It All Started With A Smell

Chapter 6: A Cunning Sensei

Asuma's POV:

He was evil. Hell, he was downright diabolical! And he loved every moment of it. If his little student ever discovered that he planned all of this then that little genius would find a way to torment him to no end. Admittedly Asuma would enjoy Shikamaru blushing over the situation as he exacted his revenge. He could even use this moment as blackmail to make Shikamaru work harder but that would mean showing his hand and having Shikamaru not know that Asuma was aware of his feelings for Naruto was too much fun.

Smiling, he turned the pieces of meat over on the barbeque, watching as they cooked. He wasn't as skilled in the art of culinary as Choji was so he had to be careful to not overcook the meat. He wouldn't want to ruin anything.

"So how is your training going?" Shikamaru asked, not making eye contact but instead looking bored at the rest of the restaurant.

"Horribly. I can't get this stupid jutsu and I pass out at the end of every training session, meaning Pervy-Sage has to take me home," Naruto slurred, eyes drooping. If they didn't get food into the blonde soon than Asuma's plan would go down the drain. "It wouldn't be so bad if he didn't reorganise my whole house when he gets bored."

Shikamaru's hand shot out, so quickly that Asuma blinked in surprise. The young boy had grabbed Naruto's shoulder without looking at the blonde, stopping him from falling forward onto the hot barbeque. Shooting the blonde a look, he pushed Naruto back, making him rest against the back of the booth chair. With his head resting against the plush surface Naruto looked over at Shikamaru with half hooded eyes and smiled at him.

"Thanks."

"Troublesome." He looked away again, resting his chin against his palm. The small smile wasn't lost on Asuma.

"Here," Asuma said as he started piling food onto Naruto's plate, deeming it cooked enough. "Once you eat you'll feel better. I can't believe you have never experience chakra depletion."

"Usually I pass out," Naruto explained, shoveling food into his mouth.

"Ts, don't talk with your mouth full," Shikamaru groaned before slowly eating his own food.

"Sorry," Naruto said, having the decency to cover his mouth, even though it was still full. He swallowed. "At least you didn't chock me with my mouth full this time."

Asuma stifled a laugh as Shikamaru rolled his eyes. The more Naruto ate the more energy he regained making it less likely he would collapse onto the barbeque. Even though the danger was gone, Asuma noticed that Shikamaru kept looking over at Naruto in worry. The boy also put an extra large helping of the meat onto the barbeque when Naruto commented that he was enjoying it.

"How is your training going, Shikamaru? That shadow thingy you use is pretty cool." Naruto asked the question before eating some more, earning a reluctant smile from Shikamaru.

"It's a drag." Shikamaru sighed before frowning at Asuma. "Asuma-Sensei is a slave driver."

"You're just lazy." Asuma's smile grew when the Genin blushed upon hearing Naruto laugh.

"You two are a lot alike!" Naruto grinned, his eyes closed.

"You're one to talk," Shikamaru muttered. He slid out of the booth waving a hand lazily at the two males. "I'm going to the bathroom."

Naruto shrugged, seeming unfazed by the dark-haired boy's distant behaviour. Then again, Shikamaru probably acted the same way back in the academy. Asuma looked over his sake cup at Naruto who was happily munching on his food. Colour had returned to his face and he now didn't look as though he was going to topple over. He had a smile on his face, something that Asuma had not really seen him without. The two were very different. Shikamaru was lazy, very rarely looked like anything other than bored or irritated and often judged a situation before even thinking of opening his mouth. Naruto on the other hand was energetic, expressive and seemed to say what ever came to mind. It made Asuma wonder if the reason Shikamaru liked Naruto was because the blonde did such rash things that perhaps surprised even Shikamaru.