Wow this took longer than expected, I'm so sorry for the delay guys, had a super busy week. The story is planned out till the end i promise, its details guys i have a tough time decided on where to go lol.
We have Kankuro, Temari, Ino, and Shikamaru POV here so wooooooo and two flashbacks double woooooo
9K words again!
Enjoy!
Two Months Ago, the border of Fire and Wind
Kankuro had taken to a leisurely walk down the quiet border of Sand and Leaf, Temari had been in Suna for a few days now and in his boredom, he'd taken to keeping up with the patrol reports for her. Despite her thanking him for the help, he knew she'd just redo it later in secret, she would keep it hidden away from him, as usual, probably to save a bruised ego on his part for messing something up on the papers, not really his strong suit anyway. His sister was weird that way, she praised and scolded him in one sentence, only a skill she seemed to possess, not that he cared to hear her nagging half the time, to familiar with it after this long. That was always how they were, she teased or chided him, and he got mad and the same went the other way around, they had just made a habit of it since they were younger watching each other's backs when no one else would, not that Suna didn't already admire them on their efforts in the war, at least most of them.
Always so composed, yet so angry, to Kankuro she was just a calm before a storm, ready to strike when things got out of hand. Until Gaara changed after returning from the Leaf, then she seemed to soften, a new appreciation for the two formed, at least to their eyes only and much to his annoyance at her need to mother them, though not as kind as most mothers when she yelled. His brother's unexpected transformation ten years ago fueling her to protect them fiercely and without an ounce of fear, just like when they were young kids, well before Gaara scared them. Even though secretly he and Gaara always watched her back to keep her safe, that secret kept between brothers, probably because she'd go off and talk about how she doesn't need protection and all that. This was why she took to the front anyways, her intentions to redeem their clan, the royal Subakuno name, after his father was killed and the Leaf Sanin took over that brought a lot of mixed feeling in Suna, and betrayals.
In the few days she was back home in the village, a meeting with the council taking her away from the front, he'd already stopped three brawls, and a guy, to drunk on sake, who had been streaking from falling off a cliff, great times when your captain was gone, the chaos of her absence making him laugh, and wondering how she did it all so effortlessly. He heard something about planning an attack on the Leaf and he'd been curious to keep the border watched in the time being, not that the Leaf's commander would do much against them, seeing as that lazy bastard usually retreated before anything good could come from the battle. He'd been wondered now, for a year or so, why the two captains seemed to stop the fights before they got out of hand, but he knew better than to question Temari's word, her command, she'd just tell him to mind his business, which he did, most of the time.
Even he had to admit the peaceful times, as much as you could get during a war, were nice, like back when he and Temari had returned from their retaking of Bara, three years ago, she really changed up there, more calm he would have thought, if he didn't know her so well. With a sigh he ignored thinking further on he glanced around, the cool breeze from the Leaf's Forest mixing with the hot air of the desert in between the ravine, the water from the river rushing below an afterthought, although he did feel like taking a nap now it was so calm and serene around him.
Temari would be back soon anyways and whatever the council decided was their next move she'd follow the order, her duty to her people her second priority, with him and Gaara being her first of course, to protect them above all like she always promised, even after everything that happened with his brother. Temari was once a rebellious child like he was, they had been kids after all and kids always disobeyed, but something happened to her when she was about ten, she never spoke against their fathers' orders after that, and she never spoke about it to him, but he figured it out, it had to do with Gaara and the night he killed a man, later they figured out that it was their uncle, Yashamaru, the details never revealed to them until Gara told them their father had tried killing him numerous times over the years. That night wasn't a pleasant one he liked to remember as the demon they had feared was released, that memory pushed down with the others, besides Gaara had more than redeemed himself over the years so the past was the past, he always told him.
Temari had seen something when she was eighteen, back in that village she went to sometimes, him only having been there once when they were retaking it from the Leaf, but seven maybe six years ago after that something deep inside her changed. She began to alter slowly, becoming angrier and although still seemingly composed, happy, and teasing him, as all siblings did, she grew such a wrath around her that when the first time her name, The cruelest kunoichi of Suna, was spoken she ran with it with such a force that people began to revere her as a goddess among men.
The same goddesses as the ones in the weird books she read about kunoichi in history. Of course, he'd found them when she was training with Baki when he was twelve, he'd always been curious as to why she'd hide away in her room for hours when they were home sometimes, he'd read a few pages before becoming uninterested. Just useless stories of woman throughout history, he had though boring seeing as it had nothing to do with puppets, that, and some gross passages about falling in love and crap like that, defiantly a book for girls nothing interesting for boys for sure. He didn't touch them after that, the idea of reading further not really taking his interest as he'd began his real training, his puppets becoming his main priority and his own name as a master puppeteer of Suna, at least on the track to a master of the style. However, he was grateful not to have to be the leader of the front, that job was always meant for someone as bossy as Temari, it's like she was born for it and all he had to do was follow her like he always did, simple enough. He'd save that jab at her for later, laughing inside, when she'd get annoyed with him when he called her bossy.
