#shikamaru probably just standing there

[dira333]

If we have each other - Kazekage Family

Summary: Shinki finds a Mother Figure by accident, or how two people falling in love looks like from a 4-year-old's perspective

Shinki and Shikadai are about 4 years old in this...

Words: 4k

Shinki didn’t mean to get lost. Father will be upset.

All the trees look the same now, and he knows it’s because he’s panicking, but that realization doesn’t help ease his nerves. His breathing is coming faster now, iron sand swirling around him.

There’s movement in the bushes. He holds his breath, hoping, wishing for someone to come and find him.

But it’s a deer, looking at him with dumb empty eyes before returning to where it came from.

Shinki sits on the damp ground, fighting the tears that threaten to spill.

He practiced hard to get his kekkai genkai under control, to make his father proud. And now he’s ruining their celebration, his first visit to Konohagakure to meet extended family, by getting lost in the woods. 

To his left, he can hear movement. He doesn’t look up this time, expecting the deer to be back again.

When instead a voice speaks up, his iron sand reacts without his incentive, shooting forward.

He turns just in time to see a woman deflect the hit, jumping out of reach. The sand drops, returning to him as he stands, scared and relieved at the same time.

“Who are you?” Shinki asks, voice shaking lightly even though he makes sure to carry a threatening tone.

“You’re Shinki, right?” You ask, eyes surprisingly warm for someone who just got attacked. “I’m Shikamaru’s cousin, Shikadai might have told you about me.”

Shinki thinks back to their conversations. His cousin isn’t that talkative. Shikadai mostly prefers to nap. 

But you look like Shikamaru, he thinks, the resemblance calming him down. You’re family too.

“Are you- are they looking for me?”

“Probably,” you tell him with a smile, “I was out collecting antlers when Mosabi came to get me. That’s the deer that spotted you. You wanna get back to the house?”

“Yes, please.” He carefully dusts his clothes off before looking at you for further clues. To his surprise your hand is outstretched.

“Wanna take my hand? It’s okay if not.”

“No,” he grabs it, relishing in the contact. He’s never too sure when he’s allowed to touch others and the iron sand makes it impossible for others to touch him without his explicit permission. Perhaps that’s why Father isn’t as touchy-feely as his uncle is with Shikadai. 

Your hand is warm around his and you don’t seem afraid of him at all. Do you not know his powers? How dangerous he is?

“So you’re visiting from Suna, right?” You ask just as he readies himself to address the topic. “What’s it like? I’ve never been there.”

“It’s a desert village.”

“I know,” you smile warmly. “But what’s it like? What do you like about it?”

“Like… about it?” 

You point above you. “Konoha has a lot of forests. That’s my favorite part of the village, going to a place where you can’t see the sky anymore, where everything above and around you is all the shades of green you could possibly imagine. I have a lot of plants at home too.”

“Father does as well,” Shinki exclaims, the words spilling from his mouth without his intention. “He collects Cacti and he even gets them to bloom.”

“He does?” You ask, showing interest. It’s the first time someone’s asked him about Cacti in a while and though he tries to respect others for not caring enough about them, he can’t help but judge them a little. Cacti are great. And Father, able to get them to bloom, is even greater.

“Yes! Cacti are very delicate plants, you know, and they only bloom in perfect conditions. Every species has different wants and needs, so you have to know them well.”

“And your father does so?”

“Yes!” Shinki nods eagerly, “Father is very knowledgeable. He is teaching me as well and I’m a good student.”

“I believe you are,” you smile, moving as if to brush through his hair. The iron sand immediately rises to stop you and you freeze, hand in the air.

“I’m sorry,” Shinki apologizes immediately, “It’s my Kekkai Genkai, I don’t mean to attack you-”

“It’s fine,” your smile doesn’t falter. “I should remember to ask before I move to touch. It’s only polite after all. May I mess up your hair?”

“I suppose,” Shinki offers, not sure what the purpose of this kind of touch is. 

But then you do it, and he can feel it. He shivers, warmth spreading through his cheeks.

“Can you do it again?” He asks before he realizes that the words slipped out. But you don’t look taken aback by his request, instead ruffling his hair softly for a while until you tuck a strand of it behind his ear, the gesture warm in a way he hasn’t experienced before. It feels like getting a bath or getting tucked into bed, like Uncle Kankuro making his favorite soup for dinner and pretending he likes it as well.

“Let’s get you home, huh?” You say, sounding just like Father when he takes him to bed.

“Can we visit your aunt?” Shinki asks the next time he’s in Konoha. 

Shikadai blinks at him in confusion. “I don’t have an aunt.”

“Your father’s cousin,” Shinki explains and Shikadai blinks again.

“Sure, I guess. I’ll ask.”

“Ah,” Uncle Shikamaru makes a face. It looks like he’s about to yawn, but then he doesn’t. “She’s at work boys, I’m sorry.”

“Where does she work?” Shinki hadn’t gotten another chance to talk to you the last time he’d been here, but he remembers the warmth of your touch and the way you kept smiling at him.

“At the hospital. She’s a poison specialist and cultivates herbs and medicinal plants for them.”

“Oh,” Shinki considers it for a second. “Can we visit her when she’s back from work?”

“I’ll ask her to come around but don’t be disappointed if she doesn’t show up, okay? Her work hours are pretty long.”

Shinki’s familiar with not being disappointed. He thinks he’ll manage.

The day drags on after that. He manages to convince Shikadai to train with him for a while until he gets too tired. Father comes in around Lunch time to sit and eat with him, before disappearing to another meeting with Uncle Shikamaru, leaving Aunt Temari to look after them. He likes Aunt Temari. She never hesitates to give him something to work with, teaching him stuff Father might think him too young to learn.

“Aunty,” he asks, as Shikadai naps yet again and he’s working on his latest embroidery project, “what do you like about Suna?”

She laughs softly. “Where’s that question coming from?”

“I’m not sure, but-”

“Don’t worry,” she picks up Shikadai’s head and drops him in her lap, carding her hand through his hair in a gentle manner that makes his own scalp tingle, longing for the sensation. “I’ll tell you. But it’s a long list.”

Shinki looks up at that.

“There’s the sunset. The sunsets are not the same here. How the night sky is so clear at night, barely any clouds to cover the stars. How you can breathe freely because no trees are blocking your sight. Do you want me to go on?”

He considers it for a second.

“I really like how warm it is,” he answers a question he’d been asked months ago and not by Temari. “as if the sun’s settling in your bones.”

Temari smiles. “You got that right. What else?”

You show up right after Dinner, exhaustion pulling at your body. He can see it in the way you walk, slow steps, back a little hunched.

But you smile at his sight and your smile is just as warm as it was the last time he saw you.

“Hey there,” you wave at him, “how was your day?”

There are a lot of things he wants to tell you. From the question he still needs to answer to the questions he has for you - not to mention the present he’d been working on for weeks at home - but now everyone’s eyes are on him and he can hear his panic in the rustling of his iron sand moving around him.

“I am fine, thank you,” Shinki says stiffly, wishing for himself to be different. Father’s hand rests warmly on his shoulder, no doubt to calm him down. In the time it takes him to gather himself you’ve exchanged pleasantries with the other adults. Father has his arms crossed now, cheeks a little reddish. Did you say something that made him upset, Shinki wonders, looking from the Kazekage and back to you. But no one else seems upset, there’s even a grin playing around Uncle Kankuro’s lips.

“I forgot,” you say, sending him a look and a poorly veiled wink, “I have a present for Shinki at my place. Do you wanna came with me and get it?”

“Can I?” He asks immediately, thinking of the time he’ll get alone with you, able to say some things without being the center of attention. If he plays his cards right he can give you your present too, without anyone watching.

Father hesitates for a second, exchanging looks with Temari before nodding.

“It’s alright. But I want him back here in an hour, is that okay?”

“More than okay. We’re just going to get a plant or too, nothing too serious,” you promise before turning to him. “Do you need to get your bag first?”

You take his hand on the way over, soft warmth in the cool night, listening as he tells you all about Suna, all the things he likes and learned to notice.

“When you walk through some streets,” Shinki recalls fondly, “the sky disappears too. Everything around you is different shades of brown and red and yellow, depending on the minerals used. It’s like in the woods.”

“That sounds mesmerizing,” you point out, a faraway sound to your voice, “I’d love to see that someday.”

Desire tugs on his heart. He could show you around. He could have you and Father and Suna at the same time.

“You could come-” He starts, cutting off for a second. “Visit me, you know?”

Your eyes flicker over and you smile. “I could, couldn’t I? Maybe I will one day when my work allows.”

He squeezes your hand on accident, thinking about that. You squeeze his hand back.

“I made this for you,” he exclaims in the safety of your apartment, after he’s done three trips looking at every single plant there is. There are so many, despite the small space, making it feel more like being in the woods than indoors.

It is a tapestry, barely big enough to cover both your hands. He’s spent weeks agonizing on what to put on it until he decided on something you’d already talked about.

The bloom of Father’s Cacti had been plentiful that month, each blossom a different, vibrant color. 

Now he’s carefully watching your face, not wanting to miss any hints. Do you like it? 

“Oh Shinki,” you breathe out, “it’s marvelous.”

His face blooms with heat.

“Can I hug you?” You ask and he nods, lump in his throat. You pull him in, warm and safe and oh so different from all the other people who have hugged him before - not that there are many. 

Father is tall and strong, and touching him often means touching another layer of protective sand. He’s careful in his approach, giving, but never taking. He smells like Cacti and the dessert and his hair always tickles Shinki’s neck when they hug.

Uncle Kankuro and Aunt Temari hug him quickly if they hug him at all. More often than not they move as if to mess up his hair before deciding against it, offering him their hands to a high five instead. They’re not the cuddliest people, he thinks, and that’s okay.

But hugging you feels like sinking, like being drawn in, like giving and taking. You’re warm and soft, yet sturdy enough to keep him upright, swallowing him whole yet leaving him be. Shinki doesn’t want to let go. 

“You know,” you tell him on the way back, his arms heavy with the two plants he got to pick out, “if you want, we can write to each other. Shikadai mentioned that you wrote him too.”

“Yes, I do,” Shinki nods, “Shikadai knows a lot of words. I like writing him.”

“You know, most children your age don’t know yet how to write,” you muse. “How do you feel about that?”

The question comes out of left field. How does he feel about it?

“What are they doing instead?” He asks, wondering. Are they napping with their parents, like Shikadai? Do they get to play with their friends, like he’s allowed to do when he’s visiting Konoha?

“I’m not sure,” he answers eventually.

“That’s okay. You might figure it out later.”

“How do you feel about it?” He asks, looking up at you. A shadow travels over your face.

“I am very proud to know such an intelligent child,” you tell him, lips pulling into a smile. “And polite, too.”

His lips pull up as well, unable not to smile back at you.

“Are you going to work the whole week?” Shinki asks, shifting the pots in his arms. He’d wanted to carry them himself, but he’s now regretting it. If you’d taken one, he could have held your hand on the way back too.

“Sadly, I do.” Your smile turns into a frown. “I’d love to spend some more time with you. But if it’s not too late for you, I can show up after work, like I did today. If you want, you can show me how you made this embroidery and I’ll teach you how to take care of your new plants.”

“I’d love that,” he admits.

You stay true to your promise, showing up each evening after work.

At first, the grown-ups seem a little confused by your presence, though Shinki wastes no time dragging you into the room he’s sharing with Father and Uncle Kankuro.

“I prepared everything for today’s lesson,” he explains, showing you the fabric, needles, and the different colored strings. “Today I’m teaching you about the different stitches.”

“Do you want something to eat?” Uncle Shikamaru asks from the doorway. “When did you get Dinner?”

“Oh, I’m not that hungry,” you wave him off, smiling when Shikadai settles in your lap without question, eyes closing instantly.

Shinki’s a little peeved that his cousin’s taking up the space in your lap. If he’d be more forward or if his Kekkai Genkai would allow it, he could- but then again…

“How does that look?” You ask, turning your project for him to see. “Is it good, Shinki-Sensei?”

He blushes at the formal title.

“You don’t have to call me that,” he insists, though it feels good. 

“Shinki,” his Father’s now standing in the doorway, dressed in his proper Kazekage uniform, the hat in his hands. “I’m leaving for tonight. Are you going to be okay?”

“Yes,” he gets up and walks over, torn between wanting to properly say goodbye to father and wanting to cherish every minute he gets with you.

Father gently pats his shoulder. “I see, you have company. Don’t stay up too late.”

“I won’t.”

And there it is again, a quick exchange of words between you and Father that ends with a hue of redness tinting his Father’s cheeks. And your face has changed too, your smile different now. 

“Do you like Father?” He asks as soon as the front door has closed behind him. He knows not to ask questions like that with other people listening in.

Your shoulders pull up to your ears.

“What makes you think that?”

“Because you smile when you talk to him.”

“He’s hard not to like, don’t you think?” You ask and Shinki doesn’t know how to answer that, so he falls silent instead.

Shinki likes getting letters, but he likes getting letters from you best.

You usually start answering his questions before you ask him your own, always following up on the important stuff. How he’s settling in, how his experience is with training, how the Cacti are growing… And then, on a separate page, you add information about yet another plant, poisonous or not, that he can add to his collection. He likes your drawings of the plants, the detail you put into making sure that the petals have the correct color so that he can safely identify them in the future.

Sometimes you write Father letters too, though those have no added drawings and he usually reads them in private. They’re not that interesting, Shinki, thinks because you mostly just talk about your day-to-day.

They’re planning their next trip to Konoha when the letter arrives, from Shikamaru this time.

It arrives out of the ordinary, on an otherwise normal Tuesday, and the way Father’s brows furrow has even Uncle Kankuro stop what he’s doing.

“What’s wrong,” Uncle Kankuro asks.

Father says your name and Shinki turns, a weird feeling in his stomach.

“What is it?” He asks.

“Apparently, she’s fallen ill. A surgery was necessary, but her recovery is thwarted by the amount of work that needs to be done. Shikamaru asks if we could take her in for a few weeks, keep her from her work so that she can fully recuperate.”

“Can we, Father?” Shinki asks, mind racing. He’s going to be able to show you Suna, isn’t he?

Father exchanges a look with Uncle Kankuro, who grins and folds his hands behind his head.

“Don’t look at me, Gaara. You’re the one who can’t keep his eyes of her when she’s around.”

Shinki furrows his brows. “Do you suspect her to spy on us, Father?”

“What?” Father turns. “No, nothing like that, Shinki. I-”

“Your Dad likes her,” Uncle Kankuro grins. “Probably as much as you like her, Shinki.”

“So she can come?”

Father sighs. “She can come. But-” He raises his hand. “Don’t overwhelm her. I know you want to show her everything, but first we have to make sure she’s resting.”

Your skin is paler than he remembers, the white of your eyes a sickly yellow. You walk a little hunched and your bags are being carried by another Konoha-Shinobi. Shinki remembers him, the telltale green of his uniform, the thick eyebrows and the bright smile.

“Friend Gaara!” He launches into an excited tale, but Shinki steps to the side, a little unsure on how he’s supposed to be greeting you.

“Can I get a hug?” You ask, sinking to your knees. He nods, dropping himself into your arms. 

You might look a little different, a little worse for wear, but you still feel the same, warm and safe.

“Are you excited to show me Suna?” You whisper into his ear. “I bet Gaara told you that I’m supposed to rest first, right?”

“He did. But you really don’t look good.”

You laugh softly, flinching at the same time. “I’m going to be as good as new in a few days, don’t worry.”

Back at the Kazekage residence Shinki shows you your room.

“You should lie down,” he insists, pulling back the blanket. “My room is right next door if you need anything.”

“Do you wanna lie down with me?” You ask, flinching again as you stretch out on the mattress.”

“Am I allowed to?” He asks, the words slipping out before he can think twice about them.

You blink slowly. “I’m allowing it,” you tell him softly. “But only do it if you’re comfortable with it. You can try and if you don’t like it, I won’t be hurt if you want to leave again. I’m sure you have a lot to do.”

Curious, he slips out of his sandals and under the thin blanket. Your body is warm and it feels like a hug, but different.

“Where did they do surgery?” He asks, turning onto his side a little.

Your eyes are closed but you raise an arm and point at the side of your stomach.

“Here. You want to see the scar?”

“Can I?” 

Instead of answering you pull up your shirt, revealing puckered skin that’s an angry red and hot to the touch.

“I think it’s inflamed,” he points out, a little worried now. 

“That’s probably right. I’m going to rest a bit now and by nightfall, it’s going to be better, I’m sure. I’ve just been on my feet for too long.”

“Okay,” Shinki turns onto his back again, looking up at the ceiling. “Can I stay with you until then?”

“Sure.”

Shinki’s supposed to be in bed, he knows. 

But you’re just a room away and he can’t sleep, skin itching.

So he slips out of bed and out the door, unheard, unseen.

Though, you’re not alone.

He can hear soft voices through the door, both of them familiar.

Father is with you.

For a moment he thinks about stepping through. Sure, Father sent him to bed, but he’s just saying “Good Night” one more time. 

That is, until he hears his name.

“Do you want me to talk to Shinki?” You ask and Shinki freezes, doorknob in his hand.

Talk to him? About what?

“I think that’s my job, is it not?”

“Perhaps, but I can tell you’re having problems with it.”

“I’m not sure if he understands.”

“He’s smart. He will understand.”

Understand what? Shinki shivers, the coldness of the stones around him seeping into his bones.

“Gaara,” you say now, your voice now different from before. It reminds him… it reminds him of Uncle Shikamaru when he calls out to Aunt Temari, that smile on his face that Uncle Kankuro calls lovesick. “Rest. We’ll talk about it in the morning. You’re thinking too much.”

“No one told me that starting a family would be this difficult.”

“It’s not. You’re just making it difficult,” you laugh softly. There’s the whisper of linen. Did Father just slip into bed with you?

Slowly, carefully, Shinki unwraps his hand from the doorknob and takes a step back.

He’s not sure what he just witnessed, just that it’s something of importance.

Father eyes him over the breakfast table.

“You did not sleep much last night,” he concludes. “Do you want to stay home and rest? Keep our guest company?”

“Father,” Shinki swallows around the lump in his throat. If he wants to ask, he needs to ask now, before the rest of the house wakes up. “Did you spend the night… with her?”

Bright red bleeds into Father’s pale cheeks. His eyes widen.

“How-” He takes a deep breath. “You know?”

“I wanted to say Good Night one more time,” Shinki confesses, staring down at the table. “And I overheard.”

“I suppose,” Father sighs softly, “I suppose this is as good time as any. We were talking… We’re considering… What do you think about having a mother?”

-x-

“Mother,” Shinki calls out to you, “Hurry.”

“I’m here, I’m here,” you laugh, catching up to him. “Incoming,” you warn him just seconds before your hand messes up his hair. “It’s just Shikadai.”

“Yes, but he’s been training,” Shinki insists. “And I want to know who of us has gotten better.”

“Ah,” you smile. “I’m sure you’re going to do great. I’m proud of your growth.”

Shinki grumbles something, turning away when you move to mess up his hair even more.

“Stop,” he insists. “I’m not a little child anymore.”

“No, you’re not.” You smile, squinting at the Horizon where the Thunder Train is starting to appear. “But you’re always going to be my favorite son.”

“I’m your only child,” Shinki reminds you, nose curled. He likes being called your favorite, even though he opposes it every time.

“Oh, I don’t know,” you whistle an innocent tune. “That might change, you know?”

Shinki freezes. “Are you saying-”

“No,” you smile, shaking your head. “And if I were, I wouldn’t tell you like that. But what are your thoughts about it? Would you mind?”

He considers it, watching the Thunder Train approaching.

His hand finds yours, squeezing it. You squeeze back, no words needed.

“No,” he announces eventually, just as the Train halts in front of them. “I wouldn’t mind.”

part 2

[dragonsoulage]

What a drag...going shopping with his pretty girl

feat. Shikamaru Nara

Poor Guy, for some occasion you need a new dress, even when his lazy ass wouldn't move, but seeing his girlfriend in a stunning dress could be worth it..

warnings: fluff

Wordcount: 1,4k

Hello world, so since I do my little stuff, here a short glimpse of what it would be like to go shopping with our genius Shikamaru 🤌

English is not my first language and I suck in proof reading lol 👁️👄👁️

Oh he already groaned in frustration when he heard you wanted to go shopping because you was invited to the wedding of your sister.

Shikamaru was already aware that he not only needed to attend the wedding but also going shopping with you. He sat there looking at you with tired dark eyes while he had a toothpick between his lips, watching how you paced around the room while talking to your mom.

With his oh so smart thoughts he tried to get ready like morally to go shopping with you. Not that he disliked it per se but alone the fact that it was a store full of clothes, hours would go byfor you to look for the "perfect" dress, and he just wanted to chill under the clouds.

But as your boyfriend he knew his duties, aware he needed to do it with you  after all why should he pass the option to "decide" what dress suits you the best. When you then hung up on the phone you looked at him, your gaze loving and excited because of the news.

"Not even a little glimpse of motivation huh." You mused out loud when your eyes locked with his. He took out the toothpick from his lips before he stretched his back.

"We both know I won't even stand a chance against the shopping thing or the whole wedding thing." Shikamaru yawned before you stepped closer to him. He sat on the edge of the bed and you placed yourself between his manspread legs. Laying your hands on top of his shoulders gazing down at him.

"You know when it's really thaaaat bad for you I can-" you wanted to tell him when je really would dislike the idea of going to a wedding ceremony or even shopping, he wouldn't have to, after all you was indeed really understanding. One of the things je loved about you. But the clever shinobi interupted you placing his hands on your waist, pulling you just a little closer and looking up into your pretty face, what showed him how concerned you was. You was could smell the faint scent of cigarettes. He wasn't uncomfortable to go, he was just an lazy ass and he knew that. So Shikamaru would do it, for your sake.

"Nah, even I am aware that this is one of those boyfriend duties I need to attend. And I love you even more than my holy sleep or watching clouds. I will get over it." Shika spoke maybe a little grumbly but that was his decision to accompany you in this. You chuckled then and laid a hand on his cheek marvleing at his skin and you found it endearing how knee he just an lazy ass. A handsome and smart lazy ass to be honest.

"Boyfriend duties hm? But fine I won't complain so get ready, baby. We go shopping this weekend. After all I need a new dress." You Said with that little wicked smile and your sarcastic tone. Why you was just an evil but so pretty temptress? Why does he sacraficed his sleep and lazy afternoons just for you? A mircale he probably would never solve.

And the minute you two stepped into a store he straight wanted to go to the dress section, although you seemed to have other plans, you wanted to browse a little through the store, not just to look at what you need but to see what you might want.

"Babe, you look at this clothes, eyeing saying 'this is cute' just to not even take it to the changing room. So where is the point in that?" Shikamaru asked with that irritaed voice, watching you browse through the section. A small smile tugged at your lips before you turned your head around.

"Not everything has to be logical right? I just want to see what I probably would like but mostly can't afford or don't really need. But I still want to look." You tried to explain that, although it was just typical behaviour for you. He shurgged his shoulders continued to walk behind you.

After you was done and took a few dresses to the changing room, Shikamaru sat down on this armchair in front of it, like the typical boyfriend should do. Just waiting for you to present him the dress you tried on. After all it should be fitting for a wedding.

You took some minutes as you stepped out of the cabin. This dress was indeed really good but you kinda looked not really convinced. His eyes ranked you up and down before they settled on your unsatisfyed face. "Whats wrong, babe?" He asked then, before he would give his opinion. The shinobi was a smart man, not saying something wrong before he would clearly knew what was disturbing you.

"Don't know kinda looks...cheap on me like with those rhinestones...I thought it would be cute but it isn't at all." You sighted and then he cocked his head to the side, his eyebrows pulled together before he rested his chin on his oalm. Yeah he wasn't the one for shopping but he would give you feedback when you really wanted it.

"Well cheap is the wrong word, it's not cheap. It just not bringing out the best. You have better dresses at home." His voice collective as he eyed you. Even when this dress wasn't ideal you still was a sight to behold.

After some more dresses were he always looked up and said something to it. Shikamaru sat there looking down to his fingers that fidget with the hem of his vest. Before you stepped out again. And this time it was the perfect dress. Black and long, flattering your figure and curves. Your waist snatched with a slit in the right thigh. Gorgeous. It was just absolutly gorgeous. When he looked at you he runned a hand through his hair, cleared his throat. Just observing you before he made a move with his finger, what means that you should turn around for him.

Even your backside, he indeed liked it really much in general was breathtaking. The usually so composed and lazy shinobi gluped hard, so his adam apple bobbed in his throat.

