Chapter Twenty Eight
Sasuke watched as the two Leaf village destroyers came into view. He folded his arms and said "Finally."
"What, you thought they wouldn't show?" Suigetsu laughed.
The two men were standing at the bow of the Amagiri; Karin was nearby talking quietly to Juugo though Sasuke could hear her he wasn't interested in what she was saying.
"I knew they'd come, I just mean it's nice to see that the big moment's getting closer." Sasuke said.
"Mm. Well we'll handle the Chuunin exams and the real battle will be here before you know it."
"How do you think it'll all end?" Sasuke wondered.
"What?" Suigetsu asked, sounding surprised "Isn't it obvious?"
"Humor me." Sasuke said.
Suigetsu laughed, "Shikamaru posed four different attack paths not just to make it difficult for the enemy to stop our entire force."
"It's a competition . . . the prize is the empire." Karin said, "If Kirigakure gets there first and manages to supplant the Emperor it'd be one of our guys calling the shots. We could order the armies to stand down against the rest of the alliance or order them to finish them off if they're in that position."
Sasuke glanced at Karin, "You mean Shikamaru engineered things so we could betray each other?"
"I'd say not deliberately but let's face it, he's Shikamaru; he doesn't do anything that isn't deliberate. I think he believes he'll get there first so it won't matter, but that the chance to control everything will keep us fighting." Karin shrugged, "He doesn't realize though that we're all playing our own games."
"Or he realizes and doesn't care." Sasuke suggested.
"Possible, but he's not omnipotent." Suigetsu said, "Besides my plans don't affect him yet, I'm thinking in the long term Sasuke . . . Shikamaru's fighting this war and so am I. But with help from the three of you I'm already fighting the next one too. Trust me Sasuke; there will be a next war."
"Isn't there always . . ." Juugo said softly.
"With Karin's help I'm going to secure some of the weapons I need while I have the chance so that even if things go belly up now I'll be ready next time. That's what being a Mizukage is all about really; preserving and preparing for the future."
Sasuke watched Karin.
What weapons would she help Suigetsu get?
Could they be ninja? She would be useful for that . . .
She smiled coyly as he calculated and stared.
Suigetsu must be after specific individuals in Kabuto's empire, ninja most likely but maybe some Samurai, individuals that would be his weapons in the next war.
But who?
How could he find out?
It occurred to him once again that he might have to work Karin's attraction to him for information, but she wasn't an idiot, she'd know if he tried to manipulate her.
He might have to do something to keep her from suspecting, or perhaps from caring.
His mind worked a mile a minute; he almost didn't notice the smirk on Suigetsu's face.
"It's killing you, isn't it?" Suigetsu grinned.
"What?" Sasuke asked.
"You're never going to figure it out . . . or if you do it'll be after the fact, when it's too late." Suigetsu laughed, "But don't worry, you'll be pleasantly surprised. It's for your benefit too; you're part of my team after all."
Sasuke forced a smile. Suigetsu was reveling in the fact that Sasuke couldn't anticipate his plan.
In a clearer state of mind he might have realized that Shikamaru could have, but when the beginnings of the thought came to him Sasuke rejected them.
He would do this. He would find out what the answer was . . . who the ninja were . . .
Naruto? Cold Karin know how to find Naruto? Or would Suigetsu somehow reach Naruto before anyone else could?
Sasuke clenched a fist, Suigetsu's stupid smile was infuriating and Karin just gently patted his shoulder in a comforting manner, "Don't worry. You'll love it, I promise."
Sasuke decided to smile at her as if he appreciated her sentiment, though in the darkest corner of his mind he was thinking of just how to get the information out of her without having to do anything that would demean his dignity too much.
Juugo gave him a hesitant look, as if there were something he wanted to say and Sasuke's sharp eyes spotted the glare that both Suigetsu and Karin shot him.
It was brief, but Juugo immediately turned away from Sasuke, whatever he meant to say left unsaid.
And Sasuke realized he might not have to rely on Karin.
Or maybe this was all a scheme to throw him for a loop.
He kept his face expressionless as Suigetsu led them from the bow to the starboard side of the ship where the ropes were being thrown to the ship of Sunagakure, Sasuke could already see Gaara and Temari on the deck, clearly the Kages meant to discuss something and as part of Suigetsu's staff Sasuke would be there.
But once he got a moment to himself he'd be spending it with his dear old friend Juugo.
If that didn't work . . . well Karin's loyalty to Suigetsu had to have its limit, even if she respected or feared Suigetsu she loved Sasuke, and whatever Sasuke had to doto take advantage of it that love would be Suigetsu's undoing.
