KIBA

He's sitting at the dining room contemplating an array of wedding venues that are willing to accommodate the Inuzuka clan - all exorbitantly priced- when he hears his mother arrive home. Shiho's been summoned by the Hokage for some reason, so she had to leave after selecting a cake, raspberry cream, for the reception. The cake is one of the cheapest, Kiba notices but says nothing, knowing full well Shiho wouldn't want him to bring it up. She's been talking this lack of dowry thing a bit too sensitively, he thinks.

She isn't like him. Doesn't have the wealth of being the child of a clan head at her fingertips. It was a humbling thing, planning a wedding without access to the Inuzuka funds. Kiba had never known he'd been privileged before now.

He's been, dare he jinx the situation, enjoying dating his fiancee. Understanding her and knowing her - these were things he'd never quite expected to be on his list of priorities yet here they were. His inner beast practically screaming at him to claim her and know her in every way, body mind and soul.

It's weird, he muses, how he knew so little of Shiho growing up despite her days glued to Hana's side and now, after his few days of dating he fancied himself an expert on her mannerisms.

He didn't know all her secrets yet, but kami he could tell something was up with the girl. Perhaps she missed her apartment? It was the last she had of her late mother, or so she had said. Maybe he ought to offer to move in with her? Tsume wouldn't take kindly to him in the red light district but her hands would be tied. It's not like he was the Inuzuka heir.

Speaking of the Inuzuka head, she was walking towards him, looking surprisingly more standoffish then she ought to. There's a feral glint in Tsume's eye, and the Inuzuka in him raises instinctively. His eyes drift to the parchment she all but thrusts at him, while Akamaru looks on curiously.

His mind buffers as he processes the information he is seeing. Jaw slack he stares in disbelief at the Matriarch of his clan before sprinting out the front door, Akamaru hot on his heels.

Logically he knows he shouldn't be receiving this invite because he hasn't earned it. Not in missions and certainly not in skill. He knows somehow, someone is pulling strings to get this nomination. Surely, Kurenai will know.

He needs to find his sensei.

He needs to be Jonin.

He needs to fight.


SHINO

He's been busy, apprenticing Iruka for some time now. It's not typically the work an heir is meant to follow but he finally feels like he has found his calling. Kiba finds it odd, but then Shino point out that Kiba's been doing an awful lot of guard rounds with the Konoha police force lately as dismal as the prospects in that faction had been since the fall of the Uchiha. Then again, Kiba isn't an heir and Tsume would let him get away with whatever these days.

Aside from locking her son into an early yet surprisingly promising engagement, Tsume had been pretty easy on Kiba.

Shino hadn't fared as well with Shibi.

Shino had always been too weird, too dangerous to be around kids according to his clan. Time and time again Shibi and the elders had drilled it into him that educators were not clan heads. That Jonin couldn't be academy instructors.

He thinks this is utter blasphemy, as the crazy woman in front of him who'd become Jonin 6 months prior, Anko, teaches a class of 6 year old potential shinobi how to aim. Shibi and the Aburame elder council are too one dimensional in their thoughts. He secretly wished he had the time to pursuit the rank and prove everyone wrong while he apprenticed teaching. However, he needed at least another year to complete his apprenticeship. He couldn't bare to ask Kurenai for such a recommendation after neglecting her tutelage for some time now.

The manic snake woman, as terrifying as she is informative, dismisses the class who applaud her efforts in mild terror before joining his side. He blinks having zoned out slightly. He does it often these days. Shino wanted to teach one day, but sometimes it seemed boring in comparison to the adrenaline rush of battle.

The coy smile on her face doesn't bode well and for a moment, he wishes Iruka hadn't left him alone with the scary substitute teacher. Why had Iruka taken such a sudden sabbatical? He understood Naruto was back but still! Leaving only Anko and him in charge was so stressful.

He panics when she nears him. There's always a predatory look in her eyes and the kikaichu are uncomfortable beneath his skin at the sheer amusement on her face. He hasn't forgotten who she is. He hasn't forgotten why she's hated. He isn't oblivious to the fact her snakes scare the kids almost as much as he is certain his own Kikaichu scare them. He hasn't forgotten why she had to wait years for a promotion she deserved.