"What you say? It's a little bold maybe, usually I don't wear this but-" you wanted to start your explanation but before this could get iut of hand he stopped you. Besides the fact that this was indeed stunning on you this was the opportunity to go out of this shop, you found the dress you would need.

"Take it. You Look good, actually more than good. Flattering even." He replied, still his eyes roamed over you. Such a pretty girlfirend, the young man thought to himself.

After you paid for the dress you and Shikamaru walked out. Indeed it had been a while but it was not so long, as what he thought it would be. A small smile tugged at his lips, a smirk perhaps, a smart smirk. As soon as you two were outside again he lit on a cigarette took a drag before looking at you. "You know probably this wedding we need to attend won't be too bad, then I can oggle you the entire time." Hlhe Snickers at his own words. Before you have him, quiet a playful nudge. "Oggle me huh? I will oggle you too, after all we still need to get something you can wear too, Shika." You spoke and he could swear for a moment he saw a devilish grin. But then the realization kicked in he took the cigarette with two fingers out of his mouth.

"What do you mean with for me?" Poor hoy thinking shopping was over, you still needed fitting shoes and besides that he would need a suit. And Shika probably would look so good in it.

"Like how I said it, clever boy. We need a suit or something like that for you. Oh don't give me that look." You teased, patted his cheek.

"For someone who always knows every move I could make and has like battle strategy plans...you should have known that we are not done yet." You said to him with a small giggle. Then you leaned forward placed a cheeky kiss on his lips before you walked further.

"You will be the death of me." Shikamaru meant before he literally didn't have a choice and continued the shopping spree

[animeomegas]

Glad to see your wrist is doing better! ^^ a short and quick one; how do the Naruto boys handle trantrums?

Thank you! <3 Tantrums from their pup? Interesting idea! Let me see~

If their pup was having a tantrum about not getting a toy, or something similar

Bargaining:

Naruto - He hates when his children cry, so he simply can't help but bribe them with things to stop.

"Hey. hey, hey, what if instead of the toy, tonight we can play some video games together, how does that sound, huh?"

Yamato - He basically begs them to stop crying, and when that doesn't work, he offers something that he can give them instead.

"How about I give you a piggy back ride while we shop, do you want that?"

Deferring/giving in:

Sasuke - Panic, panic, panic. If you're there, he defers to you. If you're not, he gives in immediately so that the tears stop.

🚨🚨🚨

Shikamaru - Crying gives him a headache, and he doesn't like having to deal with it when the reason is so bratty. Giving in is the fastest way to get it to stop.

"I will give you 500 ryo to spend on toys if you stop crying now."

Taking them aside and talking them down:

Chouji - He assumes that they're over-stimulated, so he takes them somewhere quiet and let's them cry it out in a hug. Once they're calm, he explains why they can't have the toy, before bringing the pup back into the shop.

"Shh, there's no need for this, calm down."

Gaara - He's a big 'take the pup for a walk' kind of parent. If they have a tantrum, Gaara will take his child by the hand, and walk outside with them. Once they've calmed down, he discusses why they got upset.

"You're okay, I promise."

Removing them from the situation and going home:

Shino - He doesn't not like public tantrums. At. All. If his child starts having a tantrum in public, he is picking them up and bringing them straight home. He can get a bit frustrated if they don't calm down, but once he's at home, he can deal with it better. He probably puts a TV show on for them and sits with them as they calm down.

"We are going home. Why? Because clearly you cannot control yourself today."

Itachi - He takes his pups home too. They're upset, and when pups are upset, they should go home where they feel safe. He carries them home, and puts them in his nest. Once there, he gets them a snack, and they have a cuddle. Itachi will reprimand if it was super bratty, but mainly he comforts.

"We're at home now, it's okay. I think we need a quiet day inside, yes?"

Ignoring them:

Kiba - Kids cry for many reasons, some good, some bad, and Kiba is an expert at knowing which is which. If it's a stupid tantrum, he'll literally ignore them and keep shopping. He probably has loads of other kids with him too, like he can't just leave. So he lets them wail behind him until they've calmed down.

"Wow, this is a nice shop, I'm having a nice time, everything is good."

Haku - Haku also ignores the tantrum, but he spends the whole time talking to his pup as if nothing is wrong. Once they start calming down and answering him, he offers a hug, and then pretends that nothing happened.

"It's such a lovely day today, which kind of weather is your favourite?"

Discipline:

Neji - Neji is going to put the pup on the naughty step. If there's a space to do it in public, then he will. But if not, he'll probably go home to punish them. After one minute per year of age on the naughty step, Neji asks for an apology, and then gives them a hug. He probably does something quiet and lowkey with his child for the rest of the day.

"Why did you get put on the naughty step? I want you to apologise to me."

Iruka - There is also a punishment from him if the tantrum is very bratty. He takes them for a time out/cool down period. If he's in public, he makes the pup just stand against the wall for a few minutes. If they're at home, he has them sit in a room alone until they calm down. After that, he gives them lots of cuddles and tickles until they're smiling again. He might shout if he's already stressed, but he tries not to.

"I told you no, that means no. Stand here and think about what you did."

[sunny-mercya]

Childs Guilt

Shikamaru Nara x Male Reader

Fandom -> Naruto

Masterlist

You hadn't been feeling well these past weeks already—stomach cramps, aching muscles, nagging hammering headaches, nausea, constant fatigue and slight waves of fever—though this week it had gotten visibly worse and once you had coughed out some blood and collapsed right after getting out of bed, Shikamaru had brought you into the hospital right away.

Sakura had checked you over and came to the conclusion, that your already broken seal—with the much heavyweight additional stress of being a parent, which Sakura could relate herself all too well with it—continues, which shouldn't even be happening in the first place, to take more damage and breaking completely down now.

Your body—more like your chakra core and mind, which can't process, without redeeming help of medical jujutsu (with by the current look of your seal, is probably too late to use) or specific sealing techniques—responds with signals of pain, trying to mend this sort of “wound” on its own.

Knowing this, Shikamaru thought he could—albeit it might not be much seen as help—relieve you from some of the stress and do most, if not even all, of the housework chores for the time being till you're feeling remotely better (or finding a way to stop your seal from breaking apart completely).

So here Shikamaru was, sitting at the dining table with his son and waiting—after being forced to do so, albeit grumpy with you about it—for you to serve today's lunch.

Now, don't get him wrong, Shikamaru would have made gladly—without hesitation or shame, most men would feel when being asked to do what their more household staying spouse would do—today's lunch, just so you could stay in bed and getting the needed rest, but you insisted to do lunch yourself (half heartily jokingly threatening him with any of your Oni's—preferably Raikou it would have been).

»I can't just lay in bed all day and do nothing. And no, laundry doesn't count as doing something.« is what you had said to Shikamaru, when he found you—instead of either laying in bed or the couch as you should and how Sakura had advised you to do—standing in the kitchen, hunched over the counters (a visibly tremor in your legs and hands) and preparing lunch.

~~~•~~~

»Here you go, soya sauce chicken katsu!« you announced happily, serving the two plates—your own appetite had significantly gone down in your sick ridden phrase, still is and the few bites you took during the cooking, were more than enough, too much even, for your stomach—to your husband and son.

Shikamaru said his thanks and started to eat, while Shikadai only moved the chicken around on his plate with his chopsticks—looking rather grossed out by it.

»Are you not feeling well Shi?« worry etched across your face as it's one thing if you're sick, but another if your son is—maybe Shikadai had gotten a seasonal cold or a stomach bug is being passed around, perhaps he just feels more tired than usual.

»Don't ask me.« muttered Shikadai, slamming the chopsticks down onto the table.

»Shikadai.« Shikamaru warned his son, giving an admonitory glance.

Shikamaru—in contrast to your knowledge—knows from his friends firsthand, that most of their children (Boruto and Sarada specifically) seemed to be getting more and more into a angry rebellious mood against them—and now Shikadai, for whatever reasons, as well it seems.

»Stop acting as if you're my dad.«

»What do you mean?« your worry turned in confusion, not understanding what exactly Shikadai is trying to say here and why he's getting so heated.

»You're not my papa and neither are you a supposed mother! All you are is a Monster, which shouldn't even exist!«

You remain silent, a crestfallen expression of hurt etched onto your face, because you knew you're a monster—having called yourself that a few times, even with a slight proudness just to provoke and to make Naruto (one of your closest friends) not feel alone anymore—but it's something entirely different when your own son (or any other person you love and hold dear) calls you such as it equals—akin to a heartache—to a stab into the heart.

»Shikadai! That's enough!« Shikamaru raised his voice—never thought he ever needed to with his son—disapproval sternness in it, because such outbursting outrageous behaviour—towards you—was line crossing and not acceptable.

»I hate you! I hate you!«

Shikadai was shouting—the hatred crystal clear to hear in his voice—by now at this point, chair screeching backwards—falling back with a thud onto the floor—when he stood up abruptly, running out of the kitchen and slamming some doors—either the front door itself or the one towards the garden—shut.

Shikamaru, standing up as well—who, even now as a parent, had never been one for strictness or tight enclosed rules—had half a mind to follow his son and reprimanded him that such behaviour wasn't acceptable as it certainly crossed a line—and while there a things, hurtful words, which a Parent should never dared to utter to their child, so are there words a child should never say to their parents.

But Shikamaru didn't go after his son, not when you have called out for him in a hoarse whisper—cup of (f.drink) slipping from your already shaky hands and shattering down onto the ground into million shards.

Turning to you, the once disappointing up-flaring anger vanish right away and morphed into concern upon seeing your pale sweat glistening face and the way how you clutched your stomach—Shikamaru, with a few steps towards you, puts his arms around you in support and walks you into the living room towards the couch.

~~~•~~~

»......something is wrong....« you rasped out in pain, fearing yourself for the worst already—a lingering sense crawling through your mind of what's happening to you and it's one of the few things which sparked pure terrific fear in you.

»Let me have a look.« Shikamaru raised up your shirt—being thankful that you wore much easier clothing nowadays and not the complicated traditional clothes—and coming to an unpleasant sight.

Your stomach, where the seal of the Oni Demons had once been placed—as you're, through all these years and despite the Oni's being long counted as friends and family, still a Vessel—looked bloody raw, skin tearing itself apart and the sealing marks coming off in a purple stream.

»Shika.....I'm scared.....I–I don't want to lose them, not again....Please, Shika, please don't let me lose them.« tears welled up in your eyes, the fear—which pulls Shikamarus heartstrings in an ache—visibly pooling in them, ascending down your cheeks and upcoming sobs—which bubbles up in your throat—threaten to escape over your lips.

Shikamaru as he shushes you gently, telling you in a promise—believing, although with not much faith in it, your husband as he had barley broken a promise before—that everything will be alright again and how he will do everything possible to not let you lose Raikou and the others—rubs his hand, in a careful and comforting manner, over your stomach.

»C'mon, let's get you back to bed, love.« Shikamaru picks you up and carries you into the bedroom—laying you down onto the bed, pulling him down with you as well, having a tight grip on his shirt.

