Naruto flinched and dug his heels in as he saw the Hokage. "No, no, no I refuse. Shikamaru please," Naruto started tearing up as his body was paralyzed in fear. Shikamaru comforted him as Tsunade looked down at her lap. She was in the main lounge waiting to give the recent news. 

"It's going to be fine, you won't ever have to do anything shinobi related ever again. No more pressure, no more tests, no more poking around in your head. You just have to sit there for ten minutes and hear her out then we can go back upstairs," Shikamaru coaxed as Naruto sat down on the stairs on the verge of a panic attack, his eyes were blown wide as Shikamaru stroked his cheek trying to calm him down. It didn't work as Naruto bolted back upstairs and slammed his bedroom door shut. 

They could hear his sobs and Shikamaru rushed up to comfort him. 

"Well? Still not seeing your assistant and Naruto isn't getting any better," Shikaku sneered, Tsunade gripped her fists. 

"Shizune is dead, found in her apartment by Anbu. Mutilated, we suspect it's the mole," Tsunade admitted. Shikamaru had heard her from the top of the stairs as he was bringing Naruto out once again. 

"Good riddance," Shikamaru chimed in as Naruto had himself buried into the other's side. The blonde refused to look at her as his trembling could be seen. "Now I believe you have something to say to Naruto on behalf of Shizune." 

"A-are you serious? A woman just died," She sputtered. 

"So you had intentions of coming here and using a corpse to deny Naruto his apology?" Yoshino accused and Tsunade turned red with embarrassment. 

"Give me a fucking break, death doesn't affect the situation. If she's dead so what? We've seen so many ninjas go down in these last 4 years. Since she's dead you apologize," Shikamaru growled, Tsunade went to scold him but Shikaku's pointed glare stopped her. 

"You have no power here Hokage, we have been the most reasonable, other clans have turned down your ridiculous plans or plainly refused to see things your way since you have caused us to lose ground again and again. If you don't apologize I will pull my resources," Shikaku promised. "This is my son's soulmate and you're causing him so much suffering when he already endured that from Kumo." 

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Naruto. I should've respected your decisions instead of banking on the beast inside you to save us," Tsunade bowed her head, and silence was held before Shikamaru gasped as Naruto's trembling subsided only for him to faint in the other's arms.

*******

Naruto woke up to Shikamaru over him. "W-what happened?" He asked as his throat felt dry and his tongue heavy in his mouth. 

"Easy there Naru, you fainted," Shikamaru said softly as he brushed his hair out of confused blue eyes. " Can you stand up?" 

Naruto slowly sat up and groaned gripping his head. Arms wrapped around him with gentle intentions and pulled him closer. "You're fine she's gone now and she won't be coming back for a long time." 

"I don't want her to come back ever," Naruto grumbled as she snuggled into Shikamaru. "I'm thirsty Shika." 

Shikamaru pulled him to his feet and they went to the kitchen for water. As Naruto drank Shikamaru reheated the meal they were supposed to have. His parents had gone out with Lady Hokage to discuss some things leaving them alone. Shikamaru fed Naruto the meal watching the blonde looking around nervously like someone was listening in on them. "Shika I have a confession." 

Shikamaru's eyes became serious and he naturally lowered his voice at his next words. "You knew you were a Jinchuriki right? You gave me a look Naruto, a knowing look." 

"How could I not know, everyone knows the Nine-Tails took the life of the Fourth and his wife. I was the unfortunate baby being used as the vessel. How selfish of them. And with everyone calling me a demon fox it didn't take long to figure it out. Those stares burn me, their sneers and constant abuse made it glaringly obvious," Naruto leaned forward on his elbows looking across to Shikamaru. 

"Nine Tails likes me, we co-exist peacefully. He protects me when it comes to enemies. Sadly Kumo was aware of him when I got tortured. They prepared for that as well so he couldn't step in. There is only so much you can do when you're sealed up. But I guess Inoichi tampering may have loosened him up more." 

The wording had Shikamaru on edge and the look Naruto was giving him wasn't making it easier. Shikamaru opened his mouth then closed it. "You're trying to tell me something aren't you?"

Naruto chuckled a little and a crazed gleam could be seen in his eyes. "Do you still promise to accept me no matter what version of me you're exposed to?" 

"Of course I do Naruto, you can never do any wrong," Shikamaru was lured and he became submissive. Naruto had him wrapped around his finger. 

"Nine-Tails took care of Shizune, I don't know when and I don't care really but he took over and dealt with her." 

Shikamaru went cold at the news. Naruto tilted his head with a frown. "I'm sorry." 

"She deserved it," Shikamaru was quick to reply. "Besides it wasn't you, the Nine-Tails was only making sure you never got hurt anymore." 

Naruto's eyes widened as Kurama's cackling echoed in his mind. 

"Kit this is wonderful, he's willing. He's willing!" Kurama said grinning with glee. 

"Shika? Are you sure? I can turn myself in I don't mind-" 

"Never, ever say that my soulmate will not go down for a bitch who doesn't have anybody in the world. You have me Naruto, the entire clan loves you. You're my mate, I won't let anyone lay a hand on you. They'd be dead before I let that happen," Shikamaru's eyes burned with a vengeance. 

Naruto teared up and smiled as tears slipped down his cheeks. "Thank you, Nine-Tails really appreciates it." 

"We have the same goal in mind, to protect you," Shikamaru confessed leaning over and kissed him. Naruto cupped his cheek-kissing him back with a smile. 

"Thank you Maru, thank you, thank you," Naruto said as more tears streaked down his cheeks as he pushed forward to deepen the kiss. They pulled back and Shikamaru reached around and straddled him. Naruto could feel it, Shikamaru was becoming more submissive. 'No, he is submissive in our relationship. Our bond.' 

The heat of Naruto confessing his darkest secret. That he was fine with giving up his freedom if it made Shikamaru more comfortable was making him lose it. The blonde's natural perfume made him slowly cave into him more as his hips started to grind into him,  giving the other a lap dance. His soulmate was such a layered person. Shikamaru loved the layers, treasured them greatly.

"I think I'm gonna explode," Shikamaru rushed out as Naruto attacked his neck, Naruto's eyes gleamed red but Shikamaru had his screwed shut in pleasure. 

"I'll make you explode, I'll give you pleasure beyond your wildest dreams. Thank you, Shikamaru." 

"No, thank you, Naruto."