Chapter 8
"Oi Tsunade-hime," Temari bowed to the Hokage before taking the seat she offered to her.
The office was small, but comfortable. Tsunade's large desk was centered in the room, and a comfy oversized chair was positioned behind it. Temari sat in a chair opposite the desk, with another empty chair next to her. Tsunade's desk was cluttered with papers, folders, and scrolls, causing a feel of chaos and disorder throughout the small space.
Temari also noticed a bookcase pushed hastily against the far wall. She could read several titles throughout the clutter, and saw that most were medical books. Many focusing on healing techniques, but several appeared to be medical dictionaries, listing illnesses and how to treat them.
Before Temari could ask Tsunade about her mission, the door behind her opened, and someone entered. Temari turned to look behind her, and saw Shikamaru coming into the room, looking fairly out of place. Tsunade ushered him into the seat next to Temari, and he took it reluctantly.
"This is far too troublesome," Shikamaru complained from where he sat next to Temari.
Tsunade took her overstuffed seat behind the desk, and folded her hands beneath her chin before beginning. "I have asked you both here today to give you an important mission." She paused, clearly for dramatic affect. "You are to deliver a scroll containing top secret information to Suna, concerning the war and the invasion made by the sound. You will be asked to travel through the canyons on the far side of Konoha, so not to draw attention."
"Why can't the scroll be delivered by eagle?" Temari asked expectantly. Most of the time, letters between the countries were carried by birds. Of course the fastest of these birds were eagles, which are easily trained, and very fast in delivery.
"Although the scroll is in code, it contains information that is vital to the future of Konoha and Suna. If the bird were to be intercepted and decoded, it would mean sure devastation to both countries." She paused again, before continuing on. "You are to take the canyons because the forest is far to well traveled. Although the canyon is more treacherous, and takes one week each way, verses the three days by forest, it will be far safer in the long run.
"Also, I am only sending the two of you. Larger groups will draw more attention, and we want to fly as low under the radar as possible."
Silence followed her speech. At least until Tsunade started up again. "Each of you have a half an hour to gather your needed supplies, and I will meet you at the town gates to give you any further instructions, along with the scroll."
Temari and Shikamaru left the office in silence. At least it was silent until they reached the street. "How troublesome," Shikamaru murmured. Temari couldn't help but giggle at this. She had found after spending some time with Shikamaru that that phrase was far to overused.
"What are you laughing about?" Shikamaru looked kind of confused at her sudden fit of giggles.
"Nothing, I'm just thinking about how great it's going to be to spend a whole two weeks with you."
Temari could have sworn that Shikamaru blushed. She didn't even know he knew how to blush. But he veered off the road when they came to his house, and mumbled something about seeing Temari in a little while.
'A whole two weeks with Shikamaru,' Temari thought excitedly as she continued down the path to the Inn. 'I guess if I didn't know how I felt about Shikamaru before then I'll find out in the next two weeks.'
A half an hour later, Temari and Shikamaru stood in front of the town gate, awaiting the arrival of Tsunade with the scroll.
"Can't she hurry up?" Temari said impatiently, glancing down at her watch. "We need to leave at a decent enough hour so we can at least get a few miles down before nightfall."
Shikamaru just took it all in stride. He didn't seem very fazed by the fact that they needed to get out of Konoha and on their way before it started to get dark. He actually seemed to be fairly laid back about it. In fact, he was laid back. Against the gate that is. Watching the clouds roll by. It was one of his favorite pass times actually.
Eventually Tsunade came, and gave them the scroll. "Now, one more thing." Several moans came from her listeners at the sound of more lecturing. But she continued on anyways. "Don't travel at night. The cliffs in the canyon are very steep, and even hard to navigate in broad daylight. So I would really not recommend trying to get more ground covered by pullin a few all-nighters."
Temari and Shikamaru each gave her a nod, before heading off into the treacherous gorge.
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Well, there yea go, chapter 8. Now I've noticed that I've started added some Japanese words, and affixes at the ends of names. (Wow, where'd that come from!) So I thought I'd better clear up a few things by telling you what the one's I've used so far mean.
Oi: Hey, Hello, ect.
Hime: Affix for Princess
Arigato: Thank you
Baka: Fool, Idiot, ect.
Suna: Sand
Some more words that you might see in future chapters:
Kun: Affix for male friend
Chan: Affix for female friend or young child
Gomen: Sorry
Ile: No
Hai: Yes
Well that just about sums it up! Thank you to all my loyal reviewers! I love you guys so much, thanks for all the support! Also, I was thinking about the name, and I think it's kind of unoriginal…I think I need something snappier, something that just jumps right off the page! Any ideas? Please post in your reviews if you can think up a better name! I'm kind of on a role lately, so expect another chapter soon!