So here's the beginning of part 2. Enjoy the read. Reviews are welcomed!
Chapter 1: Just Starting to Get Complicated
"You sure you're feeling well enough to go back home? We could've stayed back a longer.
"Nah I'm fine. Kurenai, Asuma, and Kakashi went back a week ago. I can't keep them worried much longer."
"So, how's your life in the village. I've heard rumors you're not blackops anymore."
"My attacks are too noticeable to not recognize. I mean, do you know anyone else who uses white fire?"
"Guess you're right. Good to know you're not an emotionless girl anymore."
"Konoha doesn't have that sort of people, so it's impossible to be emotionless."
"True. Hey look the gate's up ahead."
"Finally. Not that I don't like the Suna, I just miss the humid heat Konoha offers."
"Haha. Fair enough I guess. So how are preparations for the next exam?"
"We should be finishing up with your information. All the great nations will participate. Relations have improved, though there's still some hostility."
"There always will be. But you and Shikamaru have done some amazing things to improve relations."
"Please he does all the planning. I just execute the plans and convince other villages to agree to them. Maru says I can be 'very persuasive.'"
"He has a point. I've also heard there's something going on between the two of you. Are the rumors true? That you two are undeniable in love but deny it.
"As far as I know, there's nothing going on between us. We're just really good friends."
"You don't sleep over a man's house unless there's something going on."
"He sleeps over mine. And we don't do anything other than talk. Besides, sleep overs are only if it's too late in the night to go home."
"Even best friends don't have such rules between each other. I'm sure your brother's don't like that."
"Like I care."
Himai and Temari were coming up to the gate. At the gate was a familiar spikey pony tailed young man with a smirk and his hands in his pockets. His smirk got smaller as he saw Himai' left leg wrapped. He ran up to her.
"You sure you're good enough to walk Mai? You could've stayed longer."
"I'm fine."
"Troublesome woman. Kurenai said the bandits sprained your ankle."
"A sprained ankle doesn't mean I'm disabled Maru."
"Troublesome woman. You should have Sakura Look at it."
"If it makes you stop your crying yes let's go to her. Let's get Temari to Tsunade and we can go find Sakura after. Temari you know how to get to my house right?"
"It's the only place I say at when I come here because your mother insists on it." Temari deadpanned.
"Then let's get going." Shikamaru said. He picked up Himai and set her on his back.
"I can walk you know."
"If Sakura sees you walking when we go to her she'll chew me out on it. It's a drag but this ensures my safety."
"Believe what you want. Rat."
"Troublesome."
Temari felt like a third wheel. It was so plainly obvious what was going on with these two. They were just so hard headed they didn't want to admit it.
Himai had been in the village for a year and two months now. She took missions that were usually diplomatic with other nations or espionage and elimination. Sometimes she still took on ANBU missions, but on rare occasions. She'd go on missions usually with a group which she'd lead.
At the beginning, her family was reserved from her when she'd lost the connection to the dragons, they got used to it. Hiryuu finally got married and was training to take over. Higami and Jino were still going strong, although Himai suspected they were hiding something. Shinshuku and Himai fought more, but also got along better. Higihen and Higiman were getting ready to leave the village. They'd been asked to join the 12 shinobi guard. Akarui was teaching at the academy. She loved teaching little kids. Hikougi and her parents were writing everything that had happened in the family history. Hikougi was very happy of the outcome.
Since Himai was never in a formal squad, she'd sometimes join the others in trainings. Now that everyone, including Hinata, made Chunin, the teams were no more, but they still got together every so often. Since Kakashi's team was on hiatus, she'd spar with him, if he'd show up in time. The gang had a once a month reunion to talk and see how everyone was.
Himai mastered her staff. Although it didn't have a sharp end, it was as Saikijuuou said, 'sharper than a sword.' Her attacks would leave claw marks. She accepted her new strength. However, no longer having a dragon partner, she only furthered her training with elemental jutsu, but kept all the jutsu she had learned when she had Ju.
Himai had three problems in her life. One was Tsunade making her in charge of all exams in the village. This wouldn't be a problem if it were one exam. But Himai was in charge of every ranked examination in existence like the academy graduation, genin team exam, chunin, jonin, ANBU, interrogation, medical ninja, cypher core, and so on. She didn't administer them, she just had to make them and review those that passed.
