Can't Help Myself 2.0

.13

Team 10 and the remaining of Team 7 were walking together, having been assigned a group mission. Tsunade had given them something simple, away from anything harsh to ease down from recent events.

"Hell yeah! I'm back in my game!" Naruto cheered out, bursting in energy after being assigned a mission.

"It's not even that exciting, just collecting some scrolls." Shikamaru yawned out, shoving his hands inside his pockets.

While the boys were walking up ahead, the two girls chose to walk behind them.

*Gee~*

Sakura and Ino observed them closely, more specifically at Naruto and Shikamaru.

"They're acting strange." Sakura whispered to Ino, eyes squinting in suspicion.

"Yeah, I've been noticing that too. It's weird seeing Shikamaru act like this."

They watched closely as the two boys glanced at each other without saying anything before looking away in a split second. Naruto was playing with his fingers from behind while Shikamaru shoulders looked a bit tense.

Very fishy..

"You think those two have something going on?" Sakura asked, smirking a bit at the thought.

"It's possible but I kind of feel like it's a stretch. Shikamaru thinks crushes and stuff like that are 'too troublesome' and Naruto is just way too energetic to even think about romance." She answered, "But, I could be wrong."

As the two whispered amongst themselves, Shikamaru was feeling a little unease for some reason, releasing a silent sigh.

"I can feel their eyes burning the back of my head."

He took a glance behind him, watching as Sakura started fixing her hair and Ino randomly whistling to the side.

"Hmm." His eyes narrowed at them, trying to see if they were just acting. The two girls caught this and quickly thought of something to curve his suspicions.

"Wow, Ino! Your hair looks so great, what have you've been using?"

"Oh hahah! You've noticed? It's a new brand that just released in stores, its called Lavender Melody, you should definitely give it a try!"

Shikamaru took one more glance at them before turning back to face forward, continuing to listen to Choji's and Naruto's conversation.

"Sliced pork taste so good once you drizzle on soy sauce!"

"I very much agree, Choji! And the taste once it soaks in the broth of the ramen-- Ah! So good."

Choji and Naruto both sparkled, speaking to each other of the arts of food. Shikamaru attention was on Naruto, eyes softening at the sight of him glowing.

"Did you see that?! The way Shikamaru is staring at Naruto?!" Ino whispered-yelled.

"Oh my!!"

As the kids were in their own little world, the two Sensei were watching the whole thing unfold.

"Well isn't this interesting, Sakura and Ino are on a case." Asuma playfully said, chuckling at the sight of them. Kakashi nodded, eyes closing as he spectates along.

"Good luck to the two boys, once the girls are set, nothing is going to stop them."

After a while of peaceful walking and chatters, they managed to collect all of the required scrolls without any problems. They were now on their way back to the Hokage's tower.

"Here Naruto, let me carry some of your stack." Shikamaru offered, taking a few scrolls from Naruto's arms despite him already carrying quite a handful already.

"Ah- thank you.." Naruto thanked quietly, smiling almost shyly at him.

O_O

Ino and Sakura were fully locked on, watching them with such intensity that their Senseis accidentally let out a chuckle.

"Wah that was so sweet of him!" Ino purred, gushing at how cute they were being. She found it a bit amusing seeing how Shikamaru was acting, never seeing it before until now it was quite a sight.

"This is the first I've seen Naruto look so shy." Sakura awed, eyes sparkling in excitement for her teammate.

Soon enough, they arrived inside the Hokage's office, dropping off the scrolls to her. They bid their goodbyes, Choji and the two Senseis leaving shortly afterwards. Naruto had to stay back due to Tsunade wanting to speak to him.

Shikamaru chose to stay back as well, opting to wait for him outside the tower.

He will realize that this would be a mistake.

Ino and Sakura took this as a chance to question him, full of hope and wonders they cornered him into the wall.

"Wha-"

"What's going on?"

"Are you two a thing?!"

"Have you guys confessed yet??"

"Since when did this happen?!"

All Shikamaru could do was raise his hands up in front of him, closing his eyes as the stares grew stronger while waiting for him to answer.

"What are you guys talking about?"

"Don't act stupid because you're not! You and Naruto, what's up?" Ino answered, poking him right on the forehead.

Despite his cheeks gaining a faint color, Shikamaru glared at them, removing Ino's finger from his forehead.

"There's nothing going on between us, relax you two."

Sakura didn't believe that, crossing her arms across her chest. "Oh? Then why are you out here?"

This was starting to annoy Shikamaru, just wanting them ti leave him alone at this point.

"I'm waiting for Naruto, okay? I'm going to invite him out."

. . .

That seemed to made this worse as the girls gasped out loudly, shining so brightly that Shikamaru groaned.

"That's literally a date!"

"Please let us know what happens while you two are done with the date!"

"Wait, no guys-" Man what was the point of trying. He somehow added more fuel onto the fire, feeling himself grow embarrassed as the two kept telling him about how he basically wanted to ask Naruto on a date.

"What are you guys doing?"

The trio's attention snapped at Naruto, now standing beside them. Sakura and Ino took this sign and shoved Shikamaru towards Naruto, raising their thumbs in encouragement.

"Have fun!"

"Tell me what happens Naruto! I'm rooting for you!"

In a blink of an eye, they scurried away.

Very much confused, Naruto turned to Shikamaru for answers. In return, he received a head landing on top of his, muffled words from his hair.

"You saved me, thank you."

"Huh?? Saved?"

He just allowed the Nara to rest his head on his own, waiting for him to pull away once he was calmed down from-- whatever that was. After a bit, he felt Shikamaru lift his head up and wrapping his arm behind his neck.

He stared off to the side, "So.. you want to go eat with me? It'll be my treat."

"I'd like that."

The two walked side by side, Shikamaru's walked in lazy steps while Naruto was basically bouncing at every step he took.

"Can we go to Ichiraku, please?"

"Yeah, yeah, of course."

Naruto whooped, speeding up his pace to follow the very familiar direction. Shikamaru chuckled at him fondly, following behind him.

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