Pov: Omnipresent

Pairing: (Female) Naruto X Shikamaru

Disclaimer: I own nothing connecting to the Naruto Franchise

One More Time

Chapter 6: Nostalgic

Naruto frowned while eyeing the mission set out before her. Tsunade was rubbing her eyes and everyone could see the clear frustration set in her body language. The blonde was a bit surprised by the offer but presumed she and Shikamaru were proving themselves far more useful this lifetime around.

"Why am I leading a political mission...better yet why am I leading this mission with these guys?" The young blonde pointed accusingly at the small team of men clustered to the side of the room. Despite her earlier misgivings she didn't have to enjoy the thought of awkward silence or crabby personalities. Besides, it was a huge part of people, far too huge to even think of this as covert.

Shisui was sniggering bent over clutching his stomach. Itachi was stoic as ever calmly reading over the mission details, Sasuke was peering over his brother's shoulder reading alongside him.

Shikamaru was yawning at her side already looking over the political documentation needed on the mission. Kakashi was standing to the side reading his book of porn while Sakura was glaring darkly at the blonde.

Let's not mention Neji who was awkwardly standing to the blonde's other side paying absolute attention to the Uzumaki. Naruto was unamused with this menagerie of people lined up for the mission she was to lead.

Tsunade sighed softly and looked up to meet the eyes of the blonde. "As you know certain clans would find it...unfair should you spent time with one of your suitors more often than the others." Naruto gave Tsunade a slow blink but stayed silent. "I need you and Shikamaru for this mission though, you both are politically tied to Kumo and they are asking for a peace treaty to be met. Out of kindness on their part, they have agreed to meet in the fire nation's capital to ensure a treaty is sighed." Naruto frowned for a moment wondering how Shikamaru had ties to Kumo.

"The fire Diaymo himself wishes to observe the two responsible for making the land of lightning...see to reason. It means you cannot go as just a shinobi, neither can our lead negotiator Shikamaru go as a ready-to-battle nin, not within the city at least. You will lead to and from while traveling and Shikamaru will lead in the political aspects while within our capital walls." Tsunade looked over her paperwork for a few moments.

"That leaves a team to watch both your backs and a backup team to follow as we do with all political missions. This is not up for debate and you will have to accept it." The blonde current Hokage eyed Naruto who only allowed the barest frown to line her lips.

Naruto knew and understood why she was being placed on this mission. Her current life was full of travel and building ties to ensure she got to her people before tragedy struck. Those three years of hers were not wasted on just taking down the Akatsuki.

She had crossed paths with B during her travels with Jiraiya so that explained her link. Naruto quirked a brow to Shikamaru who was focused intently on his mission synopsis. She wondered how exactly Shikamaru obtained ties with her friends in Kumo though.

"I had at first only suggested sending Shikamaru with team seven to push through this mission. Though suggesting to send your team with Shikamaru as an extra was nearly barreled over by the other clans seeking your hand. Let's not even mention the civilian council's outrage at my 'snubbing' the other clans aiming to add you to their blood. Kakashi suggested a larger party and for you to lead a group since you have yet to have the opportunity since your return. Itachi and Shisui will actually be there alongside Kakashi to observe and step into the mission should the need arise. Shisui is the chaperone all the clans could agree upon, as Hinata is on a mission herself and you will have Sakura there as well." Tsunade eyed Naruto who softly sighed and rolled her shoulders.

"Fine, but find a better option next time. I can't go into every mission with a parade following after me each time. Especially on the upcoming missions, Jiraiya will be throwing them your way soon." Naruto's gaze was heavy on Tsunade who immediately understood.

Though she was not privy to Naruto's big secret the blonde Hokage knew Naruto's value and skills. The only reason Jiraiya would be asking for the blonde specifically would mean it was to test his protege. Their village desperately needed the blonde to make a connection through another spy network. Jiraiya had created the perfect spymaster in Naruto and Tsunade would utilize it.

Tsunade would not let any of the clans fuck that opportunity up. Giving a single nod toward Naruto's way satisfied the younger blonde who turned toward the cluster of people.

"Alright, pack up and shut up we will leave before sunrise tomorrow." Naruto's glimmering blue eyes fluttered between Shikamaru and Kakashi. "I will leave without the stragglers if I have to as well." Naruto huffed ignoring the dark glare still aimed her way by her pink-haired teammate who never grew up in this lifetime.

Naruto slipped out through the open window despite Tsunades calls for using the door. She just wanted time to gather her things and her sanity before she would be faced with brooding Uchihas and the stuck-up Hyuga. Or the secretive Nara she now had in her life.

Let's not even mention the angry fangirl...yeah this mission was going to go to shit.

OMT

Naruto grumbled softly under her breath for the ninth time within the last few hours. The sun had firmly lifted over the land and was daringly sunny despite her dour disposition.

Shikamaru didn't seem to be so chipper either. In fact, they were all in a bad mood, and that all directly led back from the thorn in their side...Sakura. Not only was she bitching every five seconds but she was doing a nonstop show of being snide toward Naruto herself. The biting comments didn't bother the Uzumaki but the way Sakura had the nerve to be so insubordinate during a mission was.

The pink-haired woman had stalled them numerous times by asking for many breaks in their journey.

Naruto ended up telling her if she could not handle continuous movement then she was free to be left behind. Naruto had not been able to be in Sakura's presence ever since she found out not just about Naruto's gender but about the blonde having to date Sasuke by force.

She internally groaned hating the childish behavior. In neither time was Sasuke interested in Sakura. In their first life, Sasuke had been the enemy right up until his death. At this time he was still oblivious to any emotions of love. It was why Naruto and Sasuke's relationship still stayed as easy friends, neither could see each other as something more.

