AN: Waah! I need reviews! Help! Help! Just realized am review whore. (sniff)
The day dawned bright and clear. It hadn't yet been six in the morning and mist was still clinging to the air when Sabaku no Temari, ambassador of Suna walked up to the gates of Konoha handing a scroll to a startled shinobi.
While the guard on duty inspected the contents of the scroll; a letter detailing the reasons for her visit, Temari waited impatiently distracting herself by thinking of the last time she was in Konoha. It had been eight months since she last visited, also as ambassador. Then, the news she carried didn't pervade her with a sense of foreboding as it did now. After all these years of fruitless searching and near misses both of the hidden villages will have another chance at exacting justice and finally getting some peace of mind.
She wondered how the Hokage will react to her report. She knew she wouldn't hesitate over deciding what would be done for this mission. After what has been done to her brother, vengeance will be sweet. But at the thought of Gaara she was reminded of a certain loud-mouthed, yellow-haired shinobi who had once vowed to protect everybody close to him especially those he sees as friends. It had been Naruto who was responsible for the drastic change in Gaara and she'll forever be grateful to the shinobi.
Temari suddenly wasn't so sure if she'd be given a chance to do what needed to be done if Naruto is recruited, which, considering the nature of the mission, was a definite certainty. After being waved in by the guard Temari headed straight for the huge palace resigned to the pandemonium she'll bring with her news.
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Shikamaru was on his way to the office of the Hokage when he bumped into Temari also going in the same direction.
"Shikamaru!" Temari exclaimed, her eyes brightening at the sight of the tall shinobi. "How are you?"
"Temari," he inclined his head in greeting. "Doing fine. Training mostly. Are you meeting Tsunade-sama?"
"Hai," Temari's expression closed, her tone suddenly grave. "We need to discuss something urgent that involves both of the villages."
"Hn. Guess I'll have to wait 'til you're done with your meeting." Shikamaru said, knocking on the door to the Hokage's office.
"See you later, Temari." he said, pushing open the door for her upon hearing an affirmative from inside.
He was just about to turn around and wait in the hallway when he heard the Godaime call him back.
"Come in Shikamaru. Ohayou, Temari. I'll need the both of you for this meeting." announced Tsunade while she set aside the scrolls she was perusing before their entry. Shikamaru closed the door and leaned against the wall beside it.
"What's the status report, Temari?"
"Uchiha Itachi has been sighted in a small village near Suna."
Shikamaru straightened from his slouch and gazed sharply at Temari.
"For two weeks we had spies cover his activities. However, it seems Itachi suspected that he was being monitored and killed two of our shinobi who were tracking him and fled the village. We've alerted the nearby territories to be on guard and we received news three days ago that he resurfaced in a large merchant town a couple of days travel away from Suna," she paused.
"What of Uchiha Sasuke?" Tsunade demanded.
Reluctantly, Temari continued, "Along with the report we got on Itachi, we also got news that Uchiha Sasuke is suspected of tracking his brother. There were sightings of the younger Uchiha in the places Itachi has been, including the village near Suna. It's probable that Sasuke will show up in the merchant town in a month or so."
Tsunade steepled her fingers together and looked levelly at Temari and then at Shikamaru, "Shikamaru, I'm assigning you to the recon mission of Uchiha Sasuke. Suna is readying another team for the retrieval of Itachi. Both Suna and Konoha have vested interests in the capture of these two."
"We are retrieving the Uchiha brothers and Itachi is to stand trial for his crimes when we capture him. It's best to bring both of them alive but...take whatever means necessary to ensure the survival of the team and the success of the mission. We cannot let Itachi slip from our grasp once again. As for Sasuke...you must bring him back alive. I want you to recruit these two jounin members and Sakura and Naruto," Tsunade pulled open a drawer in her desk and handed two folders to Shikamaru. "I'll be informing Team 7 of this mission."
