A Troublesome Series of Events

It's late and I'm tired, but I didn't want to quit half-way through getting this done to be put up. So, sorry, but you guys get no special responses. BUT WE LOVE YOU ALL AND STILL APPRECIATE THE REVIEWS. ;;

Um. LolSasuke breaks down. Still the normal people played by each of us. [:

--

At the missions’ office, Naruto was walking out the door with a scroll under his arm. His face lit up when he saw Shikamaru coming up on the building.

“Shikamaru! Guess what? Tsunade-baa-chan figured out all the stuff with my old place, and Kiba and Sasuke-teme helped me move my stuff in!” His arms were around the boy’s neck before he’d finished his first sentence.

Shikamaru blinked, a smile forming on his face. “Good. One less thing for me to worry about then,” he said, half teasing.

Naruto’s face found itself nosing into the crook of Shikamaru’s neck, inhaling and snuffling softly. He’d missed Shikamaru, especially when he moved in and had to sleep in the same house as Sasuke. Alone.

“It was funny when they were moving my bed out of my room, to get it out of the way and stuff, ‘cause they dropped it on Sasuke’s foot and he nearly killed Kiba.”

Shikamaru chuckled and closed his eyes, letting his arms snake around the other boy to hold him. Part of his mind wondered if Naruto’s sense of smell as anywhere near as tuned at Kiba’s but pushed that thought away.

“But everything’s fine and set up?”

“Yeah, beds and everything. I didn’t have all that much to pack since you already got a couch and stuff, so it was easy.” Naruto said, lifting his head and grinning at Shikamaru. His arms unhooked, moving south and clasping around Shikamaru’s waist.

“Good,” Shikamaru said, wondering what his apartment looked like now. “I have to give the report on my mission, but then I’m going home. So I’ll see you there, okay? Unless you’re leaving on a mission now?” he asked, referring to the scroll Naruto was holding.

Naruto’s face dropped a little, leaning down until his forehead was pressed against Shikamaru’s. He exhaled softly, shaking his head minutely.

“Yes. Tsunade baa-chan let me get settled in but ‘we’re too short on shinobi’ to let me hang out and really get comfortable.” Naruto pouted, sticking his lower lip out.

“Is there an estimate on how long it’ll take?” Shikamaru asked, then added in teasing, “Will I get enough time to relax before you’re dragging me places again?”

“Not too long. I should be back late tomorrow night.” Naruto said, tightening his grip on the boy and hoisting him up, twirling around with the boy held above him. “Isn’t that great?”

Shikamaru started a bit, not expecting to be picked up. He laughed slightly and nodded. “And as much as I like being off my feet, you should probably let me down,” he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I still have some work to do before I can relax and the sooner you go, the sooner you’ll get back.”

Naruto pouted again, but did as asked.

“Alright, alright, I’ll go.” He leaned down, pecking Shikamaru on the lips quickly. He smiled, reluctantly letting go of the Nara. “I’m off!” He said triumphantly, leaping up onto a roof top and running away.

Shikamaru chuckled softly and watched Naruto run along the roofs for a second before turning and walking into the missions office.

“Hey, Shikamaru. Hokage wants you.” Kotetsu said from where he sat, balancing a pencil on his upper lip as he sipped his coffee.

Shikamaru’s eye twitched slightly. He heaved a sigh and just picked up a paper to fill out later if he had to. Then he left, heading towards the tower, muttering, “How troublesome.”

--

Tsunade looked up upon seeing Shikamaru entering, her face grave.

“Have a seat, Shikamaru.” She said, offering up one of two seats before her desk. She knew he wouldn’t like it, but she had to discuss this with him.

Shikamaru frowned as he moved to sit down. After getting somewhat comfortable, he looked at Tsunade and raised an eyebrow slightly to show he was listening.

"Now, from what I heard, you were sexually assaulted again. I don’t know to what extent and I don’t know where on your body. I need to know.” She said, folding her hands and waiting.

Shikamaru sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back a little. “It wasn’t any different from what happened before, only it was once and I didn’t bleed,” he said simply.

Tsunade sighed, lifting a hand to her temple and closing her eyes. Why was it Shikamaru being difficult? It was normally the others who did this kind of shit to her, like Naruto.

“Shikamaru, I’m going to need more information than that.” She glanced at him, then closed her eyes again. “Look, I know it can be difficult recounting these things. Just, if you can’t say it, write it all down or something and get it to me by tomorrow, all right? Or I’m calling you back in here and you’re not leaving until I get answers.”

“Tch, that’s too much work,” Shikamaru muttered, scowling. “I was penetrated from both ends and fucked. Is that enough or do I need to reiterate it like a porn?”

Tsunade’s face fell out of her hand, almost hitting the table if she hadn’t snapped it up with wide eyes.

