Charming the Desert Rose
Chapter 2
By: Wind Sage 00
(Note: I do not own Naruto, its characters or anything of the sort. This is just a Fanfiction)
The morning sun shifted across the sky and held itself aloft in the heavens above Konoha, bathing the village in its brilliant light. Just a year ago, Shikamaru was nothing more than an aide to the Hokage; then, he became her Chief Tactician. As such he had greatly improved the defenses of the village, as well as its mobilization around the region. His reputation soon spread to other neighboring countries, and he quickly became immersed in the world of foreign affairs. He sat as the mediator of many treaties and trade negotiations; no wonder Tsunade appointed him as Foreign Advisor, the office long held by Danzo-sama. She had long been looking to replace him and Shikamaru knew it; however, this had not gone over well with the Village Elders or Danzo. Shikamaru had wondered for a long time how the old hawk was going to take the news…and now he knew.
Shikamaru wasn't a fool…although he looked forward for the chance to take the office of Konoha's Ambassador to Sunagakure; he understood what it really meant. This was Tsunade's way of smoothing things over with the Village Elders by giving Danzo his old job back, and sending Shikamaru to another village to gain experience…and keep him safe from Danzo.
"Regardless, I have to admit…Hokage-sama is a bright one at that. Not only did she manipulate the Elders like she did; she even got me a job in Sunagakure. I'll have to thank her for that one day."
Shikamaru continued to pack his belongings but was soon interupted as a force gripped him from behind and nearly choked the life out of him.
"Oh my baby! He's leaving me already! My baby boy is going off to some god forsaken desert and leaving me forever!"
"Agh, Mom! Mom quit it already will ya?", said Shikamaru between gasps for air.
"That's enough already woman, you're going to kill the kid at this rate. Besides, he isn't your baby boy anymore. He's a man of the Nara Clan and he's going to make us proud."
Shikamaru's mother released her son and quickly tried to dry her tears with a tissue. Shikamaru looked up at the image of his father calmly and cooly leaning in the doorway of his room. He nodded his head to his father and turned to give his mother a hug goodbye. He grabbed his bag and exited near his father.
"I'm the one that should be crying and not your mother…You're not the one that has to be left alone with her now all the time…Take care Shikamaru."
"Thanks Dad."
With that, Shikamaru walked out of his room and out of his house. His parents went to the door and watched as their son set off on a new life journey.
END OF CHAPTER 2