Chapter 22: Sensei Part 2
(Alternatively, The Beginning of A Bond)
Author's Notes: First and foremost, I am so, so sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out. I've had a bunch of real life stuff come up. Most of it good, but some of it isn't so good. In fact, if things go the way I think they are, there will be a time where I won't have proper Internet when we start remodeling the kitchen and bathroom. It sucks, but I can't do anything about it. We really need it done. I'll try to write chapters during the time we are lacking Internet, but I make no promises since I don't know how much free time I'll have.
I'll also be looking for a job, so that will eat into my writing time as well. I haven't lost interest in this story, though. Updates will just be slower. I'll do my best to try and keep them from turning into a once a month thing, however.
Now, onwards with the story!
(Shikamaru's POV)
Watching his teammates harass their sensei has to honestly be one of the funniest thing he's seen in a while. Between Chōji and Ino, it's very clear that Sarutobi-sensei has no chance when it comes to keeping his wallet full. The man should have never offered to treat them to a meal. Most Genin Kunoichi like to diet, but luckily he'd broken Ino and Sakura of that habit long ago. He'd made it abundantly clear that he would not see them dead on their first real mission due to a lack of energy or muscle mass.
Now, Ino eats quite a bit to go with her training schedule. Chōji, of course, is an Akimichi, so he always eats. And Shikamaru, himself? He can eat a lot, but he has already chosen not to break the Sarutobi's bank. He doesn't know if it's a hold over from his past life or if it's because he seems to always be growing, but Shikamaru has noticed that he eats at least twice as much as any normal Genin. He's always associated that sort of appetite with SOLDIERS.
Regardless, there's no point in subjecting the Sarutobi to his appetite when there's plenty of food at home. When the man eyes his meager portion(compared to Ino's and Chōji's) he shrugs and tells him that he isn't that hungry. Ino and Chōji eye him in disbelief at his statement and the Sarutobi sighs.
"You really don't trust me, do you?" It's more a statement than a question.
"No," Shikamaru says honestly. He continues, "I'm a firm believer in trust being earned, not given. I'm certain that you are trustworthy in the eyes of your comrades, but you haven't earned that from me yet. It goes both ways, though. After all, I haven't earned your trust yet either."
The Sarutobi has a strange look in his eyes that the young Nara can't decipher as he stares at him. Then, strangely enough, the man smiles at him.
"Well said, Shikamaru. You're right about trust being earned and I'm hoping that you'll give me the chance to prove myself to the three of you. However, I do need you to be able to trust me enough to follow orders if I tell you to run or hide. Sometimes missions do go wrong, as you mentioned earlier. I don't want you kids on the battlefield with me when that happens until I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you can take care of yourselves."
Shikamaru nods agreeably, "That's fair. I'd be the same way if I were you."
He hears Ino sigh before she says, "You're so paranoid, Shikamaru."
"Better paranoid then dead. Or have you forgotten about Danzo?"hi
Ino and Chōji both wince at that name and the Sarutobi picks up on it immediately. "I heard that Danzo was executed for treason, but no one talks about how that happened? Would you mind explaining what you know about it, Shikamaru?"
Shikamaru blinks and asks in confusion, "You weren't there when it happened?"
Sarutobi-sensei shakes his head. "No, I was still part of the Twelve Shinobi Guardians back then."
"Twelve Shinobi Guardians?" Chōji's face scrunches up in confusion.
Ino's face is no better and even Shikamaru is unfamiliar with the title. He thinks that the Sarutobi Clan's man may find their confusion amusing. The man is smiling at them and yet, oddly enough, Shikamaru doesn't feel the need to defend his friends or himself. He doesn't know how to define the look that the older man is leveling at them, but he almost wants to label it as something just shy of fondness.
(Asuma's POV)
He hadn't expected to get attached so quickly, Asuma muses as his new Genin team stares at him in confusion(he gets the feeling that confusion isn't something Shikamaru feels often). And yet, here he is. They've already started to grow on him. He's certain that his father planned this team just for their likability and their ability to confuse him.
