A/N: Thank you for the reviews Cathyscloud9 :D Glad you're enjoying the chapters in the sequel. Like the first this one is just taking shape as it comes. Happy reading x

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. They belong to Masashi Kishimoto. This story is purely a work of fanfiction.

Nina- is my original character (I do own her)

Chapter 10

"It's only precautionary action at this point."

"But Lady Tsunade, don't you think it's a little premature to take such measures on little more than an assumption?"

She had hoped to avoid having this conversation in any more detail than was absolutely necessary however, it would appear that wasn't going to happen. Shikamaru was his father's son and Temari didn't miss the finer details either. "Shikaku secure the room. Temari and Shikamaru let me be clear, what I am about to disclose isn't to find its way around Konoha, under any circumstance. Is that understood?"

Shikamaru and Temari exchanged a passing glance at each other, before turning their heads back to the Fifth Hokage and nodded in acknowledgment. "Understood."

"Room is secure Milady."

"Thank you Shikaku. Right then. I didn't make this decision lightly. The Chunin exams are indeed a pivotal part of maintaining amical partnerships within the great nations. There are also shinobi who are very much overdue to sit these exams in order to attain their next rank. The threat we are facing is not within the realms of normal, and such I've had to make the decision to postpone the exams until we can be assured there is no threat to the event."

Shikamaru meditated on the information and was prompt in analysing the situation. "Does this threat concern any one in particular?"

He had been a newly appointed Chunin following the disastrous unfolding of the exams him and Temari had sat. There was the threat of Gaara and then there was the whole Orochimaru fiasco. It'd damn well near cost his friends their lives and he'd failed his first mission. Since then, the exams had been held in other locations and this was the first time that Konoha was to play host. What a drag.

"Yes. There's a strong possibility for two targets. No doubt you're aware by now of the investigation that cost your sensei his life, Shikamaru?"

"Actually, very little."

Tsunade shot a look at Shikaku; she was surprised that he hadn't divulged more to his son to aid in his grief.

Shikaku shrugged his shoulders and bowed his head; arms folded across his chest.

She too folded her arms and peered at the ceiling. It was classified information; reserved for the powers to be and Anbu. "The investigation was following a spate of recent deaths resulting from poisoning. It was found that the assailant was targeting those with the primary chakra affinity of wind. Asuma being the last victim. We've apprehended a suspect however, we've been unable to come up with a cure for the poison and we have not been able to deduce a source or reason for the targeting, despite intensive interrogation."

He dug his pinky into his ear. "So, you think there's a possibility that Naruto is their true target?"

"Yes, I suspect so. He's a jinchuriki after all."

"I see. You said two targets, who's the other?"

"Sasuke Uchiha."

Damn. How is it that he always managed to get caught up in messes concerning those two? Sasuke being the last Uchiha was highly sought after for his sharingan. The only other person in possession of such a powerful kekkei genkai was Kakashi-sensei. The Fifth Hokage had only mentioned two targets so, it was unlikely it was related to someone chasing down optical super powers. But that then begged the question…

"Why Sasuke?"

He was perceptive enough that the fleeting flicks of her eyes in his father's direction weren't missed. This whole debacle was painful enough, let alone the details needing to be dragged out like they were.

Tsunade heaved a much lamented sigh. This was her least favoured turn for this discussion, but it was unavoidable now. "Orochimaru is a subject of interest. He and Kabuto are being investigated currently. As you say, it's only assumptions at this point however, the complexity of the poison leads me to believe at least one, if not both of them are involved. How, well, I'm not sure. Hence, it's in everyone's best interests to postpone the exams. At least until we can gain more substantial evidence to warrant further action."

"You know, he's not going to take lightly to a delay."

"That's true." Tsunade stood and looked out the window whilst formulating a plan.

"Isn't he with Master Jiraiya?"

That's right. She had an ace up her sleeve. Slamming her right fist into her left palm in satisfaction. "Yes and that may buy us just enough time."

"What about Sasuke Uchiha Ma'am?"

Temari raised a valid issue. Naruto's disapproval with the postponing of events, would easily subside with the help of his Mentor; the Uchiha on the other hand posed more of a problem. A mission was too risky. Even in a team, if Orochimaru wanted Sasuke he'd make short work of just about any team she could put together. Training with one of the legendary Sannin could bide some time but doubtful. Hatake was on leave for the next two weeks, so that eliminated that option.

"Perhaps a more direct approach would work?"

Shikaku stepped forward from the wall. "Why not confront Sasuke himself?"

