The following morning, Shikamaru woke up to a loud banging on his window. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and was surprised to see that it was Tayua who banged on his window. He slid it open. "What is it..?"
"...the..Hokage summoned us and well..I still..."Tayua said nervously.
Oh...don't tell me she's..
"...lost.."she finished. Shikamaru chuckled and Tayuas face turned as red as her dress. "WHAT'S SO FUNNY..."
"Nothing. It's nothing. Just wait for me outside my house"Shikamaru said.
"Why can't I wait here?"Tayua demanded.
"1)As you can see this is my bedroom. If the window is open you can see me change. Even when the curtain is down.
2) It's not normal for leaf shinobi to knock on peoples windows at 6:30am in the morning.
3) It's more polite if you just wait outside"Shikamaru finished his list. He let's out a large yawn, not noticing that Tayua was blushing like mad. He smirked once Tayua went down. Today is going to be a interesting day. Once he finally finished, he shut the door behind him to find Tayua leaning against the lamp post waiting for him.
"Wait long?"Shikamaru asked.
Tayua glanced back at Shikamaru. He looked exactly the same as he did yesterday. Yet he seemed more handsome today. Wait did I just say. She shakes the thought out of her mind and answers his question.
"YES! What are you a a FRICKIn lady? "she wanted to say that. But she ended up blushing. She turned her head away "Not really"
Tch. Why am I.
A girl with blonde hair and crystal blue eyes adjusted her headband. Which had the symbol of Sunagakure. She let's out a large sigh. Gaara had sent her on a mission to Kohona. I haven't been there since then. Back then he really loved Ino. I was hurt so badly when he broke up with me..but that's all going to change now. I've waited long enough.
Yamanaka Ino died 1 year ago. Those two had been together for 2 should know since she was there. She was there. When he finally said those words that he loved Ino. That sad look on Shikamarus face as Ino passed away. Temari shakes her head as she carried on walking. She was in the forest after a mission and had received a message from Gaara to go to Kohona. That meant she was only 1 day away from the village. Shikamaru soon I will see you.
Tayua and Shikamaru arrived on time. Well just barely. She really didn't appreciate being carried just cause she injured her leg. Stupid genin brat that tripped me up. Tayua glanced around the room. "Ehhh...? Where's Akimichi-San"
"I sent him on another mission"Tsunade said simply. Tayua could not help but glance over at her masters face. She couldn't read her. What is she thinking?
She held up a piece of paper. "It's just a C-rank mission really. The Damiyos daughter of the land of fire came to visit us a week ago, and she needs two Jounin escorts back"
"...but lady Tsunade I'm not a jounin..."Tayua said. Shikamaru raised his eyebrow. "Shouldn't you send Ayumi with me?"
Ayumi? That girl again. Doesn't Shikamaru want to go on a mission with me.
"No can do. I sent Ayumi to Sunagakure"
Sunagakure. Land of wind. Tayua had never been there. But she heard stories from her former members of the sound ninja 5. That it was a small country in the vast desert. Everyone there has a wind element. At the mention of Sunagakure Tayua remembered that girl that beat her in one go. She cringed at the memory..
"Why did you send Ayu to suna?"Shikamaru asked trying to keep calm.
"Sabaku no Gaara. The kazekage wanted to do a little exchange. So we traded
Ayumi for one of there members"Tsunade said.
"Don't tell me. The person that is going to be staying in our village is..
Sabaku no Temari"
Temari? Where had she heard that name before. Tayua tried to recall where she heard it before.
"I am not sure about that yet. The message bird we got from Sunagakure, from The kazekage said he's sending one of his siblings.. But maybe your right. It will likely be Temari"
Tayua glanced over at Shikamaru who seemed to of frozen, before a grin formed in his lips. Did I miss something here?
"Anyhow the details for the mission. You two are to escort and protect our Damiyos daughter. She's a princess name Sakurai Miyuki. A spoilt brat. I'm sure your thrilled Tayua"Tsunade joked.
Tayua rolled her eyes. If there was things she hated the most. They were spoilt princess.
"Lady Tsunade-sama! Can I come out now?"a voice from the cupboard said. Tayua recognised the voice in a instant, she walked over to the cupboardand Chouji fell out.
"Akimichi-San..? I thought you were on a mission"
2 frown lines appear on the 5th hokages face. Dam Chouji if you could of just stayed there for a few minutes. These two would be at the gate by now. She bit her bottom lip and Shikamaru smirked at me." So Hokage-sama what happened to Chouji being on a mission hmmm?"
