair and his Akimichi grandfather's face. He was cut, and Shikadai liked him, but the kid was loud and demanding.

A month after Chōchi's birth Sarada approached him with startling news, she was pregnant. He had fallen out of his seat before scrambling up, kissing her and asking her how far. Two months. Seven months later he yelped when she screamed in pain and broke his hand in labor.

His daughter was born without a sound, when he seen her presented to her mother he was startled to look at a girl who looked exactly like Sarada, and he smiled at her. His daughter had his eyes in shape, but with her onyx eyes, ebony hair and oval face she was the spitting image of her mother, and he had smiled at his daughter.

"Troublesome women," Shikadai sighed when his daughter captured his finger and sucked it silently in her little mouth.

Sarada had laughed.

Nara Shika only looked indifferent as she sucked his finger and Shikadai decided his father was right, troublesome women were the best.

[ramennoodlesandnarusasu]

The golden moon (sns valentines one shot)

The sun was shining harshly on Naruto’s asleep body, it threatened the young adult to leave a bright red mark if he didn’t wake up in 20 minutes. Naruto’s eyes fluttered open, squinting at the beaming ray of sun. His alarm started ringing violently, refusing to simmer down until it was turned off.

Naruto let out a disgruntled sigh, unwilling to wake up. He reached for his phone and quickly turned off the alarm, greeting the morning with massive distaste.  If mornings weren’t already Naruto’s cup of tea, today was probably his most hated day, making getting up in the morning a colossal struggle for Naruto.

He wished he could sleep throughout the entirety off today, this day, this date. It was not one that Naruto had ever befriended. Naruto was jerked out of bed with a text message. Knowing who it would be Naruto questioned to answer or not.

Two seconds later, another text came through. Naruto grumbled under his breath as he pushed himself off the bed to pick up his phone and head to the bathroom. As he washed his face and brushed his teeth his phone began to buzz again. “For Christ sake, every year.” Knowing the phone wouldn’t shut up if he didn’t answer it, he decided it was time to answer his text, even though he knew it had been Sakura the whole time.

Naruto opened the messages and was greeted with the same old annoying Sakura. The same messages he always got on this day. Naruto. Its Valentine’s day- Why are you ignoring me? -I know you get all sad and gloomy on Valentines, because you are a lonely sucker. -I found you a date, give him a chance. I know since coming out, you have become a hermit crab, actually go talk to some guys, I promise they won’t bite ;) or they might.

Naruto hated when Sakura intervened in his love life, he decided to not date after breaking up with Hinata because he just hadn’t found anyone that barely sparked his interest. Everyone seemed the same, only wanting one thing. All the guys Naruto was made to go on dates with where bland, soul sucking people. Either only after Naruto’s success, or flirtatiously trying way too hard to get into his pants.

Naruto always had severe commitment issues, it took him so long to call it quits with Hinata, even though he knew he was gay. But she was the first person to actually stay with him longer than 6 months, everyone else didn’t last 2 weeks.

Naruto let out an annoyed sigh and clicked the dial tone. “Naruto! How is my main man! So, date tonight?” “No Sakura, I’m not doing it. Every year it’s the same. I major disappointment and waste of my time.” “Oh, come on Naruto. Please. I promise I actually met this guy, he reminds me of you a little bit.” “What’s his name?” “Garra.” “Sakura, I swear. If this turns out to be a dud, I will stab you, and also take away your friend privileges.” “Oh no! Not the keys to your apartment. How will I live? Actually, take that back, you have a massive TV, and a great view.” Naruto let out a small chuckle. Sakura loved to meddle in his life but he couldn’t imagine a life without her.

“Sakura, last chance. I refuse to try you’re flimsily dating schemes if this one doesn’t pan out longer than a month.” “A MONTH?” “Hey you know I want commitment, I would assume you would put that on the list when choosing these… oh, so eligible bachelors for me.” “Tch, well, I mean he seemed right up your alley bu-“ “Ahhhh, I don’t want excuses my sweet Sakura, this date has your key privileges to my apartment at stake, I hope his a good one.” “Tch, well now so do I. I was still have 1 season left to watch of my TV series on that glorious TV.” “We shall see, any ways I have to go, we still on for lunch tomorrow?” “Yer we are, normal spot?” “Yep!” “Ille send you a text with the info for Garra’s date tonight. Oh, and dress nice slacker boy, this guy actually has a high paying job, not like the scum you always tend to pick up from the bars.” “Hey what can I say, I have a thing for bad boys.” “Tch, which always drives my head in. Anyways ciao Naruto, I’m off to my date.” “Good luck!”

