The rest of the day he spend rather as usual. He told Naruto about the mission who just answered 'That's going to be fun! Dattebayo!' and started packing his stuff. Nothing interesting.
Shikamaru just finished feeding the deers when the letter from Tsunade came. He took it from the currier and lied himself down on a hill next to his house. He started reading:

'Shikamaru,

I'm sending you the plan for the whole trip and I'm reminding you that it starts tomorrow
at 9 a.m. at the main gate. Please don't be late. Good luck.

Godaime Hokage'

He took the other sheet of paper out of the envelope. The plan looked like this:

Day1: 9 A.M. –transmission of the prisoner. Start of the journey to Sunagakure.
'Sunagakure? It's been a really long time now since I've been there for the last time. I'm wondering if it changed.' He was lying to himself. He didn't want to know if IT changed, but if SHE did. The last time they met was when she, as the ambassador, visited Konoha. She grew up a lot, she has changed. For the better of course. 'But how does she looked like now? Does she still wear those four ponytails? ' He caught himself at thinking of her. ' Baka!' He whispered to himself and continued reading.

Day4-5 (depending on the frequency of breaks): Arrival at Sunagakure. Stop there for 2-3 days to clear the documentation and get the recommendation letter from the Kazekage to travel save through Takigakure no Sato.

'2-3 days? That's quite long. Maybe there will be a occasion…' He cut of his own thought willing to hit himself. ' Baka! Baka! You will be on a mission! There will be no place for private stuff.' He sighted deeply. 'What did that woman do to you? You're being obsessed with her since a quite long time now Shikamaru! …..and damn…..You're missing her view. Father was right! Women are seriously troublesome.'

After leaving Sunagakure travel to Takigakure. Try not to stay there too long, that climate is not conducive. After that go straight to Yugakure, stay till the end of the process and leave.

When you come back I want you to give me a ready report form the whole trip.
In case of any problems send me a messenger eagle.

'Tsunade-sama I hope we won't have any trouble. I can't imagine solving problems with that vulgar jerk .That's absolutely going to be troublesome! '

The next morning a very sleepy young man was leaning against the village gate. He looked at his watch- " 9:03" . 'They're late.' He grimaced but then saw a blonde with a huge backpack on his back running towards him.
'Shikamaru! Shikamaru! I'm sorry for being late! I couldn't find my favorite pair of socks! ' Naruto shouted being on the half way to him. Shikamaru only shook his head with embarrassment. 'Sometimes I'm really wondering why I am friends with that guy' He sighted.
'Troublesome…no problem. They aren't here anyway. '
' No? oh…well they are late! Dattebayo! ' He shouted in indignation.
'Yea…troublesome…'
Suddenly some voices could be heard from behind the street corner.
' Fuck you! I'm not going faster! It's your fucking problem that you left too late! My
Jashin-sama!'
' Prisoner! We're reminding you of your language! Go faster!'
'Reminding me of my language?! I can fucking talk the way I find it as proper ! What do you wimps wannna do to me!? Kill me?! I'm fucking immortal and I'm already convicted! You idiots can do nothing to me! ' He laughed hysterically.
'Ughmm…God, I'm so lucky to get rid of you, really! I'm just sorry for that poor guy who will have to handle with you all the way! '
They showed up, two guards and HIM in handcuffs without his scythe. To see that he hadn't changed a bit and no scar was visible on his as usual naked chest made shivers run down Shikamaru's spine. He was carefully watching his face, every little expression, every little move he made on the way towards them. Indescribable anger fulfilled him. He felt himself going red all over the face, and clenched his firsts.
Now they were staying face to face. Hidan immediately recognized him.
'Wow! Princess! You're the one who blow me up!' He laughed loudly. 'You're going to be my guide?! What you gonna do now? Push me down the cliff?' He was still laughing. 'That's fucking hilarious that they have chosen you to do this job! They must really hate you here! Why so red sleeping beauty? Are you blushing because of me?'
One of the guards couldn't hear that horrible laughter anymore and hit his head. He didn't even react just continued laughing.
' I'm sorry for him. He's just an annoying ass. And what's worse my friends, now he's your annoying ass.' One of the guards spoke and sighted.
' Thank you. We will go then. I'm not keen on spending any minute longer than I have to, with that person. ' Shikamaru spoke calmly, while Naruto was shocked looking at the still grinning silver-haired man.
'Sure, have a nice journey though.' The other guard spoke with a ironic smile.
'We will, thank you.' He went forward and just threw Naruto a: ' Go behind that laughing Jackass.' Naruto nodded a bit scared.

