Did I draw these plans out on paper yes, yes I did.
It's a long chapter ahead so sit tight folks
enjoy!
The three days passed faster than expected. A flash of Tsunade's enraged face, a crash of the Hokage's desk splitting in two, and unsavory curses leaving the woman barley stirred his interest. He expected it and was just grateful he wasn't the target of the rage. Yet she agreed, they both knew what had to be done, she trusted him after all to pull through with the plan and the talk of the suspected alliance was all that lingered in the Leaf's outpost near the border. Shikamaru didn't answer the many questions shot his way and even ignored the glares and rumors of possibly treason in the air. He could laugh, he did find it funny that the minds of such loyal comrades would shift with the talk of merging with the enemy. Pride did call for suspicion after all. He didn't trust it himself, even when he was the one who suggested it, but a nagging feeling told him he had no choice in the matter and needed to look elsewhere for answers, that just happened to be the Sand army.
Temari made it clear she agreed with him, she was woman who thought quickly on her feet after all. Although the alliance was said to be temporarily it was a step in the right direction to finally end the useless war that had plagued their nations for so long. Now to only stop the useless bloodshed among them but possibly to bind the bonds among their villages once more. Wishful thinking on Shikamaru's part, he would have preferred less war, maybe he could watch more clouds that way. Speaking of clouds.
With a long sigh he turned his eyes towards the sky above the familiar bright blue welcoming him to ease under it as he stood hands slack in his pockets waiting on the bridge of the Sand and Leaf border. The sound of rushing water rang below, crashing on either side of the cliffs connecting the lands together. Behind him Kakashi crouched resting his head on a hand and reading a rather questionable book. He was as calm as the clouds above just floating by and agreeing with Shikamaru when he had brought up the proposal. On his other side however was waving in a rage filled suspicion. Neji stood arms crossed ghostly white eyes wide and veins stretched to the side a silence tense mood between the three.
"How did you manage to send word to them anyways?" Neji muttered keeping his focus on searching the thinning trees ahead.
"I told you I had a run in with one when I was in the Earth's camp" Shikamaru hummed as if on repeat, keeping his eyes to the sky. He wasn't completely lying, but he wasn't about to tell them he'd had the enemy in his arms a week ago. If not for the fact they'd be enraged by it, but by the fact he didn't want to linger on the thought of anything besides the upcoming war, easier said then done. He needed to be more focused, the once enemies would merge again after so many years, and that alone was a challenge to succeed.
"Fate had an interesting way of showing itself" Kakashi mused not looking up from his book. The two disregarded him lost in their own thoughts.
"It could be an ambush" Neji ventured eyes narrowing.
"It's not trust me" Shikamaru let out an easy exhale eyes lowered as if he'd take a nap standing up.
"Three advancing towards us" Neji called, he was against the plan but as a commanding captain contained his emotions towards it to follow his respected orders. Shikamaru kept his gaze above inhaling with a sigh as the breeze awakened his thoughts and he slowly lowered his eyes to the three approaching sand shinobi, each adorned with their own sand colored cloaks. He heard a faint thud of a book closing, then Kakashi rising to stand quietly. Neji relaxed his eyes veins retreating and glaring under a lowered gaze. Temari gracefully approached stopping her respectable distance from the enemy with Kankuro and Baki both crossing their arms as they guarded either of her sides, not that she needed it. The air was tense among the others but a familiar glint in the teal eyes narrowed his own.
"Well?" not harsh but a demanding question.
"It's been approved" Shikamaru called back
"Good, our Kazekage agrees that it would be the best course of action" A silence between them.
"We have three days; it's going to be troublesome combining our forces in that time" He muttered. Temari scoffed a hint of amusement under her teasing glare.
"What, you giving up already?" A smirk rested on her lips daring him to challenge her back. He grinned and looked thoughtful a moment.
"Not at all, but I suspect it won't be an easy process for our troops"
"If they wanted easy, they wouldn't be on the front" He tone once again cold he paused and listened to Kaskashi beside him his gaze set on Baki who leered back.
