HEY GUYS AND GIRLS. HERE'S ANOTHER CHAPTER I GUESS. I SHOULD EDIT IT BUT IT'S SUCH A DRAG AND YOU GUYS AND GIRLS KNOW MY STUPID MISTAKES ALREADY SO YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO READ PAST IT RIGHT? ANYWAY, DON'T HATE THIS CHAPTER TOO MUCH. MY FACTS MIGHT BE WRONG BUT IT'S MY STORY SO IT'S RIGHT TO ME.
HAPPY READING:)
"Hey." Shikamaru greeted the cryptanalyst.
"Shikamaru... um, hi." Her blush began plaguing her face as her nerves took over her again. Shikamaru hated that about her. He didn't understand why she became so nervous around him. He was just another stupid guy. Maybe his reputation scared her.
"How have you been?" He took a seat by the table she was sitting at and settled himself into the conversation taking a sip of the strong drink he had been nursing for a couple of minutes. Her personality irritated him a little but he couldn't deny that her intelligence is one of the highest in the village right now. Probably more so than Shikamaru's.
"Good." Her response was quick, way too quick. Her nerves were getting the better of her again. She took a sip of her drink trying to hide her embarrassment. Shikamaru could see that it was her first drink of the night. He noticed she only came into the bar less than half an hour ago, working late as usual, and from the small sips she was taking, he could safely assume that it was her first drink.
"Any interesting cases you're working on? Maybe I could help when I come back from my mission." He seemed to be the one leading the conversation since she didn't look like she was comfortable doing so herself.
"No you're busy so I understand." Maybe if she slowed down her speech then he could understand her.
"I'm never too busy to help you. Unlike most people in this bar right now, you were actually great to work with." She didn't reply. What was wrong with her? Was it something he said? Did he do something to her that he didn't know about? What was it with her?
"Shiho, did I do something wrong?"
"No. You did nothing wrong." She energetically answered him then readjusted her swirl-tinted glasses.
"Why are you so nervous then?" Her usual upbeat and energetic self disappeared only to be completely replaced by the irritatingly quiet version of her personality.
"I'm not nervous." She forced a smile on her face.
"Hm." He wasn't convinced but he decided to drop it. He didn't mind the silence between them. He took a sip his drink and felt it burning its way down his throat.
"Frankly, if I may, I don't think you should be going out on missions." Her sudden statement was strong and bold.
"If I am being honest, I don't think I should be going on missions as well. I don't think I will ever be ready." He felt comfortable opening up to her for some reason. Maybe it was because she was as intelligent as he was.
"You will get there one day." Was every female optimistic or did they just have too much faith in him?
"One day is a little too late."
"Are you okay?" She reached her hand out and put it on his shoulder. He could tell that she really was concerned about him.
"Yeah." He gave her an honest smile in return hopefully decreasing her worried heart a little. "Sorry I ruined the mood. This is supposed to be a celebration right?"
"It's okay." She retracted her arm and settled back into her seat.
"A toast." he offered as he raised his glass and she followed his lead. "A brighter future."
"A brighter future." She repeated then gentle knocked their glasses together before taking a sip of their respective drinks. She looked at him and began giggling a little which bothered Shikamaru a little.
"What's funny?"
"Nothing. I just haven't seen you out of an office like this frankly."
"I could say the same for you."
"I guess we work too much. Aren't you supposed to be lazy though?"
"I am lazy. I just have a goal that I need to achieve."
"What is it?" She was fully engulfed in this conversation right now. Her shyness completely a forgotten memory he hoped. "I hope I am not overstepping here." Nope, it was back.
"It's okay." He gave her a reassuring smile. "My goal is to make things better for the next generation so that they can live the way they want to."
"Frankly, sounds like a job for an hokage." She was definitely hinting at him becoming the next hokage. Honestly, he had thought about it on more than one occasion and many people had told him that he would be a great hokage. Hell, even Asuma believed it. The only reason he didn't want to become the hokage was because he didn't want to deal with the responsibilities that entailed. He wondered if Naruto knew what being the hokage really meant.
