A/N: So I decided I'd force myself over the block of writing (o.O?) and put up another chapter so I can hopefully get this whole thing completed and posted before I have to go camping or whatever I'm doing this weekend. Okay so…enjoy!

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Chapter Nine:

Reminiscing

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Friday, March 16th

The scroll Ino had delivered the previous day lay open on the polished table Shikamaru sat at. He stared long and hard at the neat calligraphy scrawled on the parchment.

For at least an hour after opening the letter he was motionless. Instead of the usual routine he normally busied himself with, he sat alone deciphering the meaning behind the letter's courteous nonsense.

Shikamaru read over the note for the fourth time:

Nara Shikamaru-

I regret to inform you that after the confirmation of a serious suspicion the Hokage has seen it best to relieve you of your duty as Temari-san's escort. From here on out you are to report regularly to her office as others in your rank are accustomed to doing.

Tsunade-sama also requested that you be reminded a shinobi's place is that of which they are ordered by their leader and nothing more. Thank you for your aid thus far but we no longer are in need of your services. Please respect the Hokage's wish to allow the Suna kunoichi to carry out her mission with no interference.

Shizune

Head Assistant to the Lady Hokage

In other words, they knew.

Somehow Tsunade had gotten word of Shikamaru's relationship with Temari and found it inappropriate. Not only had she taken his mission with her away, but she was using her position to separate them.

Realizing he could do no more he left the table with a sigh and reached for his vest. I'm not getting anywhere just sitting here.

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Shikamaru had thought that taking a walk would help to clear his mind, but he soon discovered this only made things worse. Now he had even more time for brooding.

Temari must have been notified by now.

He walked aimlessly down side streets thinking about how unhelpful this turned out to be when suddenly it became considerably darker out. His dark eyes squinted upward at the cloud-covered sky and rested on the large building nearby.

A towering white structure with several geometrical divisions branching off of it seemed to glow in front of the sky's shadowy hue. For the first time during his walk he took in his surroundings.

Somehow he had arrived at a small, familiar square made by flat homes with tiled roofing. In an instant he recognized this place as where he first met Choji while choosing teams to play "ninja" years ago. That old building further on was where he had made it a habit to go up and watch the sky.

Shikamaru smiled sadly and wondered why he had suddenly stopped visiting the rooftop. Was he really that preoccupied?

He carried on in the direction of the building, remembering the exact alleyways to turn down. Soon he got to the metal fence just outside of the property, though something was different than he remembered. Normally the fence doors would be open, but for some reason they had been padlocked with a rusty chain.

Shikamaru examined the oxidized metal and stepped back. Had the grounds become off limits to the public in those few years or was this lock just a symbol of distrust? Either way he was compelled to return to his spot.

Taking a quick look around he stepped up on the chain link fence and smoothly dropped down onto the other side.

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After climbing up several ramps and staircases he made it to the flat roof.

It looks the same as when I was last up here. Shikamaru slowly walked to the thick, metal rail and glanced down. The view's changed a bit. He noted the new buildings that obstructed his view.

A slight wind carrying the scent of rain blew past him. The sound of creaking beams directed his attention to a shelter covering a wooden bench. Hm, my spot's still here.

Shikamaru studied the thick layer of dust between the boards of the seat. The lack of use was obvious. His rough hands swept down the long plywood, cleaning it so he could lie down.

The dark clouds hadn't departed yet and he couldn't make out a sign of blue atmosphere hidden behind it. He cradled his head with his arms and patiently awaited the return of the chalk-white clouds.

Finally he had the chance to sort though everything he had been through in only a few, short days.

I need this time away from Temari. The last thing I need is a more complicated mission. This is best for both of us. Shikamaru ran through every reason he could think of to justify his actions for not disobeying the Hokage. Besides, this saves me from breaking off relations later.

The blackening sky made threatening murmurs but no other move suggested a storm. Heavy gusts of wind became more consistent, stirring up the remaining particles of dust and sending them into glazed eyes.

Damnit. Attempts to blink the dirt away only caused his eyes to water. He cursed under his breath and rubbed them, forcing teardrops to stream down his face.

Convinced he had disposed of the dust the sensei laid back down but for some reason the tears didn't stop. His own involuntary action and his lack of control over it soon agitated Shikamaru.

After managing to tolerate his crying Shikamaru returned to more pressing matters.

"This is my fault." He whispered guiltily.His hand fell from the bench and brushed against the floor. Broken tiles drew blood from the backs of his fingers but he was too distracted to notice.

I've had several missions with Temari, why did I get out of line this time? He stared back up with hazy and troubled eyes. What a fool of himself he had made. The high regard others held him in had likely fallen by now.

Only one answer to his behavior was truly honest. The dam of feelings he had for Temari, constructed during the first mission he led as Chunin, had broken and he was in deep…

"Because I love her."

