Can't Help Myself 2.0

.8

The two silently laid down together, watching the sky begin to shift and stars popping up in the sky.

"Do you remember the day we first interacted with each other?" Shikamaru quietly asked, breaking the silence between the them.

Naruto snorted as memories flooded into his mind. "How could I forget our faithful encounter"

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It was during their earlier childhood, their very first year of academy. Little Shikamaru was sitting at a nearby grassy hill close to the playground, peacefully watching the clouds move slowly. He was skipping a class on that day, growing bored of the lectures.

His little peaceful moment was interrupted however when a heard shouts coming from the actual playground area. He assumed they were also skipping just like he was so he didn't question them much. But with how loud they were shouting, he was growing annoyed.

"There he is!!"

He begrudgingly turned his body to see what they were getting so hyped up about. He noticed a bundle of bright blond hair standing in front of two other kids, visibly uncomfortable yet had a strong expression on his face.

Uzumaki Naruto was someone Shikamaru knew about. A lot of rumors were spread about him, all of the townsfolk always had something negative to say about him.

For him though, Shikamaru didn't really care. He hasn't caused an actual issue from what he's seen so he didn't mind much of the whiskered boy.

"Hey there little boy, why don't you run an errand for us? Don't want things to go dangerous right?" person one asked, an obvious fake sweet tone being used.

"No! You guys are gross and stinky so leave me alone!" Naruto huffed out loudly, crossing his arms onto his chest and looking irritated at them.

"Oh? Someone doesn't understand what's going to happen to them," person two taunted, elbowing person one as they grinned evilly.

Though Naruto tried to stand tall and look tough, it was obvious he was nervous based on his shaky hands and wavering eyes. Having two taller and bigger people leer over you would cause any kid to be intimidated.

Shikamaru groaned out tiredly, he couldn't just sit here and watch this whole thing unfold. Especially seeing Naruto's fake tough act.

"Hey! Didn't you hear him? He doesn't want to be with you guys so go away," Shikamaru said, making his presence known as he walked over to the small group.

Person one tilted their head back to look at Shikamaru, snarling a little. "Well if it isn't the laziest and lamest person here, what's in it for you? No point in defending an outcast like this one."

While speaking, person two then proceeded to grab onto Naruto's shoulder, digging their fingers hard so that they were grabbing onto Naruto's skin and shirt. Naruto hissed at the pain, hands quickly grabbing onto their wrist as he desperately tried to get them to let go.

"Ouch! Let go of me!!"

"What are you going to do about it hm~ Why don't you just fight back? Oh, that's right! It's because you're so weak, that's why no one wants to be around you hahah!"

Shikamaru's head tilted upwards, his relaxed expression now shifting into an angry one as he glared at the two. Causing harm to others for no good reason is something Shikamaru will not stand for.

Person one turns around to taunt at Shikamaru but, in a blink of an eye, something hard landed onto their face. The impact was strong enough to cause them to lose balance and fall backwards, clenching their face in pain.