Shikamaru and Naruto headed back home, thoughts weighing heavily on their mind. They checked on Hinari, and climbed into the king bed, each laying a respectful distance and each tired in their own way.

Shikamaru could feel his chakra coils stretching, and his reserves growing. It was like his body was itching all over, but on the inside. He laid back, arms crossed behind his head, and found his eyelids sliding shut on their own.

Naruto rubbed her eyes tiredly as she conversed with Kurama.

'Can I meet you?'

"Yes. Just lay down so you don't collaspe."

She laid down, and turned to face Shikamaru. He still had his headband and sandals on. She took the off and set them next to the bed, folding up the hitai-ate and sliding it under his pillow.

She closed her eyes and felt the sensation of falling. Suddenly it stopped and she turned to face the huge gate, two red eyes peering at her.

She looked around. "Ugh. This place is a sewer! Can I change it?" She asked.

"It will change in time. See?" A clawed hand pointed to a far corner outside the gate, where a small patch of grass grew, a oak sapling sprouting in the middle of it.

"Why is it a sewer in the first place?"

"Because. You didn't have anyone to keep it maintained. The abuse from the villagers caused this, and only Hinari and the Nara brat are what keeps the grass from dying." He rumbled, and suddenly she could see him. All of him.

"You're big." She commented. She walked through the bars, feeling a yellow chakra wash over her for an instant, before being lifted by the back of her short and placed dead center of a big fluffy head. She buried herself in it, enjoying the warmth and comfort of Kuramas presence.

She soon fell into a deep slumber alongside her foxy tenant.
                                        --------
Shikamaru  found himself in a cave. It was huge, and light reflected off of giant ice crystals illuminating the area. He walked to the entrance and saw that he was on a mountain.

He turned around and found himself facing a huge blue eye. It seemed to be studying him, and he stood still, allowing a burning chakra to wash over him.

"Shikamaru Nara. The Shadows have accepted you as their user, and I your summon. What are your intentions?"

Shikamaru stared into that eye, and felt a cold chill run through him. "To protect what I hold dear." He said without hesitation.

The eye backed up, and Shikamaru got a full view of a huge inky black dragon, with crystal blue eyes.

"I am Yoru. This is my true size, of which only one Shadow User has been able to summon. Depending on the amount of chakra used, my size will be altered. Summon me tomorrow, when the Shadows are long. You know how."

Shikamaru was confused, he didn't know how to summon. He was expelled from the cave, and drifted off into a deep sleep.

Unconsciously, the two shifted closer, foreheads touching, fingers interlocking.
.

.

Naruto sighed softly as her eyes slid open, and moved to get up, only to find that she couldn't. Her and Shikamaru somehow got tangled while they slept. She carefully tugged her hand out of the sleeping deers, and unwrapped her leg from around his. Then she slowly lifted the arm that rested comfortably around her waist. He sighed, and she froze, startled blue eyes meeting sleepy green. His eyes slid shut and he buried his head into the crook of her neck. It tickled.

She sighed, glancing at the clock on the wall. Seven thirty nine. They were gonna be late.

She used her free arm to shake her drowsy friend. "Shika. Wake up. We gotta go, today is team assignments."

He groaned and lifted his head from her neck. His eyes opened blearily. He yawned, and sat up, allowing Naruto to get up and go to the bathroom.

He blushed as he realized how he had been laying. He stood, and decided to make breakfast. He saw the time, and decided to just make some eggs and toast.

Naruto walked in, hair still wet, and ate quickly, before going to finish getting ready. Shikamaru took that time to shower, scrubbing last nights dirt and grime off. He walked to the room, where Naruto was just finishing thing her hitai-itae on.

She saw him and blushed. She quickly shuffled past him. He raised an eyebrow, confused. The door closed and he grabbed an outfit, slipping it on.

He slipped on his sandals, which he didn't remember taking off, and found his hitai-itae under the pillow. He tied it on, and grabbed a nearby brush, running it through his long hair.

He glanced at the clock and cursed softly. They had five minutes before they were late. He hurried out the door, and bumped into Naruto, who was holding Hinari. His arms shot out to steady her.

Naruto let out a quiet gasp as Shikamaru bumped into her. Instantly she felt strong arms grab her, and she regained her balance. She looked at the dark haired boy and took in his outfit.

He was wearing a form fitting black t-shirt, with the Nara crest on one sleeve. It emphasized the dragon inked into his skin. He had on equally black pants, that were wrapped at the bottom, with off white bandages. He also seemed to be wearing the usual fishnet undershirt. His hair flowed down his back, somehow making him seem taller, his eyes sharper.

All in all he looked good. He was taller too, after the Shadows changed him.

They glanced at the clock, and promptly cursed, Naruto reminding herself to slap both of them for cursing in front of Hinari. She dashed downstairs, and asked Anko to babysit, pulled up her hood, and dashed out the door, forgetting her weapons pouch.

Shikamaru grabbed their weapons and shot out the window, trying to catch up to the blond. He sighed when she disappeared in a red gold flash. He pushed himself faster, flying over the rooftops. He could sense the waking Shadows, and Yoru heated up, reminding him to summon him later.

He arrived in the nick of time, strolling lazily into the classroom. He saw Naruto shoot him a sheepish look, and she jumped off of the desk, soaring over the other kids.

Her eyes widened as she realised she was going to crash into Shikamaru, having kicked off a little too hard. She braced for impact, but never could have braced herself for what happened next.

Shikamarus eyes widened as he caught her, but her weight unbalanced him, and he fell, back hitting the floor hard. Next he knew, he felt soft skin pressed against his lips, and stared wide eyed into Narutos equally wide orbs.

Their teeth clacked together painfully, and frozen, their lips remain locked. All eyes were on them, and suddenly they unfroze, jumping up, faces burning, both unknowingly feeling the same high feeling, as if they were floating.

Shikamaru cleared his throat and handed Naruto her weapons pouch. She took it and walked back to her seat, blushing all the way.

Whispers and giggles started up, and Shikamaru sat in his usual seat by Ino. (She forced him, saying that she needed to keep an eye on him, tch, troublesome blonde.)

"Who are you?" Ino asked. She spotted the Nara clan symbol and her eyes narrowed.

"Shikamaru!?" She asked incredulously. He nodded boredly, a light blush still on his face.

He ignored the stared of his classmates, and didn't even try to cover up Yoru. 

Iruka walked in. He was surprised on the lack of shouting and laughing. Still there where whispers.

"Quiet! Okay today you are genin of Konoha. You will be-" Shikamaru tuned him out. After five minutes of talking, Iruka cleared his throat.

"I will now be announcing the teams."

Naruto leaned forward, listening for her name, which seemed to take forever to be said.

"Team Seven, Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto, and Uchiha Sasuke."

Naruto sighed silently. Not exactly the team I want. They will never work with me.

It shouldn't be that bad kit.

She just sighed again and let her head fall to the desk with a thunk, ignoring the stared It drew.

"Team Eight, Inuzuka Kiba, Hyūga Hinata, Aburame Shino." No reaction besides a top from Akamaru .

"Team Nine is currently still genin. Team Ten, Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Choji, and Nara Shikamaru."

Ino and Sakura started bickering about the unfairness of their teams.

"How come you get to be in Sasuke-kuns team?"

Sakura flashed Ino a smile. "True love conquers all!"

Naruto snorted quietly. "True love my ass," she muttered, leaning back in her chair. She idly wondered if she should let her hair out. It was starting to get hot. ...nah, save that when she wants them to shut up.