A Troublesome Series of Events

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Shikamaru sighed, wondering how he had let Sakura talk him into actually decorating the bar for the party. There wasn't any celebration so he didn't see a reason for it, but he wasn't crazy enough to argue with the pink-haired girl. At least he didn't have to do much since he couldn't overwork himself.

“Hey Shika, when do the people get here?” Naruto asked, coming up behind him and slipping his arms around his waist.

Shikamaru's lips twitched into a smile and he leaned back a little into Naruto. "Another hour or so."

Naruto pouted, putting his chin on Shikamaru’s shoulder.

“Where’s Sasuke?”

Shikamaru gave a slight shrug, not wanting to jar Naruto's head with the movement. "Probably sulking and avoiding anything to do with the party," he said, smirking.

Naruto grunted, moving to nuzzle Shikamaru’s neck before letting go and stepping up beside him.

“That’s no fun. We have to drag him out of hiding.”

Shikamaru snorted. "Good luck in finding him. When you do, I'll come help drag him back over."

Naruto pouted again. “It can’t be that hard…”

"He's a shinobi, Naruto. If he doesn't want to be found, it'll be hard to find him."

“I found him just fine back at the academy! And tied him up just as good.”

Shikamaru rolled his eyes, pushing back a smirk. That had been before Orochimaru but he knew arguing that point wouldn't matter.

"Okay, okay, let's go look for him, then."

Naruto grinned, throwing his hands in the air enthusiastically.

“Yeah, lets go find the Teme!”

Shikamaru chuckled, grabbing one of Naruto's hands and starting to pull him away to start looking for the Uchiha.

Naruto was startled from his pose, stumbling behind Shikamaru a few steps before catching his footing and moving to lead the way.

“We’ll find him in no time!”

He just smirked, letting the blond drag him. He doubted they would find him in time, but he knew Sasuke would show up at the party eventually, if only for him and Naruto.

--

“Hey, Shikamaru… Where’s the dobe?” Sasuke asked, walking up to Shikamaru as silently as he could, trying his utmost to not be noticed by the party-goers.

Shikamaru looked up at him, smirking lightly. "Somewhere looking for you, I bet," he said. "He dragged me all over to look for you before the party, you know."

Sasuke smirked.

“I know.” He slid an arm around Shikamaru’s waist, leading him to an empty booth. He sat him down, sitting across from him. “It was hard not to know, actually.”

Shikamaru chuckled, relaxing back into his seat. "That loud, huh?" he asked. "Where were you hiding anyway?"

“Hmm, that depends. Will you tell Naruto?” He smirked, scanning the crowds for the blond.

"I guess not," he said, shrugging. "Why's it a big secret or something?"

“Not at all, I just avoided his chakra.” Sasuke smirked wider.

He snorted, shaking his head. "He really needs to learn to suppress it."

“Yes, he does.” He stood, glancing around one more time. “I’m going to go get a drink, okay?” He didn’t wait for a response, walking away with a wave.

Shikamaru relaxed back into the seat more, glancing around the crowd before closing his eyes. He hadn't realized how tired he was already before sitting down.

“Hey Shikamaru, where’re your pets?” Kiba said, stepping up beside the brunette. He liked that they’d been able to get so many of the old gang together for the party.

Shikamaru chuckled, looking up at Kiba from his seat. "Not sure where Naruto is, but Sasuke went to get himself a drink," he said, smirking. "Where's yours?”

“He’s around somewhere.” Kiba said, scanning the decent sized crowd.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Is he with Shino? Normally you two are inseparable."

Kiba was momentarily confused. Neji? With Shino?

“Wha… Oh! No, he’s over slobbering on Hinata.”

Shikamaru nodded before his smirk widened a little. "Who did you think I meant?" he asked, knowing he'd had someone else in mind with that little slip.

Kiba focused back on Shikamaru, a wide grin flashing his fangs playfully.

“Someone I got to suck off in public. Their faces were priceless.”

"Really?" he asked, raising his other eyebrow. "This happened recently?"

“Yep. Couple of days ago even.” Kiba said with a note of satisfaction.

Shikamaru chuckled softly. "So I take it your search went well after leaving our place then?"