Naruto hanged up the phone and looked into the bathroom mirror, realizing he had a lot of work to do to make himself presentable for this date. He let out a deep sigh of annoyance. “Every year, I have to kill Sakura as soon as I get my hands on her skinny neck.” Naruto started humming a calming song as he progressed to turn on his bathroom and set up some music on his speakers.

-

Naruto stepped outside the shower dripping water all over his white tiles whilst attempting to dry his soaking hair. Naruto bushed away his hair and went to pick up his phone to see that Sakura had sent a long list of information with a colossal of winky faces at the end. Naruto wished this time it was worth it.

He stepped outside his bathroom and went inside his walk-in wardrobe to see what he could wear. He decided on tight black skinny jeans that squeezed in exactly the right places.  He joined his denim jeans with a light orangey crème top that hung loosely, doing nothing what so ever to highlight the abs that lied below. Naruto was a huge fitness enthusiast, it was his designer shoe idea which sky rocketed his life into the millionaire he was today.

He never let the money get to his head, but he sure as hell had noticed that basically every one he met after his success treated him with differently. Each person desperately seeking his formula to success. He had yet found anyone he trusted, let alone feel a connection towards them. Sakura was stupid enough to always mention to these dates she set up that Naruto was hugely successful, which made every date the same as the next. Either the conversation was so bland and everything was about money, business and the economy or the person was obviously trying too hard to flirt with him.

Naruto was only discovered as an entrepreneur 2 years ago so his face was still unknown. This gave him a lot of freedom to go out and not run into trouble, most of the people he ended up sleeping with tended to be guys from bars or clubs. Each one had no interest in Naruto or they seriously lacked any form of charisma. All of them seemed quite dead in the head, with no one so far sparking interest in Naruto’s longing heart.

Naruto was busy enough with his work that he didn’t have much time to get out there and find a decent human being to date, so the only person who constantly reminded him that he was lonely as hell was Sakura. She persistently found him a Valentines date, though they all turned out to be serious duds.

-

Naruto closed his laptop after sending off some important emails, he looked at the clock and saw he had 40 minutes till he needed to meet this stranger at a bar down town.  By the looks of his search on google, the bar seemed high end. Which only meant his date was also a businessman. Naruto let out an annoyed grumble. Each businessman had nothing but boring stuff on their mind. Naruto nearly feel asleep on his last set up date with another businessman. He wasn’t looking forward to the small talk about money and investment and blah blah blah.

Naruto reluctantly took his coat out and a creamed silk scarf, before grabbing his keys to go outside he made sure he had his phone in his pocket and wallet in his coat.

-

Naruto stepped out of the elevator from his apartment floor, were he was greeted with friendly ways from the staff and an open door to the street by the doorman. “Date tonight Naruto?” “Unfortunately.” “Not looking forward to it?” “No, it’s another businessman Sakura set me up with, so no, I am not looking forward to two hours of money talk.” The doorman chuckled lightly and patted Naruto’s shoulder lightly “well at least she’s trying.” “Yer, I know, anyways go back inside you’ll freeze to death out here.” “Okay, okay. See you later Naruto, try to have fun.” Naruto sent off a friendly wave as he opened up the car that waited for him. Before he knew it he was staring at a glistening bar from his car window seat.

-

“Naruto sir, when would you like me to pick you up?” “Oh, Shika, there is no need. I will call a cab, I know it’s your special day with Temari.” Naruto winked at his driver Shikamaru and nagged him playfully. “Naruto, only if you’re sure. I told Temari we could do a special night a different day!” “Heck no! Go enjoy yourself buddy, thanks for driving me. Now go and seduce your lady.” Naruto beamed a cheeky smile and Shikamaru knew this wasn’t a conversation he was going to win. He thanked Naruto and drove off into the mess of traffic.

