"Shikamaru, wake up," there was a loud huff as Yoshino obviously thought that her son was still sleeping, in actually fact the Nara had woken up after the first shout, but he'd stayed still, feigning sleep. His mother hadn't lived with him for so long that he'd been shocked at the wake up and hadn't wanted it to be an enemy, but then he'd remembered that they were in the past. But he still hated his mother. He knew that it was a cruel thought, she was his mother and he knew for a fact that Naruto yearned for one, but he couldn't help it. She should've been there to help his father and she most certainly shouldn't have blamed it on him. "Shi-ka-ma-ru Nara, wake up right this instance!"

"Maa, what's going on, Yoshino-chan?" Shikamaru's body unconsciously tensed as he heard his father's voice, it had been six years, six fucking years and now the man was acting like nothing had changed. Well, for him, nothing had. But Shikamaru had a feeling that he was too old to run into his father's arm and bawl like a child - which was what he wanted to do right now. "Shikamaru, are you getting up or not?"

The younger Nara sat up with a smile, looking at his parents, mother obviously annoyed and father looking as laid back as ever. "I'm awake, so you can leave now." Shikamaru couldn't help the slight hostility he had in his voice when addressing his mother, it was natural after so many years of ignoring her - though he knew that Shikaku wouldn't be pleased if he knew that Shikamaru took over as clan head and kicked his mother (Shikaku's wife) out of the clan.

Yoshino raised her hand with a soup spoon in it (wow, Shikamaru couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten his mother's home made cooking, he didn't know if she was a good cook or not) but Shikaku grabbed her wrist lightly, "Come on now, Yoshino-chan, he's a growing boy, he just wants some privacy," Yoshino huffed again and walked out haughtily. "Come on, you'd best get dressed and ready for the academy, your genin teams are being announced today."

With that Shikaku left and Shikamaru was alone again, but this time with a soft smile on his lips, he'd forgotten how much he missed his father. He'd mourned a lot at first (well, not during the war or the three months of recovery after it, but once that was over)but as time continued he got better. He moved in with Naruto, a joint (huge) apartment, and let his mother keep their old house. He helped Kurenai with the baby, who was super cute by now and called him Pap's, only Naruto knew that during the last few months that had become official, yeah, it felt weird being with his ex-sensei's girlfriend, but still.

Oh God, what was he going to do about Kurenai and Asuma? He loved Asuma like a brother and Kurenai like a lover, he wasn't prepared to give up or hurt either so what did he do? Well, he had to fight for Kurenai, obviously, but if that hurt Asuma he'd give in, but he wouldn't let either of them die. Not this time.

The Nara walked to his wardrobe, opened it and froze- what the hell had he been thinking? It was hideous, no wonder Kurenai had only seen him as a little brother at first. Long gone were his baggy jonin clothes (of which both he and Naruto wore in their later years) and now there were, he shuddered, fishnets. Oh God. Sai had really put him off of those. That boy really didn't know where friendly jabs ended and sexual assault began.

Shikamaru then remembered what Naruto would awaken to find - orange jumpsuits. Oh damn that would be good. With that thought in mind, realising his situation was that bad, he got dressed, immediately noticing the lack of muscle. After the war was over and mourning set in he started training and some how he managed to get buff, like, really. More so that his dad. But now he was just a skinny brat - he'd have to eat and train more. Fast.

In the past - no, future? - he'd been world known for his strategic skills as well as his strength, but now the only thing he'd be good for was planning. Which wouldn't work against Hidan. The prick. Once dressed, Shikamaru, albeit reluctantly, walked into his family dining room, finding both his parents already seated. "Hello tou-san, Yoshi-" he bit his lip, forgetting that he wasn't supposed to call her that, and he couldn't even use the excuse that he was 'too old' since he'd called his dad 'tou-san', "Kaa-san."

