HEY GUYS AND GIRLS. I KNOW IT'S BEEN WAY TOO LONG AND I AM A BIT RUSTY RIGHT NOW BUT HERE'S THE NEXT CHAPTER. JUST TO INFORM YOU GUYS AND GIRLS, MY KEYBOARD IS BROKEN SO I AM HAVING A LITTLE DIFFICULTY IN TYPING ANYTHING SO I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO POST CHAPTERS REGULARLY AND IF I DO THEN IT WON'T BE VERY LONG BUT I WILL TRY MY BEST. THANKS FOR BEING PATIENT WITH ME. I AM SORRY ABOUT MY ERRORS AS WELL. I KIND OF RUSHED THIS CHAPTER SO I AM SORRY IF IT'S THAT BAD AS WELL.
HAPPY READING:)
"Working late." Sakura's voice tore through his overworked brain, immediately bringing it back to life. He had just exited the kazekage tower in Sunagakure after tirelessly examining their entire defense system with Baki and trying to improve their relationship with the other nations, something they were sorely lacking. The moon shone proudly in the sky so it was clearly very late that night or early the next morning. He didn't bother checking the time before he left but he wasn't expecting the pinkette to be standing outside waiting for him.
"You don't even work this much when we're in Konoha." She continued as she pushed herself off the wall then approached the shadow ninja.
"I just received another mission so I am going to busy for a while." They fell in step with each other as they made their way through the sandy streets of the village. It was extremely cold which shouldn't have been surprising since the village was literally built in a desert but he wasn't really feeling the cold and it didn't look like she was either.
"We're still technically on a mission so you can't really be sent on another mission." Sakura was technically right but he didn't think that the Kage cared about that fact.
"When 2 Kage give you a mission then I don't think that you have a choice." His hands rested in his pockets as usual and his body was in it's relaxed position as he looked up at the night sky.
"I guess not." She replied but he could tell that something was on her mind. It wasn't like her to give up on a topic like that. Hell, he expected her to be questioning him about his new mission. Was she tired?
"Something on your mind?" He asked as his eyes never once left the dark sky above them but he could feel that her eyes were on him.
"Are you angry at me?" He didn't expect that question. Why would he be angry at her? Well, they didn't really speak after their last night in Iwa so he could understand why she thought that he was angry at him but he was just trying to focus on getting them from Iwa safely to Suna.
"No." He truthfully answered her.
"Well then why are you avoiding me?" He didn't feel like he was avoiding her. Yes he probably should've paid more attention to her but even she should understand that he just wanted to focus on completing the mission.
"Is it because I didn't want to tell you what Sasuke said or because I pulled rank on you or what because there are a number of reasons why you could be avoiding me?"
"I just wanted to focus on getting us here safely. I'm not going to lie, it hurt when you didn't want to tell me what Sasuke said but I'm not angry. Disappointed and hurt more like it." He didn't want to hide anything from her if there was any chance of their relationship thriving.
"I'm sorry that I hurt you. You know I never want to do that but I just can't tell you what Sasuke told me." Okay, that struck a nerve.
"It's good to know where I stand then."
"Come on Shikamaru, it's not like that. You know that there are just some stuff we can't discuss. You can't tell me why you and Temari broke up and this is no different." He immediately stopped walking and she quickly turned around to face as he finally lowered his gaze to land upon her soft face.
"Temari broke up with me because she saw me seducing a girl while I was on a mission in the Land of Tea. I needed to distract that girl long enough for the ANBU to search her home for information on her father. I explained it to Temari but she was too hurt. The distance between us didn't help either so she dumped me." There it was; his big secret. He still felt like an ass for the way their relationship ended and Temari always made him feel like the bad guy whenever they saw each other after that but he felt like he deserved it so he let it go.
"Want to tell me what is happening between you and Sasuke?" She definitely looked nervous and he knew that she had 2 choices; continue protecting whatever Sasuke's message was and risk losing him or just tell him and hope that it wasn't a big deal.
