In a little flower shop in hidden leaf. A platinum blonde Flips the sign from open to close as she continues to talk to her friends. One sitting by the counter eating a bag of chips, the other one sitting by the cash register.
"Ino, You're right; I have become bored with her. She is too innocent; He's never letting me make a move on her. We haven't really even made out."
"See, I told you, Shikamaru, Is it really a relationship? Well, A romantic one, the two of you act more like friends. Then lovers or anyone is dating each other. But I understand why you are with Her still. She has a good reputation behind her. Serenity will make a better way for mother Then to Temari."
"True enough. Not to say Temari, Will it give me a reputation boost too? Besides, she is more willing to have a little fun. Serenity wants to take things slow. I understood that when we were 14. But after the war I am, I AM 17 years old. Kind of like to have a little fun in the sack, if you know what I mean. But it will not look good if I give up. I won the war heroes. Well, our people consider a slut."
Was sitting at the edge of the counter. Chōji was watching both Shikamaru and Ino. Talk shit about an excellent friend other. He could not believe what they were thinking. So much so he was just in shock that he was not even eating his chips Anymore.
"Well, is Shikamaru. You can do it this way. Why can't you have both? It is not like you are not already doing it now anyway. Every time you go to Hidden sand village. You're just careful not doing anything now."
"Who says I haven't done anything here in the village with her?"
"Wow, I didn't even know that one, So continue. What is serenity going to do? Cry, she is a no-name ninja. Well, you have a family and a reputation. She can take it or leave it."
"Ino, you're right; besides, if Serenity finds out. I just tell her it is her fault. She did not try to satisfy me. But I had to go looking at another woman. She is a no-name ninja after all."
Just in a fist comes slamming down on the counter. The glass cracks underneath the impact. They looked over to their friend, whose chips laid abandon on the Floor. Who is shaking in rage tears were falling from his eyes.
"I can't believe the both of you. Serenity is our friend, but you are both using her for your own gain. And then treat her like garbage. She is never once treating you like that for any reason. Shikamaru, she has been nothing but loyal to you. And this is how you repay that loyalty. By sleeping with another woman. The question is, how many other women have you slept with?"
"Chōji, don't be melodramatic. I am sure this is not the first time it has happened. To any woman, Shikamaru will not be the last man to do this. We all know men in power tend to do this. They have a wife and multiple mistresses on the side."
"Yes, Royalty, But we are not royalty. We are shinobi of the leaf we fought together as comrades Every day. We all fall in the same Ninja War to protect our world. The very woman that saved your father's. From a tail Beast Bomb That had the very names on it. The very woman that saved them. You have repaid her with infidelity, but you expect Serenity to be faithful towards you. A woman that saved my father. I will be damn well grateful for her. I will be taking her everything for my life."
He gets up to start walking out the door, crushing the very chips that he just dropped. Just before he walks through the door, he turns back at them.
"If you continue this Infidelity, and you, Ino, keep on encouraging Such a disgraceful act. As the next head of the Akimichi clan, I will end the Ino–Shika–Chō trio. On top of that, I will tell the Hokage and anyone that will listen. How disgraceful both of you are. Bing better than another ninja. Suppose you are willing to throw one friendship Through betrayal. What's to say you won't betray leaf or anyone else?"
With that, he walks with the door slamming behind him. The glass cracks. Some of it starts to shatter down at the very testament, how angry he is. He always prided himself on being a good friend. How in the world is he to tell when his best friend in the world? Who happened to be his sensei's daughter? That the man that she is dating. It is nothing more than just a little boy who wants to play with all the toys on the playground.
He does not want to be the one to break her heart. Tell her something like this. But he cannot live with himself, not telling her. So, he's walking around leaf With the air of anger sadness Surrounding him. He heads to the cemetery, Looking for my advice from a very man. Well, he needs to tell that his favorite student betrays his daughter. As he sits by the headstone, Tears pouring from his eyes. Not bothering even to try to stop up. He did not realize the teammate was following him. They saw how Angry and sad he was.
At first, I thought it was because he misses His sensei.
"Chōji, it is alright; we miss him too,"
Kiba says that they look up to see Neij walking down the path.
"You guys, I don't understand, of course, miss my sensei. I came here to tell Asuma Sensei that his daughter Serenity is going to be a betrayal. But his favorite student Shikamaru."
Chōji by At this point, he does even bother holding back the tears and anger. He starts getting sick as he starts throwing up; Hinata comes his back. The group looks at each other, and they wait for him to calm down. Even more just angry as he is. This was their friend, their comrade, very much like a sister to them.