“Wha- Shikamaru, why didn’t you just say that in the first place?” Tsunade said, narrowing her eyes at the stubborn boy. “Was there any blood? Do you feel sick to your stomach? You’ll need to be tested, your check up will be tomorrow; I need to check on the baby’s status anyway.” She said, immediately falling into her familiar medical mind.

“No, no more than usual and fine,” Shikamaru answered, really just wanting to get back home and take a nap. “Do I still need to file an actual report or do you have enough information about the mission itself?”

Tsunade sat back, tilting her head back with the motion and exhaling deeply.

“No, not that part. I trust you. If you say that’s all that happened, that’s all that happened. I’ll see anything wrong with your body tomorrow. Sakura’s already filing an official report for me on the original mission and I’m going to let you slide on this one, but only because you and the baby need sleep. Though, Sasuke will probably know about this by the time you get home.”

Shikamaru nodded and stood up, inwardly wincing at the thought of Sasuke knowing. He wasn’t looking forward to that reaction. “Will he know who?” he asked.

“That depends on how brave Sakura was. I told her Sasuke needed to know, because he does and from the sounds of it you were going to do one of those bone headed for-their-sake moves and keep it from him. If she went herself, he probably does. If she sent a messenger, probably not.”

Shikamaru sighed and nodded again. “Alright, so I’ll expect someone tomorrow to summon me? Or do you know a time now?”

“Expect someone. I can’t trust my schedule enough to give you a time.” She looked at him, eyeing him. Her gaze lingered on his face. “You’ve been through so much in the last few weeks…” She sighed, shaking her head. “Go. Go get some rest. The sooner you leave the sooner you can calm Sasuke down and get some sleep.”

“Let’s hope so,” Shikamaru mumbled before turning to head out. He left without another word, slowly making his way home. He paused outside the building, scowling lightly up at it, before heading in and up the stairs.

Sasuke turned his head, tensing as he heard the steps. Sakura had left a few minutes earlier and he could sense that it was Shikamaru coming towards the door. He was focusing on controlling his rage, clenching his fists hard enough that he almost drew blood from his nails.

Shikamaru yawned as he opened the door, stepping in. He glanced around his place, taking in the few changes quickly before resting his gaze on Sasuke.

“I heard from Sakura what that bastard did to you.” Sasuke spat, lowering his eyes and turning his head. He crossed his arms across his stomach, digging his nails into his sides in anger. “Uchiha’s and Nara’s don’t mix, they just don’t.”

Shikamaru heaved a sigh and walked over to Sasuke, grabbing hold of one of his arms and pulling him over to the couch to sit down. “Well, they may be right now. Literally. And anyway, from what little he told me, it didn’t have anything to do with you. So it would’ve happened whether you were here or back at Orochimaru’s or wandering around alone.”

Sasuke refused to uncross his arms, leaning away from Shikamaru at his spot on the couch. He felt the childish urge to curl up, just to get himself farther away from the boy.

“Everywhere you go, I’m either there to watch you get hurt, or it’s by someone with my blood.” He mumbled, closing his eyes and leaning against the arm rest.

Shikamaru frowned, shaking his head slightly. “Which none of is your fault,” he pointed out again. “And even if it was, I still wouldn’t let you leave, you know.”

“Touching. Stupid. I thought you didn’t do stupid.” Sasuke said, hunching slightly as his grip tightened on his sides, crinkling the shirt he wore.

Shikamaru snorted and shrugged. “Maybe Naruto’s rubbing off on me after all these years,” he said, “but it’s true.”

Sasuke sighed, unwinding his arms and standing. He stepped away from the couch, towards the bedroom that had been set up for himself.

“Shikamaru, we both need sleep. And with all due respect, I’ll be in my own bed.” He said quietly, already in the doorway.

Frown deepening, Shikamaru just nodded, figuring he should just give the Uchiha some room. “Alright, but my door’s still open,” he said, standing up himself.

Sasuke barely acknowledged him, shutting the door softly behind himself.

--

“Sasuke… Sasuke… Sasuke…” Itachi cooed, circling around Shikamaru, the Nara suspended by chains that disappeared a few feet above where they bound his wrists above his head. His brother’s hand slid up and down the boy’s bared sides, skimming painted nails across his neck.

“You and I… You and I and one other… We’re to be the only Uchiha’s you know…” Sasuke couldn’t move, could only watch as his brother knelt down, placing lips at Shikamaru’s quivering stomach. “I’m going to have to take it. Can’t let our little trinity be ruined, can I?”

He wanted to scream, to run forward and strike his brother down, but he couldn’t move. Itachi lifted a knife, the point shining off of no visible light, twinkling on its own. The point sunk down into what Sasuke knew was soft skin, bringing forth warm blood that sparkled brighter then the knife had.

