Reason I Breathe

Chapter6


"Yeah, Mom. I need you to call the school. No, I did not skip," Shikamaru sighed into his cell phone. "My friend Naruto Uzumaki got hurt real bad last night. I was the only one he could go to. Yes, I know I’ve never mentioned him. Why are you blaming me? You’re the one who never asks. Look, Mom I just need this. His Dad laid into him last night and he’s scared. I’m taking him to the hospital as soon as he wakes up. Just call the school."

He closed his phone to end the call. He sighed, and leaned against the doorway of his room.

"Mendokusai….."

"Why do you always say that?"

Shikamaru tilted his head to the side to look at the person questioning him. Naruto was standing tall. His breathing was harsh and his eyes glazed in pain, but he held himself high.

"Women are troublesome."

"You said that about me too," Naruto pouted.

"Do you blame me?"

Naruto laughed and scratched his arm. He shook his head and allowed himself to lean a shoulder on the wall facing Shikamaru.

"So why did you call me your friend?"

"It’s believable. They won’t ask questions that way."

"No, I mean you called me Naruto before calling your mom. Only friends are that familiar. Are we friends, Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru groaned. He pocketed the cell and motioned Naruto into his room. The blonde followed slowly, seating himself on the large bed once in the room. He whistled low at the large room. It was over half the size of the living room and kitchen. Naruto realized the place was more of a studio apartment, or a loft. The room was simply furnished with a large closet parallel to the door. Shikamaru opened a drawer in his dresser, and pulled clothing from it. He handed the items to Naruto.

"They are most likely big," he warned.

Naruto unfolded the clothes to get a better look at them. He immediately slid the black shirt over his body. The bruises and cuts embarrassed him. The pants looked to be one size larger than his own. He smiled, more to himself for his recent weight gain. When he looked up from the khaki pants, he saw Shikamaru looking away. The part of the boy’s face Naruto could see was stained red.

"Ne, Shika, why are your parents abroad and you’re here?"

Shikamaru twitched. "Shika?"

"Yeah! Friends, right?"

"Hm. They don’t approve of me."

"Why not?"

"Drop it."

Naruto groaned. He shot Shikamaru a cold look before pulling himself to his feet. He slid the pajama pants off and pulled the khakis on. He grinned as the other teen turned away, his face another shade of red. Naruto licked his lips and walked up to Shikamaru silently. He placed his hands gently on the pony tailed boy’s back.

"I know I’m sexy. Its okay to stare," he whispered.

Shikamaru tensed under the touch. He stepped forward to break the contact.

"I have no desire to stare."

Naruto laughed and turned away.

"Just kidding!"

Shikamaru focused on breathing. He told his heart to calm down. Did it really have to beat that fast? Naruto was already out of the room. Shikamaru brought one hand to his forehead and looked upwards. He was certain his face would stay red forever.

‘Why him? Why now?’ he asked himself.

He took a few more shaky breaths before shoving his hands in his pockets. He felt the bag still in its place. He had placed it under the pants he wore. He grinned to himself for finally making use of the small pocket in his boxers. He imagined Naruto was disappointed at missing a chance at the stuff he was holding. He turned to leave his room. Surely, Naruto was not so stupid that he had not figured it out yet. The blonde was flipping channels. He was very carefully positioned on the couch. Shikamaru sighed.

"Mendokusai."