It All Started With A Smell

Chapter 11 - Monsters Don't Need Shields, Children Do

Shikaku's POV:

It was a nice change from the pub, which had unfortunately been destroyed in the invasion. At least the food was good, but the lack of booze was troublesome. He was eating his noodles slowly when voices from outside the protective canopy reached his ears.

"You were right. I'm sorry. Shikamaru did work hard to keep us safe. If he hadn't... we would have been overrun and then Gaara would have gotten away." The girl's voice sounded meek, and perhaps embarrassed or ashamed.

"You don't need to tell me that," Another voice replied. This one was hard to work out. It was deeper than the other but not overly masculine. Perhaps just a prepubescent boy. Legs appeared at the bottom of the canopy. One set were uncovered whilst the other was wearing bright orange pants. "No matter how lazy Shikamaru is, if he says he will lay his life on the line for others, he means it. Sakura, you need to trust the other ninjas in the village instead of just your team. Shikamaru and his team saved your life in the Chunin exams, and they didn't have to in the slightest."

The boy pulled back the cloth, stepping into the ramen store. He had bright blonde hair, blue eyes and slightly tan skin. For a moment Shikaku thought he was looking at the Fourth Hokage, since the resemblance was astounding, but then he realised it was the Jinchurikki.

"I know, Naruto, I'm sorry." The girl stayed outside the stall, her face revealing itself by Naruto holding the curtain back for her. She had pink hair and a large forehead. "I promise to work on it." She gave a smile and a slight chuckle. "I can't believe Sasuke saved us."

That didn't sound right. His son had told him that Naruto had fought the Sand's weapon. However, he watched the blonde wave off his friend, mumbling an agreement to make her walk away.

"I thought you were the one to save us," Teuchi question as Naruto sat one seat away from Shikaku, not even shooting a look at him.

"All the ninja's worked to save the village, but if you are talking about the fight in the forest between the sand thing and the nine-tails, yeah that was me but Sakura was unconscious for it all and thinks Sasuke did it all." Naruto shrugged, not seeming to care too much.

"Well, the first bowl of ramen is on the house, for the one who really did stop that thing.. er guy." Teuchi went to put the ramen on to cook, seeming to know what Naruto would want to eat.

"Thanks, I'm starved."

"What's this about Shikamaru?" Shikaku couldn't help but ask. His son had told him what Naruto had done for everyone. The fight could be seen in the village, what with how big Gaara got and how big that toad was. It was the same one the Fourth had summoned. Then it had turned into the Nine-tails... the civilians had not been easy to calm.

Naruto looked over at him, his blue eyes sweeping over Shikaku's appearance. "Shikamaru didn't tell you?"

"He told me about what you did and how you ended up in hospital because the battle was that intense. I'm surprised you're out already."

"I heal fast." Naruto shrugged. "When we went after Gaara and his siblings we had ninja's following us. We talked over the situation and Shikamaru volunteered to be decoy so the rest of us could go on. He knew it was dangerous... and Sakura doubted he would actually come through but Shikamaru can be reliable when you need him to be."

Shikaku had once asked his son what he thought of Naruto. Shikamaru had responded that he was funny and that he didn't think there was anything wrong with him, nothing to warrant the abuse he was subjugated to. Shikaku had been glad to hear that, especially when he found out his son had defended Naruto in class, even though he barely knew the boy. However, now he was wondering if Shikamaru's thoughts had changed, evolved passed the other ninja just being funny. Perhaps they were allies, or friends. Shikaku also found himself pondering what the blonde thought of his son. Those questions could easily be answered though.