He sees his future and himself in her, despite being her opposite, and it scares him. She was beautiful, fierce and intelligent. Yet, it was all nothing in comparison to being the heir of a Leaf villain's legacy. Such resilience was a thing to be both admired and feared.

She throws a projectile his way and he catches it, fluidly he might add, and gives the offending kunai a glance.

The parchment on it bares his name. The kikaichu in him buzz happily as he reads on, his body numb in shock.

Like a robot, he shifts around marching off towards his sensei's place. Underneath his skin the buzzing increases, loud enough to drown out most noises. Still, vaguely he notes and ignores Anko's cackle of amusement in the background as he makes his way towards the streets. Surely Kurenai would know who was responsible for bestowing this honour upon him.

Shino had to know.

Either to thank them.

Or to curse them.

There wasn't enough time in his schedule to fight for this rank and everyone knew it.

Yet, he wanted it so bad that the kikaichu in him knew that he was already fighting to win.


HINATA

She was ashamed of herself. After all the time Naruto was away all she has to show for it was a measly chuunin rank bestowed upon her under extraordinary circumstances in Suna.

How dare she greet him like the others did, knowing she did not actually earn this rank? Times are changing. Kiba, Shino and Neji have found their niche in the village. Even Hanabi embodies the title of heiress now with full Hyuuga poise.

Kami, she's glad her sister wears the title. Yet still, she wants to make her destiny now that she'd shed the weight of her title. Find if not fight her fate, as Neji would say.

Her father looks at her less sternly but without hope when they spar now and Hinata wants so bad to prove that she is a fighter. Not just some sweet innocent thing anymore. She doesn't want to be the fragile pampered Hyuuga maiden. She doesn't want to be a career chuunin. Yet, she doesn't yet have the skills nor reputation to pull of requesting a promotion.

Yet, Hinata has never felt more alive then that time she fought Neji and earned Naruto's praise. Never had she felt stronger then when she was out on the battlefield fighting with her comrades.

Have they forgotten the stance she'd made as her cousin tried to kill her in front of all her peers? Do they not remember the ferocity of which she fought? When she was choking on her own blood as her heart gave out, did they think her a mere fragile princess?

Or did they realise that she had fought the Hyuuga prodigy.

Did they realise that she, in her potential last dying gasps had finally tasted what it meant to be alive?

Did the not see her ninja way?

She wants to fight.

She's an asset.

The Hyuuga in her is a warrior.

So when the call for participate - fight - for a shinobi's highest glory is delivered to her by servant, Hinata smiles.

She should be seeing Kurenai soon, if only to find out who to thank. Who was she to question their motives?

It certainly wasn't the responsibility of a discarded heiress.

Hanabi was the princess now, after all.


TENTEN

Of all the things she could've bet having been on the parchment she saw Neji leave behind beside her while she feigned sleep, she would've never guessed this.

Neji, for all his skill never did notice anything when his Byakugan was deactivated. Pity he'd underestimated Tenten's acting skills so thoroughly. The poor boy should know, most if not all Kunoichi knew how to act. Feigning sleep was one of the easiest things to do anyway. One's body was a weapon, a tool, and Tenten knew tools way to well to let such a fine blade dull when it came to the subtler arts.

She imagined, at first, a love note and cringed inwardly at the idea of dealing with an betrothed man's fragile feelings. Then she dismissed the idea. Neji knew her well enough not to do that.

Not that the notion of such a forbidden romance wasn't exciting, but deep down she knew the Hyuuga prodigies heart was never hers to own. Lease maybe, a small space here or there, but ownership? Neji would never concede to her. Nor her to him, should she be honest. Such was their fates at the end of it all.

So it was certainly not a love note. Reality would never quite warp that much. For Neji did adore his partner, no fool could deny that and Tenten had never truly wanted to be for him, what Ayaka really was.

