Chapter Text
It seems like the most obvious pairing now that he looks back on it.
A shadow's mere existence relies solely on light.
And there is no one brighter than Uzumaki Naruto.
He knew his father was a personal friend of the Yondaime. Shikaku always seemed to speak so reverently about Minato Namikazi. He learned to appreciate and respect the sacrifice of their youngest hokage who so willingly gave his life for the village.
"He was far too young," Shikaku would reminisce after too much alcohol with his comrades, "the village needs someone like him."
He knows that the fourth hokage has brilliant yellow hair and eyes as blue as the sky that he likes to lay down and watch. It's no wonder he's deemed the Yellow Flash.
When he meets Naruto, the pieces start to click together like a disjointed puzzle. Naruto Uzumaki has golden spun hair and bright cerulean blue eyes. An exact replica of the Yondaime.
He knows standing before him is the only son to the fourth hokage and all he feels is confusion.
Without knowing all of the information he keeps quiet about his recent discovery and monitors Naruto. The blonde clearly wants to belong and be included, which is why he acts out boisterous pranks and is so quick to go on the offense. Honestly, his peer is quite troublesome.
Still, he watches. He observes.
Eventually, he befriends. They're total opposites, but Naruto keeps him engaged in a way others can't. His attention is a precious commodity and Naruto somehow manages to obtain it.
"Shika, Shika! Do you know why Shinobi have to wear sandals? All the civilians get to wear such cool shoes!"
"Hey, Shika! Do you like egg in your ramen? I love ramen!"
"That cloud looks like a kunai, Shika!"
Troublesome, indeed.
During another go session with his father he brings up his current concerns.
"Is Naruto the son of the Yondaime?" He asks.
Shikaku sighs. "He is."
"Why is he treated so poorly? His father is a hero." He makes a move which his father easily counters.
"How do you treat him?" His father asks.
He pauses and thinks. "Well, although he's loud and far too energetic, I consider him my friend. Naruto knows what I like and asks me about those things, and I know what he likes. Being around him isn't that much of a drag even when he does make me spar him."
"Then do not worry about the opinions of others. Be his friend if you choose too. And one day, all will be revealed as to the treatment of Naruto." Shikaku wisely says, ending the subject.
With his father's words in mind, he maintains his friendship with the unruly blonde who brings so much energy and vitality to their dynamic. Naruto brings him out from the trees and into the sunlight to spar and play games. Naruto's eyes brighten anytime they're around one another and his excitement doubles as well as his volume.
Being with Naruto is like being in constant orbit of the sun.
And a true Nara has to exist in the sun.
Once they graduate from the academy and split off, seeing Naruto less and less puts a damper on his mood and attitude. Asuma has to push him and although he does his best and respects his sensei, his performance declines.
"Shikamaru, I know what you're capable of and I'm barely getting ten percent from you," Asuma says, "what has you so distracted and sullen?"
He refused to answer.
"It's Naruto," Choji answers, munching on a puffed snack.
"What about him?" Asuma asks.
He looks away and sighs. "Troublesome."
"Nara's are hard to motivate until they find their person. Shikamaru found his. It's Naruto." Choji explains.
"Naruto?" Ino screeches from somewhere in the distance. Her keen ears always picked up the juiciest gossip.
Asuma chuckles. "You sure do know how to pick 'em, kiddo."
He stays quiet, but Asuma seems to understand. His sensei goes back to the compound with him so he can talk to his father.
Shikaku regards Asuma kindly and invites him in for some sake. He watches his father and sensei talk before his mother closes the door and has him take a shower.
When he comes back down Asuma is gone and his father is waiting for him.
"You found your person, hm?" Shikaku regards calmly.
"Yes."
"Are you happy?"
Is he? Not really. Being away from Naruto and not seeing him as much has been troublesome. When he's with Naruto, he is happy in the limited amount of time he has with him.
"No."
Shikaku sighs. "I will talk to the Hokage to figure something out for the two of you. Kakashi has shared with me that Naruto seems to be struggling as well."
His heart aches thinking Naruto is having a difficult time without him around to comfort and encourage.
He thanks his father and goes to bed.
Within a week, the Hokage has instructed group spar sessions with the new ninjas in training, which means easy access to Naruto. When he arrives on the field five minutes late, it's easy to spot his orange jumpsuit clad friend. Naruto is jumping up and down and waving to him with clear joy seeing him.
"Hi Shika!" Naruto says, a little loud, but it appropriately conveys his enthusiasm.
"Hey, Naruto," he greets.
"I was helping while waiting for you to get here! Kakashi sensei paired us up today!"
His belly warms at the idea of being with Naruto for their entire sparring session.
They spar. It's familiar, and Naruto challenges him due to his sheer strength and passion. He forces him to be that much to even stand a chance against the fiery blonde.
After the third spar, they drop to the ground together as they pant heavily. Naruto has one win, while the other two were ties.
