I don't own Naruto.
It's been a month since Shikamaru's disappearance and the useless attack that they lost Sakura in.
Every day seemed longer and each one was more agonizing that the one before.
It was already nighttime, but Minako didn't feel like being on time for her next mission, so she just lied on her bed, thinking. It strange... After I've remembered what happened that night, I was scared... As the time went by, the fear, just went away... I guess... I think I'm getting more used to the idea of being with him... I don't know... Maybe telling Tsunade about it would be the right thing to do... Than again, what we classify as right or wrong depends on the place we stand. So the right question would be: where do I stand?
"Aaah! Shikamaru! Where are you when I need you?" Minako yelled at the ceiling.
"Try getting your lazy ass out of bed and you might actually see me."
"Look who's talking, you la-" Minako sat up to glare at the unexpected visitor. "Shikamaru!" The next thing the poor lazy genius knew, he was lying on the floor with Minako on top of him, hugging him to death.
"Mina, this is wrong on so many levels."
Minako gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"
"Even if we forget about my breathing difficulties in this position, you are lying on top of me, with nothing but a t-shirt and panties on."
Three seconds later, Minako jumped and ran into the bathroom to get dressed. "I'll be right back!"
When Minako got out fully dressed, she found Shikamaru in the living room, sitting on the couch. "Nice of you to drop by." She said while sitting across from him.
"I'm sorry Mina."
"For what? Leaving?"
"Mina, I can explain."
"Start talking."
"It started about two years ago, when I met her."
"What started? Who did you meet?"
"I met Temari. And we became mates. She wanted to turn me back then, but since I was in the night watch, her brother asked me for a favor." Minako was looking at him wide eyed and then he read her thoughts. "Yes, Gaara. He asked me to stay in the night watch for a while longer to keep an eye on three women that he and the other two lords have chosen to be their mates."
"So you've known, all this time..."
"Yes. I was quite shocked when he told me that one of those women was you. On the other hand, it made my job easier, since we've been working together ever since we joined the night watch. Of course, getting the other two to join the team was a bit of a challenge, but it was nothing my special ability couldn't fix."
"Tenten... she's the third one?"
"Yes."
"Why are you telling me this? Aren't you afraid that I might tell the night watch about it?"
Shikamaru smirked. "Tell me, how long have you known that Gaara chose you?" When she didn't answer, he continued. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Minako lifted her gaze to meet his. "About a month."
"So if you haven't told anyone after a whole month, why would I be afraid that you'll tell someone now? Besides, we both know what would happen to you and Tenten if the night watch found out. I don't think anyone is that blindly devoted to its cause."
"You don't know that."
"Yes I do. You do too. The night watch won't take any chances if they find out about you and Tenten. Killing the two of you is a small price to pay for-"
"Why are you saying this? I thought we were friends, that we fought for the same thing!"
"We are friends, we always were. I care about you, and nothing will ever change that. But our reasons for fighting have changed when I gained a new perspective."
"What new perspective?" Minako yelled in frustration.
"Perspective of a person who knows the truth."
"The truth?"
"Yes. Vampires weren't the ones who started this war. Humans did. The reason why most people don't know about this is because the only humans who knew what happened kept their mouths shut. It's a lot easier to convince people into hating and fighting vampires when you tell them that "Vampires started it." Of course, after a while, those who knew the truth died and the only place where it can be found today are old records that nobody ever thinks of looking at."
Minako sighed. "How exactly, did we start the war?"
"First of all, I should make a few things clear to you. All that talk about humans and vampires having the same rights before the war, is a lie. Humans were free to do what ever they wanted. Vampires, on the other hand, weren't allowed to live anywhere near humans. In fact, the castles that we live in now, were where vampires in the past were forced to live in. And the special security system that closes all doors and windows after the sunrise – vampires didn't make it, they just modified it to work that way. Humans were the ones to make it so that they could control the time when vampires could get out. They would keep them looked up for weeks if they felt like it. At that time, vampires were allowed to feed off animals only, but since humans kept them trapped in castles for too long, they weren't able to get any blood, so they became weak. And that's what humans were waiting for. When they thought that vampires were weak enough they attacked. That's when the last three vampire lords were killed. Of course, vampires then fought back and the war started."
Minako stared at him wide eyed and than her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "How can I be sure that you're not lying to me?"
"Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?"
Minako glared at him. "Do you really want me to answer that question?" Then she stood up and went for the door.
"Where are you going? It's already past ten, there are vampires all over the place."
She turned to face him. "You said that there were records. I need to make sure that what you said is true."
"Do you have to make sure now? And aren't you already late for your job?"
"Now is as good time as any Shikamaru. As for the job, I didn't feel like going on a mission before you came here, and you can be sure that I'm not planning on going now." With that she opened the door and ran outside.
"Troublesome woman." Shikamaru said to himself before running after her.
When he finally caught up to her, he pulled her by the arm to slow her down. "You do know that just because Gaara wants you doesn't mean that he's gonna fly around the town and keep you from killing yourself? Vampires that we might run into have no idea that you're supposed to become his mate one of these days, so there's nothing stopping them from grabbing you as an easy meal."
"I am aware of that Shikamaru, and in case you have forgotten, you're a vampire now. Which means that you won't be able to walk into the night watch headquarters with me, like during the good old days. So do us both a favor and go back to your mate."
After hearing that, Shikamaru stopped dead in his tracks. Minako stopped and turned around to see a hurt look on his face. Then she sighed. "What is that look for? I finally got to see you again after thinking that you're dead for the past month, so if you think that I'm gonna let you come with me and get yourself blown up or worse, you've got another thing coming." She said.
"You are the weirdest person I've ever met, Minako." He said with a smirk.
"Yeah, same to you, now get lost before somebody sees us." With that she turned around and took off towards the headquarters.
After beating up a few vampires that got in the way, Minako finally reached the headquarters. I've never been here when everyone's on missions... It's pretty empty... She ran upstairs, to the forth floor, where the records were kept. Lets see... If I were a document that had some kind of secret in it, where would I be?
It was around three in the morning when Minako finally found what she was looking for. So he wasn't lying after all... Should I be ashamed of myself for not trusting my best friend? I think not. When she looked around, Minako realized that she'd made quite a mess during her search. Oops... I better put everything back to it's place before somebody comes. When she was finally done, she went back to the ground floor, where she saw Naruto. He looked scared and nervous.
"What are you doing here Naruto?" She asked when she came close to him.
"Mina! We just came back from a mission."
"A mission? You weren't supposed to go anywhere without me."
"Yeah, that's what Tenten told Tsunade, but we had to go anyway..."
"Alright, I'll deal with that later. Where are Tenten and Kiba?"
"Kiba is in the ambulance."
Minako's eyes widened. "And Tenten?"
Naruto turned his gaze to the floor and shook his head instead of answering. "Naruto, stay here with Kiba." She told him before running out on the street.
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