"Don't bet on me becoming the hokage in this lifetime or any other lifetime any time soon." He couldn't help but smile along with Shiho. She was surprisingly great to hangout with.
"Shikamaru, tell dog boy here that you need me more for the mission." Naruto and Kiba weren't drunk yet but he could tell that they were nearing their limits. He irritatingly looked at the pair that interrupted his conversation with Shiho. If they weren't his friends then he would've sent them packing immediately.
"I think you've been using too much of that toad oil that it's affecting your brain froggy. Shikamaru needs me to find the bad guys and take them down. You're just there for entertainment." Why did they always have to be at each other's throats? Couldn't they just hangout like normal friends? This was probably one of the smaller reasons Sasuke didn't want to come back to the village; Naruto's intense rivalry was too much. At least Naruto found someone who was just as competitive as he was; Kiba.
"What did you say dog breath? That's why you can't get a girlfriend, your breath stinks too much." This reminded him too much of Ino and Sakura's relationship. There just was no line they couldn't cross with each other.
"This is your future hokage and one of his best friends." Shikamaru whispered to Shiho causing them to chuckle.
"I heard we were having a party!" Lady Tsunade's entrance couldn't have been more extravagant. If anyone missed her coming into the bar then they must've been really drunk.
"Hey granny Tsunade!" Naruto waved at the fifth hokage from where he was standing.
"I told you to stop calling me that Naruto!" He was sure Lady Tsunade didn't have a drink yet but her temper was way too high right now. Why did they have to shout across the bar anyway? Couldn't they be like normal people and just go to each other and talk?
"Lady Tsunade. I thought you had surgeries to do tonight." Shizune clearly didn't invite her master. Maybe it was because of her master's insane drinking tendencies. More troublesome women.
"I just came to have a drink with Shikamaru to celebrate his new job." Lady Tsunade definitely didn't have a drink yet or else she wouldn't have come up with such a good excuse.
"Lady Tsunade, why are you here?!" Sakura definitely did have more than a couple of drinks the way she was shouting. Guess she picked up more than just her medical prowess from her mentor.
"I'm here to celebrate! Who are you to question me?" He never knew Lady Tsunade was this troublesome even when she wasn't drunk. He did know first hand not to irritate the female hokage. She was scared the hell out of him.
"If all three of us are here then who is running the hospital?" Shizune asked.
"Not me." Lady Tsunade said as she poured herself a drink then handed the bottle back to the bartender.
"That's your former hokage and her assistant." Shiho whispered back to Shikamaru again causing them to chuckle.
"I'll go." Sakura offered. Not one of her best decisions.
"You can't even walk straight." Ino pointed out. She wasn't wrong. Sakura unsteadily stood up so walking would kind of be out of the question. He never ever saw Sakura like this. The sun hadn't completely set but she was already drunk. He knew she was better than that so he wondered why she was drinking so much.
"Shut up pig!" Another rivalry sparking. Naruto vs Kiba, Lady Tsunade vs Shizune and now Ino vs Sakura. Who's next, Shino vs Choji?
"Sit your stupid ass down forehead!" Couldn't tonight just be a normal night out drinking with friends? Looking at how 'normal' drinking nights were with them, he should've expected this.
"Both of you shut up! You're being too loud!" Kiba shouted from across the room. If Shikamaru didn't come out of this bar with a headache then it would be a miracle.
"Stop shouting then as well!" Why did Naruto have to shout at Kiba when they were literally standing right next to each other?
"All four of you shut the hell up!" Lady Tsunade said as she drained her glass then motioned for the bartender to fill it up again.
"Go back to work granny!" If they didn't stop shouting soon he swore he was going to leave.
"This electrifying energy in this place is the power of youth!" Lee's outburst grabbed everyone's attention. He was something else completely. Sai stood next to him with a blank expression on his face as usual but Shikamaru could only imagine what he thought about shouting happening in the usually peaceful bar.
"Everyone just shut up!" Shizune shouted. Everyone was too surprised to reply. They actually managed to push Shizune to the point she had no other way than to say that. It wasn't uncommon but she usually kept a level head even in situations like these.