"You've gotten so good with your clans jutsu, Shika," Naruto murmurs softly.
"Hm," he responds. He's noticing that Naruto's chakra reserve is significantly larger than his own. Naruto doesn't have a cut, scrape, or bruise on him while he feels sufficiently rumpled and scraped up.
Naruto has grown significantly under Kakashi sensei's teaching. Naruto is faster, more precise, and strong. His taijutsu is breathtaking and he wishes he could watch instead of being on the opposite end of it and having to deflect the powerful blows.
Honestly, he wishes he could kiss the blonde which is a startling revelation.
He grumbles when Ino comes up to them and scolds them, but Asuma easily intervenes and redirects her.
"Naruto," he says, "I know that Sakura is your favorite person, but I wanted you to know that you're my favorite person."
"O-oh," Naruto mumbles, "really?"
He nods indiscreetly.
"I've never been someone's favorite before," Naruto ponders until he smiles, warm and natural, "I'm glad I'm yours, Shika. I know you mean it."
He looks away, Naruto's gaze is too intense and sentimental for him to bear.
"Want to come over after sparring?" Naruto asks.
He agrees.
He stomps back onto the compound dragging Naruto behind him. He knows he looks absolutely thunderous as the older clansmen move out of his way as they sense his killing intent. Naruto is squeaking, unsure of what exactly is happening but somehow realizing his killing intent isn't directed at him.
When he bursts into his house and lays eyes on his dad, he feels equally relieved and apprehensive.
"Shika?" A tiny, vulnerable voice says from behind him.
He turns to look at Naruto and his vulnerable expression. He caves to his instincts and reaches out to gently caress his blonde bangs off of his forehead. "I'm not upset with you," he reassures, "but I am horrified with your living conditions, Naruto. It needs to be fixed."
He spins around back to his father, his hands trembling as he crosses his arms over his chest.
"Son." Shikaku greets.
It's permission to speak freely.
"Did you know that Naruto lives in a broken down, decrepit apartment? His water is constantly cold, the plumbing is faulty at best, all of the outdoors walls are covered in graffiti, and he can barely afford food, medicine, and basic necessities like a new jacket."
Shikaku looks surprised with the raised eyebrows, which is enough to get him off of the defensive. He slouches down and reaches back to bring Naruto into his side. Naruto, desperate and touch starved, curls into him with ease.
"I will discuss this with the Hokage," Shikaku says.
"Do not let him get away with this. Until Naruto has proper and appropriate living conditions, he will be staying with me," he declares.
"I'll be sure to inform your mother. Troublesome," Shikaku murmurs. "Welcome to our home, Naruto, you are welcome here for as long as you need."
Naruto straightens and bows. "Thank you, sir."
Shikaku leaves them. He turns to Naruto and feels all of the rage dissipate and turn into a rare affection he doesn't typically feel for most.
"Dad will take care of it," he reassures Naruto. And I will take care of you, he thinks to himself.
Naruto stays with them for a whole week and he enjoys the others' company, which is a surprising feat as he enjoys time alone more than anything. His mother and father are supportive of Naruto in their own way, but always makes sure to include the blonde.
When they inspect Naruto's new living quarters, he is relieved to see that it is in a nicer part of the village and closer to him. The apartment is perfect for Naruto. He helps settle the blonde in and stocks the fridge and pantry with food paid for by the allowance he rarely uses.
"Tell me if you want anything," he tells Naruto, "and I'll take care of it."
Naruto is surprised, but grateful.
When he hears word that Sasuke leaves the village, he braces for the worst.
Naruto is hurting, it's obvious by the lowered energy and brightness his friend usually displays. It's with ease that he sits beside the blonde and allows him to cuddle into his side. They stay like that for a few hours and Naruto processes the turn of events.
At least Naruto isn't alone.
Within weeks, Naruto is gone training under Jiraiya. His heart hurts.
It's the first time he's gotten sick. His father huffs out a chuckle. "Your entire body is rebelling against the idea of being separated from your person."
Miserable, he curls into his sheets and tries to sleep away the congestion and body aches.
Naruto sends him letters every week on the dot. They're sometimes short, but they're enough to keep him from raising hell if he had the slightest inclination that the blonde was in trouble.
Each letter is preserved in a box he keeps in his closet, away from prying eyes.
Two years, six months, three weeks, and four days pass until he hears that Naruto is in the village. Approximately 132 letters were received. His heart blooms like a sunflower finally in the sun's presence once more.
Tsunade rolls his eyes at him. "A week, Shikamaru, and then you both will be reporting for duty."
It's a week to find the courage to confess.
The thing is, he's stronger now. He's developed his skills and honed his abilities. He would not be put into a position where he couldn't protect his precious people, and knowing just how strong and capable Naruto was…well he'd have to try his damn hardest to be even slightly comparable.