Naruto looked back at the bar which was equipped with several security guards and golden stair cases. Naruto could see the bar had several gold chandeliers with velvet seats for a relaxing and luxurious experience.

Naruto questioned what kind of bar this was, he hadn’t been to a bar this fancy in years, last time it was for a formal meeting with one of his future investors. Naruto felt strongly out of place, even though he lived in this world of high end fashion and business he never did seem to mix well with the crowd.

Naruto stepped forward toward the stairs and gradually made it up the golden tower to be greeted by a friendly staff at the door, who held a golden list. “God afternoon sir, may I ask your name to see if we have you on the list.” “Oh sure, its Naruto Uzumaki.” The staff found Naruto’s named and allowed him entry into the dazingly bar, which seemed more like a golden palace to him.

“Sir Uzumaki, I see you will be accompanied by another man named Garra, he unfortunately has yet to arrive. If you would like to follow me I will get you seated in the bar area, were you are welcome to pick from our finest wines or champagnes and snack on our complimentary hors d'oeuvres until his arrival.” Naruto was shocked with the level of service this place acquired, he wouldn’t even want to start imagining the starting prices to the champagnes, but he sure would remember the end bill if his date turned out to be boring-ville and make Sakura pay him off for life. “Thank you very much, madam.”

Naruto took a seat on one of the bar stools, with was covered in a soft red fabric. He immediately brought out his phone to tell Sakura that his date was already late and that she should prepare to send him her life savings on how much this night was going to cost him. Before he could finish the message, he noticed someone directly in front of him, behind the other end of the counter.

What Naruto felt at that moment was something indescribable, a feeling of pure wonderment. He was frozen in time and space; his heart had completely stopped and he felt his mind going hazy. “Good afternoon Mr. Uzumaki, my name is Sasuke Uchiha. I will be your host this evening and will be providing all your services from now on. Here at the Golden palace bar we have at least 1 permanent staff with each group, couple or single which walks in so that you will have constant and professional service throughout the evening. If you wish to order from our menu, please don’t hesitate to ask. If not, I will be here when needed.”

Naruto felt like this moment with Sasuke lasted for an eternity, he couldn’t stop looking at the man. He seemed like a god, especially with the golden bar features sparking and glistening around him. His skin was porcelain, his eyes deep black which showed years of history behind them, he seemed like a statue, something unreal or untouchable.

“Uh sorry I don’t usually come to these types of places; do you have a preferred choice of wine to start me off?” Naruto had no idea what he was saying, he sounded like a confused robot unsure what human emotions were. His voice seemed off and his whole body swayed in confusion. “Absolutely Mr. Uzumaki I will grab the house wine, one of the best wines in the world, it will be a great starter for you.”

As Sasuke walked away to grab the wine Naruto regained consciences. He had never met a man so beautiful in his life, he would dare say he just feel in love in an instance.  Naruto’s mind dazed off towards Sasuke until he was jerked back into reality when his phone buzzed aggressively in his pocket. His illusion of taking his host and running away with him bridal style out of this place and back to his was shortly broken by the phones buzzing.

He saw the message was from an unknown number and Naruto curiously opened it. Hey Naruto, this is your date Garra, Sakura gave me your number. I know this sounds bad, but I’m running late. I’m so sorry. I got caught up with work, as you are familiar with. I will be there in 30 minutes. Naruto looked at his phone with a huge gleam, the more time Garra takes the more he can drool over his host. Take your time, the service here is amazing, so I am being well taken care off.

“Ahem.” Naruto looked up to see a beaming Sasuke, he lowered the glass of wine to Naruto with utter precision and elegance. “Here you are sir, I hope you enjoy its fine texture.” Naruto took a sip of the wine and was hit with a perfect mix of grapes, roasted nuts and cherries. It went down delightfully, leaving a fresh and fruity taste on the pallet. “Wow this is amazing, I’m not much of a wine drinker, but I must admit this is beautiful.” Sasuke let out a small chuckle “I’m glad.”

