It All Started With A Smell

Idiot

He could hear the distinct sound of feet shuffling along his wooden floor. The sound didn't fit either of his teammates, his sensei, or his parents. Turning over with a groan he peeked open his eyes. The light that filled the room was luminescent. The floor tilted dramatically before righting itself. Standing next to his bed was Naruto. Her hair was longer, reaching passed her shoulder blades and she wore an outfit similar to Ino's. Her top was an orange version of Ino's, which clashed heavily with her hair, and orange pants, sitting on her hips and hugging her form.

"You're back?" He asked, although the answer was obvious.

"Move over," Naruto demanded, nudging Shikamaru's side. Once there was space on the bed for her she flopped down, bouncing once before she settled. Turning her head to look at the dark haired boy, she smiled. "How's it been going?"

Shikamaru went to reply only to snort. "Over two years and that's what you have to say?"

Naruto shrugged, letting Shikamaru wrap his arm around her waist and put his face in the crook of her neck as she turned her body to face him.

"I've been missing you, you idiot!" He muttered into her neck. Her soft hair and skin rubbed against his face. She smelt of ramen, the forest, and something else that was uniquely Naruto and feminine at the same time. The smell that had started it all. "I've spent over two years wondering what you thought of our kiss and worried that you wouldn't come back."

"Well I'm back." Naruto's hand slid over Shikamaru's waist, pulling them closer. "And as for the kiss, why do you think I came here the moment I got back?"

"To tell me I really should have brushed my teeth?" He felt Naruto's laugh vibrate through her throat and turned his head, kissing the path it took. Naruto tilted her head down, allowing Shikamaru to skim her lips with his. He sighed against her lips, their noses brushing.

"You're not my Naruto, are you? She still hasn't returned." He swallowed the lump in his throat. Scenario after scenario ran through his mind every night when he thought of why Naruto hadn't returned. Each morning he woke to hope she was back. "I'm starting to think my Naruto isn't coming back."

"I'm here though," Fake Naruto reminded him, rubbing his back. She moved forward, brushing her lips against his.

Shikamaru turned his head away with a sigh. "It's not the same though. You're just a shadow of the real thing. I don't even know what Naruto looks like now."

As he spoke the fake Naruto dimmed and disappeared. Opening his eyes Shikamaru looked at his clock. It was a little before seven and he knew he had to meet Temari by 7:30 for their meeting. Half-heartedly he dragged himself out of bed and started dressing, trying not to hope that Naruto would return today. He was starting to believe it was a lost cause. Naruto was never going to return to the Leaf.

Even though he was early to meet Temari he found her standing out the front of the café with her arms crossed. He wondered for a moment what he had done to annoy her when he hadn't even arrived yet but then he noticed the man talking to Temari. The man had a sleazy smile and hadn't looked in Temari's face the whole time Shikamaru had been observing them.

He would have rushed over to help Temari if he wasn't in a disheartened mood, and if he didn't know Temari. As he watched the blonde clenched her fist, pulled back, and punched the man so hard in the stomach that spit flew out of his mouth. The man crumbled to the ground, cradling his stomach as he groaned. Temari spotted Shikamaru when she looked up from her victim, and gave him a smirk, turning to walk into the café.

Shikamaru stepped over the man on the ground to follow her in, finding her already seated at a table for four. From her pouch she pulled out a summoning scroll, bringing forth the documents they needed. Sitting down, he ordered a coffee, feeling as though he would need it. He really needed a solid night's sleep. Unfortunately the coffee didn't help him listen to Temari as she went over what they had already agreed on for the next Chunin exams. The information was somewhere in the back of his mind but it failed to come forth at that moment.