For a moment she mused it was an invite to train with Gai or Lee. Who else would Neji wake up at such an hour for? One of the pair was likely guarding the Dyaimo at his quarters and the other would be training nearby. Tenten mused she might as well join them. Maybe after a quick dip in the onsen.

There was nothing that got Tenten going quite like a fight with her fellow shinobi. Well, maybe a few other things got her going but that was more to do with her endless libido. Less so with her innate desire to fight the boys and win.

And Tenten did win. Both in the battlefield and in bed.

As a Kunoichi partnered with Gai, Lee and Neji she'd had her fair share of losses in spars. This was true, and she wouldn't deny on paper she was the weakest link of her team during spars.

Then again, she couldn't fight them. Not for real. Not like the way she did when she fought to kill.

A real fight, with a weapons mistress meant seeing how few moves it took to take out a person in battle. It meant no fancy moves or Chakra manipulation. Plain and simple it was accuracy and attention to detail. The boys knew this and rarely asked her to their Taijutsu free for all's. If Tenten was serious, she knew that blind spot Neji had. She knew that Lee guarded a little too much on his left being right handed. She knew Gai was easily to distract with flashy attacks and less likely to notice something a little more finessed.

They were quirks the enemy would never see but Tenten paid attention to body language. She noticed ever bad arm, every tired step, every bruised rib and fractured finger. To hit a moving target with the kind of accuracy she had? You needed to have a gift at noticing body language. That or kinetic vision.

Tenten has both.

The boys didn't like it when she exposed thier flaws like that while they perfected an art she was merely mediocre at. The early morning spars were rarely her playground. It was male bonding time, plain and simple. Yet it was nice if they'd asked. It had been a while.

So she wasn't prepared when she flipped open the note, only to find that what she'd been invited to wasn't the testosterone packed slug-fest she imagined. Nor was it a confession of undying love.

It was just a mere invite to a fight that Tenten never thought she'd be in.

Maybe she should spar more with Gai these days. Surely then she would know who was really behind this. Neji wasn't the type to make this recommendation and Gai often coddled her.

She'd have to thank whichever soul had seen her potential. Of course it wasn't that simple and Tenten was no fool that there was something sketchy going on. Yet, if it worked in her favour, who was she to argue it?


SAI

He had been about to ambush the Nara heir when they group had been attacked by bandits when the hawk distracted him.

It was certainly a messenger hawk, and headed straight to him. In his 5 seconds of puzzlement as he snatched the scroll, he noticed the senbon welder had already killed the groups attackers.

His plan was ruined then. Sai wasn't certain why he let out a breath at the notion. Was this what it meant to be nervous? He'd felt something similar when he'd first caught the attention of the Yamanaka heiress.

With a feeling Sai couldn't quite place he ripped open the scroll with more force than he usually did scanning the contents.

The neat looped writing of Fu's reminded him to kill the Nara heir, much to his puzzlement.

Had they felt he'd forget his mission? That was odd. The distraction had ironically killed his chance of discreetly killing the male Nara.

A further note indicated that Hawk would have him apprentice another ANBU.

For what purpose?

To fight as a Shinobi representative of Root.

Sai supposed that was something he could do. Maybe his new instructor would let him know what exactly that meant though.

He wondered who he had to thank for the opportunity. Sure, he felt as if it was his time, but to receive a notice via hawk? It was far from protocol.

Not that Sai found protocol of much interest of late.


CHOUJI

Contrary to popular belief, Chouji isn't as soft as everyone thinks he is. Sure, he doesn't like violence but he's a shinobi. He knows his duty.

Ino and Shikamaru don't see him that way. He sees it on missions, the way they take all the kills to save his sensitive nature even when it puts them in a more dangerous situation.

Chouji is easy going, but he still has his pride. Out of the three of them, he knows he has the best mastery of his clan technique. Ino's stretched herself thin between medical ninjutsu and apprenticing as a head hunter to master every Yamanaka technique. Shikamaru wasn't even bothered to learn more than what was required of him.

It irked him to know they didn't trust him. Even Asuma coddles him from time to time, by swiping up the kills his team mates miss. Chouji has killed before they forget, as a Genin he'd killed before them.

