Shikamaru allowed Takara to accompany him the next morning as long as she agreed to stay in the hallway during the actual meeting. They arrived at Tsunade's office before the Hokage herself. Naruto was already there pacing up and down. Knowing there would be no way to calm him down, Shikamaru settle down to a game of Shogi on a small portable board. The magnetic pieces were a bit annoying, but it was better than just waiting.

Takara was becoming quite good at the game. He had given her the same book that Asuma had given him to look through at first. She had taken it into her room and two days later asked to play a game against him. It had taken him a few minutes to realize that while she had a grasp of the game, she didn't understand all the rules. When he had confronted her, he had learned she was completely illiterate.

That was Takara. Instead of telling him that she couldn't read she had instead studied the diagrams and tried to piece together the game. Shikamaru had attempted to teacher her how to read and write, but it was an uphill battle and essentially sought professional help in the form of Iruka who had graciously taken on the migraine spawning chore. Her inability to read was a problem, but if you showed her or verbally told her about something she would pick it up very fast. If he asked her to do something, Shikamaru knew Takara would put all of her effort into it. Of course, that characteristic made him a little worried about the lack of headway she was making with reading.

"Hey," Naruto call down the hallway, "You're late."

"Naruto," Tsunade called back, her tone sharp. "I am the Hokage. I am never late, time is just occasionally wrong. My office," she added as she brushed past both of them.

Shikamaru smile at Takara. "I'll be back soon." The girl didn't look up from the board and he tried not to analyze her reaction.

Tsunade sat down heavily in her chair and let out a long sigh. "Well, I can say I've learned a lot more but am none the wiser. The circus and his parent's names check out. That circus did leave the country about three months ago although we haven't found any missing persons reports about him, but that doesn't mean anything. As for how he got into the village itself, well were pretty sure he snuck in yesterday."

"You've already narrowed it down?" Shikamaru said surprised.

Tsunade nodded. "We think so. There was a family-owned caravan that came in the other day, lots of kids, all running around. It would've been easy to slip one more in."

"So he wasn't grabbed at random. They were looking for a kid because they knew one could slip through under the right circumstances," Naruto said.

"Yes, but it doesn't help us narrow down the list of guilty parties," Tsunade observed. "There's nothing new in a medical way so I think we sort of hit a wall there. As for the video we analyzed for micro-expressions." She let out a long sigh. "There is no evidence that he expressed any motions anger, fear or even recognition when Naruto walked into the room. As far as he was concerned you were a complete stranger."

For a moment there was silence before Shikamaru spoke. "So, were going to have to make something happen."

Tsunade swung her chair slightly towards him and lifted one of her eyebrows questioningly. "What do you suggest?"

"If you don't believe there's anything more we can learn medically, then I would suggest bringing the kid back to his parents. One of three things may happen. We may return the kid and get no further information, but at least he's not our problem. We may return the kid and gain some information about his disappearance. Or, "Shikamaru paused knowing what was about to be said would set off Naruto. "We might learn that his parents were involved in his kidnapping which would allow us to find a chain back to who's ever responsible."

"What type of parent would do that!" Naruto growled.

A lousy one or a desperate one Shikamaru thought to himself. "It's only a possibility and a slim one at that. Considering how little we know about the situation, it's important not to have any preconceived notions."

"Still," Naruto said trying to keep his temper down. "I want to be the one to take Ryoichi back."

That was a bad idea Shikamaru thought. Before he could argue, though, Tsunade spoke up.

"Naruto, you've put in for a genin team this year. They're graduating in three days so you won't be able to get back in time. It would be cruel to keep the team waiting for your return especially if you rejected them. Besides we have more volunteers this year then we will have teams so it would be doubly unfair."

Naruto examined the floor as if the answer would be there and slowly nodded. "You're right. I've already promised myself I'll always be on time for my team."

"A good choice Naruto and besides I'm sure Shikamaru will be more than capable of carrying out this mission," Tsunade said casually.

Shikamaru's head snapped toward Tsunade. When had he volunteered for this mission? "There are better ninjas then myself in reading others' reactions," he began only to be cut off.

"Yes, there are. That is why Ino will be accompanying you. On your way home I also want you to stop at Sunagakure with a copy of the information we obtained. This is one of those situations where I think comparing notes could be helpful. Ino will be helpful there too as she is a medical-nin."

Shikamaru was about to ask them why send him at all when he realized this whole meeting had already been planned by her. He tried to calculate how long the mission might take in his head and didn't like the number he came up with. "You're going to be classifying this as a C- rank mission right?"

The older woman nodded. "The pay grade will be on the higher end of that, but there doesn't seem to be any promise of imminent combat."

Shikamaru hesitated and then let out a long sigh."It will be troublesome, but I would like Takara to accompany me."

"She's your apprentice," Tsunade said. "I would advise against it, but I don't have grounds for interfering with your training methods."

"Thank you," Shikamaru said wondering if he had to explain his reasoning would she have grounds. Turning he headed for the door, but when he opened he nearly stepped on Takara who had been listening at the crack between the door and the floor. For a second they just stared at each other before Shikamaru muttered, "Troublesome" under his breath and stepped around her.

