Positive and Negative attracts.
Fire melts ice and water extinguishes fire.
Shadows works well with Light.
-o-o-o-
Chapter Twelve
Hinata edged closer to Shikamaru as they made their way inside the small town. She can't see much with the bandages around her head so she based it mostly by feeling his familiar chakra signature. Around her, she could hear the stiff movements of the guards that surrounded them. There was also excited chatter all around—a sure enough sign that she and the Nara have gathered attention from the locals.
Shikamaru's hand was gently plastered on the curve of her back, guiding her as they walked. He had proclaimed that they were husband and wife earlier so she guessed that he was living to the act. She was surprised with it but reminded herself that he was the genius.
She should leave the thinking to him.
"Shikamaru-kun…" She whispered.
"It's going to be fine." Shikamaru pulled Naruto's wife a little closer. He can understand if Hinata was a little nervous because out of the Rookie nine, she rarely leaves the village for missions. As the Hokage's advisor, he was aware that Naruto usually lets her take the easier ones. There were also times when a job description really fits Hinata but the Hokage gets out of his way just to make sure that it was given to someone else.
Hinata has been out of the danger game for a long time.
"It's going to be fine." He repeated, just in case she was still feeling uneasy. He knew that he could rely on her though, because there was no better comrade than a clan heiress that has been trained all her life with a ninja's way. But then again, she was still a big responsibility—which made him understand Naruto's over protectiveness because not only was she a princess on her own right but she was also the wife of a Kage.
If someone with evil motives can get their hands on Hinata, there was surely going to be hell.
The guards around them stopped and Shikamaru roamed his eyes around the place. He then transferred his hand from Hinata's back to her wrist as if to guide her. The town that they were in was not as modern as Konoha…though it looks like what used to be the Leaf village a few decades back.
There were no electric posts but instead, there were large bamboo poles with large oil lamps. The houses were more native looking and the people also dressed old-fashionly.
One of the guards gestured at the largest building in sight. The walls were made of wood and flattened stones. "The daimyo of this town is inside. He will know what to do with you."
"And the test?" Shikamaru asked, head gears on the loose on what it might be. Surely they were not going to ask them for marriage contracts?
"As I said, he will know what to do with you." The guard answered gruffly and shoved him on the back. Shikamaru could have remained still but he chose to let the force push him to stumble. That way, the guards won't be on too much guard.
If he showed them weakness, they would surely ease down.
Hinata felt Shikamaru stumble forward and his hold on her slackened. "Shikamaru-kun!" She gasped and tried to grab any of his clothing. She pushed away the urge to use her chakra so that she could see but relied on her other senses instead.
She caught the end of his shirt and pulled him back. It was not enough but she manage to help him regain his balance. Deep inside, she knew that his balance was impeccable and there was no way that a simple shove can make the great Nara stumble.
But what she did was instinctive. She was already doing it before her mind could even process her actions. With dread, she remembered that she made the same action on that ship—which was by the way, the start of their misery.
"Thanks." Shikamaru mumbled, surprised.
"A-are you alright?" She asked, still concerned. Shikamaru has returned to his position by her side and was holding her again protectively. In this unknown place, she was actually very glad for it. Shikamaru was the only familiar thing in this land and Kami knows what waits.
Taking a deep breath, Hinata edged closer and was suddenly feeling protective for the genius. She doesn't know Sai's condition and whereabouts and it eats her in the inside. There was no way that she would let anything happen to Shikamaru. She won't lose two teammates in just one mission.
This was supposed to be a peace treaty.
No one was supposed to get hurt.
"I am. Do not worry about me." Shikamaru replied as they made their way inside the large building to meet the town leader.
-o-
Naruto adjusted his Hokage cloak and hat. It was already late—almost eleven thirty—and he was still inside his office with Shino Aburame who have gladly taken Shikamaru's role temporarily while the Nara was still on a mission.
