Been a while, eh? Well I haven't given up on this puppy yet, just been really busy. Enjoy!
"Shikamaru is that you!?" she returned with equal surprise.
"What are you doing!?"
"I could ask you the same – you're in my house!"
This was not Naruko. Naruko was the tom-boy who competed with the jocks in football, basketball, soccer, even wrestling – you name it. Naruko was the lazy class-clown who couldn't spell nail polish, who would almost cry if she got close to lipstick. Naruko was the failure who had to repeat the yearly standardized test three times, only passing because the school didn't want her to mess with its glorious percentages. This, whoever, whatever this was, was certainly not Naruko. This succubus who stood before him was… stunning, absolutely stunning. She giggled lightly – her crystal clear laughter flowing through the air.
"Y-you first." Shikamaru said.
"Okay," she said slowly stepping forward to him. "Currently, I'm putting out a cigarette that's killing my friend." Shikamaru rolled his eyes as he resigned himself to a nicotine-free moment. She gently grabbed the cigarette and put it out. "But before that, I was on my way to see a mystery man that I'm supposed to get… engaged to."
Shikamaru nearly choked on the fluff of air he inhaled. "You're getting engaged!? Who are you?"
She smiled. "I know, right. Times change since high school though, I suppose. So?"
"Oh… yeah. I was just… never mind."
She raised an eyebrow, tilting her hips and crossing her arms.
"Nah, I'm not doing much now either. I'm KPD now, so that's something, but you know, doesn't really require a whole lot of work."
She smiled. "In other words you're still a lazy bastard."
He chuckled. "Well, some things never change. You on the other hand… So who is this mystery man anyway?"
"Hyuuga Neji." She grimaced at the name, saying it cautiously with every syllable.
Shikamaru's brows were about to jump off his face. "That's not exactly a mystery man. The heir to the Hyuuga family is – "
"Blah blah wealth power blah. What does any of it mean, anyway. I don't know what he likes, what foods he eats, hell what's his favorite color."
"Ah." Shikamaru merely stated. "So, everything that's unimportant."
"No," she corrected, "everything that makes an actual difference."
There was a strangely awkward moment as they both pondered the same question for a small moment: was that why they had failed, those many years ago? Because of the small things that didn't matter? Perhaps that was all that ever mattered; the money and power aside, leaving the large houses alone, perhaps all that really mattered were the small things in life.
But Naruko certainly didn't dwell on the moment for too long. "Well, I'm going to get late, so what was it you wanted? Some police business or other?"
Shikamaru opened his mouth but paused, smiling slyly. "I never said I was here on police business."
"Yeah, but you've been gawking at this shop for about half an hour now, and the last time I checked..." She let the implied statement sink in for a second, before shooting the awkward turtle that seemed to manifest. "So you're here on business."
"So you saw me."
She giggled. "Shikamaru you were out in the middle of the street. I saw somebody, just wasn't sure it was you. But now that you're here, Detective." She coyly teased.
"The Uchiha Corporation has been robbed."
"Ah, yes. The Kitsune Josei. It's been all over the papers. And, what, you think it's me?"
"No! No, heavens no. I mean… it wasn't, right?"
"Are you saying I'm not smart enough to pull something like that off?"
"No! You're downright conniving!"
Naruko raised an eyebrow.
"Ah, not like that I mean… Bah, troublesome."
Naruko giggled. "I'm just giving you a hard time. What's up?"
"I was just wondering, since you're good with swords, and you're well-acquainted with the other sword bearers… I was just wondering if you had any idea who it might be."
She thought for a moment. "Nope. But I will say this: whoever did this wasn't a sword-bearer. Sword bearers would never steal a sword that didn't belong to them; it's like taking your livelihood away. We're honorable, and we don't cheat. The sword-bearer community is an increasingly archaic community that's tightly knit around loyalty. Even if it were a sword bearer, I probably wouldn't turn the girl in. Not to mention there aren't any women who even use swords. Even I'm not allowed to touch them often, and if it wasn't for father… I seriously doubt this person was a sword-bearer, but if it was, then the whole woman thing is a lie."