"I'm sorry Shikamaru, I really can't tell you." She quickly grabbed his hands stood right in front of him. "I want to tell you so much but I can't and it's not your fault. This is my problem and it doesn't have to affect what we have."
"But it does Sakura. I'm an open book so whatever you want to know, I'll tell you but that goes both ways. If we want to continue this then there has to be open communication between us. It just seems like we have too much things that we're hiding from each other and no matter how much we try to ignore it, we somehow keep coming back to it so we either address it or this is where we end." He meant every word he said and he could see that Sakura understood it so now it was up to her to decide. Everything around them seemed to come to complete slcence as the seconds before she responded seemed to feel like they stretched on forever.
"I choose you Shikamaru but I can't tell you what Sasuke told me." He could see that she was close to tears. She really didn't want to lose him but he knew that he would never fully have her heart if she was still carrying secrets for Sasuke. That piece of shit was still affecting the village no matter what he did and Shikamaru was sick of it.
"I'm not competing with Sasuke for you anymore. It's clear that you will always choose him." He slipped his hands out of Sakura's and continued his journey alone. Whatever was left of his heart was clearly crushed now but he was okay with it. It was clear now that happiness just wasn't for everyone no matter how much he wanted it. Misery and anguish, that was the only certainty he was expecting out of life now since it clearly wasn't going any different.
"Troublesome." He muttered but a tear slowly trickled its way down his cheek. His happiness destroyed just like the lone tear drop as it hit the sandy street. He really wished he was just a stupid fucking cloud now.
"Where were you guys so long?" Naruto complained as Shikamaru and Ino joined their team. He saw Genma's team waiting by the entrance to the village as well so they must've completed their joint mission already.
"We were helping Gaara." Ino answered him with more aggression than necessary.
"Mind if we tag along back to the village Shikamaru?" Genma casually asked him.
"Yeah." He didn't see a problem with that. It was actually better if they travelled in a larger group for safety purposes mainly.
"Can I ask you to lead?" Shikamaru asked the older ninja. He had too much on his plate to think about right now so he definitely wasn't in the best position to be leading the mission. Hell, the information he just received this morning turned everything upside down once again and it was messing with his head.
"Everything okay?" He knew that Genma was just trying to look out for his safety. Genma and his father often worked together so Genma was like his older brother in a way.
"Yeah. Just a lot on my mind right now. Let's just say that it's best if I get to the village sooner rather than later."
"We'll get there tomorrow evening then. We will spend the night in Takumi."
"Okay." Shikamaru agreed. He knew that there was a possibility that Takumi might not willingly accept them since Konoha did refuse to aid them when they experienced difficulties in their village but hopefully this time of peace made them more accepting.
"Everyone, let's go!" Genma ordered them then took the lead and lead them out of the Wind Nation's stronghold. Shikamaru found himself towards the back of the pack with Lee right next to him. He turned to Shikamaru and flashed one of his famous smiles towards the lazy ninja. He just hoped that Lee didn't irritate him as much as he did while they hung out in the village.
They reached Takumi before the sun retired for the day. Thankfully there were no incidences that hindered their journey. Genma took Izumo and Kotetsu with him to find a place to sleep tonight and told everyone else to go get them something to eat before they met up again. As usual, an argument began which lead to a physical battle between Lee, Kiba and Naruto. Ultimately the girls ended up buying the meals before they met up with Genma, Izumo and Kotetsu.
"Hokage-sama." All of them greeted him the next evening as they stood in his office. They managed to make it back to Konoha without any hassle so now the only thing they needed to do was give their reports.
"Welcome back. I trust that your missions were successful." Kakashi's tone gave nothing away. It was as unemotional as it could be.
"Our mission was successful. We managed to apprehend all the desserters." Genma reported.
"We managed to take down the group responsible for destroying the villages as well." Shikamaru added.
"Very well. All of you are dismissed." They bowed before leaving but Shikamaru noticed that Naruto and Sakura stayed behind. They were probably going to tell Kakashi about what Sasuke told them. He closed the door behind him and walked across the hallway to his office.
