Chapter 3
Reverse and Back: Shikamaru's Protector!
"What a drag. We only managed to find ten items on Lady Ainori's list," Shikamaru said looking down at the bag he carried. He hoped Lee and Kiba were having better luck than they were.
"I wonder how Sasuke faired out, " Neji said. It was already nightfall. It would be advisable to avoid the anger of the villagers while we are here, but there's no helping it if Sasuke is determined to get to the bottom of things.
"So you're telling me despite the warnings we were given from that Captain, he still went looking for that girl?"
"It would appear so. I do not like what is going on either. I mentioned who the girl was to a few vendors while we were out. Their expressions and remarks were not appetizing, to say the least."
Shikamaru sighed. "What is wrong with people in this place? That girl has to be the same age as Saori."
Neji entered the inn with Shikamaru tailing behind him. "If we can manage to get her to trust us, then perhaps she could be a friend for your daughter."
Shikmaru tilted his head. "I suppose," he said, putting his hand on this face. "Saori has been having difficulties making friends as of late."
"I hear she's doing well with her training," Neji said.
"Yeah, she is," Shikamaru answered as they entered the room he was sharing with Kiba, Lee, and Mebae. "Oh, you guys are already back. How did it go?"
Kiba grinned. "We found twenty herbs. How many did you guys find?"
"Only ten," Shikamaru said as he placed the bag on the table. "You know, we're at a disadvantage with you and Mebae's sense of smell."
Rock Lee sat at the table, holding onto a hot cup of tea. He wasn't listening to the group at all. If that Anamaraki guy kicks us out, our mission will be all in vain. The herbs we are gathering are important in Lady Ainori's research.
"Hey, what's got you so quiet," Shikamaru asked Lee. His face was placid.
"We cannot cause trouble while we are here. We must complete our mission," Lee said opening his eyes. "Neji is as serious as I am about trying to avid unwanted attention."
"Lee, something's not right in this village," Kiba said. "I can feel it. Everyone can." Mebae panted his long tongue hanging out of his mouth.
"I understand the concerns you guys have about that kid we saw. However, our mission comes first. We cannot disappoint Lady Ainori. There are a lot of sick people back home counting on us. We don't know what is going on and until we find out, we won't have a leg to stand on," Rock Lee said placing his cup of tea on the small wooden table.
"We understand," Neji said. "Can I offer a suggestion?"
Lee nodded.
"If we look for the girl at night while everyone is asleep, and still do our mission during the day, then we can achieve both of our goals," Neji compromised.
Lee didn't like where this was going. He was all for justice, but they were in unknown territory. He folded his hands quietly. "If I agree to this, you guys cannot be seen by that Anamaraki guy. Understand?" They all nodded. "The Hokage will be displeased with us if we cause a lot of trouble. It would not look good for the Leaf Village. Also, if you guys get caught, we are up a creek without a paddle."
"Well, Kiba said, standing up and stretching. "What are we waiting for?"
Neji and Shikamaru nodded their agreement.
"Sorry, Mebae, you'll have to stay behind. You're too big. You'll blow our cover," Kiba said. Mebae whined. "Sorry, old buddy," he said as he petted his dog.
"It would be wise for us to slip out of the window," Neji offered. "We don't want the Inn owner, or his workers noticing our departure."
Rock Lee watched as his three friends left the room. Mebae placed his nose on the windowsill, sniffing the air. Good luck guys. I hope you find her.
(Scene Change)
"We should split up. We'll cover more ground that way," Shikamaru said.
"I'll take the west side. Catch you guys later," Kiba said as he parted.
"You want north, or east," Shikamaru asked.
"I'll take the north. I believe that's where Sasuke would have gone," Neji said.
Shikamaru nodded. It wasn't going to be easy searching for a kid in the dark like this over such a large area. It was like trying to pinpoint a scurrying mouse from a hawk's perspective. I hope we can find her. He hopped from building to building scouting.
After two hours of scouting endlessly, Shikamaru stopped on the roof of a tall building. He had a better view here. Where could she be? He noticed three figures darting around on the rooftops some distance from him. "Uh, oh. Those aren't our guys. I've got to disappear...and quick." When the timing was right, he jumped off the roof, landing in the snow. I better slip in between these shops. He did just that, keeping his eyes focused on Anamaraki's men.