"So the woman thing would be a dead giveaway."
"Definitely. I mean, your boss Tsunade was great with swords, but she hasn't practiced in forever."
"But she was part of the mafia. I mean, surely they do illegal things like steal swords all the time?"
Naruko shook her head. "I think you'd be surprised. Besides, if she were caught stealing a sword, she'd be excommunicated from the sword-bearing society."
Shikamaru looked at her puzzlingly. "Is it a formal society or something?"
Naruko laughed openly. "Of course! Ever since the decline of the samurai our numbers have slowly dwindled, so we've banded together. I mean, sure, the lower ranking members will have other careers like normal people, but the more serious ones definitely dedicate their whole lives to it. For example, Hyuuga Neji, the man I'm about to get engaged to. His father, Hizashi, is one of the upper echelon members. He lives in solitude – no one has seen him in, what is it now, fourteen years?"
"No one?"
"Well, I mean I'm sure the other members may have seen him, but no one from the modern world has seen him."
Shikamaru nodded. "So getting excommunicated from this society is a big deal, then?"
She smiled. "It's a huge deal. Sword-bearers usually have really strong connections to politicians even, so they can get their way. Usually, a traditional excommunication frees your spirit from the chains of a mortal body."
Shikamaru paled. "They kill you."
Naruko nodded happily. "Like I said, loyalty. If it doesn't kill you, it only makes you stronger." She giggled again.
"Haha." Shikamaru weakly returned.
"Hey, I'm really sorry but I'm going to be late, so if you have any other questions, just come back tomorrow or something, all right? It's been good seeing you again Shika." She smiled.
He nodded. God she certainly looked as beautiful as he remembered – even more than what he remembered, actually. He looked at her, walking off with her ass tilting ever so slightly with each step she took. "You, too… Naru-chan." The whisper quietly echoed, chasing the shadows of loneliness for company.
Shikamaru turned back, feeling his newly emptied pocket. Resigning himself to a nicotine-free walk, he grumpily returned to his newly found leads…
…
"Did you bring the package?" A slithery voice responded.
"First half, just like I said. Second half after the mission is completed. Now where's my half – let's get on with it."
"Now, now, were merely a band of outlaws. So inept at even the most menial of tasks. Give us some extra time, ne Tsunade?" A second voice – more daring.
"I don't particularly care for your witty quips. Akatsuki is meant to be an elite group. If that's not what you can bring, then I'll take my business elsewhere."
"Now now, Director, patience. Ah – look – here comes Itachi-san with it now. Would you care for a demonstration to see its merits?"
Tsunade gave a brief but firm nod.
Itachi unsheathed the katana and readied his stance, locking onto Tsunade. The red blade glowed in the dark, famished.
A squirming, terrified man was brought out in shackles. Itachi knocked the breath out of him with a forceful kick to the abdomen. Wheezing, the man tried to get on his knees, but seemed to realize the futility of the situation. As the sword was raised, his eyes closed hoping this was all just a nightmare.
…
Naruko gracefully entered the premises. "Hyuuga-sama," she bowed.
The leader of the family smiled. "Uzumaki-chan, please. Let us do away with such archaic formalities. You will soon be a Hyuuga."
'Fat chance…' Naruko kept her thoughts to herself. Despite the eldest Hyuuga's words, Naruko knew she was to follow every formality to the word. He had merely said that to appear welcoming. But the Hyuugas were one of the most respected families – nobility of the highest order. There seemed little probability of her dropping any formalities.
"Let us dine."
The Hyuugas were a family that wanted to be perceived as embracing western cultures and globalization. She stared at the western utensils in front of her: six in all, three on either side of a plate. What order was she supposed to use them in? Naruko mentally groaned, beginning the most awkward dinner of her life.
…
The Konohagakure no Soto mafia had a rather interesting history. Initially, the mafia began as an outlet for the samurai during the decline of swords in the Meiji Empire. As samurai became increasingly frowned upon, until the Haitorei Act wherein wearing swords was banned entirely, the mob became a place that accepted the archaic concepts of Bushido, sword bearing, and nobility.