Sasuke because he truly thought of Naruto as a mentor and family.

Naruto because she could not get rid of the old Sasuke from her mind. Absentmindedly she rubbed her shoulder where her Sasuke had originally tried to rip a hole through her. Now there just lay smooth skin to her touch and aching memories of a bond that had been once lost.

Yeah, Naruto had long ago left behind that childish disposition. She truly didn't have time to play this game with Sakura. Even Ino had gotten her act together while Naruto had been away. They all were leaving behind Sakura who was slowly becoming just another medical-nin one of the best under Tsunade, but not who she had once been.

If that was due to the absence of Sasuke's divergency then Naruto could do nothing about that. Sakura had to find her way herself and the only way to do that was to show her exactly how seriously everyone else was taking their lives.

Naruto had to show Sakura and Sasuke just how out of the league they were when compared to her.

One so Sasuke could grow exponentially due to his competitiveness and for Sakura so she could finally understand Naruto was in it for advancements. Not for the glory, not for winning over a husband, not for stupid reasons.

Sooner or later Obito and Madara will come out of hiding. They will want Naruto's life and her suffering. She had no family so for that moment they would target her team. Besides Obito wasn't just aiming to target her but Kakashi as well and their team seven. Naruto refused to let the fourth Shinobi war happen and their plans to ensure it never occurs had already been set in motion. The ten tails would never rise so Neji and his life were safeguarded. Now team sevens safety was her only priority.

The blonde huffed and eyed the sights of the capital gates in the distance. She halted the group and ushered them into a roadside inn. They washed and replenished themselves before the blonde grimaced as she and Shikamaru had plans to change clothing. The dressing up always annoyed her when dealing with any politics. The multilayered Kimonos were a huge pain in the ass and Naruto always dreaded earing them, despite them all being so pretty.

Naruto emerged from the bathhouse dressed in long multilayered robes of smokey greys and silvers. She let her hair fall freely down her back and her face was mostly bare save for a touch of eyeliner and lipgloss.

Despite it being a mission she still had to make an impression and a good one. Everyone had dressed a bit more formally save for Itachi, Kakashi, and Shisui who were all out of sight.

Sasuke wore a more formal version of his Shinobi attire in colors of black and red for his clan. Neji was dressed in the long purple and white robes of his clan as well and eerily looked so very much like his uncle.

Shikamaru was dressed in a formal black Hakama with a layered kimono of deep forest greens and whites tucked into the fabric. Naruto was the most tickled about his now long hair falling loose and free. She had always found him using his looks in political situations to be the most

Everyone stiffened seeing Sakuras outfit. She was neither dressed in formal attire nor was she dressed in the shinobi standard. Naruto blinked slowly once realizing she had on quite a bit too much makeup. Sakura had squeezed her body into a tight slip of a red dress that hugged her body but left little to imagine what lay hidden.

A flash of the women from the tea houses came to mind when Naruto spotted the Pinkett. She looked like she was trying to had and Naruto understood the why of it all.

Sakura's seafoam green gaze was staring longingly at Sasuke and the blonde shuddered to have to be the one to tell her to change. Though luckily it wasn't her job to control their dress code.

"Change. Now." Shikamaru spoke startling not just Sakura but everyone in their group.

Sakura huffed and turned her furious gaze to the Nara and paused taking in the sight he was. Whatever scathing comment she had been preparing to hurl at Shikamaru died on her tongue in that exact moment.

"I-I uh wow." Sakura stumbled over her words making Shikamaru frown. Naruto did her best to quell the little burst of jealousy and smoothed out her long billowing sleeves.

"Get changed. You will not embarrass me in front of a rivaling village diplomat." Shikamaru's tone turned dark and he was glaring darkly at Sakura who shrunk in on herself.

"R-right." Sakura scurried off to change and Naruto shook her head. Their clothing was all supposed to be planned out due to the circumstances of their visit to the Fire Nation capital. Though they should have expected this outcome, glancing at the indifferent expression of her longtime travel partner Naruto wondered.

How much had Shikamaru changed since their return?

OMT

Once everyone was dressed and settled they walked toward the capital. Naruto may have been leading the mission but once in the realm of politics, Shikamaru was to take over.

Naruto was just the people person, just like in their first lives it was a nostalgic moment.

Shikamaru slipped into position at the blonde's side and the three 'guards' fell into line around them.

The capital was bustling and full of beautifully dressed men and women. Shinobi and samurai alike ran to and fro protecting the people within. Naruto herself kept her gaze aimed forward. She could feel her face fall into a happy blank stare that was so reminiscent of her previous life.

Her change in demeanor almost jolted her team but Shikamaru was not phased one bit. He had been her confidant for years and her original guide through the world of politics. Naruto learned and harbored all the skills it took to survive as Hokage and now her new life people around her could see it in real life.

Naruto could almost feel the jolt of surprise come from Kakashi's direction and she knew at that moment her sensei was thinking of her father. The group arrived swiftly and were drawn immediately to the palace.

The fire Daimyo wanted to observe this treaty himself. The lightning Daimyo was standing stiffly his own entourage in the room. All attention was given to the arriving party and Naruto stood before them all body firm and gaze appropriately averted.

Her blue gaze shifted and Naruto could see both A and B off to the side as well doing the same as she.

"Let us begin, shall we?" The fire Diaymo spoke cutting the silence that had settled.

Naruto took a steadying breath and smiled emptily as a lightbulb. Time to start this shit show.

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