Inoichi could see why it was in the dark section of Shikamaru's mind. "Thank you. If you wouldn't mind one more."

Shikamaru heaved a sigh, but nodded.

"When you found out about the Kyuubi."

Shikamaru blinked, and headed for another section, this one brighter, the cabinets in a rainbow of pastel shades. Probably his childhood memories. Or perhaps the time before his first kill.

Shikamaru took a folder, tossing it in front of Inoichi to view the memory.

Shikamaru sneaks into his father's study, after a long day of watching Naruto from the shadows. He finds what he needs on his father's shelves, a book on Konoha's history. He opens it, flicking through pages to land on a page depicting Mito Uzumaki, the fearsome Kyuubi behind her.

"Mito Uzumaki, Wife to the first Hokage, first Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi no Kitsune," Shikamaru read out loud quietly to himself.

"I already knew the word Jinchuuriki, had figured it out the week prior. I learned it because I had seen the word in the Kiri bingo book I borrowed and memorized," Shikamaru explained. "Kyuubi was checked off as just another version of the Rokubi in the book. Nine-tails and six-tails."

Inoichi nodded to show his understanding, and the memory continued.

Shikamaru reads farther in the book, flipping ahead to find right before the Fourth Hokage's reign. "A young girl was sent from the allied nation of Uzushio to take over the burden Mito had held most of her life." Shikamaru pauses reading, hopping up to pick another book off the shelf.

He plops down on the floor, opening the book to show a page with a list of Uzumaki in Konoha. Mito Uzumaki was top of the list in bright red, Kushina Uzumaki the only other name in that color of ink.

"I knew this Kushina Uzumaki had to be the girl that took over the Kyuubi, because she was the only other name written in red ink. She was also the only referenced Uzumaki."

Inoichi was appalled. They really should've hid the fact Kushina had been a jinchuuriki better if a five-year-old could figure it out. A five-year-old genius Nara, but still a five-year-old.

"Since Naruto has been called Demon Child many times during the period I was watching him, and Kushina was clearly not alive, Naruto had to be the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki." The folder folded itself back up, it's job done. "And I couldn't find any other living Uzumaki in Konoha, not that went by that name anyway. So Naruto it had to be. I did exactly what you would think I would do, and ignored it until Naruto deigned to actually inform us of it." Shikamaru took the folder, tucking it back into its place. "Would that be all?"

Inoichi nodded. "Thank you, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru automatically slouched. "It's no problem. Shall we go back out to my dad?"

Inoichi nodded and dissolved the jutsu.

Shikamaru sat up in his chair, staring at his tiny hands in dismay. He had so much growing to do. Troublesome.

"Well, I don't have much to do the rest of the day," Shikaku yawned as they left Inoichi to his work.

"You always have things to do," Shikamaru deadpanned.

"Nothing I can't pawn off on hapless chuunin," Shikaku revised tiredly. "Shoji match?"

Shikamaru hummed noncommittally.

All the same, they ended up at the shoji board that was permanently set up on the back porch.

"Are you able to tell me any more about your timeline?" Shikaku suggested after a few moves back and forth.

Shikamaru moved a piece slightly absently, thinking over his response. On one hand, it probably wouldn't hurt to tell his dad, and they were on Nara grounds, there were no ROOT here. The deer would eat them if they ever tried. On the other hand, did he really want his father knowing it all? He had kept the once over with Inoichi very vague for a good reason.

A few moves later, and Shikamaru was ready. "I suppose I could."

Shikaku nodded, happy to wait for him. He moved another piece, and Shikamaru internally smirked. His father was falling into the trap he had set.

"Kakashi and Sakura were some of the first to leave," Shikamaru began. "They left before Danzo was even back from the Kage Slaughter."

"I presume Danzo was not pleased?"

"He couldn't do anything about it," Shikamaru agreed. "They were gone, their headbands slashed and on his desk. He could only hunt them down as missing ninja then, but they disappeared."

"Where?"

"Onoki's granddaughter Kurotsuchi escaped as well, she located underground hideouts, Genma, Naruto, Tenten, and Kakashi worked together to create seals that acted as gateways to these hideouts. Later versions of the seal ensured it couldn't be seen by Hyuuga eyes, a necessary thing when the Hyuuga were allied with Danzo."

Shikaku frowned thoughtfully, moving a piece. "Who else was on who's side?"

"The Yamanaka were firmly allied with us, although couldn't exactly speak up much. Aburame were disregarded, although thoroughly disliked Danzo, Inuzuka were rather loud, but again, couldn't do anything."

"Akimichi?"

"Quietly supporting us," Shikamaru supplied. "They made food scrolls for the people in hiding. They were quite appreciative of it."

"And the Nara?"

Shikamaru narrowed his eyes slightly as he caught the trap his father had set up, circumnavigating it with a move. "We weren't pleased, especially not after you and Inoichi and Chouza died, but what could we do. So we plotted. We are fearing he may try and pull an Uchiha massacre on us, but we have the forest."

"The deer will eat anyone who tries," Shikaku agreed, avoiding Shikamaru's own trap.

"And Naruto has been making seals to reinforce the forest," Shikamaru yawned, catching a glimpse of the carnivorous deer they kept in their forests. "Should he try anything, we're prepared. Nothing will happen."

"Good." Shikaku noted simply. "Checkmate."

Shikamaru moved one piece. "Checkmate."

"A tie," his father said, mildly impressed.

"I've tied against you many times," Shikamaru noted quietly. "Haven't won yet, but will one day."

"I have no doubt about that," Shikaku agreed, ruffling his son's hair. "Perhaps we should join your mother inside."

Shikamaru nodded tiredly, fixing his ponytail before following his father inside.

(A/N) The Nara have carnivorous deer. It sounds awesome, and so they get carnivorous deer. Fight me. Or don't, I have sleep to get to.