And Shikamaru let you, holding you close while you cried yourself into sleep—squirming in pain and berating yourself, for something you weren't at faults even.

~~~•~~~

It had been days later—when Konoha had been evacuated, after being attacked by some cult Ninjas (close to being a second Akatsuki group) and either leading almost all possible Shinobi's, with a false lead, away from the village or locking them into a Genjujutsu—that Shikadai started to regret.

Seeing you—his Papa—getting purposely stabbed by the enemy, in order to protect him and Inojin—while telling Konohamaru and Mirai (despite them saying you shouldn't fight as you're still not recovered) to stay with them in protection, while you took care (in your words) of that fucker—sparked a flame of crashing guilt in Shikadai.

Shikadai argued with his Uncle—after the enemy had admitted that they're actually after you and your Oni's and seeing how brutal the attacks (which sends you crashing into the ground a few times already) you're receiving are—how he needs to help his papa and starting to cry out in frustration, anger and fear, when Konohamaru holds him back.

They don't understand, they just don't seem to understand the immense guilt and fear Shikadai feels, because this fight could risk your life and Shikadai didn't want to lose his Papa—not when these hateful words he had shouted at you, would be your last memories of him.

What Shikadai had said, wasn't true—you're aren't a monster, but it took the summoning of Raikou and the other three Oni's (who not only grand him sole protection, but also the whole village and Shikadai realise the extent of how strong you really are) and you literally sacrificing yourself—out of loyalty and parental love—to make Shikadai understand.

All Shikadai wants was to apologise and telling you, how much he loves you and how thankful he is to have you as his Papa.

I'm Sorry.

[kakashixhatakesxwhore]

An Extended Sesh

Pairing: Nara Shikamaru x f!Reader

Summary: Smoking With Shikamaru (fic version). Our lovely reader is going out to her weekly sesh with her pals, but there are a few things about this week that differ from the last.

W/c: 4.4k

Warnings: Fluff. Oui'd. Mary Jo. Reefer. Pot. Cannabis. Shikamaru's got a bit of a dirty mind, but we're all over 18 (RIGHT?), we can take it.

Notes: teehee, i'm a slut for thc and shikamaru - lmk how y'all feel, i implore you - also this fic works as a part 2 if anyone wants a smuttier extension.

Masterlist💿

That smell of the rubbing alcohol as it broke down the thick, black resin that coated your favourite bong permeated the air, putrid and clinging to every inch of your sinus. The down stem and bowl piece were off to the side, soaking in salt and more rubbing alcohol inside of a tied up bag. Gagging, you shook your bong, covering the lip and the mouthpiece.

Nothing was more disgusting. But you had to do it. Not for yourself, you would've been happy just poking holes through the down stem.

It was for that fucking prick.

He always brought his piece to seshes, but lately he'd been bitching about how much of a drag it was to be the only valuable member of the sesh. In all fairness, everyone bought their leaf off of him and you were the only other person in the village to have glass to smoke out of. But that was how you could tell his gripes were targeted.

So, you had to volunteer to bring your piece this week. And, of course, that prick teased you and said that your bong was probably made of glass thinner than a bottle. Like you only had one.

Before he had said that, you had thought to bring Calissa - your thinnest, cheapest bong. But, fuck, the look on his smug, dreamy face, if he were right- you had to bring out the big guns.

Big Bertha was your second-pick, she was a much thicker glass and had strips of crystals blown into her neck. But she was small, and you hated her down stem. Plus, Talia was the prettiest of all - you had to impress Shikamaru.

Letting your chosen piece soak for a second in the bath tub, you moved to shake the bag that the down stem and bowl piece were in. The liquid turned murky as soon as you moved it and you sighed - you thanked the stars for giving you the foresight to scrape them first. You rinsed them out a few times then moved to your bong, that you knew would blow that prick out of the water.

"Alright, Talia," you said to your favourite piece as you dumped the alcohol out of her lip. "Rinse, swish, repeat, then we're outta here."

Once you were finished, you put her down stem and bowl piece back, then wrapped the gorgeous bong in a fluffy towel. It was Talia's designated towel. Her black and gold design stood stark against the white fuzz of the blanket, making you smile a bit as you rolled a corner of the blanket and stuffed it down her neck. You rolled her in the blanket and put her in your bag, the neck peeking out just a tad.

With a deep breath, you threw your grinder, your wallet, a packet of tobacco, and rolling papers into your bag. In the last second, you grabbed one of your nicer decks of cards, just in case, and just to further your position as a valuable member of the sesh.

You left your shabby apartment to meet everyone at the Eastern tree line, just South of Nara Forest.

Standing around was such a drag. Leave it to Kiba to be the one holding everyone up.

"Let's just go, he'll be able to smell us," Choji groaned. Shikamaru had been thinking similarly, but knew he was right in his decision to keep it inside when your frowned deeply.

Mirroring your expression, Ino chided, "That's rude, Choji. Could you imagine how you'd feel if we left you to find us?"

"I'd be fine! I would want you guys to start without me, if I was going to be so inconsiderately late," he argued, crossing his arms.

"We'll wait another minute," Shikamaru interjected derisively. "Kiba will be able to find us."

Though he thought you would be happy with the compromise, you rolled your eyes and went back to talking to Ino and Tenten. Your smile grew as you spoke to them, and Shikamaru watched you gesticulate strangely. The women laughed loudly, and you seemed happy their reactions, until you looked at Shikamaru.

Your eyes glinted with an edge, and your smile faltered for a breath. Quickly, you looked back at Tenten and Ino as they held each other, giggling.

"What's so funny?" Shikamaru asked, trying to seem as casual as possible, striding up to your small group, ignoring the conversation Choji and Shino were trying to loop him into.

"Oh, Y/n was telling us about-" Tenten began, still chuckling.

"Nothing important," you interrupted. The way you avoided his eye piqued his interest.

Ino pushed your shoulder a little and giggled, "We'd leave out the important bits."

"You can't do this to me, Smokey," Shikamaru teased you. Just like he wanted, your eyes snapped to his and he got to see that beautiful bite behind your gaze. He grinned, "C'mon, I know you want to tell me."

Eye twitching, you answered, "Don't call me that."

"Why not, Smokey Bear?"

Oh, you got so deliciously upset every time Shikamaru teased you. He loved poking the proverbial bear, if only to see how your eyes tore him up. You couldn't have been more obvious; he riled you up, and you loved it just as much as he did.

Not taking his bait, you answered his first question, "I was telling the girls about how I spent two whole hours cleaning my bong, because you're such a prick."

Maybe he was hearing things.

"Sounds to me like you put in effort, just to impress me," he asserted confidently, even though he was crumbling on the inside.

Beside you, Tenten and Ino giggled, and Ino leaned into whisper something in your ear, covering her mouth. The three of you got into a whispered conversation, peppered with giggles and scoffs. Shikamaru took a step to the side to digest... your words. Your tone.

Such a prick.

A prick, sure, but such a prick? That seemed unreasonable. How could you think that? Was it the teasing? Shikamaru was in a slight panic, he had always teased you. For years.

"I'm here! I'm here!"

"About fuckin' time!" Choji exclaimed as Kiba ran up to the group. "What took you so long?"

"Akamaru was having an issue with one of Hana's ninken," he explained, trying to catch his breath. Kiba inhaled deeply then smiled at everyone, sparing your group of girls an extra second. "I hope I didn't make you guys wait too long."

"No, no," Ino said kindly, moving to stand nearer to Kiba.

"Yeah, we like watching grass grow," you joked, coming behind the two of them to stand on the other side of Kiba.

Seemly jealous of how closely you and Ino were standing by Kiba, Tenten went to him and took his hand. Kiba looked around at the three women that surrounded him and smiled so broadly that all of his teeth were on display.

Tenten pulled him to her side and started flirting in earnest while taking him into the forest. You walked beside Tenten while Ino walked on the other side of Kiba. His head bounced around to the three of you, clearly getting torn in three different directions.

"I hate him," Shino grumbled.

"Me too," Choji agreed.

"Hatred is an illness," Shikamaru said, beginning to walk into the forest as well.

"Yeah, don't act like you're not one of the afflicted," Choji chided as he and Shino came up on either side of Shikamaru. "We all saw that face you had on after Y/n walked up to Kiba."

"You do psychoanalysis now?"

"Even my bugs saw it," Shino added.

Shikamaru sighed, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his sweat pants. He watched you intensely as you took your bag off your shoulder and gave it to Kiba, thanking him.

Fuck, Shikamaru should've been the one to take your bag. It did look heavy. Maybe he was a prick.

"Perhaps I should sit on this until we're alone-"

"It's not like they're listening," Shikamaru pointed out, immediately interested in what Shino had to say.

"Well," he started, much quieter. Choji leaned over Shikamaru and even Shikamaru leaned in, terribly curious. "I was talking to Kiba the other day at the izakaya... and he said if he were to make a move on one of the girls, it'd be Y/n."

"Grand."

"If he were to, or is he planning to?" Choji asked.

"He's planning on it, if you-" Shino's index found itself in the center of Shikamaru's chest. "-don't step up to bat, soon."

Fuck. And you definitely didn't think Kiba was a prick.

It wasn't even a question in his mind; Shikamaru had to change your opinion of him. As soon as possible.

"Would you rather have sex with a being that has the Fifth Hokage's body and the Third Hokage's head - or... rethatch the entire Academy building?"

"That's disgusting, Kiba!"

"Can I close my eyes in the Fifth-Third situation?" You asked across the circle.

"Nope, eye contact is necessary," Kiba confirmed with a devilish grin. He looked over at Ino pointedly and added, "At least someone understands that we're playing a hypothetical game."

"Okay, who's neck does the being have?" Shikamaru asked, his voice so deep, you could feel the vibration while sitting beside him.

The question made you snicker wildly, having to look away for a second. Kiba repeated, "Neck?"

"Yeah, where's the cut-off," Shikamaru clarified.

You looked back at him and he was smiling so softly that it made you nervous. Cripes, such handsome men were always nerve-wracking. What was he planning?

Shikamaru cleared his throat, looking to Kiba. He shrugged, "It's a fair question."

"Hiruzen-neck," Kiba decided.

"Yeah, give me the roof," the black haired boy yucked. "No amount of tit could distract me from that turkey neck."

As you laughed at his decision, Ino chastised Shikamaru and Kiba for speaking about the Hokages so lewdly. It just made you laugh harder as Tenten blew out her stale smoke.

"I'd say," she coughed. "Give me the being."

"Me too," you agreed with a soft laugh, taking Talia from her. You took up the bowl piece and Shikamaru passed you his grinder before you could pick up yours. You took it hesitantly. "...Thank you."

"No problem," he replied cheerily.

Quickly, you packed a horrifically small bowl and tried to gave him back his grinder.

Shikamaru smiled at you, eyes crinkling so sweetly, as he pushed the grinder back to you. With a beautiful lilt, he chuckled, "Are we rationing?"

"You pack it for me then," you sighed, feeling a little anxious. "I don't want to steal all your weed."

"You could if you wanted to," Shikamaru told you as he took the bowl piece and the grinder from you. By blessing of his grinder being so large, he literally dipped the bowl into the shredded weed and scooped up a lung-buster. With that same sweet smile, he slotted the bowl piece into the down stem and looked deeply into your eyes. "Think you can take it?"

"Y-yeah, I can take it," you exhaled. You snapped back into reality, shaking your head quickly and looking away.

The man sitting beside you couldn't take his eyes off of you as you toked, and your thoughts began bouncing off the walls of your mind.

Oh, something was wrong. Something was off, something had happened.

You just didn't know what.

All you knew was that Shikamaru was suddenly acting all sweet with you.

First, he insisted that he sit with you and Tenten, to help you with Talia. Then, he couldn't stop complimenting Talia. Sure, she was a beautiful piece, but he didn't even make one snide comment, even when you fucking prompted him.

Worse yet, when everyone pooled their money to give to him, Shikamaru had slipped fifty yen back into your pocket without anyone but you noticing. You had tried to give it back, but he argued, and told you that he had overcharged you last week.

What sealed the deal for you was the fact that he wasn't letting you touch your own weed, only his. And no one got to smoke from Shikamaru's personal stash. Ever.

"Everything okay, Smokey?" Shikamaru asked you quietly, everyone else talking about the would you rather question Kiba had posed.

You looked around and remarked how inebriated your friends were. They could never match your tolerance, but Shikamaru could give you a run for your money.

He nudged you, moving a bit closer on the fallen tree that you, he and Tenten were using as a bench. When you looked into his eyes, that glint that boiled your blood was absent, and the corners of his eyes drooped a bit, making Shikamaru look so... kind.

"What's up with you?" You asked finally.

"Me?" He asked, smiling wide. Shikamaru put his hand on his chest and shook his head. "I'm alright, thanks for asking."

"No, you fucking prick," you said. Shikamaru's smile dropped in an instant, where he normally would have laughed. You pointed and asked, "That... why aren't you being my friend right now?"

He seemed at a loss for words. Shaking his head, much more seriously, Shikamaru stuttered, "I- I am... I am your friend. Right?"

"Yeah," you nodded. "You're my friend. So where are the jabs, the taunts? You're so mean, all the time, and it's disconcerting to see you be so nice."

Shikamaru looked down, studying the forest floor. You looked around briefly before you cleared out your stale and passed Talia to Shikamaru.

"Is it Tenten?" You whispered into his ear. Shikamaru gave you a cut eye and you leaned back, nodding. He probably just wanted to make a good impression on her without directly flirting with her. That was fair. Tenten was so pretty. "Okay, I'll keep your secret."

"That's not it," he mumbled, probably thinking of something to deter you from the right track.

"Then what is it?"

Shikamaru looked at you, more emotion on his face than you had ever seen before. And it broke your heart, because he looked so sad.

"Do you wanna know?" He asked. You nodded, and Shikamaru's lip quirked a tad. "Do you really wanna know?" You nodded again. "Do you really really wanna know?"

"Yes, damnit, tell me."

"No," he smirked.

You groaned. What a fucking prick. You knew he was stalling, coming up with something to hide his attraction to Tenten. Stars, he got under your skin so easily, it was like he lived there.

"Let's smoke together, later, just the two of us, and I'll tell you then."

He should invite Tenten to sesh, if he likes her so much, you thought bitterly. You narrowed your eyes at him, but nodded slowly. "Alright, you're on then."

He'd never been so nervous. Never, not once in his life. Jittery, that would have been a great way to describe it. He was absolutely shaking with anticipation. Shikamaru couldn't wait to shake off the others, just to get you alone.

Shino, high as a kite, with a cloud of bugs around him, hung off of Shikamaru's neck as the group made it's way back to the village, walking from the plot of forest just South of the gorgeous Nara woods, then through the Nara compound. Everyone definitely smelled a little, but Shikamaru had brought peppermint oil to mask it. None of his relatives paid his group any real attention, nothing more than a passing glance.

"Let me braid your hair, Y/n," Ino whined at you, running her fingers through your locks.

"It's too short," you weakly argued.

Tenten scoffed on your other side, playing with the ends of your hair, "Shut up."

"Would you let me braid your hair, Y/n?" Kiba asked.

The three of you, having been walking in front, slowed and looked back at the four boys. Shikamaru, not wanting to see how you would smile at Kiba and agree, looked off to one of his aunt's houses.

"Fuck no," you scoffed. Shikamaru looked at you, trying to conceal his joy at your genuinely put-off expression. "Can you even braid hair, Kiba, or are you just putting me on?"

"Ah, I could always learn for you," he flirted.

"I know how to braid," Shikamaru lied. Your eyes shifted to him and softened. Yes.

"What kinds of braids?" You asked. No.

"I- er, the regular one?" Shit, he didn't know there would be a quiz. He thought about his mother, her strange braids, and added, "And... the fish braid?"

"You can fishtail braid?" Tenten questioned, completely disbelieving.

"Like fuck he can," Kiba laughed.

"Show us, Shikamaru!" Ino prompted him.

Fuck sake.

No, he couldn't come clean. He could figure out how to braid right now, with an audience, in front of the woman he'd been pining after for years, even if it seemed like a hard braid. Yeah, sure. Good stars, he needed a miracle.

"Alright, then, I need a model," he said as smugly as possible, looking at you. "Smokey...?"

"Well, this, I have to see," you said, shifting your bag on your shoulder as you walked to a bench on the side of the road.

Shit, he wasn't supposed to let you carry that back. He already neglected to help you with it the first time. Shikamaru was going to carry it back for you, but he took one toke too many to remember, before he was reminded. Cripes, he really was a prick, wasn't he?

Shikamaru stood behind you, sitting Shino down beside you, as Choji and Kiba crowded around him and the girls sat on your other side. Tenten started telling him, "Fishtail is four sections, not-"

"Don't tell him!" Choji cut her off.

Tenten crossed her arms and started watching with everybody as Shikamaru stared at your gorgeous, shining hair. It caught the sun so nicely, it was almost distracting. Slowly, he brought his hands to your hair, gently pulling out a few knots.

"You can be a bit rougher, if you want. I can take it," you said.

Shikamaru bit his tongue and shook his head, though you couldn't see him. Rougher, maybe in the bedroom. Oh, that'd be the day, when he would feel your silken hair and hear you say those same words, but in such a different context.

As carefully and precisely as he could, Shikamaru divided your hair into four sections, like Tenten had said.

Then came the hard part. He hadn't much of a clue what to do.

Well, a braid was just a series of woven plaits, right?

He took the furthest right section and brought it over the center two, then repeated the action with the left. Yeah, okay, that didn't look wrong. Shikamaru pulled it tighter then repeated it, moving the new furthest right second over the two in the middle, then the left. He tightened it, then again, right over two, left over two.

Shit, this wasn't hard at all.

"I should've put money on this," Shikamaru murmured as he neared the ends of your hair.

"I want to put money on the chance that you just learned that on the fly," Tenten laughed, voice full of praise.

Which only made Ino swoon, "Even if he did..."

"Man, I hate you," Kiba said.

There was no music as triumphant to Shikamaru's ear.

But, no one's opinion mattered but yours. As Shikamaru laid the braid over your shoulder, having gone down as far as he could without his fingers fumbling around, he waited with bated breath as you examined it. Seeing you wrap a hair elastic from your wrist around the end made Shikamaru's heart pound in his chest. You ran your fingers up the center, then started pulling at the sides near the top.

Fuck, you hated it.

"What's wrong with it?" Shikamaru asked quickly.

"Nothing," you giggled. Despite your answer, you kept pulling it the braid that Shikamaru was shaking over. "It's really tight, Shikamaru, you did a really good job on this."

He was going to cry. Right in the middle of the Nara compound, in the midst of all of his friends, in front of all of his family.

That sentence alone was like winning the lottery.

"Bet I could do better," Kiba said, trying to steal Shikamaru's moment.

"Well, not on my head, I'm never taking this out," you said to Kiba, standing up from the bench. Shikamaru contained himself, biting his tongue hard enough to draw blood. Tenten and Ino both shared your refusal, already having their hair done-up.

The group started moving again, though the order had gotten strange. Kiba and Ino occupied the front, trailed by you and Shino, having been the one to pick him back up, while Choji, Tenten and Shikamaru held the end. Shikamaru was walking right behind you, watching the way your braid- his braid bopped around as you moved.

It was all Shikamaru could do to not steal you away and leave the group. You said you would smoke with him later. Later was now. Shikamaru needed later to be now.

Finally, you gave Shino to Tenten and the two of them peeled away from the group, going in the direction of their neighbourhoods. Choji popped off next, in the direction of the Akimichi compound, and Ino left in the other direction, to the Yamanaka compound.

It left just you, Shikamaru, and Kiba.

"I'm going down to Imanishi in a bit, Y/n," Kiba started boldly. "I'd love it if you came with me."

"Not tonight," you said with a smile. "Shikamaru and I are hanging out."

Kiba looked at Shikamaru over your head. His eyebrow cocked and Shikamaru dipped his head a little, making Kiba smile, but his eyes drooped ever so slightly. He got the message.

"Ah, don't worry about it," he said, speeding up a little. Kiba turned and waved at you and Shikamaru, before saying, much to Shikamaru's chagrin, "If anything ever falls through, you'll know where to find me."

"Whatever you say," you sang, shaking your head with the smallest smile.

Shikamaru gave Kiba a quick two finger salute as he turned back around, continuing on his merry way. Alone at last, Shikamaru took a deep breath, basking in the notes of your fragrance the held in the air around him.

"Your place or mine?"

"My bed's bigger," he murmured, not thinking. Shikamaru's eyes widened as your eyebrows shot up. "I mean for sitting on. Or we could smoke in my living room. My bed doesn't even matter, what?"

"So, your place then."

"Yeah."

"Cool."

"On particularly romantic evenings of self, I go salsa dancing with my confusion," you stated, twirling around Shikamaru's open living room.

"And, do answers ever dip you?" He asked, standing from the navy blue couch slowly.

Pattering over with the softest steps, you opened you arms to Shikamaru and he took you in his. He whisked you around the room as if the two of you were standing atop a cloud, though the cold hardwood was tingling your toes. Your eyelids felt heavier as you looked up at him, smiling down at you so gently that you were sure he wasn't aware of the smile.

"Sometimes," you replied. Shikamaru spun you gracefully from the three step, then caught you. He dipped you back lowly, his thick forearm flush to your back, and you giggle, "But they're never real."

"I am," he murmured, pulling you back to your feet. "This is."

"Mhm," you hummed, taking his hand and twirling yourself.

Shikamaru smiled, taking a step to the window while letting his fingers linger, interlocked with yours. When he finally let go, your fingers snapped. Cripes, how could this possibly be real?

"In what flavour does your confusion come?" Shikamaru asked as he sat on the tuffet in front of the window, getting the dab rig ready.

"Rocky Road is my favourite," you answered, your first few dabs clouding the part of your mind that contended with metaphors, sitting on the ground in front of him. "Rum Raisin is pretty good too... ooh, and Pralines and Cream. Mm, can't go wrong."

"Grandmama? Is that you?" He laughed, igniting the torch.

You rolled your eyes but couldn't suppress your laugh as you laid back on the hardwood. Looking at his popcorn ceiling, you sighed, "No one is as big of a hater as you, Shikamaru."

"You should hear what I keep inside," he snorted as he moved the flame around the banger.

"I should, you're right," you said, sitting right back up. Shikamaru smirked at you, eyes glinting playfully, making you feel so warm and welcomed. You grinned, "C'mon then, I know you wanna tell me."

"Do you really think I'm a prick?" He asked suddenly.

You shook your head and shrugged, "Only playfully. Like, I'd trust you to hold my baby, if I had one, but I wouldn't trust you to not draw on my face if I fell asleep first at a party."

"Alright," he nodded, seemingly relieved. "I can't fault you. I'd write my name across your forehead, for sure."

"Cripes, you wanna brand me?" You asked, laughing. Shikamaru bit back a smile, shaking his head and looking at the glass as it started to turn red. You hummed, "That can't be it, I always call you a prick. Tell me what else is inside that big, beautiful brain of yours."

"If this dab goes alright, maybe."

Shikamaru clicked off the torch and quickly gathered up the small pot of butter concentrate the two of you were using. He collected a sizeable pearl and you scoffed, "You plan on keeping your secrets, huh?"

"Just watch the master, sweetheart," he cooed condescendingly.

If you hadn't been so high, that would've sent you on some convoluted diatribe about how mean and prick-ish Shikamaru was. But, as it stood, you had no desire to say anything like that to him. You had no idea how fucking amazing being alone with Shikamaru would be. You had an inkling, but you couldn't have imagined how happy you would be in the moment.

Your previous notion of Tenten being the one he wanted wasn't even a flicker in your mind. That was stupid, wasn't it? Shikamaru wouldn't do all this, just to impress your friend. No, he was trying to impress you.

"Okay, now that I have the floor," you said as Shikamaru started to smoke. He looked at you, lips attached to the dab rig, and quirked his brow. You smiled and continued, "There's totally something up with you. You're being so sweet, and it's not like you're not a good person, or anything like that, but you've got me thinking things that are probably so far from the truth-"

"Like what?" He wheezed, mid-toke, blowing out the first round of smoke before going back to the rig.

You scratched the back of your neck, looking away to one of Shikamaru's book shelves. "Well, y'know, like... you like me. Like, wanna-kiss-me kind of like me."

Shikamaru's face flamed red as he exhaled the second round. You watched as he prolonged his toke, trying to put off his answer.

But he couldn't run out the clock on this one. Putting the dab rig down, Shikamaru looked at you tentatively and asserted slowly,

"I... do... want to kiss you. I've... liked you for... years."

"Well, then..."

"Yeah?"

"Don't be a prick about it," you laughed. "Kiss me."

[virtualcarrot]

[KKIR] Not!fic wherein someone has an itch to scratch but the nature of that itch causes misunderstandings

Kakashi hadn't quite realized, before becoming Hokage, the full extent of paperwork involved. Files keep landing on his desk no matter how many he sends away, in a never ending dance that he'd very much like a break from.

Which is why, when Shikamaru walks back with the folder he was supposed to have gone and filed, Kakashi furrows his brows.

"I thought we were done with that."

For someone so unflappable, Shikamaru looks unusually flushed.

"We are," he replies with something tense at the back of his voice.

"Then why's it still here?"

"Ah. It's no bother, I'll file it later."

Shikamaru must be really out of sorts if he thinks Kakashi will buy that excuse, especially from someone commonly known to think everything is, in fact, some form of bothersome.

Kakashi steeples his fingers and leans back in his seat, eyes deceptively mild. He waits.

It doesn't take long.

"The filing room is… occupied," Shikamaru says slowly, shifting his weight.

"I'm sure it's big enough that you can still maneuver around the cabinets."

"No you don't--It's. Iruka-sensei was there, and he sounded… busy."

Kakashi frowns. "Iruka-sensei's a professional. He wouldn't stop you from doing your job."

"That's not--Iruka-sensei was busy. With someone else."

Kakashi blinks. "So wha--oh. Oh." He clears his throat. "Are you sure?" he asks, because it's very out of character.

But what does he know, after all. Are they even friends, when Iruka keeps shying from his touch and avoids holding his gaze and flushes in discomfort whenever they're too long together in the same room? Probably not.

"I didn't see anything but the noises were… Yeah." Shikamaru trails off awkwardly.

No point wasting more time on this, then. It's not like Kakashi doesn't have other things to do. He's a busy man.

He stands up and holds out his hand.

"I'll file it."

-

"To the left, press th--nghhh, fuck," Iruka's voice grunts from inside.

It's breathless and a little pained and ends up on a cut off groan. Kakashi goes still as a statue, feeling himself shrivel on the inside.

"I'm done," a woman's voice asks from the inside. "You good?"

"Yeah, I'm good," Iruka replies, not entirely relaxed.

"You sure? You don't sound like it. I can keep going if you want."

There's movement, the shift of a chair or a table, the heavy rustling of shinobi gear. The voices move about the room.

"Nah. I don't want to impose more."

"It's not like it's a hardship," she says, closer to the door. "I mean, the view isn't bad."

"A-hah," Iruka says wrily.

"No but really, you can't go on like this. Go see a PT."

The handle turns.

"What, so they can suspend me? No wa--Kakashi-san!"

"Hokage-sama!"

The two chuunin screech to a halt, bumping into each other with a badly hidden wince from Iruka. His clothes aren't quite rumpled but his chuunin vest is open, and fine loose hairs fall over his headband.

Kakashi gives them an awkward little wave.

"Hi."

-

(follows a comedy of double speak, pining, a long-suffering coworker/friend who was just lending a hand and wants nothing to do with the whole drama, and culminates in workaholic Umino Getting-A-Hugeass-Fuma-Shuriken-To-The-Back-Has-Consequences Iruka finally going to a physio over ten years after the fact)

(you'll pry chronic backpain Iruka from my dead, dead hands)

[clementinesandwine]

Jealous Kiba

I have absolutely been slacking on writing any fics, and this isnt my normal content, but I have been thirsting for Kiba recently. So obviously, I have to write this 5.3K word filth :)

✧˖ ° includes~ seemingly modern au, established friendship, nsfw, jealous Kiba, praise kink, choking, dom!kiba, sub!reader, biting, scratching, hair pulling, honorifics, reader called good girl etc.

You all gathered at Sakura’s apartment for her small birthday celebration. She had finally turned 21, the house smelling of booze and excitement, Kiba noted. He was stone-cold sober, having driven himself here, and not as happy as everyone around.

Kiba watched stealthily from his spot on the couch as you stood next to the pony-tailed idiot. Now he had nothing against Shikamaru, it's just that he was standing too close for comfort and he missed when you would stand that close to him, even if you and him had only been friends. You guys used to hang out every day, but recently Kiba noticed you distancing yourself. Probably because you were buddy buddy with Shaikamaru. God, Kiba could practically smell the jealousy on himself. He had no right to really be mad, having never confessed his feelings to you, but still, had all your days together meant nothing? Now you’re outwardly flirting with one of his friends?

