"Onto lighter news, Shikamaru I heard that you found your soulmate," Lady Tsunade said with a pleased smile. Shikamaru could see the question in her eyes and he turned to Sakura who quailed under his gaze. 

'Fucking blabber mouth,' He thought folding his arms. "Yes, I did Lady Hokage."

"Why wasn't he brought to my attention I had to hear from Sakura a week after he came," She pressed with a smile, she was fishing for information. 

"He is my soulmate hence he is of the Nara clan meaning he was treated by us and remains with us," Shikamaru said putting his foot down. 

"From what I hear he has quite the body, almost fit for a shinobi. Have you thought about-"

"Never, I won't ever force him to become a shinobi. He's already been traumatized as it is but to train him? No," Shikamaru was known as the person to go along with any plan seeing as it could benefit the village but to see him put his foot down at not having his mate be trained in the ninja art took them aback. 

Lady Tsunade however was not about to be deterred. "Shikamaru he could be a wonderful asset."

Shikamaru snorted. "Trust me the state he's in right now is dire. He has been tortured by Kumo and had his parents mutilated by said ninjas. I found him crying over the bodies demanding that we kill him as well so he could join them. My soulmate hates ninjas, I'm lucky he has enough tolerance to have me in the same room without gagging. But to force training on him? He'd rather walk over enemy lines and be killed. Or a simpler method, suicide. He is suicidal." 

The news put a damp towel over the group. They had not expected such a morbid response but they could understand where Naruto was coming from and his reasons for refusing to be associated with a ninja. Lady Tsunade sighed, there was another reason why she was asking. Naruto Uzumaki, a familiar name it was the name of a boy Hiruzen said she should find and keep close to her side. That he held a great asset, an asset the boy didn't even know he had. And judging from what Shikamaru was saying it seemed Naruto wouldn't even be aware of his status. 

But could she force the male to become a shinobi so they could have access to the Tailed Beast he held? 

Yes, yes she could.

"I'll have to evaluate his mental state for myself along with Inoichi. If Inoichi deems it unsafe to pursue then I'll let it go but if otherwise, I'll have to force my hand," She concluded which pissed the Nara off even if his friends couldn't see his upset features. "Dismissed, we'll be at the compound later today," 

When Konoha 12 had made it outside the Hokage Tower Ino did the right thing in slapping Sakura across the face. "What the hell was that for?!" Sakura screeched. 

"For opening your fucking mouth about Naruto, I was there Sakura my father's just going to fuck him up further by trampling in his mind." She hissed at her, Sakura flinched when she was faced with the death glare from Shikamaru. 

"Sakura I swear if he so much as screams during this I'll come and choke you myself. He's not up for it and your big mouth about him placed him on Tsunade's radar."

He stomped away back to his compound to warn Naruto.

***********
Naruto was drawing by the time Shikamaru came home. He had rushed up the stairs to confront him but Naruto raised a hand when he was about to step into his room. "You know the deal Shikamaru. Take it all off."

Shikamaru sighed but obeyed. He took off his Jonin vest, kunai pouch, headband, and ninja sandals. This was what he had to do to get Naruto to turn to him with open arms. Whenever he donned Shinobi gear Naruto sneers in disgust and leaves the room.

As expected Naruto turned and welcomed him into his room. Shikamaru came and dropped beside him and the drawing he was forming. It seemed to be a detailed herd of deer he had shown Naruto the day before. He was nervous to tell Naruto so he opted not to and just waited for Tsunade and Inoichi to see the amount of messed up Naruto was. "Shikamaru I can smell blood on you, did you kill anybody today?"

"No Naruto but I was called in to help with interrogations, that's probably why," He answered honestly as he watched his soulmate start to use charcoal to give shading to the drawing before he moved on putting it in color. He had the impressive skill and Shikamaru chided himself when he thought of Naruto being able to analyze areas and draw detailed maps. Naruto had no interest in being a ninja and he would be damned if he allowed Lady Tsunade to do this. 

"Disgusting but I sense something troubles you. What's wrong?" Naruto left no room for squirming as he placed aside his drawing to give full attention. Shikamaru could see a lot of things in those eyes but one that ruled over the others was a concern. Concern for his troubles. He broke under the look and told him what was bound to happen in a few hours. Naruto didn't take to it kindly, in fact, he growled when he was done. 

"I will never become a foot soldier for that old bitch you call a Kage. I'd rather die and you of all people know this," Naruto spat and he got up from the floor and tossing his drawing to the side. "I just want to be left alone in peace so I can repair whatever sanity I have left and this is what's going to happen. I rather commit suicide right now."

Shikamaru had noticed Naruto's eyes had landed on sharp carving tools used for pottery. He felt dread as he immediately got up in time to stop the blonde from slicing himself. He hugged him from behind and held on for dear life. "Please don't, no matter the outcome I promise you won't become a shinobi, I won't allow it. I promise so please don't do it."

Naruto stared at the tools before turning away from them. "Fine, I won't do it but I swear to Kami Shikamaru if I am ever forced to become the profession that mutilated my parents I won't hesitate to kill myself." 

It weighed on him, heavy was the promise Naruto told him and Shikamaru was taking it to his grave. "I won't ever let you."

"Then let me believe those words, please let me believe." 

Shikamaru would let him believe even it bordered on treason, he would stop it at all costs.