"I am going to go make sure that the hospital doesn't blow up so don't burn down this place while I'm gone." That went without saying didn't it?
"You can count on us Shizune-san." Lee's optimism was second to none right now. He gave her a thumbs up and a huge smile but Shizune really didn't look impressed. Shizune hurriedly rushed out of the bar and everyone surprisingly calmed down and went back to their original conversations.
"Hey bushy brow..." Naruto and Kiba thankfully left the two geniuses and made their way to their next destination; Lee. Shino was standing close to Lee but even he began moving to a different place when Naruto and Kiba approached Lee and Sai.
"They're gone at least." Shikamaru turned his attention back Shiho resuming their conversation. "So what do you think about the future prospects of our village with the likes of Naruto as hokage?"
"Is this your idea of small talk?" Her playful yet challenging tone didn't go unnoticed.
"We were discussing me being the next possible hokage; I was just trying to get your view on Naruto being the next hokage."
"With you by his side, I am sure he will be a great hokage."
"You give me too much credit."
"Frankly, not undeserving."
"What did I do to deserve your praise?"
"Nothing... I um... you're smart." Her stutter told him something else. She readjusted her glasses again as her blush returned. How could he not feel attracted to her? She was gentle, caring, uncomplicated, upbeat and a freaking genius. Unlike other girls, she wasn't troublesome so why the hell did he not feel any romantic attraction to her? She was everything he wanted. He hated himself for not feeling anything for the blonde genius.
"So are you. I'm pretty sure people would argue that you are smarter." He took the last sip of his drink emptying the glass.
"Those people are idiots then."
"I guess I am one of those idiots." His smile made her cheeks switch to a deeper shade of red. "It was great catching up with you Shiho. I have to go talk to some other people so I guess I will see you around."
"Yeah. Be careful on your mission tomorrow."
"If I get injured and I can't be a ninja anymore then you can bet I'll be applying for a job working alongside you." He stood up then gave her a nod before leaving her. His glass was empty so he decided to make his way to the bar. He noticed that Choji was sitting around the table with the rest of his male classmates. He could see that there was one empty bottle on the table between them and Kiba was busy with the second bottle already. He ignored them then handed his glass to the bartender and he immediately refilled it with the burning beverage he had before.
"Drink for one, your blonde bimbo tired of you already?" He could never forget Sakura's voice. He grabbed his drink then turned his attention to the pink haired kunoichi next to him.
"This celebration was thrown for me; I didn't want it to seem like I don't care by just spending my time with Shiho." It was inevitable that they were going to talk again sometime tonight and now felt like the right time to get it over and done with.
"Or she rejected you." Sakura smirked as she drained her glass then handed it to the bartender.
"At least she would've told it straight to my face instead of running away." Her smirked instantly faded and he could see that she was holding something back.
"Don't dish it out when you can't take it back." He left her with that. He made his way past her leaving her to think about that. He didn't want to treat her like that but he couldn't shove what she did to the side. He liked her no matter what but he wasn't going to give her a chance when she wasn't sure what she really wanted.
"Shikamaru, have a second?" Kakashi immediately got his attention as he passed their table. He didn't have any destination in mind so he didn't bother putting up a fight. He stopped by the hokage sitting next to Lady Tsunade.
"What's wrong?" Shikamaru immediately ran through the list of possibilities in his head. If the former hokage and the current hokage were sitting together and talking then something really bad must've happened right?
"Nothings wrong. Just wanted to know if you're going to have a problem working with Sakura." He thought he had this conversation with Kakashi already. Sakura was going to be on his team, he accepted it. Why bring it up again?
"No problem. We can work together." He hoped he was right. He didn't need there to be any awkwardness right now.
"Then why is she walking over here right now like she is ready to kill you?" Lady Tsunade asked him immediately making him look over his shoulder confirming her students war path leading straight to him.
"Excuse us." Sakura told the two Kage before grabbing Shikamaru's arm, dragging him along outside the bar. The night sky was clear with a perfect view of the moon. The temperature was nearly freezing which was probably why he didn't see anyone in the streets. Sakura led him around the corner probably so that no one in the bar could see them.