Second was the elders. Himai didn't know the meaning of self-restraint or respect for village elders. They clashed. Since Himai was good with words, she'd convince the council to believe in all her opinions. Danzo especially didn't like her because aside from the fact that she was not acquired for ROOT, she'd always shoot down specifically his opinions.
Third, and possibly most conflicting, was her love life. Since more people knew he now and she'd always accompanied in missions, there were many suitors Himai rejected almost daily. Shikamaru made a game of it, him being the biggest problem of all.
The rumors never stopped. Himai's parent expressed their wished for them to be true. People joked asking when they'd 'come out of the shadows.' They just replied that nothing was going on, but for Shikamaru, that was a lie. He didn't know what Himai thought of him. He knew they were close, but he didn't know if asking her out would ruin their friendship. Ino said to try it because Himai was obviously in denial. Choji approved of the idea. Shikamaru just didn't have the guts to say anything.
They reached the Hokage tower. Himai dropped off her mission report along with reports of all the other exams about to happen and they went on their way to the hospital, leaving Temari in the office.
Sakura was infuriated with Himai.
"You HAD to come back when you hadn't finished healing. You couldn't WAIT a while longer?"
"You know this is why I'm no medic and just specialize in poisons."
"Let this be the last time this happens, otherwise, I'll make you WISH your body never recovers."
"I can't make any promises."
Sakura sighed. "Just lessen the walking. No missions for a week. Come back when the week is done."
"Fine."
"Oh, don't forget we're all getting together later at the barbecue place."
"I thought that was supposed to be last week." Himai asked.
"Yeah but you weren't here, so we postponed it to today." Shikamaru answered.
"Bye you two. See you tonight. Hope you two didn't have a date planned."
"What a drag."
"I'm not even gonna try."
They walked out of the hospital, careful so Himai wouldn't do anything reckless.
"So how was it at Suna?"
"Dry. I missed Konoha's Humidity. Gaara and Kankuro were happy. I hadn't seen the in a while. Gaara's not so distant anymore."
"Sounds like it went well."
"What about you?"
"While you were gone Tsunade had me taking care of all your work. How you do it is beyond me."
"That's why I've asked Tsunade for extra help but apparently she's so backed up on work that's the least of her problems."
"The chunin exams are coming up so I'll be able to help you out after that how does that sound?"
"Like a gift from above. Thanks Maru."
"So I'll drop you off and pick you up later right?"
"Sounds good. I have to shower anyways."
They went home and got ready. Temari was home when Himai got there. Temari didn't want to go out so she told her to let everyone know she was back. Shikamaru was at her house earlier than usual.
"Temari's not coming?"
"She's too tired."
"Guess it's just you any me then. Let's go." Shikamaru linked arms with Himai. These were normal things they did with each other, so Himai never found it weird.
"What? Back hurt too much to carry me?"
"No, just figured you'd prefer this method of walking."
"You figured right. So how much have the rumors escalated."
"We sneak off at night to take romantic strolls under the moonlight."
"I'm starting to think we should do what the rumors say. That way people tell the truth instead of lie."
"Haha you think?"
"Sure. Could be fun."
"As long as you don't nag about it later I'm down."
"I don't nag I complain. I'm not your mother."
"No, you just act like it."
"And you're like my father Mr. go-change-that-outfit."
"Men look at you with hungry eyes."
"Let them look it's not like I'm interested in them. Besides, I don't try provoking anyone."
"Not intentionally maybe."
"What's so wrong with wearing black shorts and a white half sleeves shirt with my usual sandals?"
"Nothing but you haven't seen the looks you get. You've never seen Kiba stare."
"Next time take a picture and show me, maybe then I'll change my attire."
Shikamaru was irritated. It was times like these that he thought of just telling her. But fear always stopped him. They arrived at the barbecue place and everyone was already there.
"Hey look the couple arrived together." Ino said.
"We left you two seats together girlie." Kiba said patting at one of the places for her to sit next to him. She was about to sit there when Shikamaru unnoticeable and forcefully sat next to Kiba so Himai could sit next to Tenten.
"Now that everyone's here we can chow down!" Yelled Choji. Everyone began eating.
"So how was the mission? You're not too hurt right?" Tenten asked
"Nah I'm fine. Just a sprain. Sakura looked at it in chewed me out though."
