Chapter 9: Setbacks

"Shikamaru, an emergency war meeting has been called" Shikaku stood over his son fully dressed which confused Shikamaru because he looked out the window and saw the moon still out.

"At 3 in the morning"

"Yes, now hurry. And be careful not to wake your son"

He quickly got dressed and him and his father began walking to the meeting. The streets of Konoha were desolate and empty. 'Everyone is still asleep, man are they lucky' He thought to himself as he yawned. They quickly made it to the meeting and saw Tsunade standing at the head of the table furious.

"We have problems. The Wind Daimyo and The Earth Daimyo did not approve for Sunagakure and Iwagakure to fight in the war. They believed that we rushed things and three days is not enough time to prepare. They believe that two weeks is sufficient time."

"What did the other Kage say"

"They were fine with it, but I'm pretty pissed"

"I think it plays in our favor"

"What do you mean, Shikaku"

"Three days didn't give us any time to come up with any thing, two weeks is still short notice, but we could get more things done"

"Alright, Do not waste anytime. Make sure everything is prepared, there is no reason for complications. Everyone is dismissed"


Shikamaru was able to get some sleep before he heard Choji and Ino screaming at his window. "Are you up Shikamaru!" He looked over and saw the Shikadai was gone so he quickly got out of bed. He hadn't changed out his clothes from the meeting so he was able to quickly go outside. He noticed Ino and Choji with their children and Shikadai was with them with his hair in the Nara ponytail. But what he also saw was Sai standing next to them. He wasn't at the dinner last night, so he wondered if anyone told him the situation. Just then he heard Ino in his mind.

"Why is Sai here"

"Inojin uses a Scroll"

"He doesn't know mind transfer jutsu"

"No, that's why I invited him"

"Does he know about Inojin being his son"

"No, and don't tell him. The more I talk to him, the more I feel an attraction and I don't want anything to ruin that"

"Women are so troublesome"

She just got mad and disconnected from him. As they walked, Ino walked with Sai, and based on what Shikamaru saw, them laughing and smiling, he could see that there was something between them. On the way to the training grounds, they saw Shikaku,Inoichi, and Chōza coming out of a bar.

"Where are you kids headed off to" Chōza asked. Shikaku could tell that they must know about their kids and was going to teach them some Ino-Shika-Cho formations. "To train, well I guess we'll see you guys later" They tried to rush off, but they noticed their dads still behind them.

"Where are you going" Ino turned and snapped at her dad.

"With you guys"

"What, Why?!"

"We want to train, we finished our work so what else is there to do"

"Prepare for the war?" Ino said sarcastically hoping her father get the hint and go away.

"We are, by helping you guys train."

They wouldn't budge so the ten of them continued to the training grounds. Chōza, Inoichi, and Shikaku watched from the side lines as the rest of them were training.

"It's nice to see the new Ino-Shika-Cho, training with their parents" Inoichi told them as the training session was getting more interesting. The kids were nowhere near winning, but they weren't bad.

"What do you mean new Ino-Shika-Cho" Chōza was confused and waited patiently for an answer.

"I didn't know you knew, Inoichi"

"As soon as that kid came into my house, I checked him."

"What are you two talking about"

"Those are our grandchildren from the future"

"Really? You guys never tell me anything"

"We just did"

Shikamaru was about to use his shadow possession jutsu, when Neji suddenly appeared in front of his father. "Lady Tsunade needs you"

"I assume it's important, well I'll catch up with you guys later"


At the hokage's tower, Tsunade sat at her desk with tons of paper at her desk, which covered her face. "Sorry about the mess, but these are files on every single ninja that will participate in the war. I need you separate them into divisions, I know it's a lot but all the Kage thought you were best for the job"

"I understand"

"When can you have it done"

"Whenever you need it"

"Thank you, I do not care how you divide them, just make sure everything works out. And also make sure there is a Surprise Attack Division"

"Yes, Lady Tsunade"

"You are dismissed"


Temari had woken feeling a bit light headed. She wasn't able to get a ton of sleep, but she had been neglecting training so this was the perfect time to drag Shikari and Kankuro with her. "Tema, it's four in the morning, go back to bed"

Suddenly he felt two hands tugging at his shirt. "Listen,ass. You better get up, put that damn purple paint on your face and have a puppet on your back in less than 10 minuets. Do you understand me?"

He had fear in his eyes and quickly leaped up, Shikari hurried too, not wanting the same punishment. Shikari grabbed her puppet. "Grab your fan too" Temari told her before walking out the door. They were soon in the back yard with the moon above their heads being the only source of light. "I want you to use your Kamaitachi no Jutsu against mine. If they are the same strength then they'll cancel each other out."

"But yours is stronger than mine"

"Just do what I say!"

Kankuro moved closer to Temari and out of the way of danger. "Kamaitachi no Jutsu!" They both did the jutsu and of course Temari's was stronger, but to her surprise, Shikari was barely affected by it.

