It All Started With A Smell

The Monsters We Make

He wasn't surprised when Naruto showed no sign of a hangover. When Shikamaru knocked on the door he was told to come in. He found the blonde sitting at her coffee table reading a book, other books and scrolls piled onto the white, plastic surface. She smiled at him as he walked into the kitchen before bookmarking where she was up to in her book.

"How are you feeling?" Shikamaru asked, sitting across from her and leafing through the resources she had collected. All of them were about chakra in some form.

"I'm good." Naruto leant back in her chair.

"I thought you would be feeling some effects from the alcohol last night."

Naruto laughed, giving him a cheeky smile. "Takes more than that to give me a hangover."

"See, that's unfair." Shikamaru shook his head as Naruto laughed again. He walked over to the sink, starting to fill it with hot water and soap.

"You don't have to do that," Naruto started, standing up.

The dark haired man waved her off. "It's no problem. You broke your arm helping me so it's the least I can do."

"Well, when you put it that way." Naruto smiled, sitting back down and leafing through the book in front of her.

"So what are you doing with all that research? Making a bonfire?" Shikamaru asked, looking over his shoulder at the blonde who chuckled.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm going to do if none of this tells me how to get more chakra for my jutsu." Naruto scanned through the page she was open to before turning to Shikamaru. "Do you know anything about Sages? There is only a brief explanation here."

Shikamaru washed the cup in his hand, mulling over the question. "From what I know Sages are often connected to a summoning animal. Like your toads, or Lady Tsunade's slugs. The animals teach the ninja some special techniques and lend them their strength. I'm not sure if that's correct though. You should talk to Jiraiya, he's a Toad Sage."

"Oh yeah. I always ignore him when he tries to prattle on about his title. When he's back in the village I'll harass him about it. In the mean time," Naruto groaned, dropping her head onto the table. She giggled when Shikamaru snorted. "I thought this was appropriate reaction to my frustration, but with you standing there it feels overdramatic." Finally, she lifted her head, rubbing her forehead.

Shikamaru laughed, drying his hands. "Well, your small number of dishes are done. I honestly expected it to be more than this." He went to the fridge. "Do you want a drink?"

"Yes, please." Naruto didn't even look up from her book when there was a knock on the door. "It's open."

"Do you even know who is there?" Shikamaru asked in surprise as he walked to the table. He received an amused smile as the door opened and the Sand Siblings walked in. "Right, should have realised you would know who it was."

"Hey, Shikamaru, didn't expect to see you here," Temari commented with a wicked smile.

"Seeing as I'm Naruto's friend I think that's my line," The Nara retorted, handing Naruto her drink and sitting down.

"What brings you guys to my house?" Naruto closed her book and tried to move the books off the table to make space. With her arm in a cast it was a difficult, especially with the bigger ones. After nearly dropping one of the books Shikamaru took over. "Thanks. Feel free to sit, guys."

Kankuro walked forward and dropped into a chair, seeming to feel at home as he lazily looked around the apartment. He gave an appreciated nod as Temari grinned at Shikamaru, winking at him as she sat down next to him.