They both looked worried for a second but then brushed it off, he was young after all, "So, Shikamaru-kun," Shikaku began, odd, Shikamaru couldn't remember the last time his father initiated a conversation like this, unless he wanted something. Damn, he forgot his father was the jonin commander. He'd have to be careful. "Are you looking forward to today? DO you have any idea who's team you'll be put on?"

"Well," Shikamaru said carefully, eyeing up the food that was coming, "Today should be quite interesting, and although I can't know who's on my team, I have a vague idea, afteral, since Ino, Choji and I are graduating at the same time they'll probably want to reform the Ino-Shika-Cho formation."

Shikaku raised his eyebrow and Shikamaru realised that his mother was tactically staying out of the conversation, he didn't know why they were having this conversation, though, he didn't remember it. Strange. "And what do you think about that."

"I think that formation is old and tired and there is a much better choice," it was out before Shikamaru really knew what he was saying, and who to. But it was true, the Uchi-Uzu-Nara formation worked way better, him, Naruto and Sasuke, now Obito, he supposed. "Not that I don't respect you, in your times I'm sure you were strong and worked well," damn, he was just digging himself a ditch. In the past/future he was used to people listening to him and him being in an important position, but here he was just a brat. It got confusing. "Sorry."

"No," Shikaku stated, "I'm interested to see who you think you would work best with, as well as Choji and Ino."

"Well, I don't really know, but surely Choji would work best with a tracker and an offensive tracker," by this he was talking about Kiba and Shino, "And Ino would work better in a group of all girls, maybe, one smart medic and one strong offensive type?" Once again, Hinata and Sakura, "And I would work better with two offensives." Uzumaki and Sasuke.

"Alright," Yoshino said to try to disperse the tension, probably a good idea, he had to admit, "Who's hungry?" Shikamaru eagerly started to eat, not as good as Naruto's (but the blonde happened to be the best chef Shikamaru had ever met) but it was nice. Both he and Naruto had been busy recently so home cooked meals were few and far between. "You seem hungry today, Shikamaru-kun."

"Hm, well, I need to build up my muscles so I need to eat," both of his parents looked a little surprised, "Which reminds me, I'm going to be late home tonight, and most nights, because I'll be training, now I'm a genin I really need to improve my strength and stamina, oh, and my training partner might stay over some nights." Or all, if Shikamaru had his way.

"Well," Yoshino said a little unsure, but realising they were genin now so needed to be let off the leash, "As long as Choji's parents are ok with it-"

"Ah," Shikamaru said, "It's not Choji, and he's an orphan so it's ok, think more," he waved his hands in front of his face, "Demon fox." The young Nara went back to eating, without realising a) what he'd said and b) that his parents were staring at him with shock/suspicion. "Damn, better go, got to pick up a friend, ja ne." he mock saluted then shun-shined. He didn't manage to get far, it put too muchs train on his small body, but he managed to get out of there, which was what he wanted.

He hadn't realised how hard it would be to see his family again after so long, his mother seemed kinder than he remembered, sure, he knew that she wasn't always the evil witch that she had been after the war, but he had thought that he had always disliked her at least a little. It was too confusing. And he could still remember watching that attack his the area holding his father, had he been anyone else he would've broken down right there and then. But he was Shikamaru Nara, well known for being the calculating, empty void next to Naruto.

The Nara shook off his worries and walked to where he knew the blondes old (now current, hopefully not for long, the place was awful) apartment was. He walked through the building, not walking into anyone - he half wondered if everyone had moved out when Naruto moved in, wouldn't be a surprise - until he finally reached the blondes door. He didn't bother knocking, just opening it. The blonde would be asleep and never locked his door, he said that it wouldn't stop anyone, anyway.

He walked through and to the blondes room, knowing that Naruto would probably have a massive spring cleaning session later. "Oy, Nar, wake up." The blonde grabbed his wrist, which was shaking the younger boy. He was obviously still half asleep but when he focused and realised it was Shikamaru he released the hand. "Hey, Nar." He was speaking more gently now, not wanting to alarm the boy, "We're in the past." Both smiled but neither reached their eyes.