"The Kazekage and I have been corresponding about this situation and it has been decided that a five-man team from Konoha will be sent to Suna where another recon team will be meeting you. Temari will be training with your team and you'll need to brief her on your plans as she'll be the one informing the Suna branch the strategies that will be employed in this mission. As Sasuke's teammates, Sakura and Naruto would know him best. You'll need Sakura for any medical emergency as well," the Hokage smiled wryly. "As for Naruto, I don't think I'll be able to prevent the baka from going after I tell him about this mission."
Tsunade leaned back in her chair and looked at them appraisingly, "In the meantime, I've requested a room be made ready for you here in the palace, Temari. I need you both to plan and work out your strategies for this mission. You'll be leaving for Suna in ten days. Shikamaru, take this time to start training with your recruits and work as a team. Other than the members of the team I don't want anybody else to know of this mission. For now, we have the advantage over the Uchiha brothers and I don't want any information to leak and incite Itachi or Sasuke to go into hiding again."
"Hokage-sama, if it's alright with you I'd like to get accommodations somewhere near the town area. It will be strange if I suddenly stay here when every time I've visited I always get a room in the town," said Temari.
The Godaime mulled this over, "Fine. Shikamaru, take Temari to the town center and find out where she'll staying. I want you to get started on your planning right away." Tsunade placed both palms flat on her desk. "That's all. You're free to go."
Shikamaru and Temari bowed and left.
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"Damn. This is getting tiring," Temari complained. "Every hostel we've visited is full. I guess I'll have to take that room at the palace after all."
She and Shikamaru were standing at the entrance of the last inn on Temari's list of choices. Because of the upcoming fest, the village has been receiving an increase in tourists and delegates from the other hidden villages. As a result, most of the inns were already occupied. The path back to the palace took them through many of the shops in the market. Along the way, they agreed to meet again later while Shikamaru track down the two jounin in his team.
They were about to turn to the street to the palace when Shikamaru spotted Ino standing by the open doorway of her family's flower shop. Before he could decide what to do Ino saw him and waved them over.
Shikamaru drew Temari's attention to the waving girl. "It's Ino. I'll just say hi."
Ino just came from her training with Neji and was helping her mother man the flower shop when she spied Shikamaru and a blonde girl with a large fan strapped on her back walking outside. Curious to see who the girl was she wandered outside and waited for the couple to get nearer.
"Ohayou, Shika-kun!" Ino yelled out, waving her arm. As the pair neared Ino slowly recognized the girl. She was a Sand shinobi and the sister of the Kazekage. The very same shinobi she had been thinking of pairing with Shikamaru only a few days ago.
Ino grinned, "Hello Temari. Did you just come from the palace?" at her nod, Ino continued, "Hope the meeting went well with the Hokage."
"Uh..hai," said Temari, after shooting a glance at Shikamaru. Observing them keenly, Ino didn't miss the shared look.
"Say Ino, would you know of any rooms available for rent?" Shikamaru quickly asked, forestalling Ino from probing. "Temari will be in Konoha for a while and needs a place to stay."
Distracted from what she was about to say, Ino asked, "Nani? Temari, are you staying for the Konoha Festival?" The Konoha Festival was a three-day celebration with a big parade on the morning of the first day and parties for every night of the three days and a huge fireworks display on the last day after the party. The entire market area of Konoha has been turned into a fair with a lot of the shop owners putting up outdoor stalls and many traders from other lands invited to sell their novel wares acting as competition. It was a big annual affair and this year was turning out to be the best one yet.
The pair hadn't thought about an excuse for Temari's extended visit but Ino just provided a good cover. "Hai. But, I've been having a hard time finding a place even with Shikamaru helping me look."
"Ah. Everywhere would be full because of the fest," said Ino knowledgeably. Temari's face fell at the news.
