A/N: I don't usually leave Authors notes, but thanks for all the reviews! Check out my other Fem!Naruto stories if you like this one, I have quite a few odd pairings but I'm proud of all my stories. This chapter was originally over 6000 words, but it all got deleted . So I'm extremely frustrated right about now.

Anyways, sorry about that mini rant. Enjoy the story.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

Naruto stilled in shock, her face rapidly turning red as she realized the situation she was currently in. Quickly she slid off of Shikamaru's lap, using his body to shield her. Burrowing herself in the cushions beneath her, she bit her lip hard to stop the groan of disappointment that threatened to unleash. She had… well to be honest she had completely forgotten that the previous situation she had been enjoying just a few minutes prior was all a sham for these girls to witness. And she had been enjoying herself. Immensely.

Naruto's eyes darted over to catch the warm brown of Shikamaru's. Despite the almost apathetic look he currently wore, the nervous blond could still see clear signs of arousal in his stare as he wordlessly gestured for her to let him take the lead. They had spoken about this before, Shikamaru's calm disposition would be better equipped to handle this situation. Calmly, the Nara bent down to pick up the closest article of clothing to him, which happened to be his own shirt, before passing it to Naruto who rapidly threw it over her head.

At the doorway, frozen in shock with their jaws dangerously unhinged, were Ino and Sakura. Their eyes were wide in disbelief as they took in Naruto's embarrassed complexion and Shikamaru's careless nonchalance. Seeing as the girls refused to take the initiative in the conversation, likely being too shocked to do so, Shikamaru spoke, "Ladies, you know, most people knock when they decide to drop by a friends apartment."

"What the fuck?" Sakura repeated, this time her voice soft and full of disbelief. Ino was still silent, her mouth moving mutely as the words refused to formulate on her tongue. A mere hour ago, heck a mere five minutes ago, Sakura was all but convinced that Naruto and Sasuke had finally confessed their feelings for each other. Yet Ino was convinced that Naruto was actually not with Sasuke, but had in fact been spending more time with Shikamaru. Ino theorized that the two were assigned a mission together that had to be kept top secret. Sakura even foolishly felt a bit of hope since if Naruto was busy with missions Shikamaru, then surely she wouldn't have time for Sasuke, right? This, however, was never one of their theories.

With a bored expression and a lazy drawl, Shikamaru spoke, "I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific. Unless this could wait for another day, we're a bit busy as you can see."

"Naruto. You're sleeping with Shikamaru?!" Sakura yelled.

"Um… yes?" Naruto squeaked out in response, resisting the urge to burrow herself within the safe confines of Shikamaru's grasp. That would not help the situation at all.

Before Sakura could start what would undoubtedly be a very long tirade, Ino bit out angrily, "Shikamaru, how could you?"

The Nara straightened his back, "I'm afraid I don't understand your anger. Exactly why is my relationship with Naruto any of your business?"

"You're kidding me, right?!" Ino cried, her voice wavering in anger, "Perhaps you're forgetting about another blond you were dating not too long ago— oh what was her name again— TEMARI!?"

Shikamaru scowled, "Ino, as much as a surprise as this surely must come to you, my love life is not your business. So stay out of it."

"Love life?! Love life!?" Ino screeched hysterically, "Is that what you call this— this affair?" Naruto winced slightly at that statement, a move that thankfully no one noticed.

"Affair implies that I am being unfaithful, and as I'm sure you're aware, Temari and I ended things three months ago. As I'm currently unattached, I don't think my actions are anyone else's business," Shikamaru spoke calmly. His eloquent speech deep and smooth with just a hint of his usual lazy nonchalance. If Naruto didn't know Shikamaru any better, if the last few days hadn't forcibly opened her eyes to the sheer complexities that make up the Nara's personality, she would have taken it at face value. But Naruto did know him better so she tried not to wince at the sheer fire she spotted in his eyes. Shikamaru Nara was pissed.

With a tentative hand placed of Ino's forearm in an attempt to stop another outburst, Sakura slowly spoke, "I'm sorry, we're just… confused. We thought the two of you were on an assignment together, not—" she couldn't finish her sentence as her skin turned an even deeper shade of red.

Naruto, who's face was also exhibiting the most interesting shade of pink, answered, "Um, yeah no. No mission or anything, just…" She gestured comically between her and Shikamaru.

