Shikamaru trudged out of the water behind Naruto. It wasn't that he was following her or anything; it was just that he really didn't like the gleam in Hikari's eyes. Yes, that one definitely preferred people of the female persuasion, especially Naruto, apparently.
Naruto ran the last few steps out of the water and then hugged Hikari, grinning. "I take it that you passed whatever test that Baa-chan set up for you? You're members of the village now?"
Hikari nodded, still blushing as Naruto's close proximity. "Yeah. We passed."
"And now you can finally stop running," Naruto said softly, giving Hikari another squeeze. "You have a home."
Keita hugged Naruto from behind. "And it's all thanks to you, Naruto."
Shikamaru shoved his hand in his pockets to stop himself from pulling them off of Naruto. They were just showing their gratitude. There was nothing sexual about it.
Shota stood off to the side, looking around coolly.
Shikamaru had to admit, he was one of the weirdest kids he'd ever met.
After hugging Hikari and Keita, Naruto swooped down and wrapped her arms around Shota, pressing him close. "Oh! I'm so glad that you guys are staying!"
Shota, after stiffening up at her initial touch, melted into her hug and hugged her back. Grey eyes found Shikamaru's from over Naruto's shoulder, and then Shota smirked at him.
What the...
A moment later, Shota's hands drifted lower until they were resting low on her hips.
Shikamaru's brain was having a hard time processing what he was seeing. No, that wasn't true. He knew what he was seeing. Shota had very clearly smirked at him and then practically groped Naruto. That part was clear enough. What did he get from that? Shota either liked Naruto and wanted him to know that, or, two, Shota didn't like Naruto but knew that Shikamaru liked her and was messing with him. He was really hoping for the second, because, if it was the first, that would mean that another person liked Naruto, which was troublesome to say the least. But Naruto wouldn't really consider Shota, right? He was like three or four years younger than her. That wasn't that much actually... No, now he was just being paranoid now. It was obvious that Naruto thought of Shota as a kid, not a potential romantic interest. There was no reason to worry.
And yet he still was.
Naruto straightened up, although she still kept one arm around Shota, and then looked around at everyone. "I want to introduce three new members of the village. This is Hikari, Keita, and Shota. I... met them on my last mission. Make them feel at home, please?"
Shikamaru noted that she very clearly didn't mention the fact that they had been the assassins that she had been sent to find and capture. Yeah, that probably wouldn't be the best way to introduce them.
People surged forward, friendly smiles on their faces, ready and happy to greet the new arrivals.
Shota seemed to tense as people surrounded him, and Naruto noticed. She guided him out of the crowd, and Shikamaru could hear her saying softly to him, "Not used to crowds of people clambering for your attention?"
The boy shook his head. "No, and I don't like it. I don't need idiots trying to usurp my time when it would be better spend on other things."
Shikamaru shook his head. Weirdest. Kid. Ever. He sounded more like a misanthropic old man than a young teenager.
Naruto frowned slightly at that. "I don't think that's right, but when you say things like that you remind me of someone..." Her face brightened all of the sudden, and she grabbed Shota's hand, hauling him along after her. "Yeah!" she said enthusiastically. "You remind me of the teme!"
YOU ARE READING
How Troublesome
FanfictionInspired by Naruto's Sexy no Jutsu. I mean, most of you have probably seen it. That jutsu is a work of perverted art and deserves to have at least one story dedicated to it. This story will have minor Sakura bashing, one, because she's not cute, and...