"What do you want with me Sakura?" He getting irritated by her now. Who couldn't she just leave him alone?
"We're going to settle this now; once and for all." Her statement was bold and she had a look in her eyes that informed Shikamaru that she wasn't going to let him leave without settling this tension between them. She stood right in front of him with her arms crossed over her chest ready for whatever Shikamaru was going to throw at her and if she wanted him to be honest then he would be.
"I know I hurt you and I am truly sorry for that. I don't want to hurt, I want to be with you and you know it. I don't deserve to get it thrown in my face. I'm not perfect, I make mistakes."
"So kissing me was a mistake now."
"This is what I am talking about. You're stupid and stubborn and irritating and exhausting. What don't you get? I want you and no one else. Kissing you wasn't a mistake; running away and telling you that I don't want to be in a relationship was."
"Then why do you keep tensing up? What are you not telling me?"
"That doesn't matter. That's my problem. I want you and I know you feel the same way about me. Tell me now that I am wrong and we will never have this conversation again. We'll forget about everything that happened this week. We can forget to ever like each other like you want."
"I don't want that. I want you too Sakura..." She immediately latched her hands onto his clothes bringing his head lower so that she could collide her mouth with his. The impact was sudden and forceful but he quickly melted into the kiss bringing his hands around her waist pulling her body closer to his. Their lips locking into a battle that they never wanted to finish. Their mouths briefly opened allowing their tongues to enter the battle sliding over each other. Her hands snaked around his neck pulling him deeper into the kiss while his arms wrapped around her smaller yet sturdier frame bringing them closer to each other. Their bodies pushed against each other while their mouths pleasured each other.
Shikamaru immediately ran his hands down her back then briefly stopped them on her plump butt slowly feeling his way around them before going down to her firm thighs. He gently grabbed them then lifted her up allowing her to wrap her legs around his waist. They didn't break the kiss as he slowly made his way to the wall of the bar and gently pressed Sakura against it using the smooth stone wall as leverage while he made out with her.
He needed this. He needed her but not like this. They came out here to settle things so they couldn't be making out and pushing the problem away. He knew that if they didn't figure this out now then they were better off not having a relationship.
"What are you not telling me Sakura?" His voice was low and deep since his lips were only a whisper away from hers. Her breaths danced on his lips inviting him once more but he couldn't do it. He needed answers.
"That doesn't matter."
"It does matter. You know how I feel about you. I want you just as badly as you want me but if you are hiding things from me then I can't be with you. You need to figure this out and decide if being in a relationship with me is worth it or not." He slowly let her down on the ground but lingered a little before he released her. His body immediately missing the warmth she provided against him. This was all up to her now. If she thought he was worth it then she would tell him. If not, he gets the message loud and clear.
"Okay everyone, listen up." Shikamaru announced the next morning once he and his team gathered in front of the village gates. Genma and his team were long gone but it was still early enough for Shikamaru and his team to make it to their first destination before sundown.
"We need to make it to the Land of Grass before nightfall so we will travel quickly but carefully. It might be a time of peace but there are still enemies out there."
"We get it Shikamaru. What's the plan?" Ino was always so crude with him when he began explaining things but he knew that she was doing it so that he didn't say any unnecessary things. For someone so lazy, he gave uncharacteristically long speeches at times.
"Kiba, Akamaru and Shino in front looking out for any dangers ahead of us, Sakura and Ino in the middle relaying information between the rest of the group, Naruto and Hinata at the back making sure that no one is trailing us, Choji and I will take up the flanks. If anyone sees something then everyone stops and checks it out. Everyone got that?"
"Yes." Came the resounding answer.
"Let's go." They took their positions then followed Kiba, Akamaru and Shino's lead jumping from tree to tree trying to move as quickly as they could. They knew that they had a lot of ground to make up today so they had no other choice but to power through. The air around them was still too cold for Shikamaru's liking but their movement kept them warm enough. He hoped that it got warmer the closer they got to the Land of Grass and ultimately the Earth Nation.