A soft sighed reached Naruto's ears. "That's it," Shikamaru muttered quietly enough that only Naruto was able to hear. Rising from his position on the couch, his back muscles flexing impressively under the pale moonlight that filtered through the window, he spoke strongly, "Ino. Sakura. I think the two of you have overstayed your welcome for the night. It's late, and if you insist, then we can continue this conversation tomorrow."

Sakura had to forcibly tear her eyes from his bare skin and the thin treasure trail that led from his ridiculously well-sculpted abdominal muscles past his belt buckle. Yeah. Okay. Sakura could totally get why Naruto would jump into bed with him despite the obvious drama regarding Temari. Hell, Sakura was miffed that she herself hadn't realized the body Shikamaru hid under that mesh shirt and jonin jacket. Focusing back to the matter at hand, she almost winced at the steel of the glare that Shikamaru was throwing them.

Swallowing nervously, her throat suddenly parched, she tugged Ino towards the door, "Come on Ino. It's time to go."

Ino grit her teeth, "Shikamaru Nara, don't you dare think that we are done with this conversation."

Shikamaru's glare steeled even further, "Get. Out." Yet still his voice was calm and seemingly uncaring. It was then and there that Sakura decided that Shikamaru Nara was perhaps the most terrifying man she had ever met.

"Let's go Ino," Sakura declared, yanking her blond friend and practically shoving her out of the apartment. The medic threw one last apologetic glance over her shoulder as she departed, grimacing at the sight of Naruto's embarrassed countenance and Shikamaru's cool anger.

Everything was still for a while. Until the door slammed shut and the echo of footsteps disappeared down the stairs. With an audible sigh, Shikamaru flopped back onto the couch, his head tilted back in exasperation as his fingers came up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"Well. That could have gone better."

Trust Naruto to break a tense situation. With a soft chuckle, Shikamaru lifted his head and quirked an eye open to meet the gaze of the squirming girl besides him, her cheeks still stained pink. With a drawl he spoke, "Yeah. It could have gone better. But that was pretty much my expectation anyways."

Naruto lifted a brow, "You foresaw Ino's rather… uh… extreme reaction."

Another sigh. "Yeah, I did. I hoped it wouldn't be that bad, but I saw it coming."

"Oh…" Silence filled the room as Naruto continued to squirm awkwardly, "Can I— uh, can I ask why?"

"Why the reaction was so extreme?"

Naruto nodded sharply, "I mean, I didn't think Sakura would be here, and sure she was obviously surprised, but she wasn't mean about it. Ino on the other hand…"

Shikamaru couldn't hide the grimace if he tried, "Ino is… well she's close to Temari."

Naruto scooted over to her friend, her fingers gently reaching out to intertwine with his. She knew how hard it was for him to speak of his ex, as he obviously was still in love with her (and no Naruto wasn't jealous of that), so she offered him the little amount of comfort that she could in this situation. "How close?"

"Really close," Shikamaru sighed, straightening up before softly narrating what Naruto was sure to be an interesting story, "I guess I should start after I became chunin. You were gone with Jiraya-sama on that training trip, so you weren't here to witness what the civilians referred to as the 'most adorable love story ever'. Shorty after your departure I was made the Suna Ambassador, and likewise Temari was made the Konoha Ambassador. This naturally led us to spending a significant amount of time together while drafting trade agreements and the like. It all started off as a tentative friendship, I was still weary as I was convinced that Temari still wanted revenge after her not-quite-win at the chunin exams. It took a while, but sometime during the hours and hours of pouring over mind numbing finances we became genuine friends. We started to laugh together and even share quite a few inside jokes regarding our respective villages. It was… different. The only true friends I had prior to this were Choji and Ino, and that was only because we have known each other since the cradle."

Naruto nodded as she listened to the first hand account of the love story she had only heard bits and pieces of from various villagers over the years. Knowing Shikamaru as she did, she understood his confusion regarding his friendship with Temari. Outside of Choji and Ino, he didn't really have any close friends. Especially not ones he openly joked with, he always was a closed off person.

