A/N: I am sorry, that I didn't update sooner. But hey, I see some new followers! Thank you for following this story.^^ I think our fandom got a small revival after the light novel adaptations within the anime. Yay!

Chapter 5: All Alone

… ignored by you.

A lot of time had passed since the last time Shikamaru had felt anything. Back then – before Asuma died – he had been happy. Although he did not knew it, did not acknowledge it because he was taking it for granted. Because – just when the world seems to collapse around you – when everything, that was important to you is gone, only then you'll truly realize it: You have been happy.

He watched the rain pour down. The foul weather became a common companion in the last few days. In the seat of his car, Shikamaru lay back and closed his eyes. He just needed time to fix his thoughts.

It bothered him, that he began to care. She would be gone, when the case could not be solved. Maybe he would also fake Shadows death in the end, so the case would be closed. He had collected some parts of evidence, he could leave in the apartment of one of his final victims for this case. And this victim would just disappear. Sooner or later the police would count one and one together and think it had been Shadow when both would disappear around the same time. But even if this plan didn't work, whether he would be caught and sentenced to a death penalty or escape the whole thing unsuspected, she would leave.

So it did not matter, what she thought about him or Shadow. And as long as Shadow existed Shikamaru had to concentrate on his mission. He shouldn't think about her. And he definetly shouldn't think about the last evening.

After Sai had popped the news Sakura and Naruto were in hopeful bliss. Somehow they had rather quicky talked themselves into thinking that Sasuke had killed Orochimaru in self-defence and would return now. Kakashi had been the one to stay level-minded and figured, Sasuke would have returned already, if he had wanted to. Now, Sasuke was no small fish anymore, he would be hunted down by anyone in the drug circle, if he would return to the police. This probably hadn't been his motive. Rather he had killed Orochimaru to clarify his position.

While Kakashi had explained the situation, Shikamaru had been watching Temari. Although her expression had been indifferent, there was this glint of determination in her eyes. He'd known, she wasn't listening to Kakashi. She had figured it out already and was considering the relation to Shadow. Another piece of the puzzle was detected and, although it caused more confusion now, it would lift the mystery. At least that was what Shikamaru could picture, Temari had been thinking.

Shikamaru himself did not knew, if Sasuke's act had anything to do with Shadow or if it would cause trouble. But for now it was a positive stroke of fate. Temari would be busy with figuring out the connection between Sasuke and Shadow, so Shadow had more time to finish his mission without any interruption.

He just hoped that Shikamaru's personal feelings could be restrained and would not interfere, what Shadow needed to finish.

With the wipers turned of the downpour blurred his vision. He took a drag on his cigarette. The cloud of smoke formed a canvas to his memories.

To escape the heavy mood, Kakashi's squad agreed to go out together. After a quick argument between Naruto and Sakura, about where they would go, Kakashi turned to Shikamaru and Temari. "So what do you say? Would you two like to let it rest today and join us for a drink?"

Shikamaru wanted to dismiss the offer instantly like he always did. He shook his head. "I'm sorry -"

"Come on Shikamaru!" Sakura smiled at him and grabbed his arm. "Join us, please."

Deep inside he regretted turning his friends down but he had other plans. He faked a yawn."I'm very tired."

"You always say that." Even Sakura's pout wouldn't interfere with his plan. The situation was under control. Naruto would try to convince him and Shikamaru would refuse. That would have been it. But then the troublesome woman had to call for attention.

"Well I'm joining you, even if the lazy butt here is not coming."

Everyone was surprised by that and Shikamaru the most."What are you saying?"

She raised an eyebrow at him and crossed her arms. A gesture he had become familiar with even in just a short amount of a few days. "Not everyone can be this lazy."

He hated to admit it but she stirred something in him. He felt challenged and although he knew it was wrong, he thought about delaying his appointment for an hour. "I guess one beer won't hurt."

She grinned, showing her teeth at him. A smile that looked childish and odd but stirred something inside of him.

Later they found themselves, telling stories and joking with the others. In between the normal conversation they sometimes shared a gaze, when they challenged their wits. Shikamaru was so caught up in the game, he neither noticed the others watching them nor that two hours have already passed.

That evening had to be planed for Shadow to get more information on Akatsuki and their members. He had already come to know that Asuma was not killed by somebody from Orochimaru. Moreover he had been told, that it was one of the bosses himself that had Asuma first tortured and then killed.

Never minding the plans of Shadow, Shikamaru enjoyed himself. Just when Sai was the first to leave regrets were biting on his consciousness. He felt like having failed his foster father. He grew quiet.

Temari, who must have sensed their game to be over, announced, that she was heading home, which finally broke Shikamaru out of his trance. Being raised as a gentlemen, he insisted on bringing her to the hotel.

