Chapter One: We're Leaving

Naruto and Shikamaru are sitting at the BBQ at the head of the table eating quietly. Too quietly for anyone's comfort. Ino, Sakura, Lee, and Choji are sitting to the couples right while Shino, Hinata, Kiba, Sai and Tenten are sitting to the left. Its very quiet at the table, most are wondering why Naruto and Shikamaru were being quiet and why they invited them to the BBQ. Suddenly Gai, Kakashi, Iruka and Kurenai walked in as the couple had invited them as well. The four older shinobi noticed it was quiet and say down. Underneath the table, Naruto nudge Shikamaru with his knee.

"Might as well tell you why we invited you here," Naruto said without looking up from his food.

"That would be nice," Kakashi glanced at the two men sitting at the end of the table.

After a moment of silence, Shikamaru finally spoke up.

"We're leaving," Shikamaru said mimicking Naruto's posture and not looking up from his food.

The 12 shinobi looked up at the two men in shock at the couple. It was silent for a while, as the shinobi were soaking what the brunette just said. The 12 shinobi didn't look away from the two men.

"What did you say?" Ino asked.

"I said, we're leaving," Shikamaru repeated still looking at his food.

"Ok, were are you going?" Iruka asked eyeing Naruto curiously.

"Nowhere in particular," Naruto shrugged.

"Alright, I'm confused," Tenten blinked at the two men.

Naruto sighed and put down the chopsticks that he was using. He finally looked up at his comrades, "look, Shika and I have decide to travel for a while. I want to follow in my Sensei's footsteps. So we will be gone for a while. Tsunade-baa-chan already knows," Naruto said putting his elbows on the table and putting his hands together in front of his face.

"How long will you be gone?" Ino asked.

"We're not sure," Shikamaru finally looked up at Ino.

"When do you leave?" Kakashi asked.

"Tomorrow morning," Naruto answered.

"So soon," Lee said.

Shikamaru shook his head, "not really, we having been planning this for a while. We just had to wait and get the ok from the Hokage, which we did this morning."

"What about Ino-Shika-Cho?" Choji asked with desperate eyes.

"There really isn't one any more, Cho," Shikamaru gave him a small smile, "with Ino at the hospital and Intel center and you being the head of your clan, we haven't gone on a mission as Ino-Shika-Cho in over a year."

"What about you, Naruto? What about your dream to become Hokage?" Kiba asked glancing up at Naruto.

"It's still my dream, of course. Tsunade- baa-chan has made it clear she's not going anywhere for a while. But she and I have discussed that traveling might do me some good, that's the only reason she agreed to let me go," Naruto smiled.

It got silent for a while till, Kurenai spoke up.

"Wait, Shikamaru. Why are you going?" Kurenai asked.

"Um well, Tsunade-sama didn't want Naruto traveling alone and since we have grown quiet close since the war, he asked me," Shikamaru answered simply.

Again it got quiet, Naruto nudged Shikamaru making him look at the blonde. Naruto gave him a look and the brunette nodded in agreement.

"Well, we need to go. We have some things to take care of before we leave," Shikamaru said as he and Naruto stood up.

"The meal is paid for," Naruto smiled, "We are leaving at 6am tomorrow. If we don't see you then, well, we'll see you when we get back."

Shikamaru and Naruto turned and walked out the restaurant after paying for the food. The rest of the shinobi that were seated around the table, just looked at each other.

The next morning Naruto and Shikamaru were walking towards the south gate of the village. It was barely morning, and the sun had just started to rise. Naruto was wearing a plain shinobi gear. Blue pants and long sleeve shirt with blue ninja sandals and green flack jacket. He had two white bands on each side; one at his elbow and one around his wrist. He was also had a large scroll on his back below his back pack. Shikamaru was wearing outfit he has also worn since the war. Naruto and Shikamaru were talking about where they were going to be heading first. Naruto suggested the sand village to see the Kazekage, since Naruto hadn't seen Gaara since the war. Shikamaru easily agreed. Naruto looked up and saw a large group of people standing at the gate. The blonde nudged Shikamaru then pointed at the group of people who were talking amongst themselves. They hadn't noticed Naruto and Shikamaru walking up.

"Wanna mess with them?" Naruto whispered, always the prankster.

"Sure," Shikamaru shrugged.

"I'll be right back," Naruto said as he smiley mischievously handing Shikamaru a three-pronged kunai with a yellow handle. The brunette smiled at him. Naruto then threw one of his father's kunai on the roof of the gate and teleported there. Naruto then threw another kunai outside of gate about a good twenty meters, then flashed back to Shikamaru.

Naruto smiled at Shikamaru, who handed him his kunai. Naruto then placed his hand on Shikamaru's shoulder and flashed to the Kunai outside the gate. He picked up the kunai and put it away. They both turned around and started walking away.

"See you guys later!" Naruto yelled back waving his hand.

The group of ninja finally noticed Naruto and Shikamaru walking away from the village, wondering how they got over there without them noticing.

"Naruto! Wait! Come back here!" Tsunade yelled.

Naruto and Shikamaru turned around laughing. Tsunade shook her head when she figured out they did that on purpose. The two men walked back to the group of ninja.

"Though you could leave without saying goodbye? Huh?" Sakura said hitting Naruto on the back of the head.

Naruto laughed as he rubbed the back of his head, then turned to give Sakura a hug. All the rookies were there along with their senseis, Tsunade, Iruka, Shikamaru's mom and Shizune. They said their goodbyes and finally Shikamaru and Naruto turned and left the village.

So the idea popped in my head after reading some other story. I haven't decided if I will continue writing it. I would like to but I have a ton of other ideas in my head. Let me know if you want me to keep writing!