He'd killed before any of the Rookie 9. Jorobo his name was. It still haunts him on occasion that a Genin like himself was forced to kill in the name of rescuing Sasuke Uchiha.

He knows they don't think he's Jonin material yet, but dammit he's earned the right to be respected at least as a team member. Chouji grinds his teeth, uncharacteristically angry as he tunes out his father's snacking while talking. He's upset he isn't being taken seriously.

His father finishes his excited speech handing him the file he was holding. Chouji sighs realising it was probably more clan paperwork - being an heir, dare he steal Shikamaru's words was a drag.

He glances at it and frowns at the Jonin commanders seal. Surely it couldn't be? With trembling hands he breaks it, aware of his father's excited gaze upon him.

What he saw rendered him speechless.

Since he knew his team would never think he was ready for this, it was surely a lie. Yet, if it wasn't, surely Asuma would know who he could thank.


SAKURA

Kakashi Hatake showing up on time to a spar was enough to convince her she was trapped in a Genjutsu. After several attempts to release said Genjutsu and failing, she made to stab her thigh with a kunai only to have the copy nin stop her.

"Neh, Sakura-chan calm down. Hokage-sama wanted me to pass something along to you since she's busy."

Kakashi hands her a crumpled note, already opened and read no doubt, while she glances at him dubiously. Kakashi has a strong resemblance to the late white fang Sakura has occasionally glimpsed in the Shinobi war records, so much so she is certain they they would mistaken for each other should his father be alive. Kakashi's usual hairdo of his spiky silver hair oriented to his left-side is unusually messy, while his dark grey-black eyes are harder than usual and typically a relaxed and lazy expression was gone despite his tone.

The entire situation is bizarre. While he was still her sensei, there was little doubt that Kakashi rarely took time to spar with her these days if ever. Sakura was half expecting the meet up to involve Naruto but there was no sign of the blonde. What could be so important anyway that Tsunade had Kakashi hand it to her? She was only a chuunin after all. Surely any official correspondence could wait until Tsunade was free.

Sakura was a good kunoichi but she was stagnated. With no official team she had few missions. Which left her unable to advance in rank. So no crucial correspondence was applicable to her at present. Certainly none that require the Sharingan no Kakashi to deliver them.

Yet, when she saw what the crumpled paper said, her heart raced. With more force than Kakashi could restrain, despite the swiftness if his reaction, she buried the kunai in her thigh.

The words didn't change despite the sudden pain and scent of blood in the air. Completely gobsmacked,while Kakashi face-palmed in equal disbelief, she turned to him in determination, uncaring of the crimson liquid seeping through her tights from the weeping wound still wedged open with her steel.

Sakura didn't care.

As a Kage's apprentice she knows when something is fishy. This isn't Kakashi's nor Tsunade's idea.

And Sakura was determined to find out exactly who's it was.

She's grateful, but Sakura Haruno was no fool.


SHIHO

White noise is all she hears as she stumbles from Tsunade's office, stunned by the hand she's been dealt. The invite Jiraiya apologetically has handed her is gripped firmly in her fist.

Instinctively, she knows exactly who to thank for the current predicament she's in.

Shiho's quite comfortable as a career chuunin. She's never quite desired a promotion. She likes being a paper ninja even though she knew saboteurs and trap specialists were scarce amongst modern shinobi. For good reason, they were usually amongst the first to die if a plan went awry! Few had been tested for higher ranks in years and most that existed now in the upper tier were war veterans.

She was happy watching Hana and Ayaka from afar, a wallflower amongst and heiress and a seductress. She was always happy, being the less sinister piece in the trio. Yet, was she really? Jiraiya had explained his theory behind Orochimaru's invasion. Could there really be a madman getting all paternal somewhere out there while her biological mother sat there and basically threatened to have her dubbed her a Senju heiress.

Shinobi politics.

It was the kind of life her late mother-real mother, had wanted for her after all. Yet, even that might not be real. Tsunade had said she'd requested Orochimaru make use of genjutsu to manipulate a prostitute into caring for her, loving her.