After all, their contradictory natures should have them at odds seeing as Ino seems to be the most driven out of the three. Not that the other two aren't just as driven. They do have their own dreams and wants, even if Shikamaru doesn't quite know what he wants for himself(Asuma hopes he can help the Nara change that). Their just more laid back then the Yamanaka. He wishes that his old man hadn't hidden the details of his team from him.
He's running blind here, but, then again, his team is doing the same. They'll just have to give it time, he supposes.
Asuma chuckles as he explains, "Yeah, the Twelve Shinobi Guardians. They're essentially a group of elite Shinobi who serve and protect the Daimyo. I was apart of them until just a year and a half ago. The sect still exists, but a new generation of Guardians are now part of the Daimyo's entourage. My generation has either retired, returned to service as I have, or joined the Fire Temple."
Comprehension dawns on two of the faces of his Genin. Shikamaru just looks thoughtful. He seems to mull over his explanation for awhile before he says slowly, "So no one took the time to explain to you that Danzo was a complete creep?"
Asuma is being to think that maybe he should have pressed harder for answers. Because the look on his Genins' faces is beginning to disturb him. He answers Shikamaru's question before the boy can get impatient, "No. They were kind of leery about the whole Danzo situation."
Shikamaru nods and Asuma can't help but think that it isn't in response to his clarification. Rather, it is more of a nod to himself, as if he's finally figured out how he wants to explain the situation. The boy takes a deep breath and sighs out.
"Danzo had a private army that was completely composed of children, both those who were and those who were not Clan children. He tried to 'recruit' my adopted brother and his best friend for this army of his right there on the Academy grounds. Unfortunately for him, my brother thought that he was a child molester. Even more unfortunately for him, I happen to be a very overprotective big brother. I tried to protect both of them and Danzo was going to attack me because of that.
"Luckily for me, the Hokage stepped in before Danzo could actually lay hands on me. By that time, however, a good majority of the children at the Academy had heard about the man being a child molester and they went home to tell their parents. Long story short, no one wanted him near their kids or in a position of power. An investigation into the man turned up a crap ton of of evidence against him that eventually saw to his execution," Shikamaru explains clinically, without emotion.
Asuma wonders at the lack of expression on the Nara's face. A closer look at the boy reveals a hint of heat in those dark, dark eyes and Asuma is sure that he doesn't ever want the kid angry at him. The Nara are notorious for not being easily provoked, but their even tempers just mean that when they do get pissed off heads are definitely going to roll. It seems that the kid has already picked up on his thoughts because he is given a tight smile that does nothing to take the sharp glint out of the Nara's eyes. Asuma sighs internally. He's got his work cut out for him with this kid.
But maybe that's a good thing. Maybe the kid needs someone who's willing to work for every millimeter he or she gains. The kid has already had a harder life as an Academy student then most new new Genin do after they are newly graduated. The Sarutobi doesn't notice when his gaze softens on the Nara, but he does notice when the kid's eyes widen and he looks away with an uncomfortable expression. Asuma knows, then and there, that he will do whatever it takes to get the boy to trust him.
(Because he can remember another genius who couldn't trust or connect with people easily. He doesn't want Shikamaru to go the same way as Kakashi; Alone and unable to let anyone close for fear of losing them.)
(Shikamaru's POV)
When Sarutobi-sensei's eyes soften on him, Shikamaru freezes for a second. He doesn't understand the reason behind the sudden change in the man's demeanor, but there's a strange feeling crawling through his chest and Shikamaru looks away. He's not used to people looking at him that way. It's not pity, he knows that much. He's seen pity in peoples' eyes before and it's not an emotion that he likes.
He'd had enough of that in his last life from people who couldn't understand that he could not change who or what he was. Nor did he want to change himself. After all, his past had made him who he was, who he still is to this day. Yes, his past had been bad, but there had been good as well. Denying the bad would mean denying the good of that life, it would mean denying his family. He won't do that, not to himself and not to the memory of a family who had once been a band of misfits.
He looks at the Sarutobi out of the corner of his right eye. The man has turned his attention to his friends/teammates and Shikamaru almost breathes a sigh of relief. He doesn't know how to handle the undivided attention he's given whenever the Sarutobi focuses on him. It's weird and unusual because only his parents, his brothers, Chōji, and the Hokage have ever given him their undivided attention. As much as he wishes he could say that the rest of his friends do the same, they do have their own lives and worries.