With a deep breath Kankuro stretched his arms and set them behind his head letting out a yawn, the idea for a nap further interesting him, had he not opened his eyes, he probably would have missed the rare sight before him. A fight had broken out on this side of the border yesterday and seems the command of the Leaf had taken to check out where the scene of their two patrols had fought. A chance for him to throw a threat his way, might as well considering Temari wasn't here to stop him from picking a fight, or possibly just help her keep up with annoying her rival like she always did.
"Well, well if it isn't the Leaf's captain" he called out snickering deviously when Shikamaru glanced up, kunai in his hand, the tip dried with blood from the fight yesterday. His face said it all, annoyed mixed with such disinterest at the sight of him he didn't know whether to feel insulted or laugh "what are you doing on our border?" he sighed and stood slowly, cautious but calm, slipping the kunai into his side pack while he spoke.
"I'm not on your side" he corrected halfheartedly and began his sluggish pace walking down the path away from him, the ravine their only barrier if they chose to fight, but of course he knew Shikamaru wouldn't start it, probably a coward he always thought. Kankuro blinked bafflingly though, he was so casual, almost unconcerned with having a conversation with his enemy, combat he understood, but the peaceful voice talking back was new.
"Then what the hell are you doing here anyways?" breaking from his confusion he began to walk beside the cliffside as Shikamaru walked on his side, both set in a slow pace across form each other while they conversed.
"Patrolling" he looked so harmless, so relaxed like he was just having a chat with a friend.
"Why are you so close to the ravine then?" He pressed on seeing the quick downturn of his lips, now annoyed by Kankuro, just to easy to annoy he thought with a grin "Your patrols usually stay hidden in the trees, you looking for a fight?"
"Why do you keep asking me questions?" he glanced over at him, eyes narrowed, but nonetheless harmless, the captain rarely if ever picked a fight with him, his sister made it clear she would always lead the fight against him, usually meaning battle with him on her own, just like the four captains before Shikamaru, three dead and one barely making it out alive he heard.
"To annoy you" now snickering, Kankuro prided himself when Shikamaru rolled his eyes and slipped his hands into his pockets, at least he could taunt him, even if Kankuro was going to attack the first strike would just be too easy to avoid, so he'd have to plan it out as they talked, the element of surprise not so helpful when he'd already revealed himself "Temari isn't here, so someone has to do it"
"Listen Kankuro" he wasn't looking for his attention, but Kankuro still quieted to listen, curious as to why he was so calm about their seemingly sociable conversation, if he was chill about it maybe Kankuro would be to for the time being "I don't want to fight, so just stay on your side will you?" he even asked nicely, the scoff from Kankuro an involuntary motion in his surprise.
"What kinda captain doesn't fight his enemy on sight? You really must be some kinda coward to turn down a challenge" he shouted out, frustration building up over the confusion. Shikamaru halted and with a sigh turned to face him across the cliff raising his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, contemplating on speaking it seemed, before forcing himself to continue the conversation.
"There's two kinds of captains" he began and pointed to himself "one who doesn't fight unnecessary battles, because they lead to nothing useful" then with a grumble he dropped his hands back into his pocket "and then there's Temari" looking slightly annoyed either at the mention of his sister or the laugh that escaped Kankuro fueling in the annoyance further.
"Yeah, she does beat your ass all the time doesn't she, it's a good thing you're smart enough to run when you see her" he chuckled, proud of his sister for her will to fight with such fury. Shikamaru shook his head, dismissing his amusement, as he continued down the path unfazed "Why don't you ever fight me though, you scared or something?" he called out keeping his pace after him from the opposite side.
"I don't feel like it" his hands went to his vest, and he pulled out a pack and lighter, the habit he seemed to have when he was frustrated by something, currently Kankuro's presence.
"So, what I'm not a challenge for you, smart guy?" Shikamaru's head dropped at Kankuro's need to keep talking, but he returned it to light his cigarette, looking as if he was ignoring Kankuro's loud spoken dare "Come on man, fight me, why do you always fight Temari and not me!" he called out and the question sat with Shikamaru for a second before he looked over at him.
"She gives me no choice" his expression deadpan, void of any indication that he was interested in continuing the topic "have you ever met your sister? I take it people don't say no to her often" his fuming stopped briefly, and Kankuro laughed, Shikamaru scratched his neck but came back with a grin, both looking like two friends reminiscing over fond memories.
"Well, Temari is pretty determined when she sets her mind to something" Kankuro shrugged, though humored still by the thought of his sister when she made her choice clear, so invested in whatever it was, that it was rare for her to hesitate in her moves made or stop them "you can't really stop her when she starts, you just gotta push through somehow, probably why your still alive, takes a real smartass to get past her when she's pissed" he noticed the small smirk, maybe he was proud of himself for being a challenge for her, but it disappeared as fast as it came.