"Under orders of the fifth Hokage we are to share the plans involving the impending attack on our fronts and unite to fight against our opponent" He stepped forward bringing a red sealed scroll from his pocket up towards them. Baki pulled forward and the two walked towards each other calmly. Kankuro tensed and leaned forward but Temari was quick to stop him raising her hand as he paused and huffed pulling back, her eyes now set on Kakashi as he placed the scroll in Baki's hand the two staring on for another moment before falling back to their respectable distance. Shikamaru understood the tense air, yet he remained relaxed, if they wanted to fight here it would just mean a step back in the plan. Temari knew this as well and although prepared she kept back and took the scroll from Baki when he returned. A quick glance of the scroll and she furrowed her eyes, the two at her side keeping their focus on the enemy across.
"We'll meet tonight" she called out slipping the page to Baki again and returning her eyes to Shikamaru who nodded once. "Let your army know, I'd hate to have to" she paused and smirked "Defend myself against a trap" Neji tensed beside Shikamaru who sighed.
"That would be a drag wouldn't it" he rubbed his neck pulling his gaze away from her feeling a bit uneasy exactly what she was going for "we await your arrival" He nodded and turned walking past his commanders. Temari mimicked him and turned walking past Baki and Kankuro who hesitated before retreating after her.
"Are you sure we can trust them?" Kankuro hissed under his breath.
"Gaara trusts me to handle this" she spoke sternly commanding them both to listen "do you believe I'd put our entire frontline in danger?" Her question silenced his glare and he looked down quietly from his sisters rising tone "If we don't ally with them we are going to all get killed, I saw the camp, I saw the plans, I saw everything Kankuro" she stopped and turned to her brother placing a hand to his shoulder "we don't have a choice right now, we have to pull our forces together to get through this, even Gaara sees it" She lowered her gaze a moment "We don't have to trust them, but we have to work together or else we'll be fighting a losing battle" Kankuro nodded slowly turning his painted face to Baki who signed.
"They even outnumber the Leaf's troops, at least together we stand a chance" He added begrudged seeing they had no other choice.
"The Leaf can't supply reinforcements in time so they need us" The smile that rose to her lips caught their attention and they both grinned "don't worry their captain will be easy to manipulate anyways" she pulled away from them and turned her lip curling higher as she added "all you men are"
The leaf's camp sat in a thick tense air, shinobi of all kinds waiting stiffly for the arrival of the Sand commanders. They had been briefed and ordered to not attack, yet each one looked as thought they were preparing for war. Shikamaru mulled over the map before him, unconcerned by what was to come, standing outside the war room. Choji chewing on a onigiri beside him and Ino peeking over taking in the drawn-out lines and units on it. His team insisted on being there and he had considered a moment to leave them out, but Ino was to convincing, and by that he meant she threatened him.
"So what exactly are you going to tell them" She leaned into him glaring and he groaned pulling away "Welcome come on in and let them spy all over our camp" She continued with her sarcastic voice. The idea never sat well with her and she made it known. Choji watched between them quietly taking a slow bite and chewing in the usual bickering yet remained as calm as his friend.
"Ino it's two hundred versus three, they aren't going to pull anything, it'd be stupid" Shikamaru muttered "Why don't you go find Sai or something" he lazily waved her away and she sighed dramatically pouting at him.
"He's on patrol" she dropped her head. Choji patted her back comforting his teammate, Shikamaru glanced away trying to gain his focus back as he scanned the map again, piecing together his thoughts, and ignoring the shout from inside the war room as Kakashi spoke with Naruto. Ino glanced down again "Why's Naruto still mad about this? It's not like we have a choice in the matter" she crossed her arms.
"We don't, we need troops stationed with our dads up east and even then, they'll be here three days to late" Shikamaru glanced up at her catching the drop in her eyes as she sighed.
"Don't worry Ino I'm sure they'll be fine" Choji smiled at her, and she leaned in quietly accepting her friends comforting words. "Besides who knows maybe we'll all end up being allies in the end" Shikamaru turned to the map again with a sigh.