Shikamaru's hands were shaking as he looked at the little girl quietly drawing a picture on the floor near the door of Yomiko's quarters.
"So she's not supposed to be here?" Yomiko reasoned.
"What on the green earth made you think she was?" Shikamaru asked, shoving his hands into his pockets to keep Sumiko from noticing that her father was literally shaking with fear.
"I didn't bring her," Yomiko scoffed, "I just found her."
"Finished!" Sumiko said cheerfully, holding her picture out to Yomiko who took it and smiled brightly.
"Oh, so pretty. What is it, a dog?" She asked.
Sumiko wrinkled her nose and scoffed, but she didn't say anything at first.
When it became evident that Yomiko wasn't getting what Sumiko didn't want to have to use words to convey the girl conceded and said, "Battle plan."
Yomiko raised an eyebrow then looked at the picture again before handing it to Shikamaru.
He pocketed it; he didn't want Sumiko to think for an instant that she was going to actually be involved in planning.
"For Miko-san." Sumiko scolded him, but he raised a finger to his lips to indicate that she should be quiet.
"Sumiko-chan . . . why are you on this ship? Do you understand where it's going? What we're going to be doing?"
"War." Sumiko shrugged.
"War." Shikamaru nodded, "Sumiko-chan, how many five year old ninja do you see on this ship?"
Sumiko shrugged, so Shikamaru persisted, "Five year old Samurai? Five year old anything? Sumiko-chan children don't go to war."
Sumiko raised a questioning eyebrow at Yomiko, as if to say 'uh, hello?' and Shikamaru might have laughed if they weren't on a war ship headed for a major battle.
Sumiko stood up and clasped her little hands behind her back as if she were impersonating a soldier at parade rest--and Shikamaru realized she was--she took a deep breath and said, "I can win."
"Wow . . ." Yomiko whispered, and Shikamaru glanced at her.
"What?"
"She said three whole words, that's the most I've heard her say ever." Yomiko said.
"She says full sentences," Shikamaru said, feeling somewhat defensive, "she just doesn't like to talk."
"Are you shy?" Yomiko asked her, but the much smaller girl's expression hardened and she shook her head.
"I can win." She repeated.
Shikamaru shook his head, "No you can't."
"I can too!" Sumiko snapped, and then checked herself, "I listen to you and mommy all the time."
"Not all the time, I hope." Yomiko whispered, and Shikamaru glared at her.
"Can you go?" He asked.
"It's my quarters, Sensei!" Yomiko protested.
"All the time." Sumiko said firmly, though Shikamaru doubted she knew what Yomiko had been alluding to. His daughter was smart but she was still just a child.
Shikamaru took a few deep breaths and whispered, "So what do I do?"
"Dunno." Sumiko shrugged.
"You said you could win." Yomiko observed.
"Uh-huh." Sumiko nodded.
"So don't you know how to win?" Yomiko asked.
Sumiko frowned, "Can't win till we start playing."
"It's not a game." Shikamaru scolded her, "people will die . . . Sumiko that means that lots of little girls' mothers and fathers won't ever get to see them again if we don't make good decisions."
"Don't care about theirs, just mine." Sumiko said simply.
Shikamaru frowned, "I can't let you fight, or plan things for the battle. Do you understand, Sumiko-chan? I can't let you get involved in this war; this is a grownup war for grownups to fight."
"Sensei, just how are we going to get her back to the island anyway?" Yomiko asked, "At best we'd leave her with the fleet when we make landfall and she ends up in Mizu, who would supervise her all that time? A bunch of sailors who'll have their minds focused on . . . y'know, surviving the naval battle?"
Shikamaru shook his head, "No, we're too far from the island to just turn back if we want to reach Waves in time, I'll send her back on a skiff with a team of Genin."
"No!" Sumiko said firmly, but Shikamaru stood up and ignored her.
"Yomiko she's your responsibility until the meeting with the Kazekage and the Mizukage concludes, I have to find some way to explain this to Temari and I don't want her at the meeting, it might throw her mother into a violent rage."
"Temari-san isn't like that." Yomiko scoffed, "Anyway why can't I be at the meeting? It'll be about the Chuunin exams won't it? I'm a Jounin now and it affects my duty." Yomiko said.
"Nao and Kyoko will be there, and you're a Special Jounin, consider this a B ranked mission."
"Am I getting paid for a B ranked mission, Sensei?" Yomiko asked dryly.
That'd be one expensive babysitter . . .
Shikamaru shook his head, "Do this and I'll owe you."
"Sensei, I know she can't go into battle or anything but isn't it worrying that she managed to sneak onto the ship in the first place?" Yomiko asked, watching Sumiko who seemed to be fuming.