"Exactly" he took a puff and furrowed his brows, thinking for a moment "Listen" he began slowly and glanced around for a second, making sure no one was near "do yourselves a favor" he stopped and faced him, the river that passed below the only noise for a moment, as Kankuro anticipated why he was speaking in a secretive manner "Watch your borders with the Earth, they've been getting reinforced lately and we've been having more trouble with them than you guys, so just a heads up okay" without waiting for a reply, or just seeking to run away from another interrogation, he headed back towards the woods and eventually disappeared. Kankuro stood back and for a moment his though to go after him for a chance to fight as he had initially planned, gone, but his warning seemed to sit heavy with Kankuro and he turned slowly making his way into the desert, the new intel ready to be announced to Temari when she returned, the informant not to be mentioned, as he'd been right to warn them.
Kankuro yawned, dry war paint cracking under the action, and pulling his hat off scratching his head, waiting he always hated it, as impatient as he was, he still managed to remain still, mostly, just the sheer boredom of having to wait for something to happened making him grumble like an old man. Why he was meant to lead an ambush of both Sand and Leaf was beyond him, but he knew his sister had a plan to keep him occupied elsewhere while the real battle would be a good long run away, close but not close enough for his liking. She usually preferred him by her side, to watch each other's backs, but guess the Leaf's command had somehow trusted him enough to lead his shinobi in the ambush when she suggested it in the first place, or he was planning to off him when the chance came, that mistrust sitting with him all night. The thought quickly fed into his suspicions and Kankuro turned to look over at the white beast, they called a dog, and his master, Kiba he remembered, the dog boy he nicknamed, standing talking to the silent guy with the shades, creepy bug guy he deemed him. Not to be trusted, but not to be attacked either, as Temari has told him strictly to not strike first, well not the Leaf at least.
At least the guy had a good nose for sniffing, the reminder that he had figured out where the mud from Shikamaru's clothes had come from with such ease, impressive sensory skills he had to admit. The mud and blood he saw from Temari's scarf he'd seen when he had been looking for her in her tent, finding out she had gone to take a bath when he had asked her anxious students where she had been. She sounded so lost, so defeated for a split second, like when she would rarely lose her confident composure when she was genuinely staggered about something, he'd only seen that a handful of times and didn't really know how to comfort her when she did, he barely noticed the connection until after he'd been mulling over it most of the night while his unit and the leaf's waited at their ambush site. That was until she prompted the idea of using the suspicions of her brother's death to plan a counter against the Earth after this, where she got the intel coming to him slower than normal, his sister was trouble, rarely now, but the subtle signs were there only seen by him and Gaara when she chose to do something they didn't know about. He knew the Earth had a camp in the Land of Rain, but it wasn't connecting, until after talking to the dog, that she had went and found the intel there, and no doubt that lazy bastard went with her. At least she got a good hit on him, he almost laughed at the memory, the look on his face when he had seen Shikamaru's wound met with a complete disregard to his suspicions, as if he could play off the obvious. He'd find out eventually, nosey brothers always found out what their siblings were doing.
Sure, he wasn't concerned that Shikamaru would attack her, seeing as he never picked a fight unless provoked, which Temari usually started, but the fact she kept that information hidden from him slowly began to fuel some invasive, and more than uncomfortable, thoughts. The thoughts of that Kunoichi book coming to mind for a moment, and he shuddered shaking off the idea instantly, though proving harder than expected. Tips and tricks on how kunoichi fought and used their charm to win a fight without actually raising a weapon in their defense, something he could respect style wise, but still disgust him in a way when he thought of his sister using it, at least she never figured out he knew about the book, at least he hoped. Regardless of her decisions, he always looked up to her, she was his elder sister after all and always took care of him ever since their mom and uncle died, even when she was annoyed with him.
Temari was not in any way shameful of using more than just her fan for battle, in fact, her spoken word did enough to still anyone who crossed her, and when that failed to do the trick he'd seen her, on more than one occasion, bat an eye in such a manner that whoever tried to fight back simply was left gawking like an idiot, or she simply beat them for insulting her, either tactic worked well for her. No wonder the men in camp revered her, she had proven in all forms to be able to command the Sand army of the front, and he'd been taught to respect women immensely because of her, that and he knew she'd knock him out into the next century if he ever insulted a woman and she found out.
Not that he didn't help out from time to time in knocking some of the men out for staring to long, despite his best efforts in trying not to look like an overprotective brother and to look more like the third in command as he should be. Seeing as when they had first entered camp and the men began to look, they began to ignore him if Temari was there, that was annoying for the longest time. The scarf his idea when she insisted on wearing such short cloths even if they were in the desert yet knowing he couldn't really tell her what to do, Gaara was the only one who could. As soon as he suggested something she was already at his side agreeing, at least most of the time. She argued with Kankuro on every little matter if they disagreed, as siblings did, but contemplated every word spoken from Gaara, whether it was from him being Kazekage or, as he'd figured out in later years, because she had a sense of obligation to be at his side, seeing as they had missed out on so much of his life, so much of the pain he had endured on his own.