A hour later Shikamaru ,Takara and Ino were sitting around a table at an outdoor teahouse discussing the upcoming mission.

"It's mostly a fishing expedition," Shikamaru concluded. "I think I'm putting more hope that we'll find something in Sunagakure then we will find something at the circus."

"And you don't think it's odd that no one reported him missing?" Ino asked.

Shikamaru shrugged. "A lot of those traveling shows are little worlds unto themselves. It's the same deal with some of those traveling caravans. They don't lay down roots anywhere and have a complicated relationship with local authorities. They're not always trusted or liked so they keep to themselves."

"Yeah," Takara seconded.

Shikamaru glanced at the girl wondering if she was agreeing with him from her own experiences or just simply agreeing with him.

"Maybe," Ino allowed. "Takara, could you get me a napkin?"

The girl glanced over at the kunoichi for several seconds before she said, "Why don't I just stand over there until you're finished talking about me?"

Before Shikamaru could scold her, Takara spun around on her stool and went to stand by the condiments table with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. Shaking his head he said, "Sorry about that. I'll have a talk with her."

Ino who seemed a bit miffed ignored him. "Why are you bringing her along? This kid could still be dangerous. You suggested that we sleep in shifts in case you forgot already."

"Yeah, I remember. The possibility is slim. He might revert to that assassin personality." The possibility of there being three personalities in one body was interesting, the real, the assassin and innocent. He filed that idea away for later pondering. "Still, there are advantages to bring her along. Look at it from Ryoichi point of view."

"He has no idea how he got here. He surrounded by strangers. We tell him he's going home, but he has no reason to believe us. If I was in his place I might just run. If Takara is with us though, well she's a kid just like him. She could vouch that were not lying to him. They might even hit it off and he could tell her things he wouldn't tell us."

Ino sip at her tea. "I'll give you half credit. Your first suggestion has some merit but there's zero chance of the second. Their age difference is too great and there different genders. I'm guessing your reasoning is more personal."

Ino could be annoying at times. Choji would've realized that he was hiding something but unlike Choji, Ino would want him to say whatever it was. Instead of playing cat and mouse games, which she would enjoy, Shikamaru decided for the truth. "Takara has severe separation anxiety. We're working on it, but it's made more difficult by the fact that she has lost every important person in her life. If I left for an indefinite period it would be difficult for her. She hasn't had much luck in making friends and it's not like she would have much to fill her day."

"So instead of putting her through some mental anxiety, you intend to take her on a dangerous mission?"

"The combat potential is very low," Shikamaru said.

Ino seem to give that some thought and nodded. "It's not ideal, but given the first reason you gave me I won't complain."

"So you're going to take me back to my parents?" Ryoichi asked hesitantly from his hospital bed.

Ino glanced at Shikamaru before smiling at the boy. "Yes, you'll be back with your family in a few days."

Ryoichi shifted his gaze over the small group. Shikamaru could guess what was going through his head. While he had been told how he came to be here, he also had no compelling reason to believe them.

"So you didn't kidnap me?"

"Why would we want to do that?" Takara spoke up from Shikamaru's elbow.

He nudged her and she shrank away refusing to look up at him. "Sorry about her."He placed a large white bag on the bed. "These are the close you were brought in with they've been cleaned. You didn't have any money on you, but will take care of any expenses that come up until we get you back to your parents."

Ryoichi started to go through the bag and pulled out a dark red shirt. "I've never seen these before."

"Sorry, but they're what you came in with. Do you remember what you were wearing?" Shikamaru questioned.

"Overalls, I was helping to take down the tents. I..." he trailed off.

He waited a second before prompting, "You remember something?"

The boy hesitated before nodding. "I had just finished helping Oki take her tent down. She's an aunt of mine and the fortuneteller. Anyway, we were almost done and I was walking back when I saw this big feather drifting down, then I was here."

Shikamaru and Ino shared a look. They both remembered the Nehan Shoja no Jutsu that had been used during the finals of their first exam. That particular technique could be used on a very large scale. It would be something worth asking about when they arrived. Shikamaru decided to try to talk to Oki too since she was the last one to see him before his abduction.

"So, are you a performer too?" Shikamaru asked.

Ryoichi hesitated for a fraction of a second. "Yeah, of course. I'm up there with the rest of my family, well except for my little brothers. They'll be up there though eventually."

"Well, I'm sure your family will be happy to see you back," Ino chimed in.

"Yeah, when can we get going?" Ryoichi asked.

Shikamaru shrugged. "The faster you get dressed the quicker we can get out of here."

"Yeah, you mind leaving for that?" Ryoichi ask.

Shikamaru suspected that Ryoichi didn't fully believe they were taking him home until they had left the walls of the village. The boy's personality seemed to change almost instantly. He would run forward and do a cartwheel or some other minor acrobatic feat for no reason at all. Shikamaru found it a bit annoying and Takara either took her note from him or was equally unimpressed. Ino was more indulgent; she praised every series of back flips and cartwheels as if she had never done the same thing.