You threw your head back, laughing. Kiba noticed the way you placed your hand on Shikamaru’s shoulder, slightly pushing him away. He knew Shikamaru wasn’t that fucking funny, so why the hell were you laughing so hard? Kiba watches as you lean in and give Shikamaru a hug, figuring you were getting ready to leave. He couldn’t help but notice the way Shikamaru held you, one arm on your waist, the gentle rub of his hand on the back of your head as you pressed flush against his chest. Kiba could have torn him apart at that moment, but he calmed himself. He could never cause a scene like that, but if Kiba ever sensed discomfort from you, he would be by your side in an instant. No matter who the person was, if they made you uncomfortable, Kiba was there.

He got up, flattening out his army green hoodie, and walked over to you.

“Hey (Y/N), you heading home for the night?” He asks you.

You jump, a little startled and a little nervous. You had missed Kiba, but distancing yourself was the only way you thought you could get over this stupid crush. You and him had been friends for years, you couldn’t ruin it over some silly feelings. But fuck, did he look good in green, the long sleeves of his hoodie pushed up giving you full view of his muscular forearms.

“Oh, yeah, I’m ready to hit my bed. Just gotta say bye to Sakura and thank her for inviting me,” you respond, looking up into his eyes. He towered over you.

“Let me drive you home then, you’ve been drinking, no?”

“Only like, two. You know I don’t drink like that. I’m fine to walk home, Kib,” you say.

“Well, you know I could never let a pretty girl like you walk home alone at night,” he starts, mimicking you. “Plus, I miss your stupid face,” He says, one hand on the back of his neck.

“Wow,” you say jokingly. “I don’t know if I should be offended or flattered with that two in one combo.”

Your laugh calms his nerves. “Oh come on, I can’t just be giving out compliments, (Y/N). But, you can take it however you want,” he says, flashing his canines.

“I take it you won’t have no for an answer, so I’ll meet you at the front door, hm?” You question, looking at him with doe eyes.

He swears his knees almost buckle with you looking at him like that. Faking innocence. Kiba nods his head like an excited puppy and makes his way to the door.

When you’re done saying bye to everyone, you walk over to the front door. You spot Kiba standing there, rocking on his heels. His hands were stuck in his jean pockets, head down, his scruffy hair falling a bit into his face. He looked so good.

“I’m ready,” you say simply, trying to collect yourself.

He gives you a look up and down, brows furrowed. “Where’s your jacket?”

“Oh, I didn’t bring one,” you say with a smile.

“Tsk, tsk. (Y/N), you know what kind of man I am. Did you really think I was gonna let you walk outside in that little dress with no jacket?” He begins to pull off his hoodie. His black T-shirt underneath lifts along with it, giving you a full view of his toned abs. You can’t help but squeeze your legs together, knowing if you put that hoodie on, the smell of him so close would drive you nuts.

“Kiba I’ll be-” you start, but are cut off by him shoving the sweater into your chest.

“No buts. Put the sweater on please,” Kiba says. You do as you’re told, the sweater falling slightly below your bottom. Almost the length of the white dress you were wearing. “There,” he says. “Much better.”

While you walk to the car, Kiba keeps the doors locked. He knows you would try to open it yourself and he just could not have that. He was too much of a gentleman. When he gets to the passenger door, he holds the handle, unlocks the door, and pulls it open for you. You can feel your cheeks warm at his action. You have to stop thinking of your friend like this, he’s just being nice.

He waits until he sees you are all set in your seat, feet comfortably in the car, before he softly closes the door and makes his way to the driver's side. You look through the tinted windows, openly ogling at his biceps and chest that are oh so visible through his shirt. You realize you do not really want to go home. You want to spend some time with the boy you’ve been avoiding for a month now. As he connects his phone to the radio and picks a playlist, you call him.

“Kiba, do you actually mind if we drive around a bit or something? I don’t actually want to go home, I was just tired of being around so many people,” you say, which isn’t a total lie. You didn’t want to be around everyone. And his hoodie was just a convincing factor for you to stay out with him.

“Of course, you know I love my late nights,” he says, looking over at you. “Especially when I spend them with you.”

Kiba can’t stand himself. For one, he’s being too corny. Two? He is trying to flirt with his best friend. Maybe he’s just confident after seeing you with another man, but he doesn’t think he wants to hide his feelings anymore. “Why don’t we go to our little spot by the water? Listen to some music in private?” he asks.

All you can do is nod your head and watch as he puts the car in drive. You keep looking over to his hands on the wheel, his muscles flexing with each turn. You feel stupid getting turned on by something so small, but you can’t help it. The sound of the leather cracking when he grips the wheel, the veins on his hands. You clench your thighs together, that familiar feeling erupting in your lower stomach. Kiba pretends not to notice.

He pulls up close to the water and turns the headlights off. One of your guys favorite songs starts to play, you make out the lyrics even though the volume is low.

“Oh my god, remember when we used to sing this so loud and your mom would yell at us to shut up cause it would wind up the dogs too much?” You ask, giggling at the memory.

“How could I forget?” He responds. “We did that everyday for weeks. We were always together.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy recently,” you lie.

“Busy with Shikamaru?” Kiba asks, letting jealousy get the best of him. How fucking stupid.

“Why,” you ask with a sly smile, still very nervous. “Are you jealous, Kiba?”

Kiba gives you a double take, blushing at what you just said, the color of his cheeks matching his markings. “No no not at all. I-i’m just saying you guys are hanging out a lot recently. Didn’t know if you guys had a thing or something. I mean, I didn’t peg him to be your type, honestly,” he says, fidgeting with his own fingers.

“What do you think my type is, exactly?” You ask, leaning a bit closer. You don’t know what it is or where your confidence is coming from, but you can’t help but tease the boy. He doesn’t take the bait, though, only shrugging his shoulders.

“Yeah well, you’re right. Definitely not my type at all. He’s too quiet and laid back. You know I’m pretty quiet too, I’d like someone a little more outgoing to push me out of my comfort zone. Someone really funny, too, you know? A gentleman. Plus, he’s got a really big thing for Temari. We’re only been hanging out recently because he wants me to be his wingman,” you say, leaning back into your seat. You cross your arms over your chest.

“Wingman?” Kiba asks, again with his cute, furrowed brows.

“Yeah, I’m the one that brought Temari to the party. I guess I’m more of a wingwoman,” you say with a giggle. You look over, trying to maintain eye contact, but he keeps looking away.

“Oh okay, so when are you gonna start hanging out with me again,” he asks, leaning back in his seat. A stupid smirk plastered on his face. “Or is there more to ditching me than you’re letting on?”

You push his shoulder, admiring the feel of his muscle under your hand, only for a second. “No there’s nothing, you idiot. I miss hanging out with you.”

“Yeah well I’ve been missing you. And don’t tell Akamaru I said this, but he misses you too,” Kiba laughs. “If I’m being honest, I might’ve been a little jealous of Shikamaru,” he confesses. He knows you won’t judge him for saying that.

“Why’s that?” you ask, innocently. Your heart starts beating faster at the thought that Kiba is jealous of someone else for stealing you away.

“You’re my girl,” he says, looking up through his lashes.

“Don’t say that, stupid. You’re being so mushy.”

“But it’s true, you are my girl,” Kiba says. He knows Shikamaru isn’t a problem anymore, but he can’t stand the idea of you being with any man. He needs to make a move, even if it ruins the friendship. At least then he would know he tried. He can see your blush spreading across your face. You are no longer teasing Kiba, he always comes back 10 times stronger, your lips held in a thin line. “You don’t want to be my girl?” He asks.

You squeeze your thighs at his words and look down, no idea how to respond. “I-,” you start, but it goes nowhere. Your stomach is spinning.

Kiba slowly places his hand under your chin and brings you to face him. “What is it, sweetheart?”

Honestly, it's easier for him to be this soft with you, having not seen you for weeks. It's like all this time being away has given him the courage to finally open up. You still can’t answer, but Kiba can smell you. Smell the slight arousal. Notice how you have your hands neatly folded in your lap, squeezing your plush thighs together. All he can think about is being suffocated by those thighs. Kiba can’t believe his own confidence, but he finds it harder to believe how easy it is to turn you on. And how cute you are.

He leans into your ear. “You know,” he whispers. “The only thing I can think about is kissing those pretty lips of yours.”

You feel your heart stop. “Do it, then,” you whisper back.

He’s on you in a second, lips molding together like art. His hand runs up the back of your head, pushing you closer into his mouth. You shiver at his touch. Kiba licks your lower lip, wanting allowance to fully explore your mouth. You part your lips slightly, letting him in. You can taste the mint on his tongue as your hand slides over to rest on his chest. Kiba’s breath hitches when he feels your delicate fingers slide up to his neck and back down to his chest. You pull away at the sound.

“I-I’m sorry,” you say quickly, bringing your hand up to wipe your mouth. He snatches your hand before it reaches your mouth.

“Why are you apologizing, cutie? You getting flustered?” He asks. Of course he’s gonna be cocky now, knowing you want him the way he wants you.

“I just… I don’t want this to ruin anything, I just…” you can't find the words.

“I want you, (Y/N). I can smell that you want me too. How long have you been hiding it?” Kiba asks. You remain silent. “Come here, baby, come sit in my lap,” he says, pulling your arm slightly. You follow his orders, always having been so obedient. It turns Kiba on to no end and he can feel himself straining in his pants. The thought of fucking you sensless in his car floods his mind.

“I’ve been lying to you for a long time, (Y/N). I don’t want to be your friend anymore,” he says, kissing the corner of your lip to your jawline and down your neck. “I want you to really be my girl.”

You whine at the feeling of his tongue on your neck. “Can I touch you here?” He asks, placing his hands on your hips lightly.

“Yes… please.”

His lips are back on yours, hands gripping your waist and sliding up slightly, smooth fingers gliding up your back. Your hands are running up over his biceps, on his chest, fingers curling into his hair. You can’t help yourself, having finally been given the chance to touch the boy of your dreams. You can’t help but moan when his teeth graze your ear.

“Shh, don’t do that. You can’t handle what comes next, yet,” Kiba says. He doesn't want to hurt you.

“I-I can,” You grind your hips down, causing him to groan in return. He tightens his hold on your hips. “Please Kiba, I want it, want you,” you beg. He’s silent and you become overly aware of the situation you’re in. Sitting in your best friend's lap, practically drooling at the thought of him touching you. You’re afraid you went too far.

He stares at you intently before grinding your hips against him again. “How am I supposed to say no when you ask all sweet like that, hm? Look so fucking cute in my sweater. Always act so innocent, but you want me to ruin you, huh?”

He’s rambling now, sliding your hips against his even harder. You go to kiss his neck, biting slightly, when he lets out a hiss. “You gonna let me touch you underneath this cute little dress? Gonna let me take it off?” he growls into your ear. You can feel yourself slick from just his words.

“Please, Kiba. Touch me, I want you to touch me,” you whine.

“Where, baby? You want me to touch you here?” he says, letting his thumb graze over the wet patch forming in your panties. You gasp at his touch, hips bucking into his hand. “So sensitive,” he whispers.

“Don’t tease me, Kiba.”

“I won’t if you keep saying my name like that,” he responds, canines flashing through his smirk.

Your lips crash into his again, his hands sliding up under your dress. He palms the plush of your thigh, squeezes your ass and drags you closer against him. You move your hips against him as he slides his hands up, slowly taking off the hoodie and dress in one go. You’re embarrassed to admit you weren’t wearing a bra, the cool air causing your nipples to harden immediately.

Kiba throws his head to the side, swearing under his breath. “No bra, baby?” He smirks, kissing your chest.

You shy away. “They- they’re uncomfortable… never wear ‘em,” you whisper.

His thumb swipes over your nipple and you arch into him. “They’re so perfect, you’re so fucking perfect.” He’s practically devouring you, leaving purple and pink bruises all over your chest, collar bones, wherever he can get his mouth. He needs to mark you, show the world you belong to him, claiming you.

“Kibaaa,” you whine.

“Whaaat?” he asks back, mimicking you. He smiles softly, bumping his nose to yours.

You become shy all over. “Can, uh, can we go in the back?” you ask. Your body is pressed to his chest, hiding yourself slightly.

“Fuck yes, we can go in the back. Go ahead baby,” he says. You climb back and cover yourself with the hoodie as he makes his way out of the car and walks to the back seat. Opening the door, he climbs in and notices the hoodie. “Take that off sweetheart, let me see my pretty girl.”

He's back on you in a second, kissing you roughly, pulling you against him while sliding his hands up your back. He gets you onto your back and rolls up the hoodie into a pillow. After placing it under your head, he places his left hand on your cheek, kissing you softer this time. More passionate. His right hand slides lower, cupping you gently and placing little pressure. You grind up into his hand and he can’t help but grind into the seat. Kiba is unbelievably hard, especially with seeing how needy you are for him. He kisses his way down till he makes it to your sweet cunt. It's a tight squeeze, but it's all worth it. He has been smelling your arousal for over an hour now, he needs to taste you on his tongue.

Kiba takes a look at your cute, lace panties, noting the wet spot that's formed in the center. “These are cute,” he says, toying with the fabric.

You’re looking down at him, trying to muster up the courage to say something. “Th-Thought you didn’t just give out compliments,” you say.

Kiba kisses your thigh dangerously close to your core and responds, “Baby, I would give you any and everything.”

His fingers loop under the waist of your panties as he looks up at you for permission. You nod your head slightly and he pulls them off in one swift motion, holding them to his nose and inhaling sharply. You clamp your thighs shut, shy from his action.

“You smell so fucking good. Open your legs, babygirl, let me taste you. Please?”

You do as you’re told and it makes his cock twitch, still caged in by his pants. The way you respond, giving him everything he asks for, drives him mad. He takes a second to admire you, your body, the slick gathered on that pretty pussy of yours. He slides one hand up your thigh, rubbing softly, while the other uses his middle and ring finger to swipe through your folds. Your hips thrust upwards as he pulls the fingers to his mouth, absolutely drunk off your arousal.

He groans at the taste, his breath fanning over your dripping core, causing you to clench. Kiba is already addicted to you, needing to feel you everywhere. He kisses your inner thigh, mere inches away from where you need him most. The feeling of his teeth sinking into the soft flesh sends a shiver up your spine and leaves your mouth hanging open.

Kiba softly kisses your clit before licking a stripe through your folds. He curses himself for not trying to get with you sooner, already addicted to your taste. His tongue teases your hole before swirling it around your clit. Kiba’s hand slides up your waist slowly as he works his tongue on your most sensitive part, your moans only spurring him on. His fingers slide over your nipple, pinching softly, and you arch into him, grinding into his mouth. He moans into you, the vibrations adding to your pleasure and you can’t help but squeeze your legs around him. He slides his other hand up to force your legs back open, while his other leaves your nipple to wrap around your throat. He squeezes softly.

You gasp and your hands fly down to his hair, wrapping your fingers around his brown locks and tugging. He growls into you, making you moan, “Kiba o.. oh fuck, please,” you beg, not sure what for. He hums back to you, the vibrations making you tremble again.

He pulls his face away, only darting his tongue out to play with your clit, while the hand holding your leg open reaches for your entrance. “So fucking good,” he mumbles against you. “Such a sweet, little pussy for me.”

Kiba enters you slowly with one finger and you pull his hair harder. He feels like he’s about to burst, but he knows he has to get you ready. Wants you to cum on his fingers first. You’re getting louder, moaning over the music, when he adds a second finger. Kiba curls his fingers upwards and finds your spot almost immediately, as if he already knew your body inside and out. With his fingers inside you, he pushes his face back into you, circling his lips around your clit and sucking softly. You wonder where he got such skills for a moment and it makes you jealous, which doesn’t last long, when you feel his hand slowly slide down from your neck to your waist.

“Oh fuck, oh fuck K-Kiba I’m cl-close,” you stutter out.

“I know baby, you’re clenching around my fingers. So tight,” he mumbles back. “Go ahead, cum for me. I need to taste you. That’s it, good girl.”

That's all you needed to send you over the edge. That neat, little coil wound up so perfectly had finally snapped. Your legs were trembling, back arched, and head thrown back. Kiba couldn’t help but admire your expression as you came all over his face and fingers. He slowed his movements and finally pulled his face away, sitting on his knees while still finger fucking you slowly.

You look up at him, his lips and chin soaked with your juices. You can’t help but look down at his hand inside you, watching the muscles in his arms flex as fucks you, before looking back up at his face. He leans over and kisses you softly.

“You see something you like, sweetheart? You’re clenching around me again,” he says with a satisfied grin.

“You just look so good with my cum dripping down your chin,” you say out of breath.

“Oh yeah? For a second there, I could have sworn you were looking at something else” Kiba mumbles, kissing your neck softly and curling his fingers again.

You moan at the feeling, “Please Kiba, I need you inside me.” You wrap your hand around his length and rub through his jeans.

“Fuck, baby, you gonna let me use this cute pussy of yours?” he asks. You nod eagerly, sitting up with him and pulling at his shirt.

“Take this off. I wanna feel your skin on mine,” you mumble quickly.

Kiba laughs back, “Yeah? Or do you wanna just see my muscles? You’ve been eyein’ them this whole time.”

“Maybe a little bit of both,” you smile and lean in, pecking his lips. He pulls his shirt over his head quickly and you run your hand down his chest, towards his length, admiring his toned torso and smooth skin. You unbuckle his belt to the best of your ability and he lifts his hips, allowing you to pull his length out. You’re speechless.

“I-I don’t know if it's gonna fit,” you say, without thinking.

He laughs, “Don’t worry baby, I’m gonna take care of you. And if it's too much,” he starts, grabbing your chin between his thumb and pointer finger, “you tell me right away, okay? I don’t care what the issue is, if it hurts, if you’re tired. There doesn’t even have to be a reason. You wanna stop? Just say the words, no questions asked, and I will take care of you.”

He slides his hand to your cheek, caressing it with his thumb. You nod your head, but he won’t take that for an answer this time. “I need your words, my love. Tell me you understand.”

“I promise to tell you if I need you to stop,” you say confidently.

“Good girl,” Kiba says. “Come sit on my lap, princess.”

You swing your leg over his, sitting directly over his tip. He slides his hands up your back, kissing your chest softly. Your hand reaches down and lines his length up with your entrance. You wrap your arms around Kiba’s neck and his hands settle at your waist. You begin to sink down on his length, the stretch painful, but good at the same time.

“That’s it, love. Slow, just like that. Doing so good for me, so tight,” he mumbles into your ear. Your head is down, struggling to maintain any bit of composure, and his grip tightens on your waist. Kiba hisses through his teeth when you fully sink down on him, your walls already fluttering around him. You swear you've never had anything this deep inside of you before.

“You okay, babygirl,” he asks, searching your eyes for any lies. You can see the love he holds for you.

“Y-yes… just so, s-so full,” you respond.

Kiba pulls you in for a kiss, his tongue exploring your mouth instantly. He pulls your hips back up before pushing you back down on his length, trying to find a steady pace. You melt under his touch and lean your head on his shoulder. Your moans sound directly in his ear and he can’t help but graze his teeth on your shoulder. When you whine, he sinks his teeth in softly. Not enough to pierce your skin, but enough to leave a mark. When he lifts your body again, he keeps it there.

“Come here, sweetheart,” he says, pulling you against his chest. Your arms fold in, hands left on his shoulders and your head remains next to his. Cheek against cheek. “I got you baby, so good,” he whispers, one arm around your waist, his hand squeezing your side. His other arm is pulled diagonally across your back, with his hand gripping your shoulder. He begins to thrust up into you, hugging you against his chest.

“You don’t know how long I’ve wanted this. To have you falling apart like this because of me,” he starts. Kiba pushes his head down and starts kissing along your collarbone. “When I saw you and Shikamaru today, I got so jealous, the way you touched him, the way you let him touch you. God, I’m angry just thinking about him touching you. Anyone touching you. I can’t let anyone else touch you after that.”

He’s full on grunting now, slamming into you at an ungodly pace. Your legs are shaking and your moans are spilling out, unable to control them anymore. The hand he has on your shoulder runs up the back of your neck and grabs a fist full of hair, pulling your head back. He nibbles on your neck and you can feel him grinning against you.

“You are mine,” he growls out, accentuating each word with a particularly hard thrust. You clench around him. You can’t help but topple over the edge again, your juices dripping down your thighs as you moan out his name.

“Oh you like that? Being told who you belong to? Look at you, baby. Always acting so innocent in public, but here you are, cumming all over my cock in the backseat of my car. You sound so fucking pretty, baby, taking me so well,” He continues. “Go ahead, tell me who you belong to.”

Your head is dizzy, trying to grasp on to anything as he fucks you stupid. The words coming out of his mouth have you shocked. The humiliation and praise all at once has you sinking your nails into his shoulder. “Y-you,” you try to start but only end up stuttering. “I belong to you, Kiba,” you gasp out.

“Good girl,” he kisses your cheek. Kiba can feel himself getting lost in you, and tries to hold back the urge to finish already. He wants to finish with you.

“I’m close, love,” he whispers. “Think you can finish with me?”

“Yes! Yes I can, please, feels so good inside,” you babble out.

He pushes you back, your back hitting the back of the driver's seat, and you hold yourself up with your thighs. Kiba wraps his hand around your throat again, squeezing slightly. You reach a hand down to play with yourself, but Kiba grabs your hand and puts it on his chest. You whine in response, knowing you wouldn't be able to form a full sentence anyway.

“It's okay, sweetheart, let me do it for you. You know I take care of you, don’t you?” Kiba asks, though he doesn’t expect an answer. Not with how blissed out you look. He rubs steady circles on your clit, his abdomen burning from holding back. Your legs are shaking and he can’t help but smile at you, the only words leaving your mouth being “Oh fuck” and “please.”

“Awww, you cockdrunk that easy?” He grabs your jaw and forces you to look at him. “Your pussy feels so good clenching around me, like you were made for me. You were made for me, weren’t you, baby? Fuck,” Kiba says. He’s never talked so much during sex, but it's so easy with you. And you obviously love the sound of his voice, judging by the way you flutter around him every time he speaks.

You know you can’t last much longer, the overstimulation from your previous orgasms having an affect on you. Your thighs are burning from holding yourself up. “Ki-Kiba I-” you try to start.

“I know baby, me too. Look at me, I want you to look at me while you cum on my cock,” he says, turning your head to face him. “That’s it, so pretty, doing so good for me. Taking me so well.”

You begin to shake, looking Kiba in his dark eyes, as your orgasm washes over you. He’s falling over the edge almost instantly, your pussy milking him for all he has, filling you until the sticky, white substance begins to slip out.. He pulls you into his chest and you relax against him, steady your breathing as he rubs small circles on your back.

“Such a good girl,” he says, kissing your forehead. You look up at him, puckering your lips for another kiss. He laughs lightly, kissing your lips, and pushes your hair out of your face. His hairs are sticking to his forehead with sweat. You can feel the slick covering your bodies, but don’t want to move.

“You want to be my girl, now?” Kiba asks.

“You idiot, I’ve always wanted to be your girl. I’ve always wanted you to be my boy.”

Kiba leans over and grabs that same green sweater, pulling it over your head and guiding your arms through the sleeves.

“Why don’t we go back to my place? I’ll help you take a shower… maybe cuddle and spend the night?” Kiba asks, hopeful.

“Yes, I’d love to,” you giggle.

He helps you put your panties back on and gets himself dressed. Getting out of the car, he picks you up from the back seat and brings you back to the passenger side, buckling you in and kissing your forehead. When he gets back to the driver side, you cuddle up to his arm and stay there the whole ride home.

Pretty sure I fixed any typos, but apologies if there are any. Also apologies for slacking recently on writing, just a full time college student thats burnt out haha :). Of course, will be doing my best to get some stuff out.

[dragonotaku-justineverything]

A Snake's Comforting Embrace

This is my first completely original fanfiction idea that has been in the works for like over a year now. I hope you all enjoy it!

It was just after midnight when Naruto opened the door to his home, the small apartment staying dark as he entered as he couldn’t bring himself to flip the switch near the door. Naruto sighed heavily and slipped off his sandals from pure muscle memory, then let his supply pack slide off his shoulders. It fell straight to the floor with a dull thud on the doorway mat. He raised a hand and rubbed his eye with his palm, and then his other hand joined in on rubbing his other eye as his rubbing got more aggressive. Unfortunately, it did little to reduce the tired, worn out feeling in them, or clear his mind from his troubles. 

He had just returned to the Konoha after almost a month being out on a mission with Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji to act as a security detail for his friend Garaa’s trip back to his village. It was completely unnecessary in his opinion. He knew that Garaa was still insanely strong even without his tailed beast Shukaku. But, it was done as a gesture of good will between their villages. That, and Granny Tsunade thought he should tag along to enjoy catching up with his friend after so long, which he did. Shikamaru also seemed to be a bit more enthusiastic than his usual lazy-self to be on the mission as well when they met up with Temari halfway.

Overall, it should have been a really easy mission. And it was... but something happened that Naruto definitely wasn’t expecting. Nor expected it to really ever happen honestly.

Naruto groaned, dropping his hands to his sides limply as he walked deeper into his apartment. He just wanted to go to sleep to forget everything about his mission. Forget everything about it. Only problem is that sleep has been rather hard to achieve for him recently…

Naruto shuffled out of his apartment’s entryway, making his  way towards his kitchen. He thought maybe some water or food would help just get him to feel normal again, even though he didn’t really want any. He made it all the way to his fridge, but as he reached for the handle he froze. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck and arms stand up. His gut was telling him that something was wrong. He instinctively tried to follow his gut’s warning and leap out of the way. Unfortunately it had warned him too late and his reaction was a second too slow. He saw a flash of movement from what looked like a pair of arms in front of his face before he was put in a rear naked choke instantly. 

Naruto reached up to the arm to try and pull them away from his neck, only to make little headway with it. The assailant behind him wasn’t necessarily stronger than him, but they had the hold locked in. The arm squeezing his neck had gripped onto the bicep of their other arm and they were not letting go anytime soon. He did however get it to squeeze down on his throat less and he could breathe easier. And now that the moment of surprise had passed, he knew to fight back.

Naruto first threw his upper body forward, and as he felt his assailant being lifted up onto his back, Naruto fired his right elbow backwards at them. Their arms loosened and they rolled to the left, sliding off Naruto’s back to avoid the blow, though Naruto still felt them block his strike with probably their hand. Now free of the hold, Naruto lashed with a backhanded, closed fist out to his left, ready to go on the offensive. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t connect with anything. However, something did connect with his legs and they were swept out from under him. Naruto landed on his side and before he could register his new position, the weight of his assailant was back on top of him. This time, on his stomach. Hands reached out and pinned Naruto’s wrists to the floor in an iron strong grip.

Naruto was about to attempt to break free, but the sound of excited laughter filling his apartment made him freeze. The thing that made him freeze is that the laugh was familiar to him. VERY familiar. “ANKO?!”

“Hahaha yup! Ya got it in one gaki~, good job!”

Now with a moment to focus, Naruto’s eyes locked onto the dark shape sitting on him and pinning him down. In the dark room, he could finally make out some details. Yup, there was no definitely no     mistaking it now. The purple hair in the usual spiky ponytail, the tan overcoat and orange skirt, the wicked smirk, the teasing voice. It was definitely Anko Mitarashi. Only thing that was missing was the mesh she usually wore underneath and her shin guard sandals. Instead she had on just a plan black tank top on that did a great job of hugging her upper body.