He'd already stopped a few unsuccessful assassination attempts with his sister when they had been in Suna for nearly a month while Gaara was recovering from the attack, but the unease of the thought of a rebellion, she had suggested after that, stirred up the fury in him, just because the Kazekage was weakened the chances of someone attempting to kill him, his little brother, now were higher than ever, maybe that was why she was being so quiet about things, she was planning a counter against them, during this battle, that's why his unit was smaller than normal to help him best the odds. Recently, since Gaara's injury, since his death, she'd been so cautious about any of her strategies, sneaking off to the rain being one, not like her to make a move like that, she was usually blunt about what she was doing, and people would just followed along without question. The temporary alliance they had, seemed to spark more than a few questioning eyes recently, and his first thought was to make sure she was safe from the inevitable.
The thought of the bombing came back, the ambush the Leaf had planned for the Rock shinobi entering their part of the ravine a couple of weeks back, Shikamaru had warned him that they were planning something, and he'd planned the bombing against the Earth not the Sand. Now why would the Leaf's command save Temari from getting blown up if the whole point of war was to take out the opposing army's leaders, and why did she not kill him then, she was supposed to be ruthless? Kankuro brought a hand to his chin and narrowed his eyes, the rush of the wind in the ravine below the only sound he heard, until a loud bark sounded beside him, jumped back slightly as his suspecting thoughts began to disperse, he glared over at Kiba and Shino as they approached him.
"Hey clown will you stop staring at those damn paper bombs" Kiba grumbled his tone less than friendly and teeth bared slightly in a scowl "We hid them just fine alright, it's not like we are going to mess all this up cause you can't trust us" he snorted and crossed his arms "we have orders you know"
"Shut it will you dog" Kankuro grumbled, clenching his fists to his side, remembering quick to not start anything "I'm not looking at the bombs" he muttered huffing out his annoyance as he glanced back at his shinobi preparing their weapons for the battle ahead. Twenty Suna men and woman ready to lay their lives for the land of Wind, to better the lives of his nation, to redeem his clans name as traitors, though that seemed to have calmed since he joined his sister in the front and his brother's reputation bettering when he became the Kazekage, until recently.
"Then what are you looking at?" Kiba followed his gaze back to the shinobi "What you still scared that we'll attack you after this?" Kankuro shot him a glare, the irritation returning and a warning behind his next words.
"You better watch your mouth" he stepped over to him and jabbed a finger in his chest, the action causing Akamaru to growl and step towards him "if you try anything I'll knock you off this cliff got that dog?" To his surprise Kiba smirked, smugly glaring back at him, challenging him.
"Oh yeah go ahead" He taunted back "I dare you to start something, give me a reason to fight you" Kankuro tensed and readied to throw a fist into his face, but the firm grasp at his shoulder turned his attention to Shino.
"Both of you calm down" Shino pushed them apart, stepped between them calmly "We are not going to fight each other, not now or after the battle" He looked at Kiba who grumbled and looked away annoyingly, then turned to Kankuro who had already snorted and looked away, uninterested in listening to either of them "They will strike soon, I feel it" he slipped his hands back into his pockets and looked off into the distance, the sight where the first wave would hit Baki and Kakashi's unit.
"Just stay out of my way, I don't need the Leaf messing us up out there" Kankuro muttered crossing his arms.
"Right back at you" Kiba called out as he walked off with Akamaru. Shino remained for a moment looking at Kankuro before silently departing after his friend, the sudden sound stilling every shinobi.
The first trap.
The distant sound of bombs going off turned every shinobi's head, the first wave had hit the traps set out by Baki and Kakashi's units. Kankuro grinned slightly, it was almost dusk, turns out that smartass was right about when they'd strike. He glanced back at his shinobi ready to speak, but Kiba's loud bark of laughter disturbed the silence as he clasped his hands together.
"Alright let's get this show started!" he called out to the others.
"Hey that's my line!" Kankuro shouted back to him, unheard over the ringing sounds.
Four years ago
He remembers the first time she came face to face with him, the shining edge of the fan digging into the dirt beside his head, an afterthought really when she looked down at him, her face set in almost a questioning expression, teals so intense he found it hard to look away, from intimidation or some form of fascination he didn't know. Shikamaru had been knocked back with such a force he barely had time to react, her initial amusement at the beginning of the fight, gone as soon as she began her assault against him. He had no doubt about it, this woman was feared and respected for a reason, and he felt both towards her as he glared back up uneasily when her lips turned into a small smirk.