It once hosted the most noble families in Konoha: Senjuu, Uchiha, Hyuuga, and others such as Aburame, Nara, and others. Shikamaru remembered his father talking about the days when they participated in the mob. It was many generations ago. Hell, at one point nearly every family in Konoha had some connection to the mob.
But as modernization took full swing in Japan, Konoha followed suit and changed dramatically. The mob's memberships dwindled and simultaneously the society became far more secretive. With the fourth police chief, Namikaze Minato, a revolution occurred: the mob was "officially" disbanded. Crime rates were at an all time low, and its activities changed to political manipulations, running businesses, and corruption was channeled into different outlets.
Shikamaru sighed, re-reading the passages of the book. The sword bearing societies, it seemed, were intricately tied up to the mob until a few generations ago. There seemed to be an increasing divide between groups that wanted to embrace the new notions of equality and practiced swordsmanship purely for the love of the sport. Others, however, disagreed and firmly believed in nobility being determined by birth. They argued that it was their right to have a certain standard of living, at any cost: including thuggery.
No doubt Naruto was right – any true member of a swords bearing community wouldn't have stolen the Uchiha's swords. Something was amiss here. The Uchiha no longer participated in any swords bearing community, yet they contained some of the most valuable (and deadly) weapons in public display. They touted themselves, and were generally accepted, as fine nobility. Clearly, there was a falling apart. If his gut was right – and it usually was (unless it was lunch time) – this was when shady deals occurred.
Shikamaru stumbled across a passage that had been blackened out in many lines, with a note on the side that said: "classified information." He raised an eyebrow. He liked classified. 'Uchiha Madara… Massacre of 1921… Eternal Sword of Passing.'
RING.
'Crap! Cell phone, now of all times?' Shikamaru fumbled around, searching for where he put it.
RING.
The whole library was staring at him angrily. 'Shit! Where was the goddamn – '
RING.
He quickly exited the library. "Hello?"
"Shikamaru. Where are you?"
"Konoha public library. Why?"
"Good. You're closest. Intersection of Hokage's Tower Ave and Hospital Road. There's been a reported mugging – possible murder. Check it out."
Click.
God damn budget cuts. He was working the most important case of his life. Of KPD's life, for that matter. What the hell was she thinking, assigning him another case? This better be the most god damn cut and dry case ever. He furiously ran the two blocks, book bag in hand.
…
Well, she had been wrong. Completely wrong. Neji… wasn't the guy she had thought at all. He was funny, charming, and even loose! Apparently, his family didn't know this; while putting up an act for them, he and his friends would sneak out to clubs.
And the best part? Well, he didn't quite want this marriage either. Turns out he had someone in his life already. Someone with a penis. Yup, the great Hyuuga Neji was gay. Which made the entire situation all the more comical.
They were at a park right now – "Hokage's Tower" as it was called. On either side of the dirt path there were blooming Sakura blossoms, making a tattered cover above their heads through which moonbeams came filtered in. It was a gorgeous sight.
"So, what are we going to do?" Naruko finally asked.
Neji smiled. "We have several options. One," he began, sitting on the bench gracefully. "We fake a marriage, just long enough for everything to settle down. You engage in your own life, while my partner and I live together. No one suspects a thing."
Naruko snorted most un-elegantly. "Please – they'll see through that in a heartbeat! I mean, we're not attracted to each other. Holding hands, kissing – none of this – "
"Is necessary," Neji calmly continued. "I am a Hyuuga, after all. We frown on public indecency. We would just move forward as natural friends, and no one would suspect a thing."
Naruko, despite his logical counterargument, didn't seem moved.
"Very well. We have another option. We simply tell my family that I am gay, I am disowned, and that's that."
She grimaced at his way of putting things. That certainly didn't seem attractive. "Alright, alright," she acquiesced. She understood how difficult it was living with a conservative, traditional family. Well, actually she didn't, but she could imagine. Especially for a gay man. "But how long do you think we can – "
BANG.