"Shikamaru, joining us for a drink?" Genma asked him before he could enter his office.
"I have a meeting with the Kage to prepare for. Next time." Genma gave him an understanding nod before continuing with the rest of the group down the hallway. Shikamaru entered his office then closed the door behind him and immediately went to his desk to start working. He wrote down everything he found out and how it linked to each other before he forgot. Everything he wrote down seemed to confuse him more. All the events were so perfectlty random that it flowed right into each other. It was like it was a perfect coincidence.
"Since when do you work so much?" He went 2 days without thinking about her, 2 days without talking to her, 2 days shutting her out but in 2 seconds she was able to re-enter his life like nothing has changed. He looked up from his work and saw her approaching his desk.
"Do you need anything?" He was blunt and short. He didn't want to waste anytime and she proved to be one of the things that wasn't worth his time right now.
"Kakashi wants to see you." She informed him. He immediately stood up and rolled up the scroll he was writing on.
"You know, I have a question for you." She told him then stood in his way so that he couldn't leave until she wanted him to.
"I don't have time for this now Sakura." He replied as he tried to move past her but she pushed him back.
"Who gave you the right to give ultimatums in this relationship?" She asked him as she folded her arms and stared him down. "You talk about relationships having open communication so I am openly communicating to you right now that you might be stubborn and irritating but you don't get to give up on us so easily. I will not give up on us either so you might be angry and disappointed at me right now but I am not going anywhere."
"We're not going to work."
"Stop deciding that for yourself."
"I'm not deciding that. You're the one still pining after Sasuke."
"Shut up about him already. This is about me and you. Don't be so insecure. Yes I loved Sasuke and yes I will have his back but I will not let you tell me who I want to be with because that is my choice and I choose you no matter what you think."
"You're irritating."
"You really don't know the half of it." She replied with a smile and a smile fought its way to his lips as well. She quickly went closer to him and stole a kiss before turning around and making her way to the door.
"No matter how much times you're going to push me away, I'm just going to keep coming back Shikamaru so get used to it." She left him and he couldn't help but be stunned by what just happened. He was confused and surprised that Sakura was so bold. She definitely was something else.
"Troublesome." He muttered but a smile plagued his face even more. It was irritating him that she had the power to do this to him. He calmed himself then began making his way out of his office and into Kakshi's.
"Kakashi-sama." He grabbed the Hokage's attention as he approached the cluttered desk. "You wanted to see me."
"Yes. Did Gaara speak to you about finding the people responsible for this trouble?" Kakashi stopped working and turned his attention to the young ninja.
"He did and I accepted the mission, not like I was going to be given any other choice." He noticed a small ripple in Kakashi's mask so he could tell that the Hokage was smiling.
"You have our full resources at your disposal."
"I'm going to need it because what I have so far is a lot of perfect coincidences but no leads." He handed the scroll to the hokage so that he could read what he had written down. He could see the grey haired hokage change his expression while reading the scroll but he undrstood exactly why.
"Orochimaru?" Kakashi had a questioning look on his face as he rolled up the scroll again.
"I don't think it's him but someone wants us to believe it's him. Any idea who would transform into Orochimaru and start a coup in Sunagakure?"
"No idea but now that Gaara knows they're after the Treasured Tools, he is bound to keep his tightly sealed."
"We need to alert the other Kage as well. If anyone can weild one of the tools then they're troublesome but if they get their hands on all 5 then they could be unstoppable especially considering who's trapped in the Benihisago right now."
"Agreed. I'll inform the Kage."
"Thank you Kakashi-sama." Shikamaru gave the Hokage a bow then took his scroll and exited the room. He went back to his office then sat down and continued his work and tried to find out who would want the Treasured Tools and more importantly why.
He began by making a list of where the treasured tools were. The Kohaku no Johei has always been in Kumogakure and after the war they allowed Tenten to transport the Bashosen back here to Konohagakure where it was safely sealed and gaurded around the clock. The Benihisago was entrusted to Iwagakure where the Tsuchikage apparently buried it in a mountain while the Shichiseiken found itself being protected in Kirgakure. The final tool, the Kokinjo, was in Sunagakure where Gaara was no protecting it personally.
