Sun and Shadow

Chapter 3

The academy was eerily quiet as the exams were under way. Naruto and Shikamaru sat by each other doing the test with complete ease. They had decided that the practical section of the exam would be done first then the written part. The reason was simple enough, it was mid summer and at the climax off the heat, many were fainting due to heat stroke so they were trying to protect the prospective genin. Naruto scoffed at the exam, it was basically all about the village history, this was taught to Clan heirs. He looked over at Shikamaru who was sleeping, he flipped over his test and rested his head on his lazy friend's head inhaling the scent of the Nara forest.

Shikamaru wasn't sleeping but he did feel contented with the warmth of his energetic friend. He was immensely happy when he caught a whiff of Naruto's scent. When he first got Naruto's scent in his nose Naruto smelt of his own blood. No matter how long he spent scrubbing his friend when they showered together he always had the scent of blood, but now he could smell the deer he always played with when they were done playing. It was what finally lulled him to sleep.

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The bell rang signalling the end of the exam, the two boys didn't move from their position as they enjoyed the warmth that they had developed. It was only when Iruka-sensei came to their table did they move and immediately go back to snuggling but this time, Shikamaru was laying in Naruto's lap his arms around the blond's waist. Naruto just watched with a yawn as everyone started chatting amongst themselves. 

In the row below him sat the Uchiha who currently had the pleasure of both Ino and Sakura fighting over him, it was really an idiotic move on both girls parts. None of them would be with Sasuke, the thought made him laugh. He laughed so loudly the entire class gave him a confused look as there was nothing funny around them at the moment. When Naruto calmed down he wiped his laughter tears, Sakura glared at him, Sasuke gave him a raised eyebrow and Ino flat out ignored him. 

"What's so funny cha! Tell me," Sakura demanded, Naruto's face went blank as he pulled Shika's hair out of it's tie.

Naruto played with the hair humming a little with a few chuckles slipping out, "Nothing just the ridiculous idea that you and Ino think Sasuke would be with you," He started laughing again. 

"What do you know about!" Ino screeched, Naruto gave her a fake smile.

"It's obivous that you've been skipping the lessons from your clan or tuning out Inoichi-san,"

Shikamaru snorted at the statement. "Ino, you can't marry Sasuke because your already inheriting the Yamanaka clan, Sakura you're from a civilian family that fact alone sets you and Sasuke on different levels. Plus he is the last Uchiha in the village, they are going to do the CRA for him, so they need powerful kunoichi to bring powerful Uchiha brats so the clan can be great,"

Everyone listened as Naruto practically crushed the hopes the girls were carrying for the Uchiha to love one of them. Shikamaru sat up with a yawn tying back his hair. Naruto raised his eyebrow as if challenging them to push back the arguement. But they couldn't because they knew he was right.

"I won't give up," Sakura muttered before raising her voice. "I won't lose!!"

Naruto shook his head in mock disappointment. "Sakura..........how are you supposed to be smartest kunoichi in the room, what has the academy come to. Do what you want, but when you see Sasuke in the future with his harem of wives and children flocking the Uchiha compound don't say I didn't warn you,"

Sakura puffed her cheeks and sat beside Sasuke and Ino took the other side. 'Troublesome,' Shikamaru thought as he watched the scene unfold. He looked at Naruto who rolled his eyes before putting his head in his lap, he ruffled the blond locks before putting his head down over Naruto's face.