“I’ll collect, little brother. When the time is right, I’ll collect.” His brother’s tongue flicked out, tracing one of the smooth slices he’d made at the beginning, cleaning it of the blood that had dripped down. When he pulled back, Sasuke saw why. It had smeared the first few letters.

For Itachi.

Sitting bolt upright, Sasuke felt his throat seize up. Sweat was pouring from his body, and he’d twisted the covers all around his legs. His heart leapt to his frozen throat, his body going on autopilot as he rushed to untangle himself and bound into Shikamaru’s room, not bothering to flick the light on as the moon was bright enough.

“Oh god, oh god, oh god…” He panted out, throwing the covers off of the bundle in the center. Upon seeing the boy he felt a surge of relief, almost enough to make him collapse to the side. But there was one thing more he had to check.

“Please, please, don’t be there, please…” He said as he gripped Shikamaru’s shoulders, turning him over as gently as he could in his near hyperventilating state. His hand shot out, pushing the Nara’s shirt up. Smooth skin. Smooth, unmarked, untouched, perfect, perfect skin. He found himself bending over, kissing at the smooth skin, small drops of tears falling from his eyes he hadn’t even felt welling up.

“Thank you, thank you, oh god, I thought…”

Shikamaru started awake, eyes snapping open, as he was turned over. He watched the other in confusion, eyes widening a little at the kisses. He sat up slightly, feeling the tears hit his stomach, and hesitantly reached a hand out to comb through his hair.

“Sasuke?” he questioned softly.

“Shikamaru, don’t leave me, please, don’t leave me… Please.” Sasuke pleaded, kissing at his stomach more, running his fingers over where he remembered the cuts to be, where the blood dripped down… Where his brother's tongue had been.

Shikamaru blinked a few times in confusion before giving up trying to figure it out. “I… I won’t, not if I can help it,” he said, gently trying to bring him up so he could see his face.

Sasuke moved his face away, laying it down against his stomach so Shikamaru couldn’t see his dripping eyes. His hands came up, running across the Nara’s sides, under him and touching his back, down to his hips, everywhere within easy reach.

“I… I dreamed… of Itachi…” He choked out, smothering his face in the softness of Shikamaru’s stomach. His arms clamped around his waist, bringing him up, closer.

Shikamaru let out a soft sigh, giving up on bringing him up farther and just letting Sasuke do whatever he needed to comfort himself. He idly ran his fingers through the other’s hair, hoping it would calm him down, but didn’t say anything. He wasn’t sure if Sasuke even wanted him to say anything, so he kept quiet.

“Shikamaru, it felt… it seemed… he cut you. He goddamn cut you, carved a message into you! And I couldn’t do anything, I couldn’t, I could only stand there and watch…” Sasuke’s lips unleashed another assault onto the skin, his throat choking again on the words that all wanted to spill out from his brain. His shoulders began to shake, his crying increasing, his breathing shallow.

Shikamaru watched him for a few seconds before using more force to bring him up. Not caring if Sasuke would feel ashamed later, he brought a hand up to wipe at the tears. “It didn’t happen, it won’t happen, I’m fine, you're fine,” he murmured in between placing soft kisses where the tears had been.

Sasuke’s shuddering decreased into a fine tremble, his entire body filled with it. He pulled away, lying to the side of Shikamaru, placing his face on his chest and one hand on his stomach.

“For Itachi. For Itachi. It said it. For Itachi.” His hand stroked Shikamaru’s stomach, petting at the blessedly unmarked skin. “What if he knows? What if he takes the baby? Shikamaru, it said it!”

“Sasuke, it was a dream,” Shikamaru said. “Just a dream. He said nothing to indicate he knew and I’m not showing yet. I’m sure he doesn’t know.”

“You don’t know Itachi. He’ll find out. He will. Shikamaru, I don’t want to lose you, I don’t, or the baby… He’ll find out, he’ll find out, he’ll take you away, he takes everything away…” Sasuke’s hand slipped to the side, clutching at the Nara desperately for support. He hadn’t had a breakdown of this magnitude in years.

Shikamaru sighed and wrapped his own arms around Sasuke. “Even if he finds out, if he knows, it won’t happen,” he said. “The whole village will protect me and the baby. You, Naruto, Tsunade, Kiba, Kakashi, Iruka, Sakura, Chouji, everyone. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll even think of a hundred plans for each scenario.” He smiled lightly, playfully.

Sasuke kept quiet, clutching to Shikamaru, willing himself to calm down. Shikamaru was here, in his arms, in the heart of Konoha. Even Itachi shouldn’t be able to get them here.

“Just don’t leave.”

“I won’t,” Shikamaru said, leaning his head down so his chin was resting on top of the Uchiha’s head. He closed his eyes, letting his body relax again and hoping everything was fine for the night.

