Chapter 9: Worst Timings

Naruto had been trying to break the waterfall for 6 days now. Kakashi dismissed Himai, saying since she was on standby, she didn't have to stick around for Naruto's training today, so she went to visit Kurenai. She wanted to know how she was doing. Seeing that only she and Asuma knew of the baby, she wanted to make sure Kurenai had someone to talk to.

She got to her apartment and knocked. The door opened quickly.

"Himai. I thought you were helping Naruto train."

"Kakashi said it was fine if I took the day off. I'm on standby and he said it'd be better if I did nothing. Plus I wanted to know how you were doing."

"I'm doing well thank you. Please come in. Would you like anything I know you're shy, but I don't mind making anything for lunch."

"I'm fine Kurenai. Don't worry about me. I came to visit you and see how you were doing."

"Oh I've been fine thank you. The doctor says the baby is coming along just fine. Nothing to worry about. Asuma has even started to smoke less nowadays. He said he wants to be a good example for the baby."

"That's good to hear. So I'm assuming Tsunade has pulled you out of all missions now?"

"I haven't told her yet. Once I do she'll ban me on missions for a long time until after I have the baby. I don't know what I'm going to do when I have the baby."

"I'm sure team Kurenai will help you when Asuma is out on missions, although I think Kiba's nose prohibits him of diaper duty. And I'll be here too when I don't have missions. And team Asuma will be thrilled to see it, especially Ino."

"It seems you've made many bonds in the village now. You're not the same socially awkward girl you were when you came here."

'Socially awkward? Thanks Kurenai.' Thought Himai.

"Anyways, how about you? You wouldn't be surprised if I asked you about your relationship with Shikamaru would you?"

"I'd prefer if you didn't but no I'm over everyone asking."

"And? How's everything?"

"The other day I spent the night at the Nara house. Shikaku told me that maybe I'm hiding the truth from myself, practically saying that I'm in denial. I never pay much attention to my own thoughts."

"Well, why don't I help with that?"

"How?"

"Genjutsu."

"But won't that harm you and the baby?"

"It'll be fine as long as I don't tire myself out. And since the dragon of security doesn't apply to you anymore, it's safe for the both of us. What do you say? You'll be put in a trance state and I'll ask you questions, since you won't be able to think fast enough to say a lie, you won't have to worry about giving wrong information. I won't tell anyone anything, unless you're about to destroy the village."

"I mean I guess it couldn't hurt."

"Great. Okay sit here and close your eyed."

Himai did as she was told. In a few seconds she felt tired, like she had no control over anything.

"Wow, you really do have no hope for genjutsu. Even with a little it'd never be this easy for me to get into someone's mind."

"Shut up." Himai didn't think about her response. She felt too tired to think.

"Okay. Let's start small. What's your name?"

"Himai Okibi."

"How old are you"

"16"

"How many siblings do you have?"

"6"

"What is your rank in the village?"

"Jonin and ANBU. I take on missions more as a jonin because my attacks are too recognizable to be ANBU."

"Who were the first three people you saw when you came to the village?"

"Tsunade, Shizune, and Shikamaru."

"What is Shikamaru currently to you?"

"My friend."

"For how long."

"Since I got here."

"And is he a good friend of yours?"

"Yes."

"When did people start asking if you two were together?"

"When Shikamaru started helping me find a way to not be the heir."

"Who was the first person to ask?"

"Ino."

"Did the rumors begin to form after she asked?"

"No, it took longer."

"Has anyone mentioned if Shikamaru had any feelings for you?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

"Kiba."

"When"

"The chunin party at the Hyuga house."

"And since then it's being going on? The rumors and insistence?"

"Yes"

"Okay. So what are the good things you see in him?"

"He's caring, intelligent, easy to talk to, good teammate, understanding, isn't scared of stupid shit, and not so cocky."

"And what are his bad qualities?"

"He's lazy, and thinks women are troublesome."

"Do you mind those things?"

"No."

"Why?"

"If I did we wouldn't talk at all."

"I see." Kurenai dispelled the jutsu.

"Can you think clearly now Himai?"

Himai stayed silent for a while, letting everything that just happened sink in. Then she smirked to herself.

"Damn, I'm an idiot." Himai said.

"You're not. The way I see it, it's not too late. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know how your feel."

"Right thanks Kurenai, see you around."

Himai rushed out her apartment and began to look for Shikamaru, when an ANB appeared in front of her.

"Lady Hokage wished to see you immediately in her office."

"On it." Shikamaru was going to have to wait. It seemed that Tsunade was making her move. She arrived in her office. There was a monk from the fire temple there.

"What's the story?" Himai asked.

"They've attacked the fire temple and captured Chiriku. He used to be in the one shinobi guard with Asuma. I'm going to be sending 20 platoons out along the nation. We'll find them, and kill then in our territory. Your mission is to tell the troops what you know about their movements. After that you'll be sent out to gather more information on where the group is. We don't have much time to lose. You'll be working alone. Is that clear?"

"Understood."

"Let's go."

Tsunade, Shizune, and Himai went up to the rooftop where there were 80 shinobi present. In the 80 she saw 4 very noticeable faces: Team Asuma. She could see Shikamaru freeze for a second.

'So this is what she was talking about when she said Tsunade would send them out.'

Himai informed the group about what she knew on the Akatsuki and Tsunade said a few words.

"Any questions?"

Asuma raised his hand. "Chiriku was one of the Shinobi 12. Was he not there or something?"

The monk answered. "Lord Chiriku faced the two Akatsuki all on his own, but unfortunately…"

Himai saw Asuma's expression and made eye contact with Shikamaru, making sure to look over him. Shikamaru got the message and nodded.