“Ah… Sort of…” Kiba lifted a hand behind his head, scratching it a little warily. He wasn’t exactly sure what he’d discovered in Neji, but it wasn’t what Shikamaru thought.

"Want to talk about it?" Shikamaru offered. He was almost sure Kiba would turn the offer down, especially since it was a party to have fun at, but they were on the subject either way.

“Naw, it’s just a little confusing but whatever. Try and have fun for now, right?” Kiba said, shaking his head. “How are you and your boys anyway?”

Shikamaru nodded, smiling lightly. "We're fine. Been a little busy, though," he said. "Oh, that reminds me; we have some things to give to you. We meant to a while ago, but you had the mission and we didn't want to just leave them at your house."

Kiba raised a brow, wondering what it could be. He hadn’t left any pictures, and he would have known about his camera…

“Really?”

"Yeah. I think you'll enjoy them." Shikamaru smirked.

“Hey, Shika!” Naruto was suddenly tackling Shikamaru from the side with a hug. Kiba laughed, resisting the urge to smack the blond’s ass as he tipped forward with the movement, nuzzling Shikamaru.

“Dobe…” Kiba’s grin increased as he heard the familiar voice, amused by Sasuke’s slight irritation.

Shikamaru chuckled, wrapping his arms around Naruto in return. He turned his head and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"Hey Naruto," he said, smiling and glancing up, "Sasuke."

Naruto pushed off with his toes, using his weight to knock Shikamaru over on the booth. Sasuke snorted, slipping in across from the blond and his antics. Kiba slid in beside him, smirking at what he could see of Naruto lavishing affection on the poor Nara.

“Is he always that affectionate, or did Shikamaru leave on a mission too?”

Shikamaru let out a soft grunt, still smiling and half-heartedly pushing Naruto away.

“Naruto acts like that every time he’s away from one of us for more than an hour,” Sasuke said in a way that had Kiba snickering, imagining the rambunctious blond pouncing on the Uchiha.

“Nothing wrong with it,” Naruto said as he backed off, leaving both arms around Shikamaru’s neck as he sat down, pressed to Shikamaru’s side and leaning on him.

Shikamaru sat up, keeping one arm around Naruto's waist. "No," he said, smirking lightly, voice still light and happy, "but the tackling can get a bit tiresome."

Naruto turned and nuzzled at Shikamaru’s throat happily.

“You think everything can get tiresome.” Kiba laughed at Naruto words, his mind drawing back to Neji. He could remember the feel of his arm around the Hyuuga’s waist, the scent of his skin as he nuzzled at Neji’s neck. The hot feeling of the other’s skin after he’d bitten, sucked and marked it. He stood up.

“Well, since you guys have some obvious catching up to do,” He snickered more, Sasuke snorting. “I’ll leave you alone.”

Shikamaru chuckled, tightening his arm for a second in a brief hug. "Have fun," he told Kiba. He looked back over at Sasuke once Kiba left, smirking.

Sasuke rose a brow.

“Yes?”

Shikamaru shook his head. "What did you get to drink?"

Sasuke smirked, watching Naruto detach from Shikamaru to wrinkle his nose.

“He got sake.” The blond responded, sticking his tongue out. He’d never been fond of the stuff.

Shikamaru nodded, not surprised. Of course Sasuke would want a traditional drink, one that also affected you quickly so he wouldn't be as aware of the party. He just wished he could drink something too.

Sasuke took a drink, savoring the taste across his tongue.

“You’re not drinking it dobe.” Naruto scoffed, arm slipping down to Shikamaru’s waist.

Shikamaru started a bit as arms wrapped around his neck from behind, glancing back and rolling his eyes.

Ino just grinned, leaning over the back of the booth. "Hey, guys! Great idea throwing this party."

“Ino, can’t you see Shikamaru’s busy?” Chouji said, eating a mouthful of chips. Naruto turned, pursing his lips at Ino and tightening his arm around Shikamaru.

“Ino, what are you doing draped all over Shikamaru?” He said in a testy voice.

