It All Started With A Smell

Pulse

"Geez." Kiba let out a breath, staring at the roof as he lowered himself back down.

The two sat in silence, Shikamaru gently stroking Akamaru's head. It was good, to rest finally. Their mission had taken two days and Shikamaru had been waiting for three hours to hear how Choji and Neji were. Finally a nurse came to tell Shikamaru that Naruto was awake. Kiba requested that the team leader let the blonde know everyone was okay, and to 'let me get some damn sleep'. With a light chuckle he nodded and left.

He nearly walked into Hinata as he rounded a corner. The shy girl smiled up at him, blushing deeply. Bobbing his head in acknowledgement he went to go around her but she spoke.

"Kiba told me." When Shikamaru stopped and looked at her she went on. "I kn...know everyone but Team Seven knows about my crush on Naruto. Kiba told me how Naruto do...doesn't like girls. And I'm okay. I know it sounds bad but it would hurt if Naruto liked Ino or Sakura, whilst it doesn't really hurt at the thought that Naruto might like Kiba or Shino. I know it's selfish and petty but..."

She trailed off.

"It's not selfish or petty," Shikamaru assured, his hands going to his pockets. "It's human. If Naruto dated one of the girls you would be wondering why them and not you but knowing that Naruto isn't attracted to your gender means... it's not you."

Hinata nodded, smiling softy. "I will always admire him though."

"Maybe you should try talking to him. Naruto likes having friends." He gave her a smile before walking off.

He found a nurse who could tell him where Naruto was before racing to the room. When he opened the door he found the blonde sitting up, covered in bandages and staring at the protective headband in her lap. She looked over at him, making him smile lightly as he leant against the doorframe, arms crossed.

"Well, well, so you're awake, huh?"

"Shikamaru!" Naruto sat up straighter and smiled, but her eyes were still dull.

Without stopping to think what he was doing he marched forward, wrapping his arms around Naruto's shoulders gently. One hand went to the back of the girl's head, holding her as close to him as he could without inflicting pain. Naruto hesitantly hugged him back at first before tightening her grip more than Shikamaru thought possible in her state.

"Don't do that again!" He muttered into Naruto's ear, letting his fingers weave into her hair. "Never again do I want to hear that you've died."

Naruto gave a wet laugh. "I'm sorry."

Eventually he let go of her and moved to the end of her bed, sitting down. Naruto was able to fill him in about Lee's presence on the battlefield whilst Shikamaru was able to inform the blonde of how their fellow teammates were. She was thankful to hear that the others were alright, especially given the conditions Choji and Neji had been in. She avoided her fight with Sasuke though.

"I see. Well at least everyone's okay. That's good." Naruto's hands rested on the forehead protector on her lap. It had a large scratch across the leaf symbol, something that is usually done for rogue ninja. Naruto hadn't said anything about it but Shikamaru could tell it wasn't hers.

"So," Shikamaru started gently. "So Sasuke's...?"

"Yeah. He's gone." Naruto tightened her hold on the forehead protector. She sniffled, only to shake her head, refusing to say more on the matter. "Shikamaru, what I said in the earth dome..."

"Forget it." Shikamaru gave her a small smile. "I was trying to be convincing so if I got you believing it I must have been a good actor."

Naruto gave him a sad smile. "Even if you forgive me I want you to know that I'm sorry for doubting you. I'll never do it again."