“What are you doing?!” Naruto still continued to struggle, but it was no  longer with the ferocity of a fight for his life. Now it was solely out of annoyance. 

“Well what does it look like? I’m pinning you, so it seems I won.”

“Won what?”

“Our little exercise just now. You did good breaking out of that first hold quickly, but still too slow on the follow up. Looks like I need to push you harder in your training. Did you get all rusty on your little sandy vacation?”

Naruto stopped his fidgeting and fell still. “No, I didn’t.”

“No? You sure? I was really looking forward to… polishing you off tonight~.” Anko’s hands released their grip on Naruto’s wrist to slide down his arms and to his chest. She started rubbing her fingertips in tiny circles on his chest while making her lower half softly grind down on his abs, scooting backwards as she did to get closer to his waist. “Really rub away all that dirt and crap you got on you in Suna~? Huh, does that sound good?”

Despite her motions, Naruto didn’t look her in the eye. He felt like he couldn’t. “Not tonight Anko.”

Anko absolutely did NOT whine at hearing Naruto mumble out those words, but she clearly wasn’t thrilled about them. “Awwww come on Naru-chan! I’ve been pent up all month since you left! It’ll help us both unwind! Do I need to beg for you?” She bent her upper half down and pressed her large chest into Naruto’s. She made sure to push down a good bit to give a nice squish to them before whispering in a sultry tone for Naruto to hear, “Cause if that’s the case, let's go to the bedroom first so I can at least make it sexier for you~.”

Naruto lightly moving his hands to hers to get them to stop their rubbing made her freeze. They were… almost frail with how gentle they gripped her own hands. “Anko please, just… not tonight. I’m not in the mood…”

Naruto’s grip on her hands wasn’t forceful. It could barely even be considered a grip honestly. But the defeated tone in his voice still made Anko stop what she was doing. It almost sounded… broken. And that was something that she never thought could ever describe the optimistic ray sunshine that was always seeing the best in people and never giving up. Something wasn’t right.

“Hey… gaki, what’s the deal?” With her frisky and sexual tone completely gone, Anko dismounted from Naruto’s waist, going from straddling him to kneeling beside him, but she didn’t take her hands away from his own. “You seem off. Did something happen on your mission?”

Naruto slowly started sitting up. Anko helped him with it as soon as she realized what he was doing. She let go with one hand and rested it on his shoulder. But Naruto didn’t speak. He just hung his head and kept looking at the floor between his legs. 

“Hey… Okay, now I know something is definitely wrong. What is it?” Silence met her, so she continued. “Naruto, you’re seriously starting to worry me… What happened? Why do you seem so depressed?” 

Naruto mumbled his response, hanging his head even lower as he did. In the complete stillness of the apartment however, Anko could easily make out what he said.

“I killed someone.”

Anko hadn’t been expecting something like that to make Naruto this upset, but she also hadn’t been expecting that. It didn’t make much sense to her at all. Why would something like that affect him so much? They were shinobi, killing was basically an unspoken occupational requirement…

…

…wait.

“Naruto, have you neve-” A brisk shake of his answered her question before she even finished it. Now, that actually did shock the snake mistress. To be a shinobi for as long as Naruto had been, not to mention all the things he’d been through specifically and to NOT have taken a life yet? Anko had never heard of something like this happening before. Usually, a shinobi’s first kills were gotten within a team’s first few C or B rank missions. But she pushed all of those thoughts aside for now, she had other things to focus on currently. “Naruto… please tell me what happened. I know you don’t want to, but I can’t help you much if you don’t…”

Naruto looked over to her after she said that, and Anko saw his eyes thankfully weren’t void of emotion like his voice, but they definitely held a lot of sadness. Sadness and guilt, something she had seen a lot of in her fellow leaf shinobi’s eyes through the years. The blonde exhaled loudly through his nose and moved a bit to sit back against the nearest wall, and Anko quickly joined him on his right. He brought his knees in a little more and rested his forearms on them. Then he began to speak.

“It was when we were almost to Suna. We had been taking the trip easy, so the trip was taking like an extra day or two. We were almost out of the land of fire when some bandits tried to rob us. There were a lot of them, but they weren’t really that threatening. None of them looked that dangerous, at least not for any of us…” Naruto lifted his head back up to look at the opposite wall instead of the floor. “We tried to warn them. That they should just walk away. Any one of us could have taken them all, let alone all four of us. They… didn’t listen.”

Anko took this moment to actually put her arm around Naruto’s shoulder, trying to give him comfort as he fell silent. After a moment of that silence, he continued. “They attacked, we fought, and we were immediately knocking them down and out. They had like 30, maybe 40 people or something, but they were all going down in like one or two hits. Only a few of them seemed to even know any kind of jutsu. Then… this guy tried to attack Choji from behind with a sword, so I stopped him by kicking him away and… I-I don’t know. I don’t think I hit him that hard, b-but I wasn’t really paying attention either. He flew into a tree a-and…” Naruto’s voice broke a little bit, but he just swallowed and continued. “T-there was this loud c-crack, and I-I think he tried to scream, but it was only this like wheeze. When he hit the ground, he just laid there… twitching. It was like he was trying to move, but just… couldn’t. Then h-he looked at me and I saw his eyes. They looked scared, like he didn’t know what was happening. I watched him, twitching and wheezing until blood came out of his mouth. He looked me in the eyes the whole time. Then he just stopped. He died. Maybe I could have helped him, but I couldn’t move. All I did was watch him as he kept twitching. All I did was watch him… die.”

Anko was holding Naruto tighter now. She could feel each shake of his breath rattle his chest. The shaking in his voice made it worse. The more he talked, the more it seemed like he was just folding into himself, like he was trying to make himself smaller. She kept her arm around his shoulders and reached over with her free right hand and lightly placed it on his. “What happened after the fight?”

“I-I’m not too sure. I was just frozen there, staring at him for the rest of it I guess. Gaara and Shikamaru actually had to cover my back when some of the last bandits tried to attack me. A-after that, the rest just ran off. And that was it. After things settled down, I asked Ino to look at the bandit. I don’t know, maybe there was still a way to help him. She tried, but there was no use. I'm not sure if it was from my kick or from hitting the tree, but she said his spine was broken and his ribs had been crushed into his lungs. He was gone. We just… went on our way after that. We got to Suna by the next day. While we were in Suna, I was eventually able to stay focused on other things during the day, but every night I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It was a long two weeks…”

Naruto stopped, trying to see if Anko was going to join in. However, she just kept hugging him, rubbing his shoulder slowly while waiting patiently for him to continue whenever he was ready. After a few more minutes of silence and thinking about what he wanted to say, he did continue. “Then on the way back… we were passing by where we were ambushed before, and all the unconscious people we left behind were gone… but that guy’s body was still there. They didn’t bother to move him. He was still just laying there. Some animals or something probably had gotten to him since parts of him were gone or ripped up, but he was still there. A-and… t-that really messed with me.” Naruto felt the same sick feeling he had when he saw the body in his stomach return. “Why was he just left there? Is that really how his life was supposed to go? To be left dead on the side of a path in some random forest? What life did he have? What did I take away from him, or take him away from? And then we just kept going, again! Like we were too good to waste any time on the guy that I… that I… killed…”

Naruto’s shoulders started shaking all over again as he felt guilt flood his body. He felt sick. Sick with himself for what he did. Then also sick and angry for feeling like he was making this all about himself when a man was dead because of him! He was sick, angry, tired, and just so… so…!

Anko, almost being able to sense the downward spiral Naruto was taking, interjected. “Naruto, I know you feel guilty, but you can’t blame yourself for this… You probably did everything someone in your place could have done. You gave them a warning, you were trying to hold back. But killing… it’s not something that can be avoided with what we do for our village.”

Naruto snapped his head up and locked eyes with her, a glare burning through the emotionless stare on his face. “So I’m just supposed to be okay with this then?!”

Anko wasn’t fazed in the slightest by him snapping at her or the anger in his glare. “No. I didn’t say that. But you can’t break yourself down whenever this does happen. There isn’t always another option. And sometimes it’s the option you choose by accident. Would you rather have had your friend Choji die instead?

“Of course not!”

“Then what about yourself? Do you wish he killed you instead?”

“N-no!”

Anko grabbed Naruto’s shoulders and forced him to turn his upper body completely to fully face her. She let go with her right hand and moved it to grab his jaw with her thumb and two fingers. It wasn’t rough, but it definitely forced Naruto to look directly at her. “Well I guarantee you that those bandit shits thought the same thing, but about themselves. However, they probably weren’t holding back and were absolutely trying to kill you. At the very least they thought that your stuff was worth attacking you over. That’s a choice they made, and then they got to face the consequences for it. They chose the wrong target, but they had probably chosen plenty of easy ones before they got to you. And the ones that got away will probably attack even more people. Could that guy maybe have had a family waiting for him? Sure. But how many people or families had he hurt himself? He was a bandit trying to steal and attack you and you chose to defend yourselves. You didn’t start the fight, you just won it. Will some people that knew the guy hold it against you for killing him? Probably. They'll probably blame you for as long as they live. But I guarantee you that I would feel the exact same way if someone managed to take you away from me. It’s just how people are. I know you believe in forgiveness. Giving out second chances and seeing the good in everyone you meet, but the world doesn’t always agree with that, and people definitely don’t.”

Anko let go of his jaw and softly slid her hand back to cup the base of his head behind his neck. “But you didn’t want to hurt them. You are still a good person. You just made a decision to protect the people you care about over the people trying to hurt them, and there isn’t anything wrong with that. You feel guilty because of how good of a person you are. I won’t tell you to stop feeling sorry, I know you better than that. But I won’t let you think that you’re some kind of monster because of what you had to do, especially when it was an accident .”

Naruto did hear what she was saying, and her words did help him put the whole thing into perspective. He obviously knew protecting his friends mattered more to him than the guy trying to hurt them. But that didn’t mean he felt any better. How could he? Would he? Would he ever feel the way he used to before the mission?

“Okay, come on you cute, brooding mess. Up, up, up.” Naruto didn’t have any chance to argue or question what Anko meant before she pulled him straight up to his feet and practically dragged him through his apartment by his hand. In seconds, she had navigated them both through the apartment into Naruto’s bedroom. Despite the darkness, she didn’t bump them into anything, attesting to how much time she had spent at the Uzumaki residence. “Okay gaki, strip down to get comfortable and get in the bed.”

Naruto almost scowled, but kept his annoyance down to just a sharp tone. “Anko, I already told you I’m not in the mood!”

Anko didn’t seem bothered by his tone at all as she slipped off her overcoat. “And neither am I! At least not now. That’s why I said get ‘comfortable’, not naked. Get down to just some shorts and topless or in a tee with no bottoms, whatever. Just get that dirty old sweatsuit off and get in the bed.” She walked over to Naruto’s dresser and slid open a drawer. Without asking, she started rifling through Naruto’s clothes. She began digging through all of the garments in the drawer, tossing things aside and out of the dresser, until she pulled out one of his black shirts with the leaf village flame on it. She gave it a quick sniff and nodded when she decided it was clean. She blindly tossed it over her shoulder at Naruto, hitting him in the face softly.

“Anko what the hell!? Why are you going through my clothes!?”

“I’m trying to find some comfier clothes for us.”

“Wait, us?!”

“Well yeah. I’m not leaving you alone like this, I got a plan to get your mind off things. And trust me, while I know that this outfit rocks, especially on me, it isn’t exactly what I prefer to sleep in.” Anko bent over and pulled up a pair of Naruto’s shorts under her skirt before she undid its buckle and let the orange fabric slip off her waist to the floor. “And since we won’t be messing around tonight, I’m not going nude. Now should I say 'you're welcome’ or ‘you’re loss’ since you know you’re missing out~?”

Naruto just sighed and gave in, then started to slip out of his clothes and into the shirt and shorts that had been tossed to (or rather on) him. He knew arguing would just make the night last longer and he honestly did just want to sleep. 

After he finished pulling down his shirt, he heard Anko groan quietly. He looked up to see Anko already changed and leaning backwards in a deep stretch. She was likely doing it purposefully as it caused her form to stretch out his shirt that she was “borrowing”. It was already a bit short on her, being that her boobs pushed it out a good amount, but her bending backwards caused it to lift up past her navel, showing a tease of her toned stomach. And she knew what she was doing from the brief smirk he saw before her head tipped back as well.

“Aaaaalright, time for some shuteye!” The woman swiftly hopped into Naruto’s bed in just two long strides, plopping down on the sheet before squirming underneath them. She sighed and sat back up, hands behind her head while she looked over to Naruto. “Come on Naruto. You need to get some sleep too.”

Naruto’s feet padded over the wooden floor much more slowly than Anko’s to crawl into the bed. He lifted one edge of the blanket up, just to be yanked into them by Anko grabbing the collar of his shirt. During a brief struggle,  Naruto whispered sharply, “Anko! What was that for!?”

“You were taking too long! Now, don’t fight. Just lay down and relax right here on me.” Anko firmly guided him next to her. She guided his left arm behind her back and his right hand to her stomach looking at him expectantly as she did. Naruto easily went along with what she was doing now that he could see what she was getting at. It… it sounded really nice right now. 

Naruto was about to lower the rest of his body down to the mattress, sliding the arm she put behind her up and under his pillow to be more comfortable, but then stopped when a thought crossed his mind. “I only have one pillow…” 

“No you don’t. Come here.” Anko’s hands rested on Naruto’s head and laid down completely. Before Naruto could even get a word out, he found his head resting right on top of Anko’s chest. ‘Soft’, was the first thought that went through his mind, like it usually was whenever he touched her boobs.

“As comfy as always right~? No copping a feel tonight though. I don’t need you getting me all worked up again after I’ve already had to reel myself in once. And no arguing about this either. Just be quiet and get comfortable. You had… you deserve some rest Naruto.”

The tone in Anko’s voice gave Naruto the impression that he was to agree and leave it at that. And he decided he would.

…

…

For about ten seconds before he spoke up, “Can you at least get off my arm a bit so I don’t wake up with a dead limb?”

“Oops. Sure.”

After a little rearranging, the two were finally settled in, now in both as comfortable as they could get. Naruto’s head was still resting on Anko’s chest, which was non-negotiable, but his left arm that she had accidentally laid down on was now tucked up under the pillow that she was using. His right hand was still resting on Anko’s stomach, which had her left hand resting on top of it. And as for her other hand? Well, that was caressing Naruto’s head as it laid on her chest and was slowly playing with his hair. Anko had also started listing off all the good things about him that she could at some point, probably.

“And your pranks make me laugh like nothing else. That shit you did to Hatake a few months ago? Freaking inspired.”

Naruto chuckled as he remembered how he had pranked Kakashi-sensei. He had dyed all of his masks and for one glorious hour, Kakashi Hatake walked around the village with a bright, eye burning shade of green mask. All without a single clue about thanks to the dissolving dye he covered them up with to make them look normal before putting them back. It was made even better because he went through the shopping district to get to the hokage’s office! It wasn’t until Shizune said something about his style change that he finally noticed! It was totally worth the 100 laps he had to run around the training grounds. 

“So is this you finally admitting that I’m the better prankster?”

Anko playfully pulled on a small tuff of Naruto’s hair at that.“Don’t put words in my mouth Gaki, or I’ll kick you out of this bed.”

“But this is my bed!”

“Not if I kick you out of it. Then it’s mine. But if you behave, you won’t have to worry about it will you?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Anko chuckled to herself and went back to playing with his hair in small circles with her fingers. She was really glad trying to distract him seemed to be working. She hoped it was enough to keep the nightmares away for a night. She had become so jaded to the idea of having to kill someone that it was hard for her to remember how it felt at her first kill, but she knew it wasn’t easy for Naruto. He loved and cherished every life. But this was a harsh reality that was likely inevitable for people like them. She just hoped she could help him get through it.

“Anko… love you.”

The quietest whisper roared through the silence of Naruto’s room. Anko heard it loud and clear as it also made goosebumps form on her arms and heat rise to her face that she fought down quickly. She quickly glanced down at her man, only to see him steadily breathing and not even remotely paying attention to her. After a minute of just watching him, she realized he was asleep!

‘What th- You asshole! Saying something like that for the first time in your sleep! What am I supposed to do with that infonow?!’ After a pause and deep breath to collect herself, Anko sighed. She’d let it slide only so that he could get caught up on some needed rest, but she was going to prank him to the five elemental nations and back for that heart attack he gave her WHILE ASLEEP! So, with the lightest dusting of pink on her cheeks, she whispered down to Naruto in a soft whisper, “Rest up Gaki, tomorrow I’m taking you to old man Yamanaka to get yourself looked over properly.”

…

…

And then she followed it up with an even quieter whisper, so quiet Anko wasn’t completely sure if she actually said anything audible or if she was just thinking it, “And I love you too gaki.”

-----FIN------

A/N: Sooooo I’ve had this idea for a fanfic for a long time, AND I FINALLY FINISHED IT! I have struggled a lot getting this written, but recently I said screw my lack of motivation, I’m going to work on this little by little! And I did it! It took weeks of doing it just a few sentences at a time and then back tracking, but one huge push last night got me to the finish line finally! I hope you all enjoyed this sweet story idea I had. 

This story will also be up on my Archive of our Own and Fanfiction.net accounts as well soon under the same title in case you want to save it on there as well since it is easy to lose posts on Tumblr. Those accounts are linked here.

Archive of our Own  Fanfiction.net

[or0ch1maru]

How about sfw headcanons about Hidan? I'm very interested after Orochimaru hds, it was so sweet👀

Omgomgomg just yes🫶🏻I love him smmmm. I can totally see him being a major softy..let’s get into it!

•

•starting off strong, I fully believe that he goes through moments where everything kinda hits him at once.

•Where emotions or memories from his life come crashing down at full force. One minute he’s his spunky carefree self, next minute he’s disappeared into his room as he quietly shuts down

•isn’t a stranger to tears or breakdowns. Is very in tune with his emotions, knows and acknowledges when he needs to step away for a breather

•I can see Hidan suffering from anxiety, sometimes things become too much in too little time and everything’s overwhelming to our sweet boy

•in times like these, he’d hang out in his room, probably napping or taking a hot shower to keep him level or grounded

•if that doesn’t work, I fully believe he’d just chill in Kakuzu’s room. Sitting silently on the couch while Kakuzu does his own thing. Would never voice it, but he cherishes Kakuzu’s company, feels safe around him

•once he’s feeling better, you best believe he’ll be running around causing trouble. Him & Tobi are a recipe for chaos

•but back to him & Kakuzu. They’re best friends, despite money man’s constant grumbles and complaints about his partner, those two are like this 🤞🏻

•Hidan has respect for his partner, and knows him like the back of his hand. Will risk his life for him and would do anything to keep the big grouch safe and visa versa

•when Hidan is in a relationship with someone, he’d worship the ground they walk on

•even if you’re a shinobi, he’d be terrified if you hurt yourself on his scythe. Panic flashes over his eyes if he sees you cleaning it for him or simply putting it away after being used during a mission

•considers his partner a delicate person(even though they could kick his ass in a fight if they wanted too) never likes seeing you hurt, even if it’s something as small as a paper cut

•one of his favorite non sexual acts of intimacy are bubble baths

•makes the water the perfect temperature, adding your favorite smelling soap to the water for bubbles, and a bath bomb time to time as well

•he’d sit behind you, situating you between his legs so you can lean back against his chest. His hands rubbing knots from your thighs and hips

•loves washing your hair, will use those big hands of his to massage and scratch your scalp while lathering your head with shampoo

•Hidan’s main love language is touch

•he HAS to have a hand on you at all times. Wether it’s his hand in your back pocket while the two of you are running errands, or twirling your hair around his finger

•a squeeze or a smack to your ass, or his hand placement being in the small of your back. The list will go on. He just loves you, he can’t help himself. You’re irresistible to him

•who else has seen the fanart of Shikamaru putting on Temari’s sandal while she’s pregnant?

•Hidan would do the same thing. Everyday, he’d kneel in front of you, slipping your shoes on, and would repeat it when you two came home. Slipping your sandals off before standing back up to kiss you

•and that goes for his partner pregnant or not. He loves being able to do things for you🥺even though you can clearly do it by yourself

•has a soft spot for kids

•would make funny faces to make them laugh or smile when passing by in a supermarket

•and if and when you tell him you want to start a family with him. He’d cry

•literally bawling like the baby he’s about to put in you

I could write a book about how damn soft and gentle he is😩but if anyone wants more hc’s bout him, just send me a request and I’ve got you. Same goes for any other akatsuki member🫶🏻

[13as07]

Shogi Partner Prequel

(Shikamaru Nara)

[Artwork is not mine! Credit to Maddiepodless]

Requested by: Myself

Word Count: 3,790

Warnings and/or Pre-Notes:

Nick Name: Fawn, Sensei

Age Gap (Younger Woman/Older Man)

Smoking

Borderline Pedophilia

Power Imbalance (Teacher/Student)

Sexual Tension

———————————————————————

My sister is not an option. It's your move. Hurry up and make it or else I will be encouraging her to cut off your 'puppy love'.

My eyes scorch over the letter again, irritation and stress weighing on my shoulders the longer I stare at Kankuro's handwriting. I don't like being forced into a corner and that is exactly what he's doing. Trying to threaten a marriage proposal out of me. That's Temari's and my business, not his. Someone needs to teach him to pull his nose out of our business. I'll propose when I feel like it, and I don't. I don't feel like proposing yet...

"Sensei!" My student yells, making me snap my head up. My eyes change course, now scorching the thin tree line separating our campsite from the river. "Sensei!" She yells again, her voice louder this time.

I'm on my feet in a heartbeat, slowly heading toward the tree line. My senses are on high alert, searching for any possible threat. I settle in the shadows caused by one of the thick canopies both hiding us from the sun and enemies alike, giving myself more time to figure out the cause of her calls.

The girl is settled on the bank, her hair still wet from the bath she left to take. A t-shirt hangs off of her, the material easily two or three sizes too big. It hangs low, ending just before her knees. It's Raido's probably, just like the necklace she's been wearing for a straight week.

He retired on Friday, at least from the Hokage Protection branch of the anbus. Raido kept insisting that 'his heart can't take the anbus and his Baby Girl being active duty at the same time'. It's a bull-face lie; everyone knows it is, but watching his daughter break down last month wasn't enjoyable for me. I'm sure it hurt him even more.

So, in the aftermath of the most recent assassination attempt on Kakashi-Sensei's life, Raido stepped down to be a normal Shinobi. With that, his Anbu tags were honorably discharged as well and are currently resting around his daughter's neck, catching the sun's rays as she... I'm not too sure what she's doing.

"Sensei!"

"Stop yelling!" I bark back, reluctantly leaving the shade to head toward the girl, the dying sun shining straight into my eyes. The last year has been a constant reminder of my dislike of children. But, at least she's a good strategist. Having a decent shogi partner is worth the stress having a student brings... most of the time. I don't think this is going to be one of those times.

     "Sorry, Sensei," she mutters, eyes still locked on the water. Her hands are submerged in the river, moving around enough to make ripples in the calmness. At least they are until I'm standing next to her. "Look!" She cheers, standing up and freeing her hands of the stream.

     I slowly blink as I look between her and her hands. The unstable - or possibly straight insane - girl is holding two fish, one in each hand as the small beasts gasp. "How... how'd..." the question sticks in my throat, the confusion being unable to clear up in my mind.

     My student is a lot of things but she is most definitely not a water Shinobi. A swordsman like her father, yes. A skilled sealing shinobi like Iwashi, yes. An amazing marksman like Genma, yes. She needs practice but shows promise to be a Space-Time Shinobi too, yes. A water Shinobi, no.

     "Uncle Iwashi showed me how to use a form of teleportation jutsu to catch fish!" She explains, oozing joy as she shows off the fish she caught. Maybe her Space-Time jutsu isn't as rusty as I thought it was. I'm going to have to do some serious research on that when we get back to the village.

"That's..."

"Great, right?!" She asks, jerking her body back and forth in a little dance, fish in tow. "You tend to catch dinner for us on nights we're stuck in the forest late. Uncle Iwashi said this would work until I get better at using my bow. Then I can hunt game, just like you!"

"Your bow?"

My student looks up at me, her focus pulled away from the scaly animals in her grasp. Her eyes are big and round as she looks at me, the search for approval drowning her doe-like eyes. "Uncle Genma got me a bow for my birthday this year. He said it would help with my marking. I didn't want to tell you until I got better at using it."

The longer she stares at me, the faster my heart beats. A part of me wants to hide those doe eyes, another part of me wants to spend eternity with her looking up at me with this new little fawn expression of hers. The rational part of me wants to lecture her about keeping such information from me. How am I supposed to be a good Sensei if she's hiding the things she's learning? The things she wants to learn?

     "Are you mad?" My student whispers, her body slouching as her eyes widen even more. The wetness of them only adds to the adorable fawn face.

"I'm not mad," I rush out, lunging forward to cup her face. When my head catches up with my movements, I drop my hands, gripping her shoulders instead of her face. "I just... you need to tell me what other things you're learning so... so I can... help." My face hurts, like someone drenched it in oil and lit it on fire. Is this what Hidan felt when I burnt him alive? Doubtful. I hope it was a lot hotter than this.

     "Will do, Sensei!" She cheers, brushing me off before strolling back toward our campsite.

     I stay frozen in my spot for a moment, staring at the empty void my student left in front of me. Her bathing stuff and day clothes are still thrown across the bank of the river; a bad habit of hers. She reminds me so much of myself and yet so much of Naruto.

     A daydreamer just like me yet has the big goal of 'being as good of a kunoichi as Ino-Senpai' similar to Naruto's big goals. An absolute mess of a person just like Naruto, yet hyper-aware of everything all the time just like me. An overly lazy Shinobi who doesn't like doing much just like me, yet is always ready to defend the family she has just like Naruto.

I shake my head to clear the thought out. Partly to clear the image of her perfect fawn face and doe-eyes too. I don't know how I never noticed it before. Maybe because I've never snapped at her. I don't know. What I do know is I need to clean up her mess... and figure out how I'm going to cook the fish for us.

I also know my heart shouldn't be beating as fast as it is. Maybe I managed to spook myself when she called for me. I'm sure that's what it is.

———————————

The fawn face did not go away. I repeat, did not go away. My student's expression looks even more gentle in the soft candlelight of our tent; her eyes are even glossier as she stares at the shogi board. I think it's the need for sleep. It's the first time she's accompanied me on an overnight mission, so I went in knowing things would be a bit different. Seeing her tired was going to be one of those things. That has to be what it is, exhaustion... or maybe comfort?

I hope it's comfort... maybe?

I don't know what I hope.