"Poor Shikamaru seems you've fallen for me, just like the others" her mesmerizing voice mocking his sudden downfall "Is this how it's going to end for you, three months in and already bested by your enemy? Kinda disappointing really I expected much more from you" She tilted her head down to look at him and pouted feeling mock pity for him, her words dissatisfied with his lack of fighting back, his shock at her sudden attack the start of it, that and the shadows she so easily avoided leaving him no choice but to take a moment to himself to figure out a way to counter, she thought quick on her feet, but he wasn't far behind. The chunin exam battle they had, seemed to still burn in her memories, and she'd gotten sharper about avoiding his attack, adding to his frustration, three months was all it took apparently to be bested in the fight against her, it was bound to happened after all. She recovered from her interest to tease him with a sly grin her choice made "That's alright I'll make it quick, no need to draw this out anymore than it has to be" he glanced from the edge of the fan then back up to her and sighed, she'd have to make him put effort into his attempt to get out of his situation, now that was a drag.
"So that's it you're just going to kill me?" though he was wary, how could he not be when he was almost out of chakra and his unit was just out of reach to help him, he figured he'd at least try talking his way through, the trouble of it all making him furrow his brows in annoyance.
"It's not like you put up much of a fight" she shrugged, but seemed she was curious to keep the conversation going when he proposed the questioning. He was normally silent and avoided her at all costs, making this the sixth time he'd actually had to face the Sand, face her in battle, seeing as they had no one else around them to help, he resumed.
"Well, I don't like fighting women, so might as well get it over with" he tensed when the mocking grin fell, and she glared down at him, angry woman he thought quickly, not a good start.
"And what does me being a woman" she glowered down at him, wrath behind the teals at the shot her way, probably best not to piss her off but he pressed on "have to do with anything?"
"I wouldn't want to hurt you is all" shrugging himself, remaining outwardly nonchalant, he noticed the anger turn into annoyance, like when Ino would get mad and walk off with her nose pointed to the sky, easier to deal with than when she yelled at her teammates.
"Another man calling me delicate" She huffed with a roll of her eyes, her words bitter but she seemingly relaxed her posture, something that bothered her, he almost smiled at the thought "how original"
"You're not delicate I can already see that" Shikamaru scoffed, truth behind the words, this woman looked like she could split a mountain in two is she got pissed.
"Are you suggesting that I am weak then?" she seemed curious, but never lost her harsh edge.
"Not that either" he shook his head, pleased inside that she seemed to be more invested in speaking that actually killing him, just buying time he thought.
"Then what is it, why aren't you fighting back?" she demanded, her tone slightly raised irritated now that he wasn't straight forward.
"It's to troublesome to explain right now, given my current situation" he muttered with a sigh, the attempt to calm her working when she raised a brow and frowned slightly.
"What kind of captain are you anyways?" She leaned down free hand to her chin, as if trying to get a closer look at his disinterested expression, analyzing for anything to use against him.
"The one who knows when to give up" he grinned, almost sounding glad to have her so confused at his lack of interest to answer her back with a simple response.
"Not much has changed since those chunin exams, have they?" straightening to stand tall and downcast her eyes still observing him, she was rethinking, and he was more than relieved for it.
"Not really" he gave a small shrug of his shoulders, refusing to give a cautious glance to the fan at his side, this woman liked a challenge, so he was giving her one.
"So much for being a genius" she mocked, although no amusement behind it more like frustration "you're a lot dumber than I thought you'd be"
"What can I say, I got beaten fair and square" with a roll of her eyes she sighed.
"Well, this is dull" She grumbled and stepped away from him, her once shining fan beside his face gone, much to his relief that he wasn't dead. She defiantly didn't need protection, he confirmed that woman could watch her own back "at least the others fought back, you're just making this too easy for me, where's the fun in that?" When she began to walk off, he quickly sat up looking after her, she didn't even look back until he found himself speaking, stupidly and without thinking.
"I thought you were going to kill me?" why he spoke, he'd scold himself later for it, but he was almost shocked she just walked off, where was the ruthless nature he had been warned about.
"Well don't sound so disappointed about it, there's still time" she turned back to face him, slipping her weapon behind her, the fight that would have been ending with her decision to withdraw from him, why, because he didn't want to fight her "When you decide to put up a real fight, I'll kill you then" she smirked when Shikamaru narrowed his eyes back at her "but if I were you, I'd thank whatever gods you worship that you're still alive, they don't call me the cruelest without reason you know"
"A little full of yourself don't you think?" he shot back at her tease, slapping himself inside to be quiet, trying to provoke her was not the right move, but her sudden snicker might have proven him wrong, she looked humored by him.
"I have every right to be" she smiled at his attempt to have the final say, a wide toothy smile so pleasant and charming, so much trouble behind it, he found himself staring back at her possibly in shock, or maybe because he didn't care to look away from the sudden captivating hold it had on him. It wasn't exactly easy to looks away from such beauty, that surprising thought shoved down so fast he barely caught her final words "you'll find out soon enough Shikamaru, I don't just win matches, I win wars"
Who to trust?
