Author's Note: Hello everyone! I just wanted to thank everyone who favorited, reviewed, and followed my story. Also, wanted to apologize for the length of this chapter. It got a little out of hand. But, hopefully you guys will enjoy it!
Age 12: Part 3
…..
To say Kakato was dreading his cursed teammate coming over for dinner was the understatement of his short twelve-year-old life. His mother fussed over the house, which was always slightly array, they were Inuzukas after all, and worried over all the little things that didn't even matter.
But it was in his mother's kind, caring nature to want people to be comfortable and happy. He attempted to assure her that there was no need to even get to know Konohana, and the look she gave him paused him in his little rant.
She looked sad. Her big white, lavender eyes were filled with sympathy as she shook her head at her son, pushing a stray lock of navy from her pale face. "We need to have a talk, Kakato."
"What did I do?!" He squeaked, jumping backward. "I swear I didn't break it!"
"Huh? Broke what?"
Seeing his critical error, the Inuzuka smiled widely, baring his fangs, "Nothing! Nothing!" It didn't get rid of the narrowed gaze she was giving him now. "What did you want to talk about mom?"
Silently, she gestured to their well-worn, tan sofa and lowered herself onto the cushions with the grace of a princess. He flopped next to her, landing on his stomach, and directed a goofy grin up at her. Hinata's eyes softened, running her fingers through his wild spikes of hair.
"I want to ask you something," She began, a warm tone wrapping around her words. "Is there a reason you don't like Konohana?"
His eyebrows furrowed in concentration, scratching one of the marks on his cheek, "Um…. Well she's annoying."
A sigh left his mother and his confusion deepened. Softly, she shook her head, her pale fingers moving to cup his red marked cheek, "No. I mean is there a reason. Did she ever do something or say something to you?"
Kakato's mind went blank. Slowly, he chewed on his lower lip in thought. When had his strong dislike for her begun? Naturally, it started at the Academy, that's where he had met her. But what had caused it? As he thought through six years of interactions, all that came to mind was numerous yelling matches, her breaking his nose, and dirty looks.
For the life of him, he couldn't remember when the cycle had started.
"Uh," Was all that left the pondering shinobi.
Hinata merely sighed, then nuzzled his warm cheek with her small nose, "Just think about. Actually think about what I said, okay?"
A dark blush spread across his cheeks, "Okay." Meekly he added a small, "….I love you."
A wide smile took over the Hyuga's features. A light sparkled in her white lavender eyes as she squeezed him around the middle and kissed his temple. "I love you too."
The tender mother-son moment was soon ruined by someone clearing his throat very loudly, making both turn their attention to the doorway. Much to Kakato's horror, Kiba stood leaning in the doorway, a smug smile revealing his fangs. "You're such a momma's boy!"
"Kiba."
All laughter halted at the very commanding tone coming from his wife. His slit like eyes watched as she rose to her feet with impeccable grace. "How about we spar?" Her smooth as honey tone suggested with a bite to it, "It has been a while."
The Inuzuka froze under the clear challenge, but slowly regained his cocky smirk. "You're on. What does the winner get?"
Hinata crossed her arms over her chest with a small smile quirking her lips. "I win and you don't call Kakato a momma's boy anymore."
Kiba's smirk widened, leaning in so that his nose almost brushed hers, "And if I win?"
"You can tease him all you want and I won't interfere."
Kakato paled, glancing between both of his parents nervously.
"Backyard?" Kiba suggested, rolling his shoulders smoothly.
The kunoichi shrugged neutrally, "Won't matter," The veins around her eyes bulged, causing the Inuzuka to pause in his stretching. She smirked, "Just as long as you know you're sleeping where you land."
…
An hour later, Hinata strolled back into the room to see her two children sitting on the sofa, staring at her. She smiled warmly, "Your father won't be joining us for dinner." Then strode back into the kitchen humming a little tune along the way.
Mimi stared after her slack jawed, shaking her head, and then turned to her brother's open palm with a small scowl.
"Hand it over sis." Kakato smirked. Mimi grumbled and slapped a small amount of money into his hand. "You don't bet against an angry mom, sheesh. I thought that was common sense."
…..
Later that night, a small knock on the door sent their mother flying. Hinata smoothed the stray strands of her navy locks, before opening the door to reveal a meek Uzumaki heiress smiling at her. The older kunoichi grinned, "Hello Konohana, it's been a while."
The pinkette nodded, causing a strand of pink to fall from her braid. "Um, hello Mrs. Inuzuka." She bowed and Hinata's smile widened.
"Please, come in."
Pink lips curled up at the corners at the woman's voice and she slid into the room. Instantly, she felt how the room practically radiated warmth and love.
"Kakato! Mimi!"
A pink brow arched at the second name, turning her blue gaze to the older woman. "Kakato has a sister?"
Shock immediately morphed Hinata's pale features, "You didn't know?" The small girl's hesitant shake of her head was answer enough. "Yes, she's three years older than you two actually."
Without another word she led the pinkette into the living room, where she knew her children would be, but nothing took away the worry line that formed between her brows.
….
The dinner had gone rather smoothly. Mimi yammered nonstop to Konohana about all things girly and feminine, and Kakato would make the occasional sarcastic remark toward her only to be on the receiving end of his mother's fierce glare.
Overall, it went better than Hinata predicted. If her son's constant degrading remarks towards the girl were any indication and her lack of reaction, then he'd been holding back.
She was both worried and disappointed. Maybe it was the generation that she had grown up in that made her have such high expectations for genin team interactions, or maybe it was merely her expectations she had set as a mother for her son.