Naruto stared at Sasuke wondering what this man would be like outside of work, he craved to know everything about Sasuke. “Mr. Uzumaki, I will adjourn to the kitchen to receive your hors d'oeuvres, I shall only be a few moments.” Naruto felt empty when Sasuke’s presence at vanish, he was completely intoxicated by this man’s energy, his angelic nature and hypnotizing smile. Naruto craved for more, he hadn’t felt like this ever in his life. One look into his dark black eyes and Naruto could sense Sasuke held an ocean within them and Naruto had only seen a tear drops worth. He wanted to know what lay behind that wall of professionalism, elegance and peritonism that Sasuke had currently laid out in front of Naruto.

Sasuke returned with a steaming plate of hors d'oeuvres, full of rich colour and taste. As much as Naruto was melting with how delicious the flavour was in his mouth, he craved to find out more from Sasuke.

“So Sasuke, am I allowed to talk to you, seeming as my date is late?” “Of course, Mr. Uzumaki.” “Okay first don’t call me that ever again, hahaha. Just call me Naruto.” “Of course, Naruto.” Naruto’s heart felt like an arrow had just raced through his heart. His name has never sounded so beautiful, he wished to hear nothing but his name coming from those lips for hours. “So Sasuke, what do you do. Besides work at this fancy joint?” “I am a student at an IVY league school here in the city.” “Oh wow, so smart huh? I kind of got those vibes from you.” “Hm.”

“You know you more thank welcome to ask me anything, I feel like I’m a stalker if I’m the one asking all the questions.” Naruto took a sip of his wine, feeling his pallet being cleansed from the rich taste of hors d'oeuvres. “If you wish Naruto. I’m not used to asking costumers details, if you feel like I am-““Relax man, I am properly the chilliest guy you will ever have to deal with in this fancy place, there is no need to be so polite around me.” Sasuke had a questioning glare, unsure how to respond or move his body in a ‘relaxing manner’. “Hahah, you really aren’t used to letting loose.” “No, I’m not unfortunately.”

After Sasuke refilled Naruto’s glass of wine, Sasuke began to speak in an insecure tone. “So… Naruto, what do you do, besides go on dates on Valentines?” Naruto was confused if he should tell Sasuke who he was and what he did, or to stay quiet. “Oh, nothing much, I work in a sports shop. My date is super fancy and rich so he dragged me here.” “He?” “Yer, Im gay. Does that bother you.” “Absolutely not Mr. Uzumaki! Im sorry if it seemed that way.” “Relax, it’s okay.”

Naruto loved how flustered Sasuke had gotten from that statement and he wished to pull every emotion out of the man. Everything he did amazed Naruto, he felt like every move he made was as hypnotizing as the next. His heart grew louder and louder with each subtle chuckle and smile Sasuke allowed to surface.

“Yer, for some reason I tend to attract the wrong sort of guys, so my friend set me up with this fancy business man who set this whole date up.” “Does your differences in careers not bother you?” Naruto thought about this literally, he knew this man was from a very successful starter company which concentrate on the stock market. A world Naruto had extreme distaste for. “Well money isn’t the issue, it’s just we are from different worlds, you know?” Sasuke nodded politely and went to refill Naruto’s glass of wine.

“Naruto, I hope your date goes well tonight, you seem lovely and defiantly different than a lot of the people who come in here.” Naruto jaw hurt from how wide he smiled, this man, Sasuke, was something different. Naruto had never felt so determined to have someone, to know them inside and out. But he surely found his target, someone unforgettable. “Thank you Sasuke. Question how old are you?” “Im 21, yourself?” “21 as well, Haha, small world”.

-

Naruto was so entranced in his conversation with Sasuke that he nearly forgot the real reason he was at this bar. He was shortly reminded when he was tapped on the shoulder. “Hi Naruto, sorry I’m late.” Naruto turned around to be greeted by a rather attractive man, nothing compared to Sasuke. He seemed like he had layer of fakeness around him, covering him like sand. He knew this man had a hardened business shell just by the look of his uniform and that the next hour or so was going to be full of money talk. “Oh hey, um its fine, don’t worry about it, Sasuke our host was keeping me quite entertained.

-

2 hours had past and Naruto felt like his energy had been sucked out of him, he never was a big fan when it came to money. He felt like money blinded you from the real things in life, like joy and gratitude. A lot of the businessman he met had been simular, Garra seemed kinder than many of the dates he had, but he still carried on with work and investments. Naruto didn’t know if he was allowing his perspective on Garra to be blurred by the fact that he wasn’t Sasuke.

