#nara forest

[theylovevenus]

HC that Shikamaru doesn’t go to the gym a lot, whenever he wants to work out he just heads off to the Nara forest for some manual labor

[nekokeiko]

Ever since they started dating, Shikamaru would often take Temari to the Nara clan forest.

To keep him company while he tended to the herd.

To rest and stretch their legs after a long journey from Sunagakure, or after completing missions.

To help him with his training, perfecting his shadow techniques and sharpening his combat skills.

To carry out forest surveillance (partly to make sure Hidan’s head hasn’t chewed its way out of the grave).

But eventually, these visits became more frequent, impromptu, random, and purposeless (almost).

If the trees can whisper, they would tell of the many nights they cuddled as they stargazed, and the many days they dozed off while watching the clouds drift.

If the deer can articulate, they would tell of the many places where their lips weren’t made for talking, and their hands weren’t made for working.

If the cold lakes can speak, they would tell of how the waters would swish and splash around them as they moved and grind underwater.

If the uneven grounds can talk, they would tell of how the earth would crack and vibrate underneath them when they clash skin to skin.

If only the elements had a voice.

For now, they shall remain secrets that only the forest knows.

[cherrydyedsocks]

More Nara Clan forest headcanons

Hi so, I recently finished rewatching the Hidan V Shikamaru fight, and was thinking a lot about the forest.

So what we do know is that it's forbidden for people to enter it, that aren't from the Nara clan without permission. It's on the outside of Konoha, kinda acting as a natural barrier from the outside world and the village.

Now consider. The Nara forest, typically can keep outsiders out relatively easily. You need to have a significant amount of chakra and strength to pass through it if you aren't Nara. So for the most part day to day people passing by aren't able to get in. Like if your average traveler stumbles upon it, they just can't enter it.

As for people that are strong enough to push past the natural barrier? An awful fate awaits them. Especially if the forest can sense you have negative intentions.

Generations and generations of Nara have maintained the forest, often feeding it some of their own chakra. Hundreds of years ago when the world was much more dangerous, seals and jutsus were tied to the forest.

It's largely legend the fate that awaits attackers, as very few have lived to tell the tale. There's talk of the ground shifting and changing, trying to swallow you whole. The trees suddenly sprouting branches and aiming right for you. Deers, the main creature in the forest, known for their docile nature will run towards you. Often with the intention to jab their antlers through your body.

The Nara forest is its own living thing, that will fight to defend itself in the face of danger.

[wing-ed-thing]

Oh Deer (Shikamaru x Reader, Part I)

You huffed, hands over your hips as you loomed over your garden. Well, right now it wasn’t much of a garden. It was that time of the year where you poured your heart and soul into your planting, only to have it destroyed. You bought seeds before the season even began, raising those little seeds into seedlings. For a while, you watched the sprouts grow from behind the overkill of a fence you put up, only to wake up this morning to see that they came in the night.

Your little house was tucked a ways away from the village at the edge of the Nara forest. You had met a few members of the Nara clan, though neither memorably nor recently. But the Nara clan wasn’t who you quarreled with, it was the damn deer. The Nara forest was filled with them and were a protected species. No killing them and no scaring them away. So every night, they came in and ravaged your garden.

Arms crossed, you examined your fence which was easily twice your height. The wood became different colors over time as you added more to it each year. There wasn’t much more that you could do to fortify your vegetables. You briefly considered a moat before dismissing the idea as ridiculous. You went over to your potted flowers. They were damaged. Most of their petals were torn, but with proper care the plant could heal. You took up a particularly damaged one to take inside.

You observed your kitchen counter. Too many damaged plants. You turned to the kitchen table. Too many potted plants. You spotted a free space tucked in the corner by the window. You cradled your damaged baby as you made your way over. You nearly tripped for even your floor was covered in various plants. You’ve had enough of the Nara’s and their stupid hungry deer!

You didn’t even bother changing out of your gardening clothes, you just headed straight to the Nara estate. It was a trek, but eventually you made it. Stepping through the gate you saw a young man laying back on the engawa. Your eyes locked onto the Nara clan symbol on his sleeve and you decided in an instant that you were going to tear him a new one. Fired up from your destroyed garden, you stormed up to him in a rage.

“Excuse me,” you snapped, “I need to talk to one of you Naras.” The young man let a hand slide down his face, eyes not yet open as he let out a quiet string of curses.

“Can’t you see I’m busy?” he yawned.

“Sorry to be disturbing your nap,” You barked, gritting your teeth. The man continued to lounge even as you stood over him. “But I need to talk to someone about your deer.”

He cracked an eyelid. “The...deer.” He pronounced slowly, looking at you with mild amusement. You grumbled.

“Yes, the deer.” You folded your arms. “They keep ruining my garden!”

“And what is it that you want me to do? They’re deer.” You tapped your foot rapidly.

“You’re the Nara clan, you’re in charge of the deer.” You pouted. He shifted laxly, stretching his arms above his head.

“Are we now?” Your blood boiled.

“The forest is named after your clan!” you hissed, “Members of your clan are the only ones allowed in it!”

“Get a fence.”

“I did.”

He put his hands behind his head, looking at you lazily. “Maybe don’t plant a garden?”

“Maybe feed your animals better.” You huffed. “Is there someone more useful I can talk to?”

“No.” he drawled, finally getting up. He stood taller than yourself, hair in a messy bun and half lidded, tired eyes. He leaned down until you were face to face. If you weren’t so angry, you would have blushed. “For the record, the deer own the land. We don’t have much control over what they do nor should we.”

He gave an amused chuckle before he turned. He slid the shōji, giving you one last tired but entertained look before disappearing into the house. It appears that you won’t get this sorted out any time soon.

