Detectives AU
Based on a challenge by Damianette on Tumblr. User: Mochinek0
N/A: Inspired by the TV show CASTLE.
Shikamaru couldn't stand his new consultant: Naruto Uzumaki.
He interfered with her research, but more importantly, her time with Temari no Sabaku.
Shikamaru could still remember their first case together: the illustrious 'Immortal.' A major merchant who was distributing his wares to high school students. Most of his class had fallen victim to the drug. Even the children had been affected.
It was a big problem back then and no one knew how someone came into contact with him or them, but usually a red circle with an inverted triangle was found on the victim.
Soon, the news dubbed the drug "jashin," for when people descended into demonic madness. Many people they knew were still suffering from withdrawal from the drug. Usually, they were those who had been in contact with it several times. It was painful to see the people they cared about lose their way, raving, and performing uncontrolled actions. When the effects wore off, the victim suffered amnesia.
Needless to say, he was surprised to see Temari at the police academy. She was still the cute and determined girl he'd always been around, flying with the strength and power of a hurricane, possessing the delicacy and agility of a dragon. She was nicknamed 'Ladydragon' by the academy. While I was fast and agile, with a sharp mind, I had irritated some people with my lazy attitude and was nicknamed the 'black cat'.
Some people avoided him or even joked with him, falling to the ground whenever he, the black cat, crossed their path. Temari had given him a resin four-leaf clover necklace and told him it was to erase his bad luck. He had smiled at the gift, but when she kissed him on the cheek, he swore his heart had never felt lighter. She had played on his affinity for bad luck and whispered in his ear, "For more luck."
It wasn't until years later that he realized that was the moment he fell in love with her.
Sure, they'd known each other for years, but he'd never seen her like this before. Temari was the cute president of their class. She was decisive, outspoken, and demanding. She reminded him of some of the heroines his best friend Chouji liked to watch. At the police academy, she transformed before his eyes. She was in her element; she was where she belonged.
They became partners. Everyone joked about how they teamed up simply to cancel out their "bad luck," but they made it work. Temari was the leader, and he was the distraction, if needed. She made sure the paperwork was done, and he made sure to feed his coffee addiction and get takeout.
So why was this guy ruining their dynamic?
Naruto Uzumaki was in the top 10 of the most eligible bachelors. He was known for his looks and his money.
So what if I gave up that life?
He never wanted to be associated with Hidan's name after he arrested the 'Immortal'. His father pleaded with him to come to his senses after the death of Asuma, his mentor, but there was none. At least, not in his eyes. He wanted to change everything about himself, becoming better and working harder. He decided to leave home.
He bought a small apartment and got a black guinea pig to remind himself never to look back. Kuro was a good companion.
So what if Naruto's father used to be a world-class detective? Naruto wasn't his father, and he wasn't a cop either! Naruto Uzumaki was just a mystery novelist! What did he have that this guy didn't? Money? Temari wasn't that shallow.
Shikamaru arrived at his usual time to see Temari already holding a coffee, talking with Uzumaki about the case. He looked down at the coffee in his hand and placed it on his desk.
Shikamaru looked at the board to see what had been discovered and it seemed that a lot had been done in his absence.
Has she even slept? How long have they been talking? How problematic.he wondered.
He decided to intervene.
“Good morning, Mari. Where is the case headed right now?” he asked.
“Oh! Is it morning already?” she laughed.
"I told you to leave six hours ago," Naruto replied.
"That's a lie. You bribed me to keep some bad Chinese takeout," he chuckled, before yawning, "I have a spare set of clothes here. I'm going to go to the lockers. I'll be back in 30."
Naruto Uzumaki got up from his seat and started to leave the break room.
"Where are you going?" Shikamaru asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Home. I'm going to clean up. I also have to feed and check on Kurama," Naruto replied.
"Kurama?" the young officer asked.
"My fox," he replied and left the enclosure.
Safe journey, troublesome blond.Shikamaru thought, as he sat down at his desk, "With any luck, his lifestyle will call to him."
Temari returned to Sasuke at his desk, reviewing the case.
"Where did Naruto go?" Temari asked.
Shikamaru tightened his grip on the quill before smiling and answering, “Uzumaki went home. He said something about cleaning up and checking on his fox. It’s too much trouble.”
“Come on, Shika. Everyone is a problem to you,” Temari said. “So it was with Kurama.” she muttered.
'How did she know that?'he wondered.
Temari gasped and quickly grabbed her belongings.
"What's wrong?" Shikamaru asked, standing up.
“Tell the captain I’ll be right back. I need to feed Kamatari,” he called, running toward the doors.
"Who is Kamatari?" Shikamaru called.
"My weasel." Temari yelled, as the doors closed behind her.
Xxxxx
"When did you get a weasel, M'La-Temari?" Shikamaru asked upon his return.
'Damn. I almost made a mistake and called her M'lady.'
"A week ago," he replied, looking at the new files on his desktop, "I'm still getting used to it."
"What race is she?" Shikamaru asked, "Perhaps Kuro would like to meet her."
"Kuro is a guinea pig who sleeps more than you do," Temari laughed, "Um, let me think. Oh, Naruto said she was an ermine!"