She was more willing to give the shirt off her back and go cold. Then let your friend go without. As much as she was a gentle soul, she did not put up a lot. They want to protect her from this hurt.
"Chōji, How is he going to do it?"
Chōji calms down enough for them. He turns around his spot. It looks at them.
"Shikamaru has done it. As far as I know, it was just with Temari. But it could be an even number of girls too."
All of team 8 and Neij Froze on the spot. Now they are getting piss; they have known Shikamaru, Serenity. They have been dating since they were 14 years old. To hear this pisses the off.
"What has he been doing with Temari? Chōji"
Kiba asks, angry voice with a slight growl at the end.
"Shikamaru has been sleeping with her; Ino Has encouraged it. How am I supposed to tell her? Hinata You're a girl, how would you like to be told? What would you like to be told?"
They are looking at Hinata as she takes a deep breath.
"If it was me, I had my friends tell me. I would like to be kept in the dark like this. It will hurt, but it will help a lot more if everyone knew about it. And no one told me. I would feel like the laughingstock of the village. That no will respect me because they didn't tell me."
They all nod Their heads and understanding. Face after for a good long while quietly. The Neij starts chuckling to himself.
"Correct me if I'm wrong; this isn't a laughing situation."
"Shino, I wasn't laughing at Serenity's pain. Put the pain is going to happen to the two of them."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we can't tell her father for obvious reasons. But we can tell their fathers. I wonder how Inoichi and Inoichi Would like to hear about their children's Extracurricular activities. Something tells me They will like that all Just to protect the clan's reputation. They could very well disown them. With that, they lose everything That was once given to them and earned. Once Get out, and it will. Do you guys really think the rest of the shinobi forces of leaf put up with such a crime? A prison sentence will not punish it.
But no one will really want to work with them. What's your ability to Betray something that closes to home? Who's to say you won't do that on the battlefield?"
They all looked at each other. I need he was right. No one will want to work with them. No one will want to be with them. Why, because of this one act? What day about Shinobi loyalty was everything to them? To Shinobi vow vows were taken very seriously. That is why none will take this Betrayal Lightly. To them, This was a slap in the face to all forces, Not just to one girl.
As a result, they will have no problem. Shunning both Shikamaru and Ino There will be an uphill battle for both if they want to get back to where they were. Chances are they will never be back to where they were.
"So, where would I be?"
"At the bar."
They all looked at Chōji, Nodding their heads. Kiba, Shino Help Chōji up.
"Well, alright, a man leads the way."
He led them to their father's favorite bar. They like to get together to have drinks; now that the war was over, they get together at least twice a week. It did not take him long to get to the bar. Once they walked in, they went looking for their fathers.
Chōji spots him in the back corner. No, and the other two were there. He waves at the group to follow him. Once I get there, Chōji taps his dad on the shoulder.
"Ah, my boy."
Chōza Akimichi looks to see the group.
"Why don't you, your friends, come and sit down with us? I just order a bunch of food I could use to help eating it."
As he says that, he is waving the waitress Over to get the group their drinks.
Chōza, Inoichi, and Shikaku know something is wrong; they really get suspicious when Chōji chugs down his drink like it is nothing and orders another.
In a deep, dark, intimidating voice that he alone can produce.
"What is wrong with you guys? You're acting like somebody has killed your puppy."
"Well, Shikaku, This is not going to be easy for me to say. I do so with a heavy heart. But unless something is going to change. When I become head of the Akimichi, I will end the Ino–Shika–Chō trio an alliance that we had with each other."
Understandably, All of them are shocked. Besides the group that just came in, Ten teams 10 Neij.
"My son, why are you talking this crazy talk? What has happened? Why would you throw 15 generations of This alliance away? You can help give me an explanation. Right now, young man."
Both Shikaku and Inoichi Leaned forward as Chōza demands Angrily explanation from his son. This is a serious matter. You do not throw accusations like that Out.
So, they wanted to know why Chōji even thinks such a thing. As they watched, a dark look falls upon the young man's face. Tears start falling from his eyes.
"Papa, I do not make this accusation lightly. But within the light and the latest news that is happening tonight. In lack remorse, they are showing on their part. I will take it to be best for our clan. In the future, to part ways with the Nara and the Yamanaka. Before you get really upset, there is a reason for it."
Chōji closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. As those tears still fall from his eyes.
"Shikamaru Nara is willing, Betraying serenity Sarutobi with Ino Yamanaka."