They started they journey. Hidan was saying some stupid text from time to time, but no one seemed to pay attention to them after some time. They were walking, just walking.
'Gezzz! How boring is that!' Shikamaru yawed, when suddenly Hidan came closer so that they were walking at one level. Shika just looked with the corner of the eye at him and frowned his forehead.
'What are you planning bastard? '
'Why so harsh? Am I'm saying something? No, I'm not! So what's you fucking problem?! Can a detainee not even walk where he wants to!?'
'No as long as he is a detainee or rather that kind of fucktard.'
' Pfff Jashin-sama! What's your problem buddy?! I'm trying to be nice here and show you my good sides and you're pulling me down in the mud! Seriously! Are you still mad about killing that sensei of yours? Grow up kid and get over it!'
'Get over it?! You killed my best friend, my mentor who was like a father for me!' He felt that feeling of rage overwhelming him . Naruto stayed unusual quite, he seemed a bit scared of Hidan.
'Yeah…just get over it…I don't see your problem bro..' The Akatsuki member shook his shoulders and continued walking.
Shikamaru had enough of conversations with that guy, so he just kept silent and didn't complain about being bored anymore.

They stopped for the night and were now sitting around the camp fire. The only thing that kept Shika optimistic was the positive thought that made him also feel nervous. The one that he couldn't wait till he finally saw HER again. In his mind he was painting a picture of her. Her blond hair, that always reminded him of the golden morning sand of Suna. Pinned into four ponytails. Once as he had the occasion to see her with her hair down it took his breath, she looked absolutely charming. He regretted that she wasn't wearing it that way more often. Then there were those deep, often angry looking turquoise eyes. They looked just gorgeous when the light reflected in them making them sparkle. And of course that huge white smile that made him melt. Then he reminded himself of something that made him blush. He remembered too good the incredible curves of her body. That was the first thing he mentioned when they have met again after years. She wasn't skinny like Ino, neither she had the childish body of Sakura. She had transformed into a wonderful woman . He had to admit he felt attracted to her. That made him blush even more.
He suddenly realised that Hidan came close to him , watching him carefully with a smirk. Shika jumped back surprised.
'What are you doing?!'
Hidan laughed, again giving the brunet shivers .' The Jinjuriki was calling you but you were in a world of your own, so I was looking if you are fine. Fucking taking care of you! You should be damn thankful! Why are you blushing like crazy? What were you fantasying about? ' He asked him curious. Naruto came closer to them and looked as well on the face of his friend which has got even more red.
'Hey, are you ok Shika? You're seriously red on the face , are you going to be ill or what? ' Naruto asked worried never seeing his friend like this before.
'Nope Naruto I'm absolutely fine. And I wasn't fantasying ! ' He resented.
'Damn man, you were! Just who was it!? Which hot girl were you undressing?!' Hidan kept pushing on it.
' No one! I want undressing anybody! ' He felt embarrassed.
'Yeah! Oh course! So if you weren't undressing anymore, who were you already rolling in the hay?!' Hidan grinned.
Shikamaru's eyes widened. He heard that expression once but still felt like asking about it. " I did what?!'
' You know, in whose pants were you getting? Or should I say whom were you making love to?' he burst out laughing , and even Naruto couldn't help but smile stupidly.
' Nobodies pants! You pervert! Gezzz! I was just remembering someone. ' He added the last sentence quietly .
' Who? ' Hidan kept asking, and enjoying himself. Naruto looked interested too.
'Come on Shika! Tell us! Dattebayo! ' Naruto pushed it.
' Just a friend I haven't seen for a really long time.' He muttered under his nose.
' A friend? A really hot friend you have a secret crush on?' Hidan raised his eyebrow. Naruto's gaze sticked like glue to Shikamarus lips, waiting impatiently to hear what his friend was about to say. Shikamaru never told him anything about any girl he might have liked, actually Shikamaru never talked to Naruto about women. Actually he didn't do to anyone, expect Asuma.
'So Shika-baby reveal us your little secret. What's her name?' Hidan couldn't wait to hear a name coming out of his mouth.