Title: Promise
Fandom: Naruto
Characters: Nara Shikamaru, Uzumaki Naruto, Shikamaru/Naruto
Category: Relationship - Romantic
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: BL, possible spoilers
Disclaimer: Naruto and characters belong to Kishimoto Masashi
Summary: Nothing would change this fate. Nothing he could say would stop the inevitable battle. So why was he trying to stall so badly?

A calloused hand firmly gripped Naruto's shoulder, stopping him in place. His head turned slightly to meet with the stern gaze of the other who appeared much too old for his age - a definite wisdom shown on his face. The taller boy did not have many words to say, yet had so much he wanted to say if only his tongue would allow. However, nothing he could express would stop the current situation, so there should have been no need for any extra effort.

"Naruto," he began, forced boredom saturating every word, "he's not going to be persuaded like the others."

The blond flashed a toothy grin in return. "I know that, Shikamaru! Thanks for your words though."

With a shrug of his shoulder, Naruto easily escaped from the genius's hold and made a small step forward, his legs shaking uncharacteristically. A soft sigh halted him once more. He peered back at the brunet, wrinkling his brows in confusion; it was very rare for Shikamaru to hesitate. Concern marred the Nara's features with his eyes averted as though he were in deep contemplation. Naruto had always been able to tell when the taller boy was thinking of something difficult.

"Seriously, what is it?" Naruto huffed, growing more nervous himself. He was not sure if he actually wanted to know the answer.

The brunet, eyes still cast downward, opened his mouth and closed it again almost immediately. Nothing would change this fate. Nothing he could say would stop the inevitable battle. So why was he trying to stall so badly? Shikamaru gave a short chuckle to himself, it was nothing. He was only imagining the tight sensation in his chest, the steadily increasing heart rate, and the heat he was fighting back from his cheeks. It was nothing. Just like he could do nothing to stop the upcoming event.

"Nevermind. It's nothing," he simply stated, holding back any emotion. A sad smile made its way onto his lips and he turned around, walking in the opposite direction - back towards Konohagakure. The brunet gave one more look back at Naruto, who was now just watching the back of his fleeting comrade, and gave a little wave. Naruto grinned.

Somehow, that one smile was all Shikamaru needed to finally confide his troubles. He stopped, still not fully facing the blond, and shouted back, "If you do anything that puts the village in danger, I'll kill you and Sasuke myself."

"W-what? What the hell does that mean!" Naruto managed, staring at his friend's cold eyes in the near distance.

"I think it's simple, idiot. If you fuck up, I'll have to kill you both. That's what Godaime-sama ordered."

"What's wrong with you! How can you remain so calm while saying that!"

The blond ran towards Shikamaru, forcefully turning the older boy to face him. Shikamaru remained expressionless while Naruto glared in response - anger, disbelief, and hurt showing in his cerulean eyes. He awaited for some type of reaction, anything at this point would suffice. Anything to show that Shikamaru was not this hardened. Anything to prove that he had not become numb to the world around. Anything that would surface on the Nara's outside. It was not possible for someone like Shikamaru to seriously have no emotions. That was not the truth, Naruto could feel it.

"Say something!"

Shikamaru remained silent, staring down at the shorter boy. Those "nothings" were fiercely gaining control, he needed to stop them. There was no use for such intense emotions in the shinobi world. To think otherwise was just idealistic and foolish. They had been trained to remain stoic in these types of situations, doing otherwise may put the mission at risk. He knew from experience - those memories of his sensei were still deeply engrained in his memory.

"Answer me, dammit!"

The only response he received was Shikamaru reaching into his pocket, pulling out a cigarette, and deeply inhaling the calming smoke. Before the brunet was able to take his second drag, a stinging sensation spread across his face - on the ground laid the tobacco stick. His deep brown eyes met with Naruto's; they were finally beginning to show something. Naruto glowered. He was not giving up until he had an answer.

"If you don't say something right now, I'll punch you a lot harder next time."

"Heh," Shikamaru smirked. "We are ninja, Naruto. It's part of the job."

Naruto appeared dispirited. This was not what he was expecting. "How the hell can you say that so easily?"

"I'm just doing my part."

"This isn't like you. What did they say to you?"

Shikamaru paused, shifting to view the clouds above. How he wished he could be up there right now. It sure would make things less troublesome.

"Mendoukusei…" the brunet stated quietly, rubbing his neck to relieve some of the tension. "I don't know where to go at this point."

Naruto quirked a brow, insisting that he continue.