The look of shock has fallen pollen. This trio silence was deafening.
"How?"
Was Shikaku could say he did not even try to defend Shikamaru. The same could be said with Inoichi.
"Shikamaru is sleeping with the sand Princess. Ino Encouraging it. He does not have the decency to end his relationship with serenity. From my understanding tonight, he has been doing this for months, If not a year. Honestly, I do not know the timeframe, and I do not really care. He promised our sensei he will take care of her. On his deathbed. No less. He vowed to take care of her. He fell to our sensei on his deathbed. He will take care of both His daughters.
Suppose he is willing to break that vow, with Ino Encouraging it. What else Is he willing to do? I cannot put a good conscious put clan through that. I'm sorry, Papa."
The table falls silent Choji's dad just nods his head and just rubs his son's shoulders. In understanding, this was a tough decision to make. Even tougher to come out and say it to them.
"So, you won't break off the alliance if we do something about it now."
"Yes, Inoichi, but what could be done? They're both heirs."
"Not necessarily, Things can always change Ino Has a twin sister."
"Right? He is right, and please go, always change. Like Shikamaru can be no longer a part of the clan."
Looking over at Shikaku, They saw that he put down his drink. Boulders hands in a similar stance, but he was going to deep thinking. The fathers at this table would piss an understatement just as I continued to discuss but could be done Among themselves.
Who walks in with his arm around her waist, pulling her close, Kissing her neck? Was Shikamaru, Temari with Ino right behind them.
"wasn't Ino Supposed to be working at the hospital tonight?"
"That's what I thought."
Chōji replies to Kiba as they sat in the dark corner. They can hear the trio's conversation from the bar.
"Are you sure Serenity is not going to be walking on us tonight?"
"Don't worry, Temari; I asked her to cover me at the hospital tonight. I said I wanted to have a date with the Sai. That gullible fool."
Shikamaru was chuckling darkly at that statement.
"Ino Right, she's so trusting of everyone. I do not think Naruto is that big of a fool. She would even second guess it or question it. If she did, she would know Sai was out of town on a mission."
"Had the night all to yourself; Shikamaru wants you to get lonely."
"Well, I do get cold at night."
Did you hear the trio true laughing at the bar? The trio is not attempting to hide their disgraceful act. They are talking about right there in the open. In a bar full of shinobi, Who knows serenity and her father. You could tell the bar was now listening closely to the trio's conversation.
I am not sure what shock does. She knows me more. The Temari no attempt to hide. Or they did not attempt to hide the fact that they are portraying her friend.
With their very fathers watching a dark corner. Murders Intent Came leaking through the bar.
"Ino's twin sisters about to be an only child."
Just coming out of his deep thoughts, prior Shikaku could play witness to the shameful acts.
"Looks like I need to find the bride who mothers my new strong child. It looks like the formations are going to end this time. Ino twin sister refuses to work with Shikamaru. I doubt that is going to improve now. In my bet is Chōji will refuse to work with him."
Chōji clear this throat and was looking at that in his fingers with fascination.
"Not necessarily commander; there is another that can use the shadows."
"Of this generation? My clan member Children are too young."
"No, Sir Asuma Sensei's daughter. I went walking through the woods one day. When I was about 13 years old, following this cute blue butterfly, it was about sunset. It was deep into the woods, and I saw Kakashi sensei and Asuma Sensei with serenity. She was using the shadows without the hand signs in many ways. I was in total shock when I took a step back. I stepped on a twig and made a sound. And before I know it, Kakashi since I had me on my back.
It took Asuma Sensei To get him all for me. And then he made me vow, and they made me vow on blood that I will never tell a living soul what I just saw. In about serenities. Abilities. But in the light of the situation, I know to be very hypocritical of me. But I got to inform you guys. She can wield the shadows a whole lot better than Shikamaru can."
They all look shocked at the table; what did that realization come across. The true reason why Asuma Packed up his child left for the capital.
"Man, are you saying she's the priestess of shadows?"
"I think that's what she is. They never explained to me what she is. But they explain to me about playing for clans in danger. Plus, the village, if it ever got out. What can she do? So, I'm assuming so. But there's extraordinarily little information for me to work on."
Shikaku slams his hand on the table, Leaving his money on there. They watch him leave Out the window. Children knew the man his whole life. He had never seen him that angry before like he made a dark promise. Knowing there is nothing more he can do but watch as his back disappears into the darkness. He looks at his dad. Shakes his head.
"OK, what was that about?"
