It All Started With A Smell

Healing

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"

Shikamaru groaned, trying to drown out the noise. It was made harder by the sharp poke he received to the shoulder. Bringing the arm up that wasn't wrapped around something warm; he shielded his eyes from the morning light. Squinting, he saw Konohamaru standing over him, glaring at him with a disapproving pout on his face. Seeing Shikamaru looking at him he poked him hard in the chest.

"Get the hell out of that bed! Now!"

Naruto groaned, burying her face further into Shikamaru's chest, throwing a leg over his stomach.

"Konohamaru, go away, we're trying to sleep." Naruto's words came out muffled against the Chunin's skin.

With her so close to him Shikamaru could easily see just how much darker her skin was compared to his. He found himself ignoring the young boy glaring at him and instead staring at the contrast. He enjoyed the look of her tanned skin, reminding him of wet sand. She was so soft and warm though. There were freckles on her arm that she had draped over Shikamaru's bare chest. He would give up watching clouds if it meant he could instead watch her sun kissed skin rest against his pale skin. Unfortunately, Konohamaru demanded attention.

"You two can't be in bed together. SHIKAMARU, GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY SIST...!"

The brunette's words were cut off by Naruto throwing a spare pillow at his face. He looked baffled before Naruto lifted her head, opening her eyes.

"Konohamaru, I love you, but if you don't let me sleep, I will hit you." The girl dropped her head back down onto Shikamaru's chest, moving her arm to block her face.

"I know what you two want to get up to. I'm not leaving until he gets away from you," Konohamaru hissed, blushing darkly.

"I want to sleep, nothing else," Naruto muttered.

"Me too," Agreed Shikamaru, dropping his arm and closing his eyes.

"I don't believe you."

"You're welcome to sleep on the floor like a guard dog but either way I'm getting a couple more hours sleep. What time is it?" Naruto's breath tickled Shikamaru as she sighed.

"It's nearly five in the morning." Konohamaru finally sighed. "If I hear any noise from in this room I will hurt you, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru could feel the grin on Naruto's face against his chest. "Naruto, don't even think about it!"

"Think about what?" Konohamaru snapped.

"She's thinking about making noises just to freak you out." Shikamaru shook his shoulder, shaking Naruto in the process. The blonde whined and rolled away from him. "Behave, you. I want more sleep too."

"You should sleep on the couch." He could feel Konohamaru glaring at him.

"And where would you sleep, Konohamaru?" Shikamaru sighed, peeking one eye open. "I promise we will be good, like we already have been. Now can we please go back to sleep? We had a tiring mission."

Konohamaru finally turned towards the door with a nod. He stopped at the door, looking over his shoulder. "The people who... you know... to Uncle Asuma..."

"They're dead. Naruto finished one off and I got the other." Shikamaru watched some of the tension leave the boy's shoulders before he walked out, leaving the bedroom door ajar. He smiled, rolling to face Naruto, putting his torso against Naruto's back. Wrapping his arms around her waist he pulled her closer. "I'll have to remember that you have a protective little brother."

Naruto laughed, relaxing into him. "Yep, and I've raised him to be tough too, so you should be worried."

"I'd be terrified if I couldn't promise that I'd never hurt you. Konohamaru has no reason to distrust me." Shikamaru buried his face in the back of Naruto's neck, breathing in her scent.