Chapter 17
Shikamaru is masking his chakra, observing the sprawling house from his vantage point up a tree when an agitated man wearing a Konoha flak jacket suddenly burst out from the door, swivelling his head around obviously searching for him. The spacious traditional abode according to the two older shinobis belongs to Temari's clan as is the woods surrounding it. Both Yamanaka-san and Akimichi-san have advised him to hide and to conceal himself at the Nara Clan forest at a distance from the house before they both entered Temari's home.
Shikamaru jumps down from his post up one giant tree branch making his position known to the person he believes to be Temari's father. The man has to be judging by the way he wears his hair, the same way Temari wears hers in one spiky ponytail.
Shikamaru is startled as he comes closer to the approaching man. Facing the older shinobi, it feels like looking into a mirror only that the reflection shown has aged a bit. The two scars on the man's face and his beard don't totally cover the resemblance.
Temari's father has a similar stunned expression.
Shikamaru clears his throat, mentally shaking his head to focus on Temari "I am the Kazekage's son. And I have reason to believe that your daughter is in danger"
"Temari says the Kazekage's first son; her guide in Suna is called Kamaru. You are Kamaru, right?" Temari's father inquires, appearing as if his question is of upmost importance.
To Shikamaru the query has seemed irrelevant; his voice a bit defensive, he admits "I am" Taking a deep breath, Shikamaru demands more calmly, striving to ask the question evenly "Is Temari home? Did she arrive safe?"
The older man smiles; obviously relieved "So Inoichi and Choza are just pulling my leg! I should have known. They probably just thought it's a good joke since we almost look identical. Temari would've known and told us years ago if you were named Shikamaru and that you could manipulate shadows"
Shikamaru stares at the older man and admits tonelessly, "Temari just discovered that my actual name is Shikamaru and that I can use shadow jutsus that's why I think she's at risk. I—"
Shikaku's smile is abruptly wiped out. He appears as if he has just received a strong body blow as he releases his breath loudly. Next Shikaku tries to open his mouth to say something but closes it immediately. He gawks at the younger shinobi, his eyes going over him, seeming to examine him.
Shikamaru feels the weight of that scrutiny.
"When is your birthday?" The older man suddenly inquires "Inoichi said you won't answer him when he asked"
"Have you seen Temari?" Shikamaru can't respond to that question just yet, not until he has his own answer.
The man called Shikaku without taking his eyes off Shikamaru; answers "No" This admission has caused Shikaku's expression to include a frown.
"Do you have an idea where we could find her? Other paths she could have taken on her way back from Suna? I have taken the fastest route. Is there another way?" Shikamaru asks careful to keep the panic from his voice. Temari should be home by now. The fact she's not speak volumes.
Shikaku's frown deepens, "Temari would have decided to take an unpredictable path back to Konoha if she thinks she's being followed. When did she leave Suna?"
"Seventy three hours ago"
Shikaku's frown slowly clears "She'd probably have to back track her steps to confuse anyone who is following her"
Shikamaru nods "Akimichi-san and Yamanaka-san could help us find her. Where do we start searching?"
Remembering his friends, Shikaku remarks "Choza said he didn't notice your shadow had already crept towards him. Training with me, he claimed he should have been able to at least sense it... You must be good then" Shikaku tries to grin "Even Inoichi mentioned his surprise"
"We must hurry. Temari at this moment is maybe dead or dying. We have to find her immediately"
"Choza and Inoichi have already gone to start looking for her while I deal with you" Shikaku doesn't appear now to be overly worried "You didn't answer my question. What date are you born?"
Deal with me. Dealing with me means asking me my birthday? "Everyone is asking about my birthday!" Shikamaru suddenly snaps. First Temari then the two adult shinobis. Now even Temari's father seems to tie up everything that they know to his birthday. Everyone with the exception of him apparently understands and has pieced the whole thing together.
"You have the same birthday as my daughter, don't you?" Shikaku reiterates.
Gazing at Temari's father, Shikamaru realizes that upon determining the secret Shikaku is heavily affected by it. Despite remaining calm there is something in the older nin's eyes that hints that even his soul is in pain. Shikamaru is sure it involves his jutsu. Nobody in his family and not even in the whole of Suna can anyone aside from him manipulate the shadows as a weapon. Maybe the Kazekage has stolen the jutsu from Temari's family. The same way the Kazekage implanted the One-tailed Bijuu on Gaara, the Kazekage implanted the jutsu on him the day he was born. That's the only explanation he could muster at the moment. The kazekage, his father has betrayed these people. Breathing hard, hands fisted at his sides Shikamaru continues to observe Temari's father, waiting for the older shinobi to tell him to go to hell. That he isn't needed looking for his daughter. That it is his fault she's in danger.
"Temari will be fine. And I trust she will be home when she is ready" Shikaku states reassuringly, watching Shikamaru intently and noticing the younger man's tense shoulders and clench fists "I remember now. She told me once that it's good you both have your birthdays on the same date because it means she never has to prepare a gift for you since you would never give her anything anyway" Reminiscing, the slight upward tilt genuinely back to his lips, the time Temari had grudgingly admitted that. Shikaku remembers why that conversation came up. His smile widening, Temari has tried to prove a point of how lazy the Kazekage's son is, setting that as an example. At the time it only earned her a few teasing from her father.
Shikamaru slowly unclenches his hands.
But Shikaku has kept it to himself and does not reveal that he has also remembered catching a glimpse of the Kazekage in the hospital on the day Temari was born. At the time, eighteen years ago there was a low-key rumour that was immediately squashed that speculated that the Kazekage's wife had given birth to their first born in Konoha out of schedule. Probably the Konoha medics were warned not to talk about it, since having the Kazekage's first child born out of their own village, was like an insult and could also cause a possible citizenship dilemma.
"How can you be sure she's fine?" Shikamaru chooses not to remark on what Shikaku has said about his and Temari's similar birthday dwelling instead on the self-assuredness of the older man as he mentions Temari.
"Because the Kazekage would never hurt Temari" Shikaku simply answers but does not add because the Kazekage knows Temari is his own daughter.
TBC
2/7/11
A/N: Thanks to Kazehara and Glean!
Review pls and concrits are welcome...