It All Started With A Smell

A Quiet Night

Naruto had somehow tangled herself in the sheet. It tightly wrapped around her otherwise naked form like a white, knotted dress that showed hints of her tan skin through its somewhat see-through material. As she laid on her stomach she played with her new pendant, something that made Shikamaru smile. He ran his fingers up and down Naruto's bare back, enjoying the shivers that followed.

"Can we just stay here until I have to leave?" Naruto sighed contently.

"Is everything you need to pack here?"

After a thought Naruto dropped her head. "No! Most of it is at the estate."

"Hmm. When do you have to leave exactly?"

"Early Tuesday morning."

"So you actually only have tomorrow before you leave?" Shikamaru sighed against Naruto's shoulder before kissing it. "What a drag."

Naruto chuckled at his whine. "Pretty much. I know I have to go, and I want to be able to fight again since I currently can't even keep my chakra out to sense people. But at the same time I don't want to go. What about if the Akatsuki come looking for me again? I can't let the village suffer like that."

Shikamaru kissed her, silencing her rambling. "They won't attack the village. They don't know about the seal weakening so they'll be too worried about you defeating more of their members. The next conflict will be one we meet. Just be careful when you're with the man with the Eight-Tails. The Akatsuki is after both of you so putting you together, whilst necessary, runs risks."

"I know. I'm fairly certain that Old Granny thought about that but even with the best plans shit can go wrong. Still, I wish I didn't have to go. Even with everything that's happened the last couple of months it's still been some of the best months I've ever had. All my hard work with the village has shown to be worthwhile, and I've been able to be who I am without fear. Then there's being able to be with you, Ino, Uncle Inoichi, and Aunt Momiji. It's made all the crap that's happened with me easier. I don't want to leave. I want to stay here and plug my ears and sing loudly off key whenever someone brings up leaving."

Shikamaru chuckled, the deep sound resinating through his chest. "I can't say I'm not highly tempted to do the same but how about we stay here until tomorrow afternoon. It'll just be the two of us." He trailed kisses over her shoulder, his fingers running up and down her spine.

"Hmm, I like that idea."

"The only problem is that Ino will be mad she wasn't given a heads up about your leaving in time to move your birthday party to tomorrow."

"I'm glad she can't. I know she's trying to be nice but honestly I've had to come to terms with a lot of things and am exhausted. I would have to put on a smile the whole time when I'll be uncomfortable and confused. I don't really know how birthday parties are meant to work, having only seen yours, and throwing me straight into it will just makes me realise how much I've missed out on." Naruto gave him a half smile. "I'm grateful but I'm just not ready. I'm not giving the necklace back though, so don't even think about it!" She cracked a grin.

Putting a hand on her waist he pulled her closer, enjoying the heat that radiated off her body. "Wouldn't think of it. How about next year we lock ourselves up in this apartment and just spend the day together. Clothing is optional."

Naruto snorted before kissing him. "Sounds like a plan."

"If our friends come over to see you, you can choose whether or not we let them in. Though clothing will then become mandatory. But I must warn you if you wear that blue dress we may have to disappear for lengths at a time or kick our friends out after a few minutes." He smiled when Naruto laughed, her skin pinking.