I don't own anything but the story. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.
Chapter 1: Remembering
"Geez, it's just been mission after mission. When am I gonna be able to relax?" The cloud gazer sighed thinking about it all. Since the village has been targeted, Tsunade has been really pushing me to help out more. It's hard to believe that many rely on me just because I happen to be the smartest as well as skilled with strategy tactics. It's not always about being the smartest. Sometimes you have to be strong and push forward like Naruto or go with instinct and guts like Kiba or Lee. I just don't have that in me. I especially don't have it in me since I'm the last Nara. It's been hard; it's been a year since I lost my parents, and I remember that day too well.
~Flashback~
"I'm here Lady Tsunade. What was so urgent that you needed me to be here so late?" I rubbed my eyes. She stared out the window without turning to me. Shizune looked at me with a depressed look in her eyes. I knew something was up and I was getting worried.
"Lady Tsunade, what's going on?" She slowly turned to me with her head down.
"Shikamaru " I could barely hear her call my name. "I'm so sorry " I looked down to see a scroll in her hand. I looked down not sure what to do.
"What's with the scroll Lady Tsunade?" She laid it on her desk wide open for me to read then she went back to the window and stared out. I moved over to the scroll to get a better look at it.
"Lady Tsunade, I'm sorry to inform you of this but teams 24, 27, 39, 56, 71, 90, 99, 105, 106, 133, and 148 have been wiped out by the enemy. We need to retreat for now. Many of the surviving teams have been greatly injured. We lost two of our shinobi that had most of the information we needed, Shikaku Nara and Yoshino Nara.
The rest of the scroll contained info on the mission; I just couldn't look away from my parents' name. This couldn't be happening. No I've already lost my teacher, my best friend!
I quickly walked to the desk and grabbed the scroll that had my name and unrolled it.
"Shikamaru, we love you very much .No matter what happens, we believe you'll overcome it. We know you'll also overcome yourself. You're father found out about 'you know what' and he accepts you. Just remember who you are, is nothing to ever be ashamed up. You have so many people who care for you. I just wish we could've came back to tell you this ourselves. Your father was right, he told me he had a bad feeling about this mission so we decided to write this before anything bad did happen. We're sorry we won't be coming back today, but one day we'll be together again and until than just be strong and live your life how you want. Besides you're the greatest mind here in the village, I'm sure you'll think of something. We love you with all our hearts.
Love Mom and Dad
P.S. There are some leftovers in the fridge. I heard you have a tough mission coming up so be careful. Again we love you and are always with you! "
I didn't even know that Tsunade walked up to me and when I did she hugged me. I finally grasped the concept of the message and I couldn't help it. I broke down as well as shut down. The scroll my parent's left me in my other hand dropped to the floor. This was all I had left of my parents.
"Shikamaru, I'm sorry." Tsunade held me while I cried.
End of Flashback
"Hey! Shikamaru! What are you doing just laying there?" The blonde asked. "Did you forget you, me and Chouji we're supposed to train today?" I looked back at Ino to see her hand on her hip and the usual glare whenever I or Chouji did something wrong.
"Well, I'm sorry I get sent on troublesome missions constantly. It's not like I get the luxury to relax like most people." It came out snappier than intended. Ino let out a small sigh before taking a seat next to me.
"What's wrong? Shikamaru, we've been friends for a long time. I know we may not be close like you and Chouji, but we're getting there." She smiled a little while following my gaze up to the sky. She was right though we have been getting closer, almost like a sister.
"Nothings wrong just have a lot on my mind I guess." She looked at me with disbelief. She saw right through my empty words.
"It's been a year since you're parent's death huh " The blonde pulled her legs into her chest and stared into the sky. I stayed quiet. I didn't want to reply to that. I don't feel like reliving the past.
"Ino, I-" she cut me off.
She put a hand on my shoulder. "Shikamaru, you're like an older brother to me and I love you. I want you to be able to talk to me if something is on your mind. I won't force you...but know I'm here." She squeezed me shoulder a little bit to reassure me.
"Troublesome." She smiled a bit. I guess it wouldn't kill me to let her in on things. "Yeah it's been one year since I lost my parents. It's been hard to accept that they really are gone and I'm still trying to get over it. I've lost so much already and I don't know what to do. Hell my dad finally found out last year that I was gay and my mom has been so accepting of me she was happy I finally came to terms with it." I look over to see if she was still listening, only to see her staring back with full attention.
"We weren't to sure how dad would handle it so we didn't say anything but than she did the day they died. They wrote me a letter and I was shocked. He was totally fine with it. Asuma even knew and he didn't care. While others who found out shunned me, I had them who were okay with it. Hell, even you accepted me which was weird and " I stopped there I didn't feel like explaining more that was on my mind. She nodded understanding that was all she was going to get from the lazy man.
"You know, we're all getting together later, like we used to when we were younger. Do you want to go, maybe?" I looked over at her to see her staring at me, hoping for me to say yes.
"What the hell, why not." A small smile formed, she changed the subject to get my mind off the more depressing matters.
"Don't think that I'm dropping our conversation just because you're coming though." She winked at me. I lazily looked at her and shrugged.
"Whatever." She giggled a little at that and headed off to help with planning. What am I getting myself into. Whatever it was I didn't have a good feeling about it. I was however looking forward to seeing everyone again. It's been maybe three or four months since I last saw anyone besides Ino or Chouji. I wonder how everyone's been anyway. 'I guess I should head home and get ready. I'm sure someone will get me when it's time.'
Not much changed in this chapter but it's a start. Anyway thank you for reading and hope you all stick around. Hopefully you find the changes nice, for those who already read this. If you're new to this story enjoy the slightly error free story. :)
DZD3
