Disclaimer: Naruto and co. belong to Masashi Kishimoto. No copyright or trademark infringement is intended, and no profit is being made for writing this story.

A/N: Alright, here's the next chapter. Sorry for the wait. I recently moved and finally got most of my things set up as well as internet access. That, and I started a new job today and my next semester of college starts next week. Busy, busy, busy!

Also, to address some points regarding my decision to jump straight to gender bending. If you look at the first chapter, I did mention that Naruto canon goes AU during the Sasuke Retrieval arc given the fact that, you know, the mission was successful. Something like that changed the future drastically, especially given how big Sasuke's role was against Konoha in the fourth war.

So, basically, the fourth war played out differently. I won't go into too much detail regarding it, but I will be giving background information in future chapters. In conclusion, no, Naruto does not have a large plethora of available women to impregnate before the two weeks are up.

Hope that explains and addresses some of your concerns. Please review and let me know what you think. Also, keep voting. The poll will be closed in another two to three weeks.

Chapter 5 – Naruto's Decision

"It's not hard to decide what you want your life to be about. What's hard is figuring out what you're willing to give up in order to do the things you really care about."

||ShikaNaru||

Shikamaru didn't see what the big deal was. Naruto needed to have sex with a guy from a clan to protect his kid and Shikamaru offered. It would kill two birds in one stone. He thought the blond would be grateful when the lazy genius suggested they have a kid together. He had not expected Naruto to chuck the mostly empty ramen cup at him.

Troublesome, he thought as he dodged everything else Naruto started to throw at him.

"—can't just say things like that," Naruto ranted, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he started chucking random items at the Nara heir. "—eating ramen—coming onto me—weirdo—pineapple man—"

"Naruto!" Shikamaru interrupted once Naruto began to make little sense. "Naruto, calm down! Geez, what a drag…"

"How can you ask me to calm down?" Naruto wailed. He ran his hand roughly through his blond hair. His eyes narrowed and he pointed at Shikamaru accusingly. "You want my goodies!"

Shikamaru cocked an eyebrow. "Look, you need a kid, I need a kid, and you said yourself that you'll get the necessary parts for it," he said logically. "If we had a kid together, it could ease both of our concerns."

Naruto paused in his ranting long enough to think over what Shikamaru said. "How exactly would it do that?" he asked with a tilt of his head.

Shikamaru mentally grinned when he had Naruto's undivided attention now that the blond stopped accusing him of all manners of perverted conduct. "Very often, civilian women cannot accept the ninja lifestyle. There are, of course, exceptions to that, but I don't have the time to court them and then ask for them to bear my child. That would be way too troublesome. That only leaves the ninja women. Half of them aren't strong enough to protect crumbs from a gang of drunk roaches, let alone protect my kid. The other half that are strong enough, well, they're either crazy like Anko, taken like Kurenai, or have overbearing families like Hinata. It'd be too troublesome to take the time to get over those roadblocks.

"But you," Shikamaru continued. "You're already more than strong enough to protect the kid, and you're not nearly as troublesome as you used to be when we were kids."

Naruto looked at him suspiciously. "So that's why you want to have a kid with me? I'm not troublesome?" The blond sighed and shook his head sadly. "I don't think even a genius like you fully understands what you're suggesting, Shikamaru. I'm going to be the Hokage. That means if I wasn't already on a village's bingo book, I sure as hell would be. A kid—that's powerful leverage, right there. Think about it. Our kid would probably face assassination attempts, kidnap attempts, cruelty from the villagers that hate me, or even something equally nasty from those old bats on the council. Trust me, Shikamaru, you don't want to subject a kid to that."

Shikamaru paused, shocked. He didn't realize Naruto actually thought all of those things. Sure, there was truth to those words. After all, the Hokage tends to be the biggest target of Konoha. If Shikamaru and Naruto had a kid and that kid became highly sought after because of its relation to Naruto, Shikamaru wasn't sure if he'd be strong enough to protect it. The entire situation could prove to be very troublesome.

