CHAPTER 1. CHANGES.

The Nara family were sat around their table, enjoying the fish platter Shikaku had prepared. Although he came across as a cold and unbothered man, Shikaku Nara loved seeming his family smile. He could think of nothing more valuable than family and had always taught his children so.
"I'm stuffed" Shikamaru says, placing his chopsticks down onto his plate, mackerel was his favourite and he'd eaten a lot of it.
"Shocker… You've eaten twice as much as me" Arisu teases playfully, laughing at Shika's annoyed expression. Shika wasn't really annoyed though, he couldn't stay mad at Arisu for long. Although he may not like to admit it, Shika loved his big sister; she'd always been there for him.
"..Not at the table, grow up you two!" Yoshino Nara, the mother of the two siblings, scolds.
Shikaku just chuckles, "You'll have plenty of time to grow up...After you wash the dishes" he says, smiling at his children who sigh in unison. Arisu stands up and begins the pile the plates while Shika walks over to the sink and starts running the water.
"Has the Hokage given any hints on missions, Arisu?" Shikaku asks, relaxing back into his chair, "After all, you're a chunin now..."
"Nah… even Kakashi's been off duty for a while, there's just nothing happening." Arisu answers, realising she'd forgotten she was a chunin and looking down to see her green vest, grinning. Shikaku grimaces, unnoticed. He knew why there'd been no new mission lately and it was all because of Arisu, she was being used as a puppet, being put into danger unnecessarily. Why the third had picked his daughter Shikaku didn't know, she was intelligent but so young. Young and innocent to the outside world, he didn't like it one bit.
As if on cue there's a knock on the door, Arisu walks over to answer it. She opens the door and breaks into a grin, "Kakashi-sama, what's up?" she asks, wondering why he'd called at her house. Kakashi wasn't exactly a socialite; he liked to keep himself to himself, so this must be important.
"The third wants to see you..." Kakashi says, standing casually with his hands in his pockets. Kakashi always managed to look bored, no matter how important the situation may be.
"Sure...did he say right now?" Arisu asks, wondering if this was the long awaited mission she'd been pining for.
"Yeah..." Kakashi replies coolly.
Arisu walks back into the house, gesturing for Kakashi to wait.
"Dad…guys, the Hokage wants to see me!" Arisu squeals, unable to harbour her excitement.
Shikaku can't speak; he knew that tonight was probably the last meal his family would eat together for a long time. He stands up and walks over to his daughter, placing his hands on either shoulder, "I knew you'd get a mission sooner or later!" he says pulling Arisu into a bear-tight hug, "Do your family proud"
"I will dad…When I can breathe again." She chokes, laughing when her father releases her. "See ya!" she calls before running out and closing the door behind her.
"This means I have to do the washing up by myself, doesn't it." Shika states before sighing.
Shikaku collapses back into his chair, his eyes glued to the front door, the last place he saw Arisu. She'd grown up so quickly and he knew she'd accept the mission, her determination was unbreakable. He hated not being able to tell his family about the whole situation, even his wife was forbidden to know. At least until Arisu has left Konoha. It was only the fact that Shikaku was head of ANBU that he was allowed to know; otherwise he wouldn't have the foggiest.
Shikaku chuckles, "Well they aren't going clean themselves, are they Shika..." he jokes, comfortable with the thought that Arisu could look after herself on the mission, she'd be fine.