One great 'Female Naruto Shikamaru AU' fanfiction is 'The New Path'. In this story, the female Naruto has a completely different dynamic with Shikamaru. It explores how their relationship might develop in an alternate universe where Naruto is female. The characterizations are really well - done, staying true to the original personalities while also adding new twists due to the gender change.
He could meet an AU version of Hinata who is more assertive and outgoing. Maybe she's a powerful ninja in her own right and not as shy as in the original story.
He might be shocked. In the fanfic, if he sees things like his friends' future achievements or the new threats that emerge, it would surely startle him. For example, if he discovers that one of his friends has a family of their own and has become a great leader in the village, he would be proud but also a bit surprised at how much has changed.
With his usual determination. Naruto has always been one to face difficulties head - on. So, even if he's shocked by what he sees in the fanfic's future, he'll likely try to find solutions immediately.
One possibility is that Naruto enters an AU where chakra doesn't exist. Instead, there are other forms of power. He would have to learn how to use this new power from scratch. Also, the relationships between different ninja clans could be very different. Naruto might end up making new alliances and enemies based on this new dynamic. This could be a great opportunity for character development as he faces challenges that are completely different from what he's used to in his original world.
Naruto could be a tech geek in a modern AU, working on the latest software developments. Hinata might be a fashion designer. They could meet at a tech - fashion event where Naruto is presenting some new wearable tech and Hinata is looking for inspiration for her new collection. Their relationship would be a blend of two different worlds, with Naruto being amazed by Hinata's creativity in fashion and Hinata being interested in Naruto's technological prowess.
Well, one possibility is that the 'new' Naruto, who is actually the original Naruto in a different role, could change the course of events in the Hidden Leaf Village. Maybe he would approach missions and training in a completely new way, leading to different power-ups and relationships with his comrades.
In a 'naruto is in a au harem fanfic', aside from the obvious choices like Sakura and Hinata, characters like Temari could be in Naruto's harem. She's from another village and has a strong personality. Her presence would bring in an element of cross - village relations. Karui is also a possibility. She's feisty and has her own set of skills. And then there's Kurenai, the jonin. She could be an interesting addition to the harem, with her experience and calm demeanor.
Another thing that makes these fanfictions unique is the exploration of how other characters react to a female Naruto. In the original, they are used to Naruto as a male. But now, with the gender change, some characters might treat her differently. This can affect how Shikamaru and Naruto interact not only with each other but also with the rest of the cast. It also gives room for new sub - plots and character developments that are centered around this change, making the fanfictions really interesting to read.