"You have your orders. Now go!" The teams were deployed with Himai leading the way since she was the fastest. She passed Shikamaru and touched his shoulder as a way of wishing him good luck and ran off. Before she caught up with the pair invading the fire nation, she had to talk to an Akatsuki member that wasn't part of all this. She went on for a few more kilometers before stopping deep inside the woods of a location very far from the village.

"So Lady Hokage had given her orders to move out?"

"Yes. Just deployed now."

"I see."

"Who are we dealing with?"

"Hidan and Kakuzu. They're said to be an immortal pair, but they're just tough to take out. Fighting Hidan is like fighting Sasori: one scratch and you're out."

"And Kakuzu?"

"You have to take him out 5 times. This is all the information I can give you."

"That's fine Itachi."

"Good luck."

"You too." The pair separated. She was lucky enough to know the true reason for the Uchiha massacre, but that secret was never to be told.

She sat at the place she was at and began to meditate, sending her chakra to the earth to find the leaf shinobi to relay information to. The first team she found was Ino and Choji. She was about to dispel her chakra, when she felt an unusual chakra near another team. She could tell it was a group of two with someone who'd chakra points no longer worked. One of them felt like they had 5 typed of chakra in them. They were walking away from the direction of the fire temple.

"Is this?..."

Himai decided it would be better to go after the Akatsuki and weaken then until another team came to them. She took out her yellow transportation scroll and sent two messages: One to Tsunade, another to Shikamaru.

'Target locked on. Form fire temple to collection office Platoon 11 closest.'

In the leaf village, Tsunade was PISSED when she received Himai's message. She was glad they got information, but pissed that 80 shinobi couldn't find them, yet a 16 year old girl by herself did.

"Send all groups to collection offices!" Tsunade barked.

"I can't believe this! We send 80 shinobi to find two people and the only person to find them fast enough was a girl who's not on a squad Everyone should be ashamed of themselves! Himai was supposed to be backup, not the first choice of attack!"

Himai was on their trail. She sent a message to Ino and Choji as well telling them the direction to go. Himai was almost at the collection office where she had tracked down the two Akatsuki, when she got a message from Tsunade through the scroll.

'Fall back, your mission is done, come back to the village at once. No exceptions. Do not engage the enemy.'

She knew her mission was completed, but she could help but feel like she was needed there. She decided it was best to follow Tsunade's orders and headed back to the village. She reported directly to Tsunade.

"Excellent work Himai. Stand by for further instructions."

"I really feel like I should be out there."

"I need you here in case the platoons don't succeed in stopping them. I need you to protect the village. And I'll to activate the shield if it happens."

"Of course. If you need me I'll be with Kurenai tomorrow. I'll be heading home now."

"Of course. I shall see you when we get any new information."

Himai walked out and headed home. It had been a very long day. The sun was beginning to set. She knew she'd make it home for dinner. She was never really exhausted, but this time was an exception. It took a lot of work to use chakra on earth to track people when you didn't have a dragon. Himai got home to see Hihana in the living room with the baby.

"Himai you're home! We thought you were on a mission that you left for this morning."

"I just got back, but I'm on standby."

"I don't know how you do all that work. I mean I get exhausted just doing household work. I can't imagine you."

"Well I was trained for these things."

Himai liked Hihana, she ready did. However, Hihana was never a shinobi. She was the dream child everyone in the clan wanted: polite, held her tongue, not a ninja, did what she was told, enjoyed doing housework, the perfect domestic wife. Himai on the other hand, was the clan's worst nightmares come true: a girl that didn't know the meaning of self-restraint, arrogant, shinobi, did as she pleased, always in the action, a nightmare.

"I don't see what's so wrong in being a housewife helping your husband and doing what you're told."

"We're different people. You like being told what to do, and I like telling people what to do. Not all Okibi girls are the same. I mean my sisters are also ninja."

"Yes but they stay in the village while you're never here. You should spend more time here. I'm sure there's going to be someone who-"

"Not. Interested. I've had this conversation with you before. I'm 16 and an amazing shinobi. I don't want to be 16 and a slave to a man my whole life, let alone a guy from this clan."

"DINNER!" Hiyougo yelled.

"Thank goodness I'm starving!" Himai yelled and ran to the dining room. That was another difference. While Hihana was dainty and lady like, Himai was practically one of the guys in the family.

"Himai I thought you were on a mission!" Akarui exclaimed.

"Just got back. I'm on standby."

"Well it's good to have you here." Hikougi answered back.

They began eating and talking about how their days went. Himai wasn't paying attention until Hiryuu commented on her behavior.

"Himai don't eat so much, it's rude."

"I'm sorry I have so much energy that I need to eat like a pig." Himai answered sarcastically.

"I'm just saying eat more slowly, you'll get fuller faster."

"And I'll lose energy faster too."

Hiryuu glared at her and she glared back. There was a huge piece of pie in front of Himai. She slowly got in and set it in front of her.

"You wouldn't"

"Try me. I dare you."

"Don't eat it."

Himai cut the piece into three pieces and ate them while still glaring at him. When she finished she opened her mouth so Hiryuu could see she finished.

"Piggy."

"Uptight."

"Hiryuu you're a married man with a son. You should be the bigger person and not even engage in an argument with her!" Hishu barked. Hiryuu breathed in and out.

"I'm sorry for causing such a ruckus." Hiryuu said

"That's fine. I'm sorry for not being up to your standards." Himai could care less.

"If you'll excuse me, I'll be going to my room now. I have things to do tomorrow." Himai got up and left. She quickly went to sleep, exhausted of what she'd don't the whole day.