Part I Part II Part III

[tora-the-cat]

The Nara forest is the thickest forest, even in Konoha. It isn't made of the biggest trees, in fact the trees in the Nara forest are completely normal sized and untouched by senju, something very few trees can claim nowadays. But there is not a spot of sunlight on the ground of the Nara forest, save the occasional pond or lake that cuts an oasis of sunshine. The Nara forest is dark; once you can't see the edges of it anymore, it's as dark as a cave.

[kagenoshikamaru]

Do you have a favourite deer in the Nara forest?

That’s almost like asking me if I have a favorite family member…🤔even if I find my mom as troublesome as I do, I couldn’t tell you I completely prefer my dad over her. However, thinking back to it, there was a fawn when I was younger who liked laying down next to me when I was cloud watching in the forest. If I remember properly, I think I named him Shikadai.

[nevaeh-moon]

Happy day, Shikamaru nara 

[wing-ed-thing]

Oh Deer (Shikamaru x Reader, Part II)

Synopsis: You live at the edge of the Nara forest and those deer keep ruining your garden! After a fruitless attempt to get help from a member of the Nara clan, you think you’ve found a solution.

Notes: This was supposed to be a one shot, but NO, I can’t not make a series. I was going to stop here, but no I have to fend off ideas to make this longer. If I have some good ideas I might, might continue. I just had to fall in love with Shikamaru. I really hated the first chapter of this so I hate that I can’t stop writing for this prompt. Enjoy.

You tossed another handful of acorns into your basket and leaned against the large oak that sat on the far side of your residence. Your chest rose, then deflated with a swift breath. Hopefully, you can start expanding your garden. 

You took your basket to the large pot, filled to the brim with acorns. The nuts from your basket poured on top, cascading down the large pile. You stepped on the paddle of the gardening hoe that leaned against the pot. The momentum sprang it into your hand and you set off to till a new area of soil. The garden hoe heaved the soil, marking out a nice new square. Your arms burned as you worked the ground until you looked up and noticed that it was getting dark. With only a small sector more, you pushed on even as the grey evening hue enveloped the sky. You were just wiping your brow when you saw movement in your peripheral. A large stag wandered out of the forest. You froze where you were, unsure of what to do. The stag looked deep into your eyes. Please don’t go chewing on my garden.

The deer pulled away, wandering over to the large pot of acorns. You leaned, hands grasping the handle of your gardening tool. You looked at the deer as it grazed on the tree nuts. Your brows furrowed. When it seemed to have it’s fill, the stag looked back at you, bowing slightly before retreating back into the forest. 

You had intended to dispose of the excessive amount of acorns, but you opted to keep filling the pot. With much struggle, you managed to move it farther from your garden to a little pedestal made from medium sized stones. And every night, the deer came to eat leaving your garden untouched. You added more pots as the deer seemed to multiply and the oak in your property was not enough anymore. Walks to collect acorns became a large part of your day and in no time, you began to move the damaged plants from your home back outside. 

It was approaching midday and the deer came to feed early. The sky was overcast above. You looked at the clouds. It was going to rain soon. You approached the animals with your basket. They sniffed you, following you to the giant pots as they headbutted you gently. You added the contents of the basket, letting the last few fall into your hand. The deer from the first night, which you decided to call Rikumaru, came towards you. He let you pet his head as you fed him acorns from your palm. 

“So this is where they go everyday.” You jumped at the voice, startling the deer around you. Rikumaru’s head snapped up, positioning his upper body closely in front of you. The initial shock melted into annoyance.

“Oh, it’s you.” You took a breath before turning away. The Nara clan member from before stood at the end of the forest. His hands buried themselves deep in his pockets. You turned, making your way over to the house, you hung your basket up by your door. Rikumaru followed you. You didn’t look back at the young ninja. Wordlessly, you took a wafer out of your apron. The stag munched on it happily.

“They really seem to take a liking to you, no wonder they haven’t been eating from me.” He mused, strolling over to your flower pot set-up. 

“No thanks to you, Nara. I did ask for your help...” You placed a hand on your hip.

“Shikamaru.” You let out a huff. 

“That’s fitting.” You heard him mutter under his breath. 

“The walk here almost killed me and that’s all you gotta say?” Shikamaru complained, interlocking his hands behind his head lazily.

“A little hard work and I solved my own problem.” You placed the other hand on your hips, “You’re a very lazy man, aren’t you?”

“Troublesome woman.” He clapped back. Rikumaru headbutted you gently. You took out another wafer. Shikamaru blinked. “I have never seen them take such a liking to an outsider.”

“Well, maybe if you rolled your sleeves up more often and fed your animals better, they’d like you more.” You shot back with the words from your last conversation with a casual shrug. 

“Not my animals.” You felt a splash against your cheek. The deer began to gather back in the forest. Another splash against your nose. Rikumaru pushed past you, knocking you toward Shikamaru. 

“Well, as much as I enjoyed this chat, I’ll be going now.” You turned towards your small house.

“Ah man,” Shikamaru sighed to himself, “I have to walk all the way back in the rain?” You turned back to him, genuine concern on your features.

“Are you asking for something?” Shikamaru cocked a brow. 

“No.” He shifted his gaze from you to the sky. Thunder cracked in the distance. “Great…” Your hand met your face with a deep exhale. 

“C’mon,” you sighed, motioning him towards your house. He only responded with a questioning hum.

“Wait out the rain inside, you drama queen.” He gave you a skeptical look. You opened the back door, hand extended. Lightning flashed and Shikamaru trudged inside.

Part I Part II Part III