It was noticeable enough that when Kiba returned from his "camping trip" he paused popping his sore neck to take in his still wife in the kitchen. Worry practically radiated off her slumped form, her arms crossed as she leaned against the counter.
"Hinata?"
Concerned pale eyes met his, "She didn't know Kakato even had a sister. They've been a team for seven months Kiba, and she didn't have a clue that Mimi even existed."
"He's not exactly her biggest fan. Why would he tell her?"
Hinata heaved a heavy sigh, "I know he's not. He's made that clear."
"It looks like the feelings mutual," The Inuzuka chuckled, looping an arm around her shoulders. "Not everyone gets along. Team or not."
"I know, but-"
"Stop worrying." He placed a small kiss on her scrunched-up forehead. Almost instantly, the Hyuga's small form relaxed into his steady side. "They'll work it out."
A small sigh escaped her lips, turning her face into her husband's warm neck. "I hope so."
…..
Konohana rolled her eyes at her mother's fussing over her hair. "Mom, what's the big deal? He's seen me covered in dirt."
Sakura mimicked her daughter's eye roll perfectly, placing her hands on her hips. "It's just something different Konohana. Just try it." At her daughter's blow fish cheeks, she grinned in victory. Gently, she unwove the silky pink tresses from the traditional braid and fashioned it the way she wore it when she was a genin. "There!"
She stepped back and froze. Sakura of course had always seen the resemblance between them, but it caught her off guard. Right then she saw a miniature her staring back at her with big blue eyes and sweeping bangs pinned by barrettes to the side.
Her features softened into smile, "When did you get so big?"
"I dunno."
Sakura snorted, brushing a stray strand of pink behind her daughter's ear, "My baby girl." Her usually strong tone cracked, and green eyes blinked rapidly to force back the tears. She gave her a wobbly smile, "Go make sure your dad hasn't burned the chicken for me, would you?"
Konohana bobbed her head, hopping to her feet and strode to the kitchen. It didn't take her long to find the blonde Hokage over the stove with his nose scrunched up. "Dad?"
Naruto jumped and spun around to see his only child arching an eyebrow at him. Nervously, he grinned, "Hey, honey!"
"Uh, is everything alright?"
"Sure! Why wouldn't it be?!"
"Because you sound like you've been caught." She deadpanned, much to her father's horror and crossed her arms. "You didn't burn the chicken again, did you?"
The way he scratched the back of his neck and how his blue eyes found his sandal clad feet much more interesting gave it away. "Um. Please, don't tell your mom."
The twelve-year-old couldn't help but giggle. Swiftly she took the pan from her father's grasp and dumped the ruined remains into the garbage. With a small smile, she pulled out some fresh chicken to cook. "I'll take care of it."
"Have I mentioned that I love you?"
"Yes, daddy."
"Just making sure," He chuckled and ruffled her pink hair.
….
When the phone rung just ten minutes before Kakato was scheduled to arrive, Sakura thought it may be her former sensei calling to tell her that she was too drunk to make it. Imagine her surprise that it was Tsunade, but she was calling from the hospital to tell her that they needed her to come in for the night.
The pinkette grumbled under her breath, raking her fingers through her tresses as she strolled into the kitchen to see her daughter cooking. Her eyebrow arched, but she'd resist asking. "Naruto."
Said blonde aimed his thousand-watt smile at his wife, "Yeah, Sakura?"
"I have to go to the hospital tonight. Think you can handle dinner?"
Her words doused the sunshine that he radiated, but for her benefit he recovered. His blue eyes didn't shine like they were supposed to and his smile wavered at the corners, "Yeah," He ruffled his daughter's hair, "We got this covered, don't we kiddo?"
Konohana hummed her agreement, flipping the chicken, "It'll be okay mom. I'll make sure daddy won't give us food poisoning."
Naruto snorted and Sakura smirked, placing a kiss on her daughter's crown, "That's my girl." She turned her attention to her now pouting husband and chuckled, giving him a peck on the lips, "I'll try to get back soon."
"I know," He chuckled, kissing her cheek. "I'll keep the kids alive."
"Please do. Last thing I want hear is that they died from your cooking."
Naruto grumbled as his daughter chirped, "That's why I'm cooking!"
…..
Konohana, true to her Uzumaki roots, burned the chicken. It was a combined effort between two that got the overwhelming black fumes out of the home, then the horror set in when both realized they had gone through all the chicken Sakura had purchased.
"Mom's going to kill us." The young pinkette groaned.
Naruto couldn't really disagree with her assessment as he stared at the pile of charred poultry in the trash can. "Well-"
The high-pitched ding of the doorbell interrupted him.
Her father sprinted to the door and opened it in a flourish to find the fidgeting Kakato with his hands in his pocket. Said boy gave the Hokage a timid, fanged grin.
The blond chuckled, "Come on in, Kakato."
The Inuzuka bowed silently to the Hokage, then stepped inside. The overwhelming stench of smoke had him gagging. "Ugh!" He shoved his nose into his elbow, eyes narrowing at the pinkette that wore a guilty smile. "Trying to kill me with witnesses now?"
"Ah. No. This time is completely unintentional."
Naruto chuckled, "We were just about to complete a secret mission. Want to join us, Kakato?"
That caught his attention. A mission with the Hokage? That's a one in a million chance, even if he'd have to deal with an annoying kunoichi. "Really?! What is it?"
"Mission Ichiraku."
