The Darkest Shadow
Chapter Two: Desert Rose and Lilly of the Valley
The sunlight had barely touched the edges of the great buildings of Konoha when Ino got up. She groaned inwardly, cursing Shikamaru and his insistence on early starts. In fact she practically had to drag herself out of bed, and went about her morning routine in a stupor. By the time she was halfway down her street she had wakened enough to appreciate the beauty of the rising sun, tinting everything beneath it in a pinkish glow; she couldn't help but feel hopeful… Perhaps this beauty was a good omen for their mission. Neji had reached the meeting point first; he looked like he'd been there for a while since he appeared to be engrossed in reading a scroll.
"Hey, Neji" she called to him. "What're you doing?"
"Reading up on the Chidori techniques" he replied without looking up. "Uchiha uses them a lot so I figured I should learn how powerful they are"
Oh… Ino hadn't thought of anything like that, perhaps she should have been doing research last night instead of thinking about what she'd say to Sasuke when she met him.
Neji finally looked up at her after finishing what he was reading. She felt rooted to the spot, his pale, unreadable eyes scared her a little and she couldn't help but feel they could see right through her.
"You look nice, I take it you chose your outfit carefully?"
His voice had a scornful edge, which Ino ignored. In fact she had picked her outfit well; a black one with some fishnet that accented her curves in all the right places, whilst being comfortable and easy to move in. She sat on the wall next to him to read the scroll over his shoulder; Neji passed it to her, having already finished it and got to his feet, staring intently off into the distance over the rooftops.
"Red sky…" he muttered softly. "Blood shall be spilled on this day".
Ino shuddered and tried to ignore him, feeling irked that she had to hang out with this creep for the next… however long it took to find Sasuke. There was still no sign of Shikamaru, so she and Neji stayed by the gate, each wrapped up in their own thoughts; in fact as the minutes ticked by Ino began to think that he had forgotten all about the mission, that or slept in… lazy bastard. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Neji turn and fix his gaze on the hot-springs building, causing her to look up as well just in time to see Shikamaru round the corner in deep conversation with Sabaku no Temari.
So this was why he was late… Ino narrowed her eyes, wondering what on earth could be so interesting that his eyes never left her face. She was talking animatedly and although she never gestured with her hands, all the expression was on her face. For his part, Shikamaru nodded and replied every so often; once patting her shoulder in a friendly sort of way. The nerve of them, leaving her here with creepy Neji whilst they discussed important things!
Neji was watching Ino now; her arms were folded tightly across her chest and she tapped her foot against the wall she was sitting on. Her forehead creased in a frown and her lips were pursed ever so slightly. Aggression, agitation and annoyance; he thought with a smirk. Someone wasn't too pleased to see those two.
"Ah, Neji and Ino!" exclaimed Shikamaru warmly. "Sorry we're a little late; Temari had an update from Sunagakure. It seems that Sasuke is probably further away than we originally thought, so we're now ahead of schedule". He winked at them. "It means I can take the time to fill you in on my strategies".
Ino stared. Did Shikamaru just wink at them? What an ass… He looked slightly smug as well, with his hands in his pockets and his pack over one shoulder.
"You're awfully chirpy this morning Shika-baka…" stated Ino dryly.
"It's a nice day today" he said, an ambiguous smile playing on his lips. "And I've devised several plans that I think will work".
Neji's expression was slightly mocking as he took his scroll back from Ino and rolled it up; stuffing it in his own pack.
"I just hope your confidence is not misplaced"
Shikamaru shook his head, knowing full well that there was no point in rising to the bait. He was too busy thinking about what they were about to attempt to worry about Neji's passive-aggressive nature. The team had to perceive their leader as confident, it was good for morale. Knowing that there was no point in hanging around, he turned at once and started to walk away from the gates of Konoha; to the forest and the beginning of their mission. Neji followed him without a word, heaving his pack higher up on his back and staring ahead with his ever calm expression.
"I'm surprised to find you here, I'll admit" said Temari in a low tone to Ino as they both set off after the boys.
Ino turned around, raising an eyebrow, already beginning to form a defensive retort in her mind.
"Oh really?"
Temari nodded, sliding her fingers over the straps holding her giant fan to her body.
"Well, he told me this mission is incredibly dangerous, possibility of serious injury or death if we're not careful" the Sand kunoichi's hard, blue eyes met Ino's. "You seem like a fragile little flower to me; what's his intention, bringing you on this mission with us? You're likely to get hurt or get in the way".