"Urgh, orange," Naruto mumbled, "Just how bad was it?" Naruto sat up and Shikamaru saw him sway a little, he often got dizzy when he first woke up - they'd have to see Tsunade about it this time. Knowing what the blonde was talking about, Shikamaru winced, the orange was bad then so it would be awful for them now. Naruto stood, wobbling once then walking to his wardrobe, he opened it and swore, "Shit. Why the hell would Jiji let me wear this abomination! Urgh, I'm gonna need a drink tonight."

Shikamaru smiled, "Yeah, I'm in on that. Osaka-Jiji said that his bar was a rebuild of one he owned before hand, exactly the same, how about we go visit later? I mean, we will be ninja, and sure we'll be young and he won't know us but we could always use a slight henge." Naruto grinned, "Anbu masks?" Shikamaru didn't even need to ask.

"Anbu masks." Shikamaru walked out of Naruto bedroom to give him a bit of privacy to get changed - although they had lived together for six years so he'd seen it all hundreds of times before anyway. Every dent, muscle, scar- "Damn it, fuck, shit, Shikamaru!" the blonde ran through and Shikamaru stared. There was a huge scar on his shoulder, one that shouldn't be there. One given to him by Sasuke.

"Turn." Shikamaru instructed and the blonde moved to show Shikamaru his back which showed that, yes, there was a massive scar reaching along. "Well, that's going to be hard to hide. Didn't you say your sensei's liked to take you to hot springs?" Naruto groaned loudly, "Just use a henge, Obito's given you the sharingan so no one should be able to see through it."

"Yeah," Naruto mumbled. "But still, I'll remember what's never going to happen again every time I look at this scar. I won't be able to be truthful to my team. Damn, it's so fucked up." Shikamaru agreed with a nod. "What you want for breakfast?" Naruto looked in his cupboard, "I have ramen. Let's go shopping."

Shikamaru smirked as they walked out of the blondes apartment, "You know, you should really lock doors."

"Fuuinjutsu." Naruto replied simply and Shikamaru nearly whacked his head against a wall, why the hell hadn't he thought of that? Naruto was a fuuinjutsu genius (he got his master-age a year before they left) so of course seals would be safer than a lock for him. "I woke up and was confused last night so I put up security seals."

"You do fuuinjutsu when you're tired and confused?" Naruto nodded, looked inside different shops, each time getting a glare. Eventually, Shikamaru had had enough so grabbed Naruto's arm and dragged him into the nearest shop. "Come on, buy whatever you want, I'll pay." Naruto's eyes lit up and he cautiously started putting things in a basket. He never had been good at accepting things from people. Both noticed the glare aimed at them the whole time.

They walked up to the till with the food and the man said, "I'm sorry, we don't serve demons," he looked at Naruto then Shikamaru, "Or demon lovers. Try hell."

Naruto bit his lip nervously, but it was Shikamaru who replied, "My name is Shikamaru Nara, son of Shikaku Nara, the head of the Nara which makes me the heir, he is on the council and is the jonin commander, unless you want to get a visit from him and Hokage-sama, I suggest you damn well serve us and don't even think about over charging us. Spread the word, if anyone ever discriminates against Naruto Uzumaki again they will have to deal with the Nara, Yamanaka and Akimichi clans, as well as Hokage-sama and the entire Jonin force." His voice was edged with malice, his KI leaking out, Naruto grabbed his arm lightly to calm him down, but it made little difference.

"A-alright, um, that will be," the man fumbled around and finally they walked out of the shop with the food they wanted, Shikamaru still seething. They walked down the road a little then Naruto started laughing, Shikamaru joining him after a few seconds.

"Thank you, Shika," Naruto said once he'd calmed down, "I know that they can annoy you but this is the villagers way of grieving," Shikamaru growled and clenched his fists. "I know that it isn't fair but so is life. I have a feeling that things didn't go well this morning." Shikamaru's eyes widened slightly. He was sure he'd acted normal, "Come on, I can read you like a book. I'm offended that you doubt that."