The boy sweat dropped and met his teammate's amused gaze. "Is he kidding?"
"We ruined dinner, so if you want to eat, you might want to tag along."
"But, why a secret mission?" Kakato didn't bother to hide his sarcasm.
Both the Hokage and his daughter managed to look equally sheepish. Naruto was scratching his whiskered cheek and Konohana took to rubbing the back of her neck.
It was the Hokage that broke the silence.
"You see Kakato, my wife can be very scary. So, imagine her reaction when she finds out that we ruined all the food she bought for dinner tonight and that I fed our guest ramen."
The Inuzuka could imagine his own mother's reaction and that was scary enough. He cringed, "Ah, okay, point taken. When do we leave?"
….
The cover of darkness and many conveniently placed rooftops made their stealthy arrival at the ramen stand a complete success. There really was nothing like fear and good food to bring people together.
Chatter, laughter, and shouts filled the humid atmosphere. Bright lights cast a yellow glow on the customers who eagerly dug into their hard-earned meals. The night's chilly hold had just began to seep into the air when the trio at the well renowned ramen stand broke out into another round of laughter.
Naruto grinned wickedly at the cackling genin. He'd just finished telling another story of his misadventures as a ninja. This one had involved the disastrous results of his own bell test.
Konohana had choked on her noodles, howling in unrestrained amusement, while Kakato's barking laugh could be heard from miles away. The Hokage flashed his sunny smile in amusement.
"So compared to A Thousand Years of Death, I would've gladly been handcuffed to your mom and Sasuke." He announced with a slurp of broth and a snicker. "Kakashi-sensei was brutal."
"Telling tall tales again, Naruto?"
The blonde's lips quirked into a guilty grin, turning to face jonin who strolled in. He wore a black long-sleeved shirt and standard black jonin pants. His spiky silver hair defied logic as he took the empty seat next to Konohana.
Said girl's reaction was instant, eyes sparkling and smile wide. Kakato quirked a brow, leaning around the Hokage to see the pinkette throwing her arms around the new arrival in a tight hug.
"Uncle Kashi!"
The silver haired man chuckled. His visible eye crinkling as he ruffled the girl's hair. "What'd I say about using that name in public? I have a reputation to uphold."
Naruto snorted and returned his attention to his meal. "Says the man that'd let her paint his and his ninkens' nails when she was little."
"Pink happens to be a very masculine color."
"Okay and the glitter?"
Kakashi waved the man off, pulling his raggedy orange book out of nowhere with practiced ease as he patted the girl's head a final time. The novel was now held together with numerous layers of tape and creased beyond repair. "Details. But, if we're going to be technical, it's usually frowned upon Lord Hokage to not inform your dinner guests when the dining location has changed."
A loud slurp signaled the completion of the Hokage's fourth bowl. "It's hard to keep dinner guests updated when they show up whenever they want, Kakashi-sensei." A wide smile spread on Naruto's lips, tilting his head to look at the man out of the corner of his eye. "Don't tell me you're getting too old to keep up."
"Mah. I don't mind the challenge, but your wife may not appreciate the gesture." Kakashi announced, ominously turning a well-worn page. The blonde and his daughter both paled. "She was, after all, on her way home when I bumped into her."
Naruto remained frozen.
Konohana stopped breathing.
Kakato dropped his chopsticks.
Kakashi turned another page. "If you leave now, you may be able to beat her."
The speed that the three ninjas vanished was impressive, only leaving empty bowls, their money, and overturned stools in their wake.
…
They didn't beat her home.
In fact, when the trio arrived back at the Uzumaki residence they found Sakura staring open mouthed at the trashcan full of numerous packages of burnt chicken. Sheepishly, Naruto and Konohana explained the secret mission, the lengths they went to, and Kakashi's announcement of her coming home early to the still silent woman. All the while, her gaze remained fixated on the mountain of wasted poultry.
Surprisingly, the head medic busted out in unrestrained laughter that had her grabbing her stomach.
This left both her husband and daughter speechless, and Kakato wondering if all ninja families had a bolt loose.
After all was said and done, Sakura teased them mercilessly as she made them dessert. It wasn't long after she placed the extra desserts in the fridge that the doorbell rang. Her husband was too absorbed in his story telling to take notice and Konohana was dutifully washing up the dishes.
Sakura didn't bother to look surprised when she answered to the door and found her silver haired sensei standing there with a white and red takeout box in hand. Silently, he handed the box to her, ruffling her hair as he slid past her into the home, and snagging the extra dessert from the fridge.
The pink haired woman merely grinned when she opened the box to find her favorite order from Ichiraku's still warm. Her green gaze watched the man join the rest of the troublemakers at the table. Konohana soon bounced by her, ruffling Kakashi's hair as she slid into the seat next to her teammate.
Almost immediately, the two began to bicker and nudge the other with their elbows. Sakura's smile melted away into a frown.
Maybe her and Hinata had underestimated the situation.
…
"Konohana, we need to talk."
Said pinkette cringed at her mother's firm voice. Kakato had left the Uzumaki residence earlier and she was putting away the last of the dishes. She paused, plate still in hand, to face the frowning Sakura behind her. Seeing the firm set to the other woman's lips only made her tense that much more. It had been a long time since she seen her mother look so upset.
"What about?" She squeaked.
Sakura's brow arched, "I did not raise my daughter to be a bully."
Shamelessly, Konohana's jaw dropped. She couldn't form words. Only incoherent squeaks escaped her drying throat. Sakura, on the other hand, looked far from being amused. Emerald eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Nothing to say for yourself, young lady?"