"Everyone's been warned to treat the Sand as allies, any wrong move and we'll just be playing into the hands of the real enemy" he added in. Ino leaned back over to him eyes narrowed.
"So, which one of them was it that you spotted in the camp?" She raised her brow at him blue eyes staring into him making him shift away uncomfortable and groan irritably.
"I told you it's none of your business" Ino snorted arms crossed.
"Of course, it is, me and Choji are your best friends you have to tell us everything Shikamaru" He'd been avoiding the question for days now, yet his teammate persisted asking every chance she got. One person you didn't want to know your deepest darkest secret was Ino, she'd run with it for life. Hell, she still teased him about the stuffed deer he slept with when he was four.
"No" he grumbled pulling his attention away to the distant shout then an announcement from the guards posted at the entrance of the camp clearing, one quickly jogging over and facing his captain.
"Sir three Sand shinobi have been spotted, alone" Shikamaru nodded, so they did keep to their word. The small doubt that rested in his gut relaxed and he knew thing's would go peacefully among the meeting, mostly. The shinobi turned and retreated to his post just as the three entered the clearing. Shikamaru rolled up the scroll eyes focused on Temari as she glanced around, analyzing the environment around her. A typical move for a shinobi entering a new terrain that belonged to the enemy. Ino stood at his side eyes narrowed from him to Temari.
"Think Temari will keep her word?" she whispered and Shikamaru nodded, certain. Kankuro glanced around him and sneered when he saw Shikamaru, nudging Temari and pulling the focus towards him. She followed behind the leaf guards, Kankuro and Baki at her sides, as they escorted them towards the captain. Ino stiffened beside him glaring at the group and turning a quick glance to her captain a small grin rising to her lips. Choji tensed at his other side but didn't speak. The guards bowed their head and split off leaving the commanders of the armies alone.
"Nice set up the Leaf sure knows how to fancy up the place" Kankuro smirked eyeing each shinobi before him. Shikamaru looked from him to Temari who shared his stoic expression, both set in stone as they silently sized up the other.
"Welcome" He spoke as he would to another commanding officer but remained as tense as the others.
"How formal" Temari smirked breaking her resting face a slight mocking tone behind her voice "Now if you can just get your troops to stop staring at us, I think we'll feel right at home" Shikamaru grinned and rubbed his neck, noting her interest in the battle of wits.
"Unfortunately, not everyone is for the temporary alliance" He shrugged.
"As expected," she sighed looking disinterested in the subject "It's not like they have a say in the matter anyways"
"All we need is to work together to get through this, the faster the better I suppose" His hands slipped into his pockets focused on her cautious glare his way. A faint shout came from inside the war room, the attention of the group pulled elsewhere, and the curtain pulled back a tired looking Kakashi exiting pausing a moment as he noticed the group of six before him. With a sigh Shikamaru turned to Naruto as he pushed out the room glaring at the three before him.
"Naruto" Shikamaru warned feeling the fury tempered blonde straighten and attempt to steady his breath.
"It doesn't matter if we have no other choice, we shouldn't be teaming up with these guys, they'll just betray us like they did eight years ago" He warned turning his narrowed blue eyes to Shikamaru who gave him a warning glare back, to quiet down. Kakashi cleared his throat calm as can be and draped an arm over Naruto pressing in to hold him back.
"So, this is where you keep your jinchuriki" Temari smirked, feeling the anger from him. All eyes turned to her, but she didn't flinch "And here I thought you kept him hidden away in your village" the taunting tone in her voice successfully got a rise out of him.
"Yeah, and what about Gaara huh? I don't see him fighting in the front after all these years he's been hiding away in your village why doesn't he show up here?" The air around the group almost darkened and she and Kankuro both stiffened at the mention.
"Wanna say that again" Kankuro growled leaning in, Temari quick to pull him back by his arm although she didn't look any more pleased than him. Baki glared up at Kakashi who signed and pulled Naruto back quickly.
"Not a great start to a new alliance" he muttered and looked to Shikamaru as he stepped in.
