Chapter 28

"That's the Konoha library. A lot of ancient scrolls are hidden within its shelves. I don't think they would allow you to browse through it even if you are with me." Temari gestures towards a building on her left side then next, points to another bigger building a bit farther off. "That's the Konoha Hospital. I think they would allow you to be admitted in case," Temari grins challengingly, "you are injured."

Shikamaru glances at the buildings. "You don't have to show me around."

"If we walk a few more metres we will actually reach the residential area. Maybe you could meet some of my acquaintances," Temari continues.

As they stroll along Konoha's streets, Shikamaru doesn't speak; neither does Temari, not until they reach the apartments.

"Good, Naruto is here. That's him." Temari indicates with a tilt of her head a shinobi wearing an orange tracksuit, training on the rooftop of one of the high block-like buildings. "Oi Naruto!" Temari shouts at the nin several floors up.

"Oi Temari!" The shinobi, with the blonde spiky hair, beams then jumps down from the apartment roof to the ground. "Anou-sa, who's that?" Naruto points towards Kamaru with an exaggerated distrust in his eyes before seeming to accept the bored looking individual and smiles.

"This is Sh— This is Kamaru. The Kazegage's first born," Temari explains.

Naruto nods his head. "I'm Konoha's number one ninja, Naruto!"

Shikamaru has an obscure tilt to his lips. "I'll remember that."

Temari scoffs then asks, "Have you seen Jiraiya-sama? We already went to the Hokage's office to ask permission for Kamaru to stay here for a few days."

The other blonde haired nin caresses his chin in thought. "The Pervy-sage is out at the bathhouse—training."

Temari catches Naruto's hesitation, knowing full well what it meant and what the Hokage is up to. Frowning irritated, Temari snaps, "WELL, TELL HIM THAT, AS THE HOKAGE, HE IS REQUIRED TO MAN HIS OFFICE!"

Then, without giving Naruto a chance to defend his sensei, Temari abruptly addresses Shikamaru, "Come on. Let's go!" Temari simultaneously grabs Shikamaru's wrist to drag him away, forcing him to stride faster towards the bathhouse.

As soon as they turn a corner, Temari notices a young man with blue-black hair and wearing a blue shirt walking towards them with one of his hands inside his pocket, she then immediately lets go of her hold on Shikamaru's wrist as if burned and walks ahead faster.

With Temari marching briskly ahead, Shikamaru is left a few feet behind. Shikamaru hears Temari greet the other nin, "Sasuke," while nodding her head as she passes him. Shikamaru slowly swivels his attention towards the approaching shinobi. When their path crosses they make eye contact for an instant. Shikamaru stops walking, staring ahead but Sasuke just continues to walk away.

Temari feels the lack of footsteps following her. She turns around to face Shikamaru. "Lazy ass, move it!"

Shikamaru observes that Temari's eyes stray towards Sasuke's back fleetingly. He mutters, "Tch," before he continues walking, placing both his hands inside his robe's pockets.

—o0o—

"Jiraiya-sama, this is Kamaru of Suna. My father has extended an invitation to him to stay for a couple days at the Nara clan house. It's to show my father's gratitude to him for—It's to show my father's gratitude." Temari glares at the Hokage, blaming him for making her feel like she needs to explain what she doesn't want to explain.

The Hokage laughs. "The first born of the Kazekage. The first time I saw you, you were this small." Jiraiya pantomimes a baby he is rocking to and fro. When suddenly, Jiraiya frowns as if he remembers something unpleasant, he reminisces, "That's also the last time I've seen Tsunade." Jiraiya sighs but quickly recovers to grin beguilingly at Kamaru. "You are welcome to stay in Konoha. You could also accompany me since that Naruto chooses to meet Sasuke rather than join me. This bath house has really pretty customers that—"

Temari is about to burst a vein. "Shouldn't you be returning to your office?"

The Hokage ignores Temari. "So how about it, Shikamaru? I'll do my research while—"

"You know my full name?" Shikamaru is certain he was introduced as Kamaru by Temari.

"Tsunade told me. And while I do my research, I would value your feedback on these beauti-"

"Tsunade?" Shikamaru asks.

Jiraiya looks closer at the young man, giving him a suspicious look.

"Did this Tsunade say anything to explain my unusual name?"

The Hokage seems to consider the question, "Nothing directly. But at the time, Temari's father was really a crowd favourite from among the participants in the Jounin exam. Tsunade remarked that even the Kazekage admired Shikaku so the Kazekage might have named you after him."

