A/N: Thanks for the review cathyscloud9 :D Angst, angst and some more angst. We all want the happy ever after but will it happen? Anyways- happy reading my lovelies 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 111
It was a cumbersome task he'd been set and it was indeed a drag however, Shikamaru felt a renewed sense of purpose after last night. It was a rarity that his father meddled with his life, let alone that of such a personal matter. Last night a game of shogi ended with a blunt confrontation between them. Shikamaru's unsteady fortitude coming unstuck completely against his father's frank words.
Let it out. Let all the sadness, fear and anger that is building up inside of you.
That's the first step.
Shikamaru had come undone; as he did as he was asked. Unable to suppress his grief any further. More importantly he was safe to do so. Even over his wails he'd heard his father's last words.
… and I'll pick up the pieces.
Asuma was dead. It was now time to focus on the present and future. On the King. Specifically, Asuma's King; his unborn child. The child his sensei had entrusted that Shikamaru would forthwith watch over with the upmost care.
After a decent sleep, Shikamaru had called on Kurenai to see if he could be of any assistance with the funeral arrangements. He had to hand it to her; she'd already finalised everything for this afternoon, just a little over 24 hours since his passing. The only thing she was struggling to settle were accumulating some photos for the wake.
Thus, Shikamaru had his mission. Nina. That presented quite the problem in itself. He appreciated the circumstances wholeheartedly. After all, he, along with his father had been commanded to restrain her. The only reason they hadn't was what they were faced with when they entered that room. The scene replayed in his head, freezing his movements.
Nina a high-ranking Shinobi of the Leaf Village, an exceptionally accomplished medical-nin however… it was her brother. Her own flesh and blood slipped away in those last seconds and she had no control over it. Although, facing complicated emotional repercussions, Nina had carried herself with impeccable professionalism. He witnessed one of the very harsh realities of shinobi life- death. It was distinctly evident that Nina was well versed in such circumstances.
Shinobi Rule 19: Shinobi have no honour, they take their village's honour as their own.
Whilst Nina had obviously disobeyed her superior's orders, she was acting honourably; at least in his eyes. From an early age the Will of Fire was instilled in each and every one of them. She'd upheld that; going as far as to disregard the Fifth Hokage.
With hands in his pockets, Shikamaru threw his head back and surveyed the skies. He had to find Nina. Her apartment had been empty. What a drag. Regardless of being under the strict confines of the village there were any number of places she could be.
His mind retraced Asuma's passing one more time. It'd been clunking around in his brain since yesterday. Asuma had told him "Protect the King" and he couldn't help wonder what is was that he had whispered to Nina.
As luck would have it, Nina appeared just ahead of him. He scampered off to intercept her before she had a chance to disappear.
The boy very much resembled his father, even down to his mannerisms. Nina remembered she hadn't apologised for whatever abhorrent mess he'd seen her in the other night. Shikamaru didn't seem concerned and it was probably best to leave it be.
"It's not that she didn't want to see you herself. I'm just helping out, you know."
The next generation were remarkable in their own right. Asuma had spouted praises for the kid from the very beginning. His intelligence was incomparable to anyone of his generation but he lacked work ethic. Or at least he had. Shikamaru definitely wasn't shying away from it now.
The funeral was to be this afternoon huh? Nina pondered if she'd been in Kurenai's position she would have likely done the same. Throwing herself into it; keeping her mind busy. An idle mind was dangerous in these events.
"Oh, I um… I think I have a box at home. I don't have many."
She really didn't and for obvious reasons. They were a disjointed family; accomplished as individuals but very much removed from each other.
Nina motioned her head and they set about heading back to her apartment.
"What brings you out here anyway?"
Small talk. Hmpf. Maybe he'd been requested to keep tabs on her by Lady Tsunade.
"Just dropping off some medical journals and such to the library."
"And then?"
Uncharacteristic. Nina's guard was already on high alert and this only furthered that.