His mind worked in a fury, and doubt firmly planted itself in his head. Maybe suggesting to have a kid with Naruto was a bad idea. Maybe he should back out… But then Shikamaru saw the look on Naruto's face. It wasn't often the blond looked anything but cheery, but then again Shikamaru knew sometimes that the expression was forced or completely fake. Still, he hadn't expected to see Naruto looking so…dejected.

The blond's lips were twisted in a small smile, but it was filled with self-loathing and sadness. Shikamaru hadn't seen this look on Naruto since he'd failed the Genin exam for the third time. His stomach twisted uncomfortably, and the doubt he was feeling began to fade.

The situation was going to be extremely troublesome—but Shikamaru found he didn't care.

"Your point?" Shikamaru drawled lazily. "Look, Naruto, I've already thought about all the possible repercussions and consequences to this. I know what I'm doing, and I've made my decision regarding it. I just…really hope you take me up on my offer." He added absent-mindedly, "And, you know, now that I think about it, you'd be an excellent fath—moth—parent for our kid."

Naruto looked so surprised and elated and hopeful that Shikamaru felt a sharp, intense hatred for the village he swore to protect. The blond bit his lip in thought. "So…so you would really do that? Help me protect the baby and become Hokage? It's not too troublesome?"

Shikamaru's lips twisted in a wry grin. "You're normally troublesome," he said, "but I don't mind it."

"And you'll be a real daddy? Go on walks, take our kid to the park, that sorta stuff?" Naruto asked hopefully.

Shikamaru almost grimaced. He still wasn't happy about having a kid, though having the situation work out (or start to work out) was an immense relief. "I don't know," he said slowly. "I don't really want kids right now. I'm not ready, but my mother is forcing me into this. But maybe…maybe I could grow to accept my situation, and want it." He glanced at Naruto. "How do you feel about this? I mean, you're forced into it, too. Isn't going along with the council's plans sort of like giving in?"

Naruto hummed thoughtfully. "I don't think it is because, you see, the council never planned to let me be the Hokage. They set up this condition specifically because I'm forbidden to father kids. Me being a woman and giving birth? Well, that'll certainly be a slap in the face to them." Naruto chuckled. "It'll be my biggest prank yet! And besides…" Naruto's eyes softened. "This might actually be my only chance. I never really thought about having kids before, you know? With Jiji dead, the council would never overturn their law, and I just had to accept that I would die childless and wifeless." He paused and shrugged his shoulders. "I guess…it would be nice to have a family…"

Well, that certainly put things in perspective. Shikamaru felt like an ass for complaining about having kids when Naruto, who was alone for most of his life, was never even given the opportunity. Rage like no other coursed through the lazy man's veins, and he felt the very strong need for retribution.

The silence that followed seemed appropriate, and Shikamaru almost felt like he was disturbing the dead when he broke it. "Does that mean you accept?" he asked quietly.

Naruto glanced at him and blushed. "You realize we'll have to…" The blond gulped. "We'll need to have s-s-sex continuously for a week?"

Shikamaru felt his own face heating up tremendously. He felt a little awkward discussing it when Naruto was still a guy, but ruthlessly pushed his slight embarrassment away. "It's just sex," he said, though it sounded like he was trying to reassure himself more than Naruto.

Naruto's blush deepened. "Then yes, I accept," he said softly. He perked up and grinned. "I'll have to tell Sakura the good news! I'm going to be Hokage!" Naruto jumped up and went to dance, but forgot that there was ramen broth on the floor from when he chucked his cup at Shikamaru. He let out a yelp as his foot slipped and toppled to the floor. "Ow…"

Shikamaru stared at him in amazement, praying that their kid inherited most of their genes from him. He snorted as he helped Naruto stand up. "Troublesome," he grumbled.

Naruto lightly glared at him. "Well, now that I have the seal I need, I'm going to have Sakura perform the, uh, operation. To make sure nothing goes wrong," he added at Shikamaru's inquisitive look.