"I don't know if this thing's still working." He pointed to his chest. "My heart's not beating anymore. I can feel it while I'm around you, but at no other time."

"Where are you going with this?" Naruto asked carefully, his innocence making things a little easier.

"You're right. I'm not myself, but in this situation…what can I really do?"

Naruto crossed his arms, determined to change the brunet's mind. "You can at least show something when telling your friend you'll kill him."

"But what if that something would only make things more difficult?"

"Honestly, I'm not very good at figuring these kind of things out. But I know when I go to meet Sasuke, I'm not gonna hold back anything. Because that's my ninja way."

Shikamaru smiled, his first sincere smile since their conversation. "You love Sasuke, don't you?"

Naruto tensed from the question. He was unsure as to how to answer that. Sure, he did care about the raven-haired teen very much, but love? He supposed, in some way, that yes…he did love Sasuke. He had spent the last three years trying to find a way to return his old friend to the village. He had been almost killed more times than he could count just pursuing Sasuke. He had, in a way, given up his own ambitions just to shine the light back on someone who was lost in the dark. But, even through all of that, it was not the love he would consider as being in love. Sasuke was an important person to him, he was like his brother. That was all.

"Yes," Naruto firmly said, "I do love Sasuke."

"I figured just as much. Well, good luck, Naruto. I'm sure you'll bring him back."

Shikamaru was already heading back towards their home, strange tears were burning his eyes and threatening to stain his cheek. He kept them back well, now was not the time to fret over such unimportant things. Yet, that tight feeling in his chest was becoming unbearable. It was like nothing he had experienced thus far. It brought about feelings of serenity and despair - he did have his answer, after all. There was no hope for a lazy genius such as himself to be able to have requited love from someone like Naruto. It was impossible, no matter how many times he tried to strategize.

"You didn't let me finish."

Naruto's voice seemed to come out of nowhere. Since when had he been blocking the gate to the village?

"I do love him," the blond continued, "But only as a brother. He's cold, always thinking he's better than me. He's not someone I'd ever fall for."

Shikamaru held back a smirk. "Then, do you have that someone?"

"I do. Someone who has always believed in me and has been there for me even in the bad times. Someone who gave me my strength back when my sensei died…"

Naruto was not nearly as dense as people believed. He understood other's emotions and feelings. And he knew damn well that Shikamaru, for years now, was holding back his true thoughts for him. It was rather obvious, the way he looked at the blond, the way he always wanted to make the blond smile, the way he was there to comfort him during the sad times. Mostly, the way he believed in him more than any one else in the village. Naruto had noticed it all.

"Shikamaru…" Naruto stood just inches from the Nara, causing the pair to have erratic breathing. "You can stop pretending now."

"Pretending what, exactly?"

"That if you had to kill me, you wouldn't be sad."

The brunet's eyes widen. When had Naruto noticed?

"I suppose you're right. I would be sad. Very sad."

"And that's why you're acting so cold, right?" Naruto said, so easily, while grinning from ear to ear.

"Again, you're right."

Shikamaru shared the grin and closed the remaining space between them. He held the blond tightly in his arms, wishing nothing more than for that boy to come home with him right now instead of leaving for a beyond dangerous mission. A mission where he was sure only one survivor would remain. Until then, though, he would hold the shorter boy and refuse to let go. There was not enough time for him to say everything he wanted - if only he had done so from the beginning - but in the short time they had, he would make sure his message got through.

"Naruto," he let out, moving slightly back to look into those gorgeous eyes. "You better come back. I won't forgive you other wise."

One last smile eased away the brunet's worries.

"I promise, I'll come back! Just wait for me. I'll be done before you know it!"

Words were no longer necessary. The only thing that held anymore more meaning was the meeting of their lips as they collided slowly, savoring every last detail of the other. A seemingly forever later, they separated and desperately held one another in a final embrace - at least for now.

Naruto was only a mere speck, dashing from tree to tree in a frantic search for Sasuke. Shikamaru stood in front of their village gates, watching as his blond soon became too far gone for his eyes to follow. He smiled sadly again. If this were to be the last time he ever saw that idiot, at least it held meaning - they now knew how the other felt. As long as Naruto knew he was loved and would be missed, Shikamaru would remain strong. The blond had made a promise and the brunet swore he would make sure it came true.

With one last glance toward the surrounding forest, Shikamaru muttered a barely audible, "I love you. Please come home…" and finally turned his back to his most precious person. Everything was left to Naruto.