"She's almost as good as you"

"I know. By the time the war starts I want her to be as good as me."

They practiced until the sun came up and it was eventually mid-day. All three of them were fatigued from practicing non-stop. "I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be right back" Temari left them two and headed to the house. Kankuro looked over and seen her puppet hasn't been touched.

"Hey kid, lets fight. Only using puppets"

"Are you serious, you can use like 10 puppets at a time, and they're super strong"

"Okay to make it even, I'll give you Black Ant and teach you how to use more than one at a time."

"While you use Sasori, this fight is 'definitely' even"

Come on just give it a chance"

"What a drag, Fine"

Temari never returned outside, instead she stood inside and watched them from the glass doors. "Man, She's really strong" She said to herself before she felt two arms wrap around her waist. "I wouldn't expect anything less, we are her parents"

"I know-" Kankuro and Shikari began walking towards the house which made Shikamaru step back from Temari. "You should just tell him" Shikadai appeared from the kitchen, seeing his parents hide their affection for one another. "Your uncle Kankuro won't understand"

"I won't understand what" She turned around and saw him standing there with his hair disheveled and his makeup smudged on his face. "A joke" she said quickly trying to change the subject. "What happened to you guys"

"Once she learned to use two puppets at once, she was actually competition"

"Whatever, I'm going to take a nap"

"And I'm about to get cleaned up"

Shikadai left with his sister and Kankuro left to take a shower which left Shikamaru and Temari by themselves. "I heard the war was postponed"

"Yea, How did you find out"

"A letter came in the mail from Gaara"

"I'm glad it's delayed"

"Why"

"Because I get to spend more time with you"

"That was so cheesy, but I feel the same way"

A week had passed and it was becoming harder for them to hide their relationship. They were able to be intimate a few times while everyone was out the house, but a few times they almost got caught by being to loud. "Hey Shikamaru is everything alright"

Kankuro came to his door in the middle of one of their sex sessions. "Yea, why do you ask"

"Well I was looking for Tema, but you're all sweaty and flustered"

"I'm fine, I just woke up from a nap"

"That must've been an intense nap, but have you seen Temari"

"She went with Ino and Sakura to get something to eat"

"Oh, thanks and sorry I interrupted your nap. I know how much you enjoy them things"

"It's not a problem"

He shut the door and returned to Temari. They quietly finished their activity and laid next to each other. "Shikadai was right. We have to tell him"

"I'm trying to live, at least until the war"

"He's going to have to get over it eventually and the sooner we tell them, the easier this will be"

"Them, You said Kankuro, not Gaara"

"Listen" She caressed his face to ease his fear and then planted a kiss on his lips. "If you want to wait until after the war that's fine"

"That sounds like a plan"

"I'm glad you like it"


"Where are you headed to, Sakura"

"To meet with Tsunade"

"Well, I have gossip"

Sakura quickly stopped and she began walking the other way with Ino. "So what is it"

"Choji, has a girlfriend"

"HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND!"

"Keep it down will ya"

"Sorry, but who is it"

"The girl from the cloud"

"How did you find this out, using the Yamanaka jutsu"

"No, I would never use it for my own entertainment. I saw him taking her to Ichiraku's, and when I found him later, I asked and he told me the truth."

"That's amazing that he found someone, before I did"

"Remember, Sasuke comes after the war"

"I know well I better get going"

They said their goodbyes, and Ino walked to Yakiniqu Q, where she was suppose to meet Choji and Shikamaru for dinner. They were already eating by time she arrived. "So you guys didn't wait for me"

"We tried, but I was too hungry"

"You guys are pigs"

"Do you have to be troublesome Ino"

"Am I as troublesome as Temari?" Ino smirked as she watched Shikamaru tense up. "There is nothing between us"

"There is nothing between you guys yet. Those are obviously her kids"

"You don't know that"

"But what I do know is that Choji has a girlfriend" Ino Sang as Choji tried to hide his blush by taking another piece of meat. "I knew already"

"Wait!, you told him before you told me"

"Kinda, can we talk about something else"

"Ooh no, we're going to talk about Karui and you"

"Do we have to"

"Yes, So did you guys have sex yet"

Choji was hesitant to answer. "That's personal Ino" He turned completely red trying to avoid eye contact.

"You guys did do it. When, where, how"

"It just happened"

"You guys move fast, faster than this guy and Temari"

"Whatever"

They continued to eat when suddenly the lights went out and a huge explosion happened right outside the gates. "What the hell was that?!"


Authors Note: Thanks to everyone that reads. I hope you guys are liking the story because I enjoy Writing it. Please continue to leave Reviews and comments because they make me smile when I read them. I really appreciate all of you that support me, so THANKS ;)

Disclaimer: I SADLY do not own Naruto