"Kakashi get him out of here" Kakashi nodded turning away "Sorry for him" he nodded to the three and watched the two leave the group
"Hot headed isn't he" Temari watched him leave with a glare and turned back to Shikamaru as he slipped the curtain open.
"You have no idea" he muttered the three entering the war room Ino casting him a short nod and leaving with Choji. He slipped in last making his way towards the end of the table. The room had been changed up, all content open for viewing only about the Rock's incident. Other files, scrolls and reports hidden away from potential spying eyes. The three didn't so much as glance anywhere but the maps before them, a quick glance up at him and Temari moved to stand a few feet from his side staring down at the territories before her.
"You messed up" She stated as if it was obvious.
"Where?" He glanced at her crossing his arms following her finger as she pointed to the Sand's camp.
"Troop size for us has increased" His brow rose.
"Reinforcements?" She nodded in confirmation
"We've increased to two hundred and six including us" He quickly nodded leaning into the map and began writing down what was needed. Kankuro looked from him to Temari then the map.
"So, what exactly sparked the sudden alliance?" His tone seemed more curious then threatening and Shikamaru rose slowly looking at him noticing the way he glared at him, no trust between either shinobi. His painted face instantly made him feel uneasy, then he almost praised him for it, a great tactic to intimidate enemies for sure.
"Common sense" Shikamaru glanced down at Temari when she stifled her chuckle and looked at Kankuro who grumbled. Even Baki grinned though remained quiet "We are outnumbered after all, combine our forces and we have around four hundred and seventy-eight shinobi to stand against the Earth, they still have over seven hundred. If we played into their plan and fought against each other before their troops showed up it'd just be a victory for them either way"
"Great more smart asses" Kankuro sniffed turning his head away opting to ignore them. Temari now amused waved his bad mood away.
"Don't mind my brother he was against this from the start, he doesn't see the potential for victory" Temari crossed her arms looking as relaxed as Shikamaru "This is why I'm in charge" The two knew bickering wouldn't help the situation at hand and opted to be levelheaded in the current predicament.
"You're in charge cause Gaara let you be" Kankuro mumbled to himself.
"Aren't we all against this?" Baki muttered and sighed "When the forces unite there will still be a divide, it had been like this for years even when we were allies"
"They'll have to get over it, this is a new generation Baki and we can't afford to dwell on the past. At least not right now" Temari called back turning to the entrance as it swayed. The curtain slipped open followed by Neji, Kakashi, and Sai slipping in. Shikamaru glanced between his command settling on Kakashi.
"He's not happy" Kakashi muttered coming to stand beside Shikamaru.
"He wasn't even supposed to be here for this" Shikamaru looked down at the map, keeping his voice quiet enough "Yamato was supposed to keep him busy while they were here" With all the training Naruto had he still had trouble controlling the nine tails, saddened a moment for the suffering his friend had to endure. Ever since his master died, he'd been determined to do better every chance he got. He never gave up and all were inspired by Naruto to do better just as he did. It left his friend bitter at times, yet he always spoke about bring peace as Hokage someday.
"He's always been stubborn" Kakashi sighed and Shikamaru smiled at the thought and looked around the room, ceasing the attention of the room waiting on his word.
"As we are all aware the Land of Earth plans to march towards out borders in three days" His eyes turned to the map "According to the intel they are expected to march two separate units around the Land of Rain. Two smaller units will engage with our armies and bring us together south of the Rain" he turned the attention to the map the others following his gaze "They want us to fight against each other and drop our army numbers while their main unit comes around to pick us off" He looked back up "But with this alliance we have the element of surprise with our combined numbers and three day head start to plan it out" he paused and silenced himself when Temari stepped forward cleared her throat attention now on her.
"I propose two ambushes be put in place for the first and second unit, blocking off their entrance to out borders" Shikamaru glanced at her when she smirked "Take it as inspiration from the little bombing incident the Leaf managed to pull off" he grinned at her arrogant reminder of why the two now stood here over a war table, two enemies forced to work with one another for their survival.