Ino was stung by this remark, and studied the other girl's face. Although it seemed like she was genuinely confused, her attitude was rather rude and Ino didn't care for her blunt manner.
"Shika-kun…" she said, emphasising the latter part, "…has complete confidence in my abilities and knows that I am the best one for the job; and that's why I am on this mission. He needs me".
Temari gave her a look that clearly said: whatever-you-say-then, and turned her eye to the back of Shikamaru's head.
"I know he's smart and all, but I could swear he doesn't know what he's doing half the time…"
"That's the mystery of Shika-kun" smirked Ino. "He plays the lazy fool but he's really always thinking three or more steps ahead"
Temari rolled her eyes at the blonde. One minute Shikamaru was a baka, the next, he was "Shika-kun". She was seriously annoyed to be stuck with her, everything about Ino annoyed Temari; from her obviously carefully-chosen outfit to her brash personality. She could not understand how Shikamaru had been able to endure being her team mate for so many years. The man had the patience of a stone! Besides, Temari knew Shikamaru was smart; if he wasn't she'd never have been able to forgive herself for almost losing to him in the Chunin exams. That Ino though; she truly could not see what Shikamaru saw in her. As far as Temari was concerned, she was just going to be a hindrance to the mission, and made a mental note to broach the subject with their leader at the first opportunity.
By the time the party of four stopped, the sun was high in the sky and the forest was alive with birds and insects. There were clouds lurking in the distance, promising rain later in the evening. That suited Shikamaru just fine, as it would cover their tracks and make it difficult for anyone to trace their path. Shikamaru swung his pack down and dropped it at the roots of a small tree and the other three followed suit.
"So, Nara… What's the plan?" asked Neji, typically cutting straight to the point.
Shikamaru sighed and sat down, bringing out a box of bento from his pack. He took his time, opening the box and snapping his chopsticks, murmuring "Itadakimasu" and eating a little of the rice. Everyone else stayed on their feet and watched him, until he looked up.
"Sit down, everyone; I can't eat when I feel like I'm on display"
They sat, Neji making a barely audible tsk sound, Temari positioning herself against the tree beside Shikamaru, and Ino in front of him, wondering why he was eating instead of telling them his plans.
"Eat. If we are at all being watched, we want to fool them into thinking we have just stopped for lunch"
They did as they were told and brought out their lunch too, though they were still concentrating on Shikamaru with great curiosity. It was a few minutes before he spoke suddenly.
"You three know about Shogi, don't you?"
"Vaguely" said Temari, scratching her head and wondering what this had to do with anything.
"I know the basic principles" nodded Neji, smiling a little; here he was about to witness some of Nara Shikamaru's eccentric genius.
"Of course, I watched you kick Asuma-sensei's ass at Shogi all the time". Ino thought she could tell where he was going with this.
Shikamaru looked pleased, and he nodded slowly.
"In Shogi, I am the Knight. He moves in ways that are unexpected and sometimes difficult to see; the opponent often misses his intentions because of being to pre-occupied with the other, more obvious pieces… Tactically, the Knight is useful, but unfortunately the other side knows this and will try to take him at the earliest opportunity"
He brandished his chopsticks at Neji; who frowned a little in distaste at the strip of meat hanging from them.
"You, Hyuga Neji are the Gold General- A close combat fighter who is useful for moving forward; but your blind spot means you need other pieces at your back to avoid being taken"
Neji nodded in acknowledgement to this, and Temari looked up as Shikamaru's eyes met hers.
"Temari, you are the Bishop. Better at long distance, and never making a full frontal attack. The Bishop is a great tool to manoeuvre the opponent's pieces to where he wants them to be in order to take them with less sustained losses"
Ino's stomach clenched a little, everyone else was assigned such a useful piece and she was starting to worry about what she could be; a pawn? Only good for the sacrifice of the other pieces? Shikamaru's onyx eyes locked on hers, and he smiled, sensing her fears.
"Ino, you are the Lance. You are weak defensively, but mount a full-frontal attack capable of long or short distance. The Lance is one who takes pieces that the player has moved, when the opponent is concentrating on avoiding the varied movements of the other pieces, the Lance strikes with steely fury… heh heh heh…"
Temari laid her hand on his arm to draw his attention to her; he turned and found himself inches away from her.
"Hm?"
"The metaphors are all well and good, but how do you intend to put these into practice exactly?" she asked, with a slight frown.