Seeing that Naruto understood, Shikamaru continued, "I still hadn't gotten my apartment yet, so while in Konoha we usually worked over lunch at some restaurant as there was no way I was going to make the mistake of introducing her to my mother. One day while we were pouring over some documents during lunch, Ino happened to walk by and witness the two of us share a laugh. That was enough to convince the troublesome Yamanaka that Temari was someone special to me, so she came over to formally re-introduce herself. Somehow that turned into Ino joining us for lunch which then somehow turned into an impromptu shopping trip featuring me as their packing mule."

Naruto giggled at the image that presented. She could just imagine his confused and annoyed visage as he unwillingly followed two troublesome blonds with linked arms through he confusing and packed shopping district, his fingers just itching for the cigarette he knew that he shouldn't light around so many children.

"The two girls were basically inseparable after that. Every time Temari came to town Ino made sure to spend as much time as possible with her; going on shopping trips, spa trips, and whatever other girly trips the two could come up with. Once they even went on a two week long vacation to Hot Springs Country and damn if it wasn't the most peaceful and quiet two weeks of my life."

Naruto blinked, "I didn't realize the two of them were so close. How did I not know the two of them were so close?"

"Most people don't. Temari was often seen with me, after all, and our romantic entanglement made for much more interesting gossip than their friendly one. But Ino and Temari got quite close over time, and as Temari and I started getting closer and closer, Temari started to confide in Ino. When Temari realized that she was in love with me, a full two years after you had left and our diplomacy meetings had begun, Ino was the first person she told. Knowing me better than most, Ino had realized that I too was basically head over heels for the blond, and she wasted no time in informing her new best friend of this development. That same day, Temari marched over to me in the middle of a packed shopping district, slapped me across the face and called me a coward, before grabbing me by my chunin vest and kissing me in front of everyone. I barely heard the cheers that erupted around us, but I definitely recall that Ino's was the loudest."

Naruto used her thumb to trace small circles over the back of Shikamaru's hand as he told the story. Her stomach clenched, and that was definitely due to some weird sickness and not jealousy because Naruto Uzumaki did not get jealous damn it. "So that's why Ino is mad? Because she's the one who helped you guys get together in the first place?"

"It's a part of the reason," Shikamaru sighed, "Truthfully, I understand Ino's anger. I in no way agree with it, nor do I condone it, but I understand it. During that time, Sakura was way too busy with her medic training and never spent any time with Ino. Temari, on the other hand, despite living in a different village had become Ino's best friend. Temari didn't have any female friends herself, so they both really cherished their friendship to one another. Over the years Temari and I have broken up quite a few times for one reason or another, but we have always found our way back to each other. We were in love after all. Ino had gotten used to our petty break ups and make ups, she just learned to accept that we are both stubborn individuals and will come back to one another when we calmed down. Ino understands better than anyone else just how deeply Temari feels for me, and to see me so blatantly disregard her feelings… well… I understand why Ino is angry."

Naruto nodded solemnly, slowly taking her hand from Shikamaru's grasp and wrapping her arms gently around his torso, her head coming to rest on his chest, "You're not a bad person Shikamaru. Yes, Temari will be hurt when she finds out we're 'together', but when this is all over she'll understand why you had to do it. She loves you, you said so yourself. She'll understand."

Shikamaru's lips slightly quirked, looking down at Naruto and giving her what she believed to be the softest and most sincere smile she had ever received. Lowering his head gently, he briefly allowed his lip to softly kiss the top of her head as he replied, "Thank you, Naruto."

Naruto pretended the tears that threatened to fall were from the lingering feelings of embarrassment she had suffered after being caught in a compromising position. She was not jealous. She really really wasn't.

Shikamaru stuffed his hands into his pockets as he shifted his weight from foot to foot. There were no words to describe how little he wanted to have this conversation, yet have this conversation he must. He owed it to her.

Tentatively, he raised his hands and knocked sharply on the door, a scowl of unease pulling his lips downward as he waited for the characteristic melodic voice to call out, "Coming!"

Kami he really didn't want to do this, but despite his negative feelings his lips unwittingly curved into a gentle smile. He was, after all, always happy to see his family. He heard the door unlock before it was opened, his dark eyes meeting happily surprised red ones.

"Hey, Kurenai," Shikamaru greeted. He had long since dropped the word sensei from her name, it felt almost odd calling her that considering their friendly relationship.