"No," Shikamaru said, "I'm don't doubt that, it's just, odd, ya know? It's just been us two for so long, and seeing dad after so long, mum not hating me. I dunno, I guess it's just hard to take in." Shikamaru started to drag his feet as they walked towards the academy.

"Yeah," Naruto said, "I'll have to see Jiji again, Jiraiya-sensei, Neji-san, Hiashi-sama before the war, Hinata-chan, Sakura-chan and Ino-chan before the war. Sasuke-kun as an avenger again. It'll be hard," Naruto looked sharply at Shikamaru, "But you'll do it, I know, because you're Shikamaru Nara. The genius," Naruto looked away wistfully, "And I'll manage, because I'm Naruto Uzumaki."

"The hero," Shikamaru added, that was how they'd both been known as, the hero and the genius. Naruto shoved him and they chuckled. "Ne, have you realised?" Naruto looked confused, "We'll have to go through puberty again." Naruto tensed and they groaned loudly.

"Shit, I hadn't thought of that." Shikamaru chuckled. "Come on, we're here." Naruto led them inside, both managing to remember where their classroom was. When they walked inside they instantly remembered everyone's faces from when they were young. "Kiba." Naruto breathed quietly and Shikamaru nudged him gently.

Shikamaru walked to the back of the class, before anyone could notice he walked with Naruto. He sat down just in time to hear a loud, obnoxious voice (Kiba's, he realised) call out, "Oy, dead last, "Shikamaru huffed quietly, who was he calling dead last. "This is for genin only, and you failed!"

"Kiba," Naruto said in a semi-calm, semi-yell, "How could I be dead last if I failed? And, I have a hitai-ate, see?" he pointed, that was when Shikamaru noticed the small security seal on it and smirked, "As such, I am actually a genin, and should be here. if you can't tell that, maybe you shouldn't." Naruto walked to the back of the class, by the windows, all eyes on him, and sat next to Sasuke, "Hi, Sasuke-kun," Naruto said as a way of introduction.

"Hn, dobe."

"Aw," Naruto fake pouted, "You know, if you can't even remember my name, your loud, orange classmate of three years, then I have serious worries about your ability to remember information on a mission. He grinned as Sasuke looked a little surprised. He held out his hand, "So let's re-meet, I'm Uzumaki Naruto, dattebayo. But you can call me Naruto. I like ramen and hate people too caught up in the past to see the future, but I understand it. My hobbies are training and my dream for the future is to gain everyone's respect and then become hokage. Now you."

Shikamaru smirked from his corner, Naruto had told him about Kakashi's test so he knew what the blonde was doing, he was really amazing. "Hn, I'm Sasuke Uchiha," Shikamaru froze, he hadn't expected Sasuke to actually do it.

"Are you ok, Shikamaru?" Choji asked and Shikamaru nodded before resting his head on the desk, pretending to sleep while actually listening in.

"You can call me Sasuke, I guess. I suppose that I like tomatoes," Shikamaru almost burst out laughing and he could tell Naruto was also repressing that urge. "But dislike sweets and people who leave without reason." Abandonment issues? That wasn't on his file. Interesting. "My hobbies are also training," ooh, bonding point, well done, Naruto. Shikamaru sighed, he sounded like a teenaged girl in his head. "And my dream for the future is to avenge my clan and kill a certain-" Naruto coughed and Shikamaru could tell he was glaring, "I want to find answers." Naruto was a genius, he'd just made an s-rank missing nin open up about the truth in a minute. Damn.

There was a sound akin to a stampede and then Ino and Sakura started to shove through the door, both claiming to have won - he saw, it was obviously Ino, but he didn't have a death wish. He watched them both go over to Naruto and then tuned out, falling asleep. No harm could come to his hokage here. Not fatal harm, anyway.