"Ano, I have a spare room in my apartment," Ino slowly said, thinking furiously. The two seems to be close already, seeing as Shikamaru was already accompanying Temari after just arriving. But if she really wanted her plan to succeed then playing matchmaker will be easier with Temari staying under her roof. "You can come stay with me!" she finished brightly.
Temari was about to protest when Ino said, "No excuses. I'd love the company and if you're worried about the cost, then you can pay me by buying the food."
Seeing the determined glint in Ino's eye Temari hastily agreed. After all, staying with Ino was much better than trying to explain why she was staying at the palace.
After reminding Temari of their meeting later, Shikamaru took his leave.
Ino said goodbye to her mom and fell in step with Temari as they walked to her apartment.
"So, you and Shikamaru met at the palace?" Ino asked casually, looking for any change in Temari at the mention of Shikamaru. When Temari nodded, Ino went on, "He doesn't normally go around with females if he can help it. He's legendary for his view that women are troublesome. Took me by surprise when I saw you guys earlier."
"Hnm."
Frustrated at the bland responses she was getting, Ino boldly asked, "Do you like Shikamaru?" There. It's a yes or no question. She'll have to answer. Ino thought smugly.
Looking at her strangely, Temari answered, "He's alright, I guess. Never really thought about it."
Still not satisfied, Ino pressed, "But whenever you visit Konoha as ambassador it's usually Shikamaru who takes you around."
"That's because he was assigned by the Godaime to act as my guide." replied Temari, unperturbed.
"But surely you don't need a guide now," Ino said. "and after just arriving already you guys are together. Shikamaru is a great guy, you know. He could be really lazy but you can always count on him to pull his weight in a mission. He was the only one who made chunnin after that debacle at the chunnin exam with Orochimaru and he was quickly promoted and is the only jounin in our class up to now."
"He's very smart and though he doesn't show it he cares a lot for his friends and the people in Konoha. He'd do whatever was necessary to protect Konoha even if it means sacrificing himself." Ino continued, her pace slowing. "Sometimes, he'd frustrate me so with his carefree attitude and his constant complaints about women." Ino smiled fondly, her gaze distant completely voiding her last comment.
"Having our parents as friends we'd always be in and out of each others' homes growing up. I remember spraining my wrist while we were playing at my house and he was so panicked at seeing me cry he started talking and talking about silly things to distract me from the pain. I was so surprised at hearing complete paragraphs from someone used to talking in monosyllables that before I knew it he'd brought me to the living room where our parents were having tea." she laughed at the memory.
Ino didn't realize but her face had softened while she was talking about the dark-haired shinobi. Temari, meanwhile, was coming to the realization that staying with Ino while having meetings with Shikamaru will be more trouble than if she'd stayed at the palace. She inwardly sighed. Hopefully, she was mistaken about her conclusions on the direction of Ino's feelings.
"Like I said, he's an okay guy," Temari said, smiling at Ino. "But I see him more as a friend, really."
This seemed the wrong thing to say as Ino was spurned to further defense of Shikamaru and Temari was engaged to listen more on his heroic exploits in missions and stumbling, glowing remarks about his personality where even Ino was turning pink at the bald-faced exaggeration. They finally reached her apartment and after showing Temari where her room would be and lending her the spare key, Ino turned to Temari with an invitation to go out with her and Sakura.
"I'm meeting Sakura in a while to help her choose an outfit for the fest. You're welcome to come shopping with us. The market and shops are all preparing hard for the celebration and there's plenty of really nice things for sale." Ino said invitingly.
"I'd love to go with you but I already told Shikamaru I'd be meeting him later," replied Temari reluctantly. "Rain check, okay?"
"Oh. Right. I forgot about that." Ino said, disappointed. She was a little surprised at the slight hurting in her chest when she heard Temari's plans for the afternoon. Wasn't it what she wanted? For Temari and Shikamaru to hang out more? But she said she sees him as a friend only. So, why are they meeting again? Was she lying earlier?