Probably because the adults were talking about her as if she weren't there. That would have made most people mad.
"She's a child, Yomiko. I don't care what her ability to get onboard implies, great stealth skill, keen intellect, none of it matters, I'm not taking my five year old daughter anywhere near a war zone."
"Understandable, I'm not suggesting that you do it's just if she gets away from me--"
"She won't." Shikamaru warned as much as assured.
"Right, but if she did wouldn't it make sense to assign me a sensor or something? Someone to help track her down?"
Shikamaru shook his head, he'd thought of that too but there weren't any sensors available to send Yomiko, especially not for a personal matter like this.
"You'll just have to guard her thoroughly. Don't worry, she's five." Shikamaru said.
"Gonna be six." Sumiko pointed out.
"She's going to be six," Shikamaru acknowledged as he headed for the door.
He felt his stomach twisting in knots, as soon as he closed the door to Yomiko's room he let out a weary sigh.
Life.
He noticed Kyoko standing to the left of him watching him quietly.
She seemed to be sweating, she looked exhausted and her forehead protector was tied tightly around her neck but Shikamaru was pretty sure he saw the edge of some sort of irritation.
Teenagers he thought, worried about how old the thought made him feel and then sighed again before telling Kyoko, "You're supposed to be at the meeting with the Kages."
"I . . . uh . . . I don't know if I can make it, I feel . . . uh . . ." Kyoko said warily, avoiding eye contact.
Shikamaru was standing between her and the door to the quarters she would be sharing with Yomiko. He put his hands on his hips and decided to be just a little mean, Sumiko's little stunt had put him in a sour mood but he wasn't taking it out on Kyoko.
He was just going to give her a bit of good-natured teasing, "Yeah I guess you seem a little spent. Troublesome work riding a ship for a few hours, isn't it?"
The young woman nodded slightly, and he folded his arms, "So long as you're keeping safe we don't need to remember this. Just remember you need to be in fighting shape."
Kyoko nodded stiffly, "Uh, yes . . . wait, what?"
Shikamaru said, "I thought being a Kunoichi you'd know better, you always make sure not to look like you're hiding something but sometimes it's okay to hide some things; You're disheveled, covered in sweat and don't think I don't notice what you have on your neck," he told her and Kyoko's hand quickly shot to the very spot Shikamaru had been referring to, the look in her eyes frantic.
"S-s-sensei I--"
"Oh enough," Shikamaru said, "You're eighteen you can do whatever the heck you want. However we are at war and your duty needs to come first so take a moment to compose yourself, but you will be at the meeting, Temari expects you."
"P-please don't tell Kazekage-sama, I--"
"Why would he care?" Shikamaru asked. Kyoko's response seemed somewhat off.
Too frantic, too scared.
Kyoko hesitated, she mumbled and then she said "I . . . uh . . . I . . ."
"Is this a song?" Shikamaru asked a little too sharply, he smelled a lie oncoming.
"I . . ." Kyoko looked at the ground, "Sensei . . . um . . . just don't tell anyone, okay?"
"Nothing to tell them, it's none of my business." Shikamaru said, though something wasn't right.
He hesitated, he wasn't sure how deep into Kyoko's personal life he wanted to go, but at the same time he was becoming very sure that his initial thought was incorrect.
He'd assumed Kyoko and . . . someone, he didn't know or care who, had found some quiet corner and gotten to know each other better. It was perfectly natural in a coed military sailing towards a decidedly one-sided war, in fact it was one of the reasons Shikamaru imagined that Samurai militaries weren't coed.
He'd assumed the mark on her neck was just a souvenir from the event, but why was she so desperate to hide it? She was an adult and he wasn't her father or anything, why should she go into such a tizzy fit over him seeing the signs of her leisure activities?
He supposed it was just that Kyoko wasn't Temari. If Temari were an eighteen year old girl who'd just engaged in an activity frowned upon by her commanding officers she would have made only a paltry attempt to hide the evidence and otherwise wear it as a badge of honor, Kyoko on the other hand seemed afraid and embarrassed.
But at the same time that fear worried him, "Did something . . . um . . . happen without your uh . . . permission?" Shikamaru asked, extremely unsure of how to phrase the question.
Kyoko laughed a little wearily, "Uh n-no sir. I mean . . . nothing happened. I'm just feeling sea sick, that's all."
"And your neck . . ." Shikamaru asked calmly.
"Bruised it." Kyoko said smoothly, lying with much more confidence now. "I was walking and the ship pitched or yawed or whatever it is that ships do . . . and I hit a wall and hurt my neck on a protrusion. I'll just put some ointment on it and fix my clothes . . . I'll be at the meeting shortly after you, I won't be late."