Glancing quietly back at her unit of five, she pondered her thoughts for a moment, as she made her way back to the cliff after giving her final order, it was nearly dusk and the sun was slowly lowering. Matsuri and Yukata, her students, always to be trusted, dependable, a little slow when it came to certain lessons, but worth her kindness towards them. They had after all suffered the loss of their parents, leaving them orphans, when Temari was ten and they were only four, the night Sukaku broke free from Gaara, the night Suna's fears were realized, the night her uncle died, the night her innocence died. Those memories buried under the suffocating sand of the desert, along with Suna's many secrets. They had come to her as genin, ready to learn at the front and train under a sensei, but when they told her what had happened, why they were there, the sense of obligation took over. She never planned to be a teacher, but Temari had a heart and took them on as her own prodigies, the closest people to her, besides her brothers and Baki. Though she was as kind to them as she could manage, being as she was more than a force of nature waiting to strike rather than someone who would hold their hands and guide them through, life was unfair, and she had to teach them that.
Firstly, there was Hito, a promising newly appointed jonin, with the skills to prove it, although not as good as hers. No one in Suna possessed her skill, her own special style of Wind release only she managed to master and at a younger age than most, Baki only praised her once for it saying it would be her downfall if she got too arrogant about it, she laughed. Her father's blood, no doubt, working to her advantage as all his children possessed some of the strongest talent in their respected styles. Hito's trust was new and not promised, but he followed orders and never spoke back, so he was useful for now.
Next was Daizen, older than most of the shinobi in camp, but a passionate and calculating man, he prided in his love and protection of the family and was even apart of Rasa's personal guard for years, after that Gaara's own guard until called to the front. He was worth less suspicion than the others, and she remembered him sneaking in snacks for her and Kankuro when they would have to wait for their father in the Kazekage's building when they were younger. Kind man with a good work ethic, although he blamed himself for leaving her father's side the day the Leaf's Sanin killed him. He hunted the desert for days, after the attack on the Leaf ten years back, and was one of the loyalists who brought the remains to be buried. Those unwanted memoires shut away with the betrayal, her father's grave laying besides her mothers.
Leaving last Saku, the poor bastard who can't even look her in the eyes for the life of him. If he was going to strike, she'd probably just look at him and he'd be down on the ground, the thought amusing her for a brief moment, to much of a wuss as Kankuro would say. Yet the man proved in his skill enough to have been assigned to her unit when she first entered the front, a squad personally assembled by Baki to be the start of her command. Fun to mess with, but not to be trusted, just like the rest of them.
Funny, the notion of the fact that she couldn't trust her back to be watched by her own people, and yet she could trust her enemy to have hers. Why? She had been thinking on that for a while now, frustrating as it was to think about, she could at least have some ease on the fact that he had no choice in protecting her, not that she needed it, but why he had been orders to do it was beyond her, she'd find out she always did. Maybe she was more trouble to the Leaf than she thought initially, she almost smiled at the idea. Gaara was right though, the attack from the Akatsuki seemed to spur everything to move in a direction that she had never seen coming, and her small efforts to slow the war down were finally answered, the plan that he had been working coming to an end for the man standing ahead of her.
Teal eyes subtly shifted over to the stilled man beside her, fingertips pressed together, a furrow of his brows showing his concentration, yet so calm. She chose not to disturb him, possibly still irritated at his taunting earlier, keeping her focus ahead at the shift in the wind, seeming to brush past her in a silent warning of what was to come. Temari excelled in the art of war, every battle fought with the understanding that she would give her own life if the need was there, as the kunoichi did. Didn't mean that wasn't any less impatient to get started, she'd played out the push forward multiple times, the plan he had suggested to her about Naruto, although it initially stunned her for a moment, she knew he was right to have him fighting the strongest against their strongest, ego aside in the manner she had to respect the tactic, but the anger behind it was still there. The potential for victory, there, but the concern more than implied, even if it was a silent agreement between the commanders of the Sand and Leaf that he wasn't in as control as he thought he was. Gaara trusted Naruto, seemingly instantly, and if he could, maybe she should as well, not as strongly but enough for now, for this battle. She might have still been a little resentful over her weeklong hospital stay due to Naruto. She almost groaned at the thought that Kankuro had missed so much of the recent news from the camp, he'd pester her for days until she spilled every detail.
"You know" Temari casted a quick glance over at Shikamaru when he spoke, the sudden noise causing her to tense. His gaze set into the distance as he patted his vest while speaking "I've got a feeling we are going to have a problem with your unit since they'll be the closest to you" slipping the silver lighter to the end of the cigarette and lighting it.
"Is that so?" Temari crossed her arms looking away from him "Well you worry about your own, will you, I know how to handle myself"
"The one-" he began but she showed her disinterest in listening and interrupted.