"Shikaku has come to a decision. Knowing my friend Who I do. He is most likely going to use some forbidden arts. So do not be surprised next time you see him. There's going to be a change."
"Alright, so what do you suggest about the trash."
"Luckily, we have a three-day weekend right now. Knowing my daughter as I do. She is not going to be home at all. Most likely, she is going to be fooling around. He is going to be locked up in a hotel somewhere probably. I will talk to the Hokage now. See if you can send my mission The last week, If not more. We just need 2 weeks for things to be changed. So, I suggest that I believe you keep your mouth shut. It behaves as nothing has changed."
What that the group continues to Act like they are just enjoying the nightlife. Inoichi his money on the table as well. It goes out the window. He goes to talk to Her Ladyship. At least send them on a two weeklong C with not B rank mission.
"Dad, what's going on?"
"Yes, Sir, seems like a plan which just made."
"Because children that have been. When your team if we have been friends for even longer. You can read each other Without even trying. Shikaku is going to be disappearing for the weekend. Inoichi is going to talk with Lady Hokage about getting out of the village for two weeks. That should be more enough time for the plan to be implemented. If I think what is going on is going to happen. I never thought in my lifetime. Some may be forced to result Did that forbidden art."
"What's with the forbidden art?"
"I'll tell you one day, Chōji."
With that, Chōza gets up and walks right by the trio, even make sure they have seen him. Again, the trio does not attempt to hide what they are doing. Shikamaru's head is arm around Temari waste. With her leg over his lap in his hand, right up and down the upper thigh. Shikamaru at least had the decency to stop for a moment. But he never met remove his hand. The trio watches Chōza pay for his bill and closeout everyone's tab. He walks right out the door. Shortly after, Chōji gets up Walks right up to the table where the trios at. He slams his glass down a table, breaks it—sharks cutting through his hand. The three-looking shocked at his anger. Chōji is not attempting to hide his anger and disgust at them.
"Did you 2 not take my warning seriously? Hell, you do not care about one person's feelings, so why would you care about mine? Have fun with your whore. Oh, just in case. You two did not get the memo. Let me spell it out for you. Our friendship is at an end, or partnership is at an end. Everything we have had our families have worked for is at in as of tonight. You guys, you to make me sick. I want nothing to ever do with you. Now, I will make her share her Ladyship. Knows I never want to work with you ever again."
"Chōji, I told you at the shop. Stop being melodramatic. This stuff happens all the time."
He slams his hand on the table, breaking it in half. 3 jump up in shock and Terror. No one's ever seen him piss off before. Even when they called him fat, This rages, on the whole, another level. They have never seen it before.
"Now you listen here, and you are fucking blonde bimbo. I have something that is called integrity. But what do I expect from somebody who does not know how to keep their fucking legs close? One day I hope I am around to see it. You are going to get what is coming to you. You three will have no one to blame yourself. Is there melodramatic enough for you?' because I have a whole lot more. I told you, my warning. It is not my fault. You did not believe me. I guess you do not have enough brain cells to realize that.
And when your world starts falling apart. I will be there laughing at each one of your faces. Reminding you. Whose fault, is it? What could you have done differently to change this fate?"
After he said that, the bar erupts in cheers and whistles. As Chōji walks out into the night. A lot of people are playing witness to such acts that night. Two out of 3/3 outdent you realize that their very own fathers were just there. And play Witness 2 such acts, to see there was no remorse Then going out the way to break young girls' hearts. Did they call their friend? They go ahead and use her for their own purposes and toss her aside.
{Hokage tower}
"Inoichi, why'd you said that coming here this late? Seriously, man, it's nearly midnight."
"My humble apologies, lady. But I need you to send Shikamaru and Ino. I need the least bare minimum of Two weeklong missions. The longer, the better. Suppose you can make it something stupid. That is a big waste of time. that even better."
"I might have a few ideas. I just need to know why."
"As of tonight, we just found out. Shikamaru is Sleepy for quite some time with the sands Princess."
"Wait, isn't Shikamaru dating Serenity?"
"Yes, my lady. As far as she concerns. They still are. My daughter, I am ashamed to call that Ino Has been encouraging this Act."
Tsunade slams heard him on the desk. Breaking it down the middle. Her anger knows no bounds.
"Those two those fucking ass holes Are going to be stuck on Border Patrol Duty for a month. Right by where Land of iron and the land fire meet. So that could be very cold For a month. It's a place that is not always guaranteed."
"Don't work, my lady. That will give us more than enough time to. Implement the Shikaku 's plan."
"Do you know of this plan, Inoichi?"