No matter how hard he tries, the strange warmth in his chest refuses to disappear.
(Three Weeks Later)
Shikamaru sighs as he stares at his dad and his sensei. His parents usually respect his need for distance from the rest of the world. Today, it seems as if the world has decided to intrude upon his only sanctuary. The Sarutobi lifts a couple boxes with a somewhat sheepish look and Shikamaru can't help but be mildly amused. The boxes are obviously take out and what looks to be the carrying case for a shōgi or go board. Shikamaru wonders if this is supposed to be a bribe.
The man has only let them have one day off each week to allow them to rest, after all. The rest of the week is devoted to their training on everything from teamwork to advanced tactics. Shikamaru is no stranger to teamwork, but Sarutobi-sensei seems determined to beat Konoha's version of teamwork into their heads until it is instinct for them. The man seems to read his mind because he chuckles.
"I've already been by Ino's and Chōji's homes to see if they were free. Unfortunately, they've got Clan training. Your father told me that you do your training every morning before you meet up with me, which means that you're not doing anything right now."
"I was enjoying the peace and quiet," Shikamaru says. He eyes the man for another long moment before he sighs, "I guess you can stay, though. But only as long as you plan on sharing the food and playing shōgi with me. I'll provide the tea, though. It's only right since you're my guest."
Sarutobi-sensei laughs, lines creasing the corners of his eyes. "Wouldn't have brought either if I didn't plan to feed you or play a few rounds of shōgi with you. And I'll gladly accept a cup of good tea."
"Good." Shikamaru turns to his dad, "You planning to stick around, Oyaji?"
The older Nara shakes his head. "No. I'll be back in a few hours to escort Asuma off our property, though. You two have fun."
Shikamaru wishes that the man would stay. He still isn't certain how to act around this man, but he supposes now is just as good a time as any to start learning. He waves a hand to his veranda and says, "You coming in or not?"
It's as good of an invitation as he'll ever give anyone. After all, this is his place to get away from everything and everyone.
(Asuma's POV)
When Shikaku told him that his son had his own place, Asuma had been shocked. The Nara had barked a laugh at his expression before saying, "My kid is a bit of a special case. That means that he has specific needs that are absolutely necessary for him to be able to keep his peace of mind. One of those needs is the ability to get away from people when his mind gets overly stimulated by the continuous influx of information he's always receiving. It's basically the way he decompresses after his week ends."
Asuma can understand where the older man is coming from when he sees Shikamaru's home away from home. The place is in a gorgeous location. It's almost idealistic, the small cabin in a large clearing with a stream that goes through the middle of the clearing. The cabin isn't like any he's seen before and he wonders where the boy got the inspiration for it. There is smoke swirling and curling up from a protrusion on the left side of roof. There are touches of their culture in the cabin, like the sliding shōji doors and the windows that slide to the sides rather then the more modern windows that slide up. There are even shutters on the windows for when the weather gets bad. Beyond that, he doesn't know where the heavier look of the building comes from.
The stream, itself, has been branched off closer to the left of the small home and it runs behind it. From there, steam rises up in lazy tendrils, adding to the lazy ambiance of the clearing. A very well cared for garden of flowers borders the front of the cabin on each side of the steps to the corners of the home in shades of white, yellow, and, surprisingly enough, a dark shade of pink. Further down, the stream has been branched off again in the form of an irrigation system for a large vegetable garden. The whole picturesque view has a beauty to it that he hasn't seen anywhere else.
He can't help but think that the Clans, out side of the Akimichi and Yamanaka, would be jealous of the easy, but elegant, beauty that Nara Shikamaru has managed to create. It's nothing like what he'd expect from a nearly thirteen-year-old male who occasionally moonlights as a bachelor. Hell, this is nothing like the home of a male in-between the ages of sixteen and forty. No, this the dream home of someone older, someone who knew exactly what they wanted when they had started building after they retired. That, in and of itself, is a curious thing, but he supposes that geniuses are just weird as a rule.
Weirder still is the fact that Shikamaru steps out without anyone announcing their arrival. The boy is dressed in a black yukata, much like Shikaku's, and his long hair is down from it's usual ponytail. It's obvious that the strands are long enough to reach his hips when it's released from its tie. Ino's isn't even that long! Asuma makes a mental note to talk to the boy about getting it cut before it gets him killed.