I hope that just this once I'm wrong. That my conclusion of what's going on is wrong. That my exhaustion has messed with my observation and theoretical skills. Because what I'm theoretically feeling is not theoretically improper. It's completely improper. Completely unethical. Completely repulsing. Completely perverted.

"Sensei?"

A long and low exhale is pushed out between my teeth at the sound of my student's soft voice. My eyes glare at the board even harder as I fight with myself not to look up at her. I'm tired. My mind and body are misreading the situation. I need to keep reminding myself of that.

"Sensei?" She calls again, this time pairing her voice with movement. The blanket on her lap ruffles as she leans forward, her slim fingers wrapping around my wrist to tug on it. I shake my head a bit, but my arm doesn't give out, keeping my face propped on my closed fist. "Are you paying attention?"

     My focus jerks away from the playing pieces, zoning in on her face. It's unnatural how gentle her expression looks. What a pretty little Fawn she is. Damp hair, rosy cheeks from our day in the sun, wide doe-eyes with blown-out pupils to make up for the darkness.

My fingers tingle, my chakra buzzing with the want to wrap her up. To make use of all the shadows in the small space. To snuff out the candle so it's just us and the darkness. To slide my carefully crafted jutsu across those soft cheeks of hers and just... Sit. Watch. Enjoy the gentleness of her eyes. No one looks at me like she does.

"Sensei?" She calls again, rougher this time as her fingertips stab into my cheek. Concern has welled in those beautiful eyes, shrinking them just a tad. They flicker back and forth over my face, zoning in and out like they tend to do when she's concentrating. "Are you okay? Your cheeks are all warm."

"It's just a sunburn," I mutter, letting my eyes flutter closed and my head leans into her touch. The pretty fawn smells like green apples and lilacs with just a hint of deer fur. What a lovely sign of my presence...

     "Go to bed!" I yelp, forcing my eyes open and snapping my head back.

     My student jerks away from me, confusion replacing the concern on her face. "I'm... I'm sorry. Did I do something wrong?"

The tone of her voice feels like an ice pick slamming into my heart. The sudden wetness in those breathtaking eyes doesn't help the ache. "No," I whisper, carefully grabbing her wrist still hovering in the air from cupping my face. My movements are slow and uncertain as I pull her hand closer to me, sliding my fingers up to rest against her palm, my thumb brushing against her knuckles. "Nothing I do is ever your fault. It's important that you know that. Tell me you know that, Namiashi-Chan."

"You're scaring me, Sensei."

My eyes squeeze closed as I yank her hand upward, pressing it against my forehead. I'm just tired and misreading the situation. Tired and misreading. Misreading and tired. "I'm sorry. I'm just tired... but I need you to know nothing I do is your fault. I need you to say it."

"Sensei - "

"Say it!" I yell, tipping my head up to look at her. Regret instantly washes through me, another ice pick poking at my heart. She looks so scared, utterly terrified of me right now. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled. You didn't do anything wrong. Sensei is just..." Confused? Disgusted with himself? An adult getting heart flutters over his teenage student? "Tired. Please go to bed, Namiashi."

"Okay," she murmurs, slowly pulling her hand out of my grasp. My chest ices over with the lack of her touch, leaving me with the damn fish flopping in my stomach. Before my student is even on her feet, I'm up and out of the tent, leaving her alone in the shelter.

I need a smoke... and my dad, but only one of those things is possible.

     What the hell do I do in this situation, Dad?

     If you were here you'd force me to be your shogi partner for the night and discuss the situation with me, help me figure out how to handle it all. Maybe I'm just grieving. I'm putting off my proposal and using my student as a distraction because I miss you... maybe. I don't know, Dad. What do I do?

———————————

Half my pack, enough rain that I can't see the end of my nose, and a quarter of my lung coughed out later, I'm sliding back into the tent, praying to whatever God I can find in my time left that Namiashi is asleep. Relief and disappointment mix in my chest when my eyes fall on her sleeping form.

     The little Fawn is curled up in a ball, settled in the center of the cot taking up half the space in the tent. Shinobi tents are light, but not exactly roomie. I shouldn't sleep on the cot. I should sleep on the floor or outside the tent; even better... but it's raining with a chilled breeze brought along with it. I can't sleep outside and I don't have the heart to unroll a blanket from around her.

     I could just not sleep... but that would be even worse. We have a full day of travel tomorrow if I plan to stay on schedule and get back to the village before nightfall. Though... one more night won't hurt...

     One more night would hurt a lot, actually.

Slowly, I let my eyes roll back over the little Fawn. She looks so small like this. Balled up in a mess of blankets, curled into herself, swimming in her father's t-shirt. She's just a baby, barely a year on the job. A quarter younger than me but a good chunk less experienced.

It sickens me, to think about how innocent she is. Thinking about how bad I want to be there for everything. For every mission. For every drop of reality that settles in her being. For every first experience. For every last experience.

     My jaw rotates as I try to shake the thought away. Tired. Misreading. Grieving. That's all it is. Misplaced emotions on a child that looks up to and depends on me. I'm a good man. A good man would stop dwelling on this miscommunication between his heart and his head. I'm a good man.

     ... but not tonight. Just tonight.

     I move slowly around the tent, stripping out of my soaked clothes before changing into a dry pair of pajama shorts. The last thing I need is the little Fawn catching a cold because I came to bed in wet clothes.

Somehow, I move even slower as I crawl into the cot behind her. The little Fawn stirs with the dip of the bed, curling herself tighter as she softly mumbles. Whatever she tries to say doesn't come out solid, only sounding like a string of letters not capable of connecting properly.

     I let myself sink into the bedding, my hands curiously but carefully digging through the blankets the Fawn has wrapped herself in. Shivers race through her body when I find what I'm looking for; her waist. My arms snake themselves around her, securing their spot before tugging my student closer to me.

She fits so perfectly against me, nuzzled up against my torso, a ball of loose hair, blankets, and warm skin. I can't help but squirm closer to her, digging myself further under the blanket fort and pulling her against me until the t-shirt drowning her is the only thing separating my bare chest from her back.

My nose finds a temporary home against her neck, forcing its way through the wild child hair sleep has given my little Fawn. I take slow and deep inhales of her scent, letting the fruity smell drown my senses. The more I drown, the more my hands itch to feel her skin.

It's just for the night. Just tonight. Tomorrow I'll have my head on straight and I'll keep it that way, but not tonight.

A drop of disgust mixes with my bliss as my fingers cling to my student's shirt, inching it upward until her stomach is left bare and I can feel the skin of her back pressed into my chest. The skin of my fingertips buzz as they slide across her, soaking in how warm and smooth she feels against my touch. "My pretty little Fawn," I whisper into her neck, brushing my lips across the delicate skin. "I'm going to propose to Temari next time I see her. That'll keep you safe."

Our tent falls quiet, the only sound coming from our soft breathing and the gentle flick of the candles still lit. Unlike the sounds of the makeshift room, my kisses don't stay gentle. It doesn't take long until I give into another sick want, sucking in a chunk of my little Fawn's neck. My taste buds explode with the taste of her skin, happily lapping it up as I suck more of my presence into her being.

Tomorrow I'll go back to being her Sensei, her shogi partner, a chief of the village she full-heartedly respects. Tonight though, she's nothing more than my Little Fawn and I'm nothing more than a sick man whose heart can't help but ache with my want for her.

———————————

My body feels heavier than usual as sleep slowly escapes my grasp, sliding away from me and being replaced by the sun leaking into my space. Slowly my eyes blink open, the process slowed by nature's natural light.

The more I wake up, the more things my senses become aware of. The sizzling sensation on the side of my neck. The feeling of a hand wrapped around my throat, clinging to it like the person gripping me is terrified I'll vanish if they let go. Warmth wrapped around me; warmth not caused by the blankets I'm under but by the body heat of another person. An arm snug around me, resting across a strip of my bare skin just below my chest. Someone's soft breath tickles my ear as their nose finds comfort buried in my hair.

Fear and confusion lace my veins; feelings I'm trying to wave off to keep my head clear and my thoughts straight. I know it's not Dad, first and foremost because I know he'd never hold me like this, even though we do still co-sleep. He says it's a habit we need to kick now that I'm getting older. Secondly, I'm a good day's worth away from the village.

I take a few deep breaths, trying to keep my senses despite the million scenarios running through my head. If it's not Dad holding me, who is?

From what I can see, everything is exactly how it was last night. The shogi board is still set, waiting for Sensei's next move. The candles are lower from burning all night but still dancing with active flames. None of the tent material seems to be disturbed, at least what of it I can feel.

After another extended trail of relaxing breaths, I decide to face the situation. After all, I can only get so far looking at the same section of the tent over and over again.

I take one more deep breath before willing myself to shift in the person's arms, positioning myself so my back is pressed into the cot instead of my side. The person grumbles, their nose sliding through my hair before it gets loose from my locks. Still, their nose keeps moving, dancing across the small section of my throat not buried under their fingers.

"Hush," they murmur, their lips brushing against my skin, effectively replacing their nose for a beat. The lazy kiss continues, repeatedly painted against the same spot on my neck as their fingers tighten their grip. The harder their touch gets, the less gentle their kisses become until it's not a kiss at all.

My throat is sucked on, a mix of their wet and warm tongue sliding against my skin and a tenser feeling of the sizzling I felt when I first woke up dance over my senses. The feeling seems to drip down my neck, settling between my legs in a weird tingling pressure.

My eyes slowly blink, like it'll help me process the situation. Deep raven hair. Silver stud earrings. Flawlessly pale skin stretched across a soft but bored expression. Half-lidded eyes that are slit with the beauty of a feline. Heat bubbles across my skin as my lungs start to struggle with the knowledge of how to breathe. It's not an intruder or enemy wrapped around me, it's my Sensei.

It's my Sensei clinging to my neck like a lifeline. My Sensei's arm toying with the melt of my chest to my belly. My Sensei kissing up my throat. My Sensei breathing heavier the longer he sucks on my skin.

"Sensei?" I whisper, squirming in his hold with the hopes of loosening the unfamiliar feeling between my knees.

His hand slides down my belly, slow, steady, and only adding to the new sensation. "Shut up, Namiashi. Go back to sleep." Sensei's voice is deep and jagged, still drenched in sleep. At this rate, it seems that anything he does is going to act like gasoline to the flames of my issue.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I... feel off."

Sensei slowly picks his head up, his eyes dripping across my body as he looks down at me. Every inch his attention covers feels like another stream of electricity buzzing across my senses. "You're just horny, Namiashi-Chan. The feeling will go away," he tells me, his hand sliding lower to cup the underside of my knee.

He moves his position, settling himself between my legs, my knee hooked over his shoulder as his body weight presses into me. "I'm sorry." The apology is winded, Sensei's movements stroking the sensa - my horniness.

"Don't apologize. I already told you nothing I do is your fault."

The feeling of his lips teasing the edge of my shorts makes my spine carve, even more fuel to the electricity sizzling in my stomach. "Sensei - "

"Namiashi," he cuts me off, his eyes slit more than usual because of the expression on his face. I can't quite put my finger on the emotion he's feeling at the moment. Fear? Sadness? Disgust? Maybe all three, I don't know. I'm too confused to figure it out. "You're being a drag of a student. A good student listens to their Sensei. You're not listening."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he whispers with his focus back to dotting the hem of my shorts with soft kisses. "Just go back to sleep for Sensei, okay? I'm just going to kiss up on you."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

———————————————————————

———————————————————————

[tatsumessy]

Pretty Flower - {Neji Hyuga}

Part 2 to this (I’m sorry in advance/ major angst)

Laying down on the grass you stared up at the sky trying to focus on training but your mind kept going back to that night. Your fingers ghosted above your lips, face blushing each time a memory of the way he kissed you flashed through your mind.

“Y/n?” You flinched and sat up seeing the fifth hokage walking closer and smiling once she recognized who you were. “Fifth Hokage. It’s great to see you.” You spoke in a respectful tone quickly standing up and greeting her, she walked closer and to your surprise her arms engulfed you in a hug.

“What’s going on?” You asked patting her back awkwardly. “I just read your file. Prior to living here you’ve been through a lot…you’ve lost so many people. Is it true that you were on a mission when the fourth hokage died? And that you almost died on a recent mission?” You pulled away hearing her questions.

“I’d rather not talk about it Lady Tsunade.” She let out an exhaustive sigh then placed a hand on your cheek, “if you ever feel like talking then come to me, but for now I’m with holding you from missions.” “What?!” You stepped closer to try and protest but she held her hand up to stop you. “You have no one left. You’re being too lax with your life and I won’t have you killing yourself because you have no one to come back too. Use this time to heal and train. That’s all.” With that she walked away and the tears you were holding started to fall.

Out of pure frustration you punched a nearby tree as hard as you could with a chakra filled fist. You ended up taking out more than one tree but you didn’t care, the blood dripping from your hand didn’t force you to care either. Deciding to call it a night you were walking through the village towards your home with the tears kept blurring your eyes and you ended up bumping into someone.

“I’m sorry.” You said in a whisper gently patting their chest before walking away, it took another few minutes for you to get home but when you did it was like all hell broke loose. Continuous tears fell down your face as the impending feeling of loneliness crept onto you. She was right, you truly had no one…you were alone and you couldn’t do anything about it.

The only family you had died while you were laying around on a mission because you didn’t feel like coming home. And all your life you pushed away affection afraid to feel something more that what you’re used too. Pain. For the rest of the night you cried over things you had no control over.

~

“Has anybody seen Y/n?” Sakura asked walking up to the group, Naruto, Choji, Lee and Ten looked at each other and shook their heads no. “She’s probably sulking at home.” Shikamaru said taking a bite of whatever he was eating leaving the group confused. “What do you mean sulking?” Ten asked.

“Lady Tsunade told her she’s not allowed to go on any missions for a while.” “WHY??” Sakura sat up, “she’s being doing missions since she was ten…why would she stop her?” Choji contemplated. “Exactly. Do you guys know how injured she got during her last mission?” Shikamaru paused looking at the group who shook their head no.

“She almost died, she was in a coma for three months.” He finished his statement then stuffing some more food in his mouth, “No way, she said she liked the scenery that’s why she stayed.” “Lied.” He quickly responded.

“If that is true how come you’re the only one who knows that?” Naruto asked rubbing his chin in confusion, “Because, Tsunade made me go check on her whenever she stopped checking in. I’m the one who reported back to her.” The whole group went silent, after a few moments Neji who was sitting there silent stood up and left the area.

His feet took him straight to your entrance doorsteps. He thought it was weird how you ran into him a couple of days ago and didn’t even recognize that it was him, yes you had tears in your eyes but it was just different for him. It was weird, he was worried about you. More than worried, he was scared that you’d do something to yourself.

He knocked on the door and waited for a moment then knocked again and still no answer. Using his byakugan he found you in a room knees pressed against your chest and your face hidden. He knocked again and when he saw you didn’t even flinch he forcefully opened the door. You still didn’t move, he closed the door behind himself and quickly walked to where you were.

He stood by the doorframe watching you sit there crying. You didn’t even look up to see who the intruder was, you just sat there crying. Neji bent down and pushed his arms under your body to pick you up, he held you flush against his body and brought you to your bedroom.

Laying you down on the bed he was about to feel your forehead to see if you had a fever but you turned your back to him and silently cried. “Y/n-” “just leave Neji.” You harshly spoke voice cracking when you said his name, he stood there contemplating what to do. He’s never seen you this vulnerable, even when you came back from your mission to find the only person you ever really loved was dead. You never broke down, even after years.

“I never listened to you when we were kids so why would I do it now?” He could see you roll yours eyes but that didn’t stop him from pushing you aside and laying in the bed next to you. He pulled your blanket over your body then maneuvered both of your bodies to where you were cuddling up against him. “What are you doing.” You said trying stop your voice from cracking again but failed miserably, uncontrollable tears fell from your eyes once again. You hid your face in his neck and just basked in his embrace.

This was the first time someone ever held you, it was an unfamiliar feeling and your body just broke down. Neji was happy, he was happy that the dam you build was finally collapsing and that he was the one that was here for you. When your sniffles went quiet he glanced down noticing you fell asleep, you looked exhausted. Like you hadn’t slept in days, trying to keep quiet he laid you against your pillow and left you alone in your bedroom.

When you woke up hours later you were met with an empty bed, your face dropped tears prickling in your eyes again but stopped when you heard his voice. “Don’t cry again, I’m right here.” Neji walked into the room with a tray filled with your favorite foods and a couple of freshly picked flowers.

He set the tray down on your lap and then sat down in the chair that was positioned right next to your bed. “Thank you.” You said noticing how dark it was outside, “you’ve been asleep all day, I came in to wake you up.” You thanked him again and started taking a bite out of the food. Your cheeks started to heat up from how good it was, it had been so long since you had home cooked meals that your eyes glasses over.

“Don’t cry. If you want me to cook for you again just ask.”

That statement repeated in your head as you stood there in the rain infront of the tombstone with the small child pressed against your chest. “Neji…” the tears falling down your cheek were being masked by the rain, thankfully so that your daughter wouldn’t see her mother crying.

Your husband alway told you to be strong and to not cry. You weren’t alone anymore, he promised to stay by your side but he lied. If he was supposed to stay by your side then why were you and your two year old daughter standing infront of his grave right now wishing we could be have his home made curry…

[foxxy-sensei]

In the end, there was no hope.

The lands were ravished and most of the people were gone. Not even the animals seemed to be spared.

The goddess wanted her chakra back and she was determined to have it. The remaining few knew there was nothing left to do, but give in. But what are humans, but bodies filled with egos, determination, and desperation.

There were very few of them left.

Many of her friends had died before the goddess was even released. Neji, Tenten, Choji, Gai, Inoichi, Shikaku Tsunade, and Gaara… Friends and family lost to the initial war. It only got worse from there. Slowly, but surely, the rest of her chosen family started to disappear from her life. Stolen from her by a selfish and vindictive woman.

She had just lost Lee a few days ago as he fought off an army of white Zetsu so that the rest of them could escape. He told her he was okay with this death. It would allow them to live and he would be able to see his beloved team again.

Naruto sighed tiredly. She wished she could say she cried, but she had no more tears to give. Only a prayer that what her friend wanted, came true in the end.

But that was a few days ago.

Now, the only ones of her precious people that were left were Kakashi, Sakura, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Hinata, Kurama, Obito, and the reanimated body of her father. And she knew that, soon, she would probably lose them as well.

For now, they had made their great escape. With the help of a makeshift boat and some seals, they had made it to the waters of Wave Country and crossed the perilous, whirlpool filled waters into Uzushiogakure. The only thing that truly kept them safe was Hinata and Naruto’s affinities for water chakra and Naruto’s Uzumaki blood. She had gripped the edge of the ‘boat’ so tight that the wood bit into her palm and caused her to bleed. The waters seemed to calm a bit after getting a taste. It was then that most of them realized that the destruction of Uzushio had to have been either an inside job or something far more sinister.

They stepped off their boat and onto the beaches. And while the others went on ahead to scope out the ruined village for suitable shelter and food, Naruto and her father were left standing in the sand, the Jinchuriki trembling with rage. Minato laid a comforting hand on his daughter’s shoulder.

“No one could be bothered to come here and lay the dead to rest.” Uzushio had been destroyed. The village was left in ruins… The dead were left in the sand. When her precious Konohagakure had been destroyed, Naruto had risked her life to go back and lay who she could to rest in a funeral pyre. But Uzushio was Konoha’s sister village and no one had bothered, in all of the years, to make sure that their fellow shinobi and citizens had seen a proper burial. Just left them to the sands and sun.

Minato hung his head. “I’m sorry, Naruto… Kushina. If I had known the Sandaime hadn’t seen to it himself, I would’ve come here personally to have it done.” He felt like he had failed his wife and daughter… More than he already felt, anyway.

Naruto bent to kneel in the sand and carefully picked up the skull of what seemed to be a fallen Uzushio shinobi. She was quiet for a long while, just wondering about who the poor soul could have been before they died. Finally, she spoke up.

“I will collect the remains of the dead and lay them to rest in a pyre on the far side of the island. Please let the others know that I would like to be left alone until then.” She created a few clones that set out to work. But before the real her could start the task as well, she felt her father’s gentle hand on her cheek, turning her head to make her look at him.

“I will never leave you alone. Not again. We will do this together.” He placed their foreheads together for a brief moment before pulling away and moving to sift through the sand for bones to collect, creating a few clones himself.

They worked quietly throughout the day and well into the evening. The rest of their group were scarcely seen except for when they were handing off scrolls with bodies that they had found themselves. No words were exchanged. Just quick, mournful glances. Shikamaru always seemed to be able to find the real Naruto when he was handing over scrolls. He would always brush his fingertips against the backs of her hands before disappearing into the shadows again.

The two had gotten closer during the war. They had spilled their souls to each other, surprising themselves about their choice in confidante. Shikamaru had a more analytical mind, so he always thought he would end up breaking down to Kakashi, as he was someone who was logical and reminded him of his father some, and would be able to talk him through his troubles. And it was no secret, Naruto’s love for Sasuke. He was her best friend and her brother. It was more likely for her to turn to him with her woes. Or at least Sakura or Hinata.

But that’s not what happened. They chose each other. No matter how unintentional.

They were out hunting for possible food and scouting for white Zetsus when they were suddenly surrounded. Shikamaru had taken a hit and was trying to convince Naruto to just leave without him and she ran with him hanging off her shoulder. He told her that he would hold them off. She was their powerhouse. He knew that she and Kurama were important pieces to survival. He needed them to live. But Naruto thought the opposite. Shikamaru was their tactician. Even if she could not go on, she knew he could help the others through anything. To her, he was one of the most important people. So it enraged her to hear him speak of sacrificing himself.

She created a clone and was quick to hand off the dark haired shinobi, mumbling about a cave system she knew was not too far from their current location. Shikamaru started to argue, getting angry himself, but Naruto would hear none of it.

She turned to give the shadow user a scathing look. “We will discuss this later.” She said with a growl in her voice.

Shikamaru was surprised, but said nothing more. He just nodded his head and surrendered himself to being whisked away. It was only hours later, after his wounds had been cleaned and the clone was able to feed him, did Shikamaru get to see the real blonde again. She looked tired and singed, but unwounded. Her clone handed over what little food and drink was left before dismissing itself. She was able to eat it quickly and in silence before the man who sat across from her finally just snapped.

Words were exchanged between the two that were surely regretted later on, but words were also spoken that they both needed to hear and say. Shikamaru spoke of his regrets, fear, and feelings while Naruto spoke of her own fears, anger, and dwindling self-worth. They both spoke of the hopelessness that they felt.

They found solace in each other that night. And what started out as clumsy hands and desperation, slowly turned into lingering touches and the budding feelings of love. Which is how Naruto ended up curled into a ball with her face shoved into the dark haired shinobi’s chest with his arms wrapped securely around her as she slept after the funeral pyre.

They had found shelter in what used to be a library. It was one of the only buildings that didn’t seem to be in complete ruin. They had set up what few bedrolls they could find around a small fire that they had created in the center of the room, ventilated through a hole in the roof. Naruto and Shikamaru shared a bed roll while Kakashi and Obito also laid side by side. Sasuke looked surprisingly content laying between Sakura and Hinata as they rested their heads on his shoulders. Minato, being a reanimated corpse, had no need for sleep and took post against a shelf as he read through what scrolls were left in the room. They were resting quietly for a bit, but the silence was eventually broken.

“We cannot continue on as we have been. Resources are limited and Kaguya will find us again soon enough. There is nowhere to run on the island. Nowhere to truly hide. And even if we stood our ground and fought, even if we were able to defeat her, who is left in this ravaged land that we have to fight for besides each other?” Obito spoke in a quiet tone as he sat up to stare into the fire. No one seemed to have an answer for him, but everyone seemed to hold each other a little tighter.

After a moment of quiet, the room suddenly started to get hotter and Naruto squirmed a bit in Shikamaru’s hold as Kurama’s chakra spilled its way out of the seal, forming itself into a miniature version of the Kyuubi no Kitsune. He had done this many times in the past after Naruto unlocked his seal so that he could come out and speak to the others freely.

The little fox stretched and brushed his body against Naruto’s back before turning his attention to the older Uchiha.

“Ever since her escape from the moon, my siblings and I have been discussing the matter.” Kurama’s deep voice coming out of the little fox always sounded weird to the Konoha shinobi, but they were used to it by now. “She was powerful. Too powerful. The Sage feared her and made sure we all knew how truly terrible it would be for her to roam this world again. Long ago, before we were all captured and turned into weapons for you humans, we had come up with a plan. One that would work in theory, but would take a significant amount of chakra to pull off and would only be succeeded by one or two of us.” The fox pawed at the locks of Naruto’s golden hair that had grown to about the same length as Hinata’s as time had passed. Once he was sure he had every awakened shinobi’s attention, he settled down against Naruto’s back and huffed in contentment when Shikamaru buried his fingers into soft fur to pet it. “We contemplated the possibility of time travel. Of using space-time ninjutsu to stop the rabbit goddess from coming to be again. Chakra is easy to send away and we believed that it would work, but then there was the possibility that it wouldn’t. That one of us would make it back to the appropriate time and would be overwritten by our younger selves and that the task would have been for naught.” He sighed. “So, then, we contemplated sending a shinobi back. If they went back far enough, they would not be interfering with their own existence and would maybe be able to succeed. But then we were captured and our hatred for your kind increased and we gave up on this plan… Until now.” He lifted his head to look back at his host and her, lesser in his opinion, boyfriend. “We have been talking and we would do it for her. For Naruto.” He turned to look at Minato. “But we could never complete the how of what we were trying to accomplish. But we are here in Uzushio now. Where the world’s greatest Fuinjutsu users originated and made it their business to complete impossible tasks. And we just so happen to have the leading expert in space-time seals and ninjutsu here with us today. I’m sure, with the help of your daughter and any leftover scrolls here in the village, you can create a seal that can accomplish this feat. And I, and my siblings, will power it willingly. Even if there is only a portion of our power left, I’m sure it would be enough to send one and maybe two of you back a significant distance.”

There was a moment of silence before Obito let out an angry huff. “Thank you for that fantasy of a bedtime story, fox. I’m sure to sleep well knowing that tomorrow may as well be my last.”

