A Win-Win Situation

By Topaz Talyn

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any related characters

Chapter Twelve: Asuma's Weakness

Team ten was patiently waiting for their sensei to show up. It was unlike him to be late. Shikamaru was playing a game of shougi against Chouji and obviously winning. Ino was pacing around and grousing about one thing or another.

When Asuma did show up there was something different about him. It was as if he was missing something. None of them could really put their finger on it but there was definitely something odd about Asuma today. As he drew closer Asuma took a scroll out of his vest.

"Shikamaru, this scroll contains a mission for you." Asuma said. Shikamaru sighed.

"What is it?"

"It says that there is a delegation from the Sand currently in Konoha and that you must meet with one of them. The meeting will take place today at one o'clock in the Konoha Park. And Shikamaru, I can't stress this enough, this is a diplomatic mission. That means that no matter how troublesome you find the meeting you are not allowed to say so." Shikamaru looked as if a giant weight had just been dropped on him. Not only did he have to go on a troublesome mission but he wasn't allowed to be himself. This truly was troublesome.

Shikamaru sighed as he got up to go to the park. He grumbled along the way. When Shikamaru was out of sight Asuma turned to his two remaining students.

"Ino I need to speak with you." Asuma looked at Chouji, "Alone." As Chouji got up to leave, Ino wondered what Asuma could possibly want to talk to her about.

"Ino," Asuma began, "I've noticed that your Shintenshin no Jutsu has been faltering. And as such I have devised a practice for you." Asuma smirked, "You should actually find this training fun. You have to follow Shikamaru to the park. In the park Shikamaru will meet Temari. When he does I want you to jump into Temari's mind and have her confess her love for Shikamaru."

"Why would I do that? Asuma-sensei, who put you up to this?" Asuma began to sweat.

"No one put me up to this, I just thought it would be good training, plus it would really help relationships between the Sand and the Leaf." Asuma spewed out.

"Oh, I see. Well I'll do my best Asuma-sensei. Bye." With that Ino skipped off to the park. Asuma sighed in relief. He had never expected her to go along with it. It was all Kurenai's fault. She had done the unthinkable. The one thing that could have made him do this. As he was moping Chouji came back up to him.

"Asuma-sensei, I can't put my finger on it but something is different about you today. It's as if something's missing. Are you alright?"

"Yes Chouji, I'm fine. Since the others are gone do want to go to lunch?" At the mention of food Chouji immediately forgot all about everything else.

………………………………………

"So, did you do it?" Kurenai asked.

"Yes I did, Ino is going to make Temari confess her love to Shikamaru. Now what about your end of the bargain?"

"Don't be so impatient Asuma."

"But I need it now!" Kurenai sighed.

"Alright, here you go." Kurenai said holding out two packs of cigarettes and a silver lighter. Asuma pounced on them.

"I missed you so much. Yes I did. Don't ever leave me again." Kurenai rolled her eyes.

"You really need to cut down Asuma."

…………………………………………

Meanwhile at the hotel occupied by the sand siblings, Temari was getting ready to leave for a meeting.

"Who am I meeting again Kankurou?"

"Oh just some Leaf chuunin who wants to talk about Sand-Leaf relationships." Kankurou responded while smirking.

"Alright then, see you later." As soon as Temari left Kankurou smiled evilly. Temari had dragged him all over the village of Konoha so when Naruto approached him with the plan, he had eagerly agreed. Kankurou began to laugh evilly.

Outside the hotel, Temari got a sense of impending doom.