In another week Naruto's wounds were healed but they would leave unrepairable scars. Layers of ruined tissue that would forever mark him. The burn marks were almost completely gone and the circular cuts around his ankles would scar but not by much. All in all, he was fit as a fiddle. After his final check-up at Shikayun, he wandered the compound looking for inspiration.  He found it in a group of children who were near the forest entrance playing with the deer. He watched from a distance, taking in details of their lazy smiles and droopy eyes. The signature ponytail of the clan he'd come to know. 

"Hey you're Shikamaru's mate aren't you?" One called out with a starstruck gaze. Naruto blinked and tilted his head a bit. People of this clan sure we're observant but he guessed it was a trait of them all.

He nodded a bit as they came closer to him. "You're much more handsome up close, Shikamaru-sama is so lucky. I hope my soulmate's as beautiful as you," The little boy said as he tried reaching up for Naruto. 

There was a known fact among parents and adults. 

Children talk, children eavesdropped, children can unknowingly become vaults of information. Especially children of a clan that is closely saddled with the Lady Bitch called Hokage. Their parents work in the intelligence department aka a gold mine. Naruto flashed them a pure smile and he chuckled darkly internally when they ate it up. If it was one thing he could thank his worthless father for, it was for his innocent features. 

"Thank you that's sweet of you and trust me they'll have their own beauty," He promised as he crouched down to the three children. One boy and two girls. 

"Maybe or they can be sunshine like you," The boy smoothed talked. Naruto chuckled as the girls shoved him around a bit at his compliment. 

"That's Shikamaru-sama's mate show some respect," A girl with two matching bangs and a ponytail said with a hiss. The other who had the standard ponytail sighed as she covered her face. 

"I'm Shikayari," The one with the bangs introduced. 

"Shikari," The other girl introduced. "That's Shikaoni, don't mind him he's a smooth crook." 

Naruto laughed at them but calmed down to introduce himself. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru's mate, it's nice to meet you all."

"Are your wounds all healed? I heard my parents talking about how Kumo treated you horribly," Shikari said with worried eyes as she tried to see if any bad wounds were on him. 

'See what I mean, constantly listening in on conversations,' Naruto thought to himself. 'But children alone aren't enough, I need other sources.'  "They did but Shikamaru was a real prince in finding me before I lost my life,"

"Awe, Shikamaru-sama is so lazy but he's smart and can really use shadows to his advantage," Shikayari responded with a lazy smile of her own. 

"I suppose he is I just wish he would keep me in the loop," Naruto pouted.

"What do you mean?" Shikaoni asked. Naruto had already sat in the shaded spot where they were and pulled his knees up to his chest to give a more innocent appearance. 

"I mean, he goes on missions and at times he doesn't want to give me details or the danger level. I get so worried wondering if he's going to be lost on the battlefield and I lose him just like I lost my parents. I don't want that, I can't-" He sobbed as he buried his face in his knees. 

"Don't cry Naruto-sama, Shikamaru just wants to keep you safe. He'll be fine he's a Jonin after all," Shikari said in a pleading tone as she started getting emotional. 

"But is it so hard to tell me, I want to know? He works so hard that he passes out every time he comes home. I just want to help him and give myself peace of mind. I know he's strong but how long till he comes across enemies that are too strong for him," Naruto said in a low voice as he dried his tears. 

"I must be so pathetic crying to you guys, I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay, we don't mind," Shikaoni quickly consoled. 

"Thank you," Naruto smiled at them. 

At that moment a fierce protective boy was made for Naruto. Shikaoni would do anything to receive that smile again. It reminded him of his parents and how they would smile at him. Sadly they died earlier when the war started. In the same sense, Naruto didn't want to hurt children so he didn't press further in his plan to use them. 

He could find other means.

*************

"Bye Naruto-sama, have a good evening," Shikari said politely as she ran back to her home for dinner. 

Shikayari just gave a formal bow before running off as well. Shikaoni stayed, however. They had all spent the rest of the day playing with deer. It was getting around the evening time now and everyone was heading inside for dinner. Naruto had a reason why Shikaoni was staying but he wondered if the boy would admit to him. 

"Aren't you going home too? Your parents must be getting worried as well," Naruto said softly as he petted the small boy's head who was clutching a deer plush. Shikaoni sniffed a bit before tears started to stream down his face. 

"I don't have parents anymore, they died when the war started," He said through tears. Naruto kissed his temple as the boy cried into his chest. "You remind me of them, your smile."

"I'm touched you find that level of comfort in me, how about this," Naruto started. "I take you home and cook us a meal." 

"Won't Shikamaru-sama be looking for you?"

"He's out today and maybe if we're lucky I'll be back before then, come on let's go home," He hoisted the boy in his arms and listened to directions only to be led to an average clan home. The porch light was on so it was easy to find their way inside and turn on the lights. Naruto was greeted with a homey scent. He relaxed and allowed Shikaoni to show him around and decided he would start dinner while the boy took a bath. 

On the other side of the compound, Shikamaru was just coming in from another day in the TI sector. "Naruto's not with you?" Was the first thing out of his mother's mouth. He looked over at her confused as he took off his shinobi gear. His father was out on an infiltration mission and wouldn't be back for a few days. 

"Naruto's not here? I thought he was supposed to be visiting Shikayun for his final treatment then come straight back here," He said as he slowly placed his things on a side table.  

"I thought he went to see you since he never came back at midday," 

As if to answer Shikamaru's concern a knock came at the door. He opened it to see a member of his clan. "Evening Young heir just came to inform you that my neighbor Shikaoni has your soulmate over for dinner," 

"The orphan?" Shikamaru asked, the male nodded and headed off home. Shikamaru knew the young boy quite well, he was one of the odd Naras who didn't have an overly lazy persona. He had personally found his parent's bodies in the pile-up to give them a proper burial. 

Shikaoni and Naruto would definitely bond over being orphans in the world. He slipped on some casual shoes and headed out to the young boy's house. When he got there he could smell something divine coming from the house and when he knocked on the door Naruto opened it in a light blue apron. 

"Crap, I didn't make it home before you," He said opening the door to let him in. "Might as well stay for dinner."