Then he thought back to the chase and realized something he should have noticed a while ago. Most kids couldn't do that. How would Ryoichi have attack Naruto if he hadn't found him on the street? Naruto still lived in the same apartment that he had always had. In his mind's eye Shikamaru tried to see someone scurrying up the side of the building and climbing onto that little balcony of Naruto's. Would that be possible?

If that had been the plan it would imply a disturbing amount of familiarity with his village. He let that thought wander through his head as he tried to pick out other places Naruto would've been likely attack. Unfortunately besides home or the street he couldn't think of any likely locations. The thought was mostly speculation, but with the lack of facts he had it was a recurring one.

The day dragged on and Ryoichi only come down a little. They stopped at a clearing that Shikamaru and Ino had used before and set up camp. In this both Ryoichi will and Takara were equally useless. Ryoichi had no experience with setting up personal tents while Takara was equally uncertain what to do. At least Shikamaru had been prepared for the letter and ended up walking both of them through the necessary steps. It was almost pleasant. It would be the last time he would have that thought for a few days.

"There it is!" Ryoichi shouted as the tip of a tent came into view. He broke into a run, pulling the others along.

After five days on the road, the site of the multicolored tents filled Shikamaru's heart with joy. Not because of the wonder they promised, but the simple knowledge that Ryoichi would be departing his company forever. The boy's hyperactivity had not waned. Until this journey he had never quite appreciated how quiet Takara was.

Entering the circus ground Shikamaru noticed everything was set up, but unmanned in the morning hours. The lack of people gave him an uneasy feeling; it felt wrong, like a silent forest. Ryoichi made a beeline right for the largest tent entering with the rest of them steps behind.

Entering the tent the light level dropped dramatically and it took Shikamaru a second for his eyes to adjust.

"Mom!" Ryoichi cried running towards a woman who barely had enough time to turnaround before impact.

Even from this distance Shikamaru could see her shocked expression. He then heard to high-pitched squeals as two small boys abandoned some sort of climbing thing and rushed over to join the reunion. The group from Konoha stopped several steps away giving the family space for the little reunion. After a minute Ryoichi broke the embrace with his mom and scooped up his brothers. The boy was surprisingly strong, Shikamaru noticed.

"Mom, where's everyone else? I want to surprise them."

"There still in the wagon."

"Great," Ryoichi interrupted her before running off his two brothers in tow, leaving Shikamaru to introduce himself.

The woman stared after her son still stunned before slowly turning her gaze on them. Shikamaru smiled and stepped forward trying to seem nonthreatening. "Hello, I'm Shikamaru. I was tasked with making sure your son got back to you safely." The look he received was cold, so much so that he almost took a step backward.

"And where was he?" She had turned the question into an accusation. He felt offended and lost his voice.

Ino stepped forward. "Well to be honest we can only vouch for his location for the last couple of days. He only recently came to our village and after a brief stay at our hospital we set out to find you."

"Hospital! Was he hurt?"

She looked like she was just about to go after her son when Ino spoke again. "Physically he's fine and that's mostly thanks to Shikamaru here. Still, there is something we would like to tell you. Is there a place we can sit down?"

The woman hesitated before gesturing to the stamps. Shikamaru give a silent nod of thanks to Ino. She was better at people skills then he was. The three of them took seats, but the woman chose to stand her arms crossed.

"What's wrong with my son?"

"There's nothing physically wrong with him," Ino began, "he just can't remember where he's been until a few days ago."

"And why is that?" The woman tone was almost accusatory.

"That's what we would like to know," Shikamaru answered his tone matching her own.

Ino elbowed him in his side hard. "Forgive him. This situation is," she trailed off.

"Troublesome."Shikamaru supplied.

The woman's gaze went between the two of them. "I don't understand."

"He tried to kill someone." Takara announced firmly stomping her foot down on the elusive truth.

"Ryoichi would never hurt anyone. He won't even swat a fly."

There was a part of Shikamaru that always wanted to appease an angry woman. He blamed his mother. "No, we don't think he did it or at least we don't think he did it consciously. We think whoever kidnapped him trick him into it. He doesn't remember anything."

"Of course he doesn't. You damn ninjas can do whatever you want and there's nothing we can do about it is there? You take my son away and then bring him back months later. Damn you all." With that the woman kicked the bleachers before trading and storming off.

Shikamaru stood and stared after her stunt. Recovering himself he was about to chastised Takara when Ino spoke up. "Well she's certainly uncomfortable. She was just waiting for an excuse to storm off."

"What?" Shikamaru turned his attention towards Ino who seemed to be replaying something in her mind.

"Think about it. Your son has returned to you after months of being absent in apparent good health. She was happy at first, but you would think are euphoric state would've lasted if it did. Did you see her body language? She was very closed off."

"Maybe it's because we are ninjas?" Takara venture.

That idea brought a grimace to Ino's face and Shikamaru felt the same. Shikamaru was aware that his village at least tried to maintain a good friendly image, but not all Hidden Villages did that. The unaligned ninjas and missing-nin didn't help either.