He decided to snap out of his thoughts and scan the area around him. He found himself on the left flank with Choji on the opposite side of the group. He couldn't really see anything unusual. They weren't that high up in the trees so he could still see the ground perfectly. Rather boring if he was being honest but he knew that boring was best right now.
He looked at the rest of the group to see their conditions after the party last night. Kakashi ended the party early because of the missions this morning so they should all be good but if he knew his friends then he knew that they had an after party somewhere. He went home after the initial party so he was okay. Everyone else seemed to be a great condition as well so he didn't need to worry about that.
His eyes immediately latched onto the person directly next to him; Sakura. They hadn't spoken to each other since the party last night so nothing had changed; well nothing had changed on his side. He was open and honest with her so it was up to her right now. He broke their eye contact and looked straight ahead of him rather. It was better if he stayed focused on the mission now anyway. He couldn't afford to be distracted.
After two hours of travelling, he allowed them to take a break. They were still in the Fire Nation but Shikamaru slightly adjusted their direction. The path they were on would be leading them to the Land of Rain before the Land of Grass. It didn't help that those two smaller nations were so close to each other as well. The Land of Rain had signed an agreement after the war agreeing to work together with the five great nations but Shikamaru was still weary of them. The government might agree to it but the people of that nation had suffered heavy losses because of the bigger nations so they could still be harbouring unsaid hatred and might decide to unleash it on his team. It's better to be safe than sorry. The Land of Grass and the Fire Nation always had a good relationship so he trusted them more than the Land of Rain. Once they hydrated themselves and had a quick snack to replenish their energy, they set off again. He decided to let them take a break every two hours until they reached their destination.
They finally reached the extraordinarily high grass beyond the Konohan forests so they knew they were in the Land of Grass. Shikamaru ordered them to slow down since anyone could be hiding in the thick grass which provided perfect cover. The initial grass took him to his waist but as they went further into the region the grass began rising up his body and at times he couldn't see over the grass. He had to rely on Kiba and Akamaru's exceptional sense of smell and Hinata's byakugan to lead them and warn them if there was an enemy nearby. He didn't need to weary of that since the Land of Grass was a neutral nation but again, better safe than sorry. They finally emerged from the grass and could see their destination in sight; Kusagakure.
"Finally." Naruto's voiced the relief that all of them were feeling right now. Shikamaru definitely felt a burden being lifted off his shoulders. He could finally see again and help protect his team better even though they would probably be the ones that ended up protecting him.
"Let's go find a place to stay for the night." Shikamaru ordered the group. Kusagakure was a minimum ninja protected village concealed by the huge grass and jungles scattered around the small nation. Most of the buildings in the village are constructed out of thatch and wood which were built low into the ground making it difficult to see thanks to the high grass.
"Shinobi from Konohagakure." Their attention was stolen by a group of three Kusagakure ninja headed towards them as they were about to enter the village. The three ninja didn't look like much but he didn't want to pick a fight with them right now. They might be weaker than Shikamaru's team but Shikamaru knew first hand that it was not about strength alone but rather about how well you used your strength and right now they were at a disadvantage since this was their playing field.
"What business do you have here?" A boy with spiky brown hair covered by a brown bandanna spoke to them. He was clearly the leader of their team. Shikamaru took a breath then approached him.
"Shikamaru Nara, head of the Nara Clan and advisor to the sixth hokage. My team and I are heading to the Earth Nation on a mission to stop the group of bandits destroying villages in our nations." Shikamaru handed the ninja in front of him a scroll that Kakashi had given him before they left. The ninja in front of him analysed the scroll but Shikamaru couldn't help but size him up. He was just a little shorter than the lazy ninja but definitely looked like he had more muscle than Shikamaru.
"Kumo, Kimo; escort these shinobi to the ninja hall. They're our guests so give them a room." The ninja ordered them as he rolled up the scroll but didn't hand it back. Shikamaru didn't get a chance to read the scroll himself so he didn't know what was written on it but he hoped it wasn't something troublesome.
"Yes sir." Both ninja behind him bowed.
"Guys, follow them." Shikamaru instructed his team.
