Shikamaru thought once he left the Hokage's office he'd dealt with the only irate woman he'd have to for the day. His mother standing before him, hands on hips and fiercest glare on display told him as much. He couldn't even find her troublesome as he was much more annoyed that his father turned snitch and continued to let that woman run him.
"Well?" Yoshino asked.
"Well, what?" Shikamaru returned and received a slap on the head. "Ow," he muttered.
"Don't get a smart mouth with me, Shikamaru Nara and don't pretend to not know what I'm asking."
"Troublesome, whatever may have happened and whatever role I may or may not have played in it was necessary."
"Do better," commanded his father. When the panther cub came to him and explained what he'd need to do, Shikaku was genuinely confused. That he'd seemingly lost time did nothing to aid in that. "I defended you to Tsunade-sama so we deserve the truth."
"And you did a job on our clan grounds!" Yoshino reminded her husband.
"Yea, and that. That was reckless, son," Shikaku observed, hiding his surprise when his son seemed to get offended.
"Was it? You find any bodies lying about?" Shika asked, only to receive another slap. "Ow, damn it. Ow!"
"Don't curse at me! Shikaku, this is your fault, you were too lenient on him and now he's on the wrong path."
"Yoshino, please calm down and let Shikamaru explain."
Seeing this as his opening, and an implicit order to do just that, Shikamaru explained, "The actions we took today could have prevented a catastrophe from occurring later. It also prevented Shino and me from having to make some hard choices. This was for the best."
Neither parent missed that Shika said only Shino and he would have the choices but neither wanted to push much further. While the events of the day didn't inspire a lot of confidence, they knew their son to be an intelligent and practical person, generally. If this allowed them to avoid future peril then it would, ultimately, be worth it. Yoshino, satisfied with her reaming, headed toward the kitchen. Believing she was out of earshot, Shikaku brought up the three boys' stated willingness to face the ANBU sent to detain them. Yoshino, however, had not been outside of listening distance and became incensed once more.
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Naruto entered his home with a sigh, his exchange with Tsunade hadn't eased his mental strain. Nothing would short of a nap but he had to press forward. As he kicked off his sandals he saw a pair that belonged to his betrothed. He didn't miss that she was absent from the Hokage's office. That could be for several reasons and his taxed mind didn't have it to churn through. Being direct was the best option, even if she should be mad he killed Kabuto. Naruto exited the foyer, walking through the manner and found her in the kitchen, eating cake out of a teal pastry box at the counter.
"Hey, Orochi-chan, what'cha got there?" he asked, she favored him with a smile as she turned on her stool.
"Cake. Specifically, the flavor of our wedding cake," she said.
"I missed the tasting?" he asked, disappointed that he knew the answer before she replied. "Damn, I wanted to be there for that."
"Kukuku, it's fine, Koharu and I came to a decision and I am quite pleased. Besides, you were busy."
"Yea… about that, anything you'd like to discuss?"
"You can call down storms and cast village-wide genjutsu; I'm dismayed at how much you held back and as soon as I'm no longer pregnant I'm getting a proper rematch," Orochi informed him. Naruto smiled, retrieving a fork.
"Sure, whatever you want," He said as he sat beside her and attempted to sink his utensil into the cake. It passed through the baked good as if it never existed. Naruto squinted at Orochi.
"This isn't really big enough to share. I'm sure you understand," she said with a devious smile.
"Shouldn't I know what kind of cake is being served on my special day?" Naruto asked.
"You could have, you decided to carry out an assassination with your friends. Did you even send out the invitations, as you were supposed to?" Orochi asked, touching his cheek, a sign she'd ended Kamui.
"Gasp, milady! I had my cubs out informing all of our upcoming nuptials," Naruto answered, again attempting to take a piece of her cake slice, the result being the same as the initial try.
"And your fitting?" she inquired before taking a bite.
"Taken care of, Shino's guy is efficient," he said, once again trying to sneak a piece, only for Orochi to turn away from him. "Dear, we're supposed to share in all things, ya' know."
"Don't wanna, get your own," Orochi said as she migrated to the table.
"Fine, what's the flavor so I can get it?" he asked.
"Not telling, besides this was made special for the tasting so there isn't anymore."
"And you won't share?"
"No one can accuse you of being slow on the uptake, Naruto-kun."
The Uzumaki smiled at her barb. "I'll just have to take it then," he said as he blurred behind her, speedily reaching for his prize only to meet with the table.
"Kukuku, nice try," Orochi said as she seemingly phased through the windows out to the back of the compound. Undaunted, Naruto flashed to the shiki engraved on her engagement ring as soon as she ended the jutsu, swiping his prize. Preparing to gloat, the words died as he watched Orochi extended her tongue to get the last of the cake.
"Body modifications are cheating!" he said, pointing at Orochi.
She pointed to herself as she said, "Ninja," and nothing else.
Naruto laughed but refused to concede the point. As he got his laughter under control, he ran a hand through his hair. He didn't want to sour the mood but avoidance had never been his thing. "Orochi-chan, do we need to talk about Kabuto?"
