Shinobi Days

Ch.1 Childhood

Naruto.

He was that one kid that hung out by himself.

He would see him around the village but no one would bother to talk to the blond haired child. If anything, they tried to ignore the boy.

Shikamaru thought nothing of it. He was just another kid that luckily had parents that probably let him do what he wanted. Why else would he be outside every single day without a care in the world.

He didn't know him, never talked to him, but he couldn't help but feel a bit of jealously when ever he saw the blond playing by himself somewhere. No nagging parents. His parents always seemed to fuss about him, even when it's the smallest thing. It was troublesome.

"Dad, who's that kid?" His dad was the spitting image of him, save for the scars. Said man looked down at his son with a questioning look written on his usually all-knowing face. 

"The boy with blond hair?" Shikamaru sighed and nodded. His dad was the smartest person he knew but he couldn't figure out who he was pointing at? There were literally no other kids around, who else could it be?

"Naruto Uzumaki, think he's about your age." Humming slightly at the new information his eyes wandered to the boy playing in the sandbox.

"Do you know his parents? He's always alone..." Shikaku frowned a bit, a flash of a blond haired man with blue eyes clouded his train of thought. Clearing his throat he looked at the small child.

"Why do you ask? Want to be his friend?" He was hopeful. Maybe his son wanted to be friends with the blond. He wouldn't be against it. He would never be against it.

"No...not really. He's just always alone and I wondered if his parents just let him do what he wants." And there it was. No child was immune to jealously when concerning someone's parents.

______'s parents let him/her do it so why can't you?

______'s parents are so cool! They gave him/her, his/her first kunai today!

________'s parents are so strong! I wish my parents were like his/her's.

"Shikamaru...don't think you know the answer if you haven't picked up all the clues yet." The smaller Nara scrunched his face up, and tightened his grip on his father's shirt.

"Oyaji...you know I hate riddles." Chuckling lightly he kneeled in front of the boy, patting his head with a gloved hand.

"You wouldn't be a Nara if you liked them. They're too-"

"Troublesome." Smiling gently, he nodded. His son had the same mentality he did, it was almost hilarious.

"Naruto is a...special kid. One I wouldn't mind you befriending. I have a strong feeling that if you were to be friends with him, he would be loyal and never betray you." Shikamaru looked back at the blond who was grinning at the small castle he made.

It was crappy.

But it brought a smile onto the blond's face. Shikamaru couldn't help but feel his lips tug upwards at the large grin. He shook his head.

"I'm already friends with Choji and you're making me hang out with the Inuzuka. I don't need you pushing me for more." Shikaku sighed, half expecting the response from the child. He was a Nara and they don't do anything if it isn't nessacry.

He felt a frown grace his face as he looked up at the darkening sky littered with white clouds. Minato would have been disappointed. He would have wanted for their sons to be friends and play together. Sleep overs, family dinners, and all the other possible memories they could have made that they spoke fondly about when Minato found out Kushina was pregnent.