He then studied the different abilities of each tool and tried to come up with counter measures just in case whoever was after them did manage to get one of the tools. One thing he was certain of though, whoever wanted them needed a hell of a lot of chakra to wield them because there was no way a normal ninja would be able to.
"Shikamaru, it's time to go home." Shizune's voice snapped him out of his concentration. He looked up and saw her standing by his door then he looked at the clock on his wall and saw that it was nearly midnight.
"That was an order by the way. You also just came from a mission so you should take a day to rest." Shizune added as he stood up.
"Unfortunately the work that I'm doing right now is urgent so I don't have time to take a day off." He locked his door once they exited his room then then walked next to Shizune as they began making their way out of the building.
"Is Kakashi at home already?"
"Yep. I put him in bed myself after I knocked him out." Shizune proudly answered him.
"I don't think you're supposed to harm the hokage no matter who you are."
"Well he deserved it for not listening to me." He had to let out a laugh at that while she smiled.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm fine I guess. Making sure that the village runs smoothly and keeping you and Kakashi from working to death is actually a fun job most of the time."
"Don't you miss going out on actual missions?"
"I never liked fighting. I only learnt how to fight so that I could survive. My real passion is helping people here in the village. I just want to be useful even if it just making sure that you and the hokage don't forget to look after yourselves. If I have to go out on a mission then I will but I won't go looking for one."
"I understand that. You're a great fighter though. Hell, I'd even be scared to face you in a fight."
"Flattery will get you no where Shikamaru, especially since Kakashi tried his best earlier on and still found himself being knocked out. Don't make me do the same to you." She politely warned him.
"Yes ma'am." They stopped by one of the apartment buildings in the heart of the village. This was clearly where Shizune was staying and it was rather perfect for here. It was close to the hospital, hokage tower, academy, intelligence unit; it was the perfect place for someone who basically made sure the village is run properly.
"This is my stop. Make sure that you go home and get some rest. If you're in your office before me tomorrow morning then I will lock you up myself."
"Yes ma'am." Shikamaru repeated as a smile appeared on her face. She unlocked the door then made her way inside the building leaving Shikamaru alone in the empty street. He decided to jump up to the roof so that he could get home easier and quicker. His journey home was as uneventful as he expcted until he spotted a swarm of insects in the distance. They looked like they were headed towards a destination or at least being controlled. Suddenly he saw the insects clumping together then immediately recognised the silhoutte of the shape, well person, it was forming; Shino.
"Shino?" he asked and saw the figure turn towards him. The shine of his glasses in the moonlight confirmed that it was the Aburame and that the Aburame spotted him.
Suddenly he saw that the houses in front of him weren't as big as the ones he was just jumping on. He should've known that since he had travelled this way for years but Shino's insects distracted him and he immediately found himself lose his footing then tumble off the roof and land painfully on the ground.
"Are you okay Shikamaru?" Shino's voice sounded drowned out and distant but he felt something under him. He opened his eyes then saw Shino standing over him but he could feel his body moving.
"Shino? What's happening?" He looked to his side then saw Shino's familiar insects under his arm.
"You fell. I'm taking you to the hospital." Shino's voice was as plain as normal.
"You were flying." He remembered seeing Shino in the night sky.
"I'll explain once we check you out. For now, just rest." Shino was being weirdly helpful and open for some reason but Shikamaru wasn't going to argue right now. The pain he was feeling was uncomfortable and all he wanted to do was sleep so he gratefully obliged.
THAT'S IT FOR THIS CHAPTER. I'LL TRY TO GET THE NEXT CHAPTER AS FAST AS POSSIBLE BUT HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE BETTER. I HOPE THIS CHAPTER DIDN'T CONFUSE YOU TOO MUCH AND I AM SORRY FOR THE WAIT AGAIN. YOU GUYS ARE STILL AWESOME SO UNTIL NEXT TIME, SEE YA.