It was a genjutsu Sarutobi would never dare try to break. Not while he was set on hiding Shiho in plain sight.

Apparently, the powers that be were aligning for that to change. While she had little doubt a red eyed troublemaker had instigated this, she knew Tsunade imagined her a Senju heir and all heirs had to be Jonin to ever rightfully claim their titles without challenge. The thought appalled her slightly that the Kage had any concern for this, given the woman's lack of maternal instincts.

Then again, who cared about familial bonds when genes were so critical. As an apparent descendent of the Senju and Uzumaki, she had little doubt that her blood had value Tsunade could not ignore. As the spawn of Orochimaru, she had a host of enemies in the Leaf. Thus, the claim as Senju heir was put on the table, should she claim a promotion as a protection.

Shiho wasn't sure if she was angry or enthused by the decision.

But maybe if she played her cards right and by some miracle everyone else had a bad day she might be able to help Kiba with some bills. Hopefully bills paid without her paying him a dowry as a Senju daughter.

A promotion would come in handy, but at what cost? If she claimed a title like Jonin, would it be the only thing she claimed?

Shiho could only shudder in apprehension at the very idea.


INO

The first thing she noticed when she got home, after thoroughly investigating the Yamanaka clan family tree in Konoha's missive rooms - a frustrating task given her chuunin status gave her limited access - was the familiar smell of smoke. Frowning, about why Asuma was sitting on the Yamanaka porch, she approach cautiously. She really hoped Kurenai hadn't kicked him out. Not that she didn't care for the man, but now was definitely not the best time.

Asuma was acting odd, even by her standards by coming here.

There's a weird looking scroll on a chess set by his side. The game, a homage to her sensei knowing her preferences at board gamer while similar to Shikamaru's weren't quite the same. It makes her smile despite the strangeness of the situation.

She sits down next to him cautiously, looking at the board. Asuma's battling himself. It looks like a stale mate to Ino, but then again she's never had Ayaka's flare for chess. Asuma's face is defeated and she wonders what the significance of the chess set is.

It's no lie that outwardly Ino is shallow, yet in reality she's deep. Asuma's exactly like her in that regard. Nothing he does is without meaning. She wonders if he's at a stalemate in life, much like her.

They are always the same but different she muses. At her age, Asuma was rebelling against his family. Now, Ino was all but ready to interrogate every member of hers. There was a natural born instinct to question authority there. Yet, there was only so much a mere chuunin could do with limited resources and Asuma, for his rank, was only a spare in the Sarutobi clan.

She picks up the scroll laid between the remaining pieces, ripping it open without hesitation. Asuma raises a brow at the enthusiasm but says nothing, opting to merely enjoy his smoke.

Her gasp of surprise is the only sound she makes as she shoots her sensei a grateful look. The man puffs unhappily but offers her a soft congratulatory nod anyway.

He isn't responsible for this, she knows he wouldn't nominate her given the current circumstances. Still, whoever pulled this off would've had to get by Asuma, surely. There were very few people Ino knew that could manipulate anyone, never mind her rebellious sensei that way. In fact, Ino could narrow it down to two people, both probably in Suna already.

Ino couldn't help but be grateful that the two had conjured this opportunity. Sure, she was curious about why. Yet, a promotion? Surely her own ends justified the means enough already?

Or so she hoped.


KOTETSU

He isn't at all surprised when upon arrival to Suna, Genma shoves a slip of parchment in his hand before dragging off Izumo. There's a private discussion there needed to be had about what went down between Izumo and Ayaka. He is aware he isn't as emotionally well rounded to adequately handle Izumo's sensitivity about the whole situation nor, is he unbiased or innocent about how the situation came to be.

All had been fair in love and war after all and Kotetsu had always been a tad greedy. Even in youth, he could not loose Izumo. Not to anyone. Not even for the happiness a girl he would kill for. The fact that he'd deliberately egged Izumo on with a plot he knew would never work was enough evidence about how much he liked to win. He hadn't been prepared for the severity of the consequences. Yet, still he'd won in the end by his standards. So he had never been ungrateful for the victory despite his halted career.