"A-A bully?"
"What else would you call your incessant picking on Kakato?"
"Karma?"
Sakura's brow twitched and teeth gnashed. This was going to be a long lecture.
…..
Another month came and went with Team Shikamaru still behind in the mission statistics, and the jonin had personally had enough of the two's constant fighting. It was getting old and getting old fast. So, Shikamaru did the only thing he knew would logically fix the situation.
"Give them a C rank mission."
Naruto froze in his paperwork.
Hesitantly, he lifted his wide blue gaze, "Huh?"
Shikamaru slumped into the seat in front of the Hokage's desk with an exasperated sigh. The remnants of a migraine still pulsed at his temples from the disastrous duo's latest bickering match. He couldn't even remember what had triggered that fight. All he knew was he had enough.
"Give them a C rank mission," He pinched the bridge of his nose. "They're not going to learn any other way."
"I….I don't think that's a good idea. They've only done several extremely low-ranking D missions so far. The other teams have at least…"
"That's nice and dandy. I know your concern, but they need a rude awakening."
The Hokage's features softened at his comrade's words, gaze falling to the stack of assignments. Naruto deflated, "There's a guard position needed. A merchant requested a team to guard over the rebuilding of his shop in a small village near the border of Water Country. He's had a few complaints of harassment and break-ins since the reconstruction started, after his shop was set on fire."
"We'll take it."
"But can they handle it?" He grunted, pulling out the mission brief. His gaze locked on Shikamaru's, "You'll be dispatched for two weeks and another team will come to replace you."
The jonin nodded, taking the scroll from the Hokage's hesitant grasp. His tired brown eyes swept over the instructions, background information, and mission outlines. One detail jumped out at him.
"His shop was destroyed for servicing travelling ninja." A brow arched, "And he requested for ninjas to come and guard him…in a ninja hating village."
"Never said it made sense," Naruto snorted, "You said you wanted C rank and it's C rank."
Beggars can't be choosers. Shikamaru, in this situation, was definitely a beggar. Without another thought, he stuffed the scroll into his pocket and rose from his seat. "Figures. We'll leave tomorrow at daybreak."
The jonin had just turned to leave the Hokage's office when the loud scrape of a chair against the floor made him pause.
"Shikamaru!"
He glanced over his shoulder to see his Hokage standing and clearly out of sorts. Naruto opened and closed his mouth, wide blue eyes searching the man's stoic face. After a beat, the blonde deflated and resigned himself with a sigh.
After years of fighting by the Uzumaki's side and being his right-hand man, Shikamaru had a sneaking suspicion what had him looking so lost. Another deep breath and Naruto lowered himself back into his seat, picking up the closest scroll and attempting to read it. Shikamaru wasn't going to tell him that the scroll was upside down.
"Just be careful out there."
"Will do, Lord Hokage."
…..
Shikamaru had rallied his team as promised at dawn, despite some very vocal complaints from a certain Inuzuka. Each member carried a pack of provisions and necessary supplies. He had claimed they all weighed equal amount and had handed the foliage green colored packs out to his two-man squad.
No need for the twerps to know he lied.
Konohana's pack weighed fifteen extra pounds than Kakato's. Shikamaru did this for two reasons. The first was to push the kunoichi's physical strength. The second was to force her to loosen her choke hold on her chakra by making her use more chakra for each jump.
For Kakato, he'd given him the lightest pack.
Why?
Because if he didn't control his chakra to a decent degree, then he'd shoot off the branch and overshoot the next. This led to the Inuzuka being caught by his loving sensei on more than one occasion. It taught him to tighten his control on his chakra, eventually.
"Are we there yet?"
Shikamaru looked to the sky, "For the love of-"
The loud thwack of a pack meeting the boy's head resounded, soon followed by a howl of pain and a growl of anger. "Uzumaki!"
"Zip it before you accidently fall off a branch!"
"Hey! That was a threat!"
"You don't say?" Konohana snorted, rolling her blue eyes at the scowling Inuzuka. "I thought it was a suggestion."
"Uzumaki! You want to carry his bag too?!" Shikamaru snapped and rounded on the pair so fast that they nearly slipped off the branch.
She gulped dryly at her glaring sensei. Steam was practically shooting out of the Nara's ears. A dark flush crept up her neck under the darkening stare, "N-No, sensei."
"Then both of you shut up!"
A deep breath and the jonin launched himself forward to continue the trek to the village. This had to be a test. Kami was testing him.
"Sensei."
It's a crime to kill genin. Keep going forward. Why had Naruto made him a jonin leader again?
"Oi! Old man!"
Maybe he should retire. Surely with all the work he'd put into the village, the Hokage would understand. His shogi board had been neglected these last few months and Shikami had begun to show interest in the Nara Clan techniques more.
"Shikamaru-sensei!"
A tick twitched his brow at the sound of his students' yelling. "Didn't I say shut u-"
"Watch out!"
WHAM!
Both Konohana and Kakato winced when their sensei jumped straight into the tree trunk at full speed. They had been trying to warn him. Silently, the two glanced between each other, then at their sensei sprawled across a thick branch on his back. A second later, their laughter boomed throughout the forest.
Shikamaru glared up at the pinkening sky, "I hate kids."
…
The rest of the journey went without too much damage. Shikamaru avoided tree trunks and his team managed to shut up.
Well, he had assisted a little bit.
Apparently, threatening to make their deaths look like an accident proved to be quite effective.