Kurama growled. “As much of a fantasy as your dead sensei sitting in the same room as us now. As much of a fantasy as you becoming the Juubi Jinchuriki and surviving its extraction. As much as a fantasy as the malevolent goddess who roams the land with her plant minions, hoping to drain your chakra away from you.”

Minato let out a distressed laugh before standing abruptly and heading towards the door. “You all get some sleep. I’ll see what I can come up with.”

Obito glared at the fox. “You’re really having Sensei waste his time with this?”

Kakashi let out a sigh and pulled the blanket up and over the Uchiha’s head. “Just go to sleep, Obito. Besides, Sensei has all the time in the world.” And with that, nothing else was said for the rest of the night.

***

It was a couple of months before anything was actually discovered.

They trained and cleaned up the island, but tensions were high. It felt odd that Kaguya hadn’t come for them yet. Everyone was driving themselves crazy with the thought. Was she toying with them or did she really not know where they were?

Naruto found a few hidden, underground rooms that only opened up to her Uzumaki blood on a seal and was able to find a ton of scrolls and books on Fuinjutsu that she happily showed to her father. She created clones and the both of them studied to their heart’s content. Naruto even found scrolls on the barrier that protects Uzushio. Apparently, it harnesses sage energy to keep the whirlpools going and puts up a type of force field around the island that hides chakra. It was designed so that enemies would never know what type of forces lay in wait on the other side, which may explain their small reprieve. It was also made so that the only people who could get through were the families that made up the island and anyone whose blood was keyed in later.

Which meant there was definitely foul play when it came to the destruction of the island and its people. Naruto wondered if she even wanted to know who the betrayal lay with. Wondered if it would do her mental wellbeing any good. So she threw herself into her Fuinjutsu studies and helped her father search for any clue on what Kurama spoke of being viable.

They caught a lucky break when Naruto found another hidden room in the Uzukage’s tower. It held many secrets and told the history of Uzushio and each family that called the island home.

Naruto looked into the Uzumaki first, of course, and learned that the last Uzukage, Uzumaki Arashi, was forced to marry his distant cousin, the daughter to the daimyo, in a political marriage after his first wife and child died by poisoning. His second marriage is what resulted in the birth of Naruto’s mother, Uzumaki Kushina and her younger brother Uzumaki Ryu.

Minato was surprised. He never knew that Kushina had a brother. He actually wondered if the woman knew herself and if that’s why she never told him. But he and Naruto were even more surprised to learn that the woman who was Arashi’s wife before the political marriage. Was a woman who went by the family name Namikaze.

Namikaze was definitely not a family name for any of the islanders. In fact, Minato knew that his lineage lay in a village not too far from Kumo. Maybe the Uzukage had met a one off member of Minato’s family and gotten married. They put the thought aside with the promise to come back to it later.

They learned more about the Uzumaki clan being related to the Senju and Uchiha clan through the Otsutsuki clan and about how Uzushio and Fuinjutsu were created.

They caught a lucky break when the second family they looked into was the Hoshizora clan. Or more importantly, Hoshizora Sora, the creator of the offshoot Uzumaki clan who specialized in seals meant for transportation. In other words, a specialist in space-time ninjutsu and seals. Coded copies of his journals were found in the hidden room where Minato sat for hours to read through them while his daughter followed along at a slower pace. She was, by no means, stupid, but she was not as quick with learning and reading as her father. She also got tired, unlike the reanimated man. There were many nights where Shikamaru, Hinata, or Sasuke had come looking for them and found Naruto asleep with a book hanging loose in her hand and her head on her father’s lap. The man would slowly untangle his fingers from her golden hair and set the book aside so that her friends or boyfriend could take her to bed. He would give a quiet thank you before continuing his reading.

A few weeks later was the first night in a while that the group had Minato actually join them for dinner. They sat on the beach under the stars with the fire cooking the fresh fish they had managed to catch that day. The entire group glanced up and gave small smiles when they heard the barely there steps in the sand from the former Hokage. He sat down gracefully next to his daughter and bumped shoulders with her as she picked at the fire in front of them with a metal stick. Naruto huffed and leaned into her father’s side. Shikamaru, on her other side, didn’t seem to mind at all.

There were quiet murmurs as everyone talked amongst themselves until Minato finally decided to speak up.

“I’ve figured it out. A seal that can help us traverse through time. Just like Kurama said.” His voice was quiet, but it was heard by all of them. They group stopped their conversations and looked at the blond man over the fire. Even Kurama came out of his seal to settle himself into Naruto’s lap and listen. Minato sighed and ran his fingers through his thick hair. “It’s a seal that has only been used by the Hoshizora clan once and is confirmed to work. The downside is how much chakra it takes to attempt. The amount is so significant, that the one person who used the seal went into a coma and almost died. And even then, they only succeeded in sending someone back to the day before. The seal was then labeled a Kinjutsu and locked away to keep anyone else from attempting it.”

Kurama huffed. “Well I have a significantly more amount of chakra than you worms. And I’m ready to give it all up. My siblings have their portions that they’ve provided to Naruto as well. You will get to where you need to.” He blinked lazy eyes at the blond. “So…what are the rest of the conditions?”

The slight building of excitement in the group at the thought of the out-of-the-box plan possibly working simmered down quickly with Kurama’s question.

“You wouldn’t be here explaining this to us with such little enthusiasm if there wasn’t something else involved. So what is it?” Kurama grumbled.

Minato was quiet for a long moment as he stared into the fire. He knew his daughter had high morals. He knew what he was about to say might hurt her a bit. He felt like crap for even having to bring up the suggestion. The only thing that pulled him out of his spiraling thoughts was a hand reaching over to grab his own and intertwine their fingers together. He looked down at his cracked, pale skin, and compared it to the smooth, tanner hand of his daughter’s. He gave a squeeze back and steeled himself for the rest of this discussion.

“If we were sending someone like Kurama back, then we wouldn’t have to worry about this other condition. He is already only made up of chakra. There’s no body to be involved. We would just send him back and he would just assimilate with his past self and that would be the end of it. But as we’ve discussed, we can’t take this option because it would take the majority of his own chakra to send him back far enough to make a difference. By the time he got to that point, he wouldn’t have enough chakra to merge with himself and be the more dominant soul. He would just be absorbed and this would have all been for naught.” Minato started to fiddle around with Naruto’s fingers. “So, we would have to send one of us back. But the issue is that we are not made up of only chakra and a soul. Neither now or at any time in the past. We cannot just send ourselves back and hope for the best. The only way to do this right would be to send us back to our past bodies. And the only ones who could do that and actually make a difference are either me, Kakashi or Obito.” He let out a chuckle. “And I don’t know about the two of you, but I enjoyed the way I lived in the past. To have to take that life away from myself… To essentially take away my own life. I can’t do that. It may not have been the longest or the best, but it was fulfilling.

Naruto squeezed her father’s hand again and there was a moment of silence before Kakashi decided to speak up.

”I agree with you, Sensei, but is there any other option for us?” They all looked at the undead Hokage solemnly, but eagerly.

“There is one other option.” Minato said quietly. This is the part he knew his daughter would disagree with. He turned his head so that he could look at her in her blue eyes that were the exact same shade as his own. “Naru-chan, do you remember when we first started looking into the families that lived on the island before the fall? And how we found out that the Uzukage was married to a woman by the name of Namikaze before he married your grandmother?” With her confirming head nod he continued on. “If you remember, they had a child together, but both the mother and child died from some type of poison. If we send your soul and chakra back to right before the child dies, I’m sure your chakra would burn the poison away and you would be able to overtake the body.”

Naruto recoiled and let go of her father’s hand. “Overtake the body? Take over someone else’s life?”

“A life that was already lost. Don’t think too hard on this, dobe. It sounds like a solid plan.” Sasuke spoke up from seat across the fire. “You would be older than your parents then. Which means you would be in a time to stop the destruction of Uzushiogakure. You would be able to help stop the beginning of the Third Shinobi War. You would be able to keep your mother from having to be Kurama’s reluctant Jinchuriki. Don’t think of this as you taking someone’s life. If you need to, think of this as you being reincarnated as this person.”

Naruto wanted to argue. She really did. But she had nothing to say. It was all logical, even if she didn’t like it. She gave her friend a pout and crossed her arms over her chest. “I hate that when you decide to speak in more than undecipherable sounds, it’s to call me an idiot and be logical.” Sasuke rolled his eyes at the girl. Naruto decided to let it be. “So… The rest of this lies on me, huh? The idiot of the Leaf Village.”

Minato frowned and opened his mouth to disagree with her words, but Shikamaru beat him to it. The dark haired shinobi reached out and pulled at her hair with a stern tug.

“Don’t talk about yourself like that, Naruto. You are not an idiot. You’re strong, brave, loyal, an excellent tactician on the fly, and one of the smartest people I know. I can look at seals and know that it takes more than a little bit of intelligence to be able to learn the art and make it work. You’ve been learning with your father for less than a year and I’ve seen you do some amazing things with it. Imagine what you can accomplish growing up on an island full of people who know and teach the art. You’ll be a seal master in no time.” Shikamaru leaned forward to kiss her cheek, causing the blonde to blush. “I know you can do it.”

Minato watched the interaction with a fond smile on his face before clearing his throat and sitting up straight.

“And, Naru-chan, because of how much chakra we all have to spare, it wouldn’t be impossible to say that we wouldn’t be sending you back alone. We’d have enough chakra to send back another person to around the same time. The only problem would be figuring out where to place them.” He looked around at everyone else. “I know it’s highly improbable, but does anyone know of any deaths at a young age that would fit our needs?”

Naruto frowned, not likening the way it was worded, but looked around at her friends, hopeful.

Obito and Sasuke shook their heads. “There were, obviously, many deaths in the Uchiha clan, but I don’t know of any actual young deaths from the time we’re thinking about.” Obito mumbled.

Kakashi sighed and leaned into the older Uchiha. “The only death I knew about around that time was my mother. But she was older, so that won’t work.”

Sakura folded her arms over her chest. “My family have always been traveling merchants. There’s not much I would be able to do even if I knew of anyone who had a young child who died.”

Shikamaru had his hands sitting in his thinking position, a habit he couldn’t kick. “I think… I remember my father telling me the story of how I got my name. There was a Shikamaru before me. My grandfather’s younger brother. My father told me that the clan documented that he had been born on the night of the new moon and had died not too long after suddenly and unexpectedly. My grandfather had been devastated about losing his little brother and had named my father Shikaku in his memory. My father, in return, named me Shikamaru with permission from my grandfather.”

Sakura spoke up quickly. “Lady Tsunade used to tell me stories about how babies would sometimes be born with blocked chakra networks and would die suddenly due to it and no one knew what it was for a while. She actually told me that story because of Lee. She said it was a miracle that he lived to be the shinobi that he was.” A tear fell down the pink haired girl’s face that she swiped away very quickly as she continued to speak. “That is more than likely what caused the sudden death of your great uncle and sending your chakra and soul back would more than likely be the influx of chakra needed to unblock those chakra passages and allow for the body to live.” She gave Shikamaru a hopeful smile.

Shikamaru looked at the Hokage. “So we have another possible candidate.” He suddenly flinched, turning his gaze towards Hinata. “Unless you know of someone as well, Hinata?”

The lavender eyed woman had been quiet the entire conversation, deep in thought. She gave the shadow user a bright smile. “Even if I did know of someone, Shikamaru-kun, I would not say it now.” Everyone looked at the Hyuuga, confused. “This war has been tough. And we have all had many losses, but we have also found something here with each other that we’ve never thought possible.” She looked towards where Kakashi had his head rested on Obito’s shoulder and how Sakura held tight to a Leaf Village headband that was attached to a red cloth. Lee’s that he had gifted to her before his sacrifice. And then looked down at how Sasuke held tight to her own hand, probably not even realizing it completely. “Yes, we have all made new connections here. And you, Shikamaru-kun, have the most obvious one with Naru-chan.” The blonde and shadow user blushed. “And I can easily say that I would rather lay down my life here for the opportunity to send you two back together so that you can, one: save our world, and two: be with each other for the rest of your days, surrounded by the people you love and without worry. Please allow us to do this for you two.” Hinata bowed her head, stunning the young couple.

Kakashi gave his closed eyed smile from across the fire and bowed his head as well. “I couldn’t have said it better myself, Hinata-chan.” There were hums and nods of agreement from everyone else around the fire.

Minato smiled and gave a sudden clap. “Then it is decided! I will work on the seal and then, we will do what was thought to be impossible.” He stood and ruffled his daughter’s hair gently before making his way back towards the Uzukage tower.

Kurama huffed at the humans in his life and turned around to face Naruto, having been quiet the entire time. “You better make sure that I’m your Jinchuriki again, brat. I quite like how you treat me.” Naruto gave Kurama a sad smile that slowly transformed into a bright one as she reached her arms around the fox to give him a tight hug. “Don’t squeeze so tight, human.” He grumbled, but didn’t dare to move away.

***

It only took three days of sketches with Minato and Naruto going back and forth about the seal before they were able to paint the official seal on the floor of an intact sealing room in the tower.

Three days of the others meditating and trying their best to not waste any excess chakra. Three days of making peace with themselves and saying their goodbyes.

Naruto was, obviously, the one hit the hardest with the situation. She was about to lose the rest of her friends and be stranded in a time she knew nothing about. Alone until she could be reunited with Shikamaru again. When her father wasn’t bouncing Fuinjutsu concepts off her, she was spending some time with the others.

She had been forced to take lunch with Hinata and Sakura on the first day, listening to the girls talk and try to teach her small, quick things about medical ninjutsu, chakra control, and how to be a real lady and kunoichi. Things she had been neglected in learning when she was much younger.

That same night, Obito sat next to her at dinner and was adamant with talking to her about how she couldn’t become a stick in the mud like Kakashi used to be. The silver haired man had rolled his eyes from across the fire at that. He told her that even though her past hadn’t been the best, and he was mostly to blame for that, that he wished she would use this new life as a new opportunity to live the way she was supposed to the first time around. Naruto had just patted his head and force fed him some of the fish that was cooked for dinner to shut him up. Kakashi laughed outright at the Uchiha’s stunned expression.

Sasuke had woken her up early the next morning to go out to the beach and watch the sunrise on the other side of the island. And he had decided that he would teach her how to handle a sword while they were there. Naruto whined about how she wasn’t going to learn Kenjutsu in a morning, but her broody brother didn’t care. He made her create clones so that she could at least learn the katas. “I’ll have to learn this all over again, Sasuke. I’m not sure why you’re insisting on this.” Naruto had mumbled as the Uchiha corrected her leg positions.

“Because I hope, dobe, that the techniques will imprint themselves on your soul and your chakra. Because if it does, just a little, that’s just one step closer to you being able to protect yourself without me there.” the Uchiha said before stepping away to make her do the move again. Naruto wanted to mention how she had been without him for a while now, but she kept it to herself. If it made him feel better, she was not going to ruin it.

Once she was able to escape the impromptu lesson, she was with her father for the remainder of the day until Shikamaru came to pull her away and feed her dinner on the roof of a mostly intact building. Now, if their small dinner turned into a make out session as well, Naruto wasn’t complaining. But then soft and playful touches and kisses turned into bruising holds and desperation. Like most of their intimate moments. It often made Naruto wonder if they would have ended up together in a different life. If the war had never happened. If they weren’t some of the last few people left. Every one of their intimate moments felt like a last goodbye, but that was the life of a ninja. Maybe she was just overthinking it. Later, before they went back down to join the others, Naruto draped herself over Shikamaru’s body and ran her fingers through his soft hair as he stared up at the sky. “Shika, you know I won’t hold it against you if we get to the past and you didn’t want anything to do with me.” Naruto whispered, putting out all her insecurities in that one simple sentence. The shadow user stopped breathing for a moment before he let out a full bodied laugh, jostling the blonde and making her give an irritated huff.

“You troublesome woman.” Shikamaru wrapped his arms around her waist and rolled them so that he was pinning her to the roof with his body. “You won’t be getting rid of me so easily. We Nara may be lazy, but once we have something or someone, we keep them.” He leaned down to give her a kiss.”And I plan on keeping you, Naru. For the rest of my days.” The blonde blushed and gave her boyfriend a small smile before pulling him down to kiss her again. They never ended up back with the rest of the group that night.

Naruto would have spent her lunch with Shikamaru the next day, but Kakashi was quick to swoop in and take her away to a secluded spot in the woods not far from the tower. He whistled and sat behind her, brushing and braiding her hair. It was a habit that he had started with the girls not long after running for their lives from Kaguya. It had started with Naruto after her hair had grown long enough to start getting in the way while she was trying to fight. She was about to hack it all off one night, but Kakashi stopped her and made her sit patiently as he conjured up his memories on how he used to braid Kushina’s hair back when she was pregnant. Naruto had smiled at him and gave him a small hug, asking if he could do it again for her every once in a while. It eventually turned into him braiding Hinata and Sakura’s hair as well and he did it all happily.

Naruto sat quietly as she nibbled on some fish while Kakashi worked. When he was done, he rested his head on her shoulder so that she could see his eye smile. “All done, Naru-chan.” Naruto sighed and leaned back into the man that she had come to think of as her older brother. Their relationship was weird and strained at first as it seemed like the silver haired man wanted nothing to do with any of his students and then he started to focus on one. Naruto had resented him for a while, and after Sasuke had left, she downright hated him because Kakashi had all but disappeared from her life. But then she left with Jiraiya and when she came back, she was mostly indifferent about her old sensei, if not a little excited to see him, or anyone that she had known, really. He was, technically, still her sensei after all of that, but she slowly started to see him less as that and more of a weird older brother who didn’t know how to truly interact with other people. She had told him as much and he had huffed with a blush on his cheeks and demanded she call him Aniki, which she had refused for the longest time until after they lost a lot of their forces after the initial battle with Madara and then Kaguya during the war. They had been hiding in the mountains of lightning country and Kakashi had had a fight with Obito, so he was huddled close to Naruto as they tried their best to stay warm. Naruto had grumbled and hid her face in her knees as Kakashi had, essentially, draped his body over hers as she was kind of a furnace. “I love you. I really do, Kaka-aniki, but please don’t use me to hide from your boyfriend.” Kakashi had blushed and tried to make excuses as his sensei, Naruto’s father, had laughed from his seat not too far from the both of them. But then Kakashi had realized what Naruto had called him and he held her tighter then, trembling. Naruto ignored the tears that she could feel seeping into her shirt as the man hid his face against her back.

“Thank you, Aniki. Do you want the rest of the fish? I’m not very hungry.” Naruto asked, reaching up to tug at the silver haired man’s mask. Kakashi swatted at her hand and bumped his head against hers.

“I know you’re stressed out about everything that’s about to happen, Naruto, but please at least try and finish your food. You don’t want to make bad habits.” Kakashi let out a dramatic sigh and tossed himself back against the ground. “Geez, what are you going to do without your dutiful aniki in the past? You’ll starve or train yourself to death.”

Naruto rolled her eyes and slapped Kakashi’s leg. “Stop being so dramatic. Besides, I’ll have you again eventually.”

Kakashi let out an amused huff and sat back up. “But then you’ll be the oneechan. I won’t be able to big brother you.” He said with a pout. He tugged a little at her braid.

“From the stories Obito tells from when you were kids, I’m sure you’ll find a way.” She giggled when Kakashi pouted and threw himself back on the ground again while calling her mean.

Not too long after lunch, Naruto and her father had completed the seal. Naruto wanted to wait until the next day to try activating it, but the others, once they learned about it being complete, did not see the need to wait. They all joined the two blonds in the sealing room and Minato explained how it would all work. The seal essentially pulled chakra from any source that wasn’t the chakra or soul being transferred until it eventually drained it. Once all of that was complete, and the seal had built up enough energy to do what it was designed, it ripped the chakra and soul from the intended travelers and transplanted them to where they needed to be. Which means that Naruto and Shikamaru would have to concentrate on their own tasks of leading their energies exactly where they needed to go after they ended up in the correct time.

Minato explained that the seal would not hurt the others, but would more than likely put them to sleep before they died of chakra depletion. Naruto bit her lip and trembled as her father approached her and Shikamaru and drew seals on their foreheads that would help guide them and keep the seal from draining their chakra as well. Minato had seals painted on his hands as well so that he could keep the seal going until the very end.

There was no need for goodbyes in the moment either, as everyone had already made peace with what was about to happen. Naruto had as well, reluctantly. But that didn’t stop her from crying tears that she hadn’t in a while. Shikamaru turned to her and wiped them away before giving her a kiss and whispering that everything would turn out fine.

Right before Minato was about to activate the seal, Kurama released himself from Naruto’s seal and pulled as much chakra with him that he could compress into a slightly larger form without invading the entire room and without completely pulling it all from Naruto. “I’m counting on you to make yourself my Jinchuriki again, brat. Do not disappoint me.”

Naruto let out a choked laugh and bowed her head. Of course those would be Kurama’s parting words with her. “You got it, fuzz ball.” The Kyuubi huffed and they all turned to Minato to begin the seal. The man nodded and began a long sequence of hand signs.

”Remember, Naruto and Shikamaru, concentrate on your intended vessels and where your souls and chakra should migrate. Do not waver.” They both nodded, determined, and Minato quickly finished off the rest of the hand signs. “Fuin!”

Immediately, the others began to feel it. One by one, the seal drained the chakra from the remaining shinobi in the elemental nations. The more chakra they lost, the more the seal began to glow. They were all sitting down already, but Sakura was the first to wane and eventually fall over onto her side, asleep then gone, as she was the one with the least amount of chakra. Hinata was next. Naruto had to close her eyes tight to keep from seeing her family die. But she could still feel them leave her. Her body trembled so hard that Shikamaru had to wrap his arms around her and hold her close, whispering to her that everything would be okay.

Kakashi, as dense as his chakra was, was the next to falter. He reached out to take Obito’s hand before falling unconscious. The Uchiha took him into his arms and held him close as he and Sasuke followed the others into death not too long after.

Kurama’s chakra would take the longest to drain, but it was draining surprisingly fast. The fox shifted uncomfortably as he pulled more chakra from Naruto’s seal to compensate before there was almost none left to pull. He left that there so that his Jinchuriki didn’t die before the sealing was complete. Eventually, he became small enough so that he could curl up against Naruto and Shikamaru and let the girl bury her fingers and face into his warm fur. He let out an amused huff, but said nothing more. No words were needed right now.

When Kurama’s chakra was finally gone, Naruto was a sobbing mess. Shikamaru held her as tight as he could and told her it was time for her to concentrate. They didn’t have time for tears. Naruto slowly pulled herself together as the seal started to pull away at her father’s chakra.

Just then, off in the distance, the two blonds could feel the Uzushio sage shields break and then they felt her. Kaguya. She had finally found them.

Minato let out a loud and vindictive laugh as more Edo Tensei cracks began to form across his borrowed body as his chakra left him. It was too late for the goddess. By the time she arrived, the seal would be complete. He smiled and looked up at the two travelers.

”Good luck to you both. I love you so much.” He forcefully pushed his remaining chakra into the seal and his body crumbled apart.

Naruto and Shikamaru gripped each other tight as they could feel the seal pulling at them, ripping them apart. The last thing Naruto heard was the vicious scream of the rabbit goddess in the distance before everything went dark.

***

Light, colors, and sounds slowly came back to her. Everything felt odd as she tried to move around and realized that there was no actual body holding her together. She looked around and noticed that she was in a room where attendants rushed around and what looked like doctors tended to a pale woman with long, curly, golden hair who held tight to an equally as pale baby with red tufts of curls on its head. Both of their breathing was labored and they didn’t look like they would be alive much longer.

This, Naruto realized, was her vessel. She slowly floated down towards the child and the woman, probably its mother, opened her eyes and seemed to look right at her. A gasp escaped the woman and she used trembling arms to hold the baby up to Naruto.

“Please,” she whispered. “Please save my baby girl.”

The doctors sighed and tried to make her put the child down. “We have someone still working on it, Uzumaki-sama, but the poison is something new from Suna. It’s not anything we’ve seen before.” The doctor didn’t sound particularly sad, but he knew this was a lost cause. Their Uzukage would not be happy.

The woman shook her head and held the baby closer to Naruto. “Not you. The angel. Please save my baby.” The doctor thought that the woman was hallucinating and marked that down as a symptom of the poison, but Naruto knew the truth. The woman could see her and thought she was an angel. With pure determination, she forced her chakra and soul to take on a more human form. Naruto reached out her hands and covered the woman’s hands on the baby, giving a slight squeeze before she shifted them to gently stroke the baby’s head. Naruto could feel the seal that her father painted on her shift around until it settled itself on the baby.

This was it. She was about to take over this child’s life. She understood, realistically, that the child would not survive much longer without her intervention, but it still pained her to have to do this.

“Thank you.” The whisper startled Naruto out of her thoughts and she glanced at the woman as she started to feel her chakra being absorbed into the small body. “Thank you for saving her. My little Tsubaki will grow stronger than the rest. She has an angel on her side.” The woman’s face looked pained, but she was still smiling. She slowly lowered the baby back to her chest and started to hum a song. Color returned to baby Tsubaki’s skin as Naruto’s essence started to burn away at the poison that was ravaging the body just moments ago.

The doctor was stunned and called for aid as it looked like the child now had a fever when just a few seconds ago she was ice cold.

The door to the sick room slammed open and a man with long red hair ran into the room. He fell onto the bed next to the woman and reached out to touch her pale cheek. “Nikko! I came as fast as I could.” He looked over his wife before turning his attention to their baby. “No one explained anything to me. What happened to my wife and child?” He said with a growl, turning his attention to the doctor. Uzumaki Arashi, the Uzukage, was not a man to be trifled with. He had a reputation that made people tremble if they saw him in battle. He wasn’t just named after the storm. This man was a storm.

The doctor looked away, wondering where his help was. “It is poison, Uzukage-sama. Something from Suna that we’ve never seen before. There seems to be nothing we can do, but your child has started to develop a fever and your wife is having hallucinations. We have them marked down as more symptoms of the poison.”