In normal times, Naruto was already at home at this time. These past days were different though, because Hinata was not around. The house was a little gloomy without her and it doesn't feel like home.
"Thanks for the help Shino." Naruto grinned at the bug user who was still filing papers as he stretched his aching arms in the air. He was now used to his new arm—courtesy of old man Hashirama's cells—but there were times when it aches. Sakura said that the pain was normal and it would disappear after a few more months of treatment. "I really hate to trouble you with this especially with the Chunin exams coming…"
"It's okay Naruto." Shino said, closing the metal drawer beside him with a slight creak. "Kiba is helping with the preparations too."
"I should ask Temari to give you a hand. She used to be Suna's Jounin exam proctor. She'll know what to do."
Shino nodded. "Whatever you think is best."
"And let's call this a night."
"You go. I'll finish this first." Shino raised a file. "I'll lock the door when I go out."
"Uh…thanks again Shino." Naruto yawned. "Leave the keys to the Shinobi guard on first floor."
Naruto left Shino who was still engrossed with work. Good thing he has reliable friends like the Aburame, the hard work was bearable with them doing their best to help. Rookie Nine has that kind of friendship that could even surpass the bond of blood-connected siblings.
He was thankful that it was that way.
When he was out of the Hokage tower, Naruto stopped when he spotted Shikamaru's wife walking the opposite way that he came. He waved and called her name. "Uh… Lee is in charge of guard duty tonight. You should rest Temari-chan."
Temari raised a folder. "It's okay. I just have to follow up this report about the village gates. I came to your house but you were not there. It's a little late for this but… I really wanted to have an early start for tomorrow."
"Oy… Shikamaru will kill me if you collapse with fatigue or something when he gets back." Naruto scratched his head. He never knew Temari was this workaholic. She had been working nonstop these past days.
Temari smiled but it was a reserve one. It was always that way. "I'm okay Naruto. You know I can handle it. Besides, Chunin exams are coming and you are pretty busy."
"Oh…talking about Chunin exams." Naruto snapped his fingers, remembering something important. "I'm putting you as a Jounin proctor again. If it is not so much trouble…"
Temari's face lightened up. She likes being a proctor for the exams. She was always one in Suna and it feels good to be a part of a passing ritual for the next generation. "N-no. I am actually thrilled."
Naruto grinned. "Really? That's nice. I'll be pairing you up with Shino. You two do get along right?"
Temari blinked. Shino Aburame… the silent bug user who was Hinata's ex-teammate. "Uh… yeah. I guess."
"That's settled then."
"Uh…sure."
-o-
"My wife and I are travelers… " Shikamaru explained to the wrinkly old man with a long white beard sitting crossed legged in front of them on the floor. They were inside a room that was simple yet beautifully decorated with flowers and small bamboo pots. "She is blind and we are only asking for temporary shelter. We won't be long…just enough time to rest and get supplies."
The old man glanced at Hinata, who was sitting on the tatami mat next to the talking young man. The girl has a fair skin and beautiful hair. If he studied her carefully, he could see that she was high born. "You know… this is a small town and we do not take kindly to strangers. You would understand right? Since we are not that strong in military defense and have to do everything to survive. We live in an island after all… and we have to trade wood and minerals from other villages across sea to avail other things such as clothing."
Shikamaru scratched the back of his neck. He was not interested in this town's trade goods but was more eager to find out if they will allow them to avail supplies in exchange for money. "I understand… but we will leave this island immediately…. It would be a convenience for both parties am I correct?"
The elder nodded but there was a glint in his misty old eyes. "You talk like a politician… or shall I say like a man of authority who knows his way in and out of a bargain."
Shikamaru flinched mentally. The old geezer was smart. "Uh… I am a businessman."
"And your wife doesn't look like she is blind."
Hinata grew rigid.
"She is." Shikamaru insisted. Damn… the old man was very, very smart.