"Hey, they're the hosts, they should want to talk with everyone," Ino said with a pout before looking at Naruto. She blinked before giggling, straightening up but instead resting her arms on top of his head. "Oh, don't worry, Naruto. His lazy ass is all yours."

Shikamaru frowned, raising a hand and batting her away. "Go bug Sakura instead. She helped with the planning too."

"Billboard brow's busy keeping Sai from causing a ruckus," she said, moving back before inviting herself to sit at the booth, dropping down next to Sasuke with a grin. "Besides, what if I wanted to have a team reunion?"

"...Ino, we see each other at least once a week," the Nara deadpanned.

Ino pouted again, crossing her arms. "So?"

Sasuke tensed, knocking back a full gulp of sake in hopes that the alcohol would filter out the world. Naruto dropped his head on Shikamaru’s shoulder, smiling.

“That’s more than my team meets.” He said. Chouji sat beside Naruto, forcing the blond to press more against Shikamaru.

“Come on Shikamaru, you’d miss us if we didn’t see you.” He said, smiling as he finished off his chips and switched to another bag.

Shikamaru snorted softly. "You live with one of your teammates, Naruto," he said, turning his head and placing a small kiss on the top of his head. His lips twitched slightly, knowing Chouji was right but he wasn't going to admit that. At least not with Ino there; she'd probably triple her visits. "Yeah, yeah," he said, waving a hand slightly in dismissal.

Ino frowned, but knew that was as good of anything she'd get from him. She turned to look at Sasuke, smiling. "And how have you been, Sasuke-kun? Haven't been too annoyed by them?" It had been difficult for her to accept that her Sasuke was with Shikamaru-- and now even Naruto too-- but she had. Not that it meant she still didn't hope he would like her, but then she'd have to hurt him for hurting Shikamaru.

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean we all get together! I never see Sakura, only you do.” Naruto said, pouting. Chouji laughed, both at Naruto’s response and Shikamaru’s.

Sasuke grunted, taking another gulp.

Ino huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Oh, come on. It's a party, be social for once, Sasuke-kun!"

Sasuke took another gulp, starting to feel a little hot in his clothing.

“I’m good.” He said as monotone as he could, feeling slightly light headed.

Ino nodded, smiling and feeling satisfied she had at least got him to say something.

Shikamaru looked at Sasuke, raising an eyebrow. He was drinking the sake too fast.

“Hey, Sasuke, maybe you should slow down a little…” Naruto said, seeing a flush spread across Sasuke’s pale cheeks. Sasuke waved his hand, grunting again.

“Shut up, dobe,” He growled, taking another drink. Chouji stopped eating chips, looking at the bottle Sasuke had been drinking from.

“…Is that alcohol?”

Shikamaru nodded with a sigh. "Yeah. It's sake," he said. "And I agree with Naruto, Sasuke. You should slow down."

Sasuke growled again, but put the bottle down.

“I’m fine.”

Shikamaru frowned but didn't any more since he put it down. "So are you two having a good time so far?" he asked his teammates, changing the subject.

Ino looked at Sasuke warily for a second before moving her gaze back to Shikamaru. "Yeah, it's nice seeing everyone together again."

Chouji nodded, agreeing with Ino.

“We haven’t had so many together since the Chuunin exams.”

"Mm, it's troublesome that we can't see each other that often," Shikamaru said.

Ino nodded, smiling. "Yeah, but at least it means we have work."

“But I wish we had a more compatible work schedule,” Chouji said wistfully. “There’s always so much good food at parties.”

Shikamaru laughed and Ino sighed. "Honestly, Chouji, can't you think about something other than food?"

“What’s wrong with food?” Chouji asked, a handful of chips going to his mouth. Naruto blanched, shivering at the greasy things. Chouji offered him a single chip.

“Ramen is the only food for me,” He said, sticking his tongue out at the offering.

Ino pouted, not about to get into their age-old argument about food and weight and nutrition. "I'm going to go see if Sakura's still busy," she said, slipping from the booth and standing up.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes at Naruto and Chouji; they both needed to find healthier foods to be addicted to. He looked back at Ino and nodded. "Alright, I'll see later, then, I'm sure."