After the more than strenuous journey, they finally arrived at the borders of the small village in record time. Even though their arrival was less than welcome.
"Murderers!" Another hard potato collided with Konohana's shoulder.
She flinched at the impact but remained in step with their scowling sensei and her frowning teammate. It seemed this village had an abundance of items to throw and plenty of loud squawking women willing to do the yelling.
Shikamaru glanced to the side to check on the kunoichi. He didn't have time to coddle her. He had to pay attention to the threat surrounding them. "Ignore them and keep walking."
Konohana nodded silently.
The loud roar of the crowds forming along the borders of the path were ringing Kakato's ears. Even the children of the village joined into the fray with their shouting. Chairomi's hackles rose, baring her teeth whenever a brave soul would dare to try to get closer. Swiftly, the Inuzuka ducked to avoid the bowl that had been chucked at his head.
A small squeak jerked his attention to the pinkette. The bloody remains of a tomato slid down her cheek. She bobbed and weaved around various other objects the village decided to make airborne, only to have a kettle to catch her shoulder. It didn't take a genius to see that the villagers were singling her out.
"Sensei."
Shikamaru grunted as a cucumber bounced off his head. "What?"
"Can we…change formation?"
The Nara's brown gaze snapped to the dog nin, brows raised, "Why?"
The boy's cheeks flushed. "Well…Uzumaki's getting hit a lot…and it's making her slow down so…"
"You want to trade places with her?" Shikamaru's eyes snapped wide, almost stumbling over his own feet at the suggestion. His gaze traveled to the team's only female as another tomato collided with her thigh. "No."
The Inuzuka scowled, "But, why not!?"
"She's always going to be a girl, Inuzuka. She needs to get thick skinned now."
"Then why can't we just-"
Shikamaru sighed at the boy, "We will not be cowards. Just keep walking. Uzumaki will be okay."
That didn't wipe the scowl from the boy's features. With a small growl, he jerked his gaze forward, watching her carefully out of the corner of his eyes.
"Go back to that pit of demons!"
A rather thick scroll collided with the pinkette's skull, making her curse and bite into her lower lip. Kakato moved to grab her arm, but his sensei's firm hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Don't," He muttered, "You'll cripple her."
"But-"
Shikamaru smirked, "You'll learn really fast that kunoichis are hard to break."
A sharp squeak sent both boys to a halt, whipping around to find a now drenched pinkette. Her arms still rose above her head from where the dirtied water had fallen from, and eyes squeezed tight. A sharp scowl marred the Nara's lips, feeling his own anger building.
"Konohana!"
The bark was so sharp that it made her jump back, blue eyes wide, "Yes, Shikamaru sensei!"
He was so tempted to tell them to go by the rooftops, out of harm's way, but the order froze on the tip of his tongue. Shikamaru felt his fierce glare soften, exhaling loudly through his nose as he stared at the young kunoichi. She looked like a drowned, pink rat.
"Don't…Don't slow down."
The pinkette nodded solemnly and continued to trench on ahead, despite her now soggy clothes rubbing her awkwardly. Shikamaru threw a sharp glare up at the open window, where another bucket of water was ready to be thrown.
"Try it," He voiced, gaining the woman's attention with a jolt. "Just try it."
Kakato couldn't help but smirk at the woman jumping back, cursing his sensei as she slammed her window shut. "What was that about crippling her?"
"Shut up." He growled, pushing his student forward, "Keep moving, runt."
…..
They arrived at the merchant's colorfully decorated shop. It was no doubt courtesy of the wonderful villagers. The shop was small and humble. According to the now charred sign, it offered weapon sharpening, nonperishable supplies, and a variety in healing ointments and medical supplies. Shikamaru admired the handful of workers nailing away. It wasn't nearly enough people to help rebuild efficiently but judging from their welcome he doubted there was a line of volunteers eager to help. Plus, the tell-tale sign of boards that had been broken, windows shattered, and the fresh splatter of food products on the walls showed they had quite a bit of resistance.
"Ah, you must be the team from the Leaf," A kind voice called. Out of the small building stepped a man with greying hair, tan skin, and a kind smile. "I appreciate you coming."
The smile faltered as the shop owner took in their clearly disheveled appearances.
"Are you-"
Shikamaru held up a hand to cut him off. "It's our honor. Just tell us what to do to help."
…..
The kids were posted in front of the shop. Shikamaru had stated it was to show the villagers that they were there and that the shop was under their protection. Meanwhile, he had rolled up his sleeves and went onto the roof to help in the reconstruction. This way he had a clear view of the two genin and the street below.
Konohana remained tense. Her back ramrod straight, eyes scanning the glaring villagers who passed, and lips set into a neutral line. Chairomi paced faithfully in front of them. Her hackles raised and a growl leaving her anytime a villager came too close. Kakato, in comparison, had took it upon himself to sprawl out on the ground, arms behind his head, and forehead protector covering his eyes.
She rolled her eyes skyward. "You look so intimidating."
"Chairomi's takin' care of it," Kakato waved off, "No one's going to be stupid enough to attack in broad daylight."
Blue eyes rolled, then locked on the canine. A warm smile spread on Konohana's lips, "Chairomi!"
An ear perked up. Slowly, the ninken glanced at the kunoichi from the corner of her eye as she pulled a treat from her pouch. In a flash, she appeared in front of her with her tail wagging eagerly. With a giggle, Konohana leaned down to let the pup lick the treat off her palm.
"Keep up the good work."