"Troublemaker, has Mr. Uzumaki seen your weasel? I didn't know you had pictures of her. May I see?" he asked, hoping to hide his anger.
“Sorry. I haven’t taken a picture of her yet. Naruto helped me pick her out.” Temari smiled, “I had to take him the other day and he asked me to stop by a pet store to get food for his fox. Being such a rare pet, they had several rare animals in that store. So while I was busy, I saw some weasels in the adoption section and Kamatari just called out to me. I was a little skeptical at first to get her, but Naruto also has a weasel. He told me that while my lifestyle wasn’t perfect for a dog or someone who needed constant care, a weasel would be better. I didn’t expect to leave with a weasel that night. Naruto made sure she had everything she could possibly need. I love Kamatari. She’s so cute and loves sleeping on my bed. She’s not fussy like Manda. I’ll be sure to take some pictures of you.”
'Troublesome, why? Why is Naruto convincing her to break our routine? The troublesome woman knows I have a rare pet. Why didn't she ask me?'he wondered, pretending to look at the file in his hands, 'What does she see in him? She's serious. She's already too serious about work. She needs someone to make her laugh and have fun once she's off duty.'
"Nara!" Temari shouted, "Let's go; we have a lead!"
Xxxxx
Shikamaru turned the corner once he finished talking to the Captain and saw Temari grab his jacket.
"Another case?" he asked.
“We’re done for today. Go home, Nara.” Temari sighed.
"Ready?" Naruto asked, joining in the conversation.
"Yes." She smiled.
"A-are you going somewhere?" Shikamaru asked, looking between the two.
“I’ll take Uzumaki. I’ll see you tomorrow, Nara.” Temari said, as she walked with Naruto toward the doors.
"Was I interrupting something?" Naruto asked.
"Not at all." Temari replied.
Sasuke knew better, but followed them anyway.
"Are you sure there's nothing going on between you and your partner?" Naruto asked in a low voice.
Temari sighed and leaned against the wall. "It's a long story."
"Ex?" he questioned.
"No. We never got together. We've been friends for years and have been there for each other, but I got tired of waiting for him to see that I was right in front of him, to recognize me. I've been in love with him since I was thirteen."
'That?'Shikamaru gasped internally, 'She loves me! My lady loves me!'
“Even in the academy, he had a piece of my heart, but I realized I wasted five years wishing for something that would never happen. So I moved on,” she continued.
'What? No! I'm here!'I wanted to scream.
"I put my feelings for him aside and worked on my career." Temari replied, "Shikamaru and I are friends. We're colleagues. He probably doesn't even know I had feelings for him. I tried to tell him several times, but I failed. Don't worry; there's nothing there."
"Is that okay?" Naruto asked, leaning over her, pressing a hand against the wall, "It's your loss then for not seeing what an amazing woman you are. I'd like to treat you to dinner tonight, Miss Sabaku."
"Me?" Temari asked. "You could have any woman in this town or the next, so why me?"
Naruto chuckled, “She really did a number on you, huh? I want to show you how you’re supposed to be treated when someone cares for you, Mal’akhi.”
Temari glared at him, “What does that mean? That word?”
"Come to dinner and find out," she smiled and pressed the elevator button. "Say 8 pm at the Konoha Observation Deck and wear something nice."
"My dress or my bra?" she prodded.
“Your choice, but I will return you safely to your doorstep and not cross the threshold. I would still like to get to know you better,” he replied as the elevator dinged. “I am not my godfather Jiraya, Miss Sabaku. I don’t have a different woman on my arm every week. I know what I want, and I go for it. Whether it comes to anything remains to be seen.”
Temari smiled and said, "Guess we'll find out," before getting into the elevator.
'She-she had feelings for me all this time and I never knew, this is too troublesome'he thought as he sank to the ground, 'She just agreed to go out with Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze!'
The next day, Shikamaru stayed home with Kuro. Kuro kicked him for lettuce, but Shikamaru had already filled his bowl with guinea pig food. He knew what Kuro wanted, but he wasn't in the mood.
I was too busy eating ice cream.
Shikamaru returned to work the next day and was called into the Captain's office.
“I’m sorry I missed yesterday. I needed a mental health day,” Shikamaru commented, as he closed the door.
"It's okay, Nara," said the Captain, "I just wanted to inform you about the changes."
"Changes?" he asked.
“Naruto Uzumaki will follow you and your partner. You don’t have to tell him your life story, but make him feel welcome.”
"I-I don't understand." Shikamaru spoke.
The Captain sighed and replied, “Look. I don’t like this any more than you do, but this is a direct order from the Commissioner’s office. From now on, you’ll be consulting your cases.”
"But-" Shikamaru tried to refute.
"My hands are tied. Even the mayor supports it. It's inspired by the dynamic between Ladydragon and the Nekokage," Kurenai said.
“I’m pretty sure I don’t inspire him.”
“Just let him ride in the car. His dad was a big help. Who knows? Maybe he was too,” she said, gesturing for him to leave.
Shikamaru made his way to his seat and had a perfect view of Temari laughing with Naruto in the break room.
'I'm an idiot.'
* The dragon is also a lucky animal according to Chinese culture.