Chapter Eleven
Times will be bad
Times will be good
Things I wish I hadn't done
And some I wish I would
Shikamaru took the lead as the group of ninja headed back through the forest towards Konoha. He felt relieved that this mission was over. Well, almost. He needed to rest and clear his head. He had no doubt that once he was back it wouldn't be long before Lady Tsunade was calling on him again with a new mission. He just hoped that his next one was a nice simple mission. Not likely.. She likes to work me hard. What a drag. Maybe I'll get sent on a mission with Chouji. That'd be a nice change. He missed working with his best friend, and even Ino; just a little. It'd be nice to be Inoshikacho again. Not that they had ever stopped being Inoshikacho. They were all still part of the same squad, all still the same team, it had just been a very long time since he had been sent on a mission with them. Usually he was always being pulled out and made to take charge of other squads, or teams pulled together out of a hat, made up of ninja from different squads, like his current team. Team Kakashi, Team Kurenai and Team Asuma. It was more than likely that when he got back, Ino, Chouji and Asuma would likely have been sent on a new mission. Can't wait for all this to be over. He thought drearily. Truth be told, he was a little desperate to get back. He wanted a day or two to himself, not being bothered by anyone. I'd be lucky to get it. If by chance his team was still in the village when he got back Ino would likely drag physically him, quite literally, out of his house to spend time with them. Unless he managed to dodge her. Sounds like a plan.
They were making good time, and considering they had run into the bandits they were after only a day's travel away from Konoha, they should be back in the village by late evening. Behind him he could hear Lee rambling on continuously about the fire of youth and how proud he was going to make Gai sensei. It seemed he was talking to Shino, but as always, it was impossible to tell if he was listening or if he was off in his own little world. A few of his kikaichū buzzed around him as he jumped through the trees. A little further back, Hinata was sticking close to Sakura, who seemed to feel the need to keep a constant watch over her. She had apparently realised the extent of Hinata's exhaustion. But then again, she was a medic, so it made sense that she was more acutely aware of the welfare of her teammates. Although they weren't talking, the way they stuck together made it seem like they had a secret that no one else could know about. Eh, girls. He sighed. He jumped through the next couple of trees and then landed on the ground. "Alright guys, take a rest. 15 minutes ok? Then we gotta get going," he said coolly. "You're in a hurry," Sakura said. "Yes," Lee agreed, "why?" "I just want to get home," he replied. "Agreed," Shino put in. Shikamaru sat down, leaning against a tree. He took out his water-skin and took a drink. Then, leaning his head back, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He sat like that for a few minutes, enjoying the respite, before opening his eyes and pushing himself to his feet. He walked around the immediate area, just casually, looking around and the small scuttling creatures. It's not half bad out here, he admitted to himself, but I would rather be staring at my ceiling right about now. He took another drink from his water-skin and headed back to his team. "Alright guys, c'mon," he said, waiting patiently for them all to get up. The first one ready to leave was Hinata, who seemed all too eager to be on her way again. "You're certainly keen to get home," he pointed out. Her head turned towards him, her eyes making brief contact with his, before she whipper her head away again. A faint blush was on her cheeks. "I have to train," was all she said. "We both know that's not the reason. Or not the whole reason at least," he said quietly enough for only her to hear. Her blush grew a little deeper, but she said nothing more. He shrugged and turned back to the rest of his team. "Let's go," he said.
The rest of the day went by quickly and without incident. Just as the sun had started to sink Konoha's main gate came into view. "Nearly there, guys," he said more to himself than to his team. He could have put in that little bit of extra effort to get home just that little bit sooner, but he really couldn't bothered. At least it's in sight. Another ten minutes saw the five of them standing at the entrance gate, being greeted by Kotetsu and Izumo, the two Chunin usually left in charge of the main entrance gate. "Alright," Kotetsu said "let's get you all marked down as returned. Team leader?" "That'd be me," Shikamaru said. "Alright then. Nara, check. And the rest of you. Hyuuga.H, Haruno, Aburame and Rock. Alright, all good here. Thanks." Kotetsu said with a smile. Shikamaru waved at the two boys and moved towards the Hokage's office, his team following. The sky had already darkened considerable by the time Shikamaru knocked on Tsunade's door. He heard a sharp "Enter!" and mentally prepared himself for not even he knew what. He turned the handle and stepped inside, followed by Shino and Lee, then Hinata and finally Sakura. As soon as the pink haired girl entered the room, Ton Ton raced across the floor and leapt into her arms with a loud "oink!" Sakura laughed, "yes it's good to see you too Ton Ton." She stroked the pig and then placed her gently on the ground.
Tsunade sat waiting. "Well?" she asked. "The mission was a success," was all he said. "Clearly. Why are you back so early?" Tsunade replied. "We ran into the bandits only a day's travel from Konoha," he answered. "Did you identify where they were from?" "They were rogue ninja from Iwa, Hokage" he said. "How many were there Shikamaru?" She asked. "Four. We came across the first one when we stopped to set up camp. While Lee, Sakura and I were distracted with the first, Hinata located a second ninja and she and Shino took care of him. While they were busy with that guy however, another two showed up. They got back just in time. One of them had me in a tight jam, but Hinata got there in time to stop him." He explained. "Hmm, I see," was all she said. After a moment she nodded and said "Alright, you can all go. Thank you." As they turned to leave she spoke up "Shikamaru. Hinata." They both stopped and turned to look at her. "I want the both of you to report back here in two days for a new mission. Understood?" "Yes ma'am," they replied simultaneously.