"Those guys sure are searching for something. I wonder what." He heard a can rolling behind him. Shikamaru turned around quickly, his hand latching onto one of his weapons. His eyes widened and he stopped. "Hey, you're the kid Sasuke is looking for."
The girl was on all fours, creeping. She cocked her head at the man with a ponytail. Did he know the guy who had spoken to her? She pointed at him. "Sah-s-keh," she asked.
Shikmaru crouched low, putting away his kunai. "Ah, so you know his name. He's looking for you. We all are." He watched the girl's confused expression. "Something tells me you don't understand a lot of Japanese. Alright," he pointed to himself, "I'm Shikamaru."
The child moved her head forward. She pointed at him. What was she trying to grasp?
"Shi-ka-ma-ru," he said slowly.
She bit her lower lip. This guy wasn't trying to approach her. His voice was soft and patient. He didn't appear threatening. "See-kah-mah-lu," she said.
"Close enough." He sat down in the snow behind several crates. "Geez, that's cold. I don't know how you stand it out here. Don't you want to go some place warm?"
"Warm," the girl repeated. She had forgotten what it felt like. "Seekahmahlu? Sahskeh?"
Shikamaru nodded. "Alright, it's settled. I'll take you to Sasuke." He froze. The girl's expression shifted from hope to fear in a matter of seconds. Her body was shaking immensely. Shikamaru looked up. Standing at the entrance to the side road was one of Anamaraki's men. He didn't appear to notice Shikamaru sitting behind the large wooden crates.
The man grinned at the girl. "Look what I found. A snow weasel." He took two steps towards the frightened child.
Shikamaru stood up, surprising the man. He was armed. "You won't touch a hair on her head if you value your existence."
The girl looked from one man to another. One wanted to harm her. The other was trying to protect her. Her eyes were wild. She knew Anamaraki's men well. She also knew what they would do to her if she was caught, or attacked someone.
"You have no authority here," the man said.
"Authority? No, I guess not. However, she's the same age as my own kid. I cannot let you harm her. Even though, I am at a bit of a disadvantage right now."
The man moved forward attempting to swing at Shikamaru, but he was faster. Shikamaru moved to his left, swinging his weight around on his right, and pivoting on his heel. He brought is right leg up, kicking the man in the side. The impact sent the man flying towards the girl. She moved out of the way, scrambling to her feet. "Come on," Shikamaru called urgently.
The girl ran towards him. She heard the man behind her grunt. Just as she slid beside the man who had protected her, she turned around to see a weapon flying at Shikamaru.
There's no time to react. His eyes watched the dagger flying straight at him. At all costs, he had to protect the girl. Everything was happening in slow motion. A small hand appeared right in front of his abdomen, where the weapon was aimed. Shikamaru blinked. What just happened? Did I get hit? He looked down. No way. That's...impossible!
The girl's yellow eyes focused on the man in front of her while the blade hovered in front of her palm, rotating. The only thing on her mind was to stop the blade from hitting Shikamaru. Her fighting instincts were taking over.
She's...She's rotating it with her chakra! Shikamaru watched as the frightened girl kept her focus strictly on her opponent and the kunai. The blade reversed. It now pointed at the man in the snow. He was getting up.
"You think to throw that at me, you little weasel," he said taunting the child, laughing. "You don't have the guts. I'll murder you," he charged at both her and Shikamaru.
Shikamaru gritted his teeth. He bent quickly, his arms wrapping around the girl's waist. At that moment, the blade was sent flying back at their opponent. Shikamaru heard the man yell in pain as he was hit. Before things got any worse, he hurled the girl up and took off running. I don't understand how she knows how to do that, but now is not the time to find out! There are going to be more of them on our tail now!
She felt herself flying through the air. The buildings below her were running from her view. The girl looked up at Shikamaru. "Seekahmahlu," she asked, wanting to know what was going on.
"You're pretty good, kid. I wonder where you learned to do such moves. At least now I know you can defend yourself. Yet, it wasn't yourself you were protecting. It was me." He smiled at her, placing his hand upon her head, petting. "Whatever the cost is, I think you're worth it. Sasuke has the right idea in mind. We've got to find somewhere to hide. Those guys are going to be looking for us."
The girl knew a place. She pointed to the distant snow-covered mountains. The bad men never left the village. Shikamaru nodded. "Over there, huh? Lets hope the others don't worry," he said. They headed off in that direction.