The two laughed and Ino asked a question.
"So how did you take spending an extra week away from Shikamaru?"
"I took it well Ino. I got to get so much work done." She responded.
"Damn Shikamaru what do you do to girlie to keep her from working." Joked Kiba.
"Shut up Kiba. You're so annoying."
"Aw come on just say it already. Everyone knows."
"Knows what Kiba?" Himai asked innocently.
"Well Shikamaru has an announcement to make." Replied Kiba patting Shikamaru on the back. Shikamaru wanted to kill him at the moment. This was a really awkward situation. Everyone was staring and waiting for him to spill.
"What is it Maru?" Himai asked. For a genius, his mind was blanking out at the moment.
"Well uh, according to reports, Naruto is supposed to be coming back soon?"
"Really?" Hinata asked.
"Yes! Apparently he's finished training with Lord Jiraiya. He should be coming in about a week or so."
"That is very exciting news. I cannot wait to see how much he has improved." Lee said enthusiastically.
'That was a close one.' Shikamaru thought.
"So I'll finally be able to meet this Naruto everyone's been talking about? What's he like?" Himai asked.
"It's better for you to meet him than us tell you. Besides, he's been gone for 2 ½ years. Who knows how much he's changed?"
"Well he better not be another Ino."
"No, he's worse. He's scream out anything at the moment he's told. At least Ino waits a bit and whispers it to people." Shino said.
"Yeah but that's not what you were really gonna say Shikamaru. Go on, spill." Kiba tried again.
"Yea you're among friends, go on." Tenten encouraged.
"What if Maru doesn't want to say anything?"
"Oh but you'll want to know what it is girlie since it's about you."
"Kiba shut your mouth!" Shikamaru warned.
"Is it bad?"
"Not at all. In fact it's pretty good." Ino said.
"Does everyone here know about it?" Himai was getting curious.
"Yes." Everyone replied in unison.
"Why don't I know about it Maru?"
"It's because-"
"H-he wanted to tell you that he's going to officially be working with you in your work ad an exam supervisor. Tsunade appointed him last week." Hinata intervened.
"But he told me he'd be helping me after the Chunin exams. And he already offered."
"He didn't want to make it seem like it was an assigned mission."
"That's so nice of you Maru." Himai said sincerely. Shikamaru didn't know if to thank Hinata for saving his ass, or yell because she gave him more work to do. He didn't think this would be a permanent arrangement. Kiba stopped trying to force it out of Shikamaru and the rest of the evening was full of laughter and conversation. Shikamaru and Himai linked arms and started heading back. On their way, Himai questioned what happened.
"Hey Maru?"
"Hm?"
"You wouldn't lie to me right?"
"Of course not. Why?"
"…I know Kiba. What you said at dinner, wasn't what he referred to, was it?"
He would kill Kiba the next opportunity he got. "No, it wasn't."
"Is it something serious?"
"I guess so, but it's not bad I think."
"But you won't tell me, or rather, don't want to tell me."
"I won't tell you now, but I will soon. Promise."
"Alright. But you know I won't hurt you right."
"Physically or emotionally."
"Emotionally silly."
"…You say that now, but what I have to say might change that."
"Why?"
"You'll see. Just be patient."
"Fine." You're coming over tomorrow right?"
"Yeah. I have to take Temari to do her ambassador stuff and I'll be there for dinner. You need to stay put and not walk much."
"Seriously?!"
"I'm not going to get chewed out by Sakura."
Himai sighed. "You win this time."
Shikamaru smiled at her. She had too much energy for her own good. He walked her to the front of her house.
"See you tomorrow then."
"Later Maru." Himai entered her house ad was greeted by everyone. She walked to the guest room where Temari was. She was reading a book. Himai threw herself on the bed face first.
"Hey what's wrong? You okay?" Temari asked.
"I'll admit to you I'm confused."
"About?"
Himai moved her head so Temari could see her face. "What we were talking about."
"You said there was nothing going on."
"You asked about the pair of us. You never asked about me specifically."
"And?"
"I don't know what I think."
"Why don't you tell him?"
"Because according to him I act like his mother and last I checked he's not into that."
"You know what they say. Men go for women who are just like their mothers."
"I think we found an exception to that. His name is Shikamaru."