Tsunade clenched her fist once he called her sama. He never bothers to call her lady Tsunade or the Hokage. Just like naruto he calls her "oba-San" and it annoyed her so much.
She banged her hand on the table making them stop talking. "Seems like Ihave no -choice. Akimichi Chouji this is your new team mate Nasaki Tayua"
"...your that pretty girl who was with Shikamaru yesterday"Chouji blurted out. Tayua let's out a soft chuckle. "It's nice to meet you Akimichi-San"she said as politely as she could. Honestly practicing to be a proper refined lady was hard work. But in the end she got there.
Shikamaru smiled at his two team mates. Maybe this new team will work out well. Tsunade dismissed them. Once they finished getting there belongings, they headed to the gate to find a girl with strawberry blonde hair and crystal blue eyes waiting. She wore a red and orange kimono.
"Ok here it goes. We all have to be on our best behaviour now"Shikamaru told the other two. Chouji nodded as he ate a opened his bag and started eating some chips. Tayua snorted. "I'll try but I hate stuck up bitches". He smiled at her and she blushed again.
This girl changes her moods so fast. Temari never had a soft side. She always yelled at him when he was depressed. Ino and Tayua. They really are exactly the same.
"Excuse me Hime?"Shikamaru addressed her formally. She turned around. Her crystal blue eyes scanned each of us.
"That's me"
"Were the jounin ninja sent to escort you back to your father"Shikamaru said formally. The girl nodded.
"Name.."
"That girl with red hair is Nasaki Tayua. I'm Akimichi Chouji. This guy is the Hokage and suna ambassadors assistant Naara Shikamaru"Chouji said introducing each of them.
"Naara Shikamaru? Aren't you the..."Miyuiki started but was interrupted by him. "Kohona genius, legendary laze...I already know"
Miyuki shakes her head. "I didn't mean that"
Before he could ask what she meant, Chouji ran ahead all of us dropping a wrapper. Shikamaru picked it up and sighs. "Sugar rush. I'll go get him. We will check for enemies ahead. Tayua keep Sakurai Hime safe"Shikamaru said dashing after his buddy.
On his way to find Chouji. He wondered what Princess Miyuki was going to tell him.
Since both of the guys left, it was just me and the spoilt brat. Great now I have to take care of her all by myself. Both of them carry on walking. She twirls a lock of her ruby red hair. Naara Shikamaru. What do I really feel about you?
"May I ask you a question Tayua-chan?"Miyuki asked me sweetly. It made Tayua want to gag.
"It's Nasaki"Tayua said bitterly. Just because she was royalty doesn't mean
Tayua had to treat her with respect.
"Alright then. Nasaki. Can I ask you a question?"she asked her voice more serious. Tayua nodded. "Go ahead"
If she asks us to stop I will scream. I can actually still see the gate from this distance.
If she asks me to carry her, I will drop her.
If she asks me for food. I will eat my lunch in front of her.
However the question the young Damiyo princess asked me wasn't either of those 3. Instead it was something completely unexpected.
"Do you like Naara-sama?"Miyuki asked in a serious tone. WTF..why would...
"I..."Tayua stammered looking away in shame since she remembered his hand
holding on to hers yesterday. However Miyuki never gave her a chance to answer.
"You can't have him"she said simply. Tayua blinked her eyes. "Why not?"
"Before I answer that. Do you know what everyone calls him?"Miyuki asked. Tayua tried to re call the names from earlier on, but they had already vanished from her mind. She shakes her head.
"Kohona Genius. The legendary laze and...the Kohona flame"
Tayuas eyes lit up at this. Kohona flame? That sounded way to heroic. Why would he get that sort of name.
"The Kona Flame and The Suna wind. The strongest tag team. Both of them were unbeatable. No enemy could ever take them down. They were lovers 4 years ago. No one ever thought they would end.."
4 years ago..? Yamanaka Ino was his girlfriend who was a member of Team 10. But Shikamaru said to her yesterday they started dating 2 years ago. That she had been dead for a year. So who was the one before? Tayua knew she shouldn't be nosy. Though when it came to Shikamarus life, she couldn't help but be curious. Before Miyuki could let another word escape her lips, Tayua notices a ninja behind her and pulled out her flute, also some smoke bombs. She chucked them at the ninja and pulled Miyuki away.
Both of them ran towards the forest. Dam. Shikamaru, Chouji guess we won't be able to catch up with you two soon. Who knew the enemy would show themselves when were still near the leaf village. No choice. "Shadow clone jutsu"3 clones of herself appears "You two take this princess to safety. I'll handle the rest"Her clones nodded and soon left with Miyuki.
