Chapter 8
"I'll be repaying you next time," Temari swears. Since that first mission together with the Kazekage's first born a year and a half ago against the water-weilding nin, Temari has always volunteered to be Konoha's representative to Suna during the Chuunin exams. Temari has then since travelled to Suna twice a year for an opportunity to pay back the man she knows as Sabaku no Kamaru for saving her and her team's life.
"Tch, you told me that too, last time." Shikamaru shrugs.
Temari glowers. "Next time tell your father you can take care of yourself so he can give you a more important responsibility with the Chuunin exam. This is the third time in a row we've been given the assignment of overseeing the Chuunin written exam. I don't know why I bother to walk for three days to supervise a bunch of kids trying to cheat their way out of the exam!" Temari exhales loudly in her exasperation. No opportunity for repaying Kamaru would ever present itself if all she and Kamaru do is spot for cheaters. As it is only a few of the Genins advance to the next round because of Temari's ability to detect the ones trying to copy from others, the answers.
"Why would I do that? You can ask the Kazekage to re-assign you to another function. Overseeing the written exam is fine with me," Shikamaru replies, boredom etched on his face.
"Well, let's see... I've been coming and going to Suna since our first mission together. That's for almost two years now and I still haven't met your father because your father seems to be allergic to Konoha nins." Temari stops walking towards the Suna gate to glare at Shikamaru.
"He's not allergic. He's just busy," Shikamaru reasons and just continues to walk, basically ignoring the fuming kunoichi.
"With what? Meeting me could only take five minutes of his time." Temari is doubtful that that's the reason. The Kazekage probably isn't overly concerned with Suna's relationship with Konoha and the presence of one Chuunin from Konoha supervising and lending a hand on the Chuunin exam isn't important enough to warrant his attention. Temari realizes this and starts to walk, following the other nin towards the gate. After the gate Temari will be on her own, on her three day travel back to Konoha.
Shikamaru shrugs. "Father has his reasons." And I'm going to find it out, Shikamaru adds to himself, and even the explanation behind father's orders over a year ago.
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One and a half years ago...
"What's the name of the replacement nin from Konoha, Shikamaru?" the fourth Kazekage asks suddenly, catching Shikamaru on his way up to his room.
Shikamaru has just arrived from his and Temari's first mission together. He's filthy and in need of a shower and, most of all, sleep but his father's question has woken him up. "Nara Temari, father," Shikamaru answers, not showing his surprise. His father seldom seeks his presence to ask him questions he, as the Kazekage, already knows the answer to.
"I see." The fourth Kazekage stares at Shikamaru. "I'm giving you this mission then. You are to keep her close at all times next time she is here. Keep an eye on her but don't ever fight her and show her your jutsu. If you do, you have to kill her immediately," the Kazekage issues his orders with its threat.
"Yes father," Shikamaru agrees, his face devoid of any emotion but his heart is pounding fast. Shikamaru has not yet submitted the report that contains the information that during his and Temari's mission that is just concluded yesterday, Temari already has seen one of his abilities when he drag the enemy nin underneath the water. Temari doesn't exactly understand what happened and Shikamaru is now sure that even with her lack of knowledge of what exactly happened would not save her from his father so he keeps his mouth shut. After all, even Gaara, the Kazekage's own son isn't safe from the Kazekage's orders of assassination.
Shikamaru knows the mission report has to be revised tonight.
TBC
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A/N: Gee stainmyheart thanks for retrieving me from slump. Feel so energized now. I'll try updating faster promise.
New A/N: Hi. This story is now being beta-ed by xXxBloodDeathLove...I will be posting in the summary until what chapters we have finished, if you are interested. But for now, this chapter is the last one beta-ed...