Not the answer Shikamaru is hoping for when suddenly something else clicks on his mind. How could Jiraiya-sama saw him when he was just a baby? And how could someone, a Konohan called Tsunade know about his real name when only a handful of Suna shinobis even know about it? And his father, the Kazekage, got to see and admire Shikaku in the Jounin tournament? And that's why the Hokage thinks he was named Shikamaru and doesn't find that unusual? These couldn't all have possibly ensued not unless maybe... "Was I born here in Konoha?" Shikamaru can't help the eagerness creeping into his voice.

Temari watches Shikamaru, striving for answers, while she remains quiet.

"Yes." Jiraiya gives his full attention to the young Suna shinobi, the beauties going to the bath house forgotten. "I remember; Tsunade was the medic who attended to your mother."

"Where is this Tsunade?" Shikamaru inquires, modulating his voice to remain steady. If he can meet her, he will have his answers.

"I told you, the last I saw her was when you were just a baby." Jiraiya detects Shikamaru's interest behind his pretend nonchalance. Furthermore, the coincidences between the birth of the first born of a foreign Kage and the sudden disappearance of Tsunade now become more than apparent. And as Jiraiya scrutinizes the young man he realizes something is familiar, not that obvious with the boy's hair down and his skin sun kissed but... Jiraiya mentally shakes his head, erasing such ludicrous speculations from his mind. After all, Shikamaru's eyes resemble that of his father's, the Kazekage.

"But you do know where to find her?" Shikamaru can't give up, not when another person, aside from the father he has known, might hold the truth regarding his birth. This Tsunade could probably answer, why choose him over Temari? Or why couldn't the Kazekage just exchange Temari with some other infant rather than him. If that was the case, he and Temari could have grown up together in Konoha. If it was like that, he might have as much chance with her as Sasuke has.

"No," Jiraiya replies seriously.

"Do you know anyone who might?" Shikamaru persists.

"No."Jiraiya shakes his head negatively for added emphasis.

"She's not dead yet?" Shikamaru needs to ask.

This time Temari intervenes, "Stop it, Kamaru!"

Shikamaru glances at Temari, noticing her clenched fists. He has forgotten her presence and the fact that this affects her too.

There are a lot of things Shikamaru wants to enquire from Tsunade. He wants to know the reason why, in the end, his father, the Kazekage, choose to name him Shikamaru. It would have indicated a conscience on the Kazekage's part, a way of amending things. And his mother, Karura, did she know about Temari? Did she still want him to be her son after she knew about Temari, if she knew about Temari? These are just some of the questions that plague him, the answers to which could be provided by Tsunade. Knowing of Tsunade but being unable to question her is just like opening a present then discovering nothing is inside. Briefly, Shikamaru's anger and frustration is mirrored through his eyes.

That flash of annoyance isn't lost to Temari. She didn't miss the eagerness of before followed by his keen disappointment. Temari has long realized that Shikamaru often shrugs off things, never showing his real emotions. Probably he was conditioned that way. For him to be unable to hide a sign of resentment is similar to a man shouting at the top of his voice of his hatred.

This realization reminds Temari that Shikamaru has never shown outright that he hated her. But then Shikamaru is good with concealing his thoughts.

In fact, this visit of Shikamaru's to Konoha has only confirmed what she has already suspected; when he asked her to return to Konoha, to Yoshino, it's not because he doesn't want his real parents, it's because he can't want them.

He lied to protect his parents.

And she almost believed his lie. He wouldn't come back to Konoha, he wouldn't sound eager to know more about Tsunade, and he wouldn't want to discover the circumstances of his birth, if it really is alright for him to be just the Kazekage's son.

Temari's forehead knits into a frown. Disregarding his own curiosity until now, it only proves how selfless Shikamaru is in considering everyone's safety first. In contrast to his attitude, her action speaks of her selfishness.

Guilt gnaws at the pit of her stomach. She hates the feeling.

And she loathes Shikamaru for constantly reminding her that she's an impostor in her parents' home. Worse, he proves to her that she is as bad as her real father, disregarding other people in order to get what she wants.

TBC

—o0o—

~3/11/11. 8 1 11AF~

A/N: Hmn, is it going okay?

And also kindly check my latest chapter of In Between the Lines...I have some important advertisement. Thanks.