Tayua smirked as 3 men appears out the shadows. "Finally decided to show yourselves huh"
"Tayua please come back with us to the sound"one of the men in cloaks said.
"Oh please. Do you think she will now that her so called love one is
gone?another retorted.
"Besides look at her headband...she's part of Kohonagakure now"
They removed there black cloaks and Tayuas eyes widened. These guys weren't ordinary shinobi.. No they were her former team. All the guys in the sound ninja group apart from Kimimaro.
"Sakon, Jirobo, Kidomaru..."Tayua said coldly. The guys still wore the Sound
headband, meaning the sound village had a new leader. Could it possibly be Kabuto?
"My you don't sound two happy too see us"Kidomaru said. Tayua smirked and grabbed a kunai blocking Sakons attack from behind. "You've gotten faster
Tayu-chan"Kidomaru said teasing her. She didn't budge from her spot as Sakon turned in to wood. Substitution huh?
In that case. She lifted the flute to her lips and began playing a new melody.
Shikamaru smirked as he saw the musical notes from the distance. She's already engaged in combat huh. Guess I should join her. She might need help. He used his well known fast speed to get there and knocked out the fat guy from behind.
Tayua was just about to activate her genutsu on jidombo when Jidmo fell forward unconscious. She blinked and found a certain pineapple head in front of her. "You know Shikamaru. I could of finished him off myself"Tayua scoffed.
"Oh? But weren't there 3 of them?"Shikamaru asked. Tayua nodded. She hadn't seen which way Kidomaru went. Right now, it was impossible to try and pick up his trail.
"Tayua. Let's get going. We have a mission to accomplish"Shikamaru said breaking my thoughts. She nodded and put the flute in her bag. Shikamaru led the way and once we arrived. We saw a calm Chouji and Miyuki hime. Having made eye contact with Miyuki again, Tayua shivers.
"The fact that sound ninja attacked us, would make this a A rank mission"Shikamaru said stating the fact that the Hokage had tricked them.
"Just as expected. You figured it out"Miyuki said, clapping her hands. Shikamaru looked a bit annoyed. Tayua was still thinking about how serious the princess tone was earlier.
"Why didn't you tell us?"Tayua asked.
"Oh? Should I. You should know by now that C rank escort missions usually turn in to a or S rank...besides you are the Kohona Flame. Part of the strongest tag team"
Tayua glanced over at Shikamaru who seemed to have frozen on the spot. "...I haven't heard that in a long time"
Miyuiki grinned. "I'm sure Sabaku-chan hasn't either. Speaking of which rumour has it that she's changed"
Sabaku? Isn't that the name of the girl before. Shikamaru and that girl. Tayua could not help but get jealous. They sounded like they had a lot of history. A lot of history Tayua never had with Shikamaru.
"We should split up. We might as well to check if there's anyone else sent to attack the hime. Chouji you go with Tayua"Shikamaru asked. Tayua was stunned. Why would he want to go with the spoilt brat princess?
As they walked down the other path. Chouji noticed that there was something disturbing his new team mate. It didn't surprise him as much. Since he had seen the way those two acted with each other yesterday. He had pretended to faint just to spy on them a little. What he found out wasn't good news. Sorry Temari-chan. I think that maybe it's far too late.
They reached the meeting point where the forest paths crossed each others.
Shikamaru found himself being concerned over his red head team mate. She hadn't made a single eye contact with him since he had saved her. "Is there something wrong with Tayua?"he whispers to his best friend, who was again munching away on some snacks.
"UGH! I want some food! I am sooo hungry!"Miyuki complained. Shikamaru chuckled as Tayua stuffed a whole bag of chips at her mouth. "There you happy?"Tayua said annoyed. She notices me staring and a faint blush appears on her face. "Why are you staring at me?"she asked.
"Oh it's nothing"
Night arrived before they knew it. The sound ninja had distracted them and they hadn't arrived on time. It was only for a few minutes, but those few minutes matters. He stops in his tracks and glances over at his team. Choujis eyelids were closing as he took another step forward. Miyuki had already gone to sleep and Tayua was having a hard time carrying her. He sighed, he really didn't want to take any breaks. But there was no choice.
"Were going to set up camp here tonight. I'll take watch tonight. You guys can rest up. Were still quite far away from the main land"Shikamaru instructed. Chouji let's out a sigh of relief as he tried to set up his tent. Shikamaru watched Tayua help Chouji set up the tent.