With one more little lick, the pup went back to patrol, serious as ever much to the kunoichi's amusement. Kakato rose enough to glare at his canine partner, "Chairomi, quit associating with the enemy."
Chairomi glanced at her master, huffed, and then turned her attention forward. Kakato's jaw dropped and Konohana burst out in a fit of laughter.
"Chairomi, you little traitor!"
Shikamaru shook his head with a sigh, looking up at the hot sun. "Troublesome."
….
The next few days passed without much of a hitch. After Kakato had took it upon himself to use guard duty for nap time, Shikamaru had left Chairomi to guard and pulled the two genin up on the roof to work. At day the trio would assist in the rebuilding and at night they would take shifts patrolling.
It was on a particularly hot day that curiosity got the best of Shikamaru.
"Why rebuild your shop here if it's probably going to be destroyed again?"
The man had merely smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, "My boy is a ninja. A fine one at that. He left home a few years ago to go into Water Country to get away from these people." His smile warmed at the puzzled jonin. "It got me thinking. Plenty of ninja cross paths with this village on a regular basis. They need places like this when they're away from home with no way to restock."
The Nara grunted around a mouthful of nails in reply.
That night he took double shifts.
…
It had been their last day there. They had gotten word that another team would be there at daybreak to relieve them after their patrol tonight. So far, it seemed to Shikamaru that his team hadn't learned anything from the experience. They still fought and bickered, even if they were out in the open, and they still didn't value the other.
He was going to kill them if they didn't kill each other.
The three shinobi sat outside. Multiple angry looking clouds hung overhead, blocking the natural light available to them from the moon. Shikamaru sat perched on the edge of the almost rebuilt roof with a cigarette wedged between his lips. He needed something to take the edge off his nerves. Konohana and Kakato squabbled in the background over something, grating slowly over his senses. Their voices increased in pitch steadily, until he finally had enough and tossed a rock at them.
"Ow!"
"Hey!"
Their sensei snorted, resting his weight back onto his palms. "Serves you two right. Shut up and pay attention."
Kakato rolled his slit like eyes and huffed a snort, "What's the big deal? No one's going to attack ninjas."
"Thinking like that will get you killed, Inuzuka." Shikamaru grumbled. A long drag off his cigarette and an exhale of smoke, "No one's above attacking an off-guard ninja."
The Inuzuka crossed his arms over his chest.
With that, Shikamaru made up his mind. "When we get back, I'm petitioning for this team to be disbanded."
Another long, long drag off his cigarette helped fill the now unnatural silence.
"You two do more harm than good together. I'm not disregarding your ability as ninjas, but you're dangerous together." Skillful fingers snuffed out the cigarette and Shikamaru found himself regretting not packing more. "So, you won't have to worry about putting up with each other anymore. Another class should be graduating soon and you two can be integrated with them."
Finally, the jonin turned to face the two genin. Kakato's lips remained parted in a protest that had long died out. Konohana was rigid sitting next to him, her gaze fixated to the side, and fingers fisted in her shirt. They both looked like they'd been slapped and slapped hard.
Shikamaru arched a brow.
Konohana bit down on her lip.
Kakato grunted.
"Nothing to say?" Another beat of silence. "Very well-"
"HOW COULD YOU GIVE UP ON US?!" Shikamaru blinked at the roaring Inuzuka that now towered over him. His fangs bared and eyes narrowed. "WE-"
A kunai impaled his shoulder.
"Inuzuka!"
Maroon blossomed across the bright red fabric of his vest and trickled down his arm to coat his claws.
In blur, Konohana flashed forward, wrapped her arms around the still stunned Kakato's middle, and jerked him backward. Before he could register what had happened, he somehow ended up landing on his bottom with a bright blue back crouched in front of him.
The pinkette twirled a kunai into her grasp "Are you okay?"
Kakato blinked. "Um.."
A curse left the Nara's lips, whipping around to face the direction the attack came from. Shikamaru's pinpoint accuracy located at least five figures on the flat-topped roof in front of them, though only one pulsated with uncontrolled chakra. A quick sweep proved those were the only visitors they had as of now. He grumbled under his breath. That had been a warning. A warning so that he knew they were there and that they could hurt them.
He'd let himself get distracted and he wouldn't make that mistake again. "Inuzuka. Think you can pull that out yourself?"
When no response came, he turned to see the boy's pale face.
"Kakato. Answer me."
Said boy jerked back to reality, his shaking fingers still on the handle of the weapon. "I-I think so."
"Do it. Use the gauze in your pouch to wrap it. Stay behind me while you do it. Are we clear?"
"Y-yes, sensei."
"Konohana."
The pinkette jumped to attention. "Yes, sensei?"
"Think you could manage to disarm them?"
Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion, "Sensei?"
Shikamaru growled as he deflected another kunai from hitting his students, his brown eyes narrowing into slits. "They're villagers that have enough chakra to be a threat." He managed to get a lock on the girl's gaze, "Don't hurt them, but disarm them. I'll back you up with a clone. I can't leave Kakato by himself and him injured."
Blue eyes darkened in understanding and she nodded her head once.
In unison, sensei and student flashed through the hand signs. "Clone Jutsu!"
A cloud of smoke cleared, revealing her copy and Shikamaru's. The Uzumaki heiress paused, nibbling her bottom lip as she glanced at her sensei and her injured teammate. The shaking in her hands was visible even under the limited light. Shikamaru stepped forward to reassure the girl, but before he could Konohana and the clones were gone.
….