But first he has to convince the younger male to allow him to stay. He lifts the take out boxes and the carrying case for his shōgi board with a sheepish grin. This is the kid's property, after all, and he isn't here on official business. Shikamaru has every right to kick him to the curb if he doesn't want his sensei here.
"I've already been by Ino's and Chōji's homes to see if they were free. Unfortunately, they've got Clan training. Your father told me that you do your training every morning before you meet up with me, which means that you're not doing anything right now," Asuma explains.
"I was enjoying the peace and quiet," the kid says. He eyes Asuma for another long moment before he sighs heavily, "I guess you can stay, though. But only as long as you plan on sharing the food and playing shōgi with me. I'll provide the tea, though. It's only right since you're my guest."
Asuma laughs, "Wouldn't have brought either if I didn't plan to feed you or play a few rounds of shōgi with you. And I'll gladly accept a cup of good tea."
"Good." Shikamaru turns to his dad, "You planning to stick around, Oyaji?"
The older Nara shakes his head. "No. I'll be back in a few hours to escort Asuma off our property, though. You two have fun."
The kid frowns as his father walks away before he turns his attention back to him. The kid waves a hand to his veranda and says, "You coming in or not?"
Asuma gets the feeling that it's the best invitation he'll get at this point in time. He still has to build a proper rapport with this particular student, after all. He's already managed to meet with Ino and Chōji during the first and second weeks that they had been a team. They had both confirmed that it was Shikamaru that he had to convince. If he can then he'll have one of the best damn teams in all of Konoha.
When he steps into the cabin, Asuma is surprised at how spacious it seems. There are shelves lining one wall. The shelves lower to the floor are covered with scrolls, sealing supplies, and regular Shinobi equipment. The higher shelves have books and picture frames. Asuma steps further into the room to look at the pictures better.
There are pictures of Shikamaru with his family, his friends, and with his adopted brother and his brother's best friend. Shikamaru looks content - happy even - in all the pictures. He'd learned that Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru are nigh inseparable from Kakashi. Apparently, Kakashi's two boys look up to and adore Shikamaru for not allowing them to be left alone. The silver-haired Jōnin had watched the three of them whenever Shikamaru had the time to walk the other two boys to their training ground.
There is a kotatsu in the middle of the floor with what appears to be a large drawing pad and charcoal pencils scattered about on it. Asuma sits down as Shikamaru disappears into what he assumes is the kitchen and he carefully turns the drawing pad so that he can look at the picture without craning his neck. A large group of people stare out at him. He can't help but wonder who they are or if the young Nara has a vivid imagination. As he looks it over carefully, he notices that the picture is unfinished. There are people missing if the way the boy has left empty spaces is any indication.
Asuma looks up when his student clears his throat. He smiles at the Nara and says, "You're very good, Shikamaru. Do you draw often?"
The boy eyes him for a moment before shrugging. The move is deceptively careless. "Not too often. I normally don't have the time to draw a lot. I usually focus on one section at a time until the whole thing is finished, regardless of how long it takes."
"That takes some dedication, though. A lot more dedication then a lot of boys your age have. I suppose having a brother like Naruto requires a person to be pretty dedicated. My old man has told me about some of the pranks that kid has pulled. Well, at least the ones he's owned up to," Asuma lets some mischief seep into his tone and eyes. He's definitely had some laughs because of the blond.
His student seems to relax a little at his obvious amusement and he counts that as a win. The kid leans against the door frame with his own brand of lazy and cat-like grace. That's one thing he's noticed about this guy, he's more aware of himself and his surroundings than any new Genin that Asuma has ever met. He wonders if it's because of all the training he does.
"Naruto is a good guy - a good brother - and he's gotten a lot of crap that he doesn't deserve from people who have absolutely no idea who or what they're fucking with," the kid says quietly, his eyes sharp. He continues, "I can excuse some things, but child abuse? Of any kind?"