Under normal circumstances such a suggestion would be utter nonsense. "Do you think we can trust Sasuke to be upfront?"

"Not likely."

Shikamaru's muttering was followed by a swift kick to the tender spot in his calf. "Why wouldn't he?"

"In case you've forgotten Temari, my first mission as a team leader was to bring him back and we failed. He was long considered a traitor to the Leaf; a rogue. He left in pursuit of some half-cocked notion of power via any means necessary. He trained under Orochimaru." Folding his arms across his chest and staring blankly at the ceiling before continuing. "I can't speak for everyone else but I can't say I trust him."

"Sasuke Uchiha pledged his loyalty to Konoha. Regardless of his past choices Shikamaru he is a shinobi of the Leaf Village and your comrade."

His eyes met hers that were angled back over her shoulder. He gave a hapless shrug of his shoulders. He was in no mood to argue; rather he was too lazy and cautiously aware that his father was in the room, therefore he held his tongue on the matter. "Can't hurt to ask him. He's likely to question the postponement anyway."

Sasuke was one of many people that would be questioning her decision. She hadn't yet come up with a valid cover to mitigate the bombardment she would receive once word got out. "Have official dates been set, Shikaku?"

"No Milady."

Well, that was their saving grace. "Good. Send out a general advice of the upcoming events with a notation that dates will follow shortly."

"Understood."

"That should buy us enough time."

"And if it turns out that it is Orochimaru who is behind this, then what?"

"Then it's something that all the Kages will need to convene for and discuss. For now, this stays between us. I'll see that Jiraiya occupies Naruto. Shikamaru you can escort Sasuke to my office as soon as possible. As for you Temari, do you think Sand can spare you for a little longer, I'm rather short staffed?"

"I don't see a problem Ma'am, but I will confirm it with the Kazekage first and let you know."

"Right then. Remember not a word about what was spoken about in this room. You're all dismissed."

"Stop sulking, cry baby."

"Heh. The only good thing to come out of this whole thing, is that you're going to be here for longer."

"Maybe."

Shikamaru was less than impressed to get a maybe. He forced his hands deep into his pockets, doing his best to shield his disappointment.

"Just kidding. Lighten up. I don't see why Gaara would want me back there."

Temari gave a playful jab to Shikamaru's side who was busy searching the skies above. "Still envious of the clouds?"

"A little I suppose. I guess I should be going. Got to go fetch Sasuke."

"Later." She watched as Shikamaru trudged off.

Who could blame him for his lack of trust in the Uchiha?

Regardless of the strengthened bonds between Sand and Leaf, Sasuke was still under a darkened cloud. And Sand wasn't the only village to be suspect of his apparent acceptance within Konoha. Rogue ninja's were usually dealt with by execution or lifelong imprisonment. From the outside it certainly seemed that he'd been cleared of all his crimes against his home village and was welcomed whole-heartedly back with virtually no repercussions.

Sure, she'd given Shikamaru the cut and dry of shinobi life in the hospital whilst his teammates' lives hung by a thread, but she certainly didn't feel it was fair to expect him to wipe the slate clean and have him consider Sasuke a comrade, like their Hokage did.

Truthfully, she had disapproved the Hokage's handling of the majority of that discussion. Shinobi were trained to be emotionless. Shikamaru's intelligence and objectivity were his greatest assets and in turn, the Village's. Unfortunately, underneath the staunchest exteriors, shinobi were still human on the inside.

Shikamaru had just lost his mentor, teacher and master, not but a few days earlier.

Tsunade had ordered him to retrieve Sasuke, so that he could be questioned about any dealings with his former mentor, Orochimaru. The same Orochimaru who had been the main catalyst for Sasuke's defection and possibly the master mind behind the recent deaths in Konoha; namely Asuma's.

Shikamaru had out rightly voiced his distrust of Sasuke, which was justified, but it fell on deaf ears.

It was careless as far as Temari was concerned. Surely someone in a position of power wouldn't be so blind as to not see the danger in her actions? Nina. That was case and point. Temari considered Nina to be an exceptional shinobi, one that truly embodied everything there was about being one. Nonetheless, even she had lost control.

Lady Tsunade had any other options excepting sending Shikamaru.

"I'm sure he could use the company."

Temari turned to face the direction from where his voice had come from. Shikaku slouched into the door frame of the Hokage Tower, bolstered by his left shoulder and eyes set down the road Shikamaru had left on. "I'll send the request to the Kazekage."

Hmpf. Like father, like son.

"Thanks."