Hiruzen rubbed his head tiredly. He was too old for this. He wanted to retire. He closed the door to his office, and sighed.

"That brat really is unpredictable, huh sensei?"

His eyes widened. "Tsunade?!"

She grinned. "Godaime reporting in. That brat can be annoying, but he was a great Hokage."

Hiruzen smiled. "I believe you. So I guess you were the Godaime after me? Did I at least enjoy my retirement?"

Tsunade smiled sadly. "Sensei.... Naruto didn't tell you much about the future did he? You died during the upcoming Chunin exams. But yeah, I figure you'll enjoy your retirement."

Hiruzen felt pride for his student, who had gotten over her past. He reopened his door. "Let us speak more, shall we?"

.

Naruto sighed as he released his henge, Took off his cloak, and plopped down on Shikamaru's bed. Hinata, changed into a pair of her mother's old robes, and Shikamaru took off his shirt, and stretched. They reactivated the henges, and the three war torn nins curled up around each other, eyes drifting close.

That night, they slept better than they had in years.

Yoshino Nara went to wake up her lazy son, expecting complaints, groaning, and her practically dragging him out of bed. She was shocked to see her son, a blond boy she was sure was the kyuubi host, and a Hyuga girl, who she was sure was the eldest daughter of Hyuga Hiashi, curled next to one another.

Her eyes trailed over them. She took in the black muscle shirt the blond jinchuriki was wearing, hiked up, showing his scrawny form. She took in her shirtless son, who, with the way the blanket covered him, looked as though he wore nothing, and the Hyuga, who was in an elegant  kimono. Coming to the conclusion that nothing went on, she walked over to the bed, and gently pulled the covers off. It was getting rather late, and she had breakfast to cook.

The blond's eyes shot open, and there was an aged, flinty look in them, as though he was ready to attack. He spotted Yoshino, who had froze upon seeing the look in his eye, and relaxed.

"Shika. Hinata."

Yoshino watched as her son, who had to be practically dragged out of bed, opened his eyes, just as alert as Naruto's, and sat up. Hinata sat up too, pale eyes analyzing the room out of habit. Yoshino observed this in confusion. 

"Good morning Kaa-san. These are my friends, Hyuga- hmph!"

Hinata bowed as best she could, hand still covering Shikamaru's mouth. "We can introduce ourselves. Please pardon me, I am Hyuga Hinata. It's a pleasure to meet you, Nara-sama."

"I'm Uzumaki Naruto. Nice to meetcha!"

Yoshino watched the comradery between the three with confusion. She had never heard of her son being friends with either of these two. She  then cleared her throat, pushing away her confusion.

"I am Yoshino Nara. And please, call me Yoshino. Uzumaki-san, Hyuga-san, would you like to join us for breakfast?"

"No Thank you, Yoshino-san, and please, just Hinata. My clan does not know I am here, and as such, is expecting me for breakfast." Hinata bowed once more, before gathering the clothes she had borrowed from Shikamaru. She turned to said Nara.

"I'll return these after washing them. Naruto, please remember about your test. Work with Sakura and Sasuke-kun as best you can." She walked to the window and leapt out.

"I would like to stay for breakfast, if you don't mind, Yoshino-san. And same as Hina, please call me Naruto." 

Yoshino smiled. "Okay Naruto-kun. Breakfast will be done in around twenty minute, so please make yourself at home."

Naruto nodded, and Yoshino left. 

"'Ruto, you realize I won't let you stay in that apartment."

Naruto sighed. "Just like you won't let Hinata stay with the Hyuga."

Shikamaru nodded. "Yeah. Let's head downstairs, Breakfast is almost done."

They made their way downstairs, where Yoshino welcomed Naruto with a smile. "Chibimeshi for breakfast!"

Naruto grinned and sat down, avoiding Shikaku's eye. 

"So you are Shika-chan's friend?"

Naruto shot a look to Shikamaru. He grinned. "Me an' Shika-chan,  Have been friends for a long time. Right, Shika-chan~"

Shika laughed and playfully punched Naruto, who just laughed. "Yeah, me and 'Ruto have been friends for a long while."

"And you  never told anyone?"

"Besides Hina? No. Nara-sama, I am aware of the villager's dislike towards me, and didn't want to befriend Shika, as that might have turned their dislike towards him for merely associating with me."

Shikaku looked thoughtful. The rest of breakfast was quiet, Naruto and Shikamaru instinctually  conversing in ANBU signs, which for the moment, seemed to have forgotten that Shikaku could read them.

After test, Training ground 44. Grab Hina.

Will you be fine with... a pause in the signing, as though hesitant to say.

Shika, I'll be fine. I'm worried about Hina. When she sees him....

Yeah, It's gonna hit her hard. The age difference... We'll have to be there, she is gonna break all over again. And you.

What do you mean Shika?

I know you are still shook by Kakashi and the war...

I'm fine.

No, you're not.

Shika...

NO! Hokage-sama, you are hurting, and you won't let us help you. It pisses me off.

I"M FINE. Stop pestering me about it. That's an order.

That's an order I can't follow.

Naruto stood, plate empty. He bowed. When he spoke, his voice was a dead calm, unlike the silent conversation he had just ended.

"Thank you, Yoshino-san, Nara-sama. I must go, I have genin test today."

Naruto turned and started walking towards the door.

"Stop running. That's not your ninja way."

Naruto's hair shadowed his eyes, but his fists were clenched, and a single tear rolled down his face. the muscles in his neck tensed, before relaxing as he slumped.

"We'll talk later Shikamaru. Just... Later." He vanished in a yellow flash.