finally || naruto and tsunade

iv

The morning after was... awkward.

While not much sleep was had for Naruto and Tsunade, they had started the day totally refreshed and ready to continue their journey to Sunagakure.

Naruto had kept Tsunade company in the shower, starting the day off on a high note. She enjoyed their breakfast, as well, the two of them eating together like a normal couple. It was refreshing.

But then there was a knock on the door, and immediately, Tsunade's anxiety kicked in. This was it, the truth. She couldn't hide from Shikamaru, she couldn't keep this secret from him any longer. Naruto had stayed with her, in her room (in her bed!), and they couldn't possibly play it off anymore.

With a deep breath, Tsunade swallowed, walking over to the door and opening it.

She refused to look anywhere but straight at the Nara before her, pulling out bravery from somewhere she had not known was there.

"Godaime-sama." Shikamaru nodded his head in a respectful manner, like always. He met her gaze evenly, his eyes lazy. Just like always.

"Shikamaru." She greeted back, allowing the shadow manipulator to enter.

So far, so good.

Shikamaru entered the room, nodding to Naruto with a lazy tilt of his head.

"Yo." He said, sitting next to her blond lover without much thought.

"Morning." Naruto said, smiling. "Hungry?" He asked, gesturing to the food on the table before them.

Shikamaru rubbed his eyes tiredly, nodding. With a single yawn, he made his plate.

As the two friends ate, as if nothing was out of place, Tsunade just stared numbly at them, confused. Was she really worried for nothing? Was it really this easy? Did Shikamaru really not care that she and Naruto were seeing each other?

Was he really not disgusted?

She couldn't understand the mind of a Nara, she wasn't even going to try, but surely he had some kind of opinion on it... right?

"Are you done eating, Tsunade?" Naruto asked, breaking the Sannin out of her tirade of thoughts.

She cleared her throat, shaking her head. "Uh, no..." she muttered, joining the two men at the table. She sat, slowly, and watched Shikamaru like a hawk.

The young Nara did or said nothing, too busy spreading butter on his toast to notice her gaze on him.

Hesitantly, Tsunade began to finish her meal, occasionally glancing at both Naruto and Shikamaru. And while they sat in silence, it wasn't the tense, awkward kind.

Actually, it was sort of the opposite. Tsunade felt... oddly comfortable.

She gave Naruto a sidelong glance, and noticed him smiling at her. Immediately, she understood what that smile meant.

She returned the smile, missing the small little smirk that developed on Shikamaru's face.

| I Think I'm Addicted to You |

Naruto's fame, it seemed, followed him everywhere.

After hours of travel, the three shinobi decided that they had made enough progress for the day. The sun was already starting to set, the orange and red streaks in the sky heralding the end of another day.

When they entered the small village proper, Naruto's fans had come running. Girls and boys alike, adults and children – everyone wanted to meet Uzumaki Naruto, the Hero of the Fourth.