It All Started With A Smell

Stag Mentality

He took a deep breath and raised his fist to knock on the door. He paused, having to will his hand to make contact with the wood. With a sigh of defeat, he knocked, listening as someone walked closer to the door. When the door was flung open he caught a whiff of flowery perfume. He met the wide green eyes of the woman standing before him. He had been so busy with missions and his cousin had been busy looking after the deer that he hadn't had the time to realise he had grown taller than his cousin. Shikamaru couldn't help but smirk when Airi scowled up at him.

"So not fair. You used to be a shrimp." Airi crossed her arms.

"I grew out of it. Unfortunately for you, you'll be a shrimp for the rest of your life." Shikamaru grinned, leaning on the doorway. "Sooo, can we talk?"

"Sure, come in." Airi turned, playing with one of her curls as she went. When they reached her kitchen she turned, biting her lip. "This is about Eiji's petition, isn't it? Is Uncle Shikaku thinking about saying no?"

"Calm down, Airi, breath. Dad is just teaching me how to take over so he wants me to do the leg work. He hasn't made a decision yet."

"So, you're here to talk to Eiji? Cause he still lives in his own place. He can't move in here until we're married." At Shikamaru's frown, Airi sighed. "Because this is the Nara Estate! Turns out you need to get the Head of the Nara Clan to approve someone moving into the estate. So, whoever you want to shack up with will be allowed in. I think it's so the Clan can meet your partner."

Shikamaru sighed. "Clan politics are a headache."

"Just so you know I plan to become best buddies with your girlfriend, when you finally have one, and embarrass you to no end and find out all your secrets." Airi stuck her tongue out at him.

"And I'll tell Eiji stories about you from when you were younger."

"Eiji already knows what I was like when I was younger. You have no stories that will embarrass me."

Shikamaru smirked, his arms crossed over his chest. "I never said they would be true stories." When Airi huffed at him he decided to move on. "So, I was hoping you could tell me how you and your fiancé met."

"Oh, that's easy. It's thanks to you."

An eyebrow arched at his disbelieve. "Explain."

"You remember your first mission as leader? Well I went into the hospital to see if you were alright. I had only heard that there were at least two in critical condition but didn't know who. When I went looking for you I found Eiji. He told me that Uncle Shikaku had just asked about you too and that you were in his patient's room. He showed me to their room, Naruto's it was, and we saw you two sleeping next to each other. So cute. I asked him how you and Naruto were and admittedly was a little distressed and he offered me a glass of water and explained that you were fine and that your friend was going to heal. He also assured me that Choji was going to be alright. It was only after about two hours of him calming me down and letting me fret and cry that I found out he had been off work for that whole time. He had been working for about sixteen hours and was tired but didn't say anything. He asked me out for a late dinner and walked me home after that. I came in to see if Choji was alright the next day and saw him again and he asked me out on a real date. Been together ever since."

"So that's how you two met." Shikamaru cleared his throat, tightening his arms over his chest.

"You really think you can bypass the fact that I saw you sleeping next to someone?" Airi asked with a grin.

"I was hoping, yes."

"No way! Eiji left Naruto's folder open on his coffee table the other day. I've seen her medical file and a picture of what she looks like without her binds. Who knew you liked busty woman, Shikamaru, such a naughty boy."