The sand siblings have taken Ayaka and Shikamaru off their hands, promising that they'd all coordinate duties in the morning. The trio are serious, and a Kage's guarantee is absolute. He doesn't miss the way the Suna princess stares down Shikamaru nor the way the Puppeteer sizes up Ayaka.

It's two completely different looks, but ones that would be worrying no doubt in the near future. Still, he doesn't doubt the Nara brats are safe, dare he call either a brat.

He's glad Suna's taking things seriously. After the long trip to Suna none of them are at their optimum. Suna taking over while they rested was for the best. Ko and Ayaka are the exception, both being apparent stamina freaks but even they must be tired, despite the impossible spring in their steps.

He was hoping to get a moment or two tonight with Izumo alone but seeing his partner was yet to return, he was left to contemplate the exactly why he'd received such an invite.

The entire mission has been a strange and obscure one. He knew full well they normally would never have been a team Tsunade would send so there was definitely something going on beneath the surface. If there weren't any underhanded dealings between Genma and Ayaka he would've been surprised.

The pretty invite, to something long overdue made him raise his brows. He wasn't ungrateful for the opportunity but looking at the little brat he knew she wouldn't have done this without gaining something out of it. Nara's held impressive grudges and neither Ayaka nor Shikaku were likely to show mercy on a whim.

She was an impressive Kunoichi really. An over achiever in a clan of geniuses. A tactician that ought not to be underestimated. He and Izumo had crossed her once, albeit idiotically and had paid the price.

Kotetsu had never realised how much loosing the opportunity for a promotion would hurt.

Izumo handled it well. But then again he was the mature and content one.

Kotetsu knew the opportunity he was getting wasn't for free. He may not know the cost yet nor who would actually pay of this debt, but he was grateful nonetheless.

If he had Izumo by his side, he'd take on the brats unknown wager gratefully.

After all, the potential gains would be worth it.


LEE

People had a tendency to underestimate him. Few people in life had underestimated him quite as intensely as his male teammate has. If anyone had told Lee as a Genin that one day he'd be bear hugging the usually stoic in their mid morning spar, a scroll discarded on the ground he would have thought them deluded. Neji was turning a delightful shade of red as he tried to shrug off the physically stronger chuunin.

Oh, he knew Neji wasn't entirely responsible for this honour, but until Lee knew who the actual culprit was - even he knew Gai wouldn't have suggested it without discussion first- it was still a golden opportunity to embarrass the Hyuuga prodigy while he all but wailed about maintaining a professional image.

Lee tended to make the most of his opportunities.


IZUMO

Few things stun Izumo much these days. Genma shoving Kotetsu off in one direction and stopping Izumo from a good night's rest in Kotetsu's willing arms by dragging him to his own quarters was one of them.

Izumo wasn't worried that Genma would do untoward. The man's girlfriend was terrifying enough that he knew Genma would never cheat, never-mind with a ward. Still, it was an odd move nevertheless. Genma's raised him and Kotetsu together. They've never been apart really nor had they been separated by the senbon chewer. Genma was basically an older brother/parent at this point.

Yet, Kotetsu is impulsive and always impairs Izumo's logical side so when he realizes what is being waved in his face he understands. Genma, for all his quirks truly gets it.

Outside of Ayaka, he's the only one that truly sees him and Kotetsu as what they actually are. Two individuals that compliment each other extremely well. Too many people regard them as a singular entity, despite their very different personalities.

He knows Kotetsu has likely received a similar offer. He knows his partner would get enthusiastic. Under normal circumstances he would feed of that energy and be equally excited, in appearance at least.

Right now? He is fucking terrified. He knows Genma knows it too.

The senbon chewer is gazing at him silently, assessing the situation. Probably prepared to take back the slip of parchment and destroy it on a whim if Izumo reacted wrong. It warms his heart slightly.

The last time he'd wanted this, Izumo had almost lost his career. Shikaku had almost had his head on a platter. He had lost a friend. Kotetsu had spent solid years doing missions and guard duty he had felt boring, despite Izumo's own fondness for them.