Tayua was just like Ino. There personalities matched so well. Dam it. Shikamaru sighs, Ino I really should forget you. I have right..? Since Tayua came. Your all that's been on my mind lately. Or maybe that blonde hair person I dreamt about marrying wasn't you. He places his hand on his forehead. This was far too troublesome and he was the leader of this mission again.
Leader.
Those words sank in to his mind. The first time he had led a squad. It had ended up pretty badly, Chouji ended up almost dead. Neji and Kiba as well. That day was the first day he had met Tayua, he grinned at the memory. Back then she would swear a lot. Yet she hasn't said a single swear word to me since then. Thinking about that mission made him remember his ex ex girlfriend. That sand kunoichi. Straight after that mission. They started dating, it was going so well. He glanced back at his team and the princess, the tents and fire place was set up and they were all resting. That's good. He climbs on the tree, and glances up at the moon.
"...Sabaku no Temari you better be the one arriving at the leaf village"
Everything was going so well with us. 4 years ago. Till I ruined it. Shikamaru couldn't help but blame himself, Temari actually cried that night he broke up with her for Ino. At the time she had to stay in the village and could not return to the sand. She was there when witnessing when Ino died, when we took here to the infirmary she kept calm and comforted me. Up until now. Shikamaru didn't realise how much Sabaku no Temari actually meant to him. "I guess I really did ruin things"
"What did you ruin?"a sweet voice said, Shikamaru turned to his left and saw Tayua siting beside him.
"Now your talking to me"he said, a smirk on his face.
"URESAI"Tayua snapped. She turned away, he noticed the glass flute in her hands. She was clutching it tightly. "...sorry..."she whispered. A strong gust of cold wind blew as she said this. Shikamaru knew she meant it. He nodded. "I accept your apology"
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure"
"What did you talk about with Princess Miyuki?"
"first thing is first. Do you know about my 3rd title?"
Tayua nodded. He guessed Miyuki must of told Tayua earlier on. This should be much easier to explain then.
"The suna wind. A real beauty. Yet unlike most girls she never cared about her looks. She was the complete opposite to Ino. Strong, brave, loud"Shikamaru trailed off seeing Tayuas WTF expression.
"...she was a troublesome woman. But...I owe her a lot. I didn't..."Shikamaru stammered. He couldn't believe he was acting all nervous in front of Tayua of all people. He barely knew Tayua yet he was telling her everything, not even Chouji knew any of this stuff.
"..you didn't realise how much she meant to you till now didn't you? I felt that way too. Me and Kidomaru use to date"Tayua answered. Shikamaru stared at her, he had never known someone to be in the exact same situation as him. She can even relate to how I feel as well. He couldn't help it, but tears were falling from his eyes. Dam! He tried to rub them off but they kept on falling. "I'm such a baby! That's what she said. Temari was right about me!"
The new member of Team Asuma didn't know what to do, seeing Shikamaru like this. She was getting upset as well. Seeing him this way. She knew he was lonely, but she never knew that he had bottled up his feelings as well. There was only one thing she could do. She moved closer and bent over till her lips met his. Sorry Kidomaru...
Shikamaru was just about to tell Tayua to get some sleep instead of worrying about him. When she suddenly bent over. Tayua lips pressed against him. At first Shikamaru was going to pull her away, when he saw a single tear drop fall from her eyes. She's upset, he pulled her closer and kissed her back. Sorry Temari.
Somewhere in the forest, Kidomaru was lying down on the tree branch. He reached for the picture of him and Tayua inside his bag. Once he pulled it out. The glass smashed... It didn't take him long to figure out why. Anger boiled inside of him. He had seen the way Tayua had been staring at that pineapple head. DAM!
"URRRRGHH.."
The night was peaceful, yet there was a chilly breeze tonight. Temari pulled out a picture of her and Shikamaru before and smiled. She was in a teashop, the kind owners offered her the place to stay tonight and she accepted. The conditions were that she had to take care of the shop. Shikamaru...I wonder. She made herself a cup of a tea, and placed it down for a second. After a while off thinking about what she was going to do when she got to Kohona. It reached midnight. She reached for the cup of tea in front of her, before her hand could pick it up the cup smashed in to small pieces. ...Shikamaru...?
Those two who were peacefully kissing each other in the moonlight didn't
realise there team mate watching there every movement.
Chouji hid behind another tree and observed them. They had been like that for ages and would not let go of each other. Dam. It's not like he didnt want to see his best friend happy, in fact he was thrilled that he was returning to his old self again. Yet..the one who was supposed to do this wasn't Tayua.. Temari please visit Kohona soon. Please your the person visiting.