"Follow Me"

Chapter 3

A month into the new arrangement and many started to accept that this was going to be permanent and Naruto was now going to be over them. Oddly enough and to the surprise of Shikamaru, Naruto didn't use his privilege much. He gambled sometimes at the high tables, having the option to choose his opponents and none could refuse him as he was Queen.

Otherwise, since Shikamaru got him new clothes, weapons, and regular meals he mostly slept in the room within the student council office. The bed was incredibly large and he slept with his shoes on. He didn't bother to attend classes, knowing that Shikamaru would have his grades altered. He was sleeping when Temari finally got over her anger long enough to confront Shikamaru. She wasn't receiving unfair treatment from those below her ranking but the ones who shared a Princess title were vicious.

She had had enough. Temari had enough of Shikamaru and his disservice to her. He still screws her in the limo but still refuses to up her status back to the previous standing. She pushed the door open while the council was in a meeting discussing how much funds each party should throw in the collective pot they all pulled from first in gambling matches before going to personal funds.

The student council accountant, Hinata Hyuga looked annoyed at being interrupted but Temari was already riled up and gave her a scorching glare. "We will break here for now, " The Hyuga folded her ledger and picked up her iced coffee.

Shikamaru cracked his knuckles as he glanced at his fuming girlfriend. "Please be quick about it."

"You've made your point, it's been a month and now I want my title back," She growled. "Whatever fascination you have with Naruto being a Knight will suit him better than being a Queen."

Shikamaru hummed as he glanced at the door where Naruto was sleeping. "No,"

"What is it? What interests you about him?"

Many of the council wanted to know this as well as they couldn't see the logic in allowing Naruto so much power. Shikamaru chuckled.

Fools.

Didn't they see the beauty he was crafting? Making Naruto comfortable was a dangerous thing. When people on the edge are given things to make them comfortable they become unpredictable. Naruto wasn't any different and right now the blonde was nearing the end of his comfort. He expected Naruto to go off in a while.

"I planted something that shouldn't have even made it to the garden," Shikamaru shrugged. "But I'm curious to see how it would go."

"You're insane! You've seen Naruto's sheet, it's miles long!" Ino shouted. "I don't care if it's amusing to you. You're doing this with reckless abandon."

"Did you have a little group huddle before coming up with this?" Shikamaru teased. His smile wasn't one of amusement, it was an empty one, full of mocking concern. "Is this an intervention?"

"Maybe it is," Kiba mumbled from around his still wired shut jaws.

"He's not playing with any of your money, not the council's money. He's doing gambles with my money," Shikamaru sighed as he leaned back. "Temari you're a Princess, you were once a Princess. I don't see a difference."

"You-"

She got cut off by the door swinging open and Naruto came out looking slightly out of it. He ignored everyone in the room as he walked up to Shikamaru who now had his full attention on the blonde. "I'm gonna go gamble for a while," Naruto mumbled softly.

"You don't need to tell me that," Shikamaru responded as he took note that Naruto had the hunting knife in his boot. Maybe something interesting was going to happen today.

"Figured you'd want to be made aware," Naruto yawned before heading out. He didn't bat an eye to the situation but did give an unhinged smile to Kiba who looked away uncomfortably. Once the door closed Temari was right back to try to rip Shikamaru a new one.

"Fine," Shikamaru sighed in annoyance. She brightened but it went dull when Shikamaru smirked. "Gamble Naruto for it."

"What?" She looked appalled.

Shikamaru's demented grin got wider. "Gamble for the position of Queen."

"You'll help me right?" She asked nervously. While he may be the poorest among in the school Naruto had insane luck. He was so incredibly lucky that it was suspicious but Naruto was probably the cleanest gambler you'd ever meet.

"And end up like him?" Shikamaru jerked his thumb to Kiba who gritted his teeth. "No thanks, you're gonna have to believe in your gamble."

"You just wanted to put Naruto and me against each other," She accused.

"I find it disgusting when you think the world revolves around you. Naruto doesn't even know you or your standing. Such a narcissistic tendency," He leaned forward however with a smile. "I would like to see it though, you challenging Naruto. It will certainly be a fun watch."

Temari stomped out of the room, hellbent to get her position back as she entered every gambling hall trying to find the blonde who seem elusive. Shikamaru followed closely behind along with his childhood best friends Ino and Choji.

The blonde was found playing Double Memory with a shaking girl of a Princess status. Shikamaru recognized the girl, her name was TenTen and her family was famous for a long line of Dojos. Tenten however was freaking out as Naruto had yet to stop on his turn.

"He hasn't missed a single card," One whispered but it carried loudly over the stunned silence.

Naruto sighed. "Your family owns a string of dojos right?"

Tenten froze up. "Yeah, what about it?"

"50 million seems like pocket change doesn't it?" Naruto was flippant with his words as he flipped two more cards.

"I doubt you've ever owned that much money in your life," Tenten shot back but Naruto only chuckled.

"You're right but I've recently come into some brilliant luck. So let's up the stakes in the next round," He stopped not because he had drawn a mismatched pair but because there were no more pairs to pull.