"I said I've got it handled, don't think for a second that I didn't already look at who I can and cannot trust, this isn't my first time dealing with this anyways" she shut her eyes the irritation from earlier building up as she continued "honestly, who do you think I am? Some frail woman who needs protection every second of the day?" with more bite than intended, he paused and sighed in defeat, her warning clear she was don't with the concept.
"Troublesome woman" he muttered the cigarette occupying him.
"Look who's talking Crybaby?" she scoffed and shot him a glare, he didn't bother to look her way, frustrated she looked away quick fuming to herself. Again, with the notion of men needing to protect women, she should have just blown that damn bombing incident back into the canyon, would have saved her so much trouble, so much interesting trouble. The words from Gaara came back, who can you trust? She was on the verge of venting her annoyance, her chin dipped into the scarf while she ran through the though, the scent just adding to her frustrations. Not daring to bring up how she managed to brush that question aside of how she got it from Gaara, he was awfully nosy, that was more of Kankuro's turf. She'd have to scold them; they knew better than to question her when she chose to do something on her own. Brothers just being brothers, she thought, at least she knew how to stop them from interrogating her, although Gaara would be harder to brush off than Kankuro, she was always softer with him and he knew it. The scent of the smoke beside her, interrupting her mindless internal ramble of the reminder of how annoying siblings could be, turned her attention to Shikamaru, or more so his shoulder, the small movement burning a new unease in her "Shikamaru?" she began cautiously, her anger melted down to nothing but a stiff posture and a wary glare.
"What?" the sharp reply, the annoyance behind his tone, not even a second thought as she stared at the bug.
"There's uh" she pointed at his shoulder, cringing back when the beetle moved. Following her gaze he raised a brow then turned to her as if remembering something.
"Oh yeah, Shino's beetle" he looked at it unfazed, something she would have liked to be right now "she's supposed to be our connection to him, so when the ambush starts he'll let us know, he must have left her on me before he left" He offered a hand to the bug who crawled forward to the tip of his finger as he lifted it to his eyes to look closer as the beetle stretched her wings and readjusted them back seemingly comfortable to his close observation of her. The slow cunning smirk that grew on his lips turned to Temari and the sudden warning for an impending discussion she didn't want to have begun "What don't like bugs?"
"No" she leaned back, quick to reply, as he placed the bug back to his shoulder the feeling of an incoming taunt slowly angering her, hiding her unease of the bug's presence easier.
"So, you're scared of them" he drew each word slowly, but with a mocking tone to everyone of them, she furrowed her brows and quickly looked away arms crossed, obvious that she didn't want to continue.
"Have you met me? I'm not scared of anything" she defended, his amusement towards her unease growing with each passing second "I just don't like them"
"Come on look how tiny she is" the attempt to get her attention, ignored "she couldn't possibly hurt you" he glanced from his shoulder then back up to her when she shot him a glare, threat clear but he seemed ignorant of it, possibly pleased to have his upper hand over her, before looking back away from him.
"If you ever saw the size of the scorpions in the desert you'd understand" she raised her shoulders, the thought of hundred-foot scorpions rising from the sand, bringing back memories of her younger years training with Baki. He always challenged her, and apparently fighting giant bugs was meant to toughen you up, yeah tell that to a thirteen-year-old girl who made her younger brother kill spiders so small you'd have to squint to see them, but only her brothers knew about that.
"I find it funny" he shut his eyes, musing briefly, thinking he had the advantage to tease her at her unease "the cruelest kunoichi of Suna is scared of a bug"
"Stop saying that, I'm not scared" she huffed turning away, her eyes widening slowly in realization before she looked back hesitantly, his slow grin answering her, that all knowing smile that he knew something she didn't "Wait you've had that thing on you since yesterday?
"Probably" he shrugged, his amusement gone and a slow furrow of his brows forming, becoming serious. She stepped away from him shuddering despite forcing herself to remain calm, cruel sure, but bugs she just didn't like "If she's moving then that could only mean" He searched the sky for a moment, and grinned when he spotted the dark cloud moving towards them, that being the small swarm of males following the female's scent. They buzzed down before him and began to form a message, Temari stepping back further, but read it past the discomfort, it was time. Shikamaru sighed and shut his eyes, a silent moment passing, a message delivered, before he turned to look at her "ready?" the swarm shifted and began to buzz off when he spoke, before Temari nodded firmly.
"I'm always ready" when she spoke the distance sound of an explosion began to shake the earth.
Ino grinned and opened her blue gaze to the ravine below, Shikamaru's message delivered, she turned back to Sai with a firm nod.
"Alright Sai it's time" the plan was ready and her excitement at the start of the battle burned her in eagerness "Shikamaru gave us the word that the first wave is on their way to the ambush, so we can set them off now"
"And the army?" he asked coming to her side and set his scroll down to the ground.
"They should be here any second now" she turned back and shut her eyes for a moment as she suspected, the massive surge of chakra was coming towards the delay ambush, set and ready to turn them into their retreat towards their own army. When she opened her eyes the words from Sai heard instantly as his painted lions ran down setting off the blockade, it overpowered the distant roar of Kankuro's ambush going off right before theirs.