Arashi snarled and stood. “If you are not going to do anything for my family, then what is the point of you?” The doctor flinched away, but Nikko lifted a weak hand to take her husband’s. And just that quickly, the storm faded and the man returned his attention to his love. As dangerous as a shinobi this man was in his daily life, he was always a gentle soul to those that he loved. Naruto, who was just barely finished with being assimilated into the child, was getting a bit of whiplash from the swinging emotions in the room.

“Arashi. I’m sorry that I have to leave you.” Nikko whispered as her husband came closer. The man tried to shush her, but she just shook her head and brought their baby closer to him. “You won’t be alone though. An angel has saved our Tsubaki. Raise her well. Raise her to be strong and brave.” She gave him a weak smile. “Raise her to be a warrior far more tenacious and powerful than any Namikaze before her.”

The Uzumaki’s hands trembled as he reached up to stroke his wife’s hair out of her face. “I promise, Nikko. Tsubaki will want for nothing and she will be the fiercest woman anyone will ever encounter. I promise.”

Naruto closed her eyes, giving the two their last moment together just as she was finally absorbed into the body of the baby. She opened her eyes to a white room with a small bundle laying on the floor not too far from her. She slowly approached and looked down to see a small baby girl with curly red hair and blue eyes just slightly darker than her own. She did not look well either. Silent cries came from the child and her face was scrunched up as if in pain. Naruto got down to her knees and reached out to lift the baby. When they physically touched, the sound of the cries hit Naruto like a slap to the face.

“Tsubaki,” she whispered. “I am so sorry, little one.” She rocked the baby gently in an attempt at comfort. It seemed to work as the cries started to quiet down and got softer. “I’m so sorry that this has happened to you.” She pulled the baby into a soft hug. “Rest now. Everything will be okay.”

On the island nation of Whirlpools, a baby opened ocean blue eyes to the world to see the blurry form of a red haired man leaning over her and crying. The baby let out a little gurgle to try and tell the man that everything would be okay. A gasp escaped the man and the baby felt large hands scoop her up and left her against a solid chest.

“Oh Tsubaki. Thank the gods. Nikko was right.” He nuzzled his cheek against hers. “Your mother was right. You were saved. I promise this will never happen again. Papa will keep you safe, okay?”

The baby, Tsubaki, just let out a little sigh and closed her eyes, too tired to do anything but sleep.

***

Not too far away, in the Land of Fire, a certain shadow user had significantly less time than his counterpart to come to peace with what was about to happen.

His chakra and soul took shape in a small room that was familiar, but foreign at the same time. A small medical room inside the Nara compound. A place he did not see often from before.

Inside the room a woman with dark brown hair was having a difficult time with coming to terms with what the doctor was trying to tell her.

Green glowing hands hovered over her youngest son. A precious life that she had only just brought into the world the day before. She was told that he didn’t have much longer to live.

”His chakra passages are blocked, my Lady. No matter what I try, I am only prolonging the inevitable.” The doctor said with much sadness in his voice.

The woman stood and glared at the man with tears in her eyes. “What use are you if you cannot save my son?” She asked with a hiss, forcing the doctor out of the room. She knew she wasn’t being completely fair, but her heart was breaking. She returned to her child’s side and whispered to him that he would be okay. That she would take care of him forever.

Shikamaru watched this and let out a small chuckle. Troublesome woman. He reached out and placed a hand on the baby’s head, wishing he could alleviate some of his grandmother’s pain, but he was more concerned about assimilating himself with his vessel in hopes that it would survive. He hoped that what Sakura said was true and that his chakra would force the body’s coils unblocked.

As soon as he laid his hand on the child, he could feel the seal transfer itself and he heard the woman let out a gasp. He glanced over and saw her looking right at him with tears in her eyes.

“Please don’t take my baby.” Shikamaru was confused at first, but if he thought about it he knew how this must look. If she would see him, she was more than likely seeing him as a wavering light. She had just heard that her baby was in a dire situation. He must look like an angel or a grim reaper, come to take a soul. Unfortunately, that was half true.

He reached out his hand to the woman who hesitated at first, but lifted her own to touch it, making a shiver run down her spine. She seemed to relax though, as if feeling something familiar. The Nara may be an underrated clan in the village, but there were things about them that not everyone knew. The clan were shadow users because they were born with shadows in their souls. The blessed children of Daikokuten, the god of great darkness. Their chakra was easily recognizable to any other Nara in the vicinity because of this. They used the shadows because they were born from the shadows. He didn’t understand the lore of his clan at first, thinking it was just a silly story, but he knows now. Has lived the lore for the remaining days of his previous life. Shikamaru’s soul and chakra, by now, were enriched in darkness.

His great grandmother recognized him for who he was. A shadow. A Nara.

The woman nodded her head, not knowing exactly what was going on, but knowing what must be done. Shikamaru nodded his head as well and turned his attention back to the baby, placing both hands on it and forcing his chakra and soul into the vessel, hoping that the intense influx of chakra would do what it needed to.

Shikamaru opened his eyes to darkness and found himself laying on his back, his fingers just barely brushing against something small and shaking. He turned his head and could make out the small, frail shape of his vessel. The original Shikamaru’s soul. He could hear little pained breaths as the soul reflected the body’s ailment.

He rolled himself over and brought his body closer so that he could wrap around the baby and touch his cheek with a gentle touch.

”I’m sorry that you didn’t have more time in this world, but I thank you for everything you’re giving me.” He placed a kiss on the baby’s head. “Rest now, Shikamaru.”

In the dark of the night in the middle of the Nara compound, a woman held her breath as she watched as color returned to her baby’s skin and a thick shadow settled into the corners of the room. Her hand trembled as she reached out to give him a gentle touch and let out a relieved sob when she felt a strong fluttering heartbeat under her fingers. She picked up her baby and held him to her chest as she cried and thanked the ancestors and gods for sending someone to save her son.

”You are so strong, my little fawn. My Shikamaru. And you have a family full of shadows who will protect you and make you stronger.” She whispered to him as she rocked the boy back and forth, smiling when he let out a little sigh. “Such a Nara already.”

She stood and moved to the door to introduce her little deer to his older brother and the rest of the clan.

[sasukesun]

Hi Bella! This isn’t an ask I just felt like ranting a bit (a lot) because I’ve got a lot of Naruto feelings lately! No analysis just speaking from the heart so some of this might be up for interpretation lol but I’m mostly beating a dead horse here because what more can really be said?

The “so misogynistic it’s gay” phrase everyone likes to parrot is a complete disservice to Kishimoto as an author because how do you write Naruto and Sasuke’s dynamic accidentally when it’s essentially the driving force of the story? You don’t. And I don’t think he’s this raging misogynist people paint him as because he doesn’t really treat the other women with as much disrespect compared to S or H. He’s probably as misogynistic as the average male author or person out of willful ignorance but writing unlikeable and two-dimensional women, I would say, does not a misogynist make because not all of the women here are written with the level of contempt, sexism and mockery as these two. For examples: Temari was also strong, had a brash and unsavory personality and was labeled “scary” by Shikamaru but was a protective older sister and not unlikeable to readers. Ino, who also began as a “girl in love”, fell out of her crush with Sasuke and gained some perspective on her ambitions and affirmations after Asuma died (and she wasn’t the one to drop her friendship over a “rivalry” for a boy that didn’t return either of their feelings… I get it, I was once a kid too but Sakura still being just as childish in adulthood in regards to Gaiden? What a joke, anyways). Tsunade, Konan, and Kushina and all of their individual strengths do not revolve around the acknowledgement of men and their appeals. Their respective love’s, while tragic affairs, were openly reciprocated by their love interests and each aspect of their story was treated with some level of care. So at this point, Kishimoto simply didn’t feel like giving the same romantic grace to NH and SS because SNS was the entire point! of the manga!

The fact that the words Sakura and Hinata share of their shallow infatuations in their confessions are ignored or outright rejected (more than once mind you) actually ring true when they are frequently paralleled in text with how Naruto and Sasuke feel towards each other should be all you need to understand that! Because their devotion to another is believable! Their evolving, MUTUAL, bond and attempts at trying to understand each other throughout the course of 698 chapters is it! That’s the romance! It’s romantic as hell trying to grasp the deepest parts of someone, connecting with them in a way no one else is able to because of a shared experience through different circumstances and defending them when all others have turned their backs; protecting them, dying for them, “bearing the burden of their hatred” and proposing a romantic double-suicide where hopefully in the new world they are absolved of societies failures against their current selves and the ties still bind them (because they’re soulmates); not being able to cut a single person down because they’re your “one and only (friend)” and without them you’d finally be alone but you’ve seen and know what’s in each other’s hearts and you know they’ll never leave you and they’ll stand by you even at the cost of their life; having complimentary sun and moon symbols on the hands of the arms they both respectively lose together in a battle concluded by both of them communicating in depth how they view their relationship outside of simple labels. This is the single most important relationship in the manga. It’s impossible to ignore but OH do people try and draw incorrect conclusions about their connection and love for the other (that’s an entirely different rant).

And even if Kishimoto cared enough to spare a crumb of reciprocation from either male party towards their future “love interests/spouses” or even any sense of S or H actually understanding Naruto and Sasuke beyond attraction and personal convictions, that wouldn’t change; and ultimately kishimoto didn’t because he didn’t care to and that’s obviously not the story he was telling. Naruto as a manga revolves around the natural progression of SNS’ individual motives and aspirations laced with their mutual care and interest for the other. Their interpersonal connections with others mirror and influence their love and understanding of each other.

I think it’s a disservice to say Kishimoto can’t write romance simply because he didn’t develop those two “relationships”; like Minakushi is the staple blatant romance of Naruto (besides SNS) and both SS and NH fans constantly want parellel their bond, mimic tropes, or make banal and superficial comparisons of their favs to Kushina (and Mikoto too which screams insecurity here like please free them from the mediocrity, I beg) because they know it’s the epitome of love in regards to Naruto. But the closest comparison to Minakushi, trope wise, in my opinion, is literally SNS! And if either SS or NH fans had a single canon moment (written by Kishimoto) rivaling anything SNS have together they would be screaming romance at the top of their lungs but instead they cry “brothers/friends” to some of the most romantic text I’ve ever read whilst all they’re given by Kishimoto is eye sex(?) + (brotherly) forehead poke of rejection (“better than a kiss”; my ass) and “big strong hands” over my slave cousin’s corpse + silly contrived movie with imagery Naruto and Sasuke had first and both a plethora of cherry-picked panels taken out of context. It’s just embarrassing!

This comes from a place of neutrality for both S and H as characters tbh because I acknowledge they weren’t meant to be anything more than what we got. I just don’t like their fan bases praising fodder caricatures or their reductive ships because they “got the guy in the end” in extremely dysfunctional “canon” (lavender) marriages. If they would just let them be girl failures and pathetic in peace and regard them properly I wouldn’t mind. However, the constant character revisionism is annoying because I know I’m not missing some grand aspect to either woman. And they’re not “mothering” at all lol let’s be serious! They’re two cheeks of the same spoiled ass unfortunately and that’s just how they’re written— you’re not gaining feminism points for appreciating women written through a sexist lens like I’d argue that’s more misogynistic then just outright disliking them. Sorry! Kishimoto is an author, and like all author’s, he writes with intention. He wrote what he wanted to, how he wanted to and focused on what was important which was SNS. Laughably undeveloped or plain unlikeable characters be damned, Sasuke and Naruto were the main act and not the side show.

There are plenty of genre’s to choose from for interesting and developed female characters that aren’t contributing to male (and female, mind you) fantasies but unfortunately Shounen really isn’t one of them because there’s only isolated cases of actual decent representation across the board. But in regards to Kishimoto’s work, S and H got the butt end of the intentionally-poorly-written-stick compared to the other women and there’s no amount of personal head-canons no one legitimately subscribes to or cries of “you’re misinterpreting her character” that are changing that. My mind, and many other’s, has been made up because we see them for what they are and how they’re actually written.

Alrighty! Convoluted, possibly contradictory and very opinionated rant over. If you read this, you’re a real one LOL I hope all is well!!

i don’t think i have much to add, especially since you put it so well. i talked about the “so misogynistic that it’s gay” plenty of times before, and how nonsense and homophobic that take is, how kishimoto foreshadowing a romantic double suicide has anything to do with sakura being badly written? and that’s just one small example. people act like just because naruto and sakura are on the same team as sasuke, they must have the same importance to him, they expected both naruto and sakura to have the same influence over sasuke, but that’s not what’s written from the beginning, i believe the logic is “naruto and sasuke have a deeper relationship than sasuke and sakura, who has no room for development, that’s why they look gay (on accident)” but stopping at it is shallow, it’s not solely about their relationship being meaningful, while ss (or nh) isn’t, it’s about why it’s meaningful, and more importantly, only being meaningful isn’t enough either to be gay, it’s about why is it gay? why it feels gay? why so many people read it and think “that seems romantic”? naruto is a story that establishes some actions as romantic and then shows naruto and sasuke act exactly how it was established towards each other. did i mention anything about how lacking sakura and hinata are to talk about the nature of their relationship? no, because homosexuality is defined by who you’re attracted to, men are gay because they love other men, women are lesbian because they love other women, and it’s homophobic to say “actually, women are lesbians because they don’t love men”, it’s the same logic of telling a lesbian she just hasn’t found the right man yet. “naruto and sasuke love each other” and “naruto and sasuke don’t love hinata and sakura” are two facts that coexist and don’t have influence over one another.

i did mention that people say sakura has no room for development, but i disagree, sakura does have room for it, she has opportunities to be better, but she isn’t, it’s a deliberate choice from kishimoto, he simply doesn’t want sakura to be in the same position as naruto, he doesn’t want her to be important to sasuke, but giving naruto development while sakura remains inconsiderate (which is one of the reasons why sasuke dislikes her) isn’t inherently misogynistic. and even if he did want her (and hinata) to be better, that wouldn’t change how sasuke feels towards naruto and vice versa. and yes, i do agree with you that kishimoto writes sakura’s and hinata’s characters with mockery, as much as he writes ss and nh, but i believe he does that to leave no room for doubts, and yet… 🤦🏻‍♀️ for real, if people are already in deep denial of narusasu with naruto and sasuke being written that way towards each other while ss and nh suck, imagine if their relationship was written the same way but they were at least friendlier towards sakura and hinata (especially in ss’ case here), no amount of gay subtext would be enough to stop the homophobia and heteronormativity, the denial would be worse. but “sns shippers” really think they are allies when they help with this logic, that gayness is accidental and ss/nh only suck because sakura and hinata are women.

and this isn’t me saying there isn’t misogyny in naruto. misogyny in naruto is rin dying for male angst, is konan outdoing obito and not only dying, but being completely forgotten, almost erased from the story, is tsunade showing a fear of blood during her battle against orochimaru just so it weakens her in that moment and that is never mentioned again, is kushina wanting to be hokage and dropping that for no reason so minato could be, is even hinata being written solely for male wanking, but i can’t agree that naruto and sasuke not loving sakura and hinata is it.

5th and 6th paragraphs are very on point as well, emphasising them here because i couldn’t agree more. the double standards people have in relation to narusasu vs ss/nh is ridiculous and plain homophobia and, contrary to sakura/hinata stans try to say to scare people off by using serious issues, disliking sakura and hinata is not anti feminist or whatever, praising badly written female characters will only contribute to more of this kind of writing, so no thank you. i think i’m just repeating my and yourself at this point, but i feel bad to read a rant as big as this and only reply “i agree with everything!” hah.

[animeomegas]

I was rewatching the first season of Naruto and I was wondering what the omegas would do if they were put against an Alpha they like in the chuunin exam. Especially what will Shino and Shikamaru do. Would they refuse to fight, stand up and be unable to move? Neji, Sasuke and Itachi wouldn't even have a choice if they had to fight, but what would it look like then? There's so much potential for drama here.

Oooh! An interesting question!

Naruto x Alpha

He's sad that they can't both win, because he kind of wanted that, but he's also excited to fight the alpha he's kind of been crushing on!

He can show them how strong he is!

They will definitely fall in love with him then!

Sasuke x Alpha

Denial, thy name is Sasuke.

He doesn't acknowledge that he likes the alpha he has to fight.

He just fights them to win, brutally.

He would stop before serious injury and be more aware of that than he would fighting anyone else though.

Shikamaru x Alpha

This would be a baaaad match up if Shikamaru has chosen this alpha as his.

He will not fight them. He quite literally can't.

He wouldn't even be able to manage a spar if the obsession was fairly new. The instinct is too strong to ignore.

That being said, I feel like strings would be pulled to try and avoid this. Shikamaru is one that is pretty much guaranteed a promotion, so the Hokage probably pulls some strings to make sure they only have to fight at the very end, if at all.

If they were forced to fight, Shikamaru would refuse and simply forfeit.

Chouji x Alpha

He's nervous and doesn't want to have to fight them.

He does.

But ultimately it works against him, because he is too scared of hurting them and doesn't use any of his more powerful moves.

Shino x Alpha

His bugs had chosen that alpha, they wouldn't hurt them, which does put Shino at a disadvantage.

He does still fight them, he's not about to forfeit, but he's not as powerful without his more deadly and op bugs.

He still has an excellent shot at winning though, provided he can subdue them safely.

Kiba x Alpha

Stoked to fight the alpha he has a crush on!!

He's an Inuzuka going through puberty, this is what all his dreams are about lol.

He gives it his all and enjoys the fight, even if he doesn't win.

Neji x Alpha

Another one in denial about having a crush at all.

He will fight the alpha he likes with no problems.

In fact, it's a very quick and brutal fight because it makes Neji uncomfortable so he tries to end it as fast as he can.

It's cute in a repressed, sad way.

Lee x Alpha

He is honoured to get the chance to fight with the alpha he likes!!

He would find it disrespectful to go easy on them, and hopes they feel that way too.

He wants an all out, fair fight.

And regardless of who wins... maybe he could use it as a way to ask the alpha out for a date!!

[thwackk]

Mav I have to know your naruto character opinions pleek inquiring minds (me) want to know

uuhhmmm idk what exactly to say cause this is a bit vague. but i can talk abt my favorites a bit 😭

Naruto Sakura and Shikamaru are some of my favorites, with Naruto being my number one favorite🫶 he’s very special 2 me in ways i cannot even say because everytime i think abt him there’s not words it’s just colors and feelings and sounds so idek what to say abt that uuuh yeah! I think he’s one of the most human shounen protags ever written and it irritates me when ppl lump him into the stereotype because of his high energy and silliness, they ignore literally every prominent and important aspect of his character and growth throughout, i’ll say that. he really stands out among most of them to me

when i was a kid tho i identified with shikamaru the most, we were practically the same person (i am definitely not that smart tho 💀) so he’s been a longtime favorite too as i feel like i understand him on a much more personal level than other characters. And i’ve been a sakura lover since DAY ONE‼️‼️ AND PROUD TO SAY IT 🗣️🗣️ sakura haters could never fathom, i need them all to explode immediately she’s literally so cool, she’s just a girl how could you hate her 🤨

it’s hard to write a character that’s supposed to be smarter than you tho and kishimoto kinda fumbles the ball with this one a bit. and then ofc the women of naruto also suffer from being written by a male shounen jump mangaka which is not unexpected but always dissapointing. some of naruto’s writing is ROUGH. we all know this 😭

I love pretty much all of the konoha 11 deeply and dearly, it feels like we’ve grown up together (i was exactly 12 when i started naruto) so i dont wanna say i HATE any of them, that’s too strong of a word but if i had to rank them from favorite to least favorite it would probably look like this:

Naruto

Shikamaru

Sakura

rock lee

ten ten

choji

ino

kiba

neji

shino

hinata

other favorites are kakashi, gai, gaara, itachi, izumo & kotetsu, kushina.. uhmmm what else. Oh i think jiraiya is overrated asf i never liked his ass.

i would talk abt sasuke and some of the others a little bit more but my memories of them are too old yk? i dont really trust 12 yr old me’s judgement on some of these things so i’m just rereading/rewatching it all again rn as well as boruto which so far i am greatly endeared by and frankly i have alot to say about it. but i’ll save that for when i finish it

[canonsinthehead]

(Repost) Naruto/Boruto Headcanon: Chocolate Flavored Potato Chips, The Marriage of Karui & Chouji pt. 6- THE NIGHT CONTINUES

As the meal is served, Karui and Chouji’s table gets to eat first. Followed by the groomsmen/bridesmaids' table along with Naruto’s since he won the UNO game tournament.

Sasuke looked around him to see many people infatuated with the high-quality beef like they hadn’t eaten in years.

“THIS IS SO DELICIOUS! I NEED THE RECIPE NOW!! I NEED TO ASK KILLER BEE ABOUT IT!!!’’ smiled Naruto as he added another piece of beef into his already full mouth. Karin and Suigetsu appeared to have put their difference aside to joyfully share a meal together. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at it.

His vision was obstructed by Shisui stuffing his face with everything on the table. He was grilling his deep-fried dough, dipping it in the soup, and eating his sauce. As messy his cousin eating was, Sasuke couldn’t judge too much because he had no clue how to eat most of those meal as well but compared to Itachi he appeared completely off track. His brother looked like he knew what he was doing.

“Sheesh, this is some good food! Rin we better get on this.” Obito commented mouth open to the amusement of Madara who always gets a good laugh out of him being enthusiastic about anything. Meanwhile, the big-haired Uchiha was too busy soliciting waitresses every 5 minutes for whatever reason.

Sakura caught herself eating way more deep-fried dough balls, than she intended.

 “I’m definitely gaining some inches to my waist tonight’’ She sighed. “It will probably go to my chest’’ she ironically thought. Next to her, Hinata was hesitantly picking her spoon in the various sauces and side dishes. Sakura took notice and reassured her;

“Don’t worry Hinata, it’s nice to try different things sometimes’’ she smiled. The kind words allowed her to relax a little.

“You need to try more dishes!’’ exclaimed Hanabi who rose from her place to support Sakura. Quickly, she handed her a bowl of spinach sauce with cassava rice “Taste that! It’s delicious!’’.

Temari frowned as she sniffed one of the bowls of sauce, she quickly put it back on the table.

“Something is wrong Temari?’’ asked Gaara as he removed eggplant from the grill. She pushed a few other bowls away from her grimacing. “There’s too much peanut butter, I can’t stand it’’ she answered. Kankuro and Gaara looked at each other.

“No need to make a scene’’ said Kankuro as he shoved a piece of plantain in his older sister's mouth only to receive a herculean slap behind his head.

The dinner went as expected, when everyone was satisfied, waiters cleared the table while waitresses distributed alcoholic beverages based on each table’s orders. Yes, in Kumo they do the drinking after the meal and it is used as prepping for the dancefloor. When cocktails (or a beer whatever pleases you) are served, each table are called to offer their gifts and envelopes (of money) to Karui & Chouji.

Sasuke watched as Naruto’s table (made of him, Lee, Kiba, Shino, Sai & Neji) got up to greet the groom and the bride. Shisui raised an eyebrow.

“Wait, Sasuke why aren’t you going with them? Aren’t you friends with them too?” He asked only to be answered with an angry look. Rin sighed at what she thinks is her husband’s cousin's ignorance and not a willful attempt to hurt Sasuke’s feelings. Itachi discretely cringed at the man’s words.

Sakura sipped on an exotic fruit sparkling water when she watched Shikamaru, Ino & Asuma offering their gifts and best wishes to the newly married couple. Shikamaru was drowning in his tears and Ino tried her best to maintain her composure but failed miserably. Sakura’s table was called next. Hinata went on a long genuine monologue to wish them a good life as a married couple. Especially to Karui who just joined her in the “Married Women Club’’ and how she can’t wait to see her become a mother one day. The others (Karin, Suigetsu & Juugo) expressed their joy for them and presented their gifts even if they were not as familiar with Chouji and his wife as much as Sakura & Hinata.

“I have to admit your marriage is already better than Temari’s’’ admitted Kankuro to Chouji, he was instantly gifted with a second slap on the neck by Temari. Him and Chouji laughed it off while Gaara was offering a few presents to Karui.

Time passed and the alcohol was flowing AND IT SHOWED. Waves of laughter were getting higher, and some were already weakened or boldened by the alcoholic beverages. Naruto felt it “It’s Coming…’’ he said to Lee. Kakashi never felt this relaxed in a while, he needed to bring a few bottles of the whisky they were serving home.

“Ok ok, I see you guys have digested well your food and some burn of impatience to show their dance moves to the world or I’m seeing double?’’ said Killer Bee. Waiters started freeing the space to make room for the dancefloor. “Fool, Ya, fool. It’s time to get funky but before the bench warmers leave in a hurry! It's time for the throw of the bride’s flower bouquet. Come on, all my single ladies. Don’t be shy, come out on the middle scene whether you’re in your 20s or 30s. Let’s get it!”

All the single women were encouraged to go to the middle of the room so one of them could catch Karui’s bouquet. Ino happily grabbed Sakura, Tenten & Temari and placed them in the center of the crowd of women. She couldn’t stop giggling in excitement. Then even Naruto, was shocked when the entire crowd (from Kumo) started counting as they all knew what to say in such a weird fashion only for a song to start when Karui threw her flowers.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, HAPPY NEW YEARRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Out of all people, Sakura caught it. “Whoops..’’ said Ino when the room was completely silent.

Itachi who just got out of the bathroom and luckily caught the scene pointed his brother from across the room ‘’SASUKE, MARRY HER NOW!’’ he yelled.

Suddenly a frenzy broke out in the room and a large group of men (including Naruto and his friends) seize the raven before he could escape and started throwing the Uchiha in the air repeating the command of his older brother.

MARRY HER NOW! MARRY HER NOW!! MARRY HER NOW!!

If Shisui and Obito could, they would mop the floor by rolling in laughter. Meanwhile, Madara was collecting blackmailing material with his phone widely grinning.

“Ok Ok leave Sasuke alone and let him go! If not, he might destroy all of you guys with his Susano!” laughed Killer Bee interrupting the chaos with the stage microphone. Sasuke adjusted his clothes while standing back up and lightly smiled to hide the flaming radioactive anger inside consuming him. He never thought he would have to thank Killer Bee out of all people but first, he made a clear mental note to burn all of Itachi’s books when he got home. Sakura blushed at the situation not thinking things would go this far.

Since the mood was hyped, the DJ took the occasion to play the first song of the night. Quickly the lights were dimmed, and the song was danced with the marrying couple, it’s tradition. When the music started, the room turned into a nightclub in a snap of fingers and most people joined the dancefloor to dance to a choreography popular in Kumo, a classic for any reunion/celebration. Neji used the situation to finesse his way out of the venue.

Sasuke stayed longer than intended because Suigetsu wanted to stock on the quality grilled beef while Karin was slowly realizing that there were other attractive men in the world aside from her precious Sasuke.

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