Sarada bolted from tree to tree, the darkness of the night being the least bit of her worries. She didn't stop even when an angry owl swished past her, narrowly missing her eyes, nor when the branch she landed on almost gave away under her weight, causing her to fall nearly to her death. Nothing else mattered. She knew she had entered the Nara territory when the grass had turned a little greener, as if it was being taken care of really well. The canopy was thicker here, the moonlight illuminating the forest in thin beams, as sharp as a javelin. She heard a rustle of leaves behind her and she knew she had set off the alarm. The Nara clan had an guarding herd of trained deer that slept through the day and notified the night guard about the intruder's location, number, etc. by shaking the branches of different kinds of trees in distinctive patterns. She knew she would get caught but she also had about five minutes, which was enough. She increased her pace and soon enough, the Nara Clan Headquarters came into views. She had used some of her chakra to heighten her hearing senses before, and she could hear the branches creak lightly, under the weight of someone landing on it.

She knew her time had run into seconds.

It didn't matter. She was here. She pushed a stray branch away and sure enough, she could see Shikadai in his room. Her eyes flashed red and his position became clearer. The moonlight shone on his form with a diffused glow, showing a calm shikadai sleeping with his hands above his head, without a care in the world.

Her anxiety calmed. She heaved out a sigh and told the guard who she knew was standing a mere foot behind her, "I have no intention to harm. I just had to make sure he is okay. I ll go away now."

The guard ducked under a branch and came to stand beside her, his face lit by moonlight, " it's still creepy to stare at someone while they sleep." Crap, thought Sarada, just my luck. It was just any night guard, but the Clan head himself. "Shikamaru-sama", she breathed, not really knowing what she could say to make this situation any less awkward. "you do realize that Hinata would've figured out your absence by now, don't you?", drawled Shikamaru in a sleepy voice, but she knew better. She kept quiet as he settled into a branch near her. "So, tell me. Why are you here? You're lucky Temari is on the other side. Her tessen would've hit you before she could see who you are", said Shikamaru.

Her excuse seemed idiotic even her mind as she said it, but nevertheless, she told him. "I had a bad dream. Shika was hurt and I wanted to see if he was alright."

He gave her a good long look as she fiddled with her thumbs, never looking up at him once. She is really a child, thought Shikamaru as he realized how fast she had to grow up, with her father not being around or her mother's temper tantrums. She may try to act all tough, but even she has nightmares like every other kid and she is yet to realize it is normal. He shook his head, chuckling, and saked her " and are you sre that he s okay now?" after getting a meek nod from he, her took her hand, " come on, Uchiha. Lets get you home".


He returned an hour later, to where Temari was and recounted the tale. Hinata had thrown a right tantrum but as soon as she sensed Sarada, she collapsed crying happy tears and hugged the little girl so hard before thanking Shikamaru and sending him on his way. Temari had listened to the entire story intently ,a knowing smile lifting her lips as she said," Shika,huh? Hey crybaby, does Nara Sarada sound weird to you?"

Shikamaru only smirked and looked back in the direction of his house. He didn't turn to face her as he told her," No. No, I don't."

And thus began the story of Uchiha Sarada and Nara Shikadai.