Thunderous rumbles and blasts knocking rock and rumble covering the only exit of the ravine, the only escape on this side of the cliffs, the army would hear it, their front shinobi would feel it, and turn running into a retreat or seeking a way around that could only be met by the combined forces of Leaf and Sand, the alliance that was to last, she hoped at least.
"It is so perfect I could paint a picture of it" Sai shut his eyes and smiled up at Ino, her blush instant and more than involuntary as she turned away attempting to focus again but finding it near impossible.
"Sai, I said not to do that during a battle, Damn it!" She scolded loudly, keeping her eyes shut tightly despite hearing his amused chuckle through the sound below "We have to focus right now" she tried again, turning back to his curious expression.
"We have to think about our other mission as well" as he spoke his delicate turn of the wrist drew out two majestically painted birds that flew from the scroll into the dusty dimming sky.
"I know that already, Shikamaru made it clear what we have to do down there" she groaned and glanced back at the two shinobi accompanying her and Sai on their ambush sight, to busy readying to listen "I might not like it, but an order is an order"
"He has thought of all the possibilities, and we should respect them" he nodded and came to her side again slipping his scroll behind his back as he did.
"I know, damn it" she crossed her arms grumbling "I knew it, I just knew something was up as soon as he got back from the Land of Rain, that idiot I mean I'm almost happy about it, but I told him not to do something stupid and what does he do something-" she pressed on the vent, but a firm grasp of her hand stilled her further thoughts and melted her aggravation, calming her, Sai gave a gentle kiss to her hand and grinned back up at her, the burn instant and leaving her wordless.
"Do not worry Beautiful, we will get through this like we always do" Before she could speak, she heard the annoyed groans behind her, the two shinobi both dramatically showing the annoyance at the sight, one they had to bear witness to all night. She would have yelled back had Sai not glided his arm around her waist and jumped off the ledge with her, the drop short, as the painted bird caught their fall. Black and white wings spreading and sending the four towards the fight ahead.
Shikamaru followed the painted bird above with a dark gaze, shutting his eyes when he saw the flash of purple and heard the thump as Ino landed behind the group, near Choji. Glancing back, he spotted his teammate wary but happy with a proud smile, the ambush having gone well it seemed. Choji giving her a nod of his head from beside her, in welcoming.
"It's so perfect Sai said he wanted to draw it" she giggled coming to stand at his side "We blocked them at the edge and saw them headed here when we left" She nodded to Shikamaru who offered a small grin and turned back to the distant cloud of dust.
"Good everything should be ready to" he slowed his words down and stopped talking when he noticed the death glare from his teammate, her learning past him to look at someone, following her gaze he turned to Temari who equally stared back at Ino.
"Temari" The name coming out with a narrow of her blue eyes, displeased for some reason Shikamaru would have thought.
"Ino" Temari glare set back at hers with equal to Ino's. With looks like that the two looked ready to kill each other and he happened to be in between them, to stop it or back away he didn't know what would lead to a better ending. The sudden standoff brought a suspenseful silence, and if silence could kill, he'd be dead, the unease quick to make him look between them again choosing to intervene despite telling himself he shouldn't get involved, quiet women were dangerous.
"Am I missing something here?" he asked cautiously.
"No" They both replied in unison, the blunt responses making him tense further.
"Are you two" he paused taking a nervous step back "Mad or something?"
"Why would you say that?" They spoke again.
"Honestly, no idea" he looked back at Choji quick to tell his friend to help him, but he shook his head looking just as confused as him, so much for best friends having your back. At this point the two had turned to face each other, Temari with her hands on her hips and Ino crossing her arms, the silent match making him take another step back, wondering though if he'd need to stop them if they attacked, it seemed too intense to let them keep at it "why are you staring at each other?"
"None of your business" Temari warned, the demand for him to quiet down, clear as day.
"What she said" Ino tightened her eyes. Shikamaru looked hesitantly between the two blondes, the intense air for a sudden fight seemed to emanate from each of them, a tense moment stilling everyone who saw, and passing when they both grinned slightly the air lightened as they turned away, their battle finished.
"What was that about?" Choji looked over to Shikamaru both baffled at the exchange between the women.
"No idea" he muttered back to him.
"Women are so fickle" Shikamaru nodded slowly and scratched his neck the whole situation had been more than uncomfortable, but the two seemed better now. Ino turned back to him and put her hands on her hips
"Well, are you ready or what, stand straight Shikamaru no one will take you seriously if you keep slouching like that" she scolded, he looked from her to Choji and back wondering what he had done to piss her off, and to add into his humiliation, Temari had turned back to point a glare him way.
"And wipe that confused look off your face, Leader's should always look prepared" Temari added both women now turned to him, irritated, he gapped for a moment, unable to move or think of a way to get out from under the glares pointed at him.
This war was really becoming a drag.