Education in the Mountains

Nine teenagers gathered behind the med tent.

“So. What's going on?” A bored looking Shino asked. “And where are Shikamaru and Neji? The rest of us are here.”

“Shikamaru and Neji are the reason we are here.” Ino said extraordinarily seriously.

“Is everything okay?!” Hinata asked concerned.

“Weeeeeeeeeeeeeell.” Naruto started. “Iruka-sensei said something to me before he left on his mission with Kaka-sensei.”

“Iruka-sensei is on a mission? Why?!” Lee exclaimed loudly.

“I don't know. That Danzo dude sent him. I'll tell the rest of you what I told Ino and Sakura. He's with Kaka-sensei. He'll be fine.” Naruto said. “Besides. That's not what's important. What's important is what he said to me before he left.”

“Well. Spit it out already!” Kiba spat. “What did he say?”

“He thinks there is something ‘Kotetsu and Izumo-esque’ going on with Shikamaru and Neji!” Sakura blurted out excitedly.

“WHAT?!”

“NO WAY!”

“HUH?!”

“Kotetsu and Izumo-esque? What the hell does that mean?” Choji looked more confused than the rest of them.

“It means Iruka-sensei thinks that Shikamaru and Neji have feelings for each other.” Ino said rolling her eyes at his naivete.

“Like you and Sakura have for Saskue Ino?”

Both girls blushed, but nodded.

“Hmmmm.” Choji looked pensive. “So why are we having a meeting about it? I mean if that's what makes them happy….” he trailed off.

“Are you crazy Choji?!” the Yamanaka screeched. “This is the biggest piece of gossip we've had in years!”

“We need to find out if it's true.” Naruto said.

“If they do like each other then we need to get them to admit and get them together!” Sakura gushed with hearts in her eyes.

“Those two are so clueless they'd go the rest of their lives without ever admitting it to themselves let alone each other.” Tenten cut in. “They are going to need us to push them in the right direction. Time for recon.”

Kiba and Shino looked at each other and shrugged. “Might as well go along with them.”Kiba said.

Shino shrugged. “Better to just acquiesce than fight them.”

“What do you want us to do?” Kiba sighed.

Two pairs of feminine eyes gleefully widened.

“We need information. That means reconnaissance.” The pink haired girl whispered.

“Why are we whispering?” Lee asked loudly.

“Because they could be anywhere you moron!” Ino slapped him upside the back of his head.

“Owww! Okay Ino-chan!” the bushy browed nin whispered.

“Last I knew Shikamaru and Neji were with Shizune-San in Tsunade-samas tent.” Hinata quietly supplied.

“Hinata. Why don't you and Naruto take first watch tonight, and we'll reconvene back here tomorrow at 0900?”

“Sounds good Ino. Let's go Hinata!” The blonde held his hand out to the Hyuga heiress.

“Uh. Oh. Okay Naruto-kun.” She stuttered, but took his hand turning a bright shade of pink.

The two took off towards the Hokages tent. Kiba shook his head. “Will that blonde dunce ever get a clue?”

“Kami I hope so. Then maybe she'll lighten up.” Shino sighed. “I'm off. Till tomorrow everyone.” He raised a hand in farewell as he walked away.

The rest of the group dispersed, and headed their own ways.

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24 bounded through the trees following the jinchuriki and the Hyuga brat. It was obvious the girl was hopelessly in love with the boy. Initially he thought the blonde completely ignorant of her feelings, but upon further examination perhaps Naruto was more aware than he first thought. Judging by the gleam in his eye as he looked back at her there were some feelings beneath his nonchalant exterior. He filed that information as the first item on his list of vulnerabilities to give to Danzo-sama.

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Naruto and Hinata jumped up into a tree outside the Hokages tent.

“Okay! We're going, troublesome woman.” Shikamaru and Neji emerged from the tent.

The spies in the tree looked at each other and smiled.

“It would appear we have been given an order Shikamaru. The current situation has not done much to help my appetite, however, Shizune-san will know if we do not eat.

“I don't have much of an appetite either Nej.” Naruto looked at his tree mate and quirked an eyebrow at the nickname. “But we can't help anyone if we don't take care of ourselves.”

“Of course you are correct my friend.” The two men continued their conversation on the way to the barracks mess tent followed silently by Naruto and Hinata.

“Nej?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you spend every day in the Hokages tent? It seems as though you'd be better served training with your uncle or your team.”

“I will admit this is not a question I expected from you. However I feel that my presence in the tent with the three of you is beneficial to everyone involved.”

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. “Really? And how is that?”

“First and foremost Tsunade-sama needs to have protection. I am a jonin. I can provide that. You are a chunin with a broken leg. You cannot.”

Shikamaru opened his mouth to argue.

“You know this as well as I do Shikamaru.” The Nara glared at him but nodded his agreement.

“You also need help. There is only so much you can do in your current state, and Shizune-San needs to focus on Tsunade-sama not on you.”

Shikamaru nodded for him to go on.

“Lastly. I enjoy your company.”

Shikamaru stopped and looked at him.

“I find conversations with you to be stimulating on a level I am unable to find with anyone else. It is quite refreshing to be able to spend time with someone that is intellectually my equal. I find I enjoy it very much.”

A slight blush colored Shikamaru’s cheeks. He quickly recovered.

“Equal my ass Hyuga. We both know I outclass you.” Shikamaru smirked.

“You may believe what you will Nara. If you find my company lacking I am sure I could go help with the rebuilding effort.”

“Don't be an ass Nej. You know how much I love kicking your ass at shogi, and I would never force your unpleasant ass on the folks rebuilding. They are stressed enough as it is.”

The Hyuga chuckled. “What is the phrase?” He looked pensive. “Oh yes. Kiss my ass Shika.”

Shikamaru burst out laughing. “I do believe that is the correct phrase Nej.” He plopped an arm over the other mans should. “Let's eat.”

The two conspirators in the trees glanced at each other and smiled as the two men walked into the mess tent.

“Well we certainly have information to report in the morning don't we Hinata?”

The pale girl just blushed looking down at their hands still joined between them.