Shikamaru reached into his pack again and handed them each a scroll, glad that they had taken so well to his utilization of Shogi as a metaphor.
"Read these, they contain several strategies I've come up with. You will understand what I said much better afterwards"
As the other three read over his scrolls, Shikamaru finished his bento and stretched out against the tree, enjoying the sweet scent of its blossoms drifting down towards his nose, and the soft swish of the leaves in the gentle wind. He was still very alert about the dangers of this mission, and he was absolutely not about to get complacent and falsely confident in his plans; he knew that they could all go wrong, and so he had to be prepared for anything. He had neglected to tell that if necessary he would have to let himself be taken in order to ensure escape and the completion of this important mission. In Shogi, the King was the most important piece, and he was represented by the continuing life in Konoha, the new generation.
Temari was the first to finish, and she leaned over Shikamaru, poking him on the forehead; his eyes opened to find her steely blue ones close to his own. She was regarding him with an uncharacteristic admiration. His cheeks turned a little pink as he realised that she was too close to him.
"What?"
"I hate to say it, but you're one smart guy"
Coming from her, this was enthusiastic praise, so he took hold of her shoulders and pushed her back a little, sitting up straighter himself.
"Is that a compliment, Temari-chan?"
She laughed, and took hold of his wrists to remove them from her shoulders.
"Just maybe" she replied, then a glint of anger crossed her eye, and she stared him down. "But don't call me 'Temari-chan' ….."
Ino had looked up from her scroll in time to catch this little interaction, and she was not amused. That Sabaku no Temari… she was flirting with Shikamaru! Flirting! Who on earth did she think she was? And he seemed to be enjoying it. Ugh! Not that she actually cared or anything… Just that it seemed so inappropriate seeing as they were on such an important mission. There was nothing wrong with Ino thinking that a certain snarky Sand kunoichi should get her grubby paws off of her friend, was there? She was merely thinking of Shikamaru. He was a passive man, and Temari was so overbearing she was sure to take advantage of him. Ino moved quickly over to Shikamaru and unceremoniously shoved Temari aside with a careless "Excuse me!" before wrapping her arms around him in a hug.
"Oooh, Shika-kun! What amazing strategies; there's no way we can lose with you as our leader!" she cooed at him, with a big smile on her face.
Temari was furious and thought that if they weren't in the same cell, she would crack that Ino over the head with her oversized fan. What a nerve she had, Temari did not tolerate disrespect very well.
"Watch what you're doing" she spat at Ino. "And keep your voice down, stupid; we're supposed to be incognito"
Ino ignored her and continued to cuddle Shikamaru.
"Mendokuse…" groaned Shikamaru. Suddenly he was getting too much attention from women and he was not sure if he liked it at all, he could see Neji laughing silently a few feet away, obviously finding the whole thing hilarious. Shikamaru patted Ino's back and then tried to gently prod her off of him.
"Let me get that for you" said Temari in a cheery tone, grabbing Ino and hauling her off the bemused Shikamaru.
The two women stood there, drawing daggers at each other and it looked as if they were getting ready to fight; Shikamaru jumped in between them, not in the mood for this kind of troublesome attitude.
"Calm down, girls. I don't need you killing each other before we reach Sasuke…"
Neji had silently watched all of this, and was getting a little annoyed. It seemed that Shikamaru had made an error in forming this cell, he had not perceived the competitive instinct of two girls with clashing personalities. Perhaps, half of the battle would be getting them to co-operate. Suddenly Neji felt a shift in the energy of the forest, and formed a seal with his hands; "Byakugan" he muttered, and surveyed the area. It was as he feared. Something was moving fast towards them from the East; it was too far away to have seen them yet; but he knew he had to move quickly.
"Everybody hide" Neji's voice was low but urgent and it caused the other three to pay attention immediately.
Temari and Neji leaped into the high branches of a tall tree nearby; where the leaves acted as cover. Shikamaru grabbed Ino's arm and leaped into another one, standing on the crook of two branches, he held his finger to his lips. The four waited anxiously to see what would happen. A rustling of bushes about fifty metres away announced the arrival of… Something with a very aggressive chakra!
"Mmmm… I smell blood…" came it's high, bone-chilling voice.
***Hope you enjoyed this chapter; plenty of antagonism between Ino and Temari; but who do you think will triumph? And who's the mystery figure? Please Review, I shall be grateful :3
All characters © Masashi Kishimoto; story by me.***
