Chapter Text
Day after Genin Graduation
Shikamaru is slightly surprised when he makes it up to the roof of the academy and finds the place already occupied. He takes a seat where he usually does, which happens to be three feet away from the orange clad boy laying on his back and staring blankly up at the sky.
He tries to keep his gaze focused on the calming scenery above, but can’t help glimpsing at his oddly silent companion who lets out a quiet sigh.
Curiosity is an insufferable burden Shikamaru is unfortunately forced to bare.
“What are you doing here, Naruto?”
Dull blue eyes blink slowly as they follow the gentle movement of the clouds. “You want me to leave?” The blonde asks.
Shika shrugs. “It doesn’t bother me if you’re here or not.”
Okay, that’s a bit untrue because he does kind of consider this to be his spot, but he’s actually more bothered by the silence on the blonde’s part than his presence in general. He knows that Naruto is prone to melancholic moments just like anybody else, but he’s too used to the boy’s ever exuberant posturing whenever in his presence.
“Is something bothering you?” Let it be known that Shikamaru is in fact a nice guy when he can be bothered to act like it.
Naruto turns toward him and stares. Just stares.
For several seconds.
Shikamaru figures he’s debating whether or not he wants to answer, but that on its own is concerning because the Naruto he knows makes snap decisions and blurts out whatever’s on his mind.
The awkwardness is just starting to become maddeningly uncomfortable when he finally hears a muttered, “Yeah, you could say that. I lost some people I loved.”
Well, shit. “I’m sorry.” The bluntness of the statement is what really throws him off. He’s both sorry for the boy’s loss and that he asked in the first place.
“What made you ask me?” Naruto questions as if he can read Shika’s mind. ‘I was being a nosy asshole’ probably isn’t a decent answer to give a guy in mourning, so instead he goes with. “You just seem different. Off.” Off in a way that made him nervous. Twitchy?
“Huh,” Naruto breaths out in a considering tone as he turns back to the sky. “You never cared before.”
The silence is deafening and Shikamaru’s almost relieved when Ino intrudes, Choji in tow, to drag him off so they can meet their new sensei. He doesn’t see Naruto again for the rest of the week.
Day after Genin Graduation
Shikamaru is slightly surprised when he makes it up to the roof of the academy and finds the place already occupied.
The orange clad boy is slowly pacing the length of the rooftop; one hand covers the lower half of his face and his eyes are half opened and dull looking as if he is entirely focused on some sort of inner struggle.
The blonde’s path continuously leads him through where the best cloud watching seat in the area is, which means Shikamaru will either have to pick a new one (which will throw off the rhythm of his entire day) , or acknowledge Naruto’s presence in the hope of getting him to let up.
“Naruto.”
“Shikamaru,” Is the immediate reply as Naruto stops in his tracks to face him. “Hi.”
“...Hey?” What’s Naruto doing up here anyway? Shouldn’t he be trying to bond with his teammates before they have to go meet their new jonin sensei? Shika is sure Ino is already skulking around for him and it will only be a matter of time before she pries (bribes) his whereabouts out of Choji.
Naruto’s hand lowers to reveal a deep frown. He opens his mouth as if to say something, then snaps it shut as he drops his arms to his sides. “Nevermind,” he mumbles as he quickly strides past him back toward the stairs.
That… was extremely unusual.
He doesn’t see Naruto again for the rest of the week.