Game of Shadows by Adrian King1

Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor The Gamer. I own nothing, really.

Chapter 10

The next day's walk towards the Academy was awkward. Not only because it was the first day both, Naruto and I, woke up in our new house but also because of all that had happened the day prior. There was also the fact that we had left the Akimichi's house after being notified of the attack at Naruto's apartment. The others were sure to have at least some questions about the matter.

I, for my part, had another set of thoughts not entirely disconnected with the events of the last night. I looked at my blond friend from the corner of my eye. He didn't know about the note and if I had my way, he wouldn't ever do. The boy had enough in his plate without having to worry about anything else. More than he already was that is.

After stepping inside the classroom, we had a whispered conversation with Chouji and the others as both of us explained what had happened. Obviously, I omitted the Kyuubi secret, for now at least. The Akimichi heir decided that he would stay right besides Naruto for the rest of the day apparently as he sat right next to him instantly. He was a loyal friend indeed, I thought with a smile as I sat in another table with Shikamaru and Shino on each side.

"What are we going to do?" Shikamaru whispered and I had no trouble suppressing a smile. That question brought enough bad thoughts to quench down my happiness. With a look I could tell both boys were angry. Not that it was evident, but anyone that knew them well enough could tell. Shikamaru wasn't sprawled lazily over the table. Instead he was sitting almost straight while resting his head on his fist and facing me, the fingers of his other hand slowly drumming over the wood. The ever silent Aburame was even less obvious, he looked the same as always, but the almost unnoticeable buzz of his bugs told me about his annoyance.

"Why do you think there's something to do?" I asked feigning confusion and both frowned at me.

"You look angry. So, either they haven't found the culprit..." Shikamaru started counting with his fingers. "or they did and did nothing about it or you can seriously hold a grudge."

"Or one of the first's together with the last." Shino added while pushing his glasses up.

"Shino's right." Their frowns deepened.

"What are we going to do?" The Aburame was the one to ask this time and I looked between them.

"I have a name." I whispered back and their faces snapped towards me.

"How?" Shino asked this time.

"I don't know how or who. But someone gave me a clue." I explained and Shikamaru's eyes narrowed for a second.

"A ruse?" He questioned.

"I'll have to check."

"We'll have to check." The Nara corrected me as Shino nodded in agreement. "I don't know why everyone hates him. But it can't be a good enough reason."

"I know." Once more both of them all but snapped their necks at me. "I can't tell you, not right now at least. I can't." Both of them regarded me for a few seconds before nodding their heads in understanding.

"It isn't a good reason, is it?" Shikamaru continued prodding.

"Not even close." I answered with a shake of my head.

"Then... what do we do?" Shino asked and I turned my eyes to him. "We are going to help. Why? Because you would do the same for any of us." This time it was me that regarded both of them.

I trusted Shikamaru. He was my closest friend right next to Naruto. Him being smarter than average and me being older than I was supposed to made it pretty easy for us to understand each other, even if he was smarter than even me. He was the closest I could get to talking with someone my 'age' without having to talk with an adult. And I was truly grateful for that.