Cries of the Forest

9

Shikamaru motioned to the sliding door, pointedly looking at Naruto.

"Walk with me; I have to take the camera back and develop the photos," he said. Then he turned on his heel and walked out. Either Naruto would trust him on this and join him, or he'd be left at the compound to his own devices.

He heard the chair scrape across the mats a bit and knew that he would follow. Contrasting to the mad dash he'd made to get the damned thing in the first place, he took the scenic route at a leisurely pace that bordered sluggish, his hands itching to find their home in his pockets.

There were no servants lingering this time, most likely sensing that he was escorting their guest. Good. No need to put Naruto on edge more than he had to.

Their walk was mostly silent, both habitually concealing their presence, sticking to the edges of the bright hallway. There were no questions, no games, no pressures. It was like they were in their own little world, and it was. . . nice. He couldn't say for Naruto, but he found the atmosphere relaxing, giving him the same feeling he gets when he watches the clouds in the sky.

But at the same time, his paranoia and training told him they were being watched. At every window, he couldn't help but tense slightly. Empty courtyard or sparsely populated street, it didn't matter. He would never have Naruto hurt, and that last scare hit a little too close to home for him to let his guard down now.

And what was he thinking, trying to integrate him into the darkness of Konoha's shadow? His conscience cried out against it. He'd always been brought up knowing he'd join the shinobi forces, but the other knew even less than a civilian child! And that talent, there's no possible way that--

A calloused hand taking hold of his own stopped his thoughts. Blue eyes looked at him with concern, and he forced his posture to relax. How uncharacteristic of him, he mused. But with everything that could happen, (this was a huge matter, damn it,) it probably wasn't the best to leave Naruto in the dark as he did. That was dangerous.

Letting go of that warm hand, he changed their position and interlocked their fingers, taking in the comfort and steeling himself for the little explanation.

"Naruto. You know how I said that you didn't need to be a ninja? That's kind of. . . well, I'm not sure if that's an option for you." The hand tried to pull away, but Shikamaru kept his firm grip, not letting go. "The thing is, you're special. Not just to me, but because you can speak with trees. I will try to avoid having you drafted, but I'm not sure how much I can do." And that was true. As much as he could plan, he wasn't actually sure how much he could change from what he was almost positive would happen. And he didn't like it.

"You said I would have no need. No fighting, only help. I don't want to hurt others! I don't want to hurt."

"I know! That's why-- that's why I'm trying to have you enter as a citizen. If they find out you've been living out in that forest your whole life unaffiliated, they could hurt you. I don't want that, okay! I don't. I just, everything's happening so quickly and I have no control. I'm sorry," he said, voice cracking at the end. He couldn't bring himself to look up and meet those blue eyes that probably held disappointment.

And that's just what he was good for, wasn't it? Not the genius of the Nara clan, not the prodigy successor of the jounin commander, and certainly not the boy that could keep a promise to Naruto. Fuck, he really was a disappointment.

He was powerless to stop that hand from slipping away from his and suddenly felt cold. He was surprised when that same hand raised to lift his chin, a roughly-padded thumb reaching to brush away small tears he hadn't even noticed.