The first thing he notices when seeing Naruto is the height. Naruto has a few inches on him now. His shoulders have filled out, and he can see way his torso tapers into his waist. Naruto is strong, built with wiry muscle to help remain aerodynamic but still pack a dynamic punch.
His heart beats a little bit faster as he takes a step closer. Naruto immediately turns away from Sakura and Ino to look his way. This beautiful cerulean blues look at him and his face scrunches up into a big smile. It's like looking at the sun directly, radiant and warm and he needs to bask in that presence to feel alive.
"Shika!" Naruto greets enthusiastically.
"Naruto," he responds.
Naruto hugs him, enveloping him in the warmest and tightest embrace and if he were a weaker man he would have given into his desire to snuggle that much closer into his sunshine boy. He refrains, leaning away when Naruto releases him.
"Lady Tsunade has given us a week off," he announces.
"Us?" Naruto asks, tilting his head adorably to the side.
"Mm." He acknowledges.
"A week sounds like a long time," Naruto says.
"It'll probably be the only vacation you'll see for the foreseeable future, Naruto." He finds himself sounding far too fond when speaking to Naruto. "Plus, my parents want you to have dinner with us tonight at the compound."
Naruto seems sufficiently convinced now that food seems to be involved.
"Have you settled back in?" He questions.
"Not yet!"
"Then let's go. I watered your plants by the way."
"You're the best Shika."
He helps Naruto unpack by sitting on the blonde's bed and listening to him rattle off about his adventures with Jiraiya. Naruto is expressive and uses his hands to help tell the story with every inflection of tone. He listens because he's a Nara and they're built for this.
He heats up a small lunch so Naruto isn't starving before dinner. Naruto sits on his counter and watches, still chattering away.
Eventually, Naruto quiets. He looks over to see Naruto fiddling with his fingernails.
"Stop," he scolds gently, "that's a bad habit."
Naruto looks at him and chuckles. "You've not changed a bit, but you still seem so different."
He shrugs. "That's what happens when so much time passes."
Silence.
He's uneasy with the boy being so quiet. It's so unlike his sunshine embodied person that it makes him feel on edge.
"Ino said something to me today," Naruto broaches softly.
And for the love that all is holy, he would exact his revenge on his gossiping teammate if she meddled in his business.
"Yeah?"
"She said you found your person," Naruto says, "that every Nara clansmen has one."
His thoughts darken while he keeps his composure. Troublesome teammates.
"I didn't know that was a thing," Naruto says, "why didn't you tell me?"
"It's pretty private for us," he shares, "and I was so young at the time that all it really meant is that I wanted a close friendship with them."
"Oh," Naruto murmurs, "I'm happy for you, Shika."
Naruto, his dumb, ridiculous blonde, seems genuine but he also looks devastated.
He turns the stovetop of and walks to Naruto, settling in between the blondes spread thighs so he can be as close as possible. "Naruto, you troublesome man, it's you."
Brightness fills the all too blue eyes and his lips turn up into a smile, but not an over exuberant one. A small, pleased smile that he finds he likes more.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because, you need to accomplish things without that hanging over your head. I'm a patient man, and it allowed me to get stronger in the hopes that one day, I might be considered your equal."
Naruto has always spoken about his rivalry with Sasuke and how he uses that to get stronger, but it seems as though Naruto never considered the same pursuit could happen to be equals.
"O-oh."
"You're stuck with me whether you like it or not, Naruto. Whether you return my feelings are not, I will always be by your side. I will always do my best to be there for you. To protect you and to fight alongside you."
"I have the nine-tailed beast sealed within me," Naruto bursts out, before clapping a hand over his mouth.
He raises an eyebrow. "I'm aware."
"You know?"
"Naruto, your chakra reserves are astounding. You never get sick. You always heal from injuries faster than anyone. It didn't take a whole lot of deduction to figure out why."
"It doesn't…bother you?"
"No," he finds himself saying firmly, "it never has."
"You don't think I'm a monster?"
He grimaces. How could anyone think this beautiful, radiant man before him is a monster? A man who always sees the positive, who is loyal to a fault, and tries harder than anyone he knows to succeed.
"You are an innocent," he says, "a victim of a war we are still trying to fix. A war that we didn't win. A war that ripped you away from your parents, and has forced you to live a life alone with hatred constantly at your back. You're not a monster, Naruto, your heart is far too big and pure for me to ever consider you to be one."
"Thank you, Shika."
He caresses Naruto's whiskered cheeks with the back of his hand. He smiles at the blonde. "Take your time considering what you want our relationship to be, okay? There's no rush and nothing has to change with this information."
"Nara's are patient," Naruto repeats.
"Mm."
He eventually passes a bowl of ramen into Naruto's hand and watches him eat. He could quite easily always have this dynamic with Naruto, but the greedier side of him will always desire more.
A shadow needs the sun to exist, after all.