Starting Over

Interlude

Naruto arrived early to meet with his team deciding to get some training prior to Sasuke and Sakura arriving. He had just finished up sparring with a few clones when he sensed Sasuke heading towards him. 

Deciding it was best to work on some Chaka control Naruto headed to one of the trees near the edge of the training ground. Naruto nodded to Sasuke as he stepped up the tree. Reaching the topmost branch Naruto walked along the underside of the branch and hung upside down and closed his eyes and focused on the charka around him.

It was only half an hour later Naruto sensed Sakura arrive. He didn't open his eyes when Sakura started to fawn over Sasuke or complain loudly that Kakashi was late once again. 

He didn't know what she expected. They had been on team seven for a few months already and Kakashi hadn't been on time once.

Naruto waited still hanging upside down for the next five hours. He had sensed Kakashi in a meeting with the Hokage about three hours ago and then at the memorial stone. He had shown up about thirty minutes ago but hadn't revealed himself to them.

It was nearing noon when he finally did show himself.

"Yo." He said appearing behind the two Genin. Sakura jumped and Sasuke grunted. Naruto jumped down from the tree.

"You're late," he said as he strolled over his hands in his pocket. "What's your excuse today?"

"Ma, ma." Kakashi held his hands up in defense. "I'm just running a bit behind because I nominated you for the Chunin exams."

Sakura was about to yell about he was a lair until he pulled out three applications, one for each of them.

Sakura jumped up and down as she held her application to her chest thinking this was proof she and Sasuke were destined for each other.

Sasuke smirked as he took his application and just walked off Sakura trailing behind.

"Thanks," Naruto said accepting his own application. "I will do you proud."

Naruto walked off without another word. It was time he met up with someone and discussed the upcoming events.

Standing outside of the Nara household Naruto could barely contain how nervous he was. He didn't remember how the elder Naras' had treated him. 

He knew that Shikamaru wouldn't stand for anyone to disrespect him and that in its self would be highly out of character for him. Naruto didn't want Shikamaru to blow his cover because his family didn't like Naruto.  

Naruto himself had had a hard time having people believe he was his old self. He knew Kakashi was suspicious and that meant the Hokage was at least aware that something was going on with him. At least Naruto was sure that Kakashi knew he wasn't a danger to the village so Kakashi's curiosity is just that, curiosity. 

He must have been standing there for a long time just staring at the house because the door opened and standing in the doorway was nonother than Shikaku Nara, Shikamaru's dad. 

"Uzumaki, can I help you?" Shikaku asked leaning against the door's frame.

Naruto was surprised at how respectful Shikaku was to some nobody Genin. "Uh... Is Shikamaru home?" Naruto asked not believing how unsure he sounded. 

Naruto could see the look of surprised disbelief on Shikaku's face when he asked. It was almost like he couldn't believe Shikamaru had any friends other than Choji who would come to the house asking for him. 

Now that Naruto thought about it, at this age Choji was probably the only one who would. At twelve Ino wouldn't be anywhere near the Nara household without the rest of her team and while Naruto and Shikamaru had been on friendly teams they hadn't been overly close until after he had returned from his training with Jiraya. 

"Sir... is Shikamaru available?" When the silence seemed to drag on Naruto asked again knocking Shikaku out of whatever had him frozen. Shikaku nodded his head and motioned for Naruto to follow him into the house. 

Shikamaru's home was both welcoming and warm. Even though Shikaku was confused as to why Naruto was here he was more welcoming than Sakura's parents had ever been to him even after Naruto had become the 'hero' of the leaf. 

"Shikamaru," Shikaku called out as he led Naruto through the house and into a sitting room. He motioned Naruto to sit. "It will be a bit, why don't you take a seat."

"Thank you, Naruto said sitting down on one of the chairs. 

"So, Uzumaki," Shikaku said as he down across from Naruto. "How are you doing?"

Naruto could tell that he was already suspicious of Naruto.  Naruto knew that it meant that Shikamaru had done something to make Shikaku even a little suspicious of someone visiting his son. 

"I'm doing well sir," Naruto said with his signature grin. "Kakashi-Sensei just nominated my team for the Chunin. I'm really excited to see what kind of competition this brings and gives me a chance to show the strength of our village." 

Shikaku nodded thoughtfully and was about to say something when Shikamaru walked into the room. Taking one look at Shikamaru Naruto knew why Shikaku was suspicious. Shikamaru's posture was slouched and uncaring but Naruto could tell that it was forced. 

When Shikamaru's posture straightened ever so slightly before he forced his shoulders back down. "What's up?" Shikamaru asked.

"Hey," Naruto said getting to his feet. "How's it going Shika?"

Shika smirked at Naruto and mumble, "Troublesome" under his breath before motioning for Naruto to follow him. 

As they walked out of the room Shika waved back to his dad and said, "We'll be up in my room."