Kakato swore to himself he would never yell in the middle of the night on a mission again. Never. His conviction became cemented by him yanking the kunai out of his shoulder.
He bit his lip and silently shoved the gauze into the pouring wound, then wrapped it the best he could by himself. Chairomi whined, pawing at his leg.
"Patched up?"
"Y-Yes, sensei."
With shaky legs, the Inuzuka pushed himself back into a standing position behind his sensei's back. The Nara wished he could've been a comfort to the genin, but he was too preoccupied trying to keep track of the enemy. He hadn't felt his clone be dispelled. He also hadn't seen any of the five figures on the roof budge. It had been plenty of time for Konohana to act.
Something had to have happened.
"Inuzuka, we're going in." Shikamaru's eyes narrowed, "We're-"
His clone dispelled.
Shikamaru 's eyes widened as the information his clone gathered hit him. He whirled around, only to see a limp Konohana crashing through the roof. Debris flew and smoke billowed out from the harsh impact. Nothing was left but a crater.
"Uzumaki!"
"Uzumaki? Hm, isn't that your Hokage's name?"
On the edge of the crater, a large burly teen straightened. With dark brown hair, tan flesh decorated in white scars along his muscular arms, his white teeth glistened in the darkness. "What a coincidence. Here I was just trying to screw over the old fart and I stumble upon this wonderful opportunity to screw with the Hidden Leaf."
Shikamaru snarled and the teenager laughed, twirling a kunai effortlessly between his fingers. "That girl your's? Might want to give her a few more lessons sensei if she's still breathing that is. She couldn't even bring herself to cut me." The stranger gestured to his shredded white shirt with dark maroon splattered across its surface. His smile widened. "The blood ain't mine."
The Nara ground his teeth. "Kakato."
"Y-Yes, sensei?"
"Stay here."
The next second, Shikamaru vanished and collided with the enemy.
Naturally, Kakato didn't listen.
…..
It was easy enough sneaking off as their sensei proceeded to rip the enemy a new one. Simple really. The hard part came when he found Konohana laying flat on her back in the middle of the destroyed shop's floor. Pink hair matted red and blue shirt stained to match the color of crimson.
Kakato flew to her side, sliding on his knees beside her.
No, no, no.
She couldn't be dead.
She couldn't.
Her skin was ashen and body practically motionless. Only after closer examination, he found the reassuring steady rise and fall of her chest.
"Uzumaki!" Rough fingers scraped along her neck, shakily checking for her pulse. The faint thump against his touch let him take a breath. "Thank Kami. Uzumaki! Come on! Get up!"
She didn't budge.
"Uzumaki! Please, get up!" Shaking hands grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her like a rag doll. "Konohana!"
A low moan escaped her split lips, blue eyes cracked open sluggishly. It took several blinks for the dazed look in her eyes to clear and for irritation to wrinkle her brow. Slowly, the pinkette rubbed her forehead, rasping, "Do you have to be so loud?"
Kakato couldn't help the wide smile that spread on his lips. "You done napping on the job?"
"Apparently." The loud scrape of kunai meeting kunai floated down to them from above, making the kunoichi's shoulders jerk straight and eyes widen. "He got away!"
As if possessed, she attempted to scramble to her feet, only to fall backward and into her partner's lap. The Inuzuka frowned and Chairomi barked. "Sensei's taking care of it. Slow down before you hurt yourself more."
Another groan, "It was a trap."
"Huh?"
"The roof. There's no one over there. He made tree stumps look like villagers to look like he wasn't by himself. He waited until I was on the roof to come out. He plowed through my clone and I…I couldn't…" She licked the blood off her lips and squeezed her eyes shut. "I hesitated. Sensei's clone tried to help, but mid-air he took him out and got me. I'm so so stupid. I couldn't do the one thing I was told to do. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid."
Silently, tears began to slide down her dirty cheeks.
Kakato's face flushed at the sight and he shifted underneath her. With a small grunt, he rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah…well…., that makes two of us."
A dry laugh escaped her. "Maybe we should be disbanded."
"Or not."
Blue eyes shot open. "Excuse me?"
The Inuzuka heaved a sigh. "Listen, I'm not saying I like you or anything. You're by far the last person I want to be stuck with, but I don't want another partner. Do you know how annoying it'd be to have to start from scratch with some fresh genin out of the Academy?"
"So, you're saying…"
"I'm saying, let's go prove him wrong."
Konohana quirked a pink brow, "And just how are we going to do that?"
A wide fanged smile spread on his lips. "I have a plan."
….
Shikamaru had to admit this teenager's skills weren't too shabby. Far from perfect, but it became obvious as their fight progressed that he had gotten some sort of training. Maybe an Academy reject? That'd explain why he hadn't ventured into the territory of ninjutsu and only stuck to taijutsu. But he had enough control of his chakra to drive Konohana through a roof, that's too advanced for the Academy.
Why attack the shop? He had said he was after the owner. But, why?
Shikamaru's head throbbed. Of course, there was barely enough light for there to be shadows.
Of course.
And of course, Kakato couldn't listen this one time.
Effortlessly, The Nara twisted out of the way and landed in a crouch on the shaky roof.
"I'll give you one last warning," The shadow nin growled, licking his lips, "Go. Home."
The teen slid into a landing and rolled his dark eyes, "How sweet, but nah."
"You know, I've learned you should listen to him." Both men jerked their gaze to the side to see Kakato grinning on the edge of the roof. He folded his arms behind his head, fangs glistening with Chairomi growling at his side. "It's usually for the best."
