Naruto x Reader

Shikamaru x Reader

Author note: I couldn't find the picture I wanted, so I just went with my favorite, cause Shikamaru 💚

At First Glance:
"Lord Third, are you sure it is wise?" Koharu asked, not glancing at the girl in front of them. I had placed in the top above all else in Ninja Academy, and was now being selected for Anbu. I knelt with my head down, and waited. Orphaned and friendless, i had no desire for a team, like everyone else, i simply wanted to be a ninja, unlike Naruto, who shouted constantly about being Hokage, even though he sucked in school. Honestly he was a fool.

"(Y/N), do you mind joining my personal Anbu guard? Or would you like me to place you with a team?" The Third Hokage asked me.

"Anbu, sir." I responded, and he nodded at me, dismissing me, with a smile. I exited and headed straight to my apartment, only pausing when I heard chatter. Glancing up, i saw a few of my class mates. The one who was always eating, and his friend who was always sleeping. I couldn't remember their names, but they sat at a bench mumbling along, when the lazy one glanced up and looked me dead in the eyes, before i turned away, and finished my walk back home.

A Second Sighting:
Once again, i knelt before the Hokage, but this time, it was Lady Tsunade, the fifth Hokage. I knew her appearance was a beautiful deception, and I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes behind my mask. The door flew open and in walked multiple Shinobi, all battle worn, i stood and moved to the side.

"Captain Asuma... he's dead." One whispered, and i looked at the speaker, and recognizing him instantly, the lazy one from your Academy days. He was pretty well known now. Shikamaru Nara. A battle strategist, like his father. I blinked, finally taking in his words. Asuma Sarotobi, was dead.

"How?" Lady Tsunade chokes out.

"The Akatsuki, they overwhelmed us. They are immortal or something." Genma said, his voice broken. The Hokage looked at me, before looking back at them.

"We must notify everyone." She whispered, "I will tell Kurenai-"

"No, I'll do." Shikamaru said, "I have something I have to tell her from Captain Asuma." Tsunade nodded, and I held up a hand sign.

"I will alert the Anbu, my lady." I said with a bow.

"Wait, (Y/N). I have something else I must ask of you, in private." I nodded at her request, ignoring the set of eyes now on you. Everyone filed out, leaving me and the Hokage alone.

"(Y/N), how well did you know Asuma?" She asked me, and I rolled my shoulders.

"Not well. I was placed directly in Anbu after the academy and he only teaches genin." I responded, "I saw him on occasion when he'd be with Lord Third, as I was apart of his personal guard."

"Good, then I have a mission for you. I want you to locate the Akatsuki members who did this, and I want you to study them." She stood, walking over to me to hand me the file Shikamaru had handed her.

"Just study them?" I asked, it wasn't a usual request for an Anbu member, normally it involved locating them and taking them out.

"Yes, I need more information before we can launch an attack, and since they are after Naruto, I'd like to take as many precautions as necessary."

"My lady, if I may.." I paused, "I don't believe I will have much time before his students attempt to avenge him." A common occurrence in the world, but normal nonetheless.

"I will try to keep them in the village, and if they do slip past me, I would like you to lend your aid. If possible." Lady Tsunade said, and I blinked behind the mask, she understood the Shinobi way like no one else really did.