After meeting an angel nothing could compare. As desert was taken away by Sasuke and other friendly staff members, Naruto decided to call it a night, using work in the morning as an excuse to head home. Both men fought to pay the bill, but in the end in was Naruto who turned out to be successful, which he instantly regretted when he saw the check for 7500 dollars.

-

Naruto thanked Garra for the night and sent him off in a taxi whilst he waited for a taxi to be sent for him. As he waved Garra off he looked back to the bar which was slowly finishing off with their last customers. Naruto ran back to the door to be greeted with the same friendly staff which aided him in.

“Mr. Uzumaki, did you leave something?” “Uh no, I was just wondering, if Sasuke was still in there. I just wanted to thank him for being such a good host.” “Oh, I’m sorry Mr. Uzumaki, he has left already, you and Garra were his last costumers assigned to him. I’m very sorry, I will let him know next time.” Naruto felt his heart sink drastically wanting to see Sasuke at least one more time before he disappeared into a dream. “Thank you, madam. May I ask you a question?” “Certainly.” “Can you request for a particular host when you book with this bar?” “Yes, you may, it’s part of the experience, if you enjoyed your host you can reserve them for the evening and every other time you come in. Because we have such high demands, the minimum amount for the evening is 5000, but if you wish to reserve him you may have to pay additional fees so that other costumers which also request him are outbid by you.” “Wow, sounds complex. Does Sasuke have a lot of costumers coming in for him?” “Yes, he is one of our best host, with the most expensive evening rates, everyone who tries to reserve him gets outbid by a gentleman named Orochimaru who ends up paying around 10,000- 15,000 to reserve him. I believe Mr. Orchimaru is out of the town for the moment so Sasuke had a free slot available and that’s why you got him for tonight.” “Okay, thank you very much. Can you book me in for next Saturday with Sasuke and I will pay 5000 more than any offer that comes through?”

The young girl looked at Naruto with disbelief, but quickly jotted it down on her piece of paper. “Absolutely Mr. Uzumaki, will you be coming with Garra?” “No, just me.” “No problem, all sorted, we shall see you on Saturday.”

-

Naruto went back to the street content and determined to win Sasuke over, he wanted to know more about him, he didn’t even care if nothing happened between them he just wanted to spend more time around him amongst his alluring presence.

“I’m not sure how someone who works in a shop could afford that much. You sure are a mysterious character Naruto.” Naruto’s heart started melting at the sound of that rich tone which hypnotized him to walk towards it owner. “You caught me.” Naruto smiled cheekily as he looked towards Sasuke who lent against a black Ducati. “I’m not sure how a student can afford that, mysterious aren’t we Uchiha?” “I guess we are both frauds.” “I guess so.” Naruto liked this version of Sasuke he seemed utterly different than the one he met inside the bar, he had more soul and character. But alas his eyes remained the same, a wall covering the sea that swirled behind them, Naruto needed to know who Sasuke Uchiha was.

“Want a ride back to your shack?” “On that?” Naruto never went on a motorbike before, but he had always dreamed to drive one. Though his investors would properly kill him. “Uh. I don’t know.” “You scared Uzumaki? Wow didn’t pick you to be the fragile kind.” “Tch, fine Uchiha, only because you owe me, seeming as I’m paying 15 grand to see you again on Saturday.”

Sasuke tossed over a helmet and jumped on the motorbike. Naruto was terrified but at the same time he felt so alive. His hairs were on end with the amount of adrenaline which rushed within his veins. A huge engine noise ignited which sent the Ducati into a monstrous rumble. Within a few seconds Sasuke got Naruto’s address and was zooming down the city.

-

Naruto was so terrified and excited that without realizing it he started clinging desperately to Sasuke’s waist. He nuzzled so closely to the man that he could easily smell Sasuke’s cologne, he wasn’t made aware of how close he had gotten until they were parked in front of his Apartment complex. “Sorry for clinging on to you so hard, I just thought I was going to die the entire time.” “Don’t worry everyone is like that their first time on a motorbike.”