"Shikamaru! Come on in, dear. I wasn't expecting you today, is everything okay?" Kurenai questioned kindly as she gestured for him to come in.

Shikamaru waltzed through the room comfortably, taking a seat at the kitchen table as Kurenai made a pot of tea, it being obvious to anyone if they were watching that he was quite at home in this apartment, "Everything is fine, Kurenai. Is it a crime for a man to want to visit his favorite god daughter?"

Kurenai laughed charmingly, her voice like bells echoing through the quiet apartment. It was easy to see how Asuma-sensei fell in love with this woman, she was an amazing woman and her simple beauty reminded him of this fact often, "Must you Nara's have a snarky answer to every casual inquiry?"

Shikamaru smirked, "It's a gift."

"It's a pain," Kurenai retorted sarcastically, placing the finished pot of tea at the table before taking a seat across from her late husbands favorite prodigy, "Well I hate to disappoint you, but Mirai is currently taking at her preschool. It looks like you'll have to settle for my company instead."

Shikamaru's features curled into one of apathetic distaste, "What a drag. Your conversational topics are not quite as riveting, but I suppose I'll have to make due."

"Yes, I'm sure debating the best flavors of popsicles with a three year old is the cap of your conversational intelligence, so I'll attempt to keep my own topics at a simple level," Kurenai sassed, her smile of amusement threatening to dissolve into peals of laughter.

Shikamaru snorted as he poured himself a cup of tea, "How is she doing in preschool? Has she gotten used to it yet?"

Kurenai nodded, "She's doing well. It took a few weeks, but she finally made a few friends that she regularly plays with. She even shared her dolls with them once."

Shikamaru whistled lowly. Between himself and the doting mothering of Kurenai, Mirai grew up wanting for nothing and never having to share. To start doing so was an important feat, "I'm glad to hear that."

"She has, however, been a bit sad lately that her Uncle Shika hasn't visited in a while," Kurenai quirked an innocent brow that always made him feel guilty.

"I've been… busy," Shikamaru stated, almost awkwardly.

"Busy with the same little topic that has you coming to visit me for the first time in two weeks?"

Damn, Kurenai was good at utilizing guilt. With a sigh, he spoke, "There will be a few rumors coming out about me within the next few days. I wanted to talk to you about it before you heard it from some random civilian."

"True rumors or baseless ones?" Kurenai asked astutely.

"It depends of what you hear."

"And what has you so sure that there will be any rumors for me to hear in the first place?"

"Trust me, there will be."

"Ah," Kurenai sipped her tea, the corners of her lips stretching into an amused smirk, "so they're romantic in nature."

It wasn't a question. Kurenai knew him too well, after all. With a nod, Shikamaru revealed, "I have been seeing someone."

"Someone who isn't Temari."

Again, not a question. Shikamaru nodded regardless, "It's still fairly new. We've been seeing each other for a few months, after Temari and I broke up of course. It started off casual, but now…"

"Do you love her?"

Shikamaru's eyes snapped to meet the serious gaze of Kurenai, "I don't know."

Kurenai casually leaned back into her seat, "If you didn't know, you wouldn't be here telling me about her. You'd be out and about not caring about the petty little rumors the villagers started regarding your love life, it's hardly the first time."

This was the moment of truth. Shikamaru was a phenomenal liar, but outside of Temari, Kurenai knew him best. If he could convince her, he could convince anyone. With an almost unnoticeable nod, he softly said, "I think I do."

Kurenai, bless her heart, only nodded. No immediate interrogation, no accusations about cheating or infidelity, no chastising him for starting a casual relationship in the first place when he was obviously still in love with Temari. "Do I know her?"

"It's Naruto."

If Kurenai was surprised by the revelation, she didn't let it show. Instead she took another sip of her tea and said, "She'd be good for you. She's energetic enough to get you moving, but understanding enough to let you move at your own pace. You probably couldn't find a better match if you tried."

"She's…" Shikamaru paused and thought of the blue eyed vixen who'd haunted his thoughts and apartment for the last few days. Slowly, a genuine smile crawled onto his features, "She's something special."