However, he had wanted this paper all those years ago. By Kotetsu's careers sake and by Ayaka's reputation as his victim, he could never dare reject this. Deep down he knew even if Genma ripped it up and he pretended not to get one, those two would know.

It was the flawless manipulation really. Offer him that which he'd already given up on. An opportunity he didn't have the audacity to refuse, given his pass transgressions.

Aside from that, Kotetsu would quite literally die to be Jonin. Yet, he knew that his partner would never do the exams without him. Izumo couldn't refuse. Not if he didn't want to hate himself forever.

He had thought having it out with Ayaka on their watch would've been the end of it all. Perhaps, that was true and the feud was indeed over.

Yet, it wasn't going to come free.

He doesn't want to be Jonin.

Yet, he is pretty certain he needs to be.

In order for more then one debt to be paid in full.

And Izumo knew exactly who to thank for that. Shikaku really had to stop underestimating that girl. She was becoming more sinister by the day.

Fuck it all, was it too late to decide he hated her?


SHIKAMARU

Everyone is given rooms in the sand siblings home, large as it was. Ayaka had shot him a pointed look to behave as she is escorted to her own quarters down the hall, by a grinning Kankuro.

He's sure Kankuro isn't looking at Ayaka with lust, but he can't quite place the emotion. Ayaka for her part, is surely faking her obliviousness - Shikamaru would literally shave off his ponytail should that be wrong. They appear a puzzling pair, slinking off and somehow both subtlety guarding each other's weak spots on instinct with their body language. Not even he and his team were that in sync. It was weird how so few of their movements were wasted.

He doesn't quite understand their relationship and by Temari's frown he realises she finds it vexing too. Still, neither of them question it as Temari leads him to his chambers. Or rather drags him there and keeps him there.

It's nearly 2 hours later when he feels a familiar Chakra outside the room. Temari doesn't stir, and for once he's glad she's no great sensor. He'd rather not have his cousin knowing he's already risking it all.

He glances at the desert princess, her blonde hair in disarray as she snored slightly, clad in only his T-shirt before swallowing a groan. He didn't even want to try and figure out where the troublesome woman had thrown her clothes this time mid make out. He sincerely hoped it wasn't hanging from the ceiling fan again. He somehow always ended up being the one to have to gather it up.

He had been trying to behave, truthfully. Yet, who could say no to Temari no Subaku in all honesty? The woman was just as beautiful as she was terrifying. If Shikamaru knew how to reject her advances, he wouldn't have half his problems right now. Not that he wanted to reject them.

At least he still has his pants. Dressing halfway, he slips out the room, eyes quickly adjusting to the dim light. She's in ANBU gear, minus the mask which is alarming enough as she tosses him a scroll, then winks.

He catches it without thinking, still staring her down. He's never seen her like this really. The ANBU tattoo was visible for once on her shoulder without her usual henge on it. Her brown hair was slicked back and pulled into a tight fishtail braid, no doubt laced with ninja wire. The black gear and armour, he realise show wear that comes with use. The sword she loves so much is secured to her back instead of her side.

In the dim light he realises, she's removed the bandages from her hands and arms. He senses Kankuro down the hall and is about to protest the idiocy he knows is about to go down, before they both vanish.

He finds himself cursing ANBU and their tricks. Did neither of them realise someone was trying to kill her? Or what it may look like if the Kazekage's older playboy brother was sneaking up with a recently betrothed seductress?

Frustrated, he unwraps the scroll, squinting at the words upon it in the dim light and then chokes, temporarily forgetting the escapades of Ayaka and Kankuro.

He's been expecting this. Yet, not before negotiations with Suna. Certainly, not before she faced of with Shikaku.

He can't imagine how she's pulled this off. It wasn't something Asuma had been willing to sign, even if the Nara council threw a tantrum his way.

Shikamaru is grateful and perhaps that's why he tells neither Gaara nor Genma of the, assumed violent, night-time activities between a Nara princess and the puppeteer prince.

After all, he did need her to work her magic at Suna too, and he had his own princess to worry about.