The Nara doesn't verbally voice his distaste, he just gives Asuma a sharp smile - something full of jagged edges and brittle cracks that are just waiting for someone to put pressure on them. The kid seems almost broken in this moment and Asuma decides to wait him out. It's the correct choice and Asuma watches as the kid's edges smooth over. Asuma says slowly, carefully, "I'm going to assume that it's a topic that get you pretty fired up."
The kid's eyes shutter and for a while he just stands there with his chin tucked down and his arms crossed over his chest. Asuma waits(he gets the feeling that he'll be doing a lot of waiting when it comes to Shikamaru). He watches as Shikamaru takes a slow breath and, finally, the young Nara's eyelashes lift slightly. His eyes are too dark, yet too bright at the same time. There's a strange glow in them that Asuma has never seen before in anyone.
"Children don't deserve to be told that they're monsters. Children don't deserve to go hungry. They don't deserve to be verbally, emotionally, physically, or - worse yet - sexually abused. There is no justifying that kind of behavior."
There is a weight to Shikamaru's words. The kind of weight that comes from experience and Asuma feels ice creep into his lungs. His voice has a hint of a growl when he says, "Is the son of a bitch that touched you dead? 'Cause if he isn't, I'm gonna kill him myself."
The kid's eyes flare open in surprise and they stare at each other. In this moment they are both completely open to one another and Asuma sees no reason to hide just how pissed he is at the thought that some bastard has touched one of his kids.
(It's at this moment that Asuma realizes it. Shikamaru, Chōji, and Ino are his kids. And he'll lie, cheat, steal, and murder in cold blood to protect all three of them. And maybe he'll have to thank the old man for ignoring his complaints and denials because these kids are probably the greatest gift that's ever been given to him.)
To his surprise, Shikamaru gives him a tiny, but honest smile. "Oyaji made sure that man will never be leaving the hole he stuck the bastard in. He'll never see the light of day again, not even after he dies."
Asuma nods tightly in acknowledgement and sighs, "So... Tea?"
The Nara eyes widen and he jerks away from the door frame to whirl around with a curse. Asuma's guessing that their tea has been steeping for way too long and amusement bubbles up in his chest. He starts to laugh before he can control it, but it isn't long before a low and rusty chuckle joins his booming laughter. It's probably not a good sign that they're bonding over something so dark, but Asuma pushes that thought aside. He'll take any chance he's given to make sure that his kids know that they can come to him for anything.
He will never allow them to think that they're alone in this world.
(Shikamaru's POV)
'Sensei's laughter is infectious,' Shikamaru thinks to himself as he starts a new pot of tea. He sighs as he remembers how he'd had to pour out the last pot.
"Such a waste," Shikamaru murmurs with a shake of his head.
The older man calls out from his spot in the sitting room, "What's a waste?"
Shikamaru calls over his shoulder, "The fact that I had to pour out what would have been a good pot of tea. I'm a firm believer in not wasting anything that can be used. Unfortunately, that doesn't apply for overly steeped tea. Much too bitter."
"Agreed. Though, I do know some people who do like it that way."
Shikamaru wrinkles his nose at the thought. It's almost enough to make him want to gag. "Well, I'm not one of them. I don't like overly sweet things, but extremely bitter things aren't something I like either."
The older man laughs that deep, rolling laugh of his and Shikamaru feels his lips quirk up of their own accord. He's beginning to wonder why he was so suspicious of the Sarutobi. The reaction the man had, it had been very telling. Sarutobi Asuma isn't someone who believes in children being hurt. He'd been willing to go after a man that has been in the jail for years already at just the barest hint that someone had laid hand on one of his students.
It's different from when his parents become overprotective. This man barely knows him and yet he'd looked like he'd been ready to commit murder. He wonders if this is what he, himself, had looked like after Marlene had been kidnapped that one time. It's oddly comforting to have that sort of protectiveness coming from a person who may as well be a complete stranger.
He hopes he isn't making a mistake by letting this man closer.
Author's Notes #2: Again, I'm really sorry this is so late. I've had absolutely everything to deal with in real life and it's pretty much kicked my ass until now. Hopefully, I'll be able to get back on a better schedule soon. I'm not going to make any promises, though, as I said earlier.
Anyway, let me know what you think of this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. Also, please let me know if you see any typos. I'll correct them as soon as possible.