"I see her volunteering around the orphanage and academy quite often. She loves kids." The 'Temari didn't' was left unspoken, yet Shikamaru heard it as clear as day. It was always something of a sore spot between the two of them, a problem both Temari and Shikamaru willingly ignored for now while Kurenai just couldn't. Shikamaru loved Mirai as if she were his own daughter, spending time with her as often as he could afford. Temari, on the other hand, was not a kid person. She had two younger siblings growing up, and has been disillusioned to the idea of kids since. Temari never understood how Shikamaru could love another mans daughter so fiercely, and it was a flaw that never sat well with Kurenai.

Shikamaru winced, "She does."

Kurenai smiled, "Well, as she's so special to you, it is only right for her to come to dinner with us one of these days. She should get the chance to meet your god daughter, after all."

Shikamaru saw this coming from a league away. Temari was never invited to 'family' dinners after the disastrous first one, a fact that she had been relieved about, but Kurenai actually liked Naruto so it was only natural to extend an invitation. "We have a mission coming up soon, so I'll have to check with her. I'll let you know what day works best."

"Perfect. I'm looking forward to it."

Naruto woke up to the sound of knocking. After the fiasco from the night before, she and Shikamaru decided it was best to sleep in their own apartments for the night in case they got any other surprise visitors. It was a bit odd to wake up without the lazy Nara in the immediate vicinity, but Naruto just forcibly shoved that concerning thought down before it spiraled.

Opening the door, she was quite surprised to see the pink hair and awkward smile of her teammate, "Sakura-chan. What are you doing here?"

Sakura shuffled awkwardly, "Uh, can I come in?"

Naruto blinked, before stepping to the side to allow Sakura entrance. Closing the door behind her, she spoke, "Sorry about that Sakura, I just wasn't expecting to see you so soon after last night."

Sakura blushed again at the reminder, before steeling her voice, "I came to apologize."

Naruto blinked again, "You did?"

Sakura nodded seriously, "I owe Shikamaru an apology too, but I had to speak to you first. I didn't realize the relationship the two of you had, and I carelessly stepped aside and allowed Ino to use her spare key to barge in on you guys. Heck, I pretty much instigated the whole thing."

Naruto clenched her jaw, "Instigated how?"

Sakura gulped, "Well— you see… yesterday during practice I sort of saw your hickey… and I may have assumed that Sasukegaveittoyou."

Despite the almost incomprehensible speed that Sakura spoke in, Naruto heard her loud and clear. Her jaw unhinged in disgust, her skin rapidly turning green as she tried to hold down the reaction to heave, "SASUKE?! You thought I was sleeping with Sasuke?!"

Sakura nodded in embarrassment, her face rapidly resembling the same shade as her hair, "It wasn't that ridiculous of a conclusion, what with Sasuke practically stalking you yesterday and never taking his eyes off of you."

Naruto grew sick once more, the taste of vomit slowly climbing up her throat, "That was because he found out that I was seeing someone and the Teme wanted to know who it was! Not because he and I—" She couldn't even finish the sentence without dry heaving.

"Oh," Sakura shuffled awkwardly, "Well that makes sense."

"How did this lead into you and Ino walking in on us?" Naruto, finally calm enough, asked.

"Ino theorized that you couldn't have been spending that much time with Sasuke, because she thought that you and Shikamaru had an assignment from the Hokage. We went over to his apartment to ask, and you know the rest."

Naruto sighed, "And let me guess, now you're here to warn me away from a guy who is 'spoken for'?"

Sakura looked scandalized, "What? No! What you and Shikamaru do is your own business. You're an adult, and if you think the drama with Temari is worth it, then so be it. I just wanted to make sure you knew how sorry I was about everything. I tried talking to Ino… but she's a little stubborn."

Naruto grit her teeth, "I'm not the one Ino has to apologize to. As Shikamaru's teammate and friend, she should have known that he wouldn't willingly hurt anyone."

"She'll come to that conclusion in her own time, I'm sure. Are we… are we okay?" Sakura asked tentatively.

Naruto grinned, "Of course we are Sakura-chan. Just make sure to knock next time, because if you ever interrupt us like that again I won't be as nice."

Sakura gulped, "Noted. But now that we're on that topic: how's the sex?"

"SAKURA!"

"I'm betting it's phenomenal. I never knew that Shikamaru was hiding such a sculpted and hot body under that stupid Jonin jacket. Damn that man can strip for me anytime," Sakura continued with an exaggerated wink.