Shikamaru grumbled, "Inuzuka, I had told you-"
"Twerp, you want me to knock you through the roof too?!"
Kakato's smile widened and Shikamaru raised a brow. "I was hoping you'd say that." With darkening eyes, Kakato brought his hands together. "Inuzuka Style! Man-Beast Transformation Combo!"
When the large cloud of smoke vanished, left standing in his place was a giant brown wolf. The wolf snarled at the teen, fur standing on end, and brown eyes burning.
"Awh, you going to play fetch?"
The wolf beast barked and a flash of pink launched out of the crater onto the roof. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The clone appeared beside Konohana, catching her foot in its hands as she jumped up, and flinging her higher up in the air. Swiftly, the kunoichi twisted onto her back and hurled a handful of kunai as hard as she could up into the cloudy sky. This triggered the wolf to pounce on the distracted teen. All too easily sharp fangs dug into the teen's shoulder and pinned him to the roof.
As Konohana flipped into a landing, the flash bombs exploded in the sky. "Now, sensei!"
Shikamaru couldn't help the wide smirk that quirked his lips at the appearance of his shadow beneath his feet.
Maybe there was some hope for these two.
It only took a second for his shadow to take it from there.
…
The sun's pink tendrils stretched across the dark sky. The clouds having long been blown away, allowing rays of light to touch on the world below. As the village woke up for the day, they found a curious sight in front of the least popular shop.
A teen boy was tied up with the shadow ninja of Konoha leaning over him. The two genin were seated off to the side bandaging each other's wounds.
Kakato was currently parting Konohana's matted pink hair to find a large laceration. "Hardheaded Uzumakis."
"Hush mutt. I'm nauseous enough." She hissed, closing her eyes to fight the spinning sensation.
Meanwhile, Shikamaru handled the interrogation of their captive. His glare was murderous.
"I should kill you for attacking my kids." The Nara stated, digging his finger in the prisoner's open wound. The teen howled. "But I'll settle for you telling me why you did all this."
The shop owner chose that exact moment to come upon the scene. He dropped his bag of supplies on the dirt path, jaw hanging wide as he took in the destroyed building and the group in front. "WHAT happened?!"
The shadow nin took that opportunity to fling the teen at the man's feet. "He decided to try and destroy your shop. Then, decided to stab one of my students and throw the other through the roof."
The shop owner quirked a brow, then lowered his gaze to the silent teenager. He crouched down to his level and grasped the boy's scraped face in his hand, forcing his gaze to meet his own. "Ah. Hello, Asahi."
The boy's cheeks flushed dark. "Hello, Mr. Tanaka."
Shikamaru crossed his arms over his chest. "I take it you know each other."
Mr. Tanaka nodded quietly. "He left with my son to go to the Academy in the Mist."
"It's his fault! It's his fault I didn't pass!" Asahi snarled, brown eyes darkening in rage. He jerked his face from the man's grasp. "It's his-"
"Enough, Asahi." The brunette teen's mouth shut with a click. Eyes wide as Mr. Tanaka's scowl deepened. "Do you realize what you've done? Forget destroying my shop. You attacked representatives of the Leaf. They could kill you if they want."
It was then the severity and the weight of the situation seemed to weigh down on the teen boy. For his once tan skin paled and his brown eyes jerked to Shikamaru, shoulders shaking.
A loud sigh left the Nara, "Troublesome."
The teen whimpered and Shikamaru really wished they could just head home already.
"Mr. Tanaka," The man's attention focused on the sensei. "I leave him in your care. You take whatever action you see fit."
"But-"
"I'd say you'll need more help rebuilding and running the shop, don't you? Who better to help than a boy with ninja training? He could even guard."
Asahi's mouth snapped shut and eyes narrowed at the grinning Nara. But, knowing what the man was capable with his shadow, he didn't dare speak a word. Especially in broad daylight.
Mr. Tanaka smirked. "Not a bad idea. Not a bad idea at all. Waya say, Asahi?"
The brunette scowled at the man, but one more glance at Shikamaru cemented his answer. "When do I start?"
…..
When the next team of genin arrived, they found the scene of Kakato snarling at a teen boy as he wrapped his shoulder hilarious. Shikamaru rubbed his forehead, while he held onto Konohana's arm to keep her from assisting the Inuzuka.
Safe to say, they were all ready to go home at that point.
It was in the middle of their travel, leaping from branch to branch, that the Nara noticed the noticeable change between the two genin. They weren't fighting. Konohana was taking the lead on the journey home, her head wrapped with fresh bandages, and Kakato behind her. The boy kept his injured shoulder's movement to a minimum and his attention remained on the pinkette's back.
Shikamaru picked up the pace to be next to the dog-nin. "You two did good. Your transformation technique has also improved a lot."
Kakato's dark gaze flickered downward as a fang slipped over his lip. "Are you still going to disband us?"
The Nara sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Kakato. One time doesn't mean-"
"Please don't disband us, sensei!"
Shikamaru stumbled to a halt to take in Kakato's flushed face. His student's fists shook at his sides and teeth bared. "Don't… don't give up on us. We'll back each other up. She won't let me die! I won't let her die sensei!"
Looking at his student in disbelief, Shikamaru's shock softened into a well-worn smirk of understanding. "Alright. You two are troublesome, do you know that?"
Kakato couldn't stop the relieved smile that spread on his lips.
"Hey! Are you two coming or not?"
Both males turned their attention to the pink haired kunoichi several trees ahead. With a chuckle and twin smiles, they took off to catch up with her.