"Are you sure Shikamaru?" Naruto's concern for Shikamaru was genuine and Shikamaru appreciated it.
"I'm sure. Make sure you eat something then get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." They nodded their head in agreement then began following the two Kusa ninja.
"Let's go." Shikamaru followed the ninja as he led the shadow ninja into the flourishing city. The village was rustic but it had a great energy to it. He greeted a few of the villagers who happily returned his greeting. The temperature was warm but soothing. He didn't feel like he was getting too hot and he definitely wasn't getting cold like he was in Konoha. This place was perfect for him. He could laze around on top of the buildings and bath in the sun. He loved it here. A simple life.
"In here." His attention was then directed to the biggest building in the village. It looked like the other structures but just a lot wider and a little taller. Shikamaru entered the building and was surprised to see the sophisticated elegance that was present inside. The rustic features were clearly just to blend in with the environment.
"Thank you for bringing him Kusa." the voice came from a boy that looked no older than Shikamaru was. He was definitely smaller though but that didn't diminish his overwhelming presence in the room. The ninja that escorted him handed the scroll over to the smaller male then bowed before leaving the building. Kusa, he'll remember that name.
"I am Yagamaru, the next village chief."
"I am Shikamaru Nara, head of the Nara Clan and advisor to the sixth hokage." He introduced himself again but bowed this time. "If I may ask, where is the current village chief?"
"My mother is resting. She is recovering from a nasty illness."
"I wish her all the best." He replied with another small bow.
"Thank you very much. Follow me." He led them to what looked like the village hall. "It's late and you must be tired from your long journey so I will make this quick." He motioned for Shikamaru to take a seat on the opposite side of the table. Shikamaru complied and took a seat before Yagamaru took a seat as well.
"What is this all about?" Shikamaru really didn't know what was going on right now. Did this have something to do with the scroll?
"One of the conditions for the alliance between our two nations." Shikamaru heard about that before but he didn't think anything of it. Kusagakure and Konohagakure had always had good relations so it was expected that they would help each other in times of need. He didn't know that the help came with conditions.
"Go ahead then." He didn't know what he was going to hear but he was prepared for anything. He didn't spend his time fooling around in his office the past couple of days so it would definitely pay off right now.
"There was a small uprising amongst some of the clans in Sunagakure again. Gaara easily dealt with it with no casualties. It seems that he has the support of the shinobi in the nation now, however, some of the older clans still have their reservations about him being the Kazekage and might try to rebel again." This he definitely was prepared for. Politics and intelligence, his forte.
"That is too be expected. The older members of Sunagakure, especially the older shinobi who served under the Kazekage before Gaara, would not approve of the proposed alliances between the five great nations. They will always try to convince Gaara to focus on improving their military status so that they can force the other great nations into submission rather than allowing them to grow with each other." He admired Gaara's resilience in not giving in to their demands but at what cost. The more he denied their requests, the stronger their hatred would become. At some point or other, he would have to compromise or risk losing their support and help completely.
"True. Hopefully it doesn't come to that. As far as Kumogakure is concerned, the Raikage has been focusing on improving their defences and military strength. The exact reasons for that is unknown but it does not seem that it is for malicious purposes. There have been no major developments happening in Iwagakure and Kirigakure. Their village's are protected by the surrounding natural geography so they have no need to increase their defences or military tactics. They have been able to increase trade from other villages and form better alliances." Shikamaru was really impressed by the resourcefulness of this small nation. They were able to gather intelligence from four of the five great nations. They might be a small nation but they were definitely big on information.
"That is good to hear. How has this village been?" If they were able to gather so much information from other villages then that should mean that this village was doing great right?
"We've been growing slowly but steadily again. Lady Tsunade really helped us rebuild after Orochimaru destroyed the village so we are grateful to her and the rest of the shinobi of Konohagakure. With the supplies that your Hokage has just provided us, I am certain that we can expand now and bring Kusagakure back to its former glory." So that was what was in the scroll. "Who knows, maybe we can join your chunin exams again soon. We won't go easy on you though just because you helped us out." His smile was challenging but playful. Shikamaru felt that he could trust Yagamaru. There was just something about him that made Shikamaru feel optimistic for the future again.
