Can't Help Myself 2.0

.2

With quick steps, Shikamaru excused himself into Tsunade's office and walked inside.

"Oh you're back.. alone"

Shikamaru stood in front of her once more, "I apologize, I did find Naruto but he told me to tell you that he promises to visit you later. He is currently busy with other things so he can't come today"

It was half the truth but Shikamaru wasn't sure if Naruto was okay with him spilling his business to another so he had to keep some of it unsaid.

"Busy? What is he busy with that he can't come to me through order?"

With his swift mind, he thought of something, "He is currently training, he wanted to polish some of his fighting techniques and wishes for no disturbance at the moment"

Tsunade side eyed him for a few seconds before waving her hand lazily. "Fine fine, his stubbornness can really be something else sometimes. The documents aren't ready yet so you can come by tomorrow to pick them up. You're dismissed"

Shikamaru thanked Tsunade before walking out and closing the door behind him. Tucking his hands in his pockets, he began walking to his new destination.

It wasn't unusual for a shinobi to have injuries on their bodies since they are constantly fighting and Shikamaru almost felt silly for feeling so.. worried about his friend. There was countless times when Naruto showed up during their meetings covered in dirt and scratch marks from his training sessions so it's nothing out of the ordinary.

Yet, the image of Naruto from earlier hadn't left his head at all. There was just something different about the whole thing. Something was definitely off and he couldn't just ignore it.

He can't exactly put his finger on it since he was given no context but knowing Naruto was hurting, he couldn't just forget about it and go on with his day.

Coming into sight was Naruto's apartment. He turned to the right and drew closer to it.

Speaking about apartments, Shikamaru only remembers seeing Naruto enter in such a place from afar so seeing it up close now was a new experience. Naruto never really invited anyone to his place so none of his friends knew the area very well nor knows what his home looks like.

Examining around, this area of the city looked more worn down compared to far other part, this whole apartment complex almost looked abandoned with how few outside lights there were.

Shikamaru pressed his lips together, could the inside of his apartment look as bad as the outside? He knows it's rude to judge but he was simply wondering, especially since Naruto is known to be living alone at such a young age being an orphan his whole life.

Steps growing heavy, he walked towards the one door that had the lights on and a small fox decor on the door. He stood in front of it, thinking carefully of his approach. It was eerily quiet, completely opposite of Naruto's personality. A place like this doesn't suit someone as bright as him, in Shikamaru's opinion.

He slowly raised a hand and knocked on the door. "Naruto, are you there? It's Shikamaru, don't bother pushing me away like how you did earlier. I know something is up"

Silence.

He tried knocking again, this time, adding a little more force into it. "Naruto?"

Silence again.

A sudden feeling of nervousness crawled onto his skin, sending a slight shiver down his spine. Shikamaru then directed his hand to grab onto the outside handle. He turned the knob to test if it would open and found out that it was indeed turning fully.

That's a safety hazard.

"I'm coming in" he announced, waiting a few seconds before opening the door wide open.

The lights were on but no sounds could be heard from inside the small apartment. Shikamaru stepped inside, walking through the entrance of the apartment and turned into the living room. There, he was immediately greeted with a sight he didn't expect to see. Naruto's unmoving body laid on the floor, his clothes and body looked more roughed up than earlier.

Shikamaru rushed to his side, sliding his knees against the wooded floor and gently grabbed onto his shoulder. Carefully, he shook him a bit to get any sort of reaction.

"Naruto! Hey, Naruto!"

In a weak state, Naruto's eyes fluttered open slightly, pupils noticeably dilated.

"Shika...maru.." he softly muttered, so soft that Shikamaru could have missed it if he weren't paying attention. He sounded so weak, words so airy.

"Yes it's me" Shikamaru confirmed, feeling relieved to hear Naruto speak to him.

A few seconds passes by, Naruto's eyes began to shut together, skin looking sickly pale. "You.. need to leave..."

Shikamaru shook his head, "I'm not leaving you here like this!" When given no response, Shikamaru realized that Naruto had fully passed out.

Shikamaru head snapped around the room, making sure no one was hiding inside the apartment before paying back attention to the unconscious boy. He moved his hands around onto Naruto's body to see where his injures were.

Starting from his face to his upper body, Shikamaru paused his action once he reached his lower stomach. Eyes widening, he noticed a deep red liquid staining his clothes and floor.

Blood.

His heart sank at the sight, blood was pooling out so much. He pushed Naruto onto his back and leaned down closely to his face. He could feel the puff of air coming out of Naruto, very ghostly though.

It was then he took noticed of another thing, barley hidden underneath Naruto.

A kunai.

He felt his fingers twitching at the sight, mind scrambling into a fit of mess.

Who did this? Why did they do it?

No, there was no time to question right now. Using what he was trained, Shikamaru took in a deep, shaky breath and pulled his thoughts together. There wasn't anything at his reach that he could temporarily use to block the blood flow. He needs to get Naruto to the hospital quickly while he's still breathing.

Trying his best to ignore the warmth of the fresh blood, he slid his arms under the blond boy and hoist him into his arms. Settling him, Shikamaru bolted right out of the apartment. Squinting his eyes to adjust through the pitch dark night, he went straight to where Konoha's hospital is located. His heart was racing, his mind was filled with prayers for his friend to stay alive.

Naruto.

Bright as the sun, now dimmed in his arms. He couldn't feel the warmth he's so used to feeling when he's with him. He didn't like it.

Shikamaru tsked, "Damnit, damnit, damnit!"

Just thinking about losing Naruto frightened him, he couldn't bear losing his childhood friend. He picked up the pace and ran even faster towards the hospital.

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