The whole way to the hotel, they were quiet while he steered the car towards the place she was staying at.

Arriving at the hotel, he drove into an empty parking lot nearby.

He was not sure what to say. She made him nervous. Not only because she seemed to be able to read him like a book."Thank you."

Temari turned her body towards him as much as the seat belt allowed and smiled. "What for?"

Rubbing his arm, he tried to ignore how near their bodies were. "You know, for giving me an opportunity to head home."

She grinned."Are you always this tired in the early evening?"

He shrugged but felt the need to add something. "There is no reason for me to be awake."

"Hn. This is no good explanation." There it was again that skeptical eyebrow. Instead of her hard and leveled voice it was the first time he heard her mumble.

"I know, why you did this." Before she could raise questions Shikamaru might as well turn the subject on something he wanted to discuss anyway.

"Pardon?"

"I know, you spend the evening with them to gain information." He rested his arm on the back of her seat to give her the impression, that she could not avoid this discussion.

She brushed her hair out of her face. "Let me guess, it was not my right to do this and you will see to it, that no evidence will get through, if I do something to harm them."

"That is not, what I wanted to say. Geez, you are very paranoid, aren't you? I just wanted to say, that they have been through a lot with Sasuke, so it would be nice, if you try not to hurt them too much, especially when there is an alternative trace to follow."

She stared at him a while and then let go an easy laugh."You really are something special."

He smiled at her easy laugh. "You too."

When she became serious again, their eyes met.

A moment caught in time.

The mood that surrounded them felt unreal.

It felt like an electrical buzz traveled between them, locking their eyes onto each others.

He was on his way to lean over, when a noise interrupted the scene. Temari had opened her seat belt and opened the door. "Thank you for driving me. I'll see you tomorrow."

Before he was able to comprehend the situation or respond, she was gone.

Up till now he didn't knew, if it had just been him. Nevertheless he had to be cautious. He shouldn't be swept along something, which would let him lose control.

It did not matter. Not now.

He stubbed out his cigarette.

In the depth of the night he began to undress. Under his clothes he wore his black suit. It had become a ritual. The moment, when he became Shadow was at the early hours of night. He looked in the mirror on more time, before he pulled on his mask. A frightening sight encountered him as he looked into the mirror. No mimic, no expression and only dark eyes that starred back. That's te way it had to be.

Shadow left the car. He climbed the bridge and crawled along the railing. The rain served to his favor, making him barely visible. Fusing with his surroundings he made his way towards his target. He knew of the meeting that had been arranged between Orochimaru and a member of Akatsuki called Sasori.

He hoped that the news of Orochimaru had not spread and Sasori would make his appearance. He knew, it was unlikely for them to have heard the news before the police had the chance thanks to their undercover agents. Yet, there was always the possibility, that Akatsuki had spies within Orochimaru's people. And then there was this small chance that Sasori would already meet with Orochimaru's successor.

He hid in the shadows, when he arrived earlier than the appointed time at the parking lot. He had no opening. There were no cars and only one building. When he approached, he had to make sure he would be unnoticed. He anticipated Sasori to be not alone. It would be tricky to knock out his company. Sasori was one of the head members of Akatsuki. There was the possibility that he was the one who killed Asuma. In case he did Shadow was prepared.

In the corner of the building he crouched down scanning the area. There was no one in sight. He balanced his breathing. He had to stay calm and focused. He closed his eyes and tried to relieve the stress. Concentrating on his environment, he listened for every sound. He ignored the wind whistling and an owl's cry. He heard a noise abrading. He tried to locate the sound. The noise was getting louder. It came from the right side. Shadow slowly moved around the left corner. He recognized footsteps of a second person.

Suddenly the noise stopped.

The atmosphere was thick with tension. Nothing could be heard anymore from the other side of the building. Maybe they had detected him and were waiting themselves to hear a sound.

A bang disrupted the silence. "That Orochimaru. He fooled me. Where is he?"

A quivering voice of an adolescent responded. "I-I- don't know, Sir."

"I don't care for what you know." The dark voice stayed leveled but had a threatening tone.

"Sorry."

"Go look for him."

The youth probably did not know, where to look exactly and stayed quiet.

"Gooo!" The baritone voice drawled.

Pebblse crushing under his feet, the adolescent ran into Shadows direction.

Shadow stilled his body. Trying not to move any muscle, when the youth ran past him, he wanted to wait till he stopped running. Hiding in the building's shadow, he sneaked towards the youth, who looked for the missing person. Not knowing, he would never show up.

The youth sighed. "Damn, I can't go back like this." In this moment Shadows hand reached from behind into his face, pressing a cloth with cyanide against his nose and mouth.