"You've got to be kidding. This is where you've been staying?" Ah, man, what a dump. The building they were in was practically condemned. "At least the roof is still good enough to keep the snow out." Shikamaru looked around. There were abandoned crates and trash everywhere. He wondered what the place had been used for. Whatever it had been, it was clear it was no longer in use. It was no wonder the girl stayed here. It was probably the only place the villagers didn't go. "No wonder no one could find you. You're a regular little snow fox."
The girl watched him curiously, tilting her head all the while. The man wasn't happy with the place. Neither was she, but they were safe. Shikamaru breathed air into his hands. "Warm?"
"Huh? No, not really. Freezing isn't exactly my bag, kid. I don't know how you bear it."
The girl whirled around. She took off running down one of the hallways in the place. "Hey, what's wrong," Shikamaru said alarmed. He stood up arming himself. He heard her grunting from a room somewhere. He peered around the corner. "Well, that would explain what this place was used for."
The girl tugged on a large fur that was caught inside the crate. It was heavy. She yelped as she fell over. Before long, the child was frustrated beyond all reason. Shikamaru watched her kick at the crate angrily. "Seems someone has a temper. That could be healthy."
He watched as the girl punched the box, only to hurt her hand. "Would you let me get it out? You're only going to hurt yourself." He placed his hands on the fur and pulled. It was stuck really well. "Good grief. I think it's a bear skin," he grunted, tugging more. Shikamaru fell backwards as the fur became dislodged.
The child ran over to him, sliding on her knees. She looked down at him, her yellow eyes watching. "Seekahmahlu dead?"
He sighed. "I question my own existence." He watched as she tilted her head at him, not understanding.
(Scene Change)
Neji Hyuuga abruptly came to a halt. Had he been discovered? Out of the corner of his eye he could see a figure sticking to the shadows. "I know you're there. You're mistaken if you thought for an instant I wasn't going to notice."
"I'd expect nothing less of the Hyuuga clan," a deep, monotone voice said. He stepped out from the shadows, his expression blank.
Neji turned fully around. "I was wondering where you were. We decided to help look for the child."
Sasuke walked towards the man, his eyes downcast. "I don't know if it will do any good. I did as you suggested, but some angry villager ran her off."
Neji frowned. "Might I ask why this girl is important to you?" Sasuke's expression changed to one he rarely saw on the man's face. Sadness. "I see. Forgive me." The girl is in the same situation Sasuke was in as a child.
Sasuke shrugged it off. "So I take it there hasn't been any luck in locating her."
"I haven't seen Shikamaru, or Kiba for some time. Kiba headed west. Shikamaru took to the east. You do understand that we are not to be seen. The Hokage cannot help us if we get into trouble. We must react and do on our own account."
Sasuke leaned against the building, his hands in his pockets, gaze downcast. He smirked. "I suppose Naruto will demote me for this."
Neji smiled a bit. "I don't see why. You're usually in the same amount of trouble all the time."
"Heh. It has become a recognizable pattern of mine, hasn't it?"
Neji regained his search with Sasuke trailing behind him. They couldn't stay out all night. He compromised that they would keep to the mission during the day. "We'll search for another hour, then we must head back."
Sasuke nodded.
(Scene Change)
I don't like this. Something's not right. I searched the west and east sides of this village. There is no sign of Shikamaru. He wouldn't have changed his position. He's too adapt to sticking to the plan. Kiba slid on the snow. His nose twinged. Blood. His slit pupils focused on the faint trace. It was leading away. He saw the broken crates, also. I really hope that it's not Shikamaru's.
Kiba approached the area cautiously. Something had defiantly occurred here. His hands traced the patterns in the snow. "Someone sat here. Probably Shikamaru hiding." His eyes shifted from the wall to the clumps of snow that went in every direction.
"Someone was running away from whoever Shikamaru attacked." Kiba examined the clumps of snow closer. A cold, chilling breeze made its way down the side road. He shivered. A thin hair blew off one of the clumps. Kiba crouched down, snatching it. "Well, well. It looks like we found our girl."
Lee yawned. Those guys have been gone a long time. He rubbed his eyes. Mebae had fallen asleep hours ago. I suppose I can leave the window open and they could slip in that way. There's no way I'm going to be surprised by anyone with Mebae around. He turned out the light and crawled into bed. "Those guys are a lot of trouble when they get their minds set on something."