She shrugged. Of course she had plans; just none she wanted to share.
Well, that was awkward. They were both saved when they ascended the staircase to Nina's apartment.
Huh?
Out of the corner of his eye, Shikamaru caught sight of a figure lurking in the shadows of the alleyway on the other side. Kakashi.
"Wait here. I won't be long."
He did as he was asked. Leaning up against the balustrading Shikamaru pulled out the silver lighter from his right pocket and flicked the lid open and closed. He'd commandeered it on his way out of the room yesterday. Why? A whim, he supposed. Sentimental even.
Their generation was different to his. They'd been there for the 3rd Great Ninja War. And therefore, had been a part of the rebuild that lead to the following generations to live the lives they did. One of relative peace. Shikamaru had also noted that there were very few of their generation that had significant others. His Dad's generation did but, aside from Asuma and Kurenai the others were mostly alone. He supposed that was probably due to the heavy mission load that would have followed the war.
Up until recently, Asuma and Kurenai had been the exception. Now, there was Shizune and Genma, and Guy and that lady from Ichiraku… what was her name? Ah, right… Ayame. And it certainly hadn't missed his observant eye that Master Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade had a little something going on too.
Shikamaru cast his eye down to where he'd spied Kakashi earlier. He was still there. People were completely oblivious to his presence. Had Nina noticed him?
Heh. Probably not. He could tell she hadn't slept and by a quick glance around she'd managed to occupy herself by cleaning.
"Here you go."
Nina handed over a box. It was a lot smaller than he'd imagined. "Ah, thanks."
"Just make sure it comes back. As I said, I don't have a lot but…"
"Got it." Something caught his attention. He balanced the box on one knee and picked up a photo that was about three or so deep. "Is this… is this Asuma? And-"
Nina returned to his side to inspect the photo that Shikamaru was referring to.
"Heh. Yeah. Kurenai, and that's-"
"Guy-sensei."
"What gave it away?"
Shikamaru laughed and noted that Nina was also sporting a genuine smile.
"That's Kakashi and who's… is that you?"
She was young but by all features it had to be.
"Mhmm."
"Wow. You're all so young."
Shikamaru ran his eyes over everyone in the picture. "Were they always like that?"
"Yeah. They denied it for so long but I guess they, we, were just children. And then Asuma left, but Kurenai's heart never faltered. Asuma the idiot."
He watched as Nina shook her head, eyes closed and smiling. "Such a thick head."
Shikamaru didn't disagree. Shogi revealed a lot about a person.
"You and Kakashi-sensei go back that far too."
Nina studied the picture again. They were really young. A lot of time had passed since that photo. So much had changed and other things had remained.
"Yeah."
"Well, anyway. Thanks for this. I'll be sure to return them."
He descended the stairs.
Hmpf. They were definitely brother and sister.
Nina's mind wandered. Not just things; people… person… Kakashi.
Her life lacked constants. Loved ones came and went; such was life-such was the life of shinobi. But he… Kakashi had always been there.
A recognisable flutter filled her stomach and Nina found herself absentmindedly staring at her hand.
She'd called Asuma out on his apparent blind idiocy a number of times before he'd finally wised up to the obvious. Yet…
Nina remembered the snippets from Shushu-ya. Had she been wrong? She'd churned it over in her head enough over the course of their mission that she was convinced that is where something had started. But perhaps…
A gust of wind blew seemingly out of nowhere. A whirlwind of leaves spiralled around her; pieces of her hair whipping her face. Nina's eyes followed as the leaves were carried away.
The investigation was finished. They never had that discussion. A new agreement- was that even possible? Is it something she wanted or deserved?
No. Nina clenched her fists, cinching her eyes closed to refocus.
Shinobi rule 16: Turn your weaknesses into strengths.
She'd not been enough. She had to get stronger.
Nina pushed those thoughts, along with the last words her dying brother had breathed into her ear, as far down as she could.