Sasuke slowly relaxed as well, inhaling the scent of the Nara and cuddling his body close to him for a comfort he hadn’t indulged in for many years. It took him much longer than it did Shikamaru, but he eventually fell asleep.

--

Shikamaru stirred awake hours later, peeking open an eye before closing it again. He wasn’t sure what time it was, but since the light was coming in strong through the curtains he was sure it was late morning if not already in the afternoon.

Sasuke shifted, feeling Shikamaru moving against him and waking him up. His sleep had been nothing but blackness after the initial nightmare, letting him sleep easier. He didn’t even bother lifting his head up to check on the sunlight, selfishly preferring the comfort of the Nara’s arms to the real world.

Shikamaru felt himself start to drift off again. He knew he should get up soon so he could be ready—plus he wanted to talk to Sakura again about that party—but he was too tired to stay awake for long after the mission. He never slept well on any mission, even if it was a D-rank and harmless.

Sasuke let himself fall asleep again, not waking up again until he heard the soft whirring sound of something clicking rapidly. It took him a moment to register the sound of a camera.

“Awww, the love bird's awake.” The sound of Kiba snickering came to Sasuke’s ears, along with the quiet click of a photo being taken. It was then Sasuke felt cool air, and knew he was laying bared on the bed in only boxers, cuddling up to Shikamaru. He threw himself up, hair messy and eyes glaring through bangs.

“Kiba…” A click, no flash. That’s how they hadn’t woken up any earlier. It was bright enough to not need any. The Uchiha rose up onto one knee, not in the mood. Kiba’s snickering only served to stoke his anger, the ominous clicking filling the air as Kiba took photos at rapid fire. “You’re so dead!”

Shikamaru heaved a sigh, not bothering to get up or even open his eyes. “Kiba,” he said, “if you get those pictures developed, I’ll let Hiashi-san and Neji know about that time you peeped on Hinata in the onsen.”

Kiba’s snickering only increased, sidestepping as Sasuke launched himself towards the Inuzuka, camera clicking all the while. Sasuke growled, hands flexing as his eyes narrowed. Kiba fluttered his eyes and pulled the camera up, taking a picture.

“Shikamaru, man, I’m going to have to deal with the consequences of that, these pics are fucking gold!” He said, scampering backwards to the door way, a bristling Sasuke following close behind, fist ready. “Oh, and Tsunade wants to see you guys!” Kiba said, taking one last snap shot of Sasuke fist on its way to hitting him, flinging his arms to the side at the last moment and blocking, taking off through the apartment and leaving only giggling behind.

Shikamaru sat up with a yawn, a smirk on his face as he chuckled softly. “So he really did do that?” he mumbled to himself. “Man, I was just bluffing.” He shook his head and stood up, stretching.

Sasuke crossed his arms, huffing. He couldn’t believe how he’d acted last night, running to Shikamaru when he had a nightmare. Crying. And then to be woken up the next morning, Kiba taking pictures of the evidence.

“It’s Kiba. I’m sure he’s peeped at all the girls, and then the men as well just to see if he could.” Sasuke growled out, not turning around.

Shikamaru snorted and walked over to the Uchiha, placing a light kiss on his cheek. “True, but you’d think at least his own teammates would be safe,” he said. “We should get dressed. Tsunade wanted to check me over today.”

Sasuke sighed, dropping his arms and turning. He felt the urge to say something come over him, something important, but the words stuck in his throat. He nodded.

“Right.” He moved to the side, heading over to Shikamaru’s dresser. “I still need to go get my own clothing.” He commented, to try and alleviate the need for saying something.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, moving after him to get clothes for himself too. “I was gone for almost a week and you didn’t go shopping at all?” he asked as he randomly chose some clothing for himself.

“My week was consumed with Naruto.” Sasuke said, slipping into his favorite shirt and pants. He turned, walking towards the door, calling over his shoulder. “I’m ready when you are.”

“Well, you’re both still alive, so it couldn’t have been too bad,” Shikamaru said as he straightened out his clothes and retied his hair. Out of habit, he grabbed his chuunin vest, following after the other boy. “Then let’s go.”

“It was horrific. The blond only eats ramen! I must have crushed how many empty cups trying to walk in.” Sasuke said, shivering. Cold ramen juices between your toes wasn’t pleasant at all. He waited for Shikamaru at the door, before taking to the roofs, the familiar tower quickly coming in sight.

Shikamaru just chuckled to himself, glad he hadn’t been there to help clean out Naruto’s old apartment. He slowed down when it was close enough, walking inside and up the stairs to the Hokage’s office. Belatedly, he wondered if Kiba meant at the tower or at the hospital since he’d only said Tsunade wanted to see them. Oh well, if they were late, it would be Kiba’s fault.