Shadow knew it would be better, if there was no one left to talk, but he could no kill this young guy,who still had a chance to change his life. When the body collapsed, he caught its fall and lay the young man slowly onto the ground, making sure not to produce any unwanted sound.

Time to make an end to it.

He turned around and went to Sasori. The time had come.

He did not hide himself. He did not sneak and when he went around the corner, Sasori turned around to him. "Finally, I thought -"

Sasori mustered the black clothed man, keeping his distance.

"Who are you?"

"They call me Shadow. You probably heard of me." He tried to disguise his voice with a dark, husky sound.

Sasori chuckled. The smooth sound of his voice did not match to the cruel person he was. "So you are the guy that killed our members? You don't look that scary in that outfit."

He didn't move a muscle. "Three years ago. Did you kill a police man?"

Sasori raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"Just tell me. It was at a raid in a factory at the southern side of Konohagakure. You killed a police man."

"I don't know, what you mean."

"Don't you remember him?" Shadow pulled the photography of Asuma out of the pocket on his hip and showed it to his face.

Sasori laughed. "I never saw that guy. Are you telling me, you are on a Vendetta for that guy?"

"You killed him. Your subordinate Gantetsu told me, that the southern side is your space." He balled his fists.

"You should have done your homework more thoughtfully." His smile changed into a grin. "Well it belongs to me now, but three years ago someone else controlled it."

"What?"

"I had another region at that time. You shouldn't trust your information sources. They seem to be sloppy."

Shadow tried to detect a sign that he lied. "It wasn't you? Then who did it? Who was in control of …?"

"You really believe, I would tell you? This is ridiculous. Even if I personally don't mind letting you kill our members, we need all members to stay leveled with Orochimaru's ring."

"He is dead."

"What? You mean -?" Sasori frowned at him. "Did you do it?"

"It seems you should have done your homework. I didn't kill him but I probably would have sooner or later." Shadow shrugged. "So now tell me who it was, that killed that police man."

"You don't have anything against me."

In a flash he pushed him into the wall, crushing against Sasori's throat with his elbow.

"Who did it? Who controlled the southern side three years ago? Tell me!"

"I won't."

Shadow pushed harder against the throat. He heard Sasori choking. His head grew red in need of oxygen. His muscles relaxed. Shadow leveled the pressure, so Sasori could speak again.

"It was Deidara!"

"Thank you." Having said that, he started to press down on the throat once more. Quickly he finished his target off and let the lifeless body fall to the ground. Then he turned away. He had watched him die. All those times before, he had just cut the throat. He was aggravated now. He had killed before. But he had never watched the victim's life fade away.

Shikamaru ran.

He ran to his car and pulled on his clothes and drove home.

And it was only when he reached home and took the things out of his car that he did notice something was missing. He couldn't find the photograph of Asuma.

So when the police called him to the crime scene, he did not answer immediately. He showered.

When Temari called him on his mobile phone, he feared that they had found the photo. He tumbled with his fingers on the kitchen table.

When he answered her second call, he was relieved to hear her low voice bashing at him. "Where are you? We have another vic."

When he was a kid, Shikamaru did not know the difference between right and wrong.

When he had done a mistake his mother scolded him. When he had done something right, he had gotten a reward.

When he grew older, he had developed morals, that told him, what was right and what was wrong. Until his parents died in a car accident. He could not comprehend why and what he could have done wrong to deserve it.

When Asuma took him in, he had wanted to be alone. But he wasn't. And he was never again for a long time.

When he ignored his friends, Asuma told him it was wrong to blame others.

When Shikamaru asked him, what he had done wrong, Asuma understood. He told him, that something bad things happen without a course and that all we can do, is doing things right so there would be more good than bad things. This was why Asuma had become a policeman.

When Shikamaru had finished school, he wanted to do things right and stop people, that do wrong things, too.

When he graduated police academy first in his year, Asuma gave him the watch his father had given him, when he became a policeman.

When Asuma was killed for doing things right, Shikamaru did not knew, what was wrong and what was right anymore. He had known, he had to stop people doing wrong things. Now he wanted to punish. Nobody gave him a good answer. Not like Asuma once did. All logic had faded. He had done right things, he had stopped people doing wrong things. But that was not enough.

When he had killed a person, he had known it was wrong.

When he killed another person, he needed to convince himself, that it was the right thing to do.

When he killed again, he created another identity, that could do wrong things to do right. That was the day Shadow was born.

Today, when he had killed somebody and watched him die, Shikamaru was beginning to question the rights Shadow actually had.

A/N: Don't forget: R&R! Tell me, how do you like it?