“Do you take a lot of your girlfriends on you Ducati to impress them?” “Tch, no. Plus women aren’t really my style as well.” “Oh, you’re also gay?” “Yer, didn’t think it was appropriate to announce that whilst I was at work.” “Oh no, it’s cool. Well anyways thanks for the lift. I guess I will see you Saturday.” “I guess so.” Naruto and Sasuke stood there for what seemed forever, staring into each other eyes. Each one waiting for the other to move.

Naruto made himself turn away, he knew all he wanted to do was to kiss Sasuke, he was falling madly in love with someone he met only hours ago, and he knew that was insanity. So, to save himself, he made sure he walked away and didn’t do something stupid.

As Naruto got close to the glass door, he quickly turned around to see Sasuke hadn’t moved yet. “Hey Uchiha, you better be worth my 15 thousand dollars, I expect great service.” Naruto closed his eyes and smiled cheerfully. When suddenly he felt warm lips quickly leave its mark on his check. “Ille try my best, shop boy.”

Before Naruto could open his moth to respond or make his body move Sasuke had swiftly driven away on his Ducati leaving a trail of smoke and the softening sound of an engine rumble in its mist.

-

Naruto knew it, He had found the one and for once in his life he didn’t hate Sakura for setting him up. He was determined Sasuke was going to be in his life for a very long time. And if things worked out, he could make him stay for ever.

Naruto looked up to the moon which shined brightly amongst the stars which twinkled around it.  It reminded him of Sasuke in the bar with the golden features illuminating behind him as he stood their glowing the brightest amongst it all.

[jacksgreysays]

Reverse!Gardens, DOS!Shikamaru & DOS!Kino and Care!Kako and Care!Kamaru: After losing his original universe to Jashin, fourteen-year-old Shikamaru doesn't take Kako's injuries from the Kumo kidnapping attempt all that well. (Bonus points baby!Kino and toddler!Kamaru bonding, or Shikamaru stubbornly holding onto the original Shadow Arm seal with Shikako's calligraphy).

A/N: Hello again, dona! Thank you for this prompt! So… I’m gonna be honest… I don’t know what you mean by the Kumo kidnapping attempt. I mean, I assume there was a Kumo kidnapping attempt during the thenabouts timing of the Hinata attempted kidnapping, except instead of the highly protected Hyuuga heiress the Kumo nin went for the less protected would-have-been Nara heir, aka Kamaru? But, again, I have no idea and I’m not sure which installment/ficlet in particular you’re referring to so instead I’m gonna focus more on the DoS!Shika & Kino go to Care!Kako &Kamaru’s verse.

So… also… I did want to do a variation of your prompt wherein it’s still the adult!Konoha Thirteen go after younger versions of Shikako in various universes, but I also like your version where the ages match up, so I guess what I’m saying is… I’m going to try to do both?

~

one hope then another (bring me home)

Kako (& Kamaru) & Shikamaru (& Kinokawa)

The boy with a shadow arm and a toddler on his hip is suspicious, of course. His claim is literally incredible, but what is more so impossible is how everything else he says checks out. Weeks of interviews and tests and everything still checks out.

He has mastered all of the clan’s shadow jutsu as well as newer, powerful techniques. He is the oldest son of an alternate universe Shikaku. He is every bit as intelligent, tactical, and skillful as his father was. He was raised since birth as clan heir.

A miracle, Kofuku thinks, a convenient one. Now, someone else can be in charge of the clan, and she can go back to her research.

Speaking of, “The shadow sight and your arm,” Kofuku asks the boy–Shikamaru, one of the blander clan head names, but another convenience that they don’t have to come up with one for him–“Did you create them?”

“No,” Shikamaru shakes his head, eyes never lifting from the pile of backlog paperwork that is the clan’s administration. His month of effort has put a dent in it, but the task ever grows.

The toddler by his side–Kino, not a common Nara name, but harmless enough–quietly mimics his brother, bright crayon scribbles on scratch paper. When a streak of bright red draws a bit too close to official papers, Shikamaru gently guides his brother’s hand away before resuming his own work easily.

Kofuku waits for clarification.

“My father designed shadow sight,” he says, “but my arm…” At this, Shikamaru pauses in his work. Raises his flesh hand to touch the seam between skin and shadow. His mouth tightens, and little Kino silently puts his crayons down to reach out to his brother in comfort. It works a little.