"Stop the troops before they can even make it in" He ventured and she nodded.
"Exactly" a bit smug in her reply. Shikamaru lifted a hand to his chin going over the tactic in his head and nodded his approval. Kakashi leaned in looking over at the two the room silenced as they listened to them.
"I wonder which one of you would win a game of Shogi?" He chimed and the two turned to one another eyes raised. Kankuro cringed from the other end of the table.
"That game old people play?" He looked between the two. Sai put a finger to his chin looking at thoughtful as the others.
"I would say Shikamaru would win" He confirmed after taking a moment to mull over it.
"In his dreams" Kankuro scoffed "Temari would kick his ass for sure" The rooms had lightened up since Kakashi speaking and now almost seemed like allies coming together than a forced upon alliance, almost. Shikamaru sighed watching the room immerse in their own conversation, focus pulled away from the task, as he slipped a cigarette to his lips and lit it. Temari glanced up at him eyes momentarily trained to his lips before raising to his lowered gaze.
"Well how are we going to split our forces" she asked turning back to watch Kankuro defending her against Sai's choice in victor.
"Hard to say, we need to have units that balance each other with their styles" He puffed careful not to keep his eyes on her for too long as the room had silenced listening to them again.
"I agree" she muttered glancing at the map "Ambush had to happened after the first attack so they can't retreat, another before the second reinforcing unit, to delay their march in" She curled a finger under her chin furrowing her brows. He's already played it out in his head and allowed her to take her time piecing it together, out of courtesy "Kankuro will lead the retreating ambush, your good at messing with people" She looked up at her brother and smirked. Kankuro puffed his chest out looking proud.
"That I am sister" He grinned his paint cracking.
"Sai you will take the delay" Shikamaru confirmed after a moment with Sai bowing his head in understanding "You'll be able to fly in there and fly out if anything goes wrong" Kakashi nodded stepping forward
"How many do you plan to have with him?"
"Not many, I'd say a unit of four to oversee it" Shikamaru nodded to him and caught the rage filled eyes from Neji who finally lifted his head glaring at the enemy across the table, Temari already holding the gaze with a burning glare.
"Do you honestly believe that these traitors won't betray us when this is done?" his eyes narrowed and Kakashi gripped his shoulder with a sigh "They might be working with us now but what is stopping them from turning on us when this is over?" Shikamaru tensed turning slowly to see the smirk pulled up on Temari's face.
"You know" she began her eyes lowering as if she was about to strike her voice steady but holding a bitter rage behind them "We've been called traitors for years" her lips turned down "You don't get to call us traitors when it was your Sanin who killed our fourth Kazekage" Baki stepped closer to her as if to ready himself to grab her if she attacked "The Leaf has done nothing, but look down at us for years and here we are graciously helping your sorry asses from dying" she called out sarcastically, Kankuro snickered "This war between us is the doing of your people, all these years and you fools still can't see it" She scoffed and lifted her head, intimidating to say the least when she smirked "So watch your tongue next time you decide to speak out of place, Hyuga, or I'll happily cut it off for you" She mocked, Neji's veins began to appear on his face his white gaze glaring back.
"Enough" Shikamaru called out, pulling his cigarette from his lips and glancing between them his calm low voice turning the attention to him slowly "What happened eight years ago will not help us three days from now, so everyone calm down" He glared at Neji who slowly returned to his stiff position but remained glaring at her. Temari straightened and turned her head away as if she lost all interest in the manner, too proud to care. He groaned and stepped forward between the two taking in the tense air around him. "Listen if we can't work together, we might as well go dig our graves right now" he muttered, looking between the two.
"Well I for one" Kakashi pulled away from Neji and leaned back in "think we should bring our troops together tomorrow, kinda like a meet and greet" He smiled under his mask. Kankuro laughed from the other side of the table, amusement by the thought. Baki raised his eye at him and sighed.
"You haven't changed much have you Kakashi?" he asked.