"What is there to talk about?" she asked, speaking again before Naruto could answer, "Kabuto was talented, I nurtured his talent because I saw he could be of use. I even started to like him. But Kabuto had two fatal flaws, he lacked the strength to be himself outside of my influence and he froze me in his mind. I don't like stagnation, not in the world and not in myself. He couldn't handle my recent changes and crossed a line he couldn't come back from."
"And my hand in his removal?" Naruto inquired.
"As I assume you were motivated by my current state and I made that happen, it'd be silly to be upset with you."
"Hey, I was pretty crucial in making that happen, too, 'ttebayo."
"Of course, sweetie, you're my big, strong man," Orochi said sarcastically and was confused when Naruto beamed with pride.
"I know you're making fun of me but I am your big, strong man so ha! Jokes on you."
Laying the cake box down, Orochi glided toward Naruto and wrapped her arms around his waist when she arrived. Smiling, she looked up to her intended and leaned in, Naruto copied her without much thought. He did not receive the kiss he'd expected. One he committed to leaning forward, Orochi turned her hips into him and tossed him to the ground, landing in a full mount as she looked down.
"Kukuku, you were saying?" Orochi teased.
"This doesn't count," Naruto protested, Orochi adopting a look of disbelief as her response. Naruto rolled his eyes as he tried to sit up. Orochi had other ideas as she forced him back down.
"No, no, Naruto-kun. I like you like this," Orochi said, savoring the thrill of having the strongest shinobi in the world beneath her and at her mercy. She smiled softly as she leaned down, giving an uncharacteristically chaste kiss to her future husband. As she was going to kiss him again, her senses alerted her they were not alone but she did not tense nor give away she was aware.
"Bagheera's father and I used to rut under the midday sun, too," the voice said as she emerged from the shadow in front of Orochi. The Snake Sannin was mildly confused when Naruto buried his head in her stomach. "Don't be embarrassed, Naruto-chan, passion is important in a relationship even if you've already seeded her," the figure continued now fully visible. The humanoid panther, wearing a gold and white cloak sat before the duo with a smirk. Naruto had informed her his summons could choose to look like regular jungle cats or transform, most simply went with their preference.
"Hi, Granny," Naruto said though it was muffled as he was still hiding his face.
"Such a lackluster greeting from my favorite summoner. What have I done, what sin have I committed to be treated with such discourtesy?" With little effort Naruto was on his feet, Orochi in tow, him gently putting her down so he could look at the grand elder of the panthers.
"Sorry, Granny. It is, of course, lovely to see you today. What brings you by?"
"See, that's much better. You've come such a long way since you were that confused, little cub. Couldn't even throw a proper punch and now look at you; starting a family. I'm so proud, Naruto-chan," Bast said.
"Not enough to stop calling me Naruto-chan, though, and I've noticed you haven't told me why you've graced us with your presence."
"Oh, it's no big deal. The girls and I paid a visit to the monkeys. I know that Hiruzen has given you both some trouble in the past so I requested Enma keep his summoner in line," Bast explained.
"Requested?" Naruto said with a really bad feeling in his stomach.
"Even if I had a knife to his throat I still phrased it as a question so I think it counts."
"Granny, really?"
"Yes. You know this is partially your fault. Okoye says you don't give them enough to do so they were ready for some action. Don't worry, we didn't kill any of the shit flingers," Bast answered. Naruto, nearing his wits' end just wanted this to be over, Orochi found humor in the situation.
"Kukuku, you threatened King Enma? I like you, Bast-sama," Orochi said. Bast waved her off.
"None of that "sama" stuff. We're basically family now, which reminds me you two have a ritual to complete before your wedding day. Panther tradition," Bast explained, looking down at her nails.
"What? Granny, I told you personally I was getting married and you didn't mention any kind of ritual."
"Well, I forgot. I'm old, I forget things."
"I don't believe you, 'ttebayo!" Naruto exclaimed. And Naruto meant that literally. He knew she had a mind like a steel trap. A summoning clan big on vendettas would not be forgetful.
"Shush, Cubby, I forgot and now I've remembered. Don't worry, Naruto-chan, it isn't as involved as when you met your father. Just a simple bonding ceremony."
"Granny, I can't just accept that unilaterally, I needed to know so I could talk to Orochi about it," Naruto said but felt like he was talking to a brick wall.
"It's fine, Naruto-kun. We can do the ritual the day before. Does that sound fair?" Orochi offered. Bast nodded in approval.
"You got a real keeper here, Naruto-chan," Bast said and Naruto beamed.
"Yea, I think so, too." An alert sounded, signaling someone was at the front door. Naruto didn't have to guess and wasn't surprised when he arrived to see Hiruzen there. He was, mildly, surprised to see Enma, Konohamaru and the fresh from a beard waxing Asuma with him.
"We need to talk, Naruto-kun," Hiruzen said grimly and Naruto rolled his eyes.
The Uzumaki head waved them in as he cursed Bast for making it necessary.