“Our sister made it for me.”

“Your sister,” Kofuku repeats, an inkling of dread making its way through her purely academic curiosity.

Shikamaru said he was the oldest son.

That doesn’t mean oldest child.

—

They weren’t lying, technically. And it’s not as if they were actively hiding the truth either.

It’s just that it’s old news, old scandal, old grudges, and why would they tell their new clan head about matters that have nothing to do with the clan?

Shikamaru clearly doesn’t agree.

He asks where the Kinokawa siblings live–the toddler called Kino on his hip, as if Shikamaru doesn’t trust the clan not to tear the child from his arms. And how could she ever consider the toddler harmless, his name!–and no one answers. Not out of a desire to hide the truth further, but because they honestly don’t know.

Why would they need to know?

Frustrated, Shikamaru walks out, brother at his side, and all Kofuku can think is: not again.

—

The boy with a shadow arm and a toddler on his hip is suspicious, of course. They both wear the Nara mon, clad in the grays and greens of the clan, and the last time Kako had to interact with her relatives in any meaningful manner they were berating her for almost endangering the bloodline and nearly causing a political scandal while she lay in a hospital bed and ignored them.

So it’s not exactly a joy to see these two, never mind their slightly off reflections of each other–her with Kamaru on her hip–would otherwise be an amusing sight.

“Shikako?” the boy with the shadow arm asks. He’s hesitant, perhaps aware of her displeasure, taken aback by her obvious frown or maybe the scars cutting across her face. In contrast, the toddler on his hip smiles brightly at her, silently reaching out.

“It’s Kako. Kako Kinokawa. You should know this, Nara.”

The boy with the shadow arm flinches, while the toddler on his hip seems to smile brighter.

How weird.

“I’m Shikamaru.”

~

~

~

Kako & Kamaru & Shikamaru & Kinokawa (Kinokawa)

Kako Kinokawa is grudgingly released from the hospital a week after the Cloud incident poorer in patience, richer in scars, and, somehow, head of a clan. Thankfully, it’s a newly created minor clan and not the clan that would be the absolute worst (the clan that should be hers by birthright) but frankly being head of any clan is troublesome.

She goes to pick up Kamaru from the Akimichi compound–a little guilty to have imposed on Chouza-san and Setsuko-san for so long, but relieved that her little brother would certainly be well protected and well fed–only to be met with an uncomfortable amount of bowing, overly respectful suffixes, two slyly grinning pseudo-uncles, and a staring man who, for one heart-stopping second, she mistakes for Dad.

Arranged as he is between Chouza-san and Inoichi-san, it’s hard to shake the likeness, but she blinks it and the incoming tears away with teeth-gritting desperation: this man is too young to be Shikaku Kinokawa. Not enough scars, and more delicate facial features besides, one arm somehow a dark shadow from elbow down. But its close, so close. Close enough that he can only be a–

“Nara,” Kako greets coolly, hands deliberately loose at her side. Technically, given the alliance of the Ino-Shika-Cho, she’s the trespasser here, so she’s not going to be the one to start shit.

Chouza-san and Inoichi-san exchange amused glances and she would feel a lance of betrayal except for how the man between them immediately drops to a knee and so all she can feel instead is shock.

“Not quite,” the man says, and that, too, is different enough from Dad’s voice (or what she can remember of it, it’s been so long) that it keeps her grounded in the presence. “I’m not a Nara,” he says, and his stare hasn’t wavered at all since the beginning, “I’ve renounced them. I’ve chosen to be part of the Kinokawa clan.”

Reflexively, Kako denies, “There is no Kinokawa clan.”

“There wasn’t a Kinokawa clan,” Chouza-san corrects, voice ringing with mirth for all that he means to be gentle.

“Establishing a clan requires three active-duty shinobi who share a bloodline and sponsorship from two other clan heads,” Inoichi-san clarifies, practically preening.

She looks at the three of them doubtfully, “Kamaru’s a toddler. Even if I wanted this, where would we get our third?”

Coincidentally (or, perhaps more likely, with deliberately planned timing) a boy her age carrying a slothfully limp Kamaru in one arm and an affably squirming Chouji in the other approaches them, smile brighter than the shiny Konoha headband plate tied around his neck.

