One great 'Naruto Shikadai' fanfiction is 'Shikadai's Ascent'. It focuses on Shikadai's growth as a ninja and his journey to overcome various challenges in the post - Naruto era. The story has great character development and interesting plot twists.
One possible plot could be that Shikadai is kidnapped by a group of rogue ninjas who want to use his intelligence for their own evil plans. His friends then embark on a mission to rescue him, facing various challenges along the way.
One popular theme is Shikadai's growth as a ninja. Fans love to see how he evolves from a young, somewhat lazy boy to a powerful and responsible shinobi. Another theme is his relationships, like with his friends in the new generation of Konoha. Family also plays a big part, as his Nara clan heritage and his connection to his parents are often explored.
You can try fanfiction websites such as Archive of Our Own (AO3). It has a large collection of fanfics on various topics, including 'baby Shikadai and Shikamaru' ones. Just use the search bar and type in the relevant keywords.
Gaara's unique sand abilities and his connection to the tailed beast within him can add a lot of depth to a fanfiction. Sakura could be curious about this part of him and through her curiosity, they bond. Sakura's medical ninjutsu skills are also something to consider. Maybe Gaara gets injured and she has to use her skills to heal him, which leads to a deeper emotional connection between them as they talk during the healing process.
Well, Naruto could be depicted as being similar to Gaara in their inner strength. Gaara was always strong on the outside but had a fragile heart. Naruto, in this fanfiction, may share that same duality. Maybe he shows Gaara that having a strong will doesn't mean suppressing emotions. He could be the one to show Gaara that it's okay to let others in, since Naruto is always about making friends and bringing out the best in people.
It could lead to interesting character developments and storylines. Maybe her personality would be slightly different, and her interactions with other characters would have a new dynamic.
In this fanfiction, their relationship could develop through shared experiences. For example, they could take on a mission together to protect the village. During this mission, they would have to rely on each other's strengths. Gaara's powerful sand abilities and Matsuri's combat skills would make them a formidable team. This shared experience would deepen their bond and make them realize how much they mean to each other.
It could be the influence of a powerful enemy or a dark power. Suppose there is an enemy who has the ability to manipulate emotions or a dark power that corrupts Naruto's mind. This could lead him to change his personality and become more like Gaara. For example, if the enemy makes Naruto feel alone and unloved, he may start to develop the same cold and distant behavior that Gaara once had.
The relationship between them could be one of transformation. Naruto, with his positive influence, could help Gaara to change for the better. And in return, Gaara's own growth might inspire Naruto to further develop his own character. They may become close allies, always having each other's backs. Their relationship might also be a bit competitive in a friendly way, pushing each other to be better shinobi while still maintaining a strong emotional connection.