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Long and hard winter passed Konoha, but today at last there was no rain, no snow, alas, not a tiny little cloud lingered in the sky. Konoha bathed in sunshine, and it has warmth too. On the main square every bench was taken, and the pedestal of the statues, and the stone steps were also occupied by smaller or larger groups of citizens. They were sitting, standing, conversing with each other, on the grass children were playing tag. The trees were already in bud, everyone felt: spring is here.
Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage sit on a bench enjoying the early springtime, bathing her face in the warm sunlight, observing her people. Suddenly an anxious feeling got her, fear, that this peacful time will be ruined by some evil thing. Konoha was still threatened by Orochimaru, and Akatsuki too. Everything became harder ather the death of the Third. Her premonition seamed to be justified, when suddenly an Anbu appeared before her, respectfully bowing his head.
„Hokage sama."
„Hai?"
„A messenger from Sunagakure is approaching"
„Direct him here."
„Hai!" The Anbu disappeared for a few minutes, and the he arrived with a tall, blond kunoichi, who carried a large, closed fan on her back.
„Hokage sama" bowed Temari.
„Temari!" brightened up the face of the Fith. She liked the young chuunin very much. The girl was bright, and strong and at the same time she has a very jolly nature. It was always a source of joy for Tsunade to observe Temari teasing Shikamaru, who became her constant escort whenever she came to Konoha.
But now she ware unusually serious, even dark face. Tsunade's bad feeling returned immediately. She looked at her questioningly.
„With your leave: I brought a letter from the Kazekage sama." Said Temari, and with an uncharacteristic formality kneeled down before Tsunade, and hand the letter to her, with her head bowed down.
„Thak you" said Tsunade, taking the roll. Temari stayed on her knees.
„If it isn't problem, I wait, until you read it, Hokage sama"
„Very well, but please, stand up."
By this time, many onlooker picked up that something was wrong. Those, who know the girl well enough recognised the odd situation, mostly some chuunin and jonin present.
Shikamaru was sitting on the back-rest of a nearby bench with some of his friends, and Asuma sensei. He was on duty as the assistant of the Hokage, but he was hoping, that he won't have too much job today. Of course, the moment he saw Temari, he knew, his hopes wore in vain. Whenever the Kazekage's sister came to Konoha Shikamaru was the one accompanying her, so in the last years he get to know her quite well. Now he instantly felt that something wasn't good.
„Something happened" said to Asuma, who nodded in agreement. Shikamaru scrambled to his feet. „I better go, I might be needed."
Tsunade felt as some great coldness began to grow in her chest reading the letter. When she finshed, she looked at Teamari questioningly:
„Is this sure?"asked.
„Unfortunalely yes. I saw it myself, and the Kazekage too." nodded she.
Shikamaru begun to feel realy anxious. By this time, he was standing next to them, saw the Hokage's face turning white, and heard what they said.
Tsunade flopped down the bench as suddenly her age would weigh her shoulders. She elbowed on her legs, bending foreward, closing her eyes, and hanging her head low. For about a minute she was silent, but Shikamaru saw a teardrop falling from her eyes.
„Shikamaru" said her quietly at last. By this time most of the people on the spuare were watching. The soft buzz stopped, everybody was watching Tsunade, and in every head the question rang: what on earth could've happened?
Shikamaru stepped beside the Fifth, and then suddenly feeling like he too have to act formally, kneeled before her.
„Hokage sama?" Tsunade didn't respond. Shikamaru just opened his mouth to adress her again when she spoke, without raising her head:
„Get Neji and Lee. They are to report to me along with you as soon possible." For this Lee, who was sitting on a nearby step bumped up.
„I'm here, Hokage sama!"cried in his usual manner, and in an instant, he was beside them.
„Neji oniisan is at home, I get him immmediately." Said Hinata, who were beside Asuma till now. She turned on her heels, and rushed toward the Hyuuga compound. In less than five minutes the two Hyuuga were back. The young chuunin hurried beside Shikamaru and Lee, and said:
„You called me, Holage sama." Tsunade raised her head a bit.
„Shikamaru"
„Hai!"
„You, Neji and Lee, along with two squad of Anbu escort Temari san back to Sunagakure."
„Hai" Shikamaru threw a questioning glance towards Temari, but he girl avoided his eyes. The Fifth handed the letter to Shikamaru.
„Read it, you will know from it, what will be your job."
Shikamaru read the letter quickly. His friends saw with growing concern as he paled wisibly. When he finished, he bent his head for a few seconds, than gave the letter back to Tsunade with a big sigh.
„Got it. We leave at once." And with that they left, followed by the worried looks of the people.