Naruto was scandalized, her hands covering her eyes as she helplessly muttered, "I am not hearing this. I am not hearing this."

"How did this even start in the first place? Because despite Shikamaru's secret sexiness, I can't see how you would jump into bed with him," Sakura questioned, curiosity and her love of gossip basically shining in her eyes.

Naruto sighed at the inevitable question, "It actually started a few months ago. We were assigned a stay-at-home mission regarding seals." That was a common occurrence as the two were the only ones in the village proficient with the art, "It was a really difficult assignment, so we often ended up crashing at each other's apartment. We got closer, and one day… well… you've seen Shikamaru without a shirt, try being around that for several days on end and not end up jumping his bones."

Sakura cackled, not expecting such a reaction from Naruto, "You actually jumped his bones? Seriously?"

Naruto nodded in embarrassment, "He was prancing around his apartment with only a pair of low riding pajama pants, and then he was stretching, and then all of a sudden my legs were around his waste and our lips were connected. Really I'm not sure how it happened."

Thank Shikamaru and his foresight to come up with a plausible story. Because, if she were honest with herself, it was just typical for her to make the first move, "Anyways, so after that first time we just kept seeing each other. It was really casual at first, actually."

This gave Sakura pause. "At first? You mean it's not casual anymore?"

"It's… complicated."

"Complicated," Sakura deadpanned.

Naruto grimaced, "I mean… well we agreed to keep it casual. And we have been. It's just… Shikamaru is really special. Special in ways I couldn't see before, and now…"

"Holy fuck," Sakura gasped, leaning into her seat dramatically, "You're in love with Shikamaru Nara."

Naruto winced. This was Shikamaru's grand master plan. They couldn't just up and announce that they were in love, it was beyond unrealistic considering the fact that just a few months ago, Shikamaru was in love with another blond. Having a casual relationship on the other hand was believable. A casual relationship that morphs into actual love? Romantic gold. By the end of this plan, everybody in Konoha would be rooting for the two lovers as they watch their romance blossom. Naruto just had to play her part and hopefully not screw up.

"I… damn it Sakura, I think I'm in love with Shikamaru Nara."

"Fuck."

"Yup.

"Fuck."

"I'm aware."

"Does he know?"

"Fuck no. Casual, remember?" Naruto let out a self deprecating smile, "How am I ever supposed to compare to Temari anyways?"

Sakura's jaw snapped shut as she glared at her sometimes moronic friend, "Naruto, Shikamaru broke up with Temari. He's currently seeing you, not her. You're beautiful, and strong, and just about the best person in the world. Shikamaru will see that Temari can't even begin to compare to you."

Naruto smiled, a true genuine smile, "Thanks Sakura-chan."

Sakura smiled back, "Anytime. But I do have one more question."

"What is it?"

"When in the absolute fuck did you realize that Shikamaru was a smoking hot babe?"

Naruto muttered something incoherently before raising her voice to a whisper, "The chunin exams."

Sakura's jaw dropped, "The chunin exams?!"

Naruto blushed, "He was really smart and I found that hot, okay?!"

The medic just laughed, "Damn girl, you've got it bad."

Naruto merely scowled in response, because truly there wasn't a viable response to that statement.

"Step one is complete!" Naruto called out as she casually waltzed into Shikamaru's apartment.

She found the strategist sitting by the kitchen counter, a cigarette loosely hanging from his lips as he scanned the files in front of him. More importantly, however, was his attire. Or lack of it. Kami damn those low riding pajama pants and his tendency of going shirtless, Naruto cursed. Sakura was right: Shikamaru really was unfairly sneaky hot.

Shikamaru smiled in greeting, "Good. With any luck, Sakura would tell your version of events to Ino, who won't hesitate to spread it around. By this time next week, everybody will know that the resident jinchuriki is in a secret affair with the Nara clan heir."

Naruto grinned, her whiskers practically twitching in anticipation, "This is going to be fun."

"Oh?" Shikamaru asked, a brow raised in amusement.

Naruto nodded before hopping onto the counter in front of him and taking a seat, "It's like a village wide prank, and you're my accomplice. People are going to freak."

Shikamaru chuckled in response, raising a hand to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. Leaning down to whisper in her ear, he drawled, "This is going to be fun. Let the games begin."