Shikamaru nodded as he made his way to the door. He saw Naruto start to giggle, though the blond wouldn't dare call it that, and mumble about finally accomplishing his dream. Unbidden, a smile worked its way onto his face. It was nice to see Naruto happy and finally reach his goal in life. Damn the council for trying to take that away from him. They always tried to make him as miserable as possible.

An idea came to Shikamaru. His smile changed into a smirk. Oh, did he have plans for the council. They were going to regret hurting his—friend? Future lover? Baby mama? Shikamaru sighed and shook his head. Their relationship was going to become very complicated and troublesome, and it was slightly disconcerting to realize that he didn't mind nearly as much as he would have. Maybe it hadn't completely sunken in?

"I have to go, Naruto," Shikamaru said, breaking Naruto out of his fantasy.

The blond stopped mumbling about the law he desperately wanted to pass (having a special holiday to celebrate the deliciousness of ramen). "Oh, alright. Um, I'll see you when I'm, you know, a woman." He pulled a face at that. "It'll probably be tomorrow at the latest."

Shikamaru cocked his head to the side. "Are you sure the sealing will go that smoothly?" he asked warily. "I mean, I know you're on a time crunch, but I also know Sasuke is going to get you more time somehow."

Naruto grinned. "Just because that wet blanket is going to buy me more time does not mean I should laze about. Besides, the faster I get pregnant, the faster I can be noticed as the Hokage-in-training!"

Shikamaru just stared at him. "That sounded so wrong coming from a guy," he said after an awkward silence.

"Oh, shut up!" Naruto shook his fist at him. "And, uh, Shikamaru? Thanks."

Shikamaru spied the blush on Naruto's face and felt his own heat up in reaction. "Tch, troublesome," he murmured quietly. "See ya tomorrow, Naruto."

Naruto waved the lazy ninja out of his apartment, and stared off into space for an entire ten minutes. His cheeks glowed warmly and his stomach was tingling fiercely. "I'm going to be Hokage," he whispered excitedly. "I'm going…to be a mommy…" He paused and frowned. "Shikamaru's right; that did sound wrong coming from a guy."

Naruto cackled and stood up, gathering his things. He had to go tell Sakura! Blissfully, he ran all the way to the hospital where she worked most days. There was probably another five hours before her shift was over, but she could take a lunch and talk with him and Sasuke about things. He reached the hospital, which was half-way across the village, in record time. Jumping up and down, he walked up to the receptionist.

"Can I help you?" she said somewhat hesitantly.

Naruto smiled brightly at—he peered at the plaque in front of him—Satsuki. "Yes. I was wondering if I could have a moment to speak with a medic-nin that works here, Haruno Sakura. We're teammates, and I have a very important mission to discuss with her."

Satsuki nodded and checked something on a clipboard. "She should be making her rounds now. Just take a seat, and I'll page her."

"Thanks!"

Naruto sat on one of the uncomfortable chairs in the waiting room, shaking his leg impatiently. He was oblivious to the mixed looks of admiration and uncertainty around him. A sigh escaped his lips as he checked the time. An entire minute passed without sign of his pink-haired teammate. She knew how important this was to him!

"Um, excuse me?"

Naruto blinked and turned at the sound of the small voice. A little girl two seats from him blushed and waved. She had on a pretty summer kimono and her brown hair was in two pigtails. "Yes?" he asked curiously.

"Are you a ninja?" she asked, her eyes bright in wonderment.

Naruto puffed out his chest exaggeratedly. "Yes, I am. Uzumaki Naruto, at your service. What's your name?" He stuck his hand out for her to shake.

Her blush deepened as she grasped his hand. "Eri," she said quietly. She opened her mouth to ask something, but seemed to re-think her decision. Naruto waited with a surprising amount of patience as she had an obvious internal struggle. "Do you…do you think it's possible…to become a ninja without using chakra?"

Naruto smiled widely. "It most certainly is, dattebayo! One of my good friends, Rock Lee, cannot use chakra, and he's a very awesome ninja."