Chouji waved, saying his good-bye along with Naruto. Sasuke put his head down on the table and closed his eyes.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, shaking his head. "You okay there, Sasuke?"

“Mmmm.” Chouji laughed, eating more chips as Sasuke lifted his head to glare, ruining it by blinking. “Hn.” He dropped his head back down, thunking against the wood.

“…Ow.”

Shikamaru snorted, barely able to keep in his own laughter. "If I'd known you were such a light weight, I would have told the bartender you had a limit," he said.

“Has he eaten anything?” Chouji asked, chewing. “If you don’t have food to suck up the alcohol it affects you stronger.”

"I dunno, he decided to avoid us for most of the day. I doubt he has."

“That’s probably it. Even experienced drinkers can get drunk if they don’t eat beforehand.” Naruto gave him a questioning look. Chouji shrugged. “I know food. You cook with alcohol sometimes too, but that doesn’t help right now.”

“…I ate this morning.” Sasuke mumbled.

"That's still, what, ten hours or so ago? You should probably get something in you," Shikamaru said.

“No wonder he’s like this if it’s been ten hours.” Chouji said. “He had about 10 cups of sake in 2 minutes.”

Shikamaru sighed, moving out from the booth. "I'll go get him something to eat."

Sasuke lifted his head, shaking it.

“No, I don’t want any.”

"I'm not going to have you be miserable and drunk, Sasuke. It won't be a full dinner or anything like that."

“‘m not miserable. ‘s too troubs’me to stay up.” He said, blinking seriously at the Nara. Naruto blinked in confusion, before figuring out what Sasuke had said and cracking up.

“Oh man, he’s spent way too much time with you Shika! He’s even saying troublesome!”

Shikamaru shook his head, smirking. "You'll be miserable tomorrow; I'm getting something," he said, moving away before another word was said, knowing the other two would keep Sasuke there.

Sasuke scowled at Shikamaru, reaching out and taking the bottle before Naruto could stop him. He glared at the blond, tilting his head back and chugging until he choked and spilled sake down his chin and neck.

“Way to go, Teme! You’re covered in the stuff!” Naruto said, taking the bottle from the coughing teen, worry etching onto his face.

Shikamaru came back a few minutes later with some water as a chaser and a plate with two rice balls. He set them down on the table before sitting back down in his seat.

“Shikaaaaaa, he chugged most of it while you were gone!” Naruto said, shoving the bottle at the brunette while Sasuke grabbed one of the rice balls, shoving as much as he could into his mouth. Chouji got up, bowing to Shikamaru as he hastily made an exit. “It was nice seeing you Shikamaru!”

Shikamaru sighed, waving goodbye to Chouji before looking at Sasuke. "You're an idiot sometimes, you know," he said, reaching over and grabbing his wrist. "Eat slowly or you'll be puking in a few minutes."

Sasuke swallowed his food and yanked on his wrist, bringing Shikamaru’s fingers up to his mouth. He licked at the knuckles slightly, drawing Shikamaru’s forefinger into his mouth and sucking, giving him heated eyes above his flushed cheeks.

“Shika, what happens when you let a drunk and horny Sasuke loose at a party?” Naruto asked, swallowing a little at the fevered intensity in the Uchiha’s eyes.

Shikamaru frowned, own cheeks reddening a little, and pulled his hand back. "...We'll just keep an eye on him," he said, shaking his head. "If he gets worse, one of us will take him home."

Sasuke eyed him, shoving the rice ball into his mouth again. Naruto couldn’t help but snicker.

“I bet we could get him to do stuff.”

Shikamaru snorted, leaning back in his seat. "And I'm sure he'd be happy with that once he's sober again," he said.

“Hey, it’s his fault for getting drunk!” Naruto said, crossing his arms and huffing. Sasuke finished the rice ball, listing forward to grab the other one.

Shikamaru chuckled, holding up his hands, palms flat. "Hey, I won't stop you if you try anything."

Before Naruto could respond Sasuke had slid under the table, arms up on the seat as he tilted his head back.

“…What’s he doing?”

"I have no idea," Shikamaru said after a second of staring at the spot Sasuke had been. He bent down, glancing under the table.

"Sasuke?"