The roaming clouds kept their constant silence, unmoved by what he had admitted outloud. Sigh. I thought so. …What a drag. This entire time he was ignoring the fact that he was having a full conversation with himself.

He closed his half-lidded eyes and rolled onto his side. Weak attempts to get the kunoichi out of his mind only led him in endless, tiresome circles. Within minutes he had fallen to sleep.

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The 'tak' of sandals against rooftops produced a harmonious beat. "…And I said, if you're gonna be like this then we're through!"

"Whoa man. What happened after you broke it to her?"

"Aww, you know my mom. She sent me to my room."

"Rough."

"Tell me about it. I don't even live with… hey what's that?" Hagane stopped so suddenly that his teammate nearly fell off the roof.

"Where?" Izumo's eyes narrowed and slowly shifted to where he was pointing. "Eh. Dunno."

"Wanna go check it out?"

He looked to the skies doubtfully. "No. Tsunade-chan won't be…" But before he could even start lecturing, the spiky haired ninja was a distant blur.

"Hagane! We have to deliver this paperwork to the hospital!" He shook the folder of paper violently when he finally caught up to him on top of the building. But Hagane was (surprisingly) not paying any attention.

"Hah! Izumo… it's Nara!"

"Wha-? Nara? What's he doing up here?" Izumo's hands slipped to his side. Hagane took the plastic folder from the partially open grasp and crept to the wooden structure.

Izumo followed him swiftly. "Gimme back the work!" He hissed. Shikamaru's motionless figure suggested that he had fallen asleep.

"Alright…" The other made a move to hand over the folder, but thought better of it and dealt Shikamaru a hefty SMACK to the head. "MORNIN' NARA!" He called brightly.

Shikamaru jumped at the violent wake up call. "KAMI you baka! What was that for?!" Hagane grinned cheekily and rocked side to side innocently, "Oh you know, just following protocol. It's that time of the month again – patrolling for hobos..."

"Why don't you tell us what you're doing up here?" Izumo cut in, tearing the sheets from his partner's hand.

He put his feet onto the ground and held his head, never making eye contact with the two, "Thinking."

"About?" Izumo leaned against a fragile beam, holding the papers tightly in an effort to ward off Hagane. "What do you mean 'about'?" The man's mocking tone received a glare from his partner, but he finished his thought. "He's thinkin' bout that chick. What's her name? Temari right?"

No response.

"Yeah. We know. Everybody kno-ouch!" Izumo shook his head warningly and tried to avoid the subject, but it was too late. "Hn. That figures." Shikamaru said gloomily.

"Well, we didn't think you'd take us literally and go at it with your own comrade. That was a bad move on your part."

"Pfft. I'm sure it was worth it!" Hagane brushed off Izumo's last comment and took the seat beside Shikamaru. "…Of course now you prolli won't see her unless you go to Sunagakure. And it'll be garbage duty for a while until Tsunade trusts you again…"

Izumo groaned and covered his face with his hand. It was obvious this 'pep talk' wasn't helping, was he the only one to notice this? Hagane's list was endless.

"…And you may even be helping us in the office! But don't worry 'bout it. Tsunade made sure Temari would be gone as soon as those meetings ended, which means you can get a…"

"What?" Shikamaru looked up with cold eyes. Hagane scratched the side of his head, "You'll get a head start on the dirty jobs…?"

"No. Before that!"

"Temari's leaving. The second that last meeting ends… fwip…she's outta here." Izumo made a gesture over his shoulder. "We heard it all this morning." Hagane explained.

"When is the last meeting?"

The two exchanged looks. "… Well… it started just after noon so it'll probably end around…four." Izumo figured the scheduling in his head.

"Today?!"

"Yeaahhh…" Hagane thought it was the most obvious thing. That's in half an hour!

"How is she departing?!"

"By train. She was gonna go by foot but Lady Tsunade insisted she…" The crack of the beam Izumo was leaning on sliced through the conversation. The next instant Shikamaru was up and had on a grim appearance.

"Whoa man, you're lookin' kinda sinister…" Hagane backed up but was paid no mind.

Without a "good-bye" or "thank you" Shikamaru dashed down the stairs of the roof, jumping the last set and landing skillfully on his feet.

Izumo hopped on top of a large tank of some sort and watched his friend race across the green lawn. "Hm. Wonder what got into him." Hagane looked over the railing and shrugged.

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Shikamaru didn't have anytime to waste. Departures from the station varied depending on the amount of passengers. Seeing as it was Friday, he figured travelers would be packing the small establishment.

To hell with what Tsunade said. If a shinobi's place isn't with those whom he loves and wishes to protect, to serve, then the entire system is corrupt afterall.

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A/N: Will Shikamaru get the chance to let Temari how he feels about her or is he gonna end up s.o.l? O.O Reviews'll get the next chapter up faster!