Confused when the hurt feeling deepened, she quickly dismissed her thoughts and said airily, "Well, I'll see you later tonight then. Dinner will be fish and chips and some ramen I'll take out from Ichiraku's. It's the first time I'm having a guest over so I want something more special than my usual salad and yogurt. Don't forget to lock behind you. Ja ne."
Later, when Ino met with Sakura she wasn't able to get a proper answer from the pink-haired kunoichi when she asked about Temari and Shikamaru. Sakura didn't tell Ino that she just came from a meeting with the Hokage and was distracted throughout the afternoon, her thoughts elsewhere. It hadn't been an hour yet when Sakura picked the outfit she wanted from the third shop they visited, paid and abruptly announced that she had to leave.
Stung at Sakura's cold behavior, Ino said coolly, "Fine. I'll finish shopping by myself then."
Turning contrite at her rude manners, Sakura apologized, "I'm really sorry Ino. I just came back from the palace and I don't know yet if I should be happy or sad or angry at the news I got." she laughed shakily. "I can't speak anymore than that," she went on, her eyes asking for understanding. "I've said more than I should. I really need time alone right now. You're still staying at my place for the festival, right?"
"Yes, yes, alright." Ino grumbled. "But I expect you to be better company than you are today."
Giving the blonde a tight hug, Sakura promised to do so and after repeating her apology she left. Ino spent the rest of the day checking out the novelty shops and wandering from stall to stall, deep in thought. She was uncertain where to proceed after her last conversation with Temari. Maybe she wasn't needed in that area after all. As for the festival, Team 10 would usually go together to see the parade with Ino pulling along a reluctant Shikamaru and would later meet the rest of their friends at the party. But with Chouji gone and Temari staying for the celebration, she wasn't sure if Shikamaru will still go together with her. Deciding to drop by his place to ask about his plans for the fest, Ino went around town completing her errands with a vague feeling of unease.
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"Shika-kun? Where are you?" questioned Ino, peering hesitantly through the open door. After knocking continuously and getting no answer, she tried the knob and found it turning easily in her palm. She'd only visited Shikamaru's house a few times and always with Chouji and it was usually because the lanky shinobi would rather stay in than go out with them and their friends. While Chouji would head straight to the kitchen and raid his ref, she'd pound the stairs and would shake him awake yelling all the while for making them late for another outing with their friends.
This time though, Chouji wasn't here and she didn't have a good enough reason for showing up unannounced. Her question wasn't that pressing and finding herself alone in his starkly masculine and spartan apartment suddenly made her uncomfortable. She stood there in the small hallway clutching her shopping bags, the smell of delicious ramen wafting in the air. She was already thinking of leaving when she heard a door open and footsteps coming from above. She looked up the stairs and saw Shikamaru lazily descending the steps, head bent as he toweled his hair.
Ino swallowed. He must have just finished his shower and didn't hear her knocking. Her breath caught in her chest. Beads of water were still clinging to his very naked chest. She couldn't stop staring, her knuckles turning white as her grip on the bags tightened and a pink flush slowly climbed her cheeks. He was barefoot, wearing only navy blue boxers. She was rooted to the floor feeling like she was under the spell of Shikamaru's shadow jutsu.
"Shika..." she croaked. Coughing, she repeated, "Shikamaru."
Looking up, the towel sliding and resting around his neck, Shikamaru stopped and stared, "Ino? What are you doing here?"
Cliffe! I had a really hard time developing this chapter. I kept thinking about the big scenes in chapter 4 (hint hint). Things are progressing faster than I thought. Temari's still in the picture, though it's apparent when you listen to Temari's POV that she feels nothing but platonic affection for Shika-kun. Still, things can change, right?
Ino is also slowly realizing buried feelings for Shikamaru, but would she act on it? What about Shikamaru, what's he gonna do? and where's Neji?!
I'd love to hear feedback from you guys. Let me know what you think.
Ja ne!