And Neji instantly collapsed.
…
"Dan is dead, Tsunade-hime…" Sarutobi Hiruzen sadly informed her. "Nawaki's body was found alongside his. Double homicide."
Tsunade's knuckles turned white as she basked in the pain of her nails digging into her palms. How. How was it possible that someone could order a hit on her family when she was the fucking Yakuza leader? She wanted to scream. She wanted to interrogate each and everyone in Jinchuuriki. And when she found that asshole, she's deal with him herself.
"You and I have always had philosophical differences. As an organization, Jinchuuriki skirts the law. It functions differently than most Yakuza groups – I'll give you that much. And you are motivated by altruism, no doubt. But I think this incident speaks loud enough…"
A single tear fell to the ground. "I have nothing to say to you." She bitterly spat. Did the old man plan this out? Was he the one to order the hit? No. Impossible.
Despite years of connection, despite definitive proof that she was the ringleader, he did nothing to her. He had but one request: every week, Sunday at 7, they'd have a chat. And over the years, they grew to be… acquaintances. Why he insisted on doing this she had no idea.
"Then listen to what I have to say." He handed her a photograph. She recognized it instantly. Her grandfather. "One of the greatest leaders Konohagakure no Sato ever had. It is time you followed in his footsteps, hime."
She glared at him, cynically smiling. It was a twisted, ugly smile that reflected the full extent of the sorrows she felt in her heart. "You think I don't know him? That this is supposed to come as some surprise that changes my attitude completely? FUCK you, old man! Go to hell!"
Hiruzen sighed, merely placing a comforting hand on her back – which she immediately swatted away. "Tsunade, whoever ordered this hit… they won't stop. There's a new group forming. Akatsuki. They're thugs. Murderers. And common robbers. But they've infiltrated Jinchuuriki, and they won't stop."
Looking back on her brash, naïve, younger self, the head of the KPD chuckled. She really was a fool. And her great uncle Hiruzen had been nothing but understanding and patient with her. And, just as he predicted, she did come around. But it was too late.
Despite the elder's warnings, she resumed her post as head of the Yakuza branch named Jinchuuriki. Attempting to weed out the spies, she relied on Jiraiya's extensive spy network to see if he could infiltrate Akatsuki and find double agents, but everything was to no avail. Regardless of what she tried, Akatsuki was growing in strength. The old way of swordsmanship was dying. Rogues and thugs were replacing nobility.
It took Sarutobi Hiruzen's rather gruesome assassination to finally knock some sense into her. After finding his disemboweled remains in her own personal car alongside a "You're next" written in blood, she approached his son, Asuma, who was then mayor.
The transition, in all honesty, was brutal. Within hours of the murder she developed a paralyzing psychosis that traumatized her at the very sight of blood. She was rendered incapable of even seeing blood on television. Eventually, Jiraiya snapped her out of it and dragged her back into Asuma's office, begging to be KPD head. Asuma, completely taken aback by her pleading for something he desperately wanted her to do anyway, naturally obliged.
And for the next decade she ruthlessly policed Konoha, squashing any possible outbursts that resembled Akatsuki. The streets were cleaner, murders at an all time low, and brutality was unheard of. And yet, here she was. In the same spot. Same time of day. Attempting to meet the same person.
"I did manage to get one clue…" Jiraiya sighed, clearly exhausted after his long-term undercover operation.
Tsunade's eyes widened. "Who?" She was frantic. Any leads at all would do. She could take it from there.
"I'm afraid it's probably not going to help you very much. The man's been dead for some time." He handed her a slip of paper. "I lost three men trying to get this piece of crap. So I hope it does you more good than it's done me."
Tsunade frowned. "I'm sorry." She shouldn't have had her expectations so high. Jiraiya did all he could. She couldn't have asked any more. "Thank you for all your help."
Taking out a lighter, she set fire to the useless scrap of paper.
'Uchiha Madara'
And the plot thickens! :)