A/N: Chapter two! Yay! I hope you enjoy this one, please follow/favourite it if you do, all reviews are really really REALLY appreciated, as is criticism and recommendations. Also, SaltyCandy, yes, there are more twists to come!
Please enjoy this chapter and give me any feedback I you like!
When the Demons Call part 2
"Ah, Shikamaru, how was Lord Yashamaru?"
"Fine. He wants me to come back tomorrow."
"Excellent!" Yoshino exclaimed, "This will be helpful to us. It would be splendid if your father could be better trusted by the elders."
Shikamaru nodded and headed to his room, closing the door behind him and feeling slightly comforted by the habitual creak that sounded as the rusted hinges protested against being closed.
He shut his eyes and buried his head into his pillow, replaying Yashamaru's words in his head.
OooooooooO
"Y-you what?"
"Kill them. My niece and two nephews."
Shikamaru stared at the man.
"Why?"
"They are a threat to the village. Their parents took people from the village to experiment their witchcraft on them, who's to say that the children won't do the same? Especially the demon host."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because, Nara-Kun, I need your help."
"I want to live my life without blood on my hands, my lord. I do not wish to kill anyone."
"You will not do the killing. I need only know their location and if they are armed. I will commit the crime."
Shikamaru gulped. He had a bad feeling about this.
"I'm sorry my lord but I must refuse. I don't think I am capable of performing this task."
"But you will. You have no choice, I'm afraid,"
Shikamaru stared at him.
"What do you mean, my lord?"
"Your father seeks the acceptance of the village elders, am I correct?"
The look in Shikamaru's eyes was enough to confirm the truth in his words.
"What if I were to say some... Troubling things about him. What would happen then?"
Shikamaru started panicking. He knew where this was going.
"So you will help me?"
Yashamaru proposed the ultimatum as one may propose a cup of tea.
Shikamaru had no real choice, he owed the world to his family.
"Yes, my lord. Of course."
OooooooooO
"Here you are, Shikamaru," Yoshino handed her son a basket and beamed at him. She was so glad that things were looking well for the family.
With any luck, her husband would be given a higher status.
She was so proud that a village elder had taken a liking to her son.
OooooooooO
Shikamaru knocked on the cottage door, his basket was heavier this time than it had been the day before.
"Nara-Kun?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Come in."
Shikamaru opened the door and walked into the cottage and closed the door behind him.
"Come," Yashamaru motioned for Shikamaru to approach the table.
"I will give you three days to find their location. After this, I wish for you to see what weapons they use, if any. You are free to use any methods you deem necessary. I hope to receive a full report in a week."
Shikamaru nodded.
"Very well. What do they look like, might I ask?"
"The youngest, the demon host, has red hair and a tattoo on his forehead. The middle child, a boy once more, wears war paint on his face. Possibly to conceal his features, since he takes after his father in looks. The eldest child is a girl. She is blonde, and wears her hair in a strange style. Four bunches, from what I last remember."
Shikamaru nodded and left the cottage. In his hand, he held a large roll of red yarn, which he tied to the tree closest to the small cottage.
He set out on the hunt for the three children.
OooooooooO
The first day of his search was fruitless. Shikamaru returned to the first tree by following the red thread after six hours searching and promised to return earlier the next day, so that he could search for longer.
The sun was already fairly low in the sky and he didn't want his mother to worry for him, so he set off for home in hopes that he would be back before nightfall.
As he walked, he realised that the path he was taking would lead him home in four hours. He thought that straying from the path just a little bit wouldn't hurt, he'd been off the path all day during his search, had he not?
At the next turn in the path, he continued straight, taking a large branch in his hand to push aside the undergrowth.
He heard a creaking noise beneath his foot and lifted it up slightly to see what had made the sound. Just as his foot broke contact with the ground, a large net fell from the tree above and held him to the ground.
The net was made of thick heavy rope, and Shikamaru scrambled on all fours, trying desperately to get out from under it. The dead holly leaves and sharp tree roots dug into him as he pushed himself toward the edge of the net.
He was relieved when he got to the end of the net and threw it over his head.
"Dude, why are you off the path?"
Shikamaru started.
He spun around and found himself face to face with a hooded man. Or boy. It was hard to tell beneath all the paint that covered his face... Wait...
"Are you mute or something?"
"Ah, um n-no. I was just in a...rush."
The hooded boy (man?) nodded.
"You should be careful," he said, offering a hand to Shikamaru to help him up. "They say there are wolves."
"So why are you off the path?" Shikamaru couldn't help hut ask. He had a feeling thus was the middle child he'd been searching for.
The boy shrugged.
"Hunting. Gotta eat, y'know?"
Shikamaru nodded.
"Anyways," he continued. "You should be on your way, nice talking to you. Please stay on the path!"
Shikamaru frowned and turned to make for the path when he heard a yell from behind him.
"KANKURŌ YOU BRAINLESS BOAR, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THAT?!"
Shikamaru spun around as a blonde woman who wore four pigtails stormed over to the hooded boy.
"S-sis, I'm sorry, it was an accident!"
"ACCIDENT?!" The woman shrieked, "YOU COULD HAVE KILLED THE MAN!"
"It's no problem, really!" Shikamaru began, standing awkwardly to the side.
"YOU!" The blonde continued, rounding on Shikamaru who instantly regretted speaking up. "YOU SHOULD BE ON THE PATH!"
Shikamaru was confused, maybe these weren't the witch children. They didn't seem to want to abduct him or take his soul or anything...
The blonde turned her attention back to the boy named Kankurō.
"You have to be more careful where you lay your hunting traps, idiot!" She snapped, "The villagers are going to think we're trying to kidnap and kill them!"
"I'm sorry, okay?"
The woman sighed and turned back to Shikamaru, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"I'm extremely sorry for my brother's lack of intelligence, and I hope you will forgive him for his complete stupidity. He's not the best when it comes to hunting."
Shikamaru shook his head.
"It's honestly fine, please don't concern yourself over this, no harm was caused."
She nodded and held out her hand to him.
"My name is Temari, it is a pleasure to meet you..."
"Nara, Shikamaru Nara."
"Nara, you're from the village, I expect?"
He nodded.
"Well, have a nice day, and please keep to the path, lest my brother's malfunctioning hunting traps cause any harm. Again," she added, glaring at her brother.
Shikamaru laughed and bid them good day, and continued on his way.
He made a mental note to himself that he should find the same spot the next day and search for where they live.
He had a job to do after all.