Eri grinned toothily. "The doctors say I probably won't be able to use chakra," she confessed. "And my daddy wants me to be a shopkeeper, but I want to be a ninja like my mommy was!"

"Eri, if you study and practice hard enough, I think you'll be a very good ninja," Naruto said softly.

Eri nodded her head furiously. "What's it like?" she asked curiously, tilting her head. "Do you get to save countries and fight the bad guys?"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, reminded of when he first became a Genin and thought he'd get all of the cool missions. "I can't promise you'll get to do that," he said honestly, "but I do know all ninja play a very important aspect in maintaining the safety of Konoha. It's a very important job with a lot of responsibility."

Eri stared at him, awe-struck. "Cool," she whispered.

Naruto grinned widely. The little girl was adorable, and he couldn't help feeling nostalgic at her excitement to become a ninja. "It is cool," he agreed eagerly. "It's a lot of work, but it's worth it."

Eri returned the grin. "Thanks, mister!" she said brightly. "I feel less nervous about it now."

Before Naruto could ask what she meant, he heard Sakura calling him. He waved goodbye to Eri and walked towards his pink-haired teammate. "What's this about an important mission?" she asked.

Naruto chuckled. "I found a way to do it," he confessed excitedly. "I have the seal, and I'd like for you to put it on me."

Sakura almost stumbled in shock. "What?!" she cried. Spying several eyes on them, Sakura grabbed Naruto and dragged him to a secluded hospital room. Locking the door and putting up a privacy barrier, she turned on the blond. "What do you mean you have the seal? Is it safe? Do you know of any dangers? Why do you want me to put it on? I've never done any kind of fuuinjutsu!"

Naruto grabbed her by the shoulders. "Sakura, relax," he said calmly. "The seal is not hard to do at all. The tricky part about it was finding a way to make sure it didn't disrupt the seal on the Kyuubi, and that it could be put on me. It's a ridiculously simple seal. You'll get it right; don't worry."

Sakura lightly glared at him. "Geez, it all sounds so simple. I don't know why I was freaking out," she said sarcastically. She bit her lip and her tone softened. "Naruto, what if I mess up?"

"You won't," Naruto said confidently. "But if by some slim chance you do, nothing bad will happen. I'll just still be a man and need to find my own way to have a kid and be Hokage."

Sakura hummed thoughtfully. "And you really want to go through with this?" she asked softly. "According to your notes, Naruto, this will be permanent. Are you willing to lose your manhood forever?"

Naruto nodded his head firmly. "I know it's weird, but I do want this, Sakura. Being Hokage is my dream, and I'm so close I can almost taste it. It'll be…different…being a woman for the rest of my life, but I can handle it. Sakura, will you help me? Please?"

"Of course I will," the pinkette retorted. She nibbled on her lower lip nervously. Her stomach twisted slightly, but she forced herself to calm down. This wouldn't be any different from performing new operations. She could do this. "We should have Sasuke there, too. Should anything go wrong, I'd like to have an assistant there to help out."

Naruto scratched his head. "If you think it'll help."

"It will," Sakura replied. "He may not be experienced in any kind of healing jutsu, but Sasuke is labeled a genius for a reason. If I need him, I can instruct him and know he'll be proficient at whatever I need for him to do."

"Alright, alright, I get it. Geez, it's been years and you're still singing the bastard's praises," Naruto grumbled lowly. She didn't hear him. "What time do you get off?"

"In an hour," Sakura said after checking her watch. She smiled at him. "I still can't believe you're actually going to be a woman." She shook her head. "I'm still not bathing with you."

Naruto grinned slyly. "Aw, Sakura, I can be an excellent bathing buddy," he purred, laughing when she punched him on the shoulder.

"Idiot," she grumbled with a smile. She glanced at her watch once more. "I have to get back to work. Get Sasuke and I'll meet you both at the Uchiha complex."

Naruto nodded and gave her a mock salute. Sakura shook her head and turned around to leave. She paused when she realized Naruto never told her who was going to be the father. After a moment of thought, she shrugged her shoulders. Whoever it was couldn't be too much of a surprise, right?