"We won't be going easy on you guys as well just because we feel sorry for you." Their light laughter brought a comfort to the tension between them.
"I look forward to working with you Nara-sama." Yagamaru stood up and gave Shikamaru a bow.
"I look forward to working with you as well." Shikamaru returned the bow when he stood up as well.
"Good luck for the rest of your mission." Shikamaru nodded in agreement then turned around to leave the building. He felt relieved that everything was going smoothly so far. He knew that sooner or later things were going to go sideways but there was only so much planning he could do.
"I'll escort you to where your friends are." Kusa startled him. The ninja was well hidden in the elongated shadows created by the setting sun. He then began following Kusa through the town and Shikamaru could see why Yagamaru wanted to expand the town. Everything felt a little too cramped. It was prefect but more space was necessary for comfort.
Shikamaru read about Kusagakure once. It was a huge village that was invaded by Iwagakure during the Third Shinobi War and became a stronghold for them. After the war ended then Orochimaru built one of his compounds in the village but then he kidnapped Karin from this village and destroyed. From what Yagamaru told him now, Lady Tsunade helped them rebuild and Kakashi was continuing it. Maybe Lady Tsunade felt guilty because Orochimaru was the one that destroyed the village. He didn't quite understand their relationship but he knew that their bond was irreplaceable.
"Do all of the shinobi in this village have nicknames?" Shikamaru's question startled the Kusa-nin for a moment before he regained his composure.
"What makes you think we have nicknames?" Kusa was certainly going to make it difficult for Shikamaru.
"Yagamaru is pretty normal compared to Kusa, Kumo and Kimo. Our ANBU also have names according to their mask so it's highly likely that Kusa is your nickname." Shikamaru was confident in his analysis. It wasn't a big issue but it was a way to gain mutual respect between the two ninja. They might come from different villages but their paths might cross again one day.
"I guess the Nara Clan really is as intelligent as they say." There it was, the bond of mutual respect amongst the two shinobi. He indirectly answered Shikamaru's question as well.
"Saying that ninja from Kusagakure are resourceful is an understatement. Your intelligence is much more useful."
"Can I see your jutsu?" Not an unusual request. Hell, Naruto did it to nearly all the ninja he met.
"Sure?" Shikamaru decided to activate his jutsu without the use of his hand signs. He might respect the ninja but he didn't trust him enough to reveal the process. Shikamaru made his shadow rise from the ground but stop comfortably in front of Kusa.
"The Nara Clan's shadow manipulation and my own shadow stitching allowing me to lift my shadow off any surface." His shadow returned back to his body as Kusa observed him.
"Definitely impressive up close. Thank you Nara-sama." Kusa bowed.
"Please, call me Shikamaru." He felt uncomfortable that people called him that when he wasn't acting in a professional capacity.
"Okay Shikamaru." Kusa agreed then stopped in front of a building then walked in. Both ninja stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Ino, Kiba, Kumo and Kimo balancing a cup of water between their foreheads. The floor was littered with what looked like sand, broken bricks and broken pieces of wood.
"Kusa-sama." Kumo and Kimo immediately stopped and stood at attention letting the glass drop to the ground and shatter with the water spilling everywhere.
"Yes, we win." Ino chanted as she grabbed the glass and placed it on the table.
"What the hell is going on here?" Shikamaru felt agitated by their behaviour. He was surprised that Naruto wasn't to blame though. Maybe he was finally growing up.
"It was Naruto's idea." Kiba quickly stated. Well maybe he was wrong about Naruto.
"They started it." Naruto defended himself.
"I don't care. All of you will clean this mess up before you go sleep." Shikamaru ordered them. It felt weird for him to be ordering them around. Hell, he felt like he should be joining them.
"Kumo, Kimo; you guys will do a double shift tonight." He didn't know what Kusa meant by 'double shift' but it sounded like a lot more work for them to do.
"Yes sir." They couldn't sound any less happier about that than they did.
"Troublesome." Shikamaru muttered as he sighed then exited the building. At least it was a beautiful sunset.