Mm. I love Shikamaru. Like, a lot. To the point where just this little cameo makes me happy for hours. Hehe. Just know that I am happy to see him in this story.

I literally ache with need to read the Naruto/Sasuke interaction that (I hope) will come out of this, because I know it will be done justice and it will be a big pent-up emotion fest. And though there exists a massive NaruSasuSaku fan in me, the NaruSasu fan is getting sick pleasure from Naruto being the one to try to find him, and I apologize for my conflicting loyalties.