"I have an idea, my lady. I think he is going to use forbidden art. More to the point of forbidden dark art. It's one that was never revealed to anyone."
"What makes it dark, and what makes it forbidden?"
"It turns back the sand of time, and you can give the caster back their youth. But requires a human sacrifice, especially when you are getting ready to cast out—somebody from the clan. Shikamaru is not going to Cast out. Of the clan by mere paperwork, He's also going to be cast out a claim by mere blood. If it goes right, And it should. Sugarman will never be able to wield the shadows ever again. And he continues to try, and table swallows him whole."
"OK, neat. Why was Shikaku went to Return to his youth."
"To take a young bride. Not just any bride. He is going to take Serenity as his bride."
"That would be funny to see. The mere boy watching the man take because he was willing to. Toss away. Alright, you get your wish. I will send somebody to get them right now if I do not send him out soon. And if Kakashi gets wind of this. He is going to kill them. And I do not think I will stop him.
Shizune, get in here."
"Yes, My lady."
"Go get Shikamaru, and Ino this Instant, I have a mission I need to go on and cannot wait until morning."
"Yes, my lady. I'll get them right away."
"Well, you're dismissed. I will handle it from here. I look forward to the month. Went over to the fireworks."
"Don't we all? My lady, do not we all. If you do not mind, my lady, I would like to sit in the shadows to watch the show right now."
She darkly smiles. "Sure, just don't let them feel you."
"I actually I was thinking that. We make a sound more urgent that they had to pull double time. Then they need to get to that border."
She laughs out loud darkly.
"Sure, why not?"
Not even 10 minutes later, They can hear three distinct voices. And rushing footsteps coming to the door. They burst through the door without even hesitation. Shizune Go to standby Tsunade and Inoichi.
"My lady, what's going on?"
"Northwest border needs to be patrolled. It just came to my attention. There is no one there."
"My lady, but that borders by the land of iron. That country has always been peaceful with us."
"Did I ask for your two cents, Shikamaru?"
"No. But logically, it makes no sense that. Spare what manpower we have. Just go to a border that really doesn't matter."
"And since when did you become the Hokage? I must have missed passing on the title to you. Was I drunk?"
"No, my lady, I'm not the Hokage."
"Just for your active insubordination, you both be spending on that border for a month."
"My lady, that's not fair."
"Are you asking for two months?"
"No!"
"Good if you have let me finish the first time. You might have known why I want you on that border. As you know, we have to deal with some rogue ninja after the war. Well, because that board has always been peaceful. We've never had to guard it. Rogue Ninja is thinking about going through that."
"The Intel just came in a few hours ago shows that northern borders, unsecured, where is remnants of left of sound. It looks to put my print right at that border. We don't know if they want to go into the land of iron or they want to come into aligning a fire, but your way, we cannot let that happen."
"Thank you, Inoichi."
"Your a mission so double-times to that border. To make sure secured in the Hillbilly Samurai, if this was left, the sound tries to get across that border. Or they tried to infiltrate the land of iron. We must uphold these peace treaties. By whatever cost it may be. Select suggest you pack for a month. Make sure you pack enough rations for yourselves. Because one of the reasons why that board is mainly uncontrollable. Because of these bizarre blizzards that show up in that region. I can't guarantee supply lines will be there, so you must be prepared that you got to go without for a few days at a time."
"What do you mean? The blizzards are bizarre."
"What I mean is like a startup out of nowhere in the last for days. Because of this, the region can be weather can be unstable. So, prepare for anything and do not let yourselves get separated. You were dismissed. I might hear from the girls that you were out of the village by an hour. No later."
"Yes, my lady."
Shikamaru and Ino took off into the night to get ready to make it to the border. Shikamaru is right that the board really does not need to be guarded. But it does get them out of the village.
"May I ask why you sent those two on a bogus mission?"
They explain to Shizune What was going on? She was just as pissed as they were.
"Now I understand why you send them to a Cold region. Is Yeah, give him the perfect weather is cold as their souls. I wonder if heartless can fill the cold."
"I don't know, as long as they're out my hair for a month. I could really care less. Here send this out to Sand. Going to make somebody else live a living hell too. I'm sure Gaara will love to hear about this."
"My lady. You are on a roll tonight."
"What can I say? I have a soft Spot For serenity.
I know Gaara considers her one of his best friends. I do not think you like the fact that her heart is going to be broken. And his older sister helped out."
"You're right, my lady. No girl should go through something like that. At least now she will know who her real friends are. And who will be the fakes?"