He, too, has a very obvious Nara look to him, though it’s tempered with something else, something she vaguely recognizes, but can’t place immediately (something she sees every time she looks in the mirror.)

“Kako-nee!” the boy exclaims with a disconcerting level of familiarity given she’s never met him in her life, he practically skips closer before, after considering the situation, taking a step back, “Oh, uh, are we doing the thing first?” He asks. 

The self proclaimed non-Nara man, still on his knees, finally breaks his gaze with her by rolling his eyes. Exasperated but fond, “Yeah, we’re doing ‘the thing’ first.”

Kako is bewildered.

The boy shrugs, the toddlers in his arms giggling at the movement, before lowering to a matching kneeling position. Kamaru and Chouji, close enough to the ground now, get their feet beneath them and waddle towards their respective guardians.

Chouza swings his son up into his arms easily, and Kako, confused but never too distracted to properly care or show affection for her brother, does the same to Kamaru.

Baffled, she can only hold her brother close and witness as her clan officially forms itself in front of her.

“I do swear,” says both of her would-be clan mates, not quite in sync, but practiced enough, “to protect my family, my team mates, the clan, those allied with us, and Konoha, I will become the bark of the tree.”

Kako has never heard the oath that new genin of the Nara clan make (why would she? She’s not a Nara) but this rings of something similar, something familiar. Something Dad used to say with furrowed brows when he couldn’t understand why the Nara were being so antagonistic:

Family is like a tree and life is like a shadow.

The shadow is what we make of it, the tree is the real thing.

Kamaru’s hands clumsily but gently bat at her face. She thinks at first it’s curiosity over her new scars, but no. It’s because she’s crying.

Because family is the real thing. The most important thing. And even if its been years and she should have gotten used to it, it still hurts that her Nara relatives don’t realize it.

But these two do. They want to be her clan. They want to be her family.

Kako closes her eyes and presses her face to Kamaru’s head, hiding her expression and holding him near and dear.

“Okay,” she says, pulling herself together. “Okay,” she repeats, “Yeah, let’s be a clan. Let’s be family.”

Her new clan mates–her new family members–get to their feet and while the boy bounces over to her immediately, the man doesn’t hesitate to draw close either.

Behind them, Chouza-san and Inoichi-san grin, relieved.

For a moment everything is, if not perfect, then as close to it as reality will allow them to get. Until–

“… what are your names?” Kako asks, far too belatedly considering she has just accepted these two into her family and newly created clan.

The boy’s smile grows, somehow, impossibly wide and full of mischief while the man sends him another heavy lidded look of fond exasperation.

In the background, Chouza-san and Inoichi-san can barely stifle their laughter.

—

(“I take it back,” Kako says, once her brain has restarted, “No more clan, I can’t allow this.”

“No take backs,” Shikamaru admonishes childishly, for all that he is the oldest of their family.

“Kinokawa Kinokawa is a great name!” Kinokawa insists, his blinding cheeriness enough to attract Kamaru’s attention. In easy toddler logic, Kamaru smiles and babbles cheerfully in response. “See,” Kinokawa says, “Even the clan heir agrees with me.”

“Kamaru, you traitor,” Kako says without any heat, “How dare you endorse this travesty.”

Kamaru pats her cheek again, “Ki-no-kawa,” he pronounces, syllables parsed out like presents.

Kako sighs, looks at her brothers, looks at the clouds in the sky, then back at her brothers. “Alright, fine. No take backs.”)

~

A/N: Thanks for being patient with me, dona! Hopefully it’s obvious that these two versions are separate worlds–I’ll probably make these separate chapters when I cross post onto ao3, but I wanted to put them in the same post since they’re both a fill to the same prompt.

So, uh, I can (and would love to) explain my reasoning for why the two ficlets are so different despite having basically the same premise if anyone’s interested.

Also, I went with the more thematically appropriate interpretation of the name Kinokawa = tree bark instead of 紀 + river especially since I still absolutely love Mercy of Baal’s “shamelessly twisted” version of the Abraham Lincoln quote used in Dreaming of Sunshine Switch. Also, also, obviously the oath is just a tweaked version from the DoS Nara oath Shikako swears in chapter 6