"Not at all, I like to embrace change" He shrugged carelessly. "It's these young ones who are too serious at holding the grudges of the elders" Baki chuckled and Kakashi joined in. Kankuro looked between them and joined in laughing again. Sai smiled lightly not to sure what they were talking about. Shikamaru groaned and dropped his head uncomfortable to be among them. Temari glanced between the men in the room and shook her head slowly raising her voice when they quieted.
"We'll meet again tomorrow to discuss the ambush" she nodded to Kankuro and Baki who both turned to leave "in our camp" She finished her final words not up for discussion. The silence of the room urged Shikamaru to follow, a bit dazed at the sudden departure, leaving the other three inside. She fell behind her two companions Shikamaru coming to her side and glancing down at her.
"Sorry about Neji he's a bit" he began rubbing his neck "intense sometimes"
"You think I expected to come here and not get insulted?" She glanced up hiding her irritation poorly.
"I half expected someone would attack you three honestly, but it was just a worse case scenario" He relaxed when she grinned slightly
"Would have made this more interesting" she chuckled
"Your camp?" feeling the need to question it further, or to talk to her longer.
"What is there a problem?" She smirked up at him teasing.
"No" he shrugged calm and composed at least on the outside.
"I'm sure you know where it is" He huffed holding back his amusement
"No problem at all we'll see you then" He confirmed straightening when they reached the end of the camp. He halted and she glanced back.
"Hey, no need to worry we don't bite" a pause, his unease returning "that hard" She flashed a snarky grin as she turned and walked ahead leaving him behind. He stared on for a moment a small grin threatening to show, watching the three disappear into the woods. He wanted to press on to cause a reaction, something so unlike him. As he went to return to the war room he jumped when a hand gripped his shoulder from behind, looking back and groaning when he met the shadowed glare from Ino.
"Shikamaru" Her usual cheery voice was low, and her eyes made him want to flinch back. He was sure she had witnessed the scene yet said nothing only stared up at him.
"Ino?" he ventured feeling his nerves rise and his body shrink back under the gaze.
"I see everything" she leaned in and glared up at him.
"What are you talking about?" he hissed back gaining some sense of self.
"Shikamaru" she jabbed a finger in his chest with each word "I saw that look"
"What look?" He grumbled back
"The look" she looked like she was about to scream at him, and he finally pulled back and away from her determined to leave while he could. She didn't let up though and followed "Come just tell me was she the one you saw in the camp? Why did you team up with her anyways isn't she-" He cut her off by turning quickly grabbing her arm and pulled her from the path away from two shinobi coming towards them. Ino grumbled but his glare down at her silenced her further questioning.
"Listen if I tell you will you shut up about it?" She nodded smiling excitedly and he sighed releasing her. With a glance around he slumped his shoulders and looked away from her "When we were placing bombs for the ambush I might have" he paused glancing down at her wide expecting eyes and looked away again feeling awkward "saved her" he glanced down mumbling "from getting blown up"
"Wait you saved her and got hurt doing it?" he wanted to simply die right then and there and groaned as a response "Shikamaru" her eyes went wide and she clasped her hands together and smiled "That's so romantic" she squealed
"What?" he raised an eye at her confused "it's nothing like that Ino. Besides she was about to kill me before that" he groaned adding "and she threw me off a cliff" He shrunk back while she continued
"What woman hasn't tried to kill a guy she likes" she waved him off as if was normal and continued to smile wide and proud at him. He stared down at her blinking slowly, half dazed at the mention of her liking him.
"All you woman are crazy" he shook his head and dropped his head sighing. "Just don't say anything to anyone, even Choji ok?"
"Don't worry your secret is safe with me" she gave him a smug smile and winked, he rolled his eyes.
"I mean it Ino, no one needs to know why we reinstated the alliance aside from the fight ahead understood?" he warned, and she huffed.
"Shikamaru trust me" He narrowed his eyes "I won't tell anyone" She grinned again. He rolled his eye and turned to leave "Shikamaru?" he sighed "just don't do anything stupid" she called after him as he made his way to the war room, his face flush with a blush. He knew he'd regret saving her.