"For one, she doesn't tilt her head to the sound of my voice like blind people do." The old man said and looked pointedly at Hinata. "She faces me like she knew where I am. I am a man that is good in reading people's expressions… and I can see by the way her mouth forms into a line that she is observing me."
Hinata cleared her throat. "I am—"
"Mind if I look into your eyes young woman?"
There was a moment of silence and Hinata could feel her heart beating fast. She could hear the sound of slow steps on the wooden floor as the old man walked towards her. He stopped in front of her—she could tell—and she could smell him even if he was still a few feet away.
She inwardly cringed when she felt calloused hands on each side of her head.
"I'll just have a peak my dear so no nee—"
"Hold it." Shikamaru said and he reached, prying both hands of the old daimyo from Hinata. "This may be your land but she is still my wife. We came here with the outmost respect and courtesy and I do urge you to do the same."
The old man raised his white eyebrows.
"No one touches my wife, Daimyo-san."
The old man sighed and then nodded his head vigorously. "Very well said and I am sorry. Please forgive my actions if it indeed offended you both. As the leader of this town, it is my job though, to see and investigate. You are not the first travelers here you know, and we had quite a few bad encounters with people from faraway lands."
"Um…" Hinata cleared her throat. "You can see my eyes."
Shikamaru's eyes snapped to the Uzumaki at the same time that he let go of the old geezer's hands.
"If it means that you will allow us to have the honor of your trust. We only wanted food and supplies and we will be on our way. We are really eager to leave because we have responsibilities waiting for us too. I promise you… we have only good intentions."
"Very well then." The old man agreed. "But there is still a test. I assure you though, that this is a step to that trust."
Hinata nodded. She could feel Shikamaru's uneasy aura so she smiled faintly at his direction as her hands fondled with the bandages around her head. She just hoped that her white eyes won't be recognized as the Byakugan for she was hoping that it would actually make her look blind. This town was located far from Konoha so there might be a chance that people here are not that much familiar with dojutsu users.
The bandages dropped and the old daimyo gasped.
Hinata held her breath and Shikamaru's eyes roamed around the room for possible exits.
"I'm sorry my dear. I now see that you are telling the truth." The daimyo shook his head in apology. "But I just have to tell you this. Even with that handicap, you are very beautiful. Your eyes… even if they cannot see… are pretty."
Hinata lowered her head and blushed at the compliment. "T-thank you."
"But I still have to give you a test though… for protocol's sake."
Shikamaru frowned. "What kind? Do we really need to do that? All we need are supplies to get us on our way… And a few directions won't hurt."
"As I said it is for protocol's sake. We have laws…and I intend to follow it."
An hour later, Hinata sat on the edge of a single sized bed and sighed.
Shikamaru placed their packs under said bed and sat at the opposite edge. "At least they gave us a decent room to stay for this night. Even though the bed is only one…"
"I'm worried about—"Hinata started, but was cut off when Shikamaru reached for her and placed a hand on her mouth. She raised her eyebrows at him quizzically. Shaking his head, he leaned over and placed his mouth near her right ear.
"We are considered strangers here." The Nara whispered. "Let's act like a married couple and talk things later okay? I really have a suspicion that we are being watched."
"You think…?" Hinata whispered back.
"That old geezer is smart. I don't believe any word he said." Shikamaru removed his hand from Hinata's lips and yawned—which was louder than needed—and stretched his stiff arms up. When he did, cracking sounds can be heard. "I'm tired."
Hinata rubbed her temples. "Me too."
There was a small bathroom inside the room and they it used to refresh themselves. Shikamaru was the first one to use it and Hinata was next—bringing her clothes inside so that she doesn't need to go out of the bathroom with only a towel for body covering.
A few minutes later, both of them were clean from dust and dirt with fresh clothes and wet hair.
"I'm worried." Hinata murmured, wiping her damp hair on a towel that was provided for them. Shikamaru was on the floor and was looking at the wooden ceiling. The room was eerily orange because of the oil lamp hanging on the wall. Every light movement they made was copied by the shadows around them.
"Me too." Shikamaru leaned his head back on a pillow. He was staring at the ceiling.
"Hope he's fine."
"He is. I trust in him."
::
"Pretend you are not aware of their true identities. Make them run in circles for a while in this island." A rough voice came from a hooded figure standing under the cover of the shadows. "They should not suspect a thing. I need the woman with the white eyes and to do so, you have to delay them until my men could catch up to them and do the job."
The old daimyo frowned. "I have nins… I can just—"
A laugh came from the figure, making the old man cringe. "Your poorly trained island Shinobi are no match for those two. That girl will see them before they can even make a move.S"
"But they are outnumbered." The daimyo reasoned. If dealing with those two "traveler couple" was the fastest way of getting rid of this fiend, he would gladly do it. This town won't be safe until this hooded figure was not stepping on its land. He has spent years of his life keeping his people safe… there was no way that he would put them in danger now.
"But they are skilled." Was the simple reply. "They can escape easily."
"What are they to you anyway?" He asked. "Why are you so eager to capture those two?"
"Just the woman."
"Why?"
"It is none of your business old man. Just follow the orders if you don't want this town to burn."
::
Hinata settled on the bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. Shikamaru insisted that he slept on the floor and no matter how she tried talking him out of it—for she knew that he was tired as much as she—he won't budge, claiming that she was still wounded and it doesn't fit for a lady to sleep on the floor when a bed was available.
She closed her eyes, trying to forget the problems at hand for the moment and tried to think more happy thoughts.
Her wedding day…
Naruto's proposal…
As she think of her husband, Hinata wondered if he was keeping in mind everything that she told him before she left. Knowing Naruto, he probably had asked for his teammate's help again on simple matters…knowing firsthand that he lacked skill for simple chores such as bandage tying.
Strangely, Hinata felt bitter. She has no objections with Naruto and Sakura's friendship because she understood their bond. She was on a team too…and even though she was already married, Shino and Kiba were still her best friends and nothing can change that.
But then again… there were no romantic feelings between any members of team Eight.
Hinata sighed. Those thoughts were not helping her feel any better at all.
"I wonder…" She found herself saying.
"Hn?" Shikamaru tilted his head to the side.
"Ah…n-nevermind." She figured that whatever she was about to say won't help in any way in their predicament. "It's not that important anyway…kind of nonsensical really…"
"You can tell me." Shikamaru said and closed his eyes. He needed something to divert his mind from their problems for a moment so he focused his attention to the woman. "I'm listening Hinata."
Hinata blinked. "Uh…"
"I'm not talking until you say what you are about to say."
Out of nowhere, Hinata giggled. "You are the second person who told me those exact words."
Shikamaru opened his eyes. "Really? Who is the first one?"
"Neji-Niisan."
"I see." Shikamaru closed his eyes again as a mental image of an old friend came into mind. Neji died because he sacrificed his life for his cousin—the same person who was currently resting on the bed just a meter away from him. "I bet you miss him."
"Every day." Hinata murmured. "I take it that you know the feeling more than I do." Shikamaru's sensei and father died fighting for the village and she could just imagine how hard it was for the Nara. Losing a love one was hard… and Shikamaru lost two.
"I do." He answered truthfully, a little amused that he was talking to Hinata concerning deep and private subjects the he usually preferred not to be discussed. Even Temari doesn't ask him questions that concern his old sensei and dad because she knew how he felt about it.
They kind of have an unspoken deal not to talk about it.
"But Asuma-sensei and Shikaku-san is proud of what you've become… I'm sure of that."
Shikamaru smiled. "Thanks."
-o-o-o-
Please review!
Btw… I am sorry if this story's pacing is slow… I don't want the main characters to fall in love in a snap. So unrealistic and I don't like it.
-crazychan