"Doubtful, since I'm bound to be late by now," Shikamaru said, pretending the moment of doubt had passed. "I'll tell Gaara and the others that you're on your way . . . and that's all I'll tell them."
"Thank you, Sensei." Kyoko bowed slightly, but didn't move her hand from her neck as she did.
Shikamaru nodded and left.
More trouble.
First he'd take care of Sumiko, and then he'd worry about Kyoko.
Hopefully he could get her taken care of before they landed.
His stomach was twisting again, this time it was registering as slightly painful. He might have to ask Sakura about it later.
Just another thing to deal with.
Hinata took a deep breath, "We're in position, but I don't see ships on the horizon."
"It's much too soon for that." Tenten said.
She wanted the ships to show up as much as Hinata did, maybe even more since she was worried about Neji, but even she knew just saying that they weren't there over and over again wasn't going to make them show up.
Hinata was just a bundle of nerves probably,
Not that Tenten wasn't.
Hinata kept tapping her foot, "If we hold out here forever we'll be spotted by someone."
"The whole Hyuuga clan, minus Neji, would be spotted? By who?" Tenten tried to make light of the situation.
Hinata shook her head, "This is pure madness."
"Are we still talking to each other?" Tenten asked.
Hinata was pacing now, "How long do I have to wait?"
Tenten decided not to answer; Hinata didn't seem to be hearing her.
She just watched the younger woman carefully.
Hinata shook her head over and over and sighed, "I'm sorry. This must sound pretty fatuous."
Tenten didn't actually know what that word meant so she just shrugged. Hinata laughed.
They had no fire so the night was cold but the moon offered them a surprising amount of light considering it wasn't full.
Tenten sighed and looked at Hinata, "You're not worried about Naruto, are you?"
"He's supposed to be here." Hinata grunted.
"He will be."
"Yes, I know . . ." She frowned, "but he should be here. I mean he should be here now, he shouldn't have left." Hinata said.
Tenten shrugged, "I'm sure wherever he went he had a good reason."
"He should have taken me with him; Neji could have led the clan." Hinata grumped.
"Maybe. Maybe not. You have no idea where he went, he probably went somewhere dangerous. He might not have even known if he'd come back alive, he probably didn't want you at risk. I mean he did leave you in Lightning, a place much safer than the exiled village."
"But Sound doesn't know where the village is, they know where Lightning is." Hinata said.
"They don't go looking for Lightning because they know where it is, and even if they did it's a fortified country." Tenten shrugged, "the island had what, about a thousand soldiers and a few hundred ninja? If it came down to a fight before we were ready Lightning was much safer than the village."
Hinata shrugged, Tenten smirked, "He'll be here soon. He said he would, didn't he? And he doesn't go back on his word, that's his ninja way. So if he said he'll be here then you know he'll be here."
The young head of the Hyuuga clan nodded, "Yes . . . you're right, Naruto doesn't go back on his ninja word."
Hinata frowned, "It's almost time . . . just two more days, or is it one and a half now? Either way it's going to be the longest time of my life."
"Just yours eh?" Tenten laughed.
The two women waited in silence for a moment, Tenten kept a mental count in her head and then said "One minute down."
"Well hurrah." Hinata said without enthusiasm, but at least she was smiling.
To Be Continued . . .
Note: Just for the record no chapter was posted on April 1st, I just reposted 28, called it 29, and then took it right back down. For those of you who have the story on your alerts list the chapter title would have read "April Fools" for those of you who didn't have it on your alerts list I didn't realize at the time that you'd even know something had gone down . . . I sort of forgot that the site would record the story as updated even if the fake chapter was taken down, and thus the rest of you had no way of knowing it was an April first joke so I apologize for getting everyone's hopes up.
To be fair my original April Fool's day plan was to write a fake ending full of l33t speak, intentional spelling errors, and I had also planned to have Naruto appear and be defeated immediately by a gust of wind, have Sasuke die but keep coming back to life as if to imply that I'd forgotten I'd killed him, and have Sumiko actually fighting. A chapter containing all the things that won't ever happen in this story.
This was planned and looked forward to as early as, I believe, February; I was going to leave that chapter up for all of April 1st then replace it with the real update the following day and I think it would've been the closest I've come to ever actually celebrating a holiday in-fic.
But I had some personal issues to deal with and didn't get to write a legitimate chapter let alone the fake. Maybe next April 1st . . . though I kind of hope I finish the story before then.
Anyway I am sorry for falling so behind, not to take myself too seriously but you all deserve better than that and I apologize. I'll try to make sure I spend this weekend getting caught up so who knows, there might even be an update tomorrow to help get back on schedule and erase some of my shame . . . until next time!
