It All Started With A Smell

Goodbye

The Hokage was always seen as calm and collected, always in charge and in control. Apparently that did not apply when around Naruto. Shikamaru had seen Naruto use her Sexy jutsu on the Third Hokage whose nose would leak blood and who would become flustered and forget what he was saying. Looking at the flushed and embarrassed Fifth Hokage Shikamaru was starting to believe it was a natural talent for Naruto to leave authority figures shaken. Admittedly it was amusing to see the affect the blonde had on their superiors.

Lady Tsunade looked grateful when Shikamaru opened the door allowing her to flee through the exit. For answers the Nara boy looked at Naruto who was sniggering into her fist. He shook his head, walking over to Naruto's bed and sitting down. Naruto's knee brushed against Shikamaru's outer thigh. Heat seeped through his limb and his heart beat shook his body. Looking at the blonde's hands, resting in her lap, Shikamaru remembered kissing them. His fingers twitched but he forced them to keep a hold of the box of treats.

"What did you do to the Hokage this time?" Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Did you make a male version of your sexy jutsu or something?"

"No, but that's a good idea." Naruto laughed at Shikamaru's groan. "No, Pervy-Sage told her to give me 'the talk' not realising Iruka-Sensei explained all that to me a couple of years ago. She was really uncomfortable. It was made worse by the fact that I wouldn't tell her if I liked boys or girls. She kept switching between the two and turning redder each time."

Shikamaru smiled, moving closer to Naruto so his leg rested against Naruto's. "And you didn't think to tell her you only liked boys?"

"Nah." Naruto rested back into her pillows, her hands going behind her head. She winced but moved passed the pain. "It was more fun not telling her. Besides when I tell adults they tend to ask the same type of question."

"What question is that?" Shikamaru couldn't fathom what it was. The question he wanted to ask was if Naruto liked any boy in particular.

"'Are you sure?'" Naruto rolled her eyes. "They don't always ask it like that but you can tell that that is what they mean. Iruka-Sensei asked if I had ever actually had a crush on a boy. I don't think they mean anything by it. My guess is that I just look like the type to go for girls. It's just kind of annoying. I guess if I acted like Ino and Sakura people wouldn't question me. Pervy-Sage asked me if I was sure I couldn't appreciate the magnificence that is woman... or something like that. I told him guys were better looking."

Shikamaru shook his head, smiling. "So did you ever answer Iruka-Sensei?"

He had said it as a joke but when Naruto diverted her eyes he found himself waiting anxiously for her answer. Naruto being attracted to his gender did not mean Shikamaru was her type. The thought of Naruto never returning his feelings left him sick.

"Was it me?" He joked, chuckling when Naruto's wide eyes turned back to his face.

"Are you sick again?"

"Well I am dying." When Naruto frowned he elaborated. "By aging, but dying nevertheless."

"Oh, and my love life is the key to immortality?"

"Yep. It would be selfish of you to keep it to yourself."

"You first, Shika-maruuu." Naruto laughed as the boy groaned.

"Fine. Back in the academy I had a crush on someone. I only realised after noticing that I would get jealous at times, and my heart rate would increase, and they made me smile." He looked up from where he was picking at the bedding, meeting Naruto's eyes. Choosing